Andrew Greeley's column in today's Chicago Sun-Times is "American warmongers excel at talking a good game." Greeley's writings are often unintentionally amusing, filled with the sort of kneejerk liberalism we'd expect from a Barack Obama contributor. This morning's article is typically hilarious:
If we chant "USA!" Often enough, sing God "Bless American!" fervently enough, wear flag pins, fly the flag in front of our house and croak the national anthem loudly enough, we will win victory and honor our dead heroes.
Who are those who reject compromise of a useless and criminally deadly war like Iraq? They are the blusterers, members of "veteran's organizations," mountain folk, crackers, West Texans, blue collar workers, evangelical clergy, neo-cons, Republicans, white ethnics, Sox fans, folks who want Cardinal George to "get rid" of Father Pfleger, those who tell you with a straight face that the country isn't ready yet for a black president and that the United States must rid itself of "illegal aliens." (I hasten to add that all these groups number some men and women who are innocent of bellicose patriotism.)
There's something about the American flag that drives liberals loonier than usual. It certainly must irritate them that candidate Obama has been forced to sport a flag pin just to fool the crackers, the blue collar workers, etc.
I'm not certain why he placed quotation marks around "veteran's organizations." Is that not what they are called? The apostrophe, of course, is misplaced, but maybe we shouldn't expect too much from a PhD.
Using the marks with "illegal aliens" is more obvious. The correct term is undocumented workers. Everyone knows that except for white ethnics, mountain folk, evangelical clergy, etc.
A nice touch is Greeley's hastening to add that "some men and women" in the groups he's identified are innocent of the charges he levels. Even Sox fans. How warm. How understanding. How compassionate.
Greeley writes commentary and is entitled, obviously, to his opinion. At the same time, I think it's fair to ask how many other Obama supporters view matters in the same light - and terms - as he does.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Rank Hypocrisy
August 20, 2008 - 09:11 ET by V the KWhy is it the left constantly whines that those who disagree with them are "questioning their patriotism." Yet, they constantly question the racial tolerance of everyone who disagrees with them.
Yes, this includes you, Barack Hussein Obama.
Racial tolerance
August 20, 2008 - 09:19 ET by Mike BatesSome things never change. Back in '84 there was a fella running as a Jesse Jackson delegate in my area who said there was only one reason - and we know what it is - that anyone could oppose the Jetster.
Right.
That's it
August 20, 2008 - 10:11 ET by cvgbuckeyeLet the person who calls me a racist to my face beware because I am sick of it and the only race that he/she will observe is the race between the 2 cheeks of his/her backside to see which one hits the concrete first.
bellicose
August 20, 2008 - 10:13 ET by Mike BatesCareful, now. You might be described by Andrew as "bellicose."
The fact that he includes
August 20, 2008 - 09:14 ET by motherbeltThe fact that he includes "Sox fans" (His Wikipedia entry says that he is an ardent Cubs supporter) proves that he bases his diatribe on no other reason than that he personally dislikes the people in the groups he mentions.
Cubs
August 20, 2008 - 09:16 ET by Mike BatesI've become much more broadminded about the Cubs recently, deciding that every team is entitled to a bad century now and then.
Go Cubbies !!!
August 20, 2008 - 12:42 ET by LionKingAs a die-hard Cub fan, this is their year!!!
It has to be. As football season is ready to start, I am already disappointed and frustrated with the Bears. (Orton??? ... Managing the game == playing NOT to lose)
Cubs must play deep into October.
Regarding Greeley ... I thought LIEberals were supposed to be the tolerant bunch, but he sure seems anything but tolerant.
Cubs
August 20, 2008 - 12:44 ET by Mike BatesAs a die-hard Cub fan, this is their year!!!
Where have we heard that before?
Every year
August 20, 2008 - 12:50 ET by LionKingEvery year ... right???
Delusional
August 20, 2008 - 14:04 ET by In ExcessHis Sox comment shows how delusional he is. He is a fan of the cub who might be the most pathetic organization in sports history. In my 35 years in Chicago the cub can only manage 8 winning seasons vs. 27 losing seasons, not to mention their void of championships over the last century. How does one support that?
