RDBlog: The Devil's Advocate
Muslim Anti-Semitism
After September 11, 2001, I was told to renounce, deplore, and condemn the actions of 19 crazed Arabs who acted in the name of Islam. I did so because the loss of innocent life is abhorrent to any believing Muslim; I decried the violence as an act of faith.
Now, I speak out against the bombings in Iraq, because the loss of innocent life is abhorrent to any believing Muslim. I decry the violence as an act of faith. More
Now, I speak out against the bombings in Iraq, because the loss of innocent life is abhorrent to any believing Muslim. I decry the violence as an act of faith. More
Revelations from Family of Secrets (an addendum)
Below is an addendum to today's feature "New Book Reveals How Faith is Like a Covert Operation for the Bush Family". The book discussed is Russ Baker's: Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, the Powerful Forces that Put it in the White House, and what Their Influence Means for America (Bloomsbury Press, 2008)
Baker has unearthed many startling facts about the careers of Bush 41 and Bush 43. He also draws some head turning conclusions about some of the key figures in both the Watergate scandal and the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the relationship of Poppy Bush to both events. But before we summarize some of the book’s major disclosures, it is worth discussing the elephant in the room (For a full analysis of the revelations regarding the religious life of the Bushes, see today's feature: ).
Investigative works are often labeled “conspiracy theories.” This term is generally used to suggest that whatever an author has learned, he or she may be a bit unhinged, and we may therefore not take the material seriously. And we are safe to go about our business as usual. While there are people and work, no matter how well intentioned to which the label might fairly apply, the label is also used by many of us to dismiss information and analyses that make us uncomfortable even when they legitimately push the boundaries of our understanding of modern politics, business and government. But as we address our own discomfort in the face of such material, we need to remind ourselves that investigative journalism discomfits the author as well. Journalists like Baker are constantly checking and cross checking, making sure that disturbing information is in fact so. Even more awkward are the disturbing questions that the journalist cannot answer, but are themselves so well founded that they must be raised. Conspiracy theorists tend to take the opposite tack. Information is shaped or interpreted to conform to predetermined and often fevered conclusions, while countervailing information is downplayed or ignored. More
Baker has unearthed many startling facts about the careers of Bush 41 and Bush 43. He also draws some head turning conclusions about some of the key figures in both the Watergate scandal and the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the relationship of Poppy Bush to both events. But before we summarize some of the book’s major disclosures, it is worth discussing the elephant in the room (For a full analysis of the revelations regarding the religious life of the Bushes, see today's feature: ).
Investigative works are often labeled “conspiracy theories.” This term is generally used to suggest that whatever an author has learned, he or she may be a bit unhinged, and we may therefore not take the material seriously. And we are safe to go about our business as usual. While there are people and work, no matter how well intentioned to which the label might fairly apply, the label is also used by many of us to dismiss information and analyses that make us uncomfortable even when they legitimately push the boundaries of our understanding of modern politics, business and government. But as we address our own discomfort in the face of such material, we need to remind ourselves that investigative journalism discomfits the author as well. Journalists like Baker are constantly checking and cross checking, making sure that disturbing information is in fact so. Even more awkward are the disturbing questions that the journalist cannot answer, but are themselves so well founded that they must be raised. Conspiracy theorists tend to take the opposite tack. Information is shaped or interpreted to conform to predetermined and often fevered conclusions, while countervailing information is downplayed or ignored. More
Atheists Gone Wild
A fascinating story was reported on the AP wires over the long holiday week-to-weekend. Apparently, a California physician, who is also an attorney, has renewed his legal challenge to the addition of the phrase, “so help me God,” to the presidential Oath of Office that President-elect Obama intends to swear, with his hand placed on a copy of the same Bible with which Abraham Lincoln swore a slightly different oath in 1861.
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Firing a Woman for Her Choice of Husband
Marquis LaFortune, newlywed and former Catholic high school teacher, was fired from her position at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas. The reason? Well, on November 22, LaFortune married Benjamin Stakes—a divorcé. The status of LaFortune’s husband-to-be was revealed in a school newspaper featuring the couple’s upcoming nuptials.
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Blagojevich Is Right
It has the makings of a tragedy, or a farce. Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested by FBI agents just three weeks ago, on December 9th, and who now faces federal Corruption charges, has decided to go against his previous decision not to insert himself into national politics. This week, in a surprise announcement disingenuously orchestrated to make it appear as if he were not wishing any further limelight, the Governor wished everyone Merry Christmas, and a Happy Holiday, and a Prosperous New Year—in two languages—and then lobbed a political grenade: the Governor appointed (not nominated, appointed) former State Attorney General Roland Burris to serve as the new junior Senator from the State of Illinois.
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