Idjits, every last one of 'em

Several Tennessee lawmakers have signed on to a legal action intended to force President Barack Obama to turn over his birth certificate and other documents to prove his citizenship, an effort rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in an earlier case.
--Theo Emery, The Tennessean, February 13, 2009

Let me just say what all the world is now thinking, including their fellow Republicans on the Hill: This is dumber than a box of rocks.

Tennessee Reps. Eric Swafford, Stacey Campfield, Glen Casada and Frank Nicely now have a giant "G" on their foreheads for "Gullible." The four were so willing to drink the craziest flavor of Kool-Aid, they've gotten themselves caught up in a national urban legend that has been thoroughly debunked.

What's next? A resolution honoring the Easter Bunny for doing such a great job with the annual colored egg delivery system? A proposed law asking these four to prove they have a brain?
--Gail Kerr, The Tennessean, February 16, 2009

I had no idea Tennessee was THAT inbred. These twits must be each other's cousin, uncle, brother, and stepdad simultaneously.

Did I mention that they are Republican lawmakers?

h/t to Maha
--the BB

As much as $125 billion unaccounted-for reconstruction and military equipment money in Iraq

Juan Cole has some comments on the issue of corruption. He begins thus:

The US Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) has issued a report on as much as $125 billion unaccounted-for reconstruction and military equipment money in Iraq. Patrick Cockburn at the Independent quotes a US businessman active in Iraq after the US invasion who observed that Iraq was looted alright, but the big looting did not come at the hands of poor urbanites but rather at that of US officers. Although immense peculation was engaged in by Iraqi government and military figures, it seems unlikely that their US military minders were not complicit in the corruption.

As Digby points out, the same Republican congressmen who never hesitated to vote more hundreds of billions of deficit spending on the Iraq War are now suddenly shy about running a necessary Keynsian deficit to get us back out of the 2009 Depression. Their friends and cronies stole much of the money they used to just hand out like free samples. And they are now suddenly wise stewards of money and fiscal conservatives?

Cockburn says the Iraq embezzlement is a ponzi scheme bigger than that of Madoff. But both gigantic swindles were made possible by the same philosophy, that the "private sector" needs no government oversight or auditing, since the Magic Hand will operate to ensure probity. As Alan Greenspan recently admitted, his conviction that bankers would not steal from us because it would be bad for the bank was naive; I guess that is what comes of never growing out of Ayn Rand when you move into your twenties and later.

And, sweet Mother of God, people do need to grow out of Ayn Rand. Adolescent fantasies ill suit the real world.

BTW, did anyone think an alcoholic frat boy and failed businessman could be trusted with money? Can anyone be so stupid and live? [I know, the answer is: evidently, yes.]

It may take decades to clean up after these thieves.
--the BB

Heart thread - several updates

From my niece:

Katie has been moved to Fresno Community. The contractions have decreased with the help of medication and bed-rest. She will be staying in the hospital indefinitely. Pray for comfort and ongoing patience for Jeremy and Katie, and wisdom for the medical staff.

From my sister:

Thank you for your prayers. Please continue.

From me:

Thank you all.

From Wormwood's Doxy:

The Color of Relief

Relief is blue...a shimmery, silvery blue that captures the light and makes you catch your breath in pleasure.

We rejoice in Doxy's good news on the health front. Whew. More at Mimi's.

Sue gives us an update at Mimi's:

I just spoke with Roseann, and she told me the tumor in the stomach is benign, and the doctors now believe her problems are caused by anxiety, and plan to treat her accordingly. She did use a sleeping pill last night and finally got some sleep. However this morning after her shower (which is not in her room) she fell in the hallway in front of a bunch of nurses, and now has a compression fracture of the hip. She is in excruciating pain. What more can go wrong??

She asked me to pass on the news.

Blessings to the OCICBW bloggers for all of their attention.

We must keep Jonathan in our prayers:

Last June I visited a parish whilst on holiday and fell in love with the place. Whilst visiting the church I discovered that the rector had recently retired. In all seriousness, I told Mrs MadPriest that I would be the next priest.

Ever since then I've been checking the vacancy lists of the diocese for this parish to see if it was being advertised.

This week it appeared and so I emailed for the profile. I think it may be pretty much suited to me and I to it.

