By Laurie Baron
SAN DIEGO―The warm weather at the Sochi Olympics has made the snow too slushy for many of the outside events. Facing the prospect of global warming affecting future winter games, the International Olympic Committee has voted to give the local organizers permission to switch skiing events into water skiing events if the outside temperature is higher than 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
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The jury’s declaration of a mistrial in the case of Michael Dunn for first-degree murder charges in the killing of Jordan Davis because he was playing rap music too loud has reignited the controversy over Florida’s Stand Your Ground Laws. Some state’s legislators plan to introduce a Stand Your Sound Law that makes it illegal for people to execute others for excessive decibel levels.
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Pastor Jamie Coots died of a rattlesnake bite during one of his snake handling worship services. Snake handling is based on the passage from Mark 16: 17-18, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” When asked what went wrong, Coots’ assistant replied, “This particular snake was an atheist.”
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The United Nations High Commissioner released a report that condemned North Korea for “systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations” and “crimes against humanity.” It concluded that “the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.” North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un welcomed the report as proof that he is preserving his father’s legacy.
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A body of a man was found in the landing gear wheel well of a South African Airlines Airbus that landed at Dulles International Airport. The company has responded by discontinuing its inexpensive third class seating special.
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Baron is professor emeritus of history at San Diego State University. He may be contacted via lawrence.baron@sdjewishworld.com