McCarthyite Tactics Will Fail

Today, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, Joe Casciano sent out a letter to all school principals. In a desperate attempt to stop the inevitable – which is the certain passage of HB 26 - it looks like Bishop Martino and his minions have turned to what might be their most despicable tactic yet.

Realizing that few parents and parishioners are buying into their big lie program alleging that HB 26 will mean the end of Catholic education, and seeing that the personal campaigning of Bishop Dougherty with local legislators has likewise gone nowhere, the Diocese now appears to be trying to intimidate parents into opposing the Bill.

In his letter, Casciano, not merely content with simply asking for the parents’ support of such an unpopular position as voicing opposition to HB 26, wants to use the intimidation factor to ensure compliance.

Here is what Casciano had to say:

"I am asking that we have the president of the parents’ organization send a letter or email to the representative expressing that the families (give the number) in your school value Catholic education and want it to continue which would be helped by him/her refraining his/her support of this bill. We are told that the legislators need to hear from our families. The Bishop has asked that we gather a list from each school with the names of the individuals who will be contacting their representatives. Please forward them to the office asap."

Why make a list if you're not planning to use that list? Our guess is that soon another list, perhaps a “blacklist,” will be put out with the names of the parents and their children who, knowing right from wrong, refused such a Faustian bargain and would not allow themselves to be intimidated.

Politics is politics. We hope all local citizens will contact their legislators and tell them how they feel about HB 26. That's the American way. However, no one should ever be forced into a political position because they fear retribution for themselves or, worse, for their children.

As we've noted before on this blog, the Diocese has used several tactics associated with Senator Joseph McCarthy and his hysterical campaign against peoples' freedom during the 1950's. It didn't work then, and it won't work now.

We need to get the word out to our good parents. We know that the vast majority support us and HB 26. Tell them not to be intimidated. Ask them to let Bishop Martino know how despicable his tactics truly are and, most importantly, why they will not work.