San Francisco Proposes Massive Development Centered Around New Forty-Niners Stadium

I like the look of this proposal and greatly prefer it over the other two alternatives of going to Santa Clara or redeveloping Candlestick Point where the current Forty-Niners stadium is. This development proposal would have the same powerful effect on the San Francisco economy and tourism as the Pacific Bell Baseball Stadium for the San Francisco Giants has. Lets hope city, regional, and state officials work hard to see this plan and development realized and completed within the next five years.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/26/BAG3UOS7BF11.DTL

The Cruel Destiny of Middle Age in America Now: Depression, Unemployment, Unstability, and Hopelessness

Talton's demise at the Republic is strongly representative to what is happening to middle aged workers across the US. While he will land on his feet, others like me are left to a "life" that leaves everything to be desired. I have been looking for work for a month now with virtually 100 % non-feedback and complete rejection. It is very difficult in this nation to be a near 50-year old in this nation and economy now where you are discarded and unwanted. I know if it is this bad for me now that I will not be able to stay alive for much more than a couple of years and will have to end it as I will have no alternatives to consider as my health, energy, and strength continues their decline and demise.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/columns/articles/0329biz-talton0329.html

War with Iran Imminent; Fourth Naval Carrier Battle Group Enroute to Persian Gulf

Russian military intelligence services are reporting a flurry of activity by U.S. Armed Forces near Iran's borders. The latest military intelligence data point to heightened U.S. military preparations for both an air and ground operation against Iran. The Pentagon is looking for a way to deliver a strike against Iran that would enable the Americans to stagger the country at minimal cost.

The U.S. Naval presence now in the Persian Gulf has for the first time in the past four years has exceeded the level that existed before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

The Russian Academy of Geopolitical Sciences said last week that the Pentagon is planning to deliver a massive air strike on Iran's military infrastructure in the near immediate future.

A fourth U.S. carrier battle group has been dispatched to the Gulf. The USS John C. Stennis, with a crew of 3,200 and around 80 fixed-wing aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornet and Superhornet fighter-bombers, eight support ships and four nuclear submarines are heading for the Gulf. The Pentagon has also sent numerous Patriot anti-missile systems to the region.

Today's News Articles and Observations

Some recent news articles that caught my attention.


A. Tremendous Change for Climate Zones Globally Looming by Mid-Century

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070326220628.uo998sdi&show_article=1

http://www.pnas.org/

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/28/153/

-----

B. Spaceport in New Mexico desert north of Las Cruces Inches Toward Reality

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070326185745.wbe0l851&show_article=1

-----

C. Another High Profile Third Party Candidate for President in 2008?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/25/AR2007032501334.html?nav=rss_politics

-----

D. Why Opposition Still Exists Against Global Warming

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-chait25mar25,0,3748551.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

-----

E. Vision of Future City in San Joaquin Valley

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-quay26mar26,0,5393459.story?coll=la-home-headlines

-----

F. Coming by Year's End: Internet via Television Over the Air Signals

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070327/fcc_internet_device.html?.v=1

-----

G. The Future of Newspapers has Arrived

http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4307

-----

H. The Best Reason for Reading The Arizona Republic is No More: Jon Talton is Dumped

http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/03/19/daily52.html

-----

I. Another Consequence of Gas Drilling Development in Upper Green River Basin

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/as_deer_decline_energy_development_comes_under_fire/C396/L396/

-----

J. The Benefit of Government as seen by Democrats of the West

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/the_western_version_of_less_government/C37/L37/

http://www.democratsforthewest.com/

-----

K. Strong Argument for Exxon as the Planet's Worst and Most Evil Corporation

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/28/132/

-----

L. Disgusting Massive Corporation and Rich People Welfare

http://alternet.org/workplace/49768/

-----

Some Additional News Articles & Observations

Here are a couple of other news articles and what I think about them.

