Newswire
News, Analysis and Commentary from around the internet
Dealing with Politics, Economics and Secularism/ Religion
Handpicked and Updated Regularly
Week of August 29, 2010
- Experts see trouble ahead for developed world. Dan Perry, AP.
- Is believing in God evolutionarily advantageous? Aliz Spiegel, NPR.
- God did not create the universe, says Hawking. Michael Holden, Reuters.
- Is the Tea Party becoming the new Grand Old Party? Liz Sidoti, AP.
- The billionaires bankrolling the Tea Party. Frank Rich, New York Times.
- We owe the troops an exit. Bob Herbert, New York Times.
- In South Korea, a model for Iraq. Paul Wolfowitz, New York Times.
- Poll: Most Republicans think Obama “sympathizes” with Islamist goals. Holly Bailey, Yahoo News.
- US wasted billions in rebuilding Iraq. Kim Gamel, AP.
- Glenn Beck vs. Christ the Liberator. Rev. James Martin, SJ. Huffington Post.
Week of August 22, 2010
- Afghan militants in US uniforms storm 2 NATO bases. Robert H Reid, AP.
- Do we need a tax bracket for the super-rich? Nathaniel Cahners Hindman, Huffington Post.
- Migrants turn to the sea to enter US illegally. Elliott Spagat, AP.
- Bikini-clad strippers protest church in rural Ohio. Jeannie Nuss, AP.
- Fears Taliban expanding in Afghan north, west. Robert H Reid, AP.
- Key Karzai aide in corruption inquiry is linked to CIA. Dexter Filkins, New York Times.
- Poll: public doubts Islam more prone to violence. AP.
- The conservative counter-revolution. Martin Wolf, Financial Times.
- Some 200 women gang-raped over 4 days near Congo UN base. Michelle Faul, AP.
- The consensus in favor of Swedish thinking. Ralph Atkins, Financial Times.
- Iran inaugurates nation’s first unmanned bomber. Nasser Karimi, AP.
Week of August 15, 2010
- Crime (sex) and punishment (stoning). Robert F Worth, New York Times.
- Too long ignored. Bob Herbert, New York Times.
- Obama a Muslim! Lincoln a Catholic! FDR a Jew! Why Americans don’t like their President’s God. Bruce Feiler, Huffington Post.
- US matches Indian call center costs. James Lamont, Financial Times.
- The world population continues to grow at an alarming rate. Yahoo News.
- On Facebook: Israeli soldier posed with bound Arab. Diaa Hadid, AP.
- Media failing to ask tough questions on Afghanistan war… again. Derrick Crowe, Huffington Post.
- Japan, checking on its oldest, finds many gone. Martin Fackler, New York Times.
- Secret assault on terrorism widens on two continents. Scott Shane, New York Times.
- Teen sex not always bad for school performance. Alicia Chang, AP.
Week of August 8, 2010
- Algebra for dummies: mathematical “proof” of the inferiority of homosexuals. Bill Black, New Deal 2.0
- Bad for the Jews. Paul Krugman, New York Times.
- Zero tolerance and Cordoba House. Basharat Peer, Financial Times.
- How the Cheonan really sank–and what happens to the Koreas now? Bill Powell, Time.
- US Muslims prep for Islamic holiday–around 9/11. Rachel Zoll, AP.
- Study looks at tax cut lapse for the rich. Jackie Calms, New York Times.
- The joke about intergenerational equity. Dean Baker, Huffington Post.
- Richard Dawkins likens burqas to trash bags. Curtis M Wong, Huffington Post.
- Taliban execute pregnant woman. Huffington Post.
- Israel cannot be both Jewish and democratic. Ahmed Moor, Huffington Post.
- US economy is increasingly tied to the rich. Robert Frank, Wall Street Journal.
Week of August 1, 2010
- Putting our brains on hold. Bob Herbert, New York Times.
- Across nation, mosque projects meet opposition. Laurie Goodstein, New York Times.
- Sectarian clashes surge in a city in Pakistan’s heartland. Salman Masood, New York Times.
- Congregations gone wild. G Jeffrey MacDonald, New York Times.
- Steal this movie [on Israel and Palestine]. Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
- Chinese missile could shift Pacific power balance. Eric Talmadge, AP.
