Pope Francis is dying and he is using his last moments to tell the U.S. Bishops than Trump and Co. are up to no good and especially calling out J.D. Vance.
LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
_________________
Dear Brothers in the Episcopate,
I am writing today to address a few words to you in these delicate moments that you are living as Pastors of the People of God who walk together in the United States of America.
1. The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person. [1]
2. These words with which I begin are not an artificial construct. Even a cursory examination of the Church’s social doctrine emphatically shows that Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel (cf. Mt 1:23); he did not live apart from the difficult experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and from the experience of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own. The Son of God, in becoming man, also chose to live the drama of immigration. I like to recall, among other things, the words with which Pope Pius XII began his Apostolic Constitution on the Care of Migrants, which is considered the “Magna Carta” of the Church’s thinking on migration:
“The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands.” [2]
3. Likewise, Jesus Christ, loving everyone with a universal love, educates us in the permanent recognition of the dignity of every human being, without exception. In fact, when we speak of “infinite and transcendent dignity,” we wish to emphasize that the most decisive value possessed by the human person surpasses and sustains every other juridical consideration that can be made to regulate life in society. Thus, all the Christian faithful and people of good will are called upon to consider the legitimacy of norms and public policies in the light of the dignity of the person and his or her fundamental rights, not vice versa.
4. I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival. That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.
5. This is not a minor issue: an authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalized. The true common good is promoted when society and government, with creativity and strict respect for the rights of all — as I have affirmed on numerous occasions — welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable. This does not impede the development of a policy that regulates orderly and legal migration. However, this development cannot come about through the privilege of some and the sacrifice of others. What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.
6. Christians know very well that it is only by affirming the infinite dignity of all that our own identity as persons and as communities reaches its maturity. Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups. In other words: the human person is not a mere individual, relatively expansive, with some philanthropic feelings! The human person is a subject with dignity who, through the constitutive relationship with all, especially with the poorest, can gradually mature in his identity and vocation. The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (cf. Lk 10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. [3]
7. But worrying about personal, community or national identity, apart from these considerations, easily introduces an ideological criterion that distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest as the criterion of truth.
8. I recognize your valuable efforts, dear brother bishops of the United States, as you work closely with migrants and refugees, proclaiming Jesus Christ and promoting fundamental human rights. God will richly reward all that you do for the protection and defense of those who are considered less valuable, less important or less human!
9. I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all.
10. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect individuals and families who live in fear or pain due to migration and/or deportation. May the “Virgen morena”, who knew how to reconcile peoples when they were at enmity, grant us all to meet again as brothers and sisters, within her embrace, and thus take a step forward in the construction of a society that is more fraternal, inclusive and respectful of the dignity of all.
Whatever this means: Trump signed more executive orders including one that "reestablishes the long-standing norm that only the president or the attorney general can speak for the United States when stating an opinion as to what the law is," Scharf said.
Our Federalized system might also prevent some but all damage.
As my State Senator pointed out this morning, most forests in California (and most of the United States) are federal land. Slashing jobs at Interior and National Parks is going to be very bad during the summer travel and wildfire seasons.
What is happening at the DOJ and FBI is not good.
What is happening at HHS/NIH is not good.
But I still find it strange that DEI gets such strong reactions. Yes, there is some silliness in the language used at corporate training workshops but it is clear that Trump's crusade against DEIA is more about reasserting white supremacy. Hence he found one group that deserves political asylum, white South Africans.* They are going at this with manic energy. They are defending alliances with far right fascist parties and going to the mats when someone is revealed as a Holocaust denier or having attended actual white supremacist rallies.
Or as I saw it, Musk's code warriors are like meth addicts ripping through the walls and copper wiring looking for the WOKE machine so they can figure out why women won't f**k them,
But if someone's response to all the chaos and damage being caused now is still to go "but DEI." I have to think it will be 2024's but her emails...
I wonder if this a difference between liberal v. leftist. I think USAID did a lot more good than bad and its destruction will lead to a lot of pain and suffering around the world.
They are basically doing a wholesale dismantling of the Federal Government which will cause a lot of pain down the road or worse.
And I don't think this is good even if the agencies were not perfect.
Putin and Xi wanted a weakened and discredited and untrusted U.S. and Trusk's actions are going to produce that. I don't believe in Evil Spock American Exceptionalism where the United States is only a source of evil and malice in the world. I don't believe in American Exceptionalism where we are only a force of unalloyed good.
But I am an internationalist and believe in soft power and America being active in world affairs.
