At least section Five.
I am talking a lot more Supreme Court lately. Part of that is because the Court has some very interesting cases this term.
The Court had a biggie the other day that affects a certain section of the country I live in. The case is Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder which looked at section Five of the voting rights act passed way back in the 1960's.
I will make a Catholic argument against Section 5 in this post. But first an overview.
A good overview of this case is done by the more liberal court reporter Dahlia Lithwick at Slate. See How Can Rights Feel So Wrong?
I generally like Lithwick's writing because she does a good service of making courtspeak and the issues understandable to the Joe on the street. However as a person of a more liberal bent she lets her bias really come in. I recommend the article though. There are links to the transcript and more importantly the recording of the oral arguments which is fascinating.
A few words on bias in her article. Lithwick has a flaw that keeps coming up again and gain. If the court looks like they are about to overturn a law she likes she goes into the "Conservative Justices are Hypocrites mode" .They are LEGISLATING FROM THE BENCH.
Of course the fact that conservative justices just don't rubber stamp laws that Congress passes is no new thing. It is not legislating from the Bench and I suspect she knows better. The other flaw she avoids talking about what is really in the background here. That is the special alliance between Republicans and black democrat politicians that in the end might create more mischief than anything else.
What Lithwick also does not talk about in her article is the first 20 minutes or so of the oral arguments. Basically Justice Ginsburg and Justice Souter are smelling what is in the wind. That is Section 5 of the voting rights act might be in serious trouble. Basically they are yelling WHY ARE YOU HERE!!! and GET THE HELL OUT!!! to the counsel that has problems with section five. They do this in nice legal ways though. That is through the issue of Standing. It might seem dry all that talk of statutes and what is a political subdivision blah blah but that is what is going on. It is apparent Ginsburg and Souter want this case to go away. They smell five votes against them in other words.
The standing arguments are weak and we quickly get to the meat of the issue.
That is why are states of basically the old confederacy treated differently than the rest of the nation. Alito throws a ton of cold water on Section 5 fans when he points out that apparent problems of discrimination as to voting are far worse in places outside the south. The Chief Justice ask point blank do you think Southerners are more racist than Yankees!! Fun stuff.
However Scalia get to the real point. That this is all a sham. The reauthorization of the voting rights act often gets huge Republican support. Why?
Well basically it is what Lithwick is loathed to mentioned. That is there an alliance between black democrat politicians and Republicans. Republicans love black minority/majority districts. It makes their districts less black and democratic and black politicians love it for obvious reason. WIN WIN. Section 5 has basically become the incumbent reelection act for both parties in the south.
In the perfect world there would be a friend of the court brief by white southern democrats and more important blacks outside these districts entitled EXCUSE ME WE ARE GETTING SCREWED. But there appears a agreement (outside Scalia that keeps bringing this up) to not mention that.
In the end itcomes down to Justice Kennedy who is for all purposes is one of the most important and powerful man in the United States. Both conservatives and liberals on the Bench and by Counsel must spend considerable amounts of time wooing him.
Sadly for the advocates of Section Five he appears not to be impressed, He seems concerned about three things
1. When if ever will this "temporary" measure go away
2. How is the fair that Southern States and their subdivisions have to spend countless sums of money complying with this decree
and
(3) why in 2009 is Alabama treated differently than lets say Ohio.
Reading the tea leaves I don't think the more liberal advocates answered his question.
In the end it is time for section five to go away. It creates more evil than it tries to eliminate. After living under this regime I must say it violates a ton of Catholic principles.
It comes down to issue of race and the Catholic principle of subsidiarity. After seeing this up close and personal for all my life we have the following problems
1. It makes the problems of racism worse by making race problems worse
2 Minority/majority districts that get special protection under section Five actually in the real world disenfranchise the majority of minority voters (outside the Black districts) of real political power in these affected States and their political subdivisions
3. That Section 5 has retarded any effort at any two party system in the minority community
4. That real interracial coalition building is diminished and thus various evils result from that
5. That large segments both white and black voters in districts surrounding minority.majority districts are put at a real disadvantage as they are put in districts that make no sense. This largely means rural voters get screwed.
It is time for Section five to go away. Hopefully Kennedy will go with his apparent gut on this.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Catholic and Against The Voting Rights Act
Justice Souter To Retire
As I posted there were signs of this weeks ago since he had not hired abny new Law Clerks for the upcoming year.
We shall see now in a dramatic fashion that elections matter. The difference between a likely McCain pick and now Obama's pick will be very evident.
Vote For Louisiana Catholic Man in National Anthem Contest(VID) (Updated)
This man goes to may little ole Church :)
That is St Margaret's in the Diocese of Shreveport Louisiana. He is such a blessing.
Dump Hatter has entered a National Contest to be judged to sing the National Anthem in Washington D.C. on two occasions. The winner will go to D.C to sing at the National museum of History on Flag Day and before the Baltimore Oriole Game at Camden Yards on both on June 14 2009.
He will be judged on overall appeal of vocal performance , originality , accuracy of lyrics and popularity on You Tube.
Please VOTE. I rarely ask people to vote (That is leave a comment on the youtube account) abd to vote on this stuff but please do. That is how our Anthem should be sung!!!
He is the only Louisiana person in the contest
Update- Just learned voting ended. I thought we had another week He did not make it (SAD)
Still a nice vid
Palestinian Woman Sentenced to Death For Selling Land to Jews
I hope Deal Hudson over at Inside Catholic takes notice of this. Please observe these are the supposed moderates .
Contentions has the story at Sentenced to Die for Selling Real Estate to a Jew.
The World Is Back On Its Axis- LSU Beast Tulane In Baseball
Vice President Biden Calms A Concerned Nation About Swine FLu on the TODAY Show
We are in such good hands
He's a Doctor, Jim, Not a Vice President [Andrew Stuttaford]
Joe Biden, Epidemiologist . . .
Vice president Joe Biden said today he would tell his family members not to use subways in the U.S. and implied schools should be shuttered as the swine flu outbreak spread to 11 states...
"I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now," Biden said when asked whether he would advise family members to use public transportation.
Biden made his comments during a brief interview on NBC's "Today" show during an interview with Matt Lauer.
"I would tell members of my family, and I have, I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now. It's not that it's going to Mexico, it's you're in a confined aircraft when one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft. That's me. I would not be, at this point, if they had another way of transportation suggesting they ride the subway. "
04/30 09:29 AMShare
The Defense of Rick Santorum
It is pretty amazing I am defending the ex Senator from Penn. Before his supposed heresy I never really liked him. Even after it I never really did. Hell I find him a pompous ass at times .These gut theories were later confirmed to me by a Friend that worked for majority leader at the time.
