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Jeb Bush says pope should steer clear of climate issue

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Republican Jeb Bush, a Catholic, had sharp words on Pope Francis’ decision to leap into the climate change debate, saying the pontiff should steer clear of political issues.

Maybe the Pope should tell Republicans to steer clear of religious issues.

I actually like Bush because of his approach to immigration, but then he comes out and does stuff like this and it makes me think that he's just like all the rest. It's always one step forward, one step back with this guy.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Jeb bush: “I hope I’m not going to get castigated for saying this by my priest back home,” Bush said. “But I don’t get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.”

Climate change is acidifying the oceans, melting glaciers, changing rainfall patterns, affecting seasons, etc.

Um, how is any of that in any way related to "economic policy"?

He's already going off the rails and it's only day 1 of his campaign. :-)

"In the Italian version of the 192-page document, posted on Monday by the weekly magazine l’Espresso, the pope again backs scientists who say global warming is mostly man-made and says that developed countries have a particular responsibility to stem a trend that will hurt the poor the most."

That's why bush is critical - like most conservatives, he rejects facts-based scientific data and prefers instead to believe the lies spin by Faux news and other conservative blowhard media.

On the other side of the aisle, we get this: "But Vice President Joseph Biden, a practicing Catholic, invoked the pope’s encyclical at clean energy conference at the White House on Tuesday. “Usually encyclicals are only issued on what the church thinks are incredibly important initiatives,” Biden said. He cited a growing consensus about the need to fight climate change, adding, “This doesn’t only have a moral component to it, it has a security component to it, as well as it has an economic component to it."

Now that's smart. Realize climate change is an issue and do something about it - as Obama has been doing for years to his immense credit - do not ignore a problem your own scientists are clearly stating is a problem. 

Even the US military recognizes the threat of climate change to global security.

Meanwhile, pretty much all we get from the Right is flawed logic, dangerous ignorance, and a refusal to do anything.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Maybe the Pope should say that Jebb Bush needs to steer clear of global issues. Climate change is not a political issue; it's a global issue that politicians like to make a political issue.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I don’t get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.

Note how Bush reduces climate change to an economic and political issue. For political gain.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

And politicians should keep away from women's reproductive rights.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Um, doesn't Mother Nature have, by far, the biggest influence on the Earth's climate?

"Mother Nature" is the earth's climate.

Humans have had an effect on it. Anyone who has been to Beijing has literally seen this with their own eyes.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Maybe the Pope should tell Republicans to steer clear of religious issues

Bingo.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

religion “ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm.”

Soooo.... When Jeb Bush pontificates about the sanctity of "traditional" marriage or expresses support for a business to discriminate against clientele based on religious grounds when he wants voters to understand just what kind of politician he is, he's basically doing just what he wants the Pope to not do.

(Hmmm.... "Shameless Hypocrite" box... Where is that thing on this form? Ah, here it is. Check.)

If I had to guess at a list of ways to be a better person, I would imagine choosing not to put profit margins ahead of the wellbeing of millions of plants, animals, and people would rank pretty high on that list.

Clearly, Jeb's idea of what makes a person "better" is drastically different from that of either me or the Pope.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

And conversion to Catholicism should not be a political move.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Jeb Bush should steer clear of comment on scientific matters - especially matters where his viewpoint is contradicting the consensus of opinion held by the large majority of climate scientists who are far better qualified to comment than he is.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

'That was 2000 years ago. Jesus also didn't take from the rob from the affluent to give to the poor.'

He said the affluent won't enter heaven and to give all you have to the poor. A man who believed in wealth redistribution more than most.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"Jeb Bush says pope should steer clear of climate issue"

That's right, just as the Bushes have, steer clear of that pesky climate issue and ignore it! Now let's drill us some oil on a nature reserve! Yee-haw!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's an evironmental issue which has an effect on us all! Jeb Bush, is just a mouthpiece for the energy industry which is set to divest the US of the largest amount of fossil fuels in history!Politicians such as Abott in Australia are also pro fossil fuels. It is not hard to see that those at the top are not interested in supporting our right to a cleaner environment. Meanwhile, the people will be taxed more and more on the energy they use. It's a win win for the politicians but a lose lose for the rest of us......

