The Australian has a story on the accounts of the detainees who were recently freed from captivity in Afghanistan.
posted by J.M. Branum at 1:38 PM | link

BTW, I am in Oklahoma right now. I left for an early Thanksgiving break and will be working some for my Dad for the next a week and half. If you need to get in touch with me while I'm gone, please email or call my cell phone.
posted by J.M. Branum at 10:18 AM | link

Praise God! I heard news yesterday that the 8 aid workers were rescued from Afghanistan. I am so amazed at how God answers prayers. To be frank, I thought there was no hope for them once the war began, but I am amazed at how this has all turned out.

Here is a press release from Antioch Community Church in Waco, TX where the two American missionaries were from. (Antioch is an incredible church that has sent dozens of long-term missionaries all over the world, and has been a major partner with my home church at Hope Chapel and at Hope in the City in Austin, TX.)

Also, here is a story from Christianity.com that tells about the incredible prayer efforts that were taking place at Antioch. Reading this and knowing the folks at Antioch, I am convinced that it was God's hand that saved the aid workers.
posted by J.M. Branum at 10:15 AM | link

OpenDemocracy.net has an article that states why there is no danger of a media conglomeration. Haven't had a chance to read it in detail, but on the surface of it I think the author is wrong. Anyway, I thought I would share it since it is definitely a challange to the conventional wisdom of most progressives out there.
posted by J.M. Branum at 5:01 PM | link

Here's a blogger that my brother Daniel and a friend of his are starting: summer&dan.blogspot.com. Knowing Daniel I supspect it will be an interesting read.
posted by J.M. Branum at 2:51 PM | link

I just heard moments ago on TV that Bush has signed an executive order to have suspected terrorists tried by secret military commissions and not in open court. If this is true, then this is fascism. This is evil. This is wrong. I challenge any reader of this blog to prove me wrong.
posted by J.M. Branum at 4:52 PM | link

I've fallen behind on posting lately, so here are a whole slew of links from the last few days...

First here are a few art links from Austin's Shoal Creek Gallery:

• Jerry Ruthven is a painter of amazing Texas landscapes
  
• Nancy McGowan's watercolors are amazing and reminicent of those of Audobon

From MSNBC:

• Rebel troops 'at the gate' of Kabul
  
• Taiwan joins China in WTO
  

From NY Times:

• Latest news from the NY Times on the crash in Rockaway, Queens, NY
  
• Study of disputed Florida ballots find justices did not cast the deciding vote
  
• Race strains a Mexican campaign
  
• Doctors worried as Americans get organs of Chinese inmates
  
• In the war on terrorism, a battle to shape public opinion
  

The Frontier Post from Peshawar Pakistan reports that Al-Qaeda nukes make have reached US shores (This story sounds like propaganda to me, but you never know.)

Foxnews reports that a NY Wildlife group is wanting to have hunting banned this fall, since it could be a terror threat. I think it is pathetic that a group would use fear like this to advance their mission.

Finally I came across America.blogspot.com. Very, vey strange.
posted by J.M. Branum at 4:46 PM | link