I used to compulsively keep up with the news while I was on vacation -- it's in the nature of a journalist to try to avoid missing out on anything. But in recent years, I go out of my way to avoid the news because, well, because it's usually "same story, different names." When I left for vacation last week, for example, the big news was over Condi Rice withdrawing as a commencement speaker because or protests. So what was one of the first stories I saw this morning?
Taking my customary post-election rest & recuperation week. Back on the 19th.
People Francis has coined my favorite new oxymoron:
On Friday, Francis called for the United Nations to promote a "worldwide ethical mobilization" of solidarity with the poor in a new spirit of generosity.
The Washington Post speculates on the potential presidential candidacy of Mike Pence:
Sorry, sir, thank you for your service and all that, but you don't get a pass:
So, "defect" and "enemy camp." It's official now -- the global warming controversy isn't a debate, it's an out-and-out war:
One of the world's most eminent climate scientists - for several decades a warmist - has defected to the climate sceptic camp.
Today's entry in the "Gee, ya think?" file:
A study released today reveals new statistics about cellphone theft, including that one in 10 Americans have been victims of phone theft.
This is certainly true for me, and it's sort of comforting to think it might be universal:
If you thought you'd been hearing "income inequality" bandied about a lot more lately, you were right!
Boy, what a bunch of whiny malcontents we are:
American journalists have become increasingly dissatisfied with their work and see the industry moving in the wrong direction, a new survey shows.
Beware of global warming climate change climate disruption!
Global warming is rapidly turning America the beautiful into America the stormy, sneezy and dangerous, according to a new federal scientific report. And those shining seas? Rising and costly, the report says.
I do not want to be a customer of one of those fancy styling salons, OK? I am always on the lookout for old-fashioned barbers who will talk my ear off while I doze in the chair in manly contentment. And I have to tell you, it's getting harder and harder. Every time I find a guy -- the place on Fairlfield next to the old Luteran hospital, the guy on Broadway close to downtown -- he's in his 80s and down to one chair that he only works at half-days. Then he retires, and I have to start another search.
Freedom of the press and freedom of religion get most of the First Amendment attention. But let's not forget there's a right to freedom of assembly in there, too, just waiting to be stepped on:
Joe Biden doubles down on his "illigal immigrants are already Americans" assertion:
Vice President Joe Biden marked Cinco de Mayo, traditionally a celebration of Mexican culture, with an impassioned call for immigration overhaul.
[. . .]
I have mixed feelings about this:
CHARLESTON, Mo. - A Missouri man who was sent to prison 13 years after his robbery conviction due to a clerical error was set free by a judge Monday, reports CBS affiliate KFVS.
Ah, global warming. Is there nothing it can't do? Now, it's driving our children crazy:
Two late-breaking opinions from the Supreme Court this morning, and they're both doozies. First up, the First Amendment:
The Supreme Court has upheld the right of local officials to open town council meetings with prayer, ruling that this does not violate the Constitution even if the prayers routinely stress Christianity.
