Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Publicly funded censorship
By Rory Leishman:
Most Canadian academics and journalists are so in thrall to a perverse system of value relativism that they can no longer tolerate even the expression of public support for the traditional principles of Judeo-Christian morality. And nowhere is this malign censorship more evident than in the mass media.
[...]
Wonky Wheels Now Off the Warmist Ox Cart
By Joseph A Olson:
No matter how hard these neutered steers pull on their yoke, there’s no denying that warmist views are a cruel joke. There is no question that Climatology has operated with a scientific blind spot for decades. Under normal circumstances this would have been resolved through debate with the wider scientific community.
Unfortunately, this congenital defect was of potential value to the manipulators of reality and this fledgling science became a captured pawn in the globalist scheme. There is just one single tenet that supports the flawed Anthropogenic Global Warming hypothesis. That is the illogical and incorrect ‘back radiation’ concept and supported with faulty ice core data.
It would be nice if we could discuss flawed science at leisure in the traditional manner. However, this wretched bit of Faux Science is being forced upon all humanity by the IPCC with the same admonitions as a Speaker Pelosi forcing a two thousand page act. “We must hurry up and pass this so we can see what is in it” is an inappropriate attempt to create a world tax, to support a world government and create world serfdom.
[...]
Hate crimes increase against New York Jews
By FREDRIC U. DICKER- The New York Post:
Hate crimes across New York state jumped 14 percent in 2009, led by an increase in attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions, state records released yesterday show.
[...]
Venezuela: Church Warns of Chavez Dictatorship Grab
by Anna Mahjar-Barducci:
Hugo Chavez’s eighteen months of special ruling powers and the new package of laws that dramatically expand his rule in the country created a strong debate inside Venezuela against the government. The Catholic Church has also expressed its fears, affirming that the new Enabling Law moves the country towards a dictatorship, similar to Cuba’s with Fidel Castro.
Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas, warned Chavez on TV to behave in a responsible way towards Venezuela, in case Chavez wants “to impose a totalitarian dictatorship that would certainly mean something terrible for Venezuela,”
[...]
TV Crew Left Bloodied in Video Confrontation With Cops Guarding Obama
by Jonathon M. Seidl:
A government “truther” public access TV crew trying to catch a glimpse of president Obama on vacation in Hawaii caught something else on video: police stalking them, confronting them, and then bashing their camera. That last act led to a bloodied finger.
[...]
RELATED:
Photographer Brutally Attacked at State Sen. News Conference
8 botched environmental forecasts
Rick Moran:
Fox News has an all-star grouping of environmental forecasts that turned out to be so off base that the only question remains is why are the people who made them are still taken seriously?
A couple of examples:
[...]
Lies, damn lies and death panels
By Dr. Milton R. Wolf, The Washington Times:
Those death panels that the White House first promised were never a part of Obamacare and then promised had been removed from Obamacare are back in Obamacare, but the White House promises us it’s nothing new. If this doesn’t trouble you, I’ll make a promise of my own: When your mother gets caught in the cross hairs, it will.
The liberal intelligentsia, prisoners of their own conditioned reflex response, mocked Sarah Palin when she warned America in a Facebook post of the Obamacare death panels. The excitable Keith Olbermann even crowned it a 2009 “Lie of the Year.” Specifically, the ex-governor of Alaska referred to the Advance Care Planning Consultation provision in the Affordable Care Act, Section 1233 of H.R. 3200, which specifically called to pay doctors to discuss – some say encourage – withholding end-of-life care with their elderly patients once every five years. The White House denied impropriety but removed the provision when fellow Democrats balked. Only then did the bill pass by a single vote.
The liberal talking class continued to mock Mrs. Palin and her supposedly mythical death panels, that is, until liberal icon and former Enron adviser Paul Krugman let the cat out of the bag that death panels are indeed a reality and, in his ghoulish vision, killing off senior citizens and taxing the survivors is a solution to America’s debt problem: “Some years down the pike, we’re going to get the real solution, which is going to be a combination of death panels and sales taxes.” This gives a chilling new meaning to death and taxes. Suddenly the inharmonious left fell silent.
[...]
