Cleopatra's Palace believed to be underwater off shores of Alexandria

Off the shores of Alexandria, the city of Alexander the Great, lies what is believed to be the ruins of the royal quarters of Cleopatra. A team of marine archaeologists led by Frenchman Franck Goddio made excavation on this ancient city from where Cleopatra, the last queen of the Ptolemies, ruled Egypt.

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Historians believe this site was submerged by earthquakes and tidal waves more than 1,600 years ago.

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The excavations concentrated on the submerged island of Antirhodus. Cleopatra is said to have had a palace there. Other discoveries include a well-preserved shipwreck and red granite columns with Greek inscriptions. There were also founded two statues which were lifted out of the harbor. One was a priest of the goddess Isis; the other a sphinx whose face is said to represent Cleopatra's father, King Ptolemy XII. The artifacts were returned to their silent, because the Egyptian Government says it wants to leave most of them in place to create an underwater museum. Story and Photos

Conservative Guest Opinion: The pillars of conservatism

In my quest to show all sides of the political spectrum I discovered this well-written (and thought out) opinion column in the Los Angeles Times.

It’s important not to demonize any political party if you want to be seen as objective and open-minded. The same for ideologies. You don’t have to agree with them, but if you understand where they’re coming from compromise, and hopefully respect, will lead to progress on thorny issues. I’m often accused of leaning left, or even of being an outright Liberal.

While it may have been true once, it no longer describes me. I’d rather be thought of as a Centrist (if I have to be stereotyped). I’d rather not have a label attached at all, but I understand some people’s need to put everyone in some ideological box in order keep their little world orderly. So be it. Meanwhile, I will continue offering you views from ALL SIDES of each controversial issue featured in this blog.

Understand one thing – when it’s my opinion posted here, you’ll have no doubt about it. I’m not shy about sharing my views. Don’t be afraid to comment, as I assure you that you’ll be treated with respect. But, if you act like a complete ass…guess what? I’m going to treat you like one!

Let’s take a look at this piece:

The Pillars of Conservatism  

By Frank Cannon

“Of all the mischaracterizations of social conservatives, none is more stubborn and pernicious than the notion (promulgated by liberals and eagerly snatched up by credulous media voices) that groups and politicians that espouse a "values" philosophy seek to impose a draconian moral code on a dissenting populace.” Read whole column

Wisconsin governor’s candid comments reveal desire to bust unions

Oh that Scott Walker! What a guy…why just the other day he thought he was talking to one of his biggest backers, David Koch (yea, that Koch, as in the notorious Koch Brothers):

Bragging about how he won’t budge from his position Walker assured Koch he would “…talk, not negotiate.”

“If you heard I was going to talk to them that’s the only reason why,” he went on to tell his pal David.

And what was Koch’s reply to that? “Bring a baseball bat. That’s what I’d do.”

Isn’t this conversation just delicious? You haven’t heard anything yet. Go here to see why Gov. Scott Walker is being accused of wanting to break unions. Warning! It’s not pretty, but it sure is revealing. One more thing: he wasn’t really talking with David Koch, he was talking with Daily Beast editor, Ian Murphy! BUSTED!

McKinnleyville Girl Missing: contact family with any information

Yolanda “Yolie” Quiroga (photo) (Breaking News thanks to Redheaded Blackbelt)

Congressman’s erratic behavior causes staff members to resign

Oregon Congressman David Wu has showed erratic behavior before, but his constituents keep re-electing him (seven times now). After last year’s re-election Wu’s staff members have been “moving on” to ,shall we say, saner pastures!  

I don’t see the big deal about wearing a Tiger costume and sending the photo to staff, but taking non-prescription pain-killers is a problem. He’s sought mental health help, but doesn’t believe he needs to check into an in-house program. He told ABC News that he’s “in a good place now” despite his staff defections.

Excerpt: 

“Seven of his staff members have left since he won re-election in November: his chief of staff, spokeswoman, three field representatives in Oregon, and two others in Washington, D.C. In addition, he lost his campaign pollster and campaign fundraiser. His campaign treasurer resigned last week, and Wu named himself treasurer.”

