Catching up (again)

I lost access to my computer and e-mail for a week. I could have gone through a few hoops to get to my e-mail, but I let it go and gave myself a rest. I haven't been able to get a grip on the news lately, either. Of course, there has been little on other than the death/funeral/legacy of Pope John Paul II.
Cynically (something in which I excell) I wonder what our governmenthas been doing behind our backs while the media is in Rome, and I am surprised that Fox news hasn't done a "ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN CRISIS" thing making it seem like the Roman Catholic Church has never had a Pope die on them before.
Fortunately, my cynical nature doesn't always reflect the facts, although I was a little pissed to see priests using the Pope's death to criticize Michael Schiavo. John Paul 2 had a real "culture of life" to promote, and if Bush's "culture of life" was even half of what JP2 talked about, then I'd be a little more supportive of it.
Someone on a maling list wondered why consistency in a Pro-Life stance was important. My response:

it is extremely hypocritical to say that you are pro-life,
arguing against removing Terry Schiavo's feeding tube, yet letting young
children's feeding tubes being pulled because they can't pay for the
services. It is hypocritical to insist that all pregnancies must come
to term, then not provide those children with the help they need to get
through life. It's hypocritical to say that all life is sacred and
then not even listen to why a man on death row may be innocent and let
his execution go on. It is hypocritical to say that Schiavo must be
kept alive, no matter what expense, and then cut the funding to the
programs that are paying for her care.
I disagree with the ban on birth control, but if JP2 had his way,
abortions would be illegal but those children who would be killed by
abortion (usually because it is financially impossible to support them)
would be cared for. Resources would be allocated properly. Children
would grow up knowing they are loved. If the pro-life stance preached
in America was like that of JP2, and backed up, I'd have little problem
with it.
That's why consistency is important.

Both conservative and liberal members of the list have agreed with this, and for that I am grateful.