Reshaping a Continent

Africa’s oldest independent republics, and the nerve center of African innovation, celebrate perhaps one of the highest approval ratings of any newly elected Head of State:

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. A new political leader, with tenacity and a savvy for finance, coupled with a political vision for the future, takes a firm stand for quality of life, as she steps forth to further the evolution for a much needed political change. ~Liberia: A Society at a Crossroads

"I have the obligation to bring pride to the women of Liberia, Africa and the entire world,"....E. Sirleaf.

~Latest news: Sirleaf offers olive branch to rival.
~Women and Children Rise for the need for peace 2002-03!

Decades at which former war-lord leadership gave little priority towards healing the plight of its people, Sirleaf will continue to move forth, shaping a landscape within the New Political Frontier, which lie before her.

The Past:
~Girl-combatants win the war against the forces of warlord Charles Taylor.



~Rebuilding shattered lives after the Civil War. (pdf)
~Little Movie Clip Shedding years of neglect.
~Rockefeller Foundation: African Continent have voice now.
~Building For each other My Mother Built This House (S. Africa)

"Everything I promised Liberians during the campaign, I again promise that I will fulfill my words,"....E. Sirleaf.

Serving priority, she has vowed that their government would restore the country's electricity and water services, badly damaged during the civil war. Mapping and implementation has begun.

Veney George, an agriculture trainee tills the soil with a garden trowel converted from a rocket propelled grenade launcher at the Brewerville training centre in Brewerville, about 56 miles, 90km, from Monrovia, Liberia.

Technorati Tags: Africa, Reshaping, track

Very interesting articles at the Political Teen with film footage, and joscafe displays a related cartoon, It will be basils for brunch, and here after hours.

~For this Carnival of the Vanities - week # 167...
Go to: File t Under for an excellent roundup of the week's best!
~Carnival of Liberty is up...Hosted by: Dan Melson.....
at: Search Light Crusade.

~~~~~~~~~~
A philosophical analysis! The delightful spiritual intellect of Umberto Eco: Best of me Symphony #114, is not to be missed!

Chiming Not Charming

(Enter-Image) Krizia Couture: ..for a kiss of holiday colors

"Could have saved herself a lot of trouble with accessories, had she just chosen the right lipstick ;-)...Feel free to chime in on this with me"...M.B.

Thanks! :)))

Well, if Beth at my rw Conspiracy thinks Hilton is an idiot... well, this is pretty much where Paris is headed... :) And speaking of lipstick...haha Diane's stuff posted a "how-to"...So.. put on your lipstick (unless n/a) and go on over to find out: how-to do "what"... (Found this at a brilliant writer's site, after hours, of course.)
One always looks more beautiful while laughing, so go read some funny finds over at Conservative Cat!. Oh, also.. check out some finds at Peakah's.

Tecnorati Tags: kiss, track, funny

To New Heights

A new World Balloon Altitude Record !

The height: 70,000 feet (21,200 metres)
Impossible’ (MI-70K) lifted off at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai
piloted by 67-year-old Vijaypat Singhania... serenaded by a band!


The size of which was equivalent to an 18-storied building. The aviator opted to stop short of his 70,000-foot target when his red, yellow and blue checkered balloon hit a cold air pocket. Singhania touched down in Sinnar Township, some 250km from Mumbai.

The technical team at the Mumbai racecourse monitoring Singhania’s five-hour flight said his balloon touched 69,852 feet (21,167 metres). (Flight was housed in a pressurized capsule through sub-zero temperatures) and according to British aviation expert Colin Prescot, who helped to design the 158-foot balloon — "The flight went like clockwork."

History was made!....

~Prior record: Swedish aviator Per Lindstrand in 1988 (over state of Texas)
~Some 17 aviators have previously tried to eclipse Lindstrand’s record.

~Read an interesting: Teacher's Guide for Aerospace! Civil Air Patrol(pdf)

A Little Trivia: Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519, which was 300 years before his manuscripts of flying machines were published...
Tags: balloons, track
~~~~~
Speaking of ballons, The business of America is Business has a great article, something light and airy at jos, along with: political teen, and it's now time for breakfast at basil's.

Why is This Man Smiling

[Click Image; Find out why]

~Arrived in Baghdad, airport officials 45 min ago:

(MSM has changed this story twice, and just now moved the link.)

UPDATE:
Ommited from published Article:

Clark has been advising nearly a dozen international lawyers on Saddam's defense team. He has contended that Saddam's rights have been violated in the legal process following his capture. But a U.S. government official close to the court said the defense team had not filed the proper paperwork to have a non-Iraqi lawyer in the courtroom.

~Follow this link: Find out what is being done to free Saddam.
~The Capture Audio fash site: The spider hole; The method of hiding
~ Iraqi Plan for Trial: Governing Council information

TRAFFIC: View The Excellent Selection of Daily Sites:
joscafe | adams blog | point five peakah
myvrwConspiracy |don surber | the political teen
caosblog | uncooperativeblogger |
Oblogatory Ancedotes | The Right Nation

The Glass Sculptor: Videos

(Click on the picture) VIDEO: The making of a Chandelier.

When I first saw the Artist, Chihuly's work... it was a 40 foot Chandelier flowing down from a 100 foot ceiling, at which its entire length, showcased inside a three sided window.
Viewable indoors and out... at night this was spectacular! I really would Love one for my dining room (Smaller of course! ;) ....The Lovely yellow would be nice.

