America's North Shore Journal » Archive
Cleaning the Blog
I’ve been working on the just over 500 remaining posts still in the “Uncategorized” category since I made the move to WordPress last year. The import got screwed up, but I’ve gradually been correcting the problems and applying categories to old posts. I’m erasing a lot of the posts that are just a couple of sentances or are just too obscure. I have a year or so of posts on Live Journal but I’m not going to bother to import them. Two goals: Eliminate the Uncategoried posts imported from Blogger. Fix the errors in the Google site map – links not found [200 plus]. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Blogging
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson
Navy Cross ABC 7 Donna and Corky Axelson live with a mix of emotion. Their tears represent both pride and anguish. Donna Axelson, mother: “He was just a wonderful young man.” Donna is talking about her 29-year-old son, Matthew Axelson. He was one of three Navy seals killed last June during a counter terrorism mission in Afghanistan. Rebels also shot down a helicopter carrying 16 reinforcements making it the deadliest operation in Naval special forces history. The Axelson’s have an impressive collection spanning their son’s five year military career — there’s a silver star, a purple heart and the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal. Now this son, brother and husband will receive the Navy Cross, a recognition second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor. Corky Axelson, father: “We are proud of our son if … Read entire article »
Filed under: Afghanistan, Heroes, Military, War on Terror, WOT Heroes
Reporting on America’s Heroes
Kate O’Beirne at National Review Online has written a couple of pieces on the lack of news coverage of the heros from the War on Terror. In her first, from June of 2004, she describes the trouble she has had in obtaining award information from the services, especially the Army. In her August 30, 2006 piece, she echoes Don Rumsfeld’s recent remarks about the lack of reporting about our heroes in the media. She correctly points out that the Pentagon could do a much better job in promoting the heroism of our men and women in uniform. In an e-mail to her this evening, I described my frustrations in this area. I did suggest that NRO could do something about it, say a blog [since they have so very many] … Read entire article »
Filed under: Media, Military, WOT Heroes
Suicide and Faith
John at Common Sense and Wonder posts part of an interview with a filmmaker who made a film about suicide bombers. Q – Do all Muslims interpret jihad and martyrdom in the same way? A – All Muslim believers believe that, ultimately, Islam will prevail on earth. They believe this is the only true religion and there is no room, in their mind, for interpretation. The main difference between moderate Muslims and extremists is that moderate Muslims don’t think they will see the absolute victory of Islam during their lifetime, therefore they respect other beliefs. The extremists believe that the fulfillment of the Prophecy of Islam and ruling the entire world as described in the Koran, is for today. Each victory of Bin Laden convinces 20 million moderate Muslims to become extremists. This … Read entire article »
Filed under: Islam, Religion, War on Terror
Farewell, Son!
Andi highlites the moving message the family of a dead Marine gave to the anti-war protestors in Salt Lake City yesterday. Though many are debating the justification of this war, Adam’s belief in his country did not waver, even to the point of the ultimate sacrifice. It is our hope and prayer that people share the same conviction and dedication to our troops and fellow Americans. A country divided cannot stand for long. We all want our troops to come home as soon as possible alive and unharmed. However, while our men and women are putting their lives on the line every day in a courageous fight, we must present to the world a united front, strong and true. In light of all this, while our forefathers gave us the right … Read entire article »
Filed under: Marines, Military, War on Terror
Porker Busted!
Ted Stevens is the secret hold. His staffer blames all the fuss on bloggers. Palm Beach Post “Senator Stevens has always preferred to handle this at the staff level or member to member,†Saunders said. “He doesn’t like running to the blogosphere or the media.†“Our reticence in getting out there is that Stevens doesn’t want to be in the media attacking Coburn,†Saunders said. “He has never addressed legislative concerns in the media. It is just not the way the senator has ever operated.†Placing a hold is a normal part of doing business on Capitol Hill, Saunders said. He noted that Coburn has used the same parliamentary maneuver to block bills coming out of the Commerce Committee. “Senator Stevens is not trying to show Senator Coburn or any other senator up publicly. … Read entire article »
Filed under: American Politics, Congress, Politics, Pork Busters
Poverty in America 2005 – the Sexes
UPDATE: [I forgot the link sigh]The Census Bureau has issued its annual report on poverty in the United States. This is a statistic that the Bush Administration should be shouting from the roof tops. Record wage parity for women, .77:1, 77%. Wage parity between women and men is at record levels under the Bush administration. Bush’s worst year of the five is still over a percentage point higher than Clinton’s best year. How come NOW isn’t rejoicing in the Bush Presidency? The nature of our social structure and our anatomy mean that the ratio will never be 1:1. Women will keep having babies and that will continue to produce a wage gap. Experts can probably tell you what the ratio ought to be in a perfect world. I can tell you with … Read entire article »
Filed under: American Economy, Original writing, Poverty, Reporting
One Year Later on the Left
skippy has put together a linkfest of left blogging about the anniversary of Katrina. as usual, prime scout at first draft is the main go-to gal for what’s really happening in n’awlins, and today she gives us video of the unbreakable spirit of new orleans in the guise of the arabi wrecking krewe volunteers helping to gut the destroyed homes of nola musicians. Not all his friends froth at the mouth, so it’s worth a look at his post and some of the links he provides. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disasters, Gulf Reconstruction, Katrina relief
Poverty in America 2005 – the Races
UPDATE: [I forgot the link sigh]The Census Bureau has issued its annual report on poverty in the United States. INCOME LEVELS 2005 2000 1991 Black – over $25K 57.9% 61.0% 51.7% Black – over $50K 30.2% 32.2% 24.5% Hispanic – over $25K 66.3% 67.4% 60.4% Hispanic – over $50K 34.2% 35.6% 28.7% POVERTY LEVELS 2005 2000 1991 Black 24.7% 22.5% 32.7% Hispanic 21.8% 21.5% 28.7% The best that you can say about poverty levels and incomes for blacks and Hispanics under Bush is that they are not losing ground. Income levels are near historic highs. Poverty rates are near historic lows. As I have pointed out in the past, the Clinton “boom” was an exception, not a rule when it comes to poverty in America. The 2005 overall poverty rate of 12.6% is lower [typo corrected] than the rates for all the years from 1980 through 1998. The poverty rate for blacks in 2005 of 24.7% is lower than the rates in the period … Read entire article »
Filed under: American Economy, Original writing, Poverty, Reporting
Coming Soon: Future Posts
- Declaration of War 1812 (in 132 days)
- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 137 days)
- General Hull Invades Canada (in 156 days)
- First Battle of Sacketts Harbor (in 163 days)
On Y!CN
- Radioactive Gravel from Japanese Nuke Disaster Used in Buildings
- Fuel Supplies Reach Nome
- Fuel Convoy Reaches Nome
- Russians Sail to Rescue of Ice Bound Alaska Community
- Pope Embraces Anglicans in U.S. with New Ordinariate
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Placed on Special Inspection Status
- Radioactive Water Leaks at Japanese Nuke Site
- Japan Damaged Nuke Plants Still Not Under Control
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