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« January 2007 | Main | March 2007 » February 28, 2007James Cameron's Titanic Hoax?No doubt ITA's readers been following the "Jesus ossuary" story that has been going around the past couple days. According to a new Discovery Channel documentary executive produced by Titanic director James Cameron, and an accompanying book, archaeologists digging in Jerusalem in 1980 discovered a family tomb that had the bodies of Jesus, his wife Mary Magdaline, their son Judah, Joseph his father, Mary his mother, and several others. The documentary airs this Sunday at 9pm ET/PT. Most scholars I've read are dubious about the claims made by the filmmakers. One in particular is Paul L. Maier, who serves as professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University as well as vice president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Maier is also author of the novel A Skeleton in God's Closet--a novel that now bears striking resemblance to reality--in which an archaeologist discovers the reputed skeleton of Jesus outside of Jerusalem and all sorts of religious controversy erupts. Maier responds to the Discovery Channel documentary here. Also recommended is New Testament scholar Ben Witherington's blog here. Posted by David Darlington at 08:54 PM | Comments (5) Al Gore and the difference between right and leftWhen I read that Al Gore's Tennessee mansion uses more than 20 times the amount of electricty as the average American home (the AP reports it's more like 12 times the consumption of the average Nashville home) and more natural gas as well, I was hardly surprised. Like fellow Democrat John Edwards, Gore is successful and wealthy; it's no surprise he owns a large home, and large homes consume large amounts of energy. Large does not necessarily imply wasteful, however. Being a public figure and former Vice President, Gore doesn't have the option of living in a 2-bedroom ranch. We may rightly ask, however, whether Gore's mansion is energy-efficient. Based on the numbers in the AP article and an average American home size in 2004 of 2,349 square feet, Gore's home uses 19.1 kWh per square foot per year, while the average American home uses roughly 4.5 kWh per square foot per year. Yikes! That's pretty inefficient. Even if all that energy came from carbon-neutral renewable sources, it's still a lot of usage--to say nothing of the $1,080 average monthly natural gas bill. It seems safe to say that Gore could do better. What's also interesting is how the left is reacting to this (unsurprising) revelation. Amanda Marcotte of Pandagon, in a post entitled "Al Gore is entitled to his extra farts," quotes blogger Battlepanda: [T]here is no doubt in my mind global warming is a real phenomenon, but I still fly, blast the air con, take taxis etc. etc. Why? Because I am not a sucker. Why should I deny myself my comforts when everybody else is pumping out CO2 anyhow? However, I am in favor of a carbon tax. Sure, I'll be paying more for gas and other stuff, but so will everyone else. So, unlike unilaterally cutting my own output, my sacrifice might count for something in terms of my future well-being. To which Marcotte adds: The very notion that Gore is a hypocrite when the issue is something that has nothing to do with personal virtue and everything to do with collective action just goes to show ... the profound difference between the right and the left's version of when government interference is justified. I agree this illustrates a profound difference between right and left, but not in the way Marcotte intended. While I believe that some government action can be helpful in setting up proper incentives for people to modify their behavior, an attitude of "I'm not going to do my part until the government forces everyone else to do theirs, too" is simply irresponsible. It is similar to the way that many liberals think of compassion in terms of lobbying the government to spend everyone's tax dollars on a cause, while conservatives generally support causes by opening up their own wallets. Compare Battlepanda's attitude to that of Jane Galt who, though a libertarian, believes that "everyone should make a serious moral committment to reducing their greenhouse footprint." To the objection that individual actions won't make a detectable difference, she responds: Refraining from stealing won't lower the crime rate appreciably, either; nor does my refusal to illegally download MP3's actually influence outcomes in the music market. If something is morally right, one is obligated to do it even if it makes no difference to macro outcomes. Posted by Eric Seymour at 05:10 PM | Comments (15) Blogging EdwardsLindsay Beyerstein, who blogs at Majikthise, offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of the John Edwards campaign and how bloggers got involved in a Salon article titled, "Why I refused to blog for Edwards." A must-read for politically active bloggers. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 10:58 AM | Comments (1) February 27, 2007Behind the headlines?In The Corner, Mark Lowry posts an email from a "Pentagon intel" source who claims that the patterns of recent violence in Iraq bodes well for the Iraqi government and the Coalition. An excerpt: 3) The recent bombings in ANBAR demonstrate red on red kinetic operations. Something which has been rare until the last few months. More and more Sunni tribes are pledging fealty to the Iraqi government and the Coalition and turning their back on the insurgents/AQI. This has caused them to be targeted. I've heard enough of these "seemingly bad news is actually a good sign" proclamations over the past couple years that I remain skeptical. Yet perhaps there could be reason for some cautious optimism. Posted by Eric Seymour at 05:42 PM | Comments (2) Gov. Mark Sanford: The GOP's savior?
The first thing that stands out about Sanford's record is a passionate dedication to fiscal restraint and responsibility. His opposition to pork spending is so strong that after legislators of his own party overrode his veto in a 2004 budget showdown, Sanford brought live pigs into the House chamber as a visual protest against 'pork projects'. For good measure, the pigs even defecated on the House lobby floor. The thought of that kind of leadership in Washington is enough to make some fiscal conservatives salivate. Sanford's libertarian approach to limited government will appeal to moderate voters and disciples of the Reaganite era. He has innovatively sought to improve the public education system through market based reform. Most recently he penned an op-ed in the Washington Post outlining a conservative approach to climate change. Although some conservatives are critical of the specific proposals, even those critics seem to admire that he takes "seriously the challenge of reconciling conservative principles with a serious approach to climate change policy." Of course a common criticism of the current GOP field is a lack of any true social conservatives. Sanford has a believable resume that will resonate with both conservatives and moderates. He is pro-life and would define marriage as between one man and one woman. Yet he also favors campaign finance reform and supports affirmative action in state contracts (but not colleges). In spite of what appears to be a balanced yet conservative record and an attactive look and personality, calls for a Sanford presidential run have been minimal within his own state. The reason is summed up in his 2004 stance against pork: he is often at odds with his own party. As others have said, "This is not surprising; throughout history a prophet is not valued in his own land." A recent New York Times article, titled "Christian Right Labors to Find '08 Candidate," noted that a "secretive club" of influential Christian conservatives held a private meeting in Florida to decide upon a "champion to carry their banner in the next election." Although they largely left without answers, Sanford, a guest speaker at the gathering, was allegedly asked to run. "He firmly declined the group's entreaties, people involved in the recruiting effort said." No one knows for certain if Sanford will change his mind, or even if he could overcome low name recognition after having laid no true groundwork. But it seems clear that a large chunk of the conservative populace crave a new kind of candidate, and Sanford seems to fit the bill. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 10:00 AM | Comments (5) Sic Semper Tyrannis?
