Residents race to fill sandbags as flooding threatens North Dakota

Up to 6,000 homes are threatened by dangerous flood waters from the Red River in Fargo, ND.
Officials say they need about 1.5 million sandbags to stem the devestating floods. The river is expected to crest over 40 feet (flood stage is 17ft) this week, and rain over the next days will determine how bad it will be. The National Guard and FEMA have come to help, as well as many volunteers and residents. The record flood (40.1 ft) occured in 1897, but in 1997 and 2001 similarily bad flooding occured.

I completely agree with Lauren that the huge effort from our state to North Dakota to help fight the floods shows 'Minnesota Nice' is alive and well. Even though we are lucky enough to live in a town that is staying relatively dry, dozens of highschoolers devoted a day to save a strangers home. It is true that times of crisis and tragedy create community, and generosity. There is always something good that comes out of something bad, you just have to look a little harder to find it. Hopefully all the hard work of volunteers working around the clock will be enough to save thousands of homes and businesses. I still hear horrible stories from the flood of 1997, and I think everyone is hoping we can avoid the same outcome. It makes me glad to see how people can come together to help each other out, whether it benefits themself or not. Its good to know that if we ever find ourselves in a catastrophe there are always good people ready and eager to help.

http://www.current-events-lauren.blogspot.com/

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/26/marshal.killed/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Tents on wheels give homeless people roof and pride

EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof) is a new organization in L.A. which is distributing 7ft canvas living spaces to the homeless. After listening and talking to 62 homeless the founder held a design contest to develop the units. The homes have an expandable base that stays off the ground, four wheels, and are covered by a water and flame resistant canvas, with a mattress and sleepingbag inside. The EDAR method is much less inexpensive than building permanent shelters, and is a great way to get homeless men, women, and children off of the damp concrete, and give them privacy and health. Soon land and bathrooms may be provided for families. The 'hobo condos' are a stepping stone to getting people off the streets, and gives the people hope and pride.

Opinion: This idea is brilliant, and so is the person who thought of it. I love cities, but whenever I drive through one the sight of a homeless person on the side of the road makes me so sad. I disagree with anyone who says these people deserve what they got. There is a sad story behind every person on the street, and they deserve a chance just like anybody else. When people think of 'the homeless' a picture of a bearded hobo usually pops into thier head. In reality the old and kids, men and women, and even people in little Alexandria are homeless. As I said, everyone deserves a chance. The founder of EDAR apparantly has the same philosophy as me, and with a little work he has changed 60 lives for the better. A person without a home, a job, a family, or a hope can finally get a little comfort and peace from an EDAR, and maybe get their life on track. With the economy the way it is today who would have expected the homelessness situation to actually have more hope?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/10/homeless.tents/index.html?eref=rss_topstories#cnnSTCVideo

Obama's other gray matter

Summary: After six weeks as president Obama already has more gray hair. The stresses of our economy and wars, and the 750 days since he began campaigning for president have caused this. At one point during the election battle it came so rapidly people accused him of dying it (his long time barber denies this). Scientists believe the buildup of hydrogen peroxide blocks pigment from reaching hair follicles (high stress affects the follicles). Former president Bush blamed his gray on his teen daughters, not the presidency. Obama's barber says that he isn't much grayer Inaguration Day saying, "I don't think we should worry about it that much. It hasn't affected his basketball game. He can still shoot some hoops."

Opinion: I've heard it said that one year of being president is equal to aging three years. I don't know if that's true, but one look at a before and after shot of Bush is hard to argue with. It really isn't suprising that the presidency would have a physical toll, there really isn't a more stressful job. One false move and you go down in the history books as a failure. Thas is one job which I won't apply for, no matter how bad the economy is. It is insane two years ago Obama started campaigning! At this rate it looks like the campaign for 2012 elections will start in just months. No suprise that this whole application process for Commander and Chief caused some graying. But really is it anyone's business whether or not this man dyes his hair? It's pretty trivial. Last time I checked hair color couldn't fix this messed up economy, bring peace to the middle east, or create bipartisianship. I just hope that Obama can do his job well, and keep good health while he does it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29524174/

Clinton: Iran stirring division in Arab world

On Wednesday Secretary of State Clinton accused the leaders of Iran of creating divisions in the Middle East, promoting terrorism, and attempting to intimidate many countries . She said many foreign ministers worry over Iranian threats, which intend to interfere with international affairs and keep funding terrorism. Supreme Iranian leader Khamenei said Obama is making a mistake by supporting Israel. Its difficult for Obama to improve relations with Iran (the U.S. stopped diplomatic relations with them 30yrs ago), but Clinton says he is open to talks. Iran's nuclear program, which is believed to be intended to make weapons, concerns the U.S. even though Iran claims the program is only for energy production. Iranian president Ahmadinejad will only talk to the U.S. if they stop accusations of nuclear weapons and terrorism. This explains why Clinton says "attempts to reach out to Iran have been unsuccessful."

I think the distrust and stubborness of Iran is quite frightnening. We seem to be between a rock and a hard place on this issue. According to Iranian leaders the only way to talk peacefully with them is to take back our accusations that they fund terrorism and have nuclear weapons. Well, those two issues are the reason we desperately need to talk to them in the first place. There is no way that we can simply pardon them of these very serious and frightening possibilities. I personally can't see a way to get around this. Even though both the U.S. and Iran say they are open to talks, it doesn't seem likely to ever happen. It seems like the problems in the Middle East are endless. Iraq, Afganistan, the Gaza Strip, Israel, and Iran are all hot spots for violence and tension. I remain hopeful that one day leaders will be elected into these countries who aren't so set into these ways. I have heard that there will be an Iranian election sometime this year. If the president of Iran, Ahmadinejad, is put out of office then perhaps we will have possibility of diplomatic relations. As president he has just fueled the flames of hatred towards the west in his country with hateful speeches and bogus statements. It is leaders like him who cause such tension in the Middle East. According to Clinton the U.S. is by no means the only country who is afraid of what Iran can or may do.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29513202/