Everybody is blogging about this very subject, and perhaps the IAU conference is where Jett Loe has been loitering, and I am quite certain that the gang from The Playaz Ball were lurking amongst the scientist.

Discovered in 1930, Pluto has traditionally been considered the ninth planet, and furthest from the sun, in the solar system.

However, the definition of a planet approved after a heated debate among some 2,500 scientists from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) meeting in Prague drew a clear distinction between Pluto and the other eight planets.

The scientists agreed that to be called a planet, a celestial body must be in orbit around a star while not itself being a star.

It also must be large enough in mass for its own gravity to pull it into a nearly spherical shape and have cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

Pluto was disqualified because its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune's.

The new definition -- the first time the IAU has tried to define scientifically what a planet is -- means a second category called "dwarf planets", has been created, as well as a third category for all other objects, except satellites, known as small solar system bodies.

The need to define what it takes to be a planet was driven by technological advances that enable astronomers to look further into space and to measure more precisely the size of celestial bodies in our solar system.

From now on, traditional planets will be restricted to eight: Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Venus, Mars and Uranus.

Future Post:
1. Pluto Fiasco
2. Is America very Ethnocentric?
3. Short Story (If I have time.)

Like all court cases, it is a drama unfolding before our very eyes. The woman bluntly said, "May God blind them all", while on the witness stand. If Saddam is found innocent of these charges, he best pray that he's not released back into the Iraqi population. I would not be surprised if he were found innocent, not because I think he is innocent, quite on the contrary. Ultimately, Saddam and his cohorts will be released, because the new Government is as corrupt as his Government. That, is the blunt honest, yet sad truth.

I asked a good friend, who is an elderly Muslim, if he thought Iraq would ever become civilized, and he replied, "The only damn thing that will bring Iraq back to its former glory, if it had one, is to put a very strong man in control. In other words, if you put Saddam back in charge, the chaos that exist today would stop instantly. You see, Saddam was a ruthless tyrant, but he kept people in line."

I don't agree with that assumption, but he did have some interesting points. What say you?

P.S.: More post coming...

The former Iraqi leader and six others are being tried over the Anfal campaign in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq in the late 1980s.

The prosecution alleges that up to 180,000 civilians were killed.

Adiba Oula Bayez described the bombardment of her village, Balisan, on 16 April 1987.

She said warplanes dropped bombs that spread a smoke that smelled "like rotten apples".

"Then my daughter Narjis came to me, complaining about pain in her eyes, chest and stomach. When I got close to see what was wrong with her, she threw up all over me," she said.

"When I took her in to wash her face... all my other children were throwing up.

"Then my condition got bad, too. And that's when we realised that the weapon was poisonous and chemical."

She then described how her family was blinded by the attack, sought shelter along with other villagers from Iraqi army fire, and was taken to a detention centre. "I went for four days without eyesight. My children could not see. I was just screaming. On the fifth day I slightly opened my eyes. And it was a terrible scene. My children and my skin had turned black," she said.

Mrs Bayez told the court one of her children had died after the chemical attack, and she had subsequently had two miscarriages.

"May God blind them all," she said, pointing at Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants.

Mrs Bayez is married to one of the men who testified for the prosecution on Tuesday, Ali Mustapha Hama.

The former leader, who faces the death penalty if found guilty of genocide, questioned the witness's account of one alleged chemical attack:

"I wonder if the village in which she lived was struck with chemical weapons, why she was hurt while the others, her two sisters or daughters and a husband - not one of them was hurt? And why those who came to rescue her were not hurt too? Thank you."

The trial has now been adjourned to 11 September.

I just recieved two books from a friend of mine, Derec Jones/Skint Writer. I highly recommend that you check out his blog and books, because the man is absolutely brilliant. One of the books is a Novel, called The Three Bears, and the other books is a compilation of short stories, called The Walker. There is a short story in the book called "The Walker", and it gives a unique perspective on life.

I have a slew of homework piling over my head, but I will definitely make time for these two books. You can purchase the books directly through him, or you can go to his publishers website.

