9th Circuit: Publicly Exposed Self-Intimacy is a Free Speech Right
If for nothing else, reelect Geroge W. because he nominates sensible people to the federal Courts of Appeal.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
St. Blog's Loves Patricia Heaton
As evidenced by HugeTim Terminator Kathy Shaidle and Holy Roman Emperor wannabe Mark Shea. And rightly so to the extent that Patricia Heaton is a publicly avowed anti-abortion Christian in an environment that is extremely hostile to such perspectives and people. Notice, however, that I've used the term "anti-abortion" to describe Ms. Heaton. For me, in order to be considered "pro-life," you not only have to be against the killing of unborn children, you should also be against any artificial and unnatural acts that prevent the conception of children (i.e., artificial contraception).
In all truthfulness, I have no idea whether Patricia Heaton is for or against the use of contraceptive devices like condoms and IUDs. However, I have seen several episodes of "Everybody Loves Raymond" where the married characters that Ms. Heaton and Ray Romano play, Deborah and Ray Barone, affirmatively consider their use without even a cursory discussion of the Catholic Church's moral opposition to artificial contraception (the fictional Barone family is Catholic). Presuming that she would never agree to play a sympathetic character who condones abortion, an inference can probably be made that Ms. Heaton's personal belief toward artificial contraception is reflected by her willingness to play someone who doesn't think they are that big of a deal. Although it may seem a little picky or semantic, it is on this basis that I am hesitant to call Patricia Heaton, or any other similarly situated anti-abortion advocate, "pro-life."
As evidenced by HugeTim Terminator Kathy Shaidle and Holy Roman Emperor wannabe Mark Shea. And rightly so to the extent that Patricia Heaton is a publicly avowed anti-abortion Christian in an environment that is extremely hostile to such perspectives and people. Notice, however, that I've used the term "anti-abortion" to describe Ms. Heaton. For me, in order to be considered "pro-life," you not only have to be against the killing of unborn children, you should also be against any artificial and unnatural acts that prevent the conception of children (i.e., artificial contraception).
In all truthfulness, I have no idea whether Patricia Heaton is for or against the use of contraceptive devices like condoms and IUDs. However, I have seen several episodes of "Everybody Loves Raymond" where the married characters that Ms. Heaton and Ray Romano play, Deborah and Ray Barone, affirmatively consider their use without even a cursory discussion of the Catholic Church's moral opposition to artificial contraception (the fictional Barone family is Catholic). Presuming that she would never agree to play a sympathetic character who condones abortion, an inference can probably be made that Ms. Heaton's personal belief toward artificial contraception is reflected by her willingness to play someone who doesn't think they are that big of a deal. Although it may seem a little picky or semantic, it is on this basis that I am hesitant to call Patricia Heaton, or any other similarly situated anti-abortion advocate, "pro-life."
World's First "Happy" Farm
If all the world were like this place, either eventually nobody would be left or it would be controlled by a select group of people makers.
If all the world were like this place, either eventually nobody would be left or it would be controlled by a select group of people makers.
You Might Be Catholic in Name Only if...
...you try to dismiss these clear statements from the Catholic hierarchy as a means to support Howard Dean, or any pro-abortion candidate, for President.
...you try to dismiss these clear statements from the Catholic hierarchy as a means to support Howard Dean, or any pro-abortion candidate, for President.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
A Man For All Seasons?
This editorial on Bill Pryor and his role in the Judge Moore/Ten Commandments monument controversy in Alabama harkens to mind the following quote from St. Thomas More in the play/movie "A Man for All Seasons":
"This country is planted thick with laws from coast to coast. Man's laws, not God's. And if you cut them down--and you're just the man to do it--do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then?"
This editorial on Bill Pryor and his role in the Judge Moore/Ten Commandments monument controversy in Alabama harkens to mind the following quote from St. Thomas More in the play/movie "A Man for All Seasons":
"This country is planted thick with laws from coast to coast. Man's laws, not God's. And if you cut them down--and you're just the man to do it--do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then?"
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Holy Bologne!
Dean welches on hefty lunch bill. No response yet from Catholics for Dean on whether this is consistent with Church teaching.
Dean welches on hefty lunch bill. No response yet from Catholics for Dean on whether this is consistent with Church teaching.
Would He Have Body Slammed the Guy if it Was Saddam?
Al Franken loves free speech so much that he's willing to physically assault a guy who is exercising said right. What a hypocritical moron.
Al Franken loves free speech so much that he's willing to physically assault a guy who is exercising said right. What a hypocritical moron.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Catholic Deaniac
Some yayhoo who seems to regard himself as a pro-life Catholic has constructed a website called Catholics for Dean. While a number of right thinking Catholic bloggers have already commented on its senselessness in regard to the issue of abortion, I would also add that there is no way that any serious Christian can legitimately support a man for President who thinks homosexual conduct is ok because he believes God made homosexuals. By that astounding logic, since God "made" heterosexuals, fornication, adultery, and polygamy must be ok.
Some yayhoo who seems to regard himself as a pro-life Catholic has constructed a website called Catholics for Dean. While a number of right thinking Catholic bloggers have already commented on its senselessness in regard to the issue of abortion, I would also add that there is no way that any serious Christian can legitimately support a man for President who thinks homosexual conduct is ok because he believes God made homosexuals. By that astounding logic, since God "made" heterosexuals, fornication, adultery, and polygamy must be ok.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
Credibility Problem
Would you trust someone's evaluation of Mel Gibson's movie if you knew that person had an agenda to be critical of it, and had to lie to people to get in and see it? Neither would I.
Would you trust someone's evaluation of Mel Gibson's movie if you knew that person had an agenda to be critical of it, and had to lie to people to get in and see it? Neither would I.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Bush is Not Pro-Life Enough
So complains influential and respected Catholic bloggers Amy Welborn and Mark Shea because 1) the Prez didn't mention abortion in his recent State of the Union Address and 2) he didn't personally appear at the March for Life protest yesterday.
From a substantive standpoint, I myself don't think President Bush is "perfect" on the general issue of life, as exemplefied by his limited allowance of embryonic stem cell research and his seemingly uncritical support of the death penalty. However, insofar as abortion is concerned, Bush has publicly done more to support and uphold the rights of the unborn than any other U.S. President in recent history. See, e.g., the signing of the partial-birth abortion ban, proclamation of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day, and the nomination of several pro-life and pro-life leaning individuals to the judiciary. In light of these acts, for folks like Welborn and Shea to lambast Bush simply because he didn't mention abortion in a speech or personally show up at a rally down the street from the White House is downright silly. Indeed, one wonders what Welborn and Shea must think of the Pope, since I don't believe he has mentioned abortion in any of his Wednesday General Audience talks for quite some time.
So complains influential and respected Catholic bloggers Amy Welborn and Mark Shea because 1) the Prez didn't mention abortion in his recent State of the Union Address and 2) he didn't personally appear at the March for Life protest yesterday.
From a substantive standpoint, I myself don't think President Bush is "perfect" on the general issue of life, as exemplefied by his limited allowance of embryonic stem cell research and his seemingly uncritical support of the death penalty. However, insofar as abortion is concerned, Bush has publicly done more to support and uphold the rights of the unborn than any other U.S. President in recent history. See, e.g., the signing of the partial-birth abortion ban, proclamation of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day, and the nomination of several pro-life and pro-life leaning individuals to the judiciary. In light of these acts, for folks like Welborn and Shea to lambast Bush simply because he didn't mention abortion in a speech or personally show up at a rally down the street from the White House is downright silly. Indeed, one wonders what Welborn and Shea must think of the Pope, since I don't believe he has mentioned abortion in any of his Wednesday General Audience talks for quite some time.
Sin Boldly
I was reading this article by Ralph McInerny about the pseudoscience that purports to prove that human behavior is controlled by genetics, and all the while I kept thinking about Protestantism and its historic theological doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved." Under this doctrine, of course, man is generally presumed to be a hopeless reprobate (i.e., man is immutably bad). However, as long as a person has faith in God and accepts Jesus Christ as the Messiah, then it doesn't matter how many "involuntary" sinful acts he commits as his reprobate soul is externally covered by God's infinite grace.
By their inherent denial of the existence of free will, as well as the internal efficaciousness of God's grace through the Sacraments, Protestants, especially those of the Fundamentalist stripe, better hope that science never one day universally determines that there is a "gay" gene. Such a determination, from the general Protestant perspective, would effectively render biblical condemnations of homosexual conduct as nothing more than a legalistic and social/cultural hangup that has no importance or relevance to salvation. Sure, two men having sexual intercourse with each other is objectively disgusting and sinful, but if it is genetically in their nature to engage in such conduct, and they profess to be Christians, who are many Protestants to say these men shouldn't be doing what they're doing, or more importantly, that they aren't "saved?"
I was reading this article by Ralph McInerny about the pseudoscience that purports to prove that human behavior is controlled by genetics, and all the while I kept thinking about Protestantism and its historic theological doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved." Under this doctrine, of course, man is generally presumed to be a hopeless reprobate (i.e., man is immutably bad). However, as long as a person has faith in God and accepts Jesus Christ as the Messiah, then it doesn't matter how many "involuntary" sinful acts he commits as his reprobate soul is externally covered by God's infinite grace.
