Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. Today we remember the men and women who fought and died protecting our country. You would think that because we are currently in two wars and have soldiers dying more people would stop for a minute and pay homage for those that are giving up their lives so we can have carefree moments. Unfortunately, most people only think about going swimming, having BBQs, etc and not those that had to die so we can be free.

Not much was mentioned on the news today (and most days) about the wars and those that are dying. The media tends to only focus on one story until it becomes so annoying that you don't want to hear anything more about it (currently it is all the tornadoes.)

I realize the sacrifice that our soldiers (and their families) make so that I can sit here and write about it without any worries. I only wish others would do the same.

My Canadian Passport

Last Friday I finally got my Canadian Passport in the mail. Passport Canada did the same thing to me that they did my mom when she applied last year. They rejected mine/her application the first time because of the photos. We both got them done at the one and only place here in NH the Canadian Consulate in Boston told us about. Canadian Passport pictures are completely different from American ones and so we wanted the correct ones.

My mom got her passport the second time and so did I. Luckily Passport Canada doesn't charge the fee unless they grant you a passport. I get the feeling the Canadians (or maybe it is just the Quebecois in Gatineau) do this to Canadians living in the US to mess with us. Either that or they reject them simply so they can meet their 20 day turnaround.

At least I now have it and I can use the Canadian Passport when entering Canada and my American Passport when I enter the US. I have to say the picture in my Canadian one looks better than in my American one, but the Canadian one is only valid for 5 years whereas my American one is good for 10 (and they were about the same price.)

I Am Number 4 (2011)

I really liked this movie. It seemed like it was like the movie "Jumper" which I also like. Alex Pettyfer did a good job as did Diane Agron. The film moved pretty quickly, but wasn't too complicated. If the movie had gone slower I probably wouldn't have liked it, but since it was fast-paced and had a lot of cool special effects it was a good movie. I assume they are going to make a sequel - which I would watch.

No Rapture!

From USA Today:
"May 21st is 'Apocalypse No,' a day of jokes not Judgment"

No Judgment! But a whole lot of joking as Judgment Day, aka the Rapture, aka the Apocalypse, has gone off without a world-ending disaster (little quakes in Iceland don't seem to count). The joke appears to be on Harold Camping and his earnest followers. After all, if you're reading this, you're still standing squarely on earth, not off with the angels where the true believers were supposed to be flown in a flash at 6 p.m.

^ Well it is after 6 pm and there was no Rapture. It seems all the media hype over this idiot's predictions were all for nothing. I guess the fact that he predicted the world's end in 1994 and was wrong and has done the same exact thing today means nothing to the "intelligent media." As the article states there are many jokes coming out of all this. I posted on my Facebook status that "It's after 6 pm. We can now go on with our regularly-scheduled lives." I'm sure this idiot will pick another date and people will continue to believe him. I even bet they would drink Kool-Aid if he gave them some. ^

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/05/may-21-end-of-the-world-doomsday-harold-camping/1

Israel Tells Obama Off!

The other day Obama decided to speak without thinking and told Israel that a Middle East peace deal would be based on the 1967 borders. Not only did Obama not think about this (and if he did than he is even dumber than I thought) but is also going against US policy towards Israel that has lasted since Israel was founded in 1948.

I do not like he says things in the name of the American people - especially when what he is saying goes against every key American trait.

Luckily, Israel is standing up for itself and told Obama that it would not accept a two-party state with the 1967 borders. If they did it would mean hundreds of thousands of Israelis would find themselves living outside of Israeli territory.

Obama should focus on making the Palestinians stop their suicide attacks and missile attacks in Israel before he tells the Israelis what they should do. Then they (the Palestinians) need to officially recognize Israel's right to exist. Israel has every right to defend itself against the Arabs and Palestinians that officially call for it's destruction and have started dozens of wars and other terrorist acts to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. Despite all odds, Israel not only survives after over 60 years of being invaded, attacked and bombed by all its neighboring countries, but it thrives.