Union Snow Sabotage in New York City?
by Arnold Ahlert, FrontPage:
The whistleblowers, who wish to remain unidentified because they fear retaliation, went on to describe the methods used by the Sanitation Department to make a bad situation worse. These included such things as raising the level of the plows higher than the roadway, deliberately skipping streets along their assigned routes, and being told to wait for orders before plowing accumulating piles of snow. In addition, “multiple Sanitation Department sources” told The NY Post that “angry plow drivers have only been clearing streets assigned to them, even if that means they have to drive through snowed-in roads with their plows raised.” They added that ”some drivers are purposely smashing plows and salt spreaders to further stall the cleanup effort.”
[...]
How Can You Defend Israel?
by David Harris, FrontPage:
I was sitting in a lecture hall at a British university. Bored by the speaker, I began glancing around the hall. I noticed someone who looked quite familiar from an earlier academic incarnation. When the session ended, I introduced myself and wondered if, after years that could be counted in decades, he remembered me.
He said he did, at which point I commented that the years had been good to him. His response: “But you’ve changed a lot.”
“How so?” I asked with a degree of trepidation, knowing that, self-deception aside, being 60 isn’t quite the same as 30.
Looking me straight in the eye, he proclaimed, as others standing nearby listened in, “I read the things you write about Israel. I hate them. How can you defend that country? What happened to the good liberal boy I knew 30 years ago?”
I replied: “That good liberal boy hasn’t changed his view. Israel is a liberal cause, and I am proud to speak up for it.”
[...]
A Fisking
by Stephen Green:
Hey, kids! Lookit here — the world’s first self-fisking newspaper column! It’s a real juicy one by Colman McCarthy in today’s Washington Post. Now, McCarthy used to be a Post columnist, but that job was a little bit too rough and tumble for his untainted hands. These days, he finds work at the Center for Teaching Peace. But McCarthy was kind enough to take the time out of his busy schedule to throw up on your breakfast table, and so I thought I’d return the favor.
Sure, I know I told you it was a self-fisking model, but you’ve got to let a pundit have some fun now and then.
Let’s begin:
[...]
Spain Goes on Mosque-Building Spree Churches Forced to Close
by Soeren Kern:
The city of Barcelona, widely known as a European Mecca of anti-clerical postmodernism, has agreed to build an official mega-mosque with a capacity for thousands of Muslim worshipers. The new structure would rival the massive Islamic Cultural Center in Madrid, currently the biggest mosque in Spain. An official in the office of the Mayor of Barcelona says the objective is to increase the visibility of Muslims in Spain, as well as to promote the “common values between Islam and Europe.”
The Barcelona mosque project is just one of dozens of new mosques that are in various stages of construction across Spain. Overall, there are now thirteen mega-mosques in Spain, and more than 1000 smaller mosques and prayer centers scattered across the country, the majority of which are located in Catalonia in northeastern Spain.
[...]
The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
http://www.persecution.net
Thursday, December 30, 2010
“Pain and suffering are not good; disobedience to Jesus is even
worse.”
– Dr. Kiflu, Eritrean prisoner
Sign up now to receive our free Monthly Newsletter at
http://www.persecution.net/nlorder.htm
.
***********************************
In this week’s edition: reports from Nigeria, Philippines, India,
Bangladesh and North Korea.
***********************************
1. Deadly bomb attacks in Nigeria over Christmas weekend
(Source: AFP, BBC)
At least 38 people were killed in deadly bomb attacks in northern and
central Nigeria over Christmas weekend. On December 24, four
explosions went off in two Christian neighbourhoods in the city of
Jos, Plateau State. More than 28 people were seriously injured in the
blasts. Christians were also attacked in Borno state on Christmas Eve
when heavily armed militants set a church on fire. The church’s pastor
and four elders were burnt to death. The Islamists also shot and
killed three church members outside the building. Islamists had
reportedly been threatening to disrupt the Christian celebrations in
Jos. On December 28, members of the Boko Haram Islamist group posted a
statement on their website, claiming responsibility for the attacks.
Both regions of Nigeria have seen deadly violence between Muslims and
Christians in recent years (see
http://www.persecution.net/ng-2010-07-15.htm
for more).
Ask God to comfort those affected by these attacks. Pray God’s peace
will reign throughout Nigeria. Pray Christians will respond with
Christ-like love, not retaliation to these attacks. Pray Nigerian
Christians will draw near to God and rely on Him to equip them to
stand for Him, even in a climate of violence.
For more on the sufferings of Christians in Nigeria, go to
http://www.persecution.net/nigeria.htm
.
***********************************
2. Church bombed in the Philippines during Christmas Mass
(Source: AsiaNews)
A bomb exploded in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in Mindanao,
Philippines, during Mass on the morning of December 25. The blast blew
out the chapel’s roof and wounded 11 people. Authorities are still
trying to identify those responsible for the attack, but police
suspect it is the work of the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, which
allegedly is connected to al-Qaida and Indonesia-based militant group
Jemaah Islamiyah.
Pray for those injured in this attack. Pray for the church members as
they recover and rebuild from this tragic incident. Pray that
Christians in the Philippines will demonstrate the love of God through
consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew
5:43-48).
To learn more about the opposition facing Christians in the
Philippines, visit the Philippines Country Report at
http://www.persecution.net/philippines.htm
.
***********************************
3. Christmas celebrations held in Orissa, India; Christian’s vehicle
torched
(Source: All India Christian Council, ASSIST News)
Several Christians were able to celebrate Christmas in Orissa state,
India, this past weekend. In Bodimunda village, Christians reportedly
celebrated Christmas together for the first time in three years. In
Barakahma village, police kept watch as approximately 2,000 prayed
together. The peaceful celebrations came as a relief for many, as
there had been fear that the holidays could lead to a flare-up in
anti-Christian violence, especially as the state has been the site of
intense attacks in recent years (see
http://www.persecution.net/in-2007-01-03.htm
). Fear of attacks prevented Christians in remote villages from
holding Christmas celebrations.
Christmas weekend was not entirely without incident in Orissa, as a
believer’s vehicle was set on fire in Phulbani on December 25. Bro
Suranjan Naik and his wife, a nurse, were staying on campus at the
government hospital. They were away attending a Christian celebration
when their vehicle was set ablaze.
Thank the Lord that many brothers and sisters in Orissa were able to
gather and joyously celebrate the birth of their Saviour, Jesus
Christ. Pray a spirit of trust in the Lord, not fear, will govern the
hearts and minds of believers in India. Pray those seeking to harm
Christians in India because of their faith will repent of their ways
and come to know Christ as Lord.
To find out more about the trials of Christians in India, go to
http://www.persecution.net/india.htm
.
***********************************
4. Bangladeshi Christians cancel Christmas celebrations following
threats
(Compass Direct)
Members of seven churches were prevented from gathering for Christmas
worship in Khagrachari district, Bangladesh, following threats from a
regional Buddhist political party. On December 19, members of The
United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) called a meeting of 50
Buddhists and seven Christians, including a pastor. They threatened
the Christians, saying that they would be in “great trouble if they
celebrated Christmas in the village and or participate in any other
Christian activities.” The group members also warned the pastor not to
take care of the congregation and ordered him to go back to his
previous religion, Buddhism. Members of the UPDF also threatened
Buddhist villagers, playing them off against the Christians by telling
them that if the Christians celebrated their festival, non-Christian
villagers would also be in trouble. Christian converts in the village
have faced serious opposition in recent years. While many of them have
stood strong in their faith, some have returned to Buddhism under
compulsion.
Pray these believers will trust in Christ, relying on the grace of
their Saviour amid opposition. Pray the Lord will guard the hearts of
believers facing pressure to deny Him. Pray Christians in Bangladesh
will be strong witnesses for Jesus and that demonstrations of His love
will help to draw others to faith in Him.
You can find out more about Christians suffering for their faith in
Bangladesh at the country report at
http://www.persecution.net/bangladesh.htm
.
