Asleep at the wheel

It was 10 years ago today that President George W. Bush was handed a morning security briefing titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US." Bill Clinton's transition team later reported that the Bush Administration never seemed too concerned about terrorism, and 36 days after that aptly titled briefing, four planes were hijacked and, well, we all know the rest.

Bush managed to deflect most of the criticism on this issue, but can you imagine if Al Gore was in the White House when 9/11 happened? I am positive that he would have been impeached by Republicans in Congress.

Haitian earthquake relief

NPR is reporting that the American Red Cross is running out of supplies in Haiti, the site of a devastating earthquake yesterday that may have killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands in desperate straits.

The Red Cross has pledged a million dollars to the relief effort. To donate to the Red Cross, go to the organization's web site. You can also quickly donate $10 to the agency by texting "HAITI" to 90999. The program is sponsored by the US State Department and the charge goes onto your cell phone bill.

The New York Times has a list of reputable organizations that you can donate too here.

Incredibly stupid

An 8-year-old was killed yesterday in western Massachusetts when he lost control of the Uzi he was firing. That's right, a little boy accidentally shot himself...with a machine gun. It was the Great New England Pumpkin Shoot at the Westfield Sportsman's Club, and apparently an Uzi is the preferred weapon for putting down large stationary gourds.