Tsunami
December 27, 2004
Backcountry Conservative shares with us this compilation of accounts of the Tsunami from Asian bloggers.
I friend from Sri Lanka told me today that her family is doing well, but some of her friends are either dead or have dead family members. She said that many of the tourists who died stayed on shore to take pictures when the first wave came in, but were unaware that they were observing their doom as the 100ft wave was staring them down.
I’ve been to India many times. My experience of living conditions in that area puts horror in my mind as I think of such a disaster playing out.
My prayers are with many people there and for Christian humanitarian efforts to step up and fill in the gaps this wave has caused to normal life in that region.
Sphere: Related ContentHoliday Travel And Gratitude
December 27, 2004
I so appreciated LaShawn Barber’s comments about her travel dilemma this past weekend.
I commented to her post that the same thing happened to my father-in-law attempting to come to Arizona from Philadelphia. They were quite sad about the mishap, and my boys were very disappointed not to see their grandparents. But in the end, it was a joy on Sunday morning for my 8-year-old to come into my bed and cuddle up to me and say Daddy, this was the best Christmas ever!
There is joy in this wonderful season we know not of. But patience and a true fatih in the One who made it all that he will bless the birth of his Son brings great peace and satisfaction.
Sphere: Related ContentTroops Support the War
December 27, 2004
USATODAY reports that a poll by the Military Times shows that a solid majority of soldiers serving in Iraq support the war and the administration. The percentages are strongest among those who have served longer.
It is not news that soldiers are supportive of the Bush administration. It is news that they have strong support for the Iraq effort despite their experience and knowledge that the press is so negative in this country against U.S. action.
Sphere: Related ContentEuropean Intransigence on the Issue of Israel
December 27, 2004
Captain’s Quarters notes that Europe is placing demands on the Bush administration that they pressure Israel to work with the PLO or risk difficulty in easing strained relations over the issue of Iraq.
Captain Ed predicts that in so doing, Europe will have the same result politically that Democrats have had in this country. I agree.
Sphere: Related ContentUkraine: Freedom and A Western Foothold
December 27, 2004
It is far beyond the capability of this blog to make anything like an intelligent statement on the situation in Ukraine. I like the rest of us have depended on Instapundit and others for keeping us informed on this story.
Special note should be given to Outside the Beltway who was the first of the major blog sites I read which documented the potential poisoning of Yuschenko.
Opinion Journal has a wonderful editorial on the series of events which brought Yuschenko to power and the emerging influence this reformed European country with substantial resources will have not only there but worldwide.
Sphere: Related ContentQuote of the Day
December 27, 2004
“Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.”
–Thomas Jefferson
I receive the “Founders Quote Daily” from the Federalist Patriot website. If you would like to subscribe to their regular emails, click here.
Sphere: Related ContentThe Star of Bethlehem
December 25, 2004
Merry Christmas!
In keeping with the wonder, joy and fascination of the Christmas season, I offer the following.
I have always found this an interesting discussion of the astronomical origin of the Star of Bethlehem which led wise men from the east to greet Christ at His birth.
Enjoy trying to think through this important issue.
Sphere: Related ContentIraq: Historical Perspective
December 23, 2004
Andrew Sullivan provides a well-timed, quote from FDR which has application to our military actions around the world today.
Sphere: Related ContentU.N. "Hanky Panky"
December 23, 2004
Once again, we find more evidence that the U.N. is one of the most corrupt institutions in the world. A French U.N. logistics specialist was found with “home-made pornographic videos . . . in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” He was apparently using money and force to bring young Congalese women into his home to make the videos of sexual acts he performed with them.
The London Times reports that “When the police arrived the man was allegedly about to rape a 12-year-old girl sent to him in a sting operation. Three home-made porn videos and more than 50 photographs were found. . . . Investigations have already turned up 150 allegations of sexual misconduct by peacekeepers and UN staff despite the UN’s official policy of “zero-tolerance”. One found 68 allegations of misconduct in the town of Bunia alone.UN insiders told The Times that two Russian pilots based in Mbandaka paid young girls with jars of mayonnaise and jam to have sex with them.
They filmed the sessions and sent the tapes to Russia. But the men were tipped off and left the area before UN investigators arrived.
The Moroccan peacekeeping contingent based in Kisangani — a town on the Congo River with no road links to the outside world — had one of the worst reputations. A soldier accused of rape was apparently hidden in the barracks for a year.
[These and other crimes are evidence of] rampant sexual exploitation of Congolese girls and women by the UN’s 11,000 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians.
Once again, the U.N. proves it is inept and immoral. It has no true vision for freedom. Its leaders and institutions are led by their pants and a desire for power–among the basest motives known to mankind–rather than justice, freedom and peace.
As we reported at Opinion Times a few weeks ago, sexual misconduct and outright murder were practiced by U.N. administration in Rwanda in the 1990’s. And the result of internal investigations was to award back pay to the U.N. official responsible for that U.N. mission.
I question what argument Congress or the Administration can make for continuing our association with this incorrigable institution until it is totaly reformed or abolished. The time to act is now.
Sphere: Related ContentStand When No One Else Will
December 23, 2004
“Men must be ready, they must pride themselves and be happy to
sacrifice their private pleasures, passions and interests, nay,
their private friendships and dearest connections, when they
stand in competition with the rights of society.”–John Adams
I receive the “Founders Quote Daily” from the Federalist Patriot website. If you would like to subscribe to their regular emails, click here.
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