I like the Cubs but...
August 20, 2008 - 19:34 ET by RukusI am a Braves fan. We used to be so good, I can only hope. If not the Braves then go Cubs! Ok guys, don't hate me. BTW, I hate the Yanks, my mom love's 'em! Then there is the... shut up Gary!!!
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Motherbelt
August 20, 2008 - 10:04 ET by In ExcessAnother way to put is that 'he dislikes anyone who is not like him.'
'Bellicose' patriotism?
August 20, 2008 - 09:25 ET by SickofLibsThanks for not calling him 'Father' Greeley.
The disgraceful Komrade Greeley is a hemorrhoid on Catholicism. Couldn't he just retire to Moscow or Mexico City where he'd have nothing to rant about?
"Father" Greeley
August 20, 2008 - 09:27 ET by Mike BatesThanks for not calling him 'Father' Greeley.
We have enough problems with Father Pfleger.
I read one of his books
August 20, 2008 - 09:29 ET by ricklailI read one of his books many years ago. I was surprised to learn he was a priest. How could a priest right stuff like that?
Be kind to your kids. They'll be choosing your nursing home.
Greeley's books
August 20, 2008 - 09:32 ET by Mike BatesHow could a priest right stuff like that?
A rich imagination?
Lack of morals and compassion
August 20, 2008 - 09:39 ET by CobraMan"A rich imagination?"
No, it's more likely a lack of morals and compassion.
Keep in mind priests are
August 20, 2008 - 09:41 ET by taterKeep in mind priests are human too and as such are subjected to being influnced by sin as the rest of us.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
I actually thought he was a
August 20, 2008 - 09:41 ET by motherbeltI actually thought he was a "former" Catholic priest. For some reason I thought he had been defrocked.
Wishful thinking, I guess. He is an embarrassment to the Church.
A "former" priest
August 20, 2008 - 09:46 ET by Mike BatesI actually thought he was a "former" Catholic priest. For some reason I thought he had been defrocked.
If they won't do anything about Father Pfleger, they won't take action on Andrew.
Amen. Secularly speaking, of
August 20, 2008 - 09:42 ET by SickofLibsAmen. Secularly speaking, of course.
Secularly speaking, of course.
August 20, 2008 - 09:47 ET by Mike BatesWhew! Had me worried there for a moment.
Deadly War
August 20, 2008 - 09:28 ET by Copperhead RidgeI was just pondering which war in world history wasn't deadly. Cold War? No, plenty of people died as a result of that war.
I keep hearing liberals call the war in Iraq "deadly." Isn't that tautological?
tautological
August 20, 2008 - 09:35 ET by Mike BatesIf the guy can't place an apostrophe in the right place, I know darn well he'll have trouble with "tautological." Or even the concept.
He probably has used "right wing conservatives," too.
PhD
August 20, 2008 - 09:37 ET by CobraManIn Greeley's case, PhD means Philosophically Dead.
Philosophically Dead
August 20, 2008 - 09:40 ET by Mike BatesCan that be? After all, he's been interviewed on PBS, NBC, etc.
You just answered your
August 20, 2008 - 09:44 ET by bassndudeYou just answered your question. After all, PBS and NBC only interview those who have philosophically passed on.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Answering my own question
August 20, 2008 - 09:53 ET by Mike BatesYou just answered your question.
Thank heaven. I worry occasionally that I'm wasting my time talking to myself.
Sweating Bullets?
August 20, 2008 - 10:14 ET by CobraManWell, me, it's been nice talking to myself. A real credit to dementia.
dementia
August 20, 2008 - 10:16 ET by Mike BatesOr, as I prefer, Adventures in Dementia.
You got me there
August 20, 2008 - 11:20 ET by CobraManYou got me there.
Did you google it? As you can tell, I didn't. Perhaps I should have.
That reminds me of a Prince song, where I swear he was singing "I’ve Got Diphtheria."
