Hace veinte años

17 October 1989

Padre Mickey posted his reminiscences of the Loma Prieta Quake and invited others to share. You may read his comments here. I am pasting below what I put in comments at his site.

I was chatting with coworkers when the building began to shake. A native Californian, I was blase for a few seconds then said, "this feels like a big one." For a second longer I was grateful to be in a doorframe when I remembered the glass in the transom over our heads. Peter, another really big fellow, and I dived under a small table. When the shaking stopped everyone exited the building. Facade had fallen off the brick building across the streets and there was a cloud of cement dust. I held on colleague as she was shaking terribly. Another shouted, "my child" and hurried off in her car. We saw black smoke rising in downtown Berkeley - a tire fire in an auto shop. We all then headed home, totally unaware of the larger picture.

I took surface streets instead of freeway. All the traffic lights were out and people were taking turns in intersections. People were incredibly gracious and cooperative. I got home rather quickly. The only damage in the house was one vase that had hopped off a bookshelf and shattered. I was able to call family. I waited for Bill.

It was hours before he got home as he had to take a bus, instead of BART. I tried to stay positive but was a bit of a wreck until I heard his key in the door. He took the car and gave one of his coworker's a ride to the BART parking lot in Richmond so she could get home.

I worked for a biotech firm. There was major damage in the labs. We stayed home a few days. One friend had driven home on the Cypress Freeway before it collapsed. Some friends were at the World Series. Everybody had a story. I doubt any of us have forgotten where we were and how that day unfolded for us.

❧

Those at the World Series returned to the East Bay by way of the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin then across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to the north end of the East Bay. It took many hours.

One coworker lived in the Marina, the area in San Francisco build on landfill that had so much damage and fires. We could not reach her and were terribly concerned. She also had a loft just blocks from work where she had her art studio. We finally learned she was there and not in San Francisco at all. Blessedly, her apartment in the Marina was not damaged as so many had been.

--the BB

An interesting retrospective

Five years ago today Ron Suskind had an article in the New York Times Magazine titled "Faith, Certainty and the Presidency of George W. Bush." It makes for fascinating reading as we ponder the Bush years and the current state of the Republican Party.

It is the article where we encounter this now-famous passage:

In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend -- but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency.

The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''

The article concludes thus:

Can the unfinished American experiment in self-governance -- sputtering on the watery fuel of illusion and assertion -- deal with something as nuanced as the subtleties of one man's faith? What, after all, is the nature of the particular conversation the president feels he has with God -- a colloquy upon which the world now precariously turns?

That very issue is what Jim Wallis wishes he could sit and talk about with George W. Bush. That's impossible now, he says. He is no longer invited to the White House.

''Faith can cut in so many ways,'' he said. ''If you're penitent and not triumphal, it can move us to repentance and accountability and help us reach for something higher than ourselves. That can be a powerful thing, a thing that moves us beyond politics as usual, like Martin Luther King did. But when it's designed to certify our righteousness -- that can be a dangerous thing. Then it pushes self-criticism aside. There's no reflection.

''Where people often get lost is on this very point,'' he said after a moment of thought. ''Real faith, you see, leads us to deeper reflection and not -- not ever -- to the thing we as humans so very much want.''

And what is that?

''Easy certainty.''

This was weeks before the 2004 election when serious corruption in Ohio led to Bush inhabiting the Oval Office for four more years.

I realize the issue of whether he was actually elected in 2004 is a matter of debate but I believe it was stolen. Again.
--the BB

The GOP has it covered

--the BB

Heart thread - 10/17/2009 - updated

From Mimi we have a Myron Update:

Good Morning Everyone,

Myron spent the last evening in the ER at Christiana because of abdominal and back pain. An ultrasound was performed and a significant amount of sludge was seen in the gall bladder. The doctors decided to wait for several hours then repeat the ultrasound and it was determined he would in fact need to have the gall bladder removed. At this point the gall bladder is too inflamed to remove so they will wait a couple of days until it calms down a bit before surgery. An endoscopy will be done at the time of surgery to make sure there are no stones in any of the ducts.

Thank you all for your continued good thoughts and prayers.

Sue

Strengthen your servant Myron, O God, to do what he has to do and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayers for Mimi and her upcoming cataract surgery, that it will all go well and that she will have peace of mind through it all.

When my mother had her surgery, I watched the procedure live on TV from a camera fitted with a microscopic lens. At the time, I thought that Dr. B. must be quite sure of his skills to permit a family member to observe, and I was impressed with his dexterity and speed in the operation. Just last year, in "New Orleans Magazine", Dr. B. was rated the best ophthalmologist in the neighborhood by his peers in the profession. He was a pioneer in our area with the small-cut cataract procedure, and I should have chosen him from the beginning. I believe that the mix-up at Ochsner turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

After lunch, GP and I headed over to the office (me driving), and, to make a long story short, my surgeries are scheduled for Nov. 9 and Nov. 23 by a doctor I know and in whom I have great confidence.

The bit of bad news is that I have early-stage dry macular degeneration in both eyes. For now, the treatment is a vitamin supplement, which I already take, and which obviously didn't prevent the condition from developing in the first place.

For Roseann and Gary, ongoing prayers. I have not seen an update on this surgery.

On Monday the 12th, I will have vein graft surgery. This is being done for dialysis purposes. I don't want to do it, there is significant risk of bleeding and clotting, but my doc is insisting. With the catheter I have now the risk of infection is great. It is not a matter of IF and infection but WHEN. So what's a girl to do.

For Eileen's cousin Mary Beth:

Mary Beth made it through her surgery well, but she is in ICU, and her brain is still quite swollen. It will be several days before any damage to her brain can be assessed – the aneurysm was apparently deep and her surgery was quite invasive, so there are concerns about her vision and possible cognitive functions. Her doctors report she is young and strong though, and so they have hope she will make a full recovery.

