[Time] Pope Francis has called on young people the world over to resist the "false image of reality" portrayed by social media and reality TV and take charge of their own destiny.
"Don't let yourselves be led astray by this false image of reality! Be the protagonists of your history; decide your own future," he said according to Agence France-Presse.
In a video message for World Youth Day, which falls on April 9, the head of the Catholic Church said that those who call today's youth "distracted and superficial" are wrong.
"To have a past is not the same as to have a history," Francis said, urging faithful youngsters to spend more time with their grandparents.
The pontiff also hit out at excessive smart phone use and cautioned that "the Church is not like a flash mob, where people agree to meet, do their thing and then go their separate ways," according to the Catholic Herald.
#5
One of these days I expect to see a couple sitting on a park bench, texting to each other. I see that happening all that time, but I don't know if they are "couples" or just happen to be sitting side by side.
Guns have been a problem for the left for many years. Our country has a long history with firearms, and much of it has been troubling. We have had many mass shootings, and the NRA has pushed guns down our throats for years. They wanted you to believe that President Clinton and President Obama were going to take your weapons away as part of some vast conspiracy to round people up and put them in communist Muslim reeducation camps. None of the presidents listed above have done anything to stop confiscations that are taking place in California and New York. Yes, there are confiscations taking place.
Things have changed. We now have a president who is friendly with the authoritarian regime in Russia, and who winks at white nationalists. Attacks and threats against Muslims and Jews have exploded in the last year. Indian workers have been shot at bars, a Sikh man was shot in his driveway, and Nazis feel safe to walk the streets again. Threats against Jews have been pressed by liberals in just the last few months, before Trump's election victory and since. Many other threats made against ethnic and sexual minorities have been done by the putative victims as a political statement against putative perpetrators. That I know of, no one on the right has made any of the threats claimed.
I know how some liberals feel about guns. This is a subject that has been dominated by the far-right for years, but it is time that we start taking it back for ourselves, because there are people out there who have gone beyond fantasizing about killing folks, and actually doing it. Name one.
I own a number of weapons. I grew up using guns and I can empty a full magazine of .40 caliber hollow point rounds from my concealed carry pistol into a target with pretty decent accuracy. At the same time, I have been a supporter of gun control laws – but we’re not going to see any progress made as long as Republicans control our government. Reduced government in size and scope and lower taxes will always be better than "progress." And as far as the personal defense weapon claim, hollow points affect bullet velocity not enough to mention.
The far-right believes that liberals don’t carry guns, that we’re afraid of guns, and we want to ban them all. There are certainly some people on the left who do feel that way, but that’s a stereotype the conservative media loves to perpetuate to rile up their followers.
The difference between right-wing nut jobs with guns and liberals with guns, is that we liberals who pack heat don’t fantasize about overthrowing the government or holding off a SWAT team with an AR-15. We own weapons for self-defense and sport, not because we’re paranoid fanatics with penis compensation issues. Nice.
If you do decide to purchase a weapon and you haven’t used one before, take some training classes first. Be sure to know the laws in your local area, and understand the legal ramifications of using deadly force if you’re ever put into that situation. Good advice.
Next, it’s time to decide what kind of firearm you need. For home defense, the best option is probably a pump shotgun loaded with buckshot. Unlike a high-velocity round from an assault rifle, buckshot isn’t likely to punch through multiple walls. If you plan on going the concealed carry route, the handgun you choose should be based on the size of your frame. The point of carrying concealed is that nobody should know that you have a gun, until you have to use it. Open carry is a very bad idea, even though it is legal in many states. Shotgun slugs have been known to penetrate drywall as much as a 5.56mm. Ammunition is an important choice. Try frangible rounds and a subsonic round instead.
The far-right has been emboldened by a Trump presidency, and liberals buying guns will make them think twice. If you’re concerned about putting money in the gun industry’s pockets, there is always the option of buying a used weapon, just make sure you purchase it from a legitimate dealer. Better to purchase it from a private owner without the government overseeing the exchange.
#1
Mostly sounds like a liberal idiot that occasionally shoots.
Tell you what hammertime, you and me go on a full tactical shooting range. After I beat you on the range I'll beat your ass in hand to hand.
#5
After reading this article I do not think this person is mentally stable enough to possess a weapon. Real liberals hire security that carry weapons; this keeps them pure while attempting to eliminate the 2nd amendment.
#6
Believing in the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment does not discriminate on the basis of political party or ideology. There are many people on the left like yourself, Mr. Schewitz who have firearms, concealed carry permits, have firearms for protection and engage in firearm sports such as hunting and shooting sports. Some advice to you, lose the attitude and obey the law like the rest of us who have been targeted as deplorables and irredeemables.
#9
JohnQC makes an interesting point. If I was a gun owning liberal you can be sure I wouldn't let any of my liberal friends know about it. There could be many of them out there.
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The Arab coalition has recently heightened the intensity of its operations in Yemen ...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic... and this signifies that the war there has greatly shifted in their favor.
Coordination between the coalition forces, led by Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... , and the US has been restored, after it was halted during the last year of Barack Obama My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it... ’s presidential term. Several raids have targeted camps training Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... militias in Saada. Houthi posts in the Nahm front, east of Sanaa, were also targeted and the Houthis were thus defeated in that rugged directorate as the national army seized control.
According to statements recently issued by the army, the latter’s forces aided by the coalition air force moved on to Arhab, which is close to the capital Sanaa. Naval cooperation also thwarted three Houthi naval attacks in front of the Midi port. The next attack will be decisive in this war as there are reports that this attack will target the strategic Hodeida port, which Iranian ships use to smuggle arms to rebels.
New gains, following Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, have enhanced the position of the coalition. Following agreements with the US, supplies of ammunition and exchange of military intelligence information on enemy’s posts and activities on the ground has resumed.
The political message
This has yielded military results and sends an equally important political message which stipulates that when it comes to Yemen ‐ unlike Syria ‐ there is an international agreement to eliminate rebels and isolate their Iranian ally which is present in Yemen through its militias fighting alongside the Houthis.
Following these new military shifts, the international envoy is back in the picture in an attempt to market the peace initiative, which is still valid as he’s recently amended it in hopes of narrowing the distance between the different parties. He amended the initiative based on three references: UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative and the national dialogue decisions.
Successful military operations, which have pressured the Houthi militias affiliated with Iran and the national army’s march against the forces loyal to ousted president President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh ... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it... by moving into Arhab on the way to Sanaa, will help the international envoy execute his plan.
This does not undermine the conflict in Yemen where legitimate President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi is being accused of obstructing efforts toward a political solution and of preferring for the conflict to continue, since he is an interim leader, and will lose his post as president if the war ends. It is certain that military developments will contribute to a better understanding on how Yemen will be governed.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/22/2017 00:00 ||
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[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The bullets which aimed at the former member of the municipal council in Qatif, Engineer Nabih al-Barahim, were not stray bullets. They were intended to terrorize and were aimed at a specific victim who was targeted because of his social and political views. The person holding the weapon sees the "other" as an aggressor against his lifestyle and belief system and hence tries to assert his views through violence and coercion.
Acts of violence by outlawed groups in Qatif, and its suburbs, were not aimed only at physically eliminating their nemesis but also to prevent those from criticizing the reign of terror that they seek to impose on society. In a way, it is aimed "to rape the other of his personality, and identity," as asserted by John Miller.
The armed assault on engineer al-Barahim was followed by threat against an active religious figure, Sheikh Jaafar al-Rebh. He is known for his public views in support of civil peace and prohibiting the use of arms. Yet, this is not the first time such an incident has happened and it won’t be the last.
I discussed with friends the seriousness of the security situation and the critical stage we find ourselves in. I also expressed fear for the fate of al-Barahim especially considering the fact that he and his relatives have been subjected to physical assaults in the past.
State of chaos
Weapons pointed at citizens and security personnel in Qatif will not lead to any political change, social development or human rights ...which are often intentionally defined so widely as to be meaningless... accomplishments. It will rather threaten civil peace, and create a state of chaos. This will, in turn, be exploited by "terrorist" cells to undermine any reforms or modernization efforts.
To borrow the words of the Lebanese politician Walid Wally Jumblat ... Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling... , we ask violent groups: armed assaults, where to? I do not think these outlaws have a clear or appropriate answer. They have become a burden on the community in Qatif. They are indulging in acts of terrorism, just like ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Violence is not a menace facing Qatif alone. This is a challenge in some Saudi cities in which Lions of Islam of different persuasions and backgrounds, share one goal, to undermine the authority of the state and threaten its existence. The problem of violence in the province of Qatif, specifically in the village of al-Awamiyah, is not impossible to resolve.
However, there's more than one way to stuff a chicken... it needs serious persuasion and cooperation between the people and civil society organizations and official bodies to develop an action plan to address the problem in all its dimensions.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/22/2017 00:00 ||
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#1
That's one perspective, certainly. It's not likely to persuade the gun wielders, however.
[Free Beacon] Pro-Trump actress Roseanne Barr went off on the liberal elites Monday after the dog-and-pony James Comey show in front of Congress. Barr rightly pointed out that the liberal attacks on Trump are actually attacks on American voters.
#1
Roseanne was a lefty until recently. For example, she supported the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 and ran for the Green party nomination in 2012.
She has developed serious vision related medical problems since 2015.
Apparently, her hatred for Hillary Clinton (which goes back to the 1990s) turned her into a Trump supporter by mid 2016.
Posted by: lord garth ||
03/22/2017 8:35 Comments ||
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#2
Jeebus, I never thought I'd agree with Roseanne Barr on anything.
Posted by: Barbara ||
03/22/2017 15:39 Comments ||
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#5
Roseanne Barr: Every Single Attack on POTUS Is Really a Disguised Attack on American Voters
Don't you understand it's legitimate because DJT lost the popular vote? And it's totally unrelated that we aren't going to test his theory about how many illegals, dead, and multiple-voters couldn't overcome what Russia did.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
I agree Phil, but 'the good old days' might not be the only thing that's 'not coming back.' 
Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling...