By their inherent denial of the existence of free will, as well as the internal efficaciousness of God's grace through the Sacraments, Protestants, especially those of the Fundamentalist stripe, better hope that science never one day universally determines that there is a "gay" gene. Such a determination, from the general Protestant perspective, would effectively render biblical condemnations of homosexual conduct as nothing more than a legalistic and social/cultural hangup that has no importance or relevance to salvation. Sure, two men having sexual intercourse with each other is objectively disgusting and sinful, but if it is genetically in their nature to engage in such conduct, and they profess to be Christians, who are many Protestants to say these men shouldn't be doing what they're doing, or more importantly, that they aren't "saved?"
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Intriguing
In an effort to overturn Roe v. Wade, South Dakota may pass a bill that would outlaw most abortions.
"This is a decision that should be made by the people in each of the states through their elected representatives, not by nine un-elected judges in a courtroom 1,500 miles from the capitol of South Dakota. This bill puts South Dakota in the forefront of the nation and says we will lead the fight to protect unborn children," said McCaulley, a Republican who was 4 months old when the high-court decision came down.
"Medical and scientific discoveries over the last 30 years have confirmed that life begins at conception, a question the Roe Court said they could not answer."
A most noble and admirable endeavor. However, unless the composition of the current U.S. Supreme Court radically changes, it simply won't survive judicial review.
In an effort to overturn Roe v. Wade, South Dakota may pass a bill that would outlaw most abortions.
"This is a decision that should be made by the people in each of the states through their elected representatives, not by nine un-elected judges in a courtroom 1,500 miles from the capitol of South Dakota. This bill puts South Dakota in the forefront of the nation and says we will lead the fight to protect unborn children," said McCaulley, a Republican who was 4 months old when the high-court decision came down.
"Medical and scientific discoveries over the last 30 years have confirmed that life begins at conception, a question the Roe Court said they could not answer."
A most noble and admirable endeavor. However, unless the composition of the current U.S. Supreme Court radically changes, it simply won't survive judicial review.
Year 31
Another reminder that intelligence is not a primary qualification for being a Justice on the United States Supreme Court.
Another reminder that intelligence is not a primary qualification for being a Justice on the United States Supreme Court.
What the...?!
Chinese New Year dragon dances during Mass. Give me a break Cardinal Hollywood. (link via Amy Welborn)
Chinese New Year dragon dances during Mass. Give me a break Cardinal Hollywood. (link via Amy Welborn)
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Visions of Michael Moore's Inane "We're Living in Fictional Times" Remark
Drudge reports asinine Wesley Clark quote of "marriage" being a term of art. No word on what other social conspiracies that Clark believes every living culture and religion in the world has created out of whole cloth.
Drudge reports asinine Wesley Clark quote of "marriage" being a term of art. No word on what other social conspiracies that Clark believes every living culture and religion in the world has created out of whole cloth.
Missing
Lack of posting from two of my favorites, the Mighty Barrister and the Conservative San Diego Chica. Not sure why, but maybe the MB is being consumed by a big case and Molly is in the throes of trying to delude herself into believing that Marty Schottenheimer can bring the Chargers back to the Super Bowl. Hope you guys come back soon and often.
Lack of posting from two of my favorites, the Mighty Barrister and the Conservative San Diego Chica. Not sure why, but maybe the MB is being consumed by a big case and Molly is in the throes of trying to delude herself into believing that Marty Schottenheimer can bring the Chargers back to the Super Bowl. Hope you guys come back soon and often.
Judge Pickering and the Pathological Dems
Reacting to the recess appointment of Charles Pickering to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sen. John Edwards transforms himself into a living caricature of the American lawyer.
On his Web site, Mr. Edwards repeats a most egregious smear against Judge Pickering: that he "took extraordinary steps to reduce the sentence required by law for a man convicted of cross burning." But the facts of the case are as follows. In January 1994, three hoodlums burned a cross on the lawn of a house. Two of the three — including the apparent ringleader and chief organizer of the cross-burning attack — received a sentence of six months of home detention and one year of probation. Judge Pickering urged prosecutors to reduce the sentence of the third, less culpable defendant, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Reacting to the recess appointment of Charles Pickering to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sen. John Edwards transforms himself into a living caricature of the American lawyer.
On his Web site, Mr. Edwards repeats a most egregious smear against Judge Pickering: that he "took extraordinary steps to reduce the sentence required by law for a man convicted of cross burning." But the facts of the case are as follows. In January 1994, three hoodlums burned a cross on the lawn of a house. Two of the three — including the apparent ringleader and chief organizer of the cross-burning attack — received a sentence of six months of home detention and one year of probation. Judge Pickering urged prosecutors to reduce the sentence of the third, less culpable defendant, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Choosing a Flavor of Ice Cream, Playing God With Humanity...It's Really All the Same
This fairly disturbing story in Newsweek reminds me of the futuristic world portrayed in the movie Gattaca. If you've never seen it, do so. It may end up not being as fictional as it was intended.
The brave new world is definitely here. After 25 years of staggering advances in reproductive medicine—first test-tube babies, then donor eggs and surrogate mothers—technology is changing baby-making in a whole new way. No longer can science simply help couples have babies, it can help them have the kind of babies they want.
This fairly disturbing story in Newsweek reminds me of the futuristic world portrayed in the movie Gattaca. If you've never seen it, do so. It may end up not being as fictional as it was intended.
The brave new world is definitely here. After 25 years of staggering advances in reproductive medicine—first test-tube babies, then donor eggs and surrogate mothers—technology is changing baby-making in a whole new way. No longer can science simply help couples have babies, it can help them have the kind of babies they want.
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Pray for Unity, But Uphold the Truth
Today marks the begininng of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity; or, as my Tridentine Latin-English Missal more bluntly phrases it, an International Week of Prayers for the removal of schism. For more background on this week, visitLane Core's blog.
Today marks the begininng of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity; or, as my Tridentine Latin-English Missal more bluntly phrases it, an International Week of Prayers for the removal of schism. For more background on this week, visitLane Core's blog.
Friday, January 16, 2004
More Proof That Liberals Only Apply the Establishment Clause to Christianity
A loopy Assemblyman from San Francisco (natch) proposes including the principles of Feng Shui into the California State Building Code. No condemnatory press releases from the ACLU spotted.
A loopy Assemblyman from San Francisco (natch) proposes including the principles of Feng Shui into the California State Building Code. No condemnatory press releases from the ACLU spotted.
The State of American Evangelicalism
Chuck Colson ruminates on the observation that Protestant Evangelical faith communities have effectively succombed to mainstream American Culture.
God forbid that we should ever become part of the mainstream. By our very character, living in a sinful world, we’re called to be countercultural, a force for moral change.
Now, in one way, of course, we always have to be part of mainstream society in the sense that God has put us in this country. We’re called to be good citizens and good neighbors. We are not somewhere out on the fringes. Jesus made it clear that we are to be “in the world.” What He told us not to do is be “of the world.”
God Bless Chuck C. It's just a shame his admonitions will never come to full fruition for Protestantism so long as there is an overriding refusal among its adherents to recognize and submit to a visible and universal teaching authority.
Chuck Colson ruminates on the observation that Protestant Evangelical faith communities have effectively succombed to mainstream American Culture.
God forbid that we should ever become part of the mainstream. By our very character, living in a sinful world, we’re called to be countercultural, a force for moral change.
Now, in one way, of course, we always have to be part of mainstream society in the sense that God has put us in this country. We’re called to be good citizens and good neighbors. We are not somewhere out on the fringes. Jesus made it clear that we are to be “in the world.” What He told us not to do is be “of the world.”
God Bless Chuck C. It's just a shame his admonitions will never come to full fruition for Protestantism so long as there is an overriding refusal among its adherents to recognize and submit to a visible and universal teaching authority.
Why Inbreeding Must Remain Illegal
If you ever had any doubt about the rabid hostility and unintelligible bigotry that San Francisco liberals have toward people of traditional Christian (not Islamic, Jewish, or Buddhist) faith, follow this link.
If you ever had any doubt about the rabid hostility and unintelligible bigotry that San Francisco liberals have toward people of traditional Christian (not Islamic, Jewish, or Buddhist) faith, follow this link.
Thursday, January 15, 2004
If Bush is Dumb...
...then Al Gore is downright retarded.
Dennis Kucinich, though, still takes the "Dumbo Award" for trying to use a pie chart during a radio debate.
...then Al Gore is downright retarded.
Dennis Kucinich, though, still takes the "Dumbo Award" for trying to use a pie chart during a radio debate.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Mothers Can Kill Their Children Anytime They Damn Well Feel Like It
That at least seems to be the most logical conclusion of the following inanity from presidential hopeful, Wesley Clark:
"Life," Mr. Clark said in an interview with the Manchester Union Leader in New Hampshire last week "begins with the mother's decision."
That at least seems to be the most logical conclusion of the following inanity from presidential hopeful, Wesley Clark:
"Life," Mr. Clark said in an interview with the Manchester Union Leader in New Hampshire last week "begins with the mother's decision."
Bible as Literature Initiative in California
Not just any Bible translation, of course, but the KJV Bible. I think I would be more enthusiastic about this if there was a guarantee that the "textbooks" included the Deuterocanonicals.
Not just any Bible translation, of course, but the KJV Bible. I think I would be more enthusiastic about this if there was a guarantee that the "textbooks" included the Deuterocanonicals.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Calling on the Church Militant in Mass.
Catholic lawyers and judges in Boston are urged by Archbishop O'Malley to fight against "gay marriages."
"We cannot afford to be asleep at the switch. We cannot afford to run for cover. Today, at this Red Mass, I call on you, our Catholic lawyers and jurists, to live your baptismal commitment," O'Malley said. "Your baptism and your profession invest you with a great responsibility. Use your wisdom to defend the truth, to defend marriage. Do it with a passion and do what is right."
