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

 
1 in 5 Brits Don’t Know Christmas Is Celebration of Jesus’ Birth: Poll ~ In case you were wondering why Britain is doomed ~

The History Channel and Onepoll.com surveyed 2,000 British adults and found that one in five respondents did not know the true meaning of Christmas.
 
“Almost one in 20 thought Jesus was born over Easter — the holiday which is actually held to mark his death and subsequent resurrection,” reported the London Economic on Wednesday.

 
Guardian: President Trump Distracts Journalists from Reporting Climate Disasters ~ The latest whine from the climatists ~

Trump doesn’t just suck the oxygen out of the room; he sucks the carbon dioxide out of the national dialogue.

So isn’t that a good thing? 😀
 
Jerusalem 101: Why President Trump’s New Policy Is Such a Big Deal ~

(I)t is important to understand the history of the city. The Old Testament describes in 2 Samuel 5 how King David conquered the city and made it his capital, over 3000 years ago. It later describes in 1 Kings 8 how David’s son, King Solomon, built the Holy Temple and installed the Ark of the Covenant there. Since then, Jews have always faced Jerusalem in their daily prayers. It is the center of the Jewish faith and the core of Jewish history […]
 
(R)ecognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. embassy there is just a recognition of reality. But it is also a courageous decision, showing that the U.S. will stand with our allies regardless of terrorist threats.

 
“I will NOT back down” – Defence Secretary stands his ground after facing outrage from Labour and the legal establishment over his vow to ‘eliminate’ jihadis ~ Amidst elite leftist admonition, ordinary Brits are cheering the fact that someone in government actually cares about them ~

Gavin Williamson faced outrage from Labour and the legal establishment for saying Britons who fought for Islamic State in Syria and Iraq were legitimate targets for military strikes. He said the UK should do everything it could to ‘eliminate that threat’.

 
Obama admin’s 35-yr lease of Port Canaveral to Middle East company with Russian ties endangers U.S. national security ~ Another mess Obama left behind that needs cleaning up ~

In an op/ed for The Washington Times on Nov. 23, 2017, retired U.S. Navy admiral and commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet James A. Lyons alerts us to another security compromise by the Obama administration — the 35-year lease of Port Canaveral with no security review to the Middle East company Gulftainer, which Admiral Lyons calls a “serious security compromise” to both the Port and its adjacent military infrastructure.

 
While We Await the Court’s Ruling on Masterpiece Cakes, a Dose of Reality From India ~ Although the Supreme’s decision on Masterpiece Cakeshop is critical to religious freedom in America, it’s important to keep our perspective; we don’t yet have to forfeit our lives to embrace Christ ~

No one is holding a literal gun to our heads and threatening to kill us unless we deny Jesus. No one is threatening to behead our families if we refuse to compromise our convictions.
 
But in other parts of the world, like India from which I write these words, believers are paying with their lives.

 
Abortion Industry Wants Abortion Pill Sold Online… Here’s Why That’s a Terrible Idea ~

Many in the media feed the fantasy that this is an easy, “magical way” of swallowing a pill while pregnant, getting a good night’s sleep, and waking up un-pregnant. Here’s the truth. The regimen can take longer and be much bloodier and more painful than advertised.

 
These folks know the truth, and recognize real racism when they see it ~ African-American Leaders Slam Planned Parenthood’s Racial Abortion Agenda: “Quit Targeting Our Women” ~

The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is the largest African-American Christian denomination in the United States. Recognizing that abortion is pervasive and specifically targeting their community, the Church of God in Christ stepped up to promote adoption among its churches and educate members about abortion and the pro-life cause.

 
Political correctness gone wild on campus ~ Nice to see that news of collegiate intolerance is finding its way into the mainstream media. This was on the opinion page – but nevertheless, made it into the Detroit News, highlighting a recent incident at the University of Michigan ~

Students do themselves a disservice when they silence the open debate of ideas and shield themselves from other perspectives. But in the end, it’s up to university administrators to enforce their speech policies and make sure they aren’t inhibiting the rights of any students — even conservative ones.

 
Red Cross Demands Branches Remove Crucifixes to Be More Secular ~ “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38 ~

“The Once Respected Red Cross is Enforcing PC Tyranny: Withdraw Support Now” – Breitbart

 
US Skier Says She Won’t Be Representing Trump at Olympics, Now Fox Hosts Have a Message for Her ~ Maybe Lindsey Vonn could join the North Korean team?
 
More North Korean ‘ghost ships’ washing up on Japan’s coast due to food shortage, sanctions, analysts say ~

Three more bodies, believed to be those of North Koreans, were recovered off the coast of Sakata in Yamagata prefecture Monday, two days after a dilapidated empty boat washed ashore, Japan’s coast guard said. The discovery is just one of 28 boats that have reached the Japanese shoreline facing North Korea this year — about four more compared to last year. About 650 miles sit between North Korea and Japan’s coast.

 
Erasing Mary, Gay ‘Nativity’ Erases Woman By featuring two Josephs the message is who needs women? ~

Replacing Mary with another Joseph is mocking God. It’s saying: “Hey God, I’m going to recreate your family the way I want it, to affirm my sexual passions and preferences. I’ll make it reflect my desired reality.”
 
Refashioning the Holy Family to reflect homosexual coupling is demonic. Erasing Mary from the scene is demonic. (And yes, erasing Joseph in favor of two Marys would also be demonic. So would erasing Joseph for Mary as a single mother.) […]
 
Same-sex “marriage” remakes the human family against God’s plan. It eliminates either mother or father to satisfy disordered sexual preferences. It denies the child his or her inherent right to both parents. It serves the desires of the adults, but casts off the needs of the child.