LAWYERBRUCE

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Puff the Magic Dragon and Abe Lincoln; listen to both.

March 16, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

March 16 is … Everything You Do Is Right Day. This is a day for my lovely wife.

July 2011

This year, 2011, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens
once every 823 years. This is called money bags.

Deeaann, Oh Deeaannn; who could have known that Joseph Levitch, the baby boy born on this day in 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, would someday wear the crown of the ‘King of Crazy’! Maybe his father had a clue when he introduced his five year old on stage at Brown’s Hotel in Loch Sheldrake, NY. Little Joey sang, Brother, Can You Spare a Dime. Today, that theatre bears the name of this actor, singer, dancer, musician, comedian, producer, professor, and humanitarian. Maybe you’ve been to the Jerry Lewis Theatre in the borscht belt in upstate New York. Certainly, you’ve seen Jerry Lewis perform. Maybe your first experience was seeing him in his role as the goofy partner of the suave, romantic Dean Martin. From 1946, when the two performed together for the first time in Atlantic City’s 500 Club, till a decade later when the partners split; we were entertained with club appearances and no less than a dozen movies. The first, My Friend Irma, premiered at New York’s Paramount Theatre. The opening stage act starred Martin and Lewis in person. Jerry Lewis’ mugging skills became the central force behind many of the movies the two made. Films like That’s My Boy and The Caddy catapulted him into stardom. From 1951 through 1959, Jerry’s name appeared in the top ten of box-office stars (6 years with his partner and 3 solo). In fact, in 1959, Paramount signed him to a fourteen-film contract for ten million dollars -- probably the most expensive contract signed with a performer at the time. He was back in the top ten from 1961 through 1964 and had received acclaim as Best Director for The Nutty Professor from the French. Comedian, film star and director was never enough for the zany, talented Lewis. He had a top-tent in 1956, Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody; his own TV variety show from 1965 to 1974 and he continued to make movies, work the club circuit, and teach film at USC. His devotion to supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association is known worldwide. There are few who have never seen the annual Labor Day Telethon for MDA hosted by the untiring Jerry Lewis. Undaunted by protesters he continues the quest to raise money to help those stricken with neuromuscular diseases. And, undaunted by the fact that his talents have never been truly recognized by his fellow Americans; Jerry Lewis continues to entertain us. A cult hero to the French, he remains ‘Le Roi du Crazy’.

The trouble in the Middle East has been knocked off the front page of the newspaper by the gut wrenching and mind boggling situation in Japan, but it still exists. Saudi Arabia sent troops into Bahrain. This was allegedly with the approval and urging of the Bahrain rules. That is a religious fight with the minority religion leadership desperately holding on.

In Libya, Moammar Gadhafi is now winning. What looked like an ouster from power two weeks ago has turned around for the dictator. According to the Associated Press, Moammar Gadhafi's forces overwhelmed rebels in the strategic eastern city of Ajdabiya, hammering them with airstrikes, missiles, tanks and artillery Tuesday in an assault that sent residents fleeing and appeared to open the way for an all-out government offensive on the opposition's main stronghold in the east, Benghazi. In desperation, rebels sent up two antiquated warplanes that struck a government ship bombarding Ajdabiya from the Mediterranean. But as tanks rolled into the city from two directions and rockets relentlessly pounded houses and shops, the ragtag opposition fighters' defenses appeared to break down. Only 10 days ago, the rebellion was poised to march on Tripoli, the capital, and had appeared capable of sweeping Gadhafi out after 41 years in power, but the regime's better armed and organized military has reversed the tide. Efforts led by France and Britain to create a no-fly zone to protect the rebels have gone nowhere, and some rebels lashed out at the West for failing to come to their aid.

On this date across the sands of time;

1945 US defeats Japan at Iwo Jima.

1955 The Ballad of Davy Crockett, by Bill Hayes, reached the number one spot on the pop music charts and stayed for five weeks beginning this day. The smash hit song sold more than 7,000,000 records on more than 20 different labels. Everyone seemed to be singing the song that saluted the frontier hero who was “Born on a mountain top in Tennessee...” Coonskin caps were seen everywhere as the Crockett craze spread like a frontier fire.