Catholic lawyers and judges in Boston are urged by Archbishop O'Malley to fight against "gay marriages."
"We cannot afford to be asleep at the switch. We cannot afford to run for cover. Today, at this Red Mass, I call on you, our Catholic lawyers and jurists, to live your baptismal commitment," O'Malley said. "Your baptism and your profession invest you with a great responsibility. Use your wisdom to defend the truth, to defend marriage. Do it with a passion and do what is right."
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Pantywaists
San Diego decides not to appeal an unfavorable court decision over the Boy Scouts' leasing of Balboa Park.
The ACLU sued the city three years ago to terminate the $1-a-year lease because of the Scouts' national policy of not hiring homosexuals and requiring members to state their belief in God by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
"San Diego has finally taken itself out of the business of endorsing the exclusion of many of its residents from their own parks," ACLU legal director Jordan Budd said. "The end result is a victory for every San Diegan who cares about tolerance and equality."
You know, it makes me ill every time I see these leftist yahoos presumptively equating sexual proclivities to race, ethnicity or national origin. Even though they shouldn't have to, sooner or later the courts are probably going to have to definitively decide the issue.
San Diego decides not to appeal an unfavorable court decision over the Boy Scouts' leasing of Balboa Park.
The ACLU sued the city three years ago to terminate the $1-a-year lease because of the Scouts' national policy of not hiring homosexuals and requiring members to state their belief in God by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
"San Diego has finally taken itself out of the business of endorsing the exclusion of many of its residents from their own parks," ACLU legal director Jordan Budd said. "The end result is a victory for every San Diegan who cares about tolerance and equality."
You know, it makes me ill every time I see these leftist yahoos presumptively equating sexual proclivities to race, ethnicity or national origin. Even though they shouldn't have to, sooner or later the courts are probably going to have to definitively decide the issue.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
God is Responsible for Homosexuallity
So says Dem frontrunner Howard Dean.
"The overwhelming evidence is that there is very significant, substantial genetic component to it," Dean said in an interview Wednesday. "From a religious point of view, if God had thought homosexuality is a sin, he would not have created gay people."
Yeah, right Howie, and Bush had foreknowledge of the 9/11 attacks. Oh, wait, you believe that as well, don't you? Nut.
So says Dem frontrunner Howard Dean.
"The overwhelming evidence is that there is very significant, substantial genetic component to it," Dean said in an interview Wednesday. "From a religious point of view, if God had thought homosexuality is a sin, he would not have created gay people."
Yeah, right Howie, and Bush had foreknowledge of the 9/11 attacks. Oh, wait, you believe that as well, don't you? Nut.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Light Blogging
Due to my transition from a worker bee to a solo practitioner, I won't be blogging too much for the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, ruminate on the greatness of the Catholic Church, and how USC would be the consensus national champion in college football if the BCS didn't exist.
Due to my transition from a worker bee to a solo practitioner, I won't be blogging too much for the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, ruminate on the greatness of the Catholic Church, and how USC would be the consensus national champion in college football if the BCS didn't exist.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Adios Sacto
Today marked my final day as a resident of the northern portion of the central valley of California. After 2 1/2 years of enduring some of the most extreme hot and cold weather in my life, I'm off to the Bay Area to open up my own law practice. The idea is to focus on employment law, but the need to generate some revenue may force me to do some "slip and fall" cases.
One thing I will miss about Sacto, however, is St. Stephen's parish, which is run by the Fraternal Society of St. Peter and exclusively celebrates the Tridentine Latin Mass. Thanks, though, to the power of the Internet, I was able to find St. Margaret Mary in Oakland which offers the Tridentine Mass once every Sunday.
Today marked my final day as a resident of the northern portion of the central valley of California. After 2 1/2 years of enduring some of the most extreme hot and cold weather in my life, I'm off to the Bay Area to open up my own law practice. The idea is to focus on employment law, but the need to generate some revenue may force me to do some "slip and fall" cases.
One thing I will miss about Sacto, however, is St. Stephen's parish, which is run by the Fraternal Society of St. Peter and exclusively celebrates the Tridentine Latin Mass. Thanks, though, to the power of the Internet, I was able to find St. Margaret Mary in Oakland which offers the Tridentine Mass once every Sunday.
The "We Hate Christianity Judicial Tour" Rolls On
The Muslim version of Michael Newdow may get his day in front of the SCOTUS, which in case you already didn't know, begins its sessions with the proclamation of "God save the United States and this honorable Court.
Since 1894, Mississippi's flag has contained the Confederate battle emblem, a blue X with 13 whites stars over a field of red. Experts differ on whether the X in the Confederate battle emblem is the St. Andrew's Cross.
David Sansing, professor emeritus of history at the University of Mississippi, said Monday that people have claimed erroneously for years that the cross is the St. Andrew's Cross.
"What is in the Confederate battle flag is a blue saltier. The St. Andrew's Cross is a white diagonal cross on a blue field," Sansing said. "The man who designed the (Confederate battle) flag makes no reference to the St. Andrew's Cross."
The Muslim version of Michael Newdow may get his day in front of the SCOTUS, which in case you already didn't know, begins its sessions with the proclamation of "God save the United States and this honorable Court.
Since 1894, Mississippi's flag has contained the Confederate battle emblem, a blue X with 13 whites stars over a field of red. Experts differ on whether the X in the Confederate battle emblem is the St. Andrew's Cross.
David Sansing, professor emeritus of history at the University of Mississippi, said Monday that people have claimed erroneously for years that the cross is the St. Andrew's Cross.
"What is in the Confederate battle flag is a blue saltier. The St. Andrew's Cross is a white diagonal cross on a blue field," Sansing said. "The man who designed the (Confederate battle) flag makes no reference to the St. Andrew's Cross."
Monday, December 29, 2003
Religious Liberty Year in Review
The article here provides a pretty decent summary. Although there's been some victories, I'd say that in the near future, things are going to get worse for First Amendment jurisprudence before they get better. This will especially be the case if Bush doesn't win reelection and get all of his appellate court nominations approved.
The article here provides a pretty decent summary. Although there's been some victories, I'd say that in the near future, things are going to get worse for First Amendment jurisprudence before they get better. This will especially be the case if Bush doesn't win reelection and get all of his appellate court nominations approved.
A Day After the Feast of the Holy Innocents
Moloch is alive and well for 2004, as a federal District Court judge in New Hampshire declares that requiring parents to be notified of their daughter's intent to obtain an abortion is unconstitutional.
Moloch is alive and well for 2004, as a federal District Court judge in New Hampshire declares that requiring parents to be notified of their daughter's intent to obtain an abortion is unconstitutional.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Matter Matters
Some nice sentiments and reflection by P.S. Bradley on the significance of the Feast of the Incarnation (or is it the Feast of the Nativity?).
Mele Kalikimaka!
Some nice sentiments and reflection by P.S. Bradley on the significance of the Feast of the Incarnation (or is it the Feast of the Nativity?).
Mele Kalikimaka!
Now, Back to Christmas
For all you baseball enthusiasts out there (like me) the highly publicized A-Rod for Manny Ramirez trade is now officially dead. In related news, the Red Sox are still cursed and the Dodgers, who were in line to possibly acquire Nomar Garciaparra if the A-Rod deal went through, still don't have a lineup that can hit the baseball. Harumph.
For all you baseball enthusiasts out there (like me) the highly publicized A-Rod for Manny Ramirez trade is now officially dead. In related news, the Red Sox are still cursed and the Dodgers, who were in line to possibly acquire Nomar Garciaparra if the A-Rod deal went through, still don't have a lineup that can hit the baseball. Harumph.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
A Word on the State of Faith
Courtesy of Michael Novak.
Recently, British scientist Richard Dawkins was described as "an atheist, and a strenuous and militant and proud one." (One does not hear often of humble atheists, but they do appear.) "He thinks religious belief is a dangerous virus, and that it is a crime to infect the mind of a child with it." He calls religions "dangerous collective delusions" and "sinks of falsehood." He especially regrets the public influence of religion: "He is made apoplectic by the pontifications of religious 'leaders' on such questions as whether human clones would be fully human." For Dawkins, in short, "Religion is superstition, like astrology, alternative medicine, and the rest."
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, about ten percent (or a little less) of the world population is atheist or agnostic. So however upscale the views of Professor Dawkins, he has his propagating work cut out for him. Most nonreligious, secularist people, it appears, actually believe in God; they just don't like organized religions.
Courtesy of Michael Novak.
Recently, British scientist Richard Dawkins was described as "an atheist, and a strenuous and militant and proud one." (One does not hear often of humble atheists, but they do appear.) "He thinks religious belief is a dangerous virus, and that it is a crime to infect the mind of a child with it." He calls religions "dangerous collective delusions" and "sinks of falsehood." He especially regrets the public influence of religion: "He is made apoplectic by the pontifications of religious 'leaders' on such questions as whether human clones would be fully human." For Dawkins, in short, "Religion is superstition, like astrology, alternative medicine, and the rest."
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, about ten percent (or a little less) of the world population is atheist or agnostic. So however upscale the views of Professor Dawkins, he has his propagating work cut out for him. Most nonreligious, secularist people, it appears, actually believe in God; they just don't like organized religions.
Monday, December 22, 2003
A Little Message From You Know Who, Perhaps?
One-third of San Francisco experiences a power outage; cause is still a mystery. Metaphorically, of course, San Francisco has been "dark" for decades.