"Do you think judges should write freely about the law?" Robert Dierker, a sitting judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit of Missouri, believes they should. With The Tyranny of Tolerance: A Sitting Judge Breaks the Code of Silence to Expose the Liberal Judicial Assault, Judge Dierker assesses, with considerable vigor, what he calls "the overthrow of the real Constitution" (2). Dierker's book has not gone unnoticed. The first two chapters of the book were released electronically late last November; within a month official complaints were filed with Missour's Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline. In a span of little over 200 pages, Dierker addresses the "Cloud Cuckooland of Radical Feminism," "No Right to Keep and Bear Arms," "Crime but No Punishment," "The Anti-Christian Litigation Union," and "The (Un)American Bar Assocition." As these chapter titles illustrate, the good Judge does not shy from strong rhetoric. Nor does he limit his critique to the typical. Dierker's tyranny is capacious enough to encompass the "cult of disability" (151ff), or "mandating that inherently unequal shall be made equal, if not more than equal." From City of Cleburne (473 U.S. 432 (1985)) to PGA Tour v. Martin (121 S.Ct. 1879 (2001)), Dierker gives example of how the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause has become a powerful weapon in "making the blind see and the lame walk" (151). Dierker knows that we all admire people who overcome adversity to achieve great things; he just wants everyone to "play by the same rules" (157). Dierker's treatment of the cult is swift and severe, which may also characterize the book's ultimate analysis. Even for those of us sympathetic to the substantive basis of Dierker's alarm, the rhetoric he invokes often reads hyperbolic and curt. Tyranny of Tolerance is quick read whose message is easily assessable, even for those who are not particularly familiar with the law, but it lacks a final conclusion or rebuttal to tolerance's tyranny. Nevertheless, Judge Dierker goes a long was in further articulating liberalism's joyless search for joy and the judiciary's aid along the way. Posted by Seth Zirkle at 09:56 AM | Comments (7) February 26, 2007The Alumin-ati?Here's something you have to see to believe. Near the end of an "Impeach Bush" rally last month in San Francisco, hundreds of protesters put on tin foil hats:
Was this a spontaneous bit of self-deprecating humor? A very short-lived and localized fashion trend? For more up-close-and-personal images of the left coast lunatic fringe, check out the main page of the photographer who took the above photo. Posted by Eric Seymour at 06:19 PM | Comments (14) The Founders on ScriptureJonathan Rowe at blog-neighbor Positive Liberty has a good post up on the religious views of many of our prominent founding fathers. He notes that they, "had a particularly nuanced view of Scripture that differed from that of the 'Deists' on the one hand and the 'Christians' on the other. Their view of Scripture perfectly illustrates how their religion was a hybrid of the two systems - in between Deism and Christianity - with rationalism as the trumping element." The result of such a nuance is that both the secular left and religious right can "easily claim these Founders as their own, misunderstanding them while quoting them out of context." Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 06:13 PM | Comments (1) Traffic Laws Can Kill
Many traffic laws are inacted because of a misconception by state and federal legislators. They believe that reducing the speed limit will slow the speed of traffic, while raising the speed limit will cause an increase in the speed of traffic, and thereby increase accidents. Their belief is misguided. Colorado's Department of Transportation already seems to understand (pdf) and notes that "Before and After" speed studies show that there are no significant changes in vehicle speeds or accidents after speed limits are changed. As it turns out, a sort of "roadway democracy" seems to offer the best limits. Colorado's DOT explains that the optimal speed limit will result in the maximum number of vehicles traveling at about the same speed, reducing conflicts caused by speed differentials. The 85th percentile speed, the speed at or below which 85% of the traffic is moving, "is widely accepted as being closest to that 'just right' speed limit - a case of Majority Rule." The Cato Institute's Stephen Moore reinforces this view in a 23 page paper titled "Speed Doesn't Kill" (pdf), as does the British Columbia Automobile Association. Moore notes that 33 state raised their speed limits after the federal government's repeal of the 55 mph law in 1995. Because of this, traffic death rates dropped to a record low level in 1997. In addition to saved lives, these more sensible laws offered an economic benefit estimated between $2 and $3 billion per year. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 02:49 PM | Comments (6) Movie Review: The Astronaut Farmer"The Astronaut Farmer" can be aptly summarized as a cross between "Field of Dreams" and "Apollo 13." In this film, Charles Farmer is a dropout from the NASA astronaut program who has continued to pursue his dream of traveling through space by building a rocket in his barn. While nearly everyone else he encounters is either actively opposing his effort or trying to counsel him to give up, his family supports his dream and has made it their own. Farmer is a model of perseverance, and it seems that he will either make it into space or die trying. The idea of a man of modest means building a working 1960's-era rocket seems to strain credibility, but because the actual building of the rocket is not a focus of the film, this is easily overlooked. Instead, much of the focus is on his interaction with government agencies such as the FBI and the FAA. During this act, the film takes a couple quick lefty political shots, but these are not egregious enough to be distracting. Moreover, the overarching theme of a determined individual overcoming bureaucratic government opposition will resound with conservative moviegoers. Overall, this movie is a gem, and will be remembered as one of the best "family films" of this year. Yet, as another reviewer has noted, there is enough "difficult" content in this PG-rated movie (family conflict, an accident that leaves Farmer bloodied, and some profanity) that parents should exercise caution with younger children. Nevertheless, the real strength of this movie is in the portrayal of how the Farmer family sticks together and loves each other through the bad as well as the good. Grade: B+ Posted by Eric Seymour at 08:51 AM | Comments (3) February 23, 2007Cheney and Pelosi trade jabs--Point: CheneyWhile in Japan this week, Dick Cheney leveled some pointed criticism at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is leading House Democrats in opposing President Bush's intention to send additional troops to Iraq, and trying to force some troop withdrawals: I think if we were to do what Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Murtha are suggesting, all we will do is validate the Al Qaeda strategy... The Al Qaeda strategy is to break the will of the American people ... try to persuade us to throw in the towel and come home, and then they win because we quit. Pretty standard anti-anti-war rhetoric, though this may be the first time the President or Vice President has aimed this criticism at the Democratic leadership this explicitly. Pelosi responded by basically accusing the Vice President of questioning her patriotism: You cannot ... have the vice president of the United States go out of the country and mischaracterize a position of the speaker of the House and in a manner that says that person in that position of authority is acting against the national security of our country... And you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to call the president and tell him I disapprove of what the vice president said. That'll show 'em. "Hi, I'm Nancy Pelosi and I disapprove of Dick Cheney's message." Seriously, though. As Cheney pointed out today, he was not questioning Pelosi's patriotism--only the wisdom of her suggestions. And in doing so, he did nothing different from what the Democrats did during the 2006 congressional elections. Pelosi has nothing to complain about. She should be prepared to defend the Democrats' strategy on its own merits. Posted by Eric Seymour at 12:44 PM | Comments (17) Let the good times roll
