From CNN.com: LONDON, England (Reuters) — It must rank as one of the most ironic twists in the tangled history of the British monarchy’s relations with Rome. When King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife and marry his pregnant lover, he denounced the pope and, in a flagrant act of rebellion against distant Rome, created the Church of England. Now, almost 500 years later, heir to the throne Prince Charles has postponed his wedding — to a divorcee at that — to go to Rome to...

Via the CommonSenseDesk and Shakespeare’s Sister comes news of this interesting bill before Congress: Constitution Restoration Act of 2005 – Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal district courts from exercising jurisdiction over any matter in which relief is sought against an entity of Federal, State, or local government or an officer or agent of such government concerning that entity’s, officer’s, or agent’s acknowledgment...

…in attempting to regulate electoral blogging.

I live in Europe, so the news I get in the mornings is “overnight” news in the US. It is being announced this morning that the Pope has been given the Last Rites. According to reports, the Pope’s health took a sharp turn for the worse on Thursday night (European time) when he suffered septic shock and circulatory collapse. This news does NOT mean the Pope has died or will definitely die in the next hours, but the decision of the Pope to remain in his Vatican apartments during this...

I have a longer post that will be up at my personal weblog later, but to quickly comment on Joe’s post below on the death of Terry Schiavo, I make this prediction: We may have thought things were bad before she died. Now, the gloves are going to come off. We may destroy our republic over the fate of one woman, after sacrificing tens of thousands over more than two centuries. The Republican Party will certainly be torn apart. The Democratic Party is too busy trying to herd cats to actually...

…by the people, for ALL the people, an indespenable necessity now.

…by Pennywit, but it is difficult to tell if the irony was intentional or not. In either case, it is amusing.

…or the next product that merits a warning label?

From November of 2004: But even as the peak summer driving season winds down, U.S. refiners continue to operate nearly flat out. As of this week, the industry is producing gasoline and other end products at something like 98 percent of capacity. And with the overall growth in demand for motor fuels and heating oil showing no signs of slowing, prices will continue to be driven as much by tight refining capacity as by the recent run-up in crude prices. Heating oil inventories are roughly at average...

…the Bull Moose reminds us there is far more fear and death in the world than the current controversy in Florida: Obviously, much of the status of the war against terrorism must remain secret. However, we cannot assume that silence equals safety. To prevent the nation from becoming complacent, it would seem that our leaders should present a progress report on this war. Set aside the war against terror – how much attention is devoted to the ongoing genocide in Dafur? One death is a tragedy,...

Is this a sign of our 24-hour-news-network-driven society? In the past, District Attorneys were known for their vocal belief in the wisdom of juries. However, in the case of the trial of Robert Blake for the murder of his wife, the report from CNN.com paints quite a different picture: District Attorney Steve Cooley says Robert Blake was “guilty as sin” and the jurors who acquitted him of murder were “incredibly stupid.” Further breaking precedent, he continues: “Quite...

Our friends across the pond have their own concerns and controversies over issues relating to the end of life, and the ending of life. The Guardian has published a very personal commentary discussing the end of life issues when the person involved is conscious and fully capable of making life and death decisions, but unable to act upon them unassisted. A brief quote to encourage reading the entire article: What kills you in the end if you have cancer or other terminal diseases? Not often the cancer...

…being forgotten in our reckless indulgence of the tragedy of absolutes?

…that is not meant to invoke partisan bickering, but instead thoughtful discussion amidst the sound and fury of emotional reactions. The oaths of office for the President and members of Congress require they swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. Our Constitution mandates a separation of powers not only between the three branches of the federal government, but also a separation of powers between the federal government and the states, reserving powers not explicitly...

In the election of 2004, the apparent external threat of terrorism put a final nail in the coffin for the accidental wisdom of the citizens of the United States in keeping control of the Presidency and the Congress in the hands of different parties. Has that presented a new, greater internal threat of tyranny by pandering to the minority and contemptuous circumvention of our Constitutional separation of powers?

Some feel the means are the ends…

The future of the United States may rest upon matters unrelated to the ultimate fate of a woman in Florida, regardless of the posturing and grandstanding of members of Congress and the President. Who is minding the store amidst all the transient sound and fury?

…than the Schiavo case. The Bull Moose has been vocal in expressing the danger from how our deficits are financed. To wit: …Niall Ferguson indicates that it is in the Chinese interest that the dollar not slide so America can buy their exports. But, the Moose asks what if the rulers of China decide that they can, in effect, hold a threat of economic blackmail to stop American efforts to defend Taiwan? It is clearly in our national security interests that we not be vulnerable to such...

…but is it still BY the people, and most importantly, FOR the people? Although power and corruption have long gone together, even in America, are we seeing a more disturbing trend now of government that serves the interests of those with the most cash to finance lobbying, afford lawyers for endless lawsuits, and fund the campaign coffers of politicians? Is largest threat to our freedom and democracy truly external rather than internal? Even if this current apparent trend proves to be illusory,...

The Christian Science Monitor has an article that upon reading the title and tag line appears extremely intriguing: Calling Evil by name A word once reserved for atrocities is now used liberally. But does the rude guy at the airport deserve the label? The article itself indeed follows up on the title and is well worth reading. A taste to prompt further reading: “You need to ask why is it that we’re so surprised when the alleged BTK killer [in Wichita] ends up being someone who lives...

Is that really the question?

Researchers at the University of California have discovered a way to remotely “fingerprint” computers connected to the Internet, without the cooperation of the user, and even behind firewalls. The much vaunted anonymity that the Internet once provided is no longer bulletproof. While this is good news for anti-terrorism and law enforcement efforts, is it good news for the rest of us? In this brave new world of easy connectivity and even easier information collection, what do we call...

The Bull Moose asks if it is time to revisit the idea of national service. As a 40 year old man, it is easy for me to say “yes, it is a good idea whose time has come again,” but those who will have to bear the burden should think about both the costs and, equally important, the rewards.

…is it really everything it’s cracked up to be in management circles?

…for the death of the intelligence agent involved in freeing the Italian journalist held hostage. At least one blogger feels that the public mourning in Italy over this single death is a condemnation of the leadership in the United States because of the lack of public mourning for the 1500+ deaths of American soldiers in the Iraq war and occupation. In democracies, however, who are the leaders and who are the followers? The situation in democracies brings to mind an old saying, “You...