Random links of interest, concern or curiosity from the past week or so, that deserve at least a SHORT mention:

 
Expensive climate change programs hurt the poor most ~ Not that the progressive elitists don’t already know this (they just don’t care) ~

Researchers from the Euro-Mediterranean Center for Climate Change estimate that if every country participating in the Paris climate accord actually fulfilled its greenhouse gas emission reduction pledges, more than 3 million people will be pushed into poverty. That’s on top of the 1 billion people around the world who still don’t have electricity or any of the benefits that come with it — like clean running water, refrigeration, modern medical care, and home heating.
 
Reliable, affordable energy has the power to lift people from poverty. Making that energy less accessible is a disservice to both the less fortunate and to the environment.

 
Irresponsible Dem attacks on ICE inspire violence by domestic terrorists ~ Incited by angry pro-illegal rhetoric, activists attacked ICE facilities/agents four times in the last couple of months ~

Some prominent Democrats have declared war on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), threatening the lives of federal officials in order to advance a radical political agenda and a policy of open borders.
 
These Democrats are showing they have no limit on how far they will go to tear at the fabric of our nation, especially the institutions created by Congress to maintain domestic peace and security.

 
And in their war on our borders, they really they don’t mind a little collateral damage ~ Lawsuit: Public school district allowed an illegal alien now accused of child molestation to volunteer despite red flags ~

Despite multiple red flags on a 2013 background check, public school officials in Charlotte, N.C., gave an illegal immigrant access to hundreds of young children. Now he’s on trial for child molestation, and his alleged victim’s parents are suing the school district.
 
In March 2018, Ricardo Mata was arrested by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on charges of indecent liberties with a child after he was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl.

 
Barack and Michelle Obama are buying a $15M estate in Martha’s Vineyard ~ Not too shabby for an illegitimate kid who may or may not have been born in Kenya. Just think how much more wealthy they’d be if America wasn’t such a horribly racist nation ~

The Obamas were initially just renting the seven-bedroom, 8½-bathroom spread for summer 2019, but apparently loved it so much that they made an offer […]
 
As of 2018, Barack Obama’s net worth was about $40 million, from projects like speaking engagements and books as well as the six-figure pension granted to all past presidents, according to a GoBankingRates calculation.
 
But given Michelle Obama’s bestselling hit “Becoming” — and the lucrative book tour that accompanied it — it’s estimated the couple is actually worth more than $135 million. (Their production deal with Netflix to produce films, announced in May, is another boon to the coffers.)

 
Elderly couple found dead in murder-suicide, left notes about issues paying for medical care ~ So sad. Not sure if it says more about our broken healthcare system – or our broken social networks ~

“Several notes were left citing severe ongoing medical problems with the wife and expressing concerns that the couple (in their 70’s) did not have sufficient resources to pay for medical care,” the sheriff’s department’s post reads.

 
2 NY Women Plead Guilty to Planning Terrorist Attack Against Law Enforcement, Military ~ Odd, the mainstreams missed this one ~

Two New York residents inspired by radical Islam pleaded guilty on Friday to planning a terrorist attack using explosives against law enforcement and military targets in the United States.
 
Asia Siddiqui and Noelle Velentzas of Queens intended to use explosives and a weapon of mass destruction in their attack and studied the worst terrorist attacks in the country during their planning, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

 
Maher Rips Koch Upon His Death: ‘F*** Him … I Hope It Was Painful’ ~ I only included this to illustrate how utterly devoid of decency – and simple humanity – leading leftists have become. Bill Maher has a very ugly soul ~

Liberal comedian Bill Maher didn’t mince words about the death of industrialist David Koch, ripping the billionaire on his HBO program Friday for funding “climate-science deniers” and hoping his “end was painful.”

 
‘God is a tourist attraction’ Anglican bishop says on cathedral carnival ride ~ Somehow I don’t think Jesus, the guy who overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple – “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” – would agree ~

The construction of houses of worship was “not something that we’ve invented,” said (Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P., vice president and academic dean of the Dominican House of Studies) “This is something that God revealed, revealed in scripture, that there are to be sacred places where we are to worship Him and give Him praise. We don’t have the right or the option to do something other than that in those places,” he said.
 
“And so that’s why when you try to bring the profane, the carnival, into the church and into the place built directly to worship God and to raise the mind and heart to God, not only is it confused, it’s scandalous,” said Petri.

 
Can’t We All Just Get Along? Searching for Common Ground in Today’s America ~ John Zmirak, at his sarcastic best, wonders whether weak-kneed Republicans haven’t already made a few too many concessions to progressivism.

 
New York Times: Lawns Are Symbols of Racism, Bad for Global Warming ~ Because of course, everything about America is simply horrible ~

While most Americans are spending time this summer enjoying the sun in the comfort of their houses’ yards, the New York Times is out with a new exposé on how lawn care is problematic, once viewed through the lens of social justice.

 
A Sad Tale of a Wealthy Millennial’s Moral Confusion ~ What’s really tragic is how indoctrination stifles critical thinking skills ~

Adam Roberts’ confusion is sad, for it means he encourages not only envy and resentment toward many whom God has blessed but also false guilt on the part of many, including himself, who are blessed.

 
As ‘Unplanned’ Releases To Homes, Here’s A Look Behind The Scenes ~ Interesting account of the making of the captivating pro-life film. See it soon – if you haven’t yet.

 
Hope In a Small Town ~ A bittersweet but inspiring story from a regular American in eastern North Carolina ~

Hope is what I see when President Trump hugs the flag like he was a kid again. Hope is when I see manufacturing jobs returning. Hope is standing beside Israel, right when they need strong allies the most.