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"what I'm saying is no matter what humans do, it's insignificant compared to what the Earth is doing all by itself."

What you're saying is wrong.

If even the Catholic Church is more progressive than you on something it's a pretty good sign you're a neanderthal. Or a hardcore Republican.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

In related news, the Bush campaign unveiled a new advertising spot showing Jeb surrounded by Liberty University students as he turns towards the camera and says, "I don't always follow catechism. But when I do, I prefer John Paul II." The commercial ends with him stating his signature sign-off: "Stay sanctimonious, my friends."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In his first official day on the presidential campaign trail on Tuesday, Republican Jeb Bush, a Catholic, had sharp words on Pope Francis’ decision to leap into the climate change debate, saying the pontiff should steer clear of political issues.

Perhaps politicians should steer clear of scientific issues.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Jeb Bush says pope should steer clear of climate issue

Isn't Papal infallibility one of the key tenets of Catholicism? I know Jeb is a convert but he should probably read up on it before telling the Pope what not to do.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

“I hope I’m not going to get castigated for saying this by my priest back home,” Bush said. “But I don’t get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.”

Does the man actually have an economic policy? Oh, the one he calls "my economic policy". In one breath there is the "my bishops", "my cardinals", "my people", as if he owns them and can choose as a 'devout Catholic' to ignore them. This sets a great example for his Catholic constituency.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Does the man actually have an economic policy?

Tax cuts for the rich.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

“I don’t get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.”

And you don't get your science policy from scientists, apparently.

But wait, isn't denying service to someone because of your religion a form of economic policy?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is an important issue and stand by the Pope to issue it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Jeb Bush says pope should steer clear of climate issue

--And we all know what Bush should steer clear of ...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Bush said he thinks religion "ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm."

For a guy who uses religion to attack women's rights and forced Terri Schiavo to endure a monstrous suffering, (Governor Bush forced the feeding tube reinserted and sent the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to remove Schiavo from the hospice.) Jebby Bushy has a careless and selfish regard for religion as his personal play thing to achieve any end in the political realm of his liking.

Jebby BushII will twist any observation of religion as his divine right to determine the health and welfare of American citizens as the Schiavo showed in gruesome detail.

Jebby BushII is, of course, in lock step with other GOP-Tea demigods. "Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) told a radio station earlier this month the church shouldn't weigh in on scientific matters." Like all GOP-Tea hypocrites they will invoke religion to suppress legitimate medical and scientific research as they outlawed studies of stem cells and then lecture religion when it suits their conceit.

Jebby Bushy is another blundering fool who gladly blends his personal delusions with half wit ignorance of both science and religion and always to create as much suffering for the innocent as he can never be questioned and clearly never questions his own flawed certainty.

Americans already had a Bush like that, George AWOL Bush and Jebby Bushy are two peas in a pod, brothers in idiocy.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Pope Francis has the right to comment as does anyone else. I'm glad he spoke out. I guess Jeb Bush is going to follow the party line.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ultimately the Florida Supreme Court determined Governor Jebby Bushy's seizure of a private citizen in hospice violating her legal guardian's authority to force medical procedures against the citizen's wishes was unconstitutional.

Having only fragmentary knowledge of the monstrous suffering Jebby executed on Terri Schiavo under his guise of religiosity provides stark contrast to his present day opinion that (religion) “ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm.”

Viewed critically, how is Jebby's conceit about "making us better as people" not directly related to the "political realm"?

It is the political realm, at leaste in Democracies where debate, discussion and cooperation determine the controls and supports that make the whole concept of "making us better as people" possible.

Obviously, Jebby Bubble-Head Bush hasn't the nuance of thought to command any sophistication and is in fact the mirror image of George AWOL Bush.

