tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936262011-04-21T21:38:12.904-04:00De VirtutibusDe Virtutibus; or, Kevin's Kasuist Korner; or, Miller's Moral Musings.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comBlogger18301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1122733057186857632005-07-30T09:57:00.000-04:002005-07-30T13:20:03.276-04:00I'm skeptical about the "PEOPLE LIKE YOU" part of this resultthe Prankster(43% dark, 17% spontaneous, 16% vulgar)your humor style:CLEAN COMPLEX LIGHTYour humor has an intellectual, even conceptual slant to it. You're notpretentious, but neither are you into what some would call 'low humor'.You'd laugh at a good dirty joke, but you definitely prefer somethingclever to something moist.You probably Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1120132749766294762005-06-30T07:58:00.000-04:002005-06-30T07:59:09.773-04:00Along similiar lines ...You scored as Roman Catholic. You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.Roman Catholic96%Evangelical Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1120132685495986252005-06-30T07:56:00.000-04:002005-06-30T07:58:05.506-04:00Looks about right (though I'm not sure why Islam is 2nd, and Judaism, only 4th)You scored as Christianity. Your views are most similar to those of Christianity. Do more research on Christianity and possibly consider being baptized and accepting Jesus, if you aren't already Christian.Christianity is the second of the Abrahamic faiths; it follows Judaism and is followed by Islam. It differs in its Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098576971756531362004-10-23T19:52:00.000-04:002004-10-23T20:28:11.620-04:00Righteousness
What must our attitude be if we are to be accounted righteous by God - whose opinion is, after all, the one that ultimately matters? Tomorrow's readings might seem to present us with somewhat of a mixed message. On the one hand, St. Paul is convinced that "a crown of righteousness awaits" him. On the other hand, though, Jesus' parable warns "those who were convinced of their own Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098573738326874532004-10-23T19:21:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:24:55.910-04:00"The Church Needs Holy Priests, Says John Paul II," in message to international congress for 1000+.
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098573674048039592004-10-23T19:20:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:21:14.046-04:00"Don't rule out Dolan: He could win U.S. bishops' No. 2 role"
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098573618840373012004-10-23T19:19:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:20:18.840-04:00On, Wisconsin!
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098573571293763402004-10-23T19:18:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:19:31.293-04:00"Theory of Relativity Evidence Found"
My question: To what degree of precision does it have to be proven before we can say, "Yep. Einstein got it right. Now, on to other things"?
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098573361886905922004-10-23T19:07:00.000-04:002004-10-24T07:32:02.076-04:00Trial lawyers. Again.
They help put a company out of business in a case I've mentioned before.
They snag $26M in a malpractice case.
Regarding the latter case: Let's assume the jury rightly concluded that there was true malpractice here - not an unavoidable error for which "someone" was nonetheless going to have to pay. I still think that the award in such a case should be limited to expenses.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098572775147670732004-10-23T19:03:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:06:15.146-04:00"C-section Babies at Risk for Food Allergies"
Another reason to be concerned about a recent trend.
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098572423815397732004-10-23T18:59:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:00:23.816-04:00"Courting the Gay Vote: What John Kerry really told the Advocate."
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098572307062210052004-10-23T18:56:00.000-04:002004-10-23T18:59:34.883-04:00"Patients With Dementia Receive 'Suboptimal' End-of-Life Care"
Sad, but not surprising.
By the way, I suspect that it's also - and perhaps even more often - the case that dementia patients who really do need feeding tubes are less likely to get them.
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098572196842262982004-10-23T18:55:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:03:11.436-04:00"Federal Court Points Way for Abortion Ban: New Facts Must be Backed by New Legislative Effort"
Somehow, I suspect this is wishful thinking, but I suppose it could be worth a shot.
