Новости за 14.06.2016

I made it work. Despite the unfortunate occurrence that the Tonys aired on yontif, I was able to watch the show at a friend’s apartment by virtue of the fact that the TV just happened to be tuned into CBS. Well, if it’s on I might as well watch it, right? I thought to myself. Right, I told myself. Right indeed.

For the first time in the history of the United Nations, an Israeli was appointed to head a permanent committee within its halls. Danny Danon, Israel’s envoy to the UN since last summer, received 109 out of a possible 193 votes in his election to the General Assembly’s Sixth Committee, which deals with legal matters of international law. Danon’s appointment was supported by the Western European and Others regional (WEOG) group, which had elected him as their candidate for the seat. The appointment... Читать дальше...

Amid one of the darker news cycles of recent memory, one particular glimmer of light flickered brightly, lifting, if even for a second, the weight of the massacre in Orlando.

It began with thoughts and prayers. It always does. Donald Trump tweeted, “Praying for all the victims & their families.” Paul Ryan said, “It is horrifying to see so many innocent lives cut short by such cowardice.” Mitch McConnell said, “The nation’s prayers are with the victims and their families in the wake of this terrible tragedy.” Ted Cruz wrote, “Our hearts go out to those killed and wounded last night. Our prayers are with their families, and with all their grieving loved ones.”

I’ve always loved dogs that look like pit bulls: wide and smiling faces, goofy expressions, broad chests, sturdy bodies, short coats, enthusiastic tails. I grew up not knowing about dog fighting, or about this breed’s vicious reputation. My terror was reserved for German shepherds (my equally frightened little brother tremulously called them “sheffers”), with their pointy, mean faces and loud barks. There were some territorial ones in the yards in my Providence, Rhode Island, neighborhood.

The reactions to the Orlando massacre show everything that is wrong with our campaign against the jihad. President Barack Obama in his first remarks conveyed anguish, but not anger. He identified the terrorist’s motivation as “hatred,” and, in order to underline his point, he repeated the word “hate” a couple of times. But he did not choose to define the particular hatred at hand. This is the Islamist ideology that wishes to exterminate large portions of the human race for theological reasons... Читать дальше...