freecounterpoint: Pepe lets it all hang out

Monday, April 21, 2008

Pepe lets it all hang out

36 comments:

Pepe le Pew said...: thank you for this. I laughed so hard I almost choked.
good try, buster!; 4/21/2008 9:57 AM
Pepe le Pew said...: civilized people
you find the people maher refers to as civilized?; 4/21/2008 12:54 PM
Tecumseh said...: Maher mostly refers to strawmen he sets up. And, yes, I do consider the Pope (who Maher viciously attacks) to be a civilized man.; 4/21/2008 2:40 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: He probably is. Although if the claim that he advised priests to wait to the statute of limitations to expire is true, that would put a serious wrench in your statement.
But what did you think of the analogy with the large corporation ?; 4/21/2008 3:07 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: bastards have shut it down.; 4/21/2008 5:04 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: Thank god for you tube; 4/21/2008 5:17 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: I didn't see much to get upset about in Maher's comments, only like Pepe, he rarely (if ever) applies the same scrutiny towards Islam. Hitchens does a much better job of thoroughly and intelligently mocking all religions. Maher is doing it, but half-assed.; 4/21/2008 7:40 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: O'Reilly constructs Christians as Victims and thus retains his Sean Hannity fan base. But constructing victims is nothing new to the Political Left or Right. It's similar to the way that Michael Moore would harken back to the Good Old Blue Collar Factory Days of the 1950s, or "When this kind of [insert "Injustice" here] thing just wouldn't happen!"

Both are effective social motivators, but lousy historians.; 4/21/2008 7:45 PM
Tecumseh said...: To start with, why call the Pope a "Nazi"? It's a despicable libel, in my book. And all those allegations that somehow the Vatican (or Catholic dogma?) is responsible for the actions of some pedophile priests in Boston are simply ludicrous. It just exposes the depth of hatred the Left has against Christianity -- hatred that goes back to the French Revolution and the Leninist-Stalinist persecutions of Christians.; 4/21/2008 7:47 PM
Tecumseh said...: Actually, yes, Christians have been victims of widespread persecution in the 20th century -- just read the history of Communism.; 4/21/2008 7:49 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: I thought the Catholic Churches were some how influenced, if not controlled, by the Vatican, AI? Please correct me if I'm wrong. All the Catholic priests I know spent a bit of time studying at the Vatican, too.

I wouldn't worry about the Nazi libel, though, as Orwell said a long time ago that ascribing that label to someone has been so abused that it had already lost it's meaning. Bill Maher can't even come up with any original insults. Fucking pathetic. And the 1st Amendment reigns above ALL so Religion can say what they want; and so Secularists can say what they want, too.

You don't think it's okay to critique religion?; 4/21/2008 7:51 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: hatred that goes back to the French Revolution and the Leninist-Stalinist persecutions of Christians
I'd say ot goes back to the Roman's persecution of the Christians. The circus, the lions. Ah, those were the days.; 4/21/2008 8:04 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: Pepe, don't forget that the Pope scolded the American Catholic Diocese (although this goes a long way from ever repairing what is done and irreparable).

A couple years ago I listened to a program, perhaps on NPR, about how the Catholic Church needs to establish a stronger methodological system of checks and balances so pedophiles don't so easily get through the ranks and graduate as Priests. Tougher psychological evaluations at the outset. Screen those pederasts out before they get in to do further damage. That seems to be the problem (that and the whole sexual repression thing through the criminalization of heterosexual intercourse by way of the Vow of Abstinence). Anyhow, this seems a better way to address the problem than listening to the Hard Right and Hard Left rant away.

With that said, carry on, gentlemen. Carry on.; 4/21/2008 8:11 PM
Tecumseh said...: You don't think it's okay to critique religion? Of course, one can critique whatever one wants -- it's a free country, after all. But Maher's rant is not a "critique" -- just mindless, invidious spite. Beating up on pedophile priests is one thing -- the Pope did that himself, and the US Catholic Church has forked over $2 billion in the past few years to settle various suits that arose from those scandals.

What gets me, though, is the pure, unadulterated, irrational hatred that some people have for anything religious. It's one thing thing to be atheist, or agnostic, or whatever, and be skeptical of religion. Fine, a chacun son gout. But that kind of malicious, vitriolic hatred is just too much for me to stomach. It's literally sickening.; 4/21/2008 10:38 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: ...AI, as I mentioned to Pepe in the post just above yours.; 4/22/2008 2:19 AM
My Frontier Thesis said...: Pepe, an atheist friend of mine and ACLU supporter professes at a Catholic-funded university. He thought he'd have real problems going in, but has since reported that everyone is extremely nice, and he has freedom to lecture on what he wants, without fear of getting his head chopped off.; 4/22/2008 11:53 AM
Pepe le Pew said...: irrational hatred that some people have for anything religious
hatred is too strong but I do believe one should like at any form of superstition with deep suspicion (and call their bluff any chance one gets).; 4/22/2008 2:59 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: that kind of malicious, vitriolic hatred is just too much for me to stomach. It's literally sickening
Given the widespread nature of crimes by the clergy, which by the way isn't confined to the United States, don't you think a little vitriol is warranted ?; 4/22/2008 3:06 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: Pepe, please read the entirety of my posts in this thread to get an understanding of what I said instead of slicing out a phrase for misinterpretation (admittedly as fun as that can be, though).; 4/22/2008 3:53 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: Here, Pepe, instead I'll reiterate what you didn't read in the first place, and continue getting irritated with undergrads who ask questions that could have been answered by attending lecture, or through the assigned readings:

