...And a Refreshing Difference of Opinion

This writer argues points why war with Iran is not inevitable. Most seem to revolve around the president's lack of domestic and international political capital.

Scary Regime Change Talk from Washington

A New Yorker article which I find extremely scary, but a necessary read; although, not just regime change.

Some operations, apparently aimed in part at intimidating Iran, are already under way. American Naval tactical aircraft, operating from carriers in the Arabian Sea, have been flying simulated nuclear-weapons delivery missions—rapid ascending maneuvers known as “over the shoulder” bombing—since last summer, the former official said, within range of Iranian coastal radars.

The other frightening part is a power vacume in Iran opens the door to extremist organizations. The group with the strongest ties to the region is Hezbollah, which recently won a popular election in Lebanon.

Also an Oogle Earth article showing potential nuclear processing plants in Iran.

Oreo Sculptures

Here's an interesting art project, Oreo sculptures.
This one seems very remarkable (again, amazing the ways children find to express themselves).

Why Developing Software is Fun

Although, I'm by no means an expert, here is an expert's view of why this trade is rewarding (From The Mythical Man-Moth).

Fourth is the joy of always learning, which springs from the
nonrepeating nature of the task. In one way or another the problem is
ever new, and its solver learns something: sometimes practical,
sometimes theoretical, and sometimes both.

Study of Math Processing in Children

"...the brian dedicates a region to understanding maths by as early as four-years-old." The ability of the mind is remarkable, especially in children. However, a side observation of the study recognizes that "...children showed this (math) activation largely on the right hand side of the brain, whereas adults showed similar activation on both sides." The research indicates that more complex mathmatical understanding comes with symbolic operations learned during and after school.

Tree Huggers Unite

To go further with the eco baby post yesterday, I thought you would enjoy this blog (I subscribe to it in my aggregator).

Raising a Green (Eco) Baby

Perfect for the recycling parent. The top tip for feeding the baby in the eco style? Breast feeding of course. "...no harmful chemicals, energy or transportation". You also save over 600 dollars in formula milk and equipment. i still can't see using real diapers with 3 kids.

Another Guitar Set

Another new photo set Denise had on the camera of Daddy and Isaac laying one down.

Fifth Birthday Guitar Party

I bought a pro account at Flickr, so we can look at lots of photo sets of Isaac, Leo, and the kids. Check out Isaac's guitar party. Doesn't he look at home with the guitar in his hand?

Isaacs Digital Perspective

Here are the pics from Isaacs new digital camera. Interesting what catches his eyes, like bright colors.

Birthday Party

What a great party we had this weekend. I saw this quote today, and it reminded me of how special my family is; but more than just peace. Peace, and Love, and Excitement, and Wonderment, and Healing, and so much more.

More pictures to come!! But thank you all for an incredible time.

Susan Partnow
"It is within the families themselves where peace can begin."

Absurdities of English Poem

Interesting poem for those of us attempting to learn to read, and for those of us who rely heavily on the spell checker.

When the English tongue we speak.

Why is break not rhymed with freak?

Will you tell me why it's true

We say sew but likewise few?

And the maker of the verse,

Cannot rhyme his horse with worse?

Beard is not the same as heard

Cord is different from word.

Cow is cow but low is low

Shoe is never rhymed with foe.

Think of hose, dose,and lose

Dr. King

Today is the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination in Memphis, TN on 4/04/1968. His last speech was titled "I've been to the mountain top".

Two passages from this famous speech seem striking
The Nobel prize winner of 1964, spoke regarding peace, "Men for years now have been talking about war and peace. But now no loner can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence."

Then in the famous last paragraph of his final speech, "...And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And so I''m happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Here is also the wikipedia article which discusses the time line, as well as conspiracy theories.

Osama bin Laden Compared to the Crusaders

The most interesting line in this piece regarding bin Laden's legacy is this statement. "Both bin Laden and the Crusaders transformed the evil of vengeance into a virtue."

In some ways, bin Laden is a historical anomaly. He is a natural byproduct of Wahhabi theology but hardly a theologian himself. Despite his many speeches and writings, he does not seem keen about leaving behind a legacy of interpretations or a coherent system of thought that would inspire generations of Muslims after he is gone. Something of a theological parasite, he seems content with tapping into everything cruel and intolerant in the vast Islamic tradition. Likewise, his revolutionary credentials are suspect; although he speaks of ending oppression and injustice, his vision is full of nightmares. Revolutionaries usually promise a better world after destroying the old—there is at least the hint of a utopian dream that draws in young idealists. The rhetoric of defensive jihad suggests that bin Laden sees himself as a different kind of revolutionary—a national liberator or freedom fighter—and indeed, many secular Muslims and Christian Arabs do sympathize with him on that basis.

But between the three choices—theologian, revolutionary, or Crusader—bin Laden is most like a Crusader. The Crusades were ostensibly about gaining control of holy sites, but in reality this was just an excuse for waging war without the constraints of morality. Not bothering with such technicalities as who actually lived on the land, the Crusaders believed that their acts of unmitigated aggression were defensive wars, and, like bin Laden, the Crusaders thrived on narratives of victimization. Both bin Laden and the Crusaders transformed the evil of vengeance into a virtue. Bin Laden fancies himself the defender of Islam, and Crusaders fancied themselves the defenders of Christendom. But most tragically, the Crusaders and bin Laden exploited their religious traditions to commit atrocities in God’s holy name.

Solar Eclipse

There was a solar eclipse today. Viewable mostly in Africa to central Asia. (Were you able to view this Uncle Michael?) The next total eclipse viewable in the US will be 2017. Here's an explanation of how the eclipses occur.

Must See Juggling

Check this guy out, on your fast connection, juggling to the Beattles.

Dylan's First PB&J

Denise, Isaac and I went to little Dylan's first birthday the other weekend. Here is Stacie and Jason's new web site. Got to love the cowboy hat pictures, and smiles with food all over the face.

BTW - if you were wondering if Faith was sick because of the cheetos Saturday, think again. Denise stayed home with the same thing today. At least she found a plastic bag in the car. Here's one time I'm glad we didn't have a digital camera.

Learning To Ride

Faith and Brian could learn to ride easily and no skinned knees.

Matthew C. Grossman, Student, Austin, TX. Shift Bicycle: This bicycle
is intended to help small children learn to balance on their own
without the crutch of training wheels and the worry of skinned knees.
The bicycle features two rear wheels that are spread apart at slow
speeds to provide critical stability, and as the rider gains speed, the
two rear wheels merge together to act as one wheel until the rider
reduces speed and consequently returns the bicycle to the two wheel
configuration.

Library Index

For all former librarians and book lovers. This site gives an index of the most popular books held by libraries around the world. It is equivilent to the Google page rank, the higher the book is in the list, the more popular. Here is the top 10: Bible, US Census, Mother Goose, Divine Comedy, The Odyssey, The Iliad, Hickleberry Finn, Lord of the Rings (trilogy), Hamlet, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Recumbant Bikes Are Good for Knees

Check this out, a recumbant "trike". Who knew. Looks much more fun than pedeling in front of your TV though. Word of caution, though, not cheap here either.