The problem is that going for it will involve a big emotional investment on my part (I'm afraid I can't be cool and pragmatic about such things). My recent hat trick of failures has somewhat knocked the small amount of self confidence I possessed into touch and, to be honest, I'm shit scared of failing again. To the extent that my inclination is to run away from the challenge.

So, please put this situation on your regular prayer list or thinking about list. I will not be giving you updates until there is some sort of resolution.

--the BB

Grand theft international

No, it's not a video game.

I really don't know why the American People have not stormed DC with torches and pitchforks some time ago.

Oh, yes, I do. Because they have been lied to. Or kept in the dark.

All the more reason for torches and pitchforks.

Check it out:

"I believe the real looting of Iraq after the invasion was by US officials and contractors, and not by people from the slums of Baghdad," said one US businessman active in Iraq since 2003.


Despite the vast sums expended on rebuilding by the US since 2003, there have been no cranes visible on the Baghdad skyline except those at work building a new US embassy and others rusting beside a half-built giant mosque that Saddam was constructing when he was overthrown. One of the few visible signs of government work on Baghdad's infrastructure is a tireless attention to planting palm trees and flowers in the centre strip between main roads. Those are then dug up and replanted a few months later.

...

In the expanded inquiry by federal agencies, the evidence of a small-time US businessman called Dale C Stoffel who was murdered after leaving the US base at Taiji north of Baghdad in 2004 is being re-examined. Before he was killed, Mr Stoffel, an arms dealer and contractor, was granted limited immunity from prosecution after he had provided information that a network of bribery – linking companies and US officials awarding contracts – existed within the US-run Green Zone in Baghdad. He said bribes of tens of thousands of dollars were regularly delivered in pizza boxes sent to US contracting officers.

You may read more in gjohnsit's article at Daily Kos titled "The largest fraud in American history."

It's much bigger than the $12 billion in US currency that, well, "vanished."

It has been an amazing kleptocracy. I do hope they are all caught and prosecuted (starting at the top). Yeah, I know. Ain't gonna happen; but a fella's gotta dream.
--the BB

Update on the torture memos

Mcjoan (she is my hero) has some reflections on reports by Micheal Isikoff in Newsweek. The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has had some less-than-flattering things to say about the quality of the Yoo and Bybee memos (the torure memos) prepared for the Bush Office of Legal Counsel (OLC).

I suggest you read it all here if you have any interest in the slow progress toward justice with regards to the justification offered for torture.

Mcjoan concludes:

It's the process, baby. The question of "how the memos were crafted" is the key question from a political standpoint, particularly for a Senate Judiciary Committee that is primed to investigate. Looking at the e-mails of the back and forth of the memos in process, leading to who might have been pressuring for the conclusions, will be important information for Leahy's committee.

As an aside, anyone want to take best [bets?] on whether that e-mail trail leads to David Addington?

As for me, I'd say David Addington (Cheney's former chief of staff) is at the center of it all. He is one evil mofo.

Think: The Hague.

--the BB

Русский язык - 16 February 2009

Сегодня мы с другом посадили два дерева, четыре розы, и три лозы в моём дворе.

"Today my friend and I planted two trees, four roses, and three vines in my yard."

(The first round of the sentence above had a few errors in it; this is the version that emerged after correction in class.)

Ever onward, even when one has not done one's homework. Or very little of it.
--the BB

Presidents' Day yard update

My Christmas present from my BFF was time together in my garden. Today we had breakfast in Corrales, picked up two fruit trees and some other supplies, and headed south to Desert Farne.

We planted a second Elberta peach, a Keiffer pear, the remaining four bare root roses (including one "Singing in the Rain" - see picture above, we can hope), a honeysuckle, and two clematis vines (Nelly Moser and Warsaw Nike). Oh, and 55 corms of gladiolus. We enlarged and restored numerous wells around older plants, mulched, and watered.

I can see so much progress in the yard since a month ago! If all my roses make it, I will have 18 bushes of roses this summer. I can hardly wait. Some are putting forth tender red shoots already.

We had cheeseburgers and fries at a nearby restaurant that I did not even know existed (ABQ City Limits, formerly La Reina de Michoacan?). Then we came back and my friend helped me do a kitchen cleanup. Greater love hath no friend than to help clean house!

