Morning News 3/25/10

Charges that the Catholic Church repeatedly chose to protect itself by silencing the victims of priestly sex abuse strike directly at Pope Benedict. You will recall that Pope Benedict's job before he became Popified, was as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith which was responsible for dealing with allegations of sex abuse by priests.
Even Sinead O'Conner is speaking up, not happy with the Pope's recent letter to Irish Catholics. "There should be a full criminal investigation of the Catholic hierarchy of any country in which this has been an issue. There should be a full criminal investigation of the Vatican."

"Could you rephrase that as an ethical question?"
"Yes. Is it right to buy an iphone app to help me plan for passover?"
There are apps to help you find kosher foods, pronounce the four questions correctly and the Washington Post reports that more than 11,000 people have signed up for "Tweet the Exodus" updates.
What a time to be alive.

The Dude does not mind.
Californians will vote this November on whether to legalize marijuana in that state.

Mullin and Gates announce that they will find a kinder, gentler way to enforce the disgusting and inexcusable Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. They claim that this is a step in the right direction, designed to change the culture in advance of full repeal.
I know a way to really change the culture, get rid of DADT now.

Towleroad is reporting on a Public Policy Institute of California poll that now shows more people in that state support marriage equality than oppose it.

Add another to the stack. A possible new hominid species has been discovered in a cave in southern Siberia. Identified by its mitochondrial DNA as distinct from Neanderthals and modern humans, more study is required before the bone fragment leads to the designation of a new member of the human family.

(Photo of museum quality replica "Lucy" skull from Skulls Unlimited. Seriously, go to their site and have a look. You can buy anything there and it kicks ass!)