Washington Post:
McCain Says He Would Put Conservatives on Supreme Court. “Here’s what McCain was really telling the party base: If you liked George W. Bush’s nominees, you’re going to love the judges John McCain will put on the bench.” Attempting to lock in in those doubting evangelicals, of course. Just remember a ‘true’ Strict Constructionist (in the anti-established-jurisprudence rhetoric of today) might limit your Second Amendment rights to flintlock Charlevilles ...
SF New Mexican:
Lobsang Lhalungpa, killed by a hit-and-run in Santa Fe. “… Lhalungpa ‘will come back as a great teacher and giving of his great wisdom and compassion.’” Reincarnate in peace.
BBC:
Italy’s Padre Pio goes on display. No stigmata ... and a ‘lifelike silicone mask.’
Yahoo News/AP:
So, does this mean Al-Qaeda is going to start picking on Iran?
Too pooped
to Pope. I’ll leave that news for other blogs.
The New Yorker:
Prior convictions. “A State Religion always has, and ever will be intolerant.”
BBC:
A 12th Century key to Islam’s holiest shrine has sold at auction in London for $18.1m (£9.2m). Somehow, a private person purchasing and owning this kind of artifact feels ... wrong. Like someone buying a key to the latch of the Ark of the Covenant. Or selling stones from the great kiva at Chaco. Some things just should not be in private hands, and remain above valuation in mere dollars. Merchant/capitalist mindset, valuing everything through currency, alloys our sense of wonder.
The Economist:
“The long battle between Turkey’s mildly Islamist ruling party and its fiercely secular establishment is coming to a climax.”
SF New Mexican:
“An Englishman speaking on ‘thought transference’ during an international conference at La Fonda on Wednesday was stabbed in the leg by a Japanese man who seemed upset by his remarks ...” Obviously, some thought-wires must have gotten crossed.
CNN Politics:
Obama: Had Wright not retired, I’d have left church. Obama’s Wright problem is going Wrong.
The New Yorker
tries to condense the complexities of the Dalai Lama into a page of journalistic prose. If you’ve ever tried to plow through the bland tome, “The Art of Happiness”, you’ll realize the Dalai Lama’s actual beliefs have barely been scratched by any Western authors. Honestly, I’d rather English-language transcripts of his discussions with Tibetan acolytes. Without the obsequious commentary you generally find in this section of the bookstore. America needs to recognize that he’s not ‘new-age’ ... but wisdom from much older Asian culture we don’t necessarily recognize or honor. Asian roots of Western civilization are little discussed in America.
SF New Mexican:
The yearly pilgrimage to Chimayo has begun. [Background, for those unfamiliar with the event.] Be on the lookout for shoulder-walkers.
The life of St Patrick …
would make a decent sci-fi blockbuster. Wear your green today.
SF New Mexican:
Police in Colorado investigate Catholic statue’s beheading. A twist: Mormon missionaries may have been the culprits. If Romney was still in the running, no doubt this story would have gone national.
CNN:
Southern Baptist leaders shift position on climate change. “The issue (global warming) should be addressed scientifically and not theologically.” I should think Revelation 16 would scare the hell out of anyone concerned over global warming — and could be interpreted in myriad evangelically-useful ways. Would that the Convention adopted the above philosophy for evolution ...
Times Online.UK:
Buried alive, Chinese builder survives for two hours using Buddhist meditation. Just ... wow.
Discovery Channel:
Shroud of Turin Gets High-Def Scrutiny. Love this quote: “Someone just got a bit of linen, faked it up and flogged it.”
The Atlantic:
The coming religious peace. “New efforts to take it [religion] in directions sympathetic to environmentalism and social justice are a direct result of the maturing of the faith, which followed from earlier decisions to make the movement more appealing to large numbers of Americans, especially the young.”
NY Times US:
Chimayo Journal: A Pastor Begs to Differ With Flock on Miracles. “Few leave without some of the reddish soil, scooped from the 18-inch-wide ‘posito,’ or well, that is continually replenished — by a caretaker, Father Roca is quick to explain, despite rumors over the years that the pit was refilled by divine intervention. He pointed to the small building nearby where trucked-in dirt is stored. [snip] Some people take dirt away for divine luck, while those with ailments may eat it, brew it in tea or rub it on the afflicted body area.” Why must we always ruin the magic? Now even the placebo effect will disappear.
BBC:
“The Archbishop of Canterbury says the adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK ‘seems unavoidable’.”
Wow …
Haven’t heard anything out of the Mahesh Hoagie Yogurt in a long time. Now he’s passed away. Rest in peace. You provided endless entertainment to us teens.
NY Times Magazine:
The Moral Instinct. “The idea that the moral sense is an innate part of human nature is not far-fetched. A list of human universals collected by the anthropologist Donald E. Brown includes many moral concepts and emotions, including a distinction between right and wrong; empathy; fairness; admiration of generosity; rights and obligations; proscription of murder, rape and other forms of violence; redress of wrongs; sanctions for wrongs against the community; shame; and taboos.”
NY Times Politics
Exchanges in Latest Debate Highlight a New Dynamic in the Republican Field. Predictable. Thompson has to make a showing in SC, and Huckabee has the momentum from Iowa. Expect more of the three “R’s” ... Reaganism, Religion and Recalcitrance.
RogerEbert.com:
Review of ”The Golden Compass”, and a reader email.
NY Times Op-Ed Contributor:
William Dalrymple, Bhutto’s Deadly Legacy. Background on Mr Dalrymple.
