A couple of weeks ago she was subbing for that other Christlike figure, O'LOOFAH, and was being her usual self---ridiculing, sarcastic, spiteful, the full INGRAHAM, and things-that-don't-compute always make me go HUH?!1, and I sent O'LOOFAH's circus yet another e-mail that was destined to be ignored. So as I pondered what makes INGRAHAM "Catholic," I decided to e-mail the beneficiaries of her crucifix sales, the Little Sisters of the Poor, to ask THEM. I expected no reply, but I *got* one, which I will only summarize, to the effect that the sister doesn't have much exposure to the media, only knows INGRAHAM's name barely, and that she had asked somebody else who replied INGRAHAM is "a good Catholic," but that she would appreciate any background links and such.
This was my original e-ltr to them: Political right winger Laura INGRAHAM supposedly converted to Catholicism a few years ago and benefits your sisterhood with sales of crucifixes, yet, since her conversion has shown NO spirituality in her public career: Continuing her un-Christian vituperation against persons she disagrees with, showing NO understanding of social justice issues the Church HAS a good history on, and generally exhibiting spiteful personal chracteristics. Most recently, she said she will support the anti-Hispanic state law in Arizona by defying economic boycotts set by social justice advocates. What does your sisterhood stand for, since she apparently finds affiliation with you? Does your sisterhood wield any influence on her to improve her spirituality? ********END of previous e-ltr.
So this was my follow-up:
Dear Sister _______ : Thank you for your responsiveness to my concern about Laura INGRAHAM. As the son of a Roman Catholic family of many generations, I know that I am not to judge others. I cannot say what is in her heart, but she is in the public eye and her public persona is out there, and it is not a pleasant sight just in terms of her not being kind to others, her politicizing "her" religion--that is, claiming that her hardline political views are based on religious morality. It's like when things don't add up, and you are wondering, "What?"
I realize there is repentance and forgiveness, but her early years are described in the book by her one-time friend, David BROCK, in "Blinded by the Right": She was very drunk habitually, would ridicule disabled people with her other Rightwing friend Ann COULTER, crawled across barroom floors, pointed guns at ex-boyfriends, exposed the private homosexuality of her political enemies, and during the CLINTON scandal, participated with her circle of Republican lawyer friends (called "The Elves") in covert, surreptitious activities to topple the presidency. I have no way of knowing what repentance or forgiveness was involved in her conversion. I have heard that she reconciled with her brother, who is homosexual, after her anti-homosexual activities.
Now, when the news came a few years ago that she had converted to Catholicism, I waited to see what changes in her personal behavior would come. I don't know whether being "a good Catholic" means just the OUTWARD rituals of attending Mass, donating, and praying--these outward things probably being done by her. But in her radio and television presentations, there has been NO discernible change in her personal characteristics: She is vitriolic, ridiculing of others, spiteful, and any number of UN-Christ-like characteristics. We all struggle and never will be perfect, but few people show such a huge disparity between the Catholic virtues she claims to profess and what she says and does in public.
Actually, Sister, I have been concerned for years that so many of the media commentators, like Bill O'REILLY, Sean HANNITY, among MANY MANY others are Catholics by family heritage, culture, and education while being so intense in their harsh policies that are actually CRUEL and oppressive to the most needy. And in the past decade, as I mentioned before, there have been all of these very high profile, political converts, such as Ms INGRAHAM, Newt GINGRICH, the late Robert NOVAK, and many CIA and FBI personnel.
But for background on Ms INGRAHAM, the book mentioned above: "Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative" by David BROCK, paperback edition, Three Rivers Press, 2002.
And here (below) are some links, including where she sells the crucifixes saying the proceeds go to your sisterhood.