Months ago on this forum I sparred with someone who insisted that Pope Benedict never spoke about wanting a "smaller, purer church." Well, whether he did or not, it seems his kindred spirits in the episcopate are making that case for him and it flies in the face of everything Christ taught. Enough said about that.

I have a little beef with MSW, though. I get slightly irritated when people speak loosely of "elites." What does that mean? People who have taken it upon themselves to become educated? People who are wealthy? People who have power and/or influence? People who live on the coasts? What? Seems to me "elite" is just another way of engendering resentment and I don't think the use of that term brings any light to an argument, only heat. Perhaps other, more precise terms would bring clarity rather than value judgment to the argument. 

That's my two bits, for what it's worth.