One-third of San Francisco experiences a power outage; cause is still a mystery. Metaphorically, of course, San Francisco has been "dark" for decades.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Looks Like the NFL Hasn't Heard of Title VII
Jon Kitna of the Cincinnati Bengals is fined by the NFL for wearing a hat with a cross on it during a post-game press conference. (link via Mark Shea)
Jon Kitna of the Cincinnati Bengals is fined by the NFL for wearing a hat with a cross on it during a post-game press conference. (link via Mark Shea)
Friday, December 19, 2003
Ann Coulter's Man O' the Year
And it is former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore.
The ACLU began its onslaught against then-Etowah County Circuit Court Judge Moore in 1995, when an ACLU lawyer, apparently depressed that he was not chosen to play Mrs. Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade that year, wrote a letter to all the state judges in Alabama protesting their practice of having a prayer in the courtroom every few weeks. (Obviously you can't have prayer in court: It might distract all the people holding their hand over a Bible and swearing before God Almighty to tell the truth.)
Everything had been going just fine in Alabama -- no defendant had ever complained about the practice -- but upon receiving a testy letter from the ACLU, all the other Alabama judges immediately ceased and desisted from the foul practice of allowing prayer in court. Judge Moore did not.
And it is former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore.
The ACLU began its onslaught against then-Etowah County Circuit Court Judge Moore in 1995, when an ACLU lawyer, apparently depressed that he was not chosen to play Mrs. Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade that year, wrote a letter to all the state judges in Alabama protesting their practice of having a prayer in the courtroom every few weeks. (Obviously you can't have prayer in court: It might distract all the people holding their hand over a Bible and swearing before God Almighty to tell the truth.)
Everything had been going just fine in Alabama -- no defendant had ever complained about the practice -- but upon receiving a testy letter from the ACLU, all the other Alabama judges immediately ceased and desisted from the foul practice of allowing prayer in court. Judge Moore did not.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Chutzpah
The city of Palm Beach is ordered to submit a formal argument in defense of its position that a Jewish menorah ceases to have any religious significance when it is placed next to a Christmas tree. I expect Palm Beach will engage in an extensive distortion of the Supreme Court's ruling in Lynch v. Donnelly.
The city of Palm Beach is ordered to submit a formal argument in defense of its position that a Jewish menorah ceases to have any religious significance when it is placed next to a Christmas tree. I expect Palm Beach will engage in an extensive distortion of the Supreme Court's ruling in Lynch v. Donnelly.
Bias Against People With Religious Beliefs
Trial lawyers recommend against selecting as jurors in personal injury cases, individuals with "personal responsibility biases." People with such biases are apparently not compassionate enough.
"It is helpful to divide the jurors into two groups: the personal responsibility group and compassion-altruistic group," Wenner wrote. "Jurors who are extreme on the personal responsibility bias, or who have a high need for personal responsibility, will strongly favor the defendant. In contrast, jurors who are extreme on the compassionate-altruistic bias, or who have a high need for compassion, will strongly favor the plaintiff." (...)
"The personal responsibility jurors tend to espouse traditional family values," Wenner continued. "Personal responsibility jurors often believe that when someone harms you,
the best response is to turn the other cheek. A lawsuit is viewed as revenge and unproductive ... often, these jurors have strong religious beliefs."
Trial lawyers recommend against selecting as jurors in personal injury cases, individuals with "personal responsibility biases." People with such biases are apparently not compassionate enough.
"It is helpful to divide the jurors into two groups: the personal responsibility group and compassion-altruistic group," Wenner wrote. "Jurors who are extreme on the personal responsibility bias, or who have a high need for personal responsibility, will strongly favor the defendant. In contrast, jurors who are extreme on the compassionate-altruistic bias, or who have a high need for compassion, will strongly favor the plaintiff." (...)
"The personal responsibility jurors tend to espouse traditional family values," Wenner continued. "Personal responsibility jurors often believe that when someone harms you,
the best response is to turn the other cheek. A lawsuit is viewed as revenge and unproductive ... often, these jurors have strong religious beliefs."
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
WWJD
A lot of Catholic anti-war types have been posting inane comments in the blogosphere about the alleged moral inconsistency and hypocrisy of United States policy toward Iraq and Saddam Hussein. More specifically, some people are implicity suggesting that since the U.S. at one point in time actually provided military support to Saddam (how much and why, they never say) we ought not to be claiming any kind of moral victory in his toppling and capture.
In response to comments like this, I'll usually say that it's a good thing that geopolitics isn't religion, and rhetorically ask if we should just go ahead and put Saddam back in power with a written apology. However, since the remarks are coming from Christians, Catholics in particular, I think a more apropos and effective response would be to rhetorically ask if Jesus should also be condemned for moral hypocrisy since He effectively enabled someone whom He knew was going to act in an evil manner (Judas).
A lot of Catholic anti-war types have been posting inane comments in the blogosphere about the alleged moral inconsistency and hypocrisy of United States policy toward Iraq and Saddam Hussein. More specifically, some people are implicity suggesting that since the U.S. at one point in time actually provided military support to Saddam (how much and why, they never say) we ought not to be claiming any kind of moral victory in his toppling and capture.
In response to comments like this, I'll usually say that it's a good thing that geopolitics isn't religion, and rhetorically ask if we should just go ahead and put Saddam back in power with a written apology. However, since the remarks are coming from Christians, Catholics in particular, I think a more apropos and effective response would be to rhetorically ask if Jesus should also be condemned for moral hypocrisy since He effectively enabled someone whom He knew was going to act in an evil manner (Judas).
Pope Sees "Passion" Film
And he approves of it. (Link via Drudge) I wonder if the ADF will now dare to call JPII an anti-Semite. Stay tuned.
And he approves of it. (Link via Drudge) I wonder if the ADF will now dare to call JPII an anti-Semite. Stay tuned.
First Time for Everything
Because of concerns about spreading the flu, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has instructed all of its parishes to temporarily restrain from offering the Communion chalice and asking parishoners to only receive the Eucharist in the hand. I happened to be attending a Novus Ordo Mass in San Francisco when this announcement was made, and as such, it was the first time in my five years as a Catholic to receive Communion in the hand. The experience was a little unsettling for me, if only because I was incredibly self consciece about leaving any particles of the Eucharist in my hand. I was at least comforted by the fact that the priest who read the Archbishop's letter took the time to mention that not receiving Communion on the tongue would be a sacrifice for many of us.
BTW, note that the article I linked to states in the first paragraph that the Communion wine symbolizes Christ's blood. Just one more example of mainstream journalistic inaccuracy and sloppiness.
Because of concerns about spreading the flu, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has instructed all of its parishes to temporarily restrain from offering the Communion chalice and asking parishoners to only receive the Eucharist in the hand. I happened to be attending a Novus Ordo Mass in San Francisco when this announcement was made, and as such, it was the first time in my five years as a Catholic to receive Communion in the hand. The experience was a little unsettling for me, if only because I was incredibly self consciece about leaving any particles of the Eucharist in my hand. I was at least comforted by the fact that the priest who read the Archbishop's letter took the time to mention that not receiving Communion on the tongue would be a sacrifice for many of us.
BTW, note that the article I linked to states in the first paragraph that the Communion wine symbolizes Christ's blood. Just one more example of mainstream journalistic inaccuracy and sloppiness.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
From Our Bulging "I Sure Am Glad I Believe in an Authoritative Magisterium" File
Clergy in New Joisy argue that the Bible supports "gay marriages."
While opponents of domestic partnership quote the Bible to denounce the legitimacy of gay relationships, Holzbaur argues the message delivered by Jesus Christ is "radical inclusively" of all people and to "love your neighbor as yourself."
"It definitely is all on how one interprets Jesus' message," Holzbaur said. "The biblical scholarship I follow looks at not only the written word but the time the scriptures were written.
"The Bible at one time was used to promote and approve of slavery, and we no longer believe that is true," Holzbaur continued. "It's been used to keep women in a place of submission, and that is no longer true. We believe that God is still speaking."
Clergy in New Joisy argue that the Bible supports "gay marriages."
While opponents of domestic partnership quote the Bible to denounce the legitimacy of gay relationships, Holzbaur argues the message delivered by Jesus Christ is "radical inclusively" of all people and to "love your neighbor as yourself."
"It definitely is all on how one interprets Jesus' message," Holzbaur said. "The biblical scholarship I follow looks at not only the written word but the time the scriptures were written.
"The Bible at one time was used to promote and approve of slavery, and we no longer believe that is true," Holzbaur continued. "It's been used to keep women in a place of submission, and that is no longer true. We believe that God is still speaking."
California Prisons Go Kosher
Bring on the gefilte fish!
Nolan said that in California, the response until now had been for prisons "to offer another helping of mashed potatoes" instead of a balanced diet to an inmate whose religion does not permit eating pork.
Bring on the gefilte fish!
Nolan said that in California, the response until now had been for prisons "to offer another helping of mashed potatoes" instead of a balanced diet to an inmate whose religion does not permit eating pork.
Capitalisms Roots in Catholicism
A most intriguing article by uber-theologian Michael Novak.
It was the church more than any other agency, writes historian Randall Collins, that put in place what Weber called the preconditions of capitalism: the rule of law and a bureaucracy for resolving disputes rationally; a specialized and mobile labor force; the institutional permanence that allows for transgenerational investment and sustained intellectual and physical efforts, together with the accumulation of long-term capital; and a zest for discovery, enterprise, wealth creation, and new undertakings.
