This week, James welcomes back British author, columnist, and expert on all things American, Tim Stanley. They discuss the ongoing budget negotiations, why Britain may actually be doing better than the U.S. in terms of cutting the fat, why James would make an excellent Pope, the advantages of owning a dog, and their New Year's Resolutions.
Don't miss any more episodes of Radio Free Delingpole! Subscribe here or listen in above. Direct link here.
Blessings to EJHill for the photo.
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Mar '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
About poodles being effeminate: Did you know that poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs and the poodle haircut is meant for hunting? As much fur as possible was cut to keep the dog from becoming waterlogged while swimming. Some fur was left around the ankles and the chest to protect the dog from brambles. A tuft of fur is on the tip of the tail to mark the position of the dog in the water and another tuft is on top of the head to draw the dog into the boat. Here is a link to an article about poodles as hunters. http://www.gundogmag.com/2011/09/06/gun-dog-breeds-standard-poodle/ Also, didn't the British use poodles during the Crimean war, because of their intelligence? (And not for cannonballs, as my nephew suggested.)
I recommended that James get a cockapoo, and he took half of my advice. A cockapoo might have combined the best hunting traits of both poodles and cockers, but for his purposes he was right to stick to a known breed. Still, if you want a good, loyal, intelligent companion, you can't beat a cockapoo like my own Stalker.
Mar '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
Edward Smith: I am quite serious when I say that that picture gave me pause.
My sense that it treads on ground best left untrod does not get as far as this:
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.― G.K. Chesterton
But I would not want to see its like here again.
And I am being as serious as a Heart Attack when I say that.
Some of us are sensitive to slights about the Catholic Faith because we are treated as second class citizens in the U.S. That is mostly our own fault as we seldom protest against anti-Catholic bigotry. We need to stick up for ourselves more, and I am "as serious as a heart attack" about that. However, I don't see any offense in this particular picture. It doesn't appear to denigrate either the pope or the Catholic faith. There was no reason not to post it, and no need to take it down.
May '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
That's why I said it gave me pause, not offense. I'd rather say hear "that's far enough" than "that's going too far".
Leave this image up. But mark the spot where it lands.
When you ride the NYC subway system there is a yellow line on the platform to warn you you are too close to the edge. It is not on the edge, but a few inches away from it. Near enough to be a warning, but far away to be able to step back to safety.
I would hold this to all belief systems.
Michael Collins
Some of us are sensitive to slights about the Catholic Faith because we are treated as second class citizens in the U.S. That is mostly our own fault as we seldom protest against anti-Catholic bigotry. We need to stick up for ourselves more, and I am "as serious as a heart attack" about that. However, I don't see any offense in this particular picture. It doesn't appear to denigrate either the pope or the Catholic faith. There was no reason not to post it, and no need to take it down. · 48 minutes ago
Sep '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
I haven't laughed so hard in a while! I'm ashamed my New Year's resolutions aren't as entertaining.
Oct '11
Re: Popes and Puppies
How is James going to be a better Pope when He brings Obama lunch in a silver platter ?
As for the Pope, I guess welcome to the reality of people being frustrated by the Catholic Church supporting the enemies of civilization that happens to be anti-religious too.
Dec '10
Re: Popes and Puppies
Edward Smith: I am quite serious when I say that that picture gave me pause.
My sense that it treads on ground best left untrod does not get as far as this:
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.― G.K. Chesterton
But I would not want to see its like here again.
And I am being as serious as a Heart Attack when I say that.
Doesn't intent have to be taken into consideration? I don't take issue with situations like this where there is plainly (at least to me) no intent to offend or insult. It seems to me that there is strength in being able to have a laugh at one's self and one's beliefs.
At the least, it shows that Catholics aren't so childishly insecure as some other faiths--not trying to say that you are being insecure, Edward, I can see and understand your points. I share your feelings about the Hitler mustache on Obama, BTW.
May '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
Britanicus:
Intent matters a great deal.
I see strength in being able to not take offense when the offense was slight or not intended. But I reserve the right to state that, even though the offense was slight or not intended, the line where I take offense has been approached.
I also reserve the right to laugh at what I think is funny, and not laugh at what I don't think is funny.
You have that right too. There are subjects where I my idea of what is funny and what need not be taken seriously are not the same as yours. I approach them in the wrong way and you fail to give me warning that this matter or that is a "handle with care" for you, then you are not adequately respecting yourself.
If I did not set out to offend, and you are are of this, I get a warning.
But we all have borders. We should all post where they are, in a way that everyone else can see them far enough away to not accidentally cross them.
And having enough respect for yourself to post those notices is true strength.
Dec '10
Re: Popes and Puppies
Well said, Edward. I assure you, that I am not offended at all.
To touch on another issue in the podcast, I submit that the Beagle is one of the finest breeds around (see my avatar). Loving, loyal, smart, hungry, warm, good for hunting, good for children, the beagle is a wonderful dog... although the howl will be a constant source of amusement and annoyance, depending on the time of day/night.
May '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
I knew a very mellow (to the point of indolence) older divorced woman who got herself a beagle puppy.
It was not a good match.
Me, I have a Silent Part-Calico Cat, who, when you look into her eyes, you see that she can be friendly, but watch out - she sets the terms.
Britanicus: Well said, Edward. I assure you, that I am not offended at all.
To touch on another issue in the podcast, I submit that the Beagle is one of the finest breeds around (see my avatar). Loving, loyal, smart, hungry, warm, good for hunting, good for children, the beagle is a wonderful dog... although the howl will be a constant source of amusement and annoyance, depending on the time of day/night. · 11 minutes ago
Dec '10
Re: Popes and Puppies
Indeed. Beagles require a significant amount of attention and they have lots of energy to get rid of. However, once they are rid of said energy, they enjoy nothing more than to lay on your lap while you read Ricochet.
