Overnight Open Thread

Hope you all are having a fun and safe weekend with friends and family, but do take a moment to remember and honor our fallen soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors. This article was quite poignant. Tom Manion: Why They Serve-'If Not Me, Then Who?'.

I served in the military for 30 years. But it was impossible to fully understand the sacrifices of our troops and their families until April 29, 2007, the day my son, First Lt. Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq.

Travis was just 26 years old when an enemy sniper's bullet pierced his heart after he had just helped save two wounded comrades. Even though our family knew the risks of Travis fighting on the violent streets of Fallujah, being notified of his death on a warm Sunday afternoon in Doylestown, Pa., was the worst moment of our lives.

While my son's life was relatively short, I spend every day marveling at his courage and wisdom. Before his second and final combat deployment, Travis said he wanted to go back to Iraq in order to spare a less-experienced Marine from going in his place. His words—"If not me, then who . . . "—continue to inspire me.

Also read: Why America Scours The Earth For Its Fallen Servicemembers.

New WWII Color Photographs

I love finding new stuff from WWII like this. American Fighter Pilots Who Risked Their Lives To Defend Britain.

The American West

These are some pretty awesome pictures of The American West. I've looked closely at the ones that have Indians in them and I can't quite seem to see any that resemble Fauxcahantas. Am I missing something? Eh, whatever. Just enjoy some pretty detailed pictures of the wild, wild west.

What The?

There is no shortage of strange stuff for sale out there. This is a new one. I guess Eric Cartman was on to something in that Scott Tenorman episode. Salt Made From Human Tears. Come November, they might just have another flavor. From Democrats.

Salt Made From Tears combines centuries-old craft with the freshest human tears which are gently boiled, released into shallow crystallisation tanks, then harvested by hand and finally rinsed in brine.

Food Pron

Damn, now I'm hungry. Food Pron.

Hollywood Minute

Oh my gawd. Genghis sent this in. Remember Meg Ryan? Well, she's a bit Worse For Wear now. I can't even find it in me to post the pic. You'll just have to click the link.

More Education Follies

I can imagine that this is the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the money pits that riddle the US Education system. Arizona Blow $125M In Taxpayer Money On Ghost Students.

New Steak

I'm reading this as another sign of the Obama economy. High beef prices. Now here's an article talking about how the steak joints are dealing with it. New Steak On The Block. Whichever way you cut it, they're basically giving you lesser pieces of meat and charging you the same. I'm sure it's good, but it's not Filet Mignon.

Foreign Policy

Not a great article due to its partisan slant but there are some nuggets that could possibly come back to haunt Obama. 5 World Events That Could Swing The U.S. Election. I'll say it right now, if Al Queda is able to launch a successful attack on the U.S. before the election, Obama is toast. Not only has he come out recently and say Al Queda is on the run and close to being wiped out, but the recent outing of a spy within Al Queda so Obama could continue to spike the football, could quite possibly prevent Obama from attaining actionable intel since our allies have some serious reservations about this Administration's ability to keep secrets. Right now, it would seem the only thing that Obama is open and transparent about are national security secrets and not so much anything else. Pretty sad that our missile defense secrets are not as secure as say, the President's college transcripts.

Kitteh Video

Chick snuggles with a kitteh.

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