It is clear that Obama is way over is head in all this and should get a tutor to teach him about what has been going on in the Middle East in the last 60 years.

Survivor: RI

Tonight was the season finale (2 hours long with an extra hour of the reunion show.)The final three were: Boston Rob, Phil and Natalie (after they blindsided Andrea and then Ashley at Tribal.) When the 3 were talking to the jury each gave a different stance. Natalie kept saying she was only 19 and followed Rob from the beginning. Phil went about with an "I'm going to put salt in their wounds" attitude - which isn't the best way to get people to vote for you. Rob went about as he had been on the show for 4 seasons and did everything for his wife and kids. I really did not want any of the final three to win. It was more of a who is the lesser of the 3 evils. In the end Rob won.He also won the $100,000 fan favorite award (between him and Matt.) The only good thing about that is that now we probably won't see him on another season. I think he is way too arrogant.

On the reunion show Dave proposed to someone who was on an earlier season of the show (which I didn't watch.) Of course she said "yes." They also made a big deal about Phil and whether or not he was a former federal agent. There are thousands upon thousands of federal agents so that is nothing exciting. The key word in his title is "former." At least Phil said he was wrong and sorry that he called Steve a racist during the show. Mike was my choice to win both the show and then when that wasn't going to happen to win the fan favorite. He didn't win either, but he still did a good job. Ashley and Natalie still don't seem to think they did anything wrong by blindly following Rob. Some girls are just plain dumb and want others to tell them what to do.

At the end of the show they announced the 23rd season will be in the South Pacific (probably on Palau or Samoa like they have done many times in the past.)They will keep Redemption Island (hopefully this time they will make the winner of RI one of the final three as putting them back in the game will only get them voted out for a second time.) They will also have two former contestants return (I think it will be Russel, Matt, Phil or Mike.)

DE Medical Marijuana

From Yahoo News:
"Delaware legalizes medical marijuana"

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) – Delaware became the 16th state on Friday to legalize marijuana for medical use after the governor signed the bill into law. The law allows patients who certify they have a serious medical condition such as cancer to possess up to six ounces, or 170 grams, of marijuana. State-licensed centers will be allowed to grow the marijuana and dispense it to patients 18 and older. Democratic Governor Jack Markell signed the bill in private without a ceremony, according to his office. The state Senate passed the measure on Wednesday by a 17-4 vote.

^ This is one more step in the right direction. I firmly believe that medical marijuana should be legal in every state and that the Federal Government should stop going after states that have state-licensed centers and are helping their residents. Medical marijuana is legal in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Washington DC. There are some states (like CA) where it seems all you have to do is cough and they give you a medical marijuana prescription. I think that is an abuse. It should be tightly state-controlled and accessible to those that need it to help stop their pain. ^

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110513/pl_nm/us_marijuana_delaware

Demjanjuk Guilty!

From BBC News:
"John Demjanjuk guilty of Nazi death camp murders"

A German court has found John Demjanjuk guilty of helping to murder more than 28,000 Jews at a Nazi death camp in World War II. He was sentenced to five years in prison, one year less than prosecutors had asked for, but will be released pending a possible appeal. Prosecutors said the Ukraine-born Demjanjuk, 91, was a guard at Sobibor camp in Nazi-occupied Poland in 1943. He denied serving as a guard, saying he was a prisoner of war and a victim too. Lawyers for Demjanjuk have said they will appeal against the conviction. "The court is convinced that the defendant... served as a guard at Sobibor from 27 March 1943 to mid-September 1943," presiding Judge Ralph Alt said. "As guard he took part in the murder of at least 28,000 people," he said. An estimated 250,000 people died in the gas chambers at Sobibor. Demjanjuk was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of the 28,060 people who were killed there while he was a guard.