This time, Bush's condescending to the Pope, as he joyfully circumscribes the subjects a Pope may discuss with his adherents, reveals an arrogance only George AWOL Bush had demonstrated previously. Looks like Jebby is ready to out Putin Putin in disrespect for the Papal Office.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just curious.....why are people spelling Hillary's name incorrectly? Is it some kind of thing nowadays?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Maybe the Pope should tell Republicans to steer clear of religious issues."

Popes, princes, and ministers seem to love talking about politics, and politicians seem to love talking about religion. Maybe some people should change jobs.

Or maybe some jobs aren't even necessary?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wow, if bush can so easily reject god incarnate in his chosen church no telling what he would do if president. Might want to dump the constitution, say Lincoln was a fraud, put the Koch brothers on the currency. All possible.

Funny how republicans say the Pope is socialist. Jesus was a socialist but somehow that is dropped.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

That was a very non-partisan post Bass.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Both of them are a waste of space.

One pretending to be more liberal than they really are to make up for their disgusting failing organization.

The other pretending to be more conservative than they more likely are to appease the disgusting myopic backwards morons that suport their movement.

The biggest mistake the right ever made in the states was to associate themselves with people truly stupid enough to believe that this world is 6000yrs old, and won't ever be effected by us cause a "magic man" said so.

The church is based on a bunch non-sense to begin with, the day we realize we don't need these terrible power, money and land hoarding the better off we will be.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Bush, a former Florida governor who converted to Catholicism 25 years ago, said religion “ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm.”

What a two-faced hypocrite. This coming from a man running for the nomination of the party which will undoubtably have "right to life" as one of its primary platform positions -- which is completely about religion "getting into the political realm".

“I hope I’m not going to get castigated for saying this by my priest back home,” Bush said. “But I don’t get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.”

I am Catholic too, you glib SOB -- trying hard for a sound-bite on FOX to get back some momentum in your floundering campaign. (At the Pope's expense no less. How desperate are we?) But this is not an economic issue, which he darn well knows. It is a moral one. Would never vote for someone that shallow.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I don't particularly care what either of them have to say, they both stay from very flawed platforms..

Neither of them should be in control of powerful organisations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And politicians should keep away from women's reproductive rights.

As should the Pope and his church.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I dislike strongly how the moderators of this site suddenly decide that it's off topic the second religion is talked about when it's both these numpties are afflicted by The Bd associated with it

0 ( +0 / -0 )

John Ellis Bush (JEB) should have listen to his mother and not have declared his candidacy for President of the United States of America.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

'Not really a retort, is it?

No, seriously.'

See what I mean? I have absolutely no clue of what you are trying to say here. No to what? What is 'seriously' here? I think we all get fed up of double-talk, obfuscations and evasions from all politicians but your some of your posts are a masterclass in the unintelligible.

'Partisan nonsense at the level of 'yes, but, but, your mum is even fatter' isn't really furthering the discussion.

So then why do you persist then to give as you usually do?'

Bass, I get the feeling you don't actually read the posts you reply to. I've criticised Obama, said Hillary is unfit for office ( you agreed anyone who supported the Iraq invasion is unfit for office ) and I regard Jeb Bush as yet another spineless corporate/ Wall Street stooge. Please take the care to read the posts before flying off the handle with near incomprehensible partisan rant.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Pope should ask God to get involved.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

'This time, Bush's condescending to the Pope, as he joyfully circumscribes the subjects a Pope may discuss with his adherents, reveals an arrogance only George AWOL Bush had demonstrated previously. Looks like Jebby is ready to out Putin Putin in disrespect for the Papal Office.

Actually, Obama and Hilary literally created the word: arrogance. both embody and the epitome of what a bloated Ego is.'

Not really a retort, is it? Partisan nonsense at the level of 'yes, but, but, your mum is even fatter' isn't really furthering the discussion. I'll put all these religious hypocrites at the same level - picking and choosing what messages to take and ignore from their religion or bible depending on their own particular prejudices and then declaring how religion guides their thinking. Snake oil salesmen and liars at the level of gay-bashing, parasitical televangelists being found in a motel with a gay prostitute.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

'This time, Bush's condescending to the Pope, as he joyfully circumscribes the subjects a Pope may discuss with his adherents, reveals an arrogance only George AWOL Bush had demonstrated previously.