1963 Peter, Paul and Mary released the single, Puff The Magic Dragon. Through the years, controversy continually surrounded the song. It was banned by several radio stations whose management figured that the song was about the illicit joys of smoking marijuana. The group denied this startling assumption. “It’s about a magic dragon named Puff,” they said. So there. The trio recorded a dozen hits that charted between 1962 and 1969. Puff was their third song. It went to number two on the pop charts and puffed around for nearly three months. The group next did a Bob Dylan protest song, Blowin’ in the Wind and ended a sterling career with a John Denver song -- the group’s biggest -- Leaving on a Jet Plane.

1964 Paul Hornung, ‘The Golden Boy’, and Alex Karras, the guy who punched out a horse in the movie, Blazing Saddles, were reinstated to the NFL after an 11-month suspension for betting on football games.

1968 My Lai massacre occurs (Vietnam War); 450 die
1968 Robert F Kennedy announces Presidential campaign

1995 Mississippi House of Representatives ratifies 13th Amendment-formally abolishes slavery – Better late than never, I guess?

Just a few Quotes attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them.
Abraham Lincoln

The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.
Abraham Lincoln

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.
Abraham Lincoln

The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.
Abraham Lincoln

The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.
Abraham Lincoln

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.
Abraham Lincoln

The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself in every way he can, never suspecting that anybody wishes to hinder him.
Abraham Lincoln

There is another old poet whose name I do not now remember who said, "Truth is the daughter of Time."
Abraham Lincoln

There is nothing true anywhere, The true is nowhere to be seen; If you say you see the true, This seeing is not the true one.
Abraham Lincoln

These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.
Abraham Lincoln

These men ask for just the same thing, fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have.
Abraham Lincoln
BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.

Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com

http://www.brucebrennanlaw.com/

www.lawyerbruce.wordpress.com

www.brucebrennanattorney.com

www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com

www.lawyerbruce.blogspot.com

www.lawofficeofbruceabrennan.yolasite.com

www.lawyerbruceabrennan.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.law.officelive.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.webs.com

http://www.lawyerbruceabrennan.webstarts.com/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneybruceabrennan

Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book should be available later this year, in late 2011. More information will be forthcoming.

http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/ebook/497984-ebook.htm

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.

http://www.kobo.com/

https://dtp.amazon.com/mn/dashboard

Ours is a world where people don't know
what they want and are willing to go
through hell to get it.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A day in the death of Julius Caesar

March 15, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

March 15 is … Buzzard's Day and Everything You Think Is Wrong Day. Now this is my kind of day; there is plenty wrong

It is the Ides of March. So named because of; 0044 -BC- Julius Cæsar assassinated in Roman Senate in the Portico of the Theater of Pompey. “You to Bru-Bru?”

Billboard magazine began a new feature. It was the record chart of the top albums. What album was the first to top this new chart? For those who thought it was something by Lauryn Hill, move two steps back, please. For those who thought it was a wax cylinder from Thomas Edison and the Record Rappers, jump back another three spaces. If, however, you said that the first album to reach #1 on this day in 1945 was The King Cole Trio, you are absolutely correct!

Of course, the albums mentioned on the Billboard list were, for several years, 78 rpm disks, not the 33-1/3 albums we came to know. Billboard and other trade magazines continue to list the week’s top albums. Billboard lists the Top 200 in order, from #1 on down. Some even have ‘bullets’ to reflect the week’s top movement in sales and radio airplay.

