Vox Nova At The Movies: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 9:24 pm By Henry Karlson

I have a special fondness for horror movies. When I say this, I do not mean I like all that comes out in the name of horror. Most slasher films I find disgusting and not worth my time (although there are a couple, I admit, I rather enjoy). But here I mean those films which follow the “classical” representation of the genre (be it a monster movie, a supernatural thriller, or some existential horror as found in the Lovecraft tradition). The genre is capable of gearing towards existential... Read more

Our Fast Food Incident

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 8:16 pm By soutenus

“The onus lies on parents to educate their children about the ill effects of fast food.” This is a quote from my latest entry on fast food. In our family fast food is not part of our diet. This choice has evolved in our family. We all have made this commitment both individually and as a family. The reasons start with the abuse of meat packing plant workers; the exploitation of immigrants who are working in THE most dangerous work... Read more

Halloween Dress & Custom

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 6:44 pm By M.Z.

I generally try to be careful with my language. Part of it is that people have a tendency to argue everything, particularly on the Internet. I don’t have a problem with argument as most of you know, but I also don’t like having to say, “Fine, I’ll concede that for argument, now what difference does it make?” Anyhow, this is a long way of getting at a discussion in another place regarding the apparel choice of young girls this Halloween. Those... Read more

Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 4:21 pm By Iafrate Michael

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Morning’s Minion generated some good discussion around the U.S. bishops’ upcoming update of their voter’s guide, Faithful Citizenship a few days ago, which is set to be discussed at their upcoming meeting in Baltimore. Also on the agenda is the approval of a new document on liturgical music, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. The draft articulates more clearly a theology of the liturgical celebration and includes a reflection on Redemptionis Sacramentum, no. 116, the latest Vatican document... Read more

Doulas Being Used for Abortion Support

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 3:28 pm By Radical Catholic Mom

via Dawn Eden and Mark Shea. **Note: The woman who wrote the piece, Miriam Perez, has a blog called Radical Doula. She is a frequent writer for Feministing.com. A few points from the article: 1.For some women, the need for emotional support during pregnancy termination is high. Erin explained, “Even though I was very clear in my heart and mind that the abortion was exactly the right thing to do for me at that point in my life, it was... Read more

Cardinal Pell’s New Book: God and Caesar: Selected Essays on Religion, Politics, and Society

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 2:32 pm By voxnovablog

Available at Amazon for $23.45. Read more

On Waterboarding…

Last updated on: October 31, 2007 at 3:27 am By Morning's Minion

Michael Mukasey, the nominee for the position of Attorney General, claims not to know if waterboarding is torture or not. Rudy Giuliani claims it depends on who does it. Well, I would urge everybody to read this frightening post by Malcolm Nance, a former master instructor and chief of training at the U.S. Navy Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape School (SERE) in San Diego, California (hat tip: Grant Gallicho). Remember that the SERE program was designe to teach American agents and soldiers... Read more

Auxilliary Bishop Named for Milwaukee

Last updated on: October 30, 2007 at 6:08 pm By M.Z.

Reverend William P. Callahan, OFM Conv., has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The appointment was made by Pope Benedict XVI and announced in Rome, October 30. Bishop-elect Callahan, 57 (born June 17, 1950), is a Conventual Franciscan of the St. Bonaventure Province in Chicago. A native of Chicago, Callahan has served in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as associate pastor of the Basilica of St. Josaphat Parish, from 1977 to 1978, and, again, as rector and pastor... Read more

Supreme Court Accepts Exxon Case

Last updated on: October 30, 2007 at 4:37 pm By Radical Catholic Mom

Eighteen years ago, an oil tanker owned by Exxon Mobile hit a reef off of Valdez, Alaska. The resulting oil spill was the most devastating spill in the United States’ history. An Anchorage jury awarded a judgment of 5 billion dollars to the plaintiffs, which the oil company fought against and was able to lower to 2.5 billion dollars in damages last year. Those of us who live in Alaska know that 18 years still exists every single day... Read more

The End of Laissez-Faire

Last updated on: October 30, 2007 at 5:06 am By M.Z.

Excerpted below is an essay from John Meynard Keynes offered in lectures during 1924 and 1926. It was distributed in pamphlet form in 1926. I find particularly interesting his engagement of areas outside economics. The whole essay is linked at the bottom. Enjoy. The philosophical roots: At the end of the seventeenth century the divine right of monarchs gave place to natural liberty and to the compact, and the divine right of the church to the principle of toleration, and... Read more