Search

Offers the opinion that United States Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott is damaging the Republican party. Statement by Lott that was seen by some as supportive of segregation; Perceived efforts of the Republican party to dispel the notion that it harbors racist tendencies; Opinion that so-called color-blind politics was a critical part of President George Bush's appeal as a candidate and President; Comments regarding Lott's record on civil rights; Denunciation of Lott's decision not to resign.

Comments on the impact of the clergy sexual abuse scandal on the Catholic Church. Reflection of the author on his experiences growing up Catholic; Assertion that the issues that led to the gulf between the church hierarchy and laity are not integral to what it means to be a Catholic; Comments on Catholic doctrines, such as those regarding sexual morality and the priesthood; Optimism regarding the church's ability to change.

An excerpt from the book "The Conservative Soul," by Andrew Sullivan is presented.

The article uses the word hypocrisy to define a U.S. election about a Republican coalition by using examples set by Congressman Mark Foley and pastor Ted Haggard, chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals. Foley was caught soliciting sex online after he championed a law that criminalized such behavior. Haggard, who condemned gay adultery, quit his post after a male prostitute claimed he was a longtime client.

The author offers his views as a believer on the use of Christianity in U.S. politics. He feels misrepresented by the religious right in America especially when its discourse about faith is dominated by political fundamentalists and social conservatives. Many devout Christians are socially liberal on issues like contraception, gay rights, women's equality and multifaith society.

The article presents the author's feelings about the Iraq War. According to the author, neoconservatives made three errors in supporting the Iraq War beginning in 2003. The first error was to overestimate the competence of government. The second error was narcissism. The third error was not taking culture seriously enough. The author also explores former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, elections in Iraq, Kurds, the abuse and torture of military detainees by U.S. soldiers, and weapons of mass destruction intelligence.

This article presents an essay commenting on the rioting of Muslims in the Middle East over political cartoons in a Danish newspaper depicting the prophet Muhammad. Muslim leaders say the cartoons are blasphemous--the mother of all offenses. The author believes that non-Muslims shouldn't be expected to abide by Muslim taboos, and that one can respect a religion without respecting its taboos. Muslims are hypocrites, claims the author--Muslims are blasphemous towards other religions, and kill those who offend them, while those they offend do not resort to violence. The author believes that Muslims' desire to censor non-Muslim cultures is an attack on the West's freedom of speech.

The article argues that President George W. Bush has quietly been making provisions to circumvent that laws passed by Congress. The president has made nearly 500 signing statements, notes attached to bills which indicate that the president has reservations about the contents of the bill he has just passed and may not honor it in the future. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was the judge who pioneered this new use of signing statements in the 1980s.

This article takes a look at the year 2005 as a year where authority figures were questioned. The United Nations was compelled to concede that the oil-for-food program for Saddam's Iraq had turned into a massive scam. U.S. President George W. Bush was forced to withdraw his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

The essay focuses on a Catholic Church ruling that bars gay priests. The Vatican documents in 1975 and 1986 did not support gay sexual intimacy, but recognized homosexuality as "innate" and not a sin. New rules from Pope Benedict XVI suggest gay sexual orientation threatens "priestly life" and so homosexuals, even if they are celibate, are barred from the priesthood. The Good Samaritan parable is mentioned.

Presents the author's reaction to the terrorist bombings in London. Discussion of the differences between the London attacks and the 9/11 attacks on the United States; View that American's react to crisis with action and emotion while the British react with calm and a steady endurance; Discussion of English culture; Author's view that the British people have a deep strength that is as self-effacing as it is unmovable.

Offers comments on Pope Benedict XVI. His personal dogma on religious issues; His view that faith is a gift; Benedict's dedication to the Bible's teachings as a guide for fixing current problems; How faith's essence consists in the re-thinking of what has been heard.

Profiles Roman Catholic Church Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as one of the 100 most influential people of 2005. Possibility that Ratzinger is a candidate for the next papacy; Statement that Ratzinger wondered if the Second Vatican Council had gone too far in their reforms; Belief of Ratzinger that the church and religious faith are impervious to social changes; Statement that Ratzinger was made the guardian of Catholic orthodoxy by former Pope John Paul II.

Presents an essay on hostage Ashley Smith. How the woman was tied up by Brian Nichols, a man wanted for raping one woman and murdering four in a courtroom; How she survived by communicating with the felon as a person; Belief of both that their encounter was an encounter with God; The influence of the book "The Purpose Driven Life," by Rick Warren on her response to the situation; How that fateful day became an exceptional moment of redemption for both people; Belief this story shows that each person can change a life.

