A New Year A New Life

Choose Life and find love.

We refused to give up on him and decided throughout the pregnancy that as long as he was fighting, we would continue fighting with him.

'It is a complete horror to think he may not be here with us.

'I am so glad we stuck by our guns and, although we did listen to what consultants told us along the way - we decided to do what we wanted to do for our baby.'

 

 

 

 

The saga began four months into her pregnancy when doctors revealed Kai had a heart condition called hypoplastic aortic arch.

This is where part of the heart is narrow and underdeveloped and requires open surgery after birth.

They were told the condition could worsen and they should consider an immediate termination.

The prognosis worsened on New Year's Eve when tests suggested Kai also had Edwards Syndrome.

Scans had shown clear markers of the condition, a strawberry shaped skull, a low-set jaw and low birth weight.

Sufferers do not survive beyond four months old - if they manage to survive to birth - and consultants again urged the couple to consider a termination.

Mrs Purdy said: 'We never once considered we could go through an abortion. It was never even an option for us.'

Inside The Green House: Pulling the Shades

And at last it had come to pass that all the predictions of the prophet Algore were shown to be but hot air and graft. As the ice refused to melt and the seas denied their rising the prophet and his minions were cast into the frozen north to care for and feed their beloved polar bear.

This from the Telegraph

First, all over the world, temperatures have been dropping in a way wholly unpredicted by all those computer models which have been used as the main drivers of the scare. Last winter, as temperatures plummeted, many parts of the world had snowfalls on a scale not seen for decades. This winter, with the whole of Canada and half the US under snow, looks likely to be even worse. After several years flatlining, global temperatures have dropped sharply enough to cancel out much of their net rise in the 20th century.

snip

As 2009 dawns, it is time we in Britain faced up to the genuine crisis now fast approaching from the fact that – unless we get on very soon with building enough proper power stations to fill our looming "energy gap" - within a few years our lights will go out and what remains of our economy will judder to a halt. After years of infantile displacement activity, it is high time our politicians – along with those of the EU and President Obama's US – were brought back with a mighty jolt into contact with the real world.

And another story in the Telegraph...

Meanwhile, bookmakers Ladbrokes are offering 12/1 odds of snow falling in London on New Year's Eve.

Past green house reports:

	Michael's View
The Ice melts	Get that SUV out of the garage
We interrupt this report	Surprise, New Taxes
Die you unbelievers	What's old is new again
The Baby Tax	No Parking
The Law of	Koz says we did it
Consensus	Gore's 9 lies
Shoulda seen it coming	Ah come on now
A bit imposing	San Fran going dry
We're #2	The debate is over?
Let's go see All	So Inconveniently
Extent of deception	Twofer
Cow farts	Global warming update

Sunday Snapshot: Lawbreaker

Has always more photos can be found on my flickr page.

Don't forget to keep checking back every week for your chance to win a free 8x10 print. click here for the rules.

Under Pressure

The things you see in Seattle.

Anti-Israel Protest

Israel took action today to stop the daily rocket attacks that have plagued the south of that tiny nation for years. Hamas' action lead to this conflict and they can only blame themselves for the results, however a few here don't agree with me on this and I went to get their side of it in pictures.

The signs were standard fair and ready made, there for anyone who wanted one

But firing rockets into civilian towns is ok because Israel is so mean. Hey, why are you hiding your face?

Because you don't like me? But I've always been so nice to you.

Look I can see your face and I remember you too,

You are an Iraq Vet Against the War, You are Out and Proud, (your words) and lets get a good look at that t-shirt...

You are a communist!!!

Stop Hamas from Attacking Civilians

Thank you President Carter!

When the rockets stop, Israel does. When the rockets start, they stop.

It's to protect the children, they say. Several tried to say Israel targeted Children today, 1 claimed Israel killed 200 children by bombing a hospital but he backed down after I pointed out that it was a security forces headquarters. Then a 2nd person tried to say Israel was bombing kids on the way to school, until I pointed out that the bombing started at 6am. She still tried to go that route but I would think that when air raids start school is going to be closed.

