The Snarky Files - Euripides' Views on the Week (April 8)

Vermont became the first state which actually passed a law allowing same sex couples to get married. The state legislature didn't bother to weigh the future consequences of their decision. Gay activists know exactly what they want - the destruction of the institution of marriage.

The Snarky Files. Snarky means several things. I prefer the definition of "sharply critical." Here's my take on some news stories this past week. No real news here, just snark.

Texting
Awhile ago, I wrote an article about "sexting," sending text messages with personal pornographic content. The other night I took my wife on a date to a movie. A young couple sat next to me. I presume they were on a date and likely unmarried. The young man sat through the entire movie and texted from his cell phone. Several obvious problems came to my mind concerning his behavior. This fellow was with a young and attractive young woman, yet, instead of talking with her before the movie, in fact instead of interacting with her at all, he texted. He barely watched the movie for texting. (No, I didn't sit and watch him the entire movie, I just counted the times I had to shield my eyes from the light glaring from his phone.) Why did this young man even bother with a date or bother with a movie? For a brief moment, I almost suggested to the young woman that she dump the guy and find someone who would at least talk to her. Apart from the obvious dangers of sexting, I encourage parents to limit their children's texting. Texting is becoming a serious problem in the US. It is addictive and contributes very little to communication, especially with those who are supposedly friends or intimates.

Party Relations
From Yahoo! News:

Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hailed Barack Obama as "my new comrade" Thursday after their first face-to-face talks, saying the US president "can listen" -- even if little progress was made on substance.

Party Down! US President Barack Obama (L), Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (C) and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

First, the photo gives us an entirely new meaning of "following the party line." Second, should the president of the US be a new "comrade" to an old party-line Russian? Third, doesn't this reinforce how vacuous and substance-less Obama really is? Fourth, which party does Obama really support? (Will Obama switch party affiliation to become a Soviet?) Fifth, doesn't this bother anyone else?

Sounds Like Bush
President Obama visited Iraq in his whirlwind tour to meet with the G-20 and other world leaders. In a speech to the troops, he said:

"It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis," he said as an estimated 600 troops cheered. "They need to take responsibility for their country." (Breitbart)

"You will be critical in terms of us being able to make sure Iraq is stable, that it is not a safe haven for terrorists, and we can start bringing our folks home." (Reuters)

Isn't that what Bush said after the controversial surge?

In his speech, Bush acknowledged that Iraq's government has failed to meet goals for political reconciliation and security. "In my meetings with Iraqi leaders," he said, "I have made it clear that they must."

"The more successful we are, the more American troops can return home." (NPR)

The more things "change" the more they remain the same. At least it looks like Obama understands that there is no simple solution to the US-Iraq problem.

Compassion
We were all saddened with the news of the devastating earthquake in Central Italy. To demonstrate US compassion and care, the US embassy in Rome offered $50,000 for emergency aid. (Breitbart) In contrast, earlier this year, Obama resumed funding of UNFPA to help perform abortions outside the US. The US spends around $400 million overseas in "family planning" including funding abortions. We spend a lot of money to fund abortions inside and outside of the US. The disparity between aid to Italy and aid to abortions shows where true US government compassion lies.

Insulting
President Obama, in another attempt to show everyone in the world what a great guy he is, managed to insult just about everyone by suggesting Turkey become part of the EU.

The Europeans don't want Turkey in their club. Because Turkey isn't a European state, nor is its culture European. And it isn't our business to press Europe to embrace a huge, truculent Muslim country suffering a creeping Islamist coup. (New York Post)

At nearly every turn, Obama has shown what a complete rookie he is when it comes to foreign relations. Isn't Obama giving the queen of England an iPod with his own speeches on it and giving England's prime minister a set of useless DVDs enough to convince the people of the US that he's way out of his league on the world stage?

Death Knell
In a single week, the institution of marriage was set for destruction when Iowa's Supreme Court struck down its marriage definition law as unconstitutional and Vermont's legislature overrode the governor's veto to open marriage to same sex couples. Gay rights activists have struck a blow to the future of marriage. The problem with both of these decisions will be in future consequences to marriage, families, and the legal structure of the US.

I predict that within the year a lawsuit will arise to openly teach homosexuality in the schools and several lawsuits against businesses and individuals will arise trying to force conciliations to "gay rights." At least one law suit will challenge church autonomy. Help stem the tide. Sign up with the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).