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Me.

(35,454 posts)
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:17 PM May 2019

William Barr Is A Member Of Opus Dei

“As with many other Americans, I was dismayed in watching Attorney General William Barr’s performance two days ago before the U.S. Senate Judicial Committee. When questioned about his famous four page memo and repeated mischaracterization the Mueller Report, time and again, Barr obstructed, bobbed and weaved – all while refusing to answer basic questions put forth by the Democratic Senators.

We now also know that Barr gave misleading testimony before the House Appropriations Committee this past April 9, 2019. When asked by Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) if the A.G. knew why members of Mueller’s team were frustrated by his characterization of the Special Counsel’s report, Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.that he did not. Speaker Pelosi has even accused the A.G. of criminality, saying that he lied to Congress.

But recently, we learned that the current Attorney General has some links with highly secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic group Opus Dei. This relationship may help explain his apparent “ends justifies the means” strategy.

Just to recap, Opus Dei, literally meaning, "The Work of God" was founded in Spain 1928 by the priest Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer. He based its mission upon the idea that lay Catholics could achieve holiness without entering a religious order. It is a personal prelature – meaning that, unlike a diocese, is not territorial but is a combination of laity, clergy and prelates who undertake specific pastoral activities. It is known for recruiting very influential members, especially those simpatico with culturally conservative causes. To describe its many wealthy and powerful leaders as economic royalists would be an understatement.”

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/5/3/1855095/-Did-Opus-Dei-Teach-A-G-Barr-to-Puts-Away-His-Scruples

Other notable members of Opus Dei can be found at Link below. You’ll find, the traitor’s cabinet riddled with members, as well as the SC and other branches of of government. It is one of the evils that is hidden with and works to destroy and distort. Interestingly, spy for Russia Robert Hansen is/was also a member.

http://churchandstate.org.uk/2019/03/opus-deis-influence-on-the-u-s-judiciary/

68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
William Barr Is A Member Of Opus Dei (Original Post) Me. May 2019 OP
Marriage made in hell - DURHAM D May 2019 #1
Hell For Us Me. May 2019 #2
I recommended the OP, H2O Man May 2019 #14
That's not one bit surprising. Paladin May 2019 #3
Five bucks says Chump has no clue what Opus Dei even is FakeNoose May 2019 #4
The Traitor Didn't Even Know Who Barr Was Me. May 2019 #10
Fat Tony was also a member Stinky The Clown May 2019 #5
He was indeed JDC May 2019 #8
So is Mel Gibson B Stieg May 2019 #9
Louis Freeh also. DURHAM D May 2019 #11
And There-in Me. May 2019 #37
As one who once lived in Franco's Spain, and learned its history from Catalan dissidents DFW May 2019 #6
Yes!!!! This!!!! McKim May 2019 #13
TY for the historic reminder Hekate May 2019 #35
Well, of *course* he is!1 Inside the 2nd link, KUDLOW & generals... UTUSN May 2019 #7
"The Little Sisters of the Poor" When did they ever give a damn about poor people? japple May 2019 #22
Have to disagree with you. They do a lot of good. Peregrine Took Oct 2019 #63
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Me. May 2019 #26
This Is Very Valuable! McKim May 2019 #12
Here's a link to a motherjones piece backtoblue May 2019 #16
Very Interesting Me. May 2019 #21
Mick Mulvaney... backtoblue May 2019 #34
THe Absolute Arrogance Me. May 2019 #38
WE're Still Riddled With Nazi Supporters Me. May 2019 #27
sounds like he'll fit right in MBS May 2019 #15
On his way to a Priori meeting ... marble falls May 2019 #17
This post & articles on Opus Dei are essential reading,explain so,so much. stuffmatters May 2019 #18
Bill Barr: The "Cover-Up General" elleng May 2019 #19
Given Safire's Conservatism Me. May 2019 #24
Yes, most interesting that this was from Safire. elleng May 2019 #28
I'm Pretty Sure I Heard That From LO'D Too Me. May 2019 #39
the rood of all evil is, well, you know. nt yaesu May 2019 #20
Opus Dei does the work of their God patphil May 2019 #23
What a shock. smirkymonkey May 2019 #25
Robert Hanssen, the most dangerous worse Russian spy in American history underthematrix May 2019 #29
Is The Traitor A Member Too? Me. May 2019 #40
No. Trump is not a member based on current available reporting. underthematrix May 2019 #45
I Mentioned Him In The OP Me. May 2019 #41
I read it too fast. My bad. underthematrix May 2019 #46
Opus Dei-- traitor dawg day May 2019 #30
Oh shit, not another one who believes in the Noble Lie. nt Hekate May 2019 #31
I don't think "ends justifies the means" is exclusive of Obus Dei and that kind of organizations Perseus May 2019 #32
welp, there it is. Grasswire2 May 2019 #33
Yup...here ya go backtoblue May 2019 #36
A VERY Informative Article That Just Popped Up On My Pocket Me. May 2019 #42
I read that today. dixiegrrrrl May 2019 #47
Opus Dei huh? coeur_de_lion May 2019 #43
Heya Me. May 2019 #44
Unfortunately, there is no way for the media or any candidate to bring up DURHAM D May 2019 #48
You really are Me.! Anon-C May 2019 #49
As The Beatles Say Me. May 2019 #53
See how they run like pigs from a gun see how they snide ... I'm cryin' ... (nt) mr_lebowski May 2019 #54
Perfect Me. May 2019 #59
Who is surprised by this? Gothmog May 2019 #50
Speaking as one who was raise Catholic Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin May 2019 #51
That's nutty. Chin music May 2019 #52
Rich (mostly) white men who believe they have the Divine right to rule over everyone else. CrispyQ May 2019 #55
So True Me. May 2019 #57
Love Monty Python & that scene especially! CrispyQ May 2019 #58
This message was self-deleted by its author StevieM May 2019 #56
Noooooo Me. May 2019 #60
From where did you get that? Delphinus May 2019 #61
I sincerely doubt that - Comey quit the Catholic Church and became a Methodist FakeNoose May 2019 #62
This deserves a kick for newbies... dixiegrrrrl Dec 2019 #64
When I Saw It Had Been Kicked I was Surprised As It's From May Me. Dec 2019 #65
Don't Think The Kick Worked Me. Dec 2019 #66
Hmmmm dixiegrrrrl Dec 2019 #67
Thank You Me. Dec 2019 #68

