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Information from some sites may not be reliable, or may not be vetted.
Some sources may require subscription.
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from BBC News (UK)
An orangutan who was one of the first apes to learn sign language has died in Atlanta, Georgia, aged 39. Chantek lived with an anthropologist in Tennessee for about nine years and learned to clean his room, make and use tools and memorise the route to a fast-food restaurant. He spent his later years in Zoo Atlanta where he was treated for heart disease.
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from The Blaze (& Glenn Beck)
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Pat Robertson — longtime televangelist who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network and former presidential candidate — weighed in Monday night on the recent allegations of sexual harassment levied against Fox News Network’s Eric Bolling. Defending Bolling, Robertson suggested that a liberal conspiracy was at the heart of those bringing such allegations against those at Fox News.
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from Great Falls Tribune (Montana)
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from The Heritage Foundation
[Information from this site may be unreliable.]
In NAFTA Negotiations, Trump Must Ensure Protection of US Property Rights
The Trump administration has called for an “America first” trade policy. Elizabeth Warren assumes that legal systems in other counties are perfectly able—and willing—to protect the property rights of American citizens. An “America first” NAFTA should continue the practice of providing unbiased referees for trade and investment disputes.
$15 Minimum Wage Would Wreak Havoc on One of America’s Richest Counties
Montgomery County, Maryland, would have passed a $15 minimum wage if is wasn’t for County Executive Ike Leggett. Leggett called for a comprehensive study of how such a policy would affect the county. This study should serve as an example to other policymakers of the right way to legislate: by seeking information and analysis before enacting monumental legislation.
Congressman’s Bill Would Make It Too Easy to Prosecute Innocent People
Although well-meaning, the bill is duplicative and unnecessarily adds to the ever-growing list of federal crimes. The fight against legitimate social ills should not overly risk punishing morally blameless or socially productive behavior.
Toward a Tax System Designed on Purpose
Job No. 1 for Congress is repealing Obamacare. But cutting taxes is a close second. Our business tax system is particularly bad. American corporations face one of the highest tax rates in the world. Unfortunately, pro-growth tax reform will face an uphill battle in the Senate, where a 60-vote threshold is necessary for passage.
How States Can Get Exemptions from Obamacare’s Rules
The Senate’s failure to pass even a watered-down version of health care reform was compounded by its decision to leave Washington rather than finish the job.
Should Transgender Americans be Allowed in the Military? Not So Fast: Military Readiness Has to be First Concern
TSA Screeners Are an Easy Candidate for Privatization
The Transportation Safety Administration has consistently failed tests of its security at airports. Several years ago, it failed 95 percent of the time. There is no need for the TSA to manage a fully federalized aviation security workforce. Rather, the agency should be responsible only for setting security rules. Focusing the agency on threats and oversight would enhance security, save money and leave travelers far happier.
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In NAFTA Negotiations, Trump Must Ensure Protection of US Property Rights
The Trump administration has called for an “America first” trade policy. Elizabeth Warren assumes that legal systems in other counties are perfectly able—and willing—to protect the property rights of American citizens. An “America first” NAFTA should continue the practice of providing unbiased referees for trade and investment disputes.
$15 Minimum Wage Would Wreak Havoc on One of America’s Richest Counties
Montgomery County, Maryland, would have passed a $15 minimum wage if is wasn’t for County Executive Ike Leggett. Leggett called for a comprehensive study of how such a policy would affect the county. This study should serve as an example to other policymakers of the right way to legislate: by seeking information and analysis before enacting monumental legislation.
Congressman’s Bill Would Make It Too Easy to Prosecute Innocent People
Although well-meaning, the bill is duplicative and unnecessarily adds to the ever-growing list of federal crimes. The fight against legitimate social ills should not overly risk punishing morally blameless or socially productive behavior.
Toward a Tax System Designed on Purpose
Job No. 1 for Congress is repealing Obamacare. But cutting taxes is a close second. Our business tax system is particularly bad. American corporations face one of the highest tax rates in the world. Unfortunately, pro-growth tax reform will face an uphill battle in the Senate, where a 60-vote threshold is necessary for passage.
How States Can Get Exemptions from Obamacare’s Rules
The Senate’s failure to pass even a watered-down version of health care reform was compounded by its decision to leave Washington rather than finish the job.
Should Transgender Americans be Allowed in the Military? Not So Fast: Military Readiness Has to be First Concern
TSA Screeners Are an Easy Candidate for Privatization
The Transportation Safety Administration has consistently failed tests of its security at airports. Several years ago, it failed 95 percent of the time. There is no need for the TSA to manage a fully federalized aviation security workforce. Rather, the agency should be responsible only for setting security rules. Focusing the agency on threats and oversight would enhance security, save money and leave travelers far happier.
