Big story of the day somewhere that isn't the U.S.

Not too surprising that news websites based in the U.S. tend to talk about news in the U.S. more often than news happening outside our borders. While it's tempting to focus inward and ignore what happens outside of our front door, it's usually benefits us to be aware of what happens outside the front door to our house/apartment because, sometimes, those outside events begin to affect what happens inside our homes.

Here's what tops one news site now in southeast Asia:



and what tops another site's southeast Asia page. You'll have to trust that the screen grabs were done within 2 minutes of each other:

One site leads the lists with how the Asian markets are performing while the other leads with what is being said is needed to help those affected by ongoing flooding in Pakistan. It's not that difficult to tell whose website leans toward the conservative end and which leans liberal.

I've even tried going outside my figurative front door to see what is truly an important news story. I now know I am not immune

to the trivial and inconsequential in a news site. Be that as it may, I think the third site with the silly story gets closer to what the truth of what we all should know as we go about our day-to-day:

What the hail?

Ooh, I've been waiting so long to say that!

It's not rock salt or my personal stash of diamonds cubic zirconia strewn on the ground and photographed at night for maximum visual effect. I "got lucky" being in LaHabra for a haircut earlier this evening when a teeny, tiny yet strong cell of heavy rain/lightning/thunder passed by and created a small hailstorm. I'm having so much fun documenting the wacky state of weather in Southern California, I'm almost forgetting all about the state of politics in the Supreme Court, the Congress and the White House.

Almost.

Another good soaking

And, we still have a day or two more of this cold water dripping from the sky. How does everyone else in the U.S. manage this much water all at once? Here's some photos from the Boulevard neighborhood showing how the cars driving down Franklin Ave. were handling standing water in a decent downpour in the middle of the afternoon. . .

Even a set of stairs leading up to an apartment house was sort of getting into the act.

I have to admit I am having a lot of fun just walking in the rain. We don't get a lot of it here in southern California, so when it happens, I find a safe place to be and try to get outside for walks as often as I can.

The sunshine returns by late Friday. Hoping for some more unique rain-soaked photos tomorrow.

Some compare and contrast

As I was reading this week's Presidential Address, something rattled around my head as I read about the efforts to control flooding in Western Minnesota and in North Dakota.

How is our current President handling this natural disaster when compared to our previous one?

Now, in the interest of fairness, here's a local publication talking about the start of the troubles along the Red River.  The post was made five days ago on March 23.  You can read the President's address by clicking on the first link above.

The first natural disaster that comes to mind when thinking about George W. Bush (OK, liberals, stop snickering!) is Hurricane Katrina.  According to the Health and Human Services site, the hurricane swept through southern Louisiana into Mississippi on August 28, 2005.

By September 2, 2005, HHS had issues this press release, listing all of the assistance they were going to or were in the process of providing.  So far, it looks as if the response in terms of helping victims of the hurricane, floods and levee breaks/breaches was appropriate and in line with what Obama's administration would be prepared to dispatch to the Red River area.

So, where's the contrast?  Here is President Bush's Weekly Address text from September 2, 2005 -- just five days after Hurricane Katrina made land.

I'll admit record flooding of a large river which has spread over thousands of square miles is minor compared to " . . a disaster area that is larger than the size of Great Britain . ."

The previous week's radio address (the day before Katrina hit land) does not mention the hurricane at all.  On August 28, Katrina warranted a two-paragraph admonition while the rest of the comments go on about Iraq's new constitution.

At the time of his two-paragraph admonition (11:30 am 8/28/05), Katrina was building up a good head of steam in the Gulf of Mexico, about 24 hours away from New Orleans.

The government site that stores the President's public comments can also be searched for remarks on August 29, 2005.  Ain't technology grand?  I could keep rooting around; however, I run the risk of these tenuous parallels coming off the rails.

The point? My best guess is what is done at the top prior to a crisis plays a big factor in the success of handling the crisis itself.  Ooh, what is that old-timey parable that fits this?

Flooding, Flaming and the final word on Ted Haggard

Ooh, it's going to be a busy Sunday!

Australia is presently going through an awful mess.  In their northeast, a cyclone has caused flooding and in the southeast, wildfires are raging, allegedly set intentionally.  To put it in terms Americans can appreciate, imagine Atlantic City NJ being overwhelmed with flooding from a hurricane at the same time West Palm Beach FL and surrounding towns were burning to the ground.

Within the article about the fires in the southeast, there is a link to the Australian Red Cross.  If I had the extra scratch myself, I'd make a donation to it myself.  Please consider making a donation to them if you have been blessed with unexpected money, a raise or promotion.

Living in Southern California, we've seen our share of flooding and mudslides in the winter months and fires all around at any time of the year.  To have both going on at the same time?

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This commentary by Reverend Irene Monroe summarizes nicely what is going on with Ted Haggard lately and what responsibility his former church also bears with all of the scandal surrounding him, both old and new.  Let this be the final word on that issue.