Was getting a read out a short time ago about firings at CMS (the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid). The cuts run deep. And giving how much of the health care economy runs through these programs that’s of course worrisome. But the most telling detail is one I’ve heard from numerous other agencies. The people actually running the agency don’t actually know how many people have been fired or who they are. If you’re in charge of and responsible for running the place you really need to know that. But as in other agencies they’re having to piece that together by doing things like seeing whose emails have been turned off or just asking them. Did you get fired? You? Can someone ask Lori if she got fired? Imagine running an agency and finding out that there had been widespread terminations but not being given any details about who they are or how many there are. That’s pretty straightforward sabotage.
Can JB troll Democrats/Liberals with selectively presented information? Not only can he, he is compelled to do so.
There is a bunch of stuff going on: Musk is currently taking a lot of fire for Trump, the proverbial sh@t has not hit the fan for most Americans, and there is a weird split in favorability and approval.
But this os still low by first 100 days status historically
The Adams' situation has gotten to the point where Gov. Hochul is holding an emergency meeting today. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back appears to be the sudden resignation of 4 Deputy Mayors and the head of the NYC council calling for him to resign. These are Adams' own allies and staffers, not his opposition.
Josh Marshall correctly pointed out that the corrupt plea bargain deal gives Trump dominion over NYC effectively.'
We shall see if Hochul is willing to use a never enacted power which lets her remove the mayor from office.
FWIW, I think it is generally good to be cautious about using this power but this is an emergency/break glass situation
Speaking of "peace" "deals", the stabbing in the back from Trump to Ukraine continues. The three stage "process" includes snap elections which will presumably be used to try and get a Kremlin and Putin friendly Puppet government in charge of things.
"These health burdens have continued to increase alongside the increased prescription of medication. For example, in the case of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, over 3.4 million children are now on medication for the disorder — up from 3.2 million children in 2019-2020 — and the number of children being diagnosed with the condition continues to rise.
This poses a dire threat to the American people and our way of life."
Homan wants the DOJ about making a video advising undocumented residents about their rights: https://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-investigation-illegal-migrant-video-tom-homan-2031045
The GOP wants to ban mRNA vaccines: https://www.yahoo.com/news/bill-ban-mrna-vaccines-passes-140200324.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACYLVIW00ldqm6UCPi6x0bA7pJPelrx6iePXdC-ZN30G7gQ7wC3svob-8w2UsUyI-nptiG0JHe0W3wykEBUILSX-kxQXPN20PcwNtHOVK2lm32jlGka_UEH8VBrlwrqwSiYyrQgdH4JkZoZ-kmHO5FGuQkOls6wli1DPTQUqEsQH
ETA: Never mind this is Montana only but still dumb
Four NYC deputy mayors are expected to resign rather than collaborate with Trump and Adams: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/nyregion/adams-deputy-mayors-resign-trump-immigration.html?smtyp=cur&smid=bsky-nytimes
And apparently Starbucks' official reply includes the legalese version of "white dudes are shit at customer service and often overly aggressive, which is why we don't hire more of them.
I don't have a source or cite for this but I believe it.
MO's AG is suing Starbucks for having too many female and/or non-white employees are arguing this causes MO customers to wait longer and pay higher prices.
Today's non Trump Story. There is apparently a radical offshoot of the so-called Rationalist movement called the Zizzians which is implicated in at least six murders around the United States. The most recent was on January 17 in Vermont. The leader of the group apparently skipped bail a while ago and faked her own death.
Max Read gives a deep dive into Rationalism and why it seems to produce a lot of cults and the whole thing sounds nuts to me. A philosophy that used Harry Potter fanfic to spread its views?
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “Open Mic for the week of 2/17/2025”
Pope Francis is dying and he is using his last moments to tell the U.S. Bishops than Trump and Co. are up to no good and especially calling out J.D. Vance.
LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
_________________
Dear Brothers in the Episcopate,
I am writing today to address a few words to you in these delicate moments that you are living as Pastors of the People of God who walk together in the United States of America.
1. The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person. [1]
2. These words with which I begin are not an artificial construct. Even a cursory examination of the Church’s social doctrine emphatically shows that Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel (cf. Mt 1:23); he did not live apart from the difficult experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and from the experience of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own. The Son of God, in becoming man, also chose to live the drama of immigration. I like to recall, among other things, the words with which Pope Pius XII began his Apostolic Constitution on the Care of Migrants, which is considered the “Magna Carta” of the Church’s thinking on migration:
“The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands.” [2]
3. Likewise, Jesus Christ, loving everyone with a universal love, educates us in the permanent recognition of the dignity of every human being, without exception. In fact, when we speak of “infinite and transcendent dignity,” we wish to emphasize that the most decisive value possessed by the human person surpasses and sustains every other juridical consideration that can be made to regulate life in society. Thus, all the Christian faithful and people of good will are called upon to consider the legitimacy of norms and public policies in the light of the dignity of the person and his or her fundamental rights, not vice versa.
4. I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival. That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.
