Author Archives: wallwritings

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About wallwritings

From 1972 through 1999, James M. Wall was editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine, based in Chicago, lllinois. He was a Contributing Editor of the Century from 1999 until July, 2017. He has written this blog, wall writings.me, since it was launched April 27, 2008. If you would like to receive Wall Writings alerts when new postings are added to this site, send a note, saying, Please Add Me, to jameswall8@gmail.com Biography: Journalism was Jim's undergraduate college major at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He has earned two MA degrees, one from Emory, and one from the University of Chicago, both in religion. He is an ordained United Methodist clergy person. He served for two years in the US Air Force, and three additional years in the USAF reserve. While serving on active duty with the Alaskan Command, he reached the rank of first lieutenant. He has worked as a sports writer for both the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, was editor of the United Methodist magazine, Christian Advocate for ten years, and editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine for 27 years. James M Wall died March 22, 2021 at age 92. His family appreciates all of his readers, even those who may have disagreed with his well-informed writings.

Hagel Confirmed Despite Petulant Senators

by James M. Wall Former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel assumed command of the Pentagon this week. Hagel was sworn in after an extended and contentious encounter with neocon, petulant Republican senators, each in his or her own way, determined to … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 9 Comments

Right Wing Media Pushes “Friends of Hamas” Rumor

UPDATE Tuesday, February 26: The Hill reported Tuesday afternoon: The Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Pentagon chief in a 58-41 vote, ending the most contentious confirmation fight for a Defense secretary in U.S. history. Only … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Middle East, Politics and Elections | 8 Comments

Republicans Block Hagel for Ten More Days

by James M. Wall The agreement Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid (NV) thought he had reached with Republican leader Mitch McConnell (KY), died a slow, angry and ugly death Thursday. When this new Senate held its first session in January, … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Obama, Politics and Elections, US govermemt | 11 Comments

GOP Descends Into Its Winter of Discontent

“Why, I in this weak piping time of peace Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to spy my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity.” William Shakespeare: Richard III by James M. Wall A … Continue reading

Posted in -Movies and politics, Politics and Elections | 8 Comments

CUFI and the Ugly Face of Hagel’s Opposition

by James M. Wall This nation’s foreign policy is, for this weekend at least, in the pious hands of John Hagee, a  Christian fundamentalist preacher from Texas. To be sure, Hagee is not the only policy-shaker whose minions are roaming … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections, Religion and politics | 20 Comments

Are Liberal American Zionists “Delusional”?

by James M. Wall Shortly after the polls closed in Israel’s Knesset election this past Tuesday, two American Liberal Zionist groups, J Street and Americans for Peace Now (APN), were out with triumphant emails to their peace-oriented members: Israel voters … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Netanyahu, Politics and Elections | 12 Comments

Election Could Push Israel Further To The Right

by James M. Wall Israel’s 19th general election, Tuesday, January 22, is almost certain to be won by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. There is no serious Liberal election opposition to Likud. What is serious, however, is the very … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Netanyahu, Politics and Elections, Religion and politics | 10 Comments

Take It to the Bank, Hagel Will Win

By James M. Wall The war against Chuck Hagel followed a predictable pattern. It will end soon when the U.S. Senate votes to confirm Hagel as President Barack Obama’s next defense secretary. This is one of those rare occasions in … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 10 Comments

The Hagel Narrative the Neocons Want

by James M.Wall UPDATE Friday, 6 p.m. CST: The Daily Beast and the Los Angeles Times are reporting that President Obama will name Chuck Hagel as his next Defense Secretary. Sources in Washington say that the nomination will be announced Monday or … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Middle East Politics, Obama | 16 Comments

Hagel Defenders Battle Neocon Opposition

By James M. Wall The Washington Post wrote in a lead editorial, December 18, that President Obama should not nominate former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel as his Defense Secretary because the President “has available other possible nominees who are considerably closer … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments