THE THREESOME WORRY Older newspaper reporters used to affirm that trouble, moires of cares, concerns and worry occurred in the news always in sets of three. We've had all three today, it appears.
During the night Israel continued to return cannon fire in reply to repeated Hezbollah rocket attacks in Haifa and other areas. Israeli troops crossed over the border to zero in closer on rocket firing sites inside Lebanon.
That could only be heard as proof that the war is being extended - strange warfare, too, between an existing nation and a terrorist group well armed, well financed, supplied by nearby nations. My big worry asks what has become of the true government of Lebanon? It is being said that it sill "exists", but we shall have to accept someone's word for that, I suppose because our chief concern ought to be wondering how a national government can fall into dis-use so fast
How stable is our own?
The second bad news item in July 19, 2006 papers had little or nothing to do with the war. .It concerned a sea
adventure in a unusual manner. The unusual circumstance happened to a large, ocean-going cruise ship - one of the newer "High Rise" models which seem to be getting taller with each one the shipyards turn out. Drafting table artists point the way to more assured profits by penciling in another deck of the new ship being gussied-up