In the genre of Pastors and Ministers In the News Related to One Candidate or Another through Frail Associations or by Entering the Time Traveling Machine: Father Pfleger agrees not to speak about specific presidential candidates, that is.... otherwise free to speak about whatever else. At The Unity Church in Chicago recently, Father Pfleger, a Catholic priest, gave a … [Read more...] about The Cardinal Speaks: Father Pfleger Agrees Not To
Grand Theft, Part One: Sales Tax Comes to the Internet For Certain
[SEE UPDATE AT END OF ARTICLE] Sales Tax Comes to the Internet For Certain: It's true. Tonight I went online to send a birthday gift to a friend in New York. When I went to the 'checkout' screen, a big red-lettered notice came up saying as of June 1, 2008, sales tax will be applied to all purchases being shipped to New York, no matter where they originate from This … [Read more...] about Grand Theft, Part One: Sales Tax Comes to the Internet For Certain
Grand Theft, Part Two: Credit Cards; Take Care of Yourself
We've been led to believe that we pay our credit card company for the privilege of not having to provide cash for everything, and that we're charged reasonable interest rates accordingly. You know all those cute commercials on TV with cavemen (GEICO) and barbarians (Capital One)? There are some not-so-cute figures behind the rates on your credit card. Your rate may be … [Read more...] about Grand Theft, Part Two: Credit Cards; Take Care of Yourself
Public Is Entitled To Corzine E-Mails
A judge has ruled that the public is entitled to read a series of e-mails exchanged between New Jersey governor Jon Corzine and a union leader he once dated. They have become a source of major controversy in the state and could possibly threaten his position as governor. The issue goes back to 2006 and 2007 when the guv was dating Carla Katz at the same time that the state of … [Read more...] about Public Is Entitled To Corzine E-Mails
Obama Gaffe
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Obama Gaffe
Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty: US, China, Russia, India, Israel Oppose It…
A landmark treaty banning cluster bombs was formally adopted at Dublin on Friday by 111 nations, including many of America's major NATO partners. It aims to outlaw all current designs of cluster munitions, and requires destruction of stockpiles within eight years, reports AP. The treaty also opens the possibility that European allies could order U.S. bases located in their … [Read more...] about Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty: US, China, Russia, India, Israel Oppose It…
The Americans Admit to a Nuclear Israel …
There once was a doctrine called strategic ambiguity ... From an editorial in Egypt's Al Gomhuria: "Former President Jimmy Carter admitted that Israel owns at least 70 nuclear weapons ... Because of its expansionist policies and brutal crimes against the Arab people, the international community must consider Israel a nation outside of the law and in violation of the … [Read more...] about The Americans Admit to a Nuclear Israel …
Pelosi Warns Clinton Supporters About “Scorched Earth” Policy
It sounds like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's patience is wearing thin as she watches the the increasingly divisive battle between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Presidential nomination unfold: she has issued a pointed warning to Clinton supporters about the need for unity ASAP: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Friday warned supporters … [Read more...] about Pelosi Warns Clinton Supporters About “Scorched Earth” Policy
What He Said
For several days, I've been kicking around (entirely inside my confused head) a post about why -- as much as I like Obama -- I still haven't made up my mind about the probable* Obama-vs-McCain choice in November. Andrew Sullivan was faster on the draw -- and, try as I might, I can't imagine a scenario where I could have described the reasons for my hesitation better than he … [Read more...] about What He Said
McClellan Book
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about McClellan Book
Playing God in Washington
Three years after posturing over Terri Schiavo's right to be kept alive after brain death, members of Congress are faced with real end-of-life questions in proposed legislation to force the FDA to speed up its drug-approval process and give terminally ill patients access to investigative drugs. Last week they had to look into the eyes of a 12-year-old Maryland girl with … [Read more...] about Playing God in Washington
The Other Sermon at Trinity Last Sunday
It was delivered by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite. Her take on Pfleger's ill-chosen words can be found here. Two reactions: 1. I now feel bad about chuckling when I watched Fr. Pfleger's You-Tubed diatribe. Yet more evidence -- as my wife frequently reminds me -- that even at the age of 43, I still have some growing up to do. 2. I have to wonder why snippets of … [Read more...] about The Other Sermon at Trinity Last Sunday
McClellan Will ‘Come Out the Stronger’
Global op-ed and editorial reaction to major events in the United States usually takes a day or two - as is the case of Scott McClellan's explosive look inside the Bush White House and it's decision-making process. This editorial from the Khaleej Times of the United Arab Emirates seems to disagree with American pundits who forecast that McClellan will 'never work … [Read more...] about McClellan Will ‘Come Out the Stronger’
If She Can’t Make it There …
Per Rasmussen: Fifty percent (50%) of New York Democrats say it’s time for Senator Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race for the White House ... Forty-seven percent (47%) of New York voters believe Obama is the stronger general election candidate. Forty-three percent (43%) believe Clinton would be better ... Sixty-two percent (62%) of New York voters have a … [Read more...] about If She Can’t Make it There …
Who Woulda Thunk?
Andrew Sullivan spotlights a snippet on one of the non-obvious impacts of high gas prices. … [Read more...] about Who Woulda Thunk?
McCain, Nuclear Security, and Disarmament: A Glass Half-Full
One thing is clear: He sure talks a big game. … [Read more...] about McCain, Nuclear Security, and Disarmament: A Glass Half-Full
A Woman With a Heart ‘as Cold as Stone’: Sharon Stone
Joining the list of Beijing's most reviled Americans alongside such luminaries as Jack Cafferty, Nancy Pelosi and Mia Farrow, is Sharon Stone. In calling the recent earthquake in China 'bad Karma' due to Beijing's treatment of its Tibetan minority, has Stone gone over the line? According to China's rigidly-controlled state press: "She may enjoy first class facilities; … [Read more...] about A Woman With a Heart ‘as Cold as Stone’: Sharon Stone
John McCain and The League of Global Antagonism
Of the many ideas floated by John McCain - some good, some not so hot - one of the truly alarming ones is his endorsement of the formation of a so-called "League of Democracies." (With a tip of the hat to Hot Air.) Gaining ground this political season is a proposed League of Democracies designed to strengthen support for the next president's overseas agenda and ensure a … [Read more...] about John McCain and The League of Global Antagonism
Dole v. McClellan
I wasn't sure how to view news of McClellan's tell-all book. Part of me understood why he waited. Part of me thought he was just being opportunistic. Apparently, former Presidential Candidate Bob Dole did not share my equivocation. From Jonathan Martin's report, Dole wrote the following (among other no-holds-barred language) to McClellan: ... if all these awful things … [Read more...] about Dole v. McClellan
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
This is the big weekend when the Democratic party apparatus has to decide on what to do about Michigan and Florida and Hillary Clinton is scrambling. Barack Obama is scrambling, too...away from another pastor. And John McCain is scrambling....away from George Bush (unless he needs to be with him to raise money). Here's our linkfest/roadmap taking you to sites with varying … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere