Katrina's Aftermath: Now the Hard Part Begins

Boy, what can you say?

The high winds and torrential rains have passed. Now Hurricane Katrina is merely a tropical depression. However, the worst has yet begun.

Although New Orleans was spared a direct hit, there are still levees that have been badly breeched. The dreaded flood is still occurring - just a little slower than expected.

There's a significant health risk already. The water is contaminated by the sewer system, dead bodies, and whatever toxins have gotten into the water. There's even a chance of a cholera outbreak.

Then there's the human factor. There's been considerable looting of homes and businesses. It's just now been reported on Fox that gunmen have attacked a police station with AK-47's.

The disruption to our nation's oil supply will also be considerable. Don't be surprised to see gasoline and $3.00 per gallon.

I really don't know what else to add - it's too overwhelming. I decided to add the picture of these two dogs being rescued by their owners. The one in front looks like our dog, Princess - and that's the name of the dog in the picture!.

Just pray for all those affected by the hurricane.

New Orleans in Katrina's Sights

Unfortunately I fear that one of the biggest news stories of the year is about to happen. Katrina is now a Category-5 Hurricane which is expected to pass just east of New Orleans. This is pretty much the worst case scenario for any hurricane. Currently some 1 million residents, including the population of New Orleans itself, are evacuating. I just wonder if they'll even have a home to come back to.

Links: source article, National Hurricane Center

Computers - Ughh

My wife has a new laptop. I'll be spending time trying to get it networked on our internet connection. I started to do that last weekend, but no luck. I've got some ideas on how to make it work. Wish me luck.

Another Sleepless Night in Florida

Well, Katrina has swept across south Florida. Unfortunately she didn't lose a whole lot of punch, and now Katrina's a Category 2 hurricane.

Now that she's gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina is projected to make landfall again somewhat further west than first predicted - this time around the Mississippi - Alabama state line. If she ends up going a bit further west, she could hit New Orleans, and that would be a major disaster.

I've added a link to the National Hurricane Center on this page, as well as a new entry in the sidebar.

Meanwhile here in Arizona, we're getting a break from the monsoon (if it doesn't end outright). That means the humidity will be going down (praise God!) and the temperature will climb a bit (bummer). But all in all, we've gotten a pretty decent amount of rain despite the late start to the season.

God Is With Us: A Miracle in the Desert

I ran across this fascinating story on Fox News:

There are marshlands between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in southern Iraq which have inspired the story of the Garden of Eden.

After the Persian Gulf War of 1991, Saddam Hussein began efforts to drain these marshlands in retaliation against the Marsh Arabs who supported a Shiite rebellion. By 2002, some 90% of these marshlands disappeared and had become dry salt flats. Experts predicted the marshlands would disappear altogether by 2008.

But the wetlands are making a return. Instead of disappearing, by 2008, they could reach 80% of their original state. In the aftermath of Hussein's ouster in 2003, engineers began tearing down dikes and dams, flooding the region again. This last spring the recovery reached an astounding level of 50% before the hot summer took its toll.

If you ask me, it's a miracle in the desert.

Pat Robertson: The Human Faux Pas

Pat Robertson has some good things to say. But as surely as Jesus must of just shaken his head at some of Peter's remarks, I'm sure he does that a lot with Pat, too.

Robertson's most recent assessment about Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez may have been correct. But to suggest his assassination is a bit much.

Of course, Robertson is well-known for one faux pas after another. It will be fun to watch how he squirms out of this one.

I can be just as conservative as the next conservative. But I can't abide by Robertson's latest remarks. I just pray that God imparts his wisdom and mercy upon Pat Robertson and President Chavez.

Appeasement: A Real-Life Anatevka

The recent evacuation of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank reminds me of these words from a song in Fiddler on the Roof:

Soon I'll be stranger in a strange new place
Searching for an old familiar face
From Anatevka.
-from Anatevka, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick


Just like in the story of Fiddler on the Roof, many members of the Jewish community were forced to leave their homes. Only this happened in real life. And this time they had to leave their homeland.

In a move that looks a lot like Neville Chamberlain appeasing the Nazis in 1938, the Israeli government has betrayed their own people in the name of a false peace. While I have to admit Palestinian president Abbas has worked hard and done well so far to keep the peace, there's just too much animosity among some elements within Palestine. There's too much animosity amongst the Jewish people as well. The political ramifications of this could very well ruin Prime Minister Sharon's political career.

I fear that this real-life Anatevka will be in vain. I dare to predict that once some homicide bomber blows him- or herself up in a crowded public place in Tel Aviv - or wherever in Israel - the game is up. Everyone in Israel will realize the peace plan is but a dream. And Israel's enemies will have that much more territory from which to launch an attack. That is a situation that will not be tolerated by Israel.

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come.

Appeasement: A Real-Life Anatevka

The recent evacuation of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank reminds me of these words from a song in Fiddler on the Roof:

Soon I'll be stranger in a strange new place
Searching for an old familiar face
From Anatevka.
-from Anatevka, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick


Just like in the story of Fiddler on the Roof, many members of the Jewish community were forced to leave their homes. Only this happened in real life. And this time they had to leave their homeland.

In a move that looks a lot like Neville Chamberlain appeasing the Nazis in 1938, the Israeli government has betrayed their own people in the name of a false peace. While I have to admit Palestinian president Abbas has worked hard and done well so far to keep the peace, there's just too much animosity among some elements within Palestine. There's too much animosity amongst the Jewish people as well. The political ramifications of this could very well ruin Prime Minister Sharon's political career.

I fear that this real-life Anatevka will be in vain. I dare to predict that once some homicide bomber blows him- or herself up in a crowded public place in Tel Aviv - or wherever in Israel - the game is up. Everyone in Israel will realize the peace plan is but a dream. And Israel's enemies will have that much more territory from which to launch an attack. That is a situation that will not be tolerated by Israel.

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come.

Silly Animals

This almost looks like something you would have seen in Life Magazine. I couldn't have taken a better picture if I planned it.

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Boy, things are looking dicey out there. Our brave troops are still getting bloodied in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran has resumed its nuclear program, something which the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) will not tolerate as soon it becomes apparent that they have the bomb. And on top of that, it appears that Iran has been shipping weapons to Iraq. Things don't look good within Israel, either. Not everyone is too thrilled about the pullout from Jewish settlements in Gaza.

Rumors? Too many to mention and link here - I suggest you go to raptureready.com for more on these latest stories.

One rumor is that Osama bin-Laden has left or is about to leave his hideout and should arrive in Iraq sometime next month. From there he is expected to lead the battle against US and Coalition forces in the war on terrorism.

Another rumor is that the US can expect more terror attacks on or about September 11. One scenario is a coordinated attack using fuel tankers in several US cities. Another rumor is an "American Hiroshima" when the long-dreaded nuclear attack on one or several US cities occurs.

In his first inaugural address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." Today, the context of those words are somewhat different, but the concept is the same. Wise words.

My body can be killed, but not my soul. My heart is with Jesus Christ, and I will be with him regardless. I don't fret over those who seek to destroy me - God will deal with them himself.

Meanwhile, keep the faith and, as Jesus said, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." [Matthew 24:42]

Mushrooms In The Yard

Considering we got a late start on the monsoon this year, we're getting a pretty good one so far. July was one of the hottest on record. I'm curious to see if August will be one of the wettest on record. I've even got mushrooms growing in my yard!