The Snuffy You Know vs the One You Don't

When I got the news last night about Snuffy Pfleger's Napoleonic exile, I really didn't have time to do much more than make a quick post. There are a few observations I want to make sure are in the mix.

From the story I originally linked to:

This past Sunday, Pfleger told St. Sabina's congregation that he's received more than 3,000 threatening e-mails – some calling for his death. The messages caused the church to beef up security for Sunday's services.

What--did they say bloodthirsty stuff like "Snuff out Mike P-F-L-E-G-E-R?" And death threats? You reported those for investigation, right?

And what does "beef up security" mean? Aside from the fact that you've shown the only way to opppose a threat of force is to possess sufficient deterrent force, and the display of same is often enough to repel a threat?

Meanwhile, things are getting interesting over at St. Sabina, with the congregation demanding Snuffy's reinstatement--and some going on a hunger strike. It's fairly obvious the loyalty is to the man, not to the church, which lends itself to all kinds of interesting conclusions and creates all kinds of interesting possibilities if the demands are not met.

One other revelation I found quite telling:

Over the weekend, he said that the days since his Trinity address had been the most difficult of his life, even more painful than when his foster son Jarvis was gunned down near St. Sabina on May 30, 1998.

Good grief--literally. It really is all about you, isn't it, Snuffy?

That is simply not a statement anyone who is a real father-- biological or adoptive-- could make. The levels of pain aren't even on the same scale. Or shouldn't be.

Now on to the replacement Snuffy: Here are a couple bits of information concerning temporary stand-in, Father William Vanecko. We might as well just start calling him Snuffy Lite, because:

• He's another anti-gun hand-wringer, and

• He's Boss Daley's brother-in-law.