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.
Friday, December 19, 2003
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).
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