Of needles and camels.

The media seems to be giddy this morning over the success of last night's  Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in Manhattan. Then why do I find the whole affair repulsive? As you probably know this annual and traditional event is hosted by the Archdiocese of New York and attended by many of the nation's most prominent Catholic citizens and clergy. Prominent in this case means wealthy. I am always offended by spoiled,meddlling—and often corpulent—clergy with Republican pals who, instead of doing "God's work" are helping millionaires make deals, trying to set government policy, dining in costly restaurants, drinking expensive wine and living the high life while many of their parishioners are going hungry. And while events like this allegedly raise millions for Catholic charities, they are still just another excuse for a wildly expensive night out. Then, of course, there are the speeches. Both Romney and Obama, according to the elated news sources, did well with the quips. The suggestion from many is that Romney's speech made him more likable. I don't think the detestable Romney or the affable Obama should be judged on how well they delivered a speech and jokes that somebody else wrote. But then the lazy and gullible media doesn't consider any of this. It's much easier to show clips of the jokes and report what a successful evening it was rather than to consider the ugly underpinnings of Plutocratic dinners like this.