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Tuesday, November 5, 2019

“Neutrality” as the New Paganism - The Catholic Thing

“Neutrality” as the New Paganism - The Catholic Thing: Hadley Arkes: In formally respecting all religions (even Satanism), we may end up refusing to respect the truth of any of them.

United States begins formal withdrawal from Paris climate agreement

United States begins formal withdrawal from Paris climate agreement: The United States on Monday began the formal process of withdrawing from the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which will leave the world's biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gases as the only major nation outside the accord.

Saudi Investments in Jordan Exceed $10bln | Asharq AL-awsat

Saudi Investments in Jordan Exceed $10bln | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Iran Marks 40th Anniversary of US Embassy Seizure | Asharq AL-awsat

Iran Marks 40th Anniversary of US Embassy Seizure | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Trump's Foreign Policy Is Getting Worse - The Atlantic

Trump's Foreign Policy Is Getting Worse - The Atlantic: As the president has freed himself from the “adults,” he has also weaponized American foreign policy for his personal advantage.

Mike Pompeo explains why US is withdrawing from Paris climate agreement | Fox Business Video

Mike Pompeo explains why US is withdrawing from Paris climate agreement | Fox Business Video: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells FOX Business' Lou Dobbs President Trump decided to leave the Paris climate agreement so that American jobs wouldn't suffer.

Editorial: Trump withdrawing from Paris agreement imperils us all - Los Angeles Times

Editorial: Trump withdrawing from Paris agreement imperils us all - Los Angeles Times: Of all the dangerous, ignorant and insupportable decisions by the Trump administration, pulling the U.S. out of the Paris agreement stands tallest.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Impeaching Trump won't change anything, Opinion - THE BUSINESS TIMES

Impeaching Trump won't change anything, Opinion - THE BUSINESS TIMES: : THE BUSINESS TIMES Opinion - WASHINGTON, DC was able to ignore US President Donald Trump tweets late on Wednesday night when the unexpected happened, and the wish of every kid and adult in the city came true: For the first time in 95 years, Washington won the World Series after its baseball team, the Washington Nationals, clinched the title with a 6-2 victory in Houston over

Daniel Larison Trump Isn’t Ending Any Wars

Trump Isn’t Ending Any Wars



https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/trump-isnt-ending-any-wars/?fbclid=IwAR1ZpdQLYu2x73k5YyPu-1JJTSLr1UGc_QaHrKKobbHaZcQljirC-aLXPOM

Judge Grills PG&E Over Cable That Failed Before Massive Wildfire

Judge Grills PG&E Over Cable That Failed Before Massive Wildfire

California, U.S. Seek Billions From PG&E for Fire Fighting Costs

California, U.S. Seek Billions From PG&E for Fire Fighting Costs: (Bloomberg) -- State and federal agencies have filed dozens of wildfire-related claims against PG&E Corp., making California and Washington two of the biggest creditors in the utility’s bankruptcy case.The three biggest demands total more than $6 billion to compensate the Federal Emergency Management

‘Seven whistleblowers’ | Spectator USA

‘Seven whistleblowers’ | Spectator USA: A source tells Cockburn that House Democrats trying to impeach Donald Trump have no less than seven intelligence whistleblowers

China convenes a giant gathering of Nobel laureates - Building bridges and selling them, too

China convenes a giant gathering of Nobel laureates - Building bridges and selling them, too: It wants to pick their brains and develop hot property

Trump tax returns must go to grand jury, appeals court rules

Trump tax returns must go to grand jury, appeals court rules

The unanimous ruling that the president is not immune from state prosecutors’ investigative steps could set up a Supreme Court fight.


https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/04/appeals-court-rules-trump-must-give-taxes-to-manhattan-grand-jury-000314

Should we be angry with the dead?

Should we be angry with the dead?: “He’s in a better place.” “But I don’t want him in a better place! I want him here with me now, where I need him!” If there were a class called “Introduction to What Not to Say to the Bereaved,” I …

Meet the 103 year-old runner who keeps collecting gold medals for her speed -- Aleteia

Meet the 103 year-old runner who keeps collecting gold medals for her speed -- Aleteia

3 Priest quotes show the world urgently needs hope, not outrage

3 Priest quotes show the world urgently needs hope, not outrage: Do you ever get sick of hearing about the latest scandal in Washington, D.C., American chancery offices — or Rome? Me too. Do you ever figure you really should be spending more time examining the l…

