Standing up for religious freedom

From The Catholic Spirit:

Minnesota Senate approves voter photo ID amendment

After five hours of debate, the state senate followed the house and approved the voter photo ID amendment. The measure will now be put to the voters on the November ballot.

US attempts to push contraception agenda through UN women’s commission

In the face of backlash from the HHS mandate that is resulting in nationwide rallies today (Friday), the Obama administration continues pressing the contraception agenda internationally.

From Catholic World News:

The United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women has been the scene of recent attempts by the United States delegation to incorporate its views on "safe, effective, affordable and acceptable modern methods of contraception" and "age-appropriate sex education" into a maternal-mortality resolution.

The Obama administration's refusal to compromise on the contraception language gained support from Norway and opposition from Chile, Iran, Malta, the Holy See, and African nations led by Zimbabwe. "In a dramatic showdown, delegations scuttled a final document rather than accept the US proposal," the Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute reported.

Ryan releases framework for FY13 budget

House Budget Committee Chairman, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, released this week a budget resolution for fiscal year 2013, The Path to Prosperity: A Blueprint for American Renewal. As the Heritage Foundation notes, it cuts spending sharply and quickly, begins decisive entitlement reform, avoids any tax hikes, ensures a strong national defense, contains pro-growth tax reforms, and moves swiftly and surely to a balanced budget--all of which guarantees a torpedoing from the left and a plus-one to the streak of years without Harry Reid and the Democrat-led senate passing a budget.

Minnesota House passes photo ID constitutional amendment

A constitutional amendment requiring a valid photo ID be presented to vote passed the Republican-led Minnesota House of Representative in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 21. The 72-62 vote was along party lines. If the measure passes the state senate, which also carries a Republican majority, then it will be placed on the November ballot for ratification.

One step against fraud and the disenfranchisement of law-abiding voters.

McCain to GOP: Avoid contraception issue

The senior senator from Arizona (aka Sen. Smeagol) thinks "there is a perception out there because of the way this whole contraception issue played out – we need to get off of that issue in my view. I think we ought to respect the right of women to make choices in their lives and make that clear -- and get back onto what the American people really care about: jobs and the economy."

Because, of course, the "contraception issue" is really about religious freedom a "war on women."

Do wavering Obama voters think the man they voted for is naïve?

Rather than just evil, or stupid? It appears that may be the case according to recent focus groups; Jim Geraghty notes it's a long and growing list of concerns coming from swing states, beginning with the usual suspects:

• Grandiose promises on the stimulus fail to materialize 
• Obamacare touted as the answer to all their health care needs and turn out to be nothing of the sort 
• Pledges of amazing imminent advances in alternative energy

But wait, there's more:

• He seemed to think that reaching out to the Iranians would lead to a change in the regime’s behavior and attitudes 
• He was surprised to learn that shovel-ready projects were not, in fact, shovel-ready 
• He was surprised to learn that large-scale investment in infrastructure and clean energy projects wouldn’t great enormous numbers of new jobs 
• He’s surprised that his past housing policies haven’t helped struggling homeowners like he promised 
• He’s surprised that his signature health care policy has become as controversial as it has 
• The “recession turned out to be a lot deeper than any of us realized” 
• When a woman says her semiconductor engineer husband can’t find a job, Obama says he’s surprised to hear it, because “he often hears business leaders in that field talk of a scarcity of skilled workers” 

The poor guy. He’s always getting blindsided.

Court: Judges cannot get involved in church dispute

The Supreme Court held unanimously that a "ministerial exception" does exist under the freedom of religion guarantee of the First Amendment that protects churches from being sued by religious employees under anti-discrimination laws. While groundbreaking in its limitation to employment discrimination, the ruling itself is narrow and expressly does not specify the distinction between a secular employee, who can take advantage of the government's protection from discrimination, and a religious employee, who can't.

USCCB holding immigration forum in Utah

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will hold a three-day conference on immigration reform in Salt Lake City beginning today to consider how state-initiated laws impact local communities and to move "toward consensus" on a "more humane" approach to immigration reform. The trick, of course, has always been how to separate the strangers among us who are just looking for a better life from those intent on doing harm.