Googling
August 20, 2008 - 11:35 ET by Mike BatesDid you google it?
No. Thought I'd made it up, but maybe not. Years ago, I was friendly with a psychologist - no, not on a professional basis - who had an outside gig called Adventures in Attitudes. So I have these free floating "thoughts" and. . . .
Oh, Never mind. Regards!
Great Movie Title
August 20, 2008 - 11:53 ET by CobraManAdventures in Dementia, that's a great movie title! You should write a script.
Script
August 20, 2008 - 12:04 ET by Mike BatesYou should write a script.
Thanks, but probably not. A few weeks ago I had a furious exchange of emails with a Hollywood producer (even I recognized some of the movies she's done) who objected to a column I wrote about Obama being an alien abductee. The experience with her strongly suggested I wouldn't do very well in movieland.
If by inference...
August 20, 2008 - 09:43 ET by Iowa Boy...White Sox fans are conservative, does that make me; a die-hard-bleeding-Cubbie-blue-met-Ron-Santo-at-the-Field-of-Dreams-and-have-a-picture-to-prove-it-Cubs-fan-since-1968, a liberal? Hell no! I'm insulted by such slander.
The trouble with liberals is labeling. They never see the person, only the subculture or category in which they which to place someone.
The trouble with conservatives is we're constantly trying to make liberals like us instead of defeating their foolish ideals.
Srew them! [Sarcasm On] While you're at it, screw the White Sox. Go Cubs! 100 years isn't THAT long to wait! [Sarcasm OFF]
"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Official Motto of the State of Iowa
Cubs
August 20, 2008 - 09:50 ET by Mike BatesGo Cubs! 100 years isn't THAT long to wait!
Spoken like a man who's holding his breath waiting for them to fold like a cheap suit.
Good luck!
History is a harsh teacher
August 20, 2008 - 10:00 ET by Iowa BoyI was almost 8 years old in 1969 when the Cubs blew a 9 game lead in September. Our lead over Milwaukee is only 6 games. I won't be comfortable until they're pouring Old Style over each other's heads in the clubhouse.
"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Official Motto of the State of Iowa
'84 Cubs
August 20, 2008 - 10:05 ET by Mike BatesAnd don't forget 1984, when they had to win just one out of three from the Padres and. . .
You know the rest.
It's still hard...
August 20, 2008 - 10:12 ET by Iowa Boy...to say Steve Garvey's name without a twitch developing. However, I refuse to blame Bartman for '03. He only did what nine other fans around him tried to do and catch a foul ball. And as memory serves, the newspaper Andrew Greely lies for is also the same paper that printed the poor guy's name and address.
God help us. We need it.
Have a great day!
"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Official Motto of the State of Iowa
Twitchin' away
August 20, 2008 - 10:19 ET by Mike Bates...to say Steve Garvey's name without a twitch developing.
Then Leon Durham's name must bring a tear to your eye.
Tear?
August 20, 2008 - 10:24 ET by Iowa BoyI cry like a little girl.
"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Official Motto of the State of Iowa
Steve ???
August 20, 2008 - 15:20 ET by LionKingForget Steve Garvey ... how about Steve Bartman ? [2003]
How Enlightened Of Them
August 20, 2008 - 10:17 ET by Wildcatter1980...and that is very enlightened of them, is it not? Also, kind of odd of them, don't you think?
On this I agree. Today's left-leaning, nutroots-pandering Democrat Party needs to be utterly and completely defeated by real conservatism and not the Rockefeller country club Reublicans.
Who are those who reject
August 20, 2008 - 09:46 ET by Jack BauerWho are those who reject confronting the criminals and the terrorists? They are the blusterers, members of "media organizations," Vail and Brokeback mountain liberals, race-baiters, West Coasters, neo-commies, Democrats, white guilt trippers, green shirt watermelons, botox fans, folks who want Fidel Castro to stick it to the USA, those who tell you with a straight face that the country is ready for a socialist President and that the United States must rid itself of "illegal" conservative thought. (I hasten to add that all these groups number some men and women who are innocent of braindead leftism.)
