Month: October 2005

A week or so ago, I received an email from Don, a member of my parish. It was Joan Chittister’s most recent column, entitled A simple, doable, soul-changing project. I always appreciate reading Joan’s thoughts when I find the time, and as it turns out, this particular column addresses an issue I’ve been meaning to look into in more depth. (I first heard about it at an interfaith gathering here in Columbus a little over a month ago.) In her article, Joan gives some background on the interfaith group known as the Tent of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah and the opportunity they see before us for increasing mutual respect and understanding between the three Abrahamic faith traditions.

There are men who have high level “charismatic skills”, (even if they there’s noting of substance underneath them), who use them to effectively attract, capture and control certain women (and men) who are vulnerable to this.  I’ve lost count of how many times I have seen otherwise intelligent, powerful, apparently independent women, fall prey to men like this.  I believe Bush is one of these men, and this nominee is simply one more “Stepford” candidate for high office.

Here it is, the laudatory statement from Minority Leader Harry Reid’s press office. So, Mier’s nomination was coordinated with some of the Democratic leadership. (And, Scott McClellan just mentioned Reid’s statement.) This is interesting in that Reid opposed Robert’s confirmation. What gives? ALSO: Since the first thread is filling up, this is the #2 thread.

STATEMENT OF SENATOR HARRY REID ON THE NOMINATION OF HARRIET MIERS TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

Monday, October 3, 2005

   “I like Harriet Miers. As White House Counsel, she has worked with me in a courteous and professional manner. I am also impressed with the fact that she was a trailblazer for women as managing partner of a major Dallas law firm and as the first woman president of the Texas Bar Association. Continued below:

Welcome to the FBC, come on in a have some fun with us.  

Coffee and papers to the side…

There are all sorts of great issues on the political scene now.  There is the “Culture of Corruption” thanks to Delay, Frist and a whole host of other Republicans.  The Iraq War also comes to mind.  Both of these issues are strong issues for the Democrats.  However, there are other issues that are just as important that lack the visceral nature of corruption and war.  These issues center around economic issues, or as I like to think of them “kitchen table issues.”  If a family can’t afford health insurance or tuition, if they aren’t making more money than they were 4 years ago, then the other issues don’t matter.  People have to survive before they can think about grander themes.  Right now, Bush’s policies have hurt the middle class in numerous ways that II will document below.  These have to be part of our themes in the 2006 election.