Nine meals from anarchy - how Britain is facing a very real food crisis

A very interesting read, and too close to the mark for comfort.

The phrase 'nine meals from anarchy' sounds more like the title of a bad Hollywood movie than any genuine threat.

But that was the expression coined by Lord Cameron of Dillington, a farmer who was the first head of the Countryside Agency - the quango set up by Tony Blair in the days when he pretended to care about the countryside - to describe just how perilous Britain's food supply actually is.

G8 chiefs to tackle soaring oil, food prices

TOKYO - Finance ministers from the Group of Eight rich nations will this weekend discuss ways to limit the economic damage of soaring oil prices that have eclipsed the credit crisis as their biggest worry.

But experts said the G8 powers have few obvious options to cool the commodities boom in the near future, with any calls for the OPEC producer cartel to open up the taps likely to fall on deaf ears.

How I love OPEC! Especially our friends the Saudis!

Can Saudi Arabia Bring Down Gas Prices?

The Saudis announced a 300,000 barrel-a-day increase in oil production last month, or 3.3 percent, but the news had little impact on oil markets.

Still, according to Flynn, if the Saudis increased production by about one million barrels a day (or more than 10 percent) — the kingdom now produces 9.4 million barrels a day — the supply increase could trigger a massive sell-off in oil contracts and a dramatic drop in oil prices.

And this is just... bizarre. Korea in crisis as beef protests grow

THE administration of new South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was in meltdown last night after a month of street demonstrations against the purported danger of US beef imports broadened into the biggest anti-government demonstrations in two decades.

Hours after at least 100,000 people - organisers claimed 700,000 - spilled into the streets in a populist backlash against the country's fledgling President, Mr Lee pledged a "new beginning" as he began deliberating how to reshuffle his unpopular Government.

"I thought about a lot of things while watching protests last night," Mr Lee said yesterday. "The Government intends to make a start with a new determination."

The comments came after Mr Lee's entire cabinet offered to resign in response to weeks of rallies against the planned resumption of US beef imports, despite widespread fears American beef may carry mad cow disease.

The New York Times is disturbed that the US continues to defend the freedom of speech:

Some prominent legal scholars say the United States should reconsider its position on hate speech.

“It is not clear to me that the Europeans are mistaken,” Jeremy Waldron, a legal philosopher, wrote in The New York Review of Books last month, “when they say that a liberal democracy must take affirmative responsibility for protecting the atmosphere of mutual respect against certain forms of vicious attack.”

This while Doudou Diene is traveling the US, looking for racism, and meeting with a fishy-smelling ex-CAIR operative. Joy.

***

And in the world wide web of terror...

Pakistan is having hissy fits over our airstrike on the border. I myself am having doubts that their soldiers were innocent victims.

Britain's gone so far down the crapper they're just leaving their top secret documents lying around any old place.

And computers in our Capitol have been hacked by the Chinese.

Greece: Mild aftershocks jar villages; ruined Patras hospital emptied. A 5.1 in Crete, not that far away.

3.3 in Quebec; quakes in that region are not uncommon, but they're usually smaller than a 2.

Meanwhile, China has finally gotten Lake Tangjiashan drained, and refugees are moving back in.

In the Midwest, the floodwaters are moving downstream, but it's still raining. And some @$$#*(&$ are stealing from victims.

Meanwhile, the northwest is seeing snow. California has wildfire, and tonight a tornado has hit a Boy Scout Camp in Iowa.

It's gonna be another nasty night.

When the earth shakes...

China's Quake Lake Halfway Drained. Favorite part: "Chinese troops were forced to use anti-tank weapons to blast away rocks to speed up drainage." Yowza.

5.3 in Qingchai province, too. No damage reported.

Those small quakes in OK apparently lead up to a 3.1 last night. Not widely felt, though.

*** *** ***

And as for what's going on in the rest of the world...

Iranian leader: US military is Iraq's top problem

Iran, which has repeatedly said the way to end instability in Iraq is for U.S. forces to withdraw, believes the proposed pact could lead to permanent U.S bases on its doorstep amid fears of an eventual American attack.

"Occupiers who interfere in Iraq's affairs through their military and security might ... are the main problems," Iran's state television quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying Monday.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Except of course when I say occupiers, I mean Iran. And there's more:

Iraq's visit to reassure Tehran over pact with US

Shortly before al-Maliki left Tehran Monday, Iraqi Defense Minister Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi al-Mifarji and his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost bilateral defense cooperation.

Well, that's just ducky, isn't it?

Britain, which is rapidly going to hell in a handbasket, has become a "hotbed of radical anti-Israel views," according to her ambassador to the UK.

"Israel faces an intensified campaign of delegitimization, demonization and double standards. Britain has become a... haven for disingenuous calls for a 'one-state solution', a euphemistic name for a movement advocating Israel's destruction.

"Those who propagate this notion distort Israel's past while categorically denying Israel's right to exist as a liberal Jewish-democratic state. No other country in the world is constantly forced to justify its own existence," he wrote.

This, too, will only become more maistream.

FOOD.

We in America have long been blessed with cheap food. Perhaps too much so, given our generally sedentary lifestyle and our expanding waistlines. Looks like that might be changing, as those of us who have a budget are forced to make some cuts.

Across much of the world, people don't have room to make those cuts without going into hunger.

And it's only going to get worse.

***

Corn Crop Damaged by Midwest Deluge as Prices Soar

June 10 (Bloomberg) -- Rainstorms sweeping the biggest corn states in the U.S. are damaging a crop that's already failing to keep pace with global demand for food, fuel and cattle feed.
...
Corn rose to a record $6.73 a bushel yesterday in Chicago, extending this year's gain to 44 percent. Yields in the U.S. may fall 10 percent short of government forecasts, the biggest drop in 13 years, and send prices up another 34 percent as storms delay planting, stunt growth and leech fertilizer from the soil, said Terry Jones, who farms more than 6,000 acres near Williamsburg, Iowa.

State-Wide Drought Expected To Drive Up Food Prices

Fresno, CA (KFSN) -- The declaration of a state-wide drought by Governor Schwarzenegger may be just the beginning of a long, difficult summer for everyone.
...
With farmers on the valley's west-side forced to ration their water supply, they're making tough decisions on which crops to save. Permanent crops like almonds will take precedent over many vegetables.

