Chuck Norris for New FBI Director?

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Superstar Chuck Norris wants everyone to know he’s not looking for a job, but …

If President Trump, whom he supported for president in 2016, wants him to replace James Comey as FBI director, he’s ready, willing and available.

While promoting his new bottled water in Utah this weekend, Norris said: “If someone has to clean it up, and it has to be me, I’ll take the job.”

Fans were keen on the idea of Norris taking over the FBI. One said, “We need to get him in to Washington! I think he would clean it up. I think he’s the man for the job.” (Read more from “Chuck Norris for New FBI Director?” HERE)

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Expert: Scientific Studies No Longer Trustworthy

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Don’t eat that! It will cause cancer. Wait, eat more of it! It will actually cure cancer.

A high-fat diet will make you obese! No wait, actually, a high-fat diet is the best way to get in shape!

It seems every day Americans are bombarded with breathless, contradictory headlines about their health. For Americans hoping to lose weight and avoid chronic illness, even reading the morning paper can be a baffling or infuriating process, as millions are told last week’s fad diet is now this week’s dangerous health risk.

But the phenomenon isn’t just a minor frustration. Science as a whole is suffering a “reproducibility crisis.”

For a discovery to have any value, different scientists repeating the same experiment under the same conditions need to get the same results. Yet research shows half of the medical studies trumpeted by the establishment media are found to be worthless after follow-up scrutiny. (Read more from “Expert: Scientific Studies No Longer Trustworthy” HERE)

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Snowden Tweets: Microsoft Confirms Cyberattack Spawned From NSA

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National Security Agency (NSA) leaker Edward Snowden, currently living in exile in Russia, issued a tweet on Sunday explaining computer giant Microsoft “officially confirms” Friday’s cyberattack was spawned from exploits originally created by the NSA.

The alleged theft of the NSA hacking tools was originally published in April. An article by CNN last month said the NSA’s press office did not respond to an email at that time to confirm the information originated at the agency.

Snowden provided a link to an article on Microsoft’s blog written by the company’s President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith where he detailed information about the cyberattack that spread through malicious “Wannacrypt” software on Friday affecting computer users worldwide. . . . The software blocked users from their data unless they paid a ransom thin bitcoin. (Read more from “Snowden Tweets: Microsoft Confirms Cyberattack Spawned From NSA” HERE)

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Answer to Alaska’s Abortion-Protecting Judiciary? Life at Conception Act and Responsible Judges Act

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Today, the Alaska House of Representatives will hear the Alaska Life at Conception Act read for the first time. While a similar law has been introduced in Congress each of the last several years, this is the first time it has been introduced in the Alaska Legislature. This bill, along with its companion, the Responsible Judges Act, represent a culmination of more than forty years of Pro-Life efforts in Alaska and in other states.

On Monday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives, in the midst of a budget crisis and with a billion dollar budget gap of their own, passed House Resolution 1004, which instructs state officials at every level of government in Oklahoma to recognize the killing of preborn human beings as murder. The resolution itself will force no official to take action, but it does signify a seismic shift in how human rights advocates now aim to pursue the protection of children waiting to be born.

The Alaska Life at Conception Act brings state law into conformity with the Constitution of the State of Alaska, which provides that “all persons have a natural right to life”, “all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights” and “all persons are entitled to equal…protection under the law.” It makes clear, in accordance with established science, that human life begins at conception, and that a child waiting to be born in Alaska is an Alaska resident if the mother of that child is an Alaska resident. Further, it provides that no child awaiting birth may be transported to another state or country for the purposes of taking the life of that child. Taking the life of a child waiting to be born incurs the same penalties as taking the life of any other person.

Alaskans have watched, time after time, as a politically aggressive Alaska Supreme Court has struck down or invalidated one law after another in its quest for limitless abortion paid for frequently by the state. It has declared that the killing of preborn infants is an Alaskan value, placed in our state constitution, and worthy of state funding. Today, 44% of abortions in Alaska are paid for entirely by the state (as no federal monies may be used for that purpose). For those who qualify based on income, and likely for many who do not, Alaska now provides generously for those willing to let a doctor take the life of their preborn infant. For those who happen to find themselves at a distance from an abortion clinic, travel, room and board are provided, all expenses paid, for an expectant mother and her authorized escort. And if the Planned Parenthood clinic in Anchorage is all booked up, or if the pregnancy has reached 14 weeks, Planned Parenthood will arrange for travel to Seattle, as well as lodging and the cost of food for those traveling (all at government expense of course). Each year, Planned Parenthood arranges for 100 such trips to Seattle, a number of which are billed to the state.