FULL STORY

'Lucky man': 39 wives, 94 kids not enough for Indian sect leader

That would mean this guy has 39 mother-in-laws!

The article doesn’t say if he takes Viagra or something to keep pace.

Despite being 66 years-old, this guy is going like the Energizer Bunny on steroids!

The more, the merrier is certainly true for Ziona Chana, a man in India's remote northeast who has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren — and wouldn't mind having more.

They all live in a four-story building with 100 rooms in a mountainous village in Mizoram state.

Full Story

I’ve had a variety of bloggers featured–maybe it’s time for an NRA blogger?

Well…I’m waiting folks

My youngest son belongs to the NRA. How about you Eli?

I’d like to hear why a person should be able to buy two AR-15 semi-automatic rifles every month or so? To what purpose?

Do you know what a straw man is? It’s someone who buys the guns and sells them to others...like to the Mexican cartels! You can pick up some spare change that way I suppose, if you don’t give a damn that your supporting murderers.

But the NRA says “that’s okay…just don’t take our guns away. We don’t want any more rules, we’re happy fools!”

Another Guest Opinion: Government pensions, an obesity epidemic

Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen makes his argument that state and federal governments are so indebted to their workers in pension and other obligations that they have little money for anything else. A Union member himself, Cohen offers sympathy but not his total support for the Wisconsin state employees demonstrating against Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to do away with collective bargaining.

 Read why here.

Cartoon source

Say no – hear no – see no….Reality!

Editorial cartoon by Tom Toles / Washington Post

Guest Opinion: The Party of NO (compromise) shudders at the thought of ‘working together’

Before my Conservative readers launch an all-out attack on me, please note this is NOT my opinion that I’m sharing with you. It’s a guest opinion. It doesn’t make me a Liberal, or any other party affiliation, for sharing it.

I treat Liberals the same way I treat all politicians; with suspicion. Visit my archives in case you don’t believe me. ALL POLITICIANS and ideologies are fair game (see Page Header). With that in mind, I’d like to hear comments from ALL sides. Let’s stay on issue and see what happens:

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg:

The Party of No (Compromise): In his "60 Minutes" interview right before becoming House speaker, John Boehner drew plenty of eyebrows, even from questioner Lesley Stahl, when he wouldn't say the C-word: compromise.

“Said Stahl: “But governing means compromising.” Boehner: “It means working together.” Stahl: “It also means compromising.” Boehner: “It means finding common ground… When you say the word ‘compromise’…a lot of Americans look up and go, ‘Uh-oh, they're gonna sell me out.’ And so finding common ground, I think, makes more sense.” Later, Stahl asked, “Why won't you say you're afraid of the word?” Boehner: “I reject the word.” And Boehner isn’t the only Republican leader rejecting it. In the standoff in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker (R) is refusing to negotiate with Democrats and labor (Go here). And in Indiana, a Republican senator known for compromising -- Indiana’s Dick Lugar -- could very well lose his GOP primary next year (Go here).

The C-word has become a four-letter word to the party bases, more so on the GOP side these days. And there is a difference between "common ground" and "compromising," the two words are NOT interchangeable, especially in the eye of the GOP primary voter these days.”

Negotations break down: four American hostages killed by Somali pirates

Does anyone else feel like I do about getting the international community together to solve this pirate problem once and for all?

Thus far all efforts have been useless because there was no united goal to stop the situation. Just reactions like paying ransoms which have encouraged the pirates to keep up their deadly attacks.

Why hasn’t someone captured one of these so-called “mother ships?” If we know what the bastards are doing then why has the world been so helpless thus far?

It’s hard to believe some ignorant modern day pirates are holding the world hostage. It doesn’t make sense. America might get a little more involved because of this incident – the murder of four of our own – but without a definite game plan to stop the pirates all efforts will come up short.

“Four Americans captured by Somali pirates while sailing in the Indian Ocean have been shot and killed, NBC News reported today.” Story here.

Pirates captured 1,181 sailors aboard 53 ships in 2010, according to a report from the International Chamber of Commerce's International Maritime Bureau. Eight of the captives were killed, the report says.