Jane Chastain : Politically Direct

Caroline Kennedy: “Let them, you know, eat cake.”

with 3 comments

“Let them eat cake!”

Those infamous words were unjustly attributed to Marie Antoinette who died on the guillotine in 1793. The beautiful French queen supposedly uttered that statement after being told the populace had no bread. The phrase was indicative of her out-of-touch attitude and sense of entitlement that made her immensely unpopular with the French people and no doubt led to her demise and that of the monarchy.

This unbecoming attitude resurfaced last month in the unlikely form of Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Jane Chastain

January 1st, 2009 at 12:00 am

Posted in Political Profiles

Bah, Humbug!

with 4 comments

What’s so special about Christmas?

What is the big deal about the birth of Jesus Christ? He was crucified with common criminals and he’s been dead for two thousand years. If Jesus was God, or the son of God as some claim, why couldn’t he save himself?

Why make such a big fuss over this holiday?

If that is how you feel, then this is for you. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Jane Chastain

December 25th, 2008 at 12:00 am

Posted in Christmas, Faith

Look what your Congressman put under the Tree

with 4 comments

You are hurting. Your retirement fund has been cut in half. The value of your home has been slashed. You may be upside down on your mortgage. Someone in the family has been laid off from work. The price of basic necessities has soared.

Christmas is going to be rather sparse this year but, fear not, your government is here to help you. Yes, your dear Uncle Sam has some gifts for you, practical gifts that every sensible taxpayer can use and appreciate.
Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Jane Chastain

December 18th, 2008 at 12:00 am

The Gospel According to Newsweek

with 11 comments

Christians believe that the Bible is “God-breathed,” handed down, unchanged throughout the ages by the Creator himself.

Then, along comes Newsweek. In next week’s cover story, “Our Mutual Joy,” Lisa Miller advocates for gay marriage and tells us that God really didn’t mean all those explicit pronouncements against homosexuality in his holy Word. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Jane Chastain

December 11th, 2008 at 12:00 am

Posted in Faith, Homosexuality, Media

Thanksgiving: The Antidote for Worry and Fear

with 2 comments

Not since the Great Depression has there been such a time of economic uncertainty in this country and around the world. The stock market has taken a dive. Foreclosed homes dot the landscape. Companies are going out of business. Bankruptcies are commonplace. People are being laid off. The job market is drying up. Natural disasters have taken their toll. Our sons and daughters are in harm’s way, serving in far off lands. It is rare to find anyone, who has not been adversely affected in some way. You see fear, anxiety and worry on the faces of family, friends and co-workers.

We need this day of Thanksgiving to put our lives in proper perspective. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Jane Chastain

November 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am

Posted in Faith, Thanksgiving