Does that bother you? You make it seem like Bush reveled in being arrogant and yet, Obama is the quintessential of what true arrogance really is, but as usual, NO mention of that.

Not really a retort, is it?

No, seriously.

Partisan nonsense at the level of 'yes, but, but, your mum is even fatter' isn't really furthering the discussion.

So then why do you persist then to give as you usually do?

I'll put all these religious hypocrites at the same level - picking and choosing what messages to take and ignore from their religion or bible depending on their own particular prejudices and then declaring how religion guides their thinking. Snake oil salesmen and liars at the level of gay-bashing, parasitical televangelists being found in a motel with a gay prostitute.

I wouldn't go that far, but I get your point.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

God was never in the government.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

For a guy who uses religion to attack women's rights and forced Terri Schiavo to endure a monstrous suffering, (Governor Bush forced the feeding tube reinserted and sent the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to remove Schiavo from the hospice.)

So you are saying, Bush should have completely ignored the parents request, the people that gave her live and just follow the husbands wishes? Yeah, I keep forgetting about the compassion that libs show to people like Schiavo.

Jebby Bushy has a careless and selfish regard for religion as his personal play thing to achieve any end in the political realm of his liking.

It's politics, it's a dirty business and both sides play the game,cask Hilary.

Jebby BushII will twist any observation of religion as his divine right to determine the health and welfare of American citizens as the Schiavo showed in gruesome detail.

Didn't Hilary twist herself into a pretzel when she was grilled about Benghazi and her foundation and contributors?

Jebby BushII is, of course, in lock step with other GOP-Tea demigods.

Not even remotely close! At best Jeb is a moderate. His stance on Common Core and immigration is pissing off a lot of conservatives!!

"Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) told a radio station earlier this month the church shouldn't weigh in on scientific matters." Like all GOP-Tea hypocrites they will invoke religion to suppress legitimate medical and scientific research as they outlawed studies of stem cells and then lecture religion when it suits their conceit.

And why not, they are playing to their base or are you saying they should ignore them entirely. You have the right to not believe in God, if Atheists don't, that's their right as well. As long as they don't govern through religion, that shouldn't be a problem.

Jebby Bushy is another blundering fool who gladly blends his personal delusions with half wit ignorance of both science and religion and always to create as much suffering for the innocent as he can never be questioned and clearly never questions his own flawed certainty.

What proof do you have that Jeb was responsible for making innocent people suffer?

Americans already had a Bush like that, George AWOL Bush and Jebby Bushy are two peas in a pod, brothers in idiocy.

We also had a Clinton and look what he put the country through in 1998. No one wants to go through that again.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

In related news, the Bush campaign unveiled a new advertising spot showing Jeb surrounded by Liberty University students as he turns towards the camera and says, "I don't always follow catechism. But when I do, I prefer John Paul II." The commercial ends with him stating his signature sign-off: "Stay sanctimonious, my friends."

All politicians, all of them say things to get votes. It just depends on who you like, who represents your lifestyle values and who is more appealing. Hilary is no all of a sudden for gay rights and immigration saying she is a friend to the Hispanics? Hilary is going to run to the left during the primaries and as a centrist in the general election. All of them are playing to their base, remember: they are all politicians.

I actually like Bush because of his approach to immigration, but then he comes out and does stuff like this and it makes me think that he's just like all the rest. It's always one step forward, one step back with this guy.

