Jimmy Carter issues scathing denunciation of Bush’s policies.
Bush [recently] defended the [criticized interrogation] techniques used, saying, “This government does not torture people.”
Asked about Bush’s comments, Carter said, “That’s not an accurate statement if you use the international norms of torture as has always been honored — certainly in the last 60 years since the Universal [...]
The Unitarian-Universalist Association is launching a National Marketing Campaign with the theme, “Is God keeping you from going to church?” Article. Pryomaniacs notes that some things are beyond parody.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee has voted to recognize that Turkey committed genocide against the Armenians in WW1. Wikipedia article on the genocide, and on international recognition of it.
The White House is opposed–they don’t want to offend Turkey. So. Here’s where the US stands. We’ll complain about human rights violations by our enemies, and use [...]
I somehow missed the great controversy that arose in January 2007 when the town of Herouxville, Quebec, published a set of “Standards” of life, meant to show prospective immigrants what to expect if they come there. They uphold a version of “secularism” in which any display or accommodation of religious belief and practice is forbidden [...]
Lawrence Swaim writes about the efforts taken by American torturers at Guantanamo to destroy the religious faith of captives.
Four former detainees at Guantanamo — Shafiq Rasul, Asif Iqbal, Rhuhel Ahmed and Jamal al-Harith — are litigating in Rasul vs. Rumsfeld to hold government officials accountable for torture they endured while being held there. (All were [...]
The protests worked–Dennis Dease, the President of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, has recanted, and has invited Desmond Tutu to speak about Middle East peace (no telling if Dease has asked any questions about Tutu’s views on homosexuality, which might have been a legitimate reason to not invite him to speak at a [...]
Archbishop George Niederauer (appointed to this position by Pope Benedict XVI) visited Most Holy Redeemer Church in the Castro district, known for its tolerant view of homosexuality. Two men in drag, dressed as nuns (members of the notorious Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence) went forward for communion–and Niederauer communed them. Diogenes and Gerald Augustinus have commentary [...]
A baby fell in a pool, nearly drowned, and suffered severe brain damage. Paramedics were called and worked on the baby. A cop came running in, and slipped on the wet floor. So the cop is suing the baby’s family.
“The loss we’ve suffered, and she’s seeking money?” said Richard Cosmillo, 69, the boy’s grandfather. “Of [...]
The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota canceled a speech by Desmond Tutu, supposedly because of sensitivity to Jewish concerns because of Tutu’s criticism of Israel.
Is the ADL applauding? Not at all. They are “troubled by the implications” of the University’s decision.
While Archbishop Tutu is not a friend of Israel, we do not believe [...]
Cardinal Francis George says maybe the traditional Good Friday prayers of the Tridentine mass need to be edited–and also says that sensitivity is a two way street, and that the Jews should edit the Talmud to remove statements against Jesus.
“It does work both ways. Maybe this is an opening to say, ‘Would you care to [...]
