Rick Santorum is trying to dodge questions about a 2008 speech, where he suggested that “Satan” was planning to infiltrate the United States. If he thought he’d be able to avoid addressing this during a general election campaign, he was kidding himself. Americans may be religious, but they’re not looking for a president who chalks up our societal problems to meddling by the devil.
The Satan comments aren’t Santorum’s only problem this week. His alleged private conversation with Sheriff Joe Arpaio about the veracity of Obama’s birth certificate is also something he needs to respond to:
Arpaio said he plans to endorse one of the four remaining GOP candidates in the coming weeks. But the sheriff added he would not make his choice known before he announces the findings of his birth certificate probe at a news conference set for March 1. This endorsement would be his second in the race; in November 2011, he endorsed then-candidate Rick Perry.
Santorum, he said, seemed to have no problem with the nature of his investigation.
“He had no problems with what I told him that I may be doing,” Arpaio told reporters.
The sheriff said he is conducting the investigation after receiving requests from “the Tea Party.”
The Birther conspiracies are an embarrassment to conservatives. The paranoid delusions of a fringe few have been a disgrace to the entire conservative brand. If Arpaio wants to endorse Santorum, and Santorum accepts, that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with that. But if Arpaio did discuss his investigation into Obama’s birth certificate with the candidate, and if Santorum really did have “no problem” with it, that’s a big concern. It’s an issue he’ll need to clarify. Republicans need to know whichever candidate gets the nomination isn’t going to go off the rails and start pandering to the Birther crowd like Donald Trump.
If you cant mention satan at an altar then their is something seriously wrong. Their is an incredible naivete in secular circles about going to a Catholic mass. As a weekly churchgoer and as someone involved in my community, his comments are pretty commonplace. My political antenna does not go up. And it shouldn't. You also wrote a previously about the dem's winning the contraception battle. This again maybe from the standpoint of someone who flips the cable channels and has not been to a catholic mass. The priests and the lay clergy are clearly on the side of the Bishops. By the way lay clergy are often women and women make up a larger portion of the weekly congregation then men. n n
It's not a theological issue. It's cultural. Don't you remember the Church Lady from SNL and Satan made me do it jokes? That was twenty years ago.
Yes, and 10 years before that SNL was running PMS jokes. And your point is? n nFor that matter, how about John Belushi in Samari Deli? No, I don't think that most Japanese-American chefs are that crazy. As a matter of fact, I am fairly certain of it. n n
Is it okay to say, as Rick did, that mainline Protestantism is controlled by Satan (along with academia, of course)? n nI also liked Rick's contention that the country was far more moral 200 years ago, when most of the black population was kept enslaved and married women were legally chattel. Rick and the Catholic Church he represents do like those good old traditions!
I can say without reservation that Rick Santorum – contrary to what he claims – does not speak for G-d. In fact, I had lunch with G-d last Thursday, and she told me, "If that little weasel doesn't knock it off, I will definitely SMITE him."
Agreed — and I am not Catholic. n nHe was giving a speech to a Catholic university, Ave Maria in particular, a Catholic university that is serious about its theology and Catholic identity. Probably all of the college's clergy were there, as well as those considering going into religious life, etc. That was his audience. n nSarah Palin, who is Protestant, not Catholic, had an interesting take on this, on Fox news she said: n“They will attack any conservatives who boldly proclaim their faith and talks about there is good in the world and there’s evil in the world and that’s what Rick Santorum was talking about." n nWhat the hell do you call Iran? "Evil" works for me — we are talking about people whom we have no doubt will take Israel off the face of the earth with their first three nukes (and it would take 3) and then they will go after "big satan" — "evil" works for me. And what do you call someone who rapes a three year old or some of the other heinous stuff like Jeffery Dalmer or the BTK killer? n n"Evil" works for me…. n nDefine it in terms of demonic possession or modern psychology — the end result is the same. There is evil in this world, and there is good, and moral relativism doesn't work here. n
You're right on Satan but the birth certificate issue is more nuanced than a few kooks. Obama's whole background is shrouded in mystery. nIs Jack Cashill's fine work on Bill Ayer's co-authoring Dreams the work of a kook? According to many conservatives, yes. The jokes on you, Hot Air, TWS and NRO who dismissed Jack without even reading all his work and have refused to review his book. You would rather save yourself from embarrassment than expose the truth about Barack. If he gets re-elected I blame the main stream conservative media and their ridiculous political correctness. nI'm a Romney supporter so don't jump to any pre-conceived conclusions about me. Your post just oozed with condescending elitism.
I agree with Granny Jan. I'm also a Romney supporter and Alana Goodman wrote an excellent piece about Santorum and his weird comments about Satan. But the Birth Certificate issue is much more complex than it seems. All the Obama personal records are sealed. From the kindergarten Elementary School to Harvard & Chicago universities. Granny is right : Obama's whole background is shrouded in mystery.
Just last week Alana was touting Santorum as an earnest, nice guy. It seemed as if she was hoping no one would notice her intellectual dishonesty. Now, that the guy has shown himself to be dangerously mentally ill – it seems she's drawing back a bit. Herman Cain is starting to look like Thomas Jefferson in comparison.
HOW is he "mentally ill" let alone "dangerously" so? n nHe is expressing something in the terms of his faith to fellow members of it. ALL religious are at least a little bit weird to people of other faiths, try justifying the Kosher laws in the era of refrigeration, running water and sodium hypochlorite. n nThis is the religion of the left — anyone whom you disagree with must be crazy, and with the new DSM-V, you will be able to find at least something to justify your belief. Oh Brave New World….
FROM JAMES TARANTO, THE TWEET OF THE DAY: Weird religion: Satan is against America. Normal religion: “God damn America.” n
Weird Religion: Satan has taken over the mainline Protestant churches. I'm sure Taranto wants to support his coreligionist, but he could be a little more honest about he actually said.
Speaking as someone whose maineline Protestant church has been taken over by the crazies, I would be inclined to agree figuratively if not literally about the Satan thing — except that is not what Santorium said. The audio of his speech is out there, listen to it.
n• nThere is so much corruption in Washington, which is why illegal entry is not a felony. Doesn’t this to all of us, that Washington DC has no intention of approving any real immigration enforcement? That we must keep paying for everybody who flies in from anywhere, or climbs the fence or just parts simple barbed rusty wire? n n•There is only one cure for the corruption in federal agencies and that is joining the TEA PARTY. Thousands of fraudulent programs will be exposed and billions of dollars will be saved. This confronts the rot that has entered the Democratic and the Republican parties, and the astronomical deficit that America is suffering from. Read some unrevealed evidence at Judicial Watch, that is a legal non-profit website. Judicial Watch is the opposite of the Communist backed ACLU; a panderer to the illegal alien invaders. In addition, NumbersUSA gives you in depth analysis of costs to taxpayers and insider news from Congress. Lastly, the positive controversial website of “American Patrol” gives you one-click bridging news editions to the nationwide media, where the truth prevails in articles suppressed by the overwhelming Liberal press. It is only new TEA PARTY leaders will reveal the corrupt in Congress and return us to a small efficient government, with no free crony handouts to wealthy donors. n• nJoin your chapter of your local TEA PARTY. Only the TEA PARTY LEADERSHIP has the backbone to shred the current tax code and provide a fair and equitable tax system, without any loopholes for anybody. Every possible means available currently and in the future will be utilized to secure our borders, to halt Sanctuary Cities, Chain Migration, but adopt a regulated Guest Worker program, without a path to citizenship. It is solely the obligation of every American voter to check for non citizens registering for all future elections. That every person voting must display official Picture ID, as there has been progressive voting by non citizens. n nEverybody is complaining about both parties in Washington, but cannot find a few minutes to contact their Senators or Congress persons at 202-224-3121 and demand the vote for both federal mandatory E-Verify or amend the ‘Birthright Citizenship' Bill. Once enacted into law a massive exodus will commence, as illegal aliens and family members will return to their country of origin. n n
REMEMBER THE LIBERALS WILL DO ANYTHING TO KEEP PRESIDENT OBAMA IN POWER. EVEN OVERLOOK ILLEGAL ALIENS VOTING? n nWhy doesn't Congress revise the original E-Verify plus bill introduced by Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Homeland Security Chairman Peter King(R-NY) in 2005? The Border Protection, Anti-terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act (H.R. 4437) had all the stringent enforcement needed? It required the use of E-verify and made it a felony to be in the USA illegally. It also increased penalties for employing illegal workers to $7,500 for first time offenses, $15,000 for second offenses, and $40,000 for all subsequent offenses. It also, caused the housing of removed aliens to become a felony crime. It passed in the House by a vote of 239 to 182, but