May '11
Re: Popes and Puppies
Grendel
Offended?!?! I thought it was a tribute to Pius XII. But I haven't listened to the podcast yet. · 22 hours ago
I'm Catholic and not offended at all, the person being 'goofed on' is Lord Delingpole. However I viewed it first on an Iphone and also thought it was Pius XII.
Mar '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
Edward Smith: That's why I said it gave me pause, not offense. I'd rather say hear "that's far enough" than "that's going too far".
Leave this image up. But mark the spot where it lands.
When you ride the NYC subway system there is a yellow line on the platform to warn you you are too close to the edge. It is not on the edge, but a few inches away from it. Near enough to be a warning, but far away to be able to step back to safety.
I would hold this to all belief systems.
Michael Collins
19 hours ago
Ok, that seems reasonable. Sorry if I misunderstood you. Thank you for caring enough to try to mark a line.
Apr '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
As with the distinction between trying to kill someone vs trying to stop someone, even if it requires killing them, a worrying number of folks can't spot the difference. If you're basing your theology from a digression on a politics podcast, you're only going to prove what you already believe.
I should really hope that the Pope not being a radical individualist isn't news to anyone.
Nov '10
Re: Popes and Puppies
James, what is the book on the "The War of the Roses" are your reading?
Maybe reading it will make me feel better about our current situation!
Cheers!
Mar '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
The podcast raises the question of why so many American Catholics are "sound conservatives". Fifty years ago the overwhelming majority of Catholics were Democrats. When the Supreme Court made its abortion decision it appeared to many Catholics that conservatives were more likely to agree with us about abortion. The pro-life movement made a strategic decision to support the Republican party as they believed it would be easier to control than the Democrats. Anti-communism and the example of William F. Buckley as a prominent conservative Catholic were major factors. Many Catholics began studying conservatism seriously for the first time and decided that on the whole they liked what they saw. Catholics are also used to swimming against the tide which is a prerequisite for survival as a conservative. Catholics and conservatives both suffer at the hands of the mainstream media. So on the whole it is not surprising that so many Ricochetti appear to be strong Catholics.
Do any of the Catholics on Ricochet have other thoughts on why so many Catholics are strong conservatives?
May '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
Your explanation pretty much covers it.
Catholics do have a cockeyed notion of who pays for Charity though.
Michael Collins: The podcast raises the question of why so many American Catholics are "sound conservatives". Fifty years ago the overwhelming majority of Catholics were Democrats. When the Supreme Court made its abortion decision it appeared to many Catholics that conservatives were more likely to agree with us about abortion. The pro-life movement made a strategic decision to support the Republican party as they believed it would be easier to control than the Democrats. Anti-communism and the example of William F. Buckley as a prominent conservative Catholic were major factors. Many Catholics began studying conservatism seriously for the first time and decided that on the whole they liked what they saw. Catholics are also used to swimming against the tide which is a prerequisite for survival as a conservative. Catholics and conservatives both suffer at the hands of the mainstream media. So on the whole it is not surprising that so many Ricochetti appear to be strong Catholics.
Do any of the Catholics on Ricochet have other thoughts on why so many Catholics are strong conservatives? · 0 minutes ago
Apr '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
Edward Smith:
Catholics do have a cockeyed notion of who pays for Charity though.
Please don't confuse the lefties who like to wrap themselves in religion with what the Church actually teaches. A good check is if they actually hold to the binding teachings. (Abortion is usually the most obvious.)
May '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
By Catholics, I mean the Catholics I knew. I knew a few good Priests, who talked the talk and walked the walk - but most of Congregants, let's just say they meant well.
The funny thing is, I would have no problem with Abortion being Legal & Safe, but all involvement in it happening (including paying for it) limited to those who knowingly sign on to be involved.
But a Cafeteria Christian quoted some "audited" figures released by Planned Parenthood showing how they set up Chinese Walls to segregate that portion of their operations.
All I could think of was that old joke about the accountant who is asked "What is 2=2?" He locks the door, closes the blinds and leans in close to the employer to ask: "What do you want it to be?"
Accountants? Auditors? Enron! Bernie Madoff!
Foxfier
Edward Smith:
Catholics do have a cockeyed notion of who pays for Charity though.
Please don't confuse the lefties who like to wrap themselves in religion with what the Church actually teaches. A good check is if they actually hold to the binding teachings. (Abortion is usually the most obvious.) · 0 minutes ago
Apr '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
Edward Smith:
The funny thing is, I would have no problem with Abortion being Legal & Safe, but all involvement in it happening (including paying for it) limited to those who knowingly sign on to be involved.
Including the kid? Hard to be safe when you're dead....
May '12
Re: Popes and Puppies
That's very true.
I would as soon see Adoption (Jesus was adopted) made the easier option. Honestly, averse as I am to selling children, an Adoption paid for by the adoptive parents stopping an abortion ...
But if the mother and father are bound and determined to go through with the Abortion, I would rather know it was done by qualified medical professionals who could ensure that the mother would not die or lose the ability to have more children.
All that said, unless there was a sufficient commitment to Probity by abortion providers to make certain only funds expressly intended to pay for abortion were used to pay for them - and I do not see that commitment to Probity - all bets are off.
There are very tough calls to be made in this world. The whole notion for Just War (easily abused), for instance. Abortion is another.
Foxfier
Edward Smith:
The funny thing is, I would have no problem with Abortion being Legal & Safe, but all involvement in it happening (including paying for it) limited to those who knowingly sign on to be involved.
Including the kid? Hard to be safe when you're dead.... · 8 hours ago