Readers may note that the preponderance of items posted here in recent days are decidedly non-Canadian in content.
This is due in no small part to the fact that the number one story in Canadian politics at the moment is a controversy involving the Prime Minister and a cracker.
I mention this, not to invite further debate, but to offer that if you are a Canadian news journalist or pundit who has not yet been launched from a bridge railing in celebration of your complete and utter uselessness, there may still be time.
(Update)
I too am wondering what the *F* all the fuss is about?
Nearly 500 “news” stories on this.
Bankrupt. Them. All.
Amen!
What an utter disgrace/joke. Across the boarder the Giant”Oster” is blowing trillions of future taxpayer dollars out the port hole or down a rat hole and the Canadian media is bent out of shape over a Cracker.
Lord help us and maybe make some room for these reporters on the Unemployment lines.
And who are the ones making a fuss about the communion wafer? God-hating secular humanists, that’s who! Like any of them really give a sh1t about whether somebody breaks protocol in a Catholic service!
Here’s the best critique I’ve read of the controversy:
http://www.cfrb.com/node/956736
To which I’d add, I believe none of Canada’s Roman Catholic PMs of the past 40 years is ever in a State of Grace fit to receive Holy Communion. (Just like Hillary in South Africa a while back.)
[And please don’t call a Communion wafer a “cracker”, Kate.]
Highly disappointed this “story” even made the front page of today’s National Post. An utter joke is this is the best the Leftard Canadian MSM can come up with in an attempt to smear PMSH.
On a general point, absolutely agreed. What a joke.
Two points though: Capt: it’s actually a funeral ‘mass’, not a service. That might seem like splitting hairs but there is a big difference.
Secondly: The devout Catholic in me has to protest the labeling of the sacred Body of Christ as a ‘cracker’. Ridicule me if you like (or call me a killjoy, ‘too serious’, etc. etc.) but to me, calling the blessed Eucharist a cracker is offensive. See? We all got our ideas out in a free marketplace without contacting any HRC’s, lovely adults that we are.
My 92 year old Mother’s take on Newsworld coverage: ” Those crazy asses”
That should be *marketplace of ideas’.
Best Headline:
“Church etiquette How to avoid a Wafergate”
The Globe and Mail
Is this evidence that many Canadian ‘journalists’ never grew up?
Perhaps we need a Royal Commission to understand why their development was retarded.
The press have already written PMSH’s epitaph, “He never wafered.”
😉
Don’t look now, CTV has a story excoriating harper for being 100 seconds late for a photo. Of course, Obama was late too but don’t expect them to say anything bad about the great one…
ROTFL! Yeah, and today the biggest news story was that PMSH was late for a photo op. The Liberals even mentioned it in their news release, but in patently dishonest style, they got their facts wrong:
“Canada is nowhere to be seen on more than just another missed photo-op,” said Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae. “On the global issues that matter – climate change, Africa and the global economy – Stephen Harper is going in the wrong direction.”
“Another” missed photo-op? When did he miss the first one? As far as I know, he got into the G20 London photo-op, and he didn’t miss this one at all.
Manufactured Liberal scandals, day in, and day out.
“Posted by: Raphael at July 10, 2009 1:50 AM”
Who let the crypto-Liberal in?
According to Catholic doctrine the “wafer/cracker” is more commonly referred to as the host; aka the “Body of Christ”.
As far as I’m concerned maybe Christ ought to come and give the MSM a good old fashioned ‘temple cleaning’.
I’d like to see them money changers stalls just a flyin’.
Good thing JC came riding on a donkey, as the braying jackasses in the press are really stretching credulity that they are scandalized.
The RC church has been their relentless whipping boy for well nigh the last 3 decades.
Oh for the love of God, spare me the false outrage. It’s not like the PM Stephen Harper participated in an act of desecration.
Another muttonheaded non-scandal for the poor mislead sheep.
Heaven help us, because the MSM sure isn’t with this lame story.
Ah but wait, a journalistic Christ will redeem even these poor lepers.
Cheers
Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht, Commander in Chief
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North”
Y’gotta love it!! If when the Archbishop had indicated to him to come for Communion and he turned it down, why that would have been a scandal too.