I met with several who claimed to have direct communications with people in Gaza today! I hope Homeland Security got them on the warrantless wiretaps.

Did I remember to thank Jimmy Carter?

The Hard Core.

International Solidarity Movement does not like Caterpillar

Another Israeli supporter.

And I got an interview with a man who runs another blog

Note and Correction: There is some contention between Burt and me on the numbers I used in my video, read comments for his questions over my numbers. The one error I did make was in the totals for the Oil For Food program. I made a typo adding an extra zero, again that number was based on .53 cents a day per Iraqi for 365 days over 10 years .53x25,000,000x365x10=48,362,500,000 not the 483,625,000,000 that I put in the video

Bert Sacks from BertOnIraq.blogspot.com

Update: A closer look at his business card revealed Bert's a truther! So take all his ranting with a grain of salt, the man has no ability to reason.

You don't need a weatherman to tell you which way the wind blows

Because he'll most likely be wrong. The weather was supposed to warm up yesterday and the snow change to rain by noon Christmas Day, but at 2:00 O'clock 12/26 today, look what we have.

It's Christmas in America

God Bless The USA

Car v Bus

Guess who won.

Remember to slow down, stay back, and most of all look out for the other guy.

A day in flight

A 24 hour display of global air traffic. Really cool!

HT: The Hog Witman Train Wreck. Worth a visit just for the name.

Do they work?

The tin foil hat, you know about them you may have even seen them, but do they work? It seems that in 2005 some students at MIT had some time on their hands and decided to answer that very question.

It has long been suspected that the government has been using satellites to read and control the minds of certain citizens. The use of aluminum helmets has been a common guerrilla tactic against the government's invasive tactics. Surprisingly, these helmets can in fact help the government spy on citizens by amplifying certain key frequency ranges reserved for government use. In addition, none of the three helmets we analyzed provided significant attenuation to most frequency bands.

You don't have time to watch?

So you don't have time to watch "It's A Wonderful Life"?

Well you do now, if you have 30 seconds and you're  not afraid of bunnies.

Sunday Snapshots: Morning Snow

 

Has always more photos can be found on my flickr page.

Don't forget to keep checking back every week for your chance to win a free 8x10 print. click here for the rules.

Terror in the snow

The snow is falling everywhere, and scary things are happening all over.  So just thank God you are not a snowman.

If only it could fly.

My obsession with the flying car we were promised when I was a kid continues

Cause and Effect

After weeks of attacks by Palestinian terrorist who fire their rockets blindly into civilian areas, 12 people were wounded when one hit in a shopping mall parking lot. Israel took action at last and attacked support facilities in Gaza.

The latest flare up comes after nearly 40 rockets struck the western Negev in the past two days,

I noticed in the headlines that the effect of this response was rather instantaneous.

Cause: terrorist attack Israeli civilians  / Effect: Israel bombs Gaza's weapons factories

Cause: Israel bombs Gaza's weapons factories / Effect: Unemployment in Gaza rises to 49%

I'm just saying

It's not who you know, It's who you wear.

HT: Sandrak

Just do your thing

Whatever your thing is.

Truth in Advertising

While you're mad call your representatives and tell them to stop it.

Not everyone wants to blowup

This is the story of Abdul

It's nice to find someone who looks forward to life not death.

It's Almost Christmas Time

 

Jewel Singing Oh Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine. Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, Behold your King. Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.

You can own this CD. It's from her " Joy: A Holiday Collection" The perfect addition to any Christmas music collection.

There's no one has Irish has Barack O'bama

The title says it all, now watch the video.

HT: Theo Spark

It's almost Christmas time

A wonderful video by Sixpence None The Richer - Silent Night.

