On Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI released his first social encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate." Social encyclicals are fascinating documents that demonstrate some of the best synthesis of theology, anthropology, economics, philosophy, and so on. This latest encyclical, translated "Love in Truth," addresses key issues of our time, ranging from moral relativism to globalization to caring for the environment.

It seems President George W. Bush, in his January 29, 2002, State of the Union address was correct in describing Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an "axis of evil." President Bush coined the phrase to describe governments believed to be promoting terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction. Just over a year after those remarks, there was an international invasion of Iraq to dismantle that despotic regime.

Should wives and husbands tell each other everything? I am inclined to say no. Here's why: Suppose John and Sam have an accountability relationship with each other. John decides, based on the principle of "truth with his wife no matter what," breaches confidence and tells his wife about Sam's struggles without Sam's knowledge. John feels justified in telling his wife about Sam's sins and struggles because their marriage is built on honesty.

President Obama's choosing a woman of Puerto Rican descent for the Supreme Court is politically brilliant. Republicans should do enough public political grumbling to appease the party base but go "protest light" on opposing the 54-year-old even though she has made racially reasoned statements like this:

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."