Farm crisis spooks Argentine economy

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina, one of the world's biggest breadbaskets, should be rolling in cash as world food prices soar.

Instead, soy, wheat and corn have sat for weeks in silos as farmers protesting new export taxes suspended sales.

Farmers were lifting their strike Sunday night in a last-ditch effort at a third round of talks. But their three-month standoff with the government has already paralyzed the rural economy, caused scattered food shortages and tanked the new president's popularity.

And continued stalemate could spike global grain prices at a time when food costs are already high.

'Food price jump is a bad omen for market'

MUMBAI: The problem of rising food prices could be larger than what we have imagined and could have an implication on the market as well, according to a report by Credit Suisse. The foodgrain inventories in Asia are touching 30-year lows. The food demand-supply balance in most parts of Asia, including India, has been worsening for a while and the demand is expected to grow by 3.7% to 3.8% a year. However, the Credit Suisse report notes , Policy focus on the growing gap has been absent because of the seemingly tiny agriculture deficit relative to stocks.”

From Spam sales to rice riots – the food crisis bites

The food crisis has gripped the whole world in the past year, from the wealthiest countries to the poorest: from Japan, where beef has vanished off school menus in favour of less costly chicken or pork, and the US, where sales of Spam have shot up 10 per cent, to the poorest nations, where 70 or 80 per cent of people's income goes on food (in the UK the figure is 10 per cent).

Thirty-seven countries are confronted by a crisis in food costs, according to the UN's
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), while riots have broken out in two dozen.

The Economics of World Hunger

(NaturalNews) Food has become the new gold. Investors weary of the real-estate bubble-burst have poured millions of dollars into grain futures. This has succeeded in driving up prices even more. Now we are witnessing a global panic as nations are waging a run on our wheat harvest.Foreign investors have begun to stockpile wheat by placing orders on U.S. grain exchanges that are two or three times larger than normal. This has led U.S. mills to place large orders in the fear that there would soon be no wheat left at all.

The U.S. has no remaining grain reserves

“According to the May 1, 2008 CCC inventory report there are o­nly 24.1 million bushels of wheat in inventory, so after this sale there will be o­nly 2.7 million bushels of wheat left the entire CCC inventory,” warned Matlack. “Our concern is not that we are using the remainder of our strategic grain reserves or humanitarian relief. AAM fully supports the action and all humanitarian food relief. Our concern is that the U.S. has nothing else in our emergency food pantry. There is no cheese, no butter, no dry milk powder, no grains or anything else left in reserve. The o­nly thing left in the entire CCC inventory will be 2.7 million bushels of wheat which is about enough wheat to make ½ of a loaf of bread for each of the 300 million people in America.”

Aid groups feel the pinch of rising food, gas prices

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Dramatic increases in food and gas prices are leaving some religious hunger-relief groups praying for relief.

Problems already were apparent in 2006, but U.S. churches now report increased difficulty getting meals to people who need them. Food distributors see a perfect storm—a huge jump in requests from new clients, decreased donations and a thinning food supply.

Still Higher Food Prices

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently predicted that commodity prices for the coming decade are going to rise higher and higher.

• 20 Projected percentage increase of average prices of beef and pork for 2008–17, compared with 1998–2007
• 30 Projected percentage increase of average prices of raw and white sugar for 2008–17, compared with 1998–200740 Projected percentage increase of average prices of wheat and maize for 2008–17, compared with 1998–2007
• 80 Projected percentage increase of average prices of vegetable oil for 2008–17, compared with 1998–2007

The Greece quake has been upgraded to a 6.3, and now authorities are evacuating the area in anticipation of strong aftershocks.

Small quakes in Oklahoma over the weekend, and another 3.1 in the bay area. Another 5.0 aftershock in China, too.

Hellacious weekend here in the states, weather-wise.

Fatal Floods in Midwest, Wicked Heat in East

Record Heat Hits U.S. East Coast; Rain Soaks Midwest

And hey, the US isn't the only country to have tornadoes:

Perth tornado 'may have hit 150km/h'

The Aral Sea is drying up, and has been for some time. The pictures tell the story. Note that the latter link is in 2006, and says the sea is less than half its original size; the first article says it's now down to one-tenth.

Hunger in Ethiopia now spreading to adults

Spanish hauliers on fuel strike. But relax, Spanish truckers, the Saudis feel our pain!

***

This one made me grind my teeth a bit: FEMA wants to stop delivering ice for the public after a hurricane.

Ice is CRUCIAL after a storm. Without power, your refrigerator and freezer won't work, which means you can't keep any cold foods on hand-- no milk, no formula, no sandwich meat, and no cool drinks. That last one may not seem like a big deal, but along the Gulf coast in hurricane season, we're talking about temps in the 90s and humidity in the 70s. Hot people with nothing but tepid drinks and food from cans get cranky. Which is BAD, FEMA people. BAD. And the elderly need to keep cool to survive.

Idiots! Fools!

*stomps around a bit*

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Interesting weekend, in the Chinese curse sense.

The earthquakes, let me show you them.
(all magnitudes according to the usgs)

3.6 in Utah Friday.

Earthquake swarm picks up again in Reno with a 3.2, a 3.0, a 3.6, and a 3.9.

5.0 in the Philippines today.

5.0 aftershock in China, causing landslides.

6.1 in Greece, killing two and injuring many more.

Other unusual quakes in Bolivia, China(2), and Afghanistan.


***

Fire!

N.C. wildfire triggers state of emergency

COLUMBIA, N.C. - North Carolina’s governor declared a state of emergency Friday as firefighters worked to contain a massive wildfire at a federal wildlife refuge that spread smoke into Virginia.

And it could go on for a while: Officials Warn Residents: North Carolina Wildfire Could Burn for Months

COLUMBIA, N.C. — Fire officials have warned people living near a massive wildfire at a federal wildlife refuge in eastern North Carolina that the blaze could smolder for months in the peat-filled soil.