Many thanks to those of you who have been praying for her.

For Mother Sandra as she continues to heal and recuperate:

Mother Sandra is still at Kindred Hospital and continues to slowly progress in her healing. This will be a lengthy process of unknown duration and it is expected that she will continue to be at Kindred for awhile. Where she will go after Kindred will be dependent upon her healing and strength at that time.

For Bishop Marc who has run into a major complication after surgery for prostate cancer:

Saturday evening, continued difficulty breathing and slightly elevated temperature. Sheila and I decided to go to the emergency room. During a 15-hour stay in the emergency department at UCSF it was determined that a blood clot had broken away from veins in my lower left calf and made its way into my lungs – I had an extensive pulmonary embolism, with one large clot in the pulmonary artery, and smaller ones branching out through the lungs. I was eventually admitted to the hospital, after being put on blood thinners, and was discharged on Sunday evening.

This surprising event means that my recovery has been extended a bit, but I’m still in fact recovering. I’m back under the careful, tremendously competent eye of my primary care physician who mercifully shows me no mercy, and have the best help possible in Sheila.

For the diocesan conventions of California and Rio Grande (and any others) this weekend. May the Holy Spirit guide and renew.

Are you familiar with Ellie's blog Does Not Wisdom Call? If not, pop on over for some lovely meditations and art. Consider it a Sabbath treat to yourself. Please say a prayer for Sister Ellie as you do.

MadPriest is not back so you know he's up to no good. Pray for him anyway.

Mark is healing from sundry injuries and can use our prayers.

Jane battles deadlines and a fresh bout of respiratory crud and a shot of the Holy Spirit's eloquence and healing combined would not be amiss.

Last Tuesday was the 33rd anniversary of the loving commitment of Elizabeth and Ms Conroy. That calls for celebration and prayers for blessings on their years ahead. May they be many, rich in love, health, and joy.

For Marsha who had surgery on both feet on Wednesday:

As promised, I want to let you know about Marsha's surgery today. I just spoke with her: she is back home, the surgery went well, she ate half a sandwich, Max is being an excellent nurse, and she has no pain. Alleluia!

For Joe struggling with many challenges.

Happy Birthday today to my high school classmate Nancy Boghosian and to my U.S. Representative in Congress Martin Heinrich.

For Frank and Carol, for Susan, for Karen, for Kathy.

For the raising up of a new and vibrant congregation in the South Valley at Our Saviour.

For peace in Pakistan where the military has begun a new ground offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan.

For wisdom and long-term thinking with regard to Afghanistan.

For the people of Zimbabwe.

For the elimination of hunger as we are mindful of World Food Day.

A joyous Diwali to all who celebrate it.

For those threatened by bushfire in central Queensland and those who fight the fire.

For the talks between India and China.

For the people of Guinea and an end to the crisis there.

Voting in Botswana has just come to an end; for the people of that nation.

For legitimate and respected government in Honduras.

For universal health care in the United States and for all who struggle for it.

UPDATE:
For Ralph and Susan.

Still moving/settling in, and dealing with mounting health complications for both of us.

Stay tuned, and humor us with prayers if they come naturally. Seems likely that we’re gonna need them.

--the BB

OMG, it's a Republican

Isn't it amazing how bullies are really all WATBs?

How dare you expose my meanness, my bigotry, my economic rape of the poor? If you demand the same rights I have, you are treading on my rights! I'm the victim here! I'M THE VICTIM!

Why is everyone so mean to meeeeeeeeeeee?

In the category of "we can dish it out but we can't take it...."

"Elder Bush Decries Lack of Civility in Politics"

Look, you spawned the little shithead that fucked over our country; take some responsibility, Poppy. I may be, and I am, a foulmouthed ranter who thinks your family is nothing better than an organized crime group, but I didn't foist Junior on this nation, OK? I'll sit in the balance with your "civility" any damn day.

As Hoffmania observes:

And that said while not naming by name any right wing nut like Beck, Savage, Hannity, Levin, Limbaugh, Gallag...

...oh, forget it. They LIKED his ugly kid. Some things just explain themselves.

--the BB

When the perps are behind bars, I will let this rest

This is too delish:

“It cannot be suggested that information as to how officials of the U.S. government admitted treating (Binyam Mohamed) during his interrogation is information that can in any democratic society governed by the rule of law be characterized as ’secret’ or as ‘intelligence’…”

--Paisley Dodds for the AP (full article here)

What is this all about? In a nutshell:

In a stunning and refreshing decision, the British High Court has overruled the British government’s attempt to suppress torture evidence on the US and British treatment of Binyam Mohamed.

See bmaz's article at emptywheel.

“In our view, as a court in the United Kingdom, a vital public interest requires, for reasons of democratic accountability and the rule of law in the United Kingdom, that a summary of the most important evidence relating to the involvement of the British security services in wrongdoing be placed in the public domain in the United Kingdom.”

The British High Court shows the world how torture is considered in a real legal system.

Yes!

--the BB

You're parasites

You will not see anything this exciting on any other program. Stay till the end.



God bless Rachel for speaking the truth to people who behave as total scumbags.

"I think you're really bad for the country."

--the BB

Movie night at Desert Farne

A couple weeks ago I came across my VHS copy of Sordid Lives. A tacky, funny, moving movie. I had forgotten how moving. Yes, when Olivia Newton-John sang "I'm coming home" in the church I got all soppy.

Still trying to get over the hair on the deceased's sister. I may have been traumatized, though not as much as Brother Boy by Dr. Eve's tatas.



--the BB

Three cheers for the courts!

If you would like to keep up with some exciting developments in the courts, visit Emtpywheel.

