russian prime minister. now back to "hardball." we're back. starting last week "the new york times" spotlighted report of sexual abuse in the roman catholic church including horrific story about a priest who molested hundreds of deaf boys in wisconsin. it's becoming a big american story again. "the times" reports along with news stories of abuse in ireland and germany has the vatican on a public relations offensive to beat back charges that the pope himself is responsible for the church's mishandling of some of these cases. what's it all mean and what it will all come to? patrick buchanan msnbc political analyst and john walsh is editor and chief of salon. pat and joan, take a look at this new gallup poll. pope benedict xvi's favorable numbers dropped since he visited the united states two years ago.