What’s interesting in the news today?
Here’s a few to start with.
I’ve said for years that the more technology advances, the harder it will be to deny the humanity of the unborn. I’m happy to see this trend continue.
From TheDailyMail
“A blurry blob on a hospital screen is the first view most expectant parents get of their child. But new state-of-the-art imaging software is now able to map a foetus in incredible detail. The software takes a conventional 3D ultrasound scan and adds colour, skin texture, lighting and shadows.”
“The technology gives unparalleled clarity and allows parents to see the face of their child before it is born.
There is also a 4D version which means mothers and fathers are able to see their baby smiling and kicking in the womb in realtime.”
Needles to say, pro-abortion groups will continue to fight legislation which makes it a requirement.
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Next we have an interesting read on CIA infighting. Politics appears to be inhibiting the selection of the best candidate for the job.
From TheWashingtonPost
“Former CIA director Mike Hayden credits “an incredible band of sisters” for the success of the operation that found and brought down Osama bin Laden. Now one of those sisters has been appointed acting chief of the CIA’s National Clandestine service. It is a major milestone for women at the CIA, the first time in the agency’s history that a female officer has headed the clandestine service.
But The Post reports that CIA Director John Brennan is “hesitating” at giving her the position on a permanent basis, because of her past association with the CIA’s rendition, detention and interrogation (RDI) program.
This is an outrage. According to several former senior CIA officials I spoke with, the officer is highly respected and unquestionably qualified for this post. Denying her this promotion because of her role in the RDI program would not only be a personal injustice, but also send a chilling message through the ranks of the CIA. It would effectively tell hundreds of talented officers who were involved in the program — who constitute the best and brightest of the agency’s counterterrorism professionals — that their careers over. It would push the agency back into a risk-averse, pre-Sept. 11, 2001, mindset, sending an unmistakable signal to CIA officers across the world: Don’t take risks in the fight against the terrorists; if you want to advance, play it safe.”
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Meanwhile, the intolerant left continues to show what hypocrites they are.
From FoxNewsRadio
“The Student Government Association at Johns Hopkins University compared pro-life students to white supremacists and denied them official club status at the school.
“They were denied status because the students on the student council felt being pro-life violates their harassment policy,” said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America.“
“Another SGA member said they objected to pro-life displays at Johns Hopkins, saying she “felt personally violated, targeted and attacked at a place where we previously felt safe and free to live our lives.”
Violated? Really? 🙄
Overly dramatic and intolerant maybe, but not much else.
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Well we learned yesterday that amnesty is coming. We also learned that there’s an influx because of it on our unsecure southern border. All by design I might add. And the writers took the time to video and photograph some of the illegal crossings.
From TownHall
“As the immigration reform Gang of Eight inside the Beltway prepares to announce a deal later this week, claiming border security will come before a path to citizenship for millions of illegals, Border Patrol agents have seen illegal border crossings double and warn the cutting of agent work hours will only result in less border security, not more.
“We’ve seen the number of illegal aliens double, maybe even triple since amnesty talk started happening,” an agent told Townhall, who asked to remain unnamed due to fears of retaliation within Customs and Border Protection [CBP], something he said is common. “A lot of these people, although not the majority, are criminals or aggravated felons. This is a direct danger to our communities.”
Data obtained by Townhall and reported within CBP from February 5 through March 1, 2013 shows 504 illegal aliens were spotted exploiting the Tucson/Nogales area, 189 were caught on CBP intelligence cameras. Of those 504, only 174 were apprehended and 32 of the 189 on camera were carrying large drug load packs for Mexican cartels. Some were armed with AK-47 style weapons.”
Here’s more on the cartel strategy, which is exploiting the lax security Obama is responsible for.
From TheNYPost
“Mexican drug cartels whose operatives once rarely ventured beyond the US border are dispatching some of their most trusted agents to live and work deep inside the United States — an emboldened presence that experts believe is meant to tighten their grip on the world’s most lucrative narcotics market and maximize profits.
If left unchecked, authorities say, the cartels’ move into the American interior could render the syndicates harder than ever to dislodge and pave the way for them to expand into other criminal enterprises such as prostitution, kidnapping-and-extortion rackets and money laundering.
Cartel activity in the US is certainly not new. Starting in the 1990s, the ruthless syndicates became the nation’s No. 1 supplier of illegal drugs, using unaffiliated middlemen to smuggle cocaine, marijuana and heroin beyond the border or even to grow pot here.”
Must be filling those jobs that Americans won’t do or something.
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Wandering Views 
Let’s see what they have to offer before yelling, “amnesty”.
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The first of Erick Erickson’s interesting articles cited by Olansky contains an interesting critique of the theology of a modern Christian song. Who knew modern Christian songs contained theology?
http://www.worldmag.com/2013/04/gay_marriage_you_will_be_made_to_care
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I guess the SGA at John Hopkins never heard of the Hippocratic oath.
