About what they think Obama must accomplish to bring real ‘change’ to Washington. … Read the rest
All entries by this author
Obama Lifts Restrictions on Abortion Funding
Jan 23rd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWill lift restrictions on US government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad.… Read the rest
Priests Accused of Collection Plate Diversion
Jan 23rd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGambling in Vegas, rare coins, taking mistress on expensive holidays, amen.… Read the rest
Catholic Group Helps Abusive Mother
Jan 23rd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRight-wing Catholic group helped the mother get an injunction, keep children 8 more years.… Read the rest
Steven Pinker on Oaths and Putative Split Verbs
Jan 23rd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIn his legal opinions, Chief Justice Roberts has altered quotations to conform to his notions of grammaticality.… Read the rest
Shami Chakrabarti: Defend Human Rights Act
Jan 23rd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEven the most enlightened president is best served by good friends holding him to his word.… Read the rest
Just checking
Jan 22nd, 2009 12:38 pm | By Ophelia BensonSome people are a little dubious about the, what shall I say, the emotionality surrounding the recent transition of power in the US. Our friend KB Player for instance.
Eyes fixed on the horizon? And with the inspirational statesman look? That was pseudo poetic bombast. As an outsider, I felt faintly embarrassed, and thought that a quick cup of tea with the Queen, a few words in front of Downing Street while the old incumbent leaves by the back door carrying a suitcase, that’s the way to do it. Democracy is a good thing, but it doesn’t need to be turned into a religion.
Some doubt was expressed in comments at Talking Philosophy but we ended up in more or … Read the rest
Illinois Judge Voids ‘Moment of Silence’ in School
Jan 22nd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘The plain language of the statute suggests an intent to force the introduction of the concept of prayer into the schools.’… Read the rest
Scientists Welcome Obama’s Words
Jan 22nd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBush administration sought to suppress the findings of many of the government’s scientific agencies. … Read the rest
Texas Board of Ed Hears Evolution Testimony
Jan 22nd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSocial conservatives try to justify exposing students to religious objections disguised as scientific discourse.… Read the rest
Obama Issues Close Guantánamo Order
Jan 22nd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSigned orders shutting the network of secret prisons and closing Guantánamo detention camp within a year.… Read the rest
Thousands of Americans Regularly ‘Detox’
Jan 22nd, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLe Jardin Day Spa has a 30-minute ‘foot detox,’ which involves placing feet in a saltwater bath.… Read the rest
Michelle Goldberg on Rick Warren and Theocrats
Jan 21st, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe religious right will no longer exercise much political power. The zealots will find another way to be heard.… Read the rest
Very Insulting Statements are Prosecutable
Jan 21st, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCourt said Wilders statements were ‘so insulting for Muslims that it is in the public interest to prosecute.’… Read the rest
Mugabes on Shopping Spree in Hong Kong
Jan 21st, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGrace Mugabe takes a few minutes out to punch a photographer in the face.… Read the rest
Wilders to be Prosecuted for ‘Anti-Islamic Statements’
Jan 21st, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJudges said they had weighed Wilders’s ‘one-sided generalisations’ against his right to free speech.… Read the rest
Melbourne Imam: OK for Men to Hit Their Wives
Jan 21st, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWives not allowed to refuse sex unless ill. ‘Amazing, how can a person rape his wife?’… Read the rest
Of course, not on the head
Jan 21st, 2009 10:19 am | By Ophelia BensonIt’s always nice to get some spiritual advice, don’t you think? A Melbourne imam gave his male followers some of that a few years ago, in a lecture titled ‘The Keys to a Successful Marriage.’
… Read the restHe said under Islamic law, as described in a koranic verse, it was a man’s right to demand sex from his wife whenever he felt like it. “If the husband was to ask her for a sexual relationship and she is preparing the bread on the stove she must leave it and come and respond to her husband, she must respond,” Mr Hamza told his male followers on the video sermon. He then mocked Australia’s criminal laws, which required consent for sex to be
Never in the history of Islam have women
Jan 20th, 2009 1:29 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe joys of sharia again.
Islamic authorities in the northern Nigerian city of Kano have told organisers of a planned protest by divorced women to cancel the event. The head of the Sharia police, or Hisbah, said the planned protest was an “embarrassment”, and is “un-Islamic”…Women’s rights activists say divorced women are often thrown out of their homes, lose custody of their children, and many end up destitute. The Director General of the Hisbah…said the idea of street protests was “un-Islamic” and “morally wrong”. “Never in the history of Islam have women taken to the street to press for their demands,” he said.
Well of course they haven’t, because they haven’t been allowed to, but that is not a reason … Read the rest
Kano, Nigeria: Sharia Cops Block Women’s Rally
Jan 20th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe head of the Sharia police said the planned protest was ‘an embarrassment’ and ‘un-Islamic.’… Read the rest