The presiding judge stood up and leaned over him and said: "You have the last word." Demjanjuk simply shook his head no. He was wheeled forward and the judge delivered his guilty verdict to his face. The relatives of the dead were clearly satisfied with the verdict although for some of them it wasn't the main aim. They wanted a court in Germany to hear the details of the machinery of industrial killing and to hear that history related in the city where the Nazi party was founded. Judge Alt said he had ordered Demjanjuk freed during his appeal as he did not pose a flight risk because of his advanced age, poor health and the fact that he was stateless following his expulsion from the US, where after the war he worked in an Ohio car factory and became an American citizen.

Born in Ukraine in 1920, Demjanjuk grew up under Soviet rule. He was a soldier in the Red Army in 1942 when he was captured by the Germans. Prosecutors had argued he was recruited by the Germans to be an SS camp guard and that by working at a death camp he was a participant in the killings. No evidence was produced that he committed a specific crime.It was the first time such a legal argument was made in a German court.

Vera Dejong, relative of Sobibor victim: "He can't look us in the eye"

Central to the prosecution's case was an SS identity card indicating Demjanjuk was posted to Sobibor. The defence cast doubts on the authenticity of the card but court experts said it appeared genuine. Demjanjuk listened to the verdict sitting in a wheelchair without responding, his eyes covered by dark glasses.

^ It is about time this criminal was convicted. The fact that it was done in Germany by a German court gives it even more meaning. I only wish German courts would have done these kinds of trials and given harder sentences. It should not matter if the person is old or sick to stand trial. Think of all the elderly, disabled and very young that were murdered by shootings, starvation and in gas chambers. None of these Nazi criminals cared about the age or health status of any of their victims. The real punishment should be the death penalty, but the EU doesn't allow it and that's just plain sad. ^

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12321549

Survivor: RI

This week Andrea was the newest member to Redemption Island. Mike, Matt, Ralph and her had their challenge and Ralph was sent to the jury.
During the Immunity and Reward Challenge Ashley won (which was good because she was going to be voted out.)Her and Natalie had their reward (food) and got sick.
Since Ashley couldn't be voted out Rob decided to vote out Grant. Grant (like all those that are left) blindly follow Rob and believe he is going to take them to the finale. It was funny to watch Grant's face as he was blindsided and sent to Redemption Island.
Next week is the season finale. There are still 4 people left plus the people on Redemption Island - where one more person will be put back in the game. Hopefully, the winner of Redemption Island will automatically be one of the final 3.

TAR

Tonight was the season finale. The teams went from Switzerland to Brazil. They had to get a Brazilian wax and my favorite part was when Zev said "Oh No! Not the nipple." Then the teams either had to make 100 drinks or sell swimsuits on the beach. Zev and Justin were the only team to try the swimsuit selling and so they came in last and were eliminated.

The final three teams (Kisha and Jen, Gary and Mallory and the Globetrotters) flew to Miami. Gary and Mallory had a really bad taxi driver who was pretty stupid and so they got lost.

The teams had to move a boat on a marina and then they went to the Florida Keys and had to use a personal submarine to find their next clue. After that they went to a trailer park and had to put one together. Gary and Mallory had finally caught up, but in the end it was down to Kisha and Jen and the Globetrotters.

I really wanted Justin and Zev to win and then when they got sent home I wanted Gary and Mallory. When that wasn't going to happen I wanted Kisha and Jen because I did not want the Globetrotters to win. In the end it was Kisha and Jen who won.

This season was pretty good. I just wish they would not always go to China and India every season since it is so dirty and boring to watch all the time. I hope that next season (which they already filmed) is re-vamped with new and interesting places and challenges.

Austerity In Britain

This book deals with rationing (both food and clothing) that took place in the UK from 1939-1955. It makes sense that the British had rationing from 1939-1945 because of World War 2 (like the majority of countries), but what doesn't make any sense - even after reading the book - is why it continued until 1955 (10 years after the war.) I am sure that the British living during those times did not know all the facts, but nowadays we know that while rationing lasted in the UK til 1955 it ended in the British Zone of Occupation in Germany (which later merged with the US Zone and then the French Zone) in 1949.

I would have been very mad if I lived in the UK at that time and knew that the conquered Germans were living and eating better than I was (especially since we won the war.) It seems the British Government at the time did not think things clearly enough and in the end the British public finally woke up and complained by voting them out of office (which they deserved.)