This Psalm can be prayed for deceased relatives and friends --Aleteia

This Psalm can be prayed for deceased relatives and friends --Aleteia: Among the many traditions of the Catholic Church is praying the De profundis for the faithful departed. This title is taken from the first two words of Psalm 130 in Latin, which begins “Out o…

‘Good Things Out of Nazareth’: An inside look at the new collection of Flannery letters

‘Good Things Out of Nazareth’: An inside look at the new collection of Flannery letters: There seem to be two kinds of ambassadors for Flannery O’Connor: those who insist you should start with her stories, and those who insist you should start with her letters.  I fall into the first c…

We are finally getting better at predicting organized conflict


We are finally getting better at predicting organized conflict

New techniques have made predictions more useful, and we used one to look at violence in Ethiopia since the election of Abiy Ahmed, the new Nobel Peace Prize winner.


https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614568/predicting-organized-conflict-ensemble-modeling-ethiopia-ahmed/?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement

The US thinks TikTok could be a national security threat—here’s why



https://www.technologyreview.com/f/614665/tiktok-china-national-security-china-censorship-data-privacy/?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement

Civil War Begins When the Constitutional Order Breaks Down | The American Conservative

Civil War Begins When the Constitutional Order Breaks Down | The American Conservative: The groundwork is clearly laid, and the majority of us think we are headed towards conflict, but what does history tell us?

Servants of the U.S. National Interest – LobeLog

Servants of the U.S. National Interest – LobeLog: By Paul R. Pillar The roles of national security professionals who spend careers in government have gotten increased attention lately, mainly because some of their number have been thrust into an u…

Evangelizing young 'nones' is Bishop Robert Barron's brand | National Catholic Reporter

Evangelizing young 'nones' is Bishop Robert Barron's brand | National Catholic Reporter: When the U.S. bishops gather for their fall general meeting in Baltimore Nov. 11-13, they will hear from Bishop Robert Barron, who, as chair of the bishops' evangelization committee, is expected to ad...

The Military-Intelligence Complex – American Greatness

The Military-Intelligence Complex – American Greatness: Much has been written about the so-called Resistance of disgruntled Clinton, Obama, and progressive activists who have pledged to stop Donald Trump's agenda. The choice of the noun “Resistance,” of course, conjures up not mere “opposition,” but is meant to evoke the French “resistance” of World War II—in the melodramatic sense of current loyal progressive

Bolton Will not Testify Voluntarily - 1600 Daily

Bolton Will not Testify Voluntarily - 1600 Daily: In a new twist, former National Security Adviser John Bolton will not voluntarily testify to Congress. According to The Hill: Former national security adviser John Bolton will not appear voluntarily to testify in connection with the House impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Advertisement Bolton’s attorney Chuck Cooper told The Hill in an email late Wednesday …

Journalist Max Blumenthal arrested on false charge in DC | The Grayzone

Journalist Max Blumenthal arrested on false charge in DC | The Grayzone: The Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal speaks out on his arrest months after reporting on Venezuelan opposition violence at the DC embassy. Blumenthal was seized from his home by a group of officers and held for two

Russia, the Indispensable Nation in the Middle East - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Russia, the Indispensable Nation in the Middle East - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: The reemergence of Russia as a major power broker in the Middle East is striking because for a quarter century after the Cold War, Russia had been absent from the region. But Russia’s absence, and not its return, is the anomaly.

In His Dealings with Ukraine, Did Donald Trump Commit a Crime? | The New Yorker

In His Dealings with Ukraine, Did Donald Trump Commit a Crime? | The New Yorker

US grounds drones that can help fight California fires - Global Times

US grounds drones that can help fight California fires - Global Times

Trump threatens to end federal aid to California in tweets slamming Gov. Gavin Newsom - POLITICO

Trump threatens to end federal aid to California in tweets slamming Gov. Gavin Newsom - POLITICO

As Warren Gains in Race, Wall Street Sounds the Alarm - The New York Times

As Warren Gains in Race, Wall Street Sounds the Alarm - The New York Times

Billionaires Only? Warren Errs in Saying Whom Her Health Plan Would Tax - The New York Times

Billionaires Only? Warren Errs in Saying Whom Her Health Plan Would Tax - The New York Times: The Massachusetts senator told reporters that her plan to pay for “Medicare for all” would raise taxes only on billionaires, but that differs from the proposal she unveiled on Friday.

