New Ireland, Old Virtues

The global financial crisis has made austerity a new reality for many people. At Biq Questions Online, Brian Kaller reflects on why the Irish will find it easier to endure the hard times ahead than will we Americans : The Irish have a lot in common with Americans, and not just because our . . . . Continue Reading »

Second Links 7.29.10

An English engineer solves the mystery of Pisa’s leaning tower’s lean , and finds a way to stabilize it.  Not all Italians are happy. Jonathan Cohn thinks Obama’s a success and gets annoyed with liberals who don’t see that , because they undermine the cause. . . . . Continue Reading »

Sight-Saving Rice, Still On the Shelf

“Genetically engineered crops could save many millions from starvation and malnutrition — if they can be freed from excessive regulation,” declares an article in Nature (not available online). Ingo Potrykus, chairman of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board , explains: Golden rice is . . . . Continue Reading »

Anne Rice Denounces Christianity

Anne Rice, author of the a series of best-selling vampire novels and, most recently, fictional accounts of the life of Christ, has taken to Facebook to announce she is no longer a Christian : For those who care, and I understand if you don’t: Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out. I . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links - 7.29.10

River Jordan Baptismal Site Closes Over Pollution Scare Thousands of Christian pilgrims immerse themselves in the river’s sluggish water each year in faithful recreation of the biblical story of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. But officials closed the site this week to test the . . . . Continue Reading »

Catholicism in America

Our friend and frequent contributor Archbishop Charles Chaput will be speaking at this year’s meeting of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. The group, whose membership includes several members of  First Things ’ board, is meeting in Baltimore from September 24th to 26th. The . . . . Continue Reading »