SWAT Team in Guerena Incident Was Looking for a Confrontation
Good article (“Tactical Terror,” Nov. 24). A Girl Scout could have served the search warrant on the Guerena household while she was delivering cookies.
The problem is the mindset of almost all of law-enforcement officers. It is far beyond just an “us versus them” mentality. They believe that not only is everyone a possible suspect, but guilty as well.
They dressed like they were going to war rather than simply serving a search warrant.
There is no one watching the watchers.
Mike Morrison
Medical-Marijuana Fees Are Extortion Money
Kirk Muse (“Getting an MMJ Card Should Be as Easy as Getting a Handicap-Parking Placard,” Mailbag, Nov. 24) didn’t pay $150 for a “privilege.” Muse paid extortion money to the government for protection from police for using a plant that God already gave permission to use on the very first page of the Bible. Every citizen that supports and enables cannabis prohibition, persecution and extermination should be ashamed.
Stan White
Catholic Church’s Liturgical-Language Changes Are Like Rearranging the Titanic’s Deck Chairs
My theoretical psych/social explanation for changes in the Catholic liturgical language and Tom Danehy’s reaction (Nov. 24) is the Vatican hierarchy’s extreme remorse, disillusionment and guilt for the past 50 years of history of pedophile clergy and the need to reassert control and power.
Rather than offering a mea maxima culpa to the faithful; giving financial restitution to victims; and punishing bishops like they did the accused coaches at Penn State and Syracuse, the Vatican tinkered with the English liturgical language to stave off the money hemorrhage and faithful exodus by rearranging and redecorating the deck chairs on the Titanic.
The Rev. Lawrence Quilici
Retired Catholic/married/widowed priest
This article appears in Dec 15-21, 2011.
I too, have made the decision to leave the Catholic Church. Just yesterday I delivered letters to Fr. Robert Fuller, Sr. Barbara and Sr. Karen explaining my decision. I will sorely miss the parish of St. Francis Cabrini. It is the most open and progressive parish I’ve ever had the pleasure to attend, however I can not be a hypocrite. The prayer/meditation shrine I built in my home garden will have to be my “church” for the time being.
Our Diocese Bishop Gerald Kicannis should be commended for his attempts to create a more inviting, “open” church in the effort (and belief) of welcoming a more youthful congregation. Alas, the recent actions of the Vatican were the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for me, as it were. I’ve a feeling I am not alone in my decision. All my best, Pamela Culhane-Turner.