I feel royally treated for Christmas, let me tell you.

And I am very excited about the yard this year. May I stay employed here in Albuquerque so I can both tend and enjoy it this summer. Amen.
--the BB

Heart thread # 2 - 02-16-2009 - updated

I got this e-mail from my niece today:

Katie has been admitted to Clovis Community for preterm labor. Babies will be 24 weeks on Tuesday. Please pray for patience (as bed-rest is the most likely option), good medical management, and of course, a good outcome for Mom and babies. They should hear this morning about a possible transfer to Fresno Community for high-risk care.

Katie is my eldest grandnephew's wife - the couple whose wedding we attended last September. She is carrying twins. I ask your prayers for Katie, for dad Jeremy, for the babies, and the whole family. Thanks.

UPDATE:

News from Roseann (via Wounded Bird):

Dear Mimi,

It is hard enough to feel so poorly and not knowing why makes it just that much worse. Yet I woke up this morning feeling grace and peace. I sincerely do not think I could survive this trial without the prayers of my family and friends. I was feeling very whiney and abused and shook my fist at God asking what did I do to deserve this. A few hours later I started getting emails and messages from all over the world sending me healing, love and peace. Again I have to ask what did I do to deserve this. The good news for me is I don't get what I deserve. I always get mercy when I deserve judgement, hope when I deserve fear, love when I deserve indifference.

Please pass on the message for me that I am so grateful. I will have more tests done on Monday and then we play the waiting game a little longer to get a diagnosis. Whatever happens I will keep plugging away. Thank you and thank my OCICBW friends for the prayers and kind thoughts.

love, Roseann

Also from Mimi:

Roseann's email address: revamundo@gmail.com

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/16/2009

Let us hold Ostrich in prayer:

Terrible nights mean that the days are a real struggle. I feel like my brain has been scrambled and fried. I have this strange sensation on the inside of my skull - as if it is sore and angry, as if the constant chaos of panic and anxiety is rubbing against the plates of bone and irritating them. The nights are an exhausting battle against the dark places inside. I desperately want to escape and push my head down into the sand but so far I'm still forcing myself to keep going through gritted beak. Total sleep last night was 90 minutes, and that was hardly a relief. Everything is tense now, from jaw to floor, which is where I keep ending up. Maybe I need a high-sided cot to keep me from being thrown out of the ring in my nocturnal wrestling bouts.

My moods are on the spin too. Very low today. No doubt its the sleep depravation. I know I can't think straight anymore.

h/t OCICBW

651

02/14/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small, 29, of Collegeville, Pa., died Feb. 12 at Faramuz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion...

02/12/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas...died Feb. 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

02/12/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La...died Feb. 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

2425 - updated (2X - with pictures)

Latest Coalition Fatalities (UPDATED; original posts in italics)

02/18/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

Cpl. Stephen S. Thompson, 23, of Tulsa, Okla., died Feb. 14 in Baghdad of injuries sustained from a gunshot wound. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

02/17/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualty


Staff Sgt. Sean D. Diamond, 41, of Dublin, Calif., died Feb. 15 in As Salam, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 610th Engineer Support Company, 14th Engineer Battalion...

[Photos from IGTNT]

02/15/09 MNF:
MND-C Soldier Killed by IED
A Multi-National Division – Center Soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device in southern Iraq today. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.

02/15/09 MNF:
MND-B Soldier death
A Multi-National Division–Baghdad Soldier died from a non-combat related incident Feb. 14. The Soldier’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.


February 13, 2009

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 9 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Killed were:

Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont.

Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky.

Pfc. Albert R. Jex, 23, of Phoenix, Ariz.

Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge, 22, of Leominster, Mass.