Mother's Day

Today for Mother's Day I took my mom out to breakfast. Then for dinner we went to one of our favorite restaurants, Carabba's. There was some heavy rain along the way and when we got to the restaurant it was packed. Despite all the people we were seated a good booth within 5 minutes. The service was good and our waitress was friendly. The food was also very good. Of course having great company made things even better. All-in-all it was a really nice Mother's Day.

Survivor: RI

This week the 4 on Redemption Island (Matt, Mike, Ralph and Steve) had a challenge in which Steve was sent to the jury and where Mike was given the choice of spending time with his mom, letting Matt and Ralph see their family and friends or letting the rest of the tribe see their loved ones. Mike chose to let the rest of the tribe see their friends and family.

The immunity challenge was pretty tough and it came down to Grant, Rob and Andrea. In the end Rob won and was completely worn-out. At Tribal they blind-sided Andrea and sent her to Redemption Island.

Canadian Elections

From the Globe and Mail:
"Harper to move fast to use his new authority"

It’s been seven years since a party had a majority of seats in the Commons, and Stephen Harper will put this new-found authority to immediate use. A majority government not only cements Mr. Harper’s leadership within the Conservative Party but it gives him four years to pursue his policies as he sees fit without having to shelve long-term plans every few months in case his rivals might defeat him. "Our job starts tomorrow," Mr. Harper said in his victory speech from Calgary late Monday night. "We will implement what we laid out in the budget, our plan for jobs and growth without raising taxes." A majority will make it easier for Mr. Harper to balance the budget. He will be able to schedule government spending cuts over four years instead of worrying this would alarm voters. It may also give him leeway to cut payments to provinces if his promise to keep health transfers rising at 6 per cent annually puts too much pressure on Ottawa’s coffers. As pledged, the Tories will move rapidly on a far-reaching rewrite of Canada’s crime laws. They’re planning to bundle 11 pieces of law-and-order legislation they’d failed to enact as a minority government into one omnibus bill that will be passed within 100 days of taking power. Measures would include an end to house arrest for serious and violent criminals, tougher sentences and mandatory jail time for sexual offences against children and a crackdown on the handling of violent and repeat young offenders. Say goodbye to the long-gun registry and $2-per-vote subsidies for political parties now that Stephen Harper has full control over the levers of power in Ottawa. And get ready for term limits on senators and greater foreign ownership of companies that offer telecom services such as cellphones. Also on the front-burner will be legislation long sought by the United States to toughen up copyright protections for those who make movies, software and other creative works.

Tories won 167 seats out of the 308 in the House of Commons, the NDP took 102, the Liberals 34, the Bloc Québécois four, and the Green Party one. Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe saw his party reduced to a small regional rump — the first time since 1993 that the separatist party hasn't claimed at least half Quebec's 75 seats.

^ It looks like Canada will have more time with the Conservatives - who are the Republicans of the country. Some of their platforms seem interesting and I am curious to see if they are achieved. ^

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-to-move-fast-to-use-his-new-authority/article2007581/

Reactions To Osama's Death

From Wikipedia:
"Reactions to bin Laden's death"

President Obama's address:

“Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.”

Ordinary Americans:

Americans reacting to the death of Osama bin Laden in front of the White House

Within minutes of the official announcement, crowds gathered spontaneously outside the White House, Ground Zero, the Pentagon and in New York's Times Square to celebrate.In Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit with a large Muslim and Arab population, a small crowd gathered outside the City Hall in celebration, many of them being of Middle Eastern descent.From the beginning to the end of Obama's speech, 4,000 tweets per second were sent on Twitter.Fans attending a nationally televised Major League Baseball game between two National League East rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets, at Citizens Bank Park initiated U-S-A! cheers in response to the news.Likewise, at WWE Extreme Rules 2011; a pay-per-view broadcast emanating from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida newly crowned WWE Champion John Cena announced the news to the audience following the event's conclusion, resulting in a massive "U-S-A!" chant from the crowd. Several observers expressed disgust at these acts of celebration, labelling them as inappropriate.