***********************************
5. Christmas Blessing packages prepared for North Korean believers
(Source: VOM Canada)
Experts on religious liberty have determined that North Korea is the
most restrictive nation in the world. North Koreans suffer under the
“Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il, who sacrifices the needs of his people in
order to bolster the power and control of his regime. Many are
detained in brutal prison camps, and those on the outside are without
daily necessities such as food, water and medical supplies. Christians
are treated with particular cruelty.
This year, VOM is again making possible a special Christmas Blessing
project that supplies believers in North Korea with gift packages that
contain food, toiletries, medication, clothing and Christian
literature. This on-going project, with distributions made throughout
the year, helps fulfill persecuted believers’ basic needs. It is a
powerful way to demonstrate Christ’s love and care for those standing
steadfast for the Lord in North Korea.
VOM’s team is already at work preparing many of the packages for
distribution. To date, more than $80,000 has been raised — enough for
1,600 packages! You, too, can join in encouraging our North Korean
family. To make a donation online, go to our donation page at
http://www.persecution.net/donation.htm
. You can also send your financial gifts by mail or call us at
1.905.670.9721.
Praise the Lord for the faithful ministry and witness of His people in
North Korea. Pray for lasting provision for those without even the
most basic of daily necessities. Pray the hope and message of God’s
plan for reconciling humanity to Himself through His Son continues to
ring throughout North Korea, despite opposition and danger. Pray for
the Lord to equip more workers to plant the seed of the gospel in
North Korea.
For more on those suffering for Christ’s sake in North Korea, visit
http://www.persecution.net/northkorea.htm
.
***********************************
The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the
Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Streetsville,
Ontario, L5M 2C1)
Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: http://www.persecution.net
***********************************
Religion in retreat
Father Raymond J. De Souza, National Post:
Totalitarian states have always sought to control the kindergartens and the schools and the youth groups, all the better to ensure that the influence of parents on their own children is attenuated. There is the hard totalitarianism that comes by force of arms. Soft totalitarianism comes by way of subsidies, where first the family is embraced by the state, and only then is it suffocated.
[...]
Children are, and always have been, the grist in Molech’s mill.
TSA, Youth Corps Now Officially part of Obama Gestapo
By Sher Zieve:
The problem with believing one is “safe” from the growing and increasingly ravenous Obama & Co Police State if one embraces—or pretends to embrace—the anti-God/anti-American Leftist viewpoint, is that the belief itself is fallacious. If you espouse these beliefs as your own, the Marxist/Leninist crocodiles currently occupying the power seats (that’s power over We-the-People) in Washington D.C. may eat you last. But, do not be fooled—they will eat you. It is within their innate, immutable and distinct nature to do so.
Now comes the enforcement arms of the Obama regime’s control over us all. The Obama Gestapo is taking many forms. One of these forms manifests itself in the militaristically marching students in the “Obama Youth Corps.” In The Obama Youth Corps Parts 1 and 2 (see references below), Obama is interviewed regarding “his” corps of mobilized youth. In the interview, Obama says it’s a “war.” A war against whom? In the same interview, Obama encourages these mobilized and militaristic youth to join FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). FEMA? FEMA was never before a militant organization but, was created and then used to address helping people in times of disasters. No more. From Obama’s own mouth, it will now be used to fight some strange and dark Obama war. And why were FEMA camps across the country recently refurbished and military Ads placed for people to guard whomever is going to be placed in them? Again, Obama is at war against whom?
[...]
Another NPR Hit Piece on Israel
Ira Stoll:
Never mind Juan Williams: What really gets me about National Public Radio is the way it manages to cover Israel in a manner more reminiscent of Tishreen’s or Al Jazeera’s style than that of an American news outlet. The latest egregious example is a piece from NPR’s Morning Edition that runs on the NPR website — and this morning was the lead story on the NPR home page — under the headline “In Israel, No Welcome Mat for African Migrants.” The article accuses Israel of being inhospitable to refugees. There’s no mention whatsoever of Israel’s welcoming 1 million Jews from the former Soviet Union or tens of thousands of Jews and others from Ethiopia, which, last I checked, was in Africa. Nor is there any mention of whether any other countries are laying out welcome mats for refugees. It’s hard to think of a country other than America that has been more welcoming to refugees than Israel has, so it seems likely that the NPR piece is afflicted by a certain confusion between a “refugee” and an “illegal immigrant.”
