Tuesday, January 25, 2022

And the Rest of It

Quite a bit to say:

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is an “extremist,” but maintains his relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is “professional.”

 

Oh, Jason, he only wants to destroy you. 

**

 


Like, weapons that work?:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet is weighing whether to ship small weapons like firearms and ammunition to Ukraine at the three-day virtual retreat underway now, sources tell Global News.

According to the sources, who spoke on background as they are not authorized to discuss the proposal publicly, the federal cabinet will be asked to decide on the possible shipment of the small weapons along with the potential for increased military capabilities support for Ukraine from the Canadian Forces.

 

 

I'm sure it's nothing:

Two minors have been arrested in Ontario and Quebec on allegations of terrorism, Global News has learned.

In Toronto, a youth was arrested Jan. 14, on a preventive terrorism peace bond and appeared in court Thursday in a case allegedly related to the so-called Islamic State.

Another youth was arrested on a terrorism peace bond Dec. 8, and was released on conditions following a court appearance in Terrebonne, Que., north of Montreal.

 

 

In some cultures, putting this man in hot magma is culturally acceptable:

A federal jury has convicted an Afghan refugee of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl who was housed at Quantico Marine Corps Base after the evacuation of refugees and others from Afghanistan. 24-year-old Mohammed Tariq was found guilty of abusive sexual contact by a jury during a trial held at the US District Court in Alexandria.

"According to court papers, Tariq tried to explain through interpreters that his conduct was acceptable in his culture. Efforts to have his statements suppressed were rejected by the judge," local news reports.

 

 

Indifference or antipathy?: 

Being placed on the State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations is important: it helps to ostracize and stigmatize malign groups and makes it illegal for any U.S. entities to do business with them. Most importantly, it allows U.S. intelligence and law enforcement to use certain tools and take certain measures that otherwise might not be legal, such as those offered by the Patriot Act: more surveillance, more efficient interagency communication, and so on.

Discussing Clinton's failure to apply the terrorist designation onto Boko Haram — while simultaneously condemning them for engaging in "an act of terrorism" in regards to Chibok, 2014 — a former senior U.S. official said soon after:

"The one thing she could have done, the one tool she had at her disposal, she didn't use. And nobody can say she wasn't urged to do it. It's gross hypocrisy... The FBI, the CIA, and the Justice Department really wanted Boko Haram designated, they wanted the authorities that would provide to go after them, and they voiced that repeatedly to elected officials."

Apparently such is the official, unwavering, and consistent response, whether under Obama/Clinton or now under Biden: Nigeria is not a "country of particular concern" — even as a genocide continues to be waged against its Christians.

 

Also:

The Gospel having been read, Cardinal Bo approached the pulpit with his characteristically warm smile, He’s unusually tall for a Burmese and strikes a regal but warm bearing. He gave his homily in both Burmese and Karen in honor of those present celebrating the holiday.

(Sidebar: not these Karens.)

In his presentation, Cardinal Bo spoke of the need for light when we are in the darkest parts of our lives.

“Christ is the light of the world and in that, he is the light that shines in the hearts of all Christians.” He referenced the nine-rayed rising sun which is a key element in the Karen flag that was temporarily affixed to my heart.

He spoke of the importance of the sun for our own lives and for all life on earth.

“Without the sun, we wouldn’t have life. Earth would be lifeless but God has given us this light to enlighten our eyes. God has given us his own Son to enlighten our souls as well.”

“At this time of the Karen New Year as one of the major holidays celebrated by the Karen,” he continued.

“In this new year,” Cardinal Bo said, “we must remember the light that ever goes before us and leads us like the pillar of fire that led the Jews out from Egypt.”

“Christ is our light. He is the life-giving sun. He is the light that burns brightly in our hearts so that we can all show the world who it is that leads us and loves us. Never let that light go out. Put it on a lampstand so that all can see it. Our country needs Christ. We can show him to our fellow countrymen with our Christ-inspired love.”

The cardinal’s words come at a crucial period for Burma. The country is under one of the world’s longest shutdowns, which has exasperated the contentious and ill-advised military coup that took place in February.

“Pray for Burma,” said the cardinal. “Pray we will see peace.”

 

 

What she said:

What do you want people to know about Down syndrome, Christi?

I want them to be more supportive; that’s why I’m giving this talk. People who have Down syndrome can change the world. Being smart is not always what makes people happy. Love and being loved is what makes people happy. 

I want people to see me as an exception: I was allowed to live. How many times do you hear people say they are against abortion “except” — and then they give exceptions? I want people to know who I am: a person with Down syndrome who is loving and being loved.


 

And now for something completely different:

Vika had got lost about half a mile from her home as she returned from school in Uglegorsk.

She was located 18 hours later, sitting on a mattress below a balcony outside of a shelter and clinging to a stray dog. She told authorities she was "hugging a fluffy dog for warmth."

Temperatures plunged to -11C during the snow storm.

"The fact that the girl remained alive in such weather really is a miracle," volunteer searcher Anatoly Ivanov, told The Siberian Times.

"We were looking all night, nothing was visible at all, our hands in mittens were so cold, it was difficult to straighten our fingers. By morning, we started to think she would not be found alive. How can you survive such a nightmare outside?"

According to ASTV, the girl was taken to a local hospital but able to return home the same day. She was treated for minor frostbite.

Now there are plans to honor the dog that saved Vika -- if they can find it.

**

When Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette blessed the Friar Truck on Jan. 7, he prayed, “May the Word of God be always heard from this pulpit, as it unfolds the mystery of Christ before you, and achieves your salvation within the Church,” and “We pray that from this pulpit we may listen to the voice of your Son, so that responding to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we may not be hearers only, but doers of your word.”

With that, “The Bible on Fire Truck,” with its letters also counseling “Dial God,” got its official commission and was raring to make its calls.

 

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