The Incredible Shrinking Overton Window – Caitlin Johnstone

The Incredible Shrinking Overton Window – Caitlin Johnstone: “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum — even encourage the more critical and …

Hunger moves to the suburbs - SFChronicle.com

Hunger moves to the suburbs - SFChronicle.com: As rents increase in Oakland and Berkeley, rates of poverty and food insecurity rise in suburban Alameda County, such as Livermore, Hayward and Dublin.

End-of-Life Care Laws Were Supposed to Help New Yorkers. They Don’t Always Work. — ProPublica

End-of-Life Care Laws Were Supposed to Help New Yorkers. They Don’t Always Work. — ProPublica: New York state has laws governing what health care providers are obligated to provide to patients and families facing end-of-life decisions. It’s hard to say how well they are being enforced.

Wildfire chasers are the new tornado chasers | Ars Technica

Wildfire chasers are the new tornado chasers | Ars Technica: A strike team of specially trained researchers drives into the literal line of fire.

PG&E caused 1,500 fires in 6 years. Here's what it should have done. - Business Insider

PG&E caused 1,500 fires in 6 years. Here's what it should have done. - Business Insider: Regular blackouts are PG&E's new strategy to avoid starting fires. A writer called it "the most detested, and detestable, corporation in California."

Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection November 4, 2019

Monday, November 4, 2019
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo
Luke 14:12-14
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus gives us this extraordinary command to consider the weakest and most vulnerable in our society: "When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." This is one of his central concerns throughout the Gospels. Aliens, strangers, foreigners, widows, orphans, the poor—if these weak people are ignored, God will become angry.

God’s passion not only runs right through the biblical tradition, but it comes roaring up into the social teaching of the Catholic Church: "If you have two coats in your closet, one belongs to you; the other belongs to the man who has no coat."

Let us not forget the poor and marginalized today.

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Lectionary: 485

Reading 1 Rom 11:29-36

Brothers and sisters:
The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy
because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given him anything
that he may be repaid?


For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To God be glory forever.  Amen.


Gospel Lk 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

An Indian nuclear power plant suffered a cyberattack. Here’s what you need to know. - The Washington Post

An Indian nuclear power plant suffered a cyberattack. Here’s what you need to know. - The Washington Post: Authorities don't seem to understand the real threat from cyber-operations.

Iran Announces New Violations of Nuclear Deal | Asharq AL-awsat

Iran Announces New Violations of Nuclear Deal | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

How Brexit Will End | The New Yorker

How Brexit Will End | The New Yorker: Until recently, it was possible to believe that there was a middle way, or to be in denial that a decisive moment would come. That’s no longer the case, Sam Knight writes.

The Amazon synod is about the concept of social sin, not married priests | National Catholic Reporter

The Amazon synod is about the concept of social sin, not married priests | National Catholic Reporter: If you relied on the mainstream media, you would think that the three-week synod on the Amazon last month was mainly focused on the issues of whether or not to ordain married men and to restore the fe...

Chinese Catholics barricade themselves in church to prevent demolition

Chinese Catholics barricade themselves in church to prevent demolition: Priests and parishioners have barricaded themselves in a Catholic church in the Chinese province of Hebei. The Catholics are attempting to prevent the Chinese government from tearing down the Church.

Catholic priest was correct to deny communion to Joe Biden — here's why | TheHill

Catholic priest was correct to deny communion to Joe Biden — here's why | TheHill: However the decision to withhold holy communion from Biden made headlines, it was unquestionably the pastor's decision to make and he made it, in my view, correctly.

Pro-Abortion Joe Biden: Pope Francis Gives Me Holy Communion | The Daily Wire

Pro-Abortion Joe Biden: Pope Francis Gives Me Holy Communion | The Daily Wire: Despite being a pro-abortion Democrat who now wishes to fund the practice with taxpayer dollars, former Vice President Joe Biden said that Pope Francis has given him Holy Communion, and that he had never encountered a priest or bishop who would refuse him. Speaking with PBS News Hour, Joe Biden said that the issue of […]

‘It’s night and day’: New radar allows scientists to peer inside California wildfires like never before - The Boston Globe

‘It’s night and day’: New radar allows scientists to peer inside California wildfires like never before - The Boston Globe: Scientists with San Jose State University have been deploying to the blazes, taking advantage of the high winds and low humidity to test an experimental Doppler radar.

As California burns, Trump slams governor over wildfire response - The Boston Globe

As California burns, Trump slams governor over wildfire response - The Boston Globe: Firefighters make progress amid calmer winds.