Me.

(35,454 posts)
2. Hell For Us
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:33 PM
May 2019

Mulvaney, Kudlow, Supremes and so on. What struck me SDNY. So much damage. The Cathoic church has so much harm to answer for.

FakeNoose

(32,633 posts)
4. Five bucks says Chump has no clue what Opus Dei even is
Sat May 4, 2019, 03:59 PM
May 2019

Another $5 says he doesn't give a rats-ass. Chump's son-in-law may be up on conspiracy theories, but only as a way to keep the rubes in check. Mike Pompeo is another one, they're playing some Armageddon game and they think Putin is the anti-Christ. Or maybe they think he's the "Messiah," I don't know.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
10. The Traitor Didn't Even Know Who Barr Was
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:29 PM
May 2019

I'm not sure who suggested him but I think it was McGHan who is a Catholic Member of the Federalist Society

So we're dealing with the mob, the Russian mob and the Catholic mob

DFW

(54,344 posts)
6. As one who once lived in Franco's Spain, and learned its history from Catalan dissidents
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:06 PM
May 2019

I developed an undying hatred of Opus Dei and anyone associated with it.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
13. Yes!!!! This!!!!
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:43 PM
May 2019

Remember that after the Spanish Civil War about 350,000 Leftists and Progressives were taken out and shot and put in mass graves. A sad reminder. Today their descendants are digging up those graves and identifying bodies. They were killed for their political beliefs that are not much different from those held at DU.

UTUSN

(70,683 posts)
7. Well, of *course* he is!1 Inside the 2nd link, KUDLOW & generals...
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:07 PM
May 2019

In the late '90s/early '00s, there was a stampede of wingnut FBI & spooks & Robert NOVAKula & Laura INGRAHAM converting to "Catholicism" via the Opus deal.

When Teh INGRAHAM supposedly became a "christian" she dropped out of sight for a couple of years (cancer? adopting orphans?) and when she surfaced again I strained at the t.v. monitor to detect what spiritual change she evinced. For a year or two she toned down a teeny bit of her vitriol, vehemence, hate, contempt. She had begun wearing the gold cross below, and I tracked down The Little Sisters of the Poor, who her website said were beneficiaries of some of the proceeds for the sale of the same cross, to ask whether converts might show some signs of "imitating Christ" through humility, gentleness, turning cheek or things like that. The Mother Superior who answered said that she had never heard of INGRAHAM, knew of no designated donations from her, indeed had never heard of her.

