Apropos of the clash between Rep. Kennedy and his bishop, it’s worth remembering, as a friend emails to note, that sometimes calling politicians on abortion really does work. New Yorkers may remember this sequence from the 1980s:

• September 9, 1986: A Parish Bans Assemblyman From Speaking

• October 4, 1986: Cardinal and Assemblyman Meet on Ban

• April 11, 1989: Assemblyman Changes View On Abortions