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

 
Orthodox priest complains to German authorities about harassment on Christians at refugee camps ~

“Many Christians who came from the Middle East are suffering from such a strong harassment that they want to come back home, because their situation there seems to them a lesser evil as compared to the circumstances at German refugee accommodation centers,” the priest said.

Do we need any more proof as to who actually deserves “refugee” status? Muslims just can’t seem to stop persecuting Christians no matter where they live. Gee, let’s invite more here!

5 Ways to Stop Gun Violence that Obama Hates ~ Way too much common sense for our friends on the left. But then they’re not really looking for solutions are they?
 
It’s Beyond Time For A Cold-Eyed Look At Trump’s Record ~ From Daniel Horowitz at Conservative Review. Because his out-spoken brashness appeals to our sense of patriotism, it’s really tempting to overlook The Donald’s strong liberal tendencies. Don’t.
 
Finally, a Strategy to Checkmate Obama’s Executive Actions ~ Sounds like a plan…

Though Congress has given up much of its power when it comes to using its “power of the purse” to stop executive overreach, there is one power it still holds, and there is absolutely no reason not to use it. Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, popularly known as “Advise and Consent,” requires the Senate to approve all presidential appointments of cabinet officials, ambassadors, and federal judges.

But can we get the RINOS to buy in?
 
Obama Regs Cost Americans $784 Million Every Day the Gov’t Was Open in 2015 ~ This insanity has got to stop! ~

Bureaucrats pushed $197 billion in regulatory costs in 2015, including $99 billion in costs due to finalized regulations on industries covering energy producers to food companies to manufacturers. In total, regulators wrote 82,036 pages of rules in the Federal Register last year — a record level.

 
Sexual Orientation is Not “Born That Way” ~ Just a convenient lie that paved the way for same sex “marriage” ~

“And yet there is little scientific evidence to suggest that the categories we use today in the United States—categories that are historically quite new—originate in the body at all,” he said. “I think social scientists, lawyers, biological researchers and activists all need to examine why it is that many of us are so deeply invested in biological explanations of sexual orientation, particularly when they appear to have limited efficacy in terms of promoting more positive attitudes toward sexual minorities.”

 
Obama’s 140 Broken State of the Union Promises ~ Video provides a montage of 140 lies, half-truth’s and unaccomplished goals the prevaricator-in-chief hasn’t made good on in the last seven-plus years.
 
Border Crossings Continue To Surge ~ While the GOP candidates debate immigration, the O’Ministration is busy turning America into a third world dictatorship ~

Since October around 40,000 families and unaccompanied children have been caught at the border, hitting record highs for these winter months. December alone has seen the highest numbers in one month since the 2014 border surge.

 
Meanwhile, we pay scant attention to the vivid example of unrestricted immigration on the other side of the Atlantic as it morphs into a desperate clash of civilizations ~ Is Europe Choosing to Self-Destruct? Apparently, yes.
 
Find Out How Much Obamacare Rates Increased in Your State ~ Yikes! Sure glad we opted out last year and joined a Christian medi-share plan.
 
How falling oil prices exposed the great green lie: Saudi Arabia’s battle with the US to drive down prices show we’re far from reaching ‘peak oil’ ~ The UK Daily Mail reminds us how – before they invented the convenient “climate change” fantasy – the greeniacs were peddling the myth about earth running out of fossil fuels.
 

Illinois Appeals Board Slams 127 Turbine Wind Farm Proposal Due to Excess Noise Health Effects & Loss of Neighbours’ Property Values ~ Whoa. If left-leaning Illinois is coming to its senses maybe we’re making progress. (Check this site out: StopTheseThings. It sounds like living near these beasts is an ongoing nightmare!)
 
Vatican spokesman: Islam teaches “non-violence in the name of God” ~ Didn’t realize pot was legal in Rome 😀
 
Duck Commander Phil Robertson endorses Ted Cruz (me too!)~

“My qualifications for president of the United States are rather narrow: Is he or she Godly, does he or she love us, can he or she do the job, and finally would they kill a duck and put him in a pot and make him a good duck gumbo?” Robertson said. “Cruz fits the bill.”