For a group that has a purity standard for progressives to celebrate a meeting at the Vatican.

[LexVegas]

That is some funny ass shit. The fucking Vatican!

[NuclearDem]

1. And *we're* the ones called Camp Weathervane.

[revmclaren]

2. Gay bashing central...

Home of barefoot and pregnant! Strange bedfellows indeed!

[Lucinda]

3. They see it as Foreign Policy experience, a change of the current awful headlines

and a way to go after Catholic votes. I think it is fine for him to go, but he shouldnt have misstated the nature of the visit which caused foreign officials to publicaly bicker about it. They own their own infighting ove there, but this wouldnt have happened if he had been straight about his visit.

I'd celebrate changing the news cycle too if I were in their shoes though! Unless this one goes south too.

[displacedtexan]

5. The ignorance and/or stupidity on parade is astounding in that thread.

The Germans have a saying: ignorance can be fixed; stupidity is forever.

Evidently, BS was on TV this morning, humble-bragging about his invitation from the pope. I'd like to see that video clip if anyone has it. Another day, another Bernie Lie.

[Lucinda]

6. Someone posted this one for me, but he only answers in the affirmative in it

when one of the ladies annouced that the Pope had invited him. He doesnt elaborate about the visit, and immediately goes into what he likes about the Pope.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1683147

[BlueMTexpat]

10. It also is a very vivid demonstration of why

SBS should never be allowed near the WH. He really does not have a clue.

Then there is also the whole Church/State thingie. Why he would blow off his NY political campaign to go to a conference sponsored by the Vatican ... it's beyond kooky, IMO.

[Lucinda]

13. I suspect their internals are leading them to believe it's worth it.

Could it help with Latino Catholic voters?
It's hard to say what their reasoning is at this point!

Maybe a literal and figurative Hail Mary!

[BlueMTexpat]

24. I have no respect left for any of these

guys or their candidate. None.

They lost me at NV last weekend and have been digging themselves in deeper ever since. They are literally frightening.

[Starry Messenger]

4. My mom, a Catholic, is watching the opening of baseball today.

This tragic little episode won't make a dent either way, it's just funny to watch.

[displacedtexan]

7. Fallon from the Clinton campaign tweeted the best response so far.

And, the NYT corrects their erroneous headline.

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/04/08/bernie-sanders-accepts-pope-franciss-invitation-to-travel-to-the-vatican/

Seriously, it the Best.Response.Ever.

On so many levels.

[jmowreader]

21. I think the real reason for his trip is in the second story on that page

It says he gave a speech in New York City...that first condemned Wall Street, then asked New Yorkers to "vote for him in record numbers." Exactly how many people who live in New York either work in the financial industry, know someone who does or has a livelihood depending in some part on the financial industry?

Tad Devine finally came to his senses, realized he needed to get Bernie the hell out of town until after the primaries, and deported him to Italy.

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. If you're trying to comprehend the contradictions of the BS'ers, stop it. You'll get whiplash.

Wonder what Bill Maher will say about this?

[BlueMTexpat]

9. It is indeed ironic.

At best.

[OilemFirchen]

12. I've only recently logged on, so perhaps this has been mentioned...

Sanders is going to discuss economic issues with a group that, literally, owns a theocratic country?

Good luck, Bernie.

[displacedtexan]

15. He's not even a speaker. He's an audience member & the pope won't be there.

It's a bunch of university academics, some of whom will present their research papers to small audiences in breakout room-like settings.

After everything I've read on this debacle today, I think sanders' campaign staff has screwed him six ways to Sunday this week. Either they're way out of their league, or he is. Take your pick.

[KittyWampus]

16. Are you sure he's not a speaker?

[displacedtexan]

18. He was listed under "Also in attendance"

This was a purely political ploy by his friend, Sachs, to con Catholics into voting for him.

[jmowreader]

22. I have given this deep thought, and realized they know exactly what they're doing

How well do you think Bernie's "it has become necessary to destroy Wall Street to save it" message is going to play...in the place where Wall Street IS?

[displacedtexan]

23. Brilliant observation!

And what would be an excuse he couldn't be blamed for? An invitation to the Vatican, of course. Never mind that it's the most corrupt business model in history. His followers are too concerned with Snapchat moments to notice.

[1StrongBlackMan]

27. A theocratic country with obscene wealth holdings.

[wildeyed]

14. Right?

I am sooooo confused. The uber-liberals are looking to find common cause with a group that wants to ban all birth control, never mind abortion rights, and they want to lecture ME on who has my back on repro issues?

