Extra, extra! News and views for Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The Palantiri and Orcs – “Within the theological framework Tolkien utilized, an important, though oft-overlooked aspect of the trilogy is its application to contemporary geopolitical issues, particularly those stemming from modern technology.” Tolkien, Technology, and Geopolitics (Providence)

How Sitcoms Poison – “At the risk of offending some fans of ‘Friends’ and other popular series (don’t get me started on ‘How I Met Your Mother’), I decided to write this critique of modern sitcoms … ” “Friends” and Its Consequences Have Been a Disaster for the Human Race (Simple Men – Substack)

Critical Theorists – “Marcuse had made some striking statements on why the words and thoughts of more conservative and traditional folks should be disallowed. Marcuse was also clear that force might be needed to silence the words and prevent the thoughts of traditionalists or conservatives.” Marcuse, Critical Theory, and the Death of Charlie Kirk (First Things)

Senator Dick Durbin – “The Archdiocese of Chicago is scheduled to present Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his work on immigration issues in November, but the decision has been criticized by some Catholic bishops over Durbin’s public position on abortion.” Chicago Archdiocese’s plan to award Durbin for immigration work meets pushback over abortion (Our Sunday Visitor)

Trial of the Century – “Defense lawyers in the Holy See’s ‘trial of the century’ asked the Vatican prosecutor to recuse himself from the appeals trial Monday, arguing he was implicated in questionable behavior … ” Defense in Vatican ‘trial of the century’ asks prosecutor to recuse himself for questionable conduct (AP News)

Scandalizing the Faithful – “I was shocked to learn that the Archbishop of Chicago, Blase Cardinal Cupich, plans to bestow a lifetime achievement award on Sen. Richard Durbin through the archdiocese’s office of human dignity and solidarity … ” Sen. Durbin Is Unfit to Receive Any Catholic Honor (First Things)

Future Male Leaders – “The Sunday memorial of slain conservative intellectual Charlie Kirk added a much-needed dose of Christianity into America’s broken culture.” Young Men Seek Truth And Purpose, Not ‘Compromise Christianity’ (The Federalist)

Church and State – “Speaking to Catholic politicians representing the French cities of Créteil and Paris, who arrived in Rome on pilgrimage, the pope bluntly rejected the proposition that political leaders could separate their public mission from their interior convictions.” Pope Challenges the Catholic Politician (The Collegian)

Real-Life Terminator – “Forty-one years later, what was fantasy is now reality: drones, even the size of flies, are a principal means of warfare on many battlefields, some sophisticated, some, as in the case of those used by ISIS in the battle of Mosul, rudimentary.” AI: Nearest to the Beast (The Catholic Thing)

(*The posting of any particular news item or essay is not an endorsement of the content and perspective of said news item or essay.)