Note: If you check out the pictures and have trouble enlarging them, please drop me a line. I'm trying to determine if a certain problem is widespread. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 09:36 AM | Comments (2) February 22, 2007Free thy ladyIt's hard to make light of this situation when the person involved is facing months in jail, but the whole ordeal is right out of a Hollywood comedy. According to the Associated Press, 39 year old James Van Iveren lives without a phone in an apartment with his mother. While Iveren was presumably playing World of Warcraft, he heard what he thought was the screaming voice of a rape victim in the apartment above him. In a fit of chivalrous courage, and without a phone to call the police, Iveren grabbed a sword from his apartment living room and busted down his neighbor's door. Allegedly, "with the sword pointed at him, the neighbor led Van Iveren throughout the apartment, opening closet doors to prove he was alone." Unfortunately for Iveren, the noises were actually coming from his neighbor's pornographic video. Now Iveren faces charges of criminal trespass, criminal damage and disorderly conduct, all while using a dangerous weapon. Taken altogether Iveren could face 33 months in jail. Although that sentence is unlikely, the possibility remains, and either way Iveren is likely to face some sort of criminal punishment. I'd certainly wear a "Free Iveren" t-shirt if it was available. Update: Iveren's age has been corrected. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 02:25 PM | Comments (2) Mitt Romney's Many Faces
Listening to Romney that day was like watching a chameleon in the fleeting moment that its color changes to suit its environment.These skeptics are not alone, and the buildup to this opposition has been a long time running. As recently as his 2002 campaign for governor, Romney advocated a strong pro-choice stance. Then came the discovery of this video, highlighting the liberal positions Romney took in his 1994 Senate race. Although abortion is likely the most controversial leftist position Romney has reconsidered, it is by no means the only one. He has changed his position on gays in the military, supporting the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy after opposing it during the 90's. Romney also supported a federal gas tax hike and opposed Bush's tax cuts as late as 2003. Perhaps the most egregious sin in the eyes of some conservatives was the revelation that Romney voted for Democrat Paul Tsongas in the 1992 Massachusetts primary and then changed his story on why he did it. Most of this probably comes as little surprise to pundits familiar with Massachusetts politics. But to most of the country this only reinforces an already skeptical view of the man. As this Gallup poll reveals, not a lot of people have heard of him, but the more they hear, the more his unfavorables rise. The GOP can do better. Related ITA entries: "Make Room for Mitt?" by D. Darlington Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 09:27 AM | Comments (4) Double TakeI swear, when I first glanced over this story, I thought the headline said "Hugh Hefner Escapes, Leads Police on 5-Hour Chase." Turns out it was a "huge heifer," not Hugh Hefner. Still, it's a fairly amusing story. Posted by Eric Seymour at 09:04 AM | Comments (0) February 21, 2007Open Thread: LentIt is now Lent, a time of repentance, of reflecting on Christ's final days, and of checking your self-esteem at the door. Anyone disciplining themselves by giving up something for Lent, or by renewing a commitment to something? I had decided to give up caffeine and beer, and, without even thinking, have failed one of those already. I am a man of unclean lips! Posted by David Darlington at 08:28 PM | Comments (1) February 19, 2007Fun with Mitt and Rudy
Posted by Seth Zirkle at 10:21 PM | Comments (3) Goin' to the Courthouse and They're......getting a civil union. The ancestral homeland of New Jersey just became the third state in the nation to offer civil unions for gay couples. As I reported last fall, the New Jersey Supreme Court mandated that the state legislature had to create a legal arrangement with equivalent rights to marriage for the state's gay couples, though it deferred to the legislature on whether to call these arrangements marriages or civil unions. The state chose the latter. Currently, only Massachusetts allows marriage for gay couples. New Jersey joins Vermont and Connecticut in offering civil unions Related ITA entries: Speaking of Marriage... by D. Darlington Posted by David Darlington at 09:03 AM | Comments (0) February 16, 2007Pyrrhic Prophylactics
One need not been a member of the Ratzinger Fan Club to appreciate Justice O'Connor's rationale that the cost of imposing "undue burdens" on obtaining an abortion is determined in part by society's understanding that, should artificial birth control fail, abortion is readily available (Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, 852 (1992), "It should be recognized, moreover, that in some critical respects the abortion decision is of the same character as the decision to use contraception"). As the ultimate conclusion of a contraceptive mentality, abortion ensures that the life created in the conjugal act remains little more than one factor among others. And, again, whether one toes the Church's line on artificial birth control or not, a policy endorsed by the State which reduces the introduction and preservation of life to one factor among many should cause pause. But not for long. See, generally, Justice Brennan's rationale in Beal v. Doe, 432 U.S. 438 (1977); Maher v. Roe, 432 U.S. 464 (1977); Poelker v. Doe, 432 U.S. 519 (1977). Posted by Seth Zirkle at 10:12 AM | Comments (30) February 15, 2007The ABA reveals its sad state of affairsAt the recent American Bar Association (ABA) Midyear Meetings in Miami, unflattering statistics slipped out of the Young Lawyers Division report which seem to confirm what many had suspected. According to the report, the percentage of licensed lawyers who are members of the ABA has declined from 50% to 37% in the last fifteen years. In the last thirty years, the percentage of lawyers who are ABA members has declined twenty percentage points. As I've noted before, the reason for the ABA's high percentage of non-licensed members is that it permits (and, arguably, mandates) the automatic membership of law students. Therefore, the percentage of actual lawyers who are members of the ABA has been falling like a rock for some time now. And even those licensed members of the ABA are largely just first year attorneys offered free membership. The ABA's "Young Lawyers Division" apparently decided to