LETTERS: NCT, Oct. 3, 2008 Oct 4, 2008
Once the BABY is BORN and is no longer occupying the most private part of her body, and can be turned over to someone else if she doesn't want it, then and only then does the weight of moral certainty shift to the interest of the baby. Ironically, though, birth is the point at which most conservatives stop being concerned about this small human life. (North County Times)
Letters to the Editor Oct 3, 2008
Moral certainty requires agreement ... The reason Lincoln was able to take a position of moral certainty on the issue of slavery was because there was complete agreement on the definition of slavery. (Christian Science Monitor)
Sarah Palin for Supreme Court? Sep 17, 2008
What mattersfar more than experienceis one's unyielding moral certainty, relatability and gender. And Palin has these qualities in spades. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Justice Barracuda? Sep 13, 2008
What mattersfar more than experienceis one's unyielding moral certainty; one's gender, and being "relatable." And Palin has these qualities in spades. Washington's old-boy problem hardly begins and ends at the Oval Office. (Slate)
‘Doubt, A Parable’ auditions are scheduled Sep 10, 2008
The play is the gripping story of suspicion cast on a priest s behavior that is less about scandal than about fascinatingly nuanced questions of moral certainty. As Director Gorg notes, Certainty is easy. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
"Traitor" Aug 27, 2008
Taghmaoui, as a radical motivated by moral certainty, is the real actor to watch here. Taghmaoui is a French-born actor (of Moroccan descent) who has been appearing in French films for years. (Salon)
Gabe's View: Taking A Unique Stand Against Capital Punishment Jul 29, 2008
He called the state taking innocent life the ultimate nightmare, adding that until I can be sure with moral certainty that no innocent man or woman is facing a lethal injection no one will meet that fate. . (WNBC.com, NY)
Ted Widmer's 'Ark of the Liberties' Jul 13, 2008
"The American Revolution," Widmer writes, "was also a foreign policy revolution." Though the infant United States lacked the military muscle to impose its will beyond its own borders, it plunged forward with the moral certainty of a chosen people. (How else can one explain the audacious Monroe Doctrine, which proclaimed an end to European colonization of the entire Western Hemisphere. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Ms. Hillary's Comeuppance Jul 1, 2008
She then launched into a point-by-point rebuttal of the senators remarks, with all the moral certainty, righteousness, and wisdom of a 21-year-old Poli Sci major from the suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois. We feel that for too long our leaders have used politics as the art of the possible, lectured Ms. Rodham. (Townhall.com)
Fierce purity and the fate of Myanmar Jun 14, 2008
By delving into her childhood and her years as a student at Oxford University, Wintle, a journalist and the author of books on Vietnam, finds the seeds of her commanding personality, her straight-backed moral certainty and a "fierce purity" that gave her, as one friend said, "the knack of putting one on one's best behavior.". Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of U Aung San, the independence hero of Burma (which was renamed by the current military junta). (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
In praise of doubt Mar 24, 2008
" H.L. Mencken 032408 OPINION 2 THE MORNING SUN "Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority ... " H.L. Mencken I was contemplating the mystery of Christ while cleaning my office Good Friday when I came across a newspaper article I'd saved about Mother Teresa. After rereading it I said a silent prayer of gratitude. Gratitude not for her humanitarian work but for her lack of moral certainty. At her death in 1997, she left diaries that revealed she at times doubted God, her faith, and... (SunOnline)
Married Life Mar 21, 2008
As much as Sachs borrows from Alfred Hitchcock's stories of crime and punishment, he discards the moral certainty that came with them. What remains unclear is a suitable alternative: something so that we won't get into the habit of plotting murder to show our love. (Globe and Mail)
The Bush Tragedy Mar 18, 2008
The secular misunderstanding of Bush is that his relationship with God has turned him into a harsh man, driven by absolute moral certainty and attempting to foist his evangelical views onto others. Many of those who know Bush best see the religious influence in his life cutting in precisely the opposite direction. (Slate)
Police theater probe reaches back to early 1990s Mar 1, 2008
