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

 
‘The US has crossed all the red lines’: Head of Egypt’s Coptic Church and Palestinian President will shun Mike Pence when he visits the Middle East in response to Trump declaring Jerusalem Israel’s capital ~ Pope Tawadros II seems a bit confused. Coptic Christian churches are generally not being blown up by the Jews…
 
Perhaps this dude could use a brief history lesson ~ Every Time You Wish Someone ‘Happy Hanukkah’ You Acknowledge The Historic Jewish Claim On Jerusalem ~ For those who might try to claim otherwise ~

(W)hatever reasons you have for offering good wishes, Hanukkah itself is a reminder that Jews have a singular, millennia-long historic relationship with Jerusalem. By the time Mattathias rebelled against Hellenistic Syrian king Antiochus, who had not only ordered a statue of Zeus to be erected in the Holy Temple but that swine be sacrificed to him, Jerusalem had likely been a Jewish city for more than 1,000 years. As some readers have suggested, Hanukkah might be the only Jewish holiday that celebrates events confirmed by the historical record […]
 
Nearly every time an archaeologist digs in the city, some incredible cache of evidence of an ancient Jewish presence is found. It’s going to take heavy lifting to untether thousands of years of Jewish history and faith from Israel. But these efforts are also an attempt to deny the spiritual connection Jews have with city.

 
‘My Medicine or My Baby’s Milk’: Venezuela’s Health Crisis Takes Personal Toll ~ The tragic fruits of socialism ~

The health crisis in socialist Venezuela is now reaching apocalyptic proportions as hospitals and pharmacies have just a fraction of the medicine and resources required to give people adequate medical treatment.

 
Congressional Staffer in Charge of Investigating Sexual Harassment Accused of Sexual Harassment ~ Good grief. It’s like a plague ~

Omar Ashmawy is the staff director and chief counsel of the Office of Congressional Ethics, the office that investigates allegations of misconduct in the House of Representatives, including allegations of sexual harassment like those levied against former Democratic Rep. John Conyers (Mich) […]
 
(S)omewhat ironically, Foreign Policy reported Thursday that Ashmawy himself is now facing accusations of “verbally abusing and physically assaulting women.”

 
(Michigan) Township Officials: Cronyism Rife On Lucrative Wind Project Deals ~ Swamp creatures don’t just live in Washington D.C ~

Three of the five (Marion Township’s) planning commissioners who voted on the wind project had signed agreements to lease land to Exelon for wind turbines, as had two members of the five-member township board, who had also voted on wind projects. They would all benefit financially if the project went through.

 
There’s a reason turbine promoters have to pay people off ~ Australian Court Finds Wind Turbine Noise Exposure a ‘Pathway to Disease’: Waubra Foundation Vindicated ~

In a World first, Australia’s Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has declared that the “noise annoyance” caused by wind turbine generated low-frequency noise and infrasound “is a plausible pathway to disease” based on the “established association between noise annoyance and some diseases, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease, possibly mediated in part by disturbed sleep and/or psychological stress/distress.”

Girls rule(s) ~ Judith Curry, former professor, climate scientist (as a climate “denier,” she herself has been a victim of leftist attacks) provides some valuable perspective on the #metoo – j’accuse movement and sexual harassment in academia.

 
A couple pro-life victories to celebrate 🙂 ~

Two Companies That Sold Aborted Baby Parts for Planned Parenthood Forced to Close Down ~

The two California-based companies reached a settlement with the Orange County District Attorney’s office of almost $8 million dollars. As a result of the settlement the two companies will close up shop over the next couple of months and will no longer be selling parts from babies killed in abortions for Planned Parenthood or anyone else.

Planned Parenthood under investigation by Justice Department over sale of fetal tissue ~ Better late than never ~

“Over two years ago, citizen journalists at The Center for Medical Progress first caught Planned Parenthood’s top abortion doctors in a series of undercover videos callously and flippantly negotiating the sale of tiny baby hearts, lungs, livers, and brains,” (David) Daleiden said Thursday. “It is time for public officials to finally hold Planned Parenthood and their criminal abortion enterprise accountable under the law.”
 
