Rudy Roundup:

• Pajamas Media
• WorldViews
• Always more at Wikipedia

Thomas Sowell on global warming. He appeared - as a much younger man - on Milton Friedman's Free to Choose series. (PjM)

Oh brother.



(PjM)

WorldViews: "has poetry left the culture, or has culture left poetry?"

A computer has discovered that the Mona Lisa is happy.

The painting was analyzed by a University of Amsterdam computer using "emotion recognition" software.
It concluded that the subject was 83% happy, 9% disgusted, 6% fearful and 2% angry.

(Irrational Optimist)

AU: "This time, science won."

Hmmmm.



Some more commentary from the Parish Blog.

VOM, Indonesia:

This week 50 Muslim fundamentalists stormed a house church in an Indonesian village, questioning the use of the house for church services. According to VOM sources the mob raided the house disrupting the service and smashing a keyboard. Christians in the village are afraid and leaders are considering moving the house church to another area.

The Army, hurting for recruits, is being forced to lower the bar. (PjM)

Must we forever punish success?

(Instapundit)

Wednesday book roundup:

• I believe we are in real need of critical reinterpretations of World War II; like this one. It seems to hold true that the victors write the histories, and American textbooks are in many ways bloated with bias. Although Norman Davies is British, he seems to have a singularly good grasp of the Eastern European perspective. We learn from history when we analyze the facts, not our perception of them. Fascinating, to be sure, but don't get your hopes up too high: it's $55.00.
• This one promises an interesting, scholarly discussion on morality and economics. The author, a Catholic, examines the socio-economic dimensions of his faith and combines these observations with a defense of the free market. It's a much more economical book, in more ways than one.
  

Absurdly ambiguous, indeed. (Hat Tip: LVMI)

There is now confirmed evidence linking Iran to Anti-American activity in Iraq. More here. (Hat Tip: Instapundit)

Giuliani campaigning in California. It's a decent performance, (I like the decision-making part) but he does sound a bit like Bush, and I wonder if that might hurt him.

A highly interesting case of censorship by YouTube, via Instapundit. Check out this Christian Blogger's response (don't miss the comment from yours truly) and go here to hear the censored user, an English atheist who made a slideshow of raw quotes from the Koran, protesting his deletion.

It seems he ought to have a voice, but I'm not so sure about this.

Another Caedmon's update. Andy Osenga also reporting here.

Iraq roundup:

• Michael Yon with another combat dispatch.
• Gen. David Petraeus officially assumes control of Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-I).
  
• Yon comments on Petraeus's appointment.

Cramped or terrified, we must, in any conceivable world, be one or the other. I prefer terror. I should be suffocated in a universe that I could see to the end of. Have you never, when walking in a wood, turned back deliberately for fear you should come out the other side and thus make it ever after in your imagination a mere beggarly strip of trees?

An ex-terrorist is facing possible deportation from Canada for speaking up about Islam. The article contains some interesting notes about Shariah law.

MercatorNet likes smashing televisions, too.

New meaning in the term "fired." (PjM)

Jailbreak in North Korea; Google earth on-scene. (Hat tip: PjM)

Dr. Francis Collins is a Scientist/Christian I have mentioned here before. Here's a fascinating account (courtesy WorldMagBlog) of his keynote address at the 55th annual National Prayer Breakfast which is attended by the President.

"But you're a scientist," Dr. Collins said people say to him so often. "Doesn't [all this talk of Jesus] make your head explode? Doesn't this create a huge conflict for you between faith and reason?" His answer, simply, is "no." True, only 40% of scientists believe there is a God, but he said he sees science as a means both of discovery as well as worship. The more he learns of how God has created and wired us, the more he feels he has "caught a glimpse of God's mind."

"There's an unwritten taboo among scientists about talking of one's spiritual leanings," Dr. Collins conceded, but he urged this not to be the case. It was a moving and personal talk from a hero of modern science, and one I hope is reported widely in the coming days in the media. Dr. Collins concluded by asking us to sing a song with him, as he played the guitar. That's not something you see every day at Washington political gatherings. The song was "Praise The Source of Faith and Learning," by Rev. Thomas Troeger. Here's the first stanza:

Praise the source of faith and learning

that has sparked and stoked the mind

With a passion for discerning

how the world has been designed.

Let the sense of wonder flowing

from the wonders we survey

Keep our faith forever growing

and renew our need to pray.

VOM, China:

• On January 22, 2007, three "Minority for Christ" workers were arrested in Guizhou province. Guizhou has one of the largest Hmong populations and is also one of the strongest Communist provinces in China.
• VOM sources also report that security police arrested 11 Korean Christians after visiting a local village in China. After extensive interrogation they were released. The group is helping a local village build a new church building.
• On January 26, 2007, Hua Huidi and his 76-year-old mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua, an active house-church member in Beijing, and his mother were kicked on the ground and later taken to the Olympic Police Station for questioning. "When Hua asked the police to release his sick mother and explain the legal ground for the detention, he was beaten repeatedly. While the temperature in Beijing was in the 20s, cold water was poured on him. He was later taken to a detention center," CAA said. Hua's family learned that he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.
  

Pray God continues to protect Christians in China. Persecution is expected to intensify ahead of the 2008 Olympics. Ask God to give believers wisdom and courage as they face these difficult times.

Some morning workout wisdom, courtesy Frosted Mini-Wheats:

Did You Know:

Exercise that really gets your heart beating can help make your video game skills better. It's a super gamer's "hint"... a secret weapon that'll help you:

• Have more energy
• Be more alert
• Raise your self-confidence

Oh brother.