PA-Sen - Do we care about elections anymore around here?

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Sunday May 16, 2010 · 5:35 PM PDT

2010/05/16 · 17:35

It's two days before a big primary election in Pennsylvania. Arlen Specter--a former Republican, a former supporter of George Bush and Sarah Palin, who formerly voted for McCain/Palin over Obama/Biden, who formerly voted for Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas, and who formerly accused Anita Hill of perjury--is now running in a Democratic primary against a challenger, Joe Sestak--a former 3-star Admiral in the U.S. Navy, the highest ranking military officer ever elected to congress, who has been endorsed by the members of MoveOn.org (in a 67% vote), who has been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America, who as congressman has fought for withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, has fought for an end to "don't ask, don't tell", has received top rankings from environmental organizations, has consistently supported the public option, and was an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act.

So why haven't there been any diaries on this race since Friday?

Poll

170 votes Show Results

Who would you rather represent Pennsylvanians in the Senate?

170 votes Vote Now!

Who would you rather represent Pennsylvanians in the Senate?

Arlen Specter

13 votes

Joe Sestak

127 votes

Either of them, as long as we beat Toomey

30 votes

Would Jesus support the Health Care bill?

acerimusdux

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Sunday April 04, 2010 · 12:41 PM PDT

2010/04/04 · 12:41

On Easter Sunday, I thought it worth remembering the example of Christ, and some of the things he actually taught, especially in regard to some recent topics which have been the subject of much political debate. There seem to be many recently who believe they are speaking for Jesus or his church, on various issues of public policy, especially on the issues of health care reform, abortion, and government taxation and mandates. Often conflicting advice is given from different authorities.

What authority is to be believed? This diary attempts to look at those questions from the authority of scripture itself, with a brief look at what Jesus and his disciples actually said and did about these issues.

Poll

126 votes Show Results

Would Jesus have supported Health Care Reform?

126 votes Vote Now!

Would Jesus have supported Health Care Reform?

Yes, he believed in providing aid to those in need

97 votes

No, he thought it more important to limit abortion rights and access

1 vote

No, he would have opposed any bill without a public option

8 votes

No, he opposed government mandates and taxation

4 votes

Yes, but he would have preferred pie.

16 votes

Obama's Just Peace Theory

acerimusdux

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Sunday December 13, 2009 · 11:38 AM PST

2009/12/13 · 11:38

Only a just peace, based upon the inherent rights and dignity of every individual, can truly be lasting.

-Barak Obama, 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Lecture

acerimusdux

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Sunday November 01, 2009 · 7:11 PM PST

2009/11/01 · 19:11

Nov 1, the day after Halloween, for faithful Catholics, is considered a holy day of obligation, All Saint's Day. This means it is one of 6 days (in the US) on which Catholics are expected to attend mass even if that day falls on a weekday. This year, as it falls on a Sunday, this really imposes no additional obligations, but nonetheless is a day in which many headed to church today especially to celebrate this important feast.

And what they found when they got there, in many parishes, apparently, was this (pdf) piece of political propaganda inserted in the weekly bulletin, threatening to mobilize Catholics to oppose health care reform, if congress does not give in to the bishops extremist demands on abortion. In addition they may have heard one of these statements (pdf) read from the pulpit, or seen this flyer (pdf).

acerimusdux

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Friday March 06, 2009 · 7:40 AM PST

2009/03/06 · 07:40

Rape row sparks excommunications

A Brazilian archbishop says all those who helped a child rape victim secure an abortion are to be excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

The girl, aged nine, who lives in the north-eastern state of Pernambuco, became pregnant with twins.

It is alleged that she had been sexually assaulted over a number of years by her stepfather.

The excommunication applies to the child's mother and the doctors involved in the procedure.

The pregnancy was terminated on Wednesday.

Abortion is only permitted in Brazil in cases of rape and where the mother's life is at risk and doctors say the girl's case met both these conditions.

Apparently though, they didn't feel the rapist warranted such harsh public rebuke. It seems the Catholic Church is long past caring about anything that was actually taught by Christ. This diary briefly examines some of the history of the Catholic Church's very unchristian teaching on this subject.

acerimusdux

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Sunday January 13, 2008 · 2:56 AM PST

2008/01/13 · 02:56

There have been plenty of diaries about the economy, including many suggesting that monetary policy was somehow to blame for the "bubbles" affecting some asset classes, such as stocks in 1998-2000, and housing more recently, until this past year.

I don't think enough attention has been paid however, to underlying fiscal problems which are far more significant. Fiscal policy is simply a far more powerful tool for impacting the direction of the economy than monetary policy. This diary is an attempt to look at why monetary policy is generally considered to have been reasonably sound during the Greenspan era, while examining fiscal concerns which aren't getting enough attention.

I've primarily dealt here with the fiscal policy side, however, particularly with how nearly 30 years of libertarian influenced laissez-faire fiscal policy has led to a failure to invest in America. I do have a lot to add with regard to monetary policy, but I'll have to do that in a follow up.

acerimusdux

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Thursday November 30, 2006 · 1:49 AM PST

2006/11/30 · 01:49

As diaried here, thousands of residents of New Orleans who have been fighting with insurance companies for reimburment for their lost homes got a big win Tuesday in court (article here). At least those not represented by State Farm.

