Daily Archives: October 4, 2019

ROME When Ronald Reagan launched full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Vatican 35 years ago, his idea, which proved correct, was that Pope John Paul II would be a reliable ally against Communism. John Paul nevertheless needled the Americans on other fronts, and ever since the relationship between the worlds preeminent hard and soft powers always has been a mixed bag.

Right now, it might be hard to imagine any greater contrast between a pope and a president than Francis and Donald Trump one the pope of immigrants, the other an advocate of border walls; one a critic of an economy that kills, the other an avatar of free market capitalism; one the chaplain of the fight against climate change, the other the contrarian who pulled the U.S. out of the Paris accords. On top of all that, Pope Francis has made no secret of his personal ambivalence about America and Americans, recently quipping that he considers it an honor when Americans are attacking me.

Yet the truth of it is, both the U.S. and the Vatican have powerful motives for keeping their relationship green despite those obvious tensions, because both parties perceive they need the other.

The Vatican wants to be a serious global player and needs the leverage the Americans can bring, while no American president can afford to write off an institution that claims one-sixth of humanity as its membership, not to mention one-quarter of the voting age population of that presidents own country.

All of which brings us to a remarkable event that unfolded on Wednesday in the Vatican, co-sponsored by the Vaticans Secretariat of State and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See titled Pathways to Dignity. The idea was to focus on three areas where the U.S. and the Vatican, even in the era of Francis and Trump, more or less see eye-to-eye: Religious freedom, the fight against human trafficking, and humanitarian assistance.

In a sign of how seriously the U.S. took the moment, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo showed up to deliver an opening address, and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback was there to headline the opening panel. Probably the reason I was asked to moderate the opening panel is that, like Pompeo and Brownback, Im from Kansas, so it was sort of an all-Sunflower State lineup.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich gave the welcome, and her husband, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, was in the front row.

The days opening act was dedicated to the issue of religious freedom. It also included Monsignor Indunil Kodithuwakku of Sri Lanka, the number two official of the Vaticans Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Dr. Nayla Tabbara of Lebanons Adyan Foundation and a Muslim scholar who, among other things, has written on Islamic feminism.

Four basic take-aways suggest themselves.

First, each speaker outlined resources in the press for greater religious freedom. Brownback discussed American political ideals, above all personal freedom, while Kodithuwakku sketched Catholic thought on religious freedom as presented by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) in its towering documents Nostra Aetate and Dignitatis Humanae. Tabbara, meanwhile, discussed more recent documents and declarations to emerge both from Islamic religious authorities and in Islamic civil society.

Adding it all up, the impression is that there are more tools in the toolbox than one might imagine.

Second, the three speakers made the point in various ways that theres a history behind todays ferment over religious freedom. Brownback, for instance, talked about the nexus between John Paul II and Reagan one wearing a miter, the other a cowboy hat while Kodithuwakku recalled John Pauls pioneering decision to host an inter-faith summit in Assisi in 1986, which had the effect of making outreach to other faiths part of the job description for Catholic leaders at all levels.

Third, the panel was a reminder of the global complexities of the religious freedom debate, and the importance of taking cultural sensitivities into account. Tabbara, for example, said that in the Middle East, the terms freedom of religion and secularism can both come off as Western concepts laden with negative associations, so the foundation with which she works has found it easier to talk about freedom of belief and inclusive citizenship.

Fourth, and most basically, each speaker projected a spirit of optimism about the prospects for religious freedom, despite a number of trendlines that might counsel despair the rise of nationalist and populist regimes in various parts of the world predicated on fairly hardline versions of religious identity, for instance, and a spike in radicalism in all the worlds major faiths, including Hinduism in India, Buddhism in Myanmar, and Islam in various venues.

Yet Brownback nevertheless offered a battle cry with the line, Tear down the wall of religious oppression!, suggesting that achieving it is actually possible. Kodithuwakku and Tabbara were obviously proud of developments with Catholicism and Islam respectively, and clearly felt that its only a matter of time before a dialogical and tolerant form of each faith gains the upper hand.