(Click picture below); VIDEO: Technique of making floats, in Japan.


INTERESTING VIDEOS:
~Working in Italy: Venetians glass
~Artist, Chihuly in Japan: niijima floats
~100,000 lbs of ice and neon: ~Wall of Ice ...

~~~~~~~

~The Owner's Manual: The Best of me Symphony #115 ..Coming soon..

Flash Action Comics

[Enter through the image]

I used to watch these Action packed Cartoons every Saturday morning.
... This one has a sequel... (^__^)
Now they're like, having a cup of coffee... (only, without the caffeine.)

Not sure if Ferdy the cat watches Saturday Cartoons...but, if not...there's a Carnival on at Wizbangblog; Later you can always go to Basils to enjoy a great brunch. Whatever your plans today, hopefully you've stayed out of the shopping frenzy like Peakah!

Making a Quick Exit

"Amidst the flashing bulbs of photographers...
Butterscotch escapes from the press, using the side exit!"

...well, sort-of.

It's Modulator’s…Friday Ark # 62!
Visit all of the Cats, Dogs, etc, every Friday...

~~~~~

And don't miss, Laurence Simon’s
"Carnival of the Cat's #88 on Sunday
Hosted by IMAO...
(Don't miss this one! It's sure to be the best!)

It's Thanksgiving!

[The Brigade Surgeon; LTC Joseph Dore |medical deployment]
(l.us.mil)

A special Thanksgiving to all:

The words to this post, can be found at Peakah's...(smile) and, insolublog shows the gratitute that brings a tear...Jo is a person you're so glad you found, and the incredible site of thepoliticalteen makes me proud to visit...Where would we be without the stability of basils blog (who makes us all just that much more connected.) and don surber who never tires, and inspires!
I laugh and learn with Ferdy, each of his posts is a classic! (Please read this one!)
Beth a unique blogger, who says everything I ever wanted to say, but chickened out ;)...and last but not least...TTLB who provides such a commitment to us all, within his hospitatily, he helps lift the quality of our own efforts.

I'm grateful for all this and more...

~~~~~ - _ - ~~~~~~~~~~

A Child's Creativity

[Getty; Art Gallery Visit -03]

Art is universal; it dances with imagination as it takes on a whole journey of mystery... For the painter, it's a clearing which places mastery over that which imagination has brought forward....it heals...

In war-torn areas such as Iraq... the fear of attack, and experience of anxiety amongst the political unrest, take a very high toll on both social and emotional development of young children. I am sure that many not only suffer from traumatic disorders, but also face enormous difficulty in overcoming learning disabilities.

Since the age of five years old, I have been fortunate to have been encouraged as an Artist (painter).. Although I can not imagine what kind of stress these small children must experience during these tough times, I do know that the creative channel of Art can help heal every living thing...

According to the writings of Bernard L. Pacella M.D...
The Characteristics of Highly Creative Children:
~Curiosity
~Flexibility
~Capacity to redefine a problem
~Aesthetic Appreciation
~Tolerance of Ambiguity
~Capacity for Humor

~read the new: Chrenkoff’s Good news from Iraq. It's up today!

~Positive story about progress in Iraq: Global Hope
(And if you can give the price of a couple of lattes today, that would be nice ;)

~If you have concern as to the percentages of your donations to help Children... "The Art of Living": 100%" Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (click-photo-above)

~~~~~ - _ - ~~~~~~~~~~

Please visit these fine sites:
joscafe | don surber | basils blog | choose-life
thepoliticalteen | adams web | caosblog
diannestuff | rightwingnation | stop the aclu

Provoking Civil Unrest

[Photo| Iraq Palace-03: lainey]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This latest mortar attack, during the Palace 'turnover' to Iraq's new provincial government this morning, makes it obvious that (amidst the carnage of bombings and kidnappings) Islamic militants continue to create setbacks and delays, to provoke civil unrest amongst the Iraqi people."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~According to Zaki Mahmoud; Newsday:

AP: Mahmoud; Insurgents Fire Mortar at Iraqi Palace

November 22, 2005, 4:30 AM EST

TIKRIT, Iraq -- Insurgents fired a mortar at a ceremony attended by top U.S. officials on Tuesday to hand over a presidential palace in Saddam Hussein's hometown to local Iraqi authorities, sending the U.S. Ambassador scrambling for cover but causing no injuries.

"The planned turnover of the complex to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and the provincial government will be a landmark event highlighting the increased capability of the Iraqi government to administer and govern itself," Col. Billy J. Buckner, Multi-National Corps-Iraq spokesman, said in the statement."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"According to AP writer: Nasrawi, all of the tribes are eager for the removal of US troops"...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AP: Salah Nasrawi;Iraqi leaders call for pullout timetable

Tuesday, November 22, 2005 • Last updated 4:11 a.m. PT

CAIRO, Egypt-- Reaching out to the Sunni Arab community, Iraqi leaders called for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and said Iraq's opposition had a "legitimate right" of resistance.

