This piece is one of the best pieces I have seen in a long time on the state of the U.S., and where we might be heading: Angry and desperate veterans and mercenaries already conditioned to violence, merging with "tea baggers" and other alienated groups, could one day form our own Freikorps units, rioting for …
Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Bois Caïman Ceremony
In the midst of all of the conservative dancing in the streets about Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts, the tragedy unfolding in Haïti continues to require both prayer and assistance. It isn't without controversy either; we're still batting about Pat Robertson's remarks about a pact with the Devil and its consequences. There's no doubt that's …
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The Most Litigated Tax Issues
From Rubin on Tax, the IRS' "top ten": Collection due process hearings; Summons enforcement; Trade or business expenses; Gross income; Accuracy-related penalties; Frivolous issue penalties; Actions to enforce federal tax liens or to subject property to payment of tax; Failure to file penalty and estimated tax penalty; Family status issues; and Relief from joint and …
Mercy Chefs Update: Going to Haiti
This update from Mercy Chefs' director Gary LeBlanc: Last night as I called for prayer, Mercy Chefs was contacted by long-time relief partner Tim Wylie with Parakletos International to assist in Jacmel Haiti 40 miles south of Port Au Prince. The city was equally devastated but has received no assistance. Mercy Chefs is planning to …
When Nations are Riskier Than Corporations
I never thought I'd live to see the day, but here it is, from David "Spengler" Goldman: “For the first time, the market has started to price in a bigger probability of default among industrialised countries than among investment grade companies. More specifically, it now costs more to insure the combined risk of default of …
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J. Vernon McGee on the Second Temptation
For those of you who have forgotten, the second temptation is this: And the Devil led Jesus up, and showing him in a single moment all the kingdoms of the earth, said to him: "I will give you all this power, and the splendor of them; for it has been given into my hands and …
Prosecutorial Abuse: Martha Coakley and the Amirault Case
I never thought I'd link to the Daily Kos, but here it goes: If you don't remember the Amirault case, you're probably sleeping better at night. Â The pre-school child-abuse witch hunts of the 80's remain an indelible blot on any history of justice and reason in this country. Â The Amiraults were at the center of …
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Church of God National Bishop Killed in Haitian Earthquake
From here: Church of God Haitian overseer Elysee Joseph and three from a Canadian delegation have died as a result of the devastating earthquake which took place in Haiti on January 12... Dr. Joseph was a leading pastor and had served the church as national overseer on two occasions. He is survived by his wife …
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"Believing in Evolution" is a Religious Statement
Every now and then I read an article that is so patently absurd in its premises that it's bound to get traction with a large portion of our population. Such is the case with Paul Waldman's article "Can Obama Stop the War on Science?" First: the whole concept of a lawyer stopping a war on …
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Blind Authoritarianism Isn't God's Way for the Church
I've made this point before, but the Anglican Curmudgeon does it very eloquently here: I have been thinking about a comment made here some time ago, in connection with a post about the polity of the Church. "Polity" comes from the same Greek root as does "politics": the root is polis, meaning the unique form …
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Positive Infinity 