Elsewhere: San Diego County fire contained

ALPINE, Calif.—A 75-acre wildfire that briefly threatened scattered canyon homes Saturday in eastern San Diego County was fully surrounded, while two larger blazes farther north were also contained, authorities said. The blaze, which was reported around 1:15 p.m. near the unincorporated foothill community of Harbison Canyon, was 100 percent contained as of 6 p.m. and had not damaged any homes, said Capt. Nick Schuler of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

As summer moves in and the heat and dry weather continue, we will have more fires in the coming months.

***

Severe weather in the heartland: floods and tornadoes.

"Officials are nervously watching the skies as clouds gather and the Iowa River rises toward levels that are predicted to be near those of the 1993 flood."

5 die as violent weather tears across nation

Aerial tour shows extent of flood damage <-- pictures and video

Deadly storms flood Midwest <--great photos.

Severe Storms Bring Floods, Tornadoes to Midwest

Southern Suburbs Clean Up From Tornadoes

WATER

One of the most crucial of our needs, right after air and warmth. The standard rule of thumb is that we can only live three days without it.

Drinking it, that is. Wasting water is one of those acts that repulses me to the core, like kicking puppies and stealing from children.

So how do we deal when the supply runs short? Mostly by bickering. Same as with most problems.

***

Schwarzenegger hopes drought decree is wake-up call

The northern Sierra Nevada, stronghold for much of the state's snowpack, experienced the driest spring in more than 70 years. The city of Sacramento saw the driest spring since record-keeping began in 1849.

The runoff forecast for Sierra Nevada snowmelt through September stands at 59 percent of average and may decline further. A new forecast is expected Friday.

The reason, said Elissa Lynn, Water Resources senior meteorologist, is that much of the available runoff this year was soaked up by soils already parched after last year's dry winter. A windy spring also caused some unexpected evaporation of snow.

"It certainly is a poor outlook," said Lynn. "You just can't have your season shut down like this on March 1. So this is extreme."

Worst-hit so far is the San Joaquin Valley, where Delta water deliveries already have been curtailed to protect the threatened Delta smelt. Valley farmers have lost some crops and soon may be forced to let others die.

California Water Law Curtailing New Development

Shawn Jenkins, a developer who had two projects caught up in the delays, said he was accustomed to piles of paperwork and reams of red tape in getting projects approved. But he was not prepared to have the water district hold up the projects he was planning. He changed the projects’ landscaping, to make it less water dependent, as the board pondered their fate.

“I think this is a warning for everyone,” Mr. Jenkins said.

Also in Riverside County, a superior court judge recently stopped a 1,500-home development project, citing, among others things, a failure to provide substantial evidence of adequate water supply.

In San Luis Obispo County, north of Los Angeles, the City of Pismo Beach was recently denied the right to annex unincorporated land to build a large multipurpose project because, “the city didn’t have enough water to adequately serve the development,” said Paul Hood, the executive officer of the commission that approves the annexations and incorporations of cities.

In agriculturally rich Kern County, north of Los Angeles, at least three developers scrapped plans recently to apply for permits, realizing water was going to be an issue. An official from the county’s planning department said the developers were the first ever in the county to be stymied by water concerns. Large-scale housing developments in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties have met a similar fate, officials in those counties said.

NC heat wave raises concerns about drought outlook

When you're continuing to have long-term rainfall deficits, that means groundwater supplies and reservoirs are vulnerable to dropping fairly rapidly," said Doug LeComte, a drought specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. "So that certainly is a concern."

Parts of North Carolina still have yearlong rainfall deficits of about a foot.

Drought Spreads to South Georgia, Conditions May Worsen

Drought conditions have already spread into south-central and southwest Georgia. Much of southeast and coastal Georgia is now abnormally dry for early June.

After improvements in drought conditions across north Georgia during the cool season, conditions are expected to worsen over the next several months.

Summer routinely brings temperatures in the 90s. Georgians can expect hot, dry weather to cause very rapid soil moisture loss over the next week. This loss in soil moisture will also drop stream flows and groundwater levels.

Florida lawmakers mad about water

Angry Florida lawmakers vented their objection Thursday to an Army Corps of Engineers plan that could limit water flowing into the state, but a corps commander said the real answer is in a long-term regional water council.

The Army Corps recently allowed Georgia to keep more water in its reservoirs that would otherwise have flowed into North Florida's Apalachicola River and Bay.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said that could be big trouble for endangered species and other "critters" in the bay if droughts arrive. "Come September, if we have a drought, you're going to whack the amount of water coming South," Nelson complained at a meeting of the Florida congressional delegation. "The only voice the oysters have (is) us."

Brig. Gen. Joseph Schroedel, the corps' commander for the South Atlantic, said the controversial decision was "the best we can do with what mother nature is giving us."

Drought hits Okla Panhandle

Ranchers are selling cattle because they have nothing to eat and farmers are watching their crops fail while hoping for rain.

***

And hey, it's not just here in the states, either:

Drought hit central China, 560,000 short of drinking water

TAIYUAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- About 560,000 people in China's Shanxi Province have been short of drinking water due to drought since mid-May, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said Thursday.

Israeli Gov't Budgets 2 Billion NIS for Water Shortage

Following a particularly dry rainy season this past winter - rainfall was only 65% of the yearly average, and under 60% in some places - Israel's largest reservoir, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is left at a dangerous low. It currently stands at 212.47 meters below sea level - 40 centimeters lower than eight weeks ago, and a full 1.3 meters lower than a year ago.

If the Kineret loses just 53 more centimeters of height, it will reach the dangerous red line, beyond which drawing water is not permitted.

Pakistan Water shortage goes from bad to worse

ISLAMABAD: The water shortage in the capital is going from bad to worse, particularly in G and I sectors. A Capital Development Authority (CDA) official told The Post on Friday that the civic agency had been receiving 6 to 8 hundreds complaints daily about an insufficient water supply. "Most of these complaints are lodged from the I-series sectors, I-9 and I-10, where the situation has taken a turn for the worse, he added.

Istanbul braces for water shortage

ISTANBUL // Millions of people in Istanbul, Turkey’s teeming metropolis, are bracing themselves for the possibility of severe water shortages this summer after a steep drop in rainfall in recent years led to a more than 50 per cent decline in water reserves.

According to the latest available figures from the Istanbul Water and Canalisation Administration, or ISKI, water levels in the city’s 10 reservoirs stood at 89.32 per cent capacity on June 2 2006. That level had fallen to 38.64 per cent on June 2 this year.

Spain cancels emergency scheme to bring water to Barcelona

MADRID (AFP) — The Spanish government said Friday it has cancelled a 180-million-euro (280-million-dollar) scheme to channel water from the river Ebro to the Barcelona region, after heavy rains eased drought fears.

Deputy premier Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said the government decided the scheme was "no longer necessary." [At least not this year. They had to have water shipped in this year. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have it on hand for the next drought?--Amanda]

***

Ah, but at least one company gets it! Not so much a fan of Monsanto, but they are actually preparing for droughts and will probably make quite a bit of money in the process.

Monsanto sees growing water shortage issues ahead

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Monsanto Co (MON.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the world leader in biotech crops, sees water shortages being a growing issue in the years ahead and expects its drought tolerant corn seed to play a role in easing pressure on this key resource, said Chief Executive Hugh Grant on Friday.

"We've been in an energy squeeze and a food squeeze, but I think the water one is going to be even more dramatic (and the) water one is coming," said Grant, in an interview with Reuters.

Congressman Rohrabacher's Floor Speech on Global Warming Worth a read. Especially the section on cow farts vs. buffalo farts.

Ewww! Woman Quarantined With Bird Mites "A Long Island woman was put in a quarantined hospital room Thursday night after emergency workers came to her home and found her skin crawling with nearly invisible parasites that doctors believe are bird mites."

Under the "it's about time" file: US walking away from U.N. rights forum "The United States has quietly informed Western allies of its intention to walk away from the U.N. Human Rights Council, diplomatic sources said on Friday."

Oil prices shot up more than $11 a barrel today. Aack. If this keeps up, I'm going to have to find a job where I can work three 13 hour days.

Yellow fever hits Congo deportees. Nasty stuff, that.

U.S.: Zimbabwe could see 'massive starvation'. And this is one of the cases where it could have been prevented. :(

***

Tornadoes, tornadoes, tornadoes...

Storms bring new round of destruction to Midwest

Tornadoes confirmed in Md., Va.

Tomorrow looks rough, as well.

I should have done the earthquake post this afternoon.

5.6 in Northern Algeria, 11 injured.

In the Bay Area, a 3.0 and 3.5 today, no damage. A 3.9 in the general vicinity on Tuesday of this week. I would not be a bit surprised if they have a major one there before the end of the year.

And from the Beeb: Nasa scientists have said they could be on the verge of a breakthrough in their efforts to forecast earthquakes. We'll see.

Obama to Congress - I'll Whoop 'Em, Don't Mess With Me



Charming. [ugh.] Given the amount of ignorant crap he's spouted on the campaign trail, I'm sure he didn't realize that actually happened some 150 years ago.

On May 22, 1856, [Preston] Brooks beat Senator Charles Sumner with his Gutta-percha wood walking cane in the Senate chamber because of a speech Sumner had made three days previous criticizing President Franklin Pierce and Southerners who sympathized with the pro-slavery violence in Kansas ("Bleeding Kansas"). In particular, Sumner lambasted Brooks' kinsman, Senator Andrew Butler, who was not in attendance when the speech was read, describing slavery as a harlot, comparing Butler with Don Quixote for embracing it, and mocking Butler for a physical handicap.

Elsewhere in Obamaland, we have this creepy piece: Is Obama an enlightened being?

No, it's not merely his youthful vigor, or handsomeness, or even inspiring rhetoric. It is not fresh ideas or cool charisma or the fact that a black president will be historic and revolutionary in about a thousand different ways. It is something more. Even Bill Clinton, with all his effortless, winking charm, didn't have what Obama has, which is a sort of powerful luminosity, a unique high-vibration integrity.
...
Here's where it gets gooey. Many spiritually advanced people I know (not coweringly religious, mind you, but deeply spiritual) identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment. These kinds of people actually help us evolve. They are philosophers and peacemakers of a very high order, and they speak not just to reason or emotion, but to the soul.

This is where I stand firm and start screaming from the rooftops: STAY AWAY!!! HE IS NOT THE MESSIAH!!! MESSIAH HAS COME IN THE PERSON OF JESUS FROM NAZARETH!!!

Yeesh, liberal ignoramus freakazoids!

12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.--2 Corinthians 11:12-15

ETA: Jonah has a great humor piece on this at NRO.

US, British diplomats attacked in Zimbabwe. The US is ticked off, but apparently not enough to actually do anything about it. Un-frickin'-believable. Later in Zimbabwe, aid operations were suspended because of Mugabe's paranoia claims the aid is only going to those in the opposition.

***

On the scourge of rising food prices:

Ethiopians drink from cup of sorrow

CHINA: 'Food Scarcity Creating New World Order'

Regulators to keep closer eye on food speculators

Indicted Saudi Gets $80 Million US Contract ?!?!? Somebody needs to lose a job over this.

Accused 9/11 mastermind asks judge to be executed. I'm all for it. No sense in our being all hardheaded and trying to play his little mind games. He deserves death, let's kill him. And why tf is he not shaven and in an orange jumper?

Police plan checkpoints in D.C. neighborhood You know, there is an easier way to reduce crime: let people bear arms to defend themselves. Sure, the lefties will continue to whine, but when do they not?

***

Over in the Middle East:

Olmert Hints U.S. Action on Iran Nukes is Near

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted after his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday that U.S. action against Iran is imminent. While he avoided saying anything clear and specific on the matter, Olmert did mention a "timetable" and said action would take place before Bush leaves the White House.

My suspicion is that this is all talk, but to what end? They don't really think they're going to psych out Ahmamadjihadi, so they?

Speaking of the lawn gnome, he's been a busy boy this week. In a speech in Iranian tv, he said, "...thanks to God, the countdown for the decline of America's demonic power has begun." And during the UN food summit, he told attendees that food and fuel prices are kept artificially high by greedy powers with "devilish motivations" who should be replaced with "righteous and justice-seeking managers."

***


Obama, Black Liberation Theology, and Karl Marx
Part 1
Part 2

It’s because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role you’ll play in writing the next great chapter in America’s story.--Obama's Wesleyan commencement speech

Obama clarifies united Jerusalem comment. When he said 'divided', he meant with barb wire, not that it should actually belong to Israel, which had it for a capital three thousand years ago. No, a united Israel would be too divisive!