One could argue that holding Israel to a higher standard of behavior represents a certain sort of philo-Semitism, but from National Public Radio — or National Palestinian Radio, as I call it (”Please turn down the National Palestinian Radio, dear”) — I’d settle for mere accuracy.
[...]
Obama’s Energy Power Grab
by Rich Trzupek, FrontPage:
The USEPA announced its intention to deliver yet another body blow to the power and petrochemical industries, piling on another layer of unneeded, unwanted and economically disastrous regulations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the United States. Before we consider the agency’s latest move, let’s take a moment to consider all that has been done and will be done in the name of fighting the non-existent problem of global warming. States and the feds are already moving forward with at least six major regulatory programs designed to reduce the use of fossil fuels and thus decimate the energy sector:
[...]
Margaret Thatcher’s first term shows the importance of sticking to your chosen course of action.
Telegraph:
The Cabinet papers for 1980, released by the National Archives today under the 30-year rule, demonstrate the difficulties faced by Margaret Thatcher’s first government, which at the beginning of the decade was just six months old. Then, as now, the public finances had been left in such a mess by a Labour administration that drastic action was needed to bring them under control. Deep cuts in spending were proposed, while arguments raged over the burgeoning costs of health care and pensions. Ten years earlier, another Conservative administration – led by Edward Heath – had inherited a similarly inauspicious set of circumstances, and vowed to take the tough and unpopular decisions needed to rectify matters. But within two years, it had staged a volte-face, dumping the radical reforms that had been promised and reverting to a policy of corporatism, interventionism and reflation. By the end of the decade, inflation was running above 20 per cent.
Mrs Thatcher had arrived in Downing Street determined to avoid making the same mistakes. Yet as the released papers show, her first full year was dominated by the siren voices of gloom and foreboding. She faced hostility from powerful figures within her own Cabinet; the pressure for a Heath-style about-turn became intense. Eventually, in October 1980, Mrs Thatcher took on her critics at the Conservative Party conference, famously insisting that “the lady’s not for turning”.
[...]
Sadly, Cameron is as near to being a Thatcher as I am to being an Einstein.
Freezing Brits steamed over new green boilers
Phil Boehmke:
Five years ago the global warming crowd and their comrades in the Labour Party mandated the use of new green technology boilers in Great Britain. Government and environmental experts said that the ‘condensing boilers’ would not only greatly reduce the consumer’s carbon footprint, but would also lower their heating bills. Saving money and saving the planet, what could be better?
The UK Daily Mail reports that during the recent record cold spell in Great Britain, tens of thousands of people were without heat due to a serious flaw in the new boiler’s design.
[...]
Big Gas Find Sparks a Frenzy in Israel
By CHARLES LEVINSON And GUY CHAZAN:
Two years ago, Ratio Oil Exploration LP, an energy firm here, employed five people and was worth about half a million dollars.
[ISRAGAS] Noble EnergyOperations in Noble Energy’s Leviathan gas field, the world’s biggest deepwater gas find in a decade.
Today it sits at the center of a gas bonanza that has investors, international oil companies, Israeli politicians and even Hezbollah, Israel’s sworn enemy, clamoring for a piece of the action.
Ratio’s market capitalization now approaches $1 billion. The rally at Ratio is thanks to the company’s 15% stake in a giant offshore gas field called Leviathan, operated by Houston-based Noble Energy Inc.
On Wednesday, the frenzy got fresh fuel: Noble confirmed its earlier estimates that the field contains 16 trillion cubic feet of gas—making it the world’s biggest deepwater gas find in a decade, with enough reserves to supply Israel’s gas needs for 100 years.
[...]
Too funny! :)
Christians Outraged That Apple Yanked App From Store
NEWSMAX:
Several Christian leaders are angry that Apple Inc. yanked an iPhone/iPad software application containing the text of the Manhattan Declaration, a 4,700-word document that includes basic Christian teachings and Bible verses on marriage, life, and religious liberty, Baptist Press reports. Apple’s rejection signals a growing societal intolerance of orthodox Christianity that “reflects hostility toward Christian beliefs,” according to those signing an objection letter to Apple, including Richard Land, James Dobson, Charles Colson, R. Albert Mohler Jr., and Timothy Dolan.
