Catholic columnists

Thoughts from two Catholic columnists. First, Catholic columnist E.J. Dionne, who writes this time about changes in the evangelical movement:

The evangelical world is going through a quiet evolution as believers reflect on the perils of partisanship and ideology and their reasons for being Christian. This will probably affect the nation's political life, but it will certainly affect the country's spiritual direction. My hunch is that not only moderates and liberals but also many solid conservatives welcome the departure.

Read more here.

Second, Catholic writer Mark Shields’ most recent column is headlined Why Liberals Ought to Champion U.S. Return to the Military Draft.

Military service generally does strengthen the character and strengthens, as well, the sense of patriotism. The draft guarantees that American families in all zip codes and gated enclaves will have a personal stake in U.S. foreign and defense policy and will know the grief of loss. It is not enough just to "support the troops," especially when you would never consider having your own daughter socialize with those "troops" you so vocally support.

Obviously, national service could include non-military duty. Homes along the Gulf Coast need rehabbing. The nation's borders, airports and ports still must be made secure. Parks and playgrounds need repairs. Children need tutors. The elderly and the lonely need help and company.

Liberals and all Americans would do well to recall the warning of Sir William Butler that "the nation that will insist on drawing a broad line of demarcation between the fighting man and the thinking man will have its fighting done by fools and its thinking done by cowards."

The rest of the article is here.