Saturday, August 3, 2013

NFL: Eagles receiver Riley Cooper excused from team after racial slur

PHILADELPHIA ? The Philadelphia Eagles excused Riley Cooper from all team activities on Friday as the wide receiver deals with repercussions of being caught on video making a racial slur.

Cooper has been sent away from the team to get help with his issues, something the player and the team agreed upon. Coach Chip Kelly made it clear after Friday's practice, however, that Cooper would be back with the team when he's ready.

"There has never been any question of cutting Riley," Kelly said. "His status with us is not in question."

Cooper said the last few days have been incredibly difficult and he will step away to seek counselling.

"My actions were inexcusable," he said. "The more I think about what I did, the more disgusted I get. I keep trying to figure out how I could have said something so repulsive, and what I can do to make things better."

Cooper apologized profusely Wednesday after a video of him using a racial slur at a Kenny Chesney concert last month surfaced on the Internet. The Eagles immediately fined him.

"Right now, I think it's important for me to take some time to reflect on this situation," Cooper said. "The organization and my teammates have been extremely supportive, but I also realize that there are people who will have a tough time forgiving me for what I've done. The best thing for me, and for the team, is to step away for a period of time."

The Eagles did not set a timetable for Cooper's return. The team is off Saturday. They will return Sunday and play the New England Patriots on Friday night in the pre-season opener.

"He will meet with professionals provided by the Eagles during this period of time to better help him understand how his words have hurt so many, including his teammates," the team said in a statement.

Cooper spoke to the media again after practice Thursday, telling them his meeting with teammates a night earlier was "extremely emotional." Teammates Michael Vick, Jason Avant and others expressed forgiveness for Cooper. LeSean McCoy also said he forgives Cooper, but "I can't really respect somebody like that."

Cooper, who grew up in Clearwater, Fla., was selected in the fifth round of the 2010 draft by the Eagles out of the University of Florida. He has just 46 catches and five touchdowns in three years with the Eagles, but has been practising with the starters since Jeremy Maclin's season-ending knee injury last week.

"As long as it takes, and whatever I have to do, I'm going to try to make this right," Cooper said.

Players on the team continue to be asked about Cooper's situation, making it a distraction or as wide receiver DeSean Jackson called it, "a burden." Cornerback Cary Williams, a free agent addition to the Eagles this past off-season, tried to put it all in the perspective.

"This is about history," Williams said. "Some of us have had ancestors killed over that word. There is a lot of history behind it. That history needs to be addressed. I remember my grandmother telling me stories how she was called the n-word, while being bitten by dogs and hosed.

"Why did Riley say this? That's a question that needs to be asked. I still think it is the elephant in the room."

Williams also said it doesn't matter who you are or what colour you are the word should never be used.

"Nobody should say it," he said. "I don't care if you white, black, blue, green or purple. The hip-hop culture uses the word and has de-emphasized it. You need to go back and see what our ancestors did to try and rid themselves of that word."

The Eagles do not plan to rid themselves of Cooper permanently. When he comes back, how will he be treated is the next question.

"He's our teammate. He hasn't been released from our team, so whatever he has to handle, he has to handle," Jackson said. "As far as the rest of the team, we have to focus on what we want to accomplish this season and not let this be a burden."

Vick, who has shown support for Cooper from the beginning, was asked what advice he would have for his teammate.

"Let this situation make me a better person," the quarterback said. "This is a good thing for Coop to get away for a while and reflect. We've already put the plan in place to help him come back full form and become one of the guys again."

Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/football/lions/Philadelphia+Eagles+receiver+Riley+Cooper+excused/8743262/story.html

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Friday, August 2, 2013

Jason Sudeikis as Coach Lasso: Premier League merriment

In anticipation of the upcoming Premier League season, NBC Sports linked up with comedian Jason Sudeikis to have a little fun.? Meet Coach Ted Lasso, an American football coach who has just been named the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur.

His introductory press conference:

Coach Lasso on the practice field:

And Coach Lasso learning on the job:

We hope you enjoy the videos. Remember to tune in to NBC and NBCSN for exclusive coverage of the Premier League beginning on August 17th and to stop by Pro Soccer Talk for all the best coverage on the beautiful game.

Source: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/02/jason-sudeikis-as-coach-lasso-premier-league-merriment-2/

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New Study: Transgender Troops Face Rampant Discrimination

New Study: Transgender Troops Face Rampant Discrimination
Get Gay Voices Newsletters:

San Diego Gay & Lesbian News:

LOS ANGELES ? While transgender people serve in the military at a rate double the general population, they nonetheless face discrimination during and after service, according to a new study.