The communiqué - finalized by Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni leaders Monday - condemned terrorism but was a clear acknowledgment of the Sunni position that insurgents should not be labeled as terrorists if their operations do not target innocent civilians or institutions designed to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

re: Since it was taken over by U.S. troops in 2003, this Palace has served as a division headquarters for U.S. forces based in the region. Photo:03; lainey



~Visit and link the fine sites listed below:
joscafe | don surber | basils blog | choose-life
thepoliticalteen | adams web | tmhbaconbits
Land of Ozz | rightwingnation | stop the aclu

Perils of Reinvention

Not sure where NPR acquires it news stories... This from earlier:

Legal Affairs
Mass. Sued for Citing Armenian 'Genocide' by Turks
by Anthony Brooks

Weekend Edition - Sunday, November 20, 2005 • A federal lawsuit against the Massachusetts Department of Education accuses the state of "censorship and political interference" for using the word "genocide" in its high school curriculum to describe the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in Turkey during World War I. Plaintiffs in the suit say that designation is up for debate - but opponents say the evidence of genocide is clear.
~~~~~~~~~~


"Evidently, this article references prior demands by Armenians, for settlements, and omissions of genocide, from the Turks...

Presuming that the facts of this article can be substantiated (with respect to the objection to the reference of "genocide") it, once again, should remind us that the greatest threat to our freedom and liberties is the courting of censorship.

There are numerous cases pending today, in our crowded courts, at which represent requests to suppress and alter our archives of our history.

Another censorship issue:

The lawsuits to remove, "IN GOD WE TRUST" as written into our Constitution, currency, and other historical documents... These attempts to over-turn the archrivals of history and refute the principals of our Founding Fathers, become an aggressive attack on our great nation.

To censor and invalidate our Freedoms, will NOT keep this country strong.


"Freedom of the People shall prevail.".....M. B.




~Visit and link the fine sites listed below:

joscafe | don surber | thefloridamasochist
thepoliticalteen | conservativecat | basils blog
thirdworldcounty | choose-life | blogginoutloud

Sun-Mon Movie Linkfest

Grab some popcorn!


And view some most incredible (and fast) Movie trailers:
Tip: Open up a few at a time, so you don't have to wait ;)
Paramount Classics | Independent Pictures | Fox
Columbia Pictures | Sony Pictures Classics | Miramax
20th Century Fox | Newmarket | Lions Gate Films
Universal Pictures | Paramount Pictures | New Line
Dozens of films Warner Brothers | Walt Disney Pictures

Link (Sun and Mon) to the new "Movie Linkfest!"

Here's how:

1. Place a link to this post (in the post you want to link here.)
2. Link our permilinks together in a trackback to this post.

Trackback URL: http://haloscan.com/tb/mensabarbie/113248827693257743

~New to trackbacks? Good explanation here.
~Your blog doesn’t generate trackbacks? Use this one.
~(Thank you so much, for linking before you trackback :)

~Your post goes below here:


The Business of America is Business: All We Have to...
Peakah's Provocations: Some Toasts to Open Posts
The Uncooperative Blogger:9th Circuit says Islamic Role..
TMH's Bacon Bits: The Photoshop Party
The Real Ugly American: Why can't we all be Americans?
third world county: If this doesn't move you...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Read and Link these fine sites:
joscafe | adams blog | point five | peakah
myvrwConspiracy | S.O.S | don surber
the political teen | caosblog |drphattonys
conservative UAW guy | meanol'meany!
uncooperativeblogger| The Right Nation | thebusinessofamericaisbusiness

Simulated Training: US

[Click to view TV |PHOTO: Dave Hutchinson-05]

The training is going strong, with a vigor of enthusiasm... (so remarks a friend, having received an email from her soldier husband.) Along with 250 of Iraq's National Soldiers and assorted US military personnel, he is attending an incredible camp located in the California Desert. Converted to simulate and replicate parts of Iraq, this camp is designed to assert techniques and maneuvers, designed to reduce actual war casualty.

Click image: visit a quick video TV of this camp..or follow link...

During the course of the training, the use of a script that emulates various scenarios of on-site attack, teaches them how to initiate the best response techniques. They also have an opportunity to exchange ways and cultures of their lives, with their Iraqi and American military teams.

~~~~~

Also: Catch News 4's Luke Moretti's report about the urban warfare training, in yet, another location...(See Hutchinson's Photo above)

Excerpt: "The training will last about 45 days, then it's off to Iraq for about seven months. As many of them told me, it's what they've been waiting for. It's what they do."



~Read and Link these fine sites:
joscafe | adams blog | wizbangblog | point five
S.O.S | don durber | the political teen| The Right Nation
uncooperativeblogger| euphoricreality

A Long Day on the Set

It's Friday Cat blogging...



After a busy day shooting the re-make of Frantisek Vlacil's,
"White Dove"...Butterscotch ...(a.k.a. "the dove")
..falls fast asleep...

(well, almost..)

