Turn on your news for updates. Apparently the terrorists are/were looking for American/Westerners.

Check out updated posts in the comments section over at “This Ain’t Hell” from Renwaa, who lives in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) where the attacks are happening.

Also, you can follow some updates at “The Ace of Spades.”

~Paul

UPDATE:

Speculation on numbers dead. Anywhere from 50 to 81 … among those are Americans and British citizens (who were singled out by the terrorists) as well as others, including Indian citizens and Indian anti-terrorism police.

Map of Mumbai below:

I will try to figure out a way to hi-light the three primary areas attacked. The map is centered between the three. Look for the Chatrapathi Shivajii Railway Terminus to the north, the Oberoi Hotel to the west, and the Taj Mahal Hotel to the east. Those are the three main attack points.

Notice that the area is a financial-business district, as well as the number of foreign embassies in the area.

View Larger Map

Back to posting on Sunday or Monday.

~Paul

A meteor (or is it meteorite when it’s in atmosphere??? I always forget) coming down over Edmonton, Canada. The video is sort of crappy as it’s from a Police Prowl Dash Cam… so don’t be expecting any Oscar award winning effects. Still, it’s pretty neat to see.

~Paul

Apparently they think it’s a great night for a drive through wine country. *Laughing*

Reader/Commenter Scott sent these to rub it in just a little bit.

First, you’re driving down the road and you’re stomach starts growling…

You look up and what do you see??

You pull in and place your order.

And now your day is complete!!

Thanks Scott… now I’m starving.

~Paul

UPDATE II: I find it hard to believe that none of the major Military Bloggers have picked this up. It is, after all, relevant to a good portion of their readers.

Sort of disappointed, actually.

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I won’t bog you down with a bunch of banter. Suffice it to say the article speaks for itself. Here’s the link for the AFP article on Google News: Gulf War Syndrome is Real: US Panel

And for the Washington Post: Toxic Chemicals Blamed for Gulf War Illness

And for Mercury News: Gulf War Syndrome is real, science panel concludes

~Paul

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UPDATE: The following is the AFP Article. I suggest you read the Washington Post article as well. It specifically mentions higher than normal cases of ALS (better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) among Desert Storm veterans.
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WASHINGTON (AFP) — A congressionally-mandated panel has concluded that “Gulf War syndrome” is real and that more than a quarter of the 700,000 US veterans of the 1991 conflict suffer from the illness.

The most extensive-ever report on the debilitating, multi-symptom illness released Monday concluded that it is caused by exposure to toxic chemicals including pesticides, used against sand flies and other pests, and a drug administered to protect soldiers against nerve gas.

“The extensive body of scientific research now available consistently indicates that Gulf War illness is real, that it is the result of neurotoxic exposures during Gulf War deployment, and that few veterans have recovered or substantially improved with time,” said the 450-page report, presented to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake.

“Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War had the distinction of serving their country in a military operation that was a tremendous success, achieved in short order. But many had the misfortune of developing lasting health consequences that were poorly understood and, for too long, denied or trivialized,” the report said.

The report’s producer, the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses comprised of scientists and veterans, was chartered by Congress in part because of many complaints that veterans were not receiving adequate care.

The committee’s scientific director, Boston University school of public health dean Roberta White, said the findings “clearly substantiate veterans’ beliefs that their health problems are related to exposures experienced in the Gulf theatre.”

She said veterans “have been plagued by ill health since their return 17 years ago. Although evidence for this health phenomenon is overwhelming, veterans repeatedly find that their complaints are met with cynicism and a ‘blame the victim’ mentality that attributes their health problems to mental illness or non-physical factors.”

The report said Gulf War illness is typically characterized by memory and concentration problems, persistent headaches, unexplained fatigue and widespread pain, and may also include respiratory symptoms, digestive problems and skin rashes.

The panel cited two exposures causally associated with Gulf War illness: the drug pyridostigmine bromide, or PB, given to soldiers to protect against nerve gas; and pesticides widely used during the war.

The panel noted that federal funding for Gulf War research had dropped dramatically in recent years and urged 60 million dollars in annual funding.

Gulf War syndrome is the popular name for a chronic multisymptom illness complex first identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1994 after thousands of returning troops complained of numerous unexplained symptoms.

Several earlier reports pointed to the stress of combat as a likely explanation for the illness.

To add a little spice and raise the stakes a little, Chris Byrne over at The Anarchangel has added a pistol into the mix for the highest donator.

You can read more here: Valour IT Auction. There are, of course, certain rules he’s set forth for the challenge. Plus, all applicable firearm laws will be followed, so check your state and local regulations/laws before committing.

You can still donate by clicking on the green Soldier’s Angels-Valour IT link in the right hand side bar.

~Paul

Sometimes dealing with potential sponsors is just like this.

Should be a bigger group than last night.

Back in the morning.

~Paul

It sort of ties in with how I feel this day is going to turn out after the coffee fiasco.