Didn’t he know in circumstances like that the he should kneel down, spin around three times, genuflect once and then lay prostrate in front of the alter, by so doing signaling to all concerned that he is an Evangelical Christian, based on the International Communion Refusal Handbook. Sheesh!! What kind of PM do we have anyway!!
Don’t underestimate wafergate. Canada has the scandal of the PM ‘possibly’ pocketing a Eucharist, while China slaughters Muslims, the G-8 consider economic suicide, an Egyptian lawyer announces that Israeli women should be raped, and the Canadian Human Rights Commission marches on in it’s attempts to crush free speech.
Heck, the Halifax band singing about United Airlines breaking guitars, is far more interesting than wafergate.
As a non-Catholic married to a Catholic woman, I’ve attended my share of masses. At every one, the priest informs the congregation that if they aren’t able to take part in Communion, but wish to come forward and receive a blessing, just cross your arms in front of you as you approach the priest. Simple and no one gets offended. I’m amazed that the supposedly uber-controlling PMO didn’t alert PMSH to this.
That said, to call this a tempest in a teapot is to dramatically overstate its importance.
As a kid, when forced to go to church by my parents, communion was the time I would sneak out & have a quick smoke. So I guess I can never be PM now eh? :'(
L’Affaire CrackerGate
Ya gotta admit our crackerjack media is leaving no
stone unturned in BRINGING UP those hardcore issues that affect us as the universe unfolds.
We should demand at best a Royal Commission or at least a full RCMP investigation.
Perhaps we should import Geraldo to get to the bottom of this deeply disturbing event or maybe the Duffster could pry himself away from L’Chambre Rouge for one last journalistic hurrah.
“If when the Archbishop had indicated to him to come for Communion and he turned it down, why that would have been a scandal too.”
I think we have a winner…
And one of those that isn’t is darkly suggesting that prime minister Harper suffers from depression:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/a-family-tragedy-that-stephen-harper-has-not-forgotten/article1211219/
key quote
Sorry somehow I posted the above too soon.
The key Graf:
“In his book Full Circle, Bob Plamondon writes about times in which Mr. Harper has “gone dark,” turning inward and reclusive. Others, including Preston Manning, have written how he was quick to draw away from situations where he was not in control. But it would be dubious dime-store psychology to draw any link between such tendencies and the family tragedy. Who knows what traces such traumas can leave?”
the last Two sentences are weasel wording on lawrence’s and/or the G&m editorial staff to avoid getting sued IMO.
O’pOpe.
CanMSM missed this Big News. It’s a cracker of a story and it’s completely a non-item.
…-
“Kennedy-Townsend in Newsweek: Obama ‘More Catholic’ Than Pope
Newsweek took their criticism of Pope Benedict XVI to the next level on Thursday- not only did guest columnist Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend affirm that the pontiff could learn from President Obama (something Newsweek and their partners at the Washington Post agreed upon back in April), but also blasted the Bishop of Rome and the Catholic hierarchy for their supposed “disdain” towards women and homosexuals.
The former lieutenant governor of Maryland began her column, titled “Without a Doubt: Why Barack Obama represents American Catholics better than the pope does,” with the context of the pope’s upcoming meeting with the American president, and how it was “much anticipated and in some circles frowned upon by American Catholics in the wake of Obama’s controversial Notre Dame commencement speech in May.” She then laid out her central thesis about these two leaders: “In truth, though, Obama’s pragmatic approach to divisive policy…and his social-justice agenda reflect the views of American Catholic laity much more closely than those vocal bishops and pro-life activists…[T]hey’ll politely disagree about reproductive freedoms and homosexuality, but Catholics back home won’t care, because they know Obama’s on their side. In fact, Obama’s agenda is closer to their views than even the pope’s.””
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2289496/posts
This had to be the dumbest attempt yet to nail Harper.
Whats funny is the press have no idea between consubstitution or transubstitution. With all the viewpoints inbetween.
They are religious morons.
By the way none Catholic Christians, feel as much reverance for the act of the Eucharist as Catholics surly do.
More nonsense.
JMO
Yesterday I made the mistake of turning to our local TV station for news just in time to see close-up camera work of PM Harper’s alleged scandal. I finally got around to taking that station off the remote line up.
Useless, useless, useless.
Of course nobody has thought to ask just what did the athiest Michael Ignatieff do at the service, did he receive a blessing?
Scandal in Beefeating Britain.
Vegan Socialist snubs host/hostess.