Bmaz has some great posts up today. You can read Judge Jeffrey S. White:

Considering the delay in disclosure thus far in this matter, the current administration’s pointed directive on transparency in government, and the public’s renewed interest in the question of legal immunity for the telecommunications companies that participated in the warrantless wiretapping program while considering currently pending legislation repealing the amendments to FISA, the Court finds that the public interest lies in favor of disclosure. This Court has already found, when deciding the motion for preliminary injunction in this case, that “irreparable harm exists where Congress is considering legislation that would amend the FISA and the records may enable the public to participate meaningfully in the debate over such pending legislation.”

Preach it, Your Honor!

Also, Judge Vaughn Walker ain't buyin' the bullshit the Prop 8 proponents are slinging:

A federal judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a legal challenge to Proposition 8, concluding that the ongoing courtroom battle over California’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage must be resolved in a full-blown trial.

On the judicial front I am, so far, rather disappointed in the Obama administration. News like this encourages me in the belief that the courts may speak up on behalf of the American People and justice when Congress and the White House posture and dally.

I also loved yesterday's smackdown of Oily Taint.

--the BB

Heart thread - 10/14/2009

We remember Mimi who has an appointment today with an optometrist to start the process for having cataract surgery. May peace surround her and may things progress smoothly toward clearer vision.

For Fran and Jane R and PJ and all who have way too many tasks to do and not enough time to do them in.

For MadPriest and the Mrs while they are away.

For Mark (Mapko) who mourns and sorts out life without Nikolai.

For The Cunning Runt who is " moving and setting up a new phone system and dealing with some rather serious health issues."

For diocesan conventions this weekend for the Dioceses of California and the Rio Grande.

For continued healing for Bishop Marc.

Recovery for the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus will take a little longer than originally hoped, and he will not be in attendance at the 160th Convention of the Diocese of California this Friday and Saturday. Bishop Marc will make his presentation to the convention by video. For more personal information about Bishop Mark’s health status, visit his blog: bishopmarc.com.

For Joe.

I sent this to David@Montreal yesterday and share it here with y'all:

Since the Holy Spirit is described in Corinthians as both the giver of diverse gifts and the source of unity, my "beatific vision" is one of ever-increasing complexity with ever-increasing interrelatedness. One one level, of course, that is simply the reality of what already exists in God, yet I believe it is not static but ever unfolding, growing, and dazzling in the divine imagination. No wonder we have to run to catch up, while we must also be still and just know awe.

--the BB

It's not the Republican Party; it's who runs things

Buhdydharma spells it out for us in simple terms:

Why was Bush able to ram his agenda through so easily? Because his agenda was the agenda of the Ruling Class.

Why can't Obama get his agenda through?

Because his agenda directly attacks the Ruling Class.

Think about all the pushback and who lies behind it.

Click on the name above to read it all.

--the BB

Take names and kick ass

Why do they hate women?

Why do they obstruct justice?

Why do they condone violent rape?



They have two things in common:

They are all male.

They are all Republicans.

--the BB

Dear Senator Reid

Now would be a good time to enforce some party discipline in your caucus. If you cannot, why not just fucking resign?

Love and kisses,
the BB

Jane Hamsher puts it more politely:

Either you’re going to enforce caucus discipline or you don’t have a party. You have instead a collection of self-interested narcissists, each one with the ability to derail any legislation they don’t like. Every Senator who derives their political power from membership in the caucus is thereby granted the power to torpedo any piece of legislation from coming to a vote, with no consequences. It’s an outrage.

873

10/13/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Taylor, 27, of Bovey, Minn., died Oct. 9 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

10/13/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Alfonso Ochoa Jr., 20, of Armona, Calif., died Oct. 10 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

10/12/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. George W. Cauley, 24, of Walker, Minn., died Oct. 10 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device on Oct. 7 in Helmand province. He was assigned to the 114th Truck Company of the Minnesota Army National Guard in Duluth, Minn.

A garden, a casserole, a challenge

Is this evening a semblance of normalcy?

I came home and watered the back yard. Noted more leaves falling, more green tomatoes, some ripe ones, pondered the yard work I should have done yesterday when the day was beautiful. But I didn't, did I, Blanche?

I threw together a casserole of ham, noodles, eggs, cream, green chiles, cheese, bread crumbs. Not heavenly but not bad. Good use of what is in the house.

I'm not running off anywhere tonight.

Tomorrow we have our inaugural healing Eucharist at San Gabriel, to be a regular feature on second Tuesdays. I look forward to that. The masters for the liturgy and the proper lessons were printed yesterday and I can have copies made at lunch.

Today at lunch I wolfed down a really tasty cheese sandwich (good bread full of what berries and stuff and extra sharp Vermont cheddar, nothing else) and drove to Diocesan House. There I turned in the keys so someone else can cover Our Saviour this coming Sunday while I am back at San Gabriel. I did a pep talk for diocesan staff as they ate their lunches and politely listened. Actually, I think they catch the possibilities. They also confirmed that in the entire SW quadrant of Albuquerque there are only the Cathedral Church of St John and Our Saviour.

According to the city's website, Albuquerque's population is 860,000. Now, I know that the SW quadrant does not hold 1/4 of that, we are still more sparsely populated than the rest of the city. But let's pretend for a moment that the SW does have 215,000 people in it and only two Episcopal Churches.

Would it be rude to point out that the money in ABQ lies in the opposite direction (the NE heights)?

Or that the motto of the diocese is "we are a missionary people" when San Gabriel is the only mission started in many years, and it was started by a parish?

Yep. Very rude.

Consider it a challenge.

Time to act like people who really believe their lives have been changed by God's love. To act like people who really believe God loves all creation. To act like people who are called, empowered, and commanded to be part of the healing of the world.