I conclude, at least in my journey through life, that every thing that everything that comes into contact with our senses, whether it be art, great manuscripts, a flower on a beautiful day, or an exquisite specimen of a woman that is unblemished from time, alters our life in one fashion or another.

Many have asked the question, what is art? Well, many have argued on this very subject for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years. But, I have to inquire, what is not art? Why, life itself can be art. Anything that you put imagination, heart, and soul into could be described as art.

The Encyclopedia Britanica explanation of art.
A visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination.

The term art encompasses diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative arts, photography, and installation. The various visual arts exist within a continuum that ranges from purely aesthetic purposes at one end to purely utilitarian purposes at the other. This should by no means be taken as a rigid scheme, however, particularly in cultures in which everyday objects are painstakingly constructed and imbued with meaning.

What say you?

I was watching CSPAN last evening, and caught about half of a meeting, where prominent African Americans were discussing what could be done to help Young African American Men. Many things were suggested and a ton of complaints were thrown on the table. I agreed with about half of the speakers. Did you know that 70% of all African American births are out of wedlock, sad but true. The main focus that I received from people like Mr. Bill Cosby, was family, and its imperative importance. I totally concur on that note. Where is the famed American Family anymore?

The main thing I want to point out is that the issues that they discussed cross all racial boundaries. If we are truly a united people, we must forget all this racial nonsense and work to help all young people, regardless of race or culture. I know plenty of "white" people that have been through hell, for no good reason. For instance, I have this friend of mine at work, who is married and has a son. Her husband has been locked up for a year now, for a driving under suspension. The man finally got his life straightened out, got a job, took care of his wife and kid, and for that, he got thrown in jail. This gentleman happens to be a "white" man. Now, if the tables were turned maybe he would still be out. I don't know... The truth is, we all have our demons and struggles in life, regardless of race or culture.

In addition, I was watching CSPAN about a week ago, and they had John Edwards speaking at some democratic meeting. He said something that rattle me to the core, because it is so true. America is looking for a leader. All of the children growing up in these single parent homes have nobody to look up to. It all boils down to family...The crime, children born out of wedlock, doing drugs, drinking, and getting involved with the wrong crowd. Children desperately need and deserve a mom and dad. Any prick that wants to call himself a man, after running out on some poor girl he knocked up, better not cross my path.

Some time ago...ahemI(I will not tell how long ago, for that would be divulging too far into my personal life.)...I thought that I was going to be a dad, because of reasons I will never disclose. Well, I went through a couple of days of hell, contemplating the future. Anyhow, rest assured, I would of been by her side through thick and thin. That is just the type of guy I am, because my dad was always there for me. I hope to be a good father some day, and according to my dad, I best hurry up, because I'm not getting any younger. :-)

What's your say?

Workers at Angiano's gourmet chocolate company, Bodega Chocolates, discovered under a vat a 2-inch-tall column of chocolate drippings that they believe bears a striking resemblance to the Virgin Mary.

Since the discovery Monday, Angiano's employees have spent much of their time hovering over the tiny figure, praying and placing rose petals and candles around it.

"I was raised to believe in the Virgin Mary, but this still gives me the chills," Angiano said as she balanced the dark brown figure in her hand. "Everyone should see this."

Kitchen worker Cruz Jacinto was the first to spot the lump of melted chocolate when she began her shift Monday cleaning up drippings that had accumulated under a large vat of dark chocolate.

Chocolate drippings usually harden in thin, flat strips on wax paper, but Jacinto said she froze when she noticed the unusual shape of this cast-off: It looked just like the Virgin Mary on the prayer card she always carries in her right pocket.

"When I come in, the first thing I do is look at the clock, but this time I didn't look at the clock. My eyes went directly to the chocolate," said Jacinto, dressed in a hair net and apron as she paused from her work. "I thought, 'Am I the only one who can see this? I picked it up and I felt emotion just come over me. For me, it was a sign."

KJV Exodus 20;3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Sorry, didn't mean to get all religious on ya, but when one puts more emphasis on an "idle", than one puts on the God, that he or she is supposed to be worshiping, then I have a problem with that. DO you think this is real, or just publicity for their chocolate shop? What's your say?