John McCain derides "tea party hobbits" in debt ceiling fight

Sen. Smeagol hates filthy tea party hobbitses. In other breaking news, dog bites man. 

Irish prime minister: Vatican has 'calculated, withering' abuse stance

The piling on continues.

Disregarding real attempts by Pope Benedict and other officials to prevent future child sexual abuse and to be open in response to reported cases, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has accused the Vatican of clericalism and obstruction, based on a judicial investigation into the Church's handling of the sexual abuse crisis in the Diocese of Cloyne.

Google+ pulls in 20 million in three weeks

Any bets whether Google will ever be viewed as evil as Microsoft, or Wal-Mart?

Web-traffic watcher, comScore, using a Nielsen-like methodology, estimated earlier this week that Google+, a social network play to challenge Facebook, has had 20 million unique visitors since its launch three weeks ago. Data regarding quality of views were not readily available. What's particularly impressive about Google+'s growth is that access has been by invite only. Google+ allows sharing with various "circles of friends," or the public. Like other social network sites, content includes sharing of comments/status, articles, photos, and videos. Google is expected to use its other services (search engine, Gmail, YouTube, Blogger?) to integrate features and market Google+.

Wall St. makes fallback plans for debt crisis

I consider the debt limit Countdown to Doomsday on Aug. 2 to be overblown greatly. On the off chance that I'm wrong and there is a genuine crisis, it will not be limited to the US government, but will ripple through the economy. Panic peddlers see this as only heading for a crash. But never fear, while there certainly will be dislocations, perhaps severe, the economy's shock absorber is pumping up in anticipation: market competition. Wall Street firms have been preparing for months to play key elements the coming "crisis" in multiple ways, including by: increasing system monitors, building in trading flexibility, raising cash. With so many looking at the possibilities, two things are certain: 1.) there won't be "radioactive" steam let off as the market assimilates the disruption(s) as some would have us believe a la 2008, and 2.) the market's credibility will endure. The problems we know about aren't the ones that get us (think Y2K); it's the ones that catch us off guard that do (think 2008).

Bachmann continues to surge

With Michele Bachmann in a dead heat today with Romney (slightly ahead in a recent poll from the Democratic PPP), we can expect the whisper-smear pieces of the last week about her religion and her migraines to continue. Frankly, the idea that life in the Beltway bubble may give her headaches isn't necessarily a negative for me. And, for the record, the WELS teaching that the pope is the antichrist is not a fundamental article of the faith. I'd wager she'd keep her distance from it.

Pope appoints Archbishop Chaput to Philadelphia archdiocese

No doubt a solid choice for an historically important see. Plus NY's Archbishop Dolan could clearly use some back-up.

Bernanke does TV interview to defend Fed bond purchases

The question is whether the Fed chief is chasing the deflation ghost, fiddling while Rome is about to burn, or just playing the man behind the curtain.

GOP leaders hint at compromise on tax cuts, jobless benefits

Extending the unemployment subsidy is the political price if tax rate certainty is going to be achieved before the end of the year.

US payroll gains trail forecasts; unemployment rises

If we (as a country) are unwilling to embrace the reality that the Keynesian premise that there is an immutable relationship between unemployment and inflation has been demonstrated (again) to be false, why don't the Administration types go all in on it then? If massive government spending and quantitative easing haven't done the trick, then wouldn't authentic Keynesians be advocating for not just extending the Bush-era tax rates, but lowering them? Of course, the President's so-called stimulus was never really about finding a solution in the first place.

Constitutional provision jeopardizes sweeping food safety bill

Regardless the efficacy of the bill (of which I am highly skeptical given its anti-subsidiarity underpinnings), how many more times does one of the chambers have to pass a bill just so it can find out what is in it?

Millions may lose jobless benefits as holidays loom

At some point we will have to stop denying this is not really a problem of the debt as critics claim, but a case of the government bubble-making factory incentivizing the unemployment that it created in the first place.

LPGA to change gender requirement

Not what I thought when I read the headline... instead more bit by bit until no stone is left unturned

The Troglodyte NCAA Football Top 12 Released for Nov. 29

A big jumble follows Oregon and Auburn. LSU and Boise tumble, Alabama and Oklahoma State sit on the bubble after narrow losses at home, and Arkansas and Wisconsin leap frog Michigan State with strong conference finishes.

