140-180 mph winds; 200+mph gusts; rain, flooding...a Hurricane named Katrina. This hurricane is considered the second worst in history, behind the infamous hurricane Andrew in '92. With Katrina bearing down on New Orleans, which lay below sea level. One can only hope that it is spared its full wrath. Flooding is imminent, and with the city under water for who knows how long, it could shake NO's economy. I offer my thoughts,prayers, and wishes to every one in New Orleans and the surrou...

With hurricane katrina blasting New Orleans, Mississippi, and other regions on the gulf coast; one realizes that not only will the city, but the US will never be the same again. Devastation, chaos, grief... Words that describe some of the emotions of some residents who have lost everything but the shirt on their back. Others have been more fortunate. A whole city; to be evacuated, empty for months. How will life be in New Orleans after this, after the city is rebuilt. What will this d...

Rant: While I was watching the television tonight they interviewed various “refugees” from the hurricane. More than a few of them shouted angrily about not getting out now, not getting this and that. Well people; don’t expect us to be able to pull it out of our arses(sp). I can sympathize with needing food and water, but people don’t realize that things take time. It takes planning; we (relief) can’t go in all gung ho. Some people do not realize that those who are going in and rescuing, etc...

Sayako's farewell to imperial life TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) -- Crowds of well-wishers shouted "banzai" (long life) and applauded as Japan's Princess Sayako left the royal palace Tuesday to marry urban planner Yoshiki Kuroda. In doing so she bid farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she relinquishes her title, swaps the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trades official duties for housework and the supermarket run. The rese...

Finally, some citizens, sick and tired of the 'hoodlums' that now seem to control the rioting. And aware of the french governments ineptness/inability to control the riots, have taken matters into their own hands. Neighbors patrol riot-scarred French towns ASNIERES, France - As night falls, residents-turned-sentinels are setting off on rounds of their riot-hit towns looking to prevent more arson and attacks. Several towns in the suburbs of Paris and elsewhere are organizing...

I happened to be watching NBC news this evening when they aired about the ’unfortunate scripting’ before the meeting with the president. Now, the way they presented it, it was as though it was a total…affront to the American citizens. But, if I am not mistaken, Clinton, Bush Sr., Reagan, and many other presidents have scripted the way a meeting would proceed. Now, the meeting wasn’t scripted in that the soldiers were ‘told what to say’, no… they were told the etiquette. So, tell me this, why ...

"There is no way to imagine America without New Orleans, and this great city will rise again," "I as president am responsible for the problem, and for the solution." Well, Bush spoke, laid out his plans: 1 Urban Homesteading Act; which would make some federal property free to some poor families through a lottery system. In turn the family would secure a mortgage or financial help to build on the lot through a charity like Habitat for Humanity, he said. 2 The Department o...

Well; with US Federal Reserve Chief Alan Greenspan's board of governors/FR term ending/retirement in January looming ever closer. And the possibility that he may choose to step down as US Fed. Reserve Chief; we must ask ourselves some questions. Who will replace him? Having held the position for 18 years. And have made decisions that have held the economy, keeping outcomes 'in the green'. His tenure has seen recession, expansion and recession. With his resignment; what will it do to t...

Well, with the latest clash between the US and the UN, Bolton stated, "Maybe it is fashionable in some circles to look down on Middle America, to say they don’t get the complexities of the world and they don’t have the benefit of continental education and they are deficient in so many ways,” Mr Bolton added. “It is illegitimate for an international civil servant to criticise what he thinks are the inadequacies of citizens of a member government.” This was a response to a statement by, Mark M...

Montenegro 'chooses independence' Montenegro has narrowly voted for independence from its union with Serbia, unofficial projections show. Indications are that 55.3% of voters elected to secede from Serbia, just above the 55% required for victory. Link While I admit that there will be a rough road, with the economy, possible ethnic/political tensions--I congratulate them all. I hope that they (the people-not the politicians) blossom. Next up, Tibet, Taiwan (form...

Why is it that the immigration (or at least those shown on my local T.V. station) do not seem to realize…”COME INTO THE US LEGALLY!”. I mean, JFC, how hard is that to learn? Seriously. Do you think they realize that? Nope. They turn it around into another “poor me” whine. It is just like the black civil rights cause. For a long time, it was a great, decent, honest, respected movement….well, *coughs* not anymore. Most of it seems nothing more than a… ‘pan handlers union’. Why? *shrugs...

Reading some of the articles here and elswhere... I find it strange...that people 'insist' that the muslims do something about the terrorists and rioters. However, why don't YOU do something about yours? Each and everyone of you. Rioters and 'terrorists' are not only confined to the middle east or a far off land. Quit with the THEM crap. Work in your area. Since you seem to insist we deal with us first. Not only that. But you complain about what they say "infidels" and all that. Well, did yo...