Clarifications

Posted by Sappho on August 19th, 2005 filed in Blogwatch, News and Commentary

Not mine, but other people’s. First, Cindy Sheehan, then Monsignor Clark.

Sheehan had to leave Texas after her mother had a stroke, but before that, there were rumors circulating that she had made anti-Semitic conspiracy statements. Sheehan vigorously disputes these claims:

Another thing is that the Israel thing has not died. I did not say that my son died for Israel. I have never said it, I don’t think it, I don’t believe it. It is just another lie, smear tactic from the right. It needs to die right now. It’s not the truth. I stand by everything that I have said. But I will not stand by things that I haven’t said. I am not anti-Semitic. I am just anti-killing. George Bush is responsible for killing so many people, but nobody scrutinizes anything he says, especially leading up to the war. Since there is nothing to smear me about with the truth, they have to tell lies. A former friend who is anti-Israel and wants to use the spotlight on me to push his anti-Semitism is telling everyone who is listening that I believe that Casey died for Israel and has gone so far as to apparently doctor an email from me. People have to know that he doesn’t speak for me. ABC Nightline can’t confirm his email is real and therefore any reporting on it is irresponsible. That is not my issue. That is not my message and anyone who knows me knows it doesn’t sound like me.

Now, Monsignor Clark. Given that I’ve blogged about Clark, the video, and the motel room, I feel duty bound to link Clark’s side of the story (covered by Amy Welborn, who’s following all coverage on this one). Clark gives an explanation for the motel room rental with the attractive secretary and the change of clothes. Commenters express varied views on whether they believe Clark, but seem to generally agree on one thing. Bad church secretary, bad! Do not wear micro-short-shorts when in the company of your boss the priest. Some suggest that her boss should have sent her off to change when he saw her clothes, a suggestion which makes me relieved that I work with a written dress code (no micro-short-shorts allowed at work, but also no fear of embarrassing scrutiny of my clothes by my boss).

On an unrelated note, Nathan reflects on the pastoral council. Being fuzzier on how lay bodies work in the Catholic Church than in the Episcopal Church, I’m glad for the explanation.