Don’t worry about the news cycle or the outrage porn associated with it. David Harsanyi looks beyond the headlines:
Homicide rates, for example, have been falling to the point where in 2014 — the last year of FBI data offered — it was at 4.5 per 100,000 people, which is the lowest rate recorded since 1963, when it was at 4.6 per 100,000 people. We know there was a slight uptick in violent crime in 2015, probably making it the second lowest year for homicides in the past 50. . . .
Put it this way: In 1990, in New York City there were 2,245 homicides. In 2015, there were 355. In 1992, Los Angeles County had a record high of 2,589 homicides. There were 655 over the last 12 months. In 1992, Chicago saw 943 murders, or a rate of 34 murders per 100,000 citizens. Although it still owns a far higher murder rate than most major cities, in 2014 there were 432 murders and in 2015 488. Last year, Dallas saw a spike in murders, yet the 10.7 homicides per 100,000 residents was the city’s fourth-lowest total since police started keeping track in 1930. In Denver 95 people were murdered in 1992, 34 in 2014, and 50 (a nine-year high) in 2015.
As Harsanyi says, it’s not 1968. That year was scary. This year seems like the last two years. The Ferguson Effect seems to be trumping the Francis Effect.
Old Life 
But the homicides in 2016 get a lot more air time than the ones in 1963. Gotta keep people afraid and outraged…security!
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Reports from the PA evangelical hinterlands: ‘America is collapsing we must vigorously pray and OH NO!.. there is a shortage of freeze dried food.’ Oh how I miss Philly and my job in center city..
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sdb, security and maybe some advertising revenues?
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Mbfree,
Yep, “We report, you buy”
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If only the health of society could be measured by one factor.
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I agreed the U.S. is great.
How about NAPARC?
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Gil, heavenly.
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“Heavenly.” However, the same is said by RC’s with regards to the Roman Church, even Mormons, JW’s, PCUSA, Muslims, etc.
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when the old earth passes away, will the old earth be destroyed?
was the world after the flood made out of the world before the flood?
will the new earth be created out of nothing?
I Peter 1: 7 You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which PERISHES THOUGH REFINED BY FIRE—will result in praise, glory, and honor AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
II Peter 3: 5 Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water by the word of God. 6 Through these waters the world of that time PERISHED when it was flooded. 7 But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and DESTRUCTION of ungodly men
II Peter 3: 10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will PASS AWAY with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be DISCLOSED. 11 Since all THESE THINGS things are to be DESTROYED in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in HOLY CONDUCT and godliness http://randalrauser.com/2011/11/the-confessions-of-an-ouranophobe-or-how-i-got-over-my-fear-of-heaven/
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