This is a particularly valuable time to reflect on oneself and on America, something I’ve been doing off and on for the past few days, even as I’ve been frantically getting ready for my first Anatomy exam tomorrow.

On Sept. 5, the Economist published an excellent article on Americans and Sept. 11. The magazine gets particular kudos for looking at the religious character of America, an extremely important aspect of our identity (G.K. Chesterton called America “a nation with the soul of a church”) that the media and academia consistently get wrong or neglect entirely. I found it very valuable as I reflected on myself and my country, and I hope you enjoy it today.

Bissell Blue Powersteamer™ Clearview® Upright Floor Cleaner

“Stand for center channel speaker only”

3 cheers to the local boys on this one. 🙂

The Holy Grail of remote controls
All-in-one controller would converse with myriad appliances

“PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) — It’s the one remote control you wouldn’t want to lose. That’s because it’s the ONLY remote you’d have. “

I would have given the honors to IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, aka I Usually Party).

Indiana U. Named Top ‘Party School’
By SHANNON DININNY

“BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – Indiana University was crowned the nation’s No. 1 ‘party school’ Monday in an annual Princeton Review survey that school leaders and medical experts derided as irresponsible and unscientific.”

AMA urges an end to ‘party school’ rankings

“CHICAGO (AP) — The Princeton Review should stop publishing an annual ranking of top ‘party schools”‘because it ignores the risks of heavy drinking and offers a skewed view of college life, the American Medical Association says. “

There’s tasteless and then there’s really tasteless. This falls in to latter category.

Couple Arrested for Sex in Cathedral

“NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Virginia couple was arraigned on Friday after they were arrested for allegedly having sex in a vestibule of St. Patrick’s Cathedral while parishioners worshiped nearby. “