questionably it didn’t find passage in the Senate? n nThe usual stomach churning zealots complained, so REAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT never took center stage, with the combined efforts of a variety of migrant, humanitarian, and religious organizations, and other radical groups. Policies that providing federal or state welfare as UNFUNDED MANDATES forced on all the American population by court order and extorted from your taxes. By neither political party voting for the new mandated version of E-Verify or the Birthright Citizenship bill, millions still attracted by jobs and a free reservoir of welfare programs, will still buy a seat on a international flight as a tourist or just cross that border. n nTo some extent revitalized E-Verify, “the Legal Workforce Act (H.R.2885) will heavily penalize businesses for hiring illegal aliens, who are stealing jobs from the majority of low income workers. Second in line of Merit is the “Birthright Citizenship Bill (H.R.140) that by Amendment, will prevent the welfare abundance of public welfare check assistance to the illegal parent of a child smuggled or already here, if neither parent is a U.S. Citizen. n nThe E-Verify system can identify illegal migrants and immigrants after hiring and unless they can further substantiate their immigration status, they will be dismissed. This is an easy, none evasive and simple way to qualify an applicant, by inputting the personal data in a company terminal. Then to resolve any discrepancy you travel to nearest Social Security office. Mitt Romney has spelled E-Verify out, as “ATTRITION THROUGH ENFORCEMENT—or Self Deportation. n n2005 Enforcement Immigration Law (H.R. 4437) n nCriminalizes violations of federal immigration law, including illegal presence, which indirectly shifts the responsibility of immigration enforcement to state and local law authorities. n•Expands the definition of “aggravated felony” to include smuggling offenses, illegal entry and reentry crimes. n•Reduces the maximum period of voluntary departure from 120 to 60 days. n•Reaffirms states’ “inherent authority” to assist with immigration law enforcement. n•Requires that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide a training manual and “pocket guide” relating to enforcement of immigration laws to state and local law enforcement authorities. In addition, DHS is required to make training for state and local law enforcement available “through as many means possible.” Receipt of such training is not a prerequisite for state and local assistance with immigration law enforcement. n•Authorizes funds for grants to state and local law enforcement for equipment and other products used in enforcing immigration law. n•Funds in the amount of $1 billion each fiscal year are authorized for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). n•Bars states and localities that prohibit state and local law enforcement of immigration law from receipt of funds otherwise granted to states to reimburse expenses related illegal immigrants. n•Requires that aliens who violate certain provisions of immigration law (those subject to a removal order, subject to a voluntary departure agreement, anyone who has overstayed an I-94, and anyone whose visa has been revoked) be listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. nBorder Security n•Provides for a variety of new technology to assist DHS in monitoring ports of entry and land borders. n•Establishes a Border Security Advisory Committee that includes representatives of state and local government. n•Allows homeland security grants funds to be used to support border enforcement activities. n•Provides for additional fencing to be constructed along the U.S. – Mexico Border and calls for a study to examine the construction of a fence along the Northern/Canadian Border. nWorksite Enforcement and Employer Verification n•Establishes an electronic/phone system employment verification process and requires participation by all employers. n•Requires re-verification of all previously hired employees under the new system. Federal, state and local governments would have met this requirement within three years of enactment of the legislation. n•Increases civil penalties for hiring individuals without employment authorization. n•Expands requirements for employment verification to day-laborer sites. n
Alana Goodman dismisses all the evidence she does not want to see with the wave of the "Birther crowd" wand. You are a professional Ms. Goodman. How about a definitive point by point refutation of the top 10 falsehoods ( your choice ) those of us with the courage to call a spade a spade are spreading. Your choice. Just refute them with attributed facts. No name calling just facts. Let's hope that you wish to be given extra credit for listing all the forensic document experts that have come forward to defend the purported long form birth certificate found on the White House web site.