Another reason for not constructing a border fence

Last updated on: May 6, 2008 at 7:00 am By Policraticus

The Vatican previously expressed its disagreement on a certain provision of the Border Security Act, namely, the construction of a fence/wall along the U.S./Mexico border. Well, if a sense of Catholic social justice doesn’t convince you, then the need for jaguar breeding grounds in Arizona may help you to decide against supporting the wall. From CNN: Jaguars, an endangered species, have a breeding population in northern Mexico. Scientists believe there are no more than 120 left in the wild there.... Read more

Vox Nova in the Voting Booth: Indiana

Last updated on: May 6, 2008 at 12:03 am By Edward Blackadder

Today is primary day here in Indiana. Obama could probably tie up the nomination with a win here, but if the Intrade markets are to be believed, that’s not likely to happen. But in the Youtube primary, I think it’s clear that Obama wins hands down: (more…) Read more

The evolution of modern U.S. political parties

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm By jonathanjonesuiwdpt

Ramesh Ponnuru has a good review of Why the Democrats are Blue: Secular Liberalism and the Decline of the People’s Party. Both authors believe that any consideration of the rather dramatic shift on cultural issues should not overlook the procedural changes of the McGovern Commission. Read the review here. To preview a future, more detailed post, I’ll throw out the question: is it good for our system of representative democracy to have stronger or weaker political parties, as defined by... Read more

Credentialed Blogging

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 2:32 pm By M.Z.

American Papist offers “news coverage” – quotes aren’t a reflection on the dear American Papist, but rather ironical given the topic and my sourcing of a blogger – of the Archdiocese of Washington’s press office refusal to answer inquiries from Cathlic News Agency(CNA) by claiming that they aren’t a real journalistic outfit. I have half a mind to make an inquiry myself, perhaps to verify this story, but that would require me to do work on this story. I think you... Read more

Religious intolerance in the military

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 12:53 pm By Iafrate Michael

Robyn Blumner of the Salt Lake Tribune contributes a great piece on religious intolerance in the u.s. military, namely the harassment of atheist soldiers by Christian ones: [Army Spc. Jeremy] Hall, 23, served two combat tours in Iraq, winning the Combat Action Badge. But he’s now stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., having been returned stateside early because the Army couldn’t ensure his safety. There is something deeply amiss when we send soldiers on a mission to engender peaceful coexistence between... Read more

Cinco de Mayo

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 11:16 am By Radical Catholic Mom

Today is the 5th of May. In Mexico it is any other day. But here in the US, Mexican-Americans and liquor companies decided to celebrate a little know battle between Mexico and France with some good Mariachi and Tequila. Join the festivities by making your own home grown Margaritas, with a little chips and salsa, Americanized burritos, or throw some spicy Salsa on any home dish. Or you can just go to your favorite Restaurant and have them do it... Read more

Bill Donohue is Back, Showing His True Colors

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 11:16 am By Morning's Minion

I used to keep a close eye on Bill Donohue’s buffoonish tactics at the Catholic League, but grew tired of it. Now I read, courtesy of David Gibson, that Donohue is attacking Catholics who support Obama, calling them “dissidents” (in right-wing Catholic circles, this usually means “disagrees with me” rather than deviate for core Church teaching, as the cafeteria often wide open for these people). For here is Donohue’s chief concern: “there is not one who agrees with the Catholic Church... Read more

Death toll in Myanmar continues to rise

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 7:15 am By Policraticus

Please remember to pray today–as often as possible–for the people of Myanmar. As of 8:00am EST, the death toll from this weekend’s cyclone is almost 4,000. Read more

Is “liberal” Catholicism dead?

Last updated on: May 5, 2008 at 7:00 am By Policraticus

If that means Karl Rahner’s legacy, that’s fine by me. But seriously, David van Biema looks into the theological and social effect of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the U.S. Read more

Who was Abraham's firstborn son?