The study titled ?Still Serving in Silence: Transgender Service Members and Veterans in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey? is authored by Jody L. Herman, Williams Institute manager of transgender research, and Jack Harrison-Quintana, policy institute manager at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Read the whole story at San Diego Gay & Lesbian News

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Filed by James Nichols ?|?

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    2. Gay Voices
  • ?

    Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/01/new-study-transgender-tro_n_3689869.html

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    Secured Loan Calculator | Koplak.Co.Uk

    Article Secured Loan Calculator: A free loan repayment calculator allows you to calculate and break down monthly repayment figures for a secured or unsecured loan. Before deciding to apply for a loan some homeowners find it useful to understand the approximate cost of borrowing in terms of the monthly cost and the interest which is being charged. This is especially useful for homeowners who work to a monthly budget by knowing what their outgoings are such as household bills and mortgage payments versus income received.

    Simply put, they are a loan only available to property owners (or mortgage holders), where the lender can forcibly sell your house to get its money back if you can't repay. The 'secured' bit means the lender gets 'security' not you, as if there are problems, it can repossess your home.

    When we normally talk about personal loans from a bank or building society, these are unsecured, which means there's no automatic link to your home (so non-homeowners can borrow this way too).

    Sadly it is becoming more common that for those in financial difficulty even unsecured lenders can get what's called a 'charging order' on your home. This effectively means they have a call on the money from the sale of your house.

    This doesn?t automatically mean it can push repossession though, there?s another court stage they?d need to go for and the courts are much more reticient to grant it on charging orders. Yet even with this, it's much more difficult for lenders to take your home if its unsecured.

    Why would anyone want a secured loan?

    - Easier to obtain. Unsecured loans are almost always cheaper for those with decent credit scores, but secured loans provide lenders with, well? security, so they're more willing to lend to poor credit scorers.

    - Big borrowing is possible. The maximum unsecured loan is ?25,000 yet secured loans can be ?75,000.

    - Borrowing over a longer period. Secured lenders prefer loans to last longer to help offset hefty set-up costs, usually from five to 20 years. Unsecured lending is usually one to seven years. Borrowing for longer does reduce the monthly repayments, but substantially increases the total interest repaid.

    - Credit Card Balance Transfers. Credit cards are ?unsecured' and, used correctly, the cheapest borrowing possible, especially when shifting debt to new Balance Transfer offers. Also read Cheap Credit Card Loans.

    - Unsecured Loans: Cheaper and less risky for those who can get them. Full details: Cheap Personal Loans.

    - Check Credit Reference Files: Those rejected from unsecured lending without an obviously poor credit history should check their information held by the credit reference agencies Equifax, Experian and CallCredit isn't erroneous. Full details: Your Credit Rating.

    - Use savings: The interest paid on savings is usually far less than interest charged on borrowing, so paying off debts with savings makes sense. Traditional logic does say always have an ?emergency cash fund'. I disagree. After paying off debts, don't cut the credit cards up, lock them away strictly in case of a substantial emergency. If no emergency happens you're quids in, and can then start a cash emergency fund. If it does, use the cards and you're no worse off than when you started, and you've saved substantial interest costs in the meantime. Full details: Pay Off Your Debts With Savings.

    Checklist before considering a secured loan

    Credit Card Shuffle: It's possible to cut the interest rate on existing debts even without getting new products. Many credit cards allow existing customers to move other debts to them at special rates. Correctly shifting balances and prioritising repaying expensive debts first creates substantial savings. Full details: Credit Card Shuffle.

    Budget & Reduce Outgoings: Massive MoneySaving is possible on everyday spending by moving to better products. See the Money Makeover and The Money Diet for ideas. Budget effectively to allow quicker and easier debt repayments with the Budget Planner.

    Remortgage: Mortgages are simply a special type of secured loan with cheaper rates. Borrowing the money on your existing mortgage, or remortgaging to a new cheaper deal is a valid option, but isn't always correct. Mortgage debts are paid off over a long time, and 5% over 20 years is more expensive than 10% over five years. Plus you may be forced to increase your life assurance and other associated costs if mortgage debts increase. Those without flexible mortgages (which allow quick repayments) may sometimes be better off with a secured loan. Full details: Find the Best Mortgage, Remortgage Guide.