Researching water problems for an upcoming post, and found this little gem:

"The only voice the oysters have (is) us."--Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

I didn't vote for him! Honest!

*headdesk*

Duck and cover, people! Weather service warns of tornado outbreak

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) -- Severe storms popped up over the Great Plains on
Thursday afternoon as forecasters warned of a potential tornado outbreak that
could rival that of a June day in 1974 when 22 people were killed.

Earth science geeky warning time:

3.7 quake in New Mexico yesterday, away from the usual fault lines.

3.6 in Illinois today, presumably an aftershock from the April 18 quake.

5.3 aftershock in China. Death toll there is up to 69k+.

5.4 in Peru.

Earthquake Preparedness Guide. Quakes are not like hurricanes, snowstorms, or even tornadoes; you don't always get warning. Don't assume you're safe just because you're not on a major fault, either--they can happen wherever.

Ugh, yuck, and retch.

The obamanation's speech last night... just... gag.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

This man really believes he is a savior, a messiah. Speech such as this is dangerous, for those who know no better will believe the hype, pouring all their HOPES and dreams into his grandiose, yet empty rhetoric. Be on your guard; watch that no one deceives you.

Also, now that he's the nominee, Hamas has realized that their endorsement doesn't look good for him, so they've 'unendorsed' him. Oh, sure they're muttering something about AIPAC and Jerusalem, but does any thinking person really take Hamas spin seriously?

And his good friend Tony Rezko, the Syrian-born real-estate guy who's been fundraising for him, has been convicted of fraud, money laundering, and bribery. Obama's response? You guessed it: He's "saddened"; "This isn't the Tony Rezko I knew."

Does he even have any prominent supporters left to disown?

***

The March of the Tornadoes continues: Severe Storms Blamed for 3 Deaths Across the US.

US flotilla leaving Myanmar coast with aid aboard : A month after the storm, and the junta still won't let in aid. :(


" In what has been seen as a bid to secure geopolitical security at a time when oil prices are skyrocketing, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah launched a three-day Muslim conference Wednesday aimed at making peace within Islam.

If successful, the conference, which brings together Shi'ites and Sunnis, would set the stage for a future interfaith mega-conference among members of the three monotheistic religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism. "

Abdullah, I think, is mostly interesting in keeping peace so he and the royal family can continue to make money. Still, Sunnis and Shi'ites hanging out is like cats and dogs living together. I'd rather they stay at each other's throats and leave the rest of us alone, but based on what we know is coming, that isn't very likely to happen.

Central Asia: Locust Invasion Worsens Region's Food Woes

It's summertime here in La Florida, and the grasshoppers are back, landing on your shoulders, eating our gardens, becoming splatters upon our windshields...

Could be worse, though. Locust swarms are still a very real problem in much of the world, and could exacerbate the current food crisis.

***

Deadly floods in Belize after tropical storms

Alma and Arthur, oh my!

***

Stiff upper lip best way to deal with shock

A new study suggests this. I've suspected it all along. I always feel worse talking about painful issues. Much better to carry on normally as much as possible, deal with the grief and anger as it comes naturally, rather than reliving the trauma.

***

More Run on Empty as Gas Prices Rise

Idiots. I've seen a lot more of this locally, and what the article doesn't mention is that an abandoned car by the side of the road is a GREAT target for thieves. Unless you genuinely don't have the money to fill up your tank, there's no reason to let it run down to empty. Go ahead and fill up before the price rises again. Besides, driving around on fumes can damage your fuel pump. (I learned that the hard way.)

***

Weird news department: Ky. and Ohio battle over boulder pulled from river

Apparently it was a landmark for some time, had all kinds of nifty historical graffiti, and now it's been removed.

***

In the "ugh" category, as of tonight, Obama has the delegates to clinch the nomination. Hillary's not giving up, and I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Frankly, I think I could live with her as president; she's somewhat reasonable, and certainly brighter and more experienced than Barry. I hear a lot of conservatives who think she's the stronger candidate against McCain, but I'm not so confident. Never underestimate the charisma, or the messianic fervor of BHO supporters.

What the bloody blue blazes is going on across the pond?!

Christian preachers face arrest in Birmingham

The evangelists say they were threatened with arrest for committing a "hate crime" and were told they risked being beaten up if they returned. The incident will fuel fears that "no-go areas" for Christians are emerging in British towns and cities, as the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, claimed in The Sunday Telegraph this year.

This was foretold 2000 years ago, but seeing it happen in Western society, in a country that produced so many evangelists, makes my stomach churn. It's war, and it will only grow worse as the end approaches. Put on the full armor, and prepare for what is to come.

Earthquake rattles Philippines, Taiwan
"A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake has rocked the northern Philippines and southern Taiwan, the US Geological Survey said."

And just for kicks, check out the Latest Earthquakes in the World, past 7 days. Normally, you'd have a pretty busy ring around the Pacific Rim, and some boxes in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and maybe a handful of >5s elsewhere, but for the last few days it's been boxy all over.

More on the Indianapolis tornado.

Insurers see greater risk of hurricanes and charge more.

Countries agree to cluster bomb ban. Fortunately, neither the U.S. nor Israel signed this piece of silliness. I want all options available should they become necessary.

Egypt finds massive arms cache in Sinai. But I'm sure the Palestinians in Gaza were only going to use them for self defense, right? Right?

TS Arthur makes landfall.

DNC Michigan/Florida delegate deal. Say it with me, friends: Den-VER! Den-VER! Den-VER!

Killing Her Softly. Mark Steyn takes on demographics and sex-selected abortion outside the West. As usual, he gets it right and makes a good read, if sad.

***

I really would like to add some thoughtful commentary here, but I'm completely tired and I've got church in the morning.

Tropical Storm Arthur forms near Belize coast

And the Atlantic hurricane season is under way! Wheee!!!!

Meanwhile, TS Alma is doing some pretty harsh stuff in Nicaragua.

And in the great state of Eurabia...

Britain should negotiate with leaders of al-Qaida as part of a new strategy to end its violent campaign, one of the country's most senior police officers has said.