But even though I thought Rick was likely a sort of a jerk I never thought is pro life values were fake. I found myself defending this guy even though after the years I was not a huge fan
The whole Specter thing has brought this forth again. Wheat & Weeds pretty much echos my thoughts on this. See
Specter Of Things To Come
Can The Vatican Diplomatic Corp Starve off A Public Relations Nightmare- Pope Benedict To Israel
God I hope so but seeing the self interst they have I am not so sure. The UK Telegraph has Benedict XVI's visit to Israel is turning into a diplomatic nightmare
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Daughter of Amb. Mary Ann Glendon Explains Why She Declined American Catholicism's Highest Honor (Obama Notre Dame Controversy)
A wonderful article by Amb Mary Ann Glendon's daughter. Pro Ecclesia has the post here at Elizabeth Lev: "Why My Mother Turned Down Notre Dame's Laetare Medal"
Too many of us Mary Ann Glendon is truly a American Catholic role model. She is not only a model Catholic but a woman that has given her life to public service. I noted with some sad dismay again another tad of sexism in the so called enlightened quarters of the media regarding Glendon. Get Religon noted this when they noticed the title of this article and said:
I also have to note this write-up from MSNBC’s First Read in a story headlined “ABORTION FOE DECLINES NOTRE DAME AWARD” (which is a pretty interesting way to reduce the life’s work of an accomplished woman)
Accomplished is not the start of it. Again I smell a whiff of sexism in what I have seen. Oh she is just one those anti abortion people you know. I do wonder if this was a MAN that had Glendon's credentials if the press and others would be paying more attention. Again just a thought.
Pro-Ecclesia also has a gem of a article where a prominent writer at American magazine was predicting that the Right would start attacking Glendon because she was going to attend. Another must read at "... Dollars to Doughnuts ..."
Those attacks never came despite the predictions of people more on the left that pontificate on conservative Catholics but never really understand them. You know the people that pronounce with such certainty and bravo that conservative pro-life Catholics just care about unborn babies. However as we see they have come on the left from the Catholic Democrats. See Deplorable “Catholic Democrats” deplore Amb. Glendon
As Jay said
"Exactly. I'm thinking Michael Sean Winters was somewhat guilty of projection in criticizing pro-life "right wingers" for something they never did, but which turned out to be exactly the tack the Catholic left immediately took as soon as Ambassador Glendon acted in a manner inconsistent with humble obeisance to The One."
and in another damning observation
Hmmm. What have you to say to that, Michael Sean Winters? Will he admonish these new attackers of Ambassador Glendon in the same way he tsk-tsked pro-lifers for predicted attacks on her that never transpired? Think he'll continue to defend Ambassador Glendon as "a source of pride for all Catholics, not just for conservatives" and continue to express admiration for "her accomplishments, her intellectual force, and her love for the Church" in the face of such criticism from his fellow Obamaphile Catholics?I'm not holding my breath.
I am not either. I think we now see who should really be giving the commencement address at Notre Dame
But what do I do know. I am just some right wing Republican talking point Catholic as the meme goes.
I took two Classes under the "Torture" Memo Guy
To be more specific enhanced interrrogation. He was a good guy and teacher. I have been waiting for the local papers to have this dawn on them
Former LSU professor at center of torture scandal
A former faculty member of LSU's law school is at the center of the ongoing torture scandal. U.S. District Judge Jay Bybee, who served on the faculty at LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center from 1991-98, is under fire for his role in the unfolding torture scandal. Bybee, as a Bush administration lawyer, signed legal memorandums that allowed harsher interrogation practices being used on suspected terrorists—practices some insist crossed the line into torture. Bybee, who taught courses in administrative law, basic civil law and constitutional law at LSU, is defending himself, arguing that the memorandums were a "good faith analysis of the law" that defined the difference between harsh treatment and torture, according to the New York Times. He is now serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 9th Circuit
Prof Bybee for the record in my view was a man of great integrity
Swine Flu Hits the Cajuns- Lafayette Catholic School Closed Over Swine Flu Concerns
I believe this is the first Louisiana school to close over concerns regarding the swine flu
A Lafayette private school has been closed because students have tested positive for the flu, though Gov. Bobby Jindal says there are no confirmations the illness is swine flu.
Officials at Cathedral-Carmel said the school will be closed for several days. State health officials said eight students in the sixth grade tested positive for the flu. The swabs are now being sent to Baton Rouge to determine whether it is the swine flu strain.
Jindal says the school shutdown was precautionary because one of the children who had the flu was in Mexico in the last two weeks. Officials say the swine flu outbreak may have started in Mexico.
The administration at Cathedral issued the following statement this afternoon.
"We have received notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that several cases of Type A flu have been reported at Cathedral-Carmel School. It is the recommendation of the Department of Health and Hospitals to close Cathedral-Carmel School for several days while further testing is completed (this includes all extra-curricular CCS-related activities.) Though nothing has been officially confirmed, and the welfare of our students being foremost in our minds, we are erring on the side of extreme caution and are abiding by the recommendation of the State Department of Health.
Let us repeat and reemphasize that the test results show "Type A" flu, which is the normal type of flu that we experience every year. We will keep you informed as to any new developments."
Catholic Democrats Now Go After Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon (Updated)
I keep hearing how Catholic Republicans are such the bad guys that are confusing faith and politics. I do wonder how many conservative Catholic organizations would be defending a RUDY visit of Notre Dame.- Answer Hardly none.
Father Z ahs the latest shameless chapter as well as his wonderful comments. See Deplorable “Catholic Democrats” deplore Amb. Glendon
By the way. Amb Glendon I believe is a Democrat
Update
See also Daughter of Amb. Mary Ann Glendon Explains Why She Decline American Catholicism Highest Honor (Obama Notre Dame Controversy)
Shep Smith of FOX News Complains of Tennis Regionals At LSU TWICE
Good grief Shep. I know you are a big Ole Myth Fan but we have Swine Flu. Please take your Ole Miss we are being screwed somewhere else.
