Pope Benedict will see out his life in prayer, "hidden from the world", he said on Thursday in his first personal comment on his plans since he stunned Roman Catholics by announcing his retirement. His remarks, in a voice that was hoarse at times, followed Monday's resignation notice which spoke of "a life dedicated to prayer"; the Vatican has said the 85-year-old German will live within its walls. His seclusion may allay concern that the first living former pope in centuries might trouble Church unity.
His remarks, in a voice that was hoarse at times, followed Monday's resignation notice which spoke of "a life dedicated to prayer"; the Vatican has said the 85-year-old German will live within its walls. His seclusion may allay concern that the first living former pope in centuries might trouble Church unity.
With a 10-seat majority in the Senate, Democrats say they have enough votes to move Illinois toward legalizing gay marriage with a floor vote Thursday. For Republicans, the issue is far more complicated. GOP leaders in Illinois and nationwide vowed after a drubbing at the polls last fall to be more inclusive and diverse. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady reiterated that message last week, saying if the party has any hope of winning the 2014 governor's race or gaining seats in the General Assembly, it must do more to appeal to young people, minorities and women - demographics that helped Democrats to huge wins in November.
For Republicans, the issue is far more complicated.
GOP leaders in Illinois and nationwide vowed after a drubbing at the polls last fall to be more inclusive and diverse. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady reiterated that message last week, saying if the party has any hope of winning the 2014 governor's race or gaining seats in the General Assembly, it must do more to appeal to young people, minorities and women - demographics that helped Democrats to huge wins in November.
Sometimes people don't appreciate flattery. They are so engrossed in their own grossly skewed view of the world that their sense of humor flies into the night like a married lover late home for dinner. How else can one explain the quite bizarre intentions of Georgia state Rep. Earnest Smith? He clearly sees a vast importance in being Earnest. He clearly believes that his constituents are so drawn to his Earnestness that anything that deviates it from absolute Earnestness deserves the full metal force of the law. Which is why he wants to make lewd, coarse, filthy Photoshopping illegal and punishable with a fine of $1,000.
They are so engrossed in their own grossly skewed view of the world that their sense of humor flies into the night like a married lover late home for dinner.
How else can one explain the quite bizarre intentions of Georgia state Rep. Earnest Smith? He clearly sees a vast importance in being Earnest.
He clearly believes that his constituents are so drawn to his Earnestness that anything that deviates it from absolute Earnestness deserves the full metal force of the law.
Which is why he wants to make lewd, coarse, filthy Photoshopping illegal and punishable with a fine of $1,000.
Ronald Dworkin, a legal philosopher and public intellectual of bracingly liberal views who insisted that morality is the touchstone of constitutional interpretation, died Thursday in London. He was 81. [...] Professor Dworkin’s central argument started with the premise that the crucial phrases in the Constitution — “the freedom of speech,” “due process of law,” “equal protection of the laws” — were, as he put it, “drafted in exceedingly abstract moral language.” “These clauses,” he continued, “must be understood in the way their language most naturally suggests: they refer to abstract moral principles and incorporate these by reference, as limits on the government’s power.”
Professor Dworkin’s central argument started with the premise that the crucial phrases in the Constitution — “the freedom of speech,” “due process of law,” “equal protection of the laws” — were, as he put it, “drafted in exceedingly abstract moral language.”
“These clauses,” he continued, “must be understood in the way their language most naturally suggests: they refer to abstract moral principles and incorporate these by reference, as limits on the government’s power.”