And you don't have to be a fundamentalist to believe and act like this. Liberals can do it too. And trust me on this, ABQ does not have a superfluity of progressive and inclusive churches.

Anyone care to dream dreams and have visions?

Just saying.

--the BB

Canadian Thanksgiving- news of Frank

David sends us this moving news (on Canadian Thanksgiving Day):

dearest Giants of Prayer & Practice
Just in from a long walk with Willie the blessing daschund, and the phone was ringing
Frank, my very dear cousin, fighting lukemia with genetic therapy with an imprefect genetic match had called Mam when he couldn't get me on the phone.
Late last week he and Carol were headed into Vancouver for one of his twice-weekly days of outpatient treatment at the hospital, when all of a sudden Frank felt an incredibly sharp pain and tearing deep inside his calf.
The pain persisted all the way to the hospital where he was admitted as an emergency.
Turns out two pieces of cartelarge had become so brittle from all of the differant treatments Frank's been undergoing and twoe rogue pieces of cartelage were circulating in his body via the blood. Minor piercing of the lungs, some damage to the heart but thankfully no damage to either major veins into or out of the heart. The pain in his calf was indeed a tear of some seriousness which is being left to heal itself.

After the situation had been normalized, apparently the head of the whole cancer program came in to shake Frank's hand- to tell him how he couldn't understand, how with all Frank's been through, and now this, that he's still alive. To quote' you should have been dead, several times over.'
Carol said, with tears in his eyes, Frank told the doctor he was being kept alive by prayer alone- 'It's my cousin's gang of saints' (that's you guys)
Apparently the doctor at first misunderstood, thinking Frank and Carol might be Mormon, until Frank explained we're Anglican/Episcopalian/ RomanCatholic/Buddhist
Frank apparently waxed quite lyrical about the bunch of you, and by the time he'd finished the doctor was shaking his head, smiling with tears washing his own cheeks.

Litterally Frank's first call when he got home today, was to try and get me, and then to talk with Mam, to say thankyou, thank-you, thank-you to the Giants & to ask for your continued prayers.
To quote my beloved cousin, he's never felt so loved in his whole life, and that's saying a lot, as he had two wonderful parents (an only child) who adored the beautiful human being they'd been given.

I'd also ask for prayers for my sister Susan, who has spent the Thanksgiving week-end in hospital following a minor stroke with complications- tests still being run on the second day as they haven't quite got it all figured out.

Thanksgiving and continued prayers for Frank and his wife Carol and those who minister to him. Also fresh prayers for Susan and all minister to her. And for David and his whole family.

What a great bit of news to come home to this afternoon!

--the BB

A redeemed people

Our friend David@Montreal shared with me a comment that I want to pass along to a wider audience, the suggestion that

...just possibly what the Holy Spirit is doing during these troubling times is calling us to finally live and act [as] a redeemed people instead of an imperial machine.

Amen to that, Brother David, amen to that!

Planting a seed

On behalf of TEC and the Episcopal Diocese of Rio Grande it was my privilege to open the doors and preside at Holy Eucharist this morning.

I did not have time or resources for a whole new sign but I did get our logo out there, and the word "Episcopal."

The church as they left it; the church as it looked this morning.

The new frontal is made of green African fabric that has been waiting in my fabric collection for a worthy purpose. It was just the right size to hem and hang on the altar too. A friend picked up flowers. I brought in my Ethiopian processional cross for the occasion, though it is safely back home now.

Attendance: a hefty 4. An offering was taken and will be turned in to the diocese.

Someone from the break away group parked next door and watched to see who and how many showed up. If we are threatening, we must be doing something right.

Afterward my friend and I went to the 66 Diner and had retro comfort food: meat loaf for me and chicken fried steak for her, both with mashed potatoes and gravy.

So, we have a building (two in fact) but no church (the people). Pray for God to raise up leaders with the hearts of missioners, for wise and creative and effective communication and outreach. There is opportunity here.

Rehydrating and resting this evening.

Blessed be Godde.

--the BB

The bear is tired - updated

Yesterday at noon I picked up the church keys. On the way home I stopped at the church.

Since I no longer have all the files I used to have from earlier computers and different software, I do not have masters of worship books just sitting and waiting to be printed. So this morning I did the tedious cutting and pasting to put a Eucharistic liturgy into a 12-page folded booklet. If you have ever done something like this, you know you have to arrange the two half-pages on one sheet so you have pages 12-1, 2-11, 10-3, 4-9, 8-5, and 6-7. (I used to have PageMaker which assembled all that for me.) Much simpler doing the lesson insert, though still requiring attention. I'm glad I have done so many things like this in the past or I would have been lost.

Today I stopped at the church again and took some measurements, verified a few items.

Then I went shopping. Stopped first at the wrong branch of a church supply store - which wasted time but gave me exercise walking 7 blocks each way from my car. It was a beautiful fall day and nice to be out. Granted, the balloon crowd made for some congestion - on the roads and on the sidewalks (this was Old Town).

Headed further east for the main store. Oops, I-40 has three (count them, three) lanes closed up ahead.

Finally got to the store. Picked up items that were not in the church: a pall, corporals, purificators, hosts, communion wine. Actually, everything but the wine. Was headed home when I remembered that and circled back. They are not a liquor store so there was paperwork with the sale of altar wine.

Stopped at a supermarket. I picked up some food for me but also got hand soap for all the bathrooms at the church. Some bottled water to mingle with the wine (not putting ABQ tap water in, thanks). And a gallon of purified water for holy water. No sense in blessing just a bit at a time.

Stopped to have copies made. Thirty copies of a service booklet with Holy Eucharist II, Eucharistic Prayer A. (There are no prayer books in the church.) Fifteen copies of tomorrow's lessons.

