Pat Robertson infuriates Christian faithful with Alzheimer's comments

Pat Robertson has made many controversial statements over the years, such as suggesting that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were God's punishment for the U.S. tolerating abortion and homosexuality. His critics are usually those on the politically opposite spectrum of the conservative Christian leader, or outside the Christian faith. 
But the television evangelist's most recent statements -- condoning divorce when a spouse has Alzheimer's -- appears to have offended many Christians who feel it violates the sanctity of marriage and that most cherished of marriage vows: Til death do us part.
The controversy stems from comments Robertson made recently on the "700 Club" program on Christian Broadcast Network. His comments came in response to a caller who said that a friend had begun dating other women while his wife lies seriously ill with Alzheimer's, and justifies it by saying that "his wife, as he knows her, is gone."
Robertson said he agrees with the man: "What he says basically is correct. I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her."
His co-host pressed Robertson about whether that violates the marriage vows. Robertson responded that Alzheimer's "is a kind of death" and added, "I certainly wouldn't put a guilt trip on you" for choosing divorce in such a scenario.
The comments on Christianity Today's news blog were nearly universal in their criticism and disappointment:
"I am horrified by Robertson's response!" said one.
Many of the commenters said they were outraged, and described how they -- or a mother or father -- lovingly cared for a spouse with Alzheimer's.
 "Such irresponsible, callous comments made by Robertson. My father cared for my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 55...until the day he placed her ravaged body in the grave. He kept his vows. Be ashamed of yourself, Pat Robertson."
On Twitter, Walter Price, who identifies himself as a pastor, said: "Pat Robertson is WRONG on his alzheimers statement. Un-Christlike; unbiblical; dead wrong! So sad!"
And Russell D. Moore, dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., wrote in an article at Baptist Press News,  "This is more than an embarrassment. This is more than cruelty. This is a repudiation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Robertson did not respond to an interview request from The Times submitted to Christian Broadcast Network.
--Rene Lynch
Photo: Pat Robertson. (AP Photo / Clem Britt)
Originally posted on  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/pat-robertson-infuriates-faithful-with-alzheimers-comments.html

Andy Whitfield, Star of ‘Spartacus’ Series, Dies at 39

By SARAH MASLIN NIR

Published: September 12, 2011

Andy Whitfield, who starred in the television series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia. He was 39.

The cause was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, his wife, Vashti, said in a statement.

Mr. Whitfield, who was from Wales but lived in Australia, was a relatively unknown actor until he was chosen for the series, a sex- and blood-soaked version of the early life of the Thracian gladiator who led a slave rebellion against the Roman ruling class from 73 to 71 B.C.

Mr. Whitfield took what was supposed to be a temporary leave from the show, which was an instant hit after its January 2010 debut, after a routine check-up in March of that year revealed a recurrence of cancer.

Starz Entertainment, the premium channel that airs the show, used different actors to film a prequel called “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” while awaiting the star’s return. But Mr. Whitfield never recovered enough to come back.

Liam McIntyre, a virtual unknown from Australia, took over the leading role for the show’s second season.

Mr. McIntyre said then: “Andy’s such a wonderful actor. I don’t want to follow that guy, and everybody hurts that he’s had to give up the role, myself included.”

Chris Albrecht, president and chief executive of Starz, said in a statement, “The man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life.” Mr. Whitfield faced cancer with “courage, strength and grace,” he said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Whitfield is survived by two children and a sister. In her statement, his wife described him as “our beautiful young warrior.” She said he died in her arms.

A version of this article appeared in print on September 12, 2011, on page D9 of the New York edition with the headline: Andy Whitfield, 39, Star of ‘Spartacus’ TV Series.

Originaly this article was published on The New York Times

In the Graphic Skyline, Twin Towers Fade From View

By David Ho

A timeline view of the Downtown Alliance logo, from the 1990s to today.

Long after the twin towers fell, their images remained.
For years, the distinctive dual silhouette was seemingly everywhere: on plumbing trucks and tour buses, shopping bags and deli awnings. Woven into the fabric of New York life, it would appear at unexpected moments, stirring memories both painful and fond.
But in the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, the iconic image of twin towers has faded from view.
A cityscape anchored by the twin towers was the logo on New York Heating Corp.’s fleet of trucks and vans for 20 years. After the attacks, the Brooklyn company considered changing the design but kept it as a tribute, said Paul Scarola, the company’s vice president.
“We felt it was an example of strength and remembrance,” he said.
Then about three years ago, the company updated its logo, making it crisper and more professional, Scarola said. The old look was replaced with a more abstract design with a single skyscraper, one that evokes the Empire State Building.
While the company still has a mural of the original World Trade Center in its office, it recently replaced most of its 15 vehicles; now only a couple carry the old skyline around the city.
A similar evolution happened on the sides of Gray Line New York’s red double-decker buses. Before the attacks, the ubiquitous buses were emblazoned with the old skyline as they ferried tourists around Manhattan. In the aftermath, a touch of paint memorialized the twin towers with a red, white and blue ribbon. Now, large advertisements cover many of the buses.
Since the 1990s, the Alliance for Downtown New York, which manages the Lower Manhattan business improvement district, has had a logo with the letters in “Alliance” shaped like buildings. For much of that time, the double “L” was clearly the twin towers. About four years after the attacks, the logo was updated, the towers replaced with more generic skyscrapers.
“It was time for a change,” Alliance spokesman Jeff Simmons said.
Sensing that New York’s twin towers imagery was disappearing, Ji Lee started the World Trade Center Logo Preservation Project in 2009. He sought out the logos around the city and encouraged New Yorkers to join him in submitting pictures to online collections, which now have about 200 photos of the towers decorating vehicles, storefronts, bialy packaging and coffee mugs.
Lee, who recently relocated to California for work, said he saw the World Trade Center destroyed from his apartment window. Coming across that pair of skyscrapers in movies and logos revives that horrific moment, but also makes him appreciate that something as magnificent as the twin towers once existed.
“I don’t think they’re ever going to disappear from our consciousness,” he said.
Some businesses hold tight to the old image despite new World Trade Center buildings rising higher each day.
All City Glass and Mirror in Brooklyn put the twin towers in its logo in 1979. The design can still be seen on the sides of more than a dozen of its trucks and vans on the job throughout the city. The company never considered changing its logo after the attacks, said Julie Toros, who handles accounts and advertising.
“That’s the face of the company,” she said. “Even though the towers are not there, they’re still an icon for New York City.”

This article originaly posted in  "The Wall Street Journal"