May Archive

“Forgiveness does not replace justice”

Sheila Liaugminas | 12 May 2010

Big statement by Pope Benedict, who answered journalists questions on the plane as he traveled to Portugal, a now familiar habit of his on these journeys. They’re spontaneous encounters, Benedict and the press, and always yield interesting thoughts and sound bites. This one had a bunch of them…

Judging from the spin

Sheila Liaugminas | 12 May 2010

I’ve been a Court watcher for years. I’ve done a lot of legal coverage, and have been tempted to go for a law degree. An opening on the Supreme Court always provides compelling opportunities to deliberate over the Constitution and original intent. If only politicians and media seized them…

Stolen cross makes exactly what point?

Sheila Liaugminas | 12 May 2010

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the Mojave Desert war memorial cross stays, overturning claims by an anti-Christians that its presence gave offense and (beating the drum with a hole in it again), that it violated the church/state separation clause. The Court’s corrective should have put an end to that dispute.

Until Kagan is confirmed

Sheila Liaugminas | 12 May 2010

Senators will soon be involved in the confirmation hearings for Elena Kagan, President Obama’s nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court. It’s a lifetime appointment. Time to ask some good questions...

Secure the borders.

Sheila Liaugminas | 10 May 2010

That has been the mantra of politicians in all parties for several years now, though not one cogent case has been made for how to secure the borders, and not one plausible excuse has been offered about why nothing’s being done about it. Meanwhile, the heated immigration debate swirls again, and it’s nearly all politics.

The wit and wisdom of Wally Hickel

Sheila Liaugminas | 10 May 2010

Who is Wally Hickel? And why did an article filled with his quotes make it into an internet aggregator’s top headlines of the moment when so many big news stories were still unfolding?

New-fashioned Motherhood

Sheila Liaugminas | 08 May 2010

So we’re coming full circle, after all the decades of enlightenment and empowerment by the feminist movement. The merits of staying home to raise children well are becoming a newly re-discovered….mother lode for women and families.

What the market breakdown revealed

Sheila Liaugminas | 07 May 2010

I don’t pretend to understand economics and finance and have a hard enough time comprehending even the most detailed and elaborate analyses in the press, though I try because it’s so important to our social affairs. The wild and historic one-day market plunge yesterday generated rampant news coverage with the basic storyline that no one really knew what caused it, though a technological glitch seemed to be the root of out-of-control frenzy. What interests me most, however, is the human factor that saved the day…

Mother’s Day gems

Sheila Liaugminas | 07 May 2010

With Mother’s Day approaching, I’ve been hearing a lot of commercials on TV and radio saying things like “Nothing says ‘I love you’ like diamonds,” or “Show her that you love her with a gift from (fill in the blank) Jewelers.” Or even “Tell her that you love her with a beautiful bouquet of (our) Flowers (or chocolates…or both).” How about this: Tell your Mother that you love her...

Press scrutinizes Tea Party

Sheila Liaugminas | 06 May 2010

Again and again, the Tea Party movement is being analyzed and labeled and frankly, ridiculed in the media. Then after continually circulating charges against the Tea Party of racism, the media are reporting that Tea Party groups are battling charges of racism. Who’s making news here?

Michael Schiavo seeks more attention

Sheila Liaugminas | 05 May 2010

He has surfaced again. And as has been his track record, Schiavo goes about his public campaign for some personal gain in a terribly dysfunctional way that strains credulity and human decency. This is the latest bizarre and disgusting twist...

Look who’s anti-choice

Sheila Liaugminas | 04 May 2010

In another round of efforts by the pro-life movement to at least help women considering abortion to make a fully informed choice, another judge has held up a law that would provide it. The ‘no-choice’ movement has succeeded again in withholding information from women…..for now.

More powerful than fame

Sheila Liaugminas | 02 May 2010

In our media driven by the cult of personality, stories about celebrities grab a lot of attention, especially when they’re dramatic. But what’s more attention-grabbing than the indomitable will to live? Would the pop culture media even notice? Would they do such a story?

Obama defends government

Sheila Liaugminas | 02 May 2010

That's more of a 'dog bites man' headline than anything approximating news, but it's the headline in this New York Times article on the president’s commencement address at the University of Michigan. What’s the news value of that?

May Day in America

Sheila Liaugminas | 01 May 2010

This day has grown to mean very important but different things to groups of people around the world. In some countries, it’s a political celebration touting the merits of socialism or the strength of labor unions. The Communists notoriously celebrated the State and its collective workers in mass parades of military might. But it's a new day in America...

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