Too close to home ...

For the first time, federal terrorist charges have been filed in my home state.

Lamont Ranson and Cedric Carpenter, both of New Orleans, were arrested Feb. 18 and charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to defraud the United States and an attempt to provide material support to terrorists.

Health

Yesterday, I noticed a pain/ache in my back, on the right side, just above the small of my back. I still have it today; don't know what's causing it. Will keep track of it on this weblog.

O, Tannenbaum!

This is a photo of the Christmas tree that my brother and his wife put up for their children, this past Christmas. Nice!

Soda pop

Since I've been on the South Beach Diet, I have switched over to diet Sprite, as my soft drink of choice.

Apple with nails

This one, I didn't take, but, when I saw it on the Web, I liked it.

Toys

These are some of the dolls that my ten-year-old nieces play with.

Better living through chemistry, redux

This is what I am taking at night for the flu-like symptoms. I am feeling better than I was a couple days ago. Yay!

In other news, yes, I am aware that the photos are craptastic.

A wave of criticism

"The catastrophic tsunami wave that has devastated so much of southern Asia has even killed more than a hundred people on the east coast of Africa, more than 4,000 miles away. Two questions: First, what country has done the most to help the victims of this natural disaster? Second, what country has been criticized most for not doing enough?

The answer to both questions is the United States of America."

Are we a republic or a democracy?

Walter E. Williams delineates the differences between a republic and a democracy, and explains why the United States was founded as a republic.

There is no proposal to cut social security benefits

First of all ... let's get this question settled at the beginning. The AARP is running full-page ads in major American newspapers today saying that George Bush intends to cut Social Security benefits. The AARP is engaging in its usual tactic of trying to frighten the Depends right off of our wizened class by making them believe that their Social Security checks are going to get smaller if George Bush gets his way. That's a lie. It is not true. There is no proposal on the table, nor will any proposal be made that would reduce the Social Security benefits to any retired person or anyone nearing retirement. The AARP knows this, but they continue with their ad campaign nonetheless.