The execution of Saddam Hussein on 30 December 2006 set the scene for the New Year. The indignity of his fate, which was recorded on film and transmitted around the globe, filled even conservative observers with disgust. The scandal of his execution demonstrates that the US and UK policy of handing over civil matters in Iraq to a bourgeoning do

When Joe Rosenthal snapped the iconic photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, he knew it was a special sight, but probably never imagined the lengths the snapshot would travel in history. It was his capturing of the Battle of Iwo Jima, during the Second World War that became one of the most well known depictions of the war. From this image, a hos

From about the year 1930 calligraphy writing and lettering had made such progress that it had become a subject in the training of Art Teachers and was taught by the immediate followers of the two who had given their lives to its cause. Lettering of Today, first volume, published in 1937, showed the work of some of these who had taken up the craft a

In a recent article, Dr. Amaal V.E. Tokars writes, "When the United States declared war on Iraq in 2003 Nelson Mandela declared that the invasion should be "condemned in the strongest terms." The voices of such statesmen from around the world were not centerpiece to the information being conveyed to American citizens during the time leading up to

I have concluded of late that I could only consider myself a political independent if there is such a thing. I do not think I should be labeled Republican or Democrat, on the Left or on the Right or any other affiliation except to be a proud citizen of this United States and live by the principles on which this great nation was founded. As far a

Later this month the Republican presidential candidates will participate in debate in Colombia, South Carolina. This debate will allow Americans to see and hear what each candidate brings to the Presidential table. Perhaps there will be a leader who comes out of this debate as a favorite. Or there may just be what the Democrats have offered, which

As a child I would look in awe at the flags of the world and the flags of the United States. In the U.S. section one flag always caught my attention; partly because it had the picture of a rattlesnake on it, and partly because the words beneath read 'Don't Tread on Me'. The reference of course was to the oppression through taxes levied by th

Over the years, as things have changed and evolved between men and women, we have lost sight of all the ramifications of these changes. America was the leader in the world in the eyes of many other nations. Although many other societies don't necessarily agree with many of the USA's ways and beliefs, most have had a relatively high level of respect

French president elect Nicolas Sarkozy rocked more than his yacht when he visited sun bathed Malta recently, shocking his countrymen in an opulent display of luxury and disregarding the unwritten rules that one should not flaunt wealth and stature. Sarkozy and his family employed the use of a private jet and flew to Malta's International airport

I woke up this morning thinking about Iraq. Last night I learned President Bush has asked for another 50 billion dollars to cover the cost of the Iraq war. Some news agencies report the cost of the war is now at 3 billion dollars a week. How much more suffering can be inflicted on the Iraqi people for another 50 billion? How many more American s

The War of Independence had left the fledgling America free, but in turmoil. There was as yet no President and the country was a loose conglomeration of more or less independent states. Many soldiers who had fought in the war had yet to be paid for it and there was no official center of government to pay them. Philadelphias Old City Hall was the on

We often think of Mao-Tse-Tung as a champion of Marxism but in this article I'll point out that Mao's reign of mass murder and despotism owes more to Darwin than Marx. To begin let me say that Darwinism was and remains the great underpinning of atheism. Marxism is militant atheism. There were atheists before Darwin such as Scottish philosopher

Whether the war was something you chose to oppose or support, support for the troops is an important thing. Typically, many people feel unable to offer any means of support because such things in their mind suggest financial responsibility. While there is need for support in an economical sense, offering support to our troops isn't limited to it.

Israeli warplanes attacked a Syrian target on 6 September 2007. The secrecy and lack of comment has perplexed international commentators. The target was at Dayr az-Zawr, in north east Syria. Syria was first to report the incident, and said their air defences fired at an Israeli warplane that had penetrated Syrian airspace and dropped explosives.

Of all the physical damage that has been done to Iraq, the greatest damage has been done to the culture itself. Iraq has lost much of her cultural capital. Cultural capital as evidenced in the arts, education, healthcare, science, social justice, education, and law enforcement are the many artifacts of any civil society. Iraq began to lose many