(no title)

Better Than Drudge

about

February 6, 2015

Terrible Deeds in Christ’s Name? Obama Displays Ignorance of History

By Selwyn Duke

Barack Obama (shown at National Prayer Breakfast) certainly makes his share of mistakes, from believing there’s a language called “Austrian” to claiming to have been to “57 states” to pronouncing “corpsman” “corpse-man” three times in the space of one minute. But while many of his displays of ignorance hurt mainly his own credibility, this was not the case during his speech at yesterday’s National Prayer Breakfast.

Talking about “faith being twisted and distorted,” Obama condemned the Islamic State jihadists as a “brutal, vicious death cult” and cited various Muslim terrorist acts as examples of using “religion” for nefarious ends. He then also said, however, “And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.”

It was entirely predictable. Political correctness demands we portray all religions as morally equal, and, when seeking to balance criticism of Islam with that of Christianity, the Crusades and the Inquisition are obvious whipping boys.

Of course, it is true that during the Crusades and the Inquisition (some) people committed terrible deeds, just as during WWII (some) Americans committed terrible deeds. Yet what’s implied, and certainly what will be inferred by most, is not that even during a justifiable event unjustifiable acts will occur. Obama was instead displaying — and trading upon — common misunderstandings of history.

Read the rest here.
February 6, 2015

Brian Williams Admits Peddling False Story of Taking Fire in Iraq

By Selwyn Duke

NBC newsman Brian Williams (shown) said that while covering the Iraq War in 2003, he’d come under fire. Now many are calling for him to be fired.

Because his story, which he has repeated more than once, is false.

Writes the Washington Post:

Williams said he was not aboard a helicopter that was hit by enemy fire and forced down — a story he retold as recently as last week during a televised tribute to a retired soldier during a New York Rangers hockey game.

On “NBC Nightly News” Wednesday evening, Williams read a 50-second statement apologizing for his characterization of the episode.

“After a groundfire incident in the desert during the Iraq war invasion, I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago,” he said. “It did not take long to hear from some brave men and women in the air crews who were also in that desert. I want to apologize. I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by [rocket-propelled grenade] fire. I was instead in a following aircraft…. This was a bungled attempt by me to thank one special veteran and, by extension, our brave military men and women, veterans everywhere, those who have served while I did not.”

Williams emphasized his claim that his story was a mere error, saying in his statement, “I would not have chosen to make this mistake.” Yet many believe this strains credulity, especially since his aircraft was “following” perhaps 100 miles behind those that took the fire…

Read the rest here.
February 5, 2015

The Real White Privilege and My Radio Race War

By Selwyn Duke

If you look for the worst in a group, you’re sure to find it. Using a twist on an Abraham Lincoln line, I made that statement on the Mildred Gaddis Show (Radio One Detroit WCHB AM) last Wednesday during a debate on “White Privilege: Myth or Reality.” Finding myself pitted against the other guest, whose name isn’t important, and the black callers, it was a spirited discussion, to say the least.

It was also, unfortunately, a good example of how hatred is like darkness: the more there is, the less you can see.

To the other guest and the black callers, white privilege’s reality was simply a “fact” everyone was obligated to acknowledge, and the only legitimate question was the extent to which it has affected our lives. My debate opponent was flabbergasted that I denied this.

(more…)
February 5, 2015

Little Boy Suspended for Pretending to Have Lord of the Rings Magical Powers

By Selwyn Duke

Nine-year-old Aiden Steward told a schoolmate he could make him disappear with his magic ring. It was an idea the wee lad got after watching The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies the weekend before last. But the only one who disappeared was Aiden.

His unauthorized exercise of imagination inspired school officials to suspend him last Friday for, as OA Online reports, making a “terroristic threat."

Now some observers lament that many educators need to disappear — from their roles molding young minds.

Read the rest here.
February 4, 2015

Whither Islam? Religion of Peace or Religion of War?

By Selwyn Duke

"I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.”

— Koran (8:15)

Every holy book contains some very unholy words, they say. If you presented certain select verses from the Bible in isolation, it would seem equally violent, they say. The problem with Islam is a few misled miscreants and misinterpretation, they say.

The question is, do misinterpretations of the Islamic canon explain the extremist Muslims?

Or do they explain the “moderate Muslims"?

Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut certainly has a very definite opinion. Writing a piece entitled “Islamic Terrorism: The Taboo Topic” at the Gatestone Institute recently, she states bluntly, “Why should anyone be afraid of a 'religion of peace'? Because some of its supporters threaten to kill you, and often do.”