To be sure, there werent many practical new ideas to surface at Wednesdays event, nor were there many hard questions that might reasonably have been asked of both the U.S. and the Vatican whether the cozy relationship the U.S. enjoys with Saudi Arabia, for instance, compromises its ability to challenge the Saudis about injustices at home and support for extremism abroad, or whether the Vaticans recent deal with China actually has made the prospects for religious freedom worse rather than better.

Nevertheless, the mere fact that leading lights of both Franciss Vatican and Trumps America could pool resources around the defense of religious freedom suggests the breadth of a potential coalition suggesting that this 35-year-old relationship, even now, still packs a punch.

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Even in Trump/Francis era, US and Vatican still see alliance on religious freedom - Crux: Covering all things Catholic

Priti Patel said she will end freedom of movement once and for all (Picture: PA, Getty)

Home Secretary Priti Patel has vowed to end freedom of movement once and for all after the UK leaves the EU.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, she told audience she had a particular responsibility when it comes to taking back control after Brexit.

She continued: It is to end the free movement of people once and for all.

Patel then explained that Britain would be introducing an Australian style points-based immigration system that works in the best interests of the country.

She said: One that attracts and welcomes the brightest and the best. One that supports brilliant scientists, the finest academics and leading people in their fields.

And one that is under the control of the British Government. Because, let me tell you something.

This daughter of immigrants, needs no lectures from the North London metropolitan liberal elite.

During the speech, Patel also reiterated a plan to recruit 20,000 new police officers and spend 10,000,000 on equipping 60 per cent of them with tasers.

Around 20,000,000 funding will be committed to tackling organised crime gangs who exploit children and other vulnerable people by involving them in the drugs, she said.

Stating that law and order is central to our DNA as Conservatives, she said it was the job of the Home Secretary to empower chief constables.

A dedicated British Transport Police unit with visible and undercover officers will also be tasked with disrupting the movement of drugs and people in gangs, she added.

Patel warned criminals: We are coming after you.

She continued: The kingpins of these criminal gangs are exploiting children.

Forcing them to carry crack cocaine and heroin across rural and coastal communities, threatening them into carrying guns and knives as protection, manipulating them into killing innocent people.

Funding will also be made available to Police and Crime Commissioners to invest in preventative measures to tackle burglaries, thefts and shoplifting, Patel said.

A pledge of 25,000,000 will be made to the safer streets fund for new security measures that will help tackle Britains worst crime spots.

Patel rounded up her speech by taking a swipe at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.

She claimed the Labour Party would make the country less safe, adding that they wont even attempt to take back control of our borders.

The Labour Party trust our foes more than our friends, she said.

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Priti Patel vows to end freedom of movement 'for once and for all' - Metro.co.uk

Following the return of the annual BostonFreedom Rally Saturday, Sept. 21 to the Boston Common, the decision to scale itback to a one-day event this year from its traditional three days has beenlargely applauded.

MassCann (Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition), the state affiliate of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) sponsor the event commonly as Hempfest. Last years 29th annual Freedom Rally, which took place over the weekend of Sept. 14-16, 2018, drew an estimated crowd of between 15,000 and 20,000 and was the subject of much debate after elected officials and civic leaders said it caused an unprecedented amount of damage to the Common. Witnesses also reported attendees driving their cars onto the park, camping out there overnight and leaving behind heaps of trash in their wake.

CityCouncilor Josh Zakim, who along with Councilor Ed Flynn, co-sponsored a hearingon Nov. 14, 2018, to discuss the future of Freedom Fest in light of theseallegations from last year, credits the organizers for scaling the event backto one day this year, which he describes as a good step forward.

As aresult, we didnt received nearly as many calls with concerns about the event,Zakim said. I would like to thank the mayors office, the Parks Department andthe organizers for working together [to achieve this result].

StateRep. Jay Livingstone echoed this sentiment: I appreciate the work of the Cityto work with the organizers to limit the time-period and increase requiredmitigation. I hope the combination of these two agreements will minimize theimpact [the event has] on the Common.

Incontrast, Colin Zick, chair of the Beacon Hill Civic Associations Parks andPublic Spaces Committee, said while the BHCA was pleased with the decision tocurtail this years event, which resulted in a noticeable decrease in negativeimpacts on the Common and surrounding neighborhood, the group still hassubstantial concerns over Freedom Rally.

