This is something that is coming up a lot; instead of holding up the confirmation of Mukasay, Congress should simply ban torture, such as by passing the Biden bill. This is latest position of the Washington Post. Well, Marty Lederman explains clearly that “if there is any single thing imaginable that the Senate, the Congress, and the world community have not “declined to do,” it is to ban torture categorically”. Consider the following: (more…) Read more
In light of Jonathan’s recent post on James Watson’s assertion that there are groups of people who are genetically predisposed to be intelligent or dumb, I thought I would do a very quick review of Christian tradition and the Holy Idiot. In 1 Corinthians 3: 18-19, Paul states: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.For the wisdom of... Read more
The president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Renato Martino, made the following comments last week: “Christians are called to cooperate for the defense of human rights and for the abolition of the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against the human person in time of peace and in case of war. These practices are grave crimes against the human person, created in the image of God, and a scandal for the... Read more
Please offer your prayers and sacrifices for the victims of Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic and Haiti as well as those displaced due to the devastating floods in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. The floods in Tabasco are being compared to those caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the worst in the recent history of Mexico. Read more
In a rather disturbing newspaper report by the Guardian, Ian Sample discusses some rather disturbing tests which have been conducted in the name of science. While I was upset with the use of a massive dose of LSD on an elephant, what really got my attention is this: (more…) Read more
Since Vox Nova has been discussing the relative merits of the Republican candidates, I thought I would open up a debate about the other side. I must say that of the three leading contenders, I feel most drawn to John Edwards at this point. Let me explain. (more…) Read more
Wheelock’s Latin Grammar: just the mere mention of this book should send shivers down the spines of good Catholics everywhere. It’s a deceptive little book, trying to convince good, faithful Catholics into reading pagan literature which glorifies the evil pagan gods of Rome. Good Christians died so they didn’t have to praise Jupiter or Pluto. Such worship, they believed, would jeopardize their very souls. And what do we have here? A book which an unsuspecting Catholic might use to teach... Read more
Do not forget to honor all of our fabulous saints today. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. I know for myself, the Saints have been crucial in my continued conversion and for keeping me in the Church during trying times. I love them. In honor of our Eastern Catholics, I have posted the image of Saint John Chrysostom Read more
We are learning a huge amount about our genetic history, but are we prepared for the public policy debates? The treatment of one of our most prominent scientists and a pioneer of DNA, James Watson, suggests not. Jason Malloy at gene expression takes a definitive look. I’m very far from an expert, but our political culture needs to have the capacity to at least debate these issues and their policy implications. Read more
. . . go vote on Tuesday for school choice (and social justice, and religious freedom, and common sense, . . . ). If you live near Utah, move there (and enjoy the best skiing in the world) and vote for school choice, one of the relatively few issues about which “there can be no debate.” Read more
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