For What It's Worth

A round-up of stories for your reading pleasure.

There are prominent clerics in the Anglican Church who sincerely believe that the United States' and England's Iraq policies are aggravating young British Muslim men so much that they are causing them to strap on bombs and blow up London. Well, if their thinking is correct, then, in the interest of feeling the terrorist's pain and authentic dialogue and witness to the Muslim community, the Church of England might want to rethink some of its policies too. These two new ones would be a good starting point. Admittedly, the Church of England is very concerned about the effect these two policies are going to have on its' own membership but they really might want to take into consideration the larger and more powerful reaction the policies may have among the homegrown British terrorists. If, after careful thought, the clerics decide that their policies ought to not cause young Muslim men to strap on bombs and blow up London, then they also might want consider changing attitudes towards Bush's and Blair's foreign policy. It would be even nicer if they and others would stop referring to Prime Minister as a poodle.

Eleanor Clift echoing prominent Anglican clerics. Has Ms. Clift not read the news reports regarding the motivations of one of the July 7 London bombers? According to family members, he was extremely upset and wanted retailiation against those who had desecrated the Koran at Club Gitmo. By all means Ms. Clift, please take the lead in addressing the grievances of young Muslim men. Use your clout as Political Editor at Newsweek to begin discussions with your colleagues how their faulty reporting on Club Gitmo led to a riot and at least 15 deaths in Afghanistan, may have been one of the motivating factors behind the July 7 bombings and has certainly added to the list of grievances Muslims have against us.

Here's a nice article by a woman in the know on Why Men Should Head The Church.

George Neumayr on the anti-Catholic bigotry surrounding John Robert's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Daniel Pipes ponders a big question, Is Prince Charles A Convert To Islam?. (read most recent updates) Very interesting especially in light of Father Neuhaus' comments on page 76 of the August/September issue of First Things. (not available for linking until next month) Neuhaus says he has heard from one well-informed Anglican that it is not certain that Charles will ascend to the throne. Also, if the Anglican Communion splits as it is currently threatening to do, there will be a serious move towards disestablishment which is "a move much favored by the Labour Party and by the evangelicals in the church, as well as by the current archbishop of Canterbury who "favours it in the same passive way he favours same-sex unions,". Stay tuned.

Leon de Winter on the mess that Holland is in after the Cultural Revolution of the '60's and '70's.

Finally, Michael Medved on Hollywood's Disconnect. The disconnect between Hollywood and the American people looks like it will prove to be more costlier than the disconnect between the American car companies and the American people. Oliver Stone is doing the first 9/11 movie with Nicholas Cage as his leading man.

The Secretary