The Church gets to make that determination, not the individual layman. Or let's put it another way, one which Mr. Madera might understand.
I've decided that I'm a Marine, like Mr. Madera. Furthermore I'm not just a lowly corporal or sergeant; I'm a freaking gunnery sergeant! And I'm a decorated gunnery sergeant, too! I feel that I am a decorated gunnery sergeant, with lots of shiny medals; so who's to say I'm not?
...only the entire firkin' Marine Corps, of course...which is my point.
Catholic communion is relatively complicated: you must be in a state of grace and a member of the Catholic church in order to partake of communion during Mass. That's just how it is.
The Rhode Island bishop isn't saying that Patrick Kennedy isn't Catholic; what the bishop is saying is that Mr. Kennedy is not in a state of grace due to his support for abortion-on-demand. (The theology would seem to say that enabling a sin is the same as the sin; this is not entirely out of bounds for Catholicism. Reference George Carlin's line, "That's six sins for one feel, man!")
Kennedy isn't eligible for Communion because he's sinned; and worse, he's done so unapologetically.
I really hope Mr. Madera isn't an officer.
* * *
ObamaCare will leave 12 million "or more!" uninsured!
...
Wait, I thought the whole point of this nonsense was to make sure everyone had health insurance? Did I misunderstand?
Of course not: I know what ObamaCare is about, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with improving the quality of medical care in the United States.
* * *
In WoW I ended up getting run through Deadmines, the Stormwind Stockade, and Gnomeregan in pretty short order by a fellow guildie. He's level 74 and did all the killing; I just ran behind and looted. Dang, do my wrists hurt.
But Chenal hit 31st level. And she was 28th when I started playing....
This after I hit the "Pilgrim's Bounty" quests as hard as I could. I ended up power-leveling my cooking skill to 320, and garnering 4 of the 8 achievements for this event.
Chenal's reputation with Stormwind is now over 12,000 in "revered"; another 9,000 points and she'll hit "exalted", and then she can get a horsie!
* * *
...now I'm going to unwind and hit the hay. I'm tired.