Presents an essay arguing for a compromise on the abortion debate. Change in the Democratic Party's public position on the issue which began with a recent speech to abortion-rights activists by Senator Hillary Clinton; Her comments that regardless of the pro-choice or pro-life view, all people want to lower the number of abortions; Abortion numbers which have been declining; Reasons for the reduction; Belief it is possible to defend the right to an abortion while doing all possible to reduce the rates; What both sides can offer to the real issue; The real gains which would be possible with this compromise.

The article discusses the role of insurgents and insurgency during 2004 against U.S. forces in Iraq. The dictionary describes insurgency as "a condition of revolt against a recognized government that does not reach the proportions of an organized revolutionary government." In Iraq, each month the number of attacks on coalition troops went up, after a wildfire revolt in the spring. Slowly, sovereignty shifted toward the Iraqis, but just as slowly, attempts to eliminate resistance seemed merely to move it around. Even after the climactic battle to retake Fallujah in November, violence spiked in Mosul and Baghdad. Progress in reconstruction and political engagement is now measurable. Smart observers see flickers of hope in the possibility of elections next month. Other types of insurgents made news in 2004. On the Internet, a volunteer army of bloggers escalated their guerrilla war against the mainstream media. They had previously spooked the (now former) executive editor of the New York Times Howell Raines and even the (just as former) Senate majority leader Trent Lott, but when they helped push Dan Rather into early retirement, their real moment seemed to have come. Similarly, Mel Gibson and Michael Moore launched movies outside the big studios, deploying amateur word of mouth to juice the box office. The audiences caught on--showing up not just to see movies but to send a message. They weren't alone. In the spring, the mayor of San Francisco began his doomed assault against the existing order by simply declaring he would ignore the law and grant marriage licenses to gay couples in city hall. Thousands lined up day after day for a simple civil rite most Americans--Britney Spears included--tend to take for granted.

Presents observations from a person who suffered from sleep apnea regarding symptoms and treatment. Consideration of how sleep apnea occurs when one's nasal passages or throat gets blocked during sleep which results in interrupted breathing episodes; How patients use a continuous positive airway pressure machine to help keep them breathing regularly; Reference to how Stage 4 sleep is needed for the type of sleep which refreshes the mind and body; How symptoms of sleep apnea include sleeplessness, heavy breathing, and wheezing while unconscious.

Presents observations about how the American people need to put an end to the anger and passion of the recent presidential election and support President George W. Bush for the sake of nation's well being. Suggestion that those who supported Senator John Kerry need to give Bush a chance during the next four years; Need for constructive criticism rather than unhelpful rhetoric and name-calling; Hopes that more Democrats will be added to Bush's cabinet than those who were appointed in 2000; Importance of supporting the President during the duration of the war in Iraq; Focus on the polarization of the two political parties due to public figures such as Michael Moore, Mel Gibson, and others.

This commentary discusses how, in the 2004 presidential race between George W. Bush and John Kerry, it is difficult to determine which candidate is the liberal and which is the conservative, based on their policies. You think there's too little federal control over education? Vote Bush. Want to expand health-care coverage primarily through the private sector? Vote Kerry. Confused yet? You're not the only one. For conservatives there's plenty to worry about in Bush's record. By any measure, the government is bigger, more powerful and more intrusive than when he found it. Domestic spending has gone up at a greater rate than under any other President since Lyndon Johnson. The President hasn't found a single spending bill he wanted to veto. And he cannot even blame Congress. His own party controls all of it. In foreign policy, conservatives have long tended to be realists, acting only in response to hard-faced national interest,exercising prudence and caution, only reluctantly intervening in other countries' affairs. In office, however, spurred by 9/11, Bush has become a Kennedy-style Democrat, trying to turn two violence-wracked countries, Iraq and Afghanistan, into democracies by military force. Liberals have a few worries of their own when it comes to Kerry. He vows to continue a war in Iraq that many of them opposed. He's against gay marriage and says he will cut any new spending programs if necessary to balance the budget. In foreign policy Kerry also strikes a traditionalist tone that is not out of place among old-school, Powell-style Republicans. The question we face in this election is therefore a truly befuddling one: In a world in crisis, is there a greater risk in Bush's radicalism or Kerry's conservatism? And what do right and left mean anymore, anyway?

Discusses how bloggers discovered clues about the alleged forgery of documents used in a CBS news report by Dan Rather. How weblogs depend on the journalistic resources of big media to do the majority of reporting and analysis; Criticism about how blogs lack professionalism when compared to journalism; Consideration of how people can use blogs to spread mainstream news otherwise known as the daily Drudge Report; Popularity of the Website developed by a law professor in Tennessee called Instapundit.com.