Heart thread - 02/15/2009

Susankay sends an update:

An update on Terri, my priest's wife: The op went well and the "margins" and lymph nodes look clean. Next step radiation. Prayers are working. Please continue. Many thanks from me and Andrew+.

susankay

Let us also remember:

• Those whose lives were lost in the plane crash near Buffalo, NY
• Those who continue to fight fires and begin rebuilding lives in Australia
• Zimbabwe’s fledgling power-sharing Government
• For the peoples of nations torn by war or civil strife
• For all refugees
• For the homeless and the hungry
• For those ravaged within or without, whether by disease or by emotional turmoil
• For those in bondage or addiction
• For those who have lost hope
• For the unemployed
• For the overworked
  
• For the turning of our hearts to one another
• For the earth from whom we spring and on whom we depend
• For responsible decisions and actions that take into account the next seven generations
• For an increase in faith, hope, and love
• For an outpouring of justice and righteousness
• For forgiveness of our follies and hardheartedness
• For healing of every kind
  
• For peace
  

--the BB

Loafing on Sunday

Roses from summer 2007

Today I did not plant the rest of the roses and the vines. I had great fun preaching this morning. One priest's husband said I was in the zone this morning. I said it was because I had a Bible in my hand. (Dangerous when you let an ex-Baptist preach that way, you know.)

I was having such an intense time playing with rich narrative, historical context, sociological studies, and evangelical fervor that I actually said "kicked ass" in the sermon. Sudden pause as my eyes grew wide and I asked, "Did I say that? I did, didn't I?" In our mission congregation that was not a big deal but I was horrified. I can get carried away but I had never said more than "butt" or "booty" in sermons before.

Still, I had a good time preaching on transgressing social and ritual boundaries and trusting God's power to heal and sanctify more than we fear any power of the "unclean" to damage or pollute.

I made several stops on the way home. (1) Checking out trees at Lowe's; (2) enjoying breakfast at Flying Star; and (3) picking up more mushroom compost and shredded cedar at Home Despot. Oh, and one more bare root rose because it looked so pretty. Running out of planting spaces - given that I need some room for vegies and room to maneuver.

I did not plant this afternoon, however. I took it easy. I did haul seven bags from the trunk of the car into the back yard and put mulch and cedar around some of the older plants.

The Thompson seedless grape vine, freshly mulched

Roses planted yesterday:
John F. Kennedy on the left and Pink Promise on the right

Buds on the Methley plum

New life on one of the roses from two years ago

Black Tartarian cherry in the foreground
and Santa Rosa plum in the background,
both freshly mulched.
The two green clumps are kitchen sage.

And that's the gardening report for today. I hope to finish planting roses and vines tomorrow. It is supposed to be a bit warmer tomorrow than it was today, and today was lovely.
--the BB

We've got your talking point right here

Markos:

Obama was elected to find solutions to our nation's pressing problems. Obama and the majority Democrats need to implement the best possible solutions to those problems. If Republicans have genuinely good ideas (i.e., not their tired "tax cuts!" crap, especially now that Democrats have passed the largest tax cut in American history with zero Republican support), then fantastic. They can bring them to the table for due consideration. Otherwise, they shouldn't get a second thought from the adults actually trying to clean up George W. Bush's messes.

All they had to offer was tax cuts and snipping at bits and pieces as though anyone could possibly believe they are the party of fiscal responsibility after the last eight years. The American People have been waking up and are not so easily fooled, in spite of all the GOP mouthpieces in the media and the insular Village views.

Endless lies and stupidity

Andrew Sullivan captures it nicely:

From the outset, the Republicans in Washington pored over the bill to find trivial issues to make hay with. They found some small funding for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases prevention; they jumped up and down about renovating the national mall; they went nuts over a proposal - wait for it - to make some government buildings more energy-efficient; they acted as if green research and federal funds for new school building were the equivalent of funding terrorism. And this after eight years in which they managed to turn a surplus into a trillion-dollar deficit and added a cool $32 trillion to the debt the next generation will have to pay for. Every now and again their chutzpah and narcissism take one’s breath away. But it’s all they seem to know.

I like the headline for his article: "Republican Taliban declare jihad on Obama." It nicely expresses their fervent animosity and zealous destructionism.

All they know is how to protect moneyed interests and destroy all else. There is no moral compass, no sense of justice, no true patriotism, and no common sense. Just fear, anger, and lashing out. Exactly what you expect when bullies (who are usually frightened mama's boys) are unmasked and cornered. They become more vicious.

Yet there is no "there" there.