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from The Living Church
FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNORTHODOX? SOME THOUGHTS ON A RECENT CONTROVERSY
In recent days, there’s been a discussion of the boundaries of orthodoxy in some corners of the evangelical blogosphere. James K.A. Smith, the prolific writer and professor of philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, kicked off the discussion. Smith’s concern is that speaking of traditional Christian sexual ethics as orthodox (as opposed to calling them biblical or traditional) is not only a category confusion but a potentially dangerous one: If we decouple orthodoxy from its conciliar definition, who knows what content might arise to fill it out? As much as lies within me, until I have good reason to believe otherwise, I want to assume that my interlocutors who affirm same-sex marriage and who say the same creed with me each Sunday do so in good faith, and deserve to be answered on the basis of the orthodox Christian theology they profess. Insofar as this is what Smith’s post was aiming at, I’m with him 100 percent.
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Leonard Pitts Jr.: How much longer will GOP be the party of mean and vicious?
Why Government Has a Dangerous Obsession with Statistics
In a free market, businesses have little need of economy-wide statistics. They are, however, desperately needed for any sort of government planning.
The Rise of Zombie Companies — And Why It Matters
The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) has warned again of the collateral damages of extremely loose monetary policy. One of the biggest threats is the rise of “zombie companies.” Since the “recovery” started, zombie firms have increased from 7.5% to 10.5%. In Europe, Bof A estimates that about 9% of the largest companies could be categorized as “walking dead.” What is a zombie company? It is — in the BIS definition — a listed firm, with ten years or more of existence, where the ratio of EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) relative to interest expense is lower than one. In essence, a company that merely survives due to the constant refinancing of its debt and, despite re-structuring and low rates, is still unable to cover its interest expense with operating profits, let alone repay the principal.
It’s so routine for private equity firms to run roughshod over the law that industry publications don’t even bother pointing out the misconduct. An example is a new article in PE Hub, Why PE firms are buying orthopedic and ophthalmology practices . Mind you, private equity firms buying up medical practices is hardly new. For instance, some private equity firms were acquiring outpatient surgery centers years ago. Roy Poses at Health Care Renewal pointed out in 2015 that private equity was targeting primary doctors’ practices.
FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNORTHODOX? SOME THOUGHTS ON A RECENT CONTROVERSY
In recent days, there’s been a discussion of the boundaries of orthodoxy in some corners of the evangelical blogosphere. James K.A. Smith, the prolific writer and professor of philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, kicked off the discussion. Smith’s concern is that speaking of traditional Christian sexual ethics as orthodox (as opposed to calling them biblical or traditional) is not only a category confusion but a potentially dangerous one: If we decouple orthodoxy from its conciliar definition, who knows what content might arise to fill it out? As much as lies within me, until I have good reason to believe otherwise, I want to assume that my interlocutors who affirm same-sex marriage and who say the same creed with me each Sunday do so in good faith, and deserve to be answered on the basis of the orthodox Christian theology they profess. Insofar as this is what Smith’s post was aiming at, I’m with him 100 percent.
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from Miami Herald
In his new book, Sen. Jeff Flake, himself a Republican, condemns conservatism for its role in a “culture of vicious dehumanization,” not to mention its sins of incoherence, rejection of empirical fact and plain hypocrisy. Writing of the rush by the conservative party, i.e., the GOP, to embrace the regrettable Donald Trump during the last election, the author is blunt and unsparing. “Never has a party so quickly or easily abandoned its core principles …”
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from Mises Institute
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]In a free market, businesses have little need of economy-wide statistics. They are, however, desperately needed for any sort of government planning.
The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) has warned again of the collateral damages of extremely loose monetary policy. One of the biggest threats is the rise of “zombie companies.” Since the “recovery” started, zombie firms have increased from 7.5% to 10.5%. In Europe, Bof A estimates that about 9% of the largest companies could be categorized as “walking dead.” What is a zombie company? It is — in the BIS definition — a listed firm, with ten years or more of existence, where the ratio of EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) relative to interest expense is lower than one. In essence, a company that merely survives due to the constant refinancing of its debt and, despite re-structuring and low rates, is still unable to cover its interest expense with operating profits, let alone repay the principal.
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from naked capitalism
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from New Statesman
"The leading voice of the British left, since 1913."
Which sex is better at what skills is less important than which skills we value in the first place.