California's stem cell agency seeks more time, money

It may be possible to argue that the dearth of developed therapies can be offset somewhat by the volume of research papers in answering the question of whether there has been any progress to show for the $6B spent by Californians. Regardless, the epic failure in delivering on the promise of "removing politics from science" is undeniable. And you don't have to look beyond the moral sense of the pro-hESCR camp to understand why.

The Troglodyte NCAA Football Top Twelve Released for Nov. 22

No changes on top with many teams idle. Nebraska falls out of the top 5 and off the list after a tough loss to A&M, while Arkansas edges back in.

Pope Benedict on condoms in "Light of the World"

No, the Holy Father did not say condom use is permissible, as has been reported widely. And it wouldn't be doctrinal, even if he had.

FDA issues warning over alcoholic energy drinks

There's a lot more to binging than caffeine and the fruit flavors. Should we go back to previous favorites like Jaeg bombs, rum & Coke, and Irish coffee? How about appletini's? Good grief.

Fed may hesitate on more easing after critics question mandate

For better, or worse, claims of the Fed's impending demise are greatly exaggerated.

Death panels needed to fix economy

Along with sales taxes. It doesn't get much more anti-social justice than this (not referring to the cafeteria-style social justice)

Napolitano asks fliers for "patience"

Is there any doubt where the next level goes should someone attempt to mule explosives aboard a plane?

The Troglodyte NCAA Football Top Twelve Released for Nov. 15

Oregon and Auburn remain atop the ranking, and the rest of the top 12 from last week remains intact.

White House gives in on Bush tax cuts

It seems that elections have consequences.

Lure kittens to play online with (computer) mice

If the barriers for you to play with cats are too high, you can try using remote control. I'm sure there's a joke here somewhere.

Obama defends Federal Reserve's $600 billion bid to boost economic recovery

This is an action on the margins with respect to the direct inflation pressure and economic stimulus it can provide. The underlying inflation risk is still rooted properly in the dollar's value as a reserve currency and the US government's standing in the bond market, which if those go south could make quantitative easing look like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

The Troglodyte NCAAF Top Twelve Released for Nov. 8

Oregon and Auburn remain atop the ranking, while Stanford, Michigan State, and Wisconsin join the top 12.

Scientists to Congress: Pass the stem cell law... while you still can

With an argument that reduces to nothing more than an appeal to their own authority, it remains clear that federal h-ESCR funding has very little to do with science, particularly when you consider the resources available to those clamoring at the trough.

Another Minnesota recount mess?

Ready for round two?

Pope, Iraqi Catholic leader mourn Baghdad cathedral victims

May they be "welcomed by the mercy of Christ into the Father's house." Amen.

US bishops offer resources for worldwide prayer vigil for the unborn

The recently completed 40 Days for Life campaign demonstrated again how this is a front in a spiritual war. The bishops are resupplying pro-lifers here--pass the ammo.

The Troglodyte NCAAF Top 12 released for Nov. 1

Very little shake up this week. Oregon remains atop the ranking, followed by Alabama and Auburn.

Civilians falling victim to Mexico drug war

This is a question that continues to need to be explored: Is the War on Drugs a Just War?

Religious Americans enjoy higher wellbeing

Duh. And, sorry, militant atheists, this does not prove the following is true: "God is a delusion. A useful one, perhaps, and marginal at that, but a delusion nonetheless."

Scientists probe nose, find stem cells

In addition to the exciting opportunity provided by the discovery of adult stem cells that have characteristics that will help in understanding and potentially lead to therapies for brain diseases, nose-pickers everywhere can now more plausibly claim to be trying to collect samples for biomedical research.

In bond frenzy, investors bet on inflation

With bonds going for a premium of 5.5% in a recent $10 billion TIPS auction, it is clear that the expectation for rising prices is firmly cemented in the financial community's psyche. That companies are able to sell 50-year and 100-year bonds, however, suggests there may be more to it than the conventional wisdom around the Fed's itch to "stimulate" the economy through the money supply.

Economy is top issue for voters; size of government may be more pivotal

80% of registered voters have a top issue this election that the Obama Administration originally expected to have been taken off the table by now.

