... And let it begin (as it was and ever shall be) with this:

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.

And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:

For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:

Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2 verses 1-20 Douay-Rheims American Edition Bible (1899)

From all of us here at "The Harbor", A Very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!

The Chicago Tribune covered besieged Governor Blagojevich's afternoon press conference today. And it begged, begged to be frisked, so who am I to refuse.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said today he "has done nothing wrong" and will not resign in the face of federal corruption charges.

"I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath," he said. "And I'm not going to quit a job that people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob."

However, his last sentence says nothing about the federal prosecutor's charges. As far as any fighting goes ... I have the feeling ol' Roddy boy was the one stuffed into his locker back in his school days, for not turning his lunch money over quick enough to the local bully.

Blagojevich, however, did not get into the specifics of the political corruption charges he faces, saying he's "not going to talk about this case in 30-second sound bites ... on the TV news."

"I am dying to answer these charges. I am dying to show you how innocent I am," he said.

Be careful what you wish for. Illinois politics, especially those with strong ties (and not very friendly ones at that) to "The Chicago Machine ™ " are quite capable of granting that particular wish. If youse knows what I mean.

"I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum -- in a court of law. And when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated," Blagojevich said.

And right there he contradicts himself. Oh, wait, he didn't say he was going to give the whole story, or even the truth. Just that he was going to answer every allegation. I am quite sure his lawyer(s) will provide him with all the "answers" he needs. Though when I read the above the first time I mistakenly thought he WAS going to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but ... then a re-read the last sentence. I had misread vindicated. Could have sworn it was VENTILATED.

The governor went on to quote from the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you and make allowance for their doubting too. If you can wait and not be tired by waiting or being lied about, don't deal in lies. Or being hated. Don't give way to hating."

Hmmmm, this IS from the Chicago Tribune? That staunch bastion of heartland American conservatism ... ummmm didn't they support Obama, are in lockstep with the LA Times, and their patriarch, Colonel McCormick is dead ... never mind.

I want to apologize for the lack of posting. Between doing my personal best in helping support the economy, along with dealing with the constant influx (with 11 inches or more due tonight/tomorrow) of "frozen global warming crystals ™ ", and my removing same from sidewalk and drive, and we must not forget meeting the demands of ones employer.

Well, posting has been sporadic at best. With luck there will be a couple of posts up tonight.

A couple of quick notes/food for thought.

1. Drew Peterson is engaged to be married?? AGAIN??!!! At least the girl's father seems to have his head on straight. And might want to trade in the caddy for a Hummer (better to break through the front of the house).

2. Hell freezing over?? Five will get you Ten that Global Warming is not a popular subject in Vegas right about now.

RNC Blaggo commercial. McCain doesn't like it.

Personally, I don't see what all the hubbub is about.

Con-artist ... err scammer ... ahh, the Democratic "Frankenstein's Monster" (or is that Feinstein's??) , clapped together from parts of FDR, LBJ, Jimmy Carter, with (more then) a dash of Clinton, says HE has not talked with Illinois next Governor to be incarcerated, Rod "I never saw a c-note I didn't like" Blagojevich. Of course Obama is telling the truth *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*. And to prove it watch as yet another sacrificial lamb is tossed under the bus. In this case, my money is on Rahm Emanuel.

That John "Why can't we just get along" McCain, has issues with the above video (and I would suspect all the other RINO's do as well), speaks as much to his loss in the last election as anything. We are tired of the tried and failed practice of reaching across the aisle in the spirit of harmony, only to end up being bitch slapped.

Just once it would be nice to see someone with an *R* (or an *I*) "reach across the aisle" ... with a closed fist, and send a few Democratic teeth toward the Congressional or Senate floor, like so many chiclets. Followed by a hearty "Bi-partisan *this* bitch!!" (Yeah, I have an active fantasy life ... your point is??)

Oh well, it could be worse. Imagine, if you will, what might have happened had Madam Hillary been the presidential lady in waiting. She tends to take "tossing someone under the bus" literally, rather then figuratively.

(h/t to Eric at "BitsBlog")

There are more blogs, "web magazines", journals, and electronic pamphleteers,
then ever before. Most are nothing more then fancy electronic versions of the mass mailed Christmas letter from "that" distant (and most times, not far enough) friend or relative, put out in monthly or weekly version. Still others are geared toward a specific hobby, cause, like (or dislike), geared toward said enthusiasts immediate interests. But these, along with those who keep a "public diary" of events exclusive to personal events in their lives, are not whom I am addressing.

Specifically:

I speak of those who comment on not only daily events ("the news"), but who on their own are beginning to "ferret" leads and or potential news. Those, who in one way or another, may be about to take the place of what is (or more correctly "was") once called "the fact checkers". The fact checkers being the print media.

The pundits. Opining on everything. Be it our culture, politicos of any and all
stripes, news of the day, items of interest, or the current state of mankind in
general. Though, their point of view varies for any number of reasons, one can with little trouble at all (Google, or any of the other search engines out there, are indeed your friends.) find a voice(s) which speak directly to your personal
heart of hearts.

Which leads to this. Concerning ourselves with news reviewers/reporters, pundits, and those of special interest (for example, Stop the ACLU), we have all the elements present one would find in any major daily paper, as they exist right now.

So I wonder, especially after what passed for informative coverage during the
past election. Are we on the brink of a "sea change"? Are we about to assume the mantle of "The Fourth Estate"? ( Be it as an inheritance, or
out and out usurping is fodder for another time.) At least as far as print media is concerned?

