Posted on 12/10/2015 1:17:32 PM PST by ArGee
Raqqa, Syria
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS, announced today that he would be disbanding all forces and returning all land to Syria and Iraq. The move was prompted by the ongoing Climate Conference in Paris.
"This is one thing we could not have anticipated," Mr. al-Baghdadi said in prepared remarks. "When we see the world coming together like this on such a dangerous subject as Global Climate Change, we realize that our Caliphate will never survive. It's only a matter of time before Climate Change is no more and the world's attention turns to us. At that point, we will have no chance. For the sake of the men, women, and children who have supported us, I can not continue a doomed campaign."
An emotional al-Baghdadi did not take any questions.
Sources close to al-Baghdadi who spoke on the condition of anonymity told us that it was becoming more and more difficult to recruit new fighters. "Even our existing people are extremely demoralized," one said. "The words of Donald Trump himself can not overcome our dispair."
According to their press release, surrender is total and immediate. Fighters are being paid and sent home by division. Any remaining money will be put into a fund to resettle Christians and Yazidis who have been displaced by the war.
"We thought the world was fragmented," one strategist was overheard saying to himself. "Who knew it could come together like this? This is a stinging rebuke."
So far there has been no comment from Damascus, Baghdad, Moscow, or Washington. One source inside the Kremlin said, "We are waiting to see if there will be any follow-up action. We want to make sure this is real before we decide on our next steps."
But then, since it's Memorial Day ...
So Many Crosses
I saw so many crosses there, my eyes began to swim,
Among all the fallen heroes, how could I find just him?
But then I found I had a guide, and this One said, "Fear not,
For I know all the servicemen who rest within this plot."
My guide showed me the way to find my fallen brother,
And said that in my family I would certainly find another.
And on and on He led me there, to pass by every stone,
To show me of the fallen ones, which ones had been my own.
"I did not know so many had been taken of my clan."
"Not all have died in battle, but each one has been a man.
A man to stand against the tide, and sweep it back to cower,
And that is why I hold them here, in this My sacred bower."
I looked in wonder ‘round me in this forest of the brave,
Where each stubby sapling was the marker of a grave.
I said, "Why have you gathered these? What is the plan you made?"
He said with sadness, "Many others ran away. These are the ones who stayed."
"They stayed when others ran in fear. They went toward the harm.
Though many knew no more of war than being on a farm.
They were steadfast in battle, and were conquerors of fear,
I have plans to grow some more of them. This is a garden here."
"The seeds of their great courage, will rest within your souls,
And when the need arises, you will find you have controls,
Over the blinding terror, over the numbing fear,
Perhaps one day it will be you who journeys here."
I was no longer trembling. I did no longer weep.
I no longer was a stranger in that strange and silent keep.
It was a ward of brothers, a loving family somehow,
And then I knew that I would be just like my brother now.
NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May10, 2004
OW! I’m very sorry about your injury!
Hope you have a nice visit with the family! My brother is stopping by for a few hours, three weeks from now.
We Saved A Seat
We keep a place in the parlor, a seat for an old friend,
Someone who went to fight for us, we shall not see again.
But just in case he wanders by, he’s welcome to a rest.
We’ve got the seat saved just for him, as flowers will attest.
We don’t expect to see him, though we think of him a lot.
We only know he said, “I’m going, and I’ll give it all I’ve got.”
We know he gave it that and more, and didn’t pass in vain.
I guess we sorta knew it when he stepped up on the train.
I’d rather think of him that way, instead of in the mud.
And certainly I wouldn’t want to think about the blood.
Determined was his visage, and noble was his cause,
And when we count our blessings ‘round, we stop here and we pause.
NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . May 3, 2004
Very nice, Bob. We’re always prepared for my Dad to walk in. Sure, we’ve got steak. Sure, we’ve got wine!
The ones I love are with me still.
Basement kitten says, "I thought yesterday was Monday?"
I’m sorrier, ‘cuz it was all bleedy and stuff. *ick*
And now, it’s cold. I massage it every so often to get the circulation going, but the doc said he didn’t think I damaged any nerves and I certainly didn’t cut the tendon, so it’s all good.
I can use it a bit and that helps my mind.
Today, I’m going to try and get some genealogical stuff copied for James, as I got an email from him yesterday, asking specifically for info on his Grandpa James. (I wonder why that is...?) ;o]
I need to get a “vanilla” envelope for the stuff, but I will need to get paid before I can do that. And I ran out of business envelopes, too, and I write too much to try and stuff a personal envelope with four pages...
(The total index for the Genealogical names is 59 pages long...)
Wow, that’s a lot of names!
Back from Weight Watchers, where it was affirmed that I have gained weight in the last two weeks. This is not a problem, since I wasn’t trying. When you’ve made a good effort and still gained, that’s annoying.
Yes, and I thought I had lost them all but a couple of weeks ago, I found a couple of CD-ROMs that (I hope) contain the information. Otherwise, I will have to start all over again. And I no longer have free access to Ancestry.com, so it’s going to be a challenge.
I don’t know that I was necessarily making a conscious effort to lose weight, but I haven’t had much of an appetite so a weight loss of some kind is to be expected. I’m sorry about your gain of the pounds I lost!
Eh, I asked for it!
I’m going with Tom and Elen over to the corner clinic to get their camp physicals. Once I’ve paid, Tom can drive them home.
Looks like Tom and Elen are in for a long wait, but since their time is worthless, Cebu.
Did y’all see this movie review? Best first line I’ve seen in a long time!
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2016/05/the-lady-or-the-lobster
My finger is the most glorious shade of blurple you ever saw in your life! LOL!
I got all the pages sorted for James that I think would interest him, including a first cousin of my dad’s who was not only the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s director, but also played the organ and wrote a couple of hymns. Those hymns are now in the official Hymnal.
That ought to give him bragging rights for a few days, though he’s supposed to be more Christ-like on his mission. :o]
As I print up the pages, I’ll make little explanatory notes for him, so he doesn’t get too confused by all the information coming his way.
When I die, all the genealogy will go to my son, and eventually James will get it all, anyway.
There are worse things to be proud of than the accomplishments of your ancestors.
*tagline*
And that’s the truth. But I am VERY proud of my ancestors, as some of them overcame horrendous odds to make their ways West.
And now, I’m going out to sit with the peeps...
Have a nice time! I’m going to work on a shopping list.
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