A. The Debt Crisis Time Bomb

This is the largest and most important problem facing the United States and American citizens, even more so than global terrorism and global warming.

http://www.alternet.org/stories/49418/

http://www.time-bomb.org/

-----

B. The Iraq Knowledge Dearth and its Implications

This article points out the widespread lack of knowledge about Iraq and its history. Time after time, it has been shown that to know the past allows one to better prepare for and understand the future and what are the best courses of action to take.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/24/49/

-----

C. US Attorneys Axing Controversy by AG Gonzales

The explanation, argument, and position staked out so brilliantly by the blogger at Colorado Curmudgeon Blogspot in his 3/23/7 post says it all and so much more than I could ever on this issue which is growing more interesting and serious day by day.

http://comudgeon.blogspot.com/2007/03/thoughts-on-us-attorney-scandal.html

-----

Sunday's News Articles and Observations

These are some of the recent news articles that caught my eye and an opinion on some of them.

A. The Honest, Disgraceful, Ugly Truth about Americans and the Iraq War

This article explains fully why criticism of the Iraq War by many people rings very hollow. The Bush Administration has little pressure or impetus to end the war because so very few Americans are being asked to pay a price for it at this time other than military personnel and their families.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0326/p01s01-ussc.html

-----

B. Republicans in Ohio Facing Widespread Backlash over 2004 Vote

It is clearly understood now that widespread improprieties and misdeeds, many criminal, occurred in a number of states in both the 2000 and 2004 Elections, among them Ohio. Now the belling is tolling for those politicians and officials who participated in this chicanery. Indictments, trials, convictions, and imprisonments loom for those who have been identified, and it is virtually certain Ohio will continue to become a larger Democrat stronghold for 2008.

http://commondreams.org/views07/0320-23.htm

-----

C. Chuck Hegel on Bush Impeachment

While the Nebraska Senator did not come out and directly say it, his words were pointed enough and one can clearly understand his feelings and opinions about the downward spiraling Bush Administration and some possible future ramifications if the course is not corrected soon.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2980019

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/hagel-sharply-criticizes-bush-administration-2007-03-25.html

-----

D. The Obscene Buying of Congressmen by Corporate America

Is there anything that can be done to end this disgusting disgraceful practice? It is shameful and immoral that elected government officials are bought and paid for by corporations ! And they possess far more power and money than common citizens, making many Americans citizens irrelevant in the political process.

http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2007/03/the_paper_chase.html

-----

E. Credit Card Issuing Banks Disgraceful Abuse of American Citizens

Much like what I just said above, can anything be done to stop this reckless and dangerous activity that is clearly harmful and detrimental to American citizens? Maybe at some point in the future hopefully...

http://thehill.com/cover-stories/maxed-out-when-debt-hits-hard-2007-03-22.html

-----

F. Democrats on Health Care

Thankfully discussion and debate is occurring among the Democratic candidates about this vital issue that effects all American citizens and looms as the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back for many citizens in the very near future with a widespread aging of the main American demographic, the Baby Boomers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032401079.html

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/03/23/the_health_care_answers_we_need.php

-----

G. Information on Results of Welfare Reform

As one can see in reading this article, the truth about this legislation and its effects passed by Congress and signed by Clinton over ten years ago is not what the mainstream media, government officials and politicians, and Corporate America keeps telling us. An effort to revisit this is now due by Congress and the President, hopefully in 2009 after the next election.

http://www.mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=184

-----

H. Decline in US Economy

Another article that talks about the growing problems in the US economy and the looming consequences for American citizens.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/24/53/

-----

I. The Slowly but Steadily Melting Icecap in Antarctica

The Antarctic Icecap is declining and it will impact us all -- in some ways and places, the price will be harsh and almost unimaginable.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/23/25/

-----

J. Civil War in India?

This may become an important news story very soon.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/24/77/

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0322-26.htm+

-----

K. Far Left Website to Bookmark

Another alternative source for information but it appears to be quite strong in its wordings.

http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/

-----


L. Like every city in the West, Albuquerque must face its future realistically

There is only so much water and space for cities like Albuquerque to grow and it will be painful for its citizens once they face the truth. There will be a harsh economic price paid when that time comes in the not so distant future particularly with regards to employment and housing values, particularly Albuquerque, since it is isolated and will require high energy cost importing of food which is unable to be grown in that region with no water available for the extremely limited agriculture that does exist there now.