American Politicans:

Former President George W. Bush said that "This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001." The event was also applauded by other Republican leaders, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator John McCain. Former President Bill Clinton described it as "a profoundly important moment for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children." New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that he hoped the death of bin Laden "would comfort those who lost loved ones" in the September 11, 2001 attacks.Former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice characterized the news as "Absolutely thrilling", adding that she was "overwhelmed with gratitude and continue[s] to be amazed at what our military has achieved."

Pakistan:

Following the death of bin Laden, President Asif Ali Zardari convened emergency talks with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and security chiefs in Islamabad. Pakistan's military officials declined to comment, referring questions to the foreign ministry.Yousaf Raza Gillani said "We will not allow our soil to be used against any other country for terrorism and therefore I think it's a great victory, it's a success and I congratulate the success of this operation."

International:

• Afghanistan – President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, speaking on the death of bin Laden has said, “It’s wonderful. It’s great news,” elaborating that bin Laden has "been one of the key enemies of humanity, civilization, and it’s really been a major problem for the human race." He emphasized that "Afghanistan was right" in saying that "the fighting against terrorism is not in the villages of Afghanistan, not among the poor people of Afghanistan", but in "safe havens",and called on the Taliban to lay down their arms.

• Australia – Prime Minister Julia Gillard welcomed news of bin Laden's death, saying "Osama bin Laden declared war on innocent people and today he has paid the price for that declaration."She also said it was "a small measure of justice",but stated that the "War on Terror is not over", and "must be continued".

• Austria – Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger welcomed the news, calling it "a relief for many people", but warned that it must not be interpreted as a "final victory over terrorism."

• Canada – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the death of Osama bin Laden "secures a sense of justice for the families of the 24 Canadians murdered" (on September 11, 2001) and said that "Canada receives the news of the death of Osama bin Laden with sober satisfaction."

• Colombia – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos congratulated President Obama, stating in a press release that the raid "proves once again that terrorists, sooner or later, always fall. In the global fight against terrorism there is only one way: to persevere, persevere and persevere."

• Czech Republic – Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas said that "the death of Osama bin Laden is a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism, in the effort to secure world, though it is not far from its end. It is an important symbolic message to the survivors of victims of terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda and a clear signal to all parties without respect for law and human lives anywhere in the world: destroyed human life can not be replaced, but its marred don't stay unpunished."

• Denmark – the Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen congratulated the U.S. on the death of bin Laden. "I congratulate President Obama and the American people, with the success in finishing the era of bin Laden's unscrupulous and inhumane violence and destruction" he said.

• European Union – the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek said, "We have woken up in a more secure world."

• France – French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said on state radio that bin Laden's death is a "victory for all democracies fighting the abominable scourge of terrorism." He went on to say, "France, the United States and European states work closely together to fight terrorism, so I'm overjoyed at the news."

• Germany – German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said, "That a stop could be put to this terrorist's bloody trade is good news for all peace-loving and free-thinking people in the world."

• Hungary – Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi said, "The death of Osama bin Laden is a major success in the war on international terrorism, but it doesn't mean the end of this war. A very important and determined enemy of our entire civilization has fallen."

• India – Minister for Home Affairs P. Chidambaram said that Osama bin Laden hiding "deep inside" Pakistan was a matter of grave concern for India and showed that "many of the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks, including the controllers and the handlers of the terrorists who actually carried out the attack, continue to be sheltered in Pakistan." He also called on Pakistan to arrest them.[38] Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh said "I welcome it as a significant step forward and hope that it will deal a decisive blow to Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. The international community and Pakistan in particular must work comprehensively to end the activities of all such groups who threaten civilized behaviour and kill innocent men, women and children."

