David Frum's Blog, page 59

The Economy Gets Back to Normal

Joe Wiesenthal at Business Insider reports that Vincent Reinhart is predicting the U.S. will return to a normal growth path in the second half of 2013.

What Do Hate Groups Think of Jennifer Lawrence?

Just in case you were wondering, Vice called a bunch of hate groups and asked their opinion of American actress Jennifer Lawrence.

The Catholic Church has a New Pope

We've got white smoke. Watch it live above. I'll update when there's more news.

The Last Surviving Member of the Valkyrie Plot to Overthrow Hitler is Dead

Jamie McFadden writes in that Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist died on Friday at his home in Munich, Germany. Mr. von Kleist was the last surviving member of the plot to kill Hitler known as "Valkryie". His New York Times obituary has the story of his decision to join the ill fated plot:

A New Hope? Nah, the Boy Scouts of America Strikes Back

A new twist has been added to the circus that is the Boy Scouts of America’s position on gay scouts and leaders. After backtracking on a semi-promise to overturn the ban last month, the BSA has now sent out a questionnaire to 1.1 million scout families asking about their feelings towards the ban.

Fake North Korean Video is Still Amazing. Watch It

This video, titled "North Korea tells its people how Americans live today," is a hoax, albeit a really good one. Again, it's not real, but watch it anyway.

Should Student Loan Debt be Dischargeable in Bankruptcy?

LearnLiberty produced the above video. They describe the idea as follows:

Saudi Arabia Found a Swordsman (Updated)

Remember those seven Saudi men convicted of jewelry robbery (after allegations of torture)? The group whose ring leader was sentenced to be crucified - but whose sentence was delayed by King Abdullah after international protest? Good news! The crucifixion was cancelled. The seven men were all beheaded instead.

The Real Domestic Drones: Red Light Cameras

FrumForum alumnus Noah Kristula-Green points out that the debate over robot police is arriving in the states, in the form of protests against cameras to enforce red-light stops.

Come on, Mitt! You Always Thank the Help!

The one good thing to come out of Mitt Romney's 47% debacle: surely never again will a Republican presidential candidate forget to thank the waitstaff after a fundraising dinner.