USCCB Hires Pro-Choicer?

Last updated on: September 20, 2007 at 3:31 pm By M.Z.

No, they didn’t. There was a small uproar over the appointment of Kathy Saile as Director of Domestic Policy for the USCCB. She had spoken at an event promoting pro-choice Democratic women. CNS elaborates: Saile, 42, said her work in Washington has brought her into contact with an “interesting, diverse coalition” whose members did not always agree on every issue. One of those contacts was Women’s Information Network, or WIN, a group that promotes the involvement in politics of Democratic... Read more

Hypocrisy in Public Life

Last updated on: September 20, 2007 at 2:53 pm By Morning's Minion

In the public sphere, this is one of the most common accusations to fly around. The pseudo-conservatives mock John Edwards for being a rich man who talks about poverty, and Al Gore for being a rich man who talks about the need to consume less energy. It’s the same on the left. David Vitter and Larry Craig are singled out for criticism largely on account of perceived hypocrisy — they preach morality and do not practice it. (more…) Read more

Abortion and the Imago Dei

Last updated on: September 20, 2007 at 2:26 pm By voxnovablog

What is disconcerting about the abortion debate is that there is no agreement as to when life actually starts, so people who support abortion do not see themselves invested emotionally in these newly conceived human beings. When we talk about other life issues, such as euthanasia, war, or even the death penalty, we may not find as much controversy, because we can see the elderly or the soldier or the prisoner having lived their lives and continuing to do so:... Read more

Vox Nova at the Movies: Welcome to Sarajevo

Last updated on: September 19, 2007 at 7:56 pm By Policraticus

I found two clips from my favorite movie, Welcome to Sarajevo, that I would like to post here. The film, based upon the true accounts of the Siege of Sarajevo as depicted in Michael Nicholson’s book Natasha’s Story, chroncles the activities of British and American journalists who reported on the Siege. The main plot of the film, however, centers around a British journalist who, frustrated over the fact his efforts to inform the West of the gross injustice and carnage... Read more

Did Benedict Snub Rice?

Last updated on: September 19, 2007 at 3:26 pm By Morning's Minion

The Italian press is notoriously gossipy, but that’s what Corriere Della Serra seems to be suggesting. On a trip to the Middle East this summer, Condoleeza Rice sought an audience with the pope. None was forthcoming. Corriere speculates: “The refusal may also have been prompted by Ms Rice’s stance in 2003, when she was Mr Bush’s national security adviser. On the eve of the Iraqi conflict, it was Ms Rice who said bluntly that she did not understand the Vatican’s anti-war... Read more

Global Warming, Here and Now

Last updated on: September 19, 2007 at 2:52 pm By Morning's Minion

Sometimes we are too focused on statistics and discount rates, on climate patterns and economic costs of Kyoto, to pay much attention to what’s happening in our midst, especially among the most poor and vulnerable. I’ve mentioned the precarious nature of some Pacific islands on numerous occasions. But how many of us, fed on a diet of Britney Spears and OJ Simpson, pay any heed to what’s going on in Africa at the moment? Both east and west Africa are facing... Read more

Maritain on truth and tolerance

Last updated on: September 19, 2007 at 10:55 am By rgarnett

This from Jacques Maritain’s Reflections on America (link): One happens sometimes to meet people who think that a primary condition of tolerance and peaceful co-existence is not to believe in any truth or not to adhere firmly to any assertion as unshakeably true in itself. May I say that these people are, in fact, the most intolerant people, for if perchance they were to believe in something as unshakeably true, they would feel compelled by the same stroke to impose... Read more

Vox Nova At The Movies: Modern Times

Last updated on: September 19, 2007 at 9:10 am By Henry Karlson

Whether one agrees with his political views or not, Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest, most influential filmmakers of the 20th century. He was a genius who worked at all of the levels of film production: not only was he the lead actor in his films, he could and did write the scripts, compose the music, direct the films, and, of course, produce them. Most people would not be able to handle all of those responsibilities; yet Chaplin handled... Read more

Examining Sex Offender Laws

Last updated on: September 19, 2007 at 2:37 am By M.Z.

Needless to say there are not numerous organizations stepping forward to say that child sex offenders are not being treated fairly or wisely. Human Rights Watch has recently issued a report, “No Easy Answers: Sex Offender Laws in the US“. Before one dismisses them as apologists for sex offenders or pollyannas who don’t recognize the difficult choices society must make, one should understand the HRW does believe that the protection of children is a legitimate goal; they also believe that community notification and... Read more

A good reason to buy Catholic audio products

Last updated on: September 18, 2007 at 4:34 pm By Policraticus

According to a study released today by the Texas Transportation Institute, the average city commuter wastes 38 hours in rush-hour traffic a year. If you find yourself among the unfortunate who must endure interstate parking lots on a twice daily basis, then perhaps you can turn that time from a waste into something worthwhile. Catholic audio products such as the Bible on tape, apologetics, spiritual talks and Catholic radio can really enhance and sanctify this time you spend in your... Read more