When Obama was nominated and elected, one of the big deals was that he was the first African-American in that position. And that really was a big deal, given our racial history, and despite the fact that his black ancestry … Continue reading →
Here’s a study that purports to indicate that people get more religious over time: Belief in God is highest among older people and increases with age, perhaps due to the growing realization that death is coming closer, University of Chicago … Continue reading →
In yesterday’s thread about eating beef, commenter “SteveH” asks: Where does this obsession with quanity of life come from? I could understand it if we lost years on the average lifespan over the past 100 years. But we’ve gained tremendously. … Continue reading →
If the Obama administration thought they could sneak this one in (mandatory coverage of contraception) under the rubric of women’s rights, they must be surprised at the depth and breadth of protest it has aroused: Abortion rights organizations, pro-choice Democrats, … Continue reading →
The singer formerly known as Cat Stevens is nothing if not controversial. It’s hard to write about him even now without generating a firestorm of hatred. But I’m going to try. Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) is hated by a lot … Continue reading →
I love the opera “Hansel and Gretel,” by Engelbert Humperdinck (no, not that Humperdinck or this one; this one). His name may be a yuk, but the music he composed is among the masterpieces of opera, soaring and sonorous, tuneful … Continue reading →
Early election results indicate the Muslim Brotherhood is doing well in Egypt: The party formed by the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s mainstream Islamist group, appeared to have taken about 40 percent of the vote, as expected. But a big surprise was … Continue reading →
Barry Peterson is a man facing a dilemma (the video can’t be embedded, so you’ll have to watch it at this link). His beloved wife Jan has early onset Alzheimer’s, and she now lives in an institution where he visits … Continue reading →
Those of us old enough to remember when JFK was running for office (I was just a wee slip of a girl, myself) can recall the furor about his Catholicism. Kennedy’s allegiance was to the Vatican! was the cry. He … Continue reading →
The logic of those who claim that Breivik was the Christian equivalent of a Muslim terrorist leaves a lot to be desired. Are there Christian clerics clamoring for the murder of Young Socialists in Europe, in order to preserve the … Continue reading →
Although gay marriage was approved by the legislature on New York, opponents are vowing to fight on. They propose a state amendment to ban gay marriage, although my sense is that passage would be an uphill battle—especially since there is … Continue reading →
The trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders for inciting hatred against Muslims may have passed under the radar screen here for the most part. But it’s important, as is his acquittal, which indicates that at least a modicum of free … Continue reading →