- Israel: a not very secular shift. Tobias Buck, Financial Times.
- Court rejects same-sex marriage ban in California. Jesse McKinley, New York Times.
- Flare-up over tree accents Israel-Lebanon tension. Mark Lavie, AP.
- Divide Afghanistan at your peril. Ahmed Rashid, Financial Times.
Week of July 25, 2010
- The great (double) game. Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
- Catholic patriarch blasts Israel for allowing gay parade. Michele Chabin, Religion News Service.
- Four deformations of the apocalypse. David Stockman, New York Times.
- The end of (military) history? The United States, Israel, and the failure of the western way of war. Andrew Bacevich, Huffington Post.
- Study: same-sex couples can thrive as adoptive parents. Daniel de Vise, Washington Post.
- Somali lessons for Afghanistan. Gideon Rachman, Financial Times.
Week of July 18, 2010
- America must give the south to the Taliban. Robert Blackwill, Financial Times.
- The gray and the brown: the generation mismatch. Ronald Brownstein, National Journal.
- The Big Mac Index, The Economist.
- Is the Tea Party unbiblical? Alfredo Garcia, Religion News Service.
- Israel puts off crisis over conversion law. Ethan Bronner, New York Times.
- The moral naturalists. David Brooks, New York Times.
- Embracing Israel, justice and peace. Rabbi Sid Schwarz, Huffington Post.
- North Korea threatens “physical response” to US moves. Andrew Quinn, Reuters.
- Anti-mosque protests on the rise, say Muslim advocates. Liz Goodwin, Yahoo News.
- Lesbian gets $35,000 settlement over canceled prom. Shelia Byrd, AP.
- Today’s Keynesians have learnt nothing. Niall Ferguson, FT.
Week of July 11, 2010
- Where has all the greatness gone? The Economist.
- 10 Most horrifying, absurd things in the GOP state platforms. Tana Ganeva, Alternet.
- Spanish parliament to consider banning Islamic veils in public. Harold Heckle, AP.
- Rethink Afghanistan because nation building is not working and we’re not winning. Nicholas Graham, Huffington Post.
- Man with neo-Nazi ties leading patrols in Arizona. Michelle Price, AP.
- Afghans to form local forces to fight Taliban. Alyssa J Rubin, New York Times.
- Economics behaving badly. George Loewenstein, New York Times.
- SEC settling its complaints with Goldman. Sewell Chan, New York Times.
- Supreme Court gun decision doesn’t mean domestic violence offenders can own handguns. Sophia Tareen, Huffington Post.
- Al-Shabab leader threatens more Ugandan attacks. Mohamed Olan Hassan, AP.
- Vatican: ordination of women a “grave crime.” Nicole Winfield, AP.
- Russian exorcism tragedy: 4-year-old boy dies during ritual. Huffington Post.
- Sarah Palin in 2012? Why she’s for real. Mark Halperin, Time.
- Federal Reserve: continued high unemployment threatens Fed policy of pursuing maximum employment. Shahien Nasiripour, Huffington Post.
- Argentine senate considers same-sex marriage law. Bridget Huber, AP.
- The class war we need. Ross Douthat, New York Times.
- Veiled threats? Martha Nussbaum, New York Times.
Week of July 4, 2010
- Is there a God or is there nothingness? New scientific paradigm. Robert Lanza, Huffington Post.
- Presbyterians: end Israel aid over settlements. Patrick Condon, AP.
- Pakistan suicide bombing death toll jumps to 102. Riaz Khan, AP.
- How can a nation that could soon be a nuclear power still legally stone women to death for adultery? Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail.
- Income gap between rich and poor is highest in decades, data show. Laura Bassett, Huffington Post.
- Bill Kristol must resign. Ann Coulter, World Net Daily.
- Companies brace for end of cheap made-in-China era. Elaine Kurtenbach, AP.
- Federal gay marriage ban is ruled unconstitutional. Denise Lavoie, AP.
- Iran launches holy war on haircuts. Lara Setrakian, ABC News.
- Tax-exempt funds aiding West Bank Settlements. Jim Rutenberg, New York Times.
- Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani, Iran mother, could be stoned to death at any moment. Nicholas Sabloff, Huffington Post.
