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

Happy Independence Day!

James Madison Wrote Bill Of Rights To Protect Liberty ~ A brief recap of the accomplishments of the “Father of the Constitution.” Just one of our many illustrious founding fathers, Madison was more intelligent, principled and astute than any 10 of the clowns currently holding political office in Washington D.C. put together.

The media’s vile attacks on conservative assimilationists ~ Michelle Malkin on the hostile divisiveness of the Left ~

Conform to progressives’ worldview, and their proscribed definition of diversity or be prepared to be mocked, ridiculed and demonized.
You can’t win with these insane identity-mongers who preach compassion and peace while practicing vicious demagoguery.

 
Greek debt crisis: In Athens, scavenging from bins has become a way to survive ~ The Greek financial meltdown really is sad. People are actually dumpster-diving ~

As the country prepares to vote on continuing austerity on Sunday, in the streets of Athens some people have already resorted to searching the rubbish bins for food to eat and scrap metal to sell. (w/video)

But, according to this piece in the UK Daily Mail, there’s a lot of blame to go around ~ A whole island pretending to be blind to get benefits, 8,500 pensioners who faked being aged over 100 and lawyers who claim to earn just €12,000: New book reveals how Greeks cheated THEMSELVES into ruin ~

… a new book has lifted the lid on widespread benefits fraud, and tax avoidance – both of which contributed to a budget deficit which runs into billions of euros. […]
 
But what do when so many are cheating the system? It is estimated tax evasion alone might be costing the country as much as €20billion a year in lost revenue, while years of benefit fraud will certainly have added up.

 
Putin: America Is Godless, Has Turned Away from Christian Values ~

How tragically ironic – especially coming from the leader of a country that tried to erase every vestige of Christianity in just the last century! ~

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the West, including the United States, for eschewing Christian values and opting instead for a “path to degradation.” […]
 
Russia’s newfound embrace of traditional values has prompted a rise in Orthodox vigilantism. Extreme groups such as the Union of Orthodox Banner Bearers, an ultraconservative faction who adopted a slogan “Orthodoxy or Death,” are gaining prominence.

 
Montana ‘thruple’ applies for wedding license ~ Gee, no one saw this coming.
 
And it’s only the beginning ~
Get ready to say goodbye to your first Amendment freedoms ~

… no matter what you believe, the government will be free to regulate your speech, your writing, your associations, and whether or not you may express your conscience. Americans also need to understand that the endgame for some in the LGBT rights movement involves centralized state power—and the end of First Amendment freedoms.

 
$357,750: NIH Funds Research for App to Promote Exercise for Marijuana Users ~ Yet another dopey waste of tax-payer dollars ~

(CNSNews.com) – Could an app motivate marijuana users to exercise? The National Institutes of Health is giving $357,750 in taxpayer dollars through its National Institute on Drug Abuse to State University of New York at Buffalo to find out.

 
No H8: Clarence Thomas Is a ‘Clown in Blackface,’ Says Gay Activist Takei ~ Former Star Trek actor not exactly the most tolerant individual in the galaxy – or the most intelligent. He totally misread and/or misunderstood Justice Thomas’ opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges.

 
D.C. endures worst storm since 2012 derecho — here’s how it happened ~ Can’t help but wondering if God was weighing in on the SCOTUS gay “marriage” decision last week ~

Many eyewitnesses, awakened and rattled by the storm, described it as the scariest they could recall — jarred by the deafening thunder, continuous lightning, pounding rain and roaring winds.

 
 
 
This Man ‘Grew’ a Church From Living Trees ~ New Zealand – What a labor of love; “Tree Church” is amazing. Check out the pix.