Franklin Graham is a douchenozzle

A disgrace to his father's legacy.

[Disclosure: I was excited to meet Billy Graham when I was a youngster and got his autograph. I served as a volunteer in the office and a counselor for his crusade in Fresno, California, when I was sixteen. For all the ways I came to differ with Billy Graham in theology and approach, I have always respected him for his sincerity and financial transparency. His son is an asshat.]

--the BB

The people rise up (and sing)

The Republican Mess

A video by clammyc.

--the BB

Keep storming heaven

The headline is from Kirstin's latest post at her blog, Barefoot and Laughing. I commend her recent posts to you. Excerpts:

As for entering the process while I’m dealing with cancer: I have a mental image of a tightrope, but I’m not falling off. It’s not fraught with any actual danger. I won’t lose my balance. This is where I walk now. The message I got on Thursday carries me:

You could die. Affirm your life.

I have cancer. I am human. I am me. I will be me, as long as I have breath.

Keep storming heaven for me. Keep letting me know it. Know that your love helps carry me.

Because she has had difficulty sleeping, I offer this prayer from the BCP (edited):

O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant Kirstin this gift, we pray; keep her in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give her such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence she may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 08/18/2010

For those who have been praying for young Declan, I have sad news. The Acting Director sent this note today:

With sad heart I share with you that Declan ... passed away at 2:20 EDT this morning.
For those who followed his journey know he fought a valiant fight until the very end.
...
May our hearts and prayers continue for the family at this time.

At Declan's Journey we read this from his mother:

Our sweet son has gone home to Heaven

By Declan's Mommy | Published: August 18, 2010

We are heartbroken but know Declan is at peace and his body is whole again.

Thank you for all your heartfelt prayers and words of encouragement. You all helped to make a living nightmare more bearable.

Let us pray.

O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust Declan, to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, deal graciously with the Carmical family in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

Peach harvest 2010 - round two

I picked all the peaches on the Red Haven peach tree Friday morning while the refrigerator repair man was here. Last night I finally blanched and peeled them all. Tonight I made the cobbler above for work tomorrow and a smaller one for myself (and dessert on Friday with friends).

The third peach tree, a younger Elberta peach than the one that ripened first, has about half a dozen peaches that look almost ripe so the final harvest may be all fresh eating and no baking.

It has been a gratifying year for my fruit trees.

Wopila, Ina Maka, Ate Wi.

--the BB

Peaches blanched

They still have not made their way into a pie or cobbler (or both) but they are now all peeled and sliced.

--the BB

May your ancestors curse you

And your name be forgotten, 陳欣陳玟珮陳玟珮琦.

This goes for you too, 佳張張張張燕張張張張張.


--the BB

Somaliland Elects New President ! - updated

This post brought some bitter denunciations. Except for one duplication, I have posted them. I do not blog from work so there was nothing I could do about it all day.

The protests assert that the original claim is not true, that All Voices is not a reputable source of information, that we should research before posting, and it was thus a very irresponsible post. There were comments on my character but that does not matter. What matters is that we not share falsehoods. Strong opinions are fine; falsehoods are not.

I want to thank Essi and Faisel A. for their constructive comments. They are appreciated. Yusuf wants me to hang myself and I am disinclined to follow his advice. The updated version of this post will be shared with my FB friends.

This evening I reviewed articles on Somaliland's new president and saw nothing even hinting that he might be gay. I have no access to demonstrative evidence in either direction but I accept the criticism that what I posted may well not be true and I have no interest in slandering the president nor causing him or the people of Somaliland problems. I was not trying to be sensational, merely sharing what I thought was good news. I have no interest in the personal lives of any heads of state.

So, let us turn toward the substantive issues:

The people and leaders of Somaliland are to be congratulated.

Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the victor of recent elections in the breakaway republic of Somaliland, was sworn in as president on Tuesday, achieving a transfer of power between political rivals that is rare in Africa.

Only three states on the African mainland – Benin, Senegal and Zambia – have seen incumbent presidents stand down after being defeated in elections. Unrecognised internationally as a separate state, Somaliland has developed its own democratic traditions without outside pressure.

The circumstances of the handover, which saw Dahir Rayale Kahin bow out as president after being defeated in elections deemed by international observers to have been largely free and fair, are all the more remarkable for their contrast with neighbouring Somalia.

--Financial Times

AFP shares this:

Many voters and politicians have voiced hope that the smooth transfer of power would once again prove their democratic credentials and strengthen their territory's case for international recognition.

Some Western countries argue Somaliland deserves to become a fully-fledged country and thus gain access to more aid but the African Union is wary of setting a precedent they fear could spur secessions across the continent.

Challenges facing Somaliland are described in the VOA article on the successful democratic transition.

Somaliland Press describes the swearing in of the new cabinet.

All of this is a cause of rejoicing.

It would be nice if folks noticed that I concluded with a prayer for the peace and good leadership of the land. We wish its people well and that is the bottom line as this space is dedicated, in part, to international understanding and cooperation. The larger point is that democratic elections were successfully held and a fledgling nation that has yet to receive global recognition is making progress.

In this space, however, references to individuals as being gay or lesbian is not considered pejorative in any sense, nor insulting. So this was hardly meant to demean anyone. To quote the motto of the Order of the Garter: "honi soit qui mal y pense."

The Newly Elected President Of Somaliland ,Mr Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo has never shied away from, nor made an issue of, his sexual orientation. He has been with his partner for 27 years and they have three adopted children. The newly-elected president of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo, vowed Friday to campaign "vigorously" for international recognition of his breakaway republic in the Horn of Africa."During my tenure as president I will vigorously fight for the recognition of Somaliland. The world must recognise our democracy," he said and Mr Silanyo also said that he would maintain close links with Ethiopia and called on Somalia to sort out its problems. Mr Silanyo From 1946 to 1957, he attended the secondary schools in the towns of Sheekh and Amud in northwestern Somalia. He passed the advanced level GCE examinations in London, England, from 1958 to 1960. He then attended college at the University of Manchester, and earned an Honors Bachelor's Degree in Economics (1960-63). He completed his Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Manchester in 1966. Somaliland is a state located in the Horn of Africa. It is regarded internationally as being an autonomous region of Somalia Although no sovereign state has recognised the independence of Somaliland, Since 1991 it has been governed by a secessionist administration .The breakaway republic, which declared its independence on May 18, 1991,remains unrecognised by any state or international organisation.
--AllVoices
[Note: I cannot attest for the truth of anything in this quoted paragraph.]

The Wikipedia article on Somaliland may be found here.


May his land be kept in peace, may he be safe and blessing blessed in providing good leadership.

h/t to Lindy and Jane pointing this out on Facebook

--the BB