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098572105691595142004-10-23T18:54:00.000-04:002004-10-23T18:59:06.380-04:00"The Politics of Suffering"
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098620247895993762004-10-23T18:53:00.000-04:002004-10-24T08:17:27.896-04:00The House of Daschle has got to go!™
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098570623677584052004-10-23T18:22:00.000-04:002004-10-24T15:38:31.370-04:00Another example of why Bush is good for the international community (and Kerry would be a disaster)
Email received: Dear Colleague,Today we report on an important panel convened by the Bush administration at the United Nations to tackle maternal mortality in the developing world. The US wants real health care for poor women and their babies, not a "right" to abortion.Spread the word.Yours Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098570109263943572004-10-23T18:18:00.000-04:002004-10-23T18:21:49.263-04:00What will the world do about human cloning?
"Statement of the Holy See on Human Cloning addressed to the United Nations: ‘Humanity Needs a Common Basis, a Common Understanding of Humanity’"
"Statement by Archbishop Migliore On Cloning to 6th Committee of U.N. General Assembly: Cloning ‘Concerns the Nature and Existence of Human Life Itself’"
"Human Cloning: the Ongoing Battle: Some Scientists Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098568721614773142004-10-23T15:36:00.000-04:002004-10-23T18:52:44.926-04:00How should - and how will - Catholics vote and otherwise deal with politicians?
Archbishop Chaput: "Faith and Patriotism"; "Speakout: Silence of the faithful is cowardice"
Priests for Life: National Prayer Campaign, and other resources
Also from Priests for Life, email passed on by a friend:
Distorted Citizenship
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for LifeWe seem to have a major Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098559940713033732004-10-23T15:31:00.000-04:002004-10-23T15:34:35.273-04:00An interesting Bush campaign commercial
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098559775159504382004-10-23T15:26:00.000-04:002004-10-24T08:20:08.846-04:00Voting, the state, and the citizen
"Racism vs. responsibility"
"Stay home; don't vote"
"The Florida Lie: A paranoid urban legend returns."
"The Myth of the Disenfranchised: It’s not the government’s fault if you can’t properly fill out a ballot."
"'Provisional' Democracy: Will Democratic lawyers make voter fraud easier?"
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098555405833055712004-10-23T14:13:00.000-04:002004-10-23T15:33:44.766-04:00Kerry (and his political allies) on wars of yesterday and today
"Never Apologize, Never Explain: John Kerry's real record as an antiwar activist."
"Kerry on Zarqawi: Wrong: The Democratic nominee is ignoring the evidence on Zarqawi's activities in Iraq."
"The Levin 'Report': Yesterday Carl Levin released a report on the Iraq-al Qaeda from the Democratic staff of the Senate Armed Services Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098555174600618442004-10-23T14:10:00.000-04:002004-10-23T14:34:27.010-04:00Whither Iraq?
"The Spirit Endures: Iraq's democrats look for support from a democracy."
"Religious Leaders Ahead in Iraq Poll: U.S.-Supported Government Is Losing Ground."
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098555049177161432004-10-23T14:08:00.000-04:002004-10-23T19:26:17.450-04:00"Afghanistan Reborn: The epic achievement of the Bush administration--and of America."
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098554908039941122004-10-23T14:07:00.000-04:002004-10-23T14:25:46.893-04:00The House of Kim has got to go!™
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-1098554756887838142004-10-23T14:02:00.000-04:002004-10-23T14:45:18.743-04:00With HMS Blog down for a few days,
I'm going to post a few things - mostly links of interest - here so as not to have to choose between leaving them unblogged and having my "to blog" pile grow unmanagable. (I'll note this on HMS when we're back up.)
Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900291832003-03-02T22:34:00.000-05:002003-03-02T23:08:38.000-05:00Thus spake De Virtutibus
As previously announced, with the cessation of blogging today, I'm jumping blog to HMS.
So, after you've browsed my posts here from this weekend, look for me there!
There'll be the same incisive commentary as here (but few link-only posts, which will make some readers happy), including continuing thoughts on Iraq, the usual on pro-life and chastity issues (more than Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900281902003-03-02T22:14:00.000-05:002003-03-02T22:14:24.966-05:00Kasper on ecumenism
"ROME, MARCH 2, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity says the state of ecumenism is 'ambiguous.' ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900280142003-03-02T22:10:00.000-05:002003-03-02T22:14:02.000-05:00Another fake church-state issue
"MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Republican Gov. Bob Riley has incurred the wrath of ardent church-state separationists for offering early-morning bible study classes to his staff.