Week of June 27, 2010
- Illinois stops paying its bills, but can’t stop digging hole. Michael Powell, New York Times.
- Rise of the Religious Left. Charles Blow, New York Times.
- A voice in Egypt for an Arab age of reason. Michael Slackman, New York Times.
- As oil industry fights a tax, it reaps billions from subsidies. David Kocieniewski, New York Times.
- Myths of austerity. Paul Krugman, New York Times.
- Michael Steele says Afghanistan was “war of Obama’s choosing,” not something the US “wanted to engage in.” Nick Wing, Huffington Post.
- 21 killed in massive Mexican gang shootout near US border. AP.
- The Asian century calls for a rethink on growth. Kevin Brown, Financial Times.
- The Catholic church: Popeshuffle. The Economist.
- Spiritually bankrupt. Dan Rather, Huffington Post.
- Atheist billboard defaced on North Carolina’s Billy Graham Parkway. Yahoo News.
- The third depression. Paul Krugman, New York Times.
- The only way out of Afghanistan. Ross Douthat, New York Times.
- Hard truths about Afghanistan. Taylor Marsh.
Week of June 20, 2010
- Consciousness and the end of the war between science and religion. Deepak Chopra, Huffington Post.
- Against the super-asinine, the gods themselves contend in vain. Paul Krugman, New York Times.
- It is time to rethink the west’s Afghan strategy. Ahmed Rashid, Financial Times.
- Sharron Angle’s fringe third party sponsored virulently anti-gay flier in the ’90s. Justin Elliott, Talking Points Memo.
- US indirectly funding Afghan warlords: House report. Joanne Allen, Reuters.
- Montreal mother charged in “crime of honor.” CBC News.
- Saudi crucifies murderer. AFP
- What Israelis really think should be done about Gaza. Karl Vick, Time.
- New Jersey battles over tax on millionaires. John Hurdle, Reuters.
- Canada’s economy is suddenly the envy of the world. Rob Gillies, AP.
- Countries with the most millionaires 2010. Vanessa Wong, Business Week.
Week of June 13, 2010
- Global organized crime becoming new superpower: UN. Louis Charbonneau, Reuters.
- Ultra-orthodox Jews protest school ruling. AP.
- UN says 400,000 uprooted in Kyrgyzstan. Sasha Merkushev, AP.
- At home with Alvin Greene: will the carnival act get serious? Michael Scherer, Time.
- Letter from Istanbul. Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
- State of denial: Reactions to a modest plan to increase the retirement age show how hard reform is in France. The Economist.
- UN urges Kyrgyzstan to stamp out ethnic bloodletting. Alexei Anishchuk, Reuters.
- Obama’s fool’s gold in Afghanistan. Jacob Heilbrunn, Huffington Post.
- Why we are moving toward a recessionary era, and why Keynes is being exhumed. Robert Reich.
- A decade later, human genome project yields few new cures. Nicholas Wade, New York Times.
- US identifies vast riches of minerals in Afghanistan. James Risen, New York Times.
- The year of the (pro-life) woman. Ramesh Pnnuru, New York Times.
- New Theory for life’s first energy source. Zoe Macintosh, Live Science.
Week of June 6, 2010
- To save Africa, reject its nations. Pierre Englebert, New York Times
- Karzai is said to doubt West can defeat Taliban. Dexter Filkins, New York Times.
- Studies show Jews’ genetic similarity. Nicholas Wade, New York Times.
- The Courage to Leave. Bob Herbert, New York Times.
- Ethnic riots sweep Kyrgyzstan, government begs for help. Sasha Merkushev, AP.
- Schumer says it “makes sense” to “strangle [Gaza] economically” until it votes the way Israel wants. Zaid Jilani, Think Progress.
- Report: China, Cuba more peaceful than US. AP.
- Stephen Hawking on religion: “science will win.” Nicholas Graham, Huffington Post.
- Sharon Angle: Nevada candidate already providing treasure chest of goodies for Harry Reid. Sam Stein, Huffington Post.
- Liberty endures in two-system China. Gideon Rachman, Financial Times.
- 10 foreign troops killed on deadly Afghan day. Rohan Sullivan, AP.
- Turkey is making a play for regional power. Josef Joffe, Financial Times.