"In the New Orleans area, everyone who bought insurance from a company other than State Farm at the moment now stands the prospect of getting full coverage under their homeowners policy for their damages, to the extent those damages were the result of water being released from the levee," John Ellison, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said on Tuesday.

Even this victory could be fleeting, as insurance companies are threatening to appeal. But, rather than get caught up in complex legal issues--like what the meaning of the word "flood" is--I think we need to discuss the root of the problem, the need for reform of the insurance system.

acerimusdux

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Monday November 27, 2006 · 3:41 PM PST

2006/11/27 · 15:41

Quinnipiac's "National Thermopmeter" poll takes quarterly readings on the popularity of various leading political figures. The latest poll results, from polling a week after the election, shows Obama as the most popular Democrat nationally, and Pelosi's numbers taking a large jump from last quarter. More below ((Click here for the Quinnipiac Press release.)

Poll

135 votes Show Results

Who is your favorite moderate Republican?

135 votes Vote Now!

Who is your favorite moderate Republican?

Rudy Giuliani

22 votes

John McCain

3 votes

Condoleezza Rice

3 votes

Joseph Lieberman

27 votes

Michael Bloomberg

80 votes

How much will you get from the tax-shift?

acerimusdux

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Thursday May 11, 2006 · 11:56 AM PDT

2006/05/11 · 11:56

The Senate is expected to pass today the Conference Comittee report making the latest Republican tax-shift law. H.R. 4297 was already passed by the House in December, and a Senate version passed in February. The Conference report resolving differnces in those bills passed the House yesterday. The Senate parlimentarian has ruled that the reconciliation bill before the Senate today is not subject to filibuster. So the tax-shift will become law.

Now, I know you're probably thinking, "Spare me the complex analysis, the legislative history, the explanations of the AMT." You want the bottom line. "How much," you're asking, "will my typical wealthy elite capitalist family benefit from over a trillion dollars being added to the deficit which will have to be repaid by poor saps who actually have to do honest work for a living?"

Well, you've come to the right place. I've got the numbers below the fold.
Read More

Ed Koch Wants to Attack Iran, Says Opponents Hate America

acerimusdux

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Thursday May 04, 2006 · 10:56 PM PDT

2006/05/04 · 22:56

The former Democratic Mayor of NY City seems determined to lead the rhetorical charge for an attack on Iran.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/...

Those opposing pre-emptive action against Iran are usual crazies, pacifists, dreamers and self-haters of the U.S. who believe we are evil in aspirations and actions and our opponents are virtuous and worthy of support

I'll point out that the above appears above the byline, and may be partly the work of a depraved editor. The actual quote in the article from Koch however, is nearly as craven. As is the entire essay. More below. Read More

International Educational standards under attack

acerimusdux

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Tuesday March 07, 2006 · 1:06 AM PST

2006/03/07 · 01:06

International Curriculum in Pa. Spotlight

PITTSBURGH - School board members in a Minnesota district call it anti-American and anti-Christian. In New Jersey, members of one school board argue it's a waste of money. Now, a suburban Pittsburgh school district is abolishing it over questions of politics and cost.
Supporters of the increasingly popular college preparatory curriculum known as International Baccalaureate are firing back with some of the same arguments -- saying efforts to quash IB are about the beliefs and politics of the program's opponents.

So what is so offensive about this program?

Critics, however, have argued that IB's multicultural themes promote values that conflict with traditional Judeo-Christian values. Some opponents have called it Marxist because the International Baccalaureate Organization is a signatory to the Earth Charter, a collection of global principles created in France in 2000.

Oh, it was created in France! So it must be Marxist, right?

More on the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and the insidious campaign against it, below: Read More

Private Accounts a Disaster for SS in Chile

acerimusdux

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Tuesday January 10, 2006 · 2:13 PM PST

2006/01/10 · 14:13

With a presidential election sheduled for Sunday, polls are showing Socialist candidate Michelle Bachelet poised to become Chile's first woman President. And Social Security has become an important issue in the campaign.

Larry Rhoter reports in the NY Times:

The Chilean system of personalized accounts managed by private funds has inspired a score of other countries since the pioneer effort to create it here 25 years ago. It is endorsed by President Bush, who has called it "a great example" from which the United States can "take some lessons." Here at home, though, dissatisfaction with the system has emerged as one of the hot-button issues in the election, a runoff that will take place on Sunday.

So, how is the system holding up after 25 years? Read below...
Read More

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PA-Sen - Do we care about elections anymore around here?

Would Jesus support the Health Care bill?

Obama's Just Peace Theory

Do the US Bishops even have a conscience?

Church Excommunicates Mother, Doctor, not Rapist

It Ain't All "Bubbles" Greenspan's Fault

A Win for Katrina Victims - Reform Still Needed

Quinnipiac: Obama Most Popular Dem; Pelosi Popularity Up Big

How much will you get from the tax-shift?

Ed Koch Wants to Attack Iran, Says Opponents Hate America

International Educational standards under attack

Private Accounts a Disaster for SS in Chile