Lessons from Terri Schiavo’s Life and Death

The Aftermath
Mark Earley, Breakpoint Original Article

While the world’s attention is focused on saying farewell to John Paul II, a great man who died peacefully last weekend, the world is finding no peace in what it has done to Terri Schiavo. The controversy over the decision of judges to starve her to death is not going away anytime soon—and that’s a good thing.

Common-sense approach and balancing of environmental concerns with real human needs.

Behind the ANWR Scare Tactics
M. David Stirling, Townhall Original Article

Despite failure of hard-core environmentalist organizations to diminish George W. Bush’s convincing re-election victory, their renewed attacks on the president are clear: to obstruct his second-term environmental agenda. Yet, with sky-rocketing oil prices likely driving gasoline pump prices to new highs, many Americans begin to question the credibility of the extreme green agenda.

It is about being personally accountable for our actions.

Be not afraid
Larry Kudlow, Townhall Original Article

It was sometime in 1993 when I first read the great papal encyclical “Splendor of Truth,” written by Pope John Paul II. The slender book was recommended by Fr. C. John McClosky while he was counseling me during the worst personal crisis of my life: Alcohol and drug abuse were dragging me down. The problem got much worse before I finally surrendered to God, literally on my knees, and began a new life of faith -- and sobriety.

The birth of democracy continues in Iraq.

Iraq Prepares to Name Kurd New President
TRACI CARL, Associated Press Original Article

Ousted dictator Saddam Hussein will be able to watch from his Baghdad jail cell as Iraq's newly elected parliament chooses a new president Wednesday, the next step in building Iraq's first democratically elected government in 50 years, Iraqi officials said.

The road map calls for no expansion of the settlements

Bush to Pressure Israel Over West Bank Settlement Plan
Jeffrey Heller, Reuters Original Article

President Bush on Tuesday demanded Israel stop expanding Jewish settlements, as a plan to extend the largest West Bank settlement threatened to cloud his upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

A very extraordinary man indeed.

Bells, White Smoke Will Announce New Pope
VICTOR L. SIMPSON, Associated Press Original Article

Responding to Pope John Paul II's request, the Vatican will depart from centuries-old tradition by ringing bells in addition to sending up white smoke to signal the election of his successor.

If Henry the VIII had been this conciliatory, the Church of England may not exist.

Prince Charles' Wedding Postponed a Day
ROBERT BARR, Associated Press Original Article

Prince Charles will delay his wedding by a day to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II on Friday, his office announced Monday. The heir to the British throne was to have wed Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony on Friday but instead will represent Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral.

White House considers Ukraine "a strategic partner.

Bush to Welcome Yushchenko to White House
NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Original Article

President Bush is welcoming Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, and the White House is raising no objections about his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq. It's being done in conjunction with the coalition," press secretary Scott McClellan said Monday. "We certainly appreciate all they have done and all they continue to do to support the Iraqi people."

Lebanon: Hizbollah is not a militia but a resistance force. Yeh and I got some swamp land in Florida for sale.

U.N. Envoy Presses Lebanon on Hizbollah Disarmament
Roula Najem, Reuters Original Article

A U.N. envoy discussed a U.N. demand for the disarmament of Lebanon's Shi'ite Muslim Hizbollah guerrillas with Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud Monday, but reported no agreement.

The century of robotic wars is beginning.

Robotic Death from Above
Michael Fumento, TCS Original Article

The handwriting was on the wall -- or in the sky as it were -- when an unmanned Predator aircraft destroyed a Taliban target in late 2001 with a Hellfire missile. We're now ushering in an era of fighter-bombers that will strike targets with deadly efficiency while putting no American pilots in harm's way.

Is this the beginning of the end for the EU?

France set to vote "No" on EU
Paul Carrel, Reuters Original Article

A growing majority of French voters oppose the European Union constitution in the run-up to a May 29 referendum, anopinion poll shows, and a minister warned a "No" vote would plunge the EU into a crisis. The Ifop poll for the Journal du Dimanche newspaper said 55 percent would vote "No" and 45 percent "Yes". The poll, conducted on March31 and April 1, showed a two percentage point rise in the "No" vote from March 24.

Handouts Are Turning A Proud National Symbol Into a Bit of a Pest

Where Eagles Dare
Blaine HardenWashington Post Original Article

Not long ago, a bald eagle smacked right into Kurt Marquardt's head. The bird bruised him and nearly knocked him off his feet. But it could have been much worse. Marquardt, a construction worker, was wearing a hard hat, and the eagle ripped an impressive chunk out of it, not out of his skull. This brain-rattling encounter with the national symbol of the United States got Marquardt to thinking: Perhaps the bald eagle situation here in Homer is veering out of control.

Why attack the prison except because they are running out of terrorists to do their bidding.

Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison Attacked; 56 Hurt
MARIAM FAM, Associated Press Original Article

Insurgents attacked the Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad, injuring 44 U.S. forces and 12 prisoners, the U.S. military said Sunday, while six people were killed elsewhere in Iraq following a period of declining attacks that had raised hopes the insurgency might be weakening.

Pope's last word before dying had been "Amen."

Pope John Paul Dies, World Grieves
Philip Pullella and Crispian Balmer, Reuters Original Article

Pope John Paul II, whose 26-year papacy helped defeat Communism in Europe but left a Roman Catholic Church divided over his rigorous orthodoxy, died on Saturday after a prolonged struggle with ill health.