Speaking to the Guardian, Sir Hugh Orde, head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said the experiences of his force tackling the IRA had convinced him that
policing alone - detecting plots and arresting people - would not defeat al-Qaida inspired terrorism.

Perhaps he should spend a little more time studying islamic terrorism. It's a bit tougher to negotiate with people who are cool with dying--look forward to it, actually--than it is to negotiate with fairly sane people whose set of demands do not include all infidels dying.

They're having a bit of trouble with people angry about food and fuel prices over there, too.

More from the terrorrism front: an imprisoned Al-Qaeda member accused the Saudis of bankrolling his unit. He's not exactly what one would call a reliable witness, but such a claim warrants looking into.

In China, 200k people evacuated while they try to drain the quake lake. And aid workers in Burma are still finding it difficult to help victims of Nargis.

Zimbabwe's in the grip of evil (and how dare they invoke the name of my Savior!), and Peru's maoist narcoterrorists rise again.

The weather in the Midwest may be affecting the corn crop (because prices aren't high enough). And another rash of high winds overnight sent the Illinois legislature to the Capitol basement; more storms expected this evening.



And here at home... don't go in the water! You might get a brain-eating amoeba and die!

This makes my skin crawl:

Every adult in Britain should be forced to carry 'carbon ration cards', say MPs

How it would work:

Every adult in the UK would be given an annual carbon dioxide allowance in kgs
and a special carbon card.

The scheme would cover road fuel, flights and energy bills.

Every time someone paid for road fuel, flights or energy, their carbon account would be docked.

A litre of petrol would use up 2.3kg in carbon, while every 1.3 miles of airline flight would use another 1kg.

When paying for petrol, the card would need to swiped at the till. It would be a legal offence to buy petrol without using a card.

When paying online, or by direct debit, the carbon account would be debited directly.
Anyone who doesn't use up their credits in a year can sell them to someone who wants more credits. Trading would be done through specialist companies.

Can we get just a little more Orwellian? And hey, instead of carrying around all these cards, why don't we use biochips? We could put them on our foreheads or our right hands, to simplify things. Britain, you've some serious problemas.

***

Meanwhile, in the MidEast...

Iran in Secret Talks With al Qaeda, U.S. Officials Say

Although U.S. officials rarely talk publicly about them, these militants are considered to be among the most dangerous terrorists in the world. Adel is on the FBI list of Most Wanted Terrorists and is a suspect in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The State Department has put a $5 million bounty on his head through the Rewards for Justice program; the only al Qaeda figures with higher bounties are Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Zawahiri.

Iranian authorities detained these militants in 2003, and they have been under what one U.S. official called "loose house arrest" in Iran ever since. The U.S. government quietly sent messages to Iran through the Swiss government, requesting that the al Qaeda figures be turned over to their native countries for interrogation and trial. Iran has refused.

Al Qaeda is no fan of Shi'ite Iran. So exactly what they do they have in mind?

And if that weren't enough...

Chertoff: Hezbollah Makes Al Qaeda Look 'Minor League'

"Someone described Hezbollah like the A-team of terrorists in terms of capabilities, in terms of range of weapons they have, in terms of internal discipline," Chertoff told FOX News. "To be honest, they make Al Qaeda look like a minor league team.

"They have been more disciplined, and they've been in some senses more restrained in the kinds of attacks they carry out ... in recent years, but that's not something we can take for granted," he warned.

And they're taking over Lebanon, folks.

***

6.2 quake in Iceland, but no one seems to be injured.

China's got a chemical fire, along with flooding in the quake zone. People are scavenging for scrap metal, trying to get money so they can buy what they need.

Tornadoes in Nebraska, knocking out power and closing a section of interstate.

T.S. Alma of the Eastern Pacific hits Nicaragua.

***

6The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."

7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Today's bad news roundup is brought to you by the letter C, the letter J, and the number 7. :)
/irony

Expert Explains High Number of Tornadoes / 2008 could set records for tornado deaths

Massive evacuation in China "quake lake" flood zone

Moderate quake in Iran

Myanmar's junta keeps democracy activist locked up

Gut Superbug Causing More Illnesses, Deaths

And, via lgf: Muslim group to help keep peace in Miami's Overtown. Because it's always a good idea to have outside groups driven by an ideological agenda help with law enforcement, right? I mean, the Nation of Islam is a lovely organization for these guys to be associated with, yes?

***

And on a different, note, I've been studying a lot of the prophets lately, and today was Deborah. She was one cool chica, wasn't she? I think she's my favorite woman in the Bible, and the one I identify with most. It's clear she was respected and had wisdom, as she was a judge in Ephraim. Barak wouldn't do what he was supposed to, and Deborah had to push him into it kicking and screaming. Story of my life. (heh.)

As you all no doubt know by now, there was another 6.0 aftershock in China Sunday, which leveled more homes and damaged others. 1.2 million people may be evacuated due to flooding from "barrier lakes", and now they're going to try to blast them and drain the water. Good luck with that.

Before that, Saturday night, there was a 5.6 in Colombia. 11 dead thus far, and 5000 affected by damaged homes or buildings.

Tornadoes * all across * the Midwest * this weekend. And possibly more tonight. They say the normal tornado season only lasts two more months, but it started early this year, IIRC.

And then there's this: folks moving out to the country to prepare for the end of civilization. Srsly. I've been railing about tough times coming and the need to prepare, but some of these folks seem a bit... eager... for the meltdown and everybody running to them for help. Aside from that, though, good on them for taking initiative, rather than demanding other people (*cough*government*cough*) provide for them.

"The U.N.'s lead food aid agency said yesterday it has raised the money to cover an emergency funding shortfall due to soaring world food and fuel prices, thanks in large part to a last-minute $500 million donation from Saudi Arabia." I don't trust the Saudis any further than I can throw them, and the same goes for the UN, which is so corrupt and easily bought. I've got a feeling this is gonna bite us in the rear sooner of later.

Rattlesnake bites are getting deadlier. Experts are baffled.*

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm paranoid, maybe I'm just crazy.

Maybe I'm not.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.




In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

A Black Market Grows In Rice
Usually, when I think of smuggling, I think of what tv and the movies have shown me--drugs, gems, exotic animals, artwork, etc. Not so much your basic commodities.

