Extraordinary fidelity — Central Intelligence Agency

This is a link to a fascinating story of courage and fidelity by two men who survived more than 20-years of captivity in China. They were young CIA officers when betrayed and captured. They came out grown men still in love with their country and demonstrating "extraordinary fidelity." This is a great story, better than most spy fiction.

Two CIA Prisoners in China, 1952–73 — Central Intelligence Agency

For the child in all of us

In all of us, I believe, is a child's fascination with trains. This weekend myself and a friend went to the Citadel Mall, Charleston, SC, and visited the Charleston Railroad club house and The Best Friend of Charleston temporary museum. Both of these are in former stores' spaces and a delight to visit and spend time. The RR club has a great display of all scales* of tracks and trains on hand and the museum is dedicated to preserving the history and memory of the Friend of Charleston, the first railroad engine to see service in South Carolina back in 1830.

*Scale is the reduced size relative to the original item being reproduced. The most common model railroad scale is HO. This is 1:87 in relation to the real thing. This scale is used by maybe 70% of model railroaders out there.

Other common and easy to find scales include N(1:160), O(1:48), G(1:24) and Z(1:220).

Clicking on the link above will take you to some pictures we took during our visit. You may view these as a slide show by clicking on the appropriate term on the left above the first picture.

Don't redefine rape - sign the petition

Hi,

I just heard about a horrible bill that could redefine rape and
set women's rights back by decades.

Here's the deal: Right now, federal dollars can't be used for abortion
except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger.
But the bill, introduced by Republican congressman Chris Smith, would
narrow that use to "cases of 'forcible' rape but not statutory or coerced
rape."

I personally believe that when a woman says "No" anything beyond that is rape.

As far too many women know, bruises and broken bones do not define rape -
a lack of consent does. This bill is scary - so I signed a petition
telling Congress to stand up and oppose the bill. Can you join me at this
link?

Thanks.


Archie