FPL News Reel: January 27, 2012
The FPL News Reel is a daily round-up of the top faith and politics stories in the news. You can sign up for the email version of the News Reel here and follow it on twitter at @FPLNewsreel
For GOP, dislike for Obama trumps all
By Brett Benson, John G. Geer and Jennifer Merolla — Politico, Opinion
Our new poll shows that evangelical opposition to his faith would hinder Romney in a Republican primary. But it also finds that GOP evangelicals are likely to rally around him in the general election — because of their intense dislike of President Barack Obama.
Romney Steps Up Culture War, Claims Obama Is Waging ‘An Assault On Religion’
By Igor Volsky — Think Progress
Mitt Romney accused President Obama of waging “the assault on religion” during a conference call with Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom Coalition last night and said that the administration is [trying to] “”pave the path to same-sex marriage”…
An Iraq Vet’s Journey From Wall Street to OWS
By Derek McGee — The Nation
…the last time I knew without a doubt that I was where I should be was on November 17, standing in the center of Zuccotti Park. We were corralled and outnumbered, with helicopters overhead and riot cops, tourists, media and disdainful bankers looking on. Yet for all the chaos, it felt like the whole world was suddenly awake—not just watching but thinking.
Advocacy group calls for Bank of America breakup
By Andrew Dunn — Charlotte Observer
Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a petition with federal regulators Wednesday urging the government to break Bank of America Corp. into smaller companies, saying the Charlotte bank poses a “grave threat” to the financial system.
Citizens United v. FEC decision proves justice is blind — politically
By Jeffrey Rosen — Politico, Opinion
…one thing is clear: The Supreme Court was spectacularly wrong in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission when it confidently predicted that the ruling would have no significant impact on Americans’ confidence in their political system.
Greed is good? The GOP seems to be okay with that.
By Eugene Robinson — Washington Post, Opinion
Republicans seem eager to double down on a “greed is good” ethos that has more resonance when the economy is booming, real estate values are soaring and everybody feels rich.
An Outrage in East Haven
By New York Times, Editorial
Mayor Maturo should now resign. He has shown a stunning incapacity for understanding the severity of the scandal in his government and has been fatally compromised by his knee-jerk support for the tainted police department and its chief.
Mayor Defends Kelly, but Says Anti-Muslim Film Caused Damage
By New York Times — Michael M. Grynbaum
While the mayor defended the police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly, who has apologized for the showing of the film to officers, he acknowledged that Mr. Kelly would have to work harder to improve trust among Muslims. The video, called “The Third Jihad” was shown for months to officers receiving anti-terrorism training.
Torture undermines American character
By Rev. Sam Wells — Winston-Salem Journal, Opinion
American-supported torture rots our country’s heart and kills our country’s soul. This is our stark choice: If we don’t stop behaving like terrorists, one day we’ll wake up and find we’ve turned into them.
Gay marriage returns to the political spotlight
By David Crary — Associated Press
…same-sex marriage is back in the political spotlight and likely to remain there through Election Day as a half-dozen states face potentially wrenching votes on the issue.