The federal investigation by the Trump administration will reopen the years-long debate on whether Planned Parenthood and other providers violated the law with the illegal sale of body parts.

 
Big Top Voice ~ Last week Mark Levin spoke with Johnathan Lee Iverson, the “Big Top Voice,” on his radio show. Iverson was the last ringmaster for Ringling Bros/Barnum & Baily Circus before the show closed down; a fascinating guy with an amazing life story. He’s still in the business, dispensing wisdom gleaned from personal experience along the way ~

A proud graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art & Performing Arts and The Hartt School of the University of Hartford, Iverson took his first steps into the pages of history at only 22 years old, when he became the youngest, the first New Yorker, and the first African American Ringmaster in the near 150 year history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.[1] Iverson’s presence at The Greatest Show On Earth set box office records for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey throughout the United States.

 
Boeing Execs Head to Iran As Congress Cracks Down on Tehran’s Use of Planes For Terror ~ All part of Obama’s Iranian nuke deal. Didn’t this sort of behavior used to be considered treasonous? ~

Boeing executives were in Tehran as recently as May, when they met with a top former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) member who threatened to blow up U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf region. That official, Hossein Alaei, is now the CEO of Aseman Airlines, one of the state-controlled airlines Boeing is seeking to ink a deal with.

Obama Administration’s EPA Caught Illegally Using Social Media To Push Agenda ~ In his eight years in office Obama somehow managed to poison every one of our federal agencies. Federal law prohibits agencies from engaging in propaganda – but, oh well ~

Judicial Watch has caught the Obama era EPA red handed breaking federal law. It is illegal for a federal agency to attempt to sway public opinion, but that’s exactly what they did. They used non-governmental groups who supported proposed policies, specifically the Waters of the United States rule and the Clean Power Plan, and gave them a way to use social media to change public opinion.

 
A (Holy) Ghost Story: Seeing Christ in A Christmas Carol ~ No wonder it’s such a timeless tale ~

Indeed, this story reflects deep truths about a God of second chances, a God who commands us to help one another, a God who will do anything to bring His children home. As G.K. Chesterton observed, “The story sings from end to end like a happy man going home.”

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

 
1 in 5 Brits Don’t Know Christmas Is Celebration of Jesus’ Birth: Poll ~ In case you were wondering why Britain is doomed ~

The History Channel and Onepoll.com surveyed 2,000 British adults and found that one in five respondents did not know the true meaning of Christmas.
 
“Almost one in 20 thought Jesus was born over Easter — the holiday which is actually held to mark his death and subsequent resurrection,” reported the London Economic on Wednesday.

 
Guardian: President Trump Distracts Journalists from Reporting Climate Disasters ~ The latest whine from the climatists ~

Trump doesn’t just suck the oxygen out of the room; he sucks the carbon dioxide out of the national dialogue.

So isn’t that a good thing? 😀
 
Jerusalem 101: Why President Trump’s New Policy Is Such a Big Deal ~

(I)t is important to understand the history of the city. The Old Testament describes in 2 Samuel 5 how King David conquered the city and made it his capital, over 3000 years ago. It later describes in 1 Kings 8 how David’s son, King Solomon, built the Holy Temple and installed the Ark of the Covenant there. Since then, Jews have always faced Jerusalem in their daily prayers. It is the center of the Jewish faith and the core of Jewish history […]
 
(R)ecognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. embassy there is just a recognition of reality. But it is also a courageous decision, showing that the U.S. will stand with our allies regardless of terrorist threats.

 
“I will NOT back down” – Defence Secretary stands his ground after facing outrage from Labour and the legal establishment over his vow to ‘eliminate’ jihadis ~ Amidst elite leftist admonition, ordinary Brits are cheering the fact that someone in government actually cares about them ~

Gavin Williamson faced outrage from Labour and the legal establishment for saying Britons who fought for Islamic State in Syria and Iraq were legitimate targets for military strikes. He said the UK should do everything it could to ‘eliminate that threat’.

