The Vatican’s Chief Exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, 85, has gone public with an allegation that “the Devil is at work inside the Vatican.” He also reveals that the devil has a playful side and often mocks him.
Continue reading “Vatican’s Chief Exorcist Claims Devil Is Gaining Ground Within the Church”
We have been following the crackdown on free speech in the West and particularly the alarming trend toward Western blasphemy prosecution, here. Now, in Poland, one of the lead signers and guitarists in the heavy metal band Behemoth has been criminally charged with insulting Roman Catholics for tearing up a Bible on stage and calling the Catholic Church “the most murderous cult on the
planet.” For a video, see below.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts spoke publicly to criticize President Barack Obama for his State of the Union — calling his reference to the Citizens United “very troubling.” He implicitly denounced the President for allowing the speech to “degenerate[] to a political pep rally.” Most notably, however, he did not have a single word of objection for fellow conservative Justice Sam Alito for his expression of disagreement during the address. Robert’s Rules of Order now appear to be rather selective in their application.
In the past, political scandals center on back taxes. In Florida’s senatorial race, however, it is back waxes. Gov. Charlie Crist raised the question on Fox News — questioning whether his opponent Marco Rubio charged the Republican party for a back wax.
Continue reading “Crist v. Rubio: Forget Back Taxes, How About Back Waxes?”
Where Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is widely criticized for abuses in office, many of those abuses (including investigating judges who stand up to Arpaio) are only possible with the help of his enabler Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Now, Thomas appears to finally be facing a professional review. The Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court has ordered a special investigator to look into his alleged unethical conduct.
Continue reading “Doubting Thomas: Court Appoints Special Investigator To Look Into Alleged Unethical Conduct of Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas”
Last week, we discussed the arrest of anti-gay California Senator Roy Ashburn (R., Bakersfield) for DUI after reportedly leaving a gay bar with an unidentified man. He has now confirmed that he is in fact gay.
Continue reading ““I’m Gay”: Anti-Gay Rights Legislator in California Comes Out of The Closet Following Arrest”
Romanian officials are posting signs to deal with a growing problem: cars running over drunks.
Continue reading “Drunk Crossing: Romanian Government Erect Drunk Crossing Signs”
We have been following a number of “stolen valor” cases recently on this blog. The crime of falsely claiming medals and military service is all the rage. Even journalists have been implicated as with Darrow “Duke” Tully, publisher of Arizona Republic and close associate to Sen. John McCain. Tully resigned as publisher after it was learned that he did not fly 100 combat missions over Vietnam, crash a fighter in Korea, or receive the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Indeed, he never served at all. Below is today’s column on the subject (which was the subject of this segment of NPR’s Talk of the Nation.
Continue reading “Stolen Valor is Offensive, But Is It A Crime?”
Answer: A naked enraged Rahm Emanuel poking his finger in your chest while you are taking a shower.
That is what outgoing Rep. Eric Massa (D, NY) says happened when he was taking a shower in the member’s club. Massa says that he was forced out because he planned to vote against the health bill.
A former Milwaukee County sergeant was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assaulting a handcuffed suspect in a police cruiser. As shown in this video, former Milwaukee County Sergeant Scott Krause punched Ray Calderon several times after he kicked the patrol window and cursed at deputies.
There is a transcript from executives at the American International Group (AIG) that is likely to infuriate many Americans, still smarting over the $165 million in bonuses paid to executives after the huge federal bailout. Statements from a conference call reveal executives who express contempt for the public and bravado in their own business abilities. These include statements from employees hoping that the public loses a trillion dollars and blaming the problems on Congress, and the public rather than their own business decisions.
It appears that the late Pope John Paul II may be short one miracle. Supporters of an expedited process for sainthood for John Paul suffered a blow this month with the news that accounts of Sister Marie Simon-Pierre’s recovery from Parkinson’s disease may have been premature. Three years ago, the sister explained how she regained her health after a night of prayer to John Paul. That miracle was the basis for the call for rapid canonization.
The New York Times has a striking account today of Scientologists who allegedly faced threats and coercion in seeking to leave the church. Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, gave a detailed account of they were effectively raised to serve the ultra-secret Sea Organization, or Sea Org in the Church. After signing a “billion year contract,” they say that they were faced with fines and forced confessions in seeking to break free from the Church.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II has not wasted time carrying out his conservative social agenda. He has sent a letter to the state’s public colleges and universities to rescind policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation — advising them that they have no authority to ban such discrimination.
Continue reading “Virginia Is For [Straight] Lovers: Virginia Attorney General Orders Colleges and Universities To Lift Ban on Discrimination Against Gays and Lesbians”
Angelo Balducci, “Gentleman of His Holiness” Pope Benedict, has been fired after reportedly being caught by Italian police arranging for male prostitutes to be brought to him. The young men reportedly include one who is studying for the priesthood.