Autiello: Will True Christianity Please Stand Up?
Nick Autiello, Contributor
The notion that homosexuality is a sin and un-Christian is one that is less than a hundred years old. It is wrong, and has no basis in scriptural or historical reality.
SASSO: The Coming New Year
James Sasso, Associate Editor
As the tumultuous 2011 comes down to its final day, this column could contain an obnoxious summary of the year’s extraordinary events. Rather than once again discussing the protests around the world, the death of Osama Bin Laden, Fukushima, America’s political ineptitude, Europe’s demise or the increasingly frightful weather patterns, here I attempt to predict what 2012 holds in store.
SASSO: Kicking the Can
James Sasso, Associate Editor
For one of the first times in his tenure as Speaker, John Boehner has made a statement with which every American, Republican or Democrat, should fully agree; the two-month Senate bipartisan extension of the payroll tax cut fails to fix the nation’s problems sufficiently. Providing a short-term band-aid to a long-term dilemma contradicts what a responsible government should accomplish, but fits the pattern of contemporary American politicking.
CIOCCI: A Foolish Consistency
Mitt Romney is guilty of serial hypocrisy, Newt Gingrich is guilty of being a public intellectual constantly scrutinized by the media and others, and Ron Paul never ceases to remind me about one of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essays: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
AKMAN: Jon Huntsman’s Meaningless Campaign
Josh Akman, Columnist
Jon Huntsman did not participate in the CNN Debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Short of his family and small (and getting smaller) campaign staff, no one really noticed. In a bizarre and counterproductive effort to impress New Hampshire voters Huntsman skipped the debate to protest Nevada moving its caucus ahead of New Hampshire’s, which has always been the nation’s first primary. It’s bizarre because no one else skipped the debate. It’s counterproductive because right now, Jon Huntsman is polling 6% in New Hampshire.
SASSO: The 99% Rising
James Sasso
Associate Editor
For the past month a movement has grown out of Zuccoti Park in New York with the potential to grab at the very heart of America’s problems. “We are the 99%” is not simply a catchy phrase used by frustrated jobless Americans , but a commentary on the disgraceful economic inequality that has arisen in the United States since the 1970s.
THERRIAULT: Senate Waits till End to Pass START
Patrick Therriault, Columnist
As Congressional Sessions shift from 111th to 112th, there is little time to clear the docket of critical legislation. One important bill, the New START Treaty, had broad international significance–and not just because of its potential to boost U.S.-Russia relations.
AKMAN: Congress Can’t Even Do the Easy Stuff
Josh Akman, Columnist
A recent Rasmussen poll reported that 70% of the country felt that America was on the wrong track. If Congress can’t do something that is supported by the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and more than 60 Senators, it raises an important question: What the hell are the other 30% thinking?
STROSTER: The Lame-Duck Congress
Lianna Stroster, Columnist
On November 15th, 2010, the lame-duck session of the 111th Congress began. Discussion over the past few weeks regarding the Bush Tax-Cuts suggests that some sort of compromise can be found in the lame-duck session to satisfy members on both sides of the aisle, but the Democrats have bigger fish to fry. The two issues that are in danger of passage failure are the DREAM Act and repealing DADT. Democrats need to rally for these two pieces of legislation if they want to continue to have support of the two communities affected by these bills.
AKMAN: Where Democrats Should Go From Here
Josh Akman, Columnist
Democrats got crushed at the polls. Just a few days after the midterms, with the dust from the landslide still settling and leadership jockeying barely underway, there are some clear ideas for the Democrats
STROSTER: All the Single Ladies
Lianna Stroster, Columnist
Some women elected to public office consider themselves to be the “Lioness, protecting her cubs” like Speaker Nancy Pelosi, or the “Mama Grizzlies” like Sarah Palin. Since when was being a married mother a prerequisite for electoral victory? Does a woman not know how to represent her constituents in Congress if she’s never had to protect her pack of bears or lions?
Jacobs: Taxes to Die For
Democrats raise taxes again – this time it’s for when we die.