Well, the House passed campaign-finance reform today. The bill is really nothing more than an incumbent protection act. The Shays-Meehan bill doesn't reduce the amount of money going into federal elections, it just redirects it. Unlimited donations to the national parties are banned. Using the Enron case as an example, apparently these politicians believe that […]
The Washington Post's Robert Samuelson makes an interesting point about the Enron/Campaign finance connection. Even if Enron deserved help (it didn't), few politicians would have risked public wrath by rushing to its aid. What this episode actually shows is that the breadth of contributions insulates politicians against "undue" influence by large donors. This is also […]
Something stoopid at the EU: A proposed workplace regulation would limit the noise level to 83 decibels. If the noise level rises above that point, hearing protection, earplugs or a similar device, would be required. The problem? This applies to ALL workplaces, even symphony orchestras. "It will stop us playing any loud music whatsoever, affecting […]
Former federal prosecutor Victoria Toensing makes a case that the "American Taliban" John Walker Lindh should be charged with and tried for treason. Although he was carrying grenades and rifles when captured, it matters not whether Walker ever shot an American or even discharged a weapon. Nor does it matter whether Congress declared war. It […]
Idiot of the Day Today's award goes to CNN founder and resident liberal Ted Turner. At a speech at Brown University, the man who's previously called Christians "wackos," enlightened the world with his take on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "The reason that the World Trade Center got hit is because there are a lot […]
National Review's Rod Dreher has a great article on how California's seventh-grade social studies textbook deals with Islam. In brief, if Christianity was presented in the classroom in a way that was similar to how Islam is presented, the ACLU, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, People for the American Way and […]
The New York Times has an article in today's paper on the challenges faced by Christians in Saudi Arabia. The situation is particularly painful for American troops. They are offered a range of religious services, with the help of military chaplains. But they must worship in private, even though many of them are protecting the […]
From the stupid-lawsuit file: British Telecom is suing U.S. Internet service providers, starting with Prodigy, for patent infringement. Why? Well it seems as though BT patented hyperlinks, like this one back in 1976. BT tried to persuade the judge to interpret the language broadly for the jury -- to include a computer mouse, for example, […]
Apparently there is a ruckus being raised over some remarks reportedly made by Attorney General John Ashcroft about Islam. "Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for Him. Christianity is a faith in which God sends His son to die for you." American-Islamic groups are calling for […]