    Debt Counselling: For those consistently struggling with debts and meeting repayments, free personal help is invaluable. Do it as quickly as possible, the longer you leave it the worse it gets. Avoid commercial debt management companies.

    Getting a secured loan cheaply and safely

    - How much to borrow?

    Get a handle on your existing debts first; list them on a piece of paper. Once you know the secured loan rate, draw a line across the page where this fits in. The secured loan should only be considered to pay off the more expensive debts above the line.

    Don't feel all debts should be consolidated into one. This is a common secured loan sales pitch, yet in isolation it serves no real purpose. Remember, if you're repaying a higher rate or for longer, they make more cash.

    - You're converting a fixed rate into variable rate debt

    While most unsecured loan interest is fixed for the life of the loan, secured loan rates are usually variable and can shift both with UK base rates and for the lenders' own reasons ? check the terms.

    If you're considering converting fixed rate debt such as a standard personal loan into variable rate debt, always ask ?could I afford the repayments if rates increased??. If not, don't do it. Don't throw surety away. Some secured loans offer rate fixes, but usually only for a limited period; and do always check there are no penalties for paying off your existing debts early, something common with unsecured loans.

    Finally, don't borrow more than you need. Disgustingly some lenders tout, ?why not borrow a little more for a holiday? You deserve it.? Don't do it. Never treat secured loans lightly, take as little lending as possible.

    And most importantly if you think you won't be able to make the repayments, don't even start down this route, it isn't worth it - see the free debt cousellors instead.

    - How long to borrow for?

    Budget to work out the maximum realistic amount you can commit to repaying, use the Budget Planner to help. Don't underestimate or it'll take longer to repay, costing more interest; and don't overestimate or you may overstretch yourself, risking your home. Careful planning is crucial.

    *****

    Tips:

    What is a secured loan?

    A secured loan is a loan in which the borrower pledges an asset (e.g. a car or property) as collateral for the loan.?

    What is an unsecured loan?

    Unsecured loans are monetary loans that are not secured against the borrower's assets. These often take the form of credit card debt, personal loans, bank overdrafts, credit facilities or corporate bonds.?

    What is a balloon payment?

    A balloon payment is a large, lump-sum payment made at the end of a long-term loan. It is commonly used in car finance loans as a way of reducing monthly repayment figures. Be aware that once you reach the end of your loan period, that balloon amount becomes payable.?

    What is APR?

    APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate and is an important factor in determining the overall cost of a loan. You can use APR to compare different personal loan offers. When you arrange a loan with a finance company, their offer can include extra fees associated with the loan. The APR figure takes all of that into account, giving you an easy percentage interest rate to allow you to compare and shop around.

    APR Guide:

    6.7% ? 19.9% - Not missed any payments on credit or your mortgage in the last 6 months

    20% ? 58% - Not missed any mortgage payments in the last 3 months and no defaults on credit/loans

    56.7% ? 91.9% ? Had one missed mortgage payment and no defaults on credit/loans in the last 3 months

    109.5% ? 153.6% - Have defaults or CCJs and missed mortgage payments

    What is the Effective Annual Rate?

    The effective annual rate is the actual interest rate that you pay on a loan if the loan is affected by compounding. This loan calculator compounds interest on a monthly basis. For information on interest rates and APR, see our article What Is APR? How Does APR Differ From Standard Interest Rate?

    What is the Formula For This Loan Calculator?

    This loan calculator uses the following formula to calculate loan figures:

    Monthly payment = [rate + rate / ( (1+rate) ^ months -1) ] x principal loan amount

    UK?s cheapest secured loans

    What is a secured loan?

    By taking out a secured loan, you are borrowing money that is secured against your assets, usually your property. So it?s wise to consider very carefully before going down this route, as you could lose your home if you cannot keep up the repayments. Always make sure that the cheapest secured loan you find in the UK does not become a very expensive one.

    Why choose a secured loan?

    Secured loans are a tricky market, where many lenders are only willing to work through brokers. To ensure you have a good chance of finding the cheapest secured loan available to you in the UK, uSwitch works with a broker to widen the secured loan possibilities available to you. This broker has been carefully selected to ensure you receive the highest level of service.

    Comparing all the secured loans to the find the cheapest

    The UK secured loans market is full of pitfalls for the novice or the unwary, as it?s full of lenders who run the whole gamut from highly reputable merchant banks to those who are little more than loan sharks. But don?t worry, because this is where uSwitch.com can help. Once you?ve identified your cheapest secured loan by using our secured loans calculator we will then refer you to a broker that we have vetted.