State-run television announced the blog's launch on Sunday, urging the public to write messages to the president via the website.

In his first entry Ahmadinejad wrote about his childhood, the country's Islamic revolution and Iran's war with Iraq.

The blog also asks readers to participate in an online poll which asks if they think the United States and Israel are "pulling the trigger for another world war".

The blog is translated into English, French and Arabic.

If you need some upbeat and crazy music to pick you up out of your own drool, then check out Lilly Allen. Her album, Alright Still, is No. 1 in the UK. Her music will surely lighten your mood.

Watch this video clip of The Colbert Report to have a few laughs...

A British Airways flight to New York was turned back to London's Heathrow airport on Sunday because of a security scare over a mobile phone that did not belong to any of the passengers, officials said.

The phone was later found to be safe, as the government said the threat to Britain of a terrorist attack had been downgraded to severe from the critical level last week when police said they had foiled a plot to blow up transatlantic airliners.

Despite the downgrading, the Transport Department warned in a statement: "This (still) means that a terrorist attack is still highly likely."

British Airways said the captain of the airliner, which was carrying 217 passengers, had decided to return to London as a precautionary measure.

"A mobile phone was located on board the aircraft which none of the passengers appeared to own," it said in a statement.

Mobile phones were banned from flights departing from British airports under new tough security measures introduced after the disclosure of the alleged plot to smuggle bombs on to aircraft disguised as drinks.

PRINCETON, NJ -- George W. Bush's most recent quarter, his 22nd in office, was the worst of his presidency and the worst for any president since 1992, based on his 35.8% average approval rating during that quarter. It also ranks in the bottom 20 quarters out of the more than 240 quarters Gallup has measured for all presidents since Harry Truman.

For the quarter beginning on April 20, 2006, and ending on July 19, Bush averaged a 35.8% approval rating. This includes Bush's term low 31% single poll rating in early May of this year. Since then, his approval rating has recovered somewhat with his last rating of his 22nd quarter at 40%. Bush's first two ratings of his 23rd quarter have been 37% and 40% respectively.

What are your thoughts on Mr. Bush? Do you think he'll be impeached, if the Democrats take over after the November elections?

Several bloggers, reporters, and news anchors have said that it is too soon, but if it has a glimmer of a chance, of awakening the kinship we had with one another after September 11th, then I say go for it.

I was watching Rescue Me last night, when the Character Tommy said, "I bet any of you could give me the names of all the finalist in the American Idol Contest, but can you give me one name out of the 343 Fireman that lost their lives on September 11th. No, I didn't think so..." Those are very true words that certainly hit home with me. Us Americans must never forget the sacrifices those men and women made on that faithful day.

I will go and watch the movie tomorrow night, and let you know how it is, but I won't tell ya if I cried or not. :-) What say you?

"World Trade Center" sparked debate about whether Americans are ready for a film focusing on the Twin Towers attack, where 2,749 people died, but moviegoers at an early New York screening commended it.

"It was touching, (Stone) did a good job," said makeup artist Rodney Ramos. "I feel like I'm closing something a little bit."

About 50 people attended a matinee screening at a Midtown Manhattan cinema. Many wept or were visibly shaken.

The movie, starring Nicolas Cage, is based on the true story of two policemen who raced into the World Trade Center to save people, but were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed buildings for 12 hours before their rescue.

"I can understand why people are not ready to see it yet, but I think that they will be surprised at how powerful and personal it is," said Leslie Friedman, a New Yorker who said she was not in the city on the day of the attacks.

Reviewers have said the often-provocative Stone had shown respect, restraint and patriotism in the film, but box office experts said the test would be whether people were willing to see it or considered the subject too sensitive.

However, with all the death, violence, war, and sickness in the world, people can still find love. Observing human nature has always been a hobby of mine. When love takes over, as it does to anyone that is in love, everything else falls to the wayside. But with all the delight that love or should I say your beloved brings to your life, it or they can also inflict you with the most horrendous pain, you could every envision. Kids, young adults, and adults, be forewarned of what is to come. :-) I'm just joshing you, love is grand...

