Thursday, February 26, 2004

Re: Brasil é melhor do que Caucasia

I am Sweden.

After years of trying to rule the world around you, you've finally put aside violence in favor of advocating peaceful resolution. There's still a little Viking in you, but mostly you like Nobel Prize winners and long nights by the fire. And safe cars. You always read the safety manual in airplanes, and you're just a little cold.

And I am Catch-22.

Incredibly witty and funny, you have a taste for irony in all that you see. It seems that life has put you in perpetually untenable situations, and your sense of humor is all that gets you through them. These experiences have also made you an ardent pacifist, though you present your message with tongue sewn into cheek. You could coin a phrase that replaces the word "paradox" for millions of people.


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Brasil é melhor do que Caucasia

Forget the mumbo jumbo tests in career services, this is the only personality test that matters...

http://bluepyramid.org/ia/cquiz.htm

I am Brazil.

"You're athletic, charming, and probably a good dancer. Unfortunatley, you don't really mind chopping down the rain forest, and you probably consider homeless people expendable in certain circumstances. Of course, your personality is so diverse that it's hard to track down exactly what you're like. You definitely like Pele, the World Cup, and shouting "gooooal" at the top of your lungs."


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More Viewpoint Discrimination

The Hispanic Club, the Chess Club and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance are just some of the clubs that have displays in the hallways of Portland schools.
But after the Bible Club at Marshall High School put a Bible and some other Christian books in a display case, some teachers complained to the principal. After a call to the district's lawyer, the display was taken down.
District officials said they felt the display gave the impression that the school was endorsing Christianity.
Bible Club leader Jeff Chatterton fought back by contacting the American Center for Law and Justice an organization that has taken on a number of similar cases. This week Chatterton filed a federal lawsuit against the school district, saying that his right to free speech was violated.
Chatterton also claimed that the school clearly violated of the Federal Equal Access Act. The Supreme Court has ruled that all student groups be given the same access to outlets such as school newspapers, bulletin boards, even the public address system.
Portland schools admit they treat religious and political student groups differently than they do sanctioned academic clubs, but point out that they do give religious groups places to exercise their free speech — just not display cases. Sniper


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More Viewpoint Discrimination

The Hispanic Club, the Chess Club and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance are just some of the clubs that have displays in the hallways of Portland schools.
But after the Bible Club at Marshall High School put a Bible and some other Christian books in a display case, some teachers complained to the principal. After a call to the district's lawyer, the display was taken down.
District officials said they felt the display gave the impression that the school was endorsing Christianity.
Bible Club leader Jeff Chatterton fought back by contacting the American Center for Law and Justice an organization that has taken on a number of similar cases. This week Chatterton filed a federal lawsuit against the school district, saying that his right to free speech was violated.
Chatterton also claimed that the school clearly violated of the Federal Equal Access Act. The Supreme Court has ruled that all student groups be given the same access to outlets such as school newspapers, bulletin boards, even the public address system.
Portland schools admit they treat religious and political student groups differently than they do sanctioned academic clubs, but point out that they do give religious groups places to exercise their free speech — just not display cases.


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Reigning in Social Security

Alan Greenspan had the guts to tell it how it is yesterday and state that our nation can no longer afford to have 100 million retirees be wards of the state. Perhaps this will mark some constriction of the awful welfare state that FDR, LBJ, and W have lobbied so hard for. Too bad W didn't have the guts to block the $1 trillion Medicare prescription disaster. Sniper


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Re: Re: Censorship

"This blog sucks. It must be run by a bunch of Nazis."

--We prefer "democratically-challenged"


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More on Locke v. Davey

Scrappleface's take on the decision. Court Says States Need Not Fund Journalism Studies


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Re: Censorship

This blog sucks. It must be run by a bunch of Nazis.


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Green on Locke v. Davey

Bruce Green (Dean of the new Liberty Law School) had the following thoughts on Locke v. Davey this morning:

A Supreme Mistake

This week’s United States Supreme Court decision in Locke v. Davey held that states may discriminate against religious programs in distributing generally available benefits. The Court held that the State of Washington may deny scholarship funds to otherwise eligible college students if the students declare a major in devotional theology. “Devotional theology” is a technical way of saying that a person takes his faith seriously.

Although not determinative in the case, the whole idea of devotional theology as the Court casually used the designation puzzles me. Presumably, if one studies religion as an academic interest—but not intending to act on it—that is one thing. But, if a student studies theology to actually prepare him for something—like a career—then, it is entirely impermissible to receive scholarship assistance. As Notre Dame law professor Rick Garnett concluded, the Supreme Court has now authorized a state (any state) to discriminate against people who take their religion seriously.

This is a deeply disappointing decision both for its conclusion and its analysis. The vote was a surprising 7-2 and the majority opinion was authored by Chief Justice Rehnquist. Justice Scalia wrote a persuasive dissent in which he indicates that medical benefits to clergy may next be in danger as a result of the majority’s decision. He wrote:

“When the State makes a public benefit generally available, that benefit becomes part of the baseline against which burdens on religion are measured; and when the State withholds that benefit from some individuals solely on the basis of religion, it violates the Free Exercise Clause no less than if it had imposed a special tax. That is precisely what the State of Washington has done here. It has created a generally available public benefit, whose receipt is conditioned only on academic performance, income, and attendance at an accredited school. It has then carved out a solitary course of study for exclusion: theology.”