"'He is a political panhandler for public piety,' said Larry Darby, Alabama state director of American Atheists. ..." more
Darby may be adept at alliteration, but he, like certain judges, Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900277912003-03-02T22:05:00.000-05:002003-03-02T22:05:30.280-05:00Iraq, terror
"WASHINGTON — Much discussion lately has been centered on the expenses a war with Iraq will incur, but some analysts are pointing out that the cost of not making war may be greater than the cost of a conflict. ..." more
"DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates won support Sunday from several Persian Gulf nations in its call for Saddam Hussein to quit power to avert aKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900273372003-03-02T21:56:00.000-05:002003-03-02T21:56:27.420-05:00"Bread and wine"
A commenter on a post below, "On idiotic Lidless-Eye criticisms of the 'Novus Ordo,'" was invincibly troubled by the references in Mass to the Body of Christ as "bread," never mind that this usage is not new to the new rite. He and others might be interested in this excerpt from St. Gregory of Agrigentum's commentary on Ecclesiastes, from last Friday's Office:
Come, eat your Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900264452003-03-02T21:38:00.000-05:002003-03-02T21:58:48.000-05:00Sex abuse, the law, and the confessional
Bill Cork links another blogger who who questions whether a Maryland bill would require priests to break the seal of the confessional: "In fact, it specifically exempts anything revealed in confession as an item for mandated reporting." The blogger thus questions the motives of the Catholic hierarchs who oppose the bill.
This reflects a misreading of Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900246782003-03-02T20:58:00.000-05:002003-03-02T20:58:06.763-05:00Police searches and common sense
"WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court said Monday that it would consider a government appeal that asks if a SWAT team went too far by breaking down the door of a suspected drug dealer while he took a shower. ..." more
The 4th Amendment provides that there will be no violations of the right "against unreasonable searches" and that "no Warrants shall issue, but upon Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900240512003-03-02T20:44:00.000-05:002003-03-02T20:44:33.280-05:00Women's movement and Afghanistan
"The first time Anne Brodsky traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan, to see for herself how an underground women's movement was changing lives, she was nervous. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900191462003-03-02T18:48:00.000-05:002003-03-02T18:48:22.250-05:00Should she get a transplant?
"YORK, Neb. -- Calvin Stock's life was saved by a liver transplant three years ago, and he would hate to see anyone else lose their chance at survival because a convicted killer was ahead of them on the transplant list.
"But that's exactly what could happen, Stock says, because of Carolyn Joy's conditional approval to be included on the list of 118 Nebraskans and Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900122532003-03-02T15:59:00.000-05:002003-03-02T15:59:32.153-05:00Specialist docs: Doing it for the money?
"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 17 - When choosing a specialty, new physicians are more likely to base their decision on the amount of vacation time and schedule regularity than on income, new study findings show. ..." more (registration required)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900121372003-03-02T15:56:00.000-05:002003-03-02T15:56:29.576-05:00Hospitals, hospice care, and money
"Hospital-based palliative care is clinically imperative because hospitals remain the site of death for many patients and the majority of people with serious illness spend at least some time in the hospital. ... Hospice is an excellent model for managing end-of-life care and needs to be utilized more effectively by care providers. Because most hospice patients Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900119932003-03-02T15:53:00.000-05:002003-03-02T15:53:11.046-05:00Hormone Replacement Therapy dangers
More bad news: "PHOENIX (Reuters Health) Feb 14 - New data from the Women's Health Initiative cast more bad light on combination hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. HRT is associated with an early increased risk of stroke. ..." more (registration required)
Importance of evidence-based medicine: "... most of the studies showing beneficial Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900116832003-03-02T15:46:00.000-05:002003-03-02T15:47:45.000-05:00Thoughts about mismatched heart-lung transplant at Duke
"... To help determine what went wrong, how to prevent mismatches from happening again, and what effect this situation will have on organ donation, Medscape's Laurie Barclay interviewed Robert A. Metzger, MD, medical director of transplantation and of the organ procurement agency of Florida Hospital in Orlando. ..." more (registration Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900115132003-03-02T15:42:00.000-05:002003-03-02T18:50:33.000-05:00North Korean missiles
Hey, Mark, maybe the threat to your neck of the woods isn't as clear as was thought.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900113252003-03-02T15:37:00.000-05:002003-03-02T18:51:16.000-05:00Disturbing social(izing) trend
I have nothing against the 'net per se, but this is spooky.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900030532003-03-02T11:56:00.000-05:002003-03-02T12:35:23.000-05:00Bishops
Today's second reading includes important lessons for both bishops and the laity during this time of scandal in the Church in the US.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that the testimony to his "qualification" to be their spiritual father consists not in letters of recommendation written by human beings, but rather in what the Spirit has written in bringing about Paul's loving care for them Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900024232003-03-02T11:38:00.000-05:002003-03-02T13:13:41.000-05:00Mr. Rogers tributes continue in Pittsburgh
"I have been privileged in my life to meet many great people. As a journalist and as a government official, I have talked with three presidents, dozens of governors and scores of celebrities and CEOs. And I had the privilege to work for seven years with Tom Ridge -- an extraordinary politician and an even better man.
