What has Taken so Long Mr. President? 8yrs!!!!

During his three-day tour of Israel and the West Bank, Mr Bush made what analysts described as some of the strongest statements to date on the need for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

He called for an end to the Israeli occupation of land seized in 1967 and he said he believed a peace deal could be signed by the end of this year, Israel's 60th anniversary, before he leaves office in 2009.

"There's a good chance for peace and I want to help you,"

The joke of the year, Hollywood writers couldn't have done this one better.

Extremely Rare Tornado Touches Down in the Northwest

A tornado touched down in the Vancouver and Hazel Dell, Wash. area just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Resulting quarter size hailstorms accompanied the winds blistering areas along the Columbia River Gorge.

The resulting line of thunderstorms is moving east though Multnomah County on the Oregon side at about 25 mph, into eastern portions of Multnomah and Hood River Counties, where an advisory is in effect until 2:30 p.m.

The tornado moved through Washington though, central and east Clark County and Skamania County between 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. It quickly downgraded to a severe thunderstom, then a general storm. The storm moved from west to east, causing areas of street flooding and wind damage from 78th Street to 99th Street.

About 2,500 homes and businesses have lost power in Clark County. Clark County Public Utilities is responding to wind-related damage. Powerlines are down, traffic signals are mal functioning, roofing has been blown off and trees blown down. But there are no reports of significant property damage or injuries.

Tornadoes are rare for the Pacific Northwest. The last one to hit the area was in April 5, 1972, killing six people. Washington ranks 47th for frequency of tornado sightings, and Oregon 46th, out of the 50 states.

If you have pictures of the storm or storm-related damage, email them to me at thekansagonian@myway.com

Senator Kerry Gives Props to Obama in '08

The next focus for the Democrats race for 2008,m is the Nevada caucus on 19 January, set to be a head-to-head test of support between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Mr Obama is to get the backing of the Democrats' 2004 presidential nominee, Senator John Kerry.

The Massachusetts senator, who lost to George W Bush, will announce his endorsement on this morning, according to a spokesman for the Obama campaign.

Early on, Mr Kerry gave Mr Obama's career a boost in 2004 when he chose the young Illinois state senator to give the keynote speech at the Democrat National Convention. A year later, Mr Obama was elected to the US Senate.
He is hoping to open the door to other senators reveling support later on this week.

Tornados Leave Trailers and More Twisted.

An 85-year-old woman died near Strafford, and in nearby Marshfield, a woman in her 50s died when last nights twister threw her from her mobile home.
At least six other people from the area went to hospitals, and two of them are in critical condition. There were reports of widespread property damage and flooding in several counties that brought additional strain on already strained community services.
It's time today to assess the damage after multiple, deadly tornadoes tore through southwest Missouri last night.

Is Barack Still the "unlikely" President?

Obama sells himself as the "unlikely" candidate. His message of optimism - compared to Clinton's subtle fear mongering - at a time when a significant majority of Americans are anything but optimistic makes for good sound bites.

But it will be Obama's ability to continue to reach out beyond the traditional Democratic base, as he was so successful in doing in Iowa, that will determine who wins New Hampshire and whether he can gain enough momentum to beat back Clinton in the big-state primaries where the party machines will turn out Hillary supporters in droves.

Like Obama, Clinton has campaign organisations in all 50 states. Unlike Obama, she has had to revamp her game plan since Ms Inevitable flopped in Iowa.

2008 Will be a Better Year.

Heck, just by the odds it has to be. Oh yeah I read about the recession around the corner, yeah, I know the price of oil just hit $100 a bucket... but hot damn. One of these fine presidential candidates has to be able to pull the strings, dontcha think? They talk a good game in these debates.
I am truly feeling independent these days, I could vote for Obama or the hottest republican, even McCain he'd be great once we got out of Iraq. The Clinton machine is the only one I would actually campaign against.
Sports looks entertaining and should fill the bill it is boasting for the nation. My Blazers are getting their stride as the youngest team in the NBA. Currently they are on a streak winning 16 of 17 and battling for Denver's spot at the top of the Northwest Division. The Seahawks in Seattle won their wild card game and will match up in the frozen mass of Green By Wisconsin next weekend. Lastly we gotta hold out new hope for the Boys in powder blue, the baseball KC Royals for '08- it'll be a long summer without them showing some sign of success. The NFL Chiefs... just one word.... GRRRrrrrrr! (Thats the sound of me gritting my teeth!! LOL!!!)

Finally, We Can Sleep at Night!

Justice will prevail in Jerusalem. Israel's President Moshe Katsav has agreed a plea bargain to avoid rape charges and a prison term, the country's attorney general has said. Katsav had been facing allegations of rape and sexual harassment against women who worked for him.

"Under the bargain, President Katsav admitted responsibility for a long series of sex offences, including harassment and indecent acts," he said.

He is now expected to get a suspended sentence for sexual harassment and be asked to pay damages to his accusers. Mr Katsav's current term ends in July but he will now resign immediately, to be succeeded by Shimon Peres. Oh Joy! Joy. Joy. Peace will reign at last.

Uh-huh!

What Did You do to Stop the War Daddy?

Six soldiers serving with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (Unifil) have died after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device. Radical groups in Lebanon have previously threatened to attack peacekeepers.

Three were Colombians in the Spanish army, and three were from Spain, it's defense minister said. They were the first Spanish casualties in Lebanon. It looks like war is hell in whatever corner of the world you are in. I wonder what George Bush has against getting the UN involved in the Iraqi revolutionary war? It wopuld save alot of American lives, save us money and make the whole middle east a lot less Anti-American dont you think? Perhaps it is because we want a residual troop foothold there after it gets all sorted out so we can trade oil for peace. Could it be that with the US and its new steps toward "deresponsibility" in the UN (finacially and politically), we just arent as willing to ask for help if it was offered. Afterall we have our pride!!

Iraq is doing Something Right!

An Iraqi court on Sunday sentenced Saddam Hussein's cousin known as "Chemical Ali" and two other former regime officials to death by hanging for their roles in a 1980s scorched-earth campaign that led to the deaths of 180,000 Kurds.
Who said Karma doesnt come around?
The judge, Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, said al-Majid was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity AND war crimes for ordering army and security services to use chemical weapons in a large-scale offensive that killed or maimed thousands.
Al-Tai, who was wearing a traditional Arab robe and a white headdress, stood in silence as the verdict was read but insisted he was innocent, afterward, his reply, "I will not say anything new, but I will leave you to God. I'm innocent," a guard then escorted him out of the room after the verdict.
I wonder if that will be posted to the internet?