HIPPOCRATIC OATH
I swear by Apollo Physician, by Asclepius, by Health, by Heal-all, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture: To regard my teacher in this art as equal to my parents; to make him partner in my livelihood, and when he is in need of money to share mine with him; to consider his offspring equal to my brothers; to teach them this art, if they require to learn it, without fee or indenture; and to impart precept, oral instruction, and all the other learning, to my sons, to the sons of my teacher, and to pupils who have signed the indenture and sworn obedience to the physicians¹ Law, but to none other.
I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them. I will not give poison to anyone though asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a plan. Similarly I will not give a pessary to a woman to cause abortion. But in purity and in holiness I will guard my life and my art.
I will not use the knife either on sufferers from stone, but I will give place to such as are craftsmen therein. Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will do so to help the sick, keeping myself free from all intentional wrong-doing and harm, especially from fornication with woman or man, bond or free. Whatsoever in the course of practice I see or hear (or even outside my practice in social intercourse) that ought never be published abroad, I will not divulge, but consider such things to be holy secrets.
Now if I keep this oath and break it not, may I enjoy honour, in my life and art, among all men for all time; but if I transgress and forswear myself, may the opposite befall me.
Source: W.H.S. Jones, The Doctor’s Oath. ( Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1924), 11, 12.
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KBells,
Why? It is what it is, and it’s amnesty. They prefer nice and fuzzy terms for illegal immigrant and amnesty, such as undocumented worker and pathway to citizenship. But dispite the kinder, gentler new terms, it is what it is. You can read the proposal yourself here.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/28/politics/immigration-plan-framework/index.html
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The same day Johns Hopkins denied the pro-life group, they sanctioned the anti-Israeli Palestinian group.
Fortunately, those kids are smarter than the rest of us (said the aunt of a graduate).
In other news, if you have time, this is a lengthy discussion called Marriage: What it is, why it matters and the consequences of redifining it, citing all sorts of sociological and historical studies; well worth reading:
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/03/marriage-what-it-is-why-it-matters-and-the-consequences-of-redefining-it
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Ricky, thanks for that Erick Erickson article that takes some young Evangelicals to task for caving to the secular left on the issue of homosexual behavior and marriage. These week-kneed Christians seriously lack courage, though they are right that the pro-sodomite elite is playing hardball, having the view that anyone who questions homosexual relations is a homophobic bigot.
The great weakness of Evangelicals in general is that they lack serious Christian orthodoxy such as found in Christian churches based on classic creeds and rigorous catechisms. They are fond of amazing individual grace that allows them to individually cave to asinine secular pieties.
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Sails, I am beginning to question whether Protestantism can survive as anything but a fringe group. It has essentially died in Western Europe. It is dying in the US. Baptists (of which I am one) have traditionally been opposed to creeds, but I agree with you that churches that lack a strong doctrinal foundation are being blown all over the place.
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Michelle, Thanks for the excellent and comprehensive article from The Heritage Foundation.
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I’m not sure if software enhanced 3D imagery will help the pro-life movement gain converts. Pro-life has more or less won the “life” argument. By using software to reinforce the message they actually weaken the message since it will appear they need to “photoshop” in order to win the argument. Meanwhile the pro-choice argument doesn’t address the issue of life, instead it focuses on body autonomy and female health. When pro-choice deals with the life issue it makes distinctions between humans, persons, potential, actual, etc. Thus, pro-life lowers their credibility without adding to their argument since pro-choice doesn’t contest the evidence offered by 3D ultra sounds but it will contest any evidence that has been enhanced through computer software.
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On a related note, I see the false sense of grievance and victimhood continues in America’s socio-political discourse. Last week, a high school student told tales of woe and oppression caused by liberal teachers and now we have a college student feeling violated after viewing a display she didn’t like. Both sides of any dispute need to realize the world isn’t a mutual admiration society.
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HRW, 3D software is a minor issue. The Pro-Life side has won the issue due to most people’s understanding of the truth that human life begins at conception. The 3D images of pre-natal life merely accentuate the life involved, however airbrushed or otherwise doctored. Of course, the leftist elites will scream; few pay attention to this.
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From yesterday,
bob — you’re right (as am I), inflation not unemployment is the reason we need to exercise caution when considering the min. wage. However, inflation is hardly a concern at this time.
Sails — Corporatist economies emphasize shareholder value on a quarterly basis and thus despite a booming stock market and huge profits, unemployment is still at recession levels, The easiest way to maximize shareholder value is to cut costs and the easiest way is to cut labour costs. Thus corporations seek off shore labour and minimal wages domestically. Robust competition for labour doesn’t exist only robust competition for the cheapest labour. This is short term gain for the shareholder but long term pain for the country.
Your paragraph insinuating my argument is based on my occupation lacks logical coherence.
Ricky — Russia Today is nowhere near the BBC in credibility. It leans to the left, its anti-American and unlike the BBC its not at arm’s length from the government. When you listen to RT, you get the the Russian gov’t perspective. Thats not too say it can’t be a legitimate source of news but we need to be aware of its bias.
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Actually life doens’t begin at conception — thats only the first step. The fertilized egg needs to implant itself on the uterine wall for life to continue. The rate of failure at this step is thought to exceed 60%.
