Category: Points of Information

Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.

Ancient Books Uncovered in Jordan May Date to Start of Christianity

10:53 pm

Ancient books uncovered in Jordan may date from the start of Christianity. Then again, they may be forgeries.

The books are currently the subject of a dispute between authorities, archeologists and an Israeli Bedouin who smuggled the books into Israel and hid them, claiming they were found by his great-grandfather, The Telegraph reports. Authorities in Jordan want the books returned, since under Jordanian law, they are property of the Kingdom of Jordan, according to the news release. Archeologists in Israel claim the books are forgeries, while British archeologists are committed to saving and studying the ancient scrolls.

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Going Broke: Treasury Down to $58.6B in Cash, $130.5B Borrowing Authority

10:41 pm

The reckoning is about to arrive: The federal treasury is down to $58.6 billion in cash with only $130.5 billion in borrowing authority.

Meanwhile former Democratic operative George Stephanopoulos reports that a tentative deal between the parties in Congress will finalize the cuts from last year’s budget at $33 billion.

As I said, the reckoning is about to arrive.

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Geert Wilders: Time to Unmask Muhammad

9:45 am

Geert Wilders: Time to unmask Muhammad.

Anyone who voices criticism of Islam and Muhammad is in grave personal danger – as I have experienced. And whoever attempts to escape from the influence of Islam and Muhammad risks death. We cannot continue to accept this state of affairs. A public debate about the true nature and character of Muhammad can provide insight and support to Muslims all over the world who wish to leave Islam.

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When is an Asteroid Not an Asteroid?

10:32 pm

When is an asteroid not an asteroid?

The layered structure of Vesta (core, mantle and crust) is the key trait that makes Vesta more like planets such as Earth, Venus and Mars than the other asteroids, McCord said. Like the planets, Vesta had sufficient radioactive material inside when it coalesced, releasing heat that melted rock and enabled lighter layers to float to the outside. Scientists call this process differentiation.

This question immediately demonstrates once again the terrible mess the International Astronautical Union made when it decided several years ago to define what makes a planet, and came up with a definition that simply doesn’t work. For if Vesta should be considered a planet, why not Pluto?

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University Protects Student Who Issued Jihadist Death Threats Against Conservatives and Jews

11:26 am

More craziness: McGill University has decided to protect the student who issued jihadist death threats against conservatives and Jews.

Some examples of the student’s threats: “I want to shoot everyone in this room,” followed by “I should have brought an M16.”

Here is McGill’s interpretation: “We have come to the conclusion that the messages don’t constitute a threat to the community.”

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“Worldwide-temperature increase has not produced acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years”

2:15 pm

From Watts Up With That: New sea level data shows that there has been “no acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years,” despite the increase in temperatures. Key quote from the paper:

It is essential that investigations continue to address why this worldwide-temperature increase has not produced acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years, and indeed why global sea level has possibly decelerated for at least the last 80 years.

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