Got home and harvested a few small tomatoes. Had my only meal of the day.

Blessed holy water. I use the full traditional ritual, exorcising salt and water first - English translation of the old Rituale Romanum. I don't mess around when it comes to holy water.

Stapled service booklets and folded those and the lesson inserts.

Assembled, in addition to items already mentioned, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, regular towels for the sacristy, pruning shears for flowers, matches, altar candles and candle holders, a San Damiano crucifix, a couple of icons, sponges, and stuff I have already forgotten.

I am still working on a sign for out front. For now, it's hand painted or nothing.

Hemmed a piece of green African fabric that was just the right size for a frontal.

Will work on the sign and the sermon.

A new adventure. A new ministry.

Brother Bear's Traveling Salvation Show is almost ready.

To bed shortly.

Thanks for your prayers, everybody.

UPDATE: Sign completed. To bed.

--the BB

Pray for Wangaratta

Oh, and pray for Rob too!


"You have called me here to be repeatedly born in the Spirit... in light, in knowledge, in unknowing, in faith, in awareness, in gratitude, in poverty, in presence and in praise."
--Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander


It has been quite a journey since he and I were in CPE together.

Every blessing on his ministry.

--the BB

By any measure all Americans should be proud

Ms Rachel lays it out for us all.

h/t to blackwaterdog

--the BB

The journey away from religious abuse

The pain came as I began to realize for the first time that I had been using my faith to bring harm to others.
--Brent Childers

Another journey from religious homophobia to support of equal rights. Read it all here.

National Coming Out Day: 11 October 2009

--the BB

Planting my butt in the chair

Karen Armstrong on "faith":

It was only in the late 17th century that 'belief' came to mean an intellectual assent to a rather dubious proposition. Just look up 'belief' in a good, historical dictionary!

At this time, truth was becoming more notional in the scientific West. We were losing the more traditional form of faith which saw religion as a practical activity. Like driving, swimming, dancing or gymnastics, you learn the truths of faith only by constant, dedicated practice - not by reading texts or adopting a metaphysical 'belief'. Like a myth, a religious doctrine is essentially a program of action. It makes no sense unless it is translated into practical action that helps you to dethrone egotism, selfishness and greed by practicing compassion to all living beings. In the book, I try to show how doctrines like the Incarnation or Trinity were originally a summons to selflessness and compassion and that we only discover their truth by making these qualities a reality in our own lives.

Read the whole article here.

My professor of Hebrew Scripture, back in my Baptist seminary days, told us that the biblical notion of faith was not intellectual assent to the proposition that a chair would hold me, it was sitting in the chair, committing myself in the most practical manner. It was thus about how I lived and where I made my commitments and not about my abstract belief system.

Karen Armstrong is attempting to remind us all of this. Hooray for her.

--the BB

Heart thread - 10/09/2009

My niece Paula writes:

Last year our grandson Austin participated in a fundraiser for one of his classmates who had cancer. She passed away last night and would ask you to please add the family to your prayers.

From the blog, Sammie Hartsfield:

Dear Sweet Sammie passed away today Oct 9th at 3 AM..

She fought hard and we could not ask for any more from her..

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Paula also writes of my sister Shirley:

Mom isn’t doing too well these days and each time I’m in Fresno to see them she looks more and more frail.

My cousin LaDonna writes of my Aunt Olga:

My mom has macular degeneration and can't see very well, but thankfully she is still able to live on her own.

Let us continue to keep Ellie in our prayers. And Allie. Jonathan is away so prayers for MP and Mrs. MP. Safe travels and return home for Mimi. Ongoing prayers for Roseann and Gary. Continued healing for JimB and Janet and Kathy and Diane. For James recuperating from a bout of H1N1. For all who teach (and grade papers) including several of our dear friends. For Jack.

KJ has the most wonderful news:

A HUGE "Thanks be to God!" After 20 months of treatment for breast cancer, my sister Karen's scan was a big "negative". At last! A test that is just fine to fail. Thanks to all who have remembered her in prayers over the past many months.

For folks at the Balloon Fiesta here in Albuquerque as it moves into its final weekend, that they may all be safe (we've had one accident this year already).

For David's family and friends and neighbors.

For peace and all who pursue it.

--the BB

870

10/09/09
DoD: Army Casualty Identified
Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook, 41, of Shiprock, N.M., died Oct. 7 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., of wounds suffered Sept. 8 when insurgents attacked his unit in the Ganjigal Valley, Afghanistan, using small arms and indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Alan Grayson speaks for me

Transcript:

"Madame Speaker, I have words for Democrats and Republicans tonight."

"Let's start with the Democrats"

"We as a party have spent the last six months, the greatest minds in our party, dwelling on the question, the unbelievably consuming question of how to get Olympia Snowe to vote on health care reform. I want to remind us all that Olympia Snowe was not elected President last year. Olympia Snowe has no veto power in the Senate. Olympia Snowe represents a state with one half of one percent of America's population."

"What America wants is health care reform. America doesn't care if it gets 51 votes in the Senate or 60 votes in the Senate or 83 votes in the Senate, in fact America doesn't even care about that, it doesn't care about that at all. What America cares about is this; there are over 1 million Americans who go broke every single year trying to pay their health care bills. America cares a lot about that. America cares about the fact that there are 44,780 Americans who die every single year on account of not having health care, that's 122 every day. America sure cares a lot about that. America cares about the fact that if you have a pre-existing condition, even if you have health insurance, it's not covered. America cares about that a lot. America cares about the fact that you can get all the health care you need as long as you don't need any. America cares about that a lot. But America does not care about procedures, processes, personalities, America doesn't care about that at all."

