The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters
A general category for things related to our society and how we interact with one another.
We remember quaking in our boots whenever this dare was thrown down on the playground. To put the age-old question to the test (and to rest), we visited the urban legend experts at Snopes.com.
Read moreThe History of Analog Clocks provides an explanation of the origin of the 24-hour day. The system dates back 4,000 years, to ancient Egypt and Babylon.
Read moreToday, the Senate passed an amendment (proposed by Sen. Barbara Boxer) by a wide margin (60-37) prohibiting the EPA from testing pesticides on humans. What the EPA has been doing is pretty awful: They promise families some cash in order to carry out experiments, often on kids and often in low-income neighborhoods.
Read moreThanks to the American Taliban, the U.S. continues to fall behind the rest of the world. Spain now offers same sex marriage.
Read moreHere’s the Christian Right W and the Repubs are so interested in catering too.
Read moreMonday, the Supremes announced two decisions related to the issue of religion in public. In one, they ruled that the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in Kentucky courtrooms. In the other, they ruled to allow the display of the Ten Commandments on the Texas State Capitol grounds.
Read moreAfter attention was drawn to a Tennessee based “Ex-Gay” residential treatment program by a blog from a teen forced to attend the program, Tennessee authorities are not investigating the program for possible child abuse. In addition, it appears the program would require licensure by the State, but oops, seems they didn’t bother.
Read moreA divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people’s homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights
Read moreThis email arrived a few minutes ago from the Bishop of Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The VA Conference Bishop has also written George.
Read moreHere’s a boycott the conservatives don’t want you to know about. Apparently, in 1999, a group of conservative organizations called for a boycott of military enlistment. Their excuse, Wicca. So help me God…
Read moreThe success of the Religious Right in appropriating the language of Christianity has led many people to become generally wary of religion in the public sphere and of Christianity in particular. The Religious Right has used the language of Christianity to promote an extreme and divisive political agenda that has helped polarize our nation. But foundational Christian values like compassion, justice and peace are largely absent from our political discussion. And there are millions of Christian Americans who share progressive views, or, at a minimum, are increasingly turned off by the extreme rhetoric and political agenda of the Religious Right.
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