Blog Heap of Links for the day 29 January 2016

Links in this view: 7
1

Wars and Rumors

…after a string of assassinations of its local henchmen, the Islamic State's new "Caliphate" in the Libyan city of Sirte is abuzz with talk that an anti-Isil sniper is at work. In recent weeks, no fewer than three Isil commanders in Sirte have been shot dead from long range…

5:41pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW
2

Animal Companions

Man’s best friend has a clear strategy for dealing with angry owners — look away.

New research shows that dogs limit their eye contact with angry humans, even as they tend to stare down upset canines. The scientists suggest this may be an attempt to appease humans, that evolved as dogs were domesticated and benefited from avoiding conflicts with humans.…

Is this news to any dog owner?
5:43pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW

Theory of Justice

…Many stories, including so-called “eye witnesses” have communicated versions of the incident leading to the death of Mr. Finicum of Mohave County, Arizona who had been protesting in Burn, Oregon the past five weeks. The most recent “eye witness” account distributed nationally was reported by Victoria Sharp. Ms. Sharp’s account is false. The video below is taken from the FBI plane following the Finicum vehicle, and shows the shooting event as it occurred.…

Finicum appears to have made two bad mistakes and struck out. Attempted to flee the police, then did not keep his hands up. Video: The Oregonian, YouTube, 0:32 (from a longer video linked on the page linked here which also shows that, at first, he had his hands up).
7:59pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW

Earth Science

Earth is actually made up from two planets which came together in a head-on collision that was so violent it formed the Moon, scientists have concluded.…

5:45pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW
3

Urantiana

Urantia

…"The book touches upon everything from mind control to a eugenics plot to eliminate the 'inferior races' of our great nation."

Um, no it doesn't. This article about Celestial Seasonings ostensibly, as much as I could stand to read, is full of error, distortion, and gross misrepresentation. Somebody appears to either be an appallingly bad researcher or have some sort of vendetta. There is no truth here.
h/t: Inverse
7:26pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW

Breitbart is Here

Posters and cartoons, predominantly political
7:51pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW

US Election 2016

Ted Cruz

Recently, Senator Ted Cruz sat down with over 100 pastors and faith leaders to talk about how his Christian faith has shaped his worldview and how it would guide his decision-making as the next President of the United States. This short 18-minute documentary – Cruz Faith In Action — tells the story of how Ted Cruz came to be the man and leader he is today beginning with his father’s acceptance of Christ. …

5:55pm CST Fri 2016 Jan 29 :MW