• Iran – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said bin Laden's death meant that the "US and their allies have no more excuse to deploy forces in the Middle East under (the) pretext of fighting terrorism". He hoped that the killing would "establish peace and security in the region," adding that it is Iran's policy to "strongly condemn terrorism all over the world." Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the Iranian Parliament's foreign policy commission, stated, "If it is true, then the killing of bin Laden 10 years after the September 11 incident is no big deal."

• Ireland -- Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the removal of bin Laden's ability to plot heinous acts is a major achievement in the effort to rid the world of the threat of terrorism.

• Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that bin Laden's death was a "resounding triumph for democratic nations fighting terrorism."

• Italy – Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi said of bin Laden's killing "This is a great outcome in the fight against evil, in the fight against terrorism, a great outcome for the United States and for all democracies."

• Japan – the Foreign Minister of Japan, Takeaki Matsumoto said, "I pay respect to the US officials concerned. While his death was confirmed, it does not mean that terrorism was eliminated."

• Kenya – Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said "It's a major achievement in the war against terrorism."

• Libya – Libyan rebel Air Force Colonel Ahmed Omar Bani stated that "We are very happy and we are waiting for the next step. We want the Americans to do the same to Gaddafi."

• Malaysia – Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says he hopes that the death of bin Laden would help bring universal peace and harmony.

• Mexico – Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa Cantellano said "It is of great importance in efforts to free the world from the scourge of terrorism, which threatens peace and security, particularly one who leads one of the most ruthless and bloody terrorist organizations in the world."

• NATO – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the killing of Bin Laden is a "significant success" for the security of NATO allies, Reuters reports.

• New Zealand – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key stated that "the world is a safer place without Osama bin Laden", but "bin Laden's death may not mean an end to terrorism".

• Netherlands – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte praises the courage and the determination that people showed during the mission. He further says that this is a major blow to the Al-Queda network. He has presented his compliments to President Obama but also said this is not the end of terrorism.

• Norway – Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the death of Osama bin Laden "a break-through in the fight against terror," but insisted that the threat from al-Qaida remained.

• Palestinian Authority – "Getting rid of Bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide but what counts is to overcome the discourse and the methods — the violent methods — that were created and encouraged by Bin Laden and others in the world," said spokesman Ghassan Khatib.

• Poland – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Justice may be done. Congratulations to Allies. We are pleased with the American people."

• Philippines – The Philippine National Police described bin Laden's death as "a victory for all peace loving citizens and a major blow to terrorists and terrorism." Authorities in the Philippines believe that there are people who are linked to bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and may commit a retaliation attack.

• Portugal – The President of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, sent a message to the President of the United states in which he expressed his solidarity with the feelings of the American people when the outcome of the military operation of which ended with the death of Osama bin Laden became known.

• Russia – "Russia was among the first countries to face the dangers inherent in global terrorism, and unfortunately knows what al Qaeda is not from hearsay," the Kremlin said. "Retribution will inevitably reach all terrorists."

• Singapore – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "the killing of Osama bin Laden [...] is a significant milestone in the struggle against international terrorism."

• Spain – Prime Minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero expressed: "In name of my Government and the spanish society, the satisfaction shared with the american people for the result of the antiterrorist operation which led to Bin Laden's death"

• Sweden – Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt wrote a tweet saying that "A world without Osama Bin Laden is a better world. His hatred was a threat to us all."

• Turkey – President Abdullah Gul said that bin Laden's death "should teach a lesson that the leader of the world's most dangerous and sophisticated terrorist organization is captured this way."

• United Kingdom – Prime Minister David Cameron said that bin Laden's death would "bring great relief" around the world.

• Vatican City – Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said that while Christians "do not rejoice" over a death, bin Laden's death serves to remind them of "each person's responsibility before God and men," expressing hope that bin Laden's death "would not be an occasion for more hate, but for peace." The Vatican went on to say that Osama bin Laden must answer to God for having killed an innumerable number of people and exploiting religion.

• Yemen – A government official described bin Laden' death as "a truly historic moment". "We welcome the news ... millions of people will sleep in peace tonight, Osama bin Laden was more of a symbolic figure, a spiritual leader for al Qaeda. But this is definitely a strong blow to the organization," said the official, who did not want to be named because he is not authorized to talk to the media."

