Afternoon News Bytes: Jan. 19, 2012 | Sojourners

Afternoon News Bytes: Jan. 19, 2012

CNN: Sources: Perry Dropping Out Of GOP Race
Rick Perry is telling supporters that he will drop his bid Thursday for the Republican presidential nomination, two sources familiar with his plans told CNN.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES: How To Argue About Politics (OPINION)
As a philosophy professor, I spend much of my time thinking about the arguments put forward by professional philosophers. As a citizen (and an occasional columnist for The Stone), I also spend lots of time thinking about the arguments put forward by Democrats and Republicans on currently disputed political issues.
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THE NEW REPUBLIC: Reports Of The Religious Right's Death Are Greatly Exaggerated
The political fumbling by Christian conservatives has been even worse this presidential cycle than it was in 2008, when their blood-enemy, John McCain, won the top spot on the Republican ticket. The Christian Right’s fatal failure this time was its inability to form a consensus behind a single candidate.
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THE ATLANTIC: The SOPA Blackout Created A Big Problem
My connections in the technology world are nearly universally opposed to SOPA. They (i.e. we) see it as a threat to the open Internet. Hollywood and the music companies say there is nothing to fear from this legislation. Yet most independent analysts and the organizations that would have to comply with the law say that it creates serious problems.
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THE HUFFINGTON POST: Why Religion Should Matter When We Vote
Should we consider a candidate's religion when we vote? For many of us, the instinctive answer is "of course not!" To do so seems somehow contrary to the idea of separation of church and state, or prejudiced, or something like that. Examined more closely, though, that instinctive reaction may not be the best answer. Faith influences action, and there is no reason to pretend otherwise when we go to the polls.
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THE WASHINGTON POST (ON FAITH): Court Orders Occupiers Out Of St. Paul’s Cathedral
Britain’s High Court on Wednesday (Jan. 18) ordered anti-corporate protesters evicted from a camp they have occupied for three months outside London’s iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral.
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THE DAILY BEAST: Obama’s Denial Of Keystone Permit Was A Welcome Win Against Big Oil
Rejecting the transcontinental oil pipeline, the president turned the conventional wisdom on its head, but the real victors were the idealistic protestors.
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