The truth of the situation of the USA military in Iraq is that they do not, even after two years of occupation, understand the rebels/insurgents. 

The Oil for Food Initative was a Peaceful, Life Sparing and Successful Disarmament of a Brutal Dictatorship. There were no weapons of mass destruction regardless this focus which seems to be to be 'much ado about nothing.' It was very successful in containing a difficult dicatator. The 'post mortem' of this program should serve the United Nations well to realize where it's strengths and weaknesses occur. Businesses paid illicit surcharges to secure contracts
Most of the deals involved Russian and Middle Eastern firms
Corruption on contracts alleged to be worse in post-Saddam Iraq  

Is there a balance of power in the world? 

The Nuke Klub. 

Posada Arrested. 

Anchorage Alaska Zoo Himalayan Goat 

A healthy Brookfield Zoo Polar Bear. 

The Brookfield Zoo Wind Chime 

Morning Papers - concluding

The weather in Antarctica is getting warmer (Crystal Ice Chime) is:

Scott Base

Overcast

-10.0°

Updated Wednesday 18 May 8:59PM

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:

37 °F / 3 °C
Clear

Humidity:
75%

Dew Point:
30 °F / -1 °C

Wind:
Calm

Pressure:
29.41 in / 996 hPa

Visibility:
-

UV:
0 out of 16

Clouds (AGL):
Clear -

end

Searching for the answer to high speed transportation is to recognize it's unlimited potential. High Speed Magnetic Rail at 300 mph. 

May 16, 2005. The Union, Illinois Motorman. Sadly in need of attention. The number 714. 

May 15, 2005. A view of a railroad crossing without adequate warning system. I don't care where the crossing is in this country. A life is important and there is absolutely no reason for signals to be inadequate. The clouds are interesting as well. 

May 15, 2005. At Burlington, Illinois a dangerous railroad crossing. A dark signal. The power outage to the signal is due to the need for rewiring. The nation's railroads are being neglected. 

May 16, 2005. The Palmer Flatts, Alaska "Spirit of the Nroth Pole" - Very long train. Very powerful engines. 

"The Spirit of the North Pole" at a railroad crossing. 

May 16, 2005. The Palmer Flatts Train. 

May 16, 2005. Plamer Flatts, Alaska. Number 4015, 

Cock-A-Doodle-Due" 

May 14, 2005. Chapel by the Sea. Portugal. 

The R & R 2 will replace this Construction Site over time.

"Under Construction"

In the mean time if you are looking for the entries from May 17, 2005 at 12:31 PM to June 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM.

CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE TO MOVE TO THE INTERIM BLOG. Thank you.