    Is the cheapest secured loan the right one for you?

    Before searching for the cheapest secured loans in the UK, you need to be honest about your loan requirements. For instance:

    - Will you take a secured loan from a lender you have not heard of?

    - How much can you afford to borrow and pay back?

    - What happens if you want to pay back your loan early?

    Once you?ve understood and assessed your circumstances against these pointers and you are prepared for some questions about your assets, you?re ready to go on to next stage.

    Apply now for your cheapest secured loan

    It?s easy. Just go to our secured loans comparison service and when you find your cheapest loan in our results, click on ?Apply? to start your loan application.

    Source: http://www.koplak.co.uk/2013/08/secured-loan-calculator.html

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    Here's Lionel Messi Playing Soccer Dressed as a Light Monster, for Some Reason

    A person who takes drugs dressed Lionel Messi up in a suit with a bunch of LEDs on it and filmed him at 1000fps with a Phantom camera. I can't stop watching it.

    Read more...

        


    Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/en8r1jAE0qo/heres-lionel-messi-playing-soccer-dressed-as-a-light-m-989880299

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    Thursday, August 1, 2013

    Senate takes initial step toward media shield law

    WASHINGTON (AP) ? A Senate panel took a step forward on legislation to protect reporters and the news media from revealing their sources. But lawmakers put off until September a broader debate over whether Congress defines who is a journalist.

    The Judiciary Committee agreed Thursday to legislation sponsored by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a key supporter of a federal media shield law. The measure would codify many of the regulations proposed earlier this month by Attorney General Eric Holder. The panel approved it on a voice vote.

    The renewed push for a media shield law comes after the disclosure earlier this year that the Justice Department had secretly subpoenaed almost two months of telephone records for 21 phone lines used by reporters and editors for The Associated Press and secretly used a warrant to obtain some emails of a Fox News journalist. The AP received no advance warning.

    "We need a strong media shield bill now more than ever," Schumer said. "This is an important step forward that strengthens this bipartisan bill and should give it even more momentum to clear the committee and the Senate by the end of the year."

    The bill would protect reporters and news media organizations from revealing the identities of confidential sources, but it does not grant an absolute privilege for journalists.

    The lack of objection to taking up Schumer's 21-page bill signaled broad support, but it's also clear there will be a number of proposed changes to the language he has crafted with a bipartisan group of senators that includes Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

    Limited amount of time before Congress' August recess forced lawmakers to postpone further action on the measure until after the break.

    One issue is the definition of reporter in the aftermath of WikiLeaks, the website that exposed U.S. classified information leaked by Army Pfc. Bradley Manning.

    The bill's definition covers four pages and defines the individual as a person "with the primary intent to investigate events and procure material in order to disseminate to the public news or information concerning local, national or international events or other matters of public interest," collects the information by conducting interviews and directly observing events, and has the intent of gathering news.

    Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., proposed an amendment to narrow the definition of what a journalist is.

    Feinstein said she was introducing her amendment because, "this bill is described as a reporter shield law ? I believe it should be applied to real reporters." She said she was concerned "that the current version of the bill would grant a special privilege to people who aren't really reporters at all, who have no professional qualifications."

    Feinstein's amendment, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., "defines a journalist as a salaried agent" of a media entity, such as a newspaper, broadcast news station, news web site or another type of news service distributed digitally. She said there was also language, including a "look back" option to protect legitimate reporters not tied to a specific news organization.

    Schumer said he thought his legislation had a tight enough definition of who would be protected by the law.

    "The bottom line is the world has changed, and we're very careful in this bill to distinguish journalists from those who shouldn't be protected," Schumer said. "Wikileaks and all those others are not protected."

    Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said senators on the committee had proposed a number of amendments to the bill and that in order to give them all a fair hearing, he wanted to wait until after Congress' August recess to go further.

    He also asked senators to consider consolidating some proposed changes before they returned to work.

    Schumer's measure would incorporate many of the changes proposed by Attorney General Eric Holder in July. Criticism of the collection of the material without any notice to the news organizations prompted President Barack Obama to order Holder to review the department's policy.

    Holder's revised guidelines called for the government to give advance notice to the news media about subpoena requests for reporters' phone records unless the attorney general determines such notice would pose a clear and substantial threat to the investigation. Search warrants for a reporter's email would only apply when the individual is the focus of a criminal investigation for conduct not connected to ordinary newsgathering.