 
Obama admin’s 35-yr lease of Port Canaveral to Middle East company with Russian ties endangers U.S. national security ~ Another mess Obama left behind that needs cleaning up ~

In an op/ed for The Washington Times on Nov. 23, 2017, retired U.S. Navy admiral and commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet James A. Lyons alerts us to another security compromise by the Obama administration — the 35-year lease of Port Canaveral with no security review to the Middle East company Gulftainer, which Admiral Lyons calls a “serious security compromise” to both the Port and its adjacent military infrastructure.

 
While We Await the Court’s Ruling on Masterpiece Cakes, a Dose of Reality From India ~ Although the Supreme’s decision on Masterpiece Cakeshop is critical to religious freedom in America, it’s important to keep our perspective; we don’t yet have to forfeit our lives to embrace Christ ~

No one is holding a literal gun to our heads and threatening to kill us unless we deny Jesus. No one is threatening to behead our families if we refuse to compromise our convictions.
 
But in other parts of the world, like India from which I write these words, believers are paying with their lives.

 
Abortion Industry Wants Abortion Pill Sold Online… Here’s Why That’s a Terrible Idea ~

Many in the media feed the fantasy that this is an easy, “magical way” of swallowing a pill while pregnant, getting a good night’s sleep, and waking up un-pregnant. Here’s the truth. The regimen can take longer and be much bloodier and more painful than advertised.

 
These folks know the truth, and recognize real racism when they see it ~ African-American Leaders Slam Planned Parenthood’s Racial Abortion Agenda: “Quit Targeting Our Women” ~

The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is the largest African-American Christian denomination in the United States. Recognizing that abortion is pervasive and specifically targeting their community, the Church of God in Christ stepped up to promote adoption among its churches and educate members about abortion and the pro-life cause.

 
Political correctness gone wild on campus ~ Nice to see that news of collegiate intolerance is finding its way into the mainstream media. This was on the opinion page – but nevertheless, made it into the Detroit News, highlighting a recent incident at the University of Michigan ~

Students do themselves a disservice when they silence the open debate of ideas and shield themselves from other perspectives. But in the end, it’s up to university administrators to enforce their speech policies and make sure they aren’t inhibiting the rights of any students — even conservative ones.

 
Red Cross Demands Branches Remove Crucifixes to Be More Secular ~ “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38 ~

“The Once Respected Red Cross is Enforcing PC Tyranny: Withdraw Support Now” – Breitbart

 
US Skier Says She Won’t Be Representing Trump at Olympics, Now Fox Hosts Have a Message for Her ~ Maybe Lindsey Vonn could join the North Korean team?
 
More North Korean ‘ghost ships’ washing up on Japan’s coast due to food shortage, sanctions, analysts say ~

Three more bodies, believed to be those of North Koreans, were recovered off the coast of Sakata in Yamagata prefecture Monday, two days after a dilapidated empty boat washed ashore, Japan’s coast guard said. The discovery is just one of 28 boats that have reached the Japanese shoreline facing North Korea this year — about four more compared to last year. About 650 miles sit between North Korea and Japan’s coast.

 
Erasing Mary, Gay ‘Nativity’ Erases Woman By featuring two Josephs the message is who needs women? ~

Replacing Mary with another Joseph is mocking God. It’s saying: “Hey God, I’m going to recreate your family the way I want it, to affirm my sexual passions and preferences. I’ll make it reflect my desired reality.”
 
Refashioning the Holy Family to reflect homosexual coupling is demonic. Erasing Mary from the scene is demonic. (And yes, erasing Joseph in favor of two Marys would also be demonic. So would erasing Joseph for Mary as a single mother.) […]
 
Same-sex “marriage” remakes the human family against God’s plan. It eliminates either mother or father to satisfy disordered sexual preferences. It denies the child his or her inherent right to both parents. It serves the desires of the adults, but casts off the needs of the child.