Etta James, Dead at 73

Early Friday, Etta James passed on at the age of 73. Born Jamesette Hawkins on January 25, 1938 she was discovered singing on a street corner in San Fransisco. Her life as a star was a constant struggle, due to various addictions that she eventually over came, but she will always be remembered for her voice. Without a doubt one of the greatest American singers, and likely the greatest soul singer. She had many hits over the years, bringing her four Grammy awards, but none so famous as a song that came out before she was known, which she made her own in 1961, "At Last".

Falkland Conflict Rekindled

It has been almost thirty years since April 2, 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied British commonwealth of the Falkland Island and South Georgia. After 74 days the Falklands War ended with the Argentinian surrender on June 14, 1982. Six hundred forty-nine Argentine military personnel, two hundred fifty-five British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders died over the duration of the conflict. Before the war the two countries had argued for over a century who was the rightful owner of the islands.

And now Argentina is once again pressuring the possibly oil and natural gas rich Falkland Islands to submit to their rule, whilst Prime Minister David Cameron, following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher, is defending the Falklanders desire to remain British citizens. Argentina has even gone as far as getting Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile to sign an agreement to turn away any ships flying Falkland colours.

Hopefully Argentina does not go as far as they did last time, and start a war over it. But if they should be so stupid, Prime Minister Cameron seems up to the job, just as Thatcher was, and will defend the islands from their neighbor's aggression and colonialist goals. Irony, again, that the old empire is the one who now defends others from becoming prey to the imperialistic visions of someone else.

Occupy Denver Cooperates?

In a shocking change, it seems Occupy Denver is learning to cooperate with the city. Wednesday, when asked to, they cleared the sidewalk they've inhabited so that city workers could clean it. This is a huge step forward for the movement, who in the past have resisted such attempts and forced the city to evict them each time. The last time, some of their members lit fires as police moved in to enforce the eviction. With this sign of intelligence within the movement, maybe they could actually transform from a whiny, drugged out mob, into a legit political action group as they claim to be.

Other than the fires, the Denver group is most famous for electing Shelby, the three year old border collie, as it's leader; the massively failed attempt to invade BlogCon11; for being met by the Larimer County Posse when they tried to block a Walmart distribution center in Loveland; and for braving the snow and well below freezing temperatures.

Perry Out, Supports Gingrich

Texas Governor Rick Perry has officially dropped out of the Presidential race, and supported Newt Gingrich. With Perry out, we are left with the scenario we had discussed before, who to support in 2012 between Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich. And we are still at the same conclusion, Newt is the best option of the three.

There are definite reasons people like Perry, Thomas Sowell, Tim LaHaye, and almost Sarah Palin have or will endorse Gingrich. To quote Sowell, "Why not vote for the candidate who has shown the best track record of accomplishments, both in office and in the debates? That is Newt Gingrich. With all his shortcomings, his record shows that he knows how to get the job done in Washington."

Gingrich has proven himself to be more conservative than Romney. He was the last speaker of the house to succeed in having a balanced budget for the country. Newt is electable, as unlike Ron Paul he isn't seen by most of the country as someone to ignore or thought to be out right crazy.

Tis time to face the facts. We are down to the time where we must decide. There will not be anyone else entering the field, as much as we might for hope for Condoleezza Rice (yes I'm still waving my #RiceRyan2012). The remaining candidates will all be dropping out and supporting one of these three. Newt is not perfect, no one is. But of the big three he is the best hope for America in 2012.

US Helps Iranian Fishermen, Again

The United States Navy has once again come to the aid of Iranian fisherman. This marks the third time this month that they have done so. The first time the USS Kidd, freed a group that had been held captive, for over a month, by Somali pirates. Iran's response was to say thanks, but we think you rigged the whole thing. A few days later, the US Coast Guard saved a crew of fishermen who's boat was sinking out from under them. Iran refused to comment on that one. And now, a week later, this group is rescued by other fishermen, but don't have enough supplies. So what did the USS Dewey do? They gifted them with one hundred and fifty pounds of "food, water, medical, and hygienic supplies".

One would hope, and maybe even think, that such humanitarian acts of good will would help ease tensions between the United States and Iran, but that's not the case. If Iran deigns to respond, it will likely be another accusation or maybe continued harassment of US forces in the Persian Gulf. With Russia joining the verbal war, on the Iranian side, things have not gotten any better. President Obama may be trying to start a cold war with China, but it definitely looks like Russia is trying to get the old cold war going again.

Or maybe all of this US aid, of Iranians, will somehow reach the Iranian people and they will remember it. In all the violent revolutions and protests going on in the Middle East, as well as the belligerence of the Iranian government, the Iranian Green Movement seems to have been forgotten. With some real luck the people of Iran will find their way to freedom from the tyranny of Ahmadinejad and look upon the US as a friend.

Russia and The Wretched Tyrant

Russia has once again declared their support of the Syrian government. The Russians originally announced the support by sending an aircraft carrier flotilla to the country, and having each ship's captain go on Syrian TV pledging the support of the Rodina. And now Russia pledges to not only defend the country from outside interference, but block any UN resolution to even sanction the country. Russia claims that the "western countries" are one sided against the regime of President Assad. Earlier this week Russia also pledged to defend Iran, stating that any attack on Tehran would be counted as an attack on Moscow.

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister, David Cameron, has accused Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah of aiding the regime of the "wretched tyrant". Stating that Turkey has proof of arms shipments to Syrian security forces. He continued to pledge that the UK would "lead the way" in ensuring stronger sanctions against Assad's regime. Interestingly enough, Hezbollah just this week released a statement of support for President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown, and added that all members of the opposition should turn themselves in and accept an offer of amnesty.

