Silent walls

The city of Farah in Western Afghanistan has seen it's fair share of invaders and cultures, in the centre of the city resides a massive citadel. some believe it was made by Alexander the Great, other think it's newer than that. Likely both are right, I suspect a proper dig will find build upon build as it was common for a new culture/invader/ruler to build on the fortifications of the previous occupant and often terrain dictates the logical defense positions. Regardless of who built it, it's truly impressive. The picture used here is from Robert Lankenau photo album and is worth a visit.

Another astounding view can be seen at Micheal Yons Gigapan account, well worth the visit. gigapan

Here is the citadel on Google maps

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Dogs have owners and cats have staff

What can I say, guess he does not like getting his feet cold. Zeus does not see anything wrong with this, other than the fact that I won't carry him on my back anymore. He like to dig his claws in!

Future politicans

I suspect these 2 babies would add more to the televised debates than Elizabeth May would. Isn't she supposed to be busy trying to convince a small bunch of Canadians she is worthy of representing them, rather than annoying the rest of the nation?

Thanks to Laden for the video

Living on a potato

Chief among these new insights is a clearer view of how the oceans are moving and how they redistribute the heat from the Sun around the world - information that is paramount to climate studies.




So does this mean those climate models were flawed?

Read the rest of the fascinating article at BBC

Election politics

The symbolism is strong in this one! Done for US politics, but can be applied North of the Border as well.

Shall we dance Tango

Wife and I just got back from dancing, they played this tango there, I love the beat and sound of the crickets. Tango is one of those dances that just is.

Hit the road Jack

This song dedicated to the NDP



This one to Iggy



and he will get by with a little help from his friends

So it begins again

Well the opposition has brought the government down, considering the polling numbers and the coffers of the various parties I can't but help to think this is a dumb move on their part. I wonder if the leaders had much to do with it. Iggy must be getting tired of trying to save a party that loves to eat it's own and Layton's health is not great, I don't like the guy, but I hope his cancer stays in remission.
The CPC fundraising machine is already in full gear and they will outspend the others. You have to ask yourself, if a party can not organize it's supporters to support it, how can they run a country effectively?

There is a joy to living in a democratic society where governments come and go and we don't have to risk life and limb fighting them, like so many others are doing right now. I have many friends who have completely different political beliefs, we will fight each other fairly on the election battlefield and then continue to be friends afterwards. I respect all that take part in this process regardless of their party. Democracy is not so much about voting, but about tolerance of each other and other ideas. No party including the one you support should remain in power for to long, it will corrupt them eventually, the key is to always have a viable alternative available. The Liberals should have let their party crash and burn, then built a new party out of the ashes, instead they go into this battle creaking and groaning, sufferring the rot and stain from their recent past. The story of the Phoniex is so lost on them.

The first Help desk call

Always got a kick out of this. Our desk is made of young students who really try but are genearlly defeated by our citrix system which seems hellbent on keeping us from being productive.

The real enemy in Afghanistan is illiteracy

Via Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee

It has always been clear to me that Afghanistan is a generational war, to win we must educate a new generation. Normal education is the biggest threat to the Taliban, hence their destruction of schools, murders of teachers, threats to parents and throwing acid onto schoolgirls. Regardless of what you think of the war, the increased number of people that have been able to go to school and the increase in the number of infants that survive their first year is impressive. We have done far more good there than bad. The question is; "Will we setup the conditions for the Afghans to succeed before we leave?" for that I don't have the answer.


Please visit http://www.cw4wafghan.ca/