baldilocks

The Family Hero

Private Quinton Ezeagwula, the young soldier who survived the Arkansas terror attack committed by the Islamist Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, is shocked that people are calling him a hero,  but his mother, Sonja Ezeagwula says that he's a good kid who beat the odds in many ways.

She said her son stayed away from gangs and drugs as a youth and was doing something positive. "He was supposed to have been a statistic from a dysfunctional family. Look what happened."

The Ezeagwulas also think the world of the late Private William Long's family and Private Ezeagwula's mother is

"overwhelmed with how much love Americans have for this country. I really am. And I'm glad I got a chance to see it."

She said her family is Christian, "and we believe when something happens, God will turn it around," and good will come of it.

Amen.

Fifteen

UPDATE: Not happy campers: the LAPD.

UPDATE (June 15, 2009): Sigh. For sure did my LAPD motorcycle cop friend have to dispose of another uniform after last night's "celebration."

The Breaking of Murphy's Law

The lesson of Flight 1549: even when things don't go as planned, there's a better chance of coming out alive when you have the right leader.

And then there's always God's providence. But that's all about having the right leader as well.

VI Day

Anniversary

One year without a cigarette.

By the way, I'll be busy again today. And as I've found out, when you leave your comment section un-moderated, some people can't resist taking advantage, so the comments are held. That means that I will allow them to post when I return to the computer.

Comment moderation is like locking your door when you're away from home to keep out those who would move into your house and take advantage. Don't think so? Check out the outrage displayed by a couple of...guests when they discovered that their nasty comments wouldn't post when they wanted them to. It's instructive of a larger mindset--let's call it a "redistributive" mindset.

Later.

UPDATE: One of the persons has apologized.

Thanks

To N. for...

Presents From Home

For the intellectual and the physical; birthday presents from my mom and my American dad.

Thanks, Parental Units!

Humbled

Okay I'm no big star; I just try to take what God gives me and work with it.

For each donation, I send out an individual thank-you note, but I just wanted to send out an Open Declaration of Gratitude to those who have give monetarily and to those (dozen? hundreds?) who have publicized the effort to save the school in Nyang'oma-Kogelo, Kenya. This is it.

Since the non-profit--the 501(c)(3)--has its rules, you won't see any mention of this site at obamaschool.org, but the opposite isn’t true and I will permalink it here in my Special Features section over in the left column.

Additionally, I will keep 'Baldilocks' readers apprised of any big news involving our efforts.

Oh yeah. $4500. You all are the best.

Born in Sudan; Made in the USA

Gotta love this.

BEIJING - Lopez Lomong, a
former Lost Boy of Sudan who spent a decade in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to America, will carry the United States flag during Friday's opening ceremonies in Bird's Nest Stadium.

"This is the most exciting day of my life," said the 23-year-old runner, who will compete in the 1,500 meters. "It's a great honor that my teammates chose to vote for me. The opening ceremony is the best day and the best moment of Olympic life.

"I'm here as an ambassador of my country and I will do everything I can to represent my country well."

Lomong, who fled Sudan at age 6 and was separated from his family, was sent to America after officials read his letter describing what it would mean for him to live there, and resided with a foster family in Tully, N.Y. He became a citizen a year ago last month and made the team by finishing third at the June trials. [SNIP]

"This is another amazing step for me in celebrating being an American."

Thanks, Lopez, for reminding us of how blessed we Americans are.

(Via Newser)

Benchmark Met

KFC in Fallujah (Thanks to Blue Star Chronicles)

UPDATE: US [July] monthly toll in Iraq at lowest since invasion--though still eleven too many.