"Disagreement" is not "Treason," "Protest" is not "Terrorism"

I'm writing another post for this blog, mostly about the way Congress is mismanaging (my opinion) the United States Federal government. ("United States Federal Budget, Congress, and Getting a Grip" (April 19, 2011))

As that sentence implies, I do not think highly of the way Congress, or other political leaders, are handling national affairs in this country.

That does not mean that I hate America, or wish our leaders ill. I'm a practicing Catholic, and that's against the rules. (December 9, 2010, September 24, 2008)

Stress, and How Folks Cope

Folks have many ways of reacting to stress. Some turn to prayer, others blame their worries on 'those people over there,' and once in a while someone shoots a member of Congress.

Of those options, I'm inclined to recommend prayer: and, despite being one of 'those people over there,' I emphatically do not recommend shooting members of Congress.

I've discussed this sort of thing before:

• "Jared Loughner, Sarah Palin, James Eric Fuller, and Getting a Grip"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (January 18, 2011)
• "Gabrielle Giffords, Others, Shot: Prayer Wouldn't Hurt"
  (January 8, 2011)
• "Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords Shot: Utterly Unacceptable"
  Apathetic Lemming of the North (January 8, 2011)
  Also note the update:
  • Someone's Talking Sense: Tea Party Member Remarks
• "Pro-Life People - 'Domestic Terrorists and Violent Racketeers:' Who Knew?"
  (June 1, 2009)

My considered opinion that violence is not a viable solution to America's problem is based on Catholic teachings about people, politics and government. What I've learned of those teachings, that is. As I've said before, I'm just "some guy with a blog." I do not speak for the Catholic Church.

On the other hand, although - and I want to emphasize this - I do not believe that armed resistance is a good idea in this country: the Catholic Church doesn't say that folks have to do whatever their rulers say, no matter what:

"Armed resistance to oppression by political authority is not legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met: 1) there is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights; 2) all other means of redress have been exhausted; 3) such resistance will not provoke worse disorders; 4) there is well-founded hope of success; and 5) it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2243)

I'm no great fan of Congress, but seriously: We've still got a chance, here in America, to sort out the Federal mess. I really think - and hope - so.

Now, back to that other post.