Leigh Nash

Dan Haseltine

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright 'Round yon virgin mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Saviour is born Christ the Saviour is born Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth Jesus, Lord at Thy birth Christ is Born Alleluia

I can see the mirrored sky And I can tell that you've been crying There's nothing in these light that glows and tells you that this worlds not dyeing and underneath these blankets There glows a warmer kind of light You wont have to sing alone I can see you in the snow crystal tears have started drying There's something in these lights that glows The savour in a manger lieing up above these blankets are angels filling up the sky a star is burning in the night. Jesus lord at thy birth Christ is born Alleluia

Update: Lots of people seem to be googling for the Dan Haseltine lyrics, I did my best but there is one part I simply could not get. It sounds like he is saying “bright” has in "underneath these blankets bright There glows a warmer kind of light" but it doesn't fit in the sentence. Anyway this is my best effort, I hope it helps.

Florida court sets atheist holy day

A little something that came in the mail.

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the Easter & Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day(s).

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, 'Case dismissed.'

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, 'Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter, etc. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Hanukkah. Yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays.'

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, 'But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.'

The lawyer said, 'Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.'

The judge said, 'The calendar shows April 1st is 'April Fools Day.' Psalm 14:1 states: 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.

'AMEN'

Photo: A fools parade.

Note: This story is a parody. It didn't really happen. I'm sorry but it appears some people got the wrong ideal.

Were doomed

It has creeped into or lexicon over the years, the need for the world to move has one to deal with all of the worlds ills. The need to act has one planet. The need to have World Governance.

  So, it seems, everything is in place. For the first time since homo sapiens began to doodle on cave walls, there is an argument, an opportunity and a means to make serious steps towards a world government.

Doesn't sound so bad does it, until you look to where it's been tried on a somewhat smaller scale.

International governance tends to be effective, only when it is anti-democratic.

What would you do

If this happened to you

I think I would tell my boss, "I'm going home, and you better pay me."

This day in history

Pearl Harbor Survivors Project

From Mumbai

Dear friends,

First, I wanted to thank you all for the incredible concern and support that you’ll have given me over the past few days which have been among the most emotionally and psychologically draining of my life.

By the grace of God my father was rescued from the Oberoi on Friday with two (minor) bullet wounds and is now speedily recovering. He did however lose the two best friends he was dining with that fateful night (who are like godfathers to me). We also lost a lot of other friends and colleagues and have watched our beloved city reduced to a war zone and brought to its knees.

On Wednesday night, my father and his two friends arr ived at the Indian restaurant on the first floor of the Oberoi Hotel for dinner at about 10pm. They had barely sat down when they heard gun shots in the lobby of the hotel. The terrorists, armed with AK-47s, grenades and plastic explosives, had entered the hotel and were executing everybody sitting in the ground floor restaurant. Realizing the situation, the staff of the restaurant my father was in asked them to quickly exit through the kitchen. As the guests tried to rush into the kitchen, one terrorist burst into the restaurant and began to shoot anyone that remained in the restaurant. At this point my father was in the kitchen and along with his two friends rushed to the fire exit. They had barely descended a few steps when they were trapped from both ends by terrorists.

The terrorists then rounded up anyone alive (about 20 people) and made them climb the service staircase to the 18th floor. On reaching the 18th floor landing they made the people line up against a wall. One terrorist then positioned himself on the staircase going up from the landing and the other on the staircase going down from the landing. Then, in a scene right out of the Holocaust, they simultaneously opened fire on the people. My father was towards the center of the line with his two friends on either side. Out of reflex, or presence of mind, he ducked as soon as the firing began. One bullet grazed his neck, and he fell to the floor as his two friends and several other bodies piled on top of him. The terrorists then pumped another series of bullets into the heap of bodies to finish the job. This time a bullet hit my father in the back hip. Bent almost in double, crushed by the weight of the bodies above him, and suffocating in the torrent of blood rushing down on him from the various bodies my father held on for ten minutes while the terrorists left the area. When he finally had the courage to wiggle his arms he found that there were four other survivors in the room. They communicated to each other by touch as they were too afraid to make a sound. My father moved just enough to allow himself room to breathe and then lay still. The survivors passed over twelve hours lying still in the heap of bodies too afraid to move. They constantly heard gunfire and hand grenades going off in the other parts of the hotel. They feared that any noise would bring the terrorists back. After approximately twelve hours, the terrorists returned with a camera and flashlight and joked and laughed as they filmed what they thought was a pile of dead bodies. They then moved to the landing below where they set up explosives. On their departing, my father decided that it was too risky to remain where they were due to the explosives. Along with the other three survivors he climbed the rest of the stairwell, where they discovered a large HVAC plant room in which they decided to take shelter. They passed the rest of the siege hiding in this room trying to get the attention of the outside world by waving a makeshift flag out of the window. They drank sips of dirty water from the Air Conditioning unit to survive. Finally on Friday morning they were spotted by a commando rescue team that was storming the building and were evacuated to safety and taken to the hospital.

This is just one of the countless horror stories that unfolded in those two days. There are many stories of entire families being wiped out while eating their dinner, or young kids losing both parents, or pregnant women being shot while pleading for their lives, or hostages being beaten to death with the butt of a rifle so that their faces were unrecognizable. The terrorists attacked on every level. They killed middle class workers when they shot up the railway station, they killed the elite in the hotels, they killed tourists and kids as they ate in a café, and they killed the sick and dying when they stormed three hospitals. They shot people in the roads, in stations, in hotels, and even entered an apartment building. They killed Indians, Americans, Britons, Israelis, and several other nationalities. They killed men, women, children, policemen, firemen, doctors, patients. This was systematic, cold-blooded, slaughter.

We have lost a lot of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Every person who lives in South Mumbai has a story about how either they or someone they love either died or had a narrow escape. The true extent of the horror will only make itself clear over the next few days.

Mumbai is a proud city and we pride ourselves on bouncing back from any adversity. We survive and prosper despite all the difficulties placed on us. We are no strangers to terror and have had to pick up the pieces and move on after several attacks.  This time however, the sheer scale and audacity brought the city to its knees. The openness of our society, the bustling hoards in our train stations, the vibrancy of our news media, and the thousands of tourists, diplomats, and business leaders packing our hotels was used against us to devastating effect.

In the end one tries to make sense of all this. Barack Obama said about the killers of 9/11: “My powers of empathy, my ability to reach into another’s heart, cannot penetrate the blank stares of those who would murder innocents with such serene satisfaction.”

Unfortunately, this is becoming an all familiar scene in today’s world. While I cannot understand, I recognize again and again the hatred, anger, and desperation of the terrorists and the cold blooded, targeted, ruthlessness of those that dispatch them. They respect nothing but their own twisted beliefs and to achieve them have declared war on an entire way of life. India now finds it self as a major front of this global war.

How do we fight such hate? How do we inject humanity into such monstrosity?  How do we convince those who think they kill in god’s name that no God would condone such barbarity? How do we maintain our own values and humanity when faced with such hate and provocation?

Over the next week as we say goodbye to those we lost and help those that survive, Mumbai and India will ask themselves these questions. I hope the rest of the world does too.

I will remain in Mumbai for at least a week to help out with various things, after which I will probably return to complete XX at XXXXXX. Right now, though I miss all everyone at XXXXXX, I cannot fathom sitting in a classroom.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.
XXXXX

HT: Sandrak

A victory we will not accept

While our enemy in Iraq falls ever closer to defeat some here at home work to undermine our victory.

Few things make me has angry has the people who make up the Anti-war movement and few thing make me has happy has seeing their plans for a big protest flop. Iraqi Veterans Against the War used Black Friday to stage a mock patrol in a busy shopping mall. Zombie was there with a camera.

Here is a video from a similar event in NY last year, It is a deliberate exaggeration only based on lies, half truths, and propaganda, not worth watching.