A most intriguing article by uber-theologian Michael Novak.
It was the church more than any other agency, writes historian Randall Collins, that put in place what Weber called the preconditions of capitalism: the rule of law and a bureaucracy for resolving disputes rationally; a specialized and mobile labor force; the institutional permanence that allows for transgenerational investment and sustained intellectual and physical efforts, together with the accumulation of long-term capital; and a zest for discovery, enterprise, wealth creation, and new undertakings.
Monday, December 15, 2003
False and Stupid Syllogisms
While sitting on the bus yesterday, I overheard the following syllogistic conversation a young lady sitting next to me was having with someone on her cell phone: "Halliburton has big time contracts with the U.S. military in Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney used to own (?!) Halliburton, so that's why we bombed Iraq."
In order to illustrate how stupid I thought this mindless lib was, I was real close to sarcastically asking her if she thought all Germans were Nazis because the Nazi Party came out of Germany, or if all blacks lack buoyancy because you never see any black Olympic swimmers. Fortunately, the impulse in me to be obnoxious subsided; plus, she got off the bus soon after I sat down next to her.
While sitting on the bus yesterday, I overheard the following syllogistic conversation a young lady sitting next to me was having with someone on her cell phone: "Halliburton has big time contracts with the U.S. military in Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney used to own (?!) Halliburton, so that's why we bombed Iraq."
In order to illustrate how stupid I thought this mindless lib was, I was real close to sarcastically asking her if she thought all Germans were Nazis because the Nazi Party came out of Germany, or if all blacks lack buoyancy because you never see any black Olympic swimmers. Fortunately, the impulse in me to be obnoxious subsided; plus, she got off the bus soon after I sat down next to her.
Friday, December 12, 2003
This Doesn't Seem Very Smart
Illegal immigrants protest the repeal of a California law that would have allowed them to have driver's licenses.
Pablo Lopez, 44, of Santa Ana, marched with about 70 others from an Orange County landscaping company that had released its employees for the boycott. Lopez said he was an undocumented immigrant for 12 years and drove without a license, but was always afraid of getting stopped by police and deported.
"People come to this country for opportunity. That's what we're fighting for," said Lopez. "We come here to work hard and we have family that we have to protect. If we don't have a license, we won't be able to do that."
Any chance that INS was around to pick these people up?
Illegal immigrants protest the repeal of a California law that would have allowed them to have driver's licenses.
Pablo Lopez, 44, of Santa Ana, marched with about 70 others from an Orange County landscaping company that had released its employees for the boycott. Lopez said he was an undocumented immigrant for 12 years and drove without a license, but was always afraid of getting stopped by police and deported.
"People come to this country for opportunity. That's what we're fighting for," said Lopez. "We come here to work hard and we have family that we have to protect. If we don't have a license, we won't be able to do that."
Any chance that INS was around to pick these people up?
Many First Christians Were Jews, So Why Aren't You's?
Jews for Jesus are sued over an alleged false conversion story.
I once had an informal debate with a member of Jews for Jesus over the general Protestant belief of sola scriptura (JFJ's tend to subscribe to it). Needless to say, the debate ended with the JFJ member accusing me of having some deep seeded darkness in my heart for challenging the notion that the Bible is the sole authority and deposit of the Christian faith.
Jews for Jesus are sued over an alleged false conversion story.
I once had an informal debate with a member of Jews for Jesus over the general Protestant belief of sola scriptura (JFJ's tend to subscribe to it). Needless to say, the debate ended with the JFJ member accusing me of having some deep seeded darkness in my heart for challenging the notion that the Bible is the sole authority and deposit of the Christian faith.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Jesus is the Reason
The GrinchList.com is a response to the growing censorship and revisionist policies and practices concerning Christmas that is evident in retail stores, public schools, government offices, businesses, and the media. Our mission is to compile an ongoing list of businesses and organizations that engage in egregious cultural revisionism and expose them to the millions of consumers whose heritage is being expunged from the public cultural arena.
Update: The editors of Grinchlist annoyingly and needlessly make the following religious distinction: Public schools celebrate “Hispanic Heritage Month” embracing the emergence of the largest pool of new Immigrants, yet fail to mention that this same group has contributed equally to the growth of the Christian and Catholic ranks.
The GrinchList.com is a response to the growing censorship and revisionist policies and practices concerning Christmas that is evident in retail stores, public schools, government offices, businesses, and the media. Our mission is to compile an ongoing list of businesses and organizations that engage in egregious cultural revisionism and expose them to the millions of consumers whose heritage is being expunged from the public cultural arena.
Update: The editors of Grinchlist annoyingly and needlessly make the following religious distinction: Public schools celebrate “Hispanic Heritage Month” embracing the emergence of the largest pool of new Immigrants, yet fail to mention that this same group has contributed equally to the growth of the Christian and Catholic ranks.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
If You Aren't Liberal, You Aren't "Diverse" and "Tolerant"
After publishing a study which showed that Wells College professors are profoundly to the Left of Center, a College Republican Club gets shot down in its application for official school recognition.
After publishing a study which showed that Wells College professors are profoundly to the Left of Center, a College Republican Club gets shot down in its application for official school recognition.
The Always Quotable Justice Scalia
Re: the SCOTUS' upholding of a largely unconstitutional campign finance reform bill.
This is a sad day for the freedom of speech. Who could have imagined that the same Court which, within the past four years, has sternly disapproved of restrictions upon such inconsequential forms of _expression as virtual child pornography, . . . tobacco advertising, . . . dissemination of illegally intercepted communications, . . . and sexually explicit cable programming, . . . would smile with favor upon a law that cuts to the heart of what the First Amendment is meant to protect: the right to criticize the government. For that is what the most offensive provisions of this legislation are all about . . .
The first instinct of power is the retention of power, and, under a Constitution that requires periodic elections, that is best achieved by the suppression of election-time speech. We have witnessed merely the second scene of Act I of what promises to be a lengthy tragedy. In scene 3 the Court, having abandoned most of the First Amendment weaponry that Buckley left intact, will be even less equipped to resist the incumbents writing of the rules of political debate. The federal election campaign laws, which are already (as today's opinions show) so voluminous, so detailed, so complex, that no ordinary citizen dare run for office, or even contribute a significant sum, without hiring an expert advisor in the field, can be expected to grow more voluminous, more detailed, and more complex in the years to come.and always, always, with the objective of reducing the excessive amount of speech. Justice Scalia dissenting and concurring at 3, 19 (citations omitted).
Re: the SCOTUS' upholding of a largely unconstitutional campign finance reform bill.
This is a sad day for the freedom of speech. Who could have imagined that the same Court which, within the past four years, has sternly disapproved of restrictions upon such inconsequential forms of _expression as virtual child pornography, . . . tobacco advertising, . . . dissemination of illegally intercepted communications, . . . and sexually explicit cable programming, . . . would smile with favor upon a law that cuts to the heart of what the First Amendment is meant to protect: the right to criticize the government. For that is what the most offensive provisions of this legislation are all about . . .
The first instinct of power is the retention of power, and, under a Constitution that requires periodic elections, that is best achieved by the suppression of election-time speech. We have witnessed merely the second scene of Act I of what promises to be a lengthy tragedy. In scene 3 the Court, having abandoned most of the First Amendment weaponry that Buckley left intact, will be even less equipped to resist the incumbents writing of the rules of political debate. The federal election campaign laws, which are already (as today's opinions show) so voluminous, so detailed, so complex, that no ordinary citizen dare run for office, or even contribute a significant sum, without hiring an expert advisor in the field, can be expected to grow more voluminous, more detailed, and more complex in the years to come.and always, always, with the objective of reducing the excessive amount of speech. Justice Scalia dissenting and concurring at 3, 19 (citations omitted).
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Friday, December 05, 2003
CT Article on the Blessed Mother
CT finally put the cover story I blogged about here on their website.
CT finally put the cover story I blogged about here on their website.
The Morally and Intellectually Impoverished Media
Matt Lauer of the Today show effectively blames Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell for the stroke that Hugh Hefner, poster boy for abortion, teenage pregnancies, venereal diseases and every other negative consequence of sexual impurity and immodesty, suffered in the '80's. What a punk.
Matt Lauer of the Today show effectively blames Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell for the stroke that Hugh Hefner, poster boy for abortion, teenage pregnancies, venereal diseases and every other negative consequence of sexual impurity and immodesty, suffered in the '80's. What a punk.
When Islam and Judaism Aren't Religions
A Catholic mom sues a school district for not allowing her kids' nativity scene to be part of a Christmas display that included a menorah and an Islamic star and crescent.
While school officials wouldn't discuss the lawsuit, legal briefs filed said it has "drawn an appropriate line between secular holiday decorations and those that are purely religious."
The New York Civil Liberties Union agreed: "The Constitution prohibits government from promoting religion, any religion, and that means that public schools can be in the business of promoting religion," Donna Lieberman of the NYCLU said.
More proof of ACLU stupidity and bigotry.
BTW, I think the writer of the article meant to write "can't" in the last sentence quoted above.
A Catholic mom sues a school district for not allowing her kids' nativity scene to be part of a Christmas display that included a menorah and an Islamic star and crescent.
While school officials wouldn't discuss the lawsuit, legal briefs filed said it has "drawn an appropriate line between secular holiday decorations and those that are purely religious."
The New York Civil Liberties Union agreed: "The Constitution prohibits government from promoting religion, any religion, and that means that public schools can be in the business of promoting religion," Donna Lieberman of the NYCLU said.