Read the rest here.
February 3, 2015

Chris Kyle and the Kill Zone: On Calling Snipers “Cowards”

By Selwyn Duke

The resounding success of film American Sniper has inspired criticism from certain quarters, ranging from the perhaps reasonable to the wholly irrational. As to the latter, there has been much sniping from the left-America Left. Actor Seth Rogen tweeted that the movie reminded him of fake Nazi propaganda footage in the film Inglourious Basterds. Former Vermont governor and ex-DNC chairman Howard Dean essentially said that theatergoers seeing Sniper were angry Tea Partiers. And, not to be outdone, documentarian Michael Moore tweeted, “Tomorrow’s Sunday School (1) What Would Jesus Do? Oh, I know what he’d do — hide on top of a roof and shoot people in the back!” This was after Moore had already opined that “snipers aren’t heroes” and said, reported CNN, that his “‘uncle was killed by a sniper’ and that he was ‘taught that all snipers were cowards.’”

The Clint Eastwood-directed film, portraying the exploits of record-breaking Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, is setting its own records: It’s now the highest grossing war movie ever (current box office total: $250 million) and just enjoyed the best Super Bowl weekend of any film with a $31.9 million haul. But while it’s said success is the best revenge, it must be emphasized that the least important aspect of this story is the man and the movie. More important is the Left’s attempt to discredit military snipers as a group. And what is the truth? Do snipers deserve credit or contempt?

Read the rest here.
February 2, 2015

Is Pedophilia Okay if You’re “Born That Way”?

By Selwyn Duke

“Now, many experts view it as a sexual orientation as immutable as heterosexuality … a deep-rooted predisposition … that becomes clear during puberty and does not change.”

The above idea was expressed with respect to homosexuality decades ago and since has become left-wing dogma. The thinking is that if someone was “born that way,” if the behavior is “natural” for him and he didn’t choose his feelings, how could it be wrong?

Yet the opening quoted line wasn’t penned decades ago — it’s only two years old. And homosexuality wasn’t the focus.

It was about pedophilia.

Read the rest here.
February 2, 2015

Pedophilia, American Style: Legitimizing Child Rape

By Selwyn Duke

Fast cars, fancy restaurants, opulent yachts, private planes — and child molestation. It’s not something that was ever featured on Robin Leach’s TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, but “pedophilia may be emerging as the characteristic sexual perversion of the American elite.”

So says American Thinker assistant editor J.R. Dunn in a piece titled “Pedophilia and the American Future.” Dunn opens with an obvious story: that of billionaire hedge-fund manager Jeffrey Epstein, who beginning in 2008 served 13 months in prison for abusing and trafficking in underage girls. It was a slap on the wrist, say critics — facilitated by high-priced lawyers such as Alan Dershowitz and former Clinton special prosecutor Kenneth Starr — for a man who violated perhaps hundreds of minors and could have served life in prison.

Read the rest here.
February 2, 2015

My Problem with Sarah Palin

By Selwyn Duke

With Sarah Palin once again hinting at a presidential run, pundits and politics wonks are all the more aflutter with 2016 talk. The predictable slings and arrows of the surly left are coming her way, while her excited fans are firing up the troops. Then there are those who say that while they like the ex-governor, they don’t believe she could win the presidency. My focus, however, is a bit different: I have an objection to Palin — one relating to something of which most are unaware.

Before getting to that, please indulge me as I ask a few questions that establish where we all stand. Are you adamantly pro-life, or might your position change if (as in polling) the question is framed as a woman’s “right to choose”? Do you stand foursquare against amnesty, or could you be persuaded to accept a “path to citizenship” for illegals? Do you uphold the proper and only definition of marriage, or have the unrelenting attacks on tradition worn you down to a point where you might conclude, “Well, none of this affects me, anyway”?

If you’re unwavering on all those issues, as I am, you’re a real Sarah Palin conservative.

Or are you?

You see, I’m pretty sure how Palin would answer those questions — and one answer is a real problem.

(more…)
February 2, 2015

California Common Core: Kids Graded on “Gratitude,” “Sensitivity to Others”

By Selwyn Duke

The United States may be producing only one-tenth as many scientists as does China, but if California is any guide, Americans may soon excel in at least one area: “sensitivity.”

That is, as defined by modern educational overlords.

It’s all part of the new standards of Common Core, the controversial education program pushed by Barack Obama and the Department of Education.

Read the rest here.