They would do their nation a great favor if they would STFU.

h/t to DemfromCT
--the BB

On being shrill

BTW: The media is resurrecting the word "shrill," which really takes me back. In fact, there is a lot about this period that strangely reminds me of the run-up to the war. It's that disorienting sense you get when lots of folks are telling you that you're hysterical and overwrought for noticing that "serious" people are either outright lying or are completely full of shit.
--Digby

Damn, skippy! We have every right to be shrill when people lie to us or betray the American People.

--the BB

The cost of wars of choice

Late last month the Army released data showing the highest suicide rate among soldiers in three decades. At least 128 soldiers committed suicide in 2008. Another 15 deaths are still under investigation as potential suicides.
...
On Feb. 5, the Army announced it suspects 24 soldiers killed themselves last month, more than died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

--Mark Benjamin and Michael de Yoanna in Salon

Let us not only pray for the peace of these souls and comfort for their loved ones but also strive to make our nation do right by our military men and women and veterans.

h/t to Digby
--the BB

Happy Valentine's Day, ALL you lovers!

This is so sweet. I saw it at Americablog.

Tom Goss sings "Till The End."



--the BB

On the campus of the University of New Mexico last Monday evening

I shot this photo just before Russian class. Needless to say, I was awed by this tree.
--the BB

Cet après-midi dans le jardin

Three more roses have been planted and some more old plantings have been freshly mulched.

Two of the three today are Pink Promise (pictured above). It is a hybrid tea rose of which the nursery says this:

A rose that lives up to its name promising to be the showcase of your garden with its large beautifully formed pink blend flowers and strong green foliage.

A bouquet of these pink roses will promise to fill any room with delectable fruity fragrance.

This stunning AARS winner has been honored to represent the National Breast Cancer Foundation as they search for the cure.

[Emphasis mine]

I did not know the symbolism that has been attached to this flower when I bought. I rejoice to learn it today after planting two of them.

My mother had a double mastectomy. May today's planting honor all the women who struggle with this terrible disease, among whom I have so many dear friends.

The other rose is a John F. Kennedy.


And that is the highlight of my Saturday so far.

The power went out for a while today. I noticed a beeping when I stepped inside from the yard. It was my house alarm telling me the current was off. I walked along the street a ways and found a neighbor who confirmed it was a neighborhood-wide situation. He had been handing out notices of an upcoming neighborhood meeting and was currently walking his little boy. Nice to meet another neighbor, this one from around the corner.

Though I don't see a lot of my neighbors, they are very nice people. We have mostly young families here starting out in these brand new tract homes. While I wish I could wave a wand and have mature trees around here, I am grateful for the views of the mountains to the east and the mesa to the west and friendly neighbors who have good kids. It is nice to feel one is part of the beginning of something.

Oh dear, it just hit me. I think I am the oldest person in the neighborhood (not counting visiting grandparents). Dear Lord, deliver me from being crotchety and disagreeable. Amen.

[The headline was lost when I tried to post this so I have restored it.]
--the BB

La luna è sorta

No one would consider my camera sophisticated nowadays (though it might have been a marvel a decade or so ago). Just a little Nikon Coolpix S210. Though it can do more, I mostly point and shoot.

That is prefatory to saying I wish I could share with you the sight that greeted me last night as I was coming home from my "night at the movies" and turned east way out on the west mesa. The gibbous moon seemed immense and close by, as though a giant dirigible were hovering over the far southeast part of Albuquerque. Perhaps, since it is Albuquerque, I should say an enormous hot air balloon, glowing in the night.

It was a pale shade, as though lightly washed with tangerine chiffon, and the features were clear.

I'm not sure I recall a time that the moon felt so very close. The effect was truly that of something right over the Rio Grande Valley and not somewhere out in space.

Anyway, I did pull over after turning into my neighborhood and took a picture. So here you are. No details, alas, but at least a sense of its prominence.



I am in love with the moon and have been since moving here.

--the BB

Friday night at the movies

Just as I was logging out at work I got a phone call from my best friend. An invite to join him and his dad for a simple meal. But of course! So off I went, north instead of south. Lovely meatloaf and broccoli with strawberries, banana slices and cream for dessert.

We then headed to his dad's apartment where we watched Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. A nice piece of fluff.



And that's my wild night on the town.

Contentedly to bed.

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/12/2009

Let us pray for Roseann.