Presents views on how the U.S. Senate voted against a federal gay-marriage ban. Disappointment of the members of the religious right over the defeat of the Federal Marriage Amendment; Claims from religious zealots that gay marriage poses a threat to traditional marriage; Opinions of President George W. Bush on the impact of gay marriage on family life.

Discusses how "Fahrenheit 9/11" is to the fringe left what "The Passion of the Christ" is to the Christian right. Similarity of appeal of both movies to their own base; Extent of culture war; Replacement of argument with feeling; Movies as rallying cries instead of persuasive tools; Lack of depth or complexity; Both movies as cultural toxin against debate and reason.

Presents observations about how religious faith impacts the candidacy of presidential candidates such as Senator John Kerry. Demand from voters to know where politicians stand on issues such as abortion; How New Jersey Governor James McGreevey declared that he is uncomfortable with barring public officials from receiving Communion; Suggestion that the sacraments of the church should not be used to enforce political uniformity; Efforts of Kerry to convince Catholic bishops that his religious views do not dictate his political opinions on varying issues; Plight of the religious rightists to rid of the Catholic base of the Democratic Party.

Profiles California Republican Governor and former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reference to his role in the motion picture "Pumping Iron"; Reaction of Schwarzenegger to the issue of gay marriage.

Profiles U.S. President George W. Bush. Why Bush is both loved and reviled; Bush's conduct leading the country following the September 11, 2001 attacks; Impact of the Iraq War on Bush's legacy; Implications of Bush's decision to shape world events; How his presidency will be measured.

Argues that the low price of gas in the United States will negatively affect the economy. Suggestion that a gas tax is needed to encourage fuel conservation and efficiency, cut traffic, and reduce pollution; How neither President George W. Bush or Presidential candidate John Kerry favors higher gas prices; Strategies to help the U.S. gain independence from the Middle East regarding its dependence on oil supplies.

Reports on how national leaders during wartime all fear defeat in battle. Importance of Great Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II; Efforts of the administration of President George W. Bush to handle the war in Iraq.

Presents views on the importance of marriage to gay couples. Suggestion that the concept of family is highly valued in American society; How civil marriage licenses are needed for gay relationships in order to ensure that civil rights are upheld; Belief that marriage will allow gays to feel pride for themselves and their partner in society.

Argues that Howard Dean should be the Democratic presidential nominee, not John Kerry.. Background on the views of the author, who is a Republican supporting George W. Bush; Claim that Dean displays more authenticity and liberal fervor than the other Democratic candidates, especially Kerry; Speculation that a Dean candidacy could lead to a real debate about the future direction of the country; Comparison between Dean's and Kerry's views on national security and foreign affairs; Observation that Dean, unlike Kerry, has held an executive office; Claim that Dean's life reflects much of the culture of the Blue States; Claim that the Democratic Party would benefit from Dean's conviction that Democrats should stick to their principles, not do whatever it takes to win.

Comments on social policies of the U.S. President George W. Bush administration. Attitudes of the administration toward the exercise of personal freedom; Involvement of the government in personal decisions; Reference to Bush's State of the Union address; Role of the government in building citizenship and values; Examples of government social programs; Tension in conservatism between those who favor more liberty and those who want more morality; Use of the government to impose and subsidize certain morals over others.

Comments on the year 2003. Significance of a quote by Frodo Baggins, hero of J. R. R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"; Perception of 2003 as the year of living erroneously; Failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; How the Iraq War dominated the year; Role of deceptions, mistakes and failures in the capture of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein; Topic of failure in this technological age; Disintegration of the space shuttle "Columbia"; Accidental combat deaths in Iraq; Deception of "New York Times" reporter Jayson Blair; Myths around the rescue of Jessica Lynch; Reality shows; Skepticism and the press.

Suggests that Arnold Schwarzenegger is a new kind of politician. Benefits of his background in bodybuilding and action movies in making him more acceptable to the general public; Inability to classify him according to political party lines; How he has changed the political culture in the U.S.

Provides observations about the reign of U.S. President George W. Bush and his supporters. Suggestion that Bush has led the nation to a situation of insecurity and debt; How Bush has increased federal spending; Endorsement by Bush of legislation that deals with federal endorsement; Impact of an increase in military spending; Results of a 'USA Today' poll regarding Bush's popularity.

Presents the author's comments on the changing role of gays in American society. Efforts to protect the rights of homosexuals; Success of the television program, 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'; Debate over whether or not same-sex marriages should be legalized.

A long time ago, the 'New Republic' ran a contest to discover the most boring headline ever written. Canada's federal government decided last week not to contest the rulings of three provincial courts that had all come to the conclusion that denying homosexuals the right to marry violated Canada's constitutional commitment to civic equality. It isn't the quasi-marriage now celebrated in Vermont, whose 'civil unions' approximate marriage but don't go by that name. If Massachusetts rules that it is, then gay couples across America will be able to marry not only in Canada (where there are no residency or nationality requirements for marriage) but also in a bona fide American state.