Leaky New Orleans levee alarms experts
Oh, but I'm sure it's no big deal. Why do we have so many people living on floodplains?! it's every bit as stupid as building on barrier islands.

Chinese death toll up to 51,000. I can't even wrap my mind around that. At least China has allowed aid, which is much more than I can say for the Burmese junta.

Tornado hits Colorado The video of this thing is freaky-scary. Looking at it, and at the destruction caused, I'm amazed there's only been one death.

NOAA says 16 named storms and five major hurricanes this year. Given their record the past two years, I'm skeptical, but given the deadly weather this year, I'm preparing.

***

Israel engages in indirect peace talks with Syria. Yes, Syria, which blatantly supports Hamas and Hizbullah, want the Golan Heights, and Olmert is willing to discuss it. Modern Israel captured the Heights after Syria used them to shell civilians and launch terrorist attacks. The area was a part of ancient Israel, known then as Bashan. Furthermore, the Heights are home to the headwaters of the Jordan and Lake Kinneret, which provides 30% of Israel's water.

Oh, yeah, did I mention Obama thinks these talks are just lovely, and so does Hillary?

Many thoughts and prayers for Ted Kennedy and family.

Burma's still not letting very many people get the aid they so desperately need.

40, 000 dead, 5 million homeless now in China.

Ammo costs are rising.

White House denies Iran attack report. Iran is gonna be the one to watch for the rest of the year, I think, Iran and Russia.

Court: Paper money discriminates against the blind

This makes me very uneasy, and I don't think it's just because paper money from elsewhere in the world looks like Monopoly money. It's a gut feeling, that with everything else unfolding, that this won't end well.

Senator Obama is an idiot who thinks Iran is "tiny" and not a threat to the US.

Iran in the 18th largest country in the world by area (bigger than Alaska) and has 70 million people. Given that 19 men managed to kill 3000 in the course of a few hours one clear September morning, I think maybe we ought to assume that it doesn't take many to cause massive destruction, yes? And Senator Waffle is apparently unaware of what's going on in Lebanon. Further more, some are now suggesting Iran could start a new arms race.

At least John McCain gets it.

Speaking of Waffleman, this is a piece of doublespeak genius, straight from his own website:

Asked whether his idea of meeting with hostile nations consisted of "from the
get-go of the President of the United States" or lower level aides, Obama said,
"The latter. Understand what the question was. The question was a very specific
question. Would you meet without preconditions? Preconditions as it applies to a country like Iran for example was a term of art. Because this administration has been very clear that it will not have direct negotiations with Iran until Iran has meet preconditions that are essentially negotiations with Iran until Iran has met preconditions that are essentially what Iran used and many other observers would view as the subject of the negotiations. For example, their nuclear program. The point is that I would not refuse to meet until they agree to every position that we want. But that doesn't mean that we would not have preparation, and the preparation would involve starting with low level-lower level diplomatic contacts, having our diplomatic corps work through with Iranian counterparts, an agenda. But what I have said is that at some point I would be willing to meet. And that is a position, I mean, what's puzzling is that we view this as in any way controversial, when this has been the history of U.S. diplomacy, until very recently.

Seriously.... what? It makes me long for the days of questioning the meaning of "is".

3 wounded in LA church festival shooting

Before being taken away Diaz was asked by a reporter with KNX-AM why he did it. "I don't really have too much to say about that. It's a personal thing between me and the church," Diaz said.
When asked if Diaz has an issue with the church, he responded: "The church has an issue with me."

Yeah, man, 'cause you shot several of their people. Yeesh. At any rate, it appears to be a domestic violence issue, but there does seem to be issues that haven't been brought out yet.

Thousands flee China quake area over flood fears Rubble damming rivers + lots of rain = bad news. Throw in another 5.7 aftershock, and it's a wonder people can function at all.

U.N. racism investigator to visit U.S. from Monday Cause clearly, they've resolved all the problems in Rwanda and the like, yes? A few old articles on this Doudou Diene dude here and here. I'm sure he will turn up absolutely nothing, right? No bias there! Where's that sarcasm font?

Jordanian professor suggests arming suicide bombers in Israel with small nukes. No hatred like Jew hatred!

Republicans Go to War With Obama Over Foreign Policy Views
Maybe there are enough voters paying attention to this to make a difference? I wish I felt more hopeful.

***

US unveils deals with Saudi on nuclear power, oil protection

The White House said Washington and Riyadh were also to sign an agreement
on nuclear cooperation that would clear the way for Saudi Arabia to receive
enriched uranium for its reactors, without the need to master the fuel nuclear
cycle itself as Iran has done.

I'd cry, but it takes to much energy and I always feel worse afterwards. And it's not like they're going to repay us by pumping more oil to lower prices.

I think one of the things that bothered me most about seeing this on the news tonight was that sick look on Bush's face, like Oliver asking for some more gruel. 15 of 19 of th 9/11 hijackers were Saudis. The kingdom has been funding madrassas that ship Wahabbism around the globe, and we're not only funding them with our oil usage, we're now giving them uranium.

Not to mention--oh, yeah--bin Laden, who says the core of jihad is the situation in "Palestine." Grr...

***

Even before the chinese earthquake, the country was dealing with a deadly hand, foot, and mouth disease. It hasn't gone away.

Wow, this is not that far from me.:
3.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southwest Alabama
(USGS summary)

China quake toll could reach 50K
Burma cyclone toll at 78K

I'm greatly amused by the whole "appeasement" flap. Obama's such a big, self-centered sissybaby, isn't he? He's even reiterating he wants unconditional talks with Iran, but is still whining about Bush and McCain's comments.

How is it people are still falling for this garbage?!

News stories I care about today:

Heavy rains head toward cyclone-devastated Myanmar
New Cyclone Forming Off Myanmar Coast

China: Troops rush to plug 'dangerous' cracks in dam
Remarkable Rescues as Quake Death Toll Rises

Rebuilding unlikely in tornado-hit Superfund town

Fla. Manhunt Nets First Arson Suspect

Lebanon's '300'

I feel great today! Except when I change position--walking is fine, bending over to pick blackberries or leaning back to clean fan blades leave me out of breath or make my head spin or both. ugh. But it's soooo much better than the vomiting, or even the coughing and hacking.