A new study has shown how those with autism are more likely to expect the unexpected.
Yes, a sobbing celebrity released a video. But should she be turned into a gif?
from Orthodox Christianity
Turks are gradually dismantling an ancient Armenian church of the Varagavank monastic complex on the slopes of Mt. Varag, in Yukarı Bakraçlı in Eastern Turkey, using its stones to construct a mosque, reports the newspaper Yeni Özgür Politika. The church was initially constructed in the 7th-8th centuries. During the period of the Armenian Kingdom, it was the place of residence of the Archbishop of Van. The monastery was abandoned after the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Kingdom in 1915. The head of the Union for the Protection of the Environment and Cultural and Historical Monuments of Van Ali Kalçık noted that the ancient church is on the verge of complete destruction.
Heads and representatives of various Christian confessions in Odessa have joined together to address Mayor Gennady Trukhanov with a request to ban the city’s festival of gay culture “Odessa Pride 2017,” scheduled to take place today through Sunday, reports the Religious Information Service of Ukraine. “We categorically do not accept and do not support the imposition of false ‘values,’ which are pushed by some media and public figures under the guise of European integration. A striking example of such imposition is the propaganda of sexual perversion, including the aforementioned event,” the address reads. The authors of the address note that apostasy from God always triggers deep political, economic, and social crises in any country.
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from The Paris Review
Literary Magazine
“Placelessness was my idea of a utopia.” A letter from our London editor.
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from Reason Magazine
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
No, Donald Trump Wasn’t Elected Because We Ended the Military Draft
Nothing builds social cohesion like being condemned to die in a conflict you don't support, argues Damon Linker in a misguided attempt to explain Trump. By now, every political commentator has offered a suggestion for how Donald Trump ended up as president of these United States. Few have missed their targets as badly as Damon Linker's most recent offering, which suggests that we could have avoided President Trump if only the government had remained committed, for the past 40-plus years, to a policy that forced young Americans to die in foreign wars. Linker, a senior correspondent at The Week, suggests that historians will ultimately trace the rise of Trump to the decline in social cohesion that began, yes, with the abolition of military conscription in 1973. Ending the draft, Linker says, was a "catalyst for some of the most pernicious tendencies in our politics" over the past few decades, leading to a rise in individualism and a decline in social togetherness.
Two Chatbots Disappear From China's Biggest App Store After Committing Thought Crimes
Chinese chatbots dream of moving to America. Early this month, China's largest messenger apps put the kibosh on two chatbots that offered insufficiently patriotic answers to user questions about communism and Taiwan.
Forced Coal Divestment Robs California Pension Fund of Revenue
Millions lost when political influence overrules financial acumen.
Americans Increasingly Open to War With North Korea, Even As Distrust of Trump Hits Record Highs
Lessons about U.S. interventionism fast forgotten. How many "kinetic military actions" will it take for war skepticism to stick with the American public? A new poll by the Chicago Council of Foreign Affairs (CCFA) finds that 75 percent of Americans believe that North Korea—a hermit kingdom thousands of miles away that is unable to keep its people from starving, a country whose military budget is a 60th the size of America's—presents a critical threat to the United States. That's up from 55 percent two years ago.
A New Tax Is No Solution to New York's 'Summer of Hell'
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed tax will not address the root problems of his city's transit crisis.
The Administrative State Strikes Back: Federal Climate Change Draft Report Leaked
It would be ridiculous for the Trump Administration to try to suppress it now.
The Price of Protectionism: More Expensive Beer
The White House will force American can makers to "buy American," driving up prices and costing jobs—without doing anything to help American workers.
Local Governments Spend Big On Lobbyists
In many states, local governments spend more on lobbyists than both business and unions. Local governments are spending taxpayers' money to lobby for more power over taxpayers.
No, Donald Trump Wasn’t Elected Because We Ended the Military Draft
Nothing builds social cohesion like being condemned to die in a conflict you don't support, argues Damon Linker in a misguided attempt to explain Trump. By now, every political commentator has offered a suggestion for how Donald Trump ended up as president of these United States. Few have missed their targets as badly as Damon Linker's most recent offering, which suggests that we could have avoided President Trump if only the government had remained committed, for the past 40-plus years, to a policy that forced young Americans to die in foreign wars. Linker, a senior correspondent at The Week, suggests that historians will ultimately trace the rise of Trump to the decline in social cohesion that began, yes, with the abolition of military conscription in 1973. Ending the draft, Linker says, was a "catalyst for some of the most pernicious tendencies in our politics" over the past few decades, leading to a rise in individualism and a decline in social togetherness.
