The Facebook is taking over America. Well, at least college-aged Americans at somewhat large institutions of higher education. I've given in.
This is why Janeane Garofalo hates the Right. Her argument is pretty persuasive, and dead on about a lot of the charges. On a related note, I read an article today in the conservative Christian rag World today that asserted that issues like abortion and gay marriage were moral ones about which no conversation is necessary, while ignoring the plight of the poor is not a moral issue but rather a question of means and extent. The writer was essentially defending single-issue voting, but made the mistake of most 'Red state' religious conservatives in not considering the nuance behind questions of eugenics and the beginning of life. Aren't these the same people who acknowledge at least in theory that God is omniscient and they're not? Then, by logic it follows that while we have an idea about a lot of issues, we can't ever completely know the mind of God on this side of perfection - hence the grey area in moral issues. Perhaps the most disturbing implication of a thought process like the one exhibited by World Magazine Dude is that it rejects the notion that Christians can have diverging, yet simultaneously theologically defensible views on issues - again an assumption that they know the mind of the Creator and know who is indeed among the elect, to use a Presbyterian term. This type of arrogance has no place among God's people. I'll tackle some more issues that the religious right failed to consider in the past election in following posts.
The Defense Science Board's latest report about the conflict in Iraq hits the nail on the head when they identify the PR crisis that America faces among Muslims in majority Islamic countries around the world. Indeed, addressing the concerns of the region is the only way to end terrorism supported by followers of radical muslim ideologies like Wahabism. Primarily this means a more even-handed approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a greater sensitivity to their religion and historical grievances against the West. Despite the not-so-private comments of some high level Bush administration advisors, there is no need for a Fukyama-esque clash of civilizations between the west and Islam. Bush, a late-life convert to conservative Christianity ideology, has embraced this end of time theology to the detriment of American foreign policy and our credibility around the world.
Marijuana was the topic du jour before the Supreme Court yesterday. It will be interesting to see how they rule on the rights of states like California to allow its use by referendum. Justice Breyer seemed skeptical of medication 'through referendum' instead of the current FDA policy of 'medicine through regulation'. There are lots of implications for state's rights in this case; similar to the argument used by - you guessed it - religious conservatives in Alabama during the election for voting down the removal of educational segregation clauses in the state's constitution. Imagine that - states rights as more important than doing what is right.
My final item in this news roundup is an article from the Charleston Post & Courier in which South Carolina state senator Altman is threatening to harangue South Carolina Educational Television Network (PBS) for airing a documentary describing what life is like for gays in the south. Here's my favorite quote:
'[the show] was just one 26-minute show out of 8,700 hours of programming.' - SCETV President Maurice Bresnahan
It's a golden age for music lovers like myself due to wonderful programs like Bittorrent. Google it for yourself and find out what you've been missing. More music commentary and bittorrent links to come shortly.
Steve Spurrier is amazing - gain some perspective by reading this article . And now he's our head football coach.
<< Home