Adding insult to injury

One more SOA note: Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Wisconsin has agreed to serve on the advisory board of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the School of the Americas, reports the National Catholic Reporter.

Morlino on accepting the appointment: "I was somewhat surprised when I was approached about this opportunity to serve our country, but I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to support our military and our brothers and sisters, neighbors in the Western Hemisphere, by standing up for the truth about morality and justice." Does he really know what this place is all about? Open mouth, insert crosier.

He looked less like a tool in his response to a National Catholic Reporter editorial on his appointment, which was negative to say the least: "I truly believe that had I not accepted this appointment, I would be saying to my diocese, the church and the world that human rights are someone else’s responsibility." Glad to hear it. Then get to work on shutting the place down, if you please.

Father Roy Bourgeois of SOA Watch is a little more convincing: "They’ve been trying to get a bishop on board for some time. [He] will be used by the Pentagon and the military to legitimize what we see as evil." Amen, brother.

Of course, Morlino might have more credibility if the U.S. bishops were at the front of the crowd condemning the torture committed by the U.S. in the "war on terror." Can you hear the crickets chirping?