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/24/vb-price-get-real/

NHL Skates Towards Regular Season End

The NHL season is now into its last two and one-half weeks as 90 % of the regular season has elapsed. There are still some good playoff races and positioning to wrapup and finalize.

In the West, Nashville and Detroit are jockeying for the top spot in the conference, but Anaheim and Vancouver are lurking very closely behind. Anaheim has a four point lead on San Jose and five points on Dallas. Vancouver leads Minnesota by three points. All seven of these teams are in the playoffs. For the eighth slot, Calgary is trying to hold off hard charging Colorado and the Flames lead by four points with both teams having nine games left. The West looks to have some great battles in the last 18 days. And I believe Colorado will win the eighth playoff slot.

The Eastern Conference has but five teams that have wrapped playoff spots--Buffalo, New Jersey, Atlanta, Ottawa, and Pittsburgh. Buffalo is up by seven points on Ottawa, New Jersey leads Pittsburgh by just two points, and Atlanta leads Tampa Bay by four points. No division title or playoff position has been secured yet. For the final three playoff spots, six teams are vying in these remaining two plus weeks. Tampa Bay and the NY Rangers have the upper hand for now with four teams -- the defending Stanley Cup Champions Carolina, Toronto, Montreal, and New York Islanders -- all within one point of each other. Florida and Boston are fading longshots but still alive. Who will survive and stand the tallest when all is said and done is almost impossible to forecast but I will pick Carolina and Montreal to join Tampa Bay for the last three spots.

I will stay tuned very closely to what happens across the league nightly during these remaining days. Most teams have but eight or nine games left each so every game is at the point where it is critical for the competing teams.

Tuesday's News Articles and Observations

Some recent news articles that caught my eye and opinions on them.

A. Massive Election Defeats Facing GOP in 2008?

There is a lot of speculation that the 2008 election will result in widespread Republican losses, even in states that have largely solid in the GOP camp the last quarter century. I believe it is way to early to make such projections. But if things do not change in Iraq and with the economy, it could mean very bad news for the Republicans across the board. And the growing US Attorneys scandal with Alberto Gonzales and Karl Rove will make matters worse.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/864

-----

B. The Best Plan yet for Health Care Coverage Offered by Kucinich

US Representative from Ohio, Dennis Kucinich, a candidate for the Democratic Nomination for President, has offered the best plan for dealing with the massive health care crisis citizens are dealing with daily. I like his plan because it takes the greedy wasteful insurance industry almost completely out of the loop. I am unsure whether it will make to the Democratic Platform in 2008, but I believe that a good bit of it will. The amount of money the insurance industry will throw at Democrats in campaign advertisements next year will be obscene and will surely result in greater inefficiencies, waste, and loss of life and good health for many people as a result.

http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0134.html

http://www.healthcare-now.org/

-----

C. These Businesses are Worthy of Supporting for at Least One Reason

http://www.businessforafairminimumwage.org/signatories

-----

D. More on the Shadowy, Sinister Blackwater USA Corporation

Like that corpulent, pompous being running the country behind the scenes and really emitting an overwhelming foul stench, the more I read and learn about the growing ominous Blackwater USA, the more its stinks and alarms...

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/interviews/057

-----

E. World Wildlife Foundation Report on Growing Troubled Rivers Globally

Water is the lifeblood of our societies globally. Overpopulation is at the root of these rivers which can be at best described as endangered. And global warming will only increase the problems faced by mankind and wildlife in these river basins and ecosystems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6468451.stm

-----

F. Recommended Reading

If you get a chance, stop by the library or a bookstore and pick up April's edition of The American Prospect. Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin is on the cover. There are a number of good articles in this issue, particularly on the negative effect Rubin has on the Democratic Party and its working class membership.

