Editorial

Have you run out of things to worry about?

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

In case you've run out of things to worry about in 2016, here are a few:

Oregon standoff

Remember Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who says his rights are being violated, and who the government says owes it $1 million in unpaid grazing fees?

Well, two of his sons are in Oregon in support of a group that has taken conrol of the federal headquarters of a bird-watcher's paradise, in protest of the mandatory minimum sentense of two ranchers convicted of arson on federal land near their ranch.

The government contended one in 2001 was to cover up evidence of deer poaching, and the other, in 2006, was supposedly set to protect the ranch from a wildfire, but reportedly endangered volunteer firefighters camped nearby -- the government sought $1 million in damages.

Those ranchers, however, have distanced themselves from the Bundys.

For its part, the federal government has backed off, so far, from the Bundys and the Oregon situation, wishing to avoid another Waco or Ruby Ridge fiasco.

ISIS and the Middle East

If you're not worried over events in the Middle East, you're not paying attention. Not only are terrorists sympathetic with ISIS targeting our homeland, now comes news of Middle Eastern or North African gangs

Iran and Saudi Arabia are at loggerheads after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent cleric and dozens of supporters. Plus, Saudi Arabia is seeking closer ties with Russia, which has expansion desires of its own in Ukraine and

Gun control

President Obama cemented his position as the top gun salesman of all time, announcing a 10-point plan that doesn't seem to clarify who is a "dealer" required to conduct background checks, but does hire more than 230 examiners and staff to conduct background checks, and spend another $500 million on mental health care.

The stock market

U.S. stocks are taking a hit thanks to troubles with China's economy and other Asian issues, which in turn hurt oil prices, which directly affect the oil industry in Southwest Nebraska.

Asia

China has begun test flights into new airports it's built by dredging up earth to expand disputed islands in the South China Sea.

If the nuclear agreement with Iran doesn't concern you (they've allegedly already violated it by testing rockets), consider the hermit kingdom, North Korea.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 5.1 magnitude earthquake Tuesday near a known North Korean nuclear test center, and North Korea announced that it successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, the largest yet.

Had enough? Well, consider one final thought ... Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are leading contenders to become the next president of the United States.

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