Saddam Execution Tonite?

Well all the stars seem to be aligned for his hanging tonite:

ABC Feed

Reuters News Alert

A guy who is suing Saddam for crimes against his family filed in US court to stop the execution in Iraq ... Huh? Yeah, he says that since he hasnt had a chance to get a monetary damage verdict against Saddam he doesnt want him dead yet. Michelle Malkin on the same story.

Iraq the Model updates us from Iraq .... No Saddam in 2007!

More in a a couple hours
Looks like he'll be dead by 10 p.m.

Update 9 p.m. Al Arabiya reporting that Saddam is on the execution platform and will be dead in a couple minutes.

Update 9:09 p.m. Al jazeera reports that he is dead! Thank God that's over. Pray for peace in Iraq. American Pundit reports from same source.

Some Cool Blogs to Try

Creative Think
SolorideMovie
Blog Till You Drop!
Get Shouty!
One Reader at a Time
Critical Fluff
The New PROwn Your Brand!
OTOInsightsbizandbuzz
Work, in Plain English
Buzz Canuck
New Millenium
Pardon My French
Troy Worman’s Blog
The Instigator Blog
AENDirectDiva Marketing
Marketing Hipster
The Marketing Minute
Funny Business
The Frager Factor
MindblobOpen
Word SellNote to CMO:That’s Great Marketing!
Shotgun Marketing
BrandSizzlebizsolutionsplus
Customers Rock!
Being Peter KimPow!
Billions With Zero KnowledgeWorking at Home on the Internet
MapleLeaf 2.0darrenbarefoot.com
The Engaging Brand
The Branding Blog
CrapHammerDrew’s Marketing Minute
Golden PracticesViaspire
Tell Ten Friends
Flooring the Consumer
Kinetic Ideas
Unconventional Thinking
BuzzoodleConversation
The Copywriting Maven
Hee-Haw Marketing
Scott Burkett’s Pothole on the Infobahn
Multi-Cult Classics
Logic + Emotion
Branding & Marketing
Popcorn n RosesOn
Bullshitobserver
Servant of Chaos
converstationse
Presentation Zen
Dmitry Linkovaialone
John Wagner
Nick RiceCKs
Design Sojourn
Frozen Puck
The Sartorialist
Small SurfacesAfrica
Perspectiveg
Marketing Nirvana
Bob Sutton¡Hola! Oi! Hi!
Shut Up and Drink the Kool-Aid!
Women, Art, Life: Weaving It All TogetherCommunity
Social Media on the fly
Jeremy Latham’s Blog
SMogger
Masey.com

December 27, 2006

Former President Gerald Ford passes away at 93 years old. President Bush praises his years of service to our country. Good lineup of links and photos at Pajamas Media. MSNBC slide show is a good start to get your memory rolling.

He was the 38th and only unelected President in American History.

Day After Christmas

Ethiopian Troops use the policy of Preemption against Islamic Courts in Somalia. African Union leader says they can defend themselves if they feel threatened. Interesting? So if a country feels some trepidation they can attack their neighbors? Who's idea was that?

Turkmenistan announces Presidential elections February 11th, but blogger Registan expresses serious doubts about the legitimacy of the democratic move. Shall we bomb them?

Some news reports suggest that Syria may be willing to open peace talks with Israel. Is this a triangulation to let them gain financial support from the U.S. and Nata and the west against Iran? Are they worried that Iran may cut a deal to align closer to the west and throw out their wacko President? Will they give up support of Hezbollah?

If you design clothes in Second Life can your designs be copied? Or do you own the designs through some intellectual property rights? Now, you may say "who cares" but this is a business and a growing market. The Chinese didn't care about stealing music CD's and DVD's until they wanted to make their own, then they wanted to talk about property rights.

Have a great idea? Are you an innovator looking to file a patent, decent article pointing the right way. Now, if you really want to think situational ethics, try a quick read of Crichton's new book Next. When you're done send me a note on your thoughts about gene patents.

Bethlehem 2007

Do you really know Bethlehem? Where is it? Who controls it?

ABC News feed suggests that we've been duped and should do some more research.

Another feed from last January gives quotes from Christian leaders around the world, but also allows that the Israel's have another perspective. Still searching for a link to their responses last January. I'll try to find and edit this post by Christmas morning.

I'll give me initial impression, without full research albeit, I feel like the Palestinians want their cake and eat it too. They want to let the crazies bomb the Jews, and they want access to the economy that Israel's democracy allows. How about a New Year's Resolution - Shut down the crazies and "Bring down the wall" in 2007.

International Today

Hezbollah is protesting democracy in Lebanon. Frankly that the truth. Now, I will support their right to protest anything they want to protest. If the government of Lebanon shuts down the protests, they are in the wrong. If Hezbollah begins to use violence, they are in the wrong. It's a powderkeg waiting to go off ... What was our called? Oh yeah, The Boston Masacre. And one of our first Presidents, John Adams, represented the British military against the mob in a court of law. Are there politicians or lawyers in Lebanon willing to step up and go against the mob on either side and stand for the rule of law? (Photo showing christmas tree decorating in front of mosque is difficult to comprehend isn't it?)

Watch the whole Yahoo Labanon Slideshow Tell me that isn't global juxtoposition?

First Time Buyers

Wow I came across this excellent post on three steps for a first time buyer online tonight

I can only say that first time buyers are going to find building a world of dreams, I think it may be easier to buy a new home than an existing one. But, this writer is so right to suggest pre-quals and a realtor that isn't too lazy to actually take a buyer out and show them their options ... including buying new.

Mayor Olson Retiring ... Who's Next?

As was rumored a year ago, Mayor Doug Olson of Portage will not seek re-election in 2007.

Times Story

Now the circus begins: Will his chosen replacement be able to win with his endorsement? Will the Republicans steal the office with a Portage councilman like Dave Highlands? Will Dave Reynolds fulfill the long-running rumor that he wants to run for mayor in Portage?

Some additional thoughts: I think this two-term decision is a good one. From what I understand Mayor Olson has been a good mayor and frankly pretty apolitical. Reminds me a lot of Mayor Costas in Valparaiso. Doing the right things even if the "party" hacks aren't all that excited all the time. Two terms is enough for any of these guys. Full time employment is surely not a guarantee nor a good idea for politicians.

Active Rain Site

Working a bit these last couple days on Active Rain real estate network

Try it out, comment sections and forums still need a lot more participation but I can see that there is a lot of possibility there.

http://activerain.com/states/IN/Porter%20County/Valparaiso

Life Quote

From my friends in Naples:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and screaming,

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

Babon Group Florida Real Estate is HOT AGAIN!

Trying new software

I am having a hard time figuring out Picassa and tagging and geo-tagging, still learning