"But I have known only one person Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900022372003-03-02T11:34:00.000-05:002003-03-02T11:34:02.030-05:00Problems with child-protective services
"Selena Underwood, 20, who delivered her second baby 11 days ago, has been crying herself to sleep, alone in her apartment in Beaver Falls. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900016522003-03-02T11:16:00.000-05:002003-03-02T11:16:18.233-05:00Social Security fraud
Bad fiscal policy, bad homeland-security policy: "A policy that lets people trying to fraudulently obtain Social Security cards leave with their bogus documents is coming under fire from congressional leaders after the federal inspector who blew the whistle was threatened with suspension. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-900015852003-03-02T11:14:00.000-05:002003-03-02T12:28:01.000-05:00Terror arrest/precautions, Iraq, N. Korea
"ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks who may also have played a role in the kidnapping murder of journalist Daniel Pearl, has been handed over to U.S. authorities ..." more
"WASHINGTON — Leaders of the congressional intelligence committees said Sunday the capture of a top Al Qaeda Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899769572003-03-01T20:39:00.000-05:002003-03-01T20:39:00.013-05:00"Three Cheers for Marriage"
"LONDON, MARCH 1, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Britain celebrated National Marriage Week from Feb. 9 to 16. The event, organized by a private group and now in its seventh year, had in the past been financially supported by the government. No more. ...
"A collection of essays published in the United States last year, 'Marriage, Health and the Professions,' contained numerous Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899769032003-03-01T20:36:00.000-05:002003-03-01T20:36:55.593-05:00Fighting AIDS
"NEW YORK, MARCH 1, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Commentators regularly excoriate the Catholic Church for its opposition to condoms in 'safe sex' and anti-AIDS programs. ..." more
(See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899767902003-03-01T20:33:00.000-05:002003-03-01T20:33:46.246-05:00Columnist on JPII on Iraq
"Pope John Paul II is causing heartburn among one of the president's key constituencies: conservative Catholics. ..." more
Two comments. First, McGrory seems to equate the pope's position on abortion and cloning with his position on Iraq, and to suggest that Bush's disagreement with the latter somehow cancels out his agreement with the former. This would not be Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899730262003-03-01T18:43:00.000-05:002003-03-01T18:43:45.450-05:00Iraq
"ANKARA, Turkey — In a serious blow to U.S. war plans, the speaker of Turkey's parliament nullified a legislative vote Saturday that would have allowed deployment of 62,000 U.S. combat troops in Turkey to open a northern front against Iraq. ..." more
"SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt — Arab leaders said they reject a war on Iraq and U.S. threats to remove Saddam Hussein, but their message Saturday Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899729952003-03-01T18:42:00.000-05:002003-03-01T18:45:08.000-05:009/11 arrest
"ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was arrested Saturday in Pakistan, both senior Pakistani officials and U.S. intelligence sources have confirmed. ..." more
"ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Name, nationality and status of some major Al Qaeda figures: ..." more
"WASHINGTON — Khalid Shaikh Mohammed turned Usama bin Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899600602003-03-01T12:42:00.000-05:002003-03-01T12:42:38.466-05:00More from Pittsburgh on Mr. Rogers
"Among the forgotten details about Fred Rogers is that he was so colorblind he could not distinguish between tomato soup and pea soup. ..." more
"Mr. Rogers helped me move back to Pittsburgh. No, he didn't drive the truck or pack the boxes, but he was there. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899599502003-03-01T12:39:00.000-05:002003-03-01T19:07:37.000-05:00Not a serious solution to malpractice-insurance crisis
"HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell pledged yesterday to continue short-term financial relief to physicians facing high medical malpractice insurance rates, even if the state has to borrow money to cover the expense. ..." more
Also: "CHARLESTON (AP)- The state would give doctors $10 million worth of tax breaks over two years in the compromise Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899598692003-03-01T12:37:00.000-05:002003-03-01T18:58:00.000-05:00"Safe environment" against child sex abuse?
