If this is true, it's another sad mark for how much American mainline churches have cozied up to reprehensible groups in the name of cultural understanding. And once again, I'm glad I'm not a Presbyterian or any of these other denominations more concerned with political activism than spiritual growth. … [Read more...] about Presbyterian leaders meet with Hezbollah to discuss charity?

It matters not which judicial approach you subscribe. Taken from his Harvard University Tanner Lectures On Human Values 2004-2005, the new book by Associate Justice Steven Breyer, "Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution", weighing in at 135 pages, is a worthy read. Active Liberty takes its title from a distinction made by political philosopher Benjamin … [Read more...] about Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution — Part I

Here it is, kiddies, your scandal of the day — the latest in a series of almost daily controversies:Justice Department lawyers concluded that the landmark Texas congressional redistricting plan spearheaded by Rep. Tom DeLay (R) violated the Voting Rights Act, according to a previously undisclosed memo obtained by The Washington Post. But senior officials overruled them … [Read more...] about Justice Department Lawyers Were Overruled By Senior Officials On Texas Redistricting

An intriguing and somewhat surprising item via Americablog:Well, that didn't take long. It took forever for the Pentagon to finally accept having Ed Schultz's liberal radio show on the Armed Forces Radio as a counter to conservative Rush Limbaugh (and, from what I've heard, they still haven't started airing Schultz). Yet now, as soon as the Armed Forces Radio is finally … [Read more...] about Is Sean Hannity Destined For Armed Forces Radio?

How widespread is dissatisfaction over the Bush administration? Well, read this via Steve Clemons:Barbara Bush is allegedly TICKED off at Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Andy Card, nearly all of them — except Karen Hughes — for how her boy is faring in the hearts and minds of Americans. The matriarch of the Bush clan is colder than North Pole ice right now to those around … [Read more...] about A Mad Mother

This is totally off the topic of politics, but I figure a little diversion every now and again is worthwhile. Hide your acorns people. The squirrels cometh! … [Read more...] about Squirrel Fury!

Some serious thoughts on the issue from writer/columnist Cathy Young:I fully agree with John Cole: this is an outrage. Some in the "anti-anti-torture" contingent are using the fact that John McCain broke under torture when held captive by the North Vietnamese to rebut McCain's own anti-torture argument -- ostensibly as a demonstration that "torture works," but also, I suspect, … [Read more...] about More On The Debate Over Torture

Yesterday we did this long post on President George Bush's "victory strategy" speech and reaction to it in the press, and in a wide variety of political weblogs. But we left out something important. A post giving you the reaction also of someone out there in the field who is in the military. READ IT HERE. Some will agree with it, others will disagree. But one thing everyone … [Read more...] about A Military Blogger’s View on Bush’s Speech And What Is At Stake

....at Treatment Online's intriguing new psychology blog. Heavens knows Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and people of all ages are experiencing stress these days (particularly if you are from New Orleans)...and the site The Psychology of Combating Stress, Depression & Addiction has some interesting tidbits. (Hey: stress, depression and addiction — they must be … [Read more...] about Take A Peek….

Photo by teen photographer Greg Powell. … [Read more...] about Friday Cat Blogging: Who Rules The House?

My contribution to the festival is up at The Debate Link. … [Read more...] about Blog Against Racism Day!

Some of Mercury Astronaut Gordon Cooper's cremains will be shot into space along with those of actor James Doohan, Star Trek's Scotty. … [Read more...] about Ashes to Ashes, Dust to……Space?

Then you'll LOVE this link. … [Read more...] about Do You Love Fritz Lang Films?

Media Matters is reporting that folk-leader Bill O'Reilly has taken to attacking what he calls "a very secret plan" by secular progressive to "diminish Christian philosophy in the U.S.A." Now, this is misguided on so many levels, but let me mention three. 1) There is no such thing as Christian philosophy. Theology yes, philosophy no. This may be a somewhat controversial … [Read more...] about Bill O’Reilly, illiberal paranoid conspiracy theorist

Any hardcore gamers out there? If so, check this out. … [Read more...] about Want To See The New PS3 Controller?

For your amusement and edification, I've done a fairly long round-up of reaction to yesterday's twin events of Bush's speech at the U.S. Naval Academy and the appearance of the unclassified document called the "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq" over at The Reaction. I call my round-up (which includes a bit of commentary from the rounder-upper): Spinning Iraq: The … [Read more...] about Reacting to Iraq: The next phase in the spinning of a war gone wrong

Once again, a somewhat gullible Tony Blair has learned that the U.S. isn't serious about tackling the problem of climate change: The US has dismissed a suggestion from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that it may be prepared to sign up to binding targets to tackle climate change. Speaking at UN climate talks in Canada, the US chief negotiator said his nation would not enter talks … [Read more...] about Blair misreads Bush on climate change

AP: Emily, the Stowaway Cat, Is Coming Home PARIS - Emily the cat is heading home, in style. The wayward tabby from Wisconsin who disappeared two months ago and wound up traveling across the Atlantic to France boarded a Continental Airlines flight Thursday - in business class... … [Read more...] about Stowaway Cat Flies Home Today

What is it? Well, it's only a way for us to wean ourselves off of foreign oil. You know...no big deal... From the EPA (pdf):Fischer-Tropsch technology converts coal, natural gas, and low-value refinery products into a high-value, clean-burning fuel. The resultant fuel is colorless, odorless, and low in toxicity. In addition, it is virtually interchangeable with conventional … [Read more...] about Fischer-Tropsch Could Save The US?

SI.com is reporting that "Sen. Arlen Specter on Tuesday backed off a threat to have a Senate subcommittee investigate whether the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles violated antitrust laws in their handling of Terrell Owens." But what was the point to start with? Only the day before, Senator Specter had "said it was 'vindictive and inappropriate' for the league and the Eagles to … [Read more...] about Investigating T.O.: Specter to the rescue?