If I can find this bizaree Ole Myth crying on Fox News through their Alumni on You Tube I will post it
Good Grief I turn into FOX for some News and Shep is promoting Oxford Junior College every few days
Bishop Of Rhode Island Says Bullfeathers!! - Gay Marriage and the Defeatist Catholic Attitude
Ahh this is music to my ears. May his number increase. Father Z has it at Bp. Tobin speaks powerfully about unnatural marriage
One of the best things put out by a Catholic Bishop yet. I love how he hits this defeatist attitude. An attitude that sadly has been the mantra of some Catholics as to abortion too that has led to all sort of false teachings.
“The Church is losing its influence,” you say, “and there’s nothing we can do.” “Bull feathers,” I reply. I don’t know if we have 600,000 Catholics in the state or 500,000 or 400,000. But if even ten percent of our Catholic population got actively involved in this issue – even five percent – we could have an enormous impact and help Rhode Island maintain its moral sanity.
Bullfeathers indeed
Pictures of The Beautiful Catholic Churches of Louisiana and the South
For the Greater Glory's fiance is a photographer. She has a beautiful new site up where she has some incredible pictures. See his post A Site Well Worth Visiting with Beautiful Church Photography for the details and link.
I am going too add her site somewhere on the link. The pictures are truly stunning and there Churches on there I have not seen. The good news there are more to come!!!
Major Vatican Heavy Hitter Speaking In Louisiana -Sister Eugenia Bonetti
Stranger in a Strange Land has a post that if you are in the Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans area I hope you read and then attend the event. See Sister Eugenia Bonetti and the Fight Against Sex Trafficking
I often hear why do we have a Embassy to the Vatican. People have no idea the work we do via that embassy. The ex Envoy under Bush (who is a very accomplished woman, jurist, and Catholic) who is now entered the Obama/Notre Dame fray was very involved making sure our Govt efforts to help the Vatican on this horrific issue of Sex trafficking. Sister Bonetti efforts are of huge conccern inside the Vatican and to the USA
Sadly it like many things did not get the press. Great event and I wish I could go.
This is a high priority of the Catholic Church and the United States
Louisiana Catholic Blogs Update For Wednesday, April 29, 2009
I missed doing the update yesterday so some need to catch up. I noticed after I posted on Monday there was a quite of bit of Monday posting that went on. So I will catch that too
Ville Platte Catholic Youth Group has May Pilgrimage Set for May 9
From The Recamier has a book review here at Perelandra by C. S. Lewis and her Daily Update: April 28, 2009
Brown Pelican Society of Louisiana has
Obama’s Attorneys Want More Time to Prove He is Eligible
He’d Been Blind a Long Time!
EXCERPT: Welcome to The Barack Obama Show!
Have We Just Completed 100 of the Worse Days in American History?
Obama Erasing a Generation of Pro-Family Advances
Speaking Truth to Power
Dear Sen. Specter, What Took You So Long?
Morning-After Pill Is Not Therapeutic, Says U.S. Bishops’ Aide
Exclusive Interview: Cardinal Rigali Says Notre Dame Defence of Obama Honor “Evades Common Sense”
Catholic Cardinal Meets With Obama: Says President Claims He’s Not Pro-Abortion
Mexico City: Cardinal Rivera Urges Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe to Halt Swine Flu
GOSPEL & MEDITATION: Heading Towards the Light
TODAY’S SAINT: ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
Stranger in a Strange Land hasNo Greater Love , Sister Eugenia Bonetti and the Fight Against Sex Trafficking ( I am highlighting later), Saint Catherine of Sienna
Astonished, Yet at Home! has Your Prayers Please
ALIVE AND YOUNG has Donut unto others . . .
For The Greater Glory has A Site Well Worth Visiting with Beautiful Church Photography (Great Stuff), Specter to Change Parties , No, You Can't: Fly a Boeing 747 near skyscrapers in NY
Journey to Rome has G.K. Chesterton on the Real Obstacles to Catholicism (Great post), and Stephen Colbert is the Funniest Catholic I don’t Know
Thoughts & Ruminations from Fr. Ryan has a vid of “Michael Bay eating a Bowl of Cereal”, and The Meatcard and Star Trek Sporks...
The Catholic Foodie has posts up but I keep getting a "This web page can't be open message" so I can't copy the titles quick enough. Be sure to check his site I think the problem is my computer
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks has Does Your Light Shine?, Spaghetti-Stained Accolades, Cooking with Annie, and April Shower of Sunday Soccer
Maudie in Mandeville has Just remember who did it ,Obamacare vaccines available in Houston--spreading! ,Spectre's Democratic leprotic look , Buzzing NYC for His daughter , White House sanctioned NYC terror attack , and Swine flu? Hurry up the Obamacare
Father Allen’s Site has Our Lives … a Canticle of Praise
Fr. Victor Brown’s Catholic Daily Message our expat Priest in Houston has Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena (29 April 2009)
Finally our expat Priest Da Mihi Animas in New Jersey has
Saint of the day: Catherine of Siena
Budget cuts? I don't think so!
Saint of the day: Gianna Beretta Molla
President Lukashenko invites Pope Benedict XVI to ...
Alan Jackson: Sissy's Song
Lets Eat- Recipe Ideas for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
Catholic Cuisine has a nice one. See
St. Joseph Raspberry Cream Cupcakes
Yumm
BWI- Breast Feeding While Drunk- The New Crime?
Good Grief. Ann Alhouse has the link at Breastfeeding while drunk.
Sometimes Law enforcement gets a tad too creative. It would seem to me the amount booze transferred would be very very small. But perhaps I am wrong
Swine Flu In Paradise- A Report From Cancun
I so love Cancun and that whole region of Mexico. The people there are so nice and it is always so relaxing.
So how is it bearing up. This blogger is keeping every one to date.
Her latest is Cancun Calm in Swine Flu Todo, Travelers Not So Much
The Under Appreciated Politicians
People often rant against Politicians- THEY ARE THE SAME. THEY ARE ALL CORRUPT.
I actually like politicians. It is not easy putting yourself out there. Most in my experience are good people and sometimes under appreciated. If you disagree then you run for office I suggest and try to engage that herd of cats called the voting public :)
Anyway this Arkansas politico was answering some questions to a class and his answers are amusing.
Here is one
STUDENT: What was the lowest point of your campaigns?
GREENBERG: The lowest point of my last campaign was when I was campaigning in a gated community, knocking on doors and asking for votes, and a woman drove by and beckoned me over. I walked over and she said “What part of NO SOLICITING do you not understand?” You just don’t have a lot of options for a response. There’s actually a Supreme Court case on this very question, but I don’t think she would have found that persuasive.
I agree with Robbie about the value of losing one’s first race. You do learn some important things about character and integrity. However, when I lost my second race, I found that experience to be utterly valueless. I would have been happy to skip it entirely.
LOL
Tip of the Hat to The Volokh Conspiracy
Iraqi Patriot- The Interpreters
Soldiering On -Journeys through Rome, Iraq, and Home. has a nice post on this at Lifeblood of the Army
These people are true patriots and sadly often lose their lives
Mormon Hottie Guys On Calenders- The Media Gives Their Take
I have somewhere on ths blog talked about the Mormon Missionary Calender. The LA Times has taken a whirl at this in a recent article. As Get Religion points out Mormons have to endure the same unfair treatment as we all as to reporting.
See Down and dirty with Peter Priesthood
The Pope As Pastor- Visits Earthquake Ravaged City
Amy Welborn has the story, great pics and the wonderful prayer that the Pope did. See The Pope in Abruzzo
What Senator Olympia Snowe Get Wrong On Her Arlen Specter Defection Op-Ed
Republican Senator Snowe of Maine has an rather predicatable Op-Ed up in the NYT. See We Didn’t Have to Lose Arlen Specter
It is a depressing bit of writing because it just follows the predictable boilerplate.
I have no problem with Republicans that are more liberal than me. I understand that to be a majority party we have to have moderates. I rarely go after liberal Republicans on this blog. The only ones I go after are those that scream and rant against social conservatives. See Whitman from New Jersey and that nut in Rhode Island Chafee.
What is Snowe's piece missing? Well the cardinal rule of politics. That is all politics is local.
She says in part:
It is true that being a Republican moderate sometimes feels like being a cast member of “Survivor” — you are presented with multiple challenges, and you often get the distinct feeling that you’re no longer welcome in the tribe. But it is truly a dangerous signal that a Republican senator of nearly three decades no longer felt able to remain in the party.
Senator Specter indicated that his decision was based on the political situation in Pennsylvania, where he faced a tough primary battle. In my view, the political environment that has made it inhospitable for a moderate Republican in Pennsylvania is a microcosm of a deeper, more pervasive problem that places our party in jeopardy nationwide.
I have said that, without question, we cannot prevail as a party without conservatives. But it is equally certain we cannot prevail in the future without moderates.
Sigh there is a huge problem here. First the polling and this little tidbit she seems not to be aware of
As the Corner caught also this morning:
Notes on Specter, Part I [David Freddoso]
In the poll that appears to have spooked Arlen Specter out of the Republican Party, Specter led former Rep. Pat Toomey (R) among moderate Republicans by only 8 points. And he's the incumbent. That says quite a bit about the level of disillusionment with Specter, and tells a much more complex story than you'll hear listening to the echo chambers of MSNBC.
04/29 08:10 AMShare
But blame the conservatives!!! Again all politics are local and his numbers among moderates show even there a huge level of fatigue with Specter. Most voters are not watching the cable news networks and hearing from David Gergen on why they are voting that way.
Also lets be blunt. Specter in the general ,for a man of such long term service, has had some razor thin general election victories
In 1992 he managed 49 against a serious opponent and he received only 52 percent in 2004 against former Rep. Joe Hoeffel (D). He seems to have a depressing number , from his electoral viewpoint , of conservative to moderate dems voting against him. In the real world many of these voters are slaves to party ID so something is up.
Perhaps overall Voters are just tired of Specter!! Again it is not apparent that despite what the Democrats in DC want that Democrats will go flocking to Specter even in his own primary.
Has Justice Scalia Introduced A New Pop Culture Term- "Foul-mouthed glitteratae from Hollywood"
I was reading an opinion that came out of the Supreme Court today. That is FCC v. Fox Television.
It involves a broadcast on Fox where Cher and Nicole Ritchie said some nasty words. People were not happy and neither was the FCC
Anyway in the opinion no doubt making a reference to the actors in this case he refers to them as
"foul-mouthed glitteratae from Hollywood".
LOL
Scalia fans use the term glitteratae ten times in conversation this week and lets see if this can catch on. :)
So legal latin nerds don't seem to get Scalia's humor here.
It is an interesting case because what is at issue here really is some important parts of Administrative Law and when a policy is changed how much of a burden or justification is required to be produced . It appears not as much as some thought. I agree that the Obama White House will enjoy this ruling and the GOP and others likely will find it to give them heartburn in the immediate future.
See Is Scalia's "F-Word" Opinion Good News for Obama?
First amendment issues were not put in front of the Court but boy I bet Justice Thomas has raised some eyebrows in his Concurrence.
Eugene Volokh notes as to Thomas Concurrence
Eugene Volokh, April 28, 2009 at 10:46am] Trackbacks
Justice Thomas Expresses Disagreement with Red Lion and Pacifica,
the cases holding that broadcast (non-cable) television and radio are less protected by the First Amendment than newspapers and other media. (Red Lion upheld the Fairness Doctrine and the Personal Attack Rule, which would be unconstitutional as to newspapers, and Pacifica upheld a restriction on using the "Seven Dirty Words" on radio and television.)
This came in Justice Thomas's concurrence in FCC v. Fox Television, which reversed the Second Circuit's decision that set aside a fine for the use of vulgarity on a television program. But the Court's decision explicitly rested only the administrative law question — whether the FCC's judgment was within its statutory authority, especially given earlier FCC decisions to the contrary — and left the constitutional question for the Second Circuit to consider, perhaps to be reviewed later by the Supreme Court.
It's thus possible that Fox will ultimately win, and get the entire scheme of restricting vulgarity on radio and television set aside, assuming of course four other Justices share Justice Thomas's view. (Recall that Justice Stevens, who voted for Fox on the administrative law question here, was the author of the Pacifica plurality, and continues to think that Pacifica was correctly decided; on the other hand, he would read it considerably more narrowly than the FCC does, and may well conclude that Fox should win on its First Amendment claim on the facts of this case.)................
Thomas's concurrence is worth a read as he screaming why no one did not bring this in briefs and argument (HINT HINT) Among other things it looks like that he is essentially preemptively attacking the "Fairness Doctrine".
Anyway interesting case that I think will have some major effects in all sort of places.
