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Not funny, Gretchen

 

Not funny, Gretchen - American Thinker https://t.co/BUlet69ZBx

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) October 13, 2024

 

It’s Sunday morning, and my guess is that a few friends at Mass will say something about Governor Whitmer of Michigan.  Honestly, we don’t talk a lot about the governor of Michigan down here, but what was she doing, giving a young woman a Dorito in something that looks a lot like Communion?

I don’t get it, but it was supposed to be funny, or so they tell me.  Here is the story:

NEW: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer feeds a chip to a begging liberal podcaster on her knees in an effort to get more votes for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Whitmer joined Canadian feminist Liz Plank for an abortion podcast episode.

The pair released the following video as a… pic.twitter.com/yiSH5hypud— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 10, 2024

So Governor Whitmer is doing what?  I’m not sure what the point here is, but it does look to some of us Catholics as though they are mocking our faith.

As you would expect, the Michigan bishops didn’t like the comedy, either.  They responded with a statement:

The Bishops of Michigan have expressed their “profound disappointment and offense taken” with Governor Gretchen Whitmer for posting a video skit on social media showing the state’s Governor feeding a Dorito corn chip to a kneeling podcaster in a manner that is widely being perceived as a mockery of the Holy Eucharist.

“The skit goes further than the viral online trend that inspired it, specifically imitating the posture and gestures of Catholics receiving the Holy Eucharist, in which we believe that Jesus Christ is truly present,” said Paul A. Long, President and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference which represents the seven dioceses of the state, October 11.

“It is not just distasteful or ‘strange;’ it is an all-too-familiar example of an elected official mocking religious persons and their practices. While dialogue on this issue with the governor’s office is appreciated, whether or not insulting Catholics and the Eucharist was the intent, it has had an offensive impact.”

In the video skit, which was posted on YouTube yesterday, Governor Whitmer lays the Dorito chip on the extended tongue of a woman, Canadian podcaster Liz Plank, who, as the camera pans out, is shown to be kneeling in the same manner as one would when receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. The Michigan governor then stares expressionless into the camera.

So what were you thinking, Gretchen?  It didn’t occur to the governor or the young woman kneeling that they were offending Catholics?  Would they have done a similar joke mocking another faith?  I think we know the answer, or just Google Charlie Hebdo for a quick history lesson.

This is either a moron or a tone-deaf governor.  According to a quick check, most of the people in Michigan are Christians.  My experience with other religious people is that they don’t like any mocking of faith.  They know that such disrespect will eventually get around to them.

So again, what was the governor thinking?  Well, I guess she was not thinking, because this little video makes no sense to anyone planning to stay in public office.

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Happy # 83 Paul Simon

We say happy birthday to a great songwriter and performer.    Paul Simon was born in New Jersey on this day in 1941.    

He and Art Garfunkel were one of the great duos in pop history:  3 of their songs were  #1: "The Sound of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson", and "Bridge over Troubled Water".

In 1971, he started a solo career and had more hits on the radio.   Along the way, he won 12 Grammy Awards, and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Still Crazy After All These Years” and “Graceland” were albums of the year. 

In 2003 he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as half of the duo Simon and Garfunkel. 

Paul Simon, one of the great songwriters of the last 50 years.    His song lyrics are just great.

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Happy # 65 Marie Osmond

Yes, Marie Osmond is a year older today!  She was born in Utah on this day in 1959.   I am not making this up!  It's very true!  Check it out!

Like so many "older brothers", my brother and I grew up hearing Marie Osmond songs from our little sister's room!

Over time, I came to like some Marie Osmond songs.  She has grown up and turned into that fit lady who advertises a diet.     

Happy birthday!

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Happy # 82 to Jerry Jones

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We say happy birthday to Jerry Jones who was born in Los Angeles on this day in 1942.

It's hard to believe but Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys in early 1989 or many years ago.    He purchased the Cowboys, hired Jimmy Johnson and fired Tom Landry.

I can still remember the weekend.  Jones was the new owner.  Landry was the ex-coach.  And most Cowboys' fans were in a state of shock. After all, Landry had coached the Cowboys for 29 years!

How can we evaluate Jones' tenure?

The good news is that Jones won 3 Super Bowl titles.  His early drafts produced Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith!

The bad news is that the Cowboys have not returned to The Super Bowl since 1996.   They've had some good teams but it's been inconsistent. 

On balance, Jones has been a good owner.  He is fan friendly.  He took the team to the new stadium, perhaps the best football facility in the country. It has a retractable roof and 60-yard digital scoreboard.

Jones is also quite a businessman.    

Yankees? Patriots?  There aren't a lot more successful or profitable teams than the Cowboys!

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October 13, 1960: Mazeroski beat the Yankees in the 9th inning

It was a great game 7 of the 1960 World Series.  

The Pirates took the lead in the bottom of the 8th and the Yankees tied it in the top of the 9th.   

It all came down to Ralph Terry and Bill Mazeroski.  

Maz hit a home run and the series was over!

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October 13, 1971: Pirates and Orioles played first night World Series game

The Pirates and Orioles played the first night World Series game on this day in 1971.   Pittsburgh won 4-3 after trailing 3-0.

The series went 7 and Steve Blass pitched a complete game to win it for Pittsburgh.

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We remember Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)

Once in a while, it’s good to take a break from the political fights and remember some great people from our past.

We remember Margaret Thatcher, who was born on this day 1925.  She passed away at 87, and the New York Times wrote an obituary called “‘Iron Lady’ Who Set Britain on New Course.”

Margaret Thatcher came to my attention in the late 1970’s.  I remember sitting with my dad in the car and hearing that the next prime minister of the U.K. could be a woman.  It was a headline about her being named leader of the Conservative Party.

Back in the late 1970’s, the U.S. and U.K. looked like a couple of allies lost against the threat of an advancing USSR.  Right or wrong, it felt as if the left was winning and the good guys were stuck in a “malaise.”

She did become Prime Minister Thatcher and put her cards on the table quickly: “I am not a consensus politician,” she said.  “I am a conviction politician.”

Thatcher led the U.K. with determination and grit.  She was a leader in every sense, an “in your face” kind of woman who reminded many of us of our mothers.  Like a good mom, she knew when to look you in the eye and tell you the truth!

One of the early tests of leadership was the U.K. economy.  She animated the Conservatives into the party of reform.  Her free-market policies revitalized businesses, grew the economy, and helped the middle class.

During her tenure, the U.K. fought for the Falklands and reversed much of the misguided socialism of the postwar period.

Later, P.M. Thatcher and President Reagan turned into a great team, especially as they stood up to the USSR.  I recall watching her on TV supporting the Polish labor uprising.  It felt so good to watch a European leader standing up for something rather than the usual “look the other way” approach.

We remember the great P.M. Thatcher.  She was one of the great ladies of the 20th century and one of the greatest U.K. prime ministers ever.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.