[This is a piece I just submitted to The Logan Daily News, the local paper in the community I serve as pastor. It's part of a continuing series to which local clergy are invited to contribute. It is overtly Christian, not, I hope, as a means of pushing my faith down people's throats, but to (a) let non-Christians see that many--I believe most--Christians do not believe that the … [Read more...] about Politics Has No Place in the Pulpit
Boxing Palin
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Boxing Palin
Florida Judge Strikes Down Gay Adoption Ban
It's a local judge so it doesn't have value as a state-wide precedent, but it is a victory for equal rights all the same. At the moment, only Florida and Mississippi flatly prohibit gay adoptions, regardless of the normal best-interest-of-the-child standard. … [Read more...] about Florida Judge Strikes Down Gay Adoption Ban
Straight Talk Express No More
A strange and sad thing is happening in America. The more half-truths, untruths, fabrications, and misrepresentations---whatever you may want to call them---the McCain-Palin team tells, the more the Republican base is energized. In addition, the more the same old lies are repeated, verbatim, the wilder and louder the crowds cheer. For example, as of yesterday, Sarah … [Read more...] about Straight Talk Express No More
Roundup Hiatus
Hey all. As I prepare to start law school, I'm doing a bit of traveling, and a lot of packing. As a result, I'm going to put the civil rights roundup on hiatus for the next couple of weeks. I hopefully will be able to get in periodic blogging as I cross-cross the country (well, the mid-west anyway), but there is no realistic way I'll be able to keep up a regular enough schedule … [Read more...] about Roundup Hiatus
Obama’s Fight: Taking on the Lies and Smears of McCain, Palin, and the GOP Machine
Ever think you're living in some Matrix-like bizarro world -- you know, sort of like Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine? Ever think up is down, left is right, and so on and so forth? Well, that's how it feels with McCain-Palin surging out of the RNC, drawing even with Obama-Biden in the polls, and basically dominating the political landscape of late. Some things just don't … [Read more...] about Obama’s Fight: Taking on the Lies and Smears of McCain, Palin, and the GOP Machine
GOP Palin and Choice
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about GOP Palin and Choice
Biden Senate Succession Now Up In The Air
In an upset that has major implications for who might succeed Joe Biden in the U.S. Senate if he becomes Vice President, the state treasurer and Democratic Party maverick Jack Markell squeaked by Lieutenant Governor John Carney yesterday in a primary election that shattered Delaware turnout records. Carney had been expected to win, which meant that Governor Ruth Ann Minner, … [Read more...] about Biden Senate Succession Now Up In The Air
Beyond the Bailout
The Republican mantra--government bad, free markets good--is taking a beating in the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bailout as both presidential candidates approve the Treasury's action to keep the housing and financial markets from going over a cliff but, in this personality-driven election, voters won't pay much attention to the issue. Barack Obama is understandably reluctant to … [Read more...] about Beyond the Bailout
We Don’t Need No Department of Education
See, this is what I'm talking about. Obama, like he should, is going after McCain on the issues -- not just on Iraq but on key domestic issues like health care, abortion, and, now, education: Our kids and our country can't afford four more years of neglect and indifference. At this defining moment in our history, America faces few more urgent challenges than preparing our … [Read more...] about We Don’t Need No Department of Education
The Lipstick Controversy: Obama Responds
But will this be enough to please Democrats or is it simply a defensive response to what many consider to be a bigger issue? … [Read more...] about The Lipstick Controversy: Obama Responds
The Republicans And Community Organizers
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about The Republicans And Community Organizers
Save a Seat on that Fence for Me
Yesterday, I posted my case against Gov. Palin. A short while later -- per several reader challenges -- I retracted one of the points from that case, and then started to seriously question the other points. In the end, though I’m still not a Palin fan, I suspect my rush to judgment may have blinded me to certain nuances about her record -- nuances that I’d otherwise gladly … [Read more...] about Save a Seat on that Fence for Me
Internet Optimists vs. Pessimists
Adam Thierer groups recent net books: Internet Optimists Internet Pessimists Yochai Benkler, The Wealth of Networks Andrew Keen, The Cult of the Amateur Chris Anderson, The Long Tail and “Free!” Lee Siegal, Against the Machine Clay Shirky, Here Comes Everybody Nick Carr, The Big Switch Cass … [Read more...] about Internet Optimists vs. Pessimists
Barack Obama and John McCain
Pavel Constantin, Romania … [Read more...] about Barack Obama and John McCain
Taking The Pulse (Guest Voice)
To some Americans, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac might be the names of candy or a hamburger. But they're pivotal names -- and now the federal government has taken them over. In this Guest Voice post, author Martha Randolph Carr looks at the economic realities out there. Taking The Pulse by Martha Randolph Carr This weekend the federal government took over the two mortgage … [Read more...] about Taking The Pulse (Guest Voice)
The Media As A Campaign 2008 Issue
Over the past few weeks Republicans have suggested that the media and its treatment of Republican Sen. John McCain is an issue -- and now a longtime Democratic strategist says the same thing....but for a different reason. … [Read more...] about The Media As A Campaign 2008 Issue
Republican strategist: facts don’t really matter
Jonathan Weisman, writing in the WaPo, says that As Campaign Heats Up, Untruths Can Become Facts Before They're Undone. A sad truth: John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said the campaign is entering a stage in which skirmishes over the facts are less important than the dominant themes that are forming voters' opinions of the candidates. "The more the New York Times and … [Read more...] about Republican strategist: facts don’t really matter
The Festival Express: Summer of ’08 Edition
RHYTHM & ROOTS BREAKOUT DONNA THE BUFFALO The DF&C and I are hopeless music heads, especially when it comes to American roots music -- folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, soul, Cajun, zydeco, swing, and so on and so forth. But we long ago tired of arena- and stadium-sized concerts. We catch the occasional gig at a theater or club, but in recent years have mostly gotten our fix … [Read more...] about The Festival Express: Summer of ’08 Edition
Barr on McCain-Palin Response to Freddie and Fannie
John McCain the anti-lobbyist guy? John McCain the change Washington guy? That's like saying Mitt Romney the bald guy. That's like Barack Obama the fat guy. That quote comes to us from MSNBC's Rachel Maddow during her introduction to an interview with Bob Barr. The Congressman was invited on the show to discuss the response of the McCain - Palin campaign to the Fannie and … [Read more...] about Barr on McCain-Palin Response to Freddie and Fannie