An outsider, knowing only these statistics, would likely conclude that Alaskan’s electorate was somewhere on the political spectrum between Vermont and Oregon, each of which pay for a similarly large percentage of the abortions taking place in their state each year. It is unlikely that observer would peg Alaska for a red state. After all, legally speaking, Alaska has no limits on abortion. Its law requiring parental consent was struck down by its exceedingly liberal court. Its law requiring parental notification was likewise struck down. To add insult to injury, in striking it down, a majority of the appointed members of Alaska’s Supreme Court effectively awarded Planned Parenthood more than $1 million in attorney’s fees last year. Even Alaska’s ban on partial-birth abortion, taking the life of a helpless infant in the very process of being born, has been invalidated by the five appointed members of the Alaska Supreme Court.

These events have led previous legislatures to focus the whole of their pro-life efforts on meager attempts simply to limit state funded abortions to those that are medically necessary. That law passed as well. Unsurprisingly, the Alaska courts have prevented that law from going into effect as well.

So is that simply the end of the story? Has Alaska’s Supreme Court simply assumed the power to write Alaska’s abortion laws, with or without the participation of the legislature? To our casual observer it might seem so. But it is in fact the legislature who is empowered to write laws, to amend them, and to repeal them. Nowhere in Alaska’s state constitution is that power entrusted to the courts. To reinforce that fact, the constitution gives the legislature ample tools to protect the power it has been given.

The Responsible Judges Act provides that any Alaska judge or justice who attempts to exercise legislative power is guilty of malfeasance and may be impeached by the legislature and removed from office in accordance with the state constitution. It also makes clear that impeachment of a judge or justice by the legislature may not be overturned by the courts. With that initial check upon the courts in place, the Alaska Life at Conception Act provides that any lawsuit challenging it constitutionality in state court may only be heard by the Alaska Supreme Court in a process specifically laid out for that purpose. Further, state officials who enforce any provision of the act are provided immunity from prosecution for good faith actions taken while in the performance of their official duties. Regardless of the machinations of its courts, the State of Alaska has a duty to protect the life of every Alaskan, and the Alaska Life at Conception Act of 2017 provides the means for the state to finally fulfill this duty.

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Delaying Marriage and Parenthood: The Consequences of ‘Emerging Adulthood’

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Arguably the most consequential cultural shift of the past 50 years that too many people are unaware of is the rise of what demographers call “median age at first marriage.”

Two simple numbers, one for men and the other for women, tell a great deal about where marriage and family rank among our culture’s priorities.

Growing Up, Then and Now

In 1950, the median ages for first marriages were 22.8 years old for men and 20.3 years old for women. As late as 1970, the median ages were 23.2 for men and 20.8 for women. And then those ages started rising, and they’re still going up. The figures as of 2013: 29 and 27, respectively.

What’s going on here? What does it mean? Those questions are raised in an important new study by the Census Bureau.

The study, entitled “The Changing Economics and Demographics of Young Adulthood: 1975-2016,” opens with a sobering conclusion: “What was once ubiquitous [for younger Americans’] during their 20s is now not commonplace until their 30s. Some demographers believe the delays represent a new period of the life course between childhood and adulthood, a period of ‘emerging adulthood.’” (For more from the author of “Delaying Marriage and Parenthood: The Consequences of ‘Emerging Adulthood'” please click HERE)

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North Korea Open To US Talks Under ‘Conditions’

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A top North Korean diplomat said Saturday that Pyongyang would be willing to meet with the Trump administration for negotiations “if the conditions are set.”

Choi Sun-hee, the top North Korean diplomat who handles relations with the U.S., spoke briefly to reporters in Beijing en route to Pyongyang. She was traveling from Norway, where she led a delegation that held an informal meeting with former U.S. officials and scholars.

Choi did not elaborate on what the North’s conditions are, but her comments raise the possibility of North Korea and the U.S. returning to negotiations for the first time since 2008, when six-nation talks over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program fell apart. Read more from “Delaying Marriage and Parenthood: The Consequences of ‘Emerging Adulthood'” HERE)

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US Prepares to Ban Something You’d Never Expect on Flights to Europe

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The U.S. is expected to broaden its ban on in-flight laptops and tablets to include planes from the European Union, a move that would create logistical chaos on the world’s busiest corridor of air travel.