~The Modulator’s…Friday Ark # 61!
Visit all of the Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday...

~~~~~
And don't miss, Laurence Simon’s
"Carnival of the Cat's #87 on Sunday...
~Hosted by: Cassie . at: scribblings!
...And , "weekend cat blogging" at: Eat Stuff!

The Facts About WSIS

[M. Barbay; Political Collection-05]

Day two, session two, The UN, discusses its strategies sessions in discussion with US Internet ICANN (Internet's Domain Registry group)

The UN General Assembly Resolution (56/183) 11/16-thru-18|-05
The World Summit on the Information Society: WSIS

A very informative article by: Ajit K. Pyati is a PhD student at UCLA’s Department of Information Studies, whose area of focus is on discourses of modernization and information, breaks down several areas for more understanding. It is well worth the read

Article Excerpt:

"On a broader philosophical note, one can question what authority the UN and "world community" have in declaring that we all are living in and want to further build an "Information Society." In fact, whether or not we are indeed living in this new society, and its fundamental nature, are still being debated. But the UN has already decided on what this "Information Society" will be, and justifies the legitimacy of its framing and definition by referring to a "common vision."

The effects of WSIS in terms of addressing the "digital divide" will be seen in how national governments, and the World Bank and IMF respond to its recommendations. WSIS has made a positive step in raising the profile of ICTs in development, but its simplistic, technologically deterministic framing of the Information Society and global digital divide debates may have negative consequences down the road."


~Read and Link these fine sites:
joscafe | basilsblog | tmhbaconbits | don durber
the political teen | indepundit | Everyman Chronicles

Trade Reforms: Follow-up

(Current News Article: Just click image)

"Reforms are being implemented this week, with respect to trade.
Also a topic during Bush trip to China."...M.B.

~Please feel free to read prior post; 11/08/05 !

FOOD FACTS: Under the current system of aid reform, less than half of government aid is spent in the world's poorest countries; 40% of aid is tied to overpriced goods and services from donor countries; and donor countries continue to impose conditions—such as trade liberalization and privatization of essential services—on their beneficiaries, often with devastating results for starving people of the World...

APEC, whose members include Canada, Australia, and several Southeast Asian and Latin American nations, represents more than a third of the world's population, about 60 percent of the global economy and nearly half of world trade.


~This week's focus on World hunger; trade negotiation meetings.

~A simple and Empowering "how to" guide, to end World Hunger: read.

~Play a quick game to discover food realities of each country: here.

~"Skip a meal" program! ((^_^)) on Nov, 17th (or later) more info..



~Please visit and link these fine sites:

joscafe | don surber | adams blog | Macstansbury | basil tmhbaconbits | s-o-s | The political teen | Indepundit

A Remarkable Donation

[bbc: Israel| 8 November 2005, 11:59 GMT]

(Story behind the image--just click)

I had missed this story, but wanted to share it (with some who may have missed) or: just as a reminder that we can never forget the power of human kindness to shine its light through tragedy.

Nearing what I hope to soon be the end of an age old conflict in the middle east, this story of a young Palestinian boy, shot by Israeli soldiers in error, as he play with a toy gun.. had a very profound conclusion.

The parents of a Palestinian boy, have donated his organs for use in Israel, in the hope of promoting peace.

Organ Recipients: Ahmed's kidneys, liver, heart and lungs were donated as transplant to and to save the lives of Israelis including Jews, Arabs and a Druze girl, medical officials said.

Article Excerpts BBC Article: His father, Ismail, said saving lives was more important than religion, and added: "I feel that my son has entered the heart of every Israeli."

"I have taken this decision because I have a message for the world: that the Palestinian people want peace - for everyone," he told the AFP news agency.

Israel's parliamentary speaker, Reuven Rivlin, gave praise to the Khatib family's action, in acknowledgement of this "remarkable gesture."

hat tip: geekbrit.


Visit and link these fine sites:

joscafe | don surber | adams blog
basils blog |the political teen

Breaking the Deadlock

Rice calls for a Palestinian state
11-14-2005 08:55


US Secretary of State, Dr Rice having arrived in Israel, was called to action as a fresh new intermediary, to provide momentum for a rapid progression of the second phase of the road map. This was a move, crucial to progress, since the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

A crucial diplomacy needed, to help break the deadlock...

In a statement, confirmed by Mark Regev, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, who said that Dr Rice could provide "incremental" assistance...

"She could help to get things done."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Understanding the Clinton position with Israel, as they arrived (simultaneous with arrival of Dr. Rice) I believe that although it may appear to be in the best interests of Israel, the Clinton involvement in the peace process is the 'kiss of death' to the Israeli/Palestinian success, as America struggles to provide a neutrality towards the implementation of the road map.

The Clinton involvement provides distancing between Israel and the newly forming Palestinian National Authority . Now at a time when the ability to develop trust determines the entire fate of the region, these Clinton politics (at one time recognized to be a representation to the Values of America) now further deter the ability for the current administration to adapt new strategies.

"Personal politicking will only assist in reinforcing the deadlock."...M.B.

Advancing relations between both Israel and Palestine require no confusion as to our intention, if we are to assist with the road map to integrate a livable and secure environment for both Palestine, and Israel. This is the goal of a Democracy.


~Visit and Link these fine sites:

joscafe | don surber | basils blog | the political teen |

Dark Sky Movie Reviews