"So we have to remember that as Democrats, we have to remember that what's at stake here is life and death, enormous amounts of money, and people are counting upon us to move ahead. America understands what's good for America. America cares about health care, America cares about jobs, America cares about education, about energy independance, America does not care about processes politicians or personalities or anything like that."

"And I have a few words for my Republican friends tonight as well. I guess I do have some Republican friends."

"Let me say this; last week I held up this report here and I pointed out that in America there are 44,789 Americans that die every year according to this Harvard report published in this peer reviewed journal because they have no health insurance. That's an extra 44,789 Americans who die who's lives could be saved, and their response was to ask me for an apology."

"To ask me for an apology?"

"That's right. To ask ME for an apology!"

"Well, I'm telling you this; I will not apologize. I will not apologize. I will not apologize for a simple reason; America doesn't care about your feelings. I violated no rules by pulling this report to America's attention, I think a lot of people didn't know about it beforehand. But America DOES care about health care in America."

"And if you're against it, then get out of the way. Just get out of the way. You can lead, you can follow or you can get out of the way. And I'm telling you now to get out of the way."
"American understands that there is one party in this country that is favor of health care reform and one party that is against it, and they know why."

"They understand that if Barack Obama were somehow able to cure hunger in the world the Republicans would blame him for overpopulation"

"They understand that if Barack Obama could somehow bring about world peace they would blame him for destroying the defense industry."

"In fact, they understand that if Barack Obama has a BLT sandwhich tommorrow for lunch, they will try to ban bacon."

"But that's not what America wants, America wants solutions to it's problems and that begins with health care, and that's what I'm speaking for tonight."

"I yield back the balance of my time"

Lifted via MinistryOfTruth

Preach it, Brother Grayson!

--the BB

This evening I walked into a church

The former congregation has left. The Episcopal Church is too diverse and messy for their taste. Of their future they affirm "Nothing will change about this Church, Christ's and ours, except it will be totally obedient to Jesus Christ and His eternal Word in witness before a watching world."

May they indeed be faithful witnesses to Christ.

Tomorrow I will be preparing to open the doors on Sunday and welcome "whosoever will." If even one other person shows up we will celebrate Eucharist.

I ask your prayers.

For all who have ever worshiped in that place.

For those who have walked away.

For those yet to enter those doors.

May we all find and be found by the One who is the lover of our souls.

--the BB

Hallowe'en would not be complete without the boogeyman

Rove ponders (a fantasy scene from the Rude Pundit):

It's just so easy to make Democrats show their haunches, ready to be fucked. He reads his most recent Wall Street Journal column ... where he uses the grimmest possible polls to try to demonstrate that Democrats will lose power if they pass health care reform. "You see? You let 'em get that knot in their stomach, that feeling they're gonna shit themselves if they take a risk, even if the absolute reverse is the truth. That's called fear. And fear makes you freeze. And nothing gets done."

Yep, the Dems get played like violins. If they could jettison fear, what might they accomplish? Go, Alan Grayson! Kick ass, Barbara Lee!

Farewells and food

Jeanetta's memorial service was this afternoon. She was from Kentucky and a wonderful, plaintive bluegrass "I'll fly away" was sung and accompanied by a fiddle. Beautifully done and very moving. Her brother Jim gave a deeply touching eulogy.

Those were complete in themselves. For my liturgical money one could have segued into the recessional "Shower the people," and everything essential would have been said and done (at least in a non-sacramental context).

In keeping with brother Jim's exhortation I told our teenage nephew and godson that I love him and he hugged his uncles back.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory (though for her I keep preferring to say "may she dance with angels").

Since an immense crowd was likely headed to the house afterward (the church was filled to overflow seating), Bill and I sneaked off and had dinner at La Provence afterward. After dinner he went over to the house and I headed home.

We shared a really nice 2007 La Violette Côtes du Rhône Moillard. He had a house salad and I had crab cakes on mesclun. The flavor was lovely (though I would have liked a crisper sear on the outside to add to the texture).

Next he had canard à l'orange with an Israeli couscous (with cheese). The couscous was interesting (mouth feel more like a timbale of risotto) and duck divine. I had the porc ardéchois, a double pork chop on a bed of fabulous smashed potatoes with a cranberry and apple chutney. Every mouthful was terrific.

Since we were on a roll, Bill had a crême brulée: classic and perfection. I had a lemon tart that was, as I like my lemon desserts, wonderfully tart. A strawberry and caramel coulis ribboned with crême anglaise balanced it out. Did I mention all this went with a truly lovely wine?

I am feeling very mellow this evening. Exquisite food can do that.

Peace out!



--the BB

4349

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualty Identified
Maj. Tad T. Hervas, 48, of Coon Rapids, Minn., died Oct. 6 at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment, Rosemont, Minn.

10/05/09
DoD: Army Identifies Casualty
Spc. Paul E. Andersen, 49, of Dowagiac, Mich., died Oct. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his camp using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 855th Quartermaster Company, South Bend, Ind.

869

10/05/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (2 of 2)
Pfc. Alan H. Newton Jr., 26, of Asheboro, N.C...died Oct. 2 in Murcheh, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when they were attacked by a suicide bomber. They were assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, N.C.

10/05/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (1 of 2)
Capt. Benjamin A. Sklaver, 32, of Medford, Mass...died Oct. 2 in Murcheh, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when they were attacked by a suicide bomber. They were assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, N.C.

