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Today’s quotable: Chicago FOP president calls Cardinal, Pope “hypocrites” for not standing up for Columbus Day

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* From FOP Chicago Lodge 7’s President John Catanzara’s latest message to his members…

All right, happy Columbus Day. Yes, Columbus Day, not indigenous people day. Coming to you from the site of the former Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park. That should be backed up there. That’s a whole story in and of itself, that some civic leaders and some political leaders in this city are going to have to answer for in the coming months during election season. For their decision naively to believe the mayor that this was a temporary thing. Because here we are, two years later, still gone. Disgusting. But they allowed it. She should pay the price for having it done to begin with.

You notice they’ve never, ever hijacked any other ethnic holiday. It’s for some other purposes. Why Christopher Columbus Day? Why don’t they just create a new day for indigenous people? Christopher Columbus is supposedly responsible for the slaughter of thousands, if not more, Indians. Because he came to America, while coming to America definitely resulted in some bloodshed, no doubt. But why does Columbus get the blame for all of that? It’s ridiculous. Number one.

Number two, Christopher Columbus brought Christianity to United States. There’s no disputing that he did. Where are the religious leaders sticking up for civil and religious liberties thanks to Christopher Columbus? Nowhere to be found.

Or the Christian leaders. Where is the Cardinal? Where’s the Pope? Nowhere to be found. They’re all hypocrites. Just like the mayor and political leaders who thought it was a good idea to take these statues down. The same people who blamed Christopher Columbus for all these atrocities that were supposedly committed on behalf of modernization are the same ones that enjoy these newfound freedoms with modern civilized society.

I don’t see any of these politicians selling their houses to live in teepees, hunt buffalo or raise crops in their back yards like the Indians did. But they all want to say ‘Oh, the poor Indians.’ Okay, great. Create a day separately. You don’t have to steal someone else’s holiday to create another one. But that’s just the sad reality we’re living in today.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t be getting the freedoms, like shopping in a 24-hour Walgreens, or buying cases of Modelo in the middle of the night. But those are freedoms afforded to you, in part thanks to the civilization that Christopher Columbus helped bring to this country. Shame on you all. There will be repercussions in the elections coming forth. These hypocrites need to be accounted for and basically removed from office.

And it goes on from there. Please pardon all transcription errors. I swear I did not make this up. This is not a parody post, even though it reads like it.

So much to unpack. Whew. Have at it.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:00 am

Comments

It’s like taking the “It’s anti-Italian discrimination” meme from “The Sopranos,” printing it out, and submerging it in a bag of ground-up Sudafed.

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:04 am
-any other ethnic holiday-

It shouldn’t be an “ethnic holiday” in the first place. It’s about a guy.

-Number two, Christopher Columbus brought Christianity to United States. There’s no disputing that he did.-

I’ll dispute it. There was no United States for almost 300 years, and he never landed here. Missionaries and people like the Pilgrims were responsible.

Education is a wonderful thing.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:10 am
Oh the video is way worse

Comment by Someone you should know Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:14 am
Great point Catanzara, let’s keep going with this:

Why did Christians take Saturnalia away from the pagans. Pagans started the idea of celebrating the winter solstice. Feasting and gift giving and celebrating peace all come from Saturnalia. Jesus wasn’t even born on December 25, it was probably in June, but the Christians had to hijack that date and that holiday and take away all of the freedoms of the pagans. Why can’t the Christians have their own day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Sad.

Comment by Steve Rogers Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:15 am
It seems like just yesterday some people were trying to tell me Columbus day wasn’t created as a catholic holiday.

And here we see an angry white guy seriously asking why the pope isn’t standing up for Columbus day.

Ah, it was just yesterday.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:15 am
Whew! Forgot this in the Bill of Rights: Government shall make no law abridging the Right to shopping in a 24-hour Walgreens. Wonder why Schoolhouse Rock never covered this.

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:15 am
Ron Burgundy- awesome comment.

=Christopher Columbus is supposedly responsible for the slaughter of thousands, if not more, Indians.=

Racist and inaccurate. Nice double play.

Europeans brought smallpox to the Americas. The indigenous peoples had zero protection. Smallpox wiped out 85% of the indigenous people in some areas. The adds up to millions not thousands. Sometimes it wiped out entire civilizations.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:16 am
Leaving aside the tragically stupid warped history Catanzara apparently has in his head, I hope we can now start to move past the premise that the public’s lack of trust in CPD is anybody’s fault but CPD’s. This is an earned legacy they have, and Catanzara embodies it.

Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:17 am
===Coming to America definitely resulted in “some bloodshed,” no doubt.

No doubt about the bloodshed, or stealing of land, food, resources, gold, bringing disease.

Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:19 am
To quote Frank Costanza / Buddy Rich, this guy… this is not my kinda guy.

