March 14, 2008

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Controversial Religious Advisers Bring Scrutiny
Jennifer Parker/ABC News (03/14/2008)
As with the campaign surrogates who have made headlines recently for going off-message, the candidates have had to gingerly distance themselves from the controversial views of some of their religious advisers. But while certain revelations can be politically embarrassing for a presidential candidate, the benefit of a religious image and ties to influential ministers generally outweigh any political risk, say many political watchers.

Obama keeps pastor at a distance
Brian DeBose/Washington Times (03/14/2008)
Mr. Wright — who baptized Mr. Obama at the Trinity United Church of Christ, presided over his wedding there and inspired him in his career as a community activist and a politician — has been a lightning rod for the campaign from the very beginning.

Obama Tries to Allay Jewish Concerns
Philip Elliott/Associated Press (03/14/2008: washingtonpost.com)
CLEVELAND -- Barack Obama has a solid Senate record in support of Israel. He sings the praises, too, of Jewish civil rights workers who fought for blacks' rights in the U.S. And he says he wants to patch up "a historically powerful bond between the African-American and Jewish communities." Yet there is unease among some Jewish voters about the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential contender.

McCain Is Fighting to Win the Catholic Vote
Liz Halloran/U.S. News & World Report (03/12/2008)
After televangelist John Hagee's endorsement, McCain is trying to repair his relationship with the critical bloc

Romney to McCain: I would be 'honored' to be your running mate
Associated Press (03/12/2008: sltrib.com)
WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney says he would be "honored" to be chosen as a running mate to the Republican presidential nominee. Romney dropped out of the presidential race in February after falling behind in the delegate count in Super Tuesday contests to John McCain. McCain has now clinched enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee.

EDUCATION
California Resists Home School Ruling
Kristin Kloberdanz/Time (03/14/2008)
The parents of some 200,000 home-schooled kids in California were stunned last week when they learned that a judge had declared home schooling illegal unless conducted by a licensed teacher. For the moment, though, those parents can breathe a sigh of relief.

Catholic College Leaders Expect Pope to Deliver Stern Message
Jacqueline L. Salmon and Michelle Boorstein/Washington Post (03/14/2008)
After years of Vatican frustration over what it views as the failure of many U.S. Catholic colleges to adhere to church teachings, school leaders are intently watching for a rebuke from Pope Benedict XVI during his Washington visit next month.

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
Vatican Wants Dialogue With China
Associated Press (03/13/2008: foxnews.com)
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican and its high-ranking clergy in China want to have a "respectful and constructive" dialogue with Beijing authorities over the role of the Catholic church there, the Vatican said Thursday.

ARTS AND MEDIA
Forgive us father, we'd rather go online
CNN (03/13/2008)
Tens of thousands of the guilty among us are visiting confessional booths at ivescrewedup.com, mysecret.tv and dailyconfessions.com and unburdening themselves anonymously.