Jonathan D. Blundell

Mike Gallagher said on this week on Fox News, that we should have a special line for Muslims at our nation’s airports.

“It’s time to have a Muslims check point line in American airports and have Muslims be scrutinized. You better believe it.”

Are you kidding me?!
How are we going to determine who the Muslims are? Should we require them to put red crescents on their sleeves?
Next we’ll have separate water fountains and separate bathrooms for Muslims, Christians and Jews.
Before long, someone’s going to suggest building a 20-foot wall between American and Canada Mexico.

As reported earlier, one of my favorite billboards reads, “When I said ‘Love your neighbor’ I meant it. – God”

According to LifeNews:

The Ion Channel Media Group, a private biotechnology and advertising firm, has released a list of the top stem cell research laboratories in the world.
The ranking was compiled using the publication and citation history of nearly 5000 stem cell research labs.
The survey found that most of the laboratories in the top 25 are from the United States, despite President Bush’s limits on using taxpayer funds to pay for any new embryonic stem cell research.
All of the top eight stem cell research labs hail from the U.S., including the number one center, Irving Weissman’s lab at Stanford. Catherine Verfaillie’s laboratory at the University of Minnesota earned the number two spot based upon her work with adult stem cells derived from bone marrow.

Aaron sent me this link:
U2.com is reporting that U2 will release a new book next month, entitled U2 by U2.

It will be the definitive U2 story. It will have stories never before told and photos never before seen. It is ‘U2byU2’ and worldwide publication is just two months away, on September 22nd.
For the first time each member of U2 – and manager Paul McGuinness – has told their own story from their earliest childhood memories to their first meeting with each other, from those opening chords in Larry’s kitchen to becoming the biggest band in rock’n’roll.

Looks like it should be out just in time for me to read on my super long flight from Dallas to Nigeria. Looking forward to it.
Speaking of my trip, I believe I’m still at least $1,000 short for the trip. So if you feel so led, feel free to make a donation to the trip by clicking the PayPal button on the right hand column.

For those of you heading to New Braunfels this year, just a friendly reminder:

The New Braunfels City Council on Monday approved an anti-littering rule that targets “Jell-O shots” on local rivers despite some residents’ complaints that the ordinance will be ineffective.
The ordinance does not specifically address the small cups of alcoholic gelatin but was crafted to focus on containers of 5 fluid ounces or less.

The city recently increased fines for noise-ordinance violations and banned “volume drinking devices” – better known as beer bongs.
But have no fear, you can get more alcohol in a six ounce jell-o shot and they’re still legal.

At Monday’s council meeting, resident Jay Patrick distributed nonalcoholic Jell-O shots in 6-ounce containers to make the point that nothing but the size of containers would change under the new ordinance.
“You can use 6-ounce containers, like these, or you can make Jell-O shots in ice trays,” he said.

Just a word of advice, if my friend Kelly offers you a jell-o shot, avoid it. It’s probably mixed with 151 and tastes like gasoline.

I’m not sure which is more surprising, that my cousins Bryan and Brandon are uncles, or my aunt is now a grandmother. I think everyone needs to call her and tease her about that.
Either way my cousin Delaina and her husband Mark welcomed their son, Matthew Walker into the world at 11:24 a.m. today. Matthew was 8 lbs, 12 ounces and 19 inches. I think he’s already bigger than his proud parents.
Mother and son are both doing well according to the proud father – who I had to call to get the info. I guess cousins aren’t at the top of the phone call list.
Congratulations to everyone!

From Sunday’s DMN:

Parents must be in charge of their children’s education. To put it plainly: The success or failure of your child’s education is up to you.
We spend a lot of time talking about “fixing” schools. The truth is that few are broken. The much bigger problem is parents who have forgotten their vital role. When that happens, schools struggle.
Teachers have a hard time discussing this. It sounds like they’re making excuses. But it’s true.
As a parent, you have the power to make a complete failure of the very best teacher or finest school. How? Easy. Just say bad things about the school to your child. Tell how unfair teachers were to you. Criticize a lot. Or simply take no interest at all. Trust me, your attitude will quickly be your child’s attitude.
On the other hand, if you are excited about school, chances are your child will be, too. Make it clear how important education is to you. Set high goals. Volunteer at school if you can. At least introduce yourself to the teacher. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment as soon as concerns arise. Working as a team is everything.