Comment by Tony DeKalb Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:19 am
Is Illinois doing away with all ethnic holidays?

No disputing Columbus brought missionaries with him to the Western Hemisphere

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/christianity-comes-to-the-americas

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:19 am
I thought this was an unhinged, racist rant until he reminded me that I have Columbus to thank for being able to buy cases of Modelo in the middle of the night. ‘Merica.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:20 am
The FOP is trying to erase history.

From its earliest days, the Catholic Church bore witness to and decried the plunder, enslavement, and murder of indigenous people.

It began in 1511 in The Spanish colony of Hispaniola established by Columbus with Friar Antonio de Montisinos, and led to the establishment of international law and international human rights.

While the church could have been a more forceful advocate, and in cases can be accused of turning a blind eye, there is no question that historically the Catholic Church is on the side of indigenous people, not the conquerors.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:21 am
Most unions right now are pulling on the same oar to pass Amendment 1 and keeping the legislature labor-friendly. Is catanzara gonna lend a hand, or is he laser focused on “Christopher Columbus invented Modelo?”

Comment by vern Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:21 am
Um…I can’t even with this guy. First, he needs to stay in his lane. Second, he needs to stop talking. Actually, just the second one. Please stop talking. He is helping absolutely no one, including himself.

Comment by Leslie K Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:22 am
Maybe don’t send out official communications after too many drinks?

Comment by DownStateGrl Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:26 am
As a Catholic, I find it an odd thing that the Pope or any Cardinal in a 21st century works would feel a need to discussing “spreading the good word” in such a harsh a brutal way as something to defend.

However, in a 21st century world of facist apologist… it make sense and on brand to question anyone, including any Pope or Cardinal that will not defend brutal imperialism… in the name of God.

It’s all cartoonish because making religion the basis of ugly and brutal imperialism and supporting fascism… it’s deciding all that was learned was learned wrong to… humanity… and the teaching of Jesus to our own humanity.

Satire is found when the ignorant tell a truth they believe, not what is any truth at all.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:27 am
Strangely enough i commented on him yesterday. Exhibit # 200 on why nobody wants to deal with this guy. I hope the members wake up and vote him out this spring

Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:29 am
=== No disputing Columbus brought missionaries with him to the Western Hemisphere===

He definitely didn’t bring missionaries to the United States. And in the United States, “bringing Christianity” somewhere isn’t grounds for celebration, what with the whole Establishment Clause and all.

Walgreens is an Illinois-based company though. I wonder if they agree with Catanzara’s claim that Christopher Columbus invented the 24-hour drugstore.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:32 am
@Lucky Pierre

It’s telling that, among the mountain of garbage that eminated from Catanzara’s mouth, you try to salvage the one semi-accurate thing he said, rather than recognizing all the rest for what it is.

And it’s ridiculously awful.

Comment by Techie Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:34 am
Teepees? Hunt buffalo? I gotta watch Reservation Dogs and so should Catanzara.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:34 am
The FOP has to realize that having him represent them hurts them in a big way. If they don’t do anything about it, it’s a self inflicted wound.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:35 am
== I hope the members wake up and vote him out this spring ==

A noble sentiment, but remember two things about the FOP: 1) The retirees who look back fondly on the “good old days” of the 1980s and prior all get to vote, and 2) There is always someone worse than the current guy ready to take his place.

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:36 am
==like shopping in a 24-hour Walgreens, or buying cases of Modelo in the middle of the night==

This is especially funny given the history of Christian laws banning business operations on Sundays and Prohibition banning the sale and consumption of alcohol.

But when did the Chicago FOP change its motto to “To protect and serve… Christians who need the buy beer at 4:30 a.m.”?

Comment by IL4Ever Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:37 am
==Walgreens is an Illinois-based company though. I wonder if they agree with Catanzara’s claim that Christopher Columbus invented the 24-hour drugstore.==

Not all Walgreens are 24 hours. The location on South MacArthur might be the only Springfield area location that’s open 24 hours, and according to Google Maps that location is “temporarily closed” as of 5 days ago.

Comment by AcademicUnionStateEmployee Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:38 am
As a first generation Italian-American, I am getting sick and tired of this Columbus Day rhetoric. I understand the pride some Italian-Americans have in having a day that they view as celebrating Italian heritage especially because many of their grandparents and great grandparents were not exactly welcomed when they came to this country. But you can celebrate Italian heritage without Columbus. And, if you want to celebrate Italian heritage because the struggles your families went through when they immigrated to the US, that is a good thing, but also show some support to those who were here before and those that immigrated here after your family.

Comment by Jack Sinatra Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:38 am
“Maybe don’t send out official communications after too many drinks?”

