A line as few others could write it: "constitutional ignoramuses and moral buffoons." Jen was talking about the goons in the WH, but she just as easily could have thrown in at least two and possibly more members of the Supreme Court, whose partisan rulings in this century have helped lead us down this perilous path. But the good guys will win, as long as the Pope and others are willing and able to call out injustice, hypocrisy, and ignorance wherever they see it.
The good guys will only win if we ALL jump in to the battle. We cannot rely only on those who have high visibility. Ad is often said, democracy is not a spectator sport!
What stayed with me wasn’t only your critique of MAGA, but Pope Leo’s reminder of what America is at its best.
His vision is neither triumphalist nor cynical. It is rooted in the conviction that every person possesses an inherent dignity that precedes the state, and that our constitutional experiment is measured not by the power we wield but by the principles we uphold. That’s a moral vocabulary we’ve been missing.
As someone who has spent much of the past year thinking and writing about liberal democracy, Jewish identity, and the obligations we owe one another, I found his words both moving and hopeful.
Thank you for continuing to make the constitutional and moral case. Pope Leo’s message was a timely reminder that the enduring strength of the American experiment lies not in personalities or power, but in the ideals that call each generation to become something better than the last.
To Trump and his supporters, the only person entitled to "reverence, protection and care" is Trump himself.
As for the title of Ms. Rubin's post, MAGA folks do not want to learn. They are willfully ignorant, cannot think for themselves, and will support whatever hate comes out of Trump's mouth.
At the periphery, many have repented and are remourseful.
AI Overview
Leaving MAGA is the primary organization and support community dedicated to empowering individuals to exit the Make America Great Again movement. Founded by former MAGA insider Rich Logis, the group focuses on personal rehabilitation, facilitating family reconciliation, and helping former adherents transition to mainline conservatism, moderation, or liberalism.
According to a report from The Guardian today, there is beginning to be a wobble/weakening in the force as some MAGA supporters are finding themselves falling farther behind financially as a result of Trump's policies.
The founding precept of MAGA is Us(good) vs. Them(bad). It is an exclusive movement (meant to exclude 'those people') with its own exclusive religion - Christian Nationalism. It truly is the neo-confederacy and seeks to return America to its presumed glory days of the 1850s. It is a movement of, by, and for authoritarian white men. And, should they succeed, it would usher in the new Republic of Gilead.
Every life has a beginning and an end. The real privilege in life is to bring good into the world, especially if it resonates through the years enriching the lives of others. Those who leave suffering and hardship behind them will be remembered but as a curse. Trump, MAGA, and the Yellow Republicans will be remembered as the little people, as the people of anger and bitterness, an object lesson of the consequences of making the world a smaller, hostile place.
Jennifer Rubin’s words are matched by Pope Leo in a tribute to the America created in the Declaration of Independence. It is almost ironic that the Pope understands the meaning of America far better than its President and selected enablers. Perhaps it is because he grew up in that America and now brings those ideas and values to the Papacy. He did it in a language we should all understand-not the English, but the meaning. I may be a Baptist, but I have a new respect for the Pope. I may not believe we need that intermedia between man and God, but he spoke as an intermedia between God and Nation. Jennifer Rubin interweaves her own words with those of the Pope in a heartfelt essay. Go Jen!
Couldn’t agree more Ms. Rubin regarding your positive analysis of Pope Leo. But I also find it difficult, and really incomprehensible, to accept that five of the nine Supreme Court judges can claim to be devout Catholics, yet continue to extend powers to Trump that are not only arguably unconstitutional, but morally and ethically wrong. Apparently, they appear to be unreachable by the leader of their church. But not surprising given that most lied during their confirmation hearings. One doesn’t have to struggle too hard to guess exactly what their nightly prayers beg for.
Their nightly prayers have been answered. They retain more power and station than deserved; they worship the false god of mammon more than the one that is extolled by the Catholic Church and their supposed faith.
When the law, the facts & science don’t matter; when criticism of or resistance to the MAGA con, grift, extortion & thuggish violence is a criminal conspiracy… Please, 86 47 & his capos with a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!
By the simple act of taking Leo as his regnal name, he brought front and center the Church's teachings against blind pursuit of wealth and exploitation of workers. Read Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical "Rerum Novarum," and John Paul it's 1991 commentary, "Centesimus Annus." They're quite interesting when you consider that our Vice President and most of SCOTUS actually believe that they're good Catholics.
A line as few others could write it: "constitutional ignoramuses and moral buffoons." Jen was talking about the goons in the WH, but she just as easily could have thrown in at least two and possibly more members of the Supreme Court, whose partisan rulings in this century have helped lead us down this perilous path. But the good guys will win, as long as the Pope and others are willing and able to call out injustice, hypocrisy, and ignorance wherever they see it.
The good guys will only win if we ALL jump in to the battle. We cannot rely only on those who have high visibility. Ad is often said, democracy is not a spectator sport!
When the church starts excommunicating people who hold themselves out as Catholic but act like NAZIs, I'll believe it.
I have disagreements with the Catholic Church, but I respect this pope for this statement.
The Catholic church actively supported the first round of Nazis. They jumped at the chance to get rid of Jews.
they already have...I believe that was what pope benedict's resignation was all about...
don't leave voters off of the dummy and clown list
Jennifer,
What stayed with me wasn’t only your critique of MAGA, but Pope Leo’s reminder of what America is at its best.
His vision is neither triumphalist nor cynical. It is rooted in the conviction that every person possesses an inherent dignity that precedes the state, and that our constitutional experiment is measured not by the power we wield but by the principles we uphold. That’s a moral vocabulary we’ve been missing.
As someone who has spent much of the past year thinking and writing about liberal democracy, Jewish identity, and the obligations we owe one another, I found his words both moving and hopeful.
Thank you for continuing to make the constitutional and moral case. Pope Leo’s message was a timely reminder that the enduring strength of the American experiment lies not in personalities or power, but in the ideals that call each generation to become something better than the last.
What a beautiful essay, Ms. Rubin!
To Trump and his supporters, the only person entitled to "reverence, protection and care" is Trump himself.
As for the title of Ms. Rubin's post, MAGA folks do not want to learn. They are willfully ignorant, cannot think for themselves, and will support whatever hate comes out of Trump's mouth.
At the periphery, many have repented and are remourseful.
AI Overview
Leaving MAGA is the primary organization and support community dedicated to empowering individuals to exit the Make America Great Again movement. Founded by former MAGA insider Rich Logis, the group focuses on personal rehabilitation, facilitating family reconciliation, and helping former adherents transition to mainline conservatism, moderation, or liberalism.
https://leavingmaga.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23148398284&gbraid=0AAAAA-Ib8gO4JPBm7H-JuL1R4Rxee0abK&gclid=CjwKCAjw6rfSBhAqEiwA_yocpgszSouQj5rL-rvNaLaFd2ldTd4mcAsfoPuQiaZxnky-PPlBK-laxRoCozcQAvD_BwE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnBj232NhOY
Very good! The more the better, and I wish them success in their abilities to talk to and persuade others of that same point of view.
According to a report from The Guardian today, there is beginning to be a wobble/weakening in the force as some MAGA supporters are finding themselves falling farther behind financially as a result of Trump's policies.
The founding precept of MAGA is Us(good) vs. Them(bad). It is an exclusive movement (meant to exclude 'those people') with its own exclusive religion - Christian Nationalism. It truly is the neo-confederacy and seeks to return America to its presumed glory days of the 1850s. It is a movement of, by, and for authoritarian white men. And, should they succeed, it would usher in the new Republic of Gilead.
The resistance is growing, even among some of the faithful as they see that their needs are not being met.
Every life has a beginning and an end. The real privilege in life is to bring good into the world, especially if it resonates through the years enriching the lives of others. Those who leave suffering and hardship behind them will be remembered but as a curse. Trump, MAGA, and the Yellow Republicans will be remembered as the little people, as the people of anger and bitterness, an object lesson of the consequences of making the world a smaller, hostile place.
Jennifer Rubin’s words are matched by Pope Leo in a tribute to the America created in the Declaration of Independence. It is almost ironic that the Pope understands the meaning of America far better than its President and selected enablers. Perhaps it is because he grew up in that America and now brings those ideas and values to the Papacy. He did it in a language we should all understand-not the English, but the meaning. I may be a Baptist, but I have a new respect for the Pope. I may not believe we need that intermedia between man and God, but he spoke as an intermedia between God and Nation. Jennifer Rubin interweaves her own words with those of the Pope in a heartfelt essay. Go Jen!
Couldn’t agree more Ms. Rubin regarding your positive analysis of Pope Leo. But I also find it difficult, and really incomprehensible, to accept that five of the nine Supreme Court judges can claim to be devout Catholics, yet continue to extend powers to Trump that are not only arguably unconstitutional, but morally and ethically wrong. Apparently, they appear to be unreachable by the leader of their church. But not surprising given that most lied during their confirmation hearings. One doesn’t have to struggle too hard to guess exactly what their nightly prayers beg for.
Their nightly prayers have been answered. They retain more power and station than deserved; they worship the false god of mammon more than the one that is extolled by the Catholic Church and their supposed faith.
don't give the church ideals it doesn't have, remember the Spanish Inquisition etc.
We need a president who shares the moral grounding of the pope.
We need a President who cares about other people as much as he cares about himself.
Putting the people first would today be a novel concept and action.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and just where are you going to find that person ?????????????? How about Jon Bon Jovi ?
THank you. Somehow your magnificent writing (and the Pope!) restores my belief in equality...
Thank you Jennifer. A touching morning read.
When the law, the facts & science don’t matter; when criticism of or resistance to the MAGA con, grift, extortion & thuggish violence is a criminal conspiracy… Please, 86 47 & his capos with a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!
Lovely to read your essay Jen. Hope you're recovering.
Pope Leo looks hail and hearty and will be so for years to come.
The 🍊 is decaying before our eyes as his appeal and "peel" sloughs off.
I truly wish that he is aware and suffers bigly, because he's causing death and destruction everywhere.
By the simple act of taking Leo as his regnal name, he brought front and center the Church's teachings against blind pursuit of wealth and exploitation of workers. Read Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical "Rerum Novarum," and John Paul it's 1991 commentary, "Centesimus Annus." They're quite interesting when you consider that our Vice President and most of SCOTUS actually believe that they're good Catholics.
#John Paul II. Damned autocorrect.
Thank you, Jen. Such a perfect juxtaposition. We miss hearing you!
Girl, u just said the hell out of that!