What is it with the politics of outrage? Could it be that humans are just wired to be attracted to outrage?
How quickly many Republicans went from being outraged about the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics, to claims that a female Algerian boxer who won a gold medal was not a woman, to outrage over tampons in boys’ bathrooms.
Anger can be energizing, and outrage supplies a product to people who want to be angry and want to be even angrier about politics. Sharing disinformation on social media helps fuel it. Along with lies and misinformation by conservative propaganda stations like Fox News, it appears that “all outrage all the time” is the norm.
Outrage over things that have nothing to do with us, or that we may not fully understand, is ridiculous, and appears to be causing more division in our country. Before you get mad, know the facts.
The church and the public square
The Catholic Church, like any person or private institution, is entitled to engage in the melting pot of ideas, to propose solutions to questions that face society. People and organizations compelled by their beliefs to advocate for and against issues in the public square add vibrancy to our democratic system.
Religious persons are often criticized for “meddling” in politics and of “forcing their beliefs on others,” as Dan Cook did in a recent letter to the editor. Our nation’s tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when people of all faith traditions make their views known. We Catholics do so in a principled, nonpartisan manner. Indeed, our church’s teaching is in accord with our nation’s foundational values of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
To be clear, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops does not endorse candidates but does take positions on issues — including proposed constitutional amendments like Amendment 4. Catholics are among those who oppose abortion, and certainly late-term abortion. So we oppose Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion into Florida’s Constitution, make abortion the only procedure for which parents have no say, and could prompt court cases to require public funding of abortions in Florida.
Where is Mr. Cook’s outcry over other nonprofits being involved in this issue? Where is his concern for the abortion industry, George Soros’ political fund, and pro-abortion foundations contributing millions of dollars to further their business and philosophical interests in aborting children?
The writer is executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops.
On the increase of Republican voters in Florida, it was necessary to read almost to the end of the article to see that some changes are not because of a love for Trump but because of local politics. My sister lives in a strong majority Republican Florida county. She’s a progressive Democrat, but realized that she has no influence in local primary elections (much like being a Republican in Broward), so she has changed to being a RINO (“Republican in name only”).
She has no intention of ever voting for state or national Republican candidates but now has at least some influence locally. I wonder how many of those increased Republican voters are like my sister.
Regarding the letter from Diane Miller on the need to fix airline delays, I don’t understand how you can hold the government responsible. Most delays are weather-related, which are compounded by staff shifts timing out and staff shortages.
I too get frustrated when flights are delayed or cancelled, but it’s not the transportation secretary’s fault.
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