Republicans More Offended By Vatican Embassy 'Closure' Than The Vatican

[RandySF]

The United States announced this week that it's re-locating its Vatican embassy into a shared compound with the embassy in Italy, a move that was brushed off as no big deal by the Holy See. But for Republicans stateside, it was just the latest "anti-religion pursuit" by the Obama administration.

A webpage set up by the National Republican Senatorial Committee contains the ominous headline, "Obama Closes Vatican Embassy."

"The media is reporting that President Obama plans to close the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican," the page reads. "This is just the latest anti-religion pursuit of this Administration, a slap in the face to Catholic-Americans around the country that weakens America’s position as a global leader."

Of course, the embassy isn't really closing. It won't even downsize any of its personnel and the State Department estimates that the re-location will save $1.4 million a year.

And compare the NRSC's reaction to the response from a Vatican spokesman who told CNN that relations with the United States have not been damaged, or the unnamed Vatican official who called the move "an exception, not the ideal, but not the end of the world."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/republicans-much-more-offended-by-vatican-embassy-closure-than-the-vatican

[okaawhatever]

1. The point needs to be made that the Vatican embassy wasn't closed, it was moved. Not the same thing.

Right wingers need to be corrected on that. Obama cited security concerns as the primary reason for the move. It will be moved to a building that houses the Rome embassy, It appears the Vatican wants it's embassy in a separate building from countries' Rome embassy, but hasn't complained about the move of the American embassy. Also, though the new embassy will be housed in the same complex as the Rome embassy it will have a separate entrance.
Right wingers, many in defense of Jeb Bush's tweet on the subject are claiming the new embassy is outside Vatican City. The old one was never in Vatican City and the new one is .1 mile closer. Now a total of 1.9 miles from the Vatican.
Some info to debate right wingers with.

Oh, and the move saves $1.4 million per year. That's a lot of food stamps.

[bluestate10]

2. Perfect example of republicans not being satisfied with any decision, regardless of how

right. The office that closed was not an embassy. The office was moved to a more secure location. The move also will save money.

Maybe republicans want Americans to get hurt or killed in locations that can't be secured with the pittance that the US House budgets for foreign service security. Then republicans can pass blame and talk about conspiracies and impeachment. Republicans once again show that they are useless assholes.

[Lex]

3. More info

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/27/conservatives-flip-out-over-u-s-vatican-embassy-move/

But in reality, the embassy’s move in 2015 will fulfill a plan developed during George W. Bush’s presidency, when a new building was acquired adjacent to the compound in Rome where the U.S. Embassy to Italy is located. A State Department official said in a statement that the move will save the U.S. $1.4 million a year in operational costs.

[xfundy]

4. The AntiChrist's is the philosophy

most of "the elect" (those who call themselves christians) follow, even as they do the opposite of what they claim to adhere to.

Worse than it ever was.