Itstoo large for the Common and features too many violations of City of Bostonordinances (e.g. consuming cannabis in public, smoking on the Common) andviolations of the conditions of the permit (e.g. several overnight campers onthe Common, excessive sound amplification,numerous cars parked on thegrass of the Common), Zick wrote.

Thepermit for the event expressly states no smoking is permitted on the Common;consuming marijuana or marijuana products in a public place is prohibited; andno camping is allowed, yet Zick said these restrictions were all flagrantlyviolated during the most recent Freedom Rally.

Inresponse to allegations of camping on the Common, MassCann spokesperson MaggieKinsella attributed it a little of bit of confusion on their part, sincemembers of the group are usually permitted to stay overnight on the Commonduring the event to safeguard their possessions. But when a Park Ranger toldthem camping wasnt permitted this year, Kinsella said they immediately tookdown their tents.

Kinsellaexpressed MassCanns gratitude to Beantown Greentown, a local marijuanacultivation and clothing company, for spearheading the volunteer effort forthis years Freedom Rally.

Theyorganized the volunteers who emptied trash throughout the event and stayedafterwards to help clean up, she said. Sunday was the official cleanup day,and everyone really stepped up then.

Kinsella said MassCann is made up solely ofvolunteers who worked to help address some of the issues that came up in thepast.

Added Kinsella: We hope the cityacknowledges the improvement, and maybe, we can get a permit for two days nextyear. It was certainly a disappointment to some attendees and vendors that itwas only one day this time. We think it crowded the park more because everyonewas trying to get in there on one day rather than over the course of three, soI hope we can meet in the middle next time.

(Kinsellacouldnt provide the size of the crowd at this years event by press time.)

And while the future of Freedom Rally is now unknown, Boston Parks and Recreation Department spokesperson Liz Sullivan wrote, [We] and the event organizers worked together to ensure that all traces of the event were removed on Sunday. We look forward to continuing to partner with groups who activate our green spaces with public programming.

See the article here:

Curtailed Freedom Rally Meets With Better Response This Year - Beacon Hill Times

Developing an understanding of football has been a process for Freedom High Schools Eloge Kalubi.

Actually, you can include his family in that, too.

It was a real learning experience. They really didn't get anything, the Patriots senior said about his parents knowledge of the game. Sophomore year, during a scrimmage, my mom was rooting for the other team. My brother had to tell her 'It's this team you're rooting for, not that one.'

Kalubis parents, Ida and Kamba, immigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As theyve gained a grasp of the gridiron, their son has undergone a rapid development to become a starter at Freedom.

Kalubi, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, played soccer throughout his youth.

I have a lot of family members in Africa who play soccer, he said. My dad used to play a lot of soccer, so did my mom. I just followed up with the sport.

Kalubi, however, has the prototypical size and length to be a defensive end. He was convinced to give football a try during his freshman year, so he joined the team and played his first organized season as a sophomore.

I feel way better now, the senior said. Sophomore year, I was like, 'I'm not so sure about this.' And I just kept building and building and building. Now, I feel way more comfortable.

Patriots coach Jason Roeder has been impressed with the young mans growth.

He was very raw, Roeder said. He's come a long way from just being a part of the team. It was consistent improvement. Now, he's been a force the last couple of weeks.

Multiple coaches and players have helped Kalubi along the way.

Sophomore year I did not know anything. I had a lot of teammates give me tips and tricks. John Dentith, from last year, he used to tell me a lot of things to do, said Kalubi, who also credited defensive coordinator Greg Moore and offensive line coach Bryan Haas.

He's very coachable, Roeder said. Our defensive line guys over the last three years Charlie Heidecker, Mike Anthony and Duke Wagner those three guys did an outstanding job working with him.

It wasnt only about his play on the field, of course. Kalubi needed to put some muscle on his frame in order to handle the physicality of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division.

He committed to the weight room, Roeder said. He's one of the strongest guys on the team, even with as long as he is He just loves being out here with the guys and has evolved into a really good football player.

