Friday, March 28, 2008
NO NAU!
By the way, Republicans should be disappointed that they preferred John McCain over Mitt Romney. In the third video, Romney says right out that a union of the three countries is not the right way to prosperity for America. Those who preferred McCain need to know that threats to America halfway across the world are still threats, but ones closer to home are even more serious right now. At this time, I am not certain to how McCain stands on the NAU issue, but signs may point to him being in favor of it. When I know more on how McCain stands on this issue, I will post it here.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DEVELOPING STORY

The facade of the Philips Arena, where the NBA's
Atlanta Hawks nest, was shredded in places.

The view outside CNN Center last night.

Fans at the SEC Tournament in the Georgia Dome
are warned about the severe weather Friday night.

Windows at the Omni hotel at the CNN Center are
blown out.

Water pipes broke at the Georgia World Congress
Center, making a waterfall out of these stairs.

This sign near the Georgia Dome was toppled.

One of the holes that broke the canvas roof at the
Georgia Dome.

All that remains of some of the entrances and windows
at the Georgia World Congress Center is shards.
Photos courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and CNN.
An apparent tornado struck downtown Atlanta Friday night, hitting the South's biggest city at a very busy time. The SEC and ACC basketball tournaments were being held in the Georgia Dome as the winds howled outside. Catwalks and scoreboards inside the dome were actually swaying from the wind, scaring thousands of fans to shelter.
Hotels and skyscrapers saw many windows blown out, and debris coated the streets. The CNN Center was hit with roof and window damage. Tarps covered computers in the network's newsroom. The Omni hotel adjacent to the CNN Center had major window damage, and furniture from upper floors was sucked out of the building. At Centennial Olympic Park, torch-resembling towers were blown over. The city's distinctive high-rise, the 73-story Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel, was marked with scores of destroyed windows. The Georgia Dome's canvas roof was pierced in some spots. The Philips Arena was also hit hard, with pieces of metal from its facade torn off, and blown onto the street in front of the CNN Center.
Just east of downtown, twenty houses were demolished in the Georgia capital's historic Cabbagetown district. The storm demolished the top floor of the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts, a 104-year-old textile factory complex turned into apartments. Some were believed to be missing there, but search attempts proved that false.
Two people were killed by the storms in areas north of Atlanta.
KEEP ABREAST:
CNN
MSNBC
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WXIA-NBC TV, Atlanta
WGCL-CBS TV, Atlanta
WSB-ABC TV, Atlanta
WAGA-FOX TV, Atlanta
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
McCAIN HAS GOP NOMINATION OFFICIALLY WRAPPED UP, ATTENTION MOVES TO RUNNING-MATE SELECTION. Who do you prefer as McCain's No. 2? Vote on it here.
At least 25 or so individuals are being thrown around as speculated choices. His eventual choice will likely have to appear much younger than him, appeal more to the conservative base, and will have to be believed to be able to step in the President's role if necessary. On the left, I have posted the 20 names most put up as likely candidates, while at the same time more serious candidates than some that are being published. I would encourage you to vote who you would prefer to see McCain pick. Out of those 20, chances are very high that one of them will be the Senator's choice to fill the number-two spot on the GOP ticket this election cycle.
A listing of McCain's top-24 potential picks
Associated Content: Possible choices
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Phils' Clubhouse Prank Turns into Overnight YouTube Sensation!
It looks like the 2007 National League East Champs (and my team) are ready for 2008!
Philadelphia Phillies' veteran pitcher Brett Myers managed to get the whole clubhouse, managers, and the Philadelphia press into duping second-year Phils' pitcher Kyle Kendrick into believing he was traded to a Japanese team.
The elaborate practical joke only started in the clubhouse, but became an overnight internet sensation.
It looks like my team is ready to go for '08! Ready to defend the NL East crown, and take it even further!
Philadelphia ComcastSportsNet
Philadelphia Inquirer
Cleveland Dealer
FOXNews
MSNBC
Article giving kudos to Phils on prank as good for the sport during a time when steroid scandals are hurting it.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
TRAGEDY IN THE SOUTH
Death Toll Continues To Rise In Deadliest U.S. Tornado Outbreak In 23 Years. Homes, Universities, Shopping Malls, Natural Gas Pumping Stations Among The Devastated Buildings. President Bush To Visit Damaged Areas Friday.
Tuesday was supposed to be a day dominated by the results of the Super Tuesday primaries, news of how the U.S. Presidential race is shaping up.
However, something much more darker and deadly quickly grabbed its place in the minds of America.
The deadliest severe weather outbreak in 23 years slammed America's Southern and Midwest states, killing at least 55 and injuring over 300. The storms destroyed houses, retirement homes, post offices, a shopping mall, and a natural gas pumping station, among other places.
The hardest hit areas were: Aiken, Arkansas; Memphis, Jackson, Hardin County, Williamson County, Sumner County, and Macon County, all in Tennessee; and communities in northern Alabama and south-central Kentucky.
Probably the most blessed area of the night was metro Nashville, Tennessee. A deadly tornado struck in an area to the southwest, around Fairview in Williamson County. The storm's funnel pulled back up as it approached the city of Nashville. The supercell continued to cross over the city, and dropped its funnel again after passing over Nashville's Davidson County. That funnel stayed on the ground for 51 miles, passing through Sumner, Macon, and Trousdale counties in Tennessee, and continuing on through Allen County, Kentucky. That tornado alone killed at least 27 people.
Below is a photo essay of the disaster. For stories and videos, click the links below. May God be with all who suffered great loss in these areas. They are certainly in America's thoughts and prayers! For those in these regions, I just want to encourage you all to keep the faith! You will bounce back, swiftly and better than before, because you have faith in the Almighty above, and a strong Puritian work-ethic based on your faith. We stand with you as you try your hardest to recover.
Outbreak death toll
State
Total
County
Countytotal
Arkansas 13
Baxter 1
Conway 2
Izard 2
Pope 4
Stone 1
Van Buren 3
Kentucky 7
Allen 4
Muhlenberg 3
Tennessee 33
Fayette 1
Hardin 3
Macon 14
Madison 2
Shelby 3
Sumner 7
Trousdale 3
Totals
59
All confirmed deaths are tornado-related
Tolls are from Wikipedia
Tennessee's death tolls by county as of Wednesday night, Feb. 6, 2008.
SUMNER COUNTY, TENNESSEE
The historic Wynnewood site in Castilian Springs, a hard-hit area.
The remains of the Castilian Springs post office were blown across the street from where it once stood.
Postal workers try to recover items from the demolished Castilian Springs post office.
Debris shrewn across a Castilian Springs highway.
A house stands near Castilian Springs, while neighboring houses in the back are gone.
TROUSDALE COUNTY, TENNESSEE