[To Enter Beautiful Site; click image]... (or) view here

REVIEWS:

"Knightley is a lippy, tantalizing ball of fire."
~Rolling Stone

"Touched in every corner of beauty."
~Opera magazine

"Exhilarating!"
~Elle magazine

"One of the most delightful and heartwarming adaptations made from Austen or anybody else."
~Chicago Sun Times

"A movie for the age, and a keeper for the ages."
~Variety

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt: "A truly elegant film where the strong-willed people enter life with their minds, at war with their hearts. Set earlier than usual, in the late 1700s, a period more down to earth than the early Victorian years."

Excerpt: Christy Lemire (Canadian Press)..."There hasn't been a feature-film version of Pride & Prejudice since Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson shared the screen 65 years ago; a 1995 BBC miniseries, starring Colin Firth as Darcy, has received massive critical acclaim and is considered definitive.)

Roman Osin's cinematography sucks you into the rolling hills and glowing parlours of late 18th century England with images that are gorgeous without being glossy - a rare feat for a costume drama."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The Art Direction in this movie is fabulous, and the plot will tickle your heart. Go to see this film with someone you Love."....M.B. (^__^)



~Read and Link these fine sites:
joscafe ~ don surber ~ choose-life ~ basils blog
caosblog~ point five ~ uncooperativeblogger

Cultural Jurisprudence

"As today's balance of the Modern World continues to evolve culturally, we see that some parts of the Globe still cling to their perception of honor, amidst brutality, purely without jurisprudence."....M.B.

In Damascus | 23 Oct 2005:



THE SCENE: A 23-year-old Muslim, secretly married a Christian man she had met while studying at a University. When informed of the wedding, Huda’s family – after recovering from the shock – convinced her to return to her hometown of Sweidah, some 100 km south of the capital.

From the article: She was forgiven, they told her, and promised a proper wedding ceremony, to be thrown in her home.

On the wedding day, in late August, Huda was brutally killed by her brother for betraying the family’s honor.

Despite the grim circumstances, festivities went on as planned, with the family receiving guests amid joyous ululations as the ambulance carrying Huda's body pushed its way towards the local hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This article depicts the application of Honor killings, still present in parts of society. These acts of violence, brutality, and cultural incivility, are beginning to receive highlight largely due to a World question of both Islamic jurisprudence; and those who grapple onto the ability to continue honor through violence, purely by keeping in silence.

What I view to be the most disturbing, is the OUIET found in-between the Arab countries. More often, I find this to speak the loudest. Comments made by Islamic religious figures who have condemned this practice, touting it as a contradiction to religious dogma... sadly make little impact, or attention with followers of Islamic Jurisprudence... because of the Arab-to-Arab silence!

On the one hand, cultures want to evolve (as they fear the wrath of another's actions) but on the other hand, they cling onto these acts of violence, as a deterrent for sin.

It is for this very reason that I believe, slowly one-by-one, these areas still injecting their influence towards mid-evil practices as a part of their Culture, will simply stand out and be viewed as the darker area of influence over our World of evolving principals. And as nearly every Country in the World, now having been a recipient of Radical Islamic Terror...
WE ARE ALL WATCHING."........M.B.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Summary excerpt of Article: This account, particularly the casual reaction of wedding guests, illustrates the acceptability of so-called “honor killings” within certain segments of Syrian society. Huda died so the family's reputation – tarnished, in this case, by a daughters’ choice to marry outside her community – might survive intact.

According to women’s rights activist Mayya Al-Rahbi, perpetrators of honour killings are often no more than "tools with which to carry out a crime that is generally instigated by families or tribes."


~Bookmark and Link these fine sites:
joscafe | don surber | basils blog | the political teen
wizbang | macstansbury | choose-life

Memorial Day Gratitude

"Memorial Opens On Veteran's Day, to Show Gratitude."

"Veteran's Day; Chicago-05 | However can it be possible to thank these great Men and Women for their unselfish service to our Great Country.


[Chicago's new Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Plaza]

How can we even come close to repaying those no longer with us now, or their dedicated comrades who continue to help support Democracy with neighbors, less fortunate.

I am at the awe of those Veterans who years later, continue to carry the torch of freedom for their brothers and sisters... They say it is like the family you hold inside your heart, forever." ....M.B.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The saying by Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC; bares repeating:

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag." Read
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~View Video Clip: Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs.

(Secret Stories of the freewheeling, imaginative, bold agents, behind the scenes to win World War 2)

~Link: The Drop Zone
~Copyright: Adam Levy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~View a remarkable pictorial essay :
Link: Vietnampix
~From the Delta to the DMZ
~From Politics to Hippies
~This is Fire In the Jungle

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~Bookmark and Link these fine sites:
joscafe | don surber | tmhbaconbits | Basil |
S.O.S. | adam's blog | third world County™

Butterscotch Couture

[Butterscotch; Spring Collection-06]

"Butterscotch models this Lovely sequined gown with lavender plume by Christian Lacroix.. Makeup and hair, styled by "The Feline Groomers"...

"OH, BUTTERSCOTCH?...Wake up!!! You’re on now!!!"

(Z-Z-z-z-z)

(Oh well…Cats will be cats)... (^_^)

It's Modulator’s…Friday Ark # 60!
Visit all of the Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday...