Focuses on British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his role in the war with Iraq, and relations with United States President George W. Bush. How the two men differ, but share strong Christian faith; Effort of Blair to win unanimity on the United Nations Security Council to invade Iraq; View that Blair has a role in post-war Iraq.

Argues that a U.S.-led war against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would be moral. Thoughts on war as a moral option; Question of whether the U.S. has exhausted all alternatives to war; Belief that war can be legitimate without the sanction of the United Nations; Discussion of traditional just-war theory; View that there is no credible alternative; The brutal police state of Saddam Hussein.

Discusses the role of Bayard Rustin in the African American civil rights movement in the United States. His relationship with Martin Luther King Jr; How Rustin initiated one of the first Freedom Rides through the South to protest and confront legal segregation; Involvement of Rustin in the 1963 March on Washington; His struggle as a homosexual.

Discusses the farewell soliloquy of U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli and the concept of self-esteem. Tendency of Torricelli to speak highly of himself; How self-esteem can be high among misfits; Role of self-esteem in education.

Argues that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have changed the U.S. Suggestion that Americans will always remember the attacks; View that rage is the appropriate response to the attacks; Continued threat to the U.S. from terrorists; How the U.S. can no longer be isolationist.

Comments on the results of a meeting between the Pope and U.S. cardinals in Rome, Italy concerning the scandal of sexual abuse of children by priests. Opinion that the Catholic Church has low standards for protecting children from sexual predators; Idea that the church leaders resist deep change by claiming that celibacy is not the issue; View that they failed to meet the needs of the laity and have enabled systematic child rape.

Focuses on the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church regarding sexuality, in light of the pedophile-priest scandal in the Boston, Massachusetts archdiocese. Belief of the Catholic Church that there is only one legitimate form of sexual expression, a married heterosexual relationship open to the possibility of procreation; Revelation that the Church allowed accused priests to continue to practice; Comments of Cardinal Bernard Law regarding the archdiocese's handling of the allegations; Impact on Catholics' trust in the Church.

Offers observations on United States President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in their role as fathers. Suggestion that they are like dads of the 1950s; Their role of masculinity; How they foster adolescent rebellion; View that Republican leaders should add a patina of 1990s sensitivity to 1950s propriety.

Presents the author's opinion of Great Britain's decision to ban fox hunting. How farmers will need to keep the fox population under control; Thought that fox hunting is a fight between social classes; Tradition of fox hunting; Position of British Prime Minister Tony Blair on fox hunting.

The article presents information related to U.S. President George W. Bush. He pledged centrist, inclusive conservatism, and yet he has supported a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and has courted the religious right. He is reviled for excessive rigidity, indifference to those outside his political orbit and lack of reflection and curiosity.

A long time ago, the 'New Republic' magazine ran a contest to discover the most boring news headline ever written. Last week Canada's federal government decided not to contest the rulings of three provincial courts that denying the right to marry to homosexuals violated Canada's constitutional commitment to civic equality. It isn't the quasi-marriage now celebrated in Vermont, whose" civil unions" approximate marriage but don't go by that name. If Massachusetts rules that it is, then gay couples across America will be able to marry not only in Canada (where there are no residency or nationality requirements for marriage) but also in a genuine American state. Compared with the revolution in the equality of women, or no-fault divorce, or even the legalization of interracial marriage, gay marriage is likely to be a nonevent in the broader world.

The article discusses how U.S. President George W. Bush spins signing statements. According to Bush, the U.S. does not apply to him. Basic legislative power of any president is the veto power. He can use the power as leverage to affect legislation or kill it. In five years, president Bush has challenged up to 500 provisions.

The article presents information on the contribution of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger towards enforcement of theology. Ratzinger has been a tough theological enforcer in the Roman Catholic Church for more than two decades. In 1981 Pope John Paul II made Ratzinger the guardian of Catholic orthodoxy, a position he has held ever since. In that role, he has reached back to older traditions and helped resuscitate them.

The article refers to U.S. politician Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is as big a political and cultural presence as anyone. The 1977 film "Pumping Iron," featured his political and human skills in the body-building subculture. He took up Republican politics and said that he had no problems with gay marriages. He has become a crucial element in making Republican party seem even faintly appealing to social liberals and moderates.

The author talks about Howard Dean and why U.S. citizens should root for him to win the U.S. presidency. The author asserts that Dean compared to John Kerry, held a serious executive office including balancing budgets, reforming health care and innovating on civil rights. Dean has also a more defensible record than Kerry.