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

2 teens arrested in Tennessee wildfires, officials say ~ Somehow it’s doubly tragic that the fires may have been set deliberately ~

The teens remain in custody in Sevier County, charged with aggravated arson, said Jimmy Dunn, 4th Judicial District attorney general. They await a bond hearing in Juvenile Court and could be transferred to Criminal Court if prosecutors move to try them as adults.

 
Why Are Leftists Such Pansies? ~ Andrew Klavan’s hysterical take on the Left’s inability to deal with adversity. 😀 Man-up people!

 
The Obamas’ Extravagant Vacation Price Tag ~

Barack and Michelle Obama have long treated taxpayers as their personal sugar daddies when it comes to vacations and travel. Judicial Watch has long tracked these expenses, as we have, and the group estimates, “To date, Obama’s and his family’s travel expenses total at least $85,029,819.”

Not holding my breath for a thank-you note.

 
I Served With James Mattis. Here’s What I Learned From Him ~ Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense sounds excellent ~

To Marines, Gen. James Mattis is the finest of our tribal elders. The rest of the world, very soon, will know how truly gifted he is.

 
Could We Please Quit Pretending It’s About “Marriage Equality?” ~ Because that’s been a sham all along. The real end game of the activists is the destruction of traditional families along with the support and stability they provide. It’s all just been a manipulative word game ~

“Marriage equality” isn’t real. The slogan exists only to arouse patriotism and guilt, and to make the conservative view on marriage appear morally inferior. Given that we all believe in marriage equality up to a certain boundary, however, it is no moral fault to prefer a principled boundary over an arbitrary one.

 
You Now Pay for Your Neighbor’s Weight Problem: Thanks, Obamacare ~ It’s the Progressive way; punish the responsible – reward the irresponsible ~

In a perfect world, meaning a free world, everyone would be able to live their life however they want and be accountable for the personal and economic impact of their choices. But, with the ACA we are all in this mess together. I can’t think of anything more humanitarian than trying to be a healthier person for yourself, all while simultaneously reducing the economic burden of your fellow human citizens.[…]
 
What you do not gain from getting healthy is the one thing that would most benefit you from doing so: lower premiums on your monthly payments. Because of Obamacare, that pressing advantage has been taken from you. And everyone. Who can be surprised that the result is a less healthy population?

 
Washington Town Spends $100,000 on Wind Turbines That Will Produce $500 of Electricity a Year ~ Till they give out in 25 years, and that doesn’t include the maintenance costs. Can we please stop this ridiculous waste of money?
Australia is learning the hard way just what a disaster wind energy really is ~ South Australia’s Disastrous Wind Power Experiment: Business Crippled as Power Prices Double

 
Michelle Malkin: The messy truth about Van Jones ~ Van Jones may have his own “news” show on CNN but he’s still the same guy Andrew Breitbart dubbed a “commie punk” and a “cop killer-supporting, racist, demagogic freak” ~

This is CNN: Enabling a lifelong, extremist demagogue — who has actively stifled and smeared conservatives, law enforcement and honorable public servants — to pose as a reasonable news personality Van-splainin’ the world.
 
This goes beyond the sin of “fake news.” It’s gross media malpractice of the highest order.

 
Why I Serve: Charles Gilliland of DFW Airport Police ~ In spite of the lack of support and affirmation from our feckless commander-in-chief, thank God that we have good men like this serving in law enforcement across the country ~

Our society needs law enforcement officers who can bring the light of Christ into the darkest corners of our society.

 
This Filmmaking Couple Doesn’t Want to Be Punished for Not Promoting Same-Sex Marriage ~ The progressive mantra has long been “you can’t legislate morality,” so why do they get to legislate amorality? And why are fashion designers allowed freedom of conscience but bakers, photographers and film-makers are not?

 
Too Much Christmas, Too Little Advent? ~ We’re missing the whole point of observing the season if we leave out the waiting ~

Things like Advent calendars and crèches that remain empty until Christmas Eve “give a shape to the anticipation of the season,” says (Joseph Bottum, author of “The Christmas Plains”). And “a season of contrition and sacrifice prepares us to understand and feel something about just how great the gift is when at last the day itself arrives.”