Slaughter in America, this community has seen it before; a small southwestern Virginia community is again dealing with a deadly shooting rampage that this time killed two deputies and wounded two more before the suspect who may have been trying to rob a salvage yard was fatally shot by police. Buchanan County deputies investigating at Roger's Service Center in Vansant on Sunday afternoon were met by gunfire from long range, Virginia State Police said. Two were hit and died at the scene. Two others who arrived also were shot, said State Police Sgt. Steve Lowe. One deputy has life-threatening injuries and the other was in serious condition, state police said. No names were released late Sunday. Christina Stiltner lives across the street from the salvage yard in the southwestern Virginia area and had just walked into her home with her 10-year-old son when she heard "pow, pow, pow." She opened her front door and saw one deputy run into a neighbor's yard. She heard another "pow" and the deputy went down. He was one of the injured, she said. "It scares you so much," she said. "I sat there thinking 'what's the number to 911'? It shocked me so badly; I didn't know the number to 911." Residents said such violence is rare in the rural area of about 1,000 people, though in January 2002, a student opened fire on the Appalachian School of Law campus in Grundy just down the road from Vansant after learning he had flunked out of school. The school's dean, a professor and a student were killed in the attack. Three other students were wounded. The shooter, Peter Odighizuwa, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. "This is a laid-back community. Everybody knows everybody," said Tivis O'Quinn, 68, who has lived in Vansant for 40 years and operates a business less than a mile from the salvage yard. "Nothing like this ever takes place, except for the law school shooting." Police did not release what sort of weapon was used, but Lowe said the suspect shot from long range. The owner of the salvage yard told police his business was being robbed and he had blocked the suspect's vehicle with his own. After the shooting, the search was on for the suspect. State police and other officers found him about two hours later and after "some sort of engagement" they shot and killed him, Lowe said. "I'm not sure what the confrontation was when they encountered him," Lowe said. "Apparently he was identified as the right person." Lowe said he didn't know if the man fired on police, or if he was armed at the time. Stiltner said she knew all the deputies involved in the attack because they would often stop by the gas station and restaurant where she works. Stiltner said she wasn't allowed to return to her home seven hours after the shootings ended. Several other residents were out of their homes late Sunday. Vansant is a former coal mining town in the mountainous region of southwestern Virginia. O'Quinn said the community experiences "little petty thefts now and then," but nothing like what occurred Sunday. On display in O'Quinn's office was a 2011 calendar of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department. The photo features the department's 47 members, including Foster and 24 uniformed deputies. Buchanan County Sheriff Ray Foster called the shooting "one of a kind" for his department but declined to say anymore.

Is this guy lucky to be alive or the unluckiest man in the world? The Rev. Russell Becker considers himself lucky to have survived America's worst-ever nuclear accident, at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island in 1979. But 30 years later, he's living in Japan -- and wonders if he'll be a nuclear survivor for a second time. Friday's 8.9-magnitude earthquake north of Tokyo and the massive tsunami it triggered have killed at least 10,000 people. The quake also destabilized nuclear power plants, unleashing what's believed to be low-level radiation and sparking a second hydrogen explosion today, amid growing fears of nuclear fallout. U.S. military forces maneuvered farther offshore after detecting small amounts of radioactivity in the air. Workers are scrambling to cool reactors with seawater, and nearby residents are being told to stay indoors.

For Becker, who's originally from Buffalo, N.Y., such fears take him back 32 years. The Rev. Russell Becker was in Harrisburg, Pa., for the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and now finds himself in Japan during the current nuclear crisis there."They say it's just like Three Mile island, and oddly enough, I was in Harrisburg [Pennsylvania] when Three Mile Island went off," Becker told AOL News by phone today from Tokyo. "Now I'm thinking, 'How did I miss Chernobyl?' I seem to be traveling around the world for these things," he joked. "I'm just a little disaster magnet."

Becker is now a Catholic priest who runs an English-language parish in Tokyo, the Franciscan Chapel Center, and has spent the past few days counseling his faithful on how to be survivors. He practices what he preaches.

The Japanese government is slowly releasing information about the nuclear reactor problems to its citizens. Many of the Japanese are now being warned to stay inside and make their homes airtight. Dangerous levels of radiation leaking from a crippled nuclear plant forced Japan to order 140,000 people to seal themselves indoors Tuesday after an explosion and a fire dramatically escalated the 4-day-old crisis spawned by a deadly tsunami.