Days of terrifying darkness, cold and hunger amid PG&E’s sweeping power blackouts | National | omaha.com

Days of terrifying darkness, cold and hunger amid PG&E’s sweeping power blackouts | National | omaha.com: CLEARLAKE, Calif. — For four nights, Eliana Rubin cared for her newborn son, James, by candlelight.

Trump threatens to withhold emergency aid from fire-hit California


Trump threatens to withhold emergency aid from fire-hit California


http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/trump-threatens-to-withhold-emergency-aid-from-fire-hit-california/article/561089?utm_campaign=%2Bcalifornia&utm_content=Trump+threatens+to+withhold+emergency+aid+from+fire-hit+California&utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email

Op-Ed: Trump wants California forests cleaned - or no more money

Op-Ed: Trump wants California forests cleaned - or no more money: President Donald Trump threatened to withhold aid — one of his favored tactics — from California, claiming Governor Gavin Newsom “has done a terrible job of forest management” and has not listened to Trump’s demand that he “clean” the forest

On Joe Biden and Judging Souls - The Catholic Thing

On Joe Biden and Judging Souls - The Catholic Thing: Robert Royal: The former V.P. was recently denied Communion because of his public, pro-abortion position. This was a just act by a brave priest.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Polls Show Impeachment Might Help Trump in 2020 Swing States

Polls Show Impeachment Might Help Trump in 2020 Swing States: Voters in swing states oppose the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump. According to these polls, the Democrat push against Trump may actually help the president's reelection in 2020.

Should politicians be refused communion? | America Magazine

Should politicians be refused communion? | America Magazine: When Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, was asked at a press conference in Rome on April 23 whether Senator John F. Kerry should be denied Communion, he responded: “The law of the church is clear. The church exists in the United

Jared Diamond: There’s a 49 Percent Chance the World As We Know It Will End by 2050


Jared Diamond: There’s a 49 Percent Chance the World As We Know It Will End by 2050


https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/05/jared-diamond-on-his-new-book-upheaval.html?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=p2&utm_campaign=Subscriptions+%7C+Content+Retargeting+%7C+NY+Mag+%2B+Intel+Visitors+%285x%29+%7C+Auto+Placements&utm_id=fb_cmp-{{campaign.id}}_adg-{{adset.id}}_ad-{{ad.id}}&k_cca=subscriptions&fbclid=IwAR2P2hiW42URgrM-DrFjhM3Csffd_gZfQcqVqmCiOLdYz4ws-cUKQbv__yQ

Trump slams California for forest fires even though last week’s fires were not in forests | The Sacramento Bee

Trump slams California for forest fires even though last week’s fires were not in forests | The Sacramento Bee: The big fires that hit Southern California last week burned expensive Los Angeles homes, swept through lush agricultural land, closed the 405 Freeway and threatened a presidential library.

4.2 magnitude earthquake hits fire-ravaged Sonoma County CA | The Sacramento Bee

4.2 magnitude earthquake hits fire-ravaged Sonoma County CA | The Sacramento Bee: A 4.2-magnitude earthquake shook The Geysers, a geothermal field north of San Francisco, California, on Sunday afternoon. It follows a series of smaller quakes, including a 3.7-magnitude tremor Saturday.

DOES JESUS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Kanye West, Meet Zacchaeus | Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat

DOES JESUS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Kanye West, Meet Zacchaeus | Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat: Jesus “keeps on taking me to new levels, … that we didn’t even imagine before. […] God’s always had a plan for me.” That was the outspoken rapper Kanye West, preaching from the “new level” of a coach seat on a jet bound for LA, where he talked to Late Late Show host James Cordon …

Did Trump Order FEMA to 'Send No More Money' for California Wildfire Aid?

Did Trump Order FEMA to 'Send No More Money' for California Wildfire Aid?: President Trump has threatened to cut off aid to California unless authorities changed their forest management policies. Did he go one step further in early 2019?