~~~~~
And don't miss, Laurence Simon’s
"Carnival of the Cat's #86 on Sunday
hosted by Michael...
at the fine site of: Curiouser & Curiouser!...
(They're all there, with Lot's of archives too!)

In the News...

On travel today!! Hope this day finds you Healthy and Happy..

It's only by coincidence that I've just posted this little squirrel image, only to find it had made International News today.
(Sorry about the other squirrel)...
~ scotsman.com, and Washington Post.

~And not to forget the infamous squirrel-puppy (oldie but goodie) .


~Bookmark, and visit these fine sites!
joscafe | third world County™ | don surber | basil's blog
| Pre Veteran's Day blogfest: S.O.S.

A Shift in Munitions

Article in News Max today, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005; DUBAI |UAE; indicates that the level of weaponry is getting more and more sophisticated...

"Pretty scary, and unfortunately, true."....M.B.

British officials and, to a lesser extent, their American counterparts have suggested Iraqi insurgents are getting advice (and perhaps components from Iran or Lebanon's Hezbollah militia.)


[PHOTO: Lebanon -98]

Excerpt from article: "The deadly munitions mark a steady improvement in the roadside bombs that debuted in 2003 in Iraq, often as simple as a single artillery shell wrapped with detonator cord linked to a battery.

The new bombs are a deadly marriage of stealthy camouflage, shaped explosives that propel metal projectiles through four inches of armor and infrared motion-detector triggers that can't be blocked by electronic jammers.

It works like a burglar alarm, a beam that goes across a doorway. Once the beam is broken it triggers the bomb. Not being sure they can disrupt an infrared beam without triggering the explosion has keept the Pentagon scrambling to find countermeasures," reports a senior U.S. military officer. Read full article.
Interesting read from Ed; editor of cooltech.iafrica:
~re: The "Son of Spectre" Laser weapon...and the AC-130 Spectre gunship:

Excerpt from Ed's cooltech.iafrica Article: "The US military has been given the go-ahead to fit a brand new laser weapon to its flagship bully - AC-130 Spectre gunship. Firing beams at the speed of light, the laser will be the most deadly yet effective weapon on the battleground.

~The new laser-fitted gunship will be called the AC-X and has already been dubbed by US defense officials as the "Son of Spectre".

The AC-130 has been in active service since 1972 and I believe, may have been first used in the Vietnam War...Read full article.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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|Pre Veteran's Day blogfest: S.O.S.

Elections for Liberia

~Elections being held, in other areas of the world:

The choice is narrowed, for President of the War-scarred Liberia.

MONROVIA, Liberia: Weeding out 20 other candidates (including warlords, and rebel leaders) has left the Oct 11th first round of balloting with a choice between: George Weah, 39, a former soccer star... and in the lead: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, 66, a former finance minister grad from Harvard; who in first round won 28 and 20 percent of the votes, respectively.

From Monrovia's slums to international soccer stardom has had great appeal in a poor country short on heroes; however Ellie Johnson-Sirleaf boasts a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard.

If successful, she would become Africa's first elected female president. Read more.

Note: Founded by freed American slaves in the mid-1800s, Africa's first republic was once among the continents most prosperous. A brutal coup in 1980 initiated years of strife that ended in 2003. Liberia today is a shambles with an unemployment rate of 80 percent.


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| Pre Veteran's Day blogfest: S.O.S.

Came Tumbling Down

[Getty Image: Garlands strung across the remainder of the wall]

TODAY: 16th years since the fall of the Berlin Wall

Thursday, the 9th of November 1989 and Friday the 10th, mark the fall of the Iron Curtain. In much of what I've read, I understand that Kennedy, contrary to all public statements, had fewer objections to the Wall insofar as his Soviet opponents appeared to recognize the rights of the Western Allies in the Western sectors and also respected the access routes to Berlin...

THE WALL: Constructed in the early morning of Sunday, August 13, 1961, when the GDR began, under leadership of Erich Honecker, to block off East Berlin and the GDR from West Berlin, by means of barbed wire and antitank obstacles"...

~In the 16 years of its construction, citizens of West Berlin were no longer allowed to enter East Berlin.

~The GDR propaganda called the wall an "Anti-fascist protection wall."

~Click-Image: ABOVE , or follow link at: Andreas.com, for an excellent personal account of the Fall of The Berlin Wall.

Amidst the turmoil between Palestine and Israel, I hope that (even for obviously different reasons) construction of a similar wall will not come into play...
In as much as history has shown us that the building of a Wall is a disaster, much more damaging consequences become this.


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A Touching Tribute

-Click-Image, or follow link: Kurdistan (theotheriraq)

For those who have not yet viewed this touching tribute, "Thank you America" it will soon be shown (Nationwide) sponsored by the Iraqi Kurds who hired a PR company to help promote a media campaign.
To Begin: Wednesday, Nov 9th, here in the States...

The first launch (Fox) brings forth the first of 3 ads, which show appreciation to American, British, and American troops in Europe and the Middle East, for it's liberation from the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein...
~H.T: Free Republic


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Boosting global economy

Be Proud, be very proud of our current US Administration. Timing of the US farm bill and WTO negotiations has revealed itself to be a truly unique World profit, opportunity.

Because I view Nutrition to be the most important of any issue in the World, I feel that this is one of the most valuable pieces of news in the World today.

(Certainly not to be over-looked, by the MSM.)

When you can create a proposal that will increase World consumption and at the same time give our farmers an estimated $US17.5 billion ($A24 billion) a year, it not only (helps to off-set the years of Agricultural losses that have been synonymous with high tariff and negative World buying) but most importantly, it feeds an otherwise under-fed world.

SUMMARY: With the US proposal to developed countries to cut their farm tariffs by between 55 per cent and 90 per cent (calling for tariffs to be no higher than 75 per cent) this would not only boost the global economy by $33 billion, but have a significant benefit for US farmers and consumers.