In a nationally televised statement, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation has spread from four reactors of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Fukushima state, one of the hardest-hit in Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami that has killed more than 10,000 people, plunged millions into misery and pummeled the world's third-largest economy. The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday that Japanese officials told it that the reactor fire was in the storage pond, a pool where used nuclear fuel is kept cool and that "radioactivity is being released directly into the atmosphere."

The death toll continues to rise. The 2004 tsunami killed 230,000 people, of which only 184,000 bodies were found. Many dead are in the ocean and will never be found. Like Luca Brazi, they sleep with the fishes.

The terrible bus crash in New York City claimed a fifteenth victim Monday when one of the injured died. The investigation into the crash is centering in on the driver, a convicted felon with a 20 year old manslaughter conviction and no driver’s license. Somebody is going to be the fall guy in this situation. A similar case that involved a deadly traffic accident helped send former Governor Ryan to prison, where he still sits.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.

Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com

http://www.brucebrennanlaw.com/

www.lawyerbruce.wordpress.com

www.brucebrennanattorney.com

www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com

www.lawyerbruce.blogspot.com

www.lawofficeofbruceabrennan.yolasite.com

www.lawyerbruceabrennan.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.law.officelive.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.webs.com

http://www.lawyerbruceabrennan.webstarts.com/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneybruceabrennan

http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/ebook/497984-ebook.htm

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.

http://www.kobo.com/

https://dtp.amazon.com/mn/dashboard

Expectations are premeditated resentments.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Bruce Weber, Glenn Frey said it best, "The Heat is On"

March 14, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

March 14 is … National Potato Chip Day

I like dogs and most other animals. Our dog, Burdette, likes potato chips, especially BBQ chips. I do not consider cats to be animals. Check out the YouTube video below;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&feature=player_embedded#at=21

It is a good way to start your week off.

Illinois made it into the NCAA Tournament. That was a surprise to me and many others. This will probably allow Bruce Weber the opportunity to dance past the Grim Reaper. I hope not; it is time for a change in Champaign.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Japanese government is not quite sure what to do with the nuclear reactor problems they are having as a result of the earthquake/tsunami damage. The government is handing out medication. Nuclear radiation cannot be cured but the symptoms can be treated. In my most recent book, A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction, the second story in the book is titled “September 11, 2001 – Forever” It is a story of revenge for the 911 attacks on the tenth anniversary of that day. In the story is quite a bit of factual, medical information about nuclear bombings and the treatment of nuclear radiation. The information is current and eye-opening. Give it a read.

Slaughter in America; what were the teens doing in the bar at midnight in the first place? A gunman opened fire on teenagers attending a party in a New Orleans bar and fled, killing an 18-year-old man and wounding four other teens, police said Sunday. According to police a 16-year-old girl was in critical condition. Two other girls, ages 14 and 17, and a 15-year-old boy were hospitalized in stable condition. All of the victims had gunshot wounds. A police statement said shots erupted late Saturday just before midnight. All five were found in the bar, where the 18-year-old was pronounced dead. New Orleans police spokeswoman Shereese Harper said the shooting happened during a party for teenagers at the B&L Lounge. The telephone at a listing for the lounge rang unanswered Sunday. Another police spokesman, Officer Gary Flot, told The Associated Press by phone early Sunday that he had no immediate details about the circumstances, a motive or the suspect's whereabouts. The New Orleans Police seem to have plenty of spokespeople with little to say and no progress to report. They should shut-up, solve the crime and then have a press conference, not until.

Unintended slaughter in America; A police officer was fatally shot by another officer after a confrontation with a knife-wielding man inside a home in a New York City suburb, authorities said Sunday. The suspect also was killed.

Police responded to a 911 call at around 8:20 p.m. Saturday in Massapequa Park, nearly 40 miles east of Manhattan. Theresa Kelly told Newsday she was backing out of her driveway when the suspect, wearing dark clothing and a hockey mask, jumped on the hood of her car. "He got a good laugh out of scaring me," said the 71-year-old Kelly. "I thought he wanted to get into my car, so I called 911." When officers arrived, they found 21-year-old Anthony Digeronimo with knives strapped to his body and in his hands, said Detective Lt. Kevin Smith of the Nassau County police. The officers followed as Digeronimo ran into the house nearby where he lived with his parents, Smith said. Once inside the house, the suspect barricaded himself inside a bedroom, Smith said. The officers radioed for backup, but before additional officers arrived, Digeronimo emerged and charged the officers with a knife, Smith said. The officers drew their weapons and shot the knife-wielding man, killing him, he said. Several minutes later, additional officers arrived including Bureau of Special Operations officers in plainclothes and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officers who normally patrol the Long Island Rail Road. For reasons that are unclear, an MTA officer fired one shot at Geoffrey Breitkopf, one of the special operations officers, Smith said. Breitkopf, a 12-year veteran, was pronounced dead Saturday night at Nassau University Medical Center. It was the second line-of-duty death of a Nassau County officer this year. Highway patrolman Michael Califano was killed Feb. 5 when a truck slammed into his police cruiser in Old Westbury, N.Y. The MTA officer's name was not released. The shooting is under investigation.

On this day in 1958, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the first gold record. It was Perry Como’s Catch a Falling Star on RCA Victor Records. The tune became the first to win million-seller certification, though other songs dating as far back as the 1920s may have sold a million records or more. Due to lack of a certification organization like the RIAA, they weren’t awarded the golden platter.

The next three gold records that were certified after Perry Como’s million seller were the 45 rpm recordings of He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Laurie London, Patricia, an instrumental by the ‘Mambo King’, Perez Prado and Hard Headed Woman by Elvis Presley. The first gold-album certification went to the soundtrack of the motion picture, Oklahoma!, featuring Gordon MacRae.

Is there really a gold record inside the wooden frame presented to winners? Those who know say, “No.” It’s a gold-leaf veneer of maybe 18 kt. gold and/or it is a record painted gold. Yes, the song earning the award is supposed to be the one making up the gold record, but this is not always the case, according to several artists who have tried to play theirs.

Music at the top of the charts on March 14^th through the years:

1945 Accentuate the Positive - Johnny Mercer
Saturday Night - Frank Sinatra
A Little on the Lonely Side - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra (vocal:
Jimmy Brown)
I’m Losing My Mind Over You - Al Dexter

1953 Till I Waltz Again with You - Teresa Brewer
Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Perry Como
Doggie in the Window - Patti Page
Kaw-Liga - Hank Williams

1961 Pony Time - Chubby Checker
Surrender - Elvis Presley
Where the Boys Are - Connie Francis
Don’t Worry - Marty Robbins

1969 Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone
Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Dizzy - Tommy Roe
Only the Lonely - Sonny James

1977 Love Theme from "A Star is Born" (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
Fly like an Eagle - Steve Miller
I Like Dreamin’ - Kenny Nolan
She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory - Charley Pride

1985 Can’t Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
The Heat is On - Glenn Frey
Material Girl - Madonna
My Only Love - The Statler Brothers

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.

Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com

http://www.brucebrennanlaw.com/

www.lawyerbruce.wordpress.com

www.brucebrennanattorney.com

www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com

www.lawyerbruce.blogspot.com

www.lawofficeofbruceabrennan.yolasite.com

www.lawyerbruceabrennan.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.law.officelive.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.webs.com

http://www.lawyerbruceabrennan.webstarts.com/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneybruceabrennan

http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/ebook/497984-ebook.htm

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.

http://www.kobo.com/

https://dtp.amazon.com/mn/dashboard

A life spent making mistakes is not only more
honorable but more useful than a life
spent doing nothing.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Eagle watching and Japan disaster.

March 13, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

March 13 is … Jewel Day. Is this for bling or grocery stores?

