Trying to Keep Things Light

Surprised that I haven't come on strong re:  recent SCOTUS decisions? Yeah, I'm a little surprised about that, too.

Excerpt from Lincoln Journal Star, Letters to the Editor (yes, a "little" dated):

(5/9/15) "Limits of freedom. Michael McHale's push for new laws that 'guarantee authentic religious freedom'...amounts to an appeal for license to break the law depending on the likes & dislikes enjoined by one's religion. What if my religion enjoined excluding left-handed people from the rights of full citizenship in the public market place? Or red-haired people? Or Irish people? Or, dare we say, gay people? For my religious freedom to be 'authentic,' I must be allowed to discriminate in this way? Lordy." John Walker, Lincoln. [Or people who write tiresome, ill-conceived arguments that reveal their bigoted notions re: how how they think principled Christians must equate against red-haired people with discrimination of gay people. Lordy.]

Excerpts from Omaha World Herald (yes, some of these also somewhat dated):

(2/16) Archbishop's morality clauses for teachers draw outrage. San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has drawn outrage in the liberal Bay Area by imposing morality clauses on teachers, staff & administrators at the four high schools under his control. [Because the last thing we'd expect from our religious schools is morality clauses for its employees.]

(3/3) "Drought played part in Syria's civil war, scientists say. The civil war that has torn Syria apart can be traced, in part, to a record drought worsened by global warming, a new study indicates." [Dept. of Imaginary Conversations:  Scientist A:  "Why do so many people remain skeptical about global warming?" Scientist B: "I know. What happened to our credibility? They used to treat us like gods. They don't seem to recognize our clearly, overwhelmingly, superior, intellectual domination of them. What can we do to gain back some credibility?" Scientist C: "I've got it! I just ran across a study linking Syria's civil war to drought, linked to global warming. That will restore the public's credibility & blind faith in us. Let's get it publicized in the mainstream media. Stat!"]

(7/1) School pays $65,000 for Chelsea's talk. When the University of Missouri at KC was looking for a celebrity speaker to headline its gala luncheon marking the opening of a women's hall of fame, one of the names that came to mind was Hillary Clinton. But when the former secretary of state's representatives quoted a fee of $275,000, officials at the public university balked. So the school booked the next best option: her daughter Chelsea. The university paid $65,000 for Chelsea's brief appearance Feb. 24, 2014..." [Two observations:  First, Mrs. Clinton's fee dovetails neatly with her message that she is running for President to stand up for the needs of the "common person," don't you think? Two, I have no issue w/ Chelsea receiving this kind of money for her "brief appearance." When I apply my previously stated standard, 'Would I have an issue applying this to the Bush family?', the answer is NO. I would be happy to see any institution pay either of the Bush daughters $65,000 for a brief appearance.]

(7/3) "Iran takes hard line on inspections, sanctions. Iran took a hard line Thursday on two of the biggest demands of world powers in a final nuclear accord, rejecting any extraordinary inspection rules, threatening to ramp up enrichment of bomb-making material if the U.S. & other countries reimpose sanctions after the deal is in place." [Knock me over with a feather.]

(7/3) "Iowa Catholics urge candidates to heed pope on climate. Roman Catholic leaders in the early decision state of Iowa implored candidates for president Thursday to take up Pope Francis' call for 'profound political courage' by focusing their campaigns as much on improving the environment & income inequality as they have on opposing gay marriage & abortion in past elections." [Because if it's one thing I'm looking for in the spiritual leadership from the leader of my denomination, it's wisdom re:  global climate change.]

(7/3) "Investigators say weather caused fire at S.C. church. Investigators announced Thursday that weather caused a destructive blaze at a predominantly black church in Greeleyville, S.C. [Dept. of Imaginary Conversations: Anonymous White House Aide: "We have a problem, Al. It turns out that investigators have found no evidence of criminal intent involving the fire at Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greeleyville, South Carolina." Al Sharpton: "What? It's not arson? There's no evidence it was set by racist, confederate, flag-waving red neck, cretins?" AWHA: "No, sir." Sharpton: "Maybe the investigators are racist." AWHA: "Unfortunately, there's no evidence of that either, sir." Sharpton: "Hmmm. Let me think. OK, when life is like a bowl of cherries, you gotta make lemonade. This fire must have been caused by global warming. Blame it on the Republicans & let's move on."]