Journalists have long been puzzled over Sarah Palin’s popularity. In November, Newsweek took a stab at the trend with its provocative cover of Palin in running clothes: “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sarah Palin: How Sarah Palin Hurts the GOP And the Country.”
Paparazzi's poker face for Lady Gaga
Everywhere I turn, it seems I’m unintentionally listening to a song by Lady Gaga in the grocery store or stumbling upon a spoof of her music videos (So far, I vote for NPR). Chances are, you’ve at least heard snippets of “Telephone,” “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” and “Paparazzi,” to name a few of her hits.
Abortion pills by video
A few months ago, we looked at stories about Angie Jackson, the woman who video taped herself having an abortion. Now we have stories coming out of Iowa about Planned Parenthood’s initiative to dispense an abortion drug after a video conference.
Nancy Pelosi's favorite word
Nancy Pelosi is doing some preaching, but is anybody listening? No one in the mainstream media, apparently. CNS News captured some video where the House Speaker said at a May 6 Catholic Community Conference on Capitol Hill that she wants to “give voice” in terms of public policy to “the Word.” Here’s part of the transcript from CNS News:
5Q+1: Burke's belief in the religion beat
Can you imagine the topics of conversation at the dinner table in the Burke household in Baltimore? My guess is that Pope Benedict XVI, the Dalai Lama and Billy Graham come up on occasion.
Confucianism and Communism
I’ve been spending my Memorial Day reading articles from my own personal GetReligion “guilt folder,” stories that I knew would be interesting but would take time to digest.
Faithfully 'Lost'
Previously on LOST. (Spoilers ahead) A highly addictive show about a plane crashing on and island finished its 6-season streak with a heaven-like love fest.
Whispering the F word
I guess it’s still news to reporters that people go on websites and post comments anonymously. If it’s on the Internet, it must be true, right? The xkcd cartoon on the right sums up the reality of the Internet: there’s always something to be fixed.
Culture wars in Africa (specifically, Kenya)
Recently I asked a woman from Nigeria what she thought of the media’s coverage of her country. She said what frustrated her most was when reporters gave sweeping statements or connected African countries as though it were one uniform nation. I thought of our conversation when I read a recent New York Times piece on Kenya’s culture wars. Stay with me as we read these first few paragraphs.