Category Archives: Journal
Reclaiming Faith
I’m reading this book right now titled The Art of Growing Older. It’s compelling—so compelling, in fact, that I walk down the street reading poems about aging on my way to work. Admittedly, I use my hands to hide the title as I do so. As a 22-year-old, I figure most people who see me […]
More than a Day
This Mother’s Day, Americans will spend an estimated $21 billion to show their appreciation and love to the women who gave us the gift of life. That breaks down to almost $170 for each consumer to say “Thank You!” in cards, flowers, brunch, and other gifts. Moms certainly deserve the recognition, thanks, and praise. But […]
Why Notions of Attractiveness Poison Our Society
Dove’s recent “Real Beauty Sketches” ad campaign has sparked strong praise from those who think it opens the eyes of women to the way their self-image regarding their physical appearance can become twisted and distorted (for a whole number of reasons). Critics argue that the takeaway is that the women featured in the commercials really […]
Institutional Religious Freedom: Broadening the Scope
The 2011 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contraceptive mandate has garnered ample media attention as a polarizing issue among U.S. Catholics and the general public. A rhetorical icon for the religious liberty debate, contraception orients discourse about religious freedom to personal practices, political opinions, and religious beliefs. A vital issue for many […]
A Virtuous Response to Terror?
Boston has been my home for almost six years. It didn’t take me long to love it. I’m not sure if it’s the blue-collar feel to a city that prides itself in not being New York, if it’s the way Bostonians are so passionate about their hometown and hometown teams, or the patriotism that pervades […]
Liberty, Idolatry, and the Culture of Violence
Satire has been a salve for many Americans in the past week. Witness The Onion’s rapidly re-tweeted article, “Jesus, This Week,” which suggested that “Maybe next time we have a week, they can try not to pack it completely to the fucking brim with explosions, mutilations, death, manhunts, lies, weeping, and the utter uselessness of […]
The Chicken Doves: Not Afraid to Exploit a Tragedy
The most moral, wise, pure members of our society are those who stand against all wars and condemn every use of force by the malicious American government, including bloodthirsty President Obama, all while saying nothing about mass murder abroad, except maybe to downplay the crimes of terrorists and violent authoritarian regimes. They are the true […]
