Daily Archives: September 2, 2020

Since I announced publicly that I will be voting for Joe Biden in November, Ive received a few communications from puzzled readers. How can you, a supposedly pro-life woman, support someone who believes in killing babies?

I will try to respond for the sake of those who, like me, find themselves alienated from the Republican Party despite some policy agreements with the Trump administration.

I have been pro-life my entire adult life. I havent changed. I continue to find the practice abhorrent and will persist in trying to persuade others. While I would prefer to vote for someone who upholds the right to life, Ive never believed that electing presidents who agree with me will lead to dramatic changes in abortion law, nor is the law itself the only way to discourage abortion. The number of abortions has been declining steadily since 1981. It dropped during Republican presidencies and during Democratic presidencies, and now stands below the rate in 1973, when Roe v. Wade was decided and when abortion was illegal in 44 states.

Its wrong to take innocent life. But other things are immoral too. Its also wrong to swindle people, to degrade and demonize, to incite violence, to bully, and while were at it, to steal, to bear false witness, to commit adultery and to covet.

Donald Trump is a daily, even hourly, assault on the very idea of morality, even as he obliterates truth. His influence is like sulfuric acid on our civic bonds. His cruelty is contagious. Remember how he mocked a handicapped reporter in 2016? His defenders either denied the obvious facts, or insisted that, while Trump himself might be politically incorrect, his supporters wouldnt be influenced by that aspect of his character.

Alas, they are. Consider the incredibly moving moment during the Democratic National Convention when young Braydon Harrington, who struggles with stuttering, introduced Joe Biden. That night, an Atlantic editor with the same affliction tweeted: This is what stutterers face every day. Im in awe of Braydons courage and resolve. That prompted Austin Ruse, author of The Catholic Case for Trump, to tweet in response: W-w-w-w-w-w-what?

It isnt just a matter of style. At Donald Trumps order, thousands of children, including hundreds under the age of 4, were forcibly separated from their parents at the border. Pro-lifers are tender-hearted about the most vulnerable members of society. So, images like this must stir something. Separating children from their parents is a barbaric act. In the crush of outrages over the past three and a half years, it has gotten swallowed up, but the horror of what was done in our name should never be forgotten.

All of this is familiar to Trump supporters, but they will vote for him because they believe that the left is far worse.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., characteristically subtle, claimed at the RNC that Biden and Democrats will, disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door. And the defunded police arent on their way.

Funny, but I could have sworn that the Democratic Party nominated Joe Biden, not Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Look, there are extremists on the left, and the Democratic Party has a weakness for not calling them out. Democrats do the truth and themselves no favors by attempting to gloss over the looting, arson and vandalism that have persisted in Portland, Chicago and other cities throughout the summer.

But its dishonest, and frankly, a bit hysterical, to attempt to hang every sin of the left around Joe Bidens neck. Hes no radical, and the party that nominated him showed that its centrist core was stronger than its extremist wing.

In the wake of renewed violence following yet another horrific police shooting, this time in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Biden issued a humane statement expressing deep sympathy for Jacob Blake and his family, outrage at what happened and also condemnation of violence, saying: burning down communities is not protest, its needless violence. ... Thats wrong. Biden struck exactly the right tone.

The argument that the left is worse doesnt persuade me. Strange as it is to write those words after 30-plus years as a conservative columnist, I have to say that when you compare the state of the two major parties today, the Republicans are more frightening.

It is the Republican Party that has officially become a personality cult, declaring that it will not adopt a platform but will simply follow whatever Trump dictates. And it is the Republican Party that now opens its arms to adherents of a deranged and dangerous new cult called QAnon. The FBI has designated QAnon a domestic terror threat, yet minority leader Kevin McCarthy has committed to providing committee assignments to Marjorie Taylor Greene, should she be elected in November.

There is putrefaction where the Republican Partys essence should be, and appointing pro-life judges cannot mask the stench. So, this conservative is voting for the Democrats. Will the GOP reform? I hope so. But my priority isnt trying to heal the Republican Party. Its trying to heal the country.

Continued here:
CHAREN: Why this pro-life conservative is voting for Biden - Odessa American

How does an AfricanIm first-generation Nigerian American, I wasnt born in Americawho hasnt experienced the same things that Black Americans face, how do you get involved in something from the inside that you dont feel you're a part of? But then you realize, Hey, youre as Black as the next person. It doesnt matter. And it goes to show that were all in this together. If I live in this country, I just have to be active.

The same day that George Floyd had passed, Dion Johnson here in Phoenix was shot by police officers. So I went to that vigil, and that was my first vigil and protest evereven when I did vote and I knew there were protests going on with Black Lives Matter and things of that nature. I just never put myself in that space.