Additionally, to increased revenue for us here in the US, it would provide expansion of agricultural trade, with US agricultural exports estimated to increase by $US9.4 billion ($A13 billion) a year. Congress and US farm groups have the opportunity to reform US farm policies on their own terms and to use these reforms as part of a broader process to reform of agricultural policies globally."

Full report by ABARE on the WTO; Also read: PDF -

~The report came before a meeting in Geneva (earlier this morning) 8th; so we will see.


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Preservation Theory

In the 500 million years of Greenhouse Gas activity (global warming)...

STUDY: By Greg Retallack, geologist at the University of Oregon, presented at the Geological Society of America's annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.

~Read his interesting: Preservation theory:
-Click-Image- Panorama of Sipapu Natural Bridge!

"It was the widespread death and burial of animals and their carbon that created fossil bonanzas, the likes of which may have saved us from the heat sterilization experienced by our sister planet," Retallack said.
(He bases his theory on a compilation of unusually well preserved fossils found around the world, including fish, crustaceans, insects, and other ancient life forms.)

"In some mass extinctions, the scientist says, greenhouse gases "ramped up"...to intolerable levels of more than ten times the modern level of atmospheric carbon dioxide," Retallack explains.
(Volcanic activity and outbursts of undersea gases are the prime suspects for these periods of lethal pollution.)


Photo: CW | Chengjiang in Yunnan Province]

At Chengjiang in Yunnan Province, China, two forms of the iron-sulfur mineral pyrite, also known as fool's gold, has preserved details as delicate as tiny leg hairs and nose spines on the earliest animals.

I find it fascinating that due to the process of fossilization, life sustained itself on our planet. Within the continuing cycles of the process of evolution and renewal of life, we must not be afraid of inevitable Earth changes.


[Illustration courtesy Destination Grand Canyon; New Glass "Skywalk"]
Hat tip: Nat. Geo
-Click-Image- For Panorama of Evolution Lake! (Quick-time)



"Having fun with Global Warming."...M.B. (^__^)


~The Part-Time Pundit is hosting The
carnival of the vanities Nov 9th edition.
...Enjoy the excellent posts!

~Visit and link these fine sites:
jos cafe | basils blog | macstansbury
adams blog | don surber | onebigdog

The Brazilian De Facto

The older sibling to America's War against Terror was, and still is, the Latin American Drug War... We have helped to reduce The National Security Threat (as was declared by Ronald Reagan in 1986) by initiating a broader and much more far reaching intervention, since the Cold War.

President Bush's participation in the fourth Summit of the Americanas, representing 33 Latin American nations, was full stream ahead..
Although the media's remained in fascination with the cries of poverty in the streets and the outrage of an excessively unemployed Latin America, approx. count: 2.8 million ...

Dr. Tapia's (N.Y.) ARTICLE : gives a quick jest to the Latin America and The World Economy.

A country dogged by terrorists and thieves from as far back as the romantic Eva Peron, who told them, "I leave you my heart".... as she departed with their entire treasury.


[Argentinean Summit; 11-05 | Seated Dignitaries]

I saved this incredible article by:
Shannon Mccaffery
Thu, Sep. 15, 2005
Program to battle Colombian drug trafficking gets fresh scrutiny

Excerpt: of article:
...this conflict-ridden South American country. And staying ahead of the smugglers is expensive. Since 2000, the United States has sent $4.5 billion to Colombia to help battle drug trafficking.
That six-year program, known as Plan Colombia, is set to expire at the end of this year...


