Thoughts And Prayers Across The Country, WHO Won The American Cup?

Preview for Sunday 030412

Our thoughts and Prayers go out to all those that have lost everything from Alabama to Indiana. The Storm of Tornadoes that have been eating their way through the Country have killed 38 so far and completely devastated entire Communities. God Speed to those that have lost their Lives, and to their Families, may they have the Peace and Comfort they need at this time. Homes, Towns, EVERYTHING materiel, no matter how precious it may seem, can be replaced, rebuilt, or started a new. People can't. Peace be with all of you.

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to ya. This is your Provocateur of thought himself, Peter Carlock, and this IS the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad you stopped by. If you want to be part of the OPNTalk Blog, Comment, or just say hi, the Email is, as always, opntalk@gmail.com.

So after a HUGE week of stuff. Non-stop stuff, leaving very little time for anything, I took a Hibernation Day on Sat. I did not get dressed. I did not leave the House. I did NOTHING. Well, I did even get a nap in. Ever done that? Take a Hibernation Day? Trust me, you should try it. Along with the nap, I also watch some TV. Caught a Movie, and saw the American Cup. Did you catch that? Who won? More on that in a second.

We are fully loaded and ready to go. Coming right up today?

PETA Kills 95 Percent Of ALL Animals In Their Care
LightSquared Revisited
Fish May Help Protect The Mind
DLA For Sunday 030412
IWA For Sunday 030412

OK. So WHO Won the American Cup? Well, one of my favorites of all time. Not kidding. Her name is Jordyn Wieber. This girl can do it all. She can fly. She did an amazing job, walking away with her THIRD American Cup Title.

Coming in Second is another Favorite of mine Alexandra, or as she prefers, Aly, Raisman. She was phenomenal as well. After her last event, the Floor, I thought she may have even taken it from Wieber. I think it was a better Floor routine. But Wieber was far enough out to take the Title.

HOWEVER???? Wieber did NOT have the Best Score of the Day. Nope. The "Flying Squirrel” won the Best Score. Seriously. She Blew EVERYONE away. She was a full two-tenths of a point higher than the WINNER. After seeing her Floor Exercise, I understand why Martha Karolyi dubbed her the "Flying Squirrel.” Her real name is Gabrielle Douglas.

So how did someone with a Score Two Tenths HIGHER than EVERYONE else NOT Win? She was technically NOT competing. You see, Gabrielle Douglas was an Alternate. If something happened to Wieber or Raisman, she would have taken their spot. And Won, apparently. But they were fine and did a GREAT job ending it 1, 2. Americans also won on the Men's side, with Danell Leyva taking the title.

So why was Gabrielle Douglas out there? Why was she getting Scores? According to her,

“I wanted to put my name out there and show everyone what I’m capable of doing.”

Mission accomplished. EVERYONE knows your name now. {Laughing} Even Wieber is said to give HERSELF a B and called Douglas "Amazing."

In the Tradition of many before her, WILL Wieber go on to Win the All Around Gold in the Olympics? Or is there another, waiting in the shadows, to steal the Spotlight. Either way, with Wieber, Raisman, and NOW Douglas leading Team USA, I'm feeling pretty good about our chances.

Of course, if you do not like Gymnastics, the preceding was a big fat waste of time for you. Sorry about that. {Laughing} Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
Yahoo Sports - Leyva, Wieber win gymnastics’ American Cup
By WILL GRAVES, AP Sports Writer

Joplin Tornado

Unlike our President

Hey folks,




As our President lives it up at Buckingham Palace, we here at the OPNTalk Blog are keeping those in Joplin Missouri in our Hearts and Prayers. May they have the Comfort and peace, strength and courage, that they all need in this very devastating time.
Peter

My Condolences To The Tornado Victims and Families

Hey folks,

First I want to wish my condolences to those families in those states that have lost loved ones due to all the tornado activity yesterday. Depending on which news out let you read, see, or hear, the death toll ranges from 11 to 19. I wish these families noting by peace and comfort in their time of need. According to the AP last night,


ENTERPRISE, Ala. - Tornadoes ripped through Alabama and killed at least 18 people Thursday, including 15 at a high school where students became pinned under debris when a roof collapsed, state officials said. As night fell, crews dug through piles of rubble beneath portable lights at Enterprise High School, looking for other victims.

"The number could very well increase as the search effort continues through the night," state emergency management spokeswoman Yasamie Richardson said.

The burst of tornadoes was part of a larger line of thunderstorms and snowstorms that stretched from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast. Authorities blamed a tornado for the death of a 7-year-old girl in Missouri, and twisters also were reported in Kansas.

The storm struck at the high school around 1:15 p.m., and Richardson said some students were still trapped three hours later. Erin Garcia, a 17-year-old senior, said students had gathered in hallways around 11 a.m. as a precaution. School officials wanted to send them home around 1 p.m., she said, but the weather turned bad and sirens wailed.

Now I know this is an on going story. The search is continuing even as we speak. This morning the AP is reporting 11, others 16-19. Last night the above article said 18. In time we will have the actual number, but make no mistake about it, for that family of the 7 year old girl in Missouri, the final number means nothing to them. Nothing will bring back their little girl.

I’ve had the "pleasure" to go through two tornadoes in my time. One was when I was a kid, the other was the big tornado out break in November 1989. I was working in security in Newburgh NY when a Tornado knocked down The East Coldenham Elementary School cafeteria wall, killing nine students and injuring 18 others.

I saw the bodies being carried out. I watched the grief of the families and saw the long term effects. One of the Fathers even got a tattoo of his Daughter in remembrance of his loss. So I DO understand the devastating effects this has. Even the rescue workers were changed forever.

You can read about the tornado outbreak including a F4 hitting Huntsville Alabama, here. a F5 is said to be "The Finger Of God." Nothing could stand up to that, and this one was just one below.

I was going to talk about this Australian terrorist suspect that is complaining about abuse and the Mass Media salivating over the story, but, I think I’ll talk about that later or tomorrow. I think I’ll stick to my condolences and just say to those that died, God Speed to you. May the families have peace in their time of need.
Peter


Sources:
AP-Tornadoes rip through Ala., killing 18
Wikipedia