MSNBC Talks About Catholic Worker Founder and Saint DORIS DAY
When I was just a little girlI asked my mother What will I be Will I be pretty Will I be rich Here's what she said to me
Que sera, sera Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see Que sera, sera What will be, will be
When I grew up and fell in loveI asked my sweetheartWhat lies ahead Will we have rainbows Day after day Here's what my sweetheart said
Que sera, sera Whatever will be, will beThe future's not ours to see Que sera, sera What will be, will be
Who Knew Catholic Saint and Founder of the Catholic Worker Movement was such a good singer!!!!
Get Religion has a good article on Envoy Mary Ann Glendon refusing the Notre Dame Medal here at Truth is mighty, and it shall prevail (updated) Notice the MSNBC's mess up on the story
Do the Democrats Want Specter?
"Senator Arlen Specter has somehow managed to join a political Party that dislikes him even more than Republicans did"
See What will Democrats do about Arlen Specter?
Cardinal Rigali Corrects Douglas Kmiec's Statements on Obama and Stem Cells
I did not support Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination. At times I wish I did because if some how Romney had become the nominee Prof Kmiec would not have had his tantrum and we not be dealing with this propaganda today.
Anyway as I noted last week Prof Kmiec gave misleading statements on Obama and stem cells. As Prof Garnett at Notre Dame said as to the latest
Doug Kmiec, who continues to surprise -- to surprise me, anyway -- with his enthusiastic willingness to endorse policies and propositions from which, not too long ago, he would have recoiled.
Cardinal Rigali , again another Chruch Leader that has to clean up the misconceptions has responded. See American Papist's Cardinal Rigali: "The truth is the opposite" in response to Doug Kmiec column in CNS
Prof Kmiec has quite an advoate over at America magaizine that just thinks Kmiec would be a great envoy to the Holy See for the USA.
Again this is exactly why (adding to the list ) Kmiec would not be a good Envoy.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu Hits Home -No Blood of Christ for Aggies and Catholics in Diocese of Austin
However as mentioned
"Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ" - CCC 1377
See at Aggie Catholic Swine Flu
Conservatives Need More Support In Hollywood
Action Inst Powerblog has got a good article on this at PBR: Conservatives and Hollywood
The Pro-Life Alternative to The Vagina Monologues"
Deacon Bench has the story at "The Vitae Monologues"
Tired of Complaining Pro-Life Conservatives!!! - Time to Produce
Boy really tired
If I hear one more time- I am a conservative not a Republican I think I will barf.
As part of the unclean it appears that does the unholy work of going door to door and spending weekends at malls trying to get people to register Republican at the end of the day when I log in to the net I hear - I am not Republican but I will analyze what the party is doing wrong and overview it from the comfort of my chair in front of the computer.
I really wish some of these Conservative pro-lifers that seem to think they are so superior will go start their own party as they constantly threaten. However I predict something. Once they leave the issue of abortion they will be excommunicating each other left and right on issues such as the war on terror, to immigration to tax policy. Sadly I noticed that many Catholic Republicans that supported McCain on torture and immigration usually downplayed that so not to upset their conservative friends while loudly in the amen corner that McCain was a RINO. Yeah I noticed that.
I have been on several blogs and the talking of the day was the Spectre defection. It came up in several places in a related issue well look what we did to Rick Santorum!! We showed him. So we lost not only a reliable Republican procedural vote (which overall helps pro-life causes) but we lost a guy that had a terrific pro-life record. But my gosh we showed Rick Santorum who worked to relected Spectre. So we won!!! Yeah the unborn was helped by that. I am sure the unborn at the abortion clinic are cheering on the fact you showed Rick Santorum who was boss as they got killed
Somehow I don't see that showing up Santorum up as a big pro-life victory but some people do. Again I guess I don't take politics so personal and think of it as personalities.
I saw this as to the McCain race. The goal post kept being moved!! The last goal post was the pick of VP. If McCain picks a pro-choice VP we shall revolt and leave. Well he picked Palin that not only was pro-life but as we learned walked the tak in apersonal way. Where were all those waves of pro-life voters that would bring victory. They did not materialize. As a pro-lifer that works in the GOP (I know heresy) I was working my butt off for McCain. Where were these waves of pro-lifers coming to help. largely AWOL.
Well we have now the very Catholic state of Penn. The GOP nominee will be no doubt pro-life versus a likely pro-choice Democrat (very likely Specter). It has been the dream and in fact agenda of many to get rid of Spectre.
Well now you (we) have a blessing. We don't have to spend money on a GOP fight. There is really no excuse for pro-lifers not to produce. I pray they will. Put your money where your mouth is and get a pro-lifer as the winner in the Penn race. There can be no blaming the GOP in this one. The GOP in the end is not nameless folks in DC but tons of people outside the belt way like me that are the nuts and bolts.
You wanted it and you got it. NOW WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU TO PRODUCE. TIME TO WALK THE TALK.
So go and support the pro-life Republican versus likely the pro-choice Dem nominee in Penn. Just support them.
No one is interested and in particular the unborn in your opening talking point "I am a consevative not a Republican blah blah blah blah BUT" and ten minutes later you get to the point. The average voter or more likely the person you are asking to send a buck to the GOP PENN effort is not really interested in your personal manifesto and also gripes of how the GOP is going wrong. I mean that is what blogs are for. STAY FOCUSED
The only one that is interested in that is your Internet friends that debate what out of the five conservative factions are the true conservatives and who else all are the RINOS. Go over to the Crunchy Con blog or Free Republic to get that frustration out if you must. Keep you eyes on the prize.
Again time to produce.
Michael Caine Fed Up With Taxes In the UK
The Government has taken tax up to 50 per cent, and if it goes to 51 I will be back in America," he said at the weekend. "We've got 3.5 million layabouts on benefits, and I'm 76, getting up at 6am to go to work to keep them. Let's get everybody back to work so we can save a couple of billion and cut tax, not keep sticking it up."
I am afraid that the good actor has not the memo we had some unfortunate management changes over here this year. So he better start looking up for a back up plan to America. We might be going the way of the UK
Fire Strikes Historic Notre Dame Seminary In New Orleans
Thankfully damage appears to be Minor. Pics and story here from the Picayune web site
I didn't think Catholic Conservatives Cared About Torture?
At least that is the gospel I hear from certain Catholic quarters
Mirrors of Justice has a good link to a fairly good article. See "Torture: What it is, and Why it is wrong"
Prog Garnett comments:
But wait, there must be some mistake. Public Discourse is a front for right-wing Catholic torture apologists, isn't it? We all know that Robby George and that crew care only about fetuses, and not about detainees, right? RG: ed, stop reading Andrew Sullivan.