I went to that vigil and my first protest. Im like, OK, how do I get involved? I had a friend who met me at another protest, and she introduced me to [someone] who is actually running for a legislative seat. I talked to him, and he connected me with a pastor who is very active in the community.

I spoke at my first city council meeting last Thursday, and I had a comment because they were trying to raise the police budget from $500 million to $745 million. Were still in Covid, theres homelessness, affordable living [and] mental health issues, and yet youre giving the police force more moneyfor what, I dont understandas people are dying.

Im a progressive Democrat, so Im on that side of the playing field. Im all for seeing change for everybodyBlack, indigenous, Hispanic, the LGBTQ community. We have a diverse America now, so we need new faces. So Im voting for Joe because obviously he makes more sense than Trump.

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These Swing Voters Will Decide if Trump, Biden Wins 2020 Election in November - Bloomberg

Many US fans love British comedy - even if not every joke translates. These '90s classics are some must-watch... and some must-avoid.

Over the last 50 years, there have been a lot of iconic and memorable British sitcoms. The '80s provided the world with some comedy gold, with the likes ofOnly Fools and Horses, Blackadder,and 'Allo 'Allostill watched by millions today. The noughties also provided a lot of hilarious material too with the likes ofPeep Showand The Office (UK)achieving critical success. But what about the '90s?

RELATED:The 10 Best British Sitcoms Of All Time

The sitcoms that the public saw in the '90s were just as memorable as all the other decades. However, it was not always for the right reasons. In fact, a lot of them should have never been commissioned in the first place. Here are just a few examples of the best and worst British sitcoms in the '90s.

Starring Neil Morrisey and Martin Clunes,Men Behaving Badlyis a sitcom that isn't as fondly remembered now as it was in the '90s. Set in West London, the sitcom mainly follows the lives of Gary Strang (Clunes) and his flatmates who spend most of their time doing stereotypical "manly" things.

The show was also deemed to be politically incorrect by many fans, who believed that its portrayal of lad culture promoted irresponsible and invasive behavior (especially towards the women). It's one of those sitcoms that hasn't aged well.

One of the most iconic sitcoms in the 1990s wasThe League of Gentlemen, which starred and was written by Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, and Reece Shearsmith. While dark comedies are not to everyone's taste, this sitcom did prove a hit with the British public as the viewers enjoyed the wickedly twisted humor.

A lot of fans also praised the writers for coming up with situations and characters that were quite innovative and inventive. Although the show would be deemed highly controversial if it was aired now, Pemberton, Gatiss, and Shearsmith style can be witnessed in Inside No. 9 and Psychoville...

Dinnerladiesis also another tv series that was prominent in the '90s. Starring Victoria Wood, Maxine Peake, and Julie Walters, the sitcom mainly focuses on the lives of the canteen workers who work at the fictional factory, HWD Components. As the show goes on, the viewers see friendships and romances blossom between the staff and grow stronger.

Unfortunately,there are mixed feelings on the sitcom. Those who weren't familiar with Wood's work didn't know what to make of the bittersweet humor that was littered throughout. Some also thought the characters were a little dull. It just depends on the viewers' taste...

Starring Paul Whitehouse, Mark Williams, and Caroline Aherne, the '90s found another hit series inThe Fast Show.Mainly containing a series of sketches, each episode provided a situation and character that depicted a stereotype of British society.

RELATED:10 Iconic British Sitcom Characters, Ranked By How Funny They Are

The series was an immediate hit with the public as the viewers managed to find the characters relatable in some form or another. The writing is funny, the execution of jokes is perfectly timed and the performances are quite memorable too. It's another must-see show...

One sitcom that hasn't been as popular as the other entries on the list isBirds of a Feather.Starring Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke, and Lesley Joseph, the show focused on the lives of two sisters, who are shocked to discover that their husbands have been arrested for armed robbery. They are then forced to move in together and adapt to their newfound lives.

While the show is still going presently, many people believe the magic went out of the show decades ago. Although the series' protagonists give strong performances, the show lacks in writing and storylines. The jokes are also very predictable too. It would have been more iconic if it ended in its prime...

Goodnight Sweetheartis also another sitcom that proved to be a hit in the '90s. Starring Nicholas Lyndhurst, the show followed the life of Gary Sparrow, a time-traveler who finds himself living a double life when he stumbles upon a portal leading to 1940s London.

In both time-periods, the viewers get to meet some iconic characters and duos. Viewers loved watching Ron and Yvonne butt-heads, and the friendship blossomed between Reg and Gary. Despite hating his adulterous nature, viewers did look forward to seeing what adventures Gary got up to as well. It's worth a watch if someone hasn't seen it yet...

