I frowned, wracking my brains. What had I done worthy of congratulation? Had the baby been born? And nobody thought to tell me? Now the happy news was percolating through the extended family, reaching me through this circuitous route. "Did you tell your dad and mom?" "Nah, they'll find out eventually ..."
"For what?" I asked.
"The pope," he said.
Ah yes! Bragging rights to the pope. Or "Da Pope!" in another instantly classic Sun-Times headline (with an assist from WBEZ). Or Pope Bob, as a reader dubbed him, born in Chicago, grew up in Dolton.
Chicago can use the boost. It's been a while since we've had a one-name celebrity to crow over. Michael and Oprah are specks in the rearview mirror. Obama ... well ... still fond of the man and looking forward to that presidential center. Though right now he's still the guy who walked us to the cliff's edge and coughed into his fist as we toppled into the abyss.
Still. Isn't using the pope as an occasion for pride somewhat contradictory? With all the whoops and fist bumps, I've yet to hear anybody say, "The pope's from Chicago; we'll have to double our efforts to live justly and love our fellow man." All pomp and no obligation — is there too much of that already?
Honestly, while there was genuine pride, news of the Chicago pope was often played for laughs. Jokes about deep dish communion wafers and baseball. Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan. Well, they need something. Jesus did say, "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted," and 121 losses last season is humbling aplenty.
Harebrained, a local graphics outfit that can turn out a great logo faster then I can tie my shoe, immediately created one of their spot-on mashups.
Innocent joy only lasted a few hours. The city's understandable pride was quickly used to revive the old "Windy City" charge of unseemly boosterism.
"But in a place where civic pride is both a virtue and a way of life, Chicagoans need little help believing their city is among God’s favorites," the Washington Post sniffed, as if they weren't the same publication that refused to publish a cartoon that would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize because it suggested their owner fell short of his own lofty self-estimation by genuflecting before the orange enormity.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news: But you put your lips on that guy's backside once, and it leaves a stain that will never wash off. Neville Chamberlain's entire life was an asterisk after waving that piece of paper and declaring "Peace in our time." Live with it.
I'm reluctant to suggest it doesn't matter what the pope believes in. But we live in a leaderless moment — even President Donald Trump, who spins in the wind. As much as he pushes tariffs, I don't see the MAGA crowd yelling, "Yay tariffs! Double the cost of everything we buy! Shut down the global economic system!"
To continue reading, click here.
Honestly, while there was genuine pride, news of the Chicago pope was often played for laughs. Jokes about deep dish communion wafers and baseball. Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan. Well, they need something. Jesus did say, "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted," and 121 losses last season is humbling aplenty.
Harebrained, a local graphics outfit that can turn out a great logo faster then I can tie my shoe, immediately created one of their spot-on mashups.
Innocent joy only lasted a few hours. The city's understandable pride was quickly used to revive the old "Windy City" charge of unseemly boosterism.
"But in a place where civic pride is both a virtue and a way of life, Chicagoans need little help believing their city is among God’s favorites," the Washington Post sniffed, as if they weren't the same publication that refused to publish a cartoon that would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize because it suggested their owner fell short of his own lofty self-estimation by genuflecting before the orange enormity.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news: But you put your lips on that guy's backside once, and it leaves a stain that will never wash off. Neville Chamberlain's entire life was an asterisk after waving that piece of paper and declaring "Peace in our time." Live with it.
I'm reluctant to suggest it doesn't matter what the pope believes in. But we live in a leaderless moment — even President Donald Trump, who spins in the wind. As much as he pushes tariffs, I don't see the MAGA crowd yelling, "Yay tariffs! Double the cost of everything we buy! Shut down the global economic system!"
To continue reading, click here.
Obama walked us to the cliff's edge and coughed. Wowie wow. That's exactly how I feel. I can't get excited about the new Pope unless this is the end of times and Leo and the orange man have a Tenacious D mano y mano.
ReplyDeleteI'm not following what you mean about Obama walking us to the cliff's edge. Please explain?
ReplyDeleteWhere was Obama when we needed leadership and he kept silent? I truly believe if he had gotten involved, not just words of support for Harris, we might not be here. I think he felt he did his time. But, that's just my take on it.
DeleteAs an atheist, I just don't care who the church has as its head, as he will continue to cover up the priests that molest children!
ReplyDeleteNo matter what they say, it's so ingrained into that church, with the molesters going right up to some of the leadership in Rome, it appears impossible to end it! The cover up will continue for decades & not end until they realize they need to allow the priests to marry & have families. But as we've seen in this country with the various evangelicals, they do marry, have families & still molest children!
I think it's also a power thing, not merely a sexual thing.
Negative nelly. Just as you have no desire to change your mindset, the same people around you will not change their mindset on you.
Delete"Obama ... well ... still fond of the man and looking forward to that presidential center. Though right now he's still the guy who walked us to the cliff's edge and coughed into his fist as we toppled into the abyss." I don't understand this.
ReplyDeleteWho was the man who followed Obama into the presidency?
DeleteI like to imagine Obama singing Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe". Dylan was not the Messiah and neither was Obama. Actually, it's real easy to imagine Obama saying, "Figure it out, folks."
DeleteKnowing full well what we were up against.
DeleteCount me among the baffled with regard to Obama being the guy "who walked us to the cliff's edge..." I don't remember any evident lack of support for Hillary. in 2016. If he didn't support her as strongly as he ought to, maybe he thought she didn't need or want that support. After all, most of us innocents expected the electorate to soundly reject the blowhard buffoon, the only question in our minds being how great the victory would turn out to be.
ReplyDeletejohn
Obama didn't send us over the cliff. Neither did Harris. The responsibility lies entirely with the people who bought Trump's shtick and voted for him. All the necessary info was right in front of them and they chose Trump.
ReplyDeleteGood mention of Ann Telnaes formerly from the Washington Post
ReplyDeleteUntil the Catholic Church takes responsibility for the children who were molested, I cannot celebrate a new pope. An apology and addressing this issue should be the first order of business.
ReplyDelete