Uninformed experts say Mrs. Brown suffers from depression.
Brown did “it”, the Snub, twice! Oh My Gaia, ‘s’awful.
“Sarah Brown has twice declined to eat veal during her visit to Italy for the G8 summit, it was disclosed today.”
BTW, veal is deelicio with crackers in egg sauce with a shake of worrcesterrshurrshurr sauce.
…-
“Sarah Brown declines to eat veal at G8
Prime minister’s wife has long-standing objections to the meat, a popular delicacy in Italy”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/10/sarah-brown-refuses-veal
When former PM’s who happen to be Catholic and Liberal go against direct Church doctrines such as saying abortion and Gay marriage are just hunky dory, there is no outcry from the MSM. But somehow this is news.
I too have to object to the use of the word “cracker”.
Unlike Protestants, Catholics believe that the communion Host is the actual Body of Christ. We’re touchy about people pocketing the Host because believe it or not, there are weird people into Santeria and stuff who use them in pagan rituals.
Also, er, it’s Jesus.
Now, why is ok to eat Jesus but not put Him in your pocket. Isn’t eating Jesus worse? No, because he told us to. He didn’t say, “This is my Body, which you will hide in your jacket…”
So.
However, MY beef is two-fold:
Atheist, religion hating secular journalists getting worked up over a blooper during a ceremony they don’t believe in and mock at every opportunity.
And b:
The persistent use of the suffix “-gate” by conservatives who should know better, and unimaginative journalists (but I repeat myself).
For God’s sake, people, how many times do I have to tell you:
It’s “-quiddick”
“Irish tree stump looks like Virgin Mary
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS”
“Thousands of Irish Catholics are flocking to a church to pray at a tree stump _ a recently cut-down willow that many say bears the shape of the Virgin Mary. (AP Photo)”
urlm.in/csgm
Where is the outrage?
did he think the priest was handing out loonies? the pm should be prepared by a protocol officer for any of these functions; image is critical and mr harper looked like a clumsy bumbler
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the many references to the Body of Christ and Communion in the Bible, even words from Jesus himself, employ the term ‘bread’.
John 6:48 “I am the bread of life.” NIV
Now I realize we are dealing with language translations here but if you want to call it a wafer, cracker, loaf, or taco, feel free, you are just slicing words. Ritz and Rinse!
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the many references to the Body of Christ and Communion in the Bible, even words from Jesus himself, employ the term ‘bread’.
John 6:48 “I am the bread of life.” NIV
Now I realize we are dealing with language translations here but if you want to call it a wafer, cracker, loaf, or taco, feel free, you are just slicing words. Ritz and Rinse!
Advertising Tax, please.
Do it for the planet, to cool the demand for unnecessary and environmentally damaging stuff. Do it for social justice, striving for balance in the rates of consumption of Mother Earth’s resources across all of Her children.
Our “professional” journalists do not go far enough in supporting “corrective” taxation, such as Carbon Taxes.
Our “professional” journalists: Not Left Enough.
> Unlike Protestants, Catholics believe that the
> communion Host is the actual Body of Christ.
So… You’re wannabe cannibals?
Ick.
Ah, the “Pearlygate” scandal – it’s time to bring back the Spanish Inquisition. Remember – no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!
As a lapsed Catholic, I am not offended by Kate’s use of “cracker”.
Good on ya Kate for pointing out the MSM shallowness, bias and banality.
I am offended by the arsehole Canadian MSM journalists who nitpick and smear Harper continually while embracing and swallowing whole a massive climate hoax .
The same MSM under whose lickspittle noses one of the most corrupt governments stole Canadians blind.
Jean Chretien/ Paul Martin Liberals!
MSM. Liberal government malfeasant corruption enablers.
Bruce said:
July 9th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
The priest who delivered the homily at the funeral mass of former governor-general Romeo LeBlanc said Stephen Harper behaved properly when he took part in the communion service last week.
“The Prime Minister did consume the host; he did not put it in his pocket,” said Father Arthur Bourgeois, who had been a friend of Mr. LeBlanc for 30 years.
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/holy-post/archive/2009/07/09/wafergate-the-sequel.aspx
…-
H/T:
http://www.bluelikeyou.com/2009/07/08/all-i-can-say-is/comment-page-3/#comment-58865
Wy should Kate show any less reverence for this particular version than she does for any other religon.
