Category: The Fifth Column

(GV) – While European media has been having a field day bestowing poetic epithets on the cold wave which has affected the continent for several days — “Moscow-Paris” in France, the “Beast From The East” in the United Kingdom, or the “Siberian Bear” in the Netherlands — the situation of the homeless is fast becoming an emergency. Since the 1 January 2018, the collective Deaths on the Street has logged almost 70 “persons of no fixed abode” (“sans domicile fixe”, or “SDF”, in French) across France who have died, over…

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The question of whether or not we should adopt policies based on gender identity is popping up all over the world, and quickly. The UK is right now considering adopting policies which would allow biological males to self-identify as female, and vice versa, a decision which would considerably change the overall policies and social structures in the UK. The supreme court in France just decided to strike down this kind of adaptation to their social policies, stating it is “a cornerstone of social and legal organization.” Without the new measures…

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Whenever you are shopping for a new car, researching each vehicle you are interested in purchasing is a must. And just like everything else, it is possible to do all of your research and comparisons from the comfort of your computer in your home. Here are a few factors to keep in mind while looking for that perfect car. Set a Budget You may want to window shop, but make sure you know how much money you can spend before you start. Setting a budget is highly advisable before you…

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It’s no secret that genetics can impact your health, but understanding the real relationship between the two is where things get complicated. Fortunately, the most important connections are easily explained. Learn more about genes and health below to maintain optimal well-being. Genes and Disease In the same way that traits such as hair and eye color are passed down from one relative to another, so can certain diseases. Fortunately, most genes we inherit from our parents are very similar. This makes it easy to determine if you may have an…

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(FEE) – March 4th marks the anniversary of the beginning of government under the U.S. Constitution in 1789. It seldom gets any popular attention. But it certainly deserves some, especially in an era when we have moved so far from the very limited government the Constitution authorized (limits enhanced by the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791) with American citizens as the clear losers. One useful way to mark this uncelebrated date might be to remember what James Madison, the “father of the Constitution,” had to say about…

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(SurvivalSullivan) – Of all the factors that one considers when preparing to defend yourself and loved ones with a firearm, ammunition selection is one that is most immersed in conventional “wisdom”, folklore, and outright falsehoods, and as such is one where most newer gunhands, and more than a few seasoned gunslingers, fall victim to bad info. All the common handgun cartridges- 9mm Para., .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W and the much beloved .45 ACP, all have their vocal fans, and seething critics.  We’ll touch on the most common myths, but…

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As nice as it sounds to “save the environment,” making these life changes can seem overwhelming once you realize what you’re in for. Some environmentally friendly products may cost more than the usual, and other practices (like never using throwaway dinnerware) are simply too inconvenient for a busy lifestyle. But by breaking down the process, striving for a smaller carbon footprint can be quite simple. Go Paperless Instead of getting a bank notice in the mail or reading paper magazines, you can request online versions of the same. You can…

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(HRW) – United States border agents routinely hold families, including infants, in freezing cells when it takes them into custody at or near the border, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The 44-page report, “In the Freezer: Abusive Conditions for Women and Children in US Immigration Holding Cells,” is based on interviews with 110 women and children. Human Rights Watch found that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents routinely separate adult men and teenage boys from other family members. The practice runs counter to agency policy…

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(GV) – In a developing country like Bangladesh, large-scale expansion can be harmful as the battle for space threatens the existence of tree canopies. A controversial government decision to cut the century-old canopy trees that line the Jessore-Benapole highway has led to protests from both environmentalists and the public. Last month, the court intervened and halted the decision; however, the fate of these important trees continues to be at risk. Last year, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh decided to cut down 2,700 trees on the Bangladeshi side of the 38-kilometer…

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(GV) – Colourful, unconventional and controversial Australian politician Barnaby Joyce has announced his resignation as leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia effective on Monday, 26 February 2018. This follows a series of crises over recent months. The saga of both private and political scandal has dominated both mainstream and social media. Dual Citizenship Debacle In October 2017 the High Court ruled that his dual citizenship from Australia and New Zealand made his election to the House of Representatives in 2016 invalid. Nevertheless, he achieved a…

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