Cambodia-Thailand

Thailand has evacuated more than 500 of its nationals from Cambodia and downgraded diplomatic relations following riots triggered by a bizarre row over a famous temple.

One person is dead and seven were injured. The riot was started over alleged remarks by a Thai actress about the temple of Angkor Wat.

Analysts said it was unclear what really prompted the rioting, though Cambodian politicians may have been hoping to stir up nationalist sentiment ahead of July elections.

Cambodians have been barred from entering Thailand.

Europe
France and Germany may be getting all the headlines these days, but eight European countries have issued a declaration of solidarity with the US and UK in the campaign to disarm Iraq.

Ivory Coast
After four days of anti-French protests, the French government is evacuating citizens from the Ivory Coast. The tenuous peace deal between rebels and the government is on the verge of collapse. About 20 thousand French nationals live and work in the Ivory Coast.

Australia
Villages have been evacuated as fires continued to worsen in southeast Australia. The main route into Sydney was was closed for a couple of hours.
Canberra continues to be threatened.

Light a candle and vandalize the church
A Philadelphia man has been charged with institutional vandalism, burglary and related charges. He told the court he got frustrated when his lighter wouldn’t work while attempting to light a candle.

Johnson, who is on bail, is accused of decapitating nativity statues, destroying about 100 candles, and splintering a marble lectern with a 4-foot brass candlestick on December 29 at the Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary Church.

Business Based Blogging
Here is an article in the Guardian mentioning the big bloggers and some ideas on how some plan to make money blogging, as business begins to take notice of this medium.

Aids
Jordon Cooper has a post up where bloggers are encouraged to do more than talk. He addresses the AIDS pandemic and links up to other bloggers and organizations that are actually doing something.

Been There Still There speaks for someone who does not fit the ‘norm’ and who although labelled, is richer than many around them.

Holding your own in these parts can be quite a challenge. Rugged individualism is highly valued. Ever heard of the self made man? Yeah. People like him. To have needs is to be ‘weak.’ To have everything you need and more – that is success, a success without any basis in sharing it.

So…you’re born with a disability. Not just any disability. When you were born they labeled you ‘retarded.’ Now you’re ‘developmentally disabled.’

Sand in the Gears looks at emotion in American life as a spectator sport.

However, when we applaud — without discrimination — every display of emotion, we lose our sense of proportion. We also encourage skilled prevaricators. The most recent notable example, of course, is former President Clinton. I recall that the first President Bush was knocked, during the 1992 campaign, for failing to reveal enough about his feelings. A skilled crybaby was suddenly assumed to have more emotional depth than a WWII veteran who buried a child at age three.

Real Life Preacher has George the End posted. If you have a few minutes to read, this is an amazing story about a deacon, that was posted as George the Middle first.

We waited for death with George. He never did respond to us, but we said a lot to him. We had all heard that dying people are aware of more than you think. We didn’t know if this was true, but we talked to George just in case it was. We took turns holding his hands and speaking softly into his ear. I don’t remember how long we were there, but it seemed long.

William Holzer has a thoughtful editorial at HourEleven on The Drumbeats of War.

It is a noble and virtuous man who fights the good fight, but it is the fool who believes he can win. We may kill Hitler, and Stalin may die, but Satan lives on. It is human pride to believe that we can make the world perfect, and pride comes before a fall.

Nonetheless, in the case of Iraq, I understand why we should go into Iraq, if for no other reason than completing unfinished business. We told the people of Iraq to rise up and defeat Saddam, and then we hung them out to dry. Friends deserve better than that.

Mere Madness has made this little button for his Mere Madness awards.
It is the spirit behind his effort that all of us appreciate, I’m glad we have been able to bless you Ganns, and yeah, that is a way more important ‘prize’ to strive for.

These awards are given to Christian blogs that have made an impact on my personal life as a Christian and blogger, and carry no prestige whatsoever other than the knowledge that the nominees have blessed Ganns Deen immensely.

Salamat.

Blogger Input Please
Spacemonk is putting together a presentation of blogs for a college presentation and needs some help from bloggers to answer five questions.
Link via Journey Inside My Mind