Justice Scalia once cited the secularist nature of some nations in Europe, so might appreciate a ruling that allows Italian public schools to choose to display crucifixes. As the discussion linked notes, the court did apply a "criteria of objectivity and pluralism" but unlike regarding an oath of office citing the gospels [Buscarini and Others v. San Marino] or requiring religious courses* as such, this was deemed a proper example of local discretion.
Meanwhile, a bit more on Luis Castillo. He is (was) likely the best of a subpar bunch competing for second base. But, many fans didn't like him, sometimes his attitude seemed to justified it (overall, I think the reputation is unfair, him doing fairly well and injuries and a bad contract isn't really his fault) and probably was seen as a distraction. Also, it might be that the alternative, unless someone new comes with mid-season transactions, can have more of a future. And, let's be honest. The season is not going to depend on having someone a bit better there. If he's the best option, it really isn't because his skills are exactly superior as such.
[More here. The article cited was stupid but the paper's sports coverage and columnist overall is okay, so the attacks on them are sorta lame.]
It is telling that the Mets had to release him with six million left and not be able to get anything in return. You'd think he would be a credible back-up on some team. One probably will pick him up at the league minimum. Now, what about Perez, who is doing decent as a reliever, but letting go of bad news from the past is even more blatant there. Are they going to cheat someone with some potential of a roster spot to keep him on? If "fans" matter, as some say is the case with Castillo, ever more there. And, even some of his teammates want him gone.
The Memoirs of Dolly Morton is a good find via Kindle (less than a dollar though I eventually found a copy, don't know if it's complete, online). It is a work of erotica (porn if you like, but I think that word fits here) written around 1900, but not having an "old fashioned" sound. In fact, its narrative of a young Northern woman suffering being a planter's mistress in the time of the Civil War is quite good. It includes enough sex (with a focus on bottoms) to please those who like that sort of thing. My favorite is the use of the term "spot." Sometimes, understatement is best.
The Kindle version even has a few pictures (again bottom focused). Here is a photo of the cover of another version, which isn't really too representative of the plot.
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* The opinion here noted:
Meanwhile, a bit more on Luis Castillo. He is (was) likely the best of a subpar bunch competing for second base. But, many fans didn't like him, sometimes his attitude seemed to justified it (overall, I think the reputation is unfair, him doing fairly well and injuries and a bad contract isn't really his fault) and probably was seen as a distraction. Also, it might be that the alternative, unless someone new comes with mid-season transactions, can have more of a future. And, let's be honest. The season is not going to depend on having someone a bit better there. If he's the best option, it really isn't because his skills are exactly superior as such.
[More here. The article cited was stupid but the paper's sports coverage and columnist overall is okay, so the attacks on them are sorta lame.]
It is telling that the Mets had to release him with six million left and not be able to get anything in return. You'd think he would be a credible back-up on some team. One probably will pick him up at the league minimum. Now, what about Perez, who is doing decent as a reliever, but letting go of bad news from the past is even more blatant there. Are they going to cheat someone with some potential of a roster spot to keep him on? If "fans" matter, as some say is the case with Castillo, ever more there. And, even some of his teammates want him gone.
The Memoirs of Dolly Morton is a good find via Kindle (less than a dollar though I eventually found a copy, don't know if it's complete, online). It is a work of erotica (porn if you like, but I think that word fits here) written around 1900, but not having an "old fashioned" sound. In fact, its narrative of a young Northern woman suffering being a planter's mistress in the time of the Civil War is quite good. It includes enough sex (with a focus on bottoms) to please those who like that sort of thing. My favorite is the use of the term "spot." Sometimes, understatement is best.
The Kindle version even has a few pictures (again bottom focused). Here is a photo of the cover of another version, which isn't really too representative of the plot.
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* The opinion here noted:
In this respect, it should be noted that, as the Court has held on numerous occasions, this freedom, in its religious dimension, is one of the most vital elements that go to make up the identity of believers and their conception of life, but it is also a precious asset for atheists, agnostics, skeptics and the unconcerned.The ruling also cited this principle:
In the light of the above, the Court concludes that the instruction provided in the school subject “religious culture and ethics” cannot be considered to meet the criteria of objectivity and pluralism and, more particularly in the applicants' specific case, to respect the religious and philosophical convictions of Ms Zengin's father, a follower of the Alevi faith, on the subject of which the syllabus is clearly lacking.The "right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion" can only be limited when “necessary in a democratic society.”