From Russia With Threats

In a chilling reversal of the good will that has existed between Russia and the US for more than a decade, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a series of very serious threats in response to what he sees as US aggression in central Europe.

MOSCOW (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin issued an acerbic warning Thursday to the United States, saying the recent test of a new Russian missile was a direct response to US actions and condemning "imperialism" in world affairs.

"Our American partners have quit the ABM Treaty," Putin told reporters after meeting his Greek counterpart, referring to the landmark 1972 US-Soviet treaty limiting the missile defenses of the Cold War superpower foes.

"We warned them then that we would come out with a response to maintain the strategic balance in the world. Yesterday we conducted a test of a new strategic ballistic missile with multiple warheads, and of a new cruise missile, and will continue to improve our resources."

Unfortunately, this is a sobering reminder that the likelihood of conflict (although remote) still exists between the former superpower and the US.

Another Loss of Freedom in Venezuela

It sounds like something out of a dark science fiction movie. Television stations being shut down that run shows not approved by the dictator - programming instead being replaced with propaganda messages run by the government, "Venezuela now belongs to everyone." It's frightening.

Hugo Chavez is slick, indeed. He trumps up accusations about the only station that dares to question his leadership ability, saying they have "incited attempts on [his] life." Well, isn't that convenient. He tells his followers, those most eager to believe in what he is selling (shared wealth for everyone), what he wants them to hear, and then they do the rest. For example, while thousands protested against Chavez's closure of RCTV, his followers held a counter "anti-violence" demonstration. It's dystopic.

As Chavez tightens his grip on power, I can guarantee that the people of Venezuela will see similar justifications for the seizure of their freedoms. And, since Chavez now controls the media, the people will believe him.

Can this happen here in America? You better believe it. All it would take would be for circumstances to be bad enough, a slick politician who promises prosperity at the expense of the upper class, a willing Congress and presto! Don't believe me? That's OK... I'm sure the people of Venezuela thought it was absurd ten years ago, too.

What a Day

I can't begin to express my sadness at the events unfolding today at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA: 32 Dead in Shooting Rampage at Virginia Tech. This has been the most tragic shooting of it's kind in US history.

In other news:

• 2nd heaviest rain in NYC 's history.
• Flooding in Boston, New Jersey, West Virginia.
• Bee population being decimated by mysterious cause.

Mexico Takes Another Step in Wrong Direction

The Mexican legislature is expected to legalize abortion. Ironic that these "pro-choice" supporters are wearing death masks (complete with blood dripping from eyes), considering they are fighting to kill people who can't speak for or defend themselves. AP Reports:

About 3,000 protesters led by city legislators from various political parties on Thursday shouted "Freedom to choose!" and criticized President Felipe Calderon, a social conservative who has spoken out against the reform.

"A woman can decide to have an abortion or not have it, but it's her decision," said former presidential candidate Patricia Mercado, a leftist and feminist. "A secular state has the obligation to give the right to women to take this decision in the best conditions."

The bill was proposed by the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, or PRD, which holds a majority in the assembly in Mexico City — a federal district with its own legislature — and party legislators are confident it will pass in April.

False Priests and Anti-Christs

This man, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, is certainly one of the more interesting kooks to come along in a long time. In addition to claiming to be the resurrected Savior, he has also decided to label himself the "Anti-Christ," which in his mind is not the negative thing portrayed in the Bible:

The Antichrist is not the devil, de Jesus tells his congregation; he's the being who replaces Jesus on Earth.

"Antichrist is the best person in the world," he says. "Antichrist means don't put your eyes on Jesus because Jesus of Nazareth wasn't a Christian. Antichrist means do not put your eyes on Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Put it on Jesus after the cross."

And de Jesus says that means him.

He even has the numbers "666" tattooed on his body, and has gone so far as to encourage his followers to do the same.

Among his more Christ-like attributes:

He says he has a church-paid salary of $136,000 but lives more lavishly than that. During an interview, he showed off a diamond-encrusted Rolex to a CNN crew and said he has three just like them. He travels in armored Lexuses and BMWs, he says, for his safety.

We've been warned that many people would appear in the Last Days claiming to be Christ. Luckily, most of us won't be fooled by people like this guy. It's the ones who don't sound so crazy that we should be worried about. People who, in the name of religion or government, seek to overthrow the freedom and agency of man. They're usually harder to identify, and have a greater ability to lead large amounts of people astray.

2007 Has Started, and Already the World is Going Crazy

Looks like 2007 is off to a tumultuous start. I've always said that odd years are the bad ones. Here's just a few headlines from today:

New York City plagued by mysterious fumes that cause panic and require evacuations.

Downtown Austin, Texas evacuated and shut down due to mysterious bird deaths.

Fund Manager who predicted the 1987 market crash and the 2001 gold rush predicts severe market "correction" in 2007. That means, sell now before the crash.

Killer Bees found near New Orleans.

Iran threatens to stop oil flow.

Possible bomb found at Port of Miami.

95% of Americans Have Pre-Marital Sex

I'm going to take a different tone than the authors of this study, who seem too overcome with exuberance to provide any information worth remembering. First of all, this number is astounding. Most people could have guessed that most people engage in pre-marital sexual behavior, but 95 percent? Wow.

It didn't take long for the study authors to begin making political decisions for Americans:

"The data clearly show that the majority of older teens and adults have already had sex before marriage, which calls into question the federal government's funding of 'abstinence only until marriage programs for 12- to 29-year-olds.'"

What kind of logic is that? Should we then, based on this line of thinking, stop funding drug awareness programs if 95% of people are hooked on cocaine? Should we forget about trying to save the environment if we've already polluted it 95%? Most people would laugh at such thoughts... yet when it comes to pre-marital sex, we're told to "get real." In fact, CNN calls this article a "reality check." Gee, thanks CNN! Without reporting like that, I might be inclined to think Santa Claus is real, too!

Just because 95% of people do something, it doesn't mean that thing is right. One could also cite other parallel statistics that trend upwards based on sexual promiscuity... like the AIDS rate, broken homes, selfishness, sex crimes, sexual addictions, apathy towards real affection and love. It's all there, right before our eyes.

Then there are those of us who dare say such things... we're labeled prudes, old-fashioned or worse. It's funny that the people who usually celebrate studies like this are the same, liberal-types who push messages of tolerance and diversity down our throats. That is, as long as you agree with their backward logic. Try telling someone on the left that pre-marital sex is a problem and see how tolerant of your view they are. Try it. I dare you.

Read the study HERE.