The Earthquake

Yesterdays earthquake was a fitting end to a truly horrible month (Probably the most horrible month I can ever remember.). And I learned after yesterday that my earthquake phobia still exist. I thought that I was fine, but when the ground started to move (Along with the loud noises that come with earthquakes) all the bad memories came flooding back. There was a time when earthquakes really didn't bother me, but then the house I lived in was destroyed in an earthquake and many parts of the city were also destroyed. There were also after shocks for months. So even though yesterday was a mild earthquake I had the misfortune of being very close to the point of origin. Added, to this parts of the ceiling came down were I was and a couple telephone poles also came down. This caused the electricity, phone lines, and the street lights to go out which causes havoc when so many people live in one place. But, this was a fitting end to a month which begun with over 100 people being laid off from work, four acquaintances I know under the age of 30 all dying within a week of one another, finding out some horrible disturbing secrets about close family members, and someone at work going into a screaming rage. So this month appropriately ended with an earthquake and I am glad there is only 23 hours left of this month now.

Napping Air Force Crew Broke Security Rules

Well this is scary an air force crew fell asleep while assigned to watch classified launch components (How many of you fall asleep at work). Reminds me of last summer when armed nuclear missiles were carried across the country.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/07/a_crew_of_three_air.html

Iraq Cost Nearing That Of Vietnam

With today's economic problems the question has been raised how is the war effecting our economy. Below is a news article which shows the cost of the Iraq War is nearing that of the Vietnam War (althought it is my understanding it was never officically called a war). Since September 11, 2001 the United States has spent $680 billion for military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere around the world. And just think all of this has been done on the backs of the middle class as the rich continue to get their tax breaks and become richer under the current Administration.


http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTMxOTkxMw==

Other interesting points from the article are comparisions to other wars some of which are as follows:

• 1% GDP Iraq
• 36% World War II
• 2.3% Vietnam

Is Obama The Anointed One

This is hillarious a must read from the London Times and great political satire. This article tells the story of Obama like he is Jesus:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article4392846.ece

John Edwards "Love Child" - Why Isn't This As Big Of Story As Larry Craig

Slate: Why the Press Is Ignoring the Edwards "Love Child" Story

http://www.slate.com/id/2195869/

I was watching "Contact" the other night and came to the conclusion most politicians are like James Wood's character in this movie (There are very few Margaret Thatchers). No wonder Edward's dropped out of the presidential race. What a disappointment he ran on all this family stuff and apparently it was just a big lie.

This is really cute.

My Lesbian Friend S

I have a friend named S (or I had a friend because she has completely vanished) who is a very nice person. My heart instantly warmed to her the minute I met her (For some reason we just really clicked and I cared very much about her.). She would come to church and it was a joy to be around her. Then one day she instantly disappeared. Even her best friend L had lost all contact with her (And I knew there had to be some reason behind this broken friendship.). Well, after some reluctance (I really don’t like going around snooping into things that happen at church) the reason came out. S (who had been going to one of those gay recovery groups) had announced she was still gay and that is the way she was going to stay. She was instantly cut off from all church relationships (which is just totally outrageous) and even her best friend L had ceased all contact with her. I have tried to contact S with no success. Anyway this entire situation has set me off on a journey that I could never have imagined (And I am finding out things about myself I never knew). At first I was stunned (I couldn’t believe these people I knew would act this way), then I felt total outrage and then I went on a journey of self-discovery. This journey in fact had begun long before this and started at my conservative Christian college with my best friend J who would also find out he was gay (Actually there was a lot of gay people on campus I would find out later.). On the first part of the journey when I found out my friend J was gay (I eventually just stopped going to church for this and other reasons), but I swore I would never do this again. So I have started attending churches that are progressive and I am really getting it from my conservative friends. So I will eventually, most likely, end up like S thrown out to the wolves and it is really hard to maintain friendships with these people.