• Thu, December 12, 2024

by: The Morning Sun

Column: Lowering the curtain on cultural insanity

It seems that sometime during the past four years, our nation, state, and local communities reached a tipping point.

by: RTE Online

Government approves Irish intervention in ICJ cases

The Cabinet will meet today for the first time since the General Election. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin will seek approval for Ireland to intervene in two cases currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

by: Reuters

Insight: Trump crypto venture partners with platform linked to Middle East militants

A crypto venture recently unveiled by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his new Middle East envoy, billionaire Steve Witkoff, has partnered with a crypto platform that authorities and financial experts say has been used by criminals and Iran-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

by: The Financial Times

Keir Starmer and the Cummings consensus

The Tories fell short of their rhetoric — if the PM is following their path, he needs to learn why reform has failed in the past

by: Cleveland.com

Ohio House passed bill would limit wealthy people's ability to file defamation, libel suits: Capitol Letter

The bill would dilute the ability of well-heeled plaintiffs to file abusive defamation or libel lawsuits aimed to stifle legitimate criticism.

by: WESA

DA Zappala sues Allegheny County, retirement board over 'Ponzi scheme' pension system

Zappala called the situation "one of the most serious unfunded pension crises in the history of the Commonwealth."

by: London Evening Standard

Government to scrap some T-levels as part of review into post-16 education

Education minister Janet Daby said about 70% of vocational courses that the Conservatives had slated to cut will be kept.

by: BBC

First Minister's Questions: John Swinney challenged over falling teacher numbers

by: Mother Jones

"It's the Economy, Stupid" Is Never Just About the Economy

The creation of "it's the economy, stupid" emerged from the work of pollster Stanley Greenberg. As my former colleague Tommy Craggs wrote, Greenberg is a "funny figure"—a former academic who studied apartheid South Africa and then, with the Clintons, sought to bring back the so-called "Reagan Democrats" from the GOP.

by: The Globe and Mail

Morning Update: A page in Poilievre's playbook

Quebec, N.L. reach agreement on massive Churchill Falls hydroelectric project and pro-Assad Syrians flee to Lebanon

by: Daily Express

Keir Starmer's farming policy is more sinister and socialist than anyone dares believe

Keir Starmer doesn't seem to care that his policy will destroy the lives and livelihoods of generations of farmers.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Pay up by January 1 or face huge penalties, government tells Zuckerberg

Meta, Google and TikTok will within the scope of the charge, referred to as a News Media Bargaining Incentive, as they earn Australian revenue of more than $250 million.

by: MSN

Romania and Bulgaria to fully join Schengen Area in January 2025

"It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members," said Hungary's Minister for Home Affairs Sándor Pintér. "Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those member states has been a top priority for the Hungarian presidency,

by: MSN

Finnish PM calls for increased support for Ukraine and common European defence

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has said it is critical that the international community continue to help Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. Source: Orpo in an interview with the Japanese broadcaster NHK,

by: MSN

Column: Trump-friendly billionaires are taking aim at the federal agencies that protect workers and consumers

SpaceX and Amazon want key federal regulatory agencies to be declared unconstitutional. The losers would be workers and customers of financial firms

by: MSN

John Rustad vows to 'do politics differently' after caucus tensions boil over

The B.C. Conservatives have been the official Opposition for less than two months and internal discord is forcing party leader John Rustad to answer how he'll keep his new coalition together. In a year-end interview,

by: MSN

Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan and wife indicted in another graft case, Geo TV reports

A Pakistani court indicted imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife on fresh charges of illegally selling state gifts on Thursday, local broadcaster Geo reported. The indictment was the latest in dozens of cases against the 72-year-old former cricket star,

by: MSN

Schumer says Senate will vote on Social Security changes

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday he's "doing everything" he can to try to pass legislation that would enact some Social Security before Congress ushers in a new class next month.

by: MSN

Three Possible Tax Impacts for Retirees Under Trump

Trump term affect your tax bill in retirement — or the inheritance tax bill for your heirs? This pro has three predictions.

by: MSN

GOP governor-elect reveals what Musk, Ramaswamy will find when tackling government spending

Indiana Governor-elect and current U.S. Republican Senator Mike Braun on how DOGE will impact federal spending and waste and ways the Senate operated during his congressional term.

by: MSN

Russian official responsible for missile upgrades striking Ukraine eliminated

In Moscow, Mikhail Shatsky, deputy general designer of the Mars Design Bureau and head of the software department, was eliminated. He was engaged in the modernization of Kh-59 missiles to the Kh-69 level,

by: MSN

UN votes for Gaza ceasefire; US and Israel oppose

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Nine countries voted against its adoption, including Israel and the USA.

by: MSN

Government adopts the Adjustments Appropriation Bill to help fund 2025

This Bill aims to provide for the adjustment of appropriations from the National Revenue Fund to cater to the state's financial needs for the 2024/2025 fiscal period.

by: MSN

Scoop: Biden issues record clemency and pardons for nearly 1,500 Americans

President Biden's executive action is the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history by any American president. President Joe […]

by: MSN

New Lithuania government takes office amid controversy over antisemitism

Lithuania's new centre-left government assumed office on Thursday, led by Social Democrat Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and including a party whose leader is on trial accused of antisemitic statements.

by: MSN

Keith Gerein: Edmonton councillors play the politics of finances, some much better than others

For those who missed it, my last column offered an analysis of Edmonton's latest city budget , particularly the complicated money-moving revisions that enabled a modest improvement to next year's tax hike.

by: MSN

Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer at war over... sandwiches

The Tory leader says lunch is for wimps and sandwiches are not "real food" whereas the Prime Minister likes a cheese toastie

by: MSN

A Pakistani court indicts imprisoned former PM Imran Khan and his wife for corruption