10/05/09
DoD: Army Identifies Casualty
Sgt. Thomas D. Rabjohn, 39, of Litchfield Park, Ariz., died Oct. 3 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during an attempt to disarm it. He was assigned to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Coolidge, Ariz.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (8 of 8)
Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson, 22, of Reno, Nev...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (7 of 8)
Spc. Stephan L. Mace, 21, of Lovettsville, Va...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (6 of 8)
Spc. Christopher T. Griffin, 24, of Kincheloe, Mich...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (5 of 8)
Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, 22, of Villas, N.J...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (4 of 8)
Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, 30, of South Portland, Maine...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (3 of 8)
Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, 24, of Applegate, Calif...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (2 of 8)
Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, 27, of Tucson, Ariz...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualties Identified (1 of 8)
Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, 25 of Savannah, Ga...died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

10/07/09
DoD: Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Kevin O. Hill, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Oct. 4 at Contingency Outpost Dehanna, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms and indirect fires. He was assigned to the 576th Mobility Augmentation Company, Fort Carson, Colo.


May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

This could be better than tar and feathers, so I signed

PETITION TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID:

"Any Democratic senators who support a Republican attempt to block a vote on health care reform should be stripped of their leadership titles. Americans deserve a clean up-or-down vote on health care."

You may sign it here.

--the BB

Journeying mercies...

... and all that but Dulcis Jesu! how I miss Mimi when she is on the road and not blogging or commenting.

Hope she's having a wonderful time.

--the BB

I bless God for you

Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts
of your faithful people
and kindle in them
the fire of your Love.

General news postings

I confess that I have been putting up more links to articles at facebook and fewer here. My apologies, sports fans. It is one reason I have posted less here. Another is that I have been on the run. Lots of socializing throughout the past weekend. Crashed very early Monday evening. Last night I had dinner with a friend and the evening was largely gone by the time I got home.

One thing you ought not to conclude would be that I am feeling less passionate about national politics and international policy. The whole health care issue remains a very big deal with me. As well it should. I was only very partially employed from 2003 through early 2008. My insurance premiums (medical, dental, life) total almost $10,000/year and my copays vary from about $1,000/year to several thousand dollars/year. I know what it is like to come a hair's breadth from losing health insurance. I have pre-existing conditions. Serious reform cannot come soon enough for me. And I am one of the lucky ones.

The dithering and dallying and general sellout of the American people in the Senate Finance Committee really riles my 'rrhoids.

No, we don't need or want any damn triggers! The health insurance industry has already demonstrated, for decades, that it has no intention to play fair or to give a damn about anyone's health so we don't need to wait any longer to see if they will start playing fair now. Not. Gonna. Happen. So, Olympia darling, will you just drink a big cup of STFU? The lives and health of the American people are too high a price to pay for your one damn vote.

The thought of Senator Baucus being allowed anywhere near a negotiating table when it's time to hammer out the final product should send us all to Capitol Hill with torches and pitchforks. Actually, with a rail and some tar and feathers. Now there's a grand old American tradition I would - in my very wicked heart - like to restore.

In spite of some faint noises, is there anyone who really believes Harry Reid is gonna grow a set at this point? Really?

Abrupt change of topic:
Creative writing has been infrequent of late so nothing much to report on the adventures of the princess and her band of warriors and warmaidens. I suspect the throne is gathering dust.

And in weather we continue to have leaves starting to fall, breezes blowing to help knock those leaves off the trees and send them scooting along the ground, and some dramatic thunder and rain early this morning. Beautiful days with sudden shifts.

Alora, amici, queste sono le notizie d'oggi.

--the BB

Balance

There is opportunity to do some supply for a church in my own neighborhood. The level of church involvement I currently have is quite comfortable but one never knows what surprises the Holy Spirit has for us. Over the years I have become increasingly aware of my need for balance and opportunities like this are fraught with potential for both good and ill. So I am asking for prayers for discernment. I know this crowd is great at offering prayer support so I thank you in advance.

--the BB

Afghanistan - stay informed, folks!

Afghanistan's presidential election, held Aug. 20, should have been a milestone in the country's transition from 30 years of war to stability and democracy. Instead, it was just the opposite. As many as 30 percent of Karzai's votes were fraudulent, and lesser fraud was committed on behalf of other candidates. In several provinces, including Kandahar, four to 10 times as many votes were recorded as voters actually cast. The fraud has handed the Taliban its greatest strategic victory in eight years of fighting the United States and its Afghan partners.

The election was a foreseeable train wreck. Unlike the United Nations-run elections in 2004, this balloting was managed by Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC). Despite its name, the commission is subservient to Karzai, who appointed its seven members. Even so, the international role was extensive. The United States and other Western nations paid the more than $300 million to hold the vote, and U.N. technical staff took the lead in organizing much of the process, including printing ballot papers, distributing election materials and designing safeguards against fraud.

Part of my job was to supervise all this U.N. support. In July, I learned that at least 1,500 polling centers (out of 7,000) were to be located in places so insecure that no one from the IEC, the Afghan National Army or the Afghan National Police had ever visited them. Clearly, these polling centers would not open on Election Day. At a minimum, their existence on the books would create large-scale confusion, but I was more concerned about the risk of fraud.
--Peter W. Galbraith, WaPo

Peter W. Galbraith served as deputy special representative of the United Nations in Afghanistan from June until last week.

Juan Cole's comment on all this includes these words:

One of the keys to successful counter-insurgency is the establishment of government legitimacy and efficiency. In Afghanistan, things are going in the opposite direction.

[Emphasis mine]

Cole also says this about the current situation:

This report in Dari Persian about hundreds of demonstrators in the western city of Herat who came out Sunday to chant "Death to America" is the sort of thing that keeps me up at night. The protest was also a funeral procession, for a 20-year-old Afghan man, who had been traveling on a road outside the city when he was kidnapped. The thugs demanded a $100,000 ransom, which his family did not have. The demonstrators, however, blamed the United States and the Karzai government for the lack of security. That is, as security deteriorates, there is a danger of a snowball effect, whereby the US loses any legitimacy even in the eyes of Persian-speaking Tajiks precisely because it is unable to provide basic needs like security. If the foreigners aren't even useful foreigners, the Afghans are unlikely to want them occupying the country.