Early summer brings my happy!

I feel fifty times better today than yesterday! About time, too.

Summer is here, with a vengeance. Oh, sure, it was nice and cool yesterday, but it's back to hot and muggy today.

Stories of interest, with less emphasis on gloom and doom:

Giant Pythons Could Spread Quickly Across South. Yay! Exotic snakes might take over! heh. There used to be a snake in our garden that matched the description of an anaconda. It certainly wasn't as big as the ones I've seen in zoos--more like a king snake or an oak snake. But what on earth would an anaconda of ANY size be doing here?

Old gas pumps can't handle ever-rising prices. I like the old pumps. They're so much friendlier seeming than the cold digital displays. But more and more stations around have become pay-before-you-pump thanks to the increase in drive-offs, and I'd assumed the old pumps would have to be replaced for that reason alone. Apparently, it's not the only problem.

Isn't India contributing to the global food-price rise? One of the more interesting articles on the subject.

More Homes Threatened by Florida Fires They look to be deliberate, and I hope they catch the arsonist(s). Bad enough to set fires in good weather; in drought conditions it's extremely dangerous.

Satellite mapping of the aftermath of Nargis Wow. Just.... wow.

Perhaps more later.

Hezbollah's street fight just a first step
The Region: As Lebanon turns into Gaza

Sigh.

Wildfires Force Evacuations in Central Florida
Mid-Atlantic rain prompts evacuations, outages

Wish I had some good news right now. Maybe these germs have got me in a funk. LOL.

Oh, man. The cyclone in Burma wasn't enough, now an earthquake in China, and a series of aftershocks continues. 900 students trapped under their collapsed school, 80% of buildings collapsed, damage to a chemical plant releases 80 tons of liquid ammonia. Furthermore, the Reuters article goes on to point out that this is one of China's most fertile areas, but relies on 2000-year-old flood control.

More to come as I find it. I'm going in search of first person reports asap.


********

In other disaster news, the first US aid reaches cyclone victims, finally. Situation there is still awful.

Another string of tornadoes this past weekend. This year has been twice as bad for tornadoes in the US as last year.

I'm not even going to go into the Hizballah takeover of Lebanon until tonight.

Prepare, people. Prepare.

A few stories so far today.

Today is Mother's Day. I thought this article says what I want to say best.

So on this Mother's Day, 100 years after it all began, think of the Jarvis women. Think of Anna, and make a donation in your mother's name to an organization that supports mothers in all their endeavours.

Or give Anna Jarvis what she fought so hard to create - a day with no shopping, no donations, no greeting cards. Sit down with a pen and a piece of paper, and write a love letter to your mother. Tell her what she means to you, what you love about her. Don't fret if words aren't really your thing - she already knows that, and will value the effort all the more.

If it's too late - if the brunch is done and the shrink-wrap is already off the patio furniture - write the letter anyway.

Which do you think your mother will treasure for the rest of her days? It won't be the patio furniture.

ugh, i hate being sick. slept all day thursday, threw up all that night, managed to sit up for about five hours friday, had a horrific case of acid reflux that kept me up all last night, and slept till noon today. been running a high fever too, which is very unusual for me. whatever it is i've got, kids, make sure you don't catch it.

[my arms are propped up as i type, and it's too difficult to reach the 'shift' key.]

worldwide weirdness--more twisters. more on the way.
when pelicans attack
3.1 quake near tupelo, mississippi. [haven't seen any news stories on it yet]

Cyclone death well over 22,000 and 41,000 missing.

The eruption of Chaiten has forced a full evacuation, with ash drifting aall the way across Argentina and into the Atlantic. I'm wondering what effect that will have on agriculture there.

***

UPdate: Now this is just creepy.

Charlotte, N.C. — “Tomorrow, we shall achieve the victory, that the kingdom of
God may come on earth as it is in heaven, and all those who love the Lord and
will vote for Obama, say Amen.”
“AAAMMMMEEENNN!”

The entire "Obamessiah" gives me the willies. While personality cults have a long history, this is the first I've ever witnessed so closely. And it makes my skin crawl to see people toss good sense to the wind and run after and pledge themselves to a fallible human being, seeking rescue in a way that only God can provide.

Government Report Answers Who Lives, Who Dies in Flu Pandemic

Cyclone kills 10,000 in one Myanmar town

Mogadishu rocked by food demonstrations

Erupting volcano prompts new evacuation in Chile

How much time do we have left?

Wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes in various places...

What's missing? Pestilence!

I'm being a bit facetious here. Still, given everything going on in the world today, I don't take it too lightly.

Today, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer.

Almighty God, Maker of Worlds, Father of Truth, Giver of Life, Ancient of Days:

I come before You today thanking You and praising You for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will do.

Thank You for the gift of Your Son who took my place on Calvary. I praise You that he has overcome death and now sits at Your right hand, and will rule the nations with an iron rod. Thank You for providing for me, for watching over me, even before I was Yours. I praise You for my family, for my friends. Thank You for placing me in a country that allows me to worship You, and thank You for Your hand upon our history.

Lord God, may Your kingdom come and Your will be done. I ask for peace in Your holy city Jerusalem. May those who love her be secure, may there be peace within her walls, and security within her citadels. I ask for Your continuing hand of protection over Israel and her inhabitants; may You continue to bless and uphold her.

Father, I ask You to bless, protect, and watch over Your children around the world. Comfort those in affliction, under persecution. Awaken those who are comfortable, complacent, apathetic. Prepare all of us for what You have in store. Give us the wisdom to help others.

Father, I ask for Your hand of mercy upon the sick, the hurting, the lonely. I ask for Your healing of body, mind, and spirit. I ask for the release of the captives and Your love toward those who mourn.

Forgive me for the times I fail You, O Lord. Remove from me my pride and rebellion, make me into Your servant that I may carry out Your will. Forgive my people, my nation, for sinning against You. I ask for an outpouring of Your Spirit to gather in the harvest while there is time. Bring us to repentance, bring us to You, Father.

Unto You be all glory and majesty and dominion and praise forever and ever. I ask all this in the blessed Name of Jesus our Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah.

Come, O Lord.

Amen.