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Home Archives for World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 6 Comments

The Scoop on the “Real” Saddam

Quick link blogging this morning: read this AP story from today's Washington Times - America's fascination with the details of celebrities' everyday lives takes another twisted turn as U.S. military personnel who guarded Saddam Hussein in an Iraq prison give GQ the big scoop on his living habits, favorite foods, and various personal opinions. The AP story gives no hint of the actions that earned Saddam the nickname "Butcher of Baghdad." How easy to forget.... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Random and Miscellaneous, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 12 Comments

Is Durbin’s “Apology” Enough?

A few days ago I contacted Senator Ken Salazar's office to get a statement on Senator Dick Durbin's outrageous remarks. This morning I received the following message in my inbox: Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about comments attributed to Senator Durbin. I know Senator Durbin, and I know that he has only the deepest respect for our troops and their families. He did not -- and would not -- intend to criticize our troops. Nonetheless, to his credit, Senator Durbin recognized that he chose his words poorly and that he offended many people -- like yourself -- in using the words that he did. As a result, on June 21, Senator Durbin publicly apologized for his remarks on the floor of the United States Senate. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, National Politics, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Iran in a New Light

Only a couple days after being "elected" as the new President of Iran, hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stops the charade and announces that his country plans to reconstitute its nuclear program. The reliable and knowledgeable Amir Taheri answers the question of whether the rest of us (especially, the West) should be worried by this development: Should the outside world be frightened? Not necessarily. Paradoxically, the clarity created by this election may prove useful. Khatami went around the world speaking about Hegel and Nietzsche to ruling elites and creating the illusion that the Islamic Republic was part of the global system symbolised by the World Trade Organisation, the Davos forum, and the Western non-governmental organisations … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Democratic Senators: No Abuse at Gitmo

From this morning's Washington Times... isn't it better to get a little more of the story before jumping to conclusions, and even worse - hurling outrageous and absurd invectives at our own military personnel? Perhaps Dick Durbin needs to follow the lead of his Democratic Senate colleagues Ron Wyden (OR) and Ben Nelson (NE) in taking the grand Gitmo tour. Guy had a great post yesterday, linking to this informative report on who is giving out the most abuse at our Guantanamo Bay detention facilities. Hit a MoveOn.org Kool Aid-drinking Leftie on the knee with a solitary report of alleged prisoner mistreatment, and watch the reflexive kick of giddy anti-Americanism. Folks, there are a few people out there who want to believe that our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Economics and Moral Truth: A Book Review

The following review is made possible by the hard work of Stacy Harp at Mind and Media, who sent a copy of the book to me through the generous donation of The Acton Institute, which has edited and distributed Natural Law: The Foundation of an Orderly Economic System as one in a series of “Studies in Ethics and Economics.” The Review Not many economics books could garner a vehement dispute whether taken off the shelf by a hard-core libertarian, doctrinaire Marxist, or New Deal apologist. Yet just such a new treatise will inspire a lot of readers to think outside the box. Natural Law: The Foundation of an Orderly Economic System by Dr. Alberto M. Piedra (Oxford: Lexington Books, 2004) challenges many traditional systems of economic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Christianity and Faith, General, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Jolly Good Show

In a startling development that may have had something to do with one malodorous world leader's derogatory comments about a neighboring country's cuisine, London edges out Paris for the 2012 Summer Olympics bid, in spite of a failed grassroots protest. Joyful Brits take to Trafalgar Square to celebrate the city's first Olympic Games since 1948. How 'bout some fish'n'chips and a toast to Mr. Chirac? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Sports and Leisure, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Where Are the Riots?

Food for thought for the moral and religious equivalence crowd - how many Christian-led riots has this incited? How many have died as a result? Where's the equivalent outrage? Though I can't vouch for its complete veracity, the story from Saudi Arabia certainly has much more comprehensive credibility, much more established detail, and a much longer history than Newsweek's factual faux pas that sparked a firestorm of riot in Afghanistan and heightened distrust of American intervention in the region. The larger questions must continue to be asked: How compatible is Islam with liberal Western notions of democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law? What Islamic leaders, if any, will take the mantle of reform and make a widespread and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Voices from Iraq

On a day like today, I think it best to let my handful of readers listen to what people are actually saying from Iraq - eyewitnesses to the election and other activities. So enjoy: For some perspective, start with Byron York's analysis of an Iraqi poll downplayed in the MSM. Bill Roggio observed the huge electoral turnout in the Sunni city of Barwana. A reporter from Fairbanks, Alaska, visits Iraq and has her illusions shattered. Mohammed of Iraq the Model reports through PajamasMedia that high turnout extended the election one hour. Stay tuned... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Tancredo Won’t Back Down

Despite Hugh's strong admonition and best hopes, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo won't back down from his irresponsible and increasingly infamous "bomb Mecca" comments. He demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of our enemy and what strategic objective could be accomplished by even floating the idea as a potential deterrent: In an interview, Tancredo said he did not intend to offend moderate Muslims, whom he calls the "best hope" of bringing terrorists to justice. "When we bombed Hiroshima, when we bombed Dresden, we punished a lot of people who were not necessarily (guilty)," Tancredo said. "Not every German was a member of the Nazi Party. You do things in war that are ugly." He stressed that he was not advocating an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, National Politics, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Opposing the Withdrawal from Gaza

Joshua has information on Monday's Gush Katif prayer gathering and rally in Denver to protest Israel's forced withdrawal from Gaza. Read what he has to say, and consider attending this important event. On a related note, have you expressed your support as a friend of Israel? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, World Events

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About Me

Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

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