I am appalled by the display of hubris from our 'delegation' of Representatives and Senators who are going to Rome to view the Pope's funeral tomorrow morning.
I read what my Representative, Gil Gutknecht, had to say about his inclusion in the Star Tribune. I don't know if I've interpreted his comments correctly, but you'll see the impression I got.
More below.
As most here already know, a group of about 25 Representatives, and about 12 Senators is heading to Rome to
crash attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Here is what the honorable Gil Gutknecht had to say about his pleasure of attending(emphasis mine):
Gutknecht, a Lutheran-turned-Catholic, called it a
"very emotional thing" to be invited by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.
Gutknecht said he believes his invitation was due in part to the fast work of an office staffer who signed him up immediately after the trip was announced earlier this week. Members reportedly began lobbying for slots on the trip even before the pope died.
"This is a high honor. I am pleased to represent millions of Minnesotans who cannot be present to pay their last respects to the pontiff," Gutknecht said. "I will also carry with me those special feelings that Minnesotans of Polish descent have for one who is already being called John Paul the Great."
So it was "very emotional" to have your staffer invite yourself to the delegation which is inviting itself to the Pope's funeral.
You are a Catholic converted from Lutheran(ism?)(ity?) so I can understand that you would react to the Pope's death. But to consider it an honor to be among the biggest crooks, thieves, and uncaring politicoes makes me question your motives. You consider it an honor to be among people jockeying for a slot in the delegation so they can exploit the funeral for their own political gains.
I thought I was right to vote against you in the last election because you were against gay rights. Now you also are associating yourself with religious hipocrites,so I have no choice but to assume you've lost all of the common-sense judgement that led me to vote for you in 2000 and 2002.