Jew and a Catholic went to speak to Congress…

A Jew and a Catholic went to Congress sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it is what will be played out over the next few months. The Jew of course is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Catholic is Pope Frances. Each was invited to speak under the same circumstances, but the reaction to the invitations was totally different.

Speaker Boehner invited each of them to address a joint session of Congress. The speaker didn’t check with the President before making either invitation (nor did he have to). Each of the speakers has something important to say to the members of Congress.

The Prime Minister of the Jewish State didn’t accept the invitation until the President was informed. The head of the Catholic Church was invited and when he accepted no one asked if the President knew — everyone just cheered.

Only the Jewish man’s visit was criticized. I am not saying his visit was bashed only because he is Jewish — I’m just pointing out a fact.

When the Jewish man was invited without checking with the President even though Obama was informed before the Jewish man said yes, the White House called it a breach of protocol. On the day the head of the Catholic Church accepted the invitation the President didn’t call it a breach of protocol, he said he was eager to welcome the Pope to America: “Like so many people around the world, I’ve been touched by his call to relieve suffering, and to show justice and mercy and compassion to the most vulnerable.”

It was strange that the President praised the leader of the Catholic Church but called the Jewish leader’s acceptance a breach of protocol.

A few months ago the President blasted the same Israeli Prime Minister for allowing Jews to purchase homes in certain areas of Jerusalem. It was a unique criticism. That President had never criticized people of any other faith for buying homes in any other spot in the world.