The latest news on Chinese President's U.S. State Visit, Afghanistan, Palestine, Tunisia, and Select Op-Eds. | Sojourners

The latest news on Chinese President's U.S. State Visit, Afghanistan, Palestine, Tunisia, and Select Op-Eds.

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Quote of the Day. "In my lifetime, America has never had a stronger warrior for peace and against poverty than Sargent Shriver." Former President Bill Clinton. Shriver, first director of the Peace Corps and the Office of Economic Opportunity, passed away yesterday at age 95. (Washington Post)

RELIGION IN THE NEWS

Alabama governor's remarks on non-Christians raise eyebrows "On the day of his swearing-in, Alabama Republican Gov. Robert J. Bentley raised concern among the state's non-Christians by declaring that people who had not accepted Jesus Christ were not his brothers and sisters."

'Quiet Strength' Of Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa Portrayed In National Cathedral "Six feet above the vaulted entranceway to Washington National Cathedral, the rough contours of Rosa Parks' face are taking shape."

More Americans Plan to Increase Charitable Giving, Study Finds "This is the first time since the recession began that Americans said they are more likely to increase their giving to charity than decrease their support"

Cardinal Mahony: Putting a human face on the immigrant (Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times) "When he turns 75 late next month, Cardinal Roger Mahony will step down as the leader of America's largest Roman Catholic diocese. But he's still vigorous and plans to remain very much engaged, not only as a priest but also as an influential voice in the debates over an issue that has preoccupied him throughout his ministry: Immigration."

NEWS AT HOME

Health-care repeal debate. A new tone in health-care debate "This time around, there were no frightening warnings about "death panels" for the elderly or a "holocaust" of uninsured Americans." House starts healthcare repeal debate "On Tuesday, as lawmakers took up the GOP's "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act," they were divided but restrained. The attempted assassination of one of their colleagues had prompted a renewed enthusiasm for civility in political discourse." Ultimate GOP aim is a slimmer health plan "A health care repeal vote expected today will send a highly symbolic political message - the icing on the midterm elections that gave Republicans control of the House - but the GOP's effort to undermine the rollout of the contentious measure and put its own imprint on health care will probably hinge on smaller attempts to change the law."

Florida farmworkers win increase in pay. After Long Fight, Farmworkers in Florida Win an Increase in Pay "After fighting for more than a decade for better wages, a group of Florida farmworkers has hashed out the final piece of an extraordinary agreement with local tomato growers and several big-name buyers, including the fast-food giants McDonald's and Burger King, that will pay the pickers roughly a penny more for every pound of fruit they harvest."

Chinese President's U.S. state visit. On visit, Hu to face a tougher Obama administration "The arrival of Chinese President Hu Jintao in the United States brings him face to face with an Obama administration that has grown more hard-nosed about the course of what is arguably the most important relationship the United States maintains with a foreign power." China and US seek common ground "Chinese President Hu Jintao and Barack Obama will try to tackle thorny issues, on the Chinese leader's first day of a state visit to the US." Human rights protests will greet China's Hu in Washington "Even before Chinese President Hu Jintao's plane landed outside Washington on Tuesday for his state visit, the human rights protesters were gearing up."

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Afghanistan. GOP's wall of support for Afghanistan war beginning to crack "Cracks are beginning to form in President Obama's formerly solid support among Republicans for the war in Afghanistan