For my last post, or at least my last REQUIRED post, I wanted to end on what could be some sign of hope for the belief in the good of our fellow man.  In the Deseret News on September 18, 2012 there was an article published called, "Libyans tried to rescue ambassador".  The article was written by Maggie Michael.   It gives an account of Libyans who attempted to save Chris Stevens who was the Ambassador of Libya.  They found him alone in a room and close to death.  They attempted to get him medical care and were reportedly very frustrated that no medical personal was available on scene to help him.  They put him over one man's shoulder and carried him to a car but he died not long after he was found from smoke inhalation.  You can never fully be sure that what you read is what really happened but since I've taken the position that the articles I've read are based on facts I am going to give credit to this article as well.  A big "Thank You" would appropriate in this situation.  Life is not fair but when bad things happen to good people I would like to think that we would all do the right thing regardless of who it is that needs help!  So, Thanks!

In USA TODAY there was an article by Jim Michaels, "Pentagon:  Joint Afghan ops paused for now".  It was published on September 19, 2012.  There's been a suspension in the joint operation between the U.S. and Afghan forces.  Army Col. Tom Collins says there will be no backing off and it's temporary!  Fifty-one coalition troops have been killed by Afghan security forces or people posing as Afghan troops.  The suspension is part of the effort to secure the safety of the troops.    The article said that about 25% of the insider attacks are linked to the Taliban which I am sure comes as no surprise to anyone.  At this point I think pulling the troops out of there is the only way to secure their safety!

"Militants claim Afghan attack is revenge" published in the Daily Herald on September 19, 2012.  A suicide bomber killed 12 people in Afghanistan and Islamic militants are claiming that this was revenge for the film that has been circulated through the world in which the Prophet Mohammad was mocked.  They are also calling for attacks on additional U.S. diplomats.  It would seem that murder is the least of the sins when it comes to the subject of this film.  How is it that mocking someone is a  far greater sin than murdering innocent people?  Is this really about the movie or just about taking advantage of a situation so they can do what they have always wanted to do?  It makes no sense to me!

"Iran nuke chief harshly criticizes atomic agency" (no author listed) was published in the Daily Herald on September 18, 2012.  Fereydoun Abbasi, Iran's nuclear chief insists that "terrorists and saboteurs" have infiltrated the International Atomic Energy Agency!  They have been investigating allegations that Iran is making nuclear arms. He revealed that 2 sabotage attempts have been against his country's nuclear program and they welcome new attacks!  Apparently they learn how to better protect their countries endeavors through such attempts.  It would be interesting to know which statement is the bigger fib.....that the IAEA is filled with terrorists or that his country has had 2 sabotage attempts against it's nuclear program.  Who can tell where the truth is when dealing with Iran on this issue!

In the Salt Lake Tribune on September 17, 2012 there was an article written by Heidi Vogt and Mirwais Khan with the title, "Afghan insider attack kills four U.S. troops".  Four U.S. soldiers were murdered, yes I said murdered, when they came to the aid of the Afghan soldiers.  This is not the first time that our military has been attacked by those they were trying to protect.  The security has taken a nose dive as NATO prepares to remove military from Afghanistan and while everyone is working together to try to tighten the security it leaves our soldiers vulnerable to attacks like this one!  Something tells me things are going to get worse before they get better, if better ever happens at all!

"Pakistan disowns bounty on filmaker"  written by Rebecca Santana and  published on September 25, 2012 in the Deseret News.  Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour offered a $100,000 bounty for anyone who killed the man behind the film that mocked the Prophet Mohammad.  The government issued a statement that  the statement was Bilour's personal view and not the country's.  I'm not sure I believe that but I suppose that would be the politically correct thing to do, but given how they feel about the whole "free speech" thing I'm surprised that only a statement was issued and not an arrest warrant.  I mean if a person made a public statement against the wishes of the Pakistan government I thought there would be some sort of penalty.  I guess we are not the only country whose citizens speak their minds...although I believe we have laws against inciting people to commit violent crimes.  Hmmmm!

On September 25, 2012 the Deseret News published a story by David Stringer and Ron Depasquale called, "U.N.:  Syria war is threatening region".  International  envoy Lakhdar Brahimi  addressed the United Nations about the bleak situation in Syria but also announced he was formulating a plan that could help end the troubled country's war, BUT would not give any information as to what that might be or when it would happen.  The fact that he might have a plan is not necessarily the real news in this article but the fact that he refuses to believe that "reasonable" people do not see you cannot go back in time to a Syria of the past.  What is reasonable about any of the people who are waging war in Syria?  Seriously, there are people dying and he's worried about people being reasonable.....not a good sign by my mark!