investigate reasons for the decline. The 2006 ABA-conducted "Pulse of the Profession" report revealed that "many lawyers are leery of the ABA's involvement in advocacy and policy." Lawyers prefer that the ABA play "an educational role rather than an advocacy role." Furthermore, in this same "Pulse of the Profession" report, many lawyers contend that "the ABA is not that available or relevant to them, or is not truly representative of all lawyers." The Young Lawyers Division even listed some of the "notable and controversial" positions adopted by the ABA. These positions include: providing federal funding for abortions, supporting the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment, supporting a pro-choice position on abortion, and supporting the creation of a right to quality health care. Unfortunately, they failed to also acknowledge the ABA's broken and racist accreditation process. Related ITA entries: "Enslaved on the ABA membership roles" by J. Claybourn Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 10:21 AM | Comments (2) February 14, 2007A Valentine to the CorinthiansA popular Valentine's Day tradition is to ask, "Who was St. Valentine, anyway?" Turns out, the answer is approximately, "Just some guy." To be more accurate, he was a martyr (all three of them), which sets him up as an exemplar to the Christian faithful. What this has to do with romance, I have no idea, but there he sits at the edge of the party along the wall, like a relative you felt obliged to invite but have no idea what to do with. Occasionally, someone will feel compelled to acknowledge the titular religious overtones, and looking about, settles on 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. What a lovely passage, even appropriate for a secular setting, right? No, and not necessarily appropriate for Valentine's Day, either. Over at Confessing Evangelical, John H reminds us, "that this is not a cuddly 'hymn to love', but was instead aimed directly at the Corinthians' chief failings as expanded on elsewhere in the letter." As The Reverend Prebendary Dick Lucas explains in a sermon: These verses are frequently interpreted without reference to the Corinthian believers, as though Paul is attempting an unapplied analysis of love, breaking it down into its constituent parts, as an essayist might do . . . But this 'anatomy of love' is addressed, with scrupulous care and precise application, to the church at Corinth.(emphasis in original) As edifying as Paul's epistle lesson might be to modern Christians, it has about as much to do with Valentine's Day as, well, St. Valentine. And the reason is obvious: English has only one word for love. Greek, on the other hand, has four well-known ones: storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (romance), and agape (divine love). Valentine's Day is almost exclusively about eros, whereas 1 Corinthians 13 is talking about agape. Without that textual distinction, the passage lends itself to misinterpretation. Must we insist on a strict interpretation? Of course, married (or engaged) couples rely on agape in their divine union, so to some extent the passage is appropriate for today (or weddings). Otherwise, I can only recall one place in the Bible that indulges eros, the Song of Solomon (um, NSFW?), a book we tell Sunday school students is 'only for mommies and daddies.' Then again, I always did think it telling that the Song of Solomon is prefaced by Ecclesiastes. Posted by Zach Wendling at 12:01 PM | Comments (0) Happy Valentine's Day
Previously on ITA: "Saturday Night's Alright For Blogging" by P. Musgrave
Posted by Zach Wendling at 08:31 AM | Comments (2) February 13, 2007Portugal's Abortion VoteA recent referendum on abortion in Portugal ended in the status quo as not enough people showed up to vote to make the results official. Portugal has the toughest abortion laws in Europe--restricting the procedure to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and then permitting it only cases of rape, fetal malformation, or if the mother's health is in danger. The proposed referendum, backed by the nation's center-left Socialist government and opposed by the Catholic church, would have allowed abortion for any reason within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. While between 57 and 61 percent of voters favored the measure, only between 36 and 40 percent showed up at the polls, far below the 50 percent threshold required to make the results valid. The government said if the majority of voters approved the changes, they would try to loosen abortion restrictions legislatively should 50 percent turnout not be reached. That process, however, would take longer than had the referendum passed. It would be nice if American voters got the opportunity to decide via referendum how conservative or liberal they wanted their state's abortion laws to be. I wonder why we can't . . . oh wait. I know. (Update) See also: Posted by David Darlington at 05:34 PM | Comments (11) Honoring Art
To some, the voting served not only as a referendum on President Bush's handling of the Iraq war, but also on what was perceived as country music's rejection - and radio's censorship - of the trio.They all seem to be saying what many had already suspected - "artistic" awards are often bestowed less for the quality of the art, and more for the artist's beliefs or culture. Hanson notes this, and also that such extra considerations play in other awards, such as the Nobel Prize: The result is that we can no longer be sure whether merit and truth are the primary criteria in bestowing awards or reporting news.But is this really all that new? The question easily leads to a timeless debate over what is "art" and how it should be valued. Many would argue artistic honors bestowed because of cultural and political beliefs unrelated to the art has been a fixture for centuries. So be it. I tend to like the Dixie Chicks music, and that's enough for me. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 02:02 PM | Comments (8) Artsy FartsyI have to agree with writer Jeff Sharlet, "I usually don't go in for fundamentalist kitsch -- it's more interesting to take it seriously and try to understand what its creators and consumers see in it." But I'm skeptical of his hypothesis when he asks, "Is evangelical art really that gay?" He has some amusing speculations, though. Posted by Zach Wendling at 09:12 AM | Comments (3) February 12, 2007MetroGOPualsThe Weekly Standard notes that the three leading candidates for the GOP nomination--Giuliani, Romney, and McCain--are not exactly Republicans straight out of central casting. That is, they're not Southerners or Westerners who wear their personal piety and social conservatism on their sleeves like the current White House occupant. McCain, though a Westerner, has made a media career of tweaking social conservative sensibilities and the GOP establishment. Romney was the governor of the bluest of blue states, is the son of a former Michigan governor, and, regarding his Mormonism, doesn't exactly talk like Ken Jennings. Giuliani is a real New Yorker whose personal and political foibles have been documented by ITA's writers this past week. The Weekly Standard terms these guys "Metro Republicans," and wonders whether the rise of the Metros can help stem the GOP's massive losses in inner suburbia the past few election cycles. The wealthy Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. suburbs, for example, have shifted tremendously towards the Democrats in recent years; the loss of the suburban professionals is one of the those pro-Democratic trends that have some experts bullish on the party's long-term future. McCain, Giuliani, and Romney play well to these types, and Giuliani at least also still appeals to rural Southerners and Westerners. Might nominating one of these nontraditional Republicans reverse the party's losses in suburbia? It might be worth a shot. See also: Posted by David Darlington at 03:05 PM | Comments (4) Quick LinksHere are some pieces so interesting I'm at a loss for further commentary:
