h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the topic of my typos, there's definitely Something figuratively flying! Actually it could also just be my fingers flying to the Wrong keys

You may have a point, on the first topic. I had heard that the Americans were helping with reconstruction, but that could just be the 'politically correct' face put on it...more socially acceptable than mercenaries, isn't it.

It's hard to know. Particularly when the 'fair and balanced' US News source doesn't seem much interested in Americans dying in Afghanistan.

CNN says they were CIA. It's nice that they also mention our losses prominently.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/30/afghanistan.us.casualties/index.html

Indeed, Paul:

I'm just feeling so sad right now.


(It doesn't help that Faux News right now has 'Rush Limbaugh rushed to the hospital with chest pains' as an urgent headline while the eight Americans killed in Afghanistan are virtually ignored. [I hasten to add that I wish no ill for Mr. Limbaugh])

Names of the dead have been announced:

Sgt. George Miok, 28, of Edmonton
Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, of Edmonton
Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, of Yarmouth, N.S.
Pte. Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge, Ont.



hopefully this http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html will be updated soon.

Was that the incident in which a Taliban agent infiltrated the Afghan army and penetrated the command headquarters, where he was able to detonate a bomb? The CIA has egg on its face. It's their biggest failure since Beirute in the early 1980s.

That incident one in which the eight Americans died, Paul. The Canadians met with a roadside bomb.

I'm pleased that our media reported on the radio I heard earlier, about both the Americans and the Canadians. Obviously they always report when British soldiers die. It seems particularly poignant and sad at present when we are surrounded by a culture that is celebrating New Year. I find it difficult.

I don't normally take part in this thread, but after hearing earlier about the Canadians, and feeling the usual mixed feelings I do about 'New Year'.


So

Thanks, Effers (I still think of you as Effers.)

So often it has seemed that, since Edmonton is home to a major Canadian Forces base, the headquarters and home to three of the four battalions of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, these attacks take my neighbors. Two of the soldiers in this one were based here, one of them Cpl. McCormack, a reservist with the Loyal Eddies (4PPCLI).

(don't get me started on the Loyal Eddies.)

Hopefully, MSNBC's Keith Olberman finally did in that Rush Limbaugh. Now, back to mourning the loss of some intelligent (and presumably mostly decent) people...

Any reader who thinks this is all Canadians and a Canadian just said that should come looking for me near Philadelphia if it pisses you off and leave our friends to the north alone.

How droll.

Happy 2010/new year everyone!

finally having my morning . I didn't even stay up late, but I slept past ten.

Happy New Year, all.

Happy New Year!

And my 'first day of this new year' question : what was your beverage-of-choice last night?

I had 2 actually,(Capt.Morgan)spiced rum & egg nog earlier in the evening then later a couple small glasses of Fonseca ruby port later

I don't remember.









Same as every other night.

Hmm two 'later's...no I also got to bed reasonably early...however I was also up early(well before 7), possibly signalling a return to 'morning person' status for 2010, y'think?

Oh & news(of sorts)anhaga-as both took place last year...although that Is Really quibbling at this point, isn't it.

Mybrother is now heading-up the kitchen staff at a recently-opened wine & whisky establishment that-as I interpret it anyway-takes it's name from the Scottish forerunner of the modern hostel: http://www.thebothy.ca

On a personal note, I had-in late Dec.-sampled & bought 3 bottles(gave 2 as gifts)of a Very impressive-I thought-Chilean Carmenere http://www.winesofchile.org/the-winesa/wine-varieties/carmenere