“I think this case will be remembered because it is the first case of this sort since we stopped trying people in America for witchcraft, because here we have done our best to turn back the tide that has sought to force itself upon this modern world, of testing every fact in science by a religious dictum.” That’s Clarence Darrow...

Ted Nugent is a shameless hate-spewing demagogue. Nugent’s remarks – past, present and more likely future – are not poorly chosen, dumb or inappropriate. They’re dangerously wrong. Last month, Nugent defiantly called the president of the United States “a Chicago communist-raised, communist-educated, communist-nurtured subhuman mongrel.” This month, Texas attorney general and candidate for governor Gregg Abbott welcomed (that’s right, welcomed) the rocker to his...

On Valentine’s Day, in front of 25,000 people, Pope Francis declared that the key to a lasting marriage lies in just three words: “Please, thanks and sorry.” The Associated Press reported (Feb. 14) that “Francis told fiancés gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a special papal date that expressions of courtesy, gratitude and contrition go a long way toward conserving and enhancing...

Okay, I know it’s early, but I’m heading out of town for the holiday and wanted to get this posted. I also know this was posted prior to the last presidential election, but…hey, it’s about presidents, it’s funny, and I wanted to leave on a high note. So, enjoy! It’s hard to believe that the 2012 presidential campaign is at...

And the Gold medal for keeping the U.S. from another default goes to… House and Senate Republicans for voting for a “clean” debt bill! “The vote to suspend the debt ceiling until mid-March 2015,” The Wall Street Journal reported (Feb. 13), “with no policy measures attached – shows how the House G.O.P. has changed after three bruising years of budget brinkmanship, capped...

While part of Wednesday’s commentary brought out the fact that not all members of Congress are corrupt, the perception of political corruption continues. According to the results of a survey by the campaign reform advocacy group United Republic, 51 percent agree with the statement that “most politicians” are “corrupt.” I’ve quoted ethicist Michael Josephson in the past as well as crediting...

Foodbabe – What’s the difference between the bread at your local Subway and a yoga mat? Apparently, not enough! Subway restaurants announced that it will stop using the same chemical used in the production of plastic yoga mats that they use in some of their bread. On her drive to improve what America eats as well as how they eat, Vani Hari,  » Read...

According to a survey conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind, “What you know depends on what you watch.” “NPR and Sunday morning political talk shows,” the report says, “are the most informative news outlets, while exposure to partisan sources, such as Fox News and MSNBC, has a negative impact on people’s current events knowledge.” This follow-up report, completed in May, 2012, confirms the initial findings from a...

According to the most recent survey by The Ethics Resource Center, America’s oldest nonprofit for advancing high ethical standards and practices, “workplace misconduct is at a historic low.” (No, that’s not a set-up for a joke.) The 2013 National Business Ethics Survey, conducted every two years by the organization, “…shows that 41 percent of over 6,400 workers surveyed said they have...

In the category, “Something You Don’t See that Often,” the award goes to… composer Bruce Broughton! In surprise move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rescinded composer Bruce Broughton’s nomination for the song, Alone, Yet Not Alone, from the little seen film of the same name. The decision was prompted by the fact that Broughton, a former Governor of...