Reflections from news and commentary of the day
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Just When You Thought 'Russiagate' Couldn't Get Any Sillier... - Antiwar.com Original
Just When You Thought 'Russiagate' Couldn't Get Any Sillier... - Antiwar.com Original: April 20 is cannabis culture’s high holiday, and the Democratic National Committee celebrated it with fervor this year: Blaze up, get silly, file a bizarre lawsuit accusing the Russian government, Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, and transparency activist group WikiLeaks of conspiring to steal - Thomas Knapp for Antiwar.com Original
Trump’s Blank Check for War – Consortiumnews
Trump’s Blank Check for War – Consortiumnews: Tomorrow a Senate committee will consider a new bill that would solidify the unconstitutional shift in power to declare war from Congress to the White House, as Marjorie Cohn explains.
By Marjorie Cohn
On Monday the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to review a bill that would virt
By Marjorie Cohn
On Monday the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to review a bill that would virt
America's Unsustainable Empire - Antiwar.com Original
America's Unsustainable Empire - Antiwar.com Original: Before President Trump trashes the Iran nuclear deal, he might consider: If he could negotiate an identical deal with Kim Jong Un, it would astonish the world and win him the Nobel Peace Prize. For Iran has no nuclear bomb or ICBM and has never tested either. It has never enriched uranium to bomb grade. It has - Patrick J. Buchanan for Antiwar.com Original
Russia and China Have Had Enough - The Road to 2025 (Part 2)
Russia and China Have Had Enough - The Road to 2025 (Part 2): Part 1 of this series focused on how the U.S. empire no longer provides any real benefit to the average American citizen. Rather, the spoils of overseas wars, the domestic surveillance state and an overall corrupt economy are being systematically funneled to a smaller and smaller group of generally unsavory characters.
The Lies Behind America’s Interventions | The American Conservative
The Lies Behind America’s Interventions | The American Conservative: No one wants to be manipulated into war. So why do we keep letting it happen?
Alfie Evans and the State - WSJ
Alfie Evans and the State - WSJ: A medical debate that’s gone global is not about the money. It’s about power.
PETITION: Save Alfie Evans. Tell hospital to listen to parents | LifePetitions
PETITION: Save Alfie Evans. Tell hospital to listen to parents | LifePetitions: Tell Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to listen to Alfie Evans' parents, as they advocate for their child, remove him from this hospital, and seek proper, beneficial health care.
PETITION: Save Alfie Evans. Tell hospital to listen to parents | LifePetitions
PETITION: Save Alfie Evans. Tell hospital to listen to parents | LifePetitions: Tell Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to listen to Alfie Evans' parents, as they advocate for their child, remove him from this hospital, and seek proper, beneficial health care.
Will the UK really let Alfie Evans die in a hospital unwilling to treat him? | Fox News
Will the UK really let Alfie Evans die in a hospital unwilling to treat him? | Fox News: More than a year after being admitted to a British hospital and afflicted with a still-undiagnosed neurological ailment, Baby Alfie Evans is being killed by court order.
Alfie Evans & Logic of Selective Abortion | National Review
Alfie Evans & Logic of Selective Abortion | National Review: If life has no intrinsic value, why not withhold treatment from those who are suffering?
Who is Alfie Evans, and why is his fate being decided by the UK Court of Appeal? - CNN
Who is Alfie Evans, and why is his fate being decided by the UK Court of Appeal? - CNN: A UK court decided Wednesday to prevent the parents of Britsh toddler Alfie Evans from transporting him to Italy for medical treatment.
A Pakistani Woman Is Dead—and the World Looks Away — Charisma Magazine
A Pakistani Woman Is Dead—and the World Looks Away — Charisma Magazine: The church must cry out for justice or more women like Asma Yaqub will die.
Parents of sick British toddler to return to court
Parents of sick British toddler to return to court: The parents of a terminally ill British toddler whose case has drawn support from Pope Francis plan to return to the Court of Appeal Wednesday in hope of winning the right to take him to Italy for treatment.
Demonizing immigrants hardens American heart, says cardinal | National Catholic Reporter
Demonizing immigrants hardens American heart, says cardinal | National Catholic Reporter: Newark Cardinal Joseph Tobin said he worries that reducing the number of immigrants, particularly refugees to the U.S., and demonizing them represents a "hardening of the American heart," an...
