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Second Links — 7.15.10

A database of public university salaries , with the figures for some administrators’ salaries that still startle us outsiders. The New York Post offers what one of our editors describes as an almost Eberstadtian take on pornography . (The reference being to Mary Eberstadt’s The Weight . . . . Continue Reading »

The Down Side of Perfectionism

A new study reveals that perfectionists die earlier than those who aren’t perfectionists. According to the report: While trying to be perfect can also have health benefits, the mental stress for perfectionists when things don’t go as planned and their unwillingness to ask others for help . . . . Continue Reading »

Hitchens on Pullman on Jesus

A few readers of my Prayers for Christopher Hitchens made the astounding charges that praying for him, and for his conversion as well as his deliverance from cancer — which are both forms of healing — is uncharitable or presumptuous. Among the realities these respondents missed is the . . . . Continue Reading »

Never Change — Until We Change

As Meghan noted earlier this week, it seems that the YMCA will be dropping the MCA from their name. Men? That became politically incorrect ages ago. Christian? Hardly a factor in their programming for decades. Association? No problem there, but YA doesn’t make any sense. I’m fine with . . . . Continue Reading »

Watch the Missouri Synod

Christopher Barnekov, who runs Scandinavia House in Fort Wayne, sends this report on Tuesday’s election of a new president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which he called “a triumph of the Lutheran wing of the Lutheran Church.” The LCMS is the largest and best known of . . . . Continue Reading »

Did Eric Holder Free Roman Polanski?

An Associated Press report this morning cites documents in the Roman Polanski extradition case that put the blame for the scapegrace director’s free pass on the U.S. Department of Justice. According to AP, The Swiss government asked the U.S. Justice Department to release sealed transcripts in . . . . Continue Reading »

New Norms From Rome

The Vatican has put forward new norms for handling clerical sexual abuse. The spin in the AP story in the New York Times offers occasion for reflection. Thought #1: The story says, “The bulk of the new document merely codified the ad hoc norms for dealing canonically with pedophile . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links - 7.15.10

Cuba to release 52 political prisoners, Catholic Church says The Cuban government will free 52 political prisoners, Catholic officials in Havana said Wednesday, the largest release of captive dissidents in decades and a surprise gesture that could help thaw relations with the United States. . . . . Continue Reading »

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