Category: Society

Dios Mío: Leading Soccer Player To Be Punished for Blasphemy

Juventus‘ goalie, Gigi Buffon, is facing punishment for saying “Dio” or “God” after a critical play went poorly. You cannot use the Lord’s name in vain in Italy where officials have used replay tapes to determine if he said “Dio” or, as he now claims, “Zio” or “uncle.”

Continue reading “Dios Mío: Leading Soccer Player To Be Punished for Blasphemy”

Hello Dalai: Obama Meets With Tibetian Leader Over Chinese Objections

While Obama has been criticized for saying that Tibet is part of China (here), he showed a refreshing degree of independence from China by meeting with the Dalai Lama. In the past, China has been able to pressure leaders (including past presidents) to avoid such meetings). Recently, South Africa even barred the Dalai Lama from an international peace conference, here.

Continue reading “Hello Dalai: Obama Meets With Tibetian Leader Over Chinese Objections”

Banning the Buck: South Carolina Representative Introduces Bill To Mandate Gold and Silver Coins As Official Legal Tender

South Carolina Rep. Mike Pitts (R.) wants to ban the buck. He has introduced legislation to require the use of gold and silver coins as the legal tender of the state as opposed to federal currency. For those passing through the state, you may want to wait before you exchange your dollars for bags of gold and silver coins.

Continue reading “Banning the Buck: South Carolina Representative Introduces Bill To Mandate Gold and Silver Coins As Official Legal Tender”

While Some Ask Why, The Atlanta Police Ask Why Not: Police Arrest Woman For Asking “Why?”

Atlanta police appear to be fans of Alfred Lord Tennyson: “Ours is not to reason why Ours is but to do and die”. When four women planning a funeral were ordered by an Atlanta police officer to move, one asked “why?” Minnie Carey, then 61, was arrested, cuffed, and thrown into jail.
Continue reading “While Some Ask Why, The Atlanta Police Ask Why Not: Police Arrest Woman For Asking “Why?””

Omertà: Vatican Ordered Secrecy in Abuse Cases

The Observer has published an article detailing a confidential Vatican document from the 1960s that instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse or face discipline — including expulsion from the church. The document in Latin bears the seal of Pope John XXIII. It reads like a Vatican-version of Omertà.
Continue reading “Omertà: Vatican Ordered Secrecy in Abuse Cases”

TV Personality Ray Gosling Arrested After Confessing To Killing Lover On Television

Television presenter Ray Gosling has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the BBC ran a segment where the 70-year-old confessed to smothering his lover who was suffering from AIDS. He starts the segment by saying that he wanted to reveal his secret: “I killed someone.”

Continue reading “TV Personality Ray Gosling Arrested After Confessing To Killing Lover On Television”

Gibbs Refuses to Answer Torture Question in Public

With Dick Cheney boasting on national television of his support for waterboarding and torture (here), the Obama White House is continuing its policy of ignoring the credible claims of war crimes to avoid the politically difficult decision to prosecute Bush, Cheney and others for the U.S. torture program. This was evident this week when White House spokesman Robert Gibbs refused to answer a basic question on the torture of a recently captured Taliban leader– offering only to discuss the matter off the record.

Continue reading “Gibbs Refuses to Answer Torture Question in Public”

Harrisburg Mayor in Showdown With Controller Over Gag Order

Harrisburg, Pa. Mayor Linda Thompson and Harrisburg City Controller Dan Miller are in a remarkable confrontation that could virtually shutdown the city. Thompson issued an order to city workers that bar them from speaking directly to the city controller’s office, city council members and the media. Miller responded by giving her an ultimatum: rescind the gag order or he will rescind his payroll signature stamp.

Continue reading “Harrisburg Mayor in Showdown With Controller Over Gag Order”

Guns-O-Plenty: Virginia Passes 20 Gun Bills

The Virginia legislature passed a flurry of bills stripping away limitations on gun possession in the state. After intense lobbying from the National Rifle Association and over $1 million in NRA campaign contributions, the lawmakers passed 20 gun bills expanding possession and ownership rights in the state.

Continue reading “Guns-O-Plenty: Virginia Passes 20 Gun Bills”