Amateur Pharmacologist Charged

Last updated on: November 30, 2007 at 4:44 pm By M.Z.

For some stories, the facts just speak for themselves. Two weeks after a 39-year-old pregnant Kaukauna woman watched her boyfriend frantically mix something in an ice cream smoothie and give it to her, she miscarried…. A lab test showed the drink was laced with RU-486, also known as the abortion pill because it can induce miscarriages. After a search of Manishkumar M. Patel’s home in Kaukauna found more RU-486 tablets, the well-to-do gas station and convenience store owner was charged... Read more

We Have Hope!

Last updated on: November 30, 2007 at 11:46 am By Henry Karlson

While this community-oriented vision of the “blessed life” is certainly directed beyond the present world, as such it also has to do with the building up of this world—in very different ways, according to the historical context and the possibilities offered or excluded thereby. — Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi , 15. The Pope’s encyclical, Spe Salvi, is out, and it contains, among other things, an examination of Christian hope, where it comes from, what its goal is, and how it is... Read more

I’ve Heard of “Catholic Plastic” But This Seems a Bit Too Much

Last updated on: November 30, 2007 at 9:54 am By Henry Karlson

Last time I went to a Target, I saw a toy Jesus. I thought it was a sick joke; today I learned that it isn’t, but, according to this article by Ryan Gallagher, toy company One2Believe is selling them as a way to reach out to today’s youth (and Catholic Churches are taking them up on their idea): “We designed the toys to give parents a new way of introducing the Bible to their kids in a way that’s fun and ultimately... Read more

Cromartie, Dionne, and Gerson on “Heroic Conservatism” and Catholic Social Thought

Last updated on: November 29, 2007 at 9:34 pm By rgarnett

Here’s a link to a Pew Forum event that might be of interest: The Pew Forum invited former presidential speechwriter Michael Gerson to discuss his new book, Heroic Conservatism, with Forum senior advisors Michael Cromartie and E.J. Dionne Jr. and a select group of journalists. Gerson was challenged to define “heroic conservatism” and critique the Bush administration’s record on implementing the “compassionate conservative” philosophy Gerson himself helped to craft. Offering criticism and praise to both parties, Gerson lamented the lack of... Read more

Tim Shipe

Last updated on: November 29, 2007 at 8:52 pm By alexham

My kind of democrat. Read more

Reflecting on Terrorists in our Midst

Last updated on: November 29, 2007 at 4:54 pm By M.Z.

Although similar commentary has been offered before, this story covering the trial of a broken up terrorist plot should remind folks of how exceptional the 9/11 attacks were and that so much of the media coverage is gross exaggeration. (HT: Western Confucian) Read more

Bishop Slattery on Immigration

Last updated on: November 29, 2007 at 4:10 pm By Morning's Minion

Rocco Palmo notes a new pastoral letter written by Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa on the new anti-immigration legislation in his state, where the “basic intention is to deny those who have entered our country illegally the right to work in Oklahoma and the right to find shelter for their families..” Slattery stresses that the right to earn a living and shelter one’s family are basic human rights and criticizes the new law in the strongest terms when he notes that... Read more

Henry Hyde

Last updated on: November 29, 2007 at 2:56 pm By alexham

RIP. Read more

Dante Showed Us That Hell Had Indeed Frozen Over

Last updated on: November 29, 2007 at 9:32 am By Henry Karlson

And if this happens, we will have the evidence we need: Paisley to host Catholic leader? Of course, despite the good will that Ian has shown of late, as reported by this article, and despite the hope I have that he has in some sense reformed, I am still more than a little skeptical of his motives. What about you? One thing for sure, despite his very checkered past, the Catholic response is cautious acceptance of this change of face, and in kind, acting towards him in charity... Read more