Response to Rick

I didn't intend to leave the impression that partisanship is a one-sided risk.  But I don't think that was Michael's point either.  It's too easy for Catholic Democrats to leave it to Catholic Republicans to take on Kerry or Clinton or whoever on abortion.  By the same token, however, it is too easy for Catholic Republicans to leave it to others to question the bona fides of this administration on an obviously recurrent problem with torture.  The most powerful Catholic witness will come when each side is willing to tackle its own preferred party's shortcomings.  This is exactly why it is not sufficient for George to sit back and wait for others to condemn torture while he takes on the lonely task of criticizing abortion (a task that is not so lonely, I'm guessing, in his political circles).  I'm sure we all fall short of this ideal.  I know I do.  But, truth be told, I don't think Catholic Republicans are accustomed to grappling with the contradictions to the same degree as Catholic Democrats, who can't seem to go a day without being reminded about them.  Seriously.  I took Michael's post to be a challenge to ALL of us to do better.