It is an extraordinary time. We borrow money from other countries so that rich people don’t have to pay taxes. We borrow money from other countries and let private corporations steal it. And somehow, the American people seem to be all right with that.
Slavoj Žižek makes a very interesting defense of atheism in the editorial “Defenders of the Faith” (New York Times, 3/12/06). Certainly atheism deserves the restoration of the inherent dignity of its position. But his overall argument, at least in the context of our current realities, is flawed. It could be a readerly effect, since the article looks as though it might have been chopped up. (Boo-hiss to the editor if that is the case – Žižek deserves better.) Still, I…
Here is a brief excerpt from testimony that claims the authorization to use torture in Iraq came from pretty high up. Read the whole article at TomDispatch.com and Truthout.org. “Tracing the Trail of Torture: Embedding Torture as Policy From Guantanamo to Iraq,” by Dahr Jamail While President Bush has regularly claimed – as with reporters in Panama last November – that “we do not torture,” Janis Karpinski, the U.S. Brigadier General whose 800th Military Police Brigade was in charge of…
For the record – and I will remember this – these are the only Senators who stood up for my civil liberties by voting against the renewal of the USA Patriot Act. I thank you: Russ Feingold (D-WI) Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Robert Byrd (D-WV) Tom Harkin (D-IA) Ron Wyden (D-OR) Daniel Akaka (D-HI) Patty Murray (D-WA) Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Carl Levin (D-MI) Jim Jeffords (I-VT) Boo-hiss to all the Republicans, and: Obama (D-IL) Clinton (D-NY) Kerry (D-MA) Kennedy (D-MA) Biden…
The Roving Ellipsis hosts the Progressive Faith Blog carnival this week. Great job weaving the various strands together! Are you a progressive faith blogger? Join here. The Carnival will be hosted next week by Velveteen Rabbi.
I don’t think I had ever seen South Dakota’s State Senator Bill Napoli speak before tonight. He was commenting on the abortion ban there that would close down – gulp – the only operating clinic that’s left in the entire state (this one clinic has to fly in medical volunteers from out-of-state). Guess there wasn’t really much left to do. Online NewsHour: South Dakota Bans Most Types Of Abortion — March 3, 2006 BILL NAPOLI: When I was growing up…