The ugly American. Here’s one man’s response to the notion that America only acts out of our selfish corporate interests. We do more to aid people in need around the world than anyone else. Just like we do more of everything than anyone else.
Lileks was on MPR's Midmorning yesterday to discuss "the Blogging phenomena" between 10 and 11. I would remind everyone that they may listen on the web.
Camile Paglia provides a sound accounting of how a formerly sympathetic-to-the-palestinians-and-muslims-in-general person evolves into a pro-Israel anti-fundamentalist-Islam hawk. We were naive, but we're learning.
A lawyer explains why the church is vulnerable to a RICO prosecution. I’m intrigued by what that would do to the church. If one diocese gets nailed it becomes almost inevitable that many others will follow. If a RICO case offers a plaintiff triple damages, and there are hundreds of plaintiffs… I know the Boston archdiocese is already talking about bankruptcy. Which would put the financial running of the church in the hands of the courts. The church can be forced to sell assets. They might be forced to shut down certain operations like schools or charities. But the church is a non-profit they can’t be forced into bankruptcy by creditors. So what would they do? Does the Vatican have enough money to cover the awards of every victim in the US and do they want to set that kind of precedent in light of the fact that it’s not a uniquely American problem?