Alarmed at the proposal, which airline officials say is merely a matter of timing, European governments held urgent talks on Friday with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The ban would affect trans-Atlantic routes that carry as many as 65 million people a year on over 400 daily flights, many of them business travelers who rely on their electronics to work during the flight. (Read more from “US Prepares to Ban Something You’d Never Expect on Flights to Europe” HERE)

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New Marine Corps Ad on Women in Combat Sparks Heated PC Debate

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The Marine Corps’ first-ever recruitment video showing a woman in combat quickly devolved into a spat about political correctness after it was posted to Facebook.

The recruitment commercial, called “Battle Up,” shows a young girl confronting bullies, playing rugby and then evolving into a Marine later in life, at which point she leads other Marines and engages in a firefight through an ambush. The final scene shows her helping the homeless. Marine Capt. Erin Demochko, who served in Afghanistan, played the woman.

The video has already racked up almost half a million views after being posted to the Marine Corps’ official Facebook page Friday.

Almost as soon as the commercial appeared on Facebook, conversation devolved into a spat about political correctness. The first comment by Facebook user Chris Clark reads: “had to be a chick…tired of all this political correct bull****…. now let all the man haters come out of the woodwork…”

Immediately, the Marine Corps page responded and said: “That’s not a “chick”, Chris. You’re watching a Marine.” (Read more from “New Marine Corps Ad on Women in Combat Sparks Heated PC Debate” HERE)

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Comedian Jim Gaffigan’s Wife’s Experience With Tumor ‘Strengthened My Faith in God’

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Comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan suffered from headaches, dizziness and coughing fits for months. The wife of comedian Jim Gaffigan chalked it up to her busy lifestyle and having five kids. But when she started to lose her hearing, Jeannie decided to get it checked out. Doctors found a tumor the size of an apple.

The benign tumor was wrapped around her brain stem. “I was a ticking time bomb, waiting to be paralyzed,” the 47-year-old told People magazine recently. On April 18, Jeannie underwent a nine-hour surgery to remove the tumor.

Jim said he thought maybe they would have removed the majority of the tumor, but they were elated when they found out all of it was removed. She also didn’t have any damage to her cranial nerves. Her doctor said that if she’s clear at her three-month check she will be cured.

“My whole life has changed,” said Jeannie. “The people who have come out of this have shown me how loved I am.”

The couple experienced an outpouring of help and love from friends and family. “People are so generous,” said Jim, “it’s really made me believe that there’s hope for humanity.”

Drawing Closer to the Lord

Already a devout Catholic, Jeannie said the ordeal has brought her even closer to God.

“Every thing has completely strengthened my faith in God,” says Jeannie. “Because I told God, I said, ‘God, I’m not ready to go. I have work to do. Please help me.’”

Jim said it was a miracle that they found the doctor they did. It’s a miracle that the entire tumor was removed. It’s a miracle that her progress has been so swift. Still, she has a long way to go. She had pneumonia at the hospital and is now recovering at home with a tracheotomy and feeding tube. “The progress has been pretty amazing, but we’re far from normal,” said Jim.

Jeannie is convinced something good will come out her health crisis. “There’s just going to be so much to come out of this for me. All of this is a miracle.” She wants to comfort others as well. “I want to help people get through the worst news that you can get.” (For more from the author of “Comedian Jim Gaffigan’s Wife’s Experience With Tumor ‘Strengthened My Faith in God'” please click HERE)

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The Huge Unrecognized Mistake We’re Making With Our Kids

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Growing up is dangerous. Nearly all of us make it through anyway.

My daughter, Lisa, sprained her ankle 17 times while she was growing up. A few months ago she ran a half-marathon. She suffered a serious concussion in high school, and an even more serious one during college: it interfered with her cognitive processes for well over a year. Still she graduated from Miami University last December, a semester ahead of her peers.

Kids can fight their way through a lot. To see how parents protect them these days, though, you’d think making it all the way to adulthood was a rare event. We do everything in our power to protect them from every possible danger. Too much, on the whole, I’d say.

My generation has made its share of mistakes, but I think overprotecting our kids might be one of the worst — and least recognized — errors we’ve committed along the way.