The glow could be seen in all surrounding counties, and for miles when the Columbia Gulf natural gas pumping station caught fire after taking a direct hit from the tornado. The flames shot as much as 500 feet in the air in the fire.

The remains of the Columbia Gulf facility, near Hartsville, after the tornado and fire caused severe damage.
MACON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Houses near Lafayette, Tennessee, lie in ruin after a direct hit by the tornado, measured at 3/4 of a mile wide. The tornado stayed on the ground for 51 miles after passing Nashville.

The remains of the F&M Furniture Manufacturing Company in Lafayette.

An overview of the F&M destruction.

Yet another image of F&M.
A house in Macon County after Tuesday night's tornado.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

The Sears at the Hickory Hill Mall in Memphis suffered serious damage. The mall itself was closed because of substantial damage.

This Caterpillar plant in Memphis sustained severe damage.

The remains of a warehouse in Memphis.
JACKSON, TENNESSEE

This Walgreens near Union University shows signs of heavy damage.

A BancorpSouth branch and an Arby's restaurant with Union University in the background.

Another view of the BancorpSouth branch.

A Jackson church sustained haevy damage.

A view of the destroyed dorms at Union.

Another view of the devastated dorms.

Yet another view of the dorms.

And yet another view.


Cars were strewn around the campus.


One of Union's largest buildings sustained heavy roof damage.

