What Price Sympathy?

Ireland has been at war forever. Vietnam, aka Annan, has been a badminton set for China since before the birth of Christ. Russian hearts only see darkness because the Russian heart only desires darkness.

Africa. Africa is setting itself up to continue to be the sob story for the next many centuries. Is this because they were victims of slavery in Rome, the world and the southern states of America or because they captured and sold thier own brothers as slaves to Europeans to sell to the world that they will continue to slaughter, rape and rob their way into the next millennium?

Vietnam now has graveyards aplenty and a communist government constantly building more out of necessity of its own actions. Ireland has finally found Kennedy money is too dirty even for them. Its sad when a group of filthy little socialists bent on murder feel they are better than a family of rum running whore mongers.

Africa. Darfur. Congo. Rhodesia. Libya. Mau-Mau. The washing of the spears.

As long as I have been alive I have heard of the dark heart of Africa. A heart that loves hate. I have hunted in Kenya and the then country of Rhodesia. I especially treasure my time at Nairobi Ranch with my aunt and friends. Of African friends I only hope for their good.

Other than them, I just can't care anymore. That is bad, but when does a continent's badness become part of one's nightly prayers.

At what point does hope become sadness when those you hope to help refuse help?

Africa is more of a mess than Asia which is almost as much a mess as the Russias which makes Latin America almost appear sensible.

That which has been called the cradle of life appears the crib of death.

I am just plain out of sympathy for those that refuse to rise out of their sewer. The Iraqis and Afghans have risen above their prior leadership of arrogance and planned sectarian hatred to attempt freedom.

When will Africa?

Phil Donahue On Hannity & Colmes

Donahue must have pulled the stake from his heart to appear on H&C and once again interrupt, change the subject and spout the same crap he did back when Marlo still felt it possible to appear in public.

Donahue's emotionalism and repetitive monotone delivery hasn't the power it did when people accepted it as new thus true.

Colmes' genuflections are embarrassing.

Hard Questions For Petraeus Democrats

Duneblane Cathedral, Perthshire Scotland

This print is over 100 years old. The engraver was Radclyffe, the original drawing was done by Allom.

History - Dunblane is very important to Stirling family members. I've been told, but not able to verify that many of the timbers in the roof were taken from Stirling of Keir forests when the roof was repaired in the 1890's. The Stirlings of Keir have the North Chapel, with many monuments on the wall.

Although Dunblane was already an ecclesiastical centre in Celtic times, it was David I who created the bishopric cira 1150. The cathedral led a peaceful existence and numbered among its bishops, Clement (1233-58), the builder of the cathedral, and that rare ecclesiastic Robert Leighton (1611-84), (many Stirlings are related to his line) an enlightened conciliator during the religious strife of the 17C. Leighton sorely regretted leaving Dunblane when translated to Glasgow c 1671. Despite 15C alterations, neglect following the Reformation, but no pillaging, and finally several 19th and 20th century restorations, the cathedral is a fine example of 13th century Gothic architecture.

Adjoining the nave on the south side to the left of the entrance is a 12th century tower which belonged to the early Celtic building. The upper storeys and parapet are later additions. Around, to the west end, overlooking the Allan Water where the masterful design of the west front combines a deeply recessed doorway with a tall triplet of lancets and Ruskin's small vesica (oval window) above, all framed by two buttresses.

Interior - This 210 ft-long building passes from nave to choir uninterrupted by transepts or crossing. The initial impressions are of simplicity, height and soaring lines (mostly achieved by the predominance of the pointed arch). Built after the Lady Chapel, the pointed arcades of the eight-bay nave descend onto clustered columns and are surmounted by a double clerestory where window tracery is repeated inside the gallery. This device is copied at the west end, where the great window shows the Tree of Jesse (1906). Below are two sets of the canopied 15C Chisholm stalls deeply and vigorously carved with a wealth of detail. The misericords are of great interest. Like the nave, the wooden barrel-vaulted roof with tinctured armorials has also been restored (19C). Around the pulpit are carved figures of St Blane, who gave his name to the town, King David I, Bishops Clement and Leighton, and John Knox, while those on the screen depict Biblical personages.

The glory of the building is the choir with its great height emphasized by soaring lancers in the south and east sides. Level with the high altar are the early 15C Ochiltree stalls, showing a similar verve of execution. The present stalls and organ case were designed by Robert Lorimer during his 1914 restoration of the choir. Three stone slabs in the floor mark the burial places of the Drummond sisters, allegedly poisoned in 1501 to prevent Margaret, the eldest, from becoming James IV's Queen in preference to Henry VIII's sister, Margaret Tudor. The effigy in the north wall tomb recess is said to be that of Clement, the builder bishop. The oldest part, the Lady Chapel opening off the north side of the choir, has ribbed vaulting with carved bosses. The memorial windows, panelling and flooring are all 20C.

Historic Architecture Restored

Clover Hill Tavern - Appomattox Court House

Rectangular (four-bay front), two stories, gable roof, two exterior end chimneys; two-room plan; rear lean-to; two-story brick guest house with projecting gable roof; two-story brick kitchen-guest house. Built early 19th C.; restored, lean-to removed; guest house projecting roof now shelters two-level porch on two sides. 2 ext. photos (1939); HABSI (1957).