OK, we went into Iraq to get Saddam and other secondary reasons. Cool. In order to do this we had to destroy a lot of the Iraqi landscape and infrastructure, which we are now in the process of repairing and rebuilding. Understood. We will be in Iraq for a long time. Also, we are in control of a majority of Iraq. Terrorists, armed US resistance set up shop in Fallujah. The US could not truly retake the city without massive loss of civilian life. We could not (to paraphrase Aliens: “Lea...

Now, I have been hearing, quite correctly that the members of our armed forces in Iraq are deserving of respect and admiration due to the sacrifices they are making for our health and security. I also know that weather you are for or against our involvement that this respect should be shown. I also know that a good number of our soldiers are being killed in the line of duty in Iraq and that while the number is small compared to our losses in previous wars and police actions, it is sti...

On watching Dr. Rice’s testimony and the testimony of others about what was missed, unseen, or misinterpreted, I am reminded of another event in our past: On January 27, 1967, three astronauts, Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, Lt. Col. Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee, entered their Apollo One capsule, which sat on the launch pad for a “plugs-out” test. It is basically a test to see if the capsule could operate on its own. It was a routine test, done several times before. The astronauts wou...

It’s bad now. It’s going to get worse. The smaller Iraqi groups are getting bolder and more organized. Nothing unites like a common enemy. And that leaves me with three general questions: First: Did we have a contingent exit strategy? Did it include flexibility or at least the contemplation that there were people sympathetic to those who orchestrated 9-11 who might like the idea of continuing the struggle “up close”? Or did we think it was going to be Italy after the Germans left. Secon...

This may not make it on the network news, but this is worth reading: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4676016/?GT1=3256 I do not know how old he is, but he is "retired". IG

To the person who posted the History of Coffee entry. The one about the "Penny Universities" I accidentally deleted it from my tracked. Who are you? This Itime I will copy the links. IG

Hello: With regard to the homosexual question, from what I am reading I these blogs, it seems to me that there are basically 3 ways of seeing the Bible: 1. The Bible is the exact word of God. God told the writers what to put down, and they did. 2. The Bible is the inspired word of God. The authors heard God speak to them or saw visions and wrote down what they heard and saw. This was within the culture and belief of the day. The Bible here is seen as heavenly guidelines for actions. ...

I am here at work watching a photographer set up inside a building. Now, if it is unlucky to open an umbrella up inside a building, do photographers get a sort of "karmic pass"? Some sort of "Get out of Bad Luck" card? Just some thoughts in my head. IG

Situation: Man A and Man B are at separate tables in a restaurant. Both me notice that the waitress has not charged them for the coffee each ordered. Man A thinks that not letting the waitress know of her mistake is the same as stealing (obtaining w/o paying) and stealing is against my god and I will be punished for the transgression and lets the waitress know. Man B thinks that stealing is wrong and that informing her of her mistake is the right thing to do. Question: Is it better to...

I have not seen it yet, and I will relatively soon, but from the reports and the reviews I do not know what to think. Is it faithful to scripture? Yes and no. The basic events in the movie are found in the Gospels, except that events sometimes only happened in one and not the others, for example, the removal of the guard’s ear. Also the appearance of Satan. Yes, the temptation did occur, but the texts have that happening a good deal of time before the Passion. Pilate, is kept as he appeared i...

First, let me say that I like American Idol. The people on stage can sing especially when they pick a song suited to them (she bangs, she bangs!). You have to give him credit for heart and honesty. It’s a nice show, but please, Mr. Jackson, enough with the Dog and dude. It may be acceptable and even hip (which I am not), but there are other words. Please. We could have the Randy Jackson drinking game. Next Tuesday, every time he says “dude” or “dog” – one shot, and “aaiiee” – two shots....

Ralph Nader is running for president of the United States. Let me repeat that. Ralph Nader is running for president of the United States. Again. I am not sure, but how many states did he carry in the last election? Wasn’t it ZERO !!!! Does he believe that the republicans are going to drop their SITTING PRESIDENT in the middle of several armed conflicts and rally to his banner? So, he must be relying on the Democrats. But he’s not a spoiler. Oh, no. He’s got ideas. Ideas that ...

OK, we saw Janet's breast but no nipple. Question: Why the frig are we surprised !? The show was put on by MTV. Have you seen the videos? How they dress? How the women look in the "dresses" at the Grammy's? I mean come on! I have no problem with the attire if that is what you want to wear. And I know that the vids are selling an image. Now, I am all for artistic expression, and the nude body is a beautiful thing that has impired great works of art, song and literature, but if you are pr...

I was thinking, by listening to the radio stations and the religious stations I get an idea of what they want. The question I have is if we return to the "christian values" this nation was supposedly founded upon, how will the new leaders deal with the "jewish values", "muslim values" and the other relions that currently co-exist in our society. Yes, I know it is not a completely peaceful co-existence, but do you think it would be better with leaders who think you are an ungodly abomination? ...

I listen to the radio too much. A few religious right stations. I have too many questions about the "other side" that have no real answers, or that people do not want to discuss, or can't discuss without getting angry or insulting, or resorting to rhetoric. Was there ever a grand plan? If there was a plan, I do not know if it was a good one. It might have been at the start. But things happen, things change, undocumented features pop up. If this is still the plan, a project review is defi...