Pope Addressing Congress

[Dave Roberts]

I was reading that the Speaker has invited the Pope to speak to Congress. I have a question, since the Pope is technically a head of state, is not this the same violation of protocol in foreign policy as is the invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister? We do have diplomatic relations with Vatican City. If that is necessary for a church body, then it is a state, correct? Then Boehner is fully out of order, not to mention what this says about the separation of church and state.

[KeithE]

Boehner is asking for a load of truth telling.

And yes he is out-of-order, but I hope the Pope comes and Netan-yahoo stays home.

[Tim Bonney]

[William Thornton]

Congress is co-equal with the Emperor, er Executive branch. Claiming breech of protocol means nothing. Congress could invite Stephen Fox to address them if they wish. Might not be a good idea but they doggone sure could do it.

Obama should get over it.

[Dave Roberts]

[Tim Bonney]

[Haruo]

William holds Congress to a dfferent standard from women pastors.

[Cathy]

[Tim Bonney]

[Dave Roberts]

[Sandy]

[KeithE]

Can’t wait.

[Dave Roberts]

[KeithE]

[Dave Roberts]

My point was not to balance this off. Rather, it was to illustrate that Congress is digging itself a deep hole in how it is attempting to conduct public policy by its invitations. I personally think the pope is a great person and a rich spokesman for his faith. The problem is that this is really a crass effort to draw the Catholic vote.

[Tim Bonney]

[Sandy]

[Dave Roberts]

If I can summarize the discussion, what I am hearing is that just about everyone thinks that Congress has entered murky waters in both foreign policy and in church-state relations. May someone grant them wisdom to recognize that the whole realm of playing politics with those who are invited to speak is laden with deep ditches on both the right and left.