^ It seems the majority of the world are just as happy that he is dead as we are.

I found this posted on FB on several people's status pages and really like it: "Now I lay me down to sleep...one less terrorist this world does keep...with all my heart I give my thanks...to those in uniform regardless of ranks...you serve our country and serve it well...with humble hearts your stories tell...so as I rest my weary eyes...while freedom rings our flag still flies...you give your all, do what you must...with God we live and God we trust....Amen." ^

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

Bin Laden DEAD!

From Wikipedia:
"Death of Osama bin Laden."

The death of Osama bin Laden was reported by international news media, as taking place on Monday, May 2, 2011, at approximately 02:30 UTC, and officially announced by U.S. President Barack Obama about an hour later. At about 1:00 a.m. local time on May 2, (19:00 UTC, May 1), United States military forces shot and killed Osama bin Laden after a 40-minute firefight in Kakul,a town in the Abbottabad district of Pakistan, and then seized his body. The operation was carried out by 25 members of the US Navy SEAL DEVGRU unit under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command forces in Pakistan working with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). After careful monitoring of a compound suspected to be bin Laden's Pakistani residence, U.S. military forces were sent across the border of Afghanistan to launch the attack.Pakistani officials confirmed that bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by the U.S. military. The body was recovered by the U.S. military and was in its possession.ABC News has reported that the body has been identified by DNA testing. However, Reuters reports that DNA test results will be available in the next few days and that bin Laden's body was identified using facial recognition techniques.

The death of bin Laden was celebrated in the United States and welcomed by NATO, the European Union and a large number of countries as a positive and significant turning point for the security of the world. Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood said that the West must pull out of the Middle East following the event. The Hamas administration of the Gaza Strip condemned the killing of a "Muslim and Arab warrior".

American intelligence officials discovered the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden by tracking one of his couriers. Information was collected from Guantánamo Bay detainees, who gave intelligence officers the courier's pseudonym and said that he was a protégé of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. In 2007, U.S. officials discovered the courier's real name and in 2009, where he lived. In August 2010, the courier's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, was located at34.187666°N 73.24262°ECoordinates: 34.187666°N 73.24262°E. Using satellite photos and intelligence reports, the CIA surmised the inhabitants of the mansion. In September, the CIA concluded that the compound was "custom built to hide someone of significance" and that bin Laden's residence there was very likely. Officials guessed that he was living there with his youngest wife. Built in 2005, the million-dollar three-story mansion was located on an "imposing hilltop" on the outer bounds of the city,and had high security. About eight times the size of nearby houses, it was surrounded by 12-to-18-foot (3.7-5.5 m) concrete walls topped with barbed wire. There were two security gates and the third-floor balcony had a seven-foot-high (2.1 m) privacy wall.[13] Its residents burned their trash, unlike their neighbors, who simply set it out for collection. The compound was located a few hundred yards from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA.)

President Obama met with his security advisors on March 14, 2011, in the first of five security meetings over six weeks. On April 29, at 8:20 a.m., Obama convened with Thomas Donilon, John O. Brennan, and other security advisers in the Diplomatic Room, where he authorized a raid of the Abbottabad compound. The government of Pakistan was not informed of this decision.

The raid was carried out jointly by 20–25 helicopter-borne United States Navy SEALs under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command in cooperation with the CIA. According to Obama administration officials, U.S. officials did not share information about the raid with the government of Pakistan before the operation but did notify Pakistan after its successful completion. According to the Pakistani foreign ministry, the operation was conducted entirely by the U.S. forces, however, Pakistan ISI officials stated that they were also present at what they called a joint operation. The SEALs stormed the compound at approximately 1 a.m. local time (20:00, May 1 (UTC)) and engaged bin Laden and his men in a firefight.Osama bin Laden was shot in the head.The raid lasted about 40 minutes and three other men present at the compound were also reportedly killed in the operation, including an adult son of bin Laden. The helicopter that the SEALs used to breach the mansion walls suffered a mechanical breakdown and could not fly the team out. They burned the helicopter to secure intelligence and carried bin Laden's body out of the compound on foot. The other two men were reported to be couriers for bin Laden. A woman was also reported killed in the operation; according to an unnamed U.S. official, one of the men had tried to use her as a human shield.[24] Two other women were injured.Karachi's Geo News described a helicopter crash and "heavy firing" on the evening of May 1 "near the PMA Kakul Road". Details of the raid, observed from a distance, were tweeted by a resident of Abbottabad, who did not know what was happening. According to a U.S. official on May 2, bin Laden's body was handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition and was buried at sea soon after his death.