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=Current+Issue

American Corporations and Business: Perpetually Shafting, Shortchanging, and Ripping Off Workers Everyday !!!

http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/viewpoints.aspx?articleid=147656&zoneid=35

Some Articles Concerning the West

As a near lifelong resident of the Rocky Mountain West, Southwest, and High Plains, I have a keen interest on what is going on in the region. Here is a couple of stories that are of interest to the citizens of the West.

http://www.headwatersnews.org/White.Malta032007.html

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/20/news/state/30-wolf_x.txt

-----

This Captures My Belief to a T...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cliff-schecter/karl-rove-must-go-to-pris_b_43647.html

'07 Baseball Predictions - - Take One...

Yes, Opening Night is now less than two weeks away and Opening Day across America, the Real New Years Day for me, is now just 14 1/2 days away. Here is my first set of picks for the upcoming season. I will study and re-evaluate these selections over the next 10-13 days and re-assess my selections as I see fit.

NL West: 1) San Diego (2) Los Angeles (3) Colorado (4) Arizona (5) San Francisco

NL Central: 1) Houston (2) St Louis (3) Milwaukee (4) Chicago (5) Pittsburgh (6) Cincinnati

NL East: 1) New York (2) Philadelphia (3) Atlanta (4) Florida (5) Washington

AL West: 1) Anaheim (2) Oakland (3) Seattle (4) Texas

AL Central: 1) Detroit (2) Cleveland (3) Minnesota (4) Chicago (5) Kansas City

AL East: 1) Boston (2) New York (3) Toronto (4) Baltimore (5) Tampa Bay

Wild Cards: NL - Philadelphia AL - Oakland

Pennants: NL - New York over Houston AL - Anaheim over Detroit

World Champions: Anaheim

Dark Horses: NL - Arizona, Colorado, Milwaukee, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta
AL - Cleveland, Minnesota, Toronto, Baltimore, Seattle

Letdowns?: NL - San Francisco, Los Angeles, St Louis, Chicago, New York, Houston
AL - Anaheim, Oakland, Detroit, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago

Saturday's News Items and Opinions

Here is some news items that caught my eye in the last few days and what I think about them.


A. McCain or Hegel: Whom to choose?

Two US Senators from the West, John McCain of Arizona and Charles "Chuck" Hegel of Nebraska, offer two contrasting views of the war in Iraq from the insights and experiences of their military service in Vietnam a generation and a half ago. While Hegel is not yet officially a candidate in '08 for the Presidency, he offers a powerful argument against our presence in Iraq. McCain, one of the GOP frontrunners, puts forth a striking, compelling position as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/washington/18vietnam.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

-----


B. Economic Hard Times Ahead?

There is little argument that the US economy is headed for a recession before year's end. How deep and long this economic slowdown will be is still up for debate. I think it will start by July and carry into early to mid '08-- a period of about 9-14 months.

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3077/productivity_is_the_boom_over/

-----


C. If only this was realistic...

This nation really needs to look at where it is at from a constitutional perspective and it would fantastic for a constitutional convention to occur in spite of the dangers that it may present. But we will never see 38 states make the call for one as would be required.

http://civillibertarian.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-about-little-democracy-for-change.html

-----


D. Blackwater Incorporated, America's Shadow Army in Iraq, and soon in Iran also...

The rise of this corporation and what it is doing is frightening and bodes ill for our nation and our relations with other nations.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070402/scahill

-----


E. The Disappearing Bees

It is now being reported that widespread incidences of disappearing bees and bee colonies are occuring throughout America and elsewhere around the planet. There are numerous troubling ramifications of this growing problem, particularly with our food supply.

http://www.earthfiles.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1223&category=Environment

-----


F. The Housing Bubble Burst has Arrived

As forecast by many, the housing price bubble burst is well under way, particularly in Florida and California and it will spread up the coasts and inland as the year continues. Housing prices and values will decline any where from ten to forty percent, perhaps more, across most urban and metropolitan areas across the nation with the possible exception of some of the states in the High Plains. It is projected over 2.25 million homes will foreclose this year and this will significantly contribute to the coming economic downturn along with other factors.

