Word: edicts
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Twenty five years ago, in an encyclical entitled Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI denounced absolutely all forms of "artificial" birth control. The edict was issued in the wake of the liberal spirit that infused the Roman Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council, and was directly contrary to what most had predicted would be a softening of restrictions. Many prominent Catholics were caught by surprise--so much so that the main result of the decree in theological circles was to begin a debate on the nature of papal authority versus individual conscience...
White House officials realized there was too much Wilshire Boulevard and too little Main Street, and for two weeks there were no sightings of anyone whose birthday is announced by Mary Hart on Entertainment Tonight. But it was Clinton who broke his own edict first by giving Quincy Jones a guided tour of the flying White House on the infamous tarmac in L.A. just before the presidential haircut. The next day, when Clinton was going to the Hill to push a tax bill that asks the middle class to pay more, the driveway in front of the mansion was clogged...
There are powerful factors that may make California's edict work -- and perhaps become a model for the rest of the U.S. Whenever California speaks, the marketplace is compelled to listen; the state is the single biggest car market in the world, accounting for as much as 15% of U.S. sales. There is also the undeniable fact that Americans, particularly in the more polluted and congested urban areas, are driving themselves to death. As much as 80% of all urban smog and a quarter of the nation's total carbon dioxide are caused by engines burning fossil fuels...
...called up Lawrence Buell, the dean for undergraduate education, to get his read on the situation. He said he did not advocate "a topdown edict" that would dictate policy on personal address at Harvard from The Crimson pages, University Hall or the department chairs. He emphasized that, "much more significant than the level of address is the level of humanity in the teaching process...
Instead of the pen, the Rose Garden; instead of the slaughterhouse, the petting zoo; instead of the death edict, the presidential pardon. For at least one turkey this Thanksgiving season, there really was reason to give thanks...