In our prayers. In our policies?

The campaign has dropped out of the news a bit for the last two days, in part so that candidates and the rest of us could take a breath after Tuesday. The bigger reason, though, is the news of the devastation in the path of those tornadoes down south. More than 50 people have died, and hundreds, thousands have lost homes, churches, businesses, schools.

This is a very, very personal issue for all of those folks. But it is also political, economic, and moral. Should aid come from charities and individuals who feel moved to help, or should there be federal aid given? How much? How should it be distributed? How will it best serve the common good? (And, remember, from a Catholic perspective, the common good refers to the good of all and the good of each, especially the poor and vulnerable.)

Lest you doubt that such things are political, recall the political ramifications for Bush given FEMA's slow response to Katrina. (And think of the local fallout over the failures with regard to the Dec 13th snowstorm.) FEMA seems to be doing much better so far. Perhaps lessons have been learned. I suspect we will soon be hearing candidates beginning their speeches with their hearts, thoughts, and prayers, going out to those affected. I wonder if we will hear more than good wishes.

Just as the bishops remind us that there is more to "faithful citizenship" than the casting of a vote, so too there is more politics in the news than what is being reported on the campaign trail. Sometimes the most interesting questions regard what the press and the candidates are NOT saying or doing. If the news seems to turn away from the campaign, let's keep following the news and asking hard questions anyway.