Reverse Rolls

Quite often we hear about terrorist coming to the United States and causing mayhem amongst innocent hard working people, rarely do we ever hear of an Alabama born and raised half Syrian going oversees and terrorizing people. Such is the tale of Ommar Hammami a former member of the terrorist group al-Shabab. A former al-Shabab because after gaining fame for his involvement with the group in Somalia and ties with Osama Bin Laden, Ommar became dissatisfied with the way the higher ups in the group were handling the taxes collected from the Somalian people. Call him power hungry, or having a soft side for the people, either or, Ommar has made his was to the United States most wanted list, with a reward of 5 million dollars for any information leading to his capture. After his falling out with al-Shabab, the two factions have waged a mock civil war against each other, escalating the already conflict riden region. Ommar now has enemies on both sides, the United States and al-Shabab, of which recently carried out and assassination attempt on Ommar. Unfortunately, members of al-Shabab are not elegible for the reward on his head.

Roaring Through the Texan Plains

While the nations attention is turned towards the horrific act of terrorism in Boston recently, one story closer to home has been overlooked. I speak of the West Texas plant explosion which is now said to have claimed the lives of 12 brave people, mostly first responders. The incident occurred at a fertilizer plant which stores and distributes anhydrous ammonia, a fertilizer that can be injected directly into the soil, which is also flammable. The explosion was large enough to register as a small earthquake, leveling everything around it, including an apartment complex and part of a school. Due to the companies lack of meeting safety requirements by installing systems and blast walls, the explosion was worse than it should have it. U.S Pipeline and Har sprinkler Hazardous safety administration fined the company $10,000 last year for violations of safety requirements, the company says to have corrected the safety requirements, but evidently from the blast early this week, it did not. Back to Back tragedy's have been happening this month, one can only hope the american people can catch a break and be given a reason to smile again.

Glitch in the System

As American's our society prides itself among others on our justice system, with its elaborate checks and balances as far as the eyes can see. But what happens when there is a glitch in the system, one that was not foreseen by our forefathers, one that the people in power choose to overlook because there are more pressing issue; which by the way there always are and always will be. The glitch i speak of relates to the resent mass acts of violence that have been popping up in the most unexpected of places throughout the united states. For those who commit these acts, and live to "face the consequences", they have jail time to look forward to. Jail, the second ultimate punishment next to lethal injection, instituted to punish the offenders and turn them from their evil ways. You commit a crime, you go to jail, that is how the system works. But every criminal defense lawyer with a brain larger than a pea will plead the state of insanity for their client. Insanity excludes them from facing the aforementioned correctional system, instead they get to live a life in which they get all the medications they need, 3 square meals a day, recreational time, etc. All funded and payed for by the victims families and the rest of the good citizens of this great nation. I see a problem in this, one that shall not be addressed for a very long while. Until then, i hope and pray that tragedy's the likes of the stabbings at Lone-star Community College in Cypress do not continue to occur.

The Depths of Humanity

When the website Craig's List is mentioned, the thoughts that come to mind are those of great deals on otherwise expensive items, and the awkwardness of having to meet a complete stranger on a business arrangement. No one thinks of the possibility that it could be their last time leaving their place of residence, or seeing their loved ones. This is the story of three men from southeast Ohio, Ralph Geiger, 56; David Pauley, 51; and Timothy Kern, 47, all were looking for a fresh start in life, by accepting a job offer on craigslist put out my Richard Beasley. Beasley and his young accomplice Brogan Rafferty, lured the men out to a farm shooting and killing all three. As they lured in their fourth victim, their luck ran out, for he heard the click of the gun, and took cover, escaping with a gun shot to the arm. The Survivor, Scott Davis then tipped police off and the two were apprehended. Such tales are both disturbing and a cause for alarm. Has our society really fallen to such depravity? or do such tales of horrifying acts overshadow the good that still exists in mankind

Small Man Syndrome

Small Man Syndrome

There is a percular personality trait that is persistent amongst people of a smaller stature. It is has been deemed the name small man sydrome. It is described as the need to prove themselves to be on equally footing with the rest of the world, Napoleon is a prime example o
f such a person. The next in line is North Korea's young leader King Jong Un, whom today ordered his missile batteries to prepare to launch against the U.S and South Korea targets, his latest act of belligerence to prove to his people and the rest of the world that he indeed is a MAN. Man in the sense that he is not to be taken lightly, that he indeed possesses the same capabilities as the rest of the world. Sound familiar? Napoleon waged war to prove that he also was a MAN, and came to his unfortunate early end. Some speculate that this will lead to the beginning of the 3rd world war, while others pass it off as just Hot Air for a hot headed leader desperate for attention. Which ever way you choose to look at it, whether it be that the world is on the brink of all out war, like in the new blockbuster hit RED DAWN, the worlds attention has been turned to the Korea's, the next series of actions shall determine what the future holds for us. As a member of the U.S Army i very well hope that it does not escalate to the lvl of boots on the ground war, if anything, a couple of pinpointed missile strikes should be enough to put the young belligerent child in his place.

The Enduring Spirit

Earlier this week, an Australian Billionaire mining tycoon estimated to be worth $5.2 Billion dollars announced that building of a Titanic 2. This almost exact replica of the first titanic is projected to be done and set sail by 2016, with the feel and experience of the original in 1912. Titanic II will be designed almost exactly like the first with a few changes like air conditioning, and life boats to support all 2600 passengers and 900 crew members. When asked if he was worried about the tragedy of the first occurring again, Clive Palmer announced that the Titanic sank because of a huge hole in haul, any ship would sink under those conditions, his ship shall not fall prey to that. He also announced that some potential passengers have already offered up to $1 million dollars for a ticket and a chance to experience what it was like to live in 1912. The entire essence of the ship shall scream its predecessors time period, and passengers are encouraged to dress the part.

Glimmer of Humanity

The news today is full of negativity, all we hear about are acts of violence that cause us to cringe and rethink the civility of humanity. But today, we have stumbled on a story that inspires, and restores hope in humanity. The story of Billy Ray, a homeless man, who spends his time at street corners begging strangers for spare change. On this faithful day, a woman who found it in her heart to spare some change, accidentally put her engagement ring into Billy's change cup. It wasn't until the next day that she realized she had misplaced her ring. An ordinary person by then would have pawned the ring that same night, but no, not Billy, he held on to it in the hopes that the nice lady would return to claim it. Which she did. Billy happily returned the ring to her, and she thanked him with all the cash she had. This story caught the attention of a local reporter and exploded through the news scene, and was featured on CNN. It is such an inspirational story that someone who has so little, can still maintain their humanity, and spurs everyone to do the same. A charity fun has been started in honor of Billy, to help get him back on his feet.