PS
Anyone think he meant to write "Fox" fans instead of "Sox" fans, but it's a typo that slipped through.
Fox fans?
August 20, 2008 - 09:51 ET by Mike BatesAnyone think he meant to write "Fox" fans instead of "Sox" fans, but it's a typo that slipped through.
Just a guess, Jack, but no.
Andrew Greeley has sunk to
August 20, 2008 - 09:55 ET by bassndudeAndrew Greeley has sunk to the depths of extreme liberalism. He only falls short, in his column by not demanding the death of all these crackers, veterans, Texans, blue collar workers and the others. This guy should be standing on a hill waving a communist flag and intertwined with Stalin in a loving embarce.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
extreme liberalism
August 20, 2008 - 10:08 ET by Mike BatesThat's one thing about extreme liberalism: There are always new depths.
This fella has never been
August 20, 2008 - 10:03 ET by ConservativeRexThis fella has never been any where near a mountain, to meet any mountain folk. He's never been to West Texas, because with that Yankee attitude he's still breathing. He doesn't know any evangelicals. He really doesn't know a damn thing but what he's been brainwashed with. So what are we left with?
Just another liar working for a another Chicago paper that isn't worth fish wrap. Let him support Obami. The way I look at it, if we can get all of Obami's supporters in one spot we got 'em where we want them.
Greeley's experience
August 20, 2008 - 10:07 ET by Mike BatesThis fella has never been any where near a mountain, to meet any mountain folk. He's never been to West Texas, because with that Yankee attitude he's still breathing. He doesn't know any evangelicals.
But he has probably read about them. In Time, the Washington Post, etc.
If his way is better...
August 20, 2008 - 10:24 ET by Wildcatter1980...why hasn't he already talked Putin out of Georgia AND the states or provinces in dispute? Surely, being a legend in his own mind, Greeley would find such an effort to be a proverbial "piece of cake."
Greeley's piece
August 20, 2008 - 10:27 ET by Mike Bates. . . Greeley would find such an effort to be a proverbial "piece of cake."
Maybe he's too busy with his parishioners. No, that can't be it. . . .
Snickering...
August 20, 2008 - 13:09 ET by Wildcatter1980...Good one, Michael!
Snickering
August 20, 2008 - 14:38 ET by Mike BatesWhat I intended was a reference to the fact Greeley hasn't been assigned to a parish in many years. Sure he'd be terrific at it.
you've got it all wrong
August 20, 2008 - 13:58 ET by wizardjrPutin is saving Georgia from the grasp of the Evil West. I'm sure that Greeley is rooting for the Russian troops in their effort to free them from our taint. Resurecting the USSR will be the beginning of the New Age of Peace and Wonderfulness. </sarc>
Some years ago I was
August 20, 2008 - 13:23 ET by celatorSome years ago I was traveling through O'Hare Airport on a Sunday
and had time to go to Mass in the airport chapel. (Don't know if they
are allowed to have a chapel there now).
At any rate, the priest
celebrating the Mass turned out to be Andy Greeley. It was the Feast of
Sts Peter and Paul, a rather important feast day on the Church
calendar. Well, to make a long story short, during the homily, Greeley
ranted and carried on about what a waste of time this feast day was,
how unimportant it was, how ridiculous it was.
To say the least, I was stunned, as were the others at the Mass.
This
guy is a very strange man, not in the least representative of
Catholics, in any way. And, of course, he is therefore a go-to person
for the MSM for Catholic issues.
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
Priests and the Democratic Party
August 20, 2008 - 14:55 ET by Mike BatesIn 2002, three out of four priests in Chicago voted in the Democratic primary. And that represented a drop from earlier elections.
Such is life in the People's Republic of Chicago.
After readin Mr. Greeleys piece..
August 20, 2008 - 23:34 ET by HillbillyKingI'd reckon he was in desperate need of a good ol' fashion ass whippin. I do believe that man would last for about 2.6 seconds in the real world and that would be 2.6 seconds too long.
If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you.
Don Marquis 1878-1937