Trump vows ‘no more’ federal aid to California as devastating wildfires continue to burn

Trump vows ‘no more’ federal aid to California as devastating wildfires continue to burn



https://uk.news.yahoo.com/trump-vows-no-more-federal-141800930.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9yLnNlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb20vX3lsdD1Bd3JDMENhb003OWRZQXNBZHhyUXRETUQ7X3lsdT1YM29ETVRCeU9IWnliMjF0QkdOdmJHOERZbVl4QkhCdmN3TXhCSFowYVdRREJITmxZd056Y2ctLS9SVj0yL1JFPTE1NzI4NDA0ODgvUk89MTAvUlU9aHR0cHMlM2ElMmYlMmZ1ay5uZXdzLnlhaG9vLmNvbSUyZnRydW1wLXZvd3Mtbm8tbW9yZS1mZWRlcmFsLTE0MTgwMDkzMC5odG1sL1JLPTIvUlM9cnVZOU80aUhkdU4yVzZyMS51amE0R2N2R084LQ&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACoJsmSfAjVULqcnmfE2kZHGiDRSSFm2ZvaRs1I2vupI3ZYYEXCjYD8DhEt1d60u7-giQjnG0iyUIBCjwCaYhDy039lFbVtCyja19A1Yp4Oh5JsI59FCP9nfYtCXSVq2mYFhVMOTAlDh8PzdQZAcFFnGmrU53-UjcIsneeW5FPy-

Trump’s Opposition to ‘Endless Wars’ Appeals to Those Who Fought Them - The New York Times

Trump’s Opposition to ‘Endless Wars’ Appeals to Those Who Fought Them - The New York Times

Pope Francis: The church must listen to ‘the cry of the poor’ | America Magazine

Pope Francis: The church must listen to ‘the cry of the poor’ | America Magazine: The most important thing to emerge from the synod was the unequivocal commitment by the church to seek new ways to preach the Gospel and to promote justice and stand in solidarity with the Amazon’s 34 million inhabitants.

How my Catholic identity has been challenged—and enriched—by social justice | America Magazine

How my Catholic identity has been challenged—and enriched—by social justice | America Magazine: Christianity is not a collection of abstract principles that can be reduced to parsing and defending faceless propositions.

You have to leave Washington to know the reality of migrants at the border


You have to leave Washington to know the reality of migrants at the border

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/10/31/you-have-leave-washington-know-reality-migrants-border?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_campaign=10f2c59b04-FAITH_CAMPAIGN_2019_11_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fe8ed70be-10f2c59b04-58861785

California Governor Threatens to Step In and `Restructure' PG&E - Bloomberg

California Governor Threatens to Step In and `Restructure' PG&E - Bloomberg: California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened a state takeover of PG&E Corp. unless the beleaguered utility giant makes a swift exit from bankruptcy and improves its operations to reduce wildfire risks.

How to prepare PG&E and California’s power system for the 21st century - Vox

How to prepare PG&E and California’s power system for the 21st century - Vox: PG&E must be made a partner to local communities, with its profits tied to their success.

Governor Newsom threatens PG&E takeover if no plan is made – Press Enterprise

Governor Newsom threatens PG&E takeover if no plan is made – Press Enterprise: By ADAM BEAM SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s governor on Friday threatened a takeover of the troubled utility blamed for sparking deadly wildfires across the state with its outdated equipme…

California Governor to convene meet of PG&E shareholders, executives next week - Reuters

California Governor to convene meet of PG&E shareholders, executives next week - Reuters: California Governor Gavin Newsom said he will convene a meeting of Pacific Gas and Electric Co executives, shareholders, wildfire victims, and PG&E's other creditors in Sacramento next week to speed up the resolution of the bankruptcy case that creates a new entity.

California Governor Moves to Reshape PG&E After Fires and Blackouts - The New York Times

California Governor Moves to Reshape PG&E After Fires and Blackouts - The New York Times: Gov. Gavin Newsom said the company, in bankruptcy over wildfire liabilities, had “failed to prioritize public safety.”

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Is California Becoming Premodern?


Is California Becoming Premodern?


https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/10/california-nears-limits-progressive-adventurism-policy-and-politics/?utm_source=Hoover+Daily+Report&utm_campaign=6b565096fd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_09_05_04_36_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_21b1edff3c-6b565096fd-73113757#slide-1

Christians fleeing northeastern Syria--Aleteia

Christians fleeing northeastern Syria--Aleteia: Senior Chaldean priest warns of more of an exodus as Turks move into "safe zone."

