“The real problem is not that we are different, nor that we disagree and have conflict. It's that most of us automatically view conflict as something negative rather than as a tool God can use to help us better understand ourselves and one another.

--Robert Ricciardelli”

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

12/13 Morning Report

Yesterday’s Ft. Worth Star Telegram had an awesome article on the Patriot Riders. Specifically, the article was about a 19 year old rider.

Haley and her mom, Karen Berry, have attended more than 30 funerals of fallen soldiers in the past year. When Haley's brother, Bryan, 22, was deployed to Iraq last year, the two joined the Patriot Guard Riders -- a group of leather-wearing motorcycle riders who escort families to funerals.

Services can be draining. Haley has a rare genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis, which causes seizures, mental retardation and tumors on the brain and other organs. Her left arm doesn't work, and her left leg drags.

But she shows up when it's 105 degrees or pouring rain. She carries the American flag and stands for hours, hands out bottled water and does whatever she can.

"She never stops smiling," said E.R. Stroud, a Vietnam veteran and Patriot Guard Rider. "Some of us old guys have a hard time at these funerals, and Haley makes us feel better."
If you needed something to give you renewed hope in the next generation, go read the rest of this!

In other news, nearly 1300 arrests were made by Immigration.
(…it would be nice if that was the norm…)

Meanwhile, in the Middle East, concerns of civil war in Gaza got worse after a a Hamas judge was killed today. Not that this development is such a surprise. With Fatah officials being shot at, it was a matter of time before the opposition became targets. Ther real concern will be what elements end up with control in Gaza.
(…it could be something worse than either Fatah or Hamas…then what will Israel do?...)

And, in similar news, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is accusing Pakistan of trying to enslave the Afghan people.