mft said: A couple years ago I listened to a program, perhaps on NPR, about how the Catholic Church needs to establish a stronger methodological system of checks and balances so pedophiles don't so easily get through the ranks and graduate as Priests. Tougher psychological evaluations at the outset. Screen those pederasts out before they get in to do further damage. That seems to be the problem (that and the whole sexual repression thing through the criminalization of heterosexual intercourse by way of the Vow of Abstinence). Anyhow, this seems a better way to address the problem than listening to the Hard Right and Hard Left rant away.; 4/22/2008 3:56 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: Screen those pederasts out before they get in to do further damage.

Yeah, they could add this to the application:

I often dream about sodomizing young children
yes[ ] no[ ]

This reminds me of the times when you'd board an airplane & they'd ask you before hand whether you were a terrorist.

I think pope-bashing is a lot more fun.; 4/22/2008 4:04 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: AI - let me flip the question back at you: don't you find the propensity that the "deep?" right has at eventually absolving the clergy no matter the faults of its constituents revolting?; 4/22/2008 4:08 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: mft - my reply sounds flippant but really, I don't think there is a way to root out pederasts before they strike. This issue is also independent from that that arose when it came out that the clergy was doing all they could to avoid responsibility for the crimes.

Again, I'd be curious to know if the present pope indeed advocated playing with the statutes of limitations. If that were the case, that would tell us quite a bit about his character, don't you think?; 4/22/2008 4:13 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: First off, there's nothing wrong with verbally ripping on anyone, and if someone claims to somehow have an intense connection, or a more intense connection, with some metaphysical force, I say open season on them, year round. I told some Swooning Hippie the other day to settle down, and give me some empirical proof about this spirituality he continuously blathered about.

And yes, the clergy was stupid to deny or try to internally "take care of" the problem with pederasts posing as Priests. I'm attempting to resolve this in a practical, pragmatic way, Pepe. I think you see that, and I'm not telling you to quit ripping on the Church, but the Catholic Church is not going away, so it's entirely practical for me to tell them to get tougher methods for the screening process, and maybe consider lifting the ban on heterosexual coitus. A more rigorous screening process would, of course, go beyond simply asking the applicants to check one box or another. If some guy wants to make that life decision to become a Priest, he ought to be willing to undergo some 12 weeks of psychological evaluation to see if he likes the company of little boys a little too much.

Again, I'd be curious to know if the present pope indeed advocated playing with the statutes of limitations. If that were the case, that would tell us quite a bit about his character, don't you think?

Yeah, I'm sure the Vatican is going to make an exception and decide to open their archives to Team Pepe and MFT. I do know the Vatican has lifelong subscriptions to all the porn mags, though, Playboy and Hustler and the like. Huge boxes of porn arriving to the front door, and like JJ, they argue that it's purely for "research."

On a much different note, this one more concerned with engineering, surveying, and geology: Pepe, how do I e-mail you some information? As I understand it, you have some type of independent geological outfit, correct? Could you have JJ forward me your e-mail address to my Yahoo! e-mail address?

And what's a good starting point for placing rocks (stones in the field) in their geological context? Today I ordered Simon and Schusters Guide to Rocks. Any other suggestions, or am I mistaken that you're a geology guy?; 4/22/2008 6:00 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: maybe consider lifting the ban on heterosexual coitus
Um, mft, these are people who think contraception is a mortal sin... You talking next millenium ?

The Catholic Church is not going away
not unless there isn't agitation around their exactions. I don't know about here, but in Europe they've essentially disappeared in less than 50 years. There is hope.

he ought to be willing to undergo some 12 weeks of psychological evaluation to see if he likes the company of little boys a little too much
I wonder how difficult it would be to hide these tendencies. A little vigilance could go a long way in helping you stay UTR, but I don't really know. Maybe there are ways to figure out for sure what one person is about that I know nothing of.

I took a few geology classes but my degree was more on computational physics (applied to the global earth). I doubt that I can help when it comes down to rocks but send it my way in case. JJ - please give him my email address.; 4/22/2008 6:22 PM
Tecumseh said...: don't you find the propensity that the "deep?" right has at eventually absolving the clergy no matter the faults of its constituents revolting?