​********QUOTE**********

http://www.lauraingraham.com/p/Jewelry/4-Way-Cross-Necklace/23125.html?dispid=214

59.95
This is a replica of the one Laura wears.
All net proceeds go to support the work of The Little Sisters of the Poor.
Yearly Premium Member's Price: $53.96
(A savings of $6.00)

********UNQUOTE*********






japple

(9,821 posts)
22. "The Little Sisters of the Poor" When did they ever give a damn about poor people?
Sat May 4, 2019, 05:47 PM
May 2019

Or is this just a fucking social organization that has a grand gala every year to collect funds to support their grand galas?

Peregrine Took

(7,413 posts)
63. Have to disagree with you. They do a lot of good.
Sun Oct 13, 2019, 01:13 PM
Oct 2019

They took in my blind, wheelchair bound 95 year old sister in law last year.

She had outlived her money (SS and pension) and had nowhere to go.

We got her on Medicaid and, in turn she signed over her SS and pension towards her monthly care and they give her wonderful care.

She has a large private room, more like a suite, and all kinds of personal care, meals, doctor visits (plus transportation to her specialists) and do so with love and respect . .

The Little Sisters have a special ministry for dealing with the indigent and poor of moderate means and so so with grace and kindness.

My other SIL ( 88) pays over 11k a month in a private senior home and, other than have a grand piano, a fireplace and a fancy dining room there isn't much difference except the 95 year old gets more personal care, help going to the bathroom, gets meds delivered every few hours by nursing staff, getting into bed, etc.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
12. This Is Very Valuable!
Sat May 4, 2019, 04:40 PM
May 2019

Thank you so much for this valuable information. This does explain where he is coming from. The fascist mindset has a long history. I wonder if someone has done more research about which cabinet members are members of this archaic organizaiton

backtoblue

(11,343 posts)
16. Here's a link to a motherjones piece
Sat May 4, 2019, 05:03 PM
May 2019
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/1983/07/their-will-be-done/

It doesn't list any current info, but if ya want to go down a rabbit hole there's alot of names to follow up and see if there's any correlation.


This one is more recent, not sure about the site.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/opentabernacle.wordpress.com/2018/11/13/opus-deis-influence-on-the-u-s-judiciary/amp/

backtoblue

(11,343 posts)
34. Mick Mulvaney...
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:29 PM
May 2019
Mulvaney’s schedule is, to a large extent, a reflection of his politics. A former member of the House’s conservative Freedom Caucus, he recently told Politico, “I don’t think anyone in this administration is more of a right-wing conservative than I am.” (The same profile quoted Simpson, Mulvaney’s former chief of staff turned lobbyist, praising him.)

Mulvaney met with few, if any, consumer groups. That’s in contrast to President Barack Obama’s first OMB director, Peter Orszag, whose visitor logs show meetings with both a long string of corporate executives as well as philanthropic and consumer representatives.

Among the more surprising visitors to Mulvaney was Jeff Bell, a former Reagan aide who is marked on the calendar as being with the Catholic group Opus Dei. Bell told ProPublica that his March meeting with Mulvaney, a Catholic, covered “religious and political matters” but declined to comment further.


Snip

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.propublica.org/article/whos-dropping-in-on-trump-budget-czar-mick-mulvaney/amp





Me.

(35,454 posts)
27. WE're Still Riddled With Nazi Supporters
Sat May 4, 2019, 05:55 PM
May 2019

Last edited Sat May 4, 2019, 06:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Just today I read that Estee Lauder was one

MBS

(9,688 posts)
15. sounds like he'll fit right in
Sat May 4, 2019, 05:03 PM
May 2019

with that ultra-far-right group of so-called "Catholics," who make as much trouble within the Catholic Church as they do outside of it.
The Dark Side, for sure.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
24. Given Safire's Conservatism
Sat May 4, 2019, 05:53 PM
May 2019

I found his description of Barr very worrying not to mention surprising. I've looked and can't find if Safire was a member of either group. You don't have to be catholic to be a fellow of Opus Dei, I believe.

elleng

(130,865 posts)
28. Yes, most interesting that this was from Safire.
Sat May 4, 2019, 05:55 PM
May 2019

I think Lawrence mentioned it recently.

'Safire was born William Lewis Safir in New York City, New York the son of Ida (née Panish) and Oliver Craus Safir.[3][4] His family was Jewish, and originated in Romania on his father's side.[5] Safire later added the "e" to his surname for pronunciation reasons, though some of his relatives continue to use the original spelling.