An unnamed Pakistani government official confirmed to Agence France-Presse on May 2 that bin Laden was killed in the operation. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan issued a statement on May 2 denying that bin Laden had been killed. Hours later, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said that if bin Laden had, in fact, been killed, it was, "a great victory for us because martyrdom is the aim of all of us" and vowed to take revenge on Pakistan and the United States. Bin Laden's body was buried at sea less than a day after his death. A burial at sea also leaves no definitive location, thus preventing a burial site from becoming a "terrorist shrine". The Guardian has questioned whether bin Laden's grave would have been a shrine, as that concept is rejected by Wahhabism. It quotes a U.S. official explaining the difficulty of finding a country that would accept the burial of bin Laden in its soil.

Numerous allegations were made that the government of Pakistan was involved in shielding bin Laden. Aspects of the incident that have fueled the allegations include the close location of bin Laden's heavily fortified compound to the Pakistan Military Academy, that the United States apparently did not notify the Pakistani authorities before the operation, and the alleged double standards of Pakistan regarding the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistani-born British MP Khalid Mahmood stated that he was "flabbergasted and shocked" after he learned that bin Laden was living in a city with thousands of Pakistani troops, reviving questions about alleged links between al-Qaeda and elements in Pakistan's security forces.Senator Lindsey Graham questioned “How could [bin Laden] be in such a compound without being noticed?” raising suspicions that Pakistan was either uncommitted in the fight against Islamist militants or was actively sheltering them while pledging to fight them.

^ This is the best news we have had in a very long time. The fact that bin Laden is dead shows that sometimes justice can be done. I am especially glad that he was killed by Americans since he specifically targeted us and now we targeted and got him. I am also glad that he was killed and not captured as now there is no chance he can get away - at least now he won't get his 40 virgins because he didn't die a martyr. He died "hiding" out in the open at a mansion living just like a capitalist. I do not think we should have given him an Islamic burial as it looks like we are honoring him. We should have wrapped his body in bacon and set it on-fire. Regardless what happens now the fact is bin Laden is dead! ^

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

TAR

This week they stayed in Switzerland. The teams took a helicopter to a glacier and had to either dig for a "rescue" person or go down the glacier and rescue a real person. Then they had to make a chocolate troll (where the Harlem Globetrotters went crazy because someone "stole" from them.) In the end Kent and Vyxsin were sent home because they didn't read the clue correctly and got a penalty. Had they not been forced to wait 30 minutes then Zev and Justin would have gone home.

Next week is the 2 hour season finale where they go to Brazil and then Key West. As of right now I would like Zev and Justin to win. I really don't want the Globetrotters to even come close in winning.

Pope John Paul 2 Beatified

From BBC News:
"John Paul II beatified in Vatican ceremony"

The late Pope, John Paul II, has been officially beatified at a ceremony at the Vatican in front of hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful. Among those at St Peter's Square is French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, who says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease. Her apparently miraculous cure is part of the case for the beatification, the last stage before sainthood. He reigned from 1979-2005. Police in Rome estimated that one million people had come to the city for the event, including large numbers of pilgrims from the late Pope's native Poland.

^ I think this is one more step to honoring a great man. It seems that he is one of the most (if not the most) beloved Pope ever. He did so many great things both during his lifetime as well as during his reign. ^

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13251415