Why are we giving the Pope the Medal of Freedom?

[JCMach1]

Just what has he done to deserve this...?

Granted he has some interesting biography...

But what about his stand against AIDS education?

Abortion?



He has done NOTHING to increase democracy around the world...!

Don't even start about Poland, the wall was coming down anyway...


Just another election year stunt by * !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------

THE PRESIDENT: Your Holiness, thank you very much for receiving Laura and me, and our delegation. I bring greetings from our country, where you are respected, admired and greatly loved.

I also bring a message from my government that says to you, sir, we will work for human liberty and human dignity, in order to spread peace and compassion; that we appreciate the strong symbol of freedom that you have stood for, and we recognize the power of freedom to change societies and to change the world.

And so, sir, we're honored to be here. Perhaps the best way I can express my country's gratitude to you, and our respect to you, is to present to you the Medal of Freedom from America. And if you might allow, I'd like to read the citation attached to that honor:

"A devoted servant of God, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has championed the cause of the poor, the weak, the hungry, and the outcast. He has defended the unique dignity of every life, and the goodness of all life. Through his faith and moral conviction, he has given courage to others to be not afraid in overcoming injustice and oppression. His principled stand for peace and freedom has inspired millions and helped to topple communism and tyranny. The United States honors this son of Poland who became the Bishop of Rome and a hero of our time."

And so, on behalf of the American people, Your Holiness, I would be honored if you would accept our Medal of Freedom.

(The Medal of Freedom is presented.) (Applause.)

HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II: I am very grateful, Mr. President, for this thoughtful gesture. May the desire for freedom, peace, a more humane world symbolized by this medal inspire men and women of goodwill in every time and place.

God bless America. (Applause.)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040604-3.html

[radwriter0555]

1. So bush can get a photo op to mislead the religious right into voting for

him.

duh.

:)

[SaveElmer]

2. Two Words

Catholic Vote!

[stinkeefresh]

3. can you say...

"Latino vote?" I knew you could, kids!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. To win votes for Bush.

duh

[thebigidea]

5. the Medal of FREEDOM FROM AMERICA??!?! The Iraqis would love that

[ugarte]

6. Whatever the problems with the Catholic Church

the Pope is a beloved figure around the world, in all likelihood the most universally admired man on the planet.

Having said that, of course the timing of the award is all Karl Rove.

[JCMach1]

10. I will grant you all of those things... but the Medal of Freedom???

Give me a break!

[Az]

20. Beloved?

Um..... Ok, Catholics love him... but they have to. Some Protestants think he is ok but others think he is the AntiChrist. Once you get outside of the Christian grouping love becomes a bit strong for people's opinion regarding the man. His opposition to birth control has certainly exasterbated efforts to end world poverty.

He speaks for peace, but so does the Dali Lama. Where is his medal?

What this is about is the Vaticans assistance in creating the success of the Neocon movement. Their campaign to change American politics (re Roe V Wade) sits at the center of bringing the radical religious into line with the economic rights hatred of a strong central government enforcing our rights. Now the Catholic Church is openly intervening in Kerry's campaign because of abortion issues and says nothing about George Bush's support of the death penalty. This is nothing less than the manipulation of the US political system by a religious institution.

[Book Lover]

7. Except the tyranny

of the Catholic doctrinaire practices of constant pregnancy, of subservience to the husband, and of the laity to their bishops and other "betters." Yeah, Karol is a real representative of freedom...

[amber dog democrat]

8. Maybe he had a few extra ones lying in a desk drawer

and did not want to go to the Pope empty handed. He would give the Medal of Honor if he thought this would aid his situation.

[EldreEdda]

11. Not a promoter for democracy!

The Pope has always tried to destruct democratic processes. If the Catholic church could have what they wanted, we would still be living in the middle ages paying the church so we wouldn't go to hell!

[amber dog democrat]

15. We owe a great debt to Erasmus

and Martin Luther.

[Az]

25. Magna Carta

The Protestants shattered the Vatican's hold but Magna Carta started us on the road to freedom.

[boxster]

9. Trying to buy the Catholic vote.

And, yes, it's nothing but a stunt.

12. god told * to do it

:)

[boxster]

13. Good one. And probably not so far from the truth.

n/t

[obnoxiousdrunk]

14. That's how the Anti-Christ

greets the Pope.

[CityZen-X]

16. The Vatican Loves Nazi's!

They made their deals with the Nazi devils in WWII, now they are posturing with another Nazi bastard!

[Cocoa]

18. this pope is no Nazi

According to the congressional resolution that urged Bush to award him this medal, this pope was no Nazi.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c108:1:./temp/~c108Yj20KH::

<snip>

Whereas Pope John Paul II was himself arrested by Nazi occupation forces in 1942, but his life was spared because of his employment at a limestone quarry, work deemed essential to the war effort;

Whereas Pope John Paul II courageously defied the Nazi occupation forces, risking his own life to protect Polish Jews from persecution, helping to organize the underground `Rhapsodic Theatre', which he intended to be `a theatre . . . where the national spirit will burn', writing two religious plays considered subversive to the Nazi regime, and enrolling in the clandestine seminary of Archbishop Sapieha of Cracow, where he studied religion, theology, and philosophy;

[CityZen-X]

26. Never Said He Was

I stated "Vatican." And do you believe that the pope runs the Vatican? No more than Bu$h*t runs America!

[Qutzupalotl]

17. He denounced the invasion of Iraq.

:)

[keithyboy]

19. So did I. Nobody's giving me a medal!

:shrug:

[spanone]

21. Because he thinks Kerry is a sinner.

[AspenRose]

22. To encourage His Holiness to get more archbishops in the USA

to stop giving communion to pro-choicers.

[trof]

23. We were out of Pedophiliac Medals?

Sorry.
Cheap shot.
My bad.
:shrug:

[onecitizen]

24. To try to score points.........

with the Pope?:shrug:

[Hippo_Tron]

27. I would have so much respect for the Pope if he had told Bush...

To go shove the medal up his ass.