[...]
This is what Christians look like
Charles Lewis:
In the past year I have gained more insight into how society views Christians in general, and Catholics in particular. The view is not pretty. There is an overwhelming hostility to religion that I believe is more than just a passing fad.
I can already see the heads nodding. Of course the hostility is there; religious people brought it upon themselves. During a recent debate in Toronto on the value of religion, former prime minister Tony Blair attempted to point out how much good religious institutions are doing in the world, especially in Africa. His opponent, Christopher Hitchens, basically said that any “charity” coming from the church is simply penance for all the harm done in the name of religion. When Hitchens said the word “charity” he nearly sneered.
[...]
Death Panels Revisited
WSJ:
At a stroke, Medicare chief Donald Berwick has revived the “death panel” debate from two summers ago. Allow us to referee, because this topic has been badly distorted by the political process—and in a rational world, it wouldn’t be a political question at all.
On Sunday, Robert Pear reported in the New York Times that Medicare will now pay for voluntary end-of-life counseling as part of seniors’ annual physicals. A similar provision was originally included in ObamaCare, but Democrats stripped it out amid the death panel furor. Now Medicare will enact the same policy through regulation.
We hadn’t heard about this development until Mr. Pear’s story, but evidently Medicare tried to prevent the change from becoming public knowledge. The provision is buried in thousands of Federal Register pages setting Medicare’s hospital and physician price controls for 2011 and concludes that such consultations count as a form of preventative care.
The office of Oregon Democrat Earl Blumenauer, the author of the original rider who then lobbied Medicare to cover the service, sent an email to supporters cheering this “victory” but asked that they not tell anyone for fear of perpetuating “the ‘death panel’ myth.” The email added that “Thus far, it seems that no press or blogs have discovered it, but we will be keeping a close watch.”
[...]
When Cooling Becomes Warming
by Rich Trzupek, FrontPage:
Were the stakes not so serious, the continuing efforts of global warming apologists to explain every climate condition using their pet theory would be comical. Unfortunately, and despite the death of cap and trade, the climate change crowd has already been very successful in undercutting the use of cheap, plentiful and economically beneficial fossil fuels in the United States. Even worse, the Obama administration will begin to clamp down even harder on the use of fossil fuels in 2011, in the midst of an economic crisis when America can least afford such largesse. In this context, the claim by global warming alarmists that record cold temperatures and massive snowstorms somehow confirm their beliefs demands refutation.
[...]
The Sweetheart of Venezuela and the Radicalization of the Bolivarian Revolution
by Anna Mahjar-Barducci:
During a State event, in the presence of all branches of the government, President Hugo Chavez said,”We can no longer be a docile Revolution, we must radicalize our position.” He then presented the “Anti-Imperialist Manifesto” that will be signed by supporters throughout the country during special events to be held during the next few days in defense of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
[...]
December 29, 2010 DeMint: Palin has done more for the GOP ‘than anyone since Reagan’
By Laura Donovan – The Daily Caller:
The two have never met, but Sarah Palin’s star power hasn’t gone unnoticed by Sen. Jim DeMint.
“We’ve never spoken, but she left me a nice message, and I believe she’s done more for the Republican Party than anyone since Ronald Reagan,” DeMint said.
In a Politico article published Wednesday, DeMint and other senators are quoted talking about 2012 election candidate and courting possibilities. Mitt Romney is “near the top of [DeMint's] list” as well.
[...]
Frank Gaffney: We are underestimating Jihad in America
by therightscoop:
Frank Gaffney tells O’Reilly fill in host Eric Bolling that no one in the media or government, including Fox News, is representing the truth about this stealth Jihad being perpetrated against America by people like Faisal Abdul Rauf. Bolling argued that he believes Fox News does represent it, saying that they’ve advocated that Rauf move the mosque to a less controversial location instead of at Ground Zero. This is where Gaffney is dead on the money. He replied to Bolling that Rauf should not be allowed to build a mosque anywhere in America given that he believes Rauf’s intentions to be nothing less than seditious, which is what this stealth Jihad is all about.