More proof of ACLU stupidity and bigotry.
BTW, I think the writer of the article meant to write "can't" in the last sentence quoted above.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Brownshirt Lawyers
The ACLU demands a school district superintendent be investigated for allowing a local minister to dress up like Santa Clause and discuss the meaning of Christmas with students.
"I think this superintendent doesn't understand the separation of church and state," said Mary Davidson, president of the Douglas County chapter of ACLU. "He should see the error of his ways and repent."
[Uncharitable Alert] What an idiotic and condescending bee-och! First of all, I challenge anyone to point out to me where in the Constitution it says "separation of church and state." Try in the same place where it says "right to privacy" -- nowhere. Secondly, what exactly in the following statements from the Supreme Court doesn't Ms. Davidson understand:
"Our prior holdings do not call for total separation between church and state; total separation is not possible in an absolute sense." Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 614 (1971)
"[the wall of separation] metaphor…is not a wholly accurate description of the practical aspects of the relationship that in fact exists between church and state." Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668, 673 (1984)
Lastly, Ms. Davidson's insipid remark about the school district superintendent repenting just reflects how much of a fundamentalist zealot she is in her hostility to Christians and Christianity. God have mercy on her and the Molochian organization she serves.
The ACLU demands a school district superintendent be investigated for allowing a local minister to dress up like Santa Clause and discuss the meaning of Christmas with students.
"I think this superintendent doesn't understand the separation of church and state," said Mary Davidson, president of the Douglas County chapter of ACLU. "He should see the error of his ways and repent."
[Uncharitable Alert] What an idiotic and condescending bee-och! First of all, I challenge anyone to point out to me where in the Constitution it says "separation of church and state." Try in the same place where it says "right to privacy" -- nowhere. Secondly, what exactly in the following statements from the Supreme Court doesn't Ms. Davidson understand:
"Our prior holdings do not call for total separation between church and state; total separation is not possible in an absolute sense." Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 614 (1971)
"[the wall of separation] metaphor…is not a wholly accurate description of the practical aspects of the relationship that in fact exists between church and state." Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668, 673 (1984)
Lastly, Ms. Davidson's insipid remark about the school district superintendent repenting just reflects how much of a fundamentalist zealot she is in her hostility to Christians and Christianity. God have mercy on her and the Molochian organization she serves.
It's not Hateful to use the Word "Hate"
At the direction of Father Robert Spitzer, Gonzaga University revokes the ridiculous hate speech code violations made against the College Republican club.
At the direction of Father Robert Spitzer, Gonzaga University revokes the ridiculous hate speech code violations made against the College Republican club.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Monday, December 01, 2003
Lingering Remnants of Anti-Catholic Gray Davis
Oral arguments are set for tomorrow in Catholic Charities' challenge to a state law which requires them and like agencies to include contraception in employee health benefits.
The arguments by the state that Catholic Charities is a secular institution because it serves non-Catholics is stupid. On the other hand, since I understand a lot of Catholic Charities publicly distribute things like condoms, I think it's a little disingenuous for them to say that because they have the word "Catholic" in their name, they are a religious institution that should be exempt from a clearly anti-Catholic law.
Oral arguments are set for tomorrow in Catholic Charities' challenge to a state law which requires them and like agencies to include contraception in employee health benefits.
The arguments by the state that Catholic Charities is a secular institution because it serves non-Catholics is stupid. On the other hand, since I understand a lot of Catholic Charities publicly distribute things like condoms, I think it's a little disingenuous for them to say that because they have the word "Catholic" in their name, they are a religious institution that should be exempt from a clearly anti-Catholic law.
Separated at Birth?
The guy on the left, of course, is country singer Glen Campbell after his recent arrest for assault and driving under the influence, while the guy on the right is convicted rapist and murderer Warren Summerlin, whose death sentence case was just accepted for review by the SCOTUS.
The guy on the left, of course, is country singer Glen Campbell after his recent arrest for assault and driving under the influence, while the guy on the right is convicted rapist and murderer Warren Summerlin, whose death sentence case was just accepted for review by the SCOTUS.
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Of Course it Has
Not content to be the top dog in everything that is gay, San Francisco makes an appeal to become America's number one death camp.
Not content to be the top dog in everything that is gay, San Francisco makes an appeal to become America's number one death camp.
Federal Judge Questions School's Brownshirt Tactics
In a lawsuit filed by a Catholic student whose views were affirmativelyexcluded from a public school program on homosexuality and religion, the judge in the case rhetorically likened the school's actions to book burning in Nazi Germany.
Only religious leaders who endorsed the school’s pro-homosexual “religious” belief were allowed to sit on the panel. School officials denied Hansen’s request to have a panel member who would express the Roman Catholic belief on homosexual activity. School officials hand-picked the pro-homosexual panel members, selected the Gay Straight Alliance faculty advisor to act as “moderator,” prohibited “open” questions to panel members, and expressly prohibited the students from personally interacting with any panel member before, during, or after the panel discussion.
Oh pleeeeze let the defenders of the school in this case come out and shoot themselves in the foot by saying that the Catholic Church's position on homosexual conduct amounts to illegal "hate speech." Please, please, please...
In a lawsuit filed by a Catholic student whose views were affirmativelyexcluded from a public school program on homosexuality and religion, the judge in the case rhetorically likened the school's actions to book burning in Nazi Germany.
Only religious leaders who endorsed the school’s pro-homosexual “religious” belief were allowed to sit on the panel. School officials denied Hansen’s request to have a panel member who would express the Roman Catholic belief on homosexual activity. School officials hand-picked the pro-homosexual panel members, selected the Gay Straight Alliance faculty advisor to act as “moderator,” prohibited “open” questions to panel members, and expressly prohibited the students from personally interacting with any panel member before, during, or after the panel discussion.
Oh pleeeeze let the defenders of the school in this case come out and shoot themselves in the foot by saying that the Catholic Church's position on homosexual conduct amounts to illegal "hate speech." Please, please, please...
Jeopardy and the Catholic Church
Methinks there is at least one writer on the popular game show who might be Catholic (or at least Orthodox), since there's been quite a few questions of late related to the Church. I noted one of these questions here. Other questions, which by the way almost everyone on the show answered incorrectly, include the mother of the "City of God" Saint who herself is a Saint and was a Berber (St. Monica) and the names of the two men that a European city established in 1703 has used, even though these men were born 1800 years apart (St. Peter and Lenin). On the latter question, which was a Final Jeopardy question, one of the contestants had written "Lenin and Peter," but got it wrong. In order to be credited with the right answer, "St." or "Saint" had to be included with Peter.
Methinks there is at least one writer on the popular game show who might be Catholic (or at least Orthodox), since there's been quite a few questions of late related to the Church. I noted one of these questions here. Other questions, which by the way almost everyone on the show answered incorrectly, include the mother of the "City of God" Saint who herself is a Saint and was a Berber (St. Monica) and the names of the two men that a European city established in 1703 has used, even though these men were born 1800 years apart (St. Peter and Lenin). On the latter question, which was a Final Jeopardy question, one of the contestants had written "Lenin and Peter," but got it wrong. In order to be credited with the right answer, "St." or "Saint" had to be included with Peter.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Was the Blessed Mother Protestant?
I was reading this editorial (via Relapsed Catholic) warning Evangelicals of the dangers of incorporating cultural trends in their ministries when I noticed this cover picture from next month's Christianity Today Magazine:
There wasn't an accompanying article linked to the picture, but I'm genuinely curious about the types of claims that are made with respect to the cover title. Maybe CT, which in case you aren't aware is Protestant, will have it on their website later next month.
I was reading this editorial (via Relapsed Catholic) warning Evangelicals of the dangers of incorporating cultural trends in their ministries when I noticed this cover picture from next month's Christianity Today Magazine:
There wasn't an accompanying article linked to the picture, but I'm genuinely curious about the types of claims that are made with respect to the cover title. Maybe CT, which in case you aren't aware is Protestant, will have it on their website later next month.
Monday, November 24, 2003
From Our Bulging "Our Culture is in the Sewer" Files
The culturally and morally impoverished cheer as L.A. repeals its ban on lap dancing.
At Crazy Girls, a gaudy Hollywood establishment on La Brea Avenue replete with Venetian statues on its roof, men and women crowded the darkened interior to watch girls twirl around a metal pole in skimpy underwear to the sound of blaring hip-hop and rock music.
When asked what drew them to strip clubs, some joked it wasn't for love of modern dance.
The culturally and morally impoverished cheer as L.A. repeals its ban on lap dancing.
At Crazy Girls, a gaudy Hollywood establishment on La Brea Avenue replete with Venetian statues on its roof, men and women crowded the darkened interior to watch girls twirl around a metal pole in skimpy underwear to the sound of blaring hip-hop and rock music.
When asked what drew them to strip clubs, some joked it wasn't for love of modern dance.
Friday, November 21, 2003
Only in San Francisco
A man who lives in the middle of one of the busiest sections of San Francisco sues a local Catholic parish (the one where Joe DiMaggio was married and buried) for loud bell ringing.
They're so annoying, he says, that the church should stop the chiming during funeral services. Sunday morning clanging should be scaled back, too, Coe said, because the racket is ruining his girlfriend's slumber on the rare day she can sleep in.
This bizarre crank, who has apparently never heard of the suburbs, also likes to complain about noises made by passing cable cars, foghorns that are frequently blown by cargo ships in the bay and "beeping" buses.