Safire graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, a specialized public high school in New York City. He attended Syracuse University but dropped out after two years. He delivered the commencement address at Syracuse in 1978 and 1990, and became a trustee of the university. . .

Safire described himself as a "libertarian conservative." A Washington Post story on the ending of his op-ed column quotes him on the subject:

I'm willing to zap conservatives when they do things that are not libertarian. [After the 9/11 attacks,] I was the first to really go after George W. on his treatment of prisoners. . .
Safire was staunchly pro-Israel. He received the Guardian of Zion Award of Bar-Ilan University in 2005. President George W. Bush appointed him to serve on the Honorary Delegation to accompany him to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008.'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Safire

underthematrix

(5,811 posts)
29. Robert Hanssen, the most dangerous worse Russian spy in American history
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:07 PM
May 2019

until Trump was also a member of Opus Dei

underthematrix

(5,811 posts)
45. No. Trump is not a member based on current available reporting.
Sat May 4, 2019, 07:05 PM
May 2019

I have long suspected Trump is a Russian citizen, which I base in part on his birtherism conspiracy.

dawg day

(7,947 posts)
30. Opus Dei-- traitor
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:24 PM
May 2019

I didn't see any mention of the most famous Opus Dei member, the FBI traitor spy Robert Hanssen.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hanssen

He was another weird rightwinger like Manafort who is "conservative" but sells out his country, and most weirdly, got totally off on "sharing" his wife-- Hanssen allegedly taped them having sex and enjoyed watching the tapes with his best friend.

It all goes well with that twisted corrupt religiosity of these secret societies.

One tenet of these societies is often that it's right to lie, and another is that you should if you can enter politics and government to secretly corrupt it in a "holy" direction.

 

Perseus

(4,341 posts)
32. I don't think "ends justifies the means" is exclusive of Obus Dei and that kind of organizations
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:26 PM
May 2019

I strongly believe that mentality is more associated with criminal minds. Criminals have a goal and what happens between the moment they make the decision to pursue that goal and the moment they reach it, anything that happens in between is meaningless to them, they have no concept of consequences (worst attribute the buffoon has), and whether people died or suffered in the process of reaching that goal is irrelevant to them.

These people posses a criminal mind, whether they belong to Opus Dei, Evangelical sect, any other religion, or no religion, it is just a criminal mind that works very different than normal minds, that is why it is so hard for normal people to understand why these people do what they do.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
47. I read that today.
Sat May 4, 2019, 10:16 PM
May 2019


Appears that trump is a willing puppet for their taking over the political right.

coeur_de_lion

(3,676 posts)
43. Opus Dei huh?
Sat May 4, 2019, 06:55 PM
May 2019

It fits. He's fanatical about protecting an evil toddler liar, why not Opus Dei?

He's a very strange man. I was listening to his testimony thinking to myself that he's totally crazy.

This is just more proof.

DURHAM D

(32,609 posts)
48. Unfortunately, there is no way for the media or any candidate to bring up
Sat May 4, 2019, 10:50 PM
May 2019

Opus Dei Nazis without offending regular Roman Catholics.

Chin music

(23,002 posts)
52. That's nutty.
Sun May 5, 2019, 12:07 AM
May 2019

Gotta let that one sink in. Did he have his nutz in a vice when he was testifying? Flagellation at lunch?

CrispyQ

(36,457 posts)
55. Rich (mostly) white men who believe they have the Divine right to rule over everyone else.
Sun May 5, 2019, 02:19 PM
May 2019

As our species stands on an ecological brink brought about by their greed-motivated policies, they still believe in their superiority.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
57. So True
Sun May 5, 2019, 02:59 PM
May 2019

Makes me think of the one thin mint in a Monty Phyton movie. Greed and money gluttony in a situation where one thin mint of climate disasters could blow everything up

Response to Me. (Original post)

FakeNoose

(32,633 posts)
62. I sincerely doubt that - Comey quit the Catholic Church and became a Methodist
Sun May 5, 2019, 08:38 PM
May 2019

Unless you have a really good source for this info, maybe you should consider deleting it for now.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
65. When I Saw It Had Been Kicked I was Surprised As It's From May
Fri Dec 13, 2019, 11:14 PM
Dec 2019

but yes, it won't hurt to refresh our background on him

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
67. Hmmmm
Sat Dec 14, 2019, 12:07 AM
Dec 2019


I've had posts from 2016 pop up, but maybe only the author of the OP can see them....
In any event, this is an excellent OP, there has been so much happening so fast that it is impossible to keep up with it
all.
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