    The Schumer bill makes clear that before the government asks a news organization to divulge sources, it first must go to a judge, who would supervise any subpoenas or court orders for information. Such orders would be limited, if possible, "in purpose, subject matter and period of time covered so as to avoid compelling disclosure of peripheral, nonessential or speculative information."

    Holder's revised guidelines do not call for a judge to be involved before the government asks a news organization to divulge sources. However, the guidelines call for a new standing News Media Review Committee to advise the attorney general on such requests.

    Reporters must be notified within 45 days of a request, a period that could be extended another 45 days but no more.

    In the AP story that triggered one of the leak probes, the news organization reported that U.S. intelligence had learned that al-Qaida's Yemen branch hoped to launch a spectacular attack using a new, nearly undetectable bomb aboard a U.S.-bound airliner around the anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death.

    In the Fox News story, reporter James Rosen reported that U.S. intelligence officials had warned Obama and senior U.S. officials that North Korea would respond to a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning nuclear tests with another nuclear test.

    ____

    Associated Press writer Donna Cassata contributed to this report.

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/senate-takes-initial-step-toward-media-shield-law-185819944.html

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    Analysis: Pope's revolution; not all are pleased

    In this May 29, 2013 file photo, Pope Francis holds his skull-cap as he leaves at the end of his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Since his March 2013 election, Pope Francis has started a revolution in the Roman Catholic church that charmed millions and the mainstream media, as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model. But the enthusiasm isn't necessarily shared across the board. Traditionalist Catholics ? so coddled by Benedict XVI in his pursuit to reach out to Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council ? greeted Francis' election with concern and now have had their worst fears realized. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups" whom he accused of being naval-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

    In this May 29, 2013 file photo, Pope Francis holds his skull-cap as he leaves at the end of his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Since his March 2013 election, Pope Francis has started a revolution in the Roman Catholic church that charmed millions and the mainstream media, as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model. But the enthusiasm isn't necessarily shared across the board. Traditionalist Catholics ? so coddled by Benedict XVI in his pursuit to reach out to Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council ? greeted Francis' election with concern and now have had their worst fears realized. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups" whom he accused of being naval-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

    FILE _ In htis March 13, 2013 file photo, Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, during his first appearance just after being elected. Since his election, Pope Francis has started a revolution in the Roman Catholic cChurch that charmed millions and the mainstream media, as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model. But the enthusiasm isn't necessarily shared across the board. Traditionalist Catholics ? so coddled by Benedict XVI in his pursuit to reach out to Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council ? greeted Francis' election with concern and now have had their worst fears realized. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups" whom he accused of being naval-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

    In this July 25, 2013 file photo, Pope Francis waves from his popemobile as he makes his way through the crowds lining the Copacabana beachfront in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since his March 2013 election, Pope Francis has started a revolution in the Roman Catholic church that charmed millions and the mainstream media, as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model. But the enthusiasm isn't necessarily shared across the board. Traditionalist Catholics ? so coddled by Benedict XVI in his pursuit to reach out to Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council ? greeted Francis' election with concern and now have had their worst fears realized. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups" whom he accused of being naval-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)

    FILE -- In this July 22, 2013 file photo, Pope Francis holds a bag as he boards a plane at Rome's Fiumicino international airport for his first trip abroad as pontiff. Since his March 2013 election, Pope Francis has started a revolution in the Roman Catholic church that charmed millions and the mainstream media, as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model. But the enthusiasm isn't necessarily shared across the board. Traditionalist Catholics ? so coddled by Benedict XVI in his pursuit to reach out to Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council ? greeted Francis' election with concern and now have had their worst fears realized. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups" whom he accused of being naval-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

    (AP) ? The Francis Revolution is underway. Not everyone is pleased.

    Four months into his papacy, Francis has called on young Catholics in the trenches to take up spiritual arms to shake up a dusty, doctrinaire church that is losing faithful and relevance. He has said women must have a greater role ? not as priests, but a place in the church that recognizes that Mary is more important than any of the apostles. And he has turned the Vatican upside down, quite possibly knocking the wind out of a poisonously homophobic culture by merely uttering the word "gay" and saying: so what?

    In between, he has charmed millions of faithful and the mainstream news media, drawing the second-largest crowd ever to a papal Mass. That should provide some insurance as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model.

    "He is restoring credibility to Catholicism," said church historian Alberto Melloni.

    Such enthusiasm isn't shared across the board.

    Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, had coddled traditionalist Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council. That group greeted Francis' election with concern ? and now is watching its worst fears come true. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups," which he accuses of being navel-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century.

    His recent decision to forbid priests of a religious order from celebrating the old Latin Mass without explicit authorization seemed to be abrogating one of the big initiatives of Benedict's papacy, a 2007 decree allowing broader use of the pre-Vatican II Latin liturgy for all who want it. The Vatican denied he was contradicting Benedict, but these traditional Catholics see in Francis' words and deeds a threat. They are in something of a retreat.

    "Be smart. There will be time in the future for people to sort what Vatican II means and what it doesn't mean," the Rev. John Zuhlsdorf warned his traditionalist readers in a recent blog post. "But mark my words: If you gripe about Vatican II right now, in this present environment, you could lose what you have attained."

    Even more mainstream conservative Catholics aren't thrilled with Francis.

    In a recent interview with the National Catholic Reporter, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput said right-wing Catholics "generally have not been really happy" with Francis.

    To be sure, Francis has not changed anything about church teaching. Nothing he has said or done is contrary to doctrine; everything he has said and done champions the Christian concepts of loving the sinner but not the sin and having a church that is compassionate, welcoming and merciful.

    But tone and priorities can themselves constitute change, especially when considering issues that aren't being emphasized, such as church doctrine on abortion, gay marriage and other issues frequently referenced by Benedict and Pope John Paul II.

    The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, used the word "gay" for perhaps the first time in its 150-year history on Wednesday, in an article marveling at the change Francis has brought.

    "In just a few words, the novelty has been expressed clearly and without threatening the church's tradition," the newspaper said about Francis' comments on gays and women. "You can change everything without changing the basic rules, those on which Catholic tradition are based."

    The biggest headline came in Francis' inflight news conference on the way home from Brazil this week, when he was asked about a trusted monsignor who reportedly once had a gay lover.

    "Who am I to judge?" he asked, when it comes to the sexual orientation of priests, as long as they are searching for God and have good will.

    Under normal circumstances, given the sexual morality at play in the Catholic Church, outing someone as actively gay is a death knell for career advancement. Vatican officials considering high-profile appointments often weigh whether someone is "ricattabile" ? blackmailable.

    But Francis said he investigated the allegations himself and found nothing to back them up. And that regardless, if someone is gay and repents, God not only forgives but forgets. Francis said everyone else should too. By calling out the blackmail for what it is, Francis may well have clipped the wings of an ugly but common practice at the Vatican.

    Francis also made headlines with his call for the church to develop a new theology of women's role, saying it's not enough to have altar girls or a woman heading a Vatican department given the critical role that women have in helping the church grow.

    While those comments topped the news from the 82-minute news conference, he revealed plenty of other insights that reinforce the idea that a very different papacy is underway.

    ?Annulments: He said the church's judicial system of annulling marriages must be "looked at again" because church tribunals simply aren't up to the task. That could be welcome news to many Catholics who often have to wait years for an annulment, the process by which the church determines that a marriage effectively never took place.

    ?Divorce and remarriage: He suggested an opening in church teaching which forbids a divorced and remarried Catholic from taking communion unless they get an annulment, saying: "This is a time for mercy."

    ?Church governance: He said his decision to appoint eight cardinals to advise him was based on explicit requests from cardinals at the conclave that elected him who wanted "outsiders" ? not Vatican officials ? governing the church. Francis obliged, essentially creating a parallel government for the church alongside the Vatican bureaucracy: a pope and a cabinet of cardinals representing the church in each of the continents.

    And then there was Rio.

    From the moment he touched down, it was clear change was afoot. No armored popemobile, just a simple Fiat sedan ? one that got swarmed by adoring fans when it got lost and stuck in traffic. Rather than recoil in fear, Francis rolled down his window. Given that popes until recently were carried around on a chair to keep them above the fray, that gesture alone was revolutionary.

    He told 35,000 pilgrims from his native Argentina to make a "mess" in their dioceses, shake things up and go out into the streets to spread their faith, even at the expense of confrontation with their bishops. He led by example, diving into the crowds in one of Rio's most violent slums.

    "Either you do the trip as it needs to be done, or you don't do it at all," he told Brazil's TV Globo. He said he simply couldn't have visited Rio "closed up in a glass box."

    ___

    Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

    Associated Press

    Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-07-31-Vatican-Francis'%20Revolution-Analysis/id-529dce4d79bf400c8a97586c8f4ed116

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