Rant

A) I'm pretty annoyed at the idea (which I see promulgated over and over) that each person has the responsibility to speak out on facebook against political actions with which they disagree. I use facebook to share pictures, primarily baby pictures. It's not clear to me that talking about politics on twitter or facebook changes anyone's mind. Relatedly, I'm committed to dialogue and conversation (the practices that I cultivate in the classroom and, I hope, in my personal relationships) as the location for the expression of political and religious beliefs and for pursuing the common good together. Knowing the people with whom you are pursuing truth is crucial to the pursuit of truth; otherwise, it can be reduced to attempts at persuasion.

(This is not a critique of those who choose to write about politics on social media, just a response to the often-voiced critique that those who are silent about politics on social media don't care or are doing nothing.)

B) I'm really grateful, now more than ever, to be part of a Church that advocates a consistent ethic of life, supporting the dignity of the person from conception throughout life. Understanding all human persons, including refugees, as having dignity means that charity and hospitality are important, too. As John Garvey points out:

There is another option, which the church commends to rich nations like ours: to practice the virtues of charity and hospitality. We should “welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2241). And nations should respect the natural right “that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.”