Most Americans believe, but not always in the God of the Bible | National Catholic Reporter
Most Americans believe, but not always in the God of the Bible | National Catholic Reporter: A new Pew Research survey finds that one-third of Americans — both those who say they believe in God and those who say they don't — trust in a higher power or spiritual force.
This gr...
This gr...
Backgrounder: Christianity in China
| Backgrounder: Christianity in China |
Tens
of millions of people in China now identify as Christian, and the
number is growing rapidly, posing challenges for a government that is
wary of threats to its power from foreign actors such as the Vatican. Read more »https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/christianity-china?utm_medium=email&utm_source=religion&utm_content=041218&sp_mid=56480281&sp_rid=bWljaGVsZXRrZWFybmV5QGdtYWlsLmNvbQS2
|
Backgrounder: The Religious Landscape in China
| Backgrounder: The Religious Landscape in China |
This
CFR Backgrounder describes how the Chinese Communist Party is
responding to growing religious observance in the country by toughening
oversight, increasing religious persecution, and attempting to coopt
state-sanctioned religious organizations for Protestants, Catholics, and
Muslims. Regularly updated, CFR Backgrounders are a go-to resource to
contextualize developments in international relations. Read more »https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/religion-china?utm_medium=email&utm_source=religion&utm_content=041218&sp_mid=56480281&sp_rid=bWljaGVsZXRrZWFybmV5QGdtYWlsLmNvbQS2
The Reinvention of America
The Reinvention of America
Americans don’t realize how fast the country is moving toward becoming a better version of itself.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/05/reinventing-america/556856/
“Organization Don’t Mean Shit”: Inside the Beginning of the End of the Clinton Campaign | Vanity Fair
“Organization Don’t Mean Shit”: Inside the Beginning of the End of the Clinton Campaign | Vanity Fair: In an excerpt from her new book, Chasing Hillary, the author explains how a group of perspicacious—and pretty miserable—Clinton campaign reporters knew the candidate’s electoral hopes were imperiled all the way back in Iowa, in early 2016.
CIA plans to replace spies with AI
CIA plans to replace spies with AI: The reign of human spies will come to an end soon, according to the writing on the wall and a few statements made by the CIA's deputy director of technology.
Has Europe Even Tried to Fight Anti-Semitism?
Has Europe Even Tried to Fight Anti-Semitism?: Each time an anti-Semitic attack in Europe receives media attention, politicians rush to condemn it. But verbal condemnations alone change nothing. Anti-Semitism just gets bigger. The European Union has adopted anti-Israel policies out of fear of
Has Europe Even Tried to Fight Anti-Semitism?
Has Europe Even Tried to Fight Anti-Semitism?: Each time an anti-Semitic attack in Europe receives media attention, politicians rush to condemn it. But verbal condemnations alone change nothing. Anti-Semitism just gets bigger. The European Union has adopted anti-Israel policies out of fear of
Jack Ma Says Nations Need Tech to Sidestep U.S. Grip - Bloomberg
Jack Ma Says Nations Need Tech to Sidestep U.S. Grip - Bloomberg: Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma argues that nations from Japan to China need to develop their own semiconductor technology to get around America’s grip on the global chip market.
Crush Malaria
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Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist
Lectionary: 555
Reading 1 1 Pt 5:5b-14
Beloved:Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another, for:
God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.
So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
Be sober and vigilant.
Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, steadfast in faith,
knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world
undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace
who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
after you have suffered a little.
To him be dominion forever. Amen.
I write you this briefly through Silvanus,
whom I consider a faithful brother,
exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.
Remain firm in it.
The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.
Greet one another with a loving kiss.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Gospel Mk 16:15-20
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Fr. Warren's Week Reflection: The Good Shepherd
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Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Global Warming Likely to Be 30 to 45 Percent Lower Than Climate Models Project - Hit & Run : Reason.com
Global Warming Likely to Be 30 to 45 Percent Lower Than Climate Models Project - Hit & Run : Reason.com: A new study in the Journal of Climate compares global temperature data trends since 1850 with model outputs.
