Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - May 16, 2013

Talking about the "things that matter most" on May 16

4:00 – Kresta Comments

4:20 – IRS Scandal Widening: Pro-Life Organizations Claiming Unfair Treatment
The Thomas More Society is speaking out about blatant bias by the supposedly apolitical tax-collection agency. Cases handled by the Chicago-based public interest law firm support mounting accusations that demonstrate the agency's abuse of pro-life organizations, in addition to those identified as 'tea party', 'patriot', or 'government spending' groups. Meanwhile the Catholic Vote Education Fund is claiming unfair scrutiny by the IRS. We talk to Tom Brejcha of the Thomas More Society and Brian Burch of Catholic Vote.

4:40 - Jumping Through Hoops: 10 Thoughts on the Jason Collins Announcement
Two weeks ago journeyman NBA player Jason Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play on a major men’s U.S. sports team. His “coming out” became the lead story on ESPN and other sports media, and it was generally celebrated as a historic event for the advancement of our culture, much like Jackie Robinson’s breaking the color barrier in baseball over a half-century ago. One expects diverse, uninformed opinions on talk radio and in the blogosphere. Still, it seems that even much of the more dignified commentary is off the mark. For that reason, Leon Suprenant offers a “top ten” list of his initial reactions to Collins’ announcement, realizing that all these points barely scratch the surface of this momentous societal issue. Leon joins us.

5:00 – Kresta Comments

5:20 – Pope Francis: The Pope From the End of the Earth
As the insightful and informative books on Pope Francis continue to be released, we now have Pope Francis: The Pope from the End of the Earth by Thomas Craughwell. Tom explores the life of Pope Francis, including his birth and early years "at the end of the earth" in Argentina; his mystical experience as a teenager that drew him to religious life; his years as a priest and bishop with a heart for the poor and marginalized; and his unflagging courage to teach and defend the Catholic faith. It includes over 60 full-color photographs, a fascinating in-depth biography, Foreword by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, first homilies as Pope, and supplemental sections on Catholic beliefs, practices, and traditions. Tom joins us.