“the Other America”

Facing Southis a progressive blog focused on issues related to, well, the south USA. As I read through their articles the sentiment is the same as mine, but they are much more well spoken and courteous.

In their latest article, Is the South “the Other America”? they list the highest (or lowest, depending on perspective) poverty rated states in the union, where 11 of the topbottom 15 states are in the south USA. If you have ever read my blog, you understand that I see this on a daily basis, just in driving the many backroads.

STATE & PERCENT LIVING IN POVERTY1 - Mississippi, 21%
2 - Louisiana, 20.2%
3 - New Mexico, 18.4%
4 - District of Columbia, 18.3%
5 - West Virginia, 18%
6 - Texas, 17.5%
7 - Arkansas, 17.2%
8 - Alabama, 16.9%
8 - Kentucky, 16.9%
10 - Oklahoma, 16.4%
11 - Tennessee, 15.6%
11 - South Carolina, 15.6%
13 - North Carolina, 14.9%
14 - Montana, 14.6%
15 - Georgia, 14.5%

This blog is presented by an organization called The Institute of Southern Studies and from their Introduction they explain:

Since our founding in 1970 by veterans of the civil rights movement, the Institute for Southern Studies has established a national reputation as an essential resource for grassroots activists, community leaders, scholars, policy makers and others working to bring lasting social and economic change to the region.

The Institute draws attention to the national importance of the South and offers an exciting vision of the region-a place brimming with a capacity for progressive change that challenges its reputation as a monolithic, conservative stronghold.

Well, amen to that. I just now heard of you, but it is because I am just awakening from a brainwashing. Please understand.

(Courtesy of Mike’s Blog Roundup on C&L)

World’s Oldest Neurosurgeon Turns 100 | The Onion - America’s Finest News Source

In lieu of the great surgical outcome my “Lil Sis” had this week, I thought she might appreciate her surgeon even more after seeing this.

from www.theonion.com posted with vodpod

TR’s Update on Jen:

Jen at Home, More Interested in Politics than Super Bowl

Entry by T.R. from Ohio

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Spoke to my sister Monday night. Still getting her strength back but witty as ever!

She does seem more interested in politics than the Super Bowl — no offense Bracken! I think we’re all just hoping for a competitive, entertaining game and decent commercials that all don’t get leaked in advance.

I inquired about placing an ad for MSJEN but couldn’t *quite* afford it! Have to keep relying on word of mouth! Over 1000 hits — that’s awesome!

I put a few scorpion cartoons in the PHOTOS section — hopefully it will help us befriend them more in this upcoming critical month of February!

At the moment, Matthew and my sister are returning to Birmingham this Sunday night for a couple days of treatment and observation.

We need to pray that the radio-venom sticks to the tumor like it’s supposed to and starts working its magic. There’s an off-chance as reported earlier that it won’t, and my sister suggested there are currently no openings in the intravenous trial.

I’ll keep you posted as we head towards next week. My Mom is blessed to see my sister every day, so maybe she’ll indulge us with another guest column!

Thanks for your ongoing prayers — ours are with you too! – TRH

For much more information on glioma, metastatic brain tumors, and other forms of aggressive cancers, plus details into “Recetin”, the drug derived from the giant Israeli scorpion, please visit the following links:

Decatur Daily Scorpion Venom Article

Recentin

Brain Tumor Research at UAB

Targeted Cancer Therapy

Authority: Part One

I stumbled into this blog and post. ExcerptAdapted from Inside the Mind of an Iraqi Suicide Bomber, By APARISIM GHOSH / BAGHDAD. (Nicely done)

Saeed Hotary drives a large black van from his hometown of Jordan, to Tel Aviv, in Israel. He rents a motel, and straps eight brown blocks to his midsection, and dons a heavy jacket. He goes out for a walk, and heads toward the local dancing club. He yells, “Allahu Akbar!” raises his fist, and pushes down on his thumb. The plastic explosives around his chest detonate, and 20 nearby people cease to live.

Four months before the explosion, his father, Hassan Hotary enlists his son, Saeed, into the military wing of a terrorist organization. He tells his son to have a purpose in life, and not die without leaving an influence on the world. Saeed honors his father, and begins months of indoctrination and training.

A week before the enlistment, Hassan’s priest preaches about the plight of Palestine. We have no hope of a better future, and are constantly oppressed, hungry, and humiliated. We have no purpose. However, there is a chance. To die with purpose is better than to live in shame. Martyrs are saved a place in heaven. “He who gives his life for an Islamic cause will have his sins forgiven and a place reserved in paradise.”

A month before the sermon, the priest reads a powerful theologist’s thesis, of how suicide bombings are the most noble contribution to the Sunni Muslim community.

A day before the thesis, a extremist militant from Hamas asks the theologist to aid in the recruitment of more suicide bombers.

An hour before the request, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the leader of Hamas, commands a general to augment the terrorism against Israel.

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin makes a command, and Saeed Hotary unquestioningly kills himself and 20 other people.

Post edited 2/3 after being informed of the adaptation, as opposed to excerpt (see comments). Even tho they insist it was not published to be anti-Bush (or anti-anything, except questioning authority… which is exactly the way I took it), I believe it fits quite nicely with the Authoritarian mindset Bush and his administration uses. I would also mention that there are only degrees of separation between religions, whereas people are willing to conduct terror. Some people’s religious upbringing can be considered torture. I believe all authoritarianism should be questioned, not just the suicide bombers.