And I'm not at all on the Bush immigration bandwagon, never liked that about him or his brother.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Strangerland, it is true that humans have had an effect on the Earth's climate, what I'm saying is no matter what humans do, it's insignificant compared to what the Earth is doing all by itself.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Jeb is due for a change of shirt. This socialist in the Vatican isn't making the right noises. What do you expect from someone brainwashed by living among European lefties? Time for the church of screw the poor, voices in the head, bomb the heathens and filthy richedness is next to godliness. His older brother might know the true path.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Ultimately the Florida Supreme Court determined Governor Jebby Bushy's seizure of a private citizen in hospice violating her legal guardian's authority to force medical procedures against the citizen's wishes was unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court in our democracy is NOT the final word as to being always right or making the right decisions all the time. There was a time when the Supreme Counrt protected and supported segregation laws, therefore the decision can be questioned to the context and detailed interpretation of the law. In this situation it was horrible that the parents couldn't do for their daughter what THEY felt at the time was right. It was a very low and disgraceful point in the American justice system.

Having only fragmentary knowledge of the monstrous suffering Jebby executed on Terri Schiavo under his guise of religiosity provides stark contrast to his present day opinion that (religion) “ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm.”

Bottom line, it was the parents decision to make and not her husband or the courts.

Viewed critically, how is Jebby's conceit about "making us better as people" not directly related to the "political realm"?

Very few politicians do.

It is the political realm, at leaste in Democracies where debate, discussion and cooperation determine the controls and supports that make the whole concept of "making us better as people" possible.

Then I guess the Dems have a whole lot to learn then!

Obviously, Jebby Bubble-Head Bush hasn't the nuance of thought to command any sophistication and is in fact the mirror image of George AWOL Bush.

Because they share the same DNA? Isn't that a very shallow way of looking at two completely and entirely different men. But then again, both men do love their country and are not afraid to admit it, something libs can learn from.

This time, Bush's condescending to the Pope, as he joyfully circumscribes the subjects a Pope may discuss with his adherents, reveals an arrogance only George AWOL Bush had demonstrated previously. Looks like Jebby is ready to out Putin Putin in disrespect for the Papal Office.

Actually, Obama and Hilary literally created the word: arrogance. both embody and the epitome of what a bloated Ego is.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Wow, if bush can so easily reject god incarnate in his chosen church no telling what he would do if president. Might want to dump the constitution, say Lincoln was a fraud, put the Koch brothers on the currency. All possible.

You are joking, right. You have Hilary that first of all, does not and will not give any interviews to anyone unless the have been thoroughly vetted and primed. She won't say specifics about virtually any policy, before like Obama, she wasn't for gay rights and now she is? She never cared or gave a fig about the black or Hispanic community, but now she is just so concerned, not willing to talk about any of her donors or financial and political bribes...darn it, I mean contributors. So basically, if we vote for Hilary, then it's safe to say, we don't know what we would get either if she were president.

Funny how republicans say the Pope is socialist. Jesus was a socialist but somehow that is dropped.

That was 2000 years ago. Jesus also didn't take from the rob from the affluent to give to the poor.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

"scientists who say global warming is mostly man-made"

Um, doesn't Mother Nature have, by far, the biggest influence on the Earth's climate?

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

When it's federally funded it is taxpayer rights also. Personally uness it's medically required late term abortion should not be permitted. Abortion as birth control, the same. Limit a number of free abortions. And employers should not be on the hook for abortions either.

As far as the Pope on climate change......no proof either way if humans have altered climate change which is a natural cycle.

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

The Pope is a straight up socialist and like American progressives will use any mechanism to coerce people into doing what he believes is best for them. The Pope needs to keep to serving his peoples spiritual needs and should to stay out of the redistribution of wealth business - unless of course he would like to sell the many priceless artworks that he has in order to provide for the needy.

In Derry on Tuesday, Bush said he did not think the science on climate change was “complete.”

Considering the failure of all of the 'settled' science that has gone into the wildly inaccurate climate models, I would say that Bush's view is very much understated.

And politicians should keep away from women's reproductive rights.

And politicians should refrain from allowing the lives of male (and female) babies with beating hearts and brain activity from being snuffed out like cattle in a meat processing factory.

Climate change is not a political issue; it's a global issue that politicians like to make a political issue.

Tell that to the political Left who use the 'settled' science which requires true believers to blackball and intimidate skeptical scientists (see East Anglia emails) in order to forcibly remove the choices of individuals and private entities to live their lives according to their unscientific dictates.

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

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