[Kensan]

17. Can I ask a question?

Why so much condescension? I am at a loss why anyone would find this funny. The conference is a topic most should want to receive global exposure. Active discussion amongst representatives from multiple countries with different viewpoints and economic conditions can hopefully lead to action on this front. Will it eliminate world poverty? No. But it could help initiate programs that address small pockets and provide some stability for those most in need.

I understand the Vatican doesn't exactly reflect mainstream views in its treatment of gays and women in general. But I would think this would be an issue where we can reach consensus. President Obama has been spoken several times about working together with Republicans to further the progress on issues where there is general agreement. Save the vitriol for the much smaller collection of issues where there is a wide chasm of agreement on solutions. I agree with Obama's approach to try to engage. It's unfortunate in today's media-circus environment that it's portrayed as a sign of weakness/ineffectiveness instead of bull-headed stubbornness on the part of his political opponents to deny him any accomplishments.

I think one of Hillary's better moments came when she gave a speech in China about Human Rights. She held true to her convictions, especially in regards to the plight of women in that country. Should she have been mocked before attending that event? Should she have refused to attend?

I think having a high-profile person in attendance for these types of discussions is a good thing. I would like to see advancements made on these issues. So again, I don't understand why there is post after post trying to discredit or delegitimize Bernie's invitation to participate in this event.

[displacedtexan]

19. It's the hubris.

Sanders blushed on Morning Joe when being celebrated for his papal (not) invitation to the Vatican. If he attends at all, he won't speak truth to power there. He won't highlight the horrible history of the church or its continuing condemnation of basic human rights. He'll pose for selfies with Francis if he can swing it and play rock star.

Truly heavy sigh.

[seabeyond]

20. The man lied. He said he was meeting with the Pope on national Tv. He lied. He isn't

He knows he is not. Lying about meeting the Pope. You know, Thou shalt not lie.

You do not have a problem with that?

And as far as I can see, stating he is a speaker is not correct either. One lie, two lies? What, when do we get to have an issue?

[jmowreader]

25. There are a few reasons.

First, you are in the Hillary Clinton group. We don't really like him all that much here.

Second, he's not a speaker at this conference. He might, and probably will, talk with the other attendees between presentations - but he's not presenting anything himself. Contrast that to Hillary's speech in China - where she was a presenter.

But most importantly, the New York primary is Bernie's last grand chance for redemption. If he doesn't win New York by huge numbers...he's through. So why is he suspending his campaign long enough to travel to Europe for a conference that won't be affected by his presence?

[Kensan]

28. Fair enough...

It seems the agenda for this conference is still in flux. While Bernie may not be granted a large speaking role, it appears the Chancellor who invited him is trying to work him into the mix. So it's too early to say he's not speaking at all. One can't even say he won't meet with the Pope during this trip. They can definitely say it will not be a one-on-one diplomatic meeting, which is reserved for heads of state. But the Pope could arrange to meet with the various special guests mentioned on the invitation for a 5-minute meet & greet behind closed doors.

Maybe Bernie feels that if he hasn't made his case to NY voters between now and the debate, it's just not going to happen for him. Maybe the media coverage of this event is worth the two days away from the campaign. He'll still have staff/volunteers doing groundwork for him.

I'd like to think that his concerns about the issues to be discussed at the conference are important enough that he's made the determination that he can't pass on this opportunity to be present. The U.S. media wouldn't give this conference two seconds of time if he were not an invitee. Now income inequality, social justice and climate change will receive some much needed exposure. The media might even report snippets from some of the other attendees about the effects of these issues in a global context.

I'll just say this...it's been extremely disheartening reading posts from supporters of both candidates that are full of nothing but venom. I used to think Will Rogers was telling a joke about not being a member of an organized party. But we do seem to be our own worst enemy at times. In the end, we all want progress to be made on these issues.

I personally think Bernie's being there at least elevates the conference a little. If he gets a feather in his cap from the experience, then good for him. If he doesn't get the nomination, perhaps he can return to the Senate and spearhead efforts to address these issues with Hillary backing him from the Oval Office. How's that sound!!

[seabeyond]

29. All of a sudden, out of the blue, the Pope is going to be out of town 14-16.

So ya, unless Sanders is going to try a meet up in Greece, pretty much a fair bet he won't be seeing the Pope.

None of it was a big deal. Good for him going to the conference. His campaign to do.

My problem was just another one of many lies, .... looking into the camera and flat out stating the Pope called him for a meet up.

[1StrongBlackMan]

26. There is/was DUer, in particular, that I would have thought would be raising ...

holy hell about this. But I guess he hasn't figured a way to excuse it ... like he did with Bernie's Liberty University (the Home of LBGTQ tolerance) visit.

[NuclearDem]

30. I've been noticing a distinct absence of that particular poster as well.