That was music to my ears. Now Gaffney is clear to point out that he is not opposed to mosques in America, but he is opposed to those mosques that would be used for seditious activities, namely stealth Jihad. Thank goodness for people like Frank Gaffney who aren’t afraid to be politically incorrect!
[...]
Avon’s Campaign Against the Oil Sands: All Form, No Substance.
by Katrina Rose Dunkley
Avon Products recent announcement that the firm wants to avoid using ‘high-carbon, high-impact fuels’ derived from the oil sands is yet another hit and run on America’s safest and most secure oil supplier. It is a disingenuous publicity stunt that misleads the public with false promises under false premises.
Avon’s latest so-called “environmental” campaign boils down to asking its transportation contractors to eliminate higher-carbon fuels with a special focus on Canada’s oil sands. Given Avon’s sudden distaste for petroleum products one might set the same standard in return for Avon. To speak tangentially, when the dictionary definition of hypocrisy immediately springs to mind there may be a credibility problem; ‘feigning to be what one is not; especially the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion’. Yes, we have a credibility problem.
This is a company that nets huge corporate profits from the sales of millions of reps who idle, drive and willingly gas-guzzle their way from neighborhood to neighborhood hocking petroleum based products. Perhaps when Avon rethinks one of their core business models, we can stop laughing in Alberta.
[...]
Democrats Force ‘Birther’ Issue to Rise Again: What Gives?
by Kyle-Anne Shiver:
If you ask me, this folderol of reincarnating the “Birther” issue by two prominent liberal Democrats just smacks of orchestrated political psy-ops. Hoping to get a prominent and public rise out of Republicans and/or conservative pundits, these two utterly loyal-to-the-president guys — Abercrombie and Matthews — are simply creating a diversion in the hopes that their party can regain some of the traction it’s lost over the past 2 years.
Now, I’ve never fit the standard, press-defined definition of a “Birther.” I do believe that the president was born in Hawaii. I’ve written only one column on the “Birther” controversy and that was back in August 2009. As I opined back then, the whole controversy has legs because of the complete dearth of documentation regarding this president. No presidential candidate of the past 30 years has been permitted the level of secrecy and non-disclosure that President Obama received.
To date the following are all undisclosed:
1) 1961 long-form, original, signed birth certificate
2) Marriage license between Obama’s father (Barak Sr.) and mother (Stanley Ann Dunham) — not found, not released
3) Obama’s baptism records — sealed
4) Obama’s adoption records — sealed
5) Records of Obama’s and his mother’s repatriation as US citizens on return from Indonesia — not found, not released
6) Name change (Barry Sotero to Barack Hussein Obama) records — not found, not released
7) Noelani Elementary School (Hawaii) — not released
8 ) Punahou School financial aid or school records — not released
9) Occidental College financial aid records — not released.
10) Columbia College records — not released
11) Columbia senior thesis — not released
12) Harvard Law School records — not released
13) Obama’s law client list — sealed
14) Obama’s files from career as an Illinois State Senator — sealed
15) Obama’s record with Illinois State Bar Association — sealed
16) Obama’s medical records — not released
17) Obama’s passport records — not releasedIn my opinion — as a civics-minded citizen — Obama’s as yet unreleased original long-form birth certificate from the state of Hawaii is merely the tip of a mysterious iceberg when it comes to the 44th president of the United States. Any journalist worth an ounce of salt would be curious as to why any presidential candidate would conceal nearly every documented item from his own past. Obviously, America does not have many remaining curious journalists.
[...]
Introducing South Sudan
The Economist:
In January 2011, if all goes to plan, the citizens of the autonomous southern part of Sudan will vote on whether South Sudan should become an independent country. Despite an astonishing lack of preparation for the referendum, the vote will be a chaotic but resounding “yes” for independence. And that is when the trouble will start. Or rather, restart.
War between Sudan’s largely Arabised north and the largely non-Arab south began in the early 1960s and stopped after a peace accord in 1972, only to start again in 1983 and continue until 2005. In a land of immense differences, history says that those between north and south are played out through civil war.
[...]
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