Raven Clabough
Star Trek Into Darkness: a Film About Moral Compass
Star Trek Into Darkness may feel, to some moviegoers, as if it treks into darkness, as it is at times convoluted. The movie seems to have multiple beginnings and multiple ends, and the sequences can be a bit tricky to follow. But the film does address a number of poignant points that have easy comparisons to our contemporary history and to the Christian faith, and for those reasons, the film is redeemed. Plus, one cannot simply ignore some of the more exciting and entertaining moments that will keep moviegoers engaged.
U.S. to Assad: Negotiate or We Will Further Support the Rebels
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry continues to pledge support to the Syrian rebels even as they continue to engage in questionable behavior. On Tuesday, Kerry issued a warning to the Syrian government that a lack of negotiations on the part of Assad’s regime will result in the United States providing the Syrian rebels with further help.
Record Number: 10.9 Million Americans Collecting Disability
Newly released data from the Social Security Administration reveal that the number of Americans collecting disability payments is at an all-time high — 10,962,532 — more, to put to put it in perspective, than the total number of people living in Greece.
How Great Is "The Great Gatsby"?
Baz Luhrmann’s direction of The Great Gatsby wonderfully depicts on screen the grandeur that epitomizes the setting throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel in a way that is emblematic of his touch. The root of the story is money and its seemingly infinite power — and, perhaps more importantly — its illusory nature. The film does a fairly good job of capturing that crux and running with it in a way that would likely have made Fitzgerald proud of the effort.
Kidnapped Women Found After a Decade in Captivity
A Cleveland woman who has been missing for over 10 years made the most important call of her life on Monday. “Help me. I’m Amanda Berry,” she told a 911 dispatcher. “I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been missing for 10 years and I’m, I’m here, I’m free now.” Berry’s phone call led police to a home in a densely populated section of Cleveland, where Berry and two other women had been held captive for a decade.
Obama's Pledge to Close Gitmo — More Smoke and Mirrors?
Though President Obama renewed his pledge to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay last week, many recognize this as his latest attempt to pretend to have a different foreign policy from his predecessor. Despite the president’s strong claims against Guantanamo Bay, there appears to be no indication that the Guantanamo Bay prisoners — a majority of whom are engaged in a hunger strike in opposition to their indefinite detention — are any closer to freedom, even the ones already formally cleared for release. Any discussions of closing the facility seem to be nothing more than attempts to assuage voters who are starting to ask questions about campaign promises that have yet to be fulfilled.
FDA Approves Sale of Plan B One-Step to Minors Without Prescription
On Tuesday, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would allow the Plan B One-Step contraceptive to be sold without prescription to females as young as 15. The announcement amends a December 2011 decision that prohibited the sale of emergency contraceptives to all females of reproductive age without restriction, which had been overturned by a U.S. District judge on April 5. According to the FDA, its latest announcement was not prompted by the judge’s ruling, but is based on a study released by the company that makes the Plan B drug.
Benghazi Whistleblowers Allegedly Threatened by Obama Administration
According to Fox News, four officials at the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency who are preparing to provide sensitive information to Congress about the attacks last September on two U.S. diplomatic compounds in Benghazi, Libya, have now retained lawyers as they are being threatened by members of the Obama administration.
U.S. Increases Aid to Syrian Rebel Forces, Again
After assertions from the Syrian rebels' key supporters that they will increase and expand their support to overthrow President Assad, the United States announced it will double its non-lethal assistance to the rebel Syrian National Coalition.
Internet Sales Tax Bill Moves Forward in Senate
Legislation that would permit states to impose state and local taxes on Internet purchases is currently making its way through Congress. On Monday, the Senate's procedural vote to move the bill forward was 74 to 20 after it received a hearty endorsement from President Obama. The Senate will now begin debate on amendments before the final vote on the bill scheduled later this week.