UK judge rejects bid to take sick toddler Alfie Evans abroad - ABC News
UK judge rejects bid to take sick toddler Alfie Evans abroad - ABC News: Get breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.
This is terrible.
This is terrible.
America - the Alzheimer Nation
America - the Alzheimer Nation: The author is a prominent American social critic, blogger, and podcaster, and one of our all-time favorite pessimists. We carry his articles regularly on RI. His writing on Russia-gate has been highly entertaining.
Dear Saudi Crown Prince Supporters: Your Hero May Allow Women to Drive, but He’s Also a War Criminal
Dear Saudi Crown Prince Supporters: Your Hero May Allow Women to Drive, but He’s Also a War Criminal: Mohammed bin Salman was celebrated by Silicon Valley and Hollywood titans during his U.S. visit. They ignored his role in the slaughter in Yemen.
Alfie Evans could be flown to Rome if latest appeal succeeds | UK news | The Guardian
Alfie Evans could be flown to Rome if latest appeal succeeds | UK news | The Guardian: Parents will seek to remove toddler from hospital, saying he has been breathing unassisted
Water unites us, so make it available to all | National Catholic Reporter
Water unites us, so make it available to all | National Catholic Reporter: Water literally is both the gift of life and a threat of death. In my home of New Orleans and many places like it throughout the world, we know too well the death-dealing power of water. While we have...
New York assisted suicide bill draws fire from disability rights group
New York assisted suicide bill draws fire from disability rights group: Disability rights activists are speaking out in opposition to a proposal in New York that would legalize physician assisted suicide.
Alfie Evans surviving after life support withdrawn, Vatican hospital ready to receive him
Alfie Evans surviving after life support withdrawn, Vatican hospital ready to receive him
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-uk-and-ireland/2018/04/24/alfie-evans-surviving-after-life-support-withdrawn-vatican-hospital-ready-to-receive-him/Clear signs of global warming will hit poorer countries first
Clear signs of global warming will hit poorer countries first: New climate-inequality tool quantifies how quickly the weather will veer beyond normal in different regions.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Fourth Week of Easter
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 280
Reading 1 Acts 11:19-26
Those who had been scattered by the persecutionthat arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Gospel Jn 10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
"How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father's name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.
The Father and I are one."
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Monday, April 23, 2018
The 'deep state' is real. But are its leaks against Trump justified? | Jack Goldsmith | Opinion | The Guardian
The 'deep state' is real. But are its leaks against Trump justified? | Jack Goldsmith | Opinion | The Guardian: Even the most severe critics of the US president should worry about this subtle form of anti-democratic abuse
Trump’s Africa Policy Is a Continuation of Clinton’s, Bush’s, and Obama’s – LobeLog
Trump’s Africa Policy Is a Continuation of Clinton’s, Bush’s, and Obama’s – LobeLog: by Herman J. Cohen President Trump’s Africa policy appears to be off to a bad start. First, there was the unfortunate leak of a remark made privately to a group of U.S. senators in February in whic…
FORUM: The Value of a Single Human Life - ZENIT - English
FORUM: The Value of a Single Human Life - ZENIT - English: Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Wuerl: 'Every person has an obligation to respect and protect human life and dignity'
The Only Master of Life is God - ZENIT - English
The Only Master of Life is God - ZENIT - English: The World is Following an Evil Trend
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter Lectionary: 279
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 279
Reading 1 Acts 11:1-18
The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judeaheard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem
the circumcised believers confronted him, saying,
'You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them."
Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying,
"I was at prayer in the city of Joppa
when in a trance I had a vision,
something resembling a large sheet coming down,
lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me.
Looking intently into it,
I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth,
the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
I also heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.'
But I said, 'Certainly not, sir,
because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
But a second time a voice from heaven answered,
'What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.'
This happened three times,
and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.
Just then three men appeared at the house where we were,
who had been sent to me from Caesarea.
The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.
These six brothers also went with me,
and we entered the man's house.
He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying,
'Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter,
who will speak words to you
by which you and all your household will be saved.'
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
'John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us
when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?"
When they heard this,
they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying,
"God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too."
Gospel Jn 10:1-10
Jesus said:"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
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