A Pakistani court indicts imprisoned former PM Imran Khan and his wife for corruption - A court in Pakistan has indicted imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in one of several graf

by: MSN

Sen. Collins Alzheimer's disease care and prevention bill signed into law

A new law is promising more help, and more funding, for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The law, backed by Maine Senator Susan Collins, was signed on Wednesday. Also read: Sen. King's bill aims to study lower-intensity weapon blasts on veteran mental health Collins coauthored the bipartisan bill,

by: MSN

What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP-NORC poll

As several of President-elect Donald Trump's choices for high-level positions in his incoming administration face scrutiny on Capitol Hill, a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Americans have their own doubts.

by: MSN

Doctors Say Dealing With Health Insurers Is Only Getting Worse

Medical providers say they are frustrated by the aggravation and expense of convincing insurance companies to pay for their patients' care.

by: MSN

Alberta premier to announce border security plan in response to Trump tariff threat

CALGARY — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to announce today steps the province plans to take to shore up security at the Canada-United States border.

by: MSN

What Elon Musk's DOGE effort to cut government waste could mean for federal employees in Texas

Elon Musk's new government-efficiency department could bring sweeping changes to federal services in Texas — and the employees who administer them. The Texas billionaire has promised to slash as much as $2 billion from the federal budget by eliminating certain agencies and issuing "mass head-count reductions" across the federal workforce,

by: MSN

UN assembly calls for a ceasefire amid tensions with Israel and the U.S.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Nine countries voted against its adoption, including Israel and the U.

by: MSN

Windsor council asked to follow Halifax's lead and support temporary tent encampments

The former executive director of community legal aid in Windsor says council is giving false hope to people who want encampments eliminated.

by: MSN

Ceasefire in Ukraine may start soon, Poland's government

Despite the extremely difficult situation on the frontline, the prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine is fast approaching. Ukraine's reconstruction could begin in the second half of 2025, said Paweł Kowal,

by: MSN

Biden issues 39 presidential pardons and commutes 1,500 sentences

US President Joe Biden has issued presidential pardons to 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes, and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 other people. The White House described it as the most acts of presidential clemency issued in a single day.

by: MSN

Birmingham Labour councillor quits party with angry swipe at city leaders and Keir Starmer

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

by: MSN

Senior YSRCP Leader Avanthi Srinivasa Rao Resigns From Party, Cites 'Lack Of Respect'

Senior YSRCP leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister Avanthi Srinivasa Rao announced his resignation from the party on Thursday. He quoted "personal reasons" for stepping down from the party. He also flagged concerns over the treatment of leaders and cadres and dissatisfaction with the party's functioning.

by: MSN

Year of betrayal, misgovernance: KTR on one year of Congress rule in Telangana

On the occasion of Congress government's first year in Telangana, BRS leader KT Rama Rao in an open letter criticised the party for alleged misgovernance, broken promises, and undermining Telangana's identity.

by: MSN

Right to jury trial under threat as Leveson asked to carry out 'once in generation' review of courts

Right to jury trial under threat as Leveson asked to carry out 'once in generation' review of courts - Retired high court judge told that 'nothing is off the table' to reform the courts service and en

by: MSN

Trump will be honored as Time's Person of the Year and ring the New York Stock Exchange bell

About six months ago, Donald Trump was sitting in a courtroom in lower Manhattan listening to a jury make him the first former president convicted of a crime.

by: MSN

Quiz: Who said what on reforming the health and food system, RFK Jr. or a Democrat?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for head of the Department of Health and Human Services, has echoed many liberal talking points on food reform.

by: MSN

Energy, booze and critical minerals: how the Ford government plans to escalate a trade war with the U.S.

Global News has learned the Ford government is considering other retaliatory measures that are squarely within the province's jurisdiction.

by: MSN

The Government's Disturbing Rationale for Banning TikTok

Although the government had also argued that the law, passed in April, was justified by data-security concerns, the court strongly suggested that concerns that the Chinese government would leverage its power over ByteDance to covertly manipulate content on TikTok to promote Beijing's interests would on their own be enough to justify the law.

by: MSN

A look at the growing political storm unleashed by South Korean president's martial law decree

In a fiery televised statement, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his short-lived martial law decree as a necessary act of governance and vowed to "fight to the end" in the face of opposition-led attempts to impeach him,

by: MSN

CM urges patience amid national outcry on Manipur crisis

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has acknowledged the ongoing crisis in the state as "chronic and fragile," emphasizing that finding a permanent solution requires time.

by: MSN

Trump taps family and friends for key roles overseas

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his latest ambassadorship nominees, including future daughter-in-law Kimberly Guilfoyle and billionaire friend Tom Barrack.

Column: Lowering the curtain on cultural insanity

It seems that sometime during the past four years, our nation, state, and local communities reached a tipping point.
The article "Column: Lowering the curtain on cultural insanity" by John T. Bennett, published on December 12, 2024, in The Morning Sun, discusses the perceived decline in cultural sanity in America. Bennett critiques various aspects of contemporary culture, including the entertainment industry's focus on remakes and reboots, the politicization of everyday life, and the erosion of traditional values. He argues that there is an overemphasis on identity politics, cancel culture, and a lack of genuine creativity, leading to a society that is increasingly divided and less tolerant of differing viewpoints. Bennett calls for a return to common sense, mutual respect, and a focus on shared human values rather than divisive ideologies, suggesting that lowering the "curtain on cultural insanity" could help restore a sense of unity and sanity in public discourse.

Read the Full The Morning Sun Article at:
https://www.themorningsun.com/2024/12/12/column-lowering-the-curtain-on-cultural-insanity/