5. This is not a minor issue: an authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalized. The true common good is promoted when society and government, with creativity and strict respect for the rights of all — as I have affirmed on numerous occasions — welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable. This does not impede the development of a policy that regulates orderly and legal migration. However, this development cannot come about through the privilege of some and the sacrifice of others. What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.
6. Christians know very well that it is only by affirming the infinite dignity of all that our own identity as persons and as communities reaches its maturity. Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups. In other words: the human person is not a mere individual, relatively expansive, with some philanthropic feelings! The human person is a subject with dignity who, through the constitutive relationship with all, especially with the poorest, can gradually mature in his identity and vocation. The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (cf. Lk 10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. [3]
7. But worrying about personal, community or national identity, apart from these considerations, easily introduces an ideological criterion that distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest as the criterion of truth.
8. I recognize your valuable efforts, dear brother bishops of the United States, as you work closely with migrants and refugees, proclaiming Jesus Christ and promoting fundamental human rights. God will richly reward all that you do for the protection and defense of those who are considered less valuable, less important or less human!
9. I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all.
10. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect individuals and families who live in fear or pain due to migration and/or deportation. May the “Virgen morena”, who knew how to reconcile peoples when they were at enmity, grant us all to meet again as brothers and sisters, within her embrace, and thus take a step forward in the construction of a society that is more fraternal, inclusive and respectful of the dignity of all.
Fraternally,
Francis
From the Vatican, 10 February 2025
"
Whatever this means: Trump signed more executive orders including one that "reestablishes the long-standing norm that only the president or the attorney general can speak for the United States when stating an opinion as to what the law is," Scharf said.
https://abc7.com/post/trump-will-sign-new-executive-orders/15927230/
"
Our Federalized system might also prevent some but all damage.
As my State Senator pointed out this morning, most forests in California (and most of the United States) are federal land. Slashing jobs at Interior and National Parks is going to be very bad during the summer travel and wildfire seasons.
What is happening at the DOJ and FBI is not good.
What is happening at HHS/NIH is not good.
But I still find it strange that DEI gets such strong reactions. Yes, there is some silliness in the language used at corporate training workshops but it is clear that Trump's crusade against DEIA is more about reasserting white supremacy. Hence he found one group that deserves political asylum, white South Africans.* They are going at this with manic energy. They are defending alliances with far right fascist parties and going to the mats when someone is revealed as a Holocaust denier or having attended actual white supremacist rallies.
Or as I saw it, Musk's code warriors are like meth addicts ripping through the walls and copper wiring looking for the WOKE machine so they can figure out why women won't f**k them,
But if someone's response to all the chaos and damage being caused now is still to go "but DEI." I have to think it will be 2024's but her emails...
"
Orabnification is happening to.
I wonder if this a difference between liberal v. leftist. I think USAID did a lot more good than bad and its destruction will lead to a lot of pain and suffering around the world.
They are basically doing a wholesale dismantling of the Federal Government which will cause a lot of pain down the road or worse.
And I don't think this is good even if the agencies were not perfect.
Putin and Xi wanted a weakened and discredited and untrusted U.S. and Trusk's actions are going to produce that. I don't believe in Evil Spock American Exceptionalism where the United States is only a source of evil and malice in the world. I don't believe in American Exceptionalism where we are only a force of unalloyed good.
But I am an internationalist and believe in soft power and America being active in world affairs.
"
I can't think of anything Putin or Xi would do differently if they were in charge of the U.S. instead of Trusk
"
You present the polls without context in a cheery matter. It sure has hell looks like it is coming from an amoral vacuum to me. I report, you decide.
Do you have any opinions on your own for what is happening and whether the actions are good or bad?
"
From Josh Marshall:
Was getting a read out a short time ago about firings at CMS (the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid). The cuts run deep. And giving how much of the health care economy runs through these programs that’s of course worrisome. But the most telling detail is one I’ve heard from numerous other agencies. The people actually running the agency don’t actually know how many people have been fired or who they are. If you’re in charge of and responsible for running the place you really need to know that. But as in other agencies they’re having to piece that together by doing things like seeing whose emails have been turned off or just asking them. Did you get fired? You? Can someone ask Lori if she got fired? Imagine running an agency and finding out that there had been widespread terminations but not being given any details about who they are or how many there are. That’s pretty straightforward sabotage.
"
Also, counter evidence: https://www.nj.com/politics/2025/02/major-trouble-for-donald-trump-in-new-polling-is-chaos-catching-up-to-him.html
"
Can JB troll Democrats/Liberals with selectively presented information? Not only can he, he is compelled to do so.
There is a bunch of stuff going on: Musk is currently taking a lot of fire for Trump, the proverbial sh@t has not hit the fan for most Americans, and there is a weird split in favorability and approval.
But this os still low by first 100 days status historically
"
This is a blatant lie.
