News for September 30
September 30, 2008 by Barbara
Filed under News and Analysis
After the Bailout Flameout, What Now?
After the $700 billion financial bailout was voted down by the U.S. House, economy watchers, and political and ethics bloggers are speculating on what happened and what might happen next, for better or for worse. Links include:
Politico’s Arena | Politico asks experts including Robert Reich, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Eric Liu, Kenneth Baer, and Diane Ravitch.: “In light of the House vote rejecting the bailout, what now?”
FiveThirtyEight | “This was predictable, I suppose, but it’s remarkable to see how strong a relationship there is between today’s failed vote on the bailout and the competitive nature of different House races. Among 38 incumbent congressmen in races rated as “toss-up” or “lean” by Swing State Project, just 8 voted for the bailout as opposed to 30 against: a batting average of .211.”
Economic Policy Institute | “Regardless of whether that happens, it is critical that the money being thrown at failing financial institutions not constrain our ability to fund essential investments in renewable energy, early childhood education, health care, and infrastructure.”
God’s Politics | “Can this economic crisis help reveal the idolatry of security to American Christians? Can the tearing down of the tin wall allow the light to shine upon Christians that have placed their security in securities?”
Hate Crimes Against Dayton, Ohio, Mosques | Crooks and Liars
Crooks and Liars points to a post from the Philly.com blog about an attack on a mosque in Dayton, Ohio. A chemical irritant was sprayed inside the mosque before a prayer session on a Friday night. “Many in Dayton are wondering if the mass distribution of “Obsession” (a fiery DVD targeting Islamic extremism) has anything to do with this.”
Experts: Palin’s Religion Misunderstood | Politico
An unusual video showing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, being blessed by a Kenyan bishop against witchcraft has rattled liberal bloggers and fueled scorn among her detractors, but religious experts say the matter has been blown out of proportion by ignorance and intolerance.
Partisan Sunday Sermons Test Federal Tax Laws | Wall Street Journal @Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
The group, the Alliance Defense Fund, of Scottsdale, Ariz., has long argued that the tax code barring clergy from backing candidates from the pulpit is unconstitutional. The Alliance enlisted 33 pastors in its campaign to give sermons that would spark an Internal Revenue Service inquiry and a legal battle that could get the tax law overturned. The action has been harshly criticized by many ministers.
- Related link: Parsing the Pulpit Freedom Stories | GetReligion
- Related link: Pastors Protest from the Pulpit | The Seeker
- Related link: Martin Marty on Pulpit Freedom Sunday | Relgion blog @Dallas Morning News
Barbara Schwartz is the editorial director at the Xenia Institute. She lives in Oklahoma City, Okla., and currently is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa.