So true. I guess I better get off the fence on this torture. enhanced interrogation issue soon. I have not been shy talking about how I am not thrilled how this conversation has been going.
Philosopher Chris Tollefson is good and challenging. But I am not exactly on board with everything he says yet.
So expect a post when I decide to take a stand and engage this.
I will say at this point it is silly and dangerous to prosecute lawyers that wrote memos or other officials on this. I will get into that later on that post
Specter Becomes A Democrat
I am not too thrilled. I give reason in the comment section at American Catholic in the comment section. I am "JH"
Nazi Priest?
Good grief. Whispers has more at Heil Father?
I suspect the story on this guy is more complicated. Here goes the sharks in the press.
Should President Obama Golf in Shorts
Law Prof Ann Althouse (who appears to think shorts on men should be outlawed period ) discusses this important topic here at "Obama's Golf Shorts: Should Grown Men Wear Shorts? (PHOTOS, POLL)."
Update-
Arab Governments Concerned About Obama Policy Toward Iran
Surprise!!!! Not really.
I also laugh when I hear people go "The Solution to the Middle East problem is linked to solving the Israel/Palestine problem.
What nonsense. It is rarely noted but every time there is some blow up by Arab States over some cartoon or the JEWS it is generally because some Arab government incompetence has caused a building to collapse or a Ferry to sink. In other words they want to get the bad news off the front page.
It appears the Arab states again are far less concerned with Israel but with Obama policy toward Iran.
See Who’s the Problem?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Bishop of Youngstown Ohio Puts Up Yankee "Tara" For Sell
Whispers has the story.
I must say the real estate market in that area of Ohio must be depressed. That seems like a steal for that house.
I have no problem with Bishops having houses like this. Especially if they are historical. I rather keep such history in the family. But often it is nice to have something like this because a ton of functions and important Diocese stuff can be had at them. Sometimes it is a real pain to find a sutable place for a nice Diocese function and then you end up paying a arm and a leg for it
Louisiana Catholic Blogs Update For Monday, April 27, 2009
Time for the Daily update post!!!
Ville Platte Catholic Youth Group has The Truth About Birth Control - Part VI
From The Recamier has her daily update at Daily Update: April 26, 2009
Works and Prayers of a Fils Prodigue has Force Relations and Humility
Brown Pelican Society of Louisiana has the following:
“Nation’s Talkers Meet on ‘Imminent Threat’ “
Plumbing Problem at The White House
Obscene Profits by One Who Claims to be a Non-Profit; Also the No. 1 Violator of Human Rights in the U.S.
GOSPEL & MEDITATION: Rowing to Eternal Life
TODAY’S SAINT: ST. ZITA OF LUCCA
The Everyday Catholic Podcast has Busted Halo and Canon Law
Teen Catholic has Prayer Line
Stranger in a Strange Land has No Greater Love and Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor.
For The Greater Glory has Glendon Refuses To Play PR Talking Point , Thanks for the prayers
Journey to Rome has Stephen Colbert is the Funniest Catholic I don’t Know
Thoughts & Ruminations of Father Ryan has The Meatcard and Star Trek Sporks..., a quote here with Pope Benedict XVI, speaking to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, My Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, 2009, and Our Catholic identity - Fr. Z rants
Maudie in Mandeville has Obama's Socialist swine flu
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks has From a Devotee
The Catholic Foodie has Love to Cook? Got a Mac? You need SousChef!
Life on the (L)edge has HE PASSED!!!!! (see one of Newest New Orleans finest)
Father Allen’s Site has Heavy Restrictions on Internet Freedom and Young, Pretty … Hostage, and On Being an INFP
Da Mihi Animas has the following:
Archbishop Dolan interviewed by the New York Post
Steelers draft best friends in same round
A sign from God over Russia?
NYC's new archbishop hits the ground running
LSU's Chad Jones Makes First Pitching Debut Against Auburn (Video)
Great Vid!!! A little Tiger magic that shook up the crowd there. See also Column: Jones the story of the day after weekend sweep and In Chad Jones, LSU baseball has found its own Roy Hobbs
Don't Make Law Enforcement in Mamou Louisiana Angry
Oh, moi j' m'en va' à Grand Mamou.Mon j' m'en va' aussi tout seul mais en jonglant à ça t'as fait.Si tu voudrais mais t'en r'venir avec moi à Grand Mamou,J'serais content de t' avoir pour ma femme.
Oh, petite chérie, vilaine manière,Moi j' connais mais ça t'as fait tu vas pleurer un jour à v'nir.Eh, moi j' m'en va' dans les ch'mins aussi tout seul!Eh, moi j' m'en va' à Grand Mamou.
Oh, little darling, with your ugly ways, I know you'll cry some day for what you've done. Oh, I'm wandering the roads, so lonely! 0h, I'm going back to big Mamou.
It appears not all things are so happy in Big Mamou Louisiana. See Kew-kew-kew! What's wrong with Mamou?
To be fair these are just allegations of course and just because there is a lawsuit does not make them true.. Still one aspect of rural life is one is often at the mercy of some pretty petty local law enforcement agencies that are out of sight and out of mind of the big city papers.
Update-
I must say this teatment does not exactly sound like the Gulag
"The lawsuit goes on to say that Simmons was later driven to the Mamou jail, where he was allegedly placed in an empty cell and was not offered food, water or medication. About a half-hour later, he was brought to the parish jail in Ville Platte and allowed to bond out."
We Need To Increase Immigration of Skilled Immigrants
It is not noted but the people that provide alot of the brain power behind fighting illegal immigration also oppose most forms of legal immigration. That is they want to curtail it greatly. This is not noted enough but one see Lou Dobbs go on rants against giving skilled workers permits and citizenship.
This is one reason I get nervous with groups like FAIR, CIS, and Numbers USA. They have a far bigger agenda that just illegal aliens and am not sure that many that agree with their illegal alien stance realize that. There is at essence a wild environmental agenda at work
Anyway from Baton Rouge Live the Trinity has a good post and link on this at Vivek Wadhwa on Bob Edwards Weekend - why skilled immigrants are a good thing and a vanishing resource
Why Does Christ's Body Still have Scars?
I have never thought of asking this question but I guess I should have. Canterbury Tales has more at Why does the Resurrected Body of Christ have scars?
Could a Pro-Life Governor Be Elected In New Jersey
Well this is good potential news. Deal Hudson has the stroy at Inside Catholic. See Will New Jersey Elect a Pro-Life Catholic Governor?