"
Speaking of more local corruption.
The Adams' situation has gotten to the point where Gov. Hochul is holding an emergency meeting today. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back appears to be the sudden resignation of 4 Deputy Mayors and the head of the NYC council calling for him to resign. These are Adams' own allies and staffers, not his opposition.
Josh Marshall correctly pointed out that the corrupt plea bargain deal gives Trump dominion over NYC effectively.'
We shall see if Hochul is willing to use a never enacted power which lets her remove the mayor from office.
FWIW, I think it is generally good to be cautious about using this power but this is an emergency/break glass situation
"
https://united24media.com/latest-news/us-russia-peace-plan-allegedly-suggests-three-stages-ceasefire-elections-and-final-agreement-5992
Speaking of "peace" "deals", the stabbing in the back from Trump to Ukraine continues. The three stage "process" includes snap elections which will presumably be used to try and get a Kremlin and Putin friendly Puppet government in charge of things.
"
"These health burdens have continued to increase alongside the increased prescription of medication. For example, in the case of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, over 3.4 million children are now on medication for the disorder — up from 3.2 million children in 2019-2020 — and the number of children being diagnosed with the condition continues to rise.
This poses a dire threat to the American people and our way of life."
The language of Eugenics right out in the open.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/establishing-the-presidents-make-america-healthy-again-commission/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1SErud5Tu3NGb7PN1P1SH1bMWrNaqo2aoPvvnNc5WiS2IrAhpLXHlp9bw_aem_jn2B0kbC060F0yDuQBLLfA
"
Homan wants the DOJ about making a video advising undocumented residents about their rights: https://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-investigation-illegal-migrant-video-tom-homan-2031045
"
The GOP wants to ban mRNA vaccines: https://www.yahoo.com/news/bill-ban-mrna-vaccines-passes-140200324.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACYLVIW00ldqm6UCPi6x0bA7pJPelrx6iePXdC-ZN30G7gQ7wC3svob-8w2UsUyI-nptiG0JHe0W3wykEBUILSX-kxQXPN20PcwNtHOVK2lm32jlGka_UEH8VBrlwrqwSiYyrQgdH4JkZoZ-kmHO5FGuQkOls6wli1DPTQUqEsQH
ETA: Never mind this is Montana only but still dumb
"
Four NYC deputy mayors are expected to resign rather than collaborate with Trump and Adams: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/nyregion/adams-deputy-mayors-resign-trump-immigration.html?smtyp=cur&smid=bsky-nytimes
On “From Washington Post: The Trump Lexicon”
Bezos pulled ads against Elon Musk so this is really rich
On “Open Mic for the week of 2/17/2025”
Today in it is totally not a cult:
1. Representative Claudia Tenney (NY-24) proposes turning Trump's birthday into a Federal Holiday.
2. Rep. Luna introduces legislation to carve Trump into Mt. Rushmore
3. House Republicans want to impeach judges that ruled against Trump
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/16/impeachment-judges-republicans-trump
On “Open Mic for the week of 2/10/2025”
And apparently Starbucks' official reply includes the legalese version of "white dudes are shit at customer service and often overly aggressive, which is why we don't hire more of them.
I don't have a source or cite for this but I believe it.
"
https://thehill.com/business/5140951-missouri-attorney-general-sues-starbucks-anti-discrimination-laws/
MO's AG is suing Starbucks for having too many female and/or non-white employees are arguing this causes MO customers to wait longer and pay higher prices.
"
https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3li5q2gmsts2b
Trump's view that the U.S. Government can and should act as a mafia protection racket continues.
On “Open Mic for the week of 2/3/2025”
Adams also appeared on Fox and Friends with Hooman and announced "I'm collaborating."
"
Dropping the Adams case is going very poorly for the Trump admin: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/14/nyregion/eric-adams-charges-doj
It is like these people don't understand the concept of integrity at all and think everything is transactional.
Former Roberts Clerk Hagan Scotten sent Bove a scathing resignation letter.
https://bsky.app/profile/nycsouthpaw.bsky.social/post/3li5k6sh2l22v
On “Open Mic for the week of 2/10/2025”
Chevron is playing to lay off up to 20 percent of its staff. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/business/energy-environment/chevron-layoffs-oil.html
"
https://maxread.substack.com/p/the-zizians-and-the-rationalist-death/comments
Today's non Trump Story. There is apparently a radical offshoot of the so-called Rationalist movement called the Zizzians which is implicated in at least six murders around the United States. The most recent was on January 17 in Vermont. The leader of the group apparently skipped bail a while ago and faked her own death.
Max Read gives a deep dive into Rationalism and why it seems to produce a lot of cults and the whole thing sounds nuts to me. A philosophy that used Harry Potter fanfic to spread its views?
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.