I have been doing some research into the role of God and religion in America and I came upon a piece by Robert Bellah called “Beyond Belief.” In it, Bellah makes the case that, while secular, America has a civil religion that finds its analog in the biblical narrative.
Bellah begins his investigation by chronicling the […]

In an interesting op-ed piece in the Times, John C. Danforth, a former United States senator from Missouri, retired United States ambassador to the United Nations and an Episcopal minister, discusses the current state of the GOP:
When government becomes the means of carrying out a religious program, it raises obvious questions under the First Amendment. […]

I just read Frank Rich’s Times piece on America’s history with Schiavo-like situations (It just occurred to me that I shouldn’t know how to spell Terri Schiavo’s name. That’s how little we should be involved in her case). I’ve pulled some quotes:
On the small number of people who are making this a national issue: “…a […]

I’ve been noticing an increase in God references on the major news sites like CNN, Fox, and MSNBC. I’ve decided to keep a tally in our sidebar of these references. My feeling is that CNN is pandering its butt off these days. I will only tally front page references.
~The Stuffed Tiger

Interestng article, especially its focus on debt as a powerful issue for progressive orgainization:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2034/
~TST

In a rambling editorial the Washington Post discusses Kofi Annan’s recent report on the state of the UN and the challenges it faces around the world. The editorial is largely supportive of the UN, saying that the US should work with the organization whenever possible. Its initial point is that while Annan has no real […]

The LA Times has a disturbing article on Tom DeLay.
It turns out that DeLay’s own father was tragically injured in an accident. He lay in a vegetative state, dependent on feeding tubes and life support. DeLay and his family decided his father wouldn’t want to live like that and though he had no living will, […]

I love this:
The front page on the Washington Post’s website is all Terri Schiavo–people screaming, praying, pontificating. The site seems dedicated to the culture battle that is being waged.
And then, tucked under the Politics heading, is a headline that Congress is going to vote on relaxing stem cell research restrictions. The article is full of […]

I’m reading the Good Doctor’s “Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ‘72″ and I’ve been interested by his repeated use of the term “linear media.” Thompson was renowned for his style — Gonzo journalism, which (like blogging) emphasized the views, opinions, and experiences of the journalist. It was first person and honestly subjective.
The linear […]

The NewDonkey has a very tuned in post on the Schiavo case. The prime observation is simply that Terri Schiavo has become the poster case of the radical Right to Life movement and all the proceedings that have occurred over the last couple of weeks can be seen through the rubric of religious Christian determinations […]