Clear thinking by lawyers, judges, and legislators has never been more vital than it is at this time in history.



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Censorship

Dear Klip-Klop,

You've been censored.

Love,

John Ashcroft


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Passion

I have spoken to some people about the Passion movie. Word is that this is what will perhaps re-energize the Christian faith. This movie is changing lives. One woman was reported to have returned to Him (i.e, she died) during the Cruxifiction scene during a showing in Nebraska. I encourage you all to see this; you won't regret it. In love, I encourage Christians and non-Christians among us to see it. Sniper.


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Wednesday, February 25, 2004

We Have 2 Justices?

The two justices we're down to are pretty liberal: they still believe in judicial review.

Moose


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Re: Story of Christ anti-semitic?

"And, where is this "Caucasia" anyway? I want to go there, learn the language of my people, dance my people's dance."

--Don't be silly, everybody knows that caucasians can't dance.


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Re: The Passion, Bob & Larry

Please tell me that I'm not the only one wondering: who the hell are Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber?


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Story of Christ anti-semitic?

How can this be? Christ himself was Jewish, so to tell his story, one would think would be telling the story of the greatest Jew. How can that be anti-semitic? Maybe it is because the film depicts Christ as having been killed by the Jews. Why would anyone want to say the Jews killed Christ? Oh, that's right, because THEY DID. What has happened to the world? Does no one own up to their mistakes anymore? I never owned slaves, but I wouldn't call a movie about the plights of slaves "anti-caucasian." And, where is this "Caucasia" anyway? I want to go there, learn the language of my people, dance my people's dance. Even the Jews are now using the "we were just following orders" defense, or as I like to call it, the "Nazi Defense."


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The Passion, Bob & Larry

Fox News: "Advance ticket sales hit $10 million, distributor Newmarket Films (search) reported this week — evidence of the skilled marketing campaign and word-of-mouth buzz as the film was screened for private, often conservative Christian audiences."

Even Fox isn't telling the whole story on this one. Yes, word of this movie has spread through "word-of-mouth" buzz. Mel had NO OTHER WAY to spread the word because NOBODY would agree to distribute his film, and the networks refused to run TV previews. This wasn't some subversive marketing campaign, it was the ONLY POSSIBLE CAMPAIGN. Hollywood tried to choke this movie by ignoring it altogether. Once it became clear that strategy wasn't working, they turned to open hostility and slander.

As this week's National Catholic Register points out, there's no difference between how Gibson has marketed this movie and how VeggieTales videos and DVDs have been marketed for years. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber are anti-semitic? Say it's not so...


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We're Down to 2 Justices

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court, in a new rendering on separation of church and state, voted Wednesday to let states withhold scholarships from students studying theology.
The court's 7-2 ruling held that the state of Washington was within its rights to deny a taxpayer-funded scholarship to a college student who was studying to be a minister. That holding applies even when money is available to students studying anything else.
``Training someone to lead a congregation is an essentially religious endeavor,'' Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the court majority. ``Indeed, majoring in devotional theology is akin to a religious calling as well as an academic pursuit.''
The case is a departure from recent church-state fights in which the Supreme Court has gradually allowed greater state sponsorship of religious activities. Rehnquist is usually a supporter of that idea.
Wednesday's case has implications for President Bush's plan to allow more church-based organizations to compete for government money, and the Bush administration argued that the state had been wrong to yank the scholarship from former student Joshua Davey.
Davey won a state Promise Scholarship, but the state rescinded the money when it learned what he planned to study.
Like 36 other states, Washington prohibits spending public funds on this kind of religious education. Bans on public funds for religious education, often known as Blaine amendments, date to the 19th century, when anti-Catholic sentiment ran high.
``It imposes neither criminal nor civil sanctions on any type of religious service or rite,'' the high court majority said.
``It does not deny to ministers the right to participate in the political affairs of the community. And it does not require students to choose between their religious beliefs and receiving a government benefit. The state has merely chosen not to fund a distinct category of instruction.''
Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas dissented


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UVA Feds Trip to USSC

30 UVA Feds attended oral arguments and met with J. O'Connor yesterday.


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Goldberg coming

This is the first I have heard about Goldberg coming to W&L. There are probably a couple of reasons. First, it is most likely a Contact Committee event, and they don't give a crap about law students unless they need a $$ for a co-sponsorship. Second, the administration is probably trying to keep this under wraps; God forbid that W&L gets to be known as a bastion of conservatism.


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The Chief Sells Out (Blaine Amendment Case with ONLY Scalia & Thomas dissents ... Students and Free Exercise LOSE)

In Locke v. Davey, No. 02-1315, the Court has reversed the Ninth Circuit's judgment. See Bashman for links.