A man who lives in the middle of one of the busiest sections of San Francisco sues a local Catholic parish (the one where Joe DiMaggio was married and buried) for loud bell ringing.
They're so annoying, he says, that the church should stop the chiming during funeral services. Sunday morning clanging should be scaled back, too, Coe said, because the racket is ruining his girlfriend's slumber on the rare day she can sleep in.
This bizarre crank, who has apparently never heard of the suburbs, also likes to complain about noises made by passing cable cars, foghorns that are frequently blown by cargo ships in the bay and "beeping" buses.
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Pledge of Allegiance
Although I just discovered we have more time to get it filed, I probably won't be blogging too much for the next few days as I scramble to finish an amicus (i.e., "friend of the court") brief for the Pledge of Allegiance case in the SCOTUS. I'm actually revising and editing a brief drafted by somebody else, so it doesn't really contain all the arguments I would make. Ah well, at least it's an opportunity to have my name appear on something that could be read and considered by one of TheNine Eight (Scalia recused himself from the case).
Although I just discovered we have more time to get it filed, I probably won't be blogging too much for the next few days as I scramble to finish an amicus (i.e., "friend of the court") brief for the Pledge of Allegiance case in the SCOTUS. I'm actually revising and editing a brief drafted by somebody else, so it doesn't really contain all the arguments I would make. Ah well, at least it's an opportunity to have my name appear on something that could be read and considered by one of The
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Hollywood's Self-Centered Culture Strikes Again
This is sad. Actor Tom Cruise, who at one point in his life apparently had aspirations of being a Catholic priest, helps convert actress, love interest, and one-time Catholic Penelope Cruz to Scientology.
This is sad. Actor Tom Cruise, who at one point in his life apparently had aspirations of being a Catholic priest, helps convert actress, love interest, and one-time Catholic Penelope Cruz to Scientology.
Multiple Offenses Against God and Nature Makes for Bad Law
Working its way through the courts here in California is the case of two separated lesbians who are in a custody battle over children they each have biological links to via artificial insemination.
The case has polarized much of the San Francisco Bay Area's large lesbian community -- many of whom have become parents with their female partners through a variety of methods, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization. Mosely has the backing of San Francisco's National Center for Lesbian Rights, which filed an amicus curiae brief with the appeal court in hope of clarifying the law in a field that's getting increasingly complicated as more same-sex couples have children.
"It's right at the heart of everything we hope to establish in the law," says Shannon Minter, NCLR's legal director. "We very much want the courts to find that when a same-sex couple has a child together using assisted reproduction that they are both automatically parents -- without the need for an adoption."
In other words, forget about the welfare of the children, the state needs to start treating disordered sexual proclivities on the same level as sex (i.e., male and female).
Working its way through the courts here in California is the case of two separated lesbians who are in a custody battle over children they each have biological links to via artificial insemination.
The case has polarized much of the San Francisco Bay Area's large lesbian community -- many of whom have become parents with their female partners through a variety of methods, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization. Mosely has the backing of San Francisco's National Center for Lesbian Rights, which filed an amicus curiae brief with the appeal court in hope of clarifying the law in a field that's getting increasingly complicated as more same-sex couples have children.
"It's right at the heart of everything we hope to establish in the law," says Shannon Minter, NCLR's legal director. "We very much want the courts to find that when a same-sex couple has a child together using assisted reproduction that they are both automatically parents -- without the need for an adoption."
In other words, forget about the welfare of the children, the state needs to start treating disordered sexual proclivities on the same level as sex (i.e., male and female).
Federal Judge Say "Locals Only 'Bra"
The famed Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii are allowed to continue discriminating against any student applicant who isn't "Hawaiian."
"This is an incredible day for Kamehameha and we are ecstatic with the judge's decision," said Board of Trustees Chairwoman Constance H. Lau. "It was clear that the judge upholds that Kamehameha's programs are designed to correct all the imbalances of the past and we look forward to the day when Hawaiians will be on equal footing with all the residents in this state."
I put the word "Hawaiian" in quotes because I personally knew an otherwise haole (i.e., Caucasion) gal who was able to get into Kam because she was able to show she had maybe 10% native Hawaiian blood in her. And no, she didn't come from an impoverished family. What a farce.
The famed Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii are allowed to continue discriminating against any student applicant who isn't "Hawaiian."
"This is an incredible day for Kamehameha and we are ecstatic with the judge's decision," said Board of Trustees Chairwoman Constance H. Lau. "It was clear that the judge upholds that Kamehameha's programs are designed to correct all the imbalances of the past and we look forward to the day when Hawaiians will be on equal footing with all the residents in this state."
I put the word "Hawaiian" in quotes because I personally knew an otherwise haole (i.e., Caucasion) gal who was able to get into Kam because she was able to show she had maybe 10% native Hawaiian blood in her. And no, she didn't come from an impoverished family. What a farce.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
(B)ig (C)rappy (S)ystem
USC is ranked number 2 in both the writers' and coaches' polls, while THE Ohio State"Puke-eyes" are ranked number 4. However, the computer geeks at the BCS have knocked USC, who demolished Arizona last week 45-0, out of the number 2 spot and replaced it with the incredibly overrated Pukes (yes, Miami got shafted last year). If the BCS standings pretty much stay this way until the end of the year (there's no way the Pukies beat Oklahoma) look for the clamoring for an eight team playoff system to be beyond deafening.
As for the upcoming games this Saturday, Go Trojans and Go Big Blue!
USC is ranked number 2 in both the writers' and coaches' polls, while THE Ohio State"Puke-eyes" are ranked number 4. However, the computer geeks at the BCS have knocked USC, who demolished Arizona last week 45-0, out of the number 2 spot and replaced it with the incredibly overrated Pukes (yes, Miami got shafted last year). If the BCS standings pretty much stay this way until the end of the year (there's no way the Pukies beat Oklahoma) look for the clamoring for an eight team playoff system to be beyond deafening.
As for the upcoming games this Saturday, Go Trojans and Go Big Blue!
Troubling but Largely Unsurprising
The Massachusetts Supreme Court strikes down the state's "ban" on gay "marriages". The one redeeming thing, however, is that the court stopped short of saying same sex couples had the right to obtain marriage licenses. (link via Drudge)
The Massachusetts Supreme Court strikes down the state's "ban" on gay "marriages". The one redeeming thing, however, is that the court stopped short of saying same sex couples had the right to obtain marriage licenses. (link via Drudge)
Monday, November 17, 2003
Yeah, but You're the Wrong Kind
Unlike former NBA Star Charles Barkley, the incredibly slutty acting Brittany Spears embraces her status as a role model.
In a radio interview to be broadcast Monday, the 21-year-old pop star said parents should not be worried if their children want to copy her. (...)
Spears, who kissed Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards, also talked about her relationship with the singer, saying there was a special connection between them.
"She's like my godmother in a way. I don't listen to that many people, I'm a very stubborn person. When someone tells me not to do something, I do it, that's just my rebellious nature," Spears said.
I think she actually meant to say Madonna is a "role model" since godmothers are bascially supposed to provide authoritative direction to their godchildren. Although seriously misguided and shallow, at least Brittany hasn't in all seriousness misidentified Chicken of the Sea as chicken (a la fellow hoochie girl singer Jessica Simpson)--- yet.
Unlike former NBA Star Charles Barkley, the incredibly slutty acting Brittany Spears embraces her status as a role model.
In a radio interview to be broadcast Monday, the 21-year-old pop star said parents should not be worried if their children want to copy her. (...)
Spears, who kissed Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards, also talked about her relationship with the singer, saying there was a special connection between them.
"She's like my godmother in a way. I don't listen to that many people, I'm a very stubborn person. When someone tells me not to do something, I do it, that's just my rebellious nature," Spears said.
I think she actually meant to say Madonna is a "role model" since godmothers are bascially supposed to provide authoritative direction to their godchildren. Although seriously misguided and shallow, at least Brittany hasn't in all seriousness misidentified Chicken of the Sea as chicken (a la fellow hoochie girl singer Jessica Simpson)--- yet.
Innocent Mistake or Purposeful Lie?
In pointing out a couple of articles which report on the crystallizing link between Saddam Hussein and Al Queda, Catholic apologist extraordinaire Mark Shea wrongly notes that President Bush had initially refused to say that such a link existed. Of course, what President Bush refused to confirm was a link between Saddam and 9/11.
Being the admirer I am of Mr. Shea's writing and skills in apologetics, I normally would have dismissed his inaccurate observation as an innocent mistake. However, since columnist Juan "I'll jump to any conclusion that supports my left wing agenda" Williams of Fox News Sunday was called on the floor for making the exact same false accusation about President Bush, I'm left wondering whether Mr. Shea's comments weren't intentionally revisionist. Whatever the case might be, there's no shortage of people writing in Mr. Shea's comment boxes, including yours truly, to set him straight.
In pointing out a couple of articles which report on the crystallizing link between Saddam Hussein and Al Queda, Catholic apologist extraordinaire Mark Shea wrongly notes that President Bush had initially refused to say that such a link existed. Of course, what President Bush refused to confirm was a link between Saddam and 9/11.
Being the admirer I am of Mr. Shea's writing and skills in apologetics, I normally would have dismissed his inaccurate observation as an innocent mistake. However, since columnist Juan "I'll jump to any conclusion that supports my left wing agenda" Williams of Fox News Sunday was called on the floor for making the exact same false accusation about President Bush, I'm left wondering whether Mr. Shea's comments weren't intentionally revisionist. Whatever the case might be, there's no shortage of people writing in Mr. Shea's comment boxes, including yours truly, to set him straight.
