News: Quick Links | Sojourners

News: Quick Links

NPR/AP: Economy Grew 2.5 Pct. In Q3 As Consumers Rebound

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. economy grew modestly over the summer after nearly stalling in the first six months of the year, lifted by stronger consumer spending and greater business investment. The Commerce Department said Thursday that the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the July-September quarter. That's the stronger growth in a year and nearly double the 1.3 percent growth in the April-June quarter. It's also a vast improvement over the anemic 0.9 percent growth for the entire first half of the year.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES: Democrats' First Offer: Up To $3 Trillion For Debt

Faced with an approaching deadline and increasing skepticism about Congress's ability to accomplish the task before it, Democrats on a special Congressional committee assigned to reduce the nation's debt load on Wednesday made their first offer to Republicans based on earlier budget talks that ultimately collapsed.

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DESERET NEWS: Immigration An Issue Of Faith, Social Justice, Faith Leaders Say

The intersection of faith communities and undocumented immigrants boils down to a basic Christian tenet, said the Rev. Steven R. Mitchell of the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Rock Springs, Wyo. "Jesus never turned anyone away. Neither do we," the Rev. Mitchell said. Mark Kadel, director of World Relief Spokane, said the issue must be framed in terms of "real people." "In God's eye, no one is illegal. They may be undocumented but they're not illegal," said Kadel, who directs programs that work with refugees, immigrants and victims of human trafficking.

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THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Salt Lake Summit: Harsh Rhetoric May Derail GOP In 2012

Republicans at an immigration summit Wednesday in Salt Lake City said that a continuation of harsh rhetoric on the polarizing issue - notably among GOP presidential hopefuls - will cost the party the White House in 2012 - and possibly beyond. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff took it even a step further.

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THINK PROGRESS: St. Paul's Canon Resigns Over Plans To Evict Occupy London, Will Not 'Accept Violence In The Name Of The Church'

The city of London announced yesterday that it would begin legal actions to have the more than 200 protesters who have been encamped near St. Paul's Cathedral in London evicted. The protesters had been there since Oct. 15 to protest the nearby London Stock Exchange as part of the Occupy London Stock Exchange protests. In response to the planned eviction of the demonstrators, the Rev. Dr. Giles Fraser, the canon chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, has announced that he will resign in protest. Fraser said he will not accept "violence in the name of the Church." An Occupy London spokeswoman said that Fraser's action was "very inspiring":

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SALON: Elizabeth Warren And The OWS Election Test

The Democratic nomination to oppose Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown won't officially be awarded until September of next year, but whatever suspense there was just ended: Yet another of Elizabeth Warren's opponents is set to drop out of the race, making the anti-Wall Street Harvard professor the all-but-certain nominee.

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