Ex-bennie's Jerks . . . .

'Ya gotta love it when the Race for the Ruby Slippers includes the mafia, anti-mafia and raids in the diocese of one of the favourites to replace bennie.  Not to mention infighting amongst the pious pompous old men in fancy dresses.

As The Guardian reports today, there's a a bit of a wrench being thrown into the proceedings:

Roman Catholic cardinals have been urged to overcome divisions at a special mass ahead of the papal conclave, just hours after anti-mafia investigators carried out a string of raids in the diocese of the leading candidate.

In a homily before thousands of pilgrims and the most senior figures in the church, Angelo Sodano, the dean of the college of cardinals, made a last-ditch attempt to banish infighting, as he extolled the virtues of unity amid diversity.

But even as preparations for the mass were being made, Cardinal Angelo Scola, the archbishop of Milan – and reportedly the hot favourite to be the next pope – suffered a swingeing blow.

Anti-mafia detectives swooped on homes, offices, clinics and hospitals in Lombardy, the region around Milan, and elsewhere.

And we haven't even gotten to the sure-to-be-forthcoming Altar Boy Chasing Escapades Version 2.0 release.





Time to get the popcorn ready, ya'll . . . .

Makes Me . . . .

Proud to be a supporter of Freedom of the Press Foundation.

Today they released the full audio of Bradley Manning's court statement to the world.





Good on 'em and Good Luck to Bradley in the hardest battle of his military career . . . .

Quotes from Hugo . . . .

Compliments of today's Toronto Star:

“The hypothesis is not absurd ... that those towers could have been dynamited,” Chavez said in a speech to supporters. 

“A building never collapses like that, unless it’s with an implosion.” [Chavez in 2006 reacting to a television report investigating a theory that the U.S. government was behind the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers] 

“He is a donkey.” “Hitler would be like a suckling baby next to George W. Bush.” [On former president George W. Bush, 2006] 

“The devil came here yesterday,” said Chavez, who then crossed himself and looked skyward. “It smells of sulphur still today.” [Again on Bush Jr., addressing the U.N. in 2006] 

“I sting those who rattle me. Don’t mess with me, Condoleezza.” 

“I am sorry I am too busy to marry you.” [To U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2006.] 

“Go right to hell.” “You are a pawn of imperialism.” [To British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2006] 

“ ... The poor thing, you have to feel sorry for her. She is a beauty queen that they’ve put in the role of a figurine. Forgive her, for she knows not what she says.” [Addressing Sarah Palin after she called him a dictator in 2008] 

“Contrary to reports, Charlie Sheen is not welcome in Venezuela. There are limits.” [Chavez in 2011 on why he will not condemn Gadhafi but actor Sheen is not in his good graces] 

“Would it be strange if they had developed a technology to induce cancer and no one knew it?” [Chavez in 2011, shortly after having a tumour operated on, questions whether the U.S. government could be plotting to kill him off]

My two personal faves are those referring to condescending rice.

RIP, Hugo . . . .