Posted by Zach Wendling at 09:55 AM | Comments (2) A Catholic GulianiBy way of follow up to David's and Josh's recent posts (here, here, and here), I also posit that Guliani will have a difficult time persuading Catholic voters of his Catholicism. In addition to one annulment and one divorce (The triumph of hope over experience?), the former mayor's position on abortion will rouse the sleeping giant napping in the pews of the local Catholic church. The last time this laocoon sprang to life, another Catholic politician attempted to lullaby it with stories of a well-formed conscience, Vatican II, and Pope Pius XXIII. Cardinal Egan has yet to publicly address Guliani's faith. It is widely known that the two consider one another friends. More renown is the reality that Egan is no Chaput, and will likely shy away from the high adventure of episcopal oversight. Cardinal Keeler, on the other hand, has openly questioned Guliani's position on abortion, beginning with an honorary degree from Loyola College (MD) in 2005. Of course it is impossible to augur so early in the race, but Brownback's presence - the antithesis of Guliani as the obscure orthodox Catholic - will make for a lively discussion. For better or for worse, Guliani may jettison jejune theological reflections for substantive exchange. Posted by Seth Zirkle at 09:26 AM | Comments (0) February 10, 2007WarVia fark.com, I came across this wedding photo, which is one of the most powerful pictures I've ever seen. You can read more about the couple here. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 06:59 PM | Comments (3) PovertyThe Economist writes, "Now that poverty means a risk of obesity, rather than starvation, it is harder to decide what constitutes the minimal decent standard of living a society should provide." Related ITA entries:
Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 06:56 PM | Comments (0) National Review on RudyIf you're not tired of the Rudy Giuliani conversation already, I recommend checking out National Review's editorial on the subject and John Podhoretz's further comments from The Corner. Putting perhaps a bit more faith in Giuliani's early poll numbers than I do, NR calls Giuliani "a compelling candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2008." Giuliani "saved New York City by restoring law and order and breaking with the disastrous urban liberalism of the 1970s. He will forever be honored for his leadership after the 9/11 attacks. And his effective, no-nonsense management style and straight-talking persona are enormously appealing." Conservatives want to like Giuliani, as Podhoretz argues, and as I have shown in my prior writing on the subject. There is a lot to like. And there is a lot to be worried about. While I focused on Giuliani as an idealized type, where conservatives, particularly of the anti-terrorist law-and-order variety, put upon Giuliani their visions of the best possible candidate in the absense of knowledge about his record, NR takes a more focused approach. Most of Giuliani's opinions on national economic issues (including environmental policy) are unknown at this point, but on social issues, he is a well-established liberal. Particularly, NR finds his position on abortion of utmost concern. The editors write: "Giuliani's most important flaw . . .is his denial that unborn children have a right to life." Giuliani has shown some movement rightward on the issue of partial birth abortion in recent years, but that is just one issue among many. What about stem-cell research, gay marriage, the legal status of Roe v. Wade, the right to die, and so on? NR is absolutely right for calling on Giuliani to be forthcoming with his positions on these issues. He is, if his poll numbers are to be believed, a "compelling candidate," but most conservatives I know will need more than 9/11 heroism to win them over. Posted by David Darlington at 01:16 PM | Comments (2) February 09, 2007The EconomistOne of my favorite publications, The Economist, is trying something neat, especially for a publication of its stature: they're putting all the Letters to the Editor they get on a blog as they come in. As Jane Galt says, "I mean, on what other blog is the top debate over the map of Macedonia?" Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 03:12 PM | Comments (0) February 08, 2007Friendly Fire?"Ethics Rules May Inadvertently Burden Charities." The Washington Times' Lois Romano picked up on what many in the nonprofit sector suggested would happen after the new House ethics rules were implemented: If the new rules are applied as written, nonprofits - even those that hold bona fide charity events - may likely have a more difficult time raising money. When the proposed rules received coverage in the media last year, many assumed that they would apply only to elected officials; it appears their grasp extends further. Romano states that politicians' spouses cannot accept gifts, including dinner invites and reception appearances, gratis unless "they are invited to an event by virtue of their own stature or job." The substantive issue here is whether the legislators and/or their spouses attend charitable events for free - whether they are given services or "tokens" of appreciation for free. Capricious nievete I'm sure, but Romano's sturm und drang seems, well, too tumultuous. If a politician's wife truly desires to throw her name behind the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Gala at the Kennedy Center, a $20 dinner seems a reasonable price to pay. At each level it appears to work: The politician's (and his spouses') support of a nonprofit will be $20 more genuine, the nonprofit will be $20 richer for the more genuine support, and the other attendees will oogle and ogle no less. Posted by Seth Zirkle at 06:28 PM | Comments (1) Budget BustersI have long been a vocal critic of this administration's fiscal policies. But the Wall Street Journal recently published a nice concise, readable article that explains why many of these criticisms should be tempered because of a declining budget deficit. Related ITA entries:
Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 10:47 AM | Comments (32) Two AmericasIn a 2004 stump speech, repeated countless times during the presidential campaign, John Edwards offered this to American voters: "Today, under George W. Bush, there are two Americas, not one: One America that does the work, another that reaps the reward. One America that pays the taxes, another America that gets the tax breaks. One America - middle-class America - whose needs Washington has long forgotten, another America - narrow-interest America - whose every wish is Washington's command. One America that is struggling to get by, another America that can buy anything it wants, even a Congress and a president."  Although it's always been clear that John Edwards was wealthy, he left no doubt as to which America he belonged when he built a 28,200-square-foot home valued (with the land) at nearly $6 million. The red addition is known as "The Barn," and includes its own living facilities along with a handball court, an indoor pool and an indoor basketball court with a stage at one end.