Two Chatbots Disappear From China's Biggest App Store After Committing Thought Crimes
Chinese chatbots dream of moving to America. Early this month, China's largest messenger apps put the kibosh on two chatbots that offered insufficiently patriotic answers to user questions about communism and Taiwan.
Forced Coal Divestment Robs California Pension Fund of Revenue
Millions lost when political influence overrules financial acumen.
Americans Increasingly Open to War With North Korea, Even As Distrust of Trump Hits Record Highs
Lessons about U.S. interventionism fast forgotten. How many "kinetic military actions" will it take for war skepticism to stick with the American public? A new poll by the Chicago Council of Foreign Affairs (CCFA) finds that 75 percent of Americans believe that North Korea—a hermit kingdom thousands of miles away that is unable to keep its people from starving, a country whose military budget is a 60th the size of America's—presents a critical threat to the United States. That's up from 55 percent two years ago.
A New Tax Is No Solution to New York's 'Summer of Hell'
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed tax will not address the root problems of his city's transit crisis.
The Administrative State Strikes Back: Federal Climate Change Draft Report Leaked
It would be ridiculous for the Trump Administration to try to suppress it now.
The Price of Protectionism: More Expensive Beer
The White House will force American can makers to "buy American," driving up prices and costing jobs—without doing anything to help American workers.
Local Governments Spend Big On Lobbyists
In many states, local governments spend more on lobbyists than both business and unions. Local governments are spending taxpayers' money to lobby for more power over taxpayers.
from Redoubt News
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Is the Prosecution Case Collapsing?
The Bunkerville retrial in Las Vegas has several interesting updates today. The prosecution has stated that they have finished presenting their witnesses, however they will not formally rest their case until the next time they see the jury, which is expected at 9am Thursday morning. The jury questions for the final witness, Special Agent Willis, were very interesting and seemed to show that the jurors are getting a bit annoyed at the behavior of the judge. Some examples of the jury questions include a juror wanting to know why the FBI was involved in this case at all, since it was a BLM operation. Judge Navarro refused to ask that question in open court and told the jury that it was not relevant for them to know the answer. Navarro is making every attempt to shut down the defense before they start.
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Is the Prosecution Case Collapsing?
The Bunkerville retrial in Las Vegas has several interesting updates today. The prosecution has stated that they have finished presenting their witnesses, however they will not formally rest their case until the next time they see the jury, which is expected at 9am Thursday morning. The jury questions for the final witness, Special Agent Willis, were very interesting and seemed to show that the jurors are getting a bit annoyed at the behavior of the judge. Some examples of the jury questions include a juror wanting to know why the FBI was involved in this case at all, since it was a BLM operation. Judge Navarro refused to ask that question in open court and told the jury that it was not relevant for them to know the answer. Navarro is making every attempt to shut down the defense before they start.
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from Shift Washington
Look, nobody is going to accuse Gov. Jay Inslee of being the hardest-working man around. His frequent late arrivals to the office and large blocks of “workout time” on his calendar attest to that. But maybe Inslee might want to start putting a little more work into his work week. His accomplishments this year in the Legislature could charitably be described as “light.”
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from The Spokesman-Review
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from Zero Hedge
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
'Aspiring Pastor' Hillary Goes From Seances And SpiritCooks To Bible Thumping
According to deep state’s department of brand management & optics, Atlantic division, the ever-pious Hillary Clinton wants to become a pastor – a move which is sure to bring religious rust-belt swing voters back to the blue side for any future political endeavors. While Hillary has apparently been in the closet for decades over her desire to preach, she turned heads in the 90’s when investigative journalist Bob Woodward wrote in his book ‘The Choice,” that Clinton “held imaginary conversations with Eleanor Roosevelt and Mahatma Ghandi as therapeutic release.” When an advisor suggested that she communicate with Jesus Christ, she declined, saying it would be “too personal.”
US "Confirms" N.Korea Has ICBM-Ready Nuclear Warheads
First thing this morning we reported that according to a 500-page report by the Japanese Defense Ministry, North Korea may now be in possession of a miniature nuclear warhead. That said, the report did not move the market because the Japanese report was largely inconclusive and did not claim with certainty that this is the case. Now, moments ago, the exact same narrative escalated when the WaPo echoed what Japan said, only it now "confirms" that North Korea has successfully produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles, "crossing a key threshold on the path to becoming a full-fledged nuclear power, U.S. intelligence officials have concluded in a confidential assessment."
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