"... Doty is a coordinator for Virtus -- Latin for virtue -- a 6-year-old program started by the national church's self-insurance organization to stem child abuse within the church.
"The program, adopted by 30 dioceses and under consideration in the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese, made its Pennsylvania debut in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown this week Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899595992003-03-01T12:30:00.000-05:002003-03-01T12:30:24.873-05:00Specter opponent begins campaign
"Lehigh Valley Congressman Pat Toomey began his statewide barnstorming tour challenging U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in next year's Republican primary by repeatedly hammering Specter as a liberal who is out of step with conservatives like himself. ..." more
(See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899595672003-03-01T12:29:00.000-05:002003-03-01T12:29:17.340-05:00Black churches on AIDS
"For the Rev. Jason Barr, pastor of Macedonia Church in the Hill District, the battle against HIV/AIDS has become an increasingly personal one. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899594202003-03-01T12:25:00.000-05:002003-03-01T14:51:21.000-05:00Dominican sister, union organizer march in Iraq against war
This is an example of how Catholics should not go about opposing war. (Contrast "Iraqis on Saddam and freedom" below, as well as this article. Where do the protesters show more than perfunctory support for this perspective - when they're taking part in Saddam-organized demonstrations?)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899592472003-03-01T12:19:00.000-05:002003-03-01T12:19:12.496-05:00How should the media cover religion?
A columnist seeks readers' thoughts.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899591602003-03-01T12:16:00.000-05:002003-03-01T12:16:42.093-05:00Nobel laureate Carter will apply peacemaking skills in Georgia
Georgia, USA, that is - not the former Soviet republic.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899589342003-03-01T12:10:00.000-05:002003-03-01T18:57:43.000-05:009th Circuit maintains absurd Pledge stand
"SAN FRANCISCO — Rebuffing the Bush administration, a federal appeals court Friday refused to reconsider its ruling that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because of the words 'under God.' ..." more
Why "absurd"? First, the recitation of the pledge in government-run schools cannot reasonably be termed either an "Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899584412003-03-01T11:57:00.000-05:002003-03-01T12:13:56.000-05:00Iraq, terror, N. Korea
"WASHINGTON — Iraqi forces guarding Baghdad are armed with chemical weapons and may have orders to use them, U.S. officials say ..." more
"NEW YORK — As time runs out for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to disarm or face a military thrashing from the United States and its allies, 'pro-war' — or 'anti-anti-war' — Americans are saying they have had enough of the recent protestsKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899579712003-03-01T11:44:00.000-05:002003-03-01T11:59:35.000-05:00Should Orioles pitcher's widow sue?