Of course all of the catholics on this board miss the real point, which was captured in the Globe and Mail today.
“In communion with Mr. Harper
Whether or not the Prime Minister consumed the communion wafer at the funeral mass in New Brunswick is entirely a matter for his conscience and not of public concern (Harper Consumed Communion Host, Spokesman Says – July 9). What is of concern is Monsignor Brian Henneberry’s making such an unseemly fuss. This is hardly the charitable response one would expect from a servant of Christ. It smacks, moreover, of an undignified partisanship ill-befitting a man of the cloth.
Torrance Kirby, Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill Unive”
This was a manufactured story, of course the normal digging into the background of the Monsignor Henneberry, his motivations, political participation etc doesnt take place because the Catholics are more worried that the story might be true and care more whether it is called a wafer or the host…..kind of funny coming from some quarters who demanded that the cartoon of Mohammed be published…again and again and again….(which was fine by me btw)
Shouldnt you be more concerned that there was athiest (Michael Ignatieff) that came into the church and didnt burst into flames?
Yes the Catholic church, that wonderful institution that would rather criticize another Christian (Harper) based on a minor interpretation of ritual, rather than crticize a complete non believer. Yup, the catholic church sure has its priorities straight.
Yup, this is about religon…not…this whole thing was about politics. And the Liberals are smart enough to enagage in the head fake every time.
Which is worse:
To take it and not consume it or to take it without having been to confession.
That is the question.
As a non-practicing Catholic I personally don’t like the use of ‘cracker’. Maybe ‘bickie’ would have been better. lol.
And it’s a Mass, not a service. Who the heck has a ‘service’?
So where is the outrage about the Pope saying he wants a one world gubermint,led by the useless nations,no less? Oh wait. That falls in line with the MSM’s,secular’s communistic desires!
“image is critical and mr harper looked like a clumsy bumbler
Posted by: rzr at July 10, 2009 7:42 AM “.And that is why we are in the crap we are in…..all image and emotions,no substance.
i’m a catholic who thought mr harper’s reaction was hilarious; it reminded me of the mr bean episode the time he dropped the mint-candy in church; and the last thing i’d want from kate is reverance for my religion; i won’t mention what the first thing would be; i’m just saying that this episode doesn’t do him any good; piss off liberal catholics and provide media with ammo? check; lose quebec over a minor and retarded arts-funding adjustment? check; sign up with the g8 climate freaks? check; jennifer lynch still working? check and mate
It might be a case of demographics. Papers, SDA, etc., now more than ever need to understand and pander to their audience and provide some sort of content that their audiences would be interested in. If 78% of all Canadians identify themselves as Christian and 46% of all Canadians identify themselves as Catholic then how Harper deals with something like this may be important to Catholics from a respect point of view. Harper is a politician after all, he should know better than to let something like this happen. He is supposed to meet the Pope this weekend – that is also going to mean a lot of news stories which may be of interest to Catholics.
It’s not the R.C. Church doing this, Stephen, it’s the MSM. And the same CBC that blew off criticisms of a TV show that had an old lady take a consecrated communion wafer and feed it to a dog is acting upset about this.
So because you’re pissed at the people trying to make this a major issue, most of whom (especially in the MSM) aren’t only not R.C. but are atheists, that makes it okay to insult R.C. beliefs? To paraphrase an infmous quote, “Let’s fight the real enemy.”
This also from National Post Article
“We were so flattered that the Prime Minister took the time to come down so we feel embarrassed by the whole controversy he faced”
Father Arthur Bourgeois
You wont see that remark anywhere else in the media
BTW: ctv is getting hammered in the comments on the 145seconds at G8, Backfired bigtime.
another that you wont see anywhere else or buried is this.
Angus-Reid latest #’s
Conservative 36%
Liberal 30%
NDP 16%
Thanks Bourque for posting
Protocol to me would to be packing a small bottle of cheeze-whiz to moisten up that cracker. Big deal, Adler has been ranting about this for 2 days, his finger in the wind format isn’t working for him either, along with the rest of the pundidiots in the msm.
Somehow I trust Kathy Shaidle’s conservative bona fides more than a random, very random, blog commenter.
http://www.fivefeetoffury.com/:entry:fivefeet-2009-07-08-0000/