I don't claim to be a "big dog" on the net. Hell, I would be happy being the big fish in my little hamlet. (though I wouldn't turn down any offers) In reading a number of the voices out there, who are of equal or higher caliber/quality then what has passed for commentary/reporting/editorializing in the print media for at least the past 30-40 years, it is my semi-educated opinion, most of us are more then qualified to take on the job.

There are those who would raise raise a hue and cry about standards"/"qualifications", and "accountablity".

To which I reply:

1. Standards (ethical and otherwise). You must be joking! Especially after the last election cycle. Putting aside the Democratic candidate's political agenda, or the running of his campaign, the existing "Forth Estate" gave up their standards and ethics faster then a twenty dollar hooker drops her panties at the sight of a fifty dollar bill, by their lack of in-depth investigative reporting. Obama was the main stream media's thirty pieces of silver. And judging by the print media's fiscal bottom lines as of late, that wasn't nearly enough "coins".

2. Qualifications/College education/Certification(s). Yes, what was I
thinking. The legions of newspapermen, going back to when this country was
founded, read like a who's who from the hallowed halls of colleges and universities world wide.....NOT. Though some had degrees, and others through their efforts were given honorary degrees, it was never a requirement (up until the past 40 years or so) that one have a diploma. This is nothing more then a hoop which to jump through for no real reason at all. (Though it must make some HR department somewhere all warm and fuzzy.)

As far as qualifications went. You needed to understand and provide the following; "Who, What, Why, Where, and When". In other words "the
facts". If you continually strive for accuracy in your reporting, along with a bit of luck, and being in the right place at the right time, chances are you got
noticed which lead to the holy grail ... a "by line". This also assumed you paid
your dues. Perhaps starting as a copy boy, or doing time on the "Obits". College (see above) was not a requirement. Getting the story back to your editor as soon and as complete as possible (hopefully "scooping" the other locals) was the bottom line.

As modern day scribes of the worlds events, we are no better (or worse) in meeting the qualifications which constitute "being a journalist", or newspapermen ("men" being used in the generic here), then any of those who took up the shield and sword of the Fourth Estate in days gone by.

It is ours for the taking. My questions are: (Aside from PJM, and a handful of other major players out there.)
1. Are there any takers out there?
2. Where do we (collectively) go from here?

Sometimes ... sometimes out of the pain, the destruction, the horror which is war, there comes miracles.

First add a dash of inspiration.
Inspiration from of all things, a Star Wars movie. (In this case, "The Empire Strikes Back") Specifically, the wonderful movie magic which "gave" Luke Skywalker a new arm, after Darth Vador caused it (and Luke) to part company.

Then provide a challenge.
This done via the Department of Defense. They wanted a new prosthetic arm. One which would be leaps and bounds ahead of any such device currently available. And it had to meet a number of demands:

His visitor then checked off a list of demands for an improved prosthetic arm: fully articulate, with an opposable thumb and fine motor control, small, lightweight and completely self-contained "He listed all this stuff, and said, 'We want it in two years',"

Newsweek Dec 15, 2008

Mix these two ingredients together, oh, and add a catalyst ... a catalyst named Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, and his team at DEKA.

The end result this! A prosthetic arm which may, if married with additional technology, come amazingly close to ones "original" arm. This would include being "driven" by the brain. And eventually being able to sense via feedback if something was "cold" (or "hot") to the touch.

Mr Kamen, your Segway may have been an inspiring invention. But this ... this is the stuff miracles are made of.

If this be that which comes from dreams. Then sir, dream on!

It seems Fran over at Eternity Road has caught the "LOL Bug" from Charles Hill.

Taking this tomfoolery a bit farther melding with todays news, I give you this:

h/t Eternity Road

Sixty Seven years ago today. We, as a people, as a nation, came together.

"We have witnessed this morning the attack of Pearl Harbor and
a severe bombing of Pearl Harbor by army planes, undoubtedly Japanese. The
city of Honolulu has also been attacked and considerable damage done. This
battle has been going on for nearly three hours. One of the bombers dropped
within 50 feet of (...???taunty-tower...???). Its no joke. Its a real war."

Heard over WCAE (Pittsburgh) at 4:15 pm, Dec 7th, 1941

United in a common cause, against forces which sought to bring down the freedoms and liberties we had come to enjoy.

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of
Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking
toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after
Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese
Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary
of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated
that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it
contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious
that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago.
During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought
to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for
continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to
American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost.
In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas
between San Francisco and Honolulu. ..."

From FDR's "Day of Infamy" address to congress (and the nation), Dec 8th, 1941

It took the better part of four years to bring the Axis to it's knees. And would have been longer had we not resorted to using the newest and most frightening addition to the nations arsenal, the atomic bomb, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But we did what needed to be done, despite the cost in lives, resources, and monies. And we didn't stop until the job was finished (Including the post war reconstruction of Japan and Germany.)

Which brings us to today. Better then seven years since the towers fell. Still
we are not even close to ridding the world of it's current cancer. Much like the axis of old, it too seeks to extinguish the light of liberty, freedom, and individual free will, from all mankind.

We (collectively) bicker, posture, and "nuance" regarding just whom the enemy "really is". We ignore the enemies own "manifesto" which states repeatedly, it's objective is to see itself as THE world wide dominating force. Islam planly states there can be no other. And it will achieve that end through any means fair or foul.

It seems even when History , through the grace of God, is deemed to repeat
itself; and there are more then enough folks alive who have either directly or indirectly took part in this "history lesson". So why ... why do we, as a nation, as a culture, so willfully chose to ignore this?

"Remember Pearl Harbor!!" and the lessons learned from the World War which followed.

UPDATE: added a link under "Remember Pearl Harbor!" . Audio clips from around the nation can be found there. Take a minute to listen, as history was made.