Mitt Romney seemed to try to have it both ways in his speech today about faith. He played up the importance of faith, arguing that questions regarding an aspiring candidate’s religion are appropriate. Yet he didn’t answer many of those questions, mentioning the word “Morman†only once. As President Kennedy did, Romney assured that “no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions.†But then he spoke about the need for religion in public life and complained about too much separation of church and state. Yet he also downplayed religious doctrinal differences, say they “are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance.†So faith is important, but it shouldn’t matter what that faith is in? If politicians are going to make faith part of their campaigns, they open the door to scrutiny about that faith.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Barack Obama, who is maintaining his slight lead in Iowa, has significantly closed the gap with Hillary Clinton in New Hamphire, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Earlier this fall, Clinton was up by 20 points in New Hamphire but is now only ahead by 6 points. Still, the poll found that Clinton’s supporters are more enthusiastic and loyal than are Obama’s. Clinton was also viewed as the most trusted of the Democratic candidates, but Obama’s surge is because more voters are placing “new direction and new ideas†as a higher priority than “strength and experience.â€
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Texas’ longtime science curriculum adviser, Christine Comer, was ousted by Texas Board of Education officials last month for forwarding an e-mail about a talk by a professor who debunks “intelligent design†and creationism. The board members accused Comer of not being “neutral†in the evolution debate.
Why should she be?
As the New York Times argued, “Surely the agency should not remain neutral on the central struggle between science and religion in the public schools. It should take a stand in favor of evolution as a central theory in modern biology. Texas’ own education standards require the teaching of evolution.â€
Those standards are up for review next year, and intelligent design proponents on the board are expected to fight to insert ID views into the curriculum, another likely reason Comer was forced out.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
It’s good that the Wichita Police Department has apologized for using a Taser on a severely hearing-impaired Wichita man last month and that it is reviewing the incident to try to prevent such a mistake from happening again. But as Wichita State University criminal justice professor Brian Withrow told KWCH, Channel 12, there is growing concern nationally that officers are using Tasers as a first choice.
In this case, Donnell Williams had just stepped out of his bathroom, wearing only a towel, when he was confronted by police officers responding to a report of a shooting (which was false). He was shocked with a Taser after not complying with police orders to show his hands — which he couldn’t understand because of his disability.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
If you’re going to make grandstanding on illegal immigrants a key part of your presidential campaign, you need to make sure they stay off your lawn: Two workers seen regularly raking leaves or otherwise tidying up around Mitt Romney’s house over the past two months told the Boston Globe they were undocumented residents. Romney fired the lawn service Tuesday, saying the “company’s failure to comply with the law is disappointing and inexcusable.â€
Said GOP rival John McCain: “I’m more than pleased with the fact that I live in a condominium.â€
Posted by Rhonda Holman