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Cosmo's Owner

I hadn't heard either. I wanted to get Jonah here last year, but gave up after the UVA Feds couldn't get him. Is this a Contact Committee event?
We should co-sponsor ... or at least have a party afterwards.


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WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD ABOUT THIS????

Am I that out of the loop? (don't answer) Jonah Goldberg posted on the Corner that he has a speaking gig at W&L University


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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Orders All Citizens To Gay Marry

BOSTON—Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 5-2 Monday in favor of full, equal, and mandatory gay marriages for all citizens. The order nullifies all pre-existing heterosexual marriages and lays the groundwork for the 2.4 million compulsory same-sex marriages that will take place in the state by May 15.

[full article]


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Where are our "Society Girls"?

Society Girls (from the NRO Archives)


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Mary Ann Glendon on the FMA

Professor Mary Ann Glendon has a great FMA article in today's WSJ. She's next on our list of Powell Lecture invites (right now we have an invitation out to Princeton Professor Robert George).


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I Love Capitalism

With the gay marriage debate heating up, we're sure to hear about it endlessly from the media. I'm just glad that somebody is taking time out to make a profit from it all. Perfect example.


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Re: Ode to Darkness

I'm not up to the challenge...but I will say: The Darkness Rocks!.


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Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Night is Day, Day is Night: The Supremes blow another one

Apparently, to all but Kennedy, Thomas, and Scalia, the ADEA means something other than what it says. Decision available here. Warning: May induce nausea. Read the Thomas dissent to regain some scintilla of faith in humanity.


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Education Secretary calls NEA a "terrorist organization"

Does this mean that the administration is going to detain NEA members indefinitely? Not that I'm necessarily against it, but as Federalists we should recognize that such an action would, perhaps unfortunately, violate the Constitution.


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Addition to "Strong"

An anonymous source also heard the illustrious Student Division Director comment, "Harvard just doesn't have the social presence or party as much since Hooper left."

And who was this "Hooper?" It was no other than Brian "Hooper" Hooper, also a fine upstanding member of the W&L community (he attended W&L undergrad).

It seems that the party heroics of the legendary W&L will never die.


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If you like Pina Coladas . . .

. . . then you probably would like a hot--excuse me, objectively beautiful--waitress who brings you Jack Daniels and Dr. Pepper and Pina Coladas at 1:00 in the afternoon. Of course after drinking those, you might very well become the most offensive person at a table star-studded with the most offensive of offensive people.

Regardless, though, of your regard or diregard towards these things, you will still tremble in fear when, on the fateful day of reckoning which is not too far away, you hear those bone chilling battle cries, "Unleash the Tards of War," and "Tard, spur the Midget."


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Passion

If anyone goes to see the Passion movie tomorrow, let us know how it is.


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BLSA Event

Did any of you go to this event?

Fishbowl Lunch Discussion: Same Position, Less Money Due to Race & Sex

Please join BLSA Monday, February 23, 2004 from 12:30pm - 1:30pm in the
FISHBOWL for our lunch discussion entitled -

Same Position, Less money: Can anything be done about salary disparities
b/c of race and sex?

....and isn't the answer See Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended?


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Let's get them some "Off"

Rumors are surrounding the directors of the "Feed the Children" Campaign. In a what would amount to a stunning political and social move, the Campaign is rumored to have shifted its focus from providing the hungry children of Third World countries with food to providing them with the well-known bug-repellent, "Off." A spokeswoman for the group stated, "Just look at those ads. All of the kids have flies in their eyes. Something has to be done about that. They need 'Off' more than they need rice."

Other human rights groups, like the Federalist Society, have backed away from the statements, and said that those children are in need of many things. It would be arrogant to pick just one and say that is what they need most.


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Outlaw J-RAD inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Just one year after becoming only the second Montana State Fighting Bobcat ever inducted into The College Football Hall Of Fame, J-RAD took his rightful place of honor beneath THE KING in The Country Music Hall of Fame last Friday. AP Correspondent D.U. Hootch covered this monumental event:

"Infamous Country outlaw J-RAD arrived at the Hall covered with prison tatoos and bar scars, looking mighty tired and mean, covered with grease from his head to his feet an' cussin' the sweat and the Texas heat ... an' the 'skeeters. Said he was proud to be inducted into the Hall at last, but said it probably wasn't worth all he had to kill to get it. Drinkin' Pearl from a can and Jack Daniels black, chewin' tobacco from a mail pouch sack, he got drunk and mean as a rattlesnake before long, and there wasn't much that he would take from a Yalie. After cussing out Shania Twain for ruining all that was good and true about country music and kicking Billy Ray in the crotch, J-RAD stumbled to the mike and told a stunned audience:

"I seen the grand ole opry, and I met Jonny Cash (when my Daddy sued him in Missouri for not payin' for his HVAC). If that ain't country, I'll kiss your ass."


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Duybyanell Fed Blog Launched

Dubyanell Feds is a Blog operated by conservative and libertarian students at Washington & Lee Law School. The views reflected herein do not necessarily reflect the views of The Federalist Society or its members... and almost certainly do not reflect the views of 99% of W&L's ideologically diverse faculty and administration.


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