Probably not. On the other hand, the selling of unnecessarily dangerous stuff like ephedra is right up there on a list of examples of corporate irresponsibility. It's legal, and people should know better than to buy and use the product (would warning labels really help?), and civil lawsuits shouldn't be a backdoor method of criminalizing - but perhaps Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899367052003-02-28T22:36:00.000-05:002003-02-28T22:36:20.983-05:00Children in church
"PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- Msgr. Philip Murnion of the New York-based National Pastoral Life Center tells this joke: 'A baby starts crying loudly in Mass during the sermon. The mother stands up to take him out. "Don't worry, he can stay," the priest says from the pulpit. "He's not bothering me." The woman says, "Thanks, Father, but it's you who are bothering him."' ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899366512003-02-28T22:35:00.000-05:002003-02-28T22:35:03.466-05:00UN population projections
"NEW YORK, Feb 28, 03 (LSN.ca/CWNews.com) - The United Nations has released the 2002 Revision of the official United Nations population estimates and projections. For the first time, the United Nations Population Division projects that future fertility levels in most developing countries will likely fall below 2.1 children per woman, the level needed to ensure the Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899365552003-02-28T22:32:00.000-05:002003-02-28T22:32:24.560-05:00USCCB on Court decision about pro-lifers
"WASHINGTON, D.C., FEB. 28, 2003 (Zenit.org).- A U.S. bishops' aide hailed the Supreme Court's ruling that held a federal racketeering statute cannot be used against pro-life protesters. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899364832003-02-28T22:30:00.000-05:002003-02-28T22:30:42.513-05:00Pope to new Anglican archbishop
"VATICAN CITY, FEB. 28, 2003 (Zenit.org).- In a letter to the new archbishop of Canterbury, John Paul II expressed his hopes for continued progress in Catholic-Anglican relations. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899364312003-02-28T22:29:00.000-05:002003-02-28T22:37:57.000-05:00Vatican and Iraq
"VATICAN CITY, FEB. 28, 2003 (Zenit.org).- A Vatican official told the ambassadors at the Holy See that it is imperative to have 'the force of law, and not the law of force' prevail in the Iraqi crisis. ..." more
"VATICAN, Feb 28, 03 (CWNews.com) -- During his Thursday briefing for the Vatican diplomatic corps, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran had strong messages for two Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899204822003-02-28T15:53:00.000-05:002004-05-27T20:42:17.273-04:00Sad country song with happy ending
"Three Wooden Crosses" (clip). One of this this great artist's many excellent songs. He picks good, traditional-country material, and his voice is well suited to it. An older hit of his: "Forever And Ever, Amen" (clip). Also terrific: "Spirit Of A Boy, Wisdom Of A Man" (clip).
(See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899198602003-02-28T15:40:00.000-05:002003-02-28T15:40:39.686-05:00What's causing AIDS in Africa?
FRIDAY FAX
February 28, 2003
Volume 6, Number 10
British Medical Journal Asserts Coverup in African AIDS Pandemic Claims AIDS Crisis Caused by Bad Medicine, Not Sex
A prominent British medical journal has published a series of articles claiming that the mainstream AIDS community seriously misinterprets data concerning the spread of AIDS in Africa Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899117182003-02-28T12:46:00.000-05:002003-02-28T12:46:18.030-05:00Sex selling classical music
I've noticed this trend, and I agree it's disturbing.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899116562003-02-28T12:45:00.000-05:002003-02-28T12:52:46.000-05:00The WTC site proposals
I agree with one complaint from this commentary: the proposals "were all wacky. They just didn't look like real buildings. They looked like something a first-year architecture student would come up with, when he's got the math and the physics and the graphics software down pretty well ..." I disagree with the rest. The site should host something majestically beautiful, Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899113562003-02-28T12:39:00.000-05:002003-02-28T12:39:13.780-05:00Medicare money
"It's not hard finding objectionable items in the massive, omnibus appropriations bill the president signed into law last week. But of all its provisions, the one that's likely to end up costing taxpayers most is one that, officially, had no cost at all when it was agreed to. ..." more
(See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899112032003-02-28T12:36:00.000-05:002003-02-28T12:48:00.000-05:00Challenge to liberal GOP senator from right
Good: "Pat Toomey will challenge Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter in the Republican primary in April. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899111152003-02-28T12:34:00.000-05:002003-02-28T12:34:24.123-05:00White House challenge to Dems on judicial nominee
"In perhaps its most forceful effort yet to break the stalemate over the appeals-court nomination of Miguel Estrada, the White House has now invited every member of the Senate who has doubts about Estrada's legal views to submit written questions to Estrada by the close of business Friday. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899102982003-02-28T12:18:00.000-05:002003-02-28T12:33:47.000-05:00Iraq, terror, N. Korea