If they followed that rule, the Chicago FOP wouldn’t be communicating anything.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:40 am
=== But when did the Chicago FOP change its motto to “To protect and serve… Christians who need the buy beer at 4:30 a.m.”? ===

Have you ever been to Mount Greenwood?

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:42 am
===Not all Walgreens are 24 hours. The location on…===

If this is your take and tack to the rant, maybe a Facebook comment is where it could be appreciated more?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:44 am
Now Capt Fax must update this whack job rant with the Trib OP Ed which calls for a return to “stop & frisk” but with a lot training and monitoring of whack job’s membership

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:47 am
Chicago Police Union pres calls out Pope and Catholic leaders for not “standing up” for *checks notes* Columbus Day?

Is…is this a Mad Lib?

Comment by SpfldWestsider Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:50 am
Holy wow - FOP members can’t think it is a good thing to have this guy as their president right?

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:54 am
=== But when did the Chicago FOP change its motto to “To protect and serve… Christians who need the buy beer at 4:30 a.m.”? ===

Perhaps once Christian Darren Bailey won the nomination. Catanzara is backing the blue calling out CINOs, to what end? Unfortunately, I feel this guy is just getting started.

Comment by Kayak Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:55 am
===This is especially funny given the history of Christian laws banning business operations on Sundays and Prohibition banning the sale and consumption of alcohol.===

Let us not forget the Puritans, Pilgrims, Quakers, and Anabaptists all thought Christmas was a “decadent man-made invention” and didn’t become a federal holiday until 1870. In fact, Congress met in session on December 25, 1789. Catanzara? Catanzara?

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 9:55 am
–Catholic Church bore witness to and decried the plunder, enslavement, and murder of indigenous people.–

Except for those unfortunate indigenous people on the Iberian peninsula at the time. Pope Alexander VI then praised the monarchs of Spain 2 years *after* the original voyage of columbus, for expanding the rule of the church over new lands by any means necessary. Is the pope not part of the Catholic Church? Because he was doing anything but decrying the treatment of indigenous people at the time.

The “Alhambra Decree” from 1492 might be something you want to read about next. That came after about 100 years of persecution to a certain religious group. It wasn’t formally revoked by the church until 1968, and in 2015 the government of Spain took additional action to try to make good on what they called shameful events in the country’s past by granting citizenship to religious minorities plundered enslaved and persecuted under the rule of the catholic church and monarchs of their country.

You can’t say the church ‘decried’ these actions, when the vatican itself had official edicts to the contrary on their books for almost 500 years.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:00 am
===But you can celebrate Italian heritage without Columbus.===

Exactly..celebrate Enrico Fermi, Mother Cabrini…hell, even Harry Caray (did you know he was originally Harry Carabina?…his dad was Italian). Or just celebrate “Italian Heritage” and forget the whole focus on one person.

Comment by Scott Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:03 am
Leading knights of Columbus insurrection ?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:09 am
== all want to say ‘Oh, the poor Indians.’ ==

There are no words. I mean . . . wow.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:09 am
Ahh yes, I’m sure Pope Francis, whose parents escaped fascism in Italy by moving to Argentina, would be the first person to defend Columbus.

While we’re on the subject, can we PLEASE rename Balbo Drive?

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:13 am
Catanza is a maroon.

But as a compromise, maybe it’s time to consider scrapping all holiday names entirely, and just say either “No School” or “Building Closed?” A New Jersey school district tried that last year:

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/16/1007316831/columbus-day-indigenous-peoples-day-school-holidays

Comment by AcademicUnionStateEmployee Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:15 am
I think Catanzara should lay off the Modelo.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:15 am
Do we not know spouters like this guy, people who will string together a bunch of bunk with little if any relationship to truth and facts? It’s the nutty uncle at the family party, lol (h/t OW).

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:20 am
“ Christopher Columbus brought Christianity to United States.”

Narrator: Columbus never set foot in land that would become the United States, and none of the founders of the United States were descendants of the people Columbus’s employer, the Spanish Empire, sent to the Americas after him.

Comment by Chris Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:21 am
If the Workers’ Rights Amendment passes can the State force the abolition of FOP and its replacement with another police union such as Police Benevolent or the International Brotherhood of Police Officers? Things like this rant might make this idea something worth considering.

Then do the same for AFSCME because of their anti-vax stance last year, force all of them to move to SEIU like their Secretary of State counterparts.

Comment by AcademicUnionStateEmployee Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:27 am
“there is no question that historically the Catholic Church is on the side of indigenous people, not the conquerors.”

You can’t be serious. They were firmly on the side of the conquerors. They literally forced the indigenous to convert to their religion.

Comment by Anon E Moose Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:31 am
===can the State force the abolition of FOP and its replacement with another police union such as Police Benevolent or the International Brotherhood of Police Officers?===

Use the google. Take all day if you need to, take the rest of the day.