The existence of life doesn’t magically occur at a given point of time but through the slow accomplishment of several steps and the pro-choice will argue the stage in which human life is obtained is much latter than conception.
Given that the division between pro-life and choice in the US is about 50-50 depending on how the question is asked, the use of enhanced imagery does lower credibility and will affect the direction in which law will move.
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So, HRW, in your view when does human life begin?
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HRW, So if the voice of the Russian government and an anti-government newspaper in China both say Russia is considering placing bases in Afghanistan, don’t you think that has some credibility?
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I’ve actually been reading Russia Today for some time. It is obvious that it is the voice of the Russian government, but I don’t see it as much more biased than PBS. The main bias is in the selection of stories. This is also a huge problem with the mainstream US media. I also read The Moscow Times. It is the voice of the opposition in Russia.
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Good question — can I say its above my pay grade? I’m quite comfortable saying I have no idea. I do think life doesn’t begin until at least implantation and human life can’t be asserted with any amount of certainty until much later. How much later is debatable. Traditionally the moment of “quickening” was thought to be the origins of human life and this occurred about the 20th week. Viability now is the 20-22nd week. And nerve reception and pain perception is also thought to be at around this time. One can say the fetus is a perceptive sentient being at this time. Is it human? Perhaps but in the abortion debate this should be a moot point since most abortions occur (or should occur) before this time. (Only 1-2% of abortions occur past 20 weeks)
Of course, I can avoid this debate by asking you what does it mean to be human and once I’ve acquired an acceptable definition from you then respond by pinpointing when this occurs with a fetus.
Personally I don’t think the debate can be solved in a manner acceptable to either (or any) side. And as far as the stated aims of the pro-life movement, the time of human life really doesn’t need to be settled. If the goal of the pro-life movement is to reduce or eliminate abortion, then international comparisons suggests questions regarding when and where human life occurs and at what point should the hammer of the law come down are irrelevant.
Despite having the most vigorous pro-life movement, the US is second only to Russia in terms of total abortions and is the highest western nation in terms of abortion per 100 known pregnancies. The pro-life movement appears to be winning the argument/battle but losing the war. They need to consider why Canada with no limits on abortion has a far lower abortion rate. Or the Netherlands/Belgium which are even lower.
The pro-life movement in the US has won the argument on life and has thrown substantial legal barriers to abortion yet abortion is still more prevalent in the US than elsewhere. Perhaps its time to refocus efforts in a different direction … in what other way can the abortion rate be lowered.
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Ricky — just wondered if you aware of its bais. Many leftist cite it without knowing its bias (which is rather embarrassing for people like me).
Story selection is the unintentional bias of most news organization and thus RT and the English version of al-jeezera provide a balance in that manner. In terms of government direction and bias, al-jeezera is a better source since it operates at an arms length from the Emirate (the English version that is. The Arab version is held a little closer to the chest by the local sheiks)
As for Russian moves into Afghanistan — that won’t be done without some domestic opposition. (ask the American equivalent, Do you think Americans yearn for a return to Vietnam?) A real sore wound for Putin to open.
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Supposedly, the Russian bases would be to maintain and repair Russian military equipment used by the Afghan Army. The Russia Today story also said the Pentagon had been buying Russian military equipment to be used by the Afghan Army for years. The US and Russia have a common interest in Afghanistan. Neither wants it to again become an Al Qaeda base. Russia has real Muslim issues in its Southern provinces.
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Sails, you’re right about the weakness of the church — and I agree, protestantism in the U.S. has been especially weakened by the strain of individualism that tossed out the ancient creeds and confessions, did away with formal church membership and replaced sound checks-and-balances church government (elders and leadership accountability) with a system that was pastor-centric.
Churches became enamored with worship services heavy on entertainment & coffee, sermons weak on sound doctrine but heavy on self-improvement. I think it’s Joel Osteen who talks about being all you can be (or is that the Army?), or “your best life now,” something like that — essentially exchanging the gospel for messages of self-fulfillment and self-esteeem. And that basically sums up so much of what evangelicalism has been teaching and preaching for the past 50 years. 😦
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hwesseli,
“However, inflation is hardly a concern at this time.”
i retired in June of 2007. Dinner at Mexican restaurants was $4.50-$5.50. It is now $8-$10. Gasoline was under $2 a gallon. Now it is $4+ a gallon. All prices are CA prices.
“Actually life doens’t begin at conception — thats only the first step. The fertilized egg needs to implant itself on the uterine wall for life to continue. The rate of failure at this step is thought to exceed 60%.”
Isn’t that what a TV lawyer would call “Asked and Answered”?
Life can be stopped at any point, but it is still life, no?
Do dead fertilized eggs implant themselves?
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HRW, human life certainly begins at conception whether or not nature fails to complete the birth. Anyone who chooses to kill the zygote is involved in a rather different matter.
Bob Buckles is right about your dubious lawyer-like sophistry. Be glad that your parents decided bring you into this world, however gratifying it would be to have one less secular liberal in the world.
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