Although Lyndhurst found success withGoodnight Sweetheart,he did feature in another 90s sitcom that wasn't as successful. Set in the early 1990s, the show focuses on Peter Chapman (Lyndhurst), who finds himself recruited by MI5 after they ask him to join their technology division. Since he had lost his job, Peter jumps on the opportunity.

RELATED:The Worst Episode Of 10 Great British Sitcoms, According To IMDb

The only problem was that he had to hide his new job from his wife. Unfortunately, the sitcom didn't last very long as many thought the writing was dull and dry. To this day, not many people remember it particularly well.

Another sitcom that was a hit in the '90s wasKnowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge.Starring Steven Coogan, the series follows the life of verbose talk show host Alan Partridge, who often gets himself into awkward and troublesome situations.

Scripts, which were written by Coogan too, received a lot of praise amongst the public, who thoroughly enjoyed the dry and cringe humor. It was also well received with critics, withThe Austin Chroniclecalling it "the most hilarious satirical comedies in recent memory."The show was so popular that Coogan went on to create several more series with Alan Partridge at the center.

Most people will agree thatHeil Honey, I'm Homewas the worst sitcom to come out of the '90s. Starring Neil McCaul and Denica Fairman, the show centered on the lives of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun, who find themselves living next door to a Jewish couple.

Already, one would be able to tell that the controversial show wasn't well-received among the British public, who rightfully deemed it "distasteful and offensive." The public outcry would have got even bigger if one looks up what was planned in the future episodes. It wasn't surprising that the network executives decided to cancel it altogether. How this got commissioned in the first place is anyone's guess...

By far, the best sitcom of the '90s has to beThe Royle Family.Set in Manchester, the sitcom mainly focused on the Royles, who spend most of their time watching television and discussing everyday events. Starringthe likes of Ricky Tomlinson, Susan Johnston, and Caroline Aherne, the series rose to fame due to its relatable characters and humorous storylines.

The show also accrued critical fame due to the chemistry between actors, particularly the rivalry between Jim (Tomlinson) and Nana, which had audiences in tears most of the time. This show is still just as popular with the viewers in the U.K. as it was in the '90s.

NEXT:10 Hilarious British Sitcoms That You Absolutely Need To Watch

Next 10 Most Cringeworthy Characters On Full House

A writer, reader and tv fanatic, Kayleigh enjoys reading movie news and your film reviews. She has attained an Undergraduate degree in Creative Writing and is also the creator of the film and television blog 'The Critics' Corner'.

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5 Best (& 5 Worst) British Sitcoms Of The '90s | ScreenRant - Screen Rant

Immigration New Zealand has apologised after it told an Egyptian student his country's political instability was a reason for denying him a visa.

(file photo) Photo: 123rf.com

Immigration statistics show at least half of all student applications from Egypt had been declined in each of the last six calendar years.

Mohamed Mansour, who works in marketing in Saudi Arabia, applied for immigration approval to attend a business management course last year.

In a rejection letter, an officer said, "As Egypt is currently politically unstable and it is known people are attempting to leave Egypt I am concerned this may discourage you from returning to your home country on completion of study."

Mansour said although Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had apologised, its reassessment of his application was inadequate.

"I need to tell you that students who applied for a student visa from Egypt their applications [in the past] were processed in Mumbai and many students got an interview call from the immigration officer to discuss with them the application, but recently all Egyptians application were reallocated to Palmerston North office and no immigration officers had any interview with any Egyptian students.

"I hope in the near future INZ stop their discrimination to my people and I share regularly my case via social media to show the other face of New Zealand. Don't trust any New Zealand immigration officers, I tell them they have hidden reasons to decline the visas."

In a statement, Immigration New Zealand said it rejected claims of discrimination.

"Mr Mansour lodged a formal complaint on 25 November 2019 in relation to a reference to political instability in Egypt," said Steve McGill, the acting general manager for border and visa operations.

"INZ acknowledged this reference was incorrect and apologised to Mr Mansour.

"INZ also offered to reassess Mr Mansour's application, which was lodged on 12 December 2019. Based on additional information provided in this application, INZ was satisfied with Mr Mansour's evidence of funds but still did not have enough evidence demonstrating he was a bona fide student. As a result, Mr Mansour's application was declined on 24 December 2019."

It said officers were trained to apply fairness in decision-making and to avoid bias, ensuring that each application was decided on its own merits.

"INZ refutes claims of discrimination," McGill said. "Each application is decided on a case-by-case basis against the relevant immigration instructions. Officers are supervised while in training, their work is regularly checked and reviewed when they are out of training, and INZ has a quality assurance programme that continues to monitor work on a regular basis."

INZ said it did not decline visa applicants based on their country of origin or race.

In the year ended July 2020, 129 student visas were issued to Egyptian nationals, with 33 applications declined.

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Immigration NZ apologises after rejecting student for 'political instability' in Egypt - RNZ