THE NOT SO FINAL COUNTDOWN:

Barack Obama has only four years to save the world. That is the stark assessment of Nasa scientist and leading climate expert Jim Hansen who last week warned only urgent action by the new president could halt the devastating climate change that now threatens Earth. Crucially, that action will have to be taken within Obama’s first administration, he added.

— President ‘has four years to save Earth,’ the London Guardian, January 17, 2009.

For AOC in 2019, we had 12 years to go: AOC: No, Seriously, We Only Have 12 Years Left.

For Bernie, the following year, it was six or seven years:

Tweet continues, “Bernie doesn’t talk as much about climate change as he used to. Now he fundraises off of ‘Fight the Oligarchy.'”

To be fair, Bernie has been “fighting the oligarchy” during many presidential administrations:

But for those proclaiming the end of the world is nigh, maybe just stick with 57 years on the sandwich board to be safe:

 

UNBELIEVABLE: If you want to know why generation after generation of American college graduates leave campus full of historic myths, distortions and outright lies, Hans Bader reports on the new professor heading Howard University’s Institute for Advanced Studies.

WHAT ‘IT IS FINISHED’ MEANT: Chris Queen is managing editor over at PJ Media and something of a Greek scholar. His column today is an excellent explication of the meaning of “tetelestai,” as well as the prophecy behind the sour wine given Jesus just before He said “it is finished” and died. Chris also includes a great video by his pastor, Kurt Petersheim, on Good Friday 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH:

“EMPATHY:”

Additional exceptions apply:

COVID FIVE YEARS AGO: London Police break up Good Friday church service over apparent Covid rule breaches.

A Good Friday service in south London was broken up by police over apparent breaches of Covid-19 regulations.

Footage uploaded on YouTube showed Metropolitan police officers addressing worshippers at the Christ the King Polish Catholic church in Balham, south London, late on Friday afternoon.

The video shows an officer telling the congregation that they could be fined £200 or arrested for the potential rule-breaking. He said: “This gathering is unfortunately unlawful under the coronavirus regulations we have currently. I suggest, ladies and gentlemen, that though it is Good Friday, and I appreciate you would like to worship, that this gathering is unlawful, so please may you leave the building now. Thank you.”

A statement posted on the church’s website on Saturday said that they complied with the order to close the service and for people to go home, but insisted it had met all government requirements. It claimed the Met officers had misunderstood regulations on church services during the pandemic.

They said: “We believe, however, that the police brutally exceeded their powers by issuing their warrant for no good reason.”

Yes, that’s what British police do these days:

PERSPECTIVE:

More:

There’s still supposed to one American on the ground somewhere, and I’m sure he’d appreciate thoughts and prayers for a quick rescue.

IRAN STRIKES: Two Kharg Island Videos.

Something a little different than the usual Iran roundup: Two videos about Kharg Island, one an after-action report on a U.S. attack run, the other a description of what makes taking the island difficult.

The caveat for the after-action video, a recreation of an actual U.S. attack run, is that it’s done a breathless, overly-dramatic fashion, like something from Most Shocking. But the detailed, blow-by-blow account suggests it was taken from actual after-action reports.

Informative stuff. The second one is from Simon Whistler, perhaps better known as “the Megaprojects guy.” I don’t watch many video podcasts, but I do try to stay up to date with his.

WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR?

Nichols used to teach at the Naval War College and probably (?) knows better.

What a hack.

REAGAN ON GOOD FRIDAY: Former President Ronald Reagan was from the generation of American men who didn’t often speak publicly about their Christian faith. That was a private matter for them. But Reagan did after becoming the nation’s Chief Executive occasionally did speak of his faith. Here’s what he said on one Good Friday like today.

CLIPPY SAYS, “I SEE YOU’RE TRYING TO FLY PAST THE MOON…”

“This spacecraft survived hydrogen leaks, helium leaks, a faulty heat shield, and a broken toilet. Outlook broke anyway. The toilet actually got fixed faster.”

“SO YOU’RE SAYING YOU’LL MISS HER?”

Heh. Flashback to the infamous 2018 train wreck “interview” that instantly made Peterson a superstar by easily swatting back all of Newman’s hectoring interviewing techniques: Jordan Peterson, Hero. Clinical psychologist triumphs over ideologically-driven journalistic idiocy.

As Rod Dreher wrote at the time, “The interview ought to be shown in journalism classes as an example of what happens when a journalist believes that ideological ardor substitutes for reason, and that contempt for her interview subject should rightly override professionalism.”

Similarly, the London Spectator responded, “If I was Channel 4 I would take it down. If I was Cathy Newman I would sue or seek a super-injunction. I don’t think I have ever witnessed an interview that is more catastrophic for the interviewer.” In response, Newman initially tried to shrug off the debacle, before descending full-on into victimhood:

UPDATE:

MATTHEW CONTINETTI: Set Phasers to ‘Reboot.’

Andy Weir got in trouble for speaking the truth. His apology made things worse.

Mr. Weir is the author of two bestselling science-fiction epics adapted into blockbuster films: “The Martian” and “Project Hail Mary.” Last month, while promoting the movie version of “Project Hail Mary,” he appeared on the “Critical Drinker” podcast and told the story of his failed pitch for a “Star Trek” series.

For the last decade, “Star Trek” has been overseen by producer Alex Kurtzman, who has emptied this famous intellectual property of its treasure. Mr. Weir conceded that he’s enjoyed one or two of Mr. Kurtzman’s shows, then added, “I don’t like a lot of the new Trek.” By implication, Mr. Weir meant such series as “Star Trek: Discovery”; “Star Trek: Picard”; “Star Trek: Prodigy”; “Star Trek: Section 31”; and “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” Mr. Kurtzman “is a really nice guy,” Mr. Weir continued. “But at the same, those shows are s—.”

Red alert!

Mr. Weir’s mistake wasn’t his harsh judgment. It was his retreat—and his failure to explain why current “Star Trek” fails.

Mr. Kurtzman’s defenders took Mr. Weir’s comments as a conservative attack on diversity, inclusion and progressive politics—all hallmarks of modern “Star Trek.” To author Don Winslow, Mr. Weir was a traitor to his class. “I’m a real fan,” Mr. Winslow wrote on X. “But when you have your moment don’t use it to crap on other writers’ work. For the record, Alex Kurtzman is a visionary writer+creator+producer & you owe him an apology . . . writer to writer.”

Hard disagree. Where is it written that a writer can’t criticize another writer’s work?

Never bend the knee — particularly to lefties like Kurtzman who murdered and skin-suited Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, and more.

TELL ME YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND HEROINES AND THEIR FANS WITHOUT TELLING ME YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND HEROINES AND THEIR FANS:

MAYBE IT’S TIME TO UPDATE YOUR SHOPWORN 1968 TALKING POINTS:

UPDATE (FROM GLENN): The combat arms are disproportionately white, male, and from the South.