Speaking of love, if you are in the mood for some soulful music, check out Corinne Bailey Rae. She has the most exquisite voice, that I have heard in quite some time. Unlike most young artist in her genre, her lyrics are written in the most elegant manner. Of course, she has an English Literature degree, and she is from Leeds, England. The biggest reason I like and respect her music, is because she doesn't show off her physical attributes, like so many of her young American counterparts do. A little mystery is a good thing, for it brings out the best of our imagination. :-)

PS: My friend Jett Loe has fell off the face of the earth. If you don't know who he is, go check out his Podcast/Blog (Letter To America). I've known Jett for quite some time, and I surely hope that he is OK. All of us in the blogosphere, or at least some of us, really do care about you buddy. Take care, and call me, let me know what's going on dude. :-)

In This Milestone Episode, I discuss how and why I started blogging and podcasting. In addition, I talk about all of the frequent flyer miles I've put on my Delta card lately, the heat wave that is overtaking the east coast of America and Europe, troop reinforcements going to Iraq, and the turmoil in the Middle East. Short stories are discussed, as well as the deadline to submit a short story to Skint Writer's blog. Oscar Wilde's book, The Picture of Dorian Gray is admired. Finally, I disclose two pieces of information about myself. One being that I'll be studying in London, starting in January of next year, and you will have to tune in to find out what story number two is all about.
Download Episode 20

Have The Jefferson Davis Saga Brought to You via iTunes

"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal," Oscar Wilde.

1. I fear myself far more than anyone or anything else, because I am ultimately in control of my own destiny and existence. Heck, I don't even want to acknowledge the nefarious activities I've taken part in. :-) Nah....I'm not that bad.
2. That crazy, cockeyed, mischievous, wicked, and antisemitic leader of Iran, called Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This guy really gripes me...
3. Kim il Jong...The man is purposely starving his people to death. I have previously posted about that lunatic. The scary thing about him, is that he has nukes and missiles to carry them.
4. Hugo Chavez, who recently compared Israel to Hitler. OK, I'm not going to touch that subject, but the man is a wee bit enamoured.
5. Also, there are several people within the United States Government that I fear, not only because of their power, but for their decision making, that ultimately controls America.

Hi folks, in an attempt to hold your attention, until I can post something else, here is some pictures I took of clouds this evening. I pray for rain. :-) Lots of rain...

I love how the sun is breaching the clouds horizontally in this picture.

However, I can remember my grandfather telling me that his family would put such perishable items in a local creek. He grew up out in the country, picking cotton and doing other back breaking activities. We think that we have it bad in this heat...Huh..we truly don't know the meaning of the word heat, unless you live withough air-conditioning, and then I just feel your pain. I spend about three hours a day out in the sweltering heat, walking and gardening. Stay cool all...
A record-breaking U.S. heat wave that has killed more than 150 people nationwide in the past two weeks claimed two more victims on Thursday just as relief was due.

The heat, which has moved east from California, also prompted record electricity demand and continued to force New York businesses to dim their Times Square billboards as part of a citywide conservation effort.

"We have had more record-breaking heat today, a lot of it in New York state," National Weather Service meteorologist Dennis Feltgen said.

All three of the New York City area's major airports reported August 3 records of 99 to 100 F (38 C). Baltimore, at 100 F, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, at 97 F (36 C), were among other Northeast cities breaking records, Feltgen said.

"The relief is coming on down. Boston will feel it tomorrow, New York will feel it tomorrow, Philadelphia will begin to feel it later tomorrow and we will begin to feel it in Washington and Baltimore tomorrow night and certainly on Saturday," he said.

Kansas City began to cool on Thursday and St. Louis and Indianapolis were expected get relief on Friday, he said.

In Newark, New Jersey, a husband and wife aged 66 and 65 were found dead in their living room with the windows closed and no air conditioning, said Desiree Peterkin Bell, a spokeswoman for the Newark mayor's office.

Download bad_hair_day.MOV

P.S.: The dog just had a bath, that is why she looks wet. No animals were harmed in this video. She was dried and brushed as soon as I finshed taping....