Iran, the Test Case? The world is failing

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:47 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Iran is the test case. It is the most dangerous political entity on the planet, and yet the world response has been catastrophically slow and reluctant. Years of knowingly useless negotiations, followed by hesitant international resolutions, have brought us to only the most tentative of steps–referral to a Security Council that lacks unity and resolve. Iran knows this and therefore defiantly and openly resumes its headlong march to nuclear status. If we fail to prevent an Iranian regime run by... Read more

A bit of reserve can preserve you

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:47 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Julie at Happy Catholic shares a bit about her daughter, Rose-the-Quiet-One. Rose is what some would call the original stone face. She doen’t feel the need to respond to everything that everybody says but holds her judgments to herself much of the time. It’s practically anti-American … and I’m sure that at least some of my acquaintances wish I would do the same. It is partially because she is shy and partially through politeness. She often feels that what she... Read more

Speaking of which, here’s a roundup

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:47 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

So, Andy Card has resigned. Do you care? I don’t. I expect the only people who will care are those who like to pontificate, speculate and buzz – think Chris Matthews and his pals. For the rest of us, I think this story is a big yawn, but ABP has some insider skinny and Joe Gandelman has the definative round-up. Speaking of Who Cares, Siggy wonders if anyone cares about Sexual Abuse of Students in our Schools. I think they... Read more

What a crummy former president

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:47 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

I’m sorry but it’s completely unseemly for a former American President to go to another country and say, “boy we in America sure wish we were as great as you!” The UK’s government, economy, etc is the envy of America?. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said on Tuesday that Britain’s economy, environmental policy and attempts at modernization were envied in the United States, where comparable policies under President George W. Bush were lacking. Speaking to a packed audience at London’s... Read more

In the spotlight, finding her religion

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:48 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Via Amy Welborn comes this OUTSTANDING interview with Mary Karr, author of The Liar’s Club on her conversion to Catholicism. Some very wise stuff here, particularly when she talks specifically about prayer and grace, and her initial experiences of prayer, well before she found a church that fit. I like this part, especially, wherein her AA sponsor urges her to move beyond the simple prayer of “please help…” And then my friend said, “I want you to develop your relationship... Read more

Abdul Rahman Vanishes – Deathfans and Fascists afoot

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:48 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. – Deut 30:19 This doesn’t feel too good to my gut. An Afghan man who had faced the death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity quickly vanished Tuesday after he was released from prison, apparently out of fear for his life with Muslim clerics still... Read more

Evangelical Teens “disgusting” to SF pol

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:48 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Sez the Catholic Report, “First Catholics, Now Evangelical Youth Attacked By Powers That Be In San Francisco. Evangelical Youth Attending A Conference On Family Values Were Met By Protestors Calling Their Event A “Fascist Mega Pep Rally.” A California Assemblyman Called Them “Disgusting” And Said “They Should Leave.” I don’t recall hearing about the Catholic kids enduring it, but clearly the Evangelical kids were not met with the usual enthusiasm “tolerant” San Francisco usually displays for other gatherings. “There is... Read more

Hating Islam

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:48 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

I have been meaning to link to this piece by Siggy – in fact I did link to it, somewhere – but it deserves notice on its own, apart from a roundup of posts. Siggy hates Islam and explains why: I have more than a passing knowledge of Arab Muslim history and culture and I am familiar with current Arab politics. I have visited the region a number of times and consider myself well read and au courrant when discussing... Read more

How is your Lent going?

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:49 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

I’m getting lots of emails from people looking for more Lenten reading than I’ve suggested in The Bookshelf. “I’m having trouble focusing,” is what I’m getting a lot of, along with a few, “I started out strong, but I’ve kind of lost track of Lent…” My own Lent is kind of a weird one. I mentioned that a family member has been diagnosed with abdominal mesothelioma, and the poor guy seems to be doing a fast fade on us –... Read more

The Lonely Booming Economy – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 8:49 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

It sounds like a Grimms Brother’s Tale, doesn’t it? Willisms takes it on. 5 million jobs in 30 months, and it’s still a “Rodney Dangerfield Economy” that can’t get no respect. No one wants to be its friend. Half the country denies it exists, even as they drive their shiny new cars to the restaurant to drink $8.00 cocktails after drinking the $4.00 coffees all day at work. After buying the latest CD, after seeing the latest play, after picking... Read more