According to the Catholic League, Obama is now a champion of the “culture of death“. The reason? His statement that he thought it was wrong for the federal government to interject itself into the Terry Schiavo case. It’s funny, I’m surpised it took Bill Donohue so long to jump in this time around. Four years ago, he was pretty much releasing Republican daily speaking points at this stage in the game! (more…) Read more
The Chicago Tribune offered an interesting article about the movie Juno and adoption. The filmmaker says she based the movie on her friend’s experience, but the movie has generated much discussion amongst surrendering mothers. Considering recent discussions on this blog about adoption and the complex issues it brings up I thought the following was quite interesting to read. There are no large, representative studies of contemporary American birth mothers, a group that voluntarily relinquishes an estimated 13,000 to 14,000 infants... Read more
At Vox Nova, we often make assertions about the relationship between Michael Novak’s work in economic theory and the social teaching of the Catholic Church since Pope Leo XIII. These assertions are just what they are: assertions. What I would like to see more of from our contributors and from our readers are more substantive and documented approaches to this issue. I, for one, have not done a good job at providing documentation for my assertions despite having read much... Read more
Well, not exactly at the theatre, the newest animated film based upon the DC universe, Justice League: The New Frontier, was released on DVD this week. It’s based upon a popular graphic novel of the same name. This takes place in the DC universe of the “Silver Age,” but with the darker and deadlier spirit of modern sensibilities. The heroes do not get along well with one another nor with the United States government which fears them. What, then, causes them... Read more
I found this at Shoved to Them and have added my own comments (of course). A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words, redistribution of wealth. She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling... Read more
I hope that readers (and others) who have read Matthew Boudway’s open letter to Deal Hudson (here) will also read Ramesh Ponnuru’s recent piece, “Conscientious Voting,” here. A taste: Feuerherd asks, “[I]s it fair for a Catholic like me to suspect that the liberal economic policies of the Democratic candidate, whether Obama or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, will result in less dire poverty and thus perhaps fewer abortions? And isn’t that supposed to be the goal?” Anyone who wants to... Read more
John Zmirak, co-author of the wonderful Bad Catholic’s Guides, offers some interesting reflections on the idea that Christianity somehow involves a rejection of the legitimacy of self-interest: If man is to reject all self-interest, this must include every sphere of life—including the realm of eros. On a radically altruistic analysis such as this, none of us should seek out the company of people whose conversation we enjoy, or wed those to whom we are attracted. Instead, we ought to mortify... Read more
Vatican Secratery of State, Cardinal Bertone, confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI’s third encyclical is on the way. The topic? Let’s just say I suspect much of what appears on Vox Nova will be well vindicated. Here are two reports: (more…) Read more
We learn something new every day (CNN): He was born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936. His father was stationed there in the Navy. … The New York Times reports the circumstances surrounding McCain’s birth raise questions about his ability to become president since our founding fathers specifically said only a “natural-born citizen” can hold the highest office in the land. The idea was to prevent foreigners from becoming president. There’s no precedent for McCain. No U.S. president has... Read more
Much debate has ensued in the blogosphere over Free Trade, particularly both Obama and Clinton obstensively campaigning against it. Unfortunately it is a matter that isn’t debated much in economic’s circles. Below is a excerpt from a review on this book. Clicking the book picture takes you to Amazon. Chang offers some fascinating vignettes of men and books that were infinitely more important in the economic development of the rich countries than Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. These include... Read more
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