Christmas 'Carroll': Holiday Rebukes America and Capitalism, God On Other Side

Boston Globe - James Carroll/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I considered making Paul Krugman's column, "Helping the Poor, the British Way", my subject of this Christmas Day. I even had a snappy headline sussed out: "Let It Snow Socialism". But when it comes to using the message of the day to berate the United States, Krugman can't hold a Christmas candle to James Carroll of the Boston Globe.

Krugman took a glancing shot: "It’s the season for charitable giving. And far too many Americans, particularly children, need that charity."

Penny-ante pessimism, Paul. In contrast, in his column, Carroll - a former Roman Catholic priest - condemns the United States in explicitly religious terms:

• "The birth of Jesus is the reversal of the imperial order. . . Empire lives in the United States of America, and, despite assumptions of many Christian Americans, Christmas still rebukes the empire."
• "The implications of Mary's statement for contemporary politics are obvious. Violence marks power as much as ever. Hunger and poverty among masses of people are inevitable byproducts of a market system that rewards the few."
• "When economic inequity becomes so extreme as to turn the global social order into an effective state of permanent war, which side is God on? The shepherds tell us, and so do the kneeling kings. Above all, Mary tells us."

That's right, folks. America is the Evil Empire. Free markets inevitably create hunger and poverty. And God is on the other side. How's that for a "Christmas Carroll"?

I wish a Merry Christmas to all my fellow FReepers.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

PLEASE NOTE: James Carroll is the Boston Globe columnist condemning the USA and claiming God is on the other side. Finkelstein is the NewsBusters columnist condemning Carroll. Please address comments accordingly.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

James-Carroll-lump-'o-coal ping to Today show list.

[BenLurkin]

"The birth of Jesus is the reversal of the imperial order. . . Empire lives in the United States of America, and, despite assumptions of many Christian Americans, Christmas still rebukes the empire."

Now this particular flake may never have taken drugs -- but the statement sounds like something only a drug addled brain could produce.

This sounds like long hours of bongsmoke thinking ...

[vpintheak]

I understand why Carroll is a FORMER priest. Since by his assinine comments ead above, he has no belief in a one True God.

[clintonh8r]

Empire lives in the United States of America

if only...

[PGalt]

Merry Christmas Mark, and Merry Christmas to all FReepers and Lurkers.

Thanks for your contributions to this outstanding forum.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Many thanks, PG - it's truly my pleasure. Merry Christmas to you.

[1rudeboy]

Merry Christmas.

[M1Tanker]

"Empire lives in the United States of America, and, despite assumptions of many Christian Americans, Christmas still rebukes the empire."

Mr Carroll, please put the crack and the kool-aid down and start using your brain for more than a waste basket. We ARE fighting an Empire you fool!!!! We are fighting to ensure that the whole world does not become the empire of "Dar al Islam" and your Dhimmi rear is executed!! We DID NOT START THIS WAR!!!! Your Islamofascists friends did.

An "Empire" does not rearm those it defeated. The USA DOES. We are rearming and training the Iraqis and the Afghans. We are rearming them just like we rearmed the Germans and Japanese. We ARE NOT AN EMPIRE! We are working hard to liberate the world. Leftists are working even harder to drive a knife in our backs!!

I suggest you read the last few chapters in the Bible. They are kinda important now. Maybe you should also read Ezekiel, specifically verses 38-39. Remember the Gog and Magog are the Russians, who are giving weapons to the terrorists and gave weapons to Saddam during the "embargo" and are moving, again, towards a true "empire".

I suggest you wake up and help us, the MOST GIVING NATION ON THE PLANET, before your terrorist allies slit your neck.

MR Carroll, you ARE the definition of a "Useful Idiot"!!! You are so full of moronic hatred that you have become part of the new "American Bund". It is amazing that the "peace activists" cannot see they are judged by their friends and allies. Go to an "anti-war" rally and see the global communists, terrorists, and NAZI groups all calling Bush "Hitler" while they simultaneously hold up signs demanding the death of every Jewish person on the planet!!!! Yet you call the USA an "empire" and state we are evil??!!

Words fail to convey my disgust for you... fool

[johnny7]

He now follows the Book of Marx.

[hnj_00]

if this ex-priest is quoting krugman about economics....one must know it will be wrong!!!!

krugman (the great nyt economist) has never been close to being correct about the economics of the US or world this century!!!!!!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Actually, Carroll didn't quote Krugman. I was merely pointing out that I had considered writing about Krugman today before deciding that Carroll's column was an even better example of liberal loopiness.

[Billthedrill]

He now follows the Book of Marx.

He certainly does. This is another tiresome, hate-filled socialist who manages to view even Christianity through a self-soiled lens of politics. There are enough of them out there to smear anyone's celebration if we let them. It is curious but not entirely surprising that the Globe thinks that of value. That's their problem.

Jesus did not come to earth to overturn empire, He came here to establish one. It's yours for the asking, but that doesn't make it free. My Christmas wish for Mr. Carroll is that he find it. Miracles do happen.

[bray]

I thought Marxist didn't believe in God. Apparently he missed the 100 million murdered under his systems of gummit??

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[aft_lizard]

Jesus the reversal of an imperial order? Hardly, Mr Carrol forgets Jesus is the King of Kings and came, and will come back, to restore his fathers KINGDOM on earth. Christ will be the greatest Emperor in all of history.

[Frank_2001]

Well stated!

[Cicero]

Well, thank God he left the priesthood. Too many of these middle aged hacks stayed, to subvert the Church from within.

[narses]

+

If you want on (or off) this Catholic and Pro-Life ping list, let me know!

[Robert A Cook PE]

And yet he has no criticism for the socialism that has killed 120 million worldwide this past century, and 43 million more Americans through abortion.

A "former" Catholic priest, he (the writer) IS the devil's speaker.

[Nathan Zachary]

It's a good thing Carroll is no longer a priest. He seems to have missed the message of the gospel completely. Prolly why he was encouraged to leave, although there could be other reasons for his departure.

Jesus wasn't a communist Carroll. He encouraged prosperity, reward for hard work, success for diligence.

Jesus frowned upon those who sat around expecting others to support them.