I wouldn't normally question the construction of a lavish and luxurious home. After all, it'd be hard to turn down if it was available to me. But John Edwards has made a career out of condemning such lifestyles, so it is natural to raise our eyebrows at this move. What irks me most is the defense that his wife Elizabeth gives. Referring to the onslaught of recent criticism, she wrote: "Did it come from the right? Did it come from another campaign? I have no idea. What I do know is that it is no news bulletin that John and I have money. It is no news bulletin that he earned every cent."(Emphasis added.) When John Edwards says there is "One America that does the work," and "another that reaps the reward," he implies that the wealthy did not earn their wealth. He implies that the poor are hard working, and the rich are only that way by chance. Elizabeth rightly acknowledges that such simplistic logic doesn't apply to her family because John "earned every cent." But what she and John must learn to understand is that John's simplistic logic often doesn't apply to other families either. Other commentary: The Hillary Spot, Hoystory, Paxalles, Townhall.com, and Fluid Faith Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 09:54 AM | Comments (19) A Bears fan by any other name...Chicago Bears fan Scott Wiese of Forsyth, Illinois made a bet that he'd change his name to Peyton Manning if the Colts won the Super Bowl. A man of his word, he's going through with the bet. What I want to know is, what was the payoff if the Bears won? Posted by Eric Seymour at 08:11 AM | Comments (5) February 07, 2007Why is Rudy Running?Continuing Josh's train of thought from yesterday, one has to wonder why a liberal Northeastern mayor thinks he can win the GOP nomination. The obvious answer, as reported by the Freakonomics guys on their blog yesterday, is his poll numbers. Giuliani has a 61 percent approval rating from adults across the country according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, and pulls a 76 percent approval rating from white evangelical Christians and 82 percent from self-proclaimed conservatives; this despite the fact that the mayor is pro-choice, pro-gun control, and on his third marriage (the second, to frequent Law and Order guest star Donna Hanover, having ended in an affair). He also sports an 81 percent approval rating among Republicans and leads most of the bigger primary states, who will play more of a role than usual this time around, given the ongoing trend of states frontloading their primaries. But as former President Colin Powell (1997-2005) can tell you, poll numbers don't tell the whole story, especially this early in the process where candidates exist more as idealized types in the public's mind rather than actual individuals with personal and political quirks (see also Obama, Barack). There is a considerable amount of this going on with Rudy Giuliani. Consider, for example, this from Patrick Ruffini's announcement that Rudy is his candidate: "In Mayor Giuliani I see my generation's Ronald Reagan -- a uniquely gifted leader who can both articulate and act on first principles. The War on Terror is the defining issue of our time as the struggle against Communism was in President Reagan's. There is no one I would trust more to continue this fight. . . . Second only to President Reagan's two terms, [Giuliani's tenure as mayor] was quite possibly the best eight year run of any statesman in the last generation." Patrick, as I reported last week, is now on Giuliani's paid web team, and you can certainly see the image they're creating here. Giuliani's (mostly deserved) 9/11 reputation covers up the rather sordid final year-or-so of his administration, which included his messy divorce and revelation of his affair (breaking the news to Hanover via press conference), his aborted run for the N.Y. Senate seat against Hillary Clinton, his battle against prostate cancer, the Farmersville Garbage Scandal, and so on. 9/11 saved the lame duck mayor's political life. When New York Magazine did its series of counterfactual "what if 9/11 never happened?" articles last fall, the one that struck me the most was this sad illustration of former mayor Giuliani, dining alone at the top of the World Trade Center, his career at an end. Rudy has still got that 9/11 shine that people are buying into. But when the campaign heats up in earnest and the less palatable (to conservatives) aspects of his term in New York (not to mention his political positions) are more widely known, I would expect that luster to diminish a bit. 9/11 will not be the trump card his supporters are expecting it to be--not with the current administration doing its best to undermine anyone who talks tough about terrorism. But the $64,000 question is, who's the "real conservative" that's going to take on Rudy from the right? McCain may be pretty conservative in real life, but he has alienated enough of the base over his career to make him an unlikely standard-bearer. Romney? Another idealized type at the moment whose details are still being filled in. So far, the confirmed "real conservatives" in the race are lesser-known guys like Senator Sam Brownback--guys who need to go grassroots and win some straw polls and primaries before the moneyed interests and media kingmakers take them seriously. This certainly could happen--especially if the big guys continue to underwhelm--but the odds are long. Barring a Boise State-style victory by a Brownback or a Huckabee, do conservatives come out for Romney or Giuliani by default? For now, conservatism is without a first-tier champion. How else do you explain people actually pining for the return of Newt Gingrich? Posted by David Darlington at 05:00 PM | Comments (6) Diamond in the Ruff
It is not everyday that one comes across such a resource. The List of Uniform Titles for Liturgical Works of the Latin Rites of the Catholic Church is more than a saucy title replete with genatives. It is a complete listing of all liturgical texts used in the Church with vernacular variants. One wonders if wonderful musical compilations such as Oregon "C"atholic Press' Glory and Praise will make it on to a similar list one day. Posted by Seth Zirkle at 03:01 PM | Comments (2) February 06, 2007Rudy sticking to his gunsIt's hard to imagine a modern Republican presidential candidate winning the nomination as a pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-gay civil union candidate. And so many pundits have often wondered whether Rudolph Guliani, long rumored to be a GOP hopeful, would change his traditionally left-of-center tune. In an appearance on Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" last night, he seems to have put that question to rest: . . . Giuliani said he supported a woman's right to choose, though he hinted he'd appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court.These are largely social issues, and Rudy could redeem himself in the eyes of many of the party faithful by highlighting some conservative fiscal accomplishments. As mayor Rudy cut taxes, curbed spending and promoted smaller government. But one has to wonder whether those small government principals would carry over to national issues such as health care and entitlement programs. The obvious question is this - what makes Rudy a Republican? Why would he opt to run as a GOP candidate when he so clearly lines up with so much of the Democratic platofrm? Rudy better be prepared to answer. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 09:26 AM | Comments (11) HTML gurusIf any ITA readers are able to offer us some HTML advice for a minor glitch, please drop me a line. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 09:21 AM | Comments (0) Buy Buy Buy!!!Nearly everyone agrees that the commercials in this year's SuperBowl were a big letdown. If you need your fix of creative advertising, check out this site, which specializes in the outdoor kind: Billboardom. Posted by Zach Wendling at 06:14 AM | Comments (0) February 05, 2007Save the Polar Bears!It's really hard to get a lot of people to pay attention to your pet issue, especially when it is technical, difficult, or otherwise unpleasant. One smashing way to capture the public's imagination is to use cute, cuddly animals, what environmental scientists call "charismatic megafauna." I predict that the plight of drowning polar bears will do more to spur action on global climate change than anything Al Gore says, writes, or produces. But why should environmentalists have all the fun? Why can't other policy advocates exploit the popularity of adorable critters? Here are my suggestions:
Posted by Zach Wendling at 05:05 PM | Comments (6) Good Monday ReadsPosted by Joshua Claybourn at 07:53 AM | Comments (4) February 04, 2007Super Bowl XLI Open ThreadIt has been a fine year on top for my team, but it is time to pass the trophy on to another deserving squad. The Bears and Colts kickoff today at 6:25 pm Miami time. Please use this open thread for your thoughts on the game, including final score predictions and MVP choice. As for me, I'm calling it Indianapolis 28, Chicago 24, with Marvin Harrison taking MVP. Also, Devin Hester will have more fantasy points than Rex Grossman. Posted by David Darlington at 02:46 PM | Comments (4) February 03, 2007Just leave itHammad Al-Sabah Siddiqi, assistant professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan, has used economic game theory to answer that age-old question: should the toilet seat be left up or down? It's an epic struggle that has pitted the sexes against each other for generations. Al-Sabah Siddiqi 's calculations determined, "Leave the toilet seat position as it was used. That is the best option." The woman would have to do more, but work would be balanced out between the couple. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at 05:08 PM | Comments (0) Making Math More Time ConsumingThis new multiplication method is both fascinating and worthless. Posted by Zach Wendling at 02:54 PM | Comments (3) Bombast
Long after they've wiped the teary snot from their faces, the city officials of Boston continue to treat Wednesday's incident as a major crime perpetrated on the city. The truth is, the only "hoax" going on here is their persistent attempts to cover up their mistakes, which I've been poking fun at the past few days. Yet we should not overlook the serious aspects of their incompetence, sentiments nicely captured by Doug Masson: It is a cautionary tale about how we are spending our security dollars. If, after all this time and all this money, we have a security apparatus in place that needs to shut down Boston to determine that a Lite Brite magnet of a cartoon character flipping the bird is not dangerous, we have real problems and our money probably hasn't been well spent.Even if one concedes that the signs merited at least a cop poking at them with a stick, given the expected value of it actually turning out to be a bomb, one must, under such a concession, be horrified at the slowness of the response: these things had been up for weeks. What's more, they were ignored in nine other major American cities. If they were a legitimate security concern, then our nationwide security apparatus just demonstrated reprehensible negligence. And yet who is using this incident to reproach those nine other cities for ignoring them, or Boston for not moving faster? If anyone is, I can't hear them over the laughter. Posted by Zach Wendling at 02:39 PM | Comments (4) February 02, 2007"Just Call the Game"A detailed record of why Dick Vitale is an awful sportscaster. (via Masson) Posted by Zach Wendling at 05:07 PM | Comments (2) No atheists in waiting rooms, eitherJane Galt wrote yesterday that in spite of her skepticism about the existence of God, she found herself praying for her dog's health. In fact, she continued to do so after reminding herself that she definitely doesn't believe in a God who would respond to prayers. The comments to her post provide an interesting spectrum of opinion. As a Christian, I am of the same opinion as the commenter who wrote that very emotionally stressful events strip us of our intellectual defenses and expose our consciousness to that which some part of us always knows to be true--there is a God; a personal God who made us and desires a relationship with us. Other commenters refer to the theory that spirituality is an innate aspect of human nature--perhaps even biologically hard-wired in some way. Josh has written about this topic before, pointing out the chicken-and-egg type question of whether our biological nature created our concept of God, or whether God created us biologically to be aware of Him. Imagine if we created cars so advanced that they could drive themselves (think: KITT from Knight Rider), then a group of such cars left in a garage somewhere became self-aware somehow. Might they have similar discussions about their steering wheels? Posted by Eric Seymour at 01:01 PM | Comments (19) ...and the delegate from Mother Nature agrees?On the same day that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its report agreeing that anthropogenic global warming is occurring, Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow for the first time since 1999, heralding an early spring. Coincidence? Posted by Eric Seymour at 12:43 PM | Comments (0) Gratuities AcceptedScientists and economists have been offered $10,000 each by a lobby group funded by one of the world's largest oil companies to undermine a major climate change report due to be published today.Buying dissent is a perversion of the scientific process, and that certainly seems to be what is going on here. There is an alternative explanation, more charitable but highly unlikely, I would offer less than seriously. Suppose you are a scientist with a quibble about the report (and at this point, I think the only thing a serious scientist would come up with is a quibble). However, there are social and/or professional costs associated with raising this quibble too loudly: your department chair will put a black mark on your file, your colleagues won't let you sit at their lunch table, people at conferences will give you that "why are you being a smart-ass" look, and reporters will ask you for quotes in an annoyed tone of voice. Is it all really worth it? What if someone intended to compensate you for those costs? Would $10,000 change your mind? I highly doubt it, and I agree with Kevin Drum that, "For this level of simpering I recommend holding out for at least $50,000. That's the minimum it would take to buy a congressman, after all." (Explanation of of why congressmen come so cheap here.) Posted by Zach Wendling at 12:17 PM | Comments (22) White Castle of LoveI don't know yet what, if anything, I'm doing for Valentine's Day this year, but I agree with Ben Kepple on this much: taking your date to White Castle on Valentine's is a bad, bad idea, unless your date's name happens to be Harold or Kumar. Guys, I know how good those sliders are, but don't do it! You've been warned. Posted by David Darlington at 09:20 AM | Comments (0) Beantown Meltdown