In a telephone interview with the Weekly from his office in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas, where he manages the Department of Parks and Recreation, Kaplan said he is positive to "a moral certainty" that the top staff at the theater are not guilty of criminal behavior ... "In my heart of hearts I know with a moral certainty that the Children's Theatre staff are not guilty of any crime and how this has been handled is just plain cruel. "Even if there were administrative procedures that... (Palo Alto Online, CA)
The Oscars: A dark view on dark times Feb 25, 2008
At a time when America's own moral certainty has been fractured by the bloodshed in Iraq and revelations about Abu Ghraib and secret CIA interrogations, it's hardly surprising to see filmmakers telling stories that serve as allegories about the abuse of power. "While we were all jumping to conclusions that movies couldn't address what was going on in the world because the films about Iraq failed at the box office, we almost missed what was right in front of us -- that movies like 'No Country,'... (Los Angeles Times)
Faith: To Have or Have Not Feb 15, 2008
For the leader of the Anglican Church, it seemed, for the Pope to lay claim to any moral certainty or theological truth was at the very least lacking in respect for "the other.". After the archbishop had finished, I rose to reply. (New York Sun)
COLUMN: Argue if you will, but faith and facts don't really need each other Jan 15, 2008
" The Question wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:13 AM:" Ira Chernus When it comes to religion and politics, here's the most critical question: Should we turn the political arena into a stage to dramatize our quest for moral certainty. The simple answer is no -- for lots of reasons. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Oh vote, all ye faithful Jan 15, 2008
American politicians have regularly wielded religious language and symbolism in their moments of need, and such faith talk has always helped provide a sense of moral certainty in a shape-shifting world ... The threat to democracy So, when it comes to religion and politics, here's the most critical question: Should we turn the political arena into a stage to dramatize our quest for moral certainty. (Asia Times Online)
REVIEW: 'Persepolis': Life in, and after, Iran Dec 25, 2007
The solidarity of shared experience -- and moral certainty -- that emboldened her in Iran doesn't exist for her in Vienna. The best she can do is hang out with the misfits at her school, a bunch of disaffected rich kids with a trendy interest in exotic social ideologies, for whom politics are little more than image-enhancing esoteric theories. (Los Angeles Times)
Abernathy pleads not guilty; judge sets trial date Nov 28, 2007
Interested Observer wrote on Nov 26, 2007 7:09 PM:" In any criminal case, it is neccessary to prove *each and every element* of the crime 'beyond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty'; I know this from having been so instructed by Judge Waller when I served on a jury several years back. Unlike a civil lawsuit, it's not good enough that the proof demonstrate that something is 'more likely than not' to have occurred. The Legislature writes the laws defining what the various elements of... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Tricycle, London Nov 28, 2007
I just wish Shanley's parable tested, rather than simply reinforced, our easy liberal assumptions about the dangers of moral certainty and the delights of doubt. Until January 12. (Guardian Unlimited)
Talking nuclear with an old friend of the president Oct 23, 2007
Dr Jalili's views on the nuclear issue reflected this odd mixture of moral certainty and political disingenuousness. "We have announced time and again that we believe in the logic of negotiation. But at the same time we will never give in to the logic of intimidation and threats," he said. (Guardian Unlimited)
The ridiculous 'Time' ruling Sep 13, 2007
Is there anybody at all who isn't convinced to a moral certainty that the decision was bought and paid for (in tangible or intangible coin) by the family of the man routinely described in history books as the most corrupt world leader of 20th Century. The infuriating thing about this travesty is that most residents and citizens of the country will just shrug and say, "What did you expect?" Nobody really expects justice in Indonesia when it comes to the rich and powerful. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
The Chaser Score On Everything Sep 10, 2007
People consumed with moral certainty should be brought down a peg or two with a bit of satire and criticism. Unless they are from The Chaser, that is. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Honey, we're home Sep 9, 2007