Does LSU Have a SWAT TEAM?
As they say everything in the SEC is biggers and better but that usually applies to sports :).
Over at the Corner
Teaching Moment [Mark Steyn]
Over the weekend, George Zinkhan, a 57-year old "marketing professor" at the University of Georgia, apparently shot his ex-wife and two middle-aged men at a community theatre a mile from the campus.
What caught my attention in the coverage was this photograph of "the University of Georgia SWAT team" dressed to storm the beaches of Normandy. Is it routine for educational institutions to have SWAT teams? And, if so, is it just colleges or do high schools have them, too?
04/27 09:22 AMShare
Not saying this is a bad idea but is this becoming the norm?
Catholics Come Home TV Ads- We Need to Be doing This More
This is a great Vid by the Catholic Come Home Group. Where these vids are playing on TV they have been huge success and there have been real results. We need to be doing more of this.
Tip of the hat to American Catholic
Former Vatican Envoy And Notre Dame Honoree Will Not Appear At Notre Dame With Obama
I agree this is very huge!!! Creative Minority Report has her statement here at Wow! Mary Ann Glendon Declines ND Invite
Ambassador Glendon will not be able to be called some political hack very easily either. She is a distinguished jurist and and has done incredible work for the United States and her faith.
Here is her background.
She is regarded as one of the best envoys we have sent to the Vatican on both sides of the pond. Make no doubt this comes at some cost to her. This is one of the highest awards a Catholic can receive in the United States.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Strange Times- Pope Benedict Names An Economic and a Plague Saint Today
As well as three others. The Washington Post has the story at Pope Benedict XVI names 5 new saints
Going to Communion and the Swine Flu
Father Z has an interesting post from someone in Mexico. See QUAERITUR: Communion in time of epidemic
Pictures of LSU's Chad Jones Unexpected Debut as LSU Pitcher Against Auburn (Updated)
Update- See also LSU's Chad Jones Makes First Pitching Debut Against Auburn (Video)
Yes that football Chad Jones that was just in the Football Spring Game last week!! that is also on the baseball team. The same Chad Jones that has never pitched a game since his days at Southern Lab High School :) .
It was expected Jones would work himself in the upcoming games some how after he got back into baseball shape but this starting appearance for two thirds of a innings in the 8th was unexpected.
The game was at a turning point and the LSU coaching Staff unleashed their "secret" weapon in a SEC game that was a needed must win.. LSU fans were to say the least taken by surprise and no doubt were the Auburn Tigers,. Here is an article Baseball: Jones pitches in relief in Tigers' 7-6 win. The fan reaction on this Tiger Droppings thread as the saga played out is pretty funny as it goes on for about ten pages.A roundup of the game tomorrow
As usual click the pic for a bigger and clear picture.
Pope Benedict is a Good Preacher
A very good article from an Italian Paper via the Ratzinger Forum
And Papa Ratzinger reveals
himself to be quite a preacher!
by MARCO POLITI
Translated from
La Repubblica
April 22, 2009
The secret Ratzinger, whom few know, is Ratzinger the preacher. His books on theology can be found anywhere, and the activities of the reigning Pontiff are under the eyes of everyone, but to grasp the intimate core of Benedict XVI, one must go listen to him.
Not only in the basilicas, but in a parochial church or in a halfway home for sick people. It is where he reveals - with words that are pregnant and simple at the same time - his desire for an essential Christianity that is pure, not burdened by superstructures.
Ratzinger found this purity in the intensity with which the African faithful abandoned themselves to song at the the Masses during his recent visit to Cameroon and Angola. Whether singing in Latin or in their African languages, they manifested that fullness of faith that he seeks in all believers. Because "Christian hope", he reiterated during the recent death anniversary of Papa Wojtyla, cannot be reduced to "ideology, group slogans, or exterior trappings".
Christ, he said, does not wish believers merely to play at being his disciples. Nor, he has said on other occasions, does it make sense to present Christianity as a package of rules or claims to hegemony of one 'single' culture or one homogeneous world. The word that appears most often in the Pope's vocabulary is love.
Which is the title [and subject] of his first encyclical, Deus caritas est. For Benedict XVI, to be Christian consists basically in 'free adherence to love'. Love for God inseparably linked to love for one's neighbor. It may surprise those who see the Pope primarily as a leader who expresses himself controversially on the international scene, but Ratzinger's soul, nourished by the teachings of St. Paul and St. Augustine, is really oriented towards an intimate faith which, even when expressed as social commitment, remains anchored to the two cardinal tenets of the Christian experience: the Cross and the Resurrection.
If Christ had not resurrected, he said on Easter, echoing the apostle Paul, "the void would have gained the upper hand". Reaching his 82nd birthday and starting the fifth year of his pontificate, Benedict XVI has condensed in the past several days some of the most important themes of his thinking. Above all, there is the incessant quest to encounter the Face of Christ. For Ratzinger, to be Christian is nothing but empty words unless it is translated to the desire and need to find oneself face to face with that Face. Which belongs to a man of flesh and bone, who is 'historical', not mythical. In the disorientation of the contemporary world, the Christian must learn how to pause and contemplate "the face of the Man of sorrows, who took upon himself all of our mortal anguish".
The face of Christ, Ratzinger says, is reflected in every person who is humiliated and insulted, who is sick and suffering, or alone, abandoned, despised. "You will be lost, unless you arrive first," St. Augustine said. Why then don't we welcome this Face into our lives, the Pope asks. He sees a special role for the clergy in all this. This is a man who basically rejects everything that is clerical [in the pejorative sense] and affected.
In the Chrismal Mass on Maundy Thursday, the Pope questioned the concept of absolute freedom proposed by the philosopher Nietzsche, but he even denounced the caricatures or humility and submission in the Church "which we do not wish to imitate". Ratzinger drew the line between priesthood considered as a profession and vehicle for 'self-realization' and priesthood as a daily asceticism focused on service and abandonment to Christ. These are demanding words - but they are fascinating to many Catholics and often, even to followers of other religions or agnostics.
The discussion is different in terms of the Church confronting today's society, which is seen as prey to materialism and nihilism. The Pope sees a Church that is always in danger, besieged by hate, drawn towards the abyss, to the point of giving the impression 'that it is about to drown', were it not constantly rescued by Christ. In this respect, Augustinian pessimism colors the words of the Pope. and perhaps some of the decisions he has made as Pope are born from that pessimism.