Coach told me I can't be complacent. So, I always want to achieve more, Kalubi said. I think I can put more weight on in the weight room.

The senior lineman has also emerged as a scoring threat. Kalubi blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone last week during the Patriots 42-8 win against Pocono Mountain West. Its the second straight year Kalubi has tallied a TD while playing PMW.

It's sort of odd, Kalubi said of scoring. You really don't think you're going to touch the ball at all. There's really nothing that goes through your head until you score that touchdown. Your teammates are jumping on you; you've got coaches and teammates on the sideline yelling your name ... It's an amazing feeling.

Taking the touchdowns out of the equation, Roeder likes the role Kalubi serves on the defensive line.

He's allowed us to free-up and do some different things with Kaden (Moore) on the defensive front, the coach said. He's a guy who has been grading out through the roof the last couple weeks.

Kalubi indicated that he definitely wants to pursue football after high school. He certainly has the measurables to raise eyebrows among college coaches.

It'll be interesting to see what the next level schools see in him, in terms of how much upside he has with only starting to play football a couple years ago, Roeder said. ... I think he has a bright future.

Kalubi and the entire Freedom lineup will face a tough test on Friday night as the third-ranked Patriots (5-1) travel to Cottingham Stadium to clash with top-ranked Easton (6-0).

Since dropping a result to Nazareth, the preseason favorite Patriots have gone under the radar during their wins against Whitehall (0-6) and P.M. West (1-5).

We said: 'The next couple weeks, we're going off the grid. You're not going to see us on the Big Ticket, you're not going to see the newspaper guys hanging around practice. It's all about us,' Roeder said. So, we circled this (game). When we go back on the grid, where do we want to be? Is there going to be the noticeable improvement that we need to get where we want to be?

The Patriots need to remain consistent in their approach, according to Kalubi.

It's just business as usual: go in, do our job, do it well and get out with a 'W,' he said.

And his teammates should listen to the senior on this topic, because if anyone knows about making progress, its Eloge Kalubi.

Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KyleCraigSports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

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Freedoms Kalubi has the prototypical size, but not the standard football story - lehighvalleylive.com

Rod Kletchko is proud of the license plate on his car that reads MAGAUSA.

"It could mean a little cup of water, it could mean the East Indian God of strength and tranquility," he said.

The wording resembles, Make America Great Again, U.S.A, from President Donald Trumps campaign slogan. Kletchko admits he is a Trump supporter and got the license plate to annoy his friend who isn't a supporter.

For some reason, she called me 'MAGA' so I thought maybe Ill see if I could get that as a license plate, you know just a little joke on her, Kletchko said.

Kletchko got the license plate from Saskatchewan Government Insurance in May. Last week, the Crown corporation told Kletchko he had to relinquish the plate. Kletchko disagrees with SGI's decision because of what the plate means to him.

"To me it means freedom of expression, thats what MAGAUSA means to me, he said. I have the right to express myself, I have the right to free speech and I think free speech is lacking in today's society."

SGI said it made a mistake by issuing the license plate to Kletchco. The Crown corporation also said license plates are the Crown's property and it's in its policy that they are not to be used to send political messages.

"We really do have to look at our process so that we are scrutinizing these points a little bit more, said J.P. Cullens with SGI. Its a service that people like, it's a service that we want to continue to offer, at the end of the day no body needs a personalized license plate."

Kletchko said he's originally wanted the plate to read MAGA or MAGA1 but said he was told by SGI those plates were already in use. SGI said it has no plans to go after the motorists with those plates.

"MAGA at the time the application was made, might have had a different meaning for that customer. Cullens said. Its really clear to us based on the information provided that this did have as association to a political connotation."

Since receiving the call, Kletchko now has less than a month to turn in the plate or SGI could cancel his registration. SGI said it told Kletchco it would reimburse him the cost of the plate because it shouldn't have been issued in the first place. The crown corporation will also issue him a new plate with no charge.

"Im going to miss it." Kletchko said.

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'It means freedom of expression, thats what MAGAUSA means to me': Man disputes with SGI over a vanity license plate - CTV News