===Things like this rant might make this idea something worth considering.===

If I was in a dorm room, I doubt it would be up for any consideration.

Try again. In a helpful way.

To the post,

(Hat Tip to - GoM -)…

I do think a rant like this is important to the ranter, insofar as there’s so much wrong, where to begin without going too deep in holes the ranter mocks anyway, the goal is to leave it first unchallenged and second too much to challenge with brevity.

This is another reason “alternative facts” being unchecked is dangerous to the honesty of governing and the process of governing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:41 am
Maybe the Pope and Cardinal are aware of this?

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/columbus-sex-slaves/

Comment by low level Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:48 am
Why in the world (well, maybe in his world) would Cantanzara expect the Cardinal and the Pope to weigh in on Illinois and American civic holidays? I don’t recall Pope John Paul II having anything to say about Pulaski Day.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:50 am
My favorite is the part about “Christopher Columbus brought Christianity to United States.” So, in 1492, three HUNDRED years before the founding of the nation, Christopher Columbus brought Christianity to the United States. Got it. Thanks for the Fox News history lesson.

Comment by New Day Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:52 am
The guy is like a living version of the Archie Bunker character from All In The Family, only with less charm and intelligence. What scares me is that as FOP spokesperson he’s apparently endorsed by the membership and saying their quiet parts aloud. As an apparant peek into the minds of our police officers, we should all be terrified.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:56 am
Steve Rogers - great comment linking it to the stealing of Christmas. And it was done by the Catholic church. I’m sure he’s one of those who has no idea about the history of Christmas.

Comment by formerGOPer Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:57 am
=Second, he needs to stop talking. Actually, just the second one. Please stop talking. He is helping absolutely no one, including himself.=

Au contraire. Please keep talking, John. You’re giving us gold. Pure gold.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:01 am
It appears he drank to many of the open 24 hour Modellos and went on a rant. jeez

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:18 am
” … there is no question that historically the Catholic Church is on the side of indigenous people, not the conquerors.”

Suggest you research the reactions of the Native Americans in California when Pope Francis made Father Serra a saint in 2015.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:32 am
TL;DR

What’s wrong with a little genocide if you can pick up some brewskis at the local pharmacy.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:58 am
I’m a 4th degree knight and at our last meeting we had a beer afterwards. It was more than 50% agreeing with me that we should not have a Columbus Day. And my Knights of Columbus friends and I are as Roman Catholic as it gets.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 12:28 pm
Seems like Catanzara got his information about Native Americans from watching 1950s Westerns?

Comment by A Guy in Illinois Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 12:42 pm
I wonder if Donovan Pepper knows that Modelo is available 24/7 at Walgreens everywhere?

Comment by low level Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 12:51 pm
In my opinion Modelo Negro is the superior version. Have never purchased at 3AM though.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 1:39 pm
You’d think that the FOP Chicago Lodge 7’s President would be concerned with FOP Chicago Lodge 7’s issues, but apparently he’s gotta get his hands where they don’t belong.

Life in 2022.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 2:02 pm
Thank God civilization brought me the ability to buy Modelo at Midnight. That’d make a great tune, I think.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 2:16 pm
Always been a lot of politics involved in this day. Read up on it and you will see what I mean.

Not made a federal holiday until LBJ signed legislation in 1968 making it effective in 1971

Comment by notafraid Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 2:46 pm
J. Cantazara never cracked open a history book to learn about the discoveries of the Italian scientists, inventors, mathematicians, and astronomers.
So much more to honor than C. Columbus.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 2:59 pm
Wow, this all sounds perfectly well and relevant to the terms and conditions of employment for Lodge 7 membership. Glad he’s really addressing his members’ workplace concerns. /s

Comment by VoteUnion Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 3:30 pm
His comments are insane. It’s historical fact that Columbus directly ordered native people beheaded and otherwise killed. And he captured native women and gave them to his crew members to rape.

Catanzara is supposed to be against crime yet he complains about people who don’t share his hero worship for a rapist and murderer? Does he support other rapists and murderers or just this one guy because “he’s Italian”?

Comment by The Velvet Frog Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 3:53 pm
That was……like they told the loudmouth at the bar who failed history classes in school “Here,write out a statement on Columbus Day”.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 4:36 pm
Since I have some time on my hands, I went to the Lodge 7 website where there was a notice that their offices were closed on October 10 in observance of “Indigenous Day” (parenthetically, I’d like to think that someone was trying, even if they didn’t get it right). No mention of Columbus. Wonder if Catanzara going to have a word with whoever maintains the website.

Comment by Bourbon Street Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 4:57 pm
“This has nothing to do with disparaging the Native Americans”
” ‘Oh, the poor Indians.’ ”

Am I the only person who caught that?

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 5:02 pm