Effects much older than the Industrial Revolution
The November issue of Harper's Magazine has an article by Steven Stoll of Fordham University titled The Cold We Caused. The article is online for those who are subscribers. The general question Stoll asks is, "Does human activity affect the climate?" He responds with a resounding yes though our effect is much older than the Industrial Revolution.Stoll's case study is one that surprises. The Little Ice Age began around 1350 and ended around 1850, being most severe around 1650. This amount of time is too short to be caused by the same geologic process that caused the

No longer welcome
A shocker! A young man who is the son of a professional hockey team manager and the brother who is a scout for another team came out. That wasn't the shock. This is: Dad and gay son went to a gay pride event together. In other words, no controversy at all. Homophobia continues, but the idea of homophobia is no longer welcome. There are still battles to fight, but the war has been won.

Faith v. Constitution
Patrick Kennedy, representative from Rhode Island and son of Ted, was refused communion because of his stated position on abortion rights. Refusing communion for approving gay rights or gay marriage next? Can any Catholic be allowed to run for public office if faith must trump constitution? What happened to all that theology about helping the poor and downtrodden that Ted Kennedy worked to embody? Why aren't they refusing communion to pedophile priests? JFK, our only Catholic presiden

Go on, tell us what you really mean
Leading up to the winter meeting (in Honolulu, no less) of the GOP National Committee various GOP leaders are circulating a 10 point memo that has been dubbed a Purity Pledge. These are things that GOP candidates are supposed to support. There are even provisions that if a candidate breaks with three or more points, they could be penalized through the withdrawal of party funds. My paraphrase:1. Support smaller government budgets, taxes, and deficits by opposing bills like Obama's "Stimulus" plan.2. Support open market health care.3. Support market

In front of a judge some arguments disappear
I found this article because the author, Gabriel Arana, also writes for Box Turtle Bulletin. This is an explanation of the gay marriage case on its way (eventually) to the Supremes and how risky and important it is. The article appears in The American Prospect, which is a magazine dedicated to championing progressive ideas.The suit started last May when the Calif. Supremes said the gay marriage ban enacted a year ago is a legal addition to the state constitution. The trial at the district level begins in January. If it passes