Current events

Oh, my God! The sky is falling! Well, first, it's probably going to catch on fire, and then it will fall!

For the third time in a decade, the globe sizzled to the hottest year on record, federal scientists announced Friday.

There's something I don't understand here:

In spite of the vitriol spewed toward the movie “American Sniper,” Americans flocked to see the Clint Eastwood biopic of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in record numbers.

I did not think it was possible for John Kerry to do anything cheesier than throwing up that hand salute and shouting, "John Kerry reporting for duty" at the Democratic Convention. But, by heavens, I think he's done it:

Under fire for being a no-show at the Paris March Against Terrorism, the Obama administration sent Secretary of State John Kerry to Paris today to give a “big hug” to the French.

Religion of peace shows a nasy streak. No, not Islam this time:

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis said Thursday there are limits to freedom of speech, especially when it insults or ridicules someone's faith.

Well, of course, he does, the old fool: Jimmy Carter blames recent terror attacks on Israel.

I got curious about the "Charlie" in "Charlie Hebdo" (Charlie Weekly) and did a Google search. Actually it took me four searches with different wording. Apparently news organizations aren't as concerned about providing background information as they used to be. Anyway, the magazine was originally Hara-Kiri, then Hara-Kari Hebdo, then Charlie Mensuel (Charlie Monthly). It has skewered everything even vaguely "establishment" and has a particular disdain for all religions. Charles de Gaulle, I gather, was one of their early targets.

This story about a challenge being faced by veterans' organizations makes it sould like a new phenomenon, but it's not:

EDINBURGH, Indiana — Membership in local military organizations is changing; and attracting new, younger members is a key to keeping the groups running.

Oh, for God's sake, lighten up. It was a freakin' joke:

We're sorry. What the hell were we thinking?

I don't know if this "defense" of free speech is spineless and cowardly or, in the writer's own words, "just being stupid," but it's infuriating in either case:

Psstt, hey, buddy, whatcha got in the bag, huh, huh, huh?

McDonald's is starting off the new year with new takeout bags that seem to offer customers a choice: Blare to the world that you’re lovin’ it, or hide your McIndulgence altogether.