Images are courtesy of the Tennessean, Commercial Appeal, and the Jackson Sun.
REFERENCE LINKS
Wikipedia article on the "2008 Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak"
ARTICLES
Associated Press
CNN
MSNBC
Memphis, Tenn., Commercial Appeal
Commercial Appeal Special Section
Nashville, Tenn., Tennessean
Tennessean Special Section
WTVF-TV, Nashville, Tenn., Special Section
WSMV-TV, Nashville, Tenn., Special Section
WMC-TV, Memphis, Tenn., Special Section
Jackson, Tenn., Sun - Special Section
Gallatin, Tenn., News-Examiner (Courtesy of The Tennessean)
Clarksville, Tenn., Leaf-Chronicle
Little Rock, Ark., Democrat-Gazette
Birmingham, Ala., News
Bowling Green, Ky., Daily News
VIDEO
MSNBC- Supercell took region by suprise
CNN Video Coverage
Tennessean Video Coverage
WSMV-TV, Nashville, Tenn., Video
PHOTO GALLERIES
Tennessean Audio Photo Gallery
Tennessean Audio Photo Gallery with scenes from across the "Volunteer State".
Macon County, Tenn.
Sumner County, Tenn.
Fairview, Williamson County, Tenn. (The supercell thunderstorm dropped a tornado here, then it fizzled as the storm crossed Nashville. The supercell then dropped the deadly funnel after leaving Nashville, and went on its rampage through Sumner, Trousdale, and Macon Counties, before causing choas in a section of south-central Kentucky.)
Jackson, Tenn.
Columbia Gulf Natural Gas pumping station fire, Trousdale County, Tenn.
Union University tornado photos
Commercial Appeal slide show
Commercial Appeal slide show II
Clean-up photos from the Little Rock, Ark. Democrat-Gazette
Jackson, Tenn. Sun's special coverage of the storms, including photo galleries
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
DEVELOPING WEATHER STORY
Springlike severe thunderstorms, many including tornadoes, blew through a large swath of the Midsouth Tuesday night, and is continuing to threaten portions of the region.
At least 23 are confirmed dead at this time, and over 100 are injured across Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other neighboring states in a storm system bizarre for this time of year.
Seven of those deaths are in northern Arkansas, and at least six others died across the state. Widespread damage is reported across that state.
Tennessee is another very hard-hit state. A tornadic thunderstorm blew through the metropolitian Memphis area during the early evening. It destroyed a warehouse building, damaged a Caterpillar plant, and caused serious damage to the Hickory Ridge Mall, where a wall and the roof of a Sears store were heavily damaged. At least one fatility has been reported at Hickory Ridge. A hangar at Memphis International Airport that was occupied by the National Guard had its roof torn off. FedEx Corp. reported damage to some of its facilities at the airport in its hometown.
From there the storm followed Interstate 40 to Jackson, Tenn., where widespread damage was reported. Dorm buildings at Union University were reduced to rubble, trapping at least nine and injuring others. Classes at Union will reportedly be cancelled for two weeks to deal with the damage. At least 50 people were trapped in the damaged Jackson Oaks retirement home. Other damage was reported, as well, across West Tennessee, where at least four fatalities occured. Three other deaths were reported elsewhere in the Volunteer State.
The storms paraded across West and Middle Tennessee, and wreaked havoc in the areas around Nashville during the early night hours. The Columbia Natural Gas facility in Hartsville, Trousdale County, was slammed by a reported tornado, setting it on fire and throwing flames up to 500 feet into the air. The light from the fire was seen in all surrounding counties.
In Kentucky, three were reportedly killed when storms blasted a mobile home park in Muhlenberg County.
The storms interfered with Super Tuesday voting, as Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee were all holding their Presidential primaries. Presidential candidates Mike Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, and Hillary Clinton, a previous Arkansas First Lady, all expressed condolances to those who have been affected by Tuesday's serious weather condition.
This is a developing story, as tornadic thunderstorms are still pushing through a stretch of the country from Ohio, through Middle Tennessee, and into Mississippi.
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Nashville Tennessean
Jackson, Tenn., Sun
Little Rock, Ark., Democrat-Gazette
CNN
Jackson, Tenn., photos
Middle Tennessee photos
Account of the fire at the Hartsville, Tenn., natural gas facility
A M E R I C A C H O O S E S 2 0 0 8 - S U P E R T U E S D A Y
AM CST, Feb. 6
The bottom line of the results in Tuesday's nearly national primary can be found in the headline. This won't be an in-depth article. We'll just cover the facts here and leave the in-depth spin up to the press.
REPUBLICANS
Arizona Senator John McCain got pretty much all the wins he wanted tonight. There was no suprises for his states. A bigger suprise was how well Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee did in the five states he won. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney did not have a disastrous night either, but just barely missed in important opportunities such as Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Delaware, and it looks like California.
STATES WON - WTA OR SPLIT - IF WTA, # OF DEL.
McCAIN
Arizona - WTA - 53
California - Split
Connecticut - WTA - 30
Delaware - WTA - 18
Illinois - Split
Missouri - WTA - 58
New Jersey - WTA - 52
New York - WTA - 101
Oklahoma - Split
ROMNEY
Colorado - Split
Massachusetts - Split
Minnesota - Split
Montana - Split
North Dakota - Split
Utah - WTA - 36
HUCKABEE
Alabama - Split
Arkansas - Split
Georgia - Split
Tennessee - Split
West Virginia - WTA - 18
STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Alaska
RESULTS
AL: Huckabee-41%, McCain-37%, Romney-18%, Paul-3% 99% of Precincts
AK: STILL TO REPORT
AZ: McCain-47, Romney-34, Huckabee-9, Paul-5 72%
AR: Huckabee-61, McCain-20, Romney-13, Paul-5 85%
CA: McCain-44, Romney-26, Huckabee-12, Paul-4 29%
CO: Romney-60, McCain-19, Huckabee-13, Paul-8 73%
CT: McCain-52, Romney-33, Huckabee-7, Paul-4 99%
DE:McCain-45, Romney-33, Huckabee-15, Paul-4 100%
GA: Huckabee-34, McCain-32, Romney-30, Paul-3 98%
IL: McCain-47, Romney-29, Huckabee-17, Paul-5 97%
MA: Romney-51, McCain-41, Huckabee-4, Paul-3 95%
MN: Romney-42, McCain-22, Huckabee-20, Paul-15 82%
MO: McCain-33, Huckabee-32, Romney-29, Paul-4 99%
MT: Romney-38, Paul-25, McCain-22, Huckabee-15 100%
NJ: McCain-55, Romney-28, Huckabee-8, Paul-5 98%
NY: McCain-51, Romney-28, Huckabee-11, Paul-7 99%
ND: Romney-36, McCain-23, Paul-21, Huckabee-20 100%
OK: McCain-37, Huckabee-33, Romney-25, Paul-3 100%
TN: Huckabee-34, McCain-32, Romney-24, Paul-6 100%
UT: Romney-90, McCain-5, Paul-3, Huckabee-2 99%
WV: Huckabee-52, Romney-47, McCain-1, Paul-0 100%