"WASHINGTON — Excerpts from a letter written by Iraqi Lt. Gen. Amer al-Saadi to chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix, who ordered Iraq to begin destroying its Al Samoud 2 missiles and their components by Saturday: ..." more
"BEIJING — Russia is ready to veto a U.S.-British resolution in the U.N. Security Council authorizing use of force against Iraq if such a step is Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899005682003-02-28T08:59:00.000-05:002003-02-28T09:02:12.000-05:00250th anniversary of "French and Indian"/"Seven Years" War coming
"History buffs have a new Internet site to visit. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899004362003-02-28T08:55:00.000-05:002003-02-28T09:02:19.000-05:00More on Mr. Rogers from his hometown paper
"The first time Marc Brown, creator of the animated PBS series 'Arthur,' met Fred Rogers, they talked about loss. 'He never used the word death, he always used the words "going to heaven." Boy, if anyone deserves to be in heaven, it's Fred Rogers,' Brown said yesterday. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899003472003-02-28T08:53:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:55:32.000-05:00We pretend to value marriage, but we don't
Examples: various recent "reality" shows, and contests like this (the man's record is just the icing on the bad wedding cake).Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899002772003-02-28T08:51:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:51:50.186-05:00What to do about troubled urban youth?
How about having urban men try to be a positive influence on their public behavior?Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899001682003-02-28T08:49:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:49:07.420-05:00"Desegregation" and "diversity"
"Republican lawmakers looking for state budget savings may try to cut the Chapter 220 desegregation program or merge it with the less expensive public school choice program, but a new study says either would be a major blow to diversity in suburban Milwaukee schools. ..." more
De facto segregation resulting from where people live is radically different from de Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-899000252003-02-28T08:45:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:45:59.530-05:00One more on EPA regulations and "perverse incentives"
I'm for clean air, but the Bush plan sounds reasonable to me, and I think that this is misguided. (See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898998942003-02-28T08:42:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:42:52.360-05:00HS graduation requirements
"Milwaukee Public Schools students will need 22 rather than 23 units of high school subject credits to graduate under a change in curriculum requirements the School Board approved Thursday. ..." more
Hmm. I can't recall how many credits my high school (admittedly, a private, college-prep school) required when I was there, but I believe I had 23.5 units, and I see Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898996652003-02-28T08:36:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:36:38.826-05:00Cloned pigs source of human organs?
"DeForest - A Wisconsin biotech firm said Thursday that it has genetically engineered and cloned a litter of piglets with organs that may resist rapid rejection by the human immune system. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898995662003-02-28T08:34:00.000-05:002003-02-28T08:51:59.000-05:00The EPA, water, and radium
Speaking of regulations, this one troubles me. Maybe it makes sense substantively - on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis - and maybe it doesn't.
But here's my concern. The "Environmental Protection Agency" sounds like an agency that's supposed to protect the environment - from pollution, etc. - for the sake of human health and (more generally) well-being (it's Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898828912003-02-27T23:49:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:49:28.420-05:00More "perverse incentives"
Columnist: Using tax money in ways that are a disincentive to marriage helps the poor; using it to encourage marriage is wasteful. (She may, however, have a point about "a mother's place"; I've long been ambivalent about this aspect of welfare reform.)
(See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898825552003-02-27T23:42:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:42:30.903-05:00Illinois doctors and malpractice insurance
"SPRINGFIELD--Eduardo Barriuso, a Humboldt Park obstetrician, says he pays $104,000 a year for malpractice insurance and was just told there'll be a 10 percent to 15 percent increase by July. ..." more (Thanks, Chris. And see also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898823112003-02-27T23:37:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:37:12.013-05:00Eucharist encyclical coming on Holy Thursday
But, the story below is wrong.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898822302003-02-27T23:35:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:35:19.590-05:00Requirements for ecumenical dialogue
"ROME (CNS) -- While theological dialogue is essential to building Christian unity, the ecumenical movement cannot succeed without prayer and conversion, said Cardinal Walter Kasper. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898821222003-02-27T23:33:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:33:02.200-05:00School choice in another state?
