MercatorNet with a critical review of a new book lauding "the hidden benefits of disorder."

Time for some long-overdue reverse marketing.

These phones don't play games, take pictures or give you the weather

Meet the Jitterbug.

VOM, Laos:

In North Central Laos, on January 18, five police officers showed up at a Christian brother's home and arrested him. VOM sources have known him and his family for 20 years. His wife and 12-year-old son did not get an opportunity to speak to him before he was taken away. All efforts to locate him or allow his wife to know where he is being detained have been unsuccessful. According to VOM contacts, in several similar incidents, the people taken by police were never found alive. Pray for this family, that has led more than 500 people to Christ in the past two years. Ask God to protect this brother and comfort his wife and child.

Another excellent blogger in Iraq. Here's a good place to start. (PjM)

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: weighing dreams against reality.

A good piece from Joel Belz on paying taxes.

I think AU is right on this one.

A look at what Iraqi Christians are facing. Read it. (PjM)

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.