We Forgot How We Grew Up

We thought it was so important to keep our kids safe, but we forgot how we grew up ourselves. My brother and I used to ride our bikes three times a week to play golf at a small course four or five miles away. It was just the two of us. We were no older than our early teens, as I recall.

Once I decided it would be an adventure to walk the seven miles home from junior high school, rather than taking the bus. I told my parents I’d be home late that day, and they said “Fine, enjoy your walk.”

My friends and I used to play hide-and-seek with flashlights, long after dark, across our entire neighborhood.

Adventures like that could never happen today. I never see kids waiting alone for the school bus in the morning; there’s always a mom or dad watching from inside a car nearby. It’s gotten so bad that not long ago a “concerned citizen” filed a report with Manitoba’s Child and Family Services against a mom who let her kids play inside their own fenced back yard.

Kids Need To Face Challenges On Their Own

Those who never have problems don’t learn what it’s like to solve problems. Kids who never face challenges on their own don’t get any practice in overcoming them on their own.

Granted, school counts as a challenge for most, but it’s a heavily supervised one. The same goes for athletics: there’s always a lot of adults around.

I never played Little League ball when I was growing up. I envied the kids who got real uniforms to wear, and had real bases to run around. But that didn’t stop my friends and me. There was a vacant lot on our block; nothing there but tall grass. We got permission from the owner to cut the grass and build a backstop. We made our own ball field there.

I was all of nine years old that summer. Some of the other kids might have been as old as 12 or 13. I don’t remember any adults helping us with any of it. We had a problem and our parents let us solve it.

I don’t know how my generation lost track of how important that kind of thing was for us when we were kids. I suppose we got badly spooked by stories of strangers stealing children. We forgot that there was a far more likely danger that our kids would grow up stunted in their ability to face real problems, if we kept them protected all the time.

I can’t help wondering if that’s a large part of the reason college students today are so shrill in their demand for “safe spaces.” Some of them — many of them, maybe — have always lived inside safe spaces. Someday they’ll graduate, and there won’t be anyone around to enforce that “safety” for them. They won’t be ready for it.

Growing Up To Do Something Worthwhile

Doctors have discovered a link between having a lot of dirt on your hands as a child, and being free of allergies and asthma as an adult. Even more obvious is the link between facing challenges while young and growing up to do something significant.

Our son has a great job, but he went through a lot getting there: two seasonal jobs that lasted only as long as they lasted, three jobs that he genuinely needed to leave because his bosses had seriously misrepresented the pay and working conditions, one job that he wasn’t suited for and was let go from, and another hard-working early morning job he didn’t like very much but persevered in anyway. There wasn’t a lot of “safety” for him on the way to the work he’s doing now.

“I Can’t Stand To Watch, and I Can’t Stand Not To Watch”

Our daughter’s locker partner in high school, Taylor, was an Olympic hopeful gymnast. She practiced hours every day, and suffered more than one broken bone, getting to the point of competing at level 10. There is no level 11; if you get to that stage you’re on the national team.

We went to one of her meets. When she was on the balance beam I watched her dad as closely as I did her. I wanted to know what it felt like to see your daughter doing tumbling routines on a four inch-wide hunk of timber. I asked him afterward, and he told me, “I can’t stand to watch, and I can’t stand not to watch. It’s really hard — but I’m so proud of her.”

A few weeks later I saw an old friend of mine whose son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren were serving in Nigeria as medical missionaries. There was considerable violence going on in their region at the time. I asked the dad how it felt. His answer sounded almost exactly like Taylor’s dad: “I really wish they weren’t there, but I know it’s right, and I am so proud of them.”

Growing Up To Make A Difference

I’m no child psychologist, but I’m pretty sure kids will have a hard time growing up to take great risks to change the world if they haven’t taken risks to play in their neighborhoods.

Next week my daughter will be marrying an Army lieutenant. He was assigned to the National Guard after his commissioning, but he’s pulling hard to go on active duty. I know it’s going to be tough on Lisa, if and when he’s deployed to an active battle zone, but I know she’ll make it. As the dad, I know it’s going to be hard on me, too. I’m sure I’ll say “This is so hard to live with. I can’t stand it!” But I will be — as I already am — so proud of them both. (For more from the author of “The Huge Unrecognized Mistake We’re Making With Our Kids” please click HERE)

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