Vox Nova at the Movies: There Will be Blood (4)

Last updated on: February 8, 2008 at 12:16 am By Morning's Minion

Well, after reading analyses of this movie Blackadder, Policraticus, and Nate, I thought you all needed…. a fourth review! I saw this last night, and found it very powerful, despite it dragging at times (it needed some crisper editing). Set in the oil fields of turn-of-the-century California, it tells the tale of Daniel Plainview, a pioneering oilman. In every way, Daniel (played superbly by Daniel Day Lewis) captures the essence of the American rugged individualist myth. There is no dialogue... Read more

A Brief Reflection

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 10:19 pm By M.Z.

The term non-negotiable is thrown about often. Very often when the term is used, it is referenced to paragraph 70 of Evangelium Vitae. For reflection are paragraphs 70 and 71 of E.V. (more…) Read more

The Obamessiah

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 9:05 pm By Edward Blackadder

One thing I’ve heard over and over again this campaign season is someone saying that they like Ron Paul, but that his supporters really creep them out. I kind of feel the same way about Barack Obama and his supporters. Not all of them, mind you. There are no doubt plenty of people who support Obama and who can explain their support in a straightforward and sane way. Here, for example, is a Barack Obama music video that’s been making... Read more

Science and Religion: Irreconcilable Differences?

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 8:10 pm By Edward Blackadder

In the eyes of many there is a tension, if not an outright contradiction, between science and religion. Many scientists believe that belief in religious doctrines and dogmas is contrary to the findings of science, or to the scientific worldview, or both. And many religious people agree. Not so fast, says Alvin Plantinga, a philosophy professor at the University of Notre Dame. In a recent series of lectures, Plantinga argues that there is superficial conflict but deep concord between science... Read more

Romney drops out of presidential race

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 6:20 pm By voxnovablog

Catching his supporters off guard. I am curious as to what Ingraham and Limbaugh are going to say next. Read more

White House: Waterboarding is Legal

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 4:56 pm By Morning's Minion

Bush claims the power to authorize this torture technique in “extraordinary circumstances”. A quick reminder on what exactly waterboarding is. An a quick reminder also that it is an intrinsically evil act, which means in is evil in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances alike. Remember too, that eight years ago this presidential candidate was embracing some of the buzz words of Catholic social teaching. And now, he is giving the thumbs up to methods of torture perfected by the Khmer Rouge. This... Read more

Don’t know what to do for Lent yet? Don’t drive your car

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 2:56 pm By voxnovablog

Two bishops from Liverpool are urging people to cut back on carbon this Lent instead of giving up the conventional chocolate or alcohol. The “sort of” good thing is that they are not Catholic bishops. I personally think that it is through actions such as these that the environmentalist movement gets caricatured by many and rightly so. I do not have anything against pastors making their flock aware of Christian teaching on the environment and stewardship. On the contrary, I... Read more

“The Pragmatic Center”

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 1:35 pm By rgarnett

In what sense — to use Gerald’s term — does Obama’s good showing on Super Tuesday indicate the “resurrection” of the “pragmatic center”? Seriously. Sen. Obama — who is clearly, in many ways, an attractive and decent person — was recently rated the most “liberal” (scare quotes used to anticipate Morning’s Minion’s objection to the term, which is not mine) Senator in Congress. He’s down-the-line, 100%, for (what in America goes by the name of) the left-liberal line. Even his (very good)... Read more

Law and Religion at Princeton

Last updated on: February 7, 2008 at 1:23 pm By rgarnett

If you are in the area, consider coming to this conference, on “The Contributions of William H. Rehnquist to Constitutional Jurisprudence”, tomorrow at Princeton. The conference is co-sponsored by the James Madison Program there and by the Program in Law and Public Affairs. I’ll be speaking on “Religion and the Constitution”; Kent Greenawalt and Donald Drakeman will be responding. There are also panels on Federalism and Constitutional Criminal Procedure. Read more

Super Tuesday: Obama Forges On

Last updated on: February 6, 2008 at 7:54 pm By Gerald L. Campbell

Obama had an impressive run last night. I suspect he’ll be able to capitalize on the momentum factor in the weeks ahead. It’ll be interesting to watch. As he said last night: “We’re the one’s we’ve been looking for!” — an old Hopi Indian phrase. People are beginning to believe he just might be right. “Yes, we can!” Maryland and Washington, D.C. are up to bat very soon, as is Virginia (Nov. 12). The TV spots have been... Read more