2005 Archives

April 14, 2005

What do you call this?

From Live Science, there are plans to create a pseudo-woolly mammoth from frozen DNA. The trick is to take the male sperm DNA from a woolly mammoth sample and the egg from its closest living relative, the elephant. Continue Reading...

April 14, 2005

A costly good

In the words of the Cornwall Declaration, “A clean environment is a costly good.” A round-up of recent stories attests to the truth of this statement. Wal-Mart pledged on Tuesday to provide $35 million for use to protect wildlife habitat. Continue Reading...

April 13, 2005

‘The least natural of loves’

C.S. Lewis calls “Friendship” the “least natural of loves; the least instinctive, organic, biological, gregarious and necessary.” Head on over to Mere Comments to see my response to “Walking With Friendships.” Continue Reading...

April 13, 2005

Nigeria fights corruption

For those concerned about the way corruption hinders development in Africa, a hopeful story in the Wall Street Journal today (subscription required). Here’s one paragraph: “Since taking charge of the new Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Continue Reading...

April 13, 2005

The soul of civil society

Bob Woodson of National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise fame taught me a lot about strategic partnerships. In the interest of getting something important done for needy people, it’s ok to invite others with good contributions to make to join you, despite disagreements with them on other issues. Continue Reading...

April 13, 2005

Taxes and tuition: families squeezed by rising costs of religious education

136 Catholic schools were closed nationwide in 2004, even as the Catholic population in the United States has been rising. Kevin Schmiesing writes that “the economic bind that religious schools and their students increasingly find themselves in highlights an injustice at the heart of American education.” Continue Reading...

April 13, 2005

What is the legacy of Pope John Paul II?

When asked about the legacy of Pope John Paul II, Prof. Gregory R. Beabout responds “that the life and legacy of John Paul II is best understood in light of the history and culture of Poland.” Continue Reading...

April 12, 2005

Saul Bellow’s Henderson the Rain King

Saul Bellow died last week at the age of 89. He wrote the novel that was most influential and deeply important in my life, Henderson the Rain King. In this book, Bellow engages the hollow atheism at the heart of the modern secular world. Continue Reading...

April 12, 2005

A book the next pope should read

What one book would you send to the next pope to read? William Rees-Mogg has decided what his “inaugural present” would be: The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Continue Reading...

April 12, 2005

‘With God all things are possible’

Matthew 19:23-26 (New International Version) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Continue Reading...