Category: US

By micoots
29/07/2016 0

Russians won’t be completely banned from the Olympics

How bad is Russian use of banned performance-enhancing drugs? Even the country’s paralympic team–those participating in the feel-good competition for disabled athletes–was caught doping. Nevertheless, the International Olympics Committee has ruled that the Russian Olympics team will be allowed to compete in Rio next month, though its athletes will face extra scrutiny and some teams (such as track and field) may be banned by the sport’s governing body.
From IOC Stops Short of Banning Entire Russi..

By micoots
28/07/2016 0

Traditional sexual ethics vs. Christian morality

I happened upon a book by a former student of mine, Matthew Rueger, now a pastor in Iowa with a Ph.D. The book, just out from CPH, is Sexual Morality in a Christless World. Matt (if I can still call him that) tells about being put in the position of defending Christian morality in an Iowa State college classroom, whose professor was teaching pretty much the opposite. He became a regular guest lecturer, up against great opposition, but his input grew to be respected, if not appreciated. Those exp..

By micoots
28/07/2016 0

What’s been missing at the Democratic convention

What’s been missing at the Democratic National Convention?
(1) American flags. The first night, there were Palestinian flags on the convention floor. Outside, Bernie Sander’s socialist followers flew the red banner with the hammer and sickle of the Soviet flag. But no Old Glory. Not until an article in the Daily Caller pointed out the absence of the American flag, in stark contrast with the Republican convention where the stars and stripes were everywhere. Whereupon the Democrats brought in some..

By micoots
28/07/2016 0

Reagan’s attempted assassin is freed

John Hinckley, who tried to kill Ronald Reagan in 1981, will be released from the mental hospital where he has been confined. He fired six shots, wounding the president and four others, including James Brady, who was seriously injured. His death two years ago from long-term complications was ruled a homicide.
From Judge grants John Hinckley Jr. his freedom decades after Reagan assassination attempt | Fox News:
The man who tried to kill President Ronald Reagan is set to go free, after a judge dec..

By micoots
28/07/2016 0

“How terrible for him to lose his bomb”

Writing for the British Spectator blog, Douglas Murray discusses Europe’s summer of terrorism and has some choice words for journalists and politicians who are in denial about its connection to Islam.
From Douglas Murray, Europe’s terror summer: will politicians now accept the reality of Islamic terrorism? Coffee House/The Spectator:
It is now a fortnight since Mohammed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ and ploughed a truck along the Nice seafront, killing 84 people. The following Monday..

By micoots
27/07/2016 0

Terrorists attack a church

Two Islamic terrorists burst into a church during Mass in Normandy, France. They beheaded the 84-year-old priest, critically-wounded a nun, and took four hostages. The terrorists were killed by police snipers. ISIS has taken responsibility for the attack.
Churches would be natural targets for terrorists. This particular congregation was said to be on one of those hit list of targets circulated by ISIS, so as to encourage “lone wolf” attacks. See this for a report on an American list, which is sa..

By micoots
27/07/2016 0

Trump’s Russian connections

In yesterday’s discussion about whether the Russians, who apparently hacked into the Democratic National Committee’s e-mails–see this for the evidence (HT: Tom Hering)–are trying to manipulate our election, reader Rustbeltrick cited another source that listed direct connections between Donald Trump and the Russian government.
According to Josh Marshall of Talking Point Memo, Trump has long been dependent on Russian investments for his businesses, including from investors with strong ties to Vlad..

By micoots
27/07/2016 0

Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee for president

The Democrats had their roll call of the states, and Hillary Clinton was formally chosen as the party’s nominee for president. She is the first woman to achieve this distinction.
From Democratic National Convention: Clinton makes history by becoming the nominee – The Washington Post:
Hillary Clinton on Tuesday became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party on a historic night that her campaign is hoping will reintroduce her to voters still deeply skeptical of her..

By micoots
26/07/2016 0

Evangelical Catholics

Donald Trump’s running mate Mike Pence describes himself as an “evangelical Catholic.” By which he means that he is a Catholic who attends an evangelical megachurch. There are quite a few of those, including another presidential candidate, Marco Rubio. (Megachurches don’t make such a big deal about “membership,” unlike other Protestant churches, so it would be easier to maintain both identities with the megachurch model.)
Catholic apologist George Weigel has called for an “evangelical Catholicis..

By micoots
26/07/2016 0

Are the Russians manipulating the U.S. election?

Researchers are concluding that it was the Russians–indeed, a Russian intelligence agency–that hacked into the Democratic National Committee’s e-mails and gave them to Wikileaks. Which raises the question: Is Vladimir Putin working to get Donald Trump elected?
Not only have the two expressed admiration for each other. A Trump presidency would clearly be in Russia’s self-interest. Trump threatens to leave NATO and has said that he might not defend NATO members if they are attacked, with specific ..