I don't know who the "deep" right is -- and, whatever that means, it probably refers to non-Catholics in the US. (By and large, I think Catholics in the US tend to be rather moderate politically, with more tending Left than Right.) At any rate, I don't think political orientation has much to do with covering up or not such crimes -- and I cannot imagine any consistent, principled conservative (like me) doing it.

To sum up, I think your question is simply a red herring, and that you merely raise a strawman. Try dealing in facts, Pepe, instead of those feverish lefty fantasies, urban legends, and conspiracy theories (the bread and butter of the pinko psyche).; 4/22/2008 9:32 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: Pepe, I don't go to Catholic Church, let alone Church in general. I do know it (more of the Swedish Lutheran variety in my family, extended and otherwise) gives many people peace of mind, though, and I've known plenty of pastors and priests who, though I think they are silly in their beliefs, truly believe in forgiveness over everything. Now, this doesn't mean stop taking verbal pot shots at them (it's just too fun). Nor does it mean let the priests loose on the little boys. However, I regard Catholicism as an Idea — with all the voodoo incense burning, wafers, vino, and such — similar to regarding the Bible as a fine piece of literature (we've discussed this at length before, so no need to rehash where we already stand). If Catholicism (or any type of religion) rears its Inquisitional head and starts killing, as they say, "in the Name of God," though, I will blow many secular farts in their general direction. I don't have any desire to rub Catholicism or its believers out (who the fuck would we launch jokes toward then?).

Anyhow, it appears we've all pretty much decided on where we stand here, so I'll leave it at that.; 4/22/2008 9:57 PM
Tecumseh said...: MFT: I think your view of Catholicism is very shallow. OK, not as rabidly anti-Catholic as Pepe's, but still lacking in perspective. Maybe you need to travel outside the barren lands of North Dakota and Nevada and closer to the rich soil where Catholicism has left its enduring mark over the millenia. Eg, try to go one day to visit the cathedrals of France and Italy and Spain -- you'll see there is more to this pillar of Western Civilization than that caricatural, cartoonish view you hold.; 4/22/2008 10:26 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: Shallow, AI? I've seen the architecture and am impressed. I've studied how Catholicism has shaped western Europe throughout the ages -- codification of language; training clerics; establishing stability throughout the Medieval period -- and realize it all. You and Pepe seem to have a problem understanding all my posts, and are perhaps rushing too much through this blog to take it all in.

If you want to charge me with, ahem, "Provincialism," then I encourage you to travel to Ulaanbataar and see another variety of religion. Have you been there, AI, to the capital of Mongolia? Try it in January, although the summer months are more conducive to the outdoors. Or to stand by yourself awaiting a flight to said Ulaanbataar, the next line over leaving for Tehran (hide your passport; that's what I did -- Mongols would likely have come to my aid, though).

Or do I need to tell you that I've been through Istanbul, saw the Blue Mosque (formerly Hagia Sophia), sipped Turkish coffee in an off-street, or that I've also got Sir Runciman's The Fall of Constantinople on the shelf, along with Paul Fregosi and Bernard Lewis and all the rest? Or do you want me to talk about my experience walking the streets of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, solo (that's the middle 'stan, just north of Afghanistan) post-9-11? Or about my time in Vienna, Budapest, Milano, Venezia, or Firenzé?

Please, if you need to ascribe me with provincialism, please establish criteria for what constitutes "provincialism." I've got enough to deal with out here in Dakota and the American West, while Bostonians and Easterners support crazy Mormon candidates. Also note: any Catholic Priest or Lutheran Pastor will verify that Mormons are abominations/cults, no matter how extreme.

I question everything, AI. Everything.; 4/23/2008 12:19 AM
Pepe le Pew said...: try to go one day to visit the cathedrals of France and Italy and Spain - you'll see there is more to this pillar of Western Civilization than that caricatural, cartoonish view you hold.
Hey AI, why don't you go visit the Dome of the rock, The Taj Mahal or the Alhambra? You should see there's more to this pillar of middle-eastern civilization than that caricatural, cartoonish view you hold.; 4/23/2008 6:58 AM
Pepe le Pew said...: these pillars, that is.

I build, therefore I am?; 4/23/2008 7:00 AM
Tecumseh said...: Just traveling around is not enough. One has to see, and meditate on what one has seen. As someone or another said, They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend.; 4/23/2008 7:01 AM
Pepe le Pew said...: Yeah, I like to use this and "Les voies du seigneur sont impenetrables" when I run out of arguments too.; 4/23/2008 7:12 AM
Pepe le Pew said...: I just said that I thought the second J in JJ stood for Jerkoff. I don't remember the arabic part.; 4/23/2008 3:43 PM
My Frontier Thesis said...: AI said to mft: Just traveling around is not enough. One has to see, and meditate on what one has seen.

Right back at you, AI.; 4/23/2008 10:45 PM
Pepe le Pew said...: I am looking at the Eiffel tower.
oooommmmmmhhhh.
shanti.
still nothing.
dis shit don't work.; 4/24/2008 8:48 AM

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