In the Grand Tradition of American Sectarianism/Denominationalism
A new liberal religious group is formed to counter conservative Christian organizations.
The nonprofit organization, the Clergy Leadership Network, plans to formally announce its formation on Friday and will operate from an expressly religious, expressly partisan point of view. The group cannot, under Internal Revenue Service guidelines, endorse political candidates, and it will have no official ties to the Democratic Party.
But the driving purpose of the organization, according to its mission statement, is to bring about "sweeping changes — changes in our nation's political leadership and changes in failing public policies."
A new liberal religious group is formed to counter conservative Christian organizations.
The nonprofit organization, the Clergy Leadership Network, plans to formally announce its formation on Friday and will operate from an expressly religious, expressly partisan point of view. The group cannot, under Internal Revenue Service guidelines, endorse political candidates, and it will have no official ties to the Democratic Party.
But the driving purpose of the organization, according to its mission statement, is to bring about "sweeping changes — changes in our nation's political leadership and changes in failing public policies."
Friday, November 14, 2003
It's Not a Democracy!
Although I think it's utterly stupid and reflects a level of ignorance on what the Church is, I can sort of see why non-Catholic Americans would ever conduct a job approval rating poll for Church Bishops. However, for professed Catholics (lay or religious) to be commissioning such polls is, in my opinion, inexcusable because it politicizes doctrine and foments dissent within the Church.
Although I think it's utterly stupid and reflects a level of ignorance on what the Church is, I can sort of see why non-Catholic Americans would ever conduct a job approval rating poll for Church Bishops. However, for professed Catholics (lay or religious) to be commissioning such polls is, in my opinion, inexcusable because it politicizes doctrine and foments dissent within the Church.
The Kids Aren't Alright
So I'm watching the game show Jeopardy again last night, and all three contestants are college kids (one from Carleton College, one from Middlebury College, and one from UC Berkeley) who are competing in a special tournament. Under the category of Yale Graduates, the "answer" was a U.S. Supreme Court Justice who is of African-American descent. Since in the entire history of the Supreme Court there have only been two black Justices, you'd think at least one of these presumably well informed students would have been able to wrongly answer "Who is Thurgood Marshall?" (The right answer, of course, is Clarence Thomas). Well, not only did only one of the three contestants chime in to give an answer before the buzzer (and it wasn't the UC Berkeley student) the answer this guy gave was "Who is Antonin Scalia?" Needless to say, I fell out of my chair hysterically laughing.
So I'm watching the game show Jeopardy again last night, and all three contestants are college kids (one from Carleton College, one from Middlebury College, and one from UC Berkeley) who are competing in a special tournament. Under the category of Yale Graduates, the "answer" was a U.S. Supreme Court Justice who is of African-American descent. Since in the entire history of the Supreme Court there have only been two black Justices, you'd think at least one of these presumably well informed students would have been able to wrongly answer "Who is Thurgood Marshall?" (The right answer, of course, is Clarence Thomas). Well, not only did only one of the three contestants chime in to give an answer before the buzzer (and it wasn't the UC Berkeley student) the answer this guy gave was "Who is Antonin Scalia?" Needless to say, I fell out of my chair hysterically laughing.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
So Much for Protestant Iconoclasm
You know it isn't Catholic when the group feels the need to publish a
Statement of Faith. (picture found via Mark Shea.)
You know it isn't Catholic when the group feels the need to publish a
Statement of Faith. (picture found via Mark Shea.)
Homo Apoplexy
Gay activists express revulsion over Gov. Bush's joking comment that it might be a good thing San Franciscans, many of whom are gay of course, are an endangered species.
"It's extremely insulting," AP quotes Matt Foreman, the head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, as saying. "But of course I would say that gay people in Florida are far more endangered than gay people in California."
They have a "Task Force." Marching Gay Brownshirts indeed.
Gay activists express revulsion over Gov. Bush's joking comment that it might be a good thing San Franciscans, many of whom are gay of course, are an endangered species.
"It's extremely insulting," AP quotes Matt Foreman, the head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, as saying. "But of course I would say that gay people in Florida are far more endangered than gay people in California."
They have a "Task Force." Marching Gay Brownshirts indeed.
Christmas Gift Suggestions
This year, I was thinking of giving books to my associates at work who are all Protestant. One book I was thinking of giving is "Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II" by George Weigel. Other books I've considered include "The New Faithful: Why Young Adults are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy" and "Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception."
Since none of my associates are at a place in their faith journey that they would consider looking at or reading a book that challenges their underlying Protestant beliefs (e.g., sola scriptura) I'm a little hesitant to give anything dealing in straight, no nonsense Catholic apologetics. So if you have any books to suggest, please avoid passing along any titles that read something along the lines of "Evangelicalism is not Enough" or "Attacks on Catholicism by 'Bible Believing' Fundamentalists."
This year, I was thinking of giving books to my associates at work who are all Protestant. One book I was thinking of giving is "Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II" by George Weigel. Other books I've considered include "The New Faithful: Why Young Adults are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy" and "Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception."
Since none of my associates are at a place in their faith journey that they would consider looking at or reading a book that challenges their underlying Protestant beliefs (e.g., sola scriptura) I'm a little hesitant to give anything dealing in straight, no nonsense Catholic apologetics. So if you have any books to suggest, please avoid passing along any titles that read something along the lines of "Evangelicalism is not Enough" or "Attacks on Catholicism by 'Bible Believing' Fundamentalists."
No More Moore
Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore is kicked off the court for defying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments display.
I certainly feel bad for the guy, because I think his heart was in the right place. But even if the federal court's order lacked legal justification (which I believe it does) Justice Moore still had an obligation to comply with it until all appeals were exhausted. And no, this situation is nowhere near the same as racial segregation in the South.
Update: Here's a link to the opinion removing Judge Moore from the bench. While driving back to the office from lunch, I heard Americans United for Separation of Church and State head idiot Barry Lynn comment on the radio that Judge Moore lost his job because he decided to take religion into politics. Too bad that's the exact opposite of what the decision says.
Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore is kicked off the court for defying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments display.
I certainly feel bad for the guy, because I think his heart was in the right place. But even if the federal court's order lacked legal justification (which I believe it does) Justice Moore still had an obligation to comply with it until all appeals were exhausted. And no, this situation is nowhere near the same as racial segregation in the South.
Update: Here's a link to the opinion removing Judge Moore from the bench. While driving back to the office from lunch, I heard Americans United for Separation of Church and State head idiot Barry Lynn comment on the radio that Judge Moore lost his job because he decided to take religion into politics. Too bad that's the exact opposite of what the decision says.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
WMDs and the Show "24"
So far this season, the theme of the Fox Television show "24" has focused on the pursuit of a teenager in Los Angeles who is being used as a pawn and has been infected with a deadly virus by big time Mexican drug dealers who want to break their head honcho out of prison. The virus in the kid's body is still dormant, but once its released into the air, estimates are that up to 20 percent of the population of Los Angeles will be killed within a week.
Now I know "24" is pure fiction, but the show does provide some illuminating insight regarding the justification for the war in Iraq, and our current "failure" to find any WMDs there. First of all, it is well worth noting and repeating that prior to the war, no one, not even France and Germany, ever denied that Saddam Hussein had chemical WMDs, and that he had defiantly failed to account for all of them. Second, given the fact that even a small pocket-sized vial of a manufactured virus has the capacity to kill several thousand people within a short amount of time, it should not be surprising that no WMDs have yet to be found in a country that is as big as California. Indeed, given the ease by which these chemicals can be hidden and transported, I wouldn't be totally surprised that chemical weapons may never be found in Iraq. However, the evidence indisputably shows that they were there, and that giving Saddam more time to come clean with them would have been pure folly and against our better interests. On this basis, I maintain my position that the war in Iraq was just, and that President Bush should not feel pressured to admit that any mistake was made or that the course of action he took was wrong.
So far this season, the theme of the Fox Television show "24" has focused on the pursuit of a teenager in Los Angeles who is being used as a pawn and has been infected with a deadly virus by big time Mexican drug dealers who want to break their head honcho out of prison. The virus in the kid's body is still dormant, but once its released into the air, estimates are that up to 20 percent of the population of Los Angeles will be killed within a week.
Now I know "24" is pure fiction, but the show does provide some illuminating insight regarding the justification for the war in Iraq, and our current "failure" to find any WMDs there. First of all, it is well worth noting and repeating that prior to the war, no one, not even France and Germany, ever denied that Saddam Hussein had chemical WMDs, and that he had defiantly failed to account for all of them. Second, given the fact that even a small pocket-sized vial of a manufactured virus has the capacity to kill several thousand people within a short amount of time, it should not be surprising that no WMDs have yet to be found in a country that is as big as California. Indeed, given the ease by which these chemicals can be hidden and transported, I wouldn't be totally surprised that chemical weapons may never be found in Iraq. However, the evidence indisputably shows that they were there, and that giving Saddam more time to come clean with them would have been pure folly and against our better interests. On this basis, I maintain my position that the war in Iraq was just, and that President Bush should not feel pressured to admit that any mistake was made or that the course of action he took was wrong.
Uh, Maybe it was Just a Bureaucratic Mistake?
Pro-homo church is "baffled" by a praising letter it received from President Bush after he proclaimed the establishment of "Marriage Protection Week."
Pro-homo church is "baffled" by a praising letter it received from President Bush after he proclaimed the establishment of "Marriage Protection Week."
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