Arab League observers are still hoping that their presence will end the violence, that has killed an estimated fifty-five hundred people since March. So far they have been ineffective, and may have actually been the cause for more. China, however is strongly encouraging their continued and expanded presence. The Arab League says they will continue debate on Syria, Saturday and Sunday. The Emir of Qatar is calling for troops to be used to ensure peace, but so far he is alone in that.

One Year Down, Now to The Future

It was one year and two days ago, January 15, 2011, that I posted my first blog. On March 29, 2011 Landmark Report published the first of several pieces I had written. The year ended with fifty-five entries, and just under nineteen thousand views.

Now in 2012, currently sitting at 21,415 views, this will be the twenty-fifth piece of the year, with hopes to surpass last year's total in just the month of January. This year has already seen some big changes. The blog has gone from being just a blogger site, to having it's own domain. It has it's own Twitter account and, as of today, a Facebook one too.

Plans are underway to see the basic layout, that you currently see, be replaced with an entirely new design. The focus will still be on news, current events, and politics; but areas for food, sports, music, movies, gaming, and others will appear. By the end of 2012, our goal is to be more than a staff of one and to be using multiple medias to reach you.

We are very grateful to all of you who have supported and spread us throughout our first year of adventures. We hope you will continue to bear with us through the coming growing pains, and that you are as excited as us to see what the next year (and the many beyond that) will bring. You the readers have made this all possible. Thank you!

Centaurs and Tattooine

A centaur is but one of the skeletons you will see at the "Mythological Wildlife" exhibit at Tucson's International Wildlife Museum. The latest exhibit was designed by sculptor and zoologist Bill Willers from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. The goal is mostly to get people to open their minds, and explore the possibilities of what was, or might have been. And then there's just the fun of it. Scheduled to be showing til 2014, you may want to take the opportunity to see this, and the regular exhibits of actual animals, if you have the chance.

Scientists now estimate that the Tattooine planets, are but two of a possible one hundred billion planets in existence throughout the universe. Up to seven hundred planets have already been confirmed by astronomers, who now figure that on average every star could have at least one planet. Their main goal is to find habitable ones in the "Goldilocks zone", unfortunately with not much luck so far. They do however keep discovering new planets, doing new things, and continue to help us expand our imaginations.

The importance of human imagination can never be underestimated. It is what makes us intelligent beings. Without the ability to creatively think, we wouldn't truly be sentient.  No matter what remember to just think about the possibilities of how to better the world.

I Have a Dream

Easily one of the greatest Americans of all time, let alone the 20th century, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for what he believed in, equality and freedom for all. His policies of peaceful protest and civil disobedience were very key towards his success. His "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most famous in all of history, and is often quoted still. His death is one of the greatest tragedies in American history. One can't help but wonder how much more he could have accomplished had he lived a longer life. He is one man that I can truly say I would love to have had the respect of.

Like the great Martin Luther King Jr. I too have a dream, one that I truly believe he would have shared.
I dream of the day where colour truly doesn't matter. Where race, sex, or age are just descriptions not qualifiers.
I have a dream of an America where all men are truly created equal. Where how a person does things matters more than what they do for a living. Where equality will be earned on moral grounds, not enforced by government regulations.
I have a dream that my children will not be shackled in debt to big government. That they will be free of oppression from all levels of government, especially any foreign one. Where their fellow man will be willing to work beside them to build this great country called America; not destroy it with excessive government programs, high taxation, and foreign debt.
I have a dream that America will be ruled by morality, justice and law; not by taxation, tyranny, and political correctness.
I have a dream that politicians won't be industry and special interests' bought puppets, but men and women of moral character that felt the call to public service to improve the country for all Americans. People who believe in American exceptionalism and will bring America back to being the single world leader in everything.

Russia to Defend Iran

After the assassination of a scientist in Tehran, Iran was quick to point blame at Israel and the United States. Now, they claim to have proof that the American CIA and British MI6 were directly involved. The US has denied any role and Britain condemned the killing of any civilians, whilst Israel said they weren't directly inolved. Gen. Masoud Jazayeri, spokesman for Iran’s military, was quoted by one of the Iranian state news channels, ISNA, as saying that Tehran was “reviewing the punishment” of “behind-the-scene elements” involved in the assassination. An obvious message that Iran is planning to retaliate.

United States Navy and Coast Guard forces have saved Iranian sailors twice in recent weeks. The Iranian response was to accuse the US of staging the first rescue, and then completely ignored the second. And now they harass US ships in a continued thank you. This does nothing to help ease tensions that are at all time highs due to the assassination of the scientist and Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz over promised sanctions, due to Iran's continued nuclear program. President Ahmadinejad stated once again that sanctions will not have any effect on the program, and that any military intervention will be dealt with firmly.

Russia not content to only state that they will back the Syrian government against it's opposition, have now decided to stand with Iran as well. The Russian government has stated that, "Any attack on Tehran is an attack on Moscow". This complicates any decision by the US and her allies, or the UN for that matter, to enforce the end of Iran's nuclear program. Russia's bringing in of naval forces to the area, has been countered by the French and British navies. China, and now Japan, have spoken out against further sanctions as well, but unlike Russia have not stated they will defend Iran with their own military forces.

Turkey on the other hand has publicly joined the US side of the argument, as a radar station has been made operational in Turkey. The base is manned by Turkish and US forces. Iran has issued a protest against US involvement in the area.