Chemical weapons were found in Iraq

This kind of thing is not really news and completely expected for anyone who understood Saddam's will to use them. Andrew Sullivan finds it ironic that insurgents and Islamists gained access to the weapons only after the American-led invasion, rather than the consequence of nature abhorring a vacuum.

Leftists mock Palin, embarrass themselves

Historical literacy is not a progressive strong suit.

Holy Cross parishioners upset by media announcement of plan

Hard to imagine the truth of the archdiocese's strategic plan being overplayed a bit by a local newspaper.

Merkel says German multicultural society has failed

Without assimilation, or integration, culture (multi and otherwise) loses its meaning.

NASA stages dress rehearsal for shuttle Discovery's final launch

Mixed feelings, indeed.

Top Gun sequel is in the works

Although there has been a spate of reprises and sequels from Hollywood of late, given the players, I will not dismiss the return of Pete Mitchell as destined to crash and burn, just yet.

Fed minutes lend weight to stimulus

From the "when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail" school of economics. What's left for self-styled economy pumpers to do but inflate? 

TV can't catch Jets-Vikings lightning

On the downside, the Monday Night Football crew made the broadcast about the game. On the upside, they made the broadcast about the game.

How to be happy

Happiness is a skill.

Financial literacy for all Americans

Yes, it's come to this. Saints QB Drew Brees has launched a free educational video game for children and adults.

Judge: Health-care law is constitutional

It is both early and not a surprising result. Nevertheless, the federal judge's finding that it is "reasonable" to force someone to complete an economic transaction demonstrates the extent to which the meaning of liberty ain't what it used to be.

Mexico paper, a drug war victim, calls for a voice

One undeniable thing the "War on Drugs" has done is create a war zone in Mexico. It's been 30 years now. For this war to be just, with a reasonable prospect for success, at some point (soon), we will have to admit that we need to do something different from what we've been doing.

NJ firm receives patent for stem cell treatment of heart attack patients

This reportedly is the first US patent that will be used to treat heart attack victims, and it is important to note that yet again a successful therapy has been derived from adult stem cells.

Student loan debt exceeds credit card debt in USA

It is sad that the enduring legacy of the GI Bill includes another bubble industry, the tuition racket, and misaligned workforce training.

Why Obama is emotionally detached

The president's getting to a library posits an interesting solution, but I'm going to stick with "intellectual laziness" and "moral arrogance" as the causes, rather than an undeveloped reading list.

La Russa supports Arizona immigration law

"You've got to fix [your problem] yourself. That's just part of the American way."

I wonder how that sits in the clubhouse.

Obama says he's serious about tackling deficits

Sigh. It's the spending, stupid.

Jimmy Dean, singer, sausage businessman, dies at 81; known for 'Big Bad John' in 1961

More than a sausage king, the Country Music Hall of Famer was a man of many talents. He said this about being careful with his money:

I've seen so many people in this business that made a fortune. They get old and broke and can't make any money. ... I tell you something, ... no one's going to play a benefit for Jimmy Dean.

Sounds like a Texan. RIP.

Texas leaning toward 10-team Big 12

I don't know whether to believe this given it's coming from Bristol, but Texas and Oklahoma shouldn't be in the Pac-10 until the Big One drags California into the ocean.

Bernanke warns US of "unsustainable" debt level

Er... ya think?

How a silly phone for teens reveals Microsoft's plan for us all

Microsoft has an opportunity to do what Apple hasn't quite figured out and what Google can't quite pull off.

Don't Sugarcoat It

This post has been moved to here.

Rival chains secretly fund opposition to Wal-Mart

The hired gun is a well-known player in American folklore, that the concept's been adapted to the astroturf era is not much of a surprise.

Wooden dies at age 99

Calling him a "sports Abraham Lincoln" may be a bit hyperbolic, but not by much.

Israel and the flotilla

As the Chicago Tribune puts it: "Pardon us, though, if we don't join the condemnation. Israel has a right to defend itself and a keen interest in preventing arms from reaching Gaza. There's a nasty neighbor in control of that territory, just a short-range rocket away."

Part human, part machine transistor devised

I sense a sci-fi/horror/adventure flick in the offing.