Excavation at site of ancient Shiloh offers evidence for biblical accounts

Excavation at site of ancient Shiloh offers evidence for biblical accounts: Scott Stripling holds a Bible in one hand and a shovel in the other as he speaks with a reporter from the Jerusalem Post. “The Bible and other ancient religious texts is what has driven archeology …

Why All Souls' Day was established by this Benedictine monk --Aleteia

Why All Souls' Day was established by this Benedictine monk --Aleteia: All Souls Day has a fascinating history, one that can be traced back to the 10th century and the initiative of St. Odilo of Cluny. St. Odilo was a holy abbot of a Benedictine monastery located in C…

How World War I influenced the celebration of All Souls' Day --Aleteia

How World War I influenced the celebration of All Souls' Day --Aleteia: While All Souls Day dates back to the 10th century, one major aspect of its celebration was introduced during World War I. According to Fr. William Saunders in an article for Catholic Exchange, &#8…

Biden update: diocese decree requires withholding communion from pro-abort pols | Deacon Greg Kandra

Biden update: diocese decree requires withholding communion from pro-abort pols | Deacon Greg Kandra: "Because support for pro-abortion legislation is gravely sinful, such persons should not be admitted to Holy Communion.” From CNA:  A policy in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina requires priests to withhold the Eucharist from politicians and political candidates who support legal protection for abortion.

After the Amazonian Synod: New Winds Blowing | Elias Crim

After the Amazonian Synod: New Winds Blowing | Elias Crim: While I may be in a distinct minority among American Catholics, my spirits are rising. Unlike many I know, I don’t feel fearful and defensive. Instead, I can feel fresh new winds (buenos aires, so to speak) blowing after the Amazonian Synod. Somehow, miraculously, we have a pope whose vision of the Church’s hierarchy

Satire from the Borowitz Report | The New Yorker

Satire from the Borowitz Report | The New Yorker: Satire from The New Yorker’s Andy Borowitz.

What I saw in the West Bank - YouTube

What I saw in the West Bank - YouTube: Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

(3) ICYMI | Polly Boiko | Trump’s Syrian oil truth bomb! - YouTube

(3) ICYMI | Polly Boiko | Trump’s Syrian oil truth bomb! - YouTube: Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Road Trip through Iran

 Road Trip through Iran



YouTube: Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Trump Freezes Lebanon Military Aid After Israel Voiced Concerns  | Zero Hedge

Trump Freezes Lebanon Military Aid After Israel Voiced Concerns  | Zero Hedge: As fears of "foreign interference" in massive anti-government protests grow...

H.Con.Res.70 - Directing the President to remove United States Armed Fo

116th CONGRESS
1st Session


H. CON. RES. 70

Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Syrian Arab Republic that have not been authorized by Congress.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 31, 2019
Ms. Gabbard submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Syrian Arab Republic that have not been authorized by Congress.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
SECTION 1. Removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Syrian Arab Republic that have not been authorized by Congress.
(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:
(1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
(2) Congress has not declared war with respect to, or provided any specific statutory authorization for, United States military participation in any activity related to securing, guarding, possessing, profiting off of, or developing oil fields in northern Syria. All of these actions are unconstitutional.
(3) President Donald Trump stated on October 27, 2019 regarding Syria that “we are leaving soldiers to secure the oil. Now, we may have to fight for the oil. That’s OK. Maybe somebody else wants the oil, in which case they have a hell of a fight.” And that “it can help us, because we should be able to take some also. And what I intend to do, perhaps, is make a deal with an ExxonMobil or one of our great companies to go in there and do it properly. Right now it’s not big. It’s big oil underground but it’s not big oil up top.”.
(4) The Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, stated on October 28, 2019, regarding oil in Syria that “US troops will remain positioned in this strategic area to deny ISIS access those vital resources. And we will respond with overwhelming military force against any group that threatens the safety of our forces there.”. Secretary Esper confirmed that this includes denying access to the oil from Russian and Syrian forces.
(5) Oil, natural resources, and land in Syria belong to the Syrian people, not the United States.
(6) Depriving the Syrian people from the economic benefit of their natural resources will inhibit them from rebuilding their country. It is not humane or in the national security interests of the United States for the Syrian Arab Republic to be an unstable or failed state. An unstable or failed Syrian state further proliferates the presence of terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS in Syria, and significantly deteriorates the humanitarian condition of the Syrian people.
(7) Section 8(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1547(c)) defines the introduction of United States Armed Forces to include “the assignment of members of such armed forces to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany the regular or irregular military forces of any foreign country or government when such military forces are engaged, or there exists an imminent threat that such forces will become engaged, in hostilities.”.
(b) Removal of armed forces.—Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Syrian Arab Republic, except United States Armed Forces engaged in operations authorized under the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note), not later than 30 days after the date of the adoption of this concurrent resolution unless and until a declaration of war or specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces has been enacted into law.

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Beloved Indian YouTuber Grandpa Kitchen dies. Millions watched him make epic meals for orphans


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https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/01/india/india-youtube-grandpa-kitchen-intl-hnk-scli/index.html

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