Salon 1

OK, this is my second time referring to the story of The Emporer’s New Clothes, but it such a relavent parable these days, especially in politics.  Did no one read this story growing up?  Bill Maher made a statement recently about the Pope’s tour of duty as a member of the Hitler Youth.  I keep hearing excuses about this, such as it was against his will.  Bill Maher supposedly later made an apology recently, and although I agree it was not an apology, I think it was a brilliant statement where he contrasted the Pope’s history and stated that if he were a CEO of such an organization, he would be in jail.  Many are condemming his statement, including Fox news.

I can understand members of the Catholic faith not enjoying hearing these statements.  However, it is clear that people who want him to recant are not saying so because these statements are not based on fact, they are only outraged because they don’t like to hear it.  Now people are calling for Bill Maher to be fired.  Two things scare me about this.  First, do we not have free speech in this country?  Second, do we not care more about the safety of our children than the over dramatic feelings of some adults?  Have we come to the point that if someone says something people don’t like to hear that society can force them to shut up, without any regard to whether it is factual?  That gives me the chills!!!!!!

The position of Pope is the highest humanly attainable position of authority in the Christian (not just Catholic) faith.  Should we expect that person to have a clean record – of course, why not.  It is not acceptable that they were a member of the Hitler Youth.

In addition, how long is the Catholic church going to keep sweeping the molestation problem under the rug.  I don’t think the Catholic church is all bad, I just expect the leadership to step up and police its own.

It’s funny that we seem to be more forgiving of crimes committed by priests, police officers, and politicians when I believe it should be the other way around.  We should have higher expectations of them to not break the law, to be just, to have integrity, and to be trustworthy.  If that does not make sense to anyone, then think about it this way.  I am sure there are a lot of cardinals out there that were not members of the Hitler Youth.  Do you mean to tell me that none of them could have been Pope?