http://www.thehousingbubbleblog.com

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogslot.com

-----

G. NCAA Basketball Tournament Shortcomings

Once again, the national hysteria of March Madness is upon us. This "non-professional" sporting event has serious shortcomings. It is weighted too greatly towards money conferences and large population areas. I say put only colleges from the West in the West Region for example instead of filling with schools from outside that physical region. Also, the tourney needs to be expanded with at-large schools from big six conferences having to participate in "play-in" games with 72 or 76 schools in the field. These games could be played on the Wednesday and Thursday of the tourney's opening week with the rounds of 64 and 32 being pushed back one day into Monday. More schools from the Big West, Mountain West, Western Athletic, West Coast Athletic, and other lower profile conferences need to be represented in the tourney than usually are.

-----

H. Summer is Here Far Too Early in the Southwest with Record Heat

It is only the middle of March and yet it is over 100 degrees or real close across Arizona and the Southwest already. Phoenix has hit record highs of 99 degrees the last two days; Tucson has been at 95 degrees; and places like Gila Bend, Yuma, Mesa, Palm Springs, and Death Valley have exceeded the century mark, which is about two to three weeks earlier than expected at worst as in prior years. Records have been set across the West the last two weeks and this month is shaping up as much warmer and drier than usual. 21 cities set records on Saturday and, here in Cheyenne, we had our fourth record high temperature this month.

-----

Yeehaw !!! Penguins to Remain in Pittsburgh

Splendid news out of Pittsburgh today with the announcement of an arena deal between the 40-year old NHL club and state and local politicos. While the taxpayers will have to ante up significantly for the new arena, this is better alternative to that of losing ones community's team after all this time as many other fans and working people in other cities have over the last 60 years. The Penguins were one of my favorite hockey teams when I was a youth next to the Rangers and Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh is where my Dad was born and grew up, long before the Penguins came into existence; therefore, I always feel a generational affinity for Pittsburgh sports teams to this day even though I have never lived there and have lived a half continent away all my adult life. Here are three links about this story and some background on this story as well:

http://www.arenadigest.com

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07072/769032-85.stm

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16891515.htm

A Beautiful Record-Breaking Spring Day in WY !

Spring really exploded today, as I see more than 30 cities from California across the West to North Dakota set record high temperatures. We got to enjoy that as well here in Cheyenne, the nicest day in the region since before last Thanksgiving as the previous record high temperature was smashest by five degrees and it was the fifth earliest incidence of a 70 degree day in recorded history that goes back to 1871.

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
CHEYENNE WY
928 PM MDT MON MAR 12 2007

THE CHEYENNE CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MARCH 12 2007

VALID TODAY AS OF 0900 PM LOCAL TIME.
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2007

TEMPERATURE (F).. TODAY.. RECORD.. YEAR.. NORMAL.. LAST YEAR

MAXIMUM..................... 70R .........65...........1873....... 45................. 25
MINIMUM...................... 36.......... -20.......... 1932....... 21................. 15

Heads Roll, Part Four: McClain Axed at Wyoming

Steve McClain was fired by Wyoming today after 9 seasons as the Basketball Head Coach of the Cowboys, making him the second MWC hoops coach axed today and the fourth this season. The move by UW was not completely unexpected, as my 4 March blog post suggested. Here is more on this story:

http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/03/12/news/top_story/doc45f5b7618c588624869054.txt

Heads Roll, Part III: Dale Layer done at CSU

As mentioned in my 4 March post as a distinct possibility, Colorado State University today fired Head Basketball Coach Dale Layer after seven seasons. He is the third Mountain West Conference Head Basketball Coach fired this season so far. More at:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports/article/0,1299,DRMN_2_5412658,00.html

Please Read This Online Book

As a follow-up to my previous post and the article by Professor Paul Krugman, I would recommend reading this online book. Although it is somewhat dated, it does provide a thorough
background on the economics of our nation and its place and effect on our nation's history. It is a lengthy publication and requires one to read it seriously. I was fascinated by this online publication when I first read it over twelve years ago and consider as one of the must-read books for all Americans. Welcome to being more fully enlightened.

http://www.mindmined.com/public_library/nonfiction/david_f_feudalism_aka_capitalism.html

Sunday's News Items and Opinions

Some news items of late and my opinions on some of them, as well as some recommendations for enlightenment and knowledge.

