It’s Iimi! Storming the Motte and Bailey!

Now working with Krysta’s group (see Issue 259), Iimi is asked about the internment and her view of the reasons to justify it. She describes the tactic as a shifting deception used to prevent legitimate criticism. Asked to elaborate, Iimi provides other real-life examples. She also provides the tactic needed when… Storming the Motte and Bailey!

Post-Comic Notes:

The Motte and Bailey Fallacy is named for a medieval defense where people would ordinarily live in the comfortable “bailey.” When attacked, they would retreat to the uncomfortable but defensible motte. In the fallacy, a person supports a controversial and not easily defended position (Bailey). When that view is attacked, the person retreats to a more moderate and easily defended position (the motte). Then, when the attack is over, the person returns to promoting the bailey. Rinse and repeat.

The tactic is a bait and switch of two superficially similar concepts used with the intent to deflect attention from the controversial position. To overcome it, one must be crystal clear that their issue is not with the motte but with the bailey.

Is the abuse of “prudential judgment” a motte while the bailey is dissent? Iimi says she imagines it depends on the individual. Have they been misled into thinking that prudential judgment means optional? This leads over to the discussion of needing to know intent. We might think they are two different things, or the person doesn’t realize they are shifting.

Image Credits

Some images used in this comic were AI drafted by the author using NightCafe and then edited by the same. No copyrighted artist names (living or dead) were used in the prompts or for “AI training.”

Next Comic Status

I am in the process of turning the script into a comic. However, things are happening in real life that may require slowing down or taking a hiatus on the comic. We will see what God allows. 

It’s Iimi! The Reckoning

Irene’s group has finished their report, and all should be well. However, the discovery has led to tensions with unexpected groups. Meanwhile, it seems more games are in play. Is all this headed for the endgame? Or… The Reckoning 

Post-Comic Notes:

It surprised me that zero Caucasian students were attending this law school, according to the most recent information available. Apparently, that’s not based on restrictions but just how it is. As a Law School, it is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

Some readers might be bothered that the bishop did not attempt to regain land ownership. The decision was not one of religious indifference or neglect of duty. To boil down the bishop’s reasoning, he saw the injustice in Hispaniola so far removed from the current ownership that the harm done would outweigh any good that might have been gained from the acquisition.

Moreover, even if the bishop did decide to attempt to regain the land, the statute of limitations and the fact that the Muslim community purchased the land in good faith make it unlikely that a court case would succeed.

Image Credits

The external view of the Pontifical University is by Roca Ruiz (PUCPR Escuela de Derecho, Ave. Las Americas, Bo. Canas Urbano, Ponce, Puerto Rico, mirando al sur (IMG 2736B)). It is used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

The Balance symbol on page 3 is © 2015 Dean Spencer, used with permission. All rights reserved.

The Burning Town on page 6 is © by Henrik Karppinen.

Some images used in this comic were AI drafted by the author using NightCafe and then edited by the same. No copyrighted artist names (living or dead) were used in the prompts or for “AI training.”

Status of the Next Comic

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, there will be a comic next week.

It’s Iimi! The Cafeteria is (Sadly) Still Open for Business

Once we had the change of administrations, we also had a repeat of what happens every time the switch occurs. The Pope and bishops spoke out when the President enacted changes against Church teaching. We then saw pundits, politicians, and amateur theologians begin justifying disobedience as good, attacking the Pope and bishops as being in error or offering “opinions.” Even though Catholics insist that only the other side does this, Iimi knows… The Cafeteria is (Sadly) Still Open for Business

Pre-Comic Notes:
Many Catholic politicians and apologists have calumniated or at least tried to undermine the Pope and the bishops over this topic. But this is Catholic Social Teaching that is being attacked, and the attacks are false. Some readers may not like this comic, but the topic needs to be addressed. And that, not a political agenda, is the purpose of the story.

Pope Francis issued a letter to the US Bishops, dated the day this comic was released, though I didn't see it until the next day. So, it's not discussed. But it does seem to fit in well with the comic. Archbishop Cordileone also issued a statement that fits in well with the theme of the comic, though, again, I didn't see it until after this comic was published.

 

Post-Comic Notes:

This comic came into being when I encountered some Catholics behaving exactly like those they criticized in the previous administration. They either ignored the words of the Pope and bishops or claimed them to be opinions. Some of these were apologists who defended the Pope and bishops when they opposed issues they also opposed. Others were Catholic politicians accusing the bishops of being motivated by money. I've seen the arguments in social media and in news articles.

It is not for me to judge the state of their souls. I certainly won’t name names. But, like Iimi, it breaks my heart to watch this behavior.

Information on the so-called “New Vatican Immigration Policy” can be found HERE. Trying to use it against the Church’s criticism of US policy is just bizarre.

Image Credits 
Some images used in this comic (including the Pope on page 6, and the Presidential busts on page 12) were AI drafted by the author using NightCafe and then edited by the same. No copyrighted artist names (living or dead) were used in the prompts or for “AI training.”

Next Comic Status:

If you saw my hiatus announcement, I am working on the next comic. Whether it comes out on time or not will depend on how busy I find myself. Please pray for my family during this time.