"Said windows are then washed at considerable expense. She says it's like night and day. I say it's like dawn and dusk.Barbara, my far better half, and I are about to move in together, and these kinds of conversations come up. Not a problem. The real fear of moving in, of course, is that you'll wake up the next morning, eyeball the other in bed, and scream uncontrollably.We'd been an item for six years, so this can hardly be called a mad dash to conjugality. At 60 and 58, measured thought trumps... (Boston Globe -- Local)
* Bill T. Jones: An unvarnished view of America Sep 7, 2007
In interviews, Jones has said he wanted to address what he called "a national atmosphere of toxic moral certainty" in the US. Through spoken word, video and his choreography he questions war, the plight of the urban poor, the Republicans' sexual moralism (which is certainly pertinent right now given the recent sexual scandals bedeviling GOP lawmakers). What do people believe in, Blind Date asks. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Rudys Popularity Problem Jun 2, 2007
The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications ... The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. (Townhall.com)
Read More... May 16, 2007
Flip-flopper, activist judge, moral certainty. like the thumping of a woodpecker, we hear it from every pundit's mouth until, like zombies, it's being repeated by the everyman on the street. (Disinformation)
Selden: Forgotten Holocaust May 9, 2007
For most Americans, in retrospect World War II seemed a "Good War" in another sense: the US entered and exited the war buoyed by absolute moral certainty borne of a mission to punish aggression in the form of a genocidal Nazi fascism and Japanese imperialism run amok. Moreover, Americans remember the generosity of US aid not only to war torn allies, but to rebuild the societies of former adversaries, Germany and Japan. (Zmag.org)
General attacks Beckett and Blair on Falkland anniversary Apr 3, 2007
General attacks Beckett and Blair over lack of 'moral certainty ... The officer who led the SAS in the Falklands War has attacked Margaret Beckett and Tony Blair for their lack of 'moral certainty. (This is London)
The Politics of Apology for Japans Comfort Women Mar 6, 2007
With Iraqis innocent of Sept. 11 and weapons of mass destruction, with two million Iraqis fleeing their country and tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands dead due to the moral certainty oF George Bush, the Republicans and the America s Christian fascists, Japan s refusal to apologize is hardly shocking is it. Posted by roderick seeman. (New York Times)
Historical inspiration stirs war debate Feb 17, 2007
Their arguments were filled with history, moral certainty and passion. Thus, in an all too rare appearance beneath the dome of the Capitol, this week the true meaning of democracy was apparent: The American people were speaking through their representatives. (The Miami Herald)
Lawmakers eloquent in debate on Iraq war Feb 17, 2007
Lawmakers eloquent in debate on Iraq war. WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives debated the war in Iraq for four days this week. (AZCentral -- News)
The Hedonistic Left and Global Warming Feb 17, 2007
Ellen Goodman of the Boston Globe has now famously compared global warming skeptics to Holocaust deniers, bringing to bear a stern moral certainty about protecting the earth she can't find in her hear for the protection of unborn children. What dogmatic rigor from a columnist who usually tells her readers that moral issues are "complicated" and "nuanced" and pooh-poohs clear and present moral threats to children, such as the disintegration of the traditional family, as alarmist hyperbole. (Human Events Online)
- Polly Toynbee: We can't be held to ransom by religious bigots Jan 9, 2007
Outside parliament tonight the intolerance that comes with religion's moral certainty will be on display for all to see ... Religion may appeal to some on the left yearning for moral certainty in a complicated world. (Guardian Unlimited)
Ashcroft says faith belongs in ‘public square' Jan 7, 2007
olerance and moral certainty do not exclude one another, he said. All Contents Copyright. (Fulton Sun, MO)
Governor's Student Leadership Forum takes centerstage with Ashcroft Jan 5, 2007
In America's ising tide of relativism, the governor encouraged those in leadership to defend moral certainty with confidence and humility, yet treat others who differ in viewpoint with respect and tolerance. e all have the capacity to find truth, Blunt said. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Join me (silently) in my campaign Jan 3, 2007
It s because of the moral certainty that anyone who would use miniature speakers on the Tube has no humanity at all, and is likely to have a knife in their other pocket, and very probably chemical weapons in their satchel. So I m not fighting a lone battle to take up less room; and in a crowded city, it s vital. (TimesOnline)