Go to the web site I have listed below. It is a live streaming of a bald eagle sitting on her eggs high atop a tree on the Mississippi River near Decorah, Iowa. Obviously, it is easier to see during daylight. I was watching her the other morning and she got up showing she is sitting on three eggs. The camera and web site are sponsored by The Raptor Resource Project. At any one time, there may be 3,000 people watching with you. It is very interesting and heart-warming. The dedication of this mother eagle, as most mothers, is amazing. She is out there 24/7, in the weather. She cannot go inside to warm up or get out of the wind. The warmth of a cozy fire burning in the fireplace is unknown to her but she carries on. You can go to The Raptor Resource Project web site at;

http://www.raptorresource.org/

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles

Recently, Rep. Peter King, a Republican from New York, received a lot of grief for having hearings on fanatical Muslims. The same thing has been done to Italians i.e. Mafia, the Japanese i.e. WWII, southerners i.e. the KKK, Germans i.e. Nazis, and Communists plus others. Below is a short speech given by Winston Churchill in 1899. Rep. Peter King is thinking along the lines of a great man. Instead of chastising him, we should listen to him and learn.

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries, improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement, the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Muslims may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."

Winston Churchill lived in a different time but he was a great man and would be no matter when he lived.

A bus in New York City, on its way to Chinatown from a Connecticut Casino crashed early Saturday morning, killing at least thirteen passengers. Nearly every one of the thirty-two passengers on the bus was killed or injured. The accident, which caused the bus to flip on its side, occurred when most on board were sleeping. It took place on Interstate 95 in the Bronx. A tractor-trailer that swerved in front of the bus just before the accident did not stop. Police are looking for the truck and the driver. The police are not sure if the truck’s maneuver was a contributing factor in the accident.

In Japan, the official count of the dead was 574, but the government said the figure could far exceed 1,000. It has been reported that 9,500 people are unaccounted for in Minamisanriku, roughly half the town's population. The town, located along the Pacific Ocean on the northeast coast of Japan, has a population of 17,000 residents. This is in the hardest hit area of Japan. Reports also have spread that four entire trains are missing but many reports since the earthquake have proven to be wrong or grossly over-stated and in some cases understated.

As is normal in situations like the Japanese earthquake/tsunami natural disaster, the exact numbers of dead will not be known for weeks or months, if ever. The death toll in Japan's earthquake and tsunami will likely exceed 10,000 in one state alone, an official said Sunday, as millions of survivors were left without drinking water, electricity and proper food along the pulverized northeastern coast.

The Japanese authorities are giving mixed signals about the nuclear power plant problems. One agency says everything is under control while another agency says differently. Over 100,000 people have been evacuated from within a 12 mile radius of the power plants. Two power plants are in the same general area and both have sustained damage. Japan is the only country to have been attacked by nuclear weapons. The government is likely taking this fact into account before releasing exact information that could start a panic. Many Japanese people are still alive that lived through the 1945 bombings that ended WW II.

Hey! Let’s take the day off! It’s Uncle Sam Day! On this day back in 1852, the New York Lantern newspaper published an Uncle Sam cartoon for the first time. The drawing was the work of Frank Henry Bellew. Through the years, the caricature changed with Uncle Sam becoming symbolic of the U.S. being just like a favorite uncle. One prime example of this symbolism was the U.S. Army posters that portrayed Uncle Sam pointing and saying, “I want you!” As a result, many of us joined his ranks. Uncle Sam always wore a nifty suit of red, white and blue, a hat with stars and stripes down the trousers of both of his long legs. The origins of how he became known as Uncle Sam are varied, but include a dock worker wondering what the words “From U.S.” meant on shipping crates. Reportedly, he was told jokingly, “Oh, this is from your Uncle Sam.”

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.

Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com

http://www.brucebrennanlaw.com/

www.lawyerbruce.wordpress.com

www.brucebrennanattorney.com

www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com

www.lawyerbruce.blogspot.com

www.lawofficeofbruceabrennan.yolasite.com

www.lawyerbruceabrennan.com

http://lawofficeofbruceabrennan.law.officelive.com