Weekend at Fidel’s, Over

A new independent study shows that deaths from terrorism have actually declined by more than 40 percent since 2001. This flies in the face of the constant Democrat mantra that states the opposite, that terrorism has increased since Bush initiated the War on Terror. It is a mantra that the media have helpfully spread for their friends at the DNC...(Publius Forum)

...if you listen to Obama's statement, his only understanding of China is from watching the Olympics on television. We know now that most of what we see on China through the television is not true...I would like to mention that if Obama lived in China, one of his daughters would be dead. Or would he support the One Child policy too? (Copius Dissent)

This week’s big story, which was rather predictable: Yesterday’s referendum in Bolivia continues the current status, with Evo Morales still in power and the opposition also in Eastern Bolivia remaining strong...(Fausta's Blog)

Two years ago, Governor Pawlenty announced an ambitious plan to force (via government fiat) the market toward more and more use of corn ethanol. At that time, AAA and I (among many others) wrote copius posts about why forcing market acceptance of corn ethanol (at the expense of other fuels including gasoline)...(Ladies Logic)

At the end of a congressional session, the speaker usually opens the door for the Members to give a short speech of their choosing. This year, Ms Pelosi didn't allow the speeches, instead she shut the mikes, turned off the TV Cameras and the lights and closed congress for five weeks. ...(Yid with Lid)

Great photos, over at RadarSite!

Iraq is buying 392 LAV (Light Armor Vehicle) 25s. These are the same eight wheeled vehicles used by the U.S. Marine Corps. The LAV series are a licensed version of the Swiss MOWAG Piranha. This model is in use by many other countries. The Canadian version, the LAV III, was the basis of the U.S. Stryker armored vehicle, which has been used heavily in Iraq, and apparently has impressed the Iraqis...(Okie Campaigns)

The jihad in the Philippines continues. Local muslims are unhappy because they violated an earlier agreement and will not get control over what they consider ancestral homeland. Un-happy the muslims did what un-happy muslims always do and found some Christians to attack. The military was a little slow to respond but I hope they shoot straight and regain control...(Dr. Bulldog and Ronin)

...Is he referring to Americorps? Expanding the existing civilian national security apparatus (CIA, NSA, and the rest of the alphabet)? Or maybe something new? ...(Target Rich Environment)

Georgia and Russia move towards all out war - could this lead to World War? ..(Daily Newscaster)

John Edwards would like this story to end today, but it looks like there's a lot more waiting to be revealed...(Blogs of War)

At the request of Congressman @PeteHoekstra, I just called Speaker Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) and left a voicemail urging her to allow a vote on important energy legislation to help give America some relief at the pumps. Naturally, I recorded the call using YouTube's quick capture...(TechRepublican)

...3) Like Darth Vader, Barack has very little experience of any kind that qualifies him to be a leader, much less a source of inspiration. 4) Like the Vader character, he will lie and disappoint others to serve his own arrogant desires and outcomes...(Barnhart Blog)

Senior Airman Kimberly Bickford 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron U.S. Air ForceSenior Airman Kimberly Bickford performs a pre-load check July 28 on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, to ensure the cable that releases the bomb is operational. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero...(Blue Collar Muse)

One lucky man. Being between Walsh and May...(Stix Blog)

he Institute on Religion and Public Policy strongly condemns the new constitution ratified by the Maldives’ legislature yesterday. The constitution fails to provide basic guarantees of rights and freedoms in the country for non-Muslims and also violates internationally accepted human rights standards and norms...(Creeping Sharia)

...I’m a wonderin’ if Obama hasn’t peaked too soon. And he’s vacationing in Hawaii right now, too. Hope he’s enjoyed his lead. Maybe he’ll do better when he’s not saying anything. Actually, if no pictures come out, I think the silence will help him. It’s when he opens his yapper that he gets in trouble. Expect him to rise in the polls over the next week. That’s my prediction. (Dr. Melissa Clouthier)

From International Christian Concern...(A Defending Crusader)

In the last WWF Survey, there were a number of Web 2.0 needs expressed, and we have been looking at options for meeting as many of those needs as possible. One of the suggestions submitted was to use already existing online programs, to avoid the expense and time of having to "reinvent the wheel" (Thanks, Dr. Bill!).

In that spirit, we are providing links to two great affordable resources online - One to help with basic computer skills, and one which is a wiki dedicated to Thriving Online, below. FHK is currently focusing specifically on developing social networking courses. Once we have accomplished that, if there is still a need for more focused training in the more technical areas, we may begin working on developing those courses, as we are able.

We are still looking for online resources for SEO and MMO which are affordable, practical, and preferably operated by right-minded individuals, so if you have suggestions, please let me know.

Meanwhile, check these out:

Ed2Go: "The Earthnet Institute is a non-profit research institute. It partnered with Education To Go (Ed2Go), a Division of Thomson Learning, Inc. to offer highly interactive noncredit online continuing education courses that you can take entirely over the Internet. All courses include expert instructors, many of whom are published authors. Online courses are affordable, fast, convenient, and geared just for you. Explore the catalog, Click Now! [Many courses available for $89 each]

EightWeeks: This is an awesome wiki developed by Leslie Graves and the Lucy Burns Institute, to "help advocates of liberty and markets thrive online." There's an eight-week (hence the name!) "Thriving Online" course, plus a plethora of additional resources for online collaboration. There's a ton of information about wikis, and the program itself is a fantastic model for how a wiki can be used. It is funded by the Lucy Burns Institute, and is free to members. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to me (jennsierra@gmail.com), and I can get you more information, and send you invite.

Stay tuned for more information about courses we will be offering Conservative Networking Online!