- South Korean leader urges peace with North Korea. William Foreman, AP.
Week of May 30, 2010
- Houston: model city. Joel Kotkin, Forbes.
- Long-term unemployment now 46 percent of unemployed, highest percentage on record. Jeannine Aversa, Huffington Post.
- Lessons to be learnt from Kazakhstan. Gillian Tett, Financial Times.
- The Palestinians cannot be hammered into submission. Philip Stephens, Financial Times.
- Did 2004 Olympics spark Greek financial crisis? Derek Gatopoulos, AP.
- Afghan child brides escape marriage, but not lashes. Rod Nordland, New York Times.
- Why is the Obama administration siding with the Vatican? Christopher Hitchens, Slate.
- Eurozone: state of the union. Ralph Atkins, Financial Times (may require free subscription).
- At least 10 are killed as Israel halts flotilla with Gaza aid. Isabel Kershner, New York Times.
Week of May 23, 2010
- Indonesian authorities distribute long skirts as ban on revealing women’s clothing takes effect. Dallas Morning News.
- House votes to allow repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” law. David M Herszenhorn, New York Times.
- Fighting rages in eastern Afghanistan. Amir Shah, AP.
- A blame game at globalization’s unraveling. Harold James, Financial Times (may require free subscription)
- Two theories of change. David Brooks, New York Times.
- Europe’s deflation torture is a gift to the far-left. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Telegraph
- Ask Rand Paul what he would cut. Chris Weigant, Huffington Post.
- Jamaica declares emergency in capital after attacks. Horace Helps, Reuters.
- Two Koreas snarl at each other. Jack Kim, Reuters.
- The inept financial reform bill. William M Isaac, Forbes.
- Kiss your middle cl…ass goodbye? Les Leopold, Huffington Post.
- Crime rates down for third year, despite recession. Pete Yost, AP.
- The “Randslide” and its discontents. Frank Rich, New York Times.
- Europeans fear crisis threatens liberal benefits. Steven Erlanger, New York Times.
Week of May 16, 2010
- Astronomer Copernicus reburied as hero in Poland. Vanessa Gera, AP.
- A Nigerian witch-hunter defends herself. Mark Oppenheimer, New York Times.
- Senate passes financial overhaul bill. David M Herszenhorn.
- Specter loses in Pennsylvania, Paul wins in Kentucky. David Espo, AP.
Week of May 9, 2010
- Bangkok descends from bustling city to war zone. Martin Petty, Reuters.
- Greece, debt and a lesson for the US. Leon Hardt, New York Times.
- Afghan war costs now outpace Iraq’s. Richard Wolf, USA Today.
- Britain’s David Cameron becomes PM. David Stringer, AP.
- At least 99 killed in attacks across Iraq. Saad Abdul-Kadir, AP.
- America has good reason to worry about Greece. Clive Crook, FT (may require free subscription)
- Suburbs losing young whites to cities. Hope Yen, Huffington Post.
Week of May 2, 2010
- Meet the unemployable man. David Wessel, Wall Street Journal.
- Older, unmarried, educated moms on rise. Leanne Italie, AP.
- Riots erupt in Athens, 3 bank workers killed. Derek Gatopolous, AP.
- Must large capital inflows always end in crisis? Martin Wolf, Financial Times.
- Why Africa is religious. Leo Igwe, Lusaka Times.
- Parents don’t think own teens are having sex. Jeanna Bryner, Live Science.
- Europe’s choice is to integrate or disintegrate. Wolfgang Muchau, Financial Times (may require free subscription)
- Narcos, No’s and Nafta. Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
Week of April 25, 2010
- 5 terrifying parallels between what’s going on now and the Great Depression. Megan McArdle, Business Insider.
- Thai standoff may worsen to civil war: crisis group. Bill Tarrant, Reuters.
- Economics: How to cure a sick discipline. Ian Fletcher, Huffington Post.
- British judge: Christian beliefs have no legal standing. Al Webb, Religion News Service.
- It’s as if the more Japan’s ancient printing press keeps churning, the more prices keep deflating. Vincent Fernando, Business Insider.
- Illegal immigrants plan to leave over Arizona law. Amanda Lee Myers, AP.
