AVN Does Netroots
August 2, 2010The American Values Network headed to Las Vegas this July to join well over 2,000 progressive leaders, activists, and bloggers from all over the country for the annual, four-day Netroots Nation conference. AVN’s Executive Director, Eric Sapp, joined four other leaders of faith on one of the conference panels to discuss the importance of enrolling, [...]
Glenn Beck and the Foolishness of the Cross
July 22, 2010By: Rachel Johnson
Should Christians reject the cross of Jesus Christ? Listen to Glenn Beck and it would be reasonable to think that the answer is yes. In his latest tirade against Christians who devote their lives to justice, Mr. Beck distorted the symbol that stands at the very heart of [...]
The Tea Party Is Mostly Pro-Choice and Pro-Gay: Knowing That Matters
July 6, 2010By: Eric Sapp
Sun Tzu, the famous Chinese tactician said, “Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. But if you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.” For Democrats and progressives trying to make [...]
Wrong-Headed And “Half-Assed,” Graham Caves When Real Leadership Is Needed
June 17, 2010One of the pressing issues of our time is climate change, and as South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has said in the past, “We refuse to accept the argument that the United States cannot lead the world in addressing global climate change” . . . All the reasons Sen. Graham supported climate legislation haven’t changed, just his willingness to stand by them.
Big Daddy’s Rules for the 2010 Campaign Trail
June 11, 2010My father was an old Mississippi cotton farmer and politician, God rest his soul . . . I realize sometimes, at strange moments, how universal Big Daddy’s lessons and brand of politics were. He lived out and taught a progressive brand of politics that was about doing and not talking. It was about simply taking the right reality and putting it into action.
Moral Case for Financial Reform
April 29, 2010The current crisis has revealed that our economic systems also have profound moral implications. Do we as a nation support economic policies that allow the wealthy and powerful to exploit millions of middle class and poor Americans, or should our system be one that promotes justice and uplifts the common good? John Gehring over at Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good has a fantastic piece in the Washington Post on the moral values embodied in financial reform.
The On-Going Call for Justice in Vieques
March 4, 2010Following CNN’s evocative 2-part primetime series on the health crisis in Vieques last month, there has been an on-going buzz in the media and blog community about the issue. Over 60 participants recently joined a press call with scientists and the mayor of Vieques providing updates on research into heavy metal poisoning on the island and outcome [...]
Playing Games with the Climate Crisis
February 22, 2010John Gehring over at Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good has a great piece in the On Faith section of the Washington Post that is worth a read. Some leaders, preferring to view the current crises we face as opportunities for political stunts rather than challenges we must meet, have claimed that the recent barrage of record snow storms across the country are proof that climate change does not exist.
A DC Christmas Poem
December 18, 2009Twas a week before Christmas, and all through my city
Politicians were scrambl’n, it wasn’t very pretty.
Health care and climate were up in the air,
But try as Reid might, the votes just weren’t there.
Remembering the Reason for the Season
December 10, 2009At AVN, our hope is that believers will shine their own light this Christmas season and reclaim Christmas from the commercialism and stress that so often accompanies it. Please consider forgoing the malls and giving the important witness of gifts that will help others…and which leave you more time and energy for your loved ones.