A. Our America -- What Happened...

Paul Krugman does a fantastic job explaining some of the larger reasons why the America of our youths has disappeared and why life has gotten so difficult and costly for the middle class. As usual, the good professor understands the big picture and continues to enlighten all of us whom are reading and listening, which unfortunately is not enough...

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/48988/

-----

B. Dire Outlook for Afghanistan

Most informed citizens are already aware of the dire circumstances and grim outlook in Afghanistan, and this report by Canadian officials only serves to further affirm this. Don't be surprised if a lot of bad news is coming out of Afghanistan in the coming months and people act as if it is shocking and unbelievable -- especially politicians, bureaucrats, celebrities, the media, and the rabble that surrounds us.

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/030907b.html

-----


C. 23 Primaries to be held on February 5, 2008?!

It seems as if the primary season and nominating process for the presidency will basically occur in one day next year. Congress needs to legislate this process and set up 6-8 regional primaries to be held from late-March to late-May and have the order of the regions chosen by lottery. Where we have been going in recent election years has been bad enough and this trend being established for next year is not what one would call participatory democracy in the tradition of what we are supposed to be all about.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/us/politics/12primary.html?hp

-----


D. Illegals Rampant in Los Angeles Gangs -- LAPD Aiding and Abetting...

Plain and simple, police officers everywhere must determine the legal identity of criminals, suspects, and members of criminal organizations. And that means determining if they are Americans or illegals and then taking the proper legal and physical actions to get these verminous invaders removed from our nation, and not shirking their moral and legal responsibilities as law enforcement officials sworn to serve and protect their communities that are in America.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gangs10mar10,0,7829803.story?coll=la-home-headlines

-----

E. Media Failing to Do the Job

In recent years, it has become very obvious the media has not been up to standard when it comes to be the voice and watchdog for the citizenry. This is largely due to widespread corporate seizure and control of media. The fourth estate is basically part of big business and the corporacy, and government is basically owned and paid for by the corporate elite in the nation. Somehow this needs to be reversed and the media, the press, and journalism need to be resurrected as they once were and be a leading institution for change and protection of the little guy and the poor against the powerful, oppressive, wealthy, manipulative, and monied.

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/16863000.htm

-----

F. Growth and Expansion of Faith-Based Initiatives in State Legislatures

This article points out some of the concerns and consequences of the direction being taken by religious right groups on the state level.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/48977/

-----

G. Heroes of World War II

If you have yet to see the film The Great Raid, do yourself a favor and do so. It is a story of heroism and valor, and the picture is almost completely historically accurate. I included the link for the real life event below as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_at_Cabanatuan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Raid

-----


H. Recommendation of a Book to Read

It Can Happen Here - - Joe Conason

http://www.amazon.com/Can-Happen-Here-Authoritarian-Peril/dp/0312356056/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1869821-0820605?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173671189&sr=8-1

http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/536


I. Recommendation of another Book to Read

The American Axis: Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, and the Rise of the Third Reich --
Max Webster

http://www.amazon.com/American-Axis-Henry-Charles-Lindbergh/dp/0312335318/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1869821-0820605?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173671628&sr=8-1

http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/540


J. New Fiction Books with Wyoming as the Setting

Here is an article about some books that are set in Wyoming and about Wyoming people.

http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/03/11/features/range/e218cbeb4a5e9c0d872572980026790b.txt

-----


K. Fruitcake Comment of the Week

And this man was an elected senator from Georgia?!

