Bloogle is hammered ONCE AGAIN this morning, proving that the much-heralded buyout of Pyra Labs by Google will have no discernable effect on the reliability, stability, and usability of Blogger and Blog*Spot.

Anyway, since there is no way at the moment for me to post anything, I am just gonna collect stuff here on my handy Word 2000 piece of paper and post them sometime in the far distant future.

(Yes, I realize everyone else will have already read and commented on all the newscrap by the time I finally get it posted—but, no one else’s stuff will be NEAR as bland or monotonous.)

First up: Powell: Anti-War Nations 'Afraid' of Duty

…Nations Shout, “ARE NOT!”—Storm Off to Room and Cry

…Nations Rebuke Powell, Say ‘Duty’ Just One Thing Among Many

Of course, this sort of talk by anyone in the Administration will not do much to get the F-words to act any less…well, French. They’ll just throw their arms around and fume about these low-class rubes who have the temerity to call them fraidy-cats. (Which are related to polecats, which are related to weasels, so I guess it all works out now, doesn’t it.)

Just got off the e-mail box and it appears that some folks are experiencing Blogger trouble and some aren’t. Wonder if someone’s hacking on them since they made the big time. Or if it’s just more of the same crappy service. Oh well, at least it’s free.

Next up: How much does it cost to be an accessory to murder? According to this story, about the conviction of Moroccan “student” Mounir el Motassadeq, the punishment is 1.798 days (more or less—I didn’t figure leap years in there) of incarceration per life taken. 3,045 live lost, and 15 years in the slam. 43 hours and some change for each infidel. Hmm.

From the Home Front: Housing Construction Strongest Since '86

Wonder how long it will be before a particular political party starts saying this is bad news?

From Yankeeland: Former Sen. Moseley-Braun says it's time to take the 'men only' sign off White House

Well, you know there was that magical time when the sign read “Dim, Fleshy Young Interns Welcome.”

Anyway, in order to help things along, Carol, here’s your sign.

Well, now—I have moved to an undisclosed remote location to see if the stupid Blogger deal is the fault of stupid Blogger or my stupid connection at work—annnnnd, it appears it must be something wrong in general. I just checked the Booger Status Page and see that they are supposed to be installing new computerized something-or-others either today or tomorrow. (It was posted at 0119 Wednesday, which to Ev might seem to still be Tuesday). I just now checked back in after a nice lunch of blackened catfish, green beans, and steamed carrots, and see that it is STILL not working, at least for some of us. At least it’s free. Strangely enough, the lunch wasn’t. Hmmm.

Not Quite So Dumb-- Five Questions With Jeff Daniels

5. Any regrets about moving back to Michigan?

Daniels: Kathleen and I are both from Michigan, and we had a 2-year-old boy at the time. We just wanted to raise the family in the Midwest. We did not want to raise them in Hollywood. And New York is just a tough place. It's a great place to go now when the kids are older. And I also didn't want to raise the kids in Hollywood. Everybody's famous, and our friends, probably more often than not, would have been people in the industry or famous people in the industry. And I just wanted our kids to be away from that. There's a fantasy world there that can mix with reality and I just didn't want them to be confused about that.

As I said, not quite so dumb…

Finally! 3:00 and the silly thing’s working again—nope, wrong big guy. I can get the edit page, but nothing will post. ::sigh::

Here it is! The blogjam has finally unblocked itself!! (At nearly 4 p.m.) I have it on good authority that all of the Blogger servers have been replaced with a room full of Magic 8-Balls. Of course, it's nearly time to go, so time for one more story...

To end, a short article close to home-- Leeds plans festival, parade for war medal recipients
Leeds is a town east of Birmingham and was home to three Medal of Honor recipients. Their citations may be read on the US Army’s Center of Military History Website.

ERWIN, HENRY E. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 52d Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force. Place and date: Koriyama, Japan, 12 April 1945. Entered service at: Bessemer, Ala. Born: 8 May 1921, Adamsville, Ala. G.O. No.: 44, 6 June 1945. Citation: He was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphoresce smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group when the launching point was reached. Upon entering the assembly area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt. Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning phosphoresce obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that the aircraft and crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his way, instinctively, crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's window. He found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with his burning hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at 300 feet, pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin's gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.

Erwin died last year.

LAWLEY, WILLIAM R., JR. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 364th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Europe, 20 February 1944. Entered service at: Birmingham, Ala. Born: 23 August 1920, Leeds, Ala. G.O. No.: 64, 8 August 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty, 20 February 1944, while serving as pilot of a B-17 aircraft on a heavy bombardment mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe. Coming off the target he was attacked by approximately 20 enemy fighters, shot out of formation, and his plane severely crippled. Eight crewmembers were wounded, the copilot was killed by a 20-mm. shell. One engine was on fire, the controls shot away, and 1st Lt. Lawley seriously and painfully wounded about the face. Forcing the copilot's body off the controls, he brought the plane out of a steep dive, flying with his left hand only. Blood covered the instruments and windshield and visibility was impossible. With a full bomb load the plane was difficult to maneuver and bombs could not be released because the racks were frozen. After the order to bail out had been given, 1 of the waist gunners informed the pilot that 2 crewmembers were so severely wounded that it would be impossible for them to bail out. With the fire in the engine spreading, the danger of an explosion was imminent. Because of the helpless condition of his wounded crewmembers 1st Lt. Lawley elected to remain with the ship and bring them to safety if it was humanly possible, giving the other crewmembers the option of bailing out. Enemy fighters again attacked but by using masterful evasive action he managed to lose them. One engine again caught on fire and was extinguished by skillful flying. 1st Lt. Lawley remained at his post, refusing first aid until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion caused by loss of blood, shock, and the energy he had expended in keeping control of his plane. He was revived by the bombardier and again took over the controls. Coming over the English coast 1 engine ran out of gasoline and had to be feathered. Another engine started to burn and continued to do so until a successful crash landing was made on a small fighter base. Through his heroism and exceptional flying skill, 1st Lt. Lawley rendered outstanding distinguished and valorous service to our Nation.

Lawley died in 1999.

McLAUGHLIN, ALFORD L.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Company L, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) Place and date: Korea, 4 and 5 September 1952. Entered service at: Leeds, Ala. Born: 18 March 1928, Leeds, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner of Company L, in action against enemy aggressor forces on the night of 4-5 September 1952. Volunteering for his second continuous tour of duty on a strategic combat outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, Pfc. McLaughlin, although operating under a barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire, set up plans for the defense of his position which proved decisive in the successful defense of the outpost. When hostile forces attacked in battalion strength during the night, he maintained a constant flow of devastating fire upon the enemy, alternately employing 2 machineguns, a carbine, and handgrenades. Although painfully wounded, he bravely fired the machineguns from the hip until his hands became blistered by the extreme heat from the weapons and, placing the guns on the ground to allow them to cool, continued to defend the position with his carbine and grenades. Standing up in full view, he shouted words of encouragement to his comrades above the din of battle and, throughout a series of fanatical enemy attacks, sprayed the surrounding area with deadly fire, accounting for an estimated 150 enemy dead and 50 wounded. By his indomitable courage, superb leadership, and valiant fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds, Pfc. McLaughlin served to inspire his fellow marines in their gallant stand against the enemy and was directly instrumental in preventing the vital outpost from falling into the hands of a determined and numerically superior hostile force. His outstanding heroism and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

McLaughin died in 1977.

May they all now rest in peace.
posted by Terry at 3:49:00 PM