[Emphasis mine again]

Marine Lance Cpl. Roy Aeschlimann takes cover during a shootout with Taliban militants in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. (Brennan Linsley / Associated Press / October 4) - source

I read news like the following and shudder:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared Monday that the United States will remain in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future, no matter what President Obama decides on immediate troop levels.

Or this (Laura King at the Los Angeles Times):

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan - In one of the most lethal battles for American troops in the Afghanistan war, a wave of insurgents attacked a pair of relatively lightly manned bases near the Pakistani border over the weekend, triggering a daylong clash that left eight Americans and as many as half a dozen Afghan troops dead.

It was precisely the kind of attack the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan is hoping to stave off by recently ordering troops to withdraw from such small outposts, concentrating instead on defending population centers. The outposts attacked Saturday had already been slated to be abandoned soon, the military said.

...

Military officials describe the attack on the jointly run U.S.-Afghan outposts in the Kamdesh district as a tightly coordinated onslaught by hundreds of insurgents.

The problem is that no one can define what "success" in Afghanistan would mean for us.

History is littered with great powers that thought they could occupy or control this part of the world. None succeeded.

So WTF are we doing there, or think we are going to do? Nothing good can come from allying ourselves with a corrupt and incompetent central government, "elected" by fraud and controlling only a small portion of the nation.

I want better reasons, clearer goals, and - thank you, Colin Powell - an exit strategy before committing more troops in Afghanistan or, for that matter, leaving the ones presently there.

And, no matter how strongly McChrystal believes what he is saying and even if he is right, he is not going through channels and should have his ass fired. If you want to tell the President something, tell him. Don't go all over the place with leaks and speeches trying to force his hand. Remember how all the Rethugs went apeshit over anyone who disagreed with, questioned, or vaguely undercut AWOL Bush?

Right now it's a loser's game with no coherent goal or strategy. We shoot ourselves in the foot on a daily basis.

I am glad the President is not rushing into a decision on this.

--the BB

Dance with the angels! - updated

Jeanetta Braziel yielded her radiant spirit yesterday morning. In the past year she lived life as fully as possible and in this photo she looks fabulous. Hard to believe that was just over three months ago.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory. May Rich and the rest of the Braziel family be consoled in their grief.


UPDATE:

Jeanetta Braziel died peacefully at her home in Albuquerque on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Her husband Rich was with her at the time of her death. Jeanetta was the hub of a large and loving circle of friends and family. She lived and died filled with love and grace, leaving a hole that will never be filled although our precious memories will remain. Few touch the lives of so many in such a powerful and positive way. Jeanetta was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on October 9, 1952 to Frances and James Arndell. She grew up in Kentucky and Albuquerque and graduated from UNM with degrees in speech/language pathology and special education. She worked as a speech/language pathologist in California, returning to Albuquerque to finish graduate school. Jeanetta served her entire professional career as an educator at Jefferson Middle School, both as a teacher of gifted students and as a counselor. She loved Jefferson, her students and their families, her colleagues and the work to which she dedicated her life. Jeanetta was preceded in death by her father, James Arndell. She will be greatly missed by her family, including her husband Richard Braziel; her mother Frances Arndell; her daughter Lawren Carmignani; her daughter Christen Pike, her husband John and their two sons Jackson and Parker; her brother Jim Arndell, his wife Cindy and their son Conner; her sister Debbie Giles, her husband Rich and their sons Jason and Ryan; and countless devoted friends and members of her extended family. Services will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009, 4:00 p.m., at Monte Vista Christian Church, 3501 Campus NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jeanetta Braziel Memorial Fund which will be used to provide clothing for homeless students at Jefferson Middle School, 712 Girard Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 attn: Mike McNamera.
--Obituary in the Albuquerque Journal

--the BB

Good weekend

Today was busy. Blessing of the animals. We had over two dozen dogs in church throughout the service. And a gray African parrot inches from my left shoulder (I have a phobia about birds but with a cage I'm cool... mostly). made for a lively time with vocalizations from our elder siblings. Blessed all of them, two horses, and several photos of cats. Father Anskar was there and he and Malachi Matthew Melchizedek Mole both got blessed by Mother Rhonda. Some of you will recall Molesy's trauma of the last three years. He is doing much better. I thought he could use some special love today.

Had lunch with a friend and a lovely long chat. Visited some other friends this evening. No time to blog. Very tired. Already up way too late for a school night.

Sweet dreams, y'all!

--the BB

868

Ten US soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Times Online - ‎1 hour ago‎
Ten American troops were killed at the weekend in two surprise attacks that caused alarm in Nato's US-led coalition. In one, hundreds of insurgents attacked a pair of isolated outposts in eastern Afghanistan, killing eight US soldiers and several ...

10/04/09 NYTimes:
Eight U.S. Soldiers Dead in Bold Attack in Afghanistan
Insurgents besieged two American outposts in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, American and Afghan officials said, killing eight Americans and two Afghan policemen in a bold daylight strike that was the deadliest for American soldiers in more than a year.

10/04/09
DoD: Identifies Army Casualty
Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez, 24 of Satellite Beach, Fla., died Oct. 1 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield Ga.

10/03/09
DoD: Identifies Army Casualty
Sgt. Ryan C. Adams, 26 of Rhinelander, Wisc., died Oct. 2 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using rocket-propelled grenade fire. He was assigned to the 91st Engineer Company (Sapper), Wisconsin Army National Guard, Rhinelander, Wisc.
10/03/09
DoD: Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Russell S. Hercules Jr., 22 of Murfreesboro, Tenn., died Oct. 1 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.