From Wounded Bird:

Roseann is back in the hospital with a 103 fever, and vomiting. The doc's have begun testing to see what might be wrong. Would you send this on to the blog world? I'll keep you posted on her progress.

Suzanne

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Roseann the help of your power, that her sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Today our travel folks were hustling to send firefighters from the Forest Service to Australia to help with the fires there. I have very businesslike chats with these people and then get teary after hanging up. They are heroes. Every one of them.

O God, we recall before you those who place their lives in danger for the sake of others. Protect them in their work and help us to support them and demonstrate our gratitude. Amen.

Fire updates with links chez FranIAm.

--the BB

Do the American People want torture swept under the rug?

The answer, it seems, is a resounding NO!

Gallup took a poll and check this out. Over 60% of the American people think there should be either an independent panel or a criminal investigation into the Bush torture administration.

So don't give us any shit about "the people won't support you" if you're weaseling away from uncovering the truth.


I've seen the stats at several sites but used Hoffmania when making this graphic.
--the BB

Tired bear - updated with photo

I've been wanting an excuse to use this photo
for the longest time. This post is not quite it,
but I don't know if I'm going to get any closer.

This morning I invited a friend who has been feeling down to come over for dinner. I was going to pick up some pork chops on the way home and make a nice meal with seasoned chops, green beans, pilaf.

But on the way home I heard the all-too-familiar thumpeta-thumpeta. A flat tire. My tires seem to attract nails and other hazards. Tonight, frankly, I don't even know what it was, only that after I drove on I-25 to a reasonably safe spot (next to an off ramp where no cars passed too closely, though they did pass at speeds probably averaging 70 mph) there would be no reasonable hope of salvaging the tire.

I worked the miniature jack as I have done so many times before, removed the tire, put on the doughnut (that's for all who think they are donuts). I had just finished this and was about to call my friend back when he drove up. It took him a while to negotiate the limited approaches and exits and drive all over to get to me. We then headed to Costco where I got a couple of new tires. While those were put on my chum and I had dinner at Sadie's on 4th Street. Oh, and margaritas on the rocks for starters.

So I just got home. We had dinner and visited but it was not the quiet dinner at home I envisioned.

Tired. Very tired.

--the BB

Wow.

On September 13, 2001, still in shock from the terrorist attacks, I left Grand Central and walked west on 42nd Street to Times Square. It was bustling. There was considerable construction going on, and the construction workers had hung American flags on the scaffolding. Some of them had flags attached to their hard hats. There were many expressions of defiance against the terrorists, spraypainted on signs and sheets and flapping in the wind high above the streets.

Most of all, Times Square was busy. New York City was bursting with prosperity in those days. As terrible as the week was, as grief-stricken and as angry as people were, outside the financial district the city was beautiful. The cafes were overflowing with diners, and shoppers were everywhere.

Did Republican economics finish the job the 9/11 terrorists started?
--Maha

I suppose I should comment, analyze, add value, or something but I just wanted to share the thought.

--the BB

What BarbinMD said

So, requirements to track how the money is being spent, capping the salary of incompetent executives to a half a million dollars, and not being able to replace high-tech American workers with cheap, high-tech foreign workers is unfair? Seriously? Then give the damn money back. We could use it in the real world.

--Barbara Morrill at Daily Kos, on Wall Street banks

648 - updated with photos

02/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 21, of Bridgewater, Mass., died Feb. 7 from wounds he received Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division...

02/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualties


1st Lt. Jared W. Southworth, 26, of Oakland, Ill....died Feb. 8 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment of Marion, Ill.

02/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualties


Staff Sgt. Jason E. Burkholder, 27, of Elida, Ohio...died Feb. 8 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment of Marion, Ill.

02/01/09:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs, 51, of Lockport, La., died Jan. 30 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 38th Operational Support Airlift Detachment, Hammond, La.

May they rest in peace and rise in glory.


Photos via IGTNT where you may learn more about these men.

4243 - updated with photo - 2nd update

Latest Coalition Fatalities

02/10/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, 28, of Kahului, Hawaii, died Feb. 6 in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172d Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany

02/09/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

Sgt. James M. Dorsey, 23, of Beardstown, Ill., died Feb. 8 in Kamaliyah, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

[Five more deaths are "pending"]


May they rest in peace and rise in glory.


