Amazing Possibility...

A country completely powered by clean energy? Look no further than...Iceland?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/09/18/driving.iceland/index.html

Interesting article explaining how Iceland plans to turn to clean energy by 2050. The first "fossile free" country. Notice, one of the pictures features a "Shell" hydrogen pumping station. Makes you wonder why such a discussion is not taking place in a country with a much LARGER infrastructure...the U.S.

USA Today Article: U.S. Military Men & Women - Supporting Obama/Paul

An article posted in USA Today (Sept. 14, 2007), suggests that Dr. Paul (R-TX) and Sen. Obama (D-IL), lead all other candidates in financial donations from men and women in the armed forces and national guard. The following is an excerpt:

"Obama, an Illinois senator, brought in more donations from this group than any White House contender from either party. The Democrat announced Wednesday his plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2008.

"Paul, a Texas congressman and the only GOP presidential hopeful who supports an immediate troop withdrawal, comes in second.

'"Paul and Obama are talking straight to soldiers, and what they are saying is resonating," said Larnell Exum, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, who gave $500 to Obama. Exum, who works for the Army as a congressional liaison, is a Democrat but voted for George Bush in 1992."

It's an expression of what the people in the military really want: an end to this war. Whether you're a democrat or a republican, it's clear that many of the men and women involved with the military forces want to come home and do not want to be sent abroad any longer.

Here's the complete article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-09-13-military-donors_N.htm

An Old Article: To Remind Us of Our Good Efforts

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0906/p20s01-uspo.html

The article is from the Christian Science Monitor. It speaks of an independent mother's desire to help Ron Paul's campaign seek local and perhaps, national, attention.

Why not Clark in '08?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bwA-46bnenY

[This video is from YearlyKOS.]

It really makes me wonder why this guy is not in the race. Grant it, I know he was friends with the Clintons when in office, and that might not look so good, but he's the only one with definitive and recent military leadership.

No matter who wins the election, I truly wish Clark is contacted in order to assist with a safe withdraw of our troops.

By The Numbers:

I came across this interesting link presenting the amount of casualties the United States has sustained throughout its history of wars and conflicts:

http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/us/0409/list.us.casualties/frameset.exclude.html

What is surprising to me is the difference between the Revolutionary War and the Iraq/Afghanistan Wars. Both fights for "freedom" -- a difference of only 624 human beings. The Revolutionary War began in 1775 and ended in 1783, a total of eight years.

The Afghanistan and Iraq war, beginning in 2001 and continuing six years later, has averaged roughly 635.2 American soldiers deaths per year. In order to equal the number of U.S. casualties from the Revolutionary War, the U.S. would have to amass roughly 312 casualties over the next two years. Almost one soldier per day over the next two years.

In contrast, over the eight year period of time needed to fight the Revolutionary War, the U.S. lost roughly 554 individuals per year. Roughly one and a half (1.5) soldiers per day. World War II, in comparison to these two battles for 'freedom' averaged 278 U.S. soldiers per day.
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The numbers need to be brought to the attention of all human beings as we continue through this twenty-first century. It is outrageous to think that even today, with all the advances made in communication, education and technological exchange, we find ourselves continually at military odds with one another. It's time we start living by the Golden Rule, rather than being aggressive and fighting in order to benefit the few. Let's start caring about the many.