Random links of interest, concern or curiosity from the past week or so, that deserve at least a SHORT mention:

Amazing buildings made from ice around the world ~ Brrrrrr. Some chilling constructions.
 

As Egypt Calls Muslim Brotherhood ‘Terrorists,’ Petition to WH Remains Unanswered ~ Common sense prevails in a country that recognizes a terrorist when they see one.
Now if the Obama administration would just be so astute. Instead, four months after the fact, the White House petition site still hasn’t made good on its promise to respond formally to any petition – which garners over 100,000 signatures – within 30 days (Petition to Declare Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization).
 
♂♂ Warning: Rose Parade 2014 not so rosy for family viewing – If watching two men swap spit and exchange marriage vows really isn’t something you have the stomach for, you’ll probably want to take a pass on the Rose Bowl Parade on Wednesday ~

On New Year’s Day in the world-famous Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, these two practitioners of homosexuality will illogically proclaim themselves “husband and husband,” and kiss on the lips to be seen by every child watching.

If you find this more than a bit unsettling, you might want to take more pro-active measures than just switching channels ~ Protest the Rose Parade ‘gay wedding.’
 
Greggs forced to rename their Cornish pasties because they contain peas and carrots ~ The European Union: nanny-state on steroids.

Cornish pasties now have “PGI” status; Protected Geographical Indication status prevents anything that is made outside the designated region from using the traditional name.

Does this mean no more Belgian waffles? German potato salad? French fries? 😯

VA hospital refuses to accept ‘Merry Christmas’ cards ~ Hand-made cards from 4th graders! The War on Christmas, as well as the military’s hostility to Christianity, is definitely escalating.
 

Christmastime and the Family Structure ~ So sad – but true.

… it is an uncomfortable truth that children of divorce and children with unmarried parents tend to do much worse in life than children of two-parent families […] (Same-sex households are not much better according to the latest research.)
 
Growing up outside a two-parent family means not just lower incomes and less social mobility […]
 
It also reduces human capital — “the knowledge, education, habits, willpower — all the internal stuff that is largely intangible a person has that helps produce an income.

And more and more, those married couples with the wherewithal to produce and raise a family are opting not to.
 
Young People: Are You Amusing Yourself to Hell? ~ Larry Tomczak, writing at Charisma News, has some warnings for today’s youth against immersing themselves in our sick pop culture ~

Nobody’s saying we need to write off all music and music videos as being corrupt, yet some of the most popular stars of pop culture today couldn’t care less about your eternal destiny! Their songs and lifestyle demonstrate a callous disregard for you and your well-being […]
 
With your entire future on the line, you cannot afford to simply set your life on cruise control and amuse yourself to hell.

[This would be a great resource/discussion topic for youth leaders]

 
Eye-catching photos of the year: A collection of the most striking images from around the world in 2013 ~ These really are some cool pix!
Tip: You might want to skip #65 (♂♂).