Photo via IGTNT where you may read more about Specialist Sweet.

Heart thread - 02/11/2009

From Susankay:

I would [like to update the] prayer request for my rector and his wife. She will have op for her breast cancer tomorrow and Andrew has asked for prayers.

Nicked from MP at OCICBW:

Posted by Roseann at
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE PLEASE:

I really don't like my life right now. I do not make a good invalid. I am cranky, sad, bored, numb, angry, calm, sedate, patient, anxiety-ridden, happy, annoyed and all in the space of maybe 5 minutes.

It is just a tight rope and I am walking it the best I can. Getting the call that they saw something on the mammogram they didn't like just about did it. I did not handle this news with one iota of grace. I talked to 4 family/friends and got the advice to pray and meditate. Sorry but right now I am too busy being royally pissed off at the creator. Smite me o mighty smiter! And I swear to God if another person tells me the God won't give me more than I can handle, I will just never speak to them again. Seriously, lay off telling me to rely on God and pray, okay? The thing is God and I get along just fine. I'm just slouching towards Bethlehem and I do that imperfectly. I have moments when I feel as close as you can and moments when I am just not there with it at all.

I wish I was brave. I wish I was fearless. I wish I was well.

From David Austin Allen (Dah-veed):

I had an unfortunate accident yesterday and tripped over a curbing while stepping back from having loaded groceries into a taxi yesterday afternoon. I badly wrenched my left foot and fell down in the street. Now I have two fractures in the long bones of the small toe.

The doctor says it can only be taped up. No cast. The outside of my foot is black and blue, swollen and really sore. Plus a lot of general throbbing pain. Alternating ice and heat and an anti-inflammatory pain med helps some, but there just is no comfortable position right now. Plus my whole body is sore today from the fall.

I am also a bit afraid that in walking like a gimp that I will fall again and break something else. I am starting to feel really old at just 45!

Prayers requested by She Knows Who She Is and for her sweetie while waiting for further tests.

For the chap I talked to on the phone today who had to cancel a trip for surgery.

For Steph's mom - who attends Mass each morning and is full of faith but still has cancer - and for Steph who inherited a lot of her mom's faith but says she doesn't have quite so much.

And Maddie came down with the man flu again recently, so pray for Mrs. MP and the dogs.

Jane R gives thanks for prayers (but I think they need to keep coming).

The people and the critters of Australia, of course.

By Ed Johnson Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) -- The death toll from Australia’s deadliest bushfires may reach 300, officials said, as police probe whether the blaze in the worst-hit town of Marysville was lit deliberately.

Photo via FranIAm

May the holy angels guard them, Christ uphold them, the Spirit rise within them as Giver of life, Blessed Raphael bring healing from God's throne, and all the saints in heaven and on earth lift them up.
--the BB


For the people of Zimbabwe trying to survive so many challenges and work out some form of governance. President Robert Mugabe just swore in his rival Morgan Tsvangirai as PM.

For Israel and Palestine after the right-ward swing in the Israeli elections (G-d help us all).

For those killed in the Oklahoma tornado and those who must rebuild their lives.

For the people of Afghanistan:

By Jay Shankar and James Rupert Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) -- The Obama administration and the United Nations condemned Taliban suicide attacks on Afghan government buildings in central Kabul yesterday that killed 26 people....

For the people of Sri Lanka amid seemingly endless strife between the government and rebels.

For the people of Iraq:

BAGHDAD: Twin car bombings ripped through a Baghdad bus station killing 16 people yesterday, as violence across Iraq claimed at least 27 lives and shattered a relative lull marked by largely peaceful polls....

Please add your own intercessions and thanksgivings.

O Lord, I know not what to ask of thee; thou alone knowest what are my true needs. Thou lovest me more than I know how to love myself. Help me to see my real needs which are concealed from me. I dare not ask either a cross or consolation. I can only wait on thee. My heart is open to thee. Visit and help me for thy great mercy’s sake, strike me and heal me, cast me down and raise me up. I worship in silence thy holy will and thine inscrutable ways. I offer myself as a sacrifice to thee. I put all my trust in thee. I have no other desire than to fulfill thy will. Teach me how to pray, pray thou thyself in me. Amen.
—Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh