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.

Can a Cone of Silence Exist in a World With Evil?

  99: Oh, Max what a terrible weapon of destruction. Smart: Yes. You know, China, Russia, and France should outlaw all nuclear weapons. We should insist upon it. 99: What if they don’t, Max? Smart: Then we may have to … Continue reading

Posted in -Archive 2008, Media, Politics and Elections, Religious Faith | 2 Comments

The Best Film Ever Made About Politics

John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart in a John Ford political film by James M. Wall Critics and scholars may differ, but what do they know.  With two national nominating conventions looming, it is time to single out the best film … Continue reading

Posted in -Archive 2008, -Movies and politics, Movies, Politics and Elections | 3 Comments

The Clinton Gang is Ready for its Denver Corral Shootout

          Chicago: Where Obama Found His Political Voice          Photo by Richard Wall by James M. Wall Barack Obama’s father was born in Africa. His mother grew up in Kansas. As a child Barack went … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections | 1 Comment

The Moral Obligation of Our Stewardship of the Planet

             by James M. Wall                      Former Colorado senator Gary Hart has drafted a policy blueprint for the next U.S. president. Hart, a Democrat who began his political career in 1971 … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections, Religious Faith | 1 Comment

Obama Still Not listening to all the Jewish Voters

by James M. Wall Last week was a good week for Barack Obama: High level meetings with Afghanistan and Iraqi civilian leaders, a formal meeting in Baghdad with the U.S. military commander in the country, Gen. David Petraeus, a made-for-television event with 200,000 … Continue reading

Posted in -Archive 2008, Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 1 Comment

Obama Needs Some Internet Virtual Reality On This Trip

Since this posting’s initial appearance it has been reproduced on many other locations in the internet world of virtual reality, a number of which serve the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  Visit that internet world by searching for this posting’s title at … Continue reading

Posted in -Archive 2008, Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 16 Comments

Cannes Festival: Reflections on Our Modern Chaotic World

                                                 Waltz with Bashir by Ron Holloway Guest columnist Ron Holloway, Chicago-born film critic and scholar, who now … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | 3 Comments

We Like Obama But Early Signs are Not Promising

by James M. Wall You have to like Barack Obama.  He is young, intelligent, progressive, and has a terrific wife. He is the future. He defeated the last remant of the Clinton dynasty in a superbly run (and lucky) primary … Continue reading

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The Other Jewish Lobby: Sixty Years after the Nakba

by James M. Wall Remember Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio), the Democratic presidential candidate who brought a refreshing note of reality to the early primary debates? You don’t remember him? In the memorable words of John Wayne: “Think back, Pilgrim.” It … Continue reading

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Invading Iraq: “Its aftermath is truly awful to contemplate”

by James M. Wall “As I write these lines, the illegal imperial occupation of Iraq by Britain and the United States proceeds. Its aftermath is truly awful to contemplate.” Edward Said wrote these words in CounterPunch,  August,4, 2003, a month before he died. … Continue reading

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