Posted on 12/25/2004 7:16:46 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
December 24, 2004 This is a bittersweet holiday for a Chicago activist and his son. Father Michael Pfleger is against the war in Iraq. His adopted son recently joined the Army. Their story is similar to mayor Daley's, whose son, Patrick, enlisted earlier this year.
"Shock. We were standing out in front of the church one day. He said, 'I need to tell you something.' He said, 'I enlisted.' And I said, 'You what?'" said Father Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina Church
Father Pfleger is an anti-war activist who calls the invasion of Iraq immoral-- but he's also the loving father of a 30-year-old adopted son, Lamar. Lamar lost a good job with an airline company after 9-11 and decided this year to join the Army. He went through basic training in the fall and reports for active duty in less than month.
"I just opened my eyes and realized that this was something I want to do. I see the other troops and what they re doing and i want to be part of that," said Pvt. Lamar Pfleger U.S. Army.
"I'm very proud that he came through. Boot camp is one of the hardest in the country there. But at the same time it hurts. You know, it s scary," said Father Pfleger.
Father Pfleger had three adopted sons. One was killed in a gang crossfire in the St. Sabina neighborhood in 1998 when he was 17. That makes it even harder for the activist priest on the eve of Christmas to think about another son heading into harm's way in a war he finds so objectionable.
"Nothing in my life paralyzed me as much as the loss of my younger son. And I don't ever want to go through that again. I don t want to see anybody go through that. So I think we've got to pray for our troops. I think we've got to get them home. I think we have to make sure while they are there they have everything they need," said Pfleger.
Lamar Pfleger went through basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. That's where Mayor Daley's son is heading next week. Lamar says he'd like to share his experiences with Patrick. Meanwhile, Father Pfleger's been comparing notes with the mayor, who wanted to know all about boot camp. The activist priest admits he cried through the ceremony and Daley told the priest that his reaction to Patrick's
Actually from a classical point of view, the real hero of the saga is Sam. Unassuming, shouldering more than his share of the burden, carrying on when all others fail and humble enough not to succumb to the Ring, doing so without the hope of glory or even survival.
But the real reason I wanted to post...
Living in the Chicago area, we are constantly annoyed by the antics of this socialist-activist "priest". It is my prayer that the experience of his son will open his eyes to the fact that his freedom to protest is not free, and that its price has been paid many times over by brave young men, willing to defend their country against bloodthirsty tyrants. That being said, prayers are offered as we speak for this young man's safety, as well as that of all his comrades, and for the firm resolve of our leaders to LET THEM DO THEIR JOB and bring this to a just end. (Peace through training and superior firepower.)
Instead of delivering idiotic homilies comparing immigration and the Holy Family, Cardinal George should concentrate on getting the heretic Pfleger dismissed from the clerical state.
You are confusing Aragorn, a wonderful character created by the genius Tolkien, with an actor.
Thank God for people like your son.
Actually, the book-Aragorn was 80 or so, much closer to Rummy's age. Lord Aragorn was pure Numemorean stock, and lived to the ripe old age of 240.
Hmmm, another hate-filled, gun-grabbing, pacifist "priest" that has a thing for young boys . . .
Loving father, my eye.
"Another...'priest' that has a thing for young boys"???
That's a very ignorant comment. Crude, unsubstantiated, insensitive drivel. I live in the Chicago area, and there is no indication that he is a molester.
Regardless of the man's position on the war, I am sure we can all feel sympathy for any worried parent sending their children into potential danger. Also keep in mind that Pfleger already lost a son. Peace-nicking aside, we can all feel for the parents of our soldiers.
And I don't care whether every queer pedophile in Chicago complains about it.
He's a hate-filled leftie.
He's a certified gun-grabber.
He's a phony pacifist whose pacifism only comes out when America is involved.
He's only interested in prepubescent young boys. Just like Jacko.
Did he 'adopt' any girls, loser?
And, yes, in all likelihood he's just another chickenhawk posing as a priest.
HeLLOOOO, DUmmy! Are your slow wits beginning to perceive the profile he so perfectly fits?
Refute one thing I said.
Then go back to that fag infested DUmmyland you came from.
*Plonk*
My ONLY issue is that--regardless of Pfleger's lefty politics--it is wrong to accuse him of having a so-called "thing" for boys. That's a strong accusation.
You still didn't present any information to back that up. That he adopted boys and no girls? Please. We don't know how he met those boys and decided to adopt them. One of his sons is bravely going into Iraq, so the only thing we can really presume is that this young man was probably brought up right. It's fine if we attack the father's politics, but there is no call for us attack his child-rearing abilities. None of us would want that done to us.
I certainly hope that just because someone is a Catholic priest, people wouldn't categorize him as a molester. It is anti-Catholic, and an offense to law abiding priests--of which there are still many.
Let's argue ISSUES/POLITICS with people, instead of just tossing around insults about their personal lives--which we know nothing about. They are plenty of people who have politics that I strongly oppose. However, I try to refrain from making wild assumptions about their home lives.
Yet I get the idea that you would rather toss insults at anyone who has a problem with any comments you make, rather than discuss issues, and I REALLY don't like conversing with people who do such things. I hope God softens your heart. I am not expecting intelligent discussion from you here, I just wanted to clarify my point.
My only issue is that you unfairly disparaged this peace-nic's family life. Hardly any other posts on this thread have done that. Even if he was the world's crappiest activist priest, that is NO reason to insinuate that he is guilty of something as heinous as child molesting. There's also no need for anyone to "refute" the charge you made, since there is no EVIDENCE behind it.
I am Protestant, but I still just hope that there is no anti-Catholicism at work here. Although those who run Church management have made bad (or even illegal) decisions, let's not insult the Church's many faithful members by making random assaults on their priests.
As Americans, we are free to hold any political opinions we choose. Let's argue the ISSUES with those who disagree with us, instead of making crude, mindless and unsubstantiated insults.
God Bless :)
Argumentation like this is an embarassment to Free Republic.
Duh, here's a clue for you DUmmy: Profiling works.
You're beginning to fit the profile.
What an embarrassment.
If that isn't prejudice, I don't know what is. Not all prejudice dons KKK robes.
An absolutely ridiculous characterization of what I said.
Actually, based on post #32, it's an apt characterization of what you said.
Logic is your friend. Go study it.
LOL! You made my day.
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