To paraphrase EV-9D9, I have some new acquisitions.

Credit: LucasArts
Russian troops are now in parts of Ukraine. Call it an invasion, call it an intervention, the fact is the Russian Army is in control of certain key areas inside Ukraine. This is a bad situation, even if you are on the other side of the world.

Credit: Breitbart
While Americans are distracted by gay athletes coming out of the closet and ice skating scoring controversies at the Olympics, people in Syria have other things on their minds. This is a picture from Damascus the other day when thousands turned out to get food packages handed out by the UN.

Credit: AFP/Getty Images
This is not a movie set, this image has not been Photoshopped, this is reality for countless people in Syria.
Its been said that while California is going to Hell in a handbasket, its a helluva handbasket. Another California city that is a financial basket case largely due to municipal debt is San Jose, the center of Silicon Valley

San Jose, CA
Over the last few days, I have used a pen I have kept in my car for years. It may not look out of the ordinary but appearances can be deceiving.

Fisher Space Pen – M4B Cap-O-Matic
If you are like me and watched a lot of nature shows growing up, you know what is coming next when you see one of these little guys.

Black Bear Cub
Just so you know, I am a big fan of Mike Rowe. Of course his extended apprenticeships on Dirty Jobs are now a part of pop culture history, along with his narration on Deadliest Catch and others series. He’s even done commercials for Lee Jeans and Ford Trucks over the past few years. What I like about him though is he is actually doing something about the skills gap that currently exists in the workforce. All good things, but then he does a commercial for Wal-Mart and the Leftists throw a fit.

Mike Rowe
Instead of using school buses to evacuate stranded citizens, the Mayor of New Orleans allowed the flood waters from Hurricane Katrina destroy them while they sat parked. Ray Nagin corruption was not evident at the time, but his incompetence certainly was.

Credit: Hoboes.com
For three months, there has been civil unrest in the Ukraine. Lately, the protests have turned violent as demonstrators and police units clashed in Independence Square. To get a better perspective on this event, go here or here and read the latest postings.

Credit: Voice of America
The American news channels aren’t covering it, but there has been increasing civil unrest in Venezuela over the last few days. To get the overview the Mainstream Media is actively suppressing won’t provide, watch this short amateur video on the situation.