US money supply plunges at 1930s pace as Obama eyes fresh stimulus

The collapse of the M3 money supply is interesting, but not terribly useful in and of itself. In the context of rapid debt monetization, it may mean nothing more than people want to circulate their money, but don't want it in the bank, either. It also suggests Obama and Bernanke are trying to keep strong inflationary and deflationary forces in equilibrium, forces I hope they understand.

UAW aims to go back on offensive

The return of the un-dead.

US crime rates fell despite economy

That ought to give the lie to the boilerplate that economics is a primary cause of crime... but it won't.

Americans' acceptance of gay relations crosses 50% threshold

A predictable consequence of readily available birth control and the deinstitutionalization of marriage, something advocates have known for decades.

Just saying "No" won't win it for GOP

In addition to having a "positive" agenda, David Frum notes correctly that at the heart of Tim Burns' inability to win the late Jack Murtha's seat is "because angry memories of George W. Bush and the congressional Republicans remain fresh" in PA-12. His solution? The very same domestic squishiness of George W. Bush and the congressional Republicans, of course.

Oklahoma AG candidate vows to sue US government over illegal immigration

Getting to the heart of the matter of Arizona's intent while trying to avoid the racism canard.

Did you draw a picture of Mohammed today?

No and I wouldn't, but I understand why some would.

Chris O'Donnell: I chose family over fame

Nice change of pace.

Ocean's fish could disappear by 2050

Any bets that this is the same kind of horse hockey as from the climate change hoaxers?

Depression 2010?

Perhaps. But maybe not for the reasons here.

A new way of playing to win

Isn't this what was supposed to have been prevented by McCain-Feingold, or was it the point all along?

We are a nation of profilers

After all, isn't it just the dark side of diversity?

The Afghan war, as it really is

Those who step into the breach are a different breed, if there ever was a doubt.

The welfare state's death spiral

Send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.

Backlash over bailout may sway German vote

Could a Tea Party be coming to Germany's most populous and economically most powerful state?

Buffet turns into one more corporate bubble

While not a new observation, it seems the Sage of Omaha is getting away from himself.

In crazy sports world, Taser fine by me

Amen.

Ernie Harwell, the Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame announcer, dead at 92

It is something of a rite of passage that the sights and sounds of your formative years will disappear around you. Even though Ernie Harwell retired 8 years ago, now is that time for the people and fans of Detroit. May he rest in peace.

Emmer missing but targeted at "green debate"

Big deal. His son's First Communion is a higher priority. It is because of stuff like this that we quit getting the StarTribune.

Republicans and independents prioritize immigration; Democrats, financial reform

The lines may have been drawn for November.

Hawaii governor to decide on civil unions

A rose by any other name...

Pet pampering goes online with America's most interactive and feature rich website

As bad as the recession was (is), can we please admit now that it is preposterous to compare today to the Great Depression?

Why Democrats shouldn't toy with Lindsey Graham

The title alone provide some comic relief, if Borger's analysis weren't book-ended by these truffle quotes:

Sen. Lindsey Graham is the new John McCain. Scratch that. Actually, he's the old John McCain.

and

[T]he White House needs to keep Lindsey Graham in the game, not sulking on the sidelines.

Presidential commision to address rising national debt

Just what we needed: another blue-ribbon panel. This seems like sending that one legged man at the butt-kicking contest over to kick the barn door shut now that the horses are gone.

If VAT, ditch the income tax

As morally appealing a notion as taxing consumption, rather than income, is to many on the right, the conditional for this argument will not be tied to the consequence any time soon.

Subsidizing bad behavior: the injustice of tort reform

Are frivolous law suits the price we must pay for genuine cases for justice? ... Really?

Bernanke confident in recovery; warns on deficit

While the Fed Chair does his customary straddle, Krauthammer is more certain where we are headed.

Carlsberg workers end strike over cut beer rations

I cannot decide whether this is has been a righteous fight to preserve access to one of God's graces, or just one more example of rights creep.

Vatican blasts anti-Catholic 'hate' campaign

With George W. Bush out of office for over a year, the hate has to go somewhere.

Why batters get hit

George Will's discussion of Jason Turbow's "The Baseball Codes" about the game's unwritten rules in honor of Opening Day.