Moving beyond WI and OH?Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898820372003-02-27T23:31:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:35:11.000-05:00Vatican revision of abuse norms
"WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has changed several Vatican norms to expedite the trial or laicization of priests who have sexually abused minors. ..." more
(See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898820022003-02-27T23:30:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:30:28.560-05:00Abortion discrimination?
"WILMINGTON, Delaware, Feb 27, 03 (LSN.ca/CWNews.com) - A pro-abortion woman who was fired from her post as a teacher at a private Catholic school after her support for abortion was mentioned in a newspaper ad celebrating Roe v Wade has launched a discrimination complaint. Michele Curay-Cramer, 31, claims her dismissal violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898817652003-02-27T23:26:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:26:06.543-05:00Parents on homosexuality and sex ed
"CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Feb 27, 03 (LSN.ca/CWNews.com) - A new Zogby poll of 1,200 parents shows that 71 percent of parents do not want sex education programs teaching students that homosexual relationships are as normal and acceptable as loving heterosexual relationships ..." more (subscription required)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898816842003-02-27T23:24:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:24:42.293-05:00VP of Pontifical Academy for Life on science and ethics
"VATICAN CITY, FEB. 27, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Science cannot be without ethical judgment because research in areas such as biomedicine and biotechnology can have consequences for everyone, says a Vatican official. ..." moreKevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898815962003-02-27T23:23:00.000-05:002003-02-27T23:23:06.280-05:00Diablogging: Pro-abortion candidates
The article on Kucinich that I blogged below prompts some good reflections by Chris Burgwald. Chris is right that abortion should be an overriding issue (and my link to the article wasn't meant to imply agreement with what the article says about, e.g., Rice - not that I'm implying that Chris was implying this implication, but I just want to clarify; in fact,Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898796172003-02-27T22:44:00.000-05:002003-02-27T22:44:18.436-05:00Dreher on JPII on war: who's "hysterical"?
Amy blogs Dreher's latest rant (her posts can no longer be linked directly; scroll down to "From Rod Dreher:"). Two comments. First, I'm not sure how accusing the pope of lacking humility about his position, and comparing him to "the hysterical lady in Western movies," square with Rod's claim to think John Paul will "rightly" be called "St. John Paul Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898791542003-02-27T22:35:00.000-05:002003-02-27T22:35:31.590-05:00Another anti-malpractice-cap appeal
Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this picture, granting that malpractice occurred? (See also below.)Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898763372003-02-27T21:43:00.000-05:002003-02-27T21:43:20.890-05:00House passes cloning ban
Now, tell your senator to get on board.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898762562003-02-27T21:41:00.000-05:002003-02-27T21:57:30.000-05:00Senate GOP tries to call Dems' bluff on nominee ...
But their approach may fail. See below for what they should do.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898760912003-02-27T21:39:00.000-05:002003-02-27T21:39:02.466-05:00"Anti-Affirmative Action Bake Sale"?
Creative, and helps illustrate the point to which it's trying to draw attention.Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898759702003-02-27T21:36:00.000-05:002003-02-27T21:57:00.000-05:00Iraq, terror
"PARIS — President Jacques Chirac is under pressure from key supporters who fear that France's opposition to war with Iraq could cripple relations with the United States, wreck the United Nations and leave France isolated. ..." more
"WASHINGTON — The U.S. military buildup for war topped 200,000 troops in the Gulf region Thursday while inside Iraq Saddam Hussein was said to be Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793626.post-898698162003-02-27T19:28:00.000-05:002003-02-27T19:58:24.000-05:00"Perverse incentives"
I'm no libertarian, as multiple posts below show (see here and here). But there are good reasons - sometimes principled, sometimes prudential - for government not to regulate some things.
Two 1/27/03 National Review items illustrate an often-overlooked prudential concern about overregulation: that, as P.J. O'Rourke has observed, the Law of Unintended Consequences is the Kevin Millernoreply@blogger.com