- UK foreign policy: shrunken ambitions. Philip Stephens, Financial Times (may require free subscription)
- Arizona immigration law divides Republicans and conservatives. Liz Goodwin, Yahoo News.
- Why should you be freaked out about Greece? Remember, the Great Depression had two parts. Megan McArdle, Business Insider.
- Separate Truths: It is misleading–and dangerous–to think that religions are different paths to the same wisdom. Stephen Prothero, Boston Globe.
- Why can’t women keep up with men? Try the curse of the good girl. Rachel Simmons, Huffington Post.
- US says no G8 split with Canada over abortion. Richard Woodbury, Reuters.
- Debt ratings are lowered for Portugal and Greece. Jack Ewing, New York Times.
- Central Asia: Tinderbox of trouble. Isabel Gorst, Financial Times (may require free subscription)
- Young Lebanese demonstrate for secularism in Beirut. Natalia Antelava, BBC.
- Christianity must adapt: Why McLaren has the future of the faith in his palms. Alex Wilhelm, Huffington Post.
- New Arizona law forcing hard choices on migrants. Tim Gaynor, Reuters.
- US Fiscal Policy: Unless we ra
- ise taxes or cut spending, we’re screwed. Henry Blodget, Business Insider.
- The importance of getting Wall Street out of Washington, and Washington out of Wall Street. Robert Reich.
- Who cares if Iran goes nuclear? Michael Hughes, Huffington Post.
Week of April 18, 2010
- The case against the VAT. Bruce Bartlett, Forbes.
- What Evangelicals and atheists have in common. Skye Jethani, Huffington Post.
- The sickening abuse of power at the heart of Wall Street. Simon Johnson, Huffington Post.
- Most French want burqa law, but not total ban. Reuters
- US’s toughest immigration law is signed in Arizona. Randal C. Archibold, New York Times.
- Bombs kill 64 in Iraq after al Qaeda deaths. Muhanad Mohammed, Reuters.
- Legal skirmish colors national day of prayer. Adelle M Banks, Religion News Service.
- Greek workers strike, challenge EU/ IMF talks. Renee Maltezou, Reuters.
- Faith-based treatment ordered for Christian cult mother who killed her son. The Freethinker
- Ten US cities in free fall. Francesca Levy, Forbes.
- Army considers rescinding invitation to evangelist. Dan Elliott, AP.
- Greek debt woes erase jobs, stoke social discontent. Harry Papachristou, Reuters.
- Begging for security in Pakistan. Taha Gaya, Huffington Post
- Saudi Arabia announces nuclear plant, and it could have huge consequences for US-Iran relations. Gregory White, Business Insider
- Church pedophilia scandal grows in Latin America. Tales Azzoni, AP.
- Faith leaders criticize Arizona “anti-immigrant” bill. Adelle M Banks, Religion News Service.
- Tea Party: party of moochers. Scott Janssen, Huffington Post.
- Non-government workers of the world unite! Bernie McSherry, Forbes.
- Are evolution and religion compatible? Kevin Dixon, Humanist Life.
- Immortality isn’t unethical. Alexander Chisholm, Guardian UK.
- The religious lobby and women’s rights. Rahila Gupta, Open Democracy
- Let the Koreans take care of the Koreas. Doug Bandow, Huffington Post
- Actually, Wealthy Americans Pay A Larger Share of Federal Taxes Than Ever Before. Vincent Fernando, Business Insider
Week of April 11, 2010
- The Dodd bill will kill America’s job creation engine and Goldman is just the tip of the iceberg. John Mauldin, Business Insider
- Gates says US lacks strategy to curb Iran’s nuclear drive. David E Sanger, New York Times
- Have Christians sinned against Jesus’ gospel? George Elerick, Huffington Post
- Richard Dawkins should be arrested for covering up atheist crimes. Rory Fitzgerald, Huffington Post
- GE: 7000 tax returns, $0 US tax bill. Annalyn Censky, CNN
- Obama makes hospitals allow gay visitation rights. Deborah Charles, Reuters
- An industry unaffected by America’s economic crisis. Mike Green, Huffington Post
- The myth of market fundamentalism. Dean Baker, Counterpunch
- Former Bush Aide: It’s The GOP’s Fault So Many Americans Don’t Pay Taxes. Gus Lubin, Business Insider