Why is the Vatican angry with Ireland?

"SO, ROME is miffed at “excessive reactions” in Ireland following publication of the Cloyne report. This State has spent millions unearthing what has been available to Rome all along. In October 2005, there was the Ferns report, costs to date: €2.3 million.

In May 2009, the Ryan report, estimated costs to date: at least €126 million. In November 2009, the Dublin report: costs to date €3.6 million. In July 2011, the Cloyne report: costs to date €1.9 million. Total costs so far of the four statutory inquiries? €133.8 million [US $190 million], with more to come.

None of this would have been necessary had the Catholic Church here and in Rome co-operated fully in establishing the truth. Instead, those that could be were dragged, kicking and screaming, into disclosing what they desperately wanted to keep hidden."

Read the whole thing here.

Stephen Colbert on the "Muslim" attack in Norway

Italy rejects anti-discrimination bill

Italy’s parliament has rejected a bill which would have extended protection from discrimination to LGBT people.

The Chamber of Deputies voted July 26.  The result was 250 votes in favour and 293 votes opposed.  Gay rights supporters have called on the European Union to intervene.  Gay couples in Italy cannot marry or adopt children.

Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi opposes gay rights.  He has an extensive record of criminal allegations--including mafia collusion, false accounting, tax fraud, corruption and bribery of police officers and judges--and sexual scandals.

World's narrowest house

Poland--The world's narrowest house is set to be constructed in the space between two buildings in Warsaw (see image).

Known as the Keret House, its interior will be 122cm (4ft) at its widest and a mere 72cm (28in) at its narrowest spot.  It will function as a workspace and studio for invited guests.

A white triangle of steel, plywood, styrofoam and concrete cloth, it will have water and sewage technology independent from city systems, and the electricity will be delivered by a neighboring building.

The house will be classed as an art installation, since it doesn’t meet building codes for a home.

Glenn Beck: Norway victims like "Hitler Youth"

American right-wing nutjob Glenn Beck, a favourite of the Tea Party, has compared Utøya victims of the Norwegian right-wing nutjob Anders Behring Breivik to the Nazi party's youth wing:

"There was a shooting at a political camp, which sounds a little like the Hitler youth, or, whatever. I mean, who does a camp for kids that's all about politics. Disturbing."

Torbjørn Eriksen, former press secretary to Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg, described the comment as "a new low" for Beck, adding:

"Young political activists have gathered at Utøya for over 60 years to learn about and be part of democracy, the very opposite of what the Hitler Youth was about. Glenn Beck's comments are ignorant, incorrect and extremely hurtful."

Beck lost his show on Fox when his increasingly crazy claims began to result in lower ratings and advertiser pullouts.  He accused US president Barack Obama of being a racist, and claimed that George Soros helped "send Jews to the death camps."

The Tea Party organizes summer camps at which children are taught about God, the US constitution and "the defence of economic liberty."