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2007/03/09/says_zell_military_shortages_s.html

Friday's News and Observations

Today's news articles and observations:


A. Brad Delp, 1951-2007

We lost one of music's great voices and entertainers today, Brad Delp. The lead singer for the group Boston was 55 years young and his distinctive voice provided superb accompaniment to the revolutionary powerful driving instrumentation that electrified enthusiastic listeners and fans when Boston arrived so successfully for us in the mid-1970's. He will be sorely missed.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Obit-Delp.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Delp

- - - - -

B. Wilderness Expansion for Utah?

Positive news for our time zone as legislation to increase wilderness areas in Utah is introduced and joins similar wilderness expansion bills for Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, as well as discussion of possible increases for Colorado and elsewhere. While I am not totally optimistic about the eventual fates of these conservation bills, at least there is some discussion going on as compared to the previous six years on Capitol Hill. After all, there is at least another 30 million people in the nation since those states had their last growth of wilderness acreage in the 1980's and early 1990's.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5392189

- - - - -

C. Appellate Court Gun Control Decision

A ruling today by a federal appeals court concerning gun control laws will be studied and contemplated by many including the Supreme Court within the next 15 months. I am anti-gun control so I welcome the ruling, but I would guess the Supreme Court will overturn this appellate ruling.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/09/washington/09cnd-gun.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

- - - - -


D. The Wannabe Emperor is Wearing No Clothes?

Here is an article about one of the "hot" candidates of the moment, Rudy Giuliani. I do not believe that he will end up the Republican nominee for President when the voting starts for real in 10 months and this article discusses some of the reasons why.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cm/content/view/198/159/

- - - - -

E. One Man's Harsh Outlook

I subscribe to and read Doug Thompson's news service on a daily basis. He is thoroughly disgusted with where our nation is and where it is going. He believes in some of the American people but is rapidly losing faith and any hope for our nation and its people's future. His article today about America being dead is particularly hard-hitting and causes one to think and contemplate about who and what we were and are now and what direction this nation is headed in. Is it possible to be a nation as we once were or have we irreversibly changed for the worst? I would largely believe Doug Thompson's conclusions are completely on target.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cm/content/view/202/162/

- - - - -

F. "It is the Best of Times, Yet It is the Worst of Times"

Two articles, a lengthy one in Time and another by a leading editorialist, discuss the current standing and circumstances of Vice-President Richard Cheney and what may await him in his current job in the remaining twenty months, if he even continues on to the end of his term.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1597226-2,00.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030702044.html

- - - - -

G. Corporations Do Get Away with Murder and So Much More

A most disturbing Supreme Court ruling is discussed at the link below. Many courts have established corporate legal supremacy as the pre-eminent standard in reviewing legal case while going often in a total opposite direction when compared to cases involving individuals. Extreme punishments for corporations are often cast aside by the courts and not when it concerns individuals. One can easily see why it appears very apparent that corporations have more rights and freedoms than individuals.

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0308-23.htm

- - - - -

H. What is the Cost of Globalism and Capitalism on Us and Our Future?

An article in London's Guardian newspaper gives one pause for thought about what globalism and capitalism are doing to people and nations and if there is some other way that would be better for our futures. Our American model of Corporate Capitalism is seriously flawed, more often than not immoral, and in some cases is criminal. A better way is definitely what we all need for sake of our childrens' futures.

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0308-32.htm

- - - - -

I. This Man Cannot Get Out of Public Life Soon Enough!

Something smells in the White House, and it is a rather large pungent odor. While many people blame George Bush for most of our problems. troubles, and ills, I realize that it is his advisors and mentors that are the primary cause for our dilemma. And the one man most ultimately responsible is Karl Rove. This man is nothing but trouble for our American democracy and our way of life. This is just but one article describing his approach and method of attack on our nation and its citizens:

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/03/3785_rove_on_us_atto.html

- - - - -
J. Link to this news site

Here is a website that is a good source of news from alternative points of view:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/

- - - - -