Culture and Society

The Earth is warming, and human activity is probably contributing to it. Even if this warming turns out to be short-term on a geophysical scale, it will have huge effects on health, and culture and economies worldwide. Unfortunately, many intelligent people, some with political agendas and some merely wrong-headed, argue …

It’s a tough job to write a guide to regional beers, but thankfully Mark McKenna’s ten years in the Caribbean gave him the opportunity to sample all 75 local brands. His experience is chronicled in his new book, McKenna’s Guide to Caribbean Beers: All the Islands, All the Brews published …

Where are all the female bloggers?” HERE, in my weekly “top ten.” Why “femmes fatales”? Because these are killer posts, selected for great ideas and great writing, general interest, and variety. First and most importantly I have to point to Uncommon Misconceptions must-read testimony about her decision to have a …

Pope Benedict XVI may be a doctrinal luddite, but he is down with the communicative abilities of cyberspace. “Let us go forth in the joy of the risen Lord and trusting in his permanent help,” proclaimed his first text message sent to all TIM cellphone users who subscribe to a …

Responding to a new sort of globalization, the American Civil Liberties Union and two affiliated groups have announced an initiative to monitor and publicize the practice whereby governments, in the name of security, make cooperative agreements with one another in order to “escape domestic legal and political controls.” The new …

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, of Germany, a doctrinal conservative, was elected the 265th pontiff Tuesday evening, choosing the name Pope Benedict XVI. Gay Catholic groups are bumming. Gay groups: “Gay and lesbian Catholics are going to be very hurt by this election because Cardinal Ratzinger was the lighting rod for …

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, of Germany, a doctrinal conservative, was elected the 265th pontiff Tuesday evening in the second day of the first papal conclave of the 21st century. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. Video here. (“THE HOLY FATHER The Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Peter, is …

Oh . dear . lord . almighty – it’s April 15th and for the first time in my entire life I am forced to do my own taxes (our taxes to be exact.) For reasons that I would rather not go into, this is the first year we have had …

It's National Library Week, and in an usual move, Intel has ticked off quite a few librarians.

With Bono (who else?) at the forefront, the ONE organization announced that the ABC and MTV Networks networks will support ONE’s efforts against poverty and AIDS by donating air time for the world premiere of a new public service announcement starring the unlikely combination of Pat Robertson, the Most Rev. …