NBC's David Bloom Dies in Iraq







Evidently from a pulmonary embolism. Sad, sad news.



From MSNBC:



Bloom had been co-anchor of the weekend editions of “Today” since March 2000. In his nearly 20-year career, Bloom covered many top stories for NBC News, most recently reporting from Israel on the escalating violence in the Middle East and from the U.S. on home front security and the recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.



In his most recent assignment — traveling with the 2nd Battalion, 315 Mechanized Unit of U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in its push toward Baghdad — Bloom scored what many believe to be a first: broadcasting live reports as the American armored column he was traveling with fought its way north through the Iraqi desert.

What I like About Living Here



We did not change our clocks this morning. We never do and now until October we are in Central Time in my mind the best time.



What I Don't Like About Living Here



After a week with several days in the high 70's tonight the forecast calls for 2-4 inches of snow. It is also cold enough out this morning that the water in the birdbath is frozen.

Why I Don't Like Chinese Food!







I must provide the caption to the photo that comes from Yahoo.news:



A kitchen worker hits a water rat on the head to stun it before it is killed for a meal in a restaurent in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.





After Three Days in the High 70's...Snow Here This Morning



Nothing major, just some flurries mixed with sleet but a reminder that summer is a long way off yet.

Happy Birthday to Joseph!







Two years ago today I sat next to Amy as she gave birth to a wonderful little man who continues to delight and fascinate everyday!

Holy War Declared Against U.S.!







From Yahoo.News:



Supreme Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin speaks at a news conference in Moscow in this March 19, 2003, file picture. Russian Muslims have declared a jihad, or holy war, against the United States, Russia's top mufti said Thursday April 3, 2003, according to the Interfax news agency. Supreme Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin wouldn't say what specific actions the fight would take, but said the first results would be visible within two or three days.



I guess that means we will see something today or tomorrow?



I can't help but be struck by the Supreme Mufti's resemblance to Robin Williams and his cleric attire to be something right out of a Danny Kaye movie.



Fiction Anyone?



Lani Palmer is compiling a small booklet, containing lists and descriptions of Catholic fiction for adults and young adults. Please contact Lani at lani_palmer@yahoo.com.au if you have a novel you would like included in the booklet (either listed or reviewed).

The New Ruler of Babylon?



I made my monthly visit to Sam's Club last night and as usual purveyed what books they are currently offering.



I used to think you had it made when you found one of your books in stock at a Borders or Barnes and Nobles but alas that glory has passed. Now I long for the day when Sam's Club will carry my books.



Anyway it is very instructive (in that it is a good barometer of what American's are buying) to see what they are carrying. On this visit I spyed Queen Noor's book, Rudy's latest book, all the usual diet books and a stash of books by an author I have never heard of about Biblical prophecies of "Babylon" and the end of the world. Nothing new about this last idea but obviously the Sam's marketers realize that this is currently a "hot topic."



It is then that the irony struck. For years people have referred to various parts of the U.S. as "Babylon"--New York and Hollywood come to mind. Right now the United States the most powerful nation in the world occupies the real Babylon. What will the fundamentalist Christians make of this? For years it has been easy to project anti-Christ status on Saddam Hussein but what now after he is gone?



Stay tuned...



Meanwhile-What are the Russians up to?

War, What is it Good for? Singer Dies



The song was famous during the Vietnam War and it received some airplay yesterday to note the singer's passing. Those of you who remember the song remember the answer to the question---"absolutely nothing!"



From Yahoo! News:



Edwin Starr, the soul singer who produced No. 1 Motown hits such as "War," died of an apparent heart attack Wednesday, his manager said. He was 61.