If it Makes Ray-Ray Happy...

Ray Burke, he of denying communion to John Kerry fame, today announced he will not attend nor support the Cardinal Glennon fundraiser this weekend because Sheryl Crow is performing.

He's got a beef about her "positions which are contrary to natural law" and Catholic teachings because she's a "proponent of procured abortion" and also because of her commercials in Fall 2006 in support of stem cell research.

Burke also said that Catholics should not attend the fundraiser, but are absolved if they bought the tickets "in good faith." (whatever that means) "The church's teaching is very clear on procured abortion and stem cells" says Ray, so Burke is removing himself from the board of Cardinal Glennon.

Bob Costas (a self-proclaimed "Catholic faithful") is the host, he says he respects Burke's opinion but has no misgivings about Crow and is very greatful to her for her performance and support for sick kids.

This is from a radio interview earlier today on KMOX.

Has Sheryl Crow said anything about abortion? I'm unaware of anything like that. Many in show biz are pro-choice, but I'm not aware of her personal feelings on it. It would be nice if Burke would also point out that Crow has been outspokenly against a war that the Catholic church also has official opposition to by decree of two Popes, and on that issue he agrees with her as I've sure heard her talk more about war than abortion, but I suppose he reserves the right to critique whomever he likes.

I suppose Bob Costas had better not try to get communion anytime soon.

What exactly is "procured abortion" anyway? The definition of procured by Webster's dictionary is 1 a : to get possession of : obtain by particular care and effort b : to get and make available for promiscuous sexual intercourse

So Ray is against Getting or Obtaining an abortion? Is there another way for abortion to happen? Does he mean miscarriage? Surely he and his peeps would not use the scientific term "spontaneous abortion" to signify miscarriage as the A word there might somehow imply some sort of sin or fault, right?

So Ray is against Sheryl Crow being for the Getting or Obtaining of abortion.

Ray might be OK with the ex-future-Mrs. Armstrong being pro-reproductive choice while still opposed to the Getting and Obtaining of abortion.

I wonder.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure Sheryl Crow giving her time and earning potential to raise money for seriously ill babies and children is not worth a boycott. If I could afford a ticket, I'd probably go.

And I don't even really like her music. I also don't think people in my income bracket are the target audience of this fundraiser!