"Black Smoke / White Smoke" Signaling Is Stupid!!

[arwalden]

Why not just ring a bell... or send someone out to make an announcement? Why not put a candle in a window, or turn on a big green light, or turn on a neon cross?

I can't believe that NBC interrupted Ellen Degeneres' show for THIS! I was watching Tina Turner singing and enjoying it! If I want non-news, I'll turn to MSNBC or CNN, thanks!

-- Allen

[Bunny]

1. They're supposed to also ring bells to announce that they've

elected someone. Another of Pope JP2's changes.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I love it.

It is an important ritual to the Catholic Church.

And, apparently, they are going to ring bells as well.

when I was a kid, I thought that the white smoke was due to a miracle.

[arwalden]

10. Of Course You Do...

But you have to admit that it's not a very effective, clear, concise way to deliver a message. Is it gray? Is it white? Is it whitish-gray? Is it turning black? Whoops... too much wind! I can tell, can you?

Now a BELL... THERE's something that's unmistakable! Did it ring or not? Yep... it's ringing... we have our answer.

[Midlodemocrat]

23. I do agree that it is not effective.

The ringing of the bells was a nice addition to clear up confusion.

I sure would like to be there. This is a historic moment for the Church. I am also glad that my kids will get to see this.

[demnan]

3. It's the will of Landreu . . .

[edhopper]

12. Star Trek OS!

Great reference:)

[GreenArrow]

4. I like it

It's a neat tradition.

[expatriot]

5. I think God should write it in the sky with purple clouds with lightning

and stuff like that.

[arwalden]

11. LOL!! Wouldn't That Be A Hoot??

[LynneSin]

6. Separate the 2 issues

The Black/White Smoke is tradition dating back since the early years of popedom. No reason for us to change catholic tradition

Interupting your favorite TV show for non-news is just horrible network planning. I'm not catholic, I could care less if I see the smoke blowing in the wind except maybe during commericial break if you want to take a news break to announce the winner.

Go figure

:shrug:

[KittyWampus]

7. It's Cool. There's A Long Tradition With Valid Reasons. Symbolism Is

important.

OTH, the Corporate Media apparently has binged on reporting about it.

I can't verify that since I only watch HGTV & Food Network.

[SweetLeftFoot]

8. Ahhhhh ...

Americans, so enamoured of your jingle-jangle blingy blangy shining neon lights. While I have no time for the catholic Church (murdering corrupt bunch of misogynists the lot of them) I find the whole black smoke/white smoke tradition one of the few things I like about the church.

We should keep traditions like that, like having different shops on your streets, not just homogenised franchises, like being to able to order food at restaurants that reflects the local produce, tastes and traditions, like being able to walk the earth and not encounter chilsdren living in desperate poverty wearing fake Gap T-shirts.

God knows there are enough neon lights in the world.

If you are being sarcastic, well then, I doff my cap to you,

[arwalden]

13. An AIR HORN would be a better alternative!!

Come to the window and squeeze the trigger on a big AIR HORN can.

BLAAAAT!

[Renew Deal]

18. lol

It would be like a Jets game.

[arwalden]

21. My Thoughts Exactly!!

Somebody could have one of those big foam "we're number one" fingers and wave to the crowd.

[SweetLeftFoot]

30. And the winning Pope

could wave one of those big foam hands with a number one finger?

My American cousins, even when you're cool, you're hopeless.

[Misunderestimator]

9. You're kidding! They interrupted Ellen for THAT?

It's "Survivor, Vatican City" dontcha know...

[varun]

14. Drama queens

all the drag they wear, all the pomp and pageantry...

...and Pope was anti-Gay?

Hello!!!!

[LostinVA]

15. It's their tradition, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I am an ex-RC, and have nooooo love for the Church. But, this is their tradition. I can't understand why everyone's getting bent out of shape about it -- you have no reason to. Get upset with the MSM over beating it to death.

[radwriter0555]

16. oh please, and bashing the guy about the head with a silver hammer to make

sure he's dead is modern?

*snarf*

archaic xstian rituals really are strange and bizarre.

[Renew Deal]

17. Why is some signaling stupid and other types not stupid?

I don't get what the difference is.

[arwalden]

20. You Don't Get The Difference? Really?

[PST]

24. neither do I..

big green lights are stupid if you ask me.

[arwalden]

26. But Unmistakable....

None of this "the wind is blowing too hard to tell what color the light is". None of this "it starts out red but turns green after a few minutes" business.

It's either GREEN or RED... or it's either ON or OFF... nothing VAGUE and unmistakable about that, eh?

Smoke signals are stupid.

[Maru Kitteh]

27. A little bit of mystery, anticipation and patience is a good thing

in a world overdosing on instant gratification. I like the smoke, it's quaint. Everybody knew we would find out in due time anyway, and we have.

[PST]

28. I'm sure they would've used neon lights from the start..

had it been available back then.

do you hate the smoke itself or the tradition? and how strong is this emotion?

[arwalden]

29. I Said It Was "Stupid"... I Didn't Use The Word "Hate".

Please be careful in trying to analyze me, and in reframing my question. :hi: I kinda think you were just kidding with me... but it's hard to tell. I hope you're not one of those who ends up accusing me of "Catholic-Bashing" because you assume I "hate" Catholics because I find the smoke-signals stupid.

What I find to be stupid about it is that it's ambiguous.

[mopaul]

19. fax, email, radio waves....hello vatican?...21st century here...

simple grunts should be sufficient

[arwalden]

22. Even Tom-Tom Drums Are Better Than Smoke Signals.

[Maru Kitteh]

25. I'm not a Roman Catholic but I like it

It's a cool tradition. I like traditions that are older than the world we have now. It's good to keep some of the old ways with the new ones.

[Skittles]

31. it's unique

nothing wrong with that