LSU Baseball Needs to Sweep Auburn Today
It is very nice wrapping up a series win on a Saturday. I can't recall the last time that has happened in SEC play for LSU. Still a full sweep against Auburn would be very nice for several reasons.
For yesterday's game see
Baseball: LeMahieu powers LSU to 7-6 win in bottom of ninth LSU The Reveille
Dramatics: LSU 7 - Auburn 6 And the Valley Shook
LSU baseball, finding a Groove 2TheAdvocate (vid)
SEC baseball roundup: LSU rallies for win over Auburn Shreveport Times (All Gannett papers)
AU BASEBALL: LSU takes walk-off win Opelika Auburn News
LeMahieu hits game-winner in ninth for LSU 2TheAdvocate
Of interest are two games which would make a sweep today for LSU very very good. First is Georgia playing at Ole Miss. Georgia lost yesterday. See Ole Miss Rebels 10, Georgia Diamond Dogs 8. One has to think that the odds are with Ole Miss today because the Bulldogs really needed to get that win yesterday. Why? Because they are facing that very nasty Ole Miss Pitcher today. LSU fans will recall him. The Commercial Appeal out of Memphis has a nice article on him at Ole Miss Rebels pitcher Scott Bittle hones his craft .
Currently Georgia is number one in the SEC but they are only one game ahead of LSU.
The other game of interest is the Arkansas game. Arkansas traveled to Tennessee this weekend. It appears the VOLS are spreading their misery around just like they did to LSU last week. They evened up the series against Arkansas last night. See SEC BASEBALL : Errant pickoff sinks Arkansas
Arkansas with Ole Miss is really nipping at LSU's ankles in the SEC west.
Of course this upcoming weekend the LSU Tigers will face one of their most difficult challenges in SEC regular series play as they travel to Arkansas to play that series. A series that I suppose will be the SEC game of the week because of the many ramifications. I expect that will a tough one and it will be a very hostile place to play. Arkansas is beating all sort of former attendance records up there.
It is good perhaps too look at the rest of the regular series schedule
Tue, Apr 28
Tulane
-
Baton Rouge, La. (Alex Box Stadium)
6:30 p.m.
Fri, May 01
Arkansas *
-
at Fayetteville, Ark. (Baum Stadium)
6:30 p.m.
Sat, May 02
Arkansas *
-
at Fayetteville, Ark. (Baum Stadium)
2:00 p.m.
Sun, May 03
Arkansas *
-
at Fayetteville, Ark. (Baum Stadium)
1:00 p.m.
Fri, May 08
Florida *
-
Baton Rouge, La. (Alex Box Stadium)
7:00 p.m.
Sat, May 09
Florida *
-
Baton Rouge, La. (Alex Box Stadium)
7:00 p.m.
Sun, May 10
Florida *
-
Baton Rouge, La. (Alex Box Stadium)
12:00 p.m.
Tue, May 12
Centenary
-
Baton Rouge, La. (Alex Box Stadium)
6:30 p.m.
Thu, May 14
Mississippi St. *
-
at Starkville, Miss. (Dudy Noble Field)
6:30 p.m.
Fri, May 15
Mississippi St. *
-
at Starkville, Miss. (Dudy Noble Field)
6:30 p.m.
Sat, May 16
Mississippi St. *
-
at Starkville, Miss. (Dudy Noble Field)
2:00 p.m.
SEC Tournament
Wed, May 20 - Sun, May 24
TBD
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Shocking War Crimes Occured in Shreveport Louisiana
The Criminal Behind the New Catholic Inquistion In a shocking puff piece on a the Principal of Loyola and his retirement after decades(Formally Jesuit- which makes sense because we know how they are) there is this shocking stuff
"I still have dislocated shoulders from holding up dictionaries at arms length for two hours while kneeling with my nose pressed against a chalk-drawn circle on the blackboard," 1973 graduate Rob Martin recalled. But, he added, "I never got any discipline that I didn't deserve. Mr. Johnson was a rock to us — smart, tough and an excellent teacher.
I remember those huge forearms that instilled fear in us (back when Jesuit was a mass of restless teenage boys). We had tremendous respect for this great man with the big heart and the twinkle in his eye." Johnson chuckled, saying, "I can see (him) right now, red-haired Rob Martin."
He said he and others who administered the feared after-class punishments "used to give them the choice of being paddled or having penance hall." He said most chose the paddling. "'Let me have the licks. I can go home.' Kneeling with dictionaries outstretched for any length of time was excruciating."
Bill Ostendorff, Class of '72, and now high in the command structure at the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., was a student of Johnson's three of his four years at Jesuit, "three great years of teaching that forever impacted me positively. Through four years at the U.S. Naval Academy and three post-graduate degrees from Texas, Georgetown and the University of Maryland, I have never encountered a teacher or professor who embodied the ideals and commitment to excellence that I saw in (him)."
Excellence? I hope the UN and Nancy Pelosi are on top of this. As we can see this torture and enhanced punishment techniques no doubt has had an effect as these former victims are now in the highest level of Govt. No telling how they are acting these nightmares out and becoming the new offenders
Let me be clear I am not making light of torture but it strikes me that after we get past the hot topic of water boarding there is a lot being put under this torture label. Such as throwing someone against a wall, head slaps, intense sleep deprivation, head holds, and putting a terrorist in a box with a caterpillar. In fact that dictionary thing that is mentioned above bears a similarity to a practice that appears to be banned.
As to the memos lets us review
The Attention Grab: The interrogator forcefully grabs the shirt front of the prisoner and shakes them
Attention Slap: An open-handed slap to the face aimed at causing pain and triggering fear
The Belly Slap: A hard open-handed slap to the abdomen. The aim is to cause pain, but not internal injury. Doctors consulted advised against using a punch, which could cause lasting internal damage
Long Time Standing: This technique is described as among the most effective. Prisoners are forced to stand, handcuffed and with their feet shackled to an eye bolt in the floor, for more than 40 hours
The Cold Cell: The prisoner is left to stand naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius)
Waterboarding: The prisoner is bound to an inclined board, feet raised and head slightly below the feet. Material is wrapped over the prisoner's face and water is poured over them. Unavoidably, the gag reflex kicks in and a terrifying fear of drowning leads to almost instant pleas to bring the treatment to a halt
Forced to listen to rap artist Eminem's "Slim Shady" album. The music was so foreign to them it made them frantic, sources said.
Now no doubt if one was arrested fpr lets say for murder most the above techniques could be used to find the bodies. But is the above all torture?