More views on news you can use…

–man-made global warming skeptics have long referred to the concept as a “hoax.” Yet two mind-numbing revelations make that word inoperable: 1. the scientists at East Anglia University have admitted they threw away most of the raw temperature data on which their conclusions about global warming are based; 2. the BBC has admitted they were aware of this story over a month ago and refused to report it.

Let’s call this debacle what it really is: a global extortion racket aided and abetted by a fraudulent media.

–three Navy SEALs are being criminally charged for giving one of the most-wanted terrorists in Iraq a fat lip after they captured him. Two lessons here, one for the Navy and one for the SEALs. For the Navy: keep embracing the kind of political correctness that engenders charges like this and you won’t have any Navy personnel willing to risk their lives for their country–or perhaps any Navy at all.

For the SEALs, and every other soldier in harm’s way: shoot to kill–period.

–the Swiss have voted to ban the construction of any more Islamic minarets in their country. Critics, predictably, are calling the nearly 60% majority who voted for the ban “Islamo-phobic.” Perhaps it is, but a recent story may offer some perspective. The king of Saudi Arabia, who bought a house on lake Geneva wanted another mosque constructed there, even though Geneva already had one. The city fathers response? When the Saudis allowed the construction of a church in their country, such would be reciprocated.

Is the phrase a “snowball’s chance in hell” apropos? Maybe it’s time for Europeans to ask themselves why freedom of religion is a one-way street with respect to their Muslim counterparts. And maybe it’s also time for those Muslims who willingly choose to live in Europe–and America as well–to come to terms with the concept of assimilation. The alternative? Don’t let the door hit ya, where Allah split ya.

–Tiger Woods has rebuffed police three times because they want to question him about Saturday night’s SUV crash, which was ostensibly precipitated by a marital spat involving an alleged affair.

Again, two thoughts: one, unless Tiger’s broken any laws, it’s nobody’s business what went on Saturday night. Two, if he has, then it behooves the police to dispense with the niceties and tell him that if he doesn’t cooperate, he will be arrested. Americans are sick and tired of celebrities blowing off the cops when it “interferes” with their personal schedules.

–Barack Obama will be giving the first “damned if I do damned if I don’t” speech of his presidency at West Point tonight. Whatever his decision is regarding troop levels in Afghanistan, some constituency is going to be mighty unhappy. Bet on the “war is not the answer” crowd being miffed the most.

Two observations: first, I hope the president avoids specificities regarding his “this is not an open-ended commitment” schtick. No military tactician in his right mind tells the enemy how long they’re willing to stay and fight. Second, look for one word in this speech: victory. If the president avoids it, as he did last week when he vowed to “finish the job” in Afghanistan, it’s Vietnam all over again: a militarily winnable war lost by a spineless political class willing to sacrifice American lives on the alter of political correctness.

–Sad-sack Americans obsessed with their fifteen minutes of fame have spawned numerous sad-sack reality shows, but such silliness may have finally straddled the chasm between stupid and dangerous. White House party “attendees” (they claim they’re not “gate crashers”) Tareq and Michaele Salahi, even if they’re too dumb to realize it, exposed serious flaws in presidential security.

True to the spirit of reality TV show wannabes, the Sahalis still think this is all about them. From MSNBC.com: “‘This has been the most devastating thing that’s ever happened to us,’ Tareq Salahi, along with his wife Michaele, told Matt Lauer in the couple’s first television interview.” So “devastating” they’re doing TV interviews. Hmmm.

–And finally, this item from Metro International demonstrating that, in any clash between over-bearing government and charitable Americans, government wins: “When a small church comes to the Bowery Mission (to feed the hungry and the homeless) bearing fried chicken with trans fat, unwittingly breaking the law, they’re told “thank you.” Then workers quietly chuck the food, mission director Tom Bastile said. ‘It’s always hard for us to do,’ Basile (sic) said. ‘We know we have to do it.’ ”

No you don’t, Mr. Bastile. You could engage in “civil disobedience” or demonstrate a little old-fashioned gumption in the face of mindlessly stupid and over-bearing government.

atahlert@comcast.net

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