Visit these sites for historical information about the attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941:
Department of Navy – Naval Historical Center – Pearl Harbor Raid
National Geographic – Remembering Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor Day Page
Wikipedia – Attack on Pearl Harbor

Listen to FDR’s “Day of Infamy” Speech, courtesy of University of Missouri-Kansas City, and see copy of the speech delivered to the Joint Session of Congress on 8 December 1941.

Please visit MichelleMalkin.com for her tribute to these men who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The previous volume can still be purchased in the US.  Amazon.com still carries these volumes. The official current list of available The Complete Peanuts volumes can be found at Fantagraphic’s website.

The previous volume can still be purchased in the US.  Amazon.com still carries these volumes. The official current list of available The Complete Peanuts volumes can be found at Fantagraphic’s website.

You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events:

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Lutheran Church Ladies’ Group in St. Louis, but forgot to do it until the last minute.

She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp. When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, “Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!”

This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the cake.

She found it in the bathroom – a roll of toilet paper.

She plunked it in and then covered it with icing.

Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect.

And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home.

When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold.

Amanda grabbed her cell phone & called her mom.

Alice was horrified – she was beside herself!

Everyone would know!

What would they think?

She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed!

All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time.

She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of St. Louis, but having already RSVP’d, she couldn’t think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust Mid West and to Alice ‘s horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!
Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake!

She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor’s wife said, “what a beautiful cake!”
Alice , still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, “Thank you, I baked it myself..”

Alice smiled and thought to herself, “God is soooo good.”

(Getty Images)

Would you believe that in November a team 8th in the conference upsetting the top team in the conference? Well, Oklahoma State a 28 point favorite and ranked #2 in nation lost to Iowa State 37-31 in double overtime.  Let it be known that Iowa State had two weeks to prepare for their final home game of the season.  Their efforts came up with another upset victim in Big 12 play.  Two years ago, it was Nebraska.  Last year, it was Texas.  This year it is Oklahoma State and it was done at home on national TV.  See AP Story at Yahoo! Sports.

(Getty Images)

The ISU coaches put a lot of faith in their freshman quarterback Jared Barnett who was 31-58 for 376 yards, 3 2 TDs and 2 INTs. He also lead the team in rushing with 84 yards. But, Jeff Woody’s 25 yards in the second overtime and winning TD that gave ISU the victory.  See Des Moines Register story.

(JUSTIN HAYWORTH / REGISTER PHOTO)

Turnovers were a big part of this game as it was certain that OSU would pull it out after ISU’s 3 turnover in the game.  But, it was OSU’s first 4 turnovers that kept the game close and kept the Jack Trice fans in the stands.  Josh Weeden was stellar in the game distributing the ball to his receivers but the ISU defense stopped OSU’s running game.  ISU defense caused OSU’s fifth turnover by intercepting Weeden  in their second overtime possession setting up Woody for his overtime winning TD run.  Check out story at GoCyclones.com

ISU win makes them bowl eligible, but I would like to see them win one more game.  But, it will not be easy as they face Oklahoma and Kansas State on the road the next two weekends.  Check out Post Game Celebration at Cyclones.com.

College teams outside the Big 12 are happy that another undefeated team has fallen.  But, this humble college football fan hopes that LSU loses to Arkansas in couple weeks making the BCS competition a real chaotic mess with only one remaining unbeaten team, Houston.  Let the chaos begin.

“Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.”

The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, “What would you want to talk about?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said the congressman. “How about global warming, universal health care, or stimulus packages?” as he smiled smugly.

“OK,” she said. “Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff – grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?”

The legislator, visibly surprised by the little girl’s intelligence, thinks about it and says, “Hmmm, I have no idea.”

To which the little girl replies, “Do you really feel qualified to discuss global warming, universal health care, or the economy, when you don’t know shit?”

And then she went back to reading her book.

I have just returned from the funeral of a very good friend. Very sad that  few remembered him.

