Pajamas Media has a roundup on Iran's release of the British servicemen who were captured/kidnapped a couple weeks ago.

Public education missing the point. Again.

VOM, Nigeria:

On March 21, 2007, Christianah Oluwasesin, a teacher at a secondary school in Northern Nigeria was beaten, stoned and burned by Muslim students over claims she desecrated the Quran. According to a Compass Direct News report, Oluwasesin was supervising a final examination on Islamic religious knowledge when she collected papers, books and bags from the all-girls class and in accordance with school procedure and dropped them in front of the class to prevent cheating. According to another teacher, soon after Oluwasesin dropped the bags in front of the class, one of the girls began to cry. She told her classmates she had a copy of the Quran in her bag, that Oluwasesin touched the bag and by doing so had desecrated the Quran, since she was a Christian. This led to a riot which was joined by Muslim extremists, resulting in Oluwasesin being beaten to death. They brought old mats to where her body was, placed dirt on her corpse and then burned it. The Voice of the Martyrs has met with her husband and is supporting her family. Pray God will comfort Oluwasesin's family and for her testimony to those that killed her, that it will bring them into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the "Freedom and Unity" motto has proved a little too idealistic: disillusioned with the state of the "Union," Vermont wants its money back. (LVMI)

Al Mohler discusses the work and worldview of David McCollough - that guy who writes those big books about presidents.

No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.

Hark! - a new release from Derek Webb.

I still think his solo career has been a bit shaky, although I do like this disc. We'll see what he's come up with this time - it's certainly not looking any tamer, but hey, what do you expect; it's Derek, after all.

Quite a match-up: Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life) and Sam Harris (Letter to a Christian Nation) debate the existence of God.

HARRIS: Any scientist must concede that we don't fully understand the universe. But neither the Bible nor the Qur'an represents our best understanding of the universe. That is exquisitely clear.

WARREN: To you.

HT: The Christian Mind

David St. Lawrence examines a novel new social phenomenon: the complaint choir.

Ten of the best-ever stunts pulled in honor of the notorious April 1st; probably one of the last full-blooded informal holidays in America. (HT: PJM)

Burger King, another American fast-food chain, published a full-page advertisement in USA Today in 1998 announcing the introduction of the "Left-Handed Whopper," specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new burger included the same ingredients as the original, but the condiments were rotated 180 degrees. The chain said it received thousands of requests for the new burger, as well as orders for the original "right-handed" version.

UPDATE: Google doesn't want to be left out of the festivities.

"Ashes, ashes, we all fall down:" the real estate market is still in decline.

Acute Politics posts an optimistic update:

If things continue as they are right now, our military won't need a surge to chase the terrorists out of Anbar- the citizens will do it for us, which is as it should be. It's beginning to show already: more local tips, more police recruits (far more than anticipated), and sadly- in bigger and more desperate Al-Qaeda attacks...

It's a big job, but I think we may have finally learned enough forgotten lessons from places like East Timor, Vietnam, Ireland, Malaysia, and others that it just might work this time.

Color me hopeful.

An "upliftin' experience" to be sure: flying with Lutran Viking Airlines.

Analyzing the history of violence. (A&LD)

Seems one of the benefits of our modern squeamishness is less recreational violence.

More on Ali Reza Asgari, and Hezbollah as a potential domestic threat.

Whether he defected, disappeared, was kidnapped, rendered or captured remains an open question. Whatever the case, Asghari would be “an intelligence bonanza,” according to the Daily Telegraph in London. Indeed, some say, he was a CIA mole for the four years, before he was forced to flee. He is reportedly being held at a NATO base in western Germany.

Asghari was involved in the creation of Hezbollah (Arabic for “Army of God”) in 1982 and was the main liaison between the Lebanon-based terror group and its paymasters in Tehran. He is also a retired general in Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.

Earlier posts here, here, and here.

LVMI reporting on inflation in Iran.

Bruce has posted some interesting thoughts on nuclear weapons, war, and disarmament.

Preemptive strike is the second most insane war doctrine ever developed. Do we really believe that by acting preemptively that somehow war will be avoided? Once the first shot is fired all bets are off.

Over three dozen representatives joined U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol today to urge Americans to pray for the U.S. and its leaders for at least five minutes each week. Forbes, who is also the leader of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, said he hopes “God will hear our prayers and heal our land.”

Five minutes? Don't you think that's pushing it a little? I mean, this is the 21st century you know.

VOM, India:

BANGALORE - On March 16, 2007 Pastor John Selvan and Brother Vijay were attacked by more than 30 Hindu extremists when they were returning home from conducting prayer meetings in Bhelahalli, Bangalore. "When they were returning home, they were suddenly stopped by more than 30 Hindu extremists. They severely beat the men with sticks, axes and other weapons. The extremists are still holding Brother Vijay, the motorbike and their cell phones," reported The Voice of the Martyrs contacts working in India. The Hindu extremists are demanding Pastor Selvan bring the senior pastor of the church to them or "face serious consequences." Pray for the safety of Vijay and for Christians in India who continuously face difficult and dangerous situations.

Blogging, audioblogging, and now videoblogging: looks like all three mediums are here to stay.

No more excuses for blogger's block after you follow this link. (HT: evangelical outpost)

When the Religious Right says "jump," most Christians just ask "how high?"

(HT: evangelical outpost)

Another Tolkien title is arriving in mid-April, compiled by his son from notes Tolkien left behind. It's possible they're just trying to capitalize on the fantastic success of the series, though that really doesn't seem to be the case. (HT: The G-man)

National Geographic has not completely lost their sense of humor.

Max has an excellent post up about the futility of modern philosophy.

It's beyond excerpting, so read the whole thing. Twice.