To their credit, these guys aren't letting the Man get them down. If I'd been tossed in jail on trumped up charges for the mistakes of city officials, I'd be steamed to say the least. However, their press conference probably doesn't do much to win the hearts and minds of the public. Their insouciance overshadows their innocence, and they come across looking like jerks. I can't help but wonder what was going through the mind of their lawyer as he watched the whole thing deteriorate. One hopes that saner heads will prevail at trial (if it even gets that far), and that these two clowns get their necks out of the pillory soon. Nevertheless, Assistant Attorney General John Grossman is pursuing what I can only guess would be called "creative prosecution," (a technique most recently brought to prominence by Durham County DA Mike Nifong). Consider his statement calling, "the light boards 'bomblike' devices and said that if they had been explosive they could have damaged infrastructure and transportation in the city." Once again, Wonkette has a brilliant rejoinder, but one unsuitable for a family blog. Update: David Weigel gives three cheers to the Boston Two. Smart. Posted by Zach Wendling at 08:37 AM | Comments (4) February 01, 2007Ave Maria, Gratia PlenaI had the pleasure of attending the Erasmus Lecture in October of 2005. The speaker was Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School. The topic of his edifying discussion was the development of Protestant theology during the twentieth century towards Catholicism. In the the February issue of First Things, George's article, "Evangelicals and the Mother of God," is no less engaging. The passionately Baptist theologian writes: This emphasis on the full humanity of the mother of Jesus is in keeping with the evangelical reticence about the debates over the parturition of Mary. To be sure, there is nothing theologically difficult about affirming Mary's perpetual virginity. This venerable tradition, first given dogmatic sanction at the fifth ecumenical council in 553, was affirmed by Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin during the Reformation (though Calvin was more agnostic about this belief than the other two Reformers).I'm sure that not a few of the M.Div. candidates at Beeson would contest such a statement. Or consider George's further appraisal of the Theotokos: "Only when it (Christology) touches Mary and becomes Mariology is Christology itself as radical as the faith of the Church requires." It is safe to say that, even among those most committed to ecumenical dialog between Catholics and Evangelicals, the Blessed Mother is still an issue. But George's intimation that Mariology, historically, transcended the Tiber, is beneficial to this discussion. Consider Vatter Luther's words on the Immaculate Conception of Mary: It is a sweet and pious belief that the infusion of Mary's soul was effected without original sin; so that in the very infusion of her soul she was also purified from original sin and adorned with God's gifts, receiving a pure soul infused by God; thus from the first moment she began to live she was free from all sin. (Sermon: "On the Day of the Conception of the Mother of God," December, 1527.)While Luther also continued to mandate the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption ("There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in heaven. How it happened we do not know." Sermon, Assumption, 1522), he was critical of excess. As should we all be, both Catholic and Protestant. In approaching the Mother of God as She comes to us in both Scripture and the historical Church, we more fully understand Her immemorial role in bringing the Incarnate Word of God to humanity. Perhaps then we will all be able to join with Luther in saying, "Whoever possesses a good (firm) faith, says the Hail Mary without danger! Whoever is weak in faith can utter no Hail Mary without danger to his salvation" (Sermon, 11 March 1523). Posted by Seth Zirkle at 12:48 PM | Comments (0) Dear Boston, Everyone is Laughing at You
The only thing funnier than the original freak-out is the comments of public officials desperately trying to protect their wounded egos with overblown rhetoric. The mayor cites the guerrilla advertisements as an outrageous example of corporate greed. Yes, that's exactly what I think of when I watch Aqua Teen Hunger Force, "Damn you capitalist bastards! This stoner cartoon is turning me into an atom of consumption!" And don't think the mayor is just trying to cover this mistake with a pathetic veneer of populism. It is an invitation to share in the This is also a gracious act to let the residents of the nine other cities invaded by the Mooninites who didn't pee their pants to retroactively get in on the hysteria. Why should Boston bear the burden alone? Of course, Wonkette explains why Bean Town is so sensitive. It is, "a city still reeling from the Patriots' loss at the hands of al-Qaeda." Ha ha! Posted by Zach Wendling at 06:28 AM | Comments (16) |
Unless you live in South Carolina, you may not have heard of that state's governor, 
Crown Forum
Those close to me know that I am no fan of certain traffic laws. It's counter-productive, to myself and the public, to force me to drive under 70 mph on a sparsely populated interstate highway. There are also a number of state highways that, in my opinion, carry speed limits which are far too below the optimal limit.
This past weekend I joined a small group of friends in New Orleans for its annual Mardi Gras celebration, "the greatest free show on earth." We also took in sites at the Garden District, Jackson Square, and made a brief tour of the hurricane-ravaged 9th ward. You can see a 
When RedState editor Erick Erickson 
Cardinal Egan and Brooklyn's Bishop DiMarzio issued a joint statement Thursday, condemning 
Victor Davis Hanson has a 
After a lengthy search for suspects with darker skin, Boston's finest rounded up 
Because, you know, it's completely rational to assume that |
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