An Obituary printed in the London Times – Interesting and sadly rather true:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn’t always fair;
- and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Iowa State's James White scores in triple overtime to defeat Iowa 44-41 Saturday in Ames. (Rodney White/The Register)

Despite turning the ball over 3 times in the game, the Cyclones overcame a ten point first quarter deficit to take a 17-16 early into the fourth quarter and a seven point deficit to the tie the game at 24-24 forcing overtime. The Cyclone offense was working well this weekend as it lead the Hawkeyes in all offensive statistics, first downs (29-20), total yards (472-363), rushing yards (192-156), passing yards (280-206), and return yards (155-48). Overcoming their turnovers and penalties, the Cyclones gave all Iowa and Iowa State fans a game to remember.

Games stats can be found at Yahoo! Check out Des Moines Register story from its Cyclone Insider.

This e-book continues the back drop for the Fate of the Jedi series.

Update 10 September 2011:

The Lost Tribe has come to another cross road in their isolation.  It time to listen to the words of the first Dark Lord of this tribe.  But, factions within the Sith have started another civil conflict where Sith are fighting Sith.  The fate of Sith lies in the original Dark Lord words.  Will someone find the secrets behind the throne that will give the individual true power?

Update 10 September 2011:

After the events of another Timothy Zahn Star Wars Novel, Allegiance, these Star Wars characters found themselves in a situation where their individual choice of one will impact them all.  Han Solo has the choice of becoming a leader in the Rebel Alliance while determining if the Princess really has an interest in him.  The Emperor’s Hand, Mara Jade, must make a choice in delivering the judgement of Emperor against one of the Empire’s Governor or save his family and his own life.  A group of stormtroopers, who have been delivering their own brand of Emperor’s Hand justice, must decide whether to help Jade or face their own destiny with Imperial justice over their desertion. Others will make their own choice in this book as well as each one will play their part in preparing for their showdown in Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy.

Update 10 September 2011:

With Galactic Alliance in transition once again, Luke Skywalker is back as the Grand Master Jedi. But he brings some shocking news as the Jedi Order begins to make its move to confront the threat from Abeloth and the Sith.  The Jedi Order is leaving Couruscant.  This action brings the underlying coup group out in the open as each member is somehow discovered.  Despite these revelations, former Galactic Alliance leader Daala has plans of her own to use this opportunity to grab something new, the Imperial throne.  All the while, Abeloth and Sith have used this swift change to their own advantage and take control of the Galactic Alliance.   But, somehow a recovering admiral is unraveling all these twists to become a difference maker for the Jedi and the Galactic Alliance in setting up the final showdown.  Everyone has ascended, but one Sith will have to make a choice between being with the one she loves or destroying the one she loves.

Stanley Cup – Boston Bruins

Conn Symthe Trophy – Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Prince of Wales Trophy – Boston Bruins

Campbell Bowl – Vancouver Canucks

President’s Trophy (most points by team) – Vancouver Canucks

Art Ross Trophy (scoring leader)  – Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Williams Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed) – Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider, Vancouver Canucks

Maurice Richard Trophy (top goal scorer) -  Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

Norris Trophy (top defensemen) – Nicholas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings (My pick: Shea Weber)

Selke Trophy (top defensive forward) – Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks, (My pick: Pavel Datsyuk)

Adams Trophy (top coach) – Dan Blysma, Pittsburgh Penguins

Calder Trophy – Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes

Mark Messier Leadership Award – Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

NHL 12 Cover – Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

General Manager of the Year Award – Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks (My pick: Steve Yzerman)

Ted Lindsay Award  – Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy – Ian Laperriere, Philadephia Flyers

King Clancy Memorial Trophy (leadership off and on the ice) -  Doug Weight

Top Goal of the Year -  Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers

Lady Byng Trophy (gentlemenly conduct) – Martin St Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL Foundation Award – Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings (My pick: Dan and Henrik Sedin)

Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) – Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Hart Trophy (most valuable player) – Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks (My pick: Daniel Sedin)

I was only able to pick half of the awards announced back in April.  Not bad.