[PHOTO: Carlos Duran;(FARC)Corinto Cauca 9/20-05]
~~~~~~~~~~~

Alan Caruba,
~FMNN Writer from the Right
~Founder, National Anxiety Center
~Author, “Warning Signs”

...has a very informative article on the Latin American Connection, which outlines his view on the players, the strategies, the concerns, and the probabilities...Read:

Latin America Takes a Hard Turn to the Left

Article excerpt:

In a March commentary, "Caudillos to Communism", Gordon Frisch takes the reader on a travelogue that spells big trouble to the south of us. Frisch spent more than twenty years in oil and gas exploration, working in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. For the last 17 years he has edited a financial and geopolitical newsletter. Writing about Argentina, Frisch notes that "The Pew Research Center says that anti-Americanism is the highest in Argentina of any Latin American country at 73%." Its president is Nestor Kirchner who has plans for the "Cubanization" of Latin America that mirror similar movements in Uruguay, Bolivia, and Peru.

Geopolitical experts, however, contend that Argentina, Brazil and Chile will stay friendly to U.S. interests because their economies are better developed, are growing, and will benefit far more by trade with us than by going the route of Venezuela. Maybe.

In Ecuador, the president, Lucio Gutierrez, was a militant member of the Marxist Peronist Party. In Bolivia, Frisch puts his money on Evo Morales of the leftist MAS (Movement Toward Socialism) Party to be the next president.

Additional excerpt:

As Frisch puts it, "Panama is close to becoming a de facto Chinese puppet."

Former President Carter will be remembered for relinquishing U.S. control of the Panama Canal. Today in a nation of only two million people, 40,000 of them are legal Chinese residents and another 150,000 Chinese are not. When the U.S. withdrew, Hutchison Whampoa, a Hong Kong-based front company for the People's Liberation Army and the communist party, leased and now controls port facilities at both ends of the Canal."


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Leave a Little Smile

And if you're just swimming through,

... make sure to swim on over to...


-Click-Image- (Quick-Time: Panoramic View of Upper Lamarck Lake)


~Visit the Cats, and Dogs (Etc.) every Friday!...
At the: Modulator’s…Friday Ark # 59!


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Sporting Democracy

[PHOTO: N. Koreans wearing red and white; to form their flag-05 ]
-Click-Image-

"Nothing Like Sports to bring the best out in everyone"...M.B.
(We will hope)

According to the CSMonitor 11/3/05... Since the 1960s, North and South Koreans have proposed unifying to form one Olympic team, and thus far have not produced an agreement...

NIXED DUE TO: Disagreement upon numbers; North not wanting to appear subsidiary to South; flag issues; etc... To double check this, I went to the N. Korean site...(Friendship Association; USA branch)

"Oh, look what they made for us... How sweet." KFA-USA....
(I think)

REUNIFICATION : North with South Korea for the Beijing Olympics... Looks like a pending proposal to Kim Jong IL...

CSMONITOR: This time, however, there is some reason for optimism. "If it's ever going to work, it's going to work now," says Kim Sang Woo, secretary-general of South Korea's Olympic committee.

"What, do they sense that things have changed in the World, now?"...M.B.

ATHENS N-S KOREA WINNINGS (2004)-
South Korea's 300 athletes finished ninth among medalists, behind such competitors as the United States, China, Russia, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, and Italy.

Excelling in martial arts, archery, table tennis, and badminton, the South Koreans picked up nine gold medals, as many as Britain, ranked one notch behind in the overall medal count.

North Korea (in contrast) ranked 58th with no golds, four silvers, and a bronze. And in two categories, men's featherweight boxing and pistol-shooting from 50 meters, in which North Koreans won silvers, South Koreans were right behind them with bronze medals.


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Prodigies of the Arts

[Mozart (private coll.) With Royalty |Vienna's Schonbrunn Palace]
~(Click on image to view see Marla's site! -age 5)

Mozart: Began composing when he was five, and at six, playing before the Bavarian elector and the Austrian empress. Having received much encouragement by his father, he soon began publication of his scores as an entrance-way to his earliest symphonies.... (Site for Mozart buffs.)

~Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's - Piano Concerto No.1, KV 37:
~-Excerpt-Allegro I (mp3)
~-Excerpt- Allegro III (mp3)

For many years, people looked upon child prodigies with a mixture of awe and trepidation, as it has long been a question of whether they are born with superior motor skills, or if they develop them with the intense practice...

I believe it is often a family's established interest in the field which helps them recognize and nurture the precocious child... And without this, the child’s exceptional gifts would not have been fully realized or manifest.

The following are my favorite Artist-painter prodigies who (along with the assistance of their guides) realized their crafts at 2, 3, and 4 years of age.
The fruit of their talent is now built into a unique and prolific work:

Marla Olmstead: Began painting at 2 years old, with a rhythmic and masterful use of color. At five, each painting is a full wall-sized masterpiece. Marla's work is sought after, internationally, by an elite group of Art collectors.
~View this five year olds Lovely paintings! ...(or click on image above.)

Dante Lamb: Began painting at two, Guinness World Record Holder for "The Youngest Professional Artist." Dante chooses his own charities, and commands a high value for his Art.

~View the wonderful paintings of five year old Dante !
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~Visit the fine sites of:
joscafe, basil’s blog, don surber
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Now up! At the Owners Manual It's The Best of Me Symphony!

Interesting...

Maybe more of what you haven't seen...
San Francisco by zombietime...(Bay area Rally)
~ UN's 60th Anniversary ...(excellent collection of links)
~ Berkley awaits Dean ...(oh, my)

~Hat tip: Joe User...

Visit these fine sites:
~ joscafe, Cao's blog, & basil's blog

Pecos and Jack # 1

PECOS: "Jack, our charges are lengthy for the courts, and baseless to warrant the absence of a Supreme Court Judge...So just tell me, what the hell are we doing?"

JACK: "Whadda ya mean... They'd do the same thing to us, had Kerry won the 2004 elections."

PECOS: "There you go again with the elections!!"...

JACK: "I can't believe we lost...We were out soliciting every vote!"...

JACK:"And besides, we've been carrying around a lot, for a long time...Pecos."..

PECOS: "It doesn't work like that, Jack."..

PECOS:..and I really believe we're going under the fence on this one."

JACK: "Hey, and what's ONE thing we've done...as an occasional bribe?"
....I ask you...just name one thing."

PECOS: "Well...let's see. There was the taking of Perks
that Vicente FOX offered...Remember that, Jack?"...EEE-HAWW...


PECOS and JACK: "BRAAA-EE-BRAA-EEE-BRAAA!!!"

JACK: "Oh, yeah...and don't forget that lunch in Afghanistan..
"BRAAA-EE-HAWW!!

PECOS and JACK:..."BRAAA- EEE-HAWWW!!"


PECOS: "Oh, stop, stop, Jack.... "So what are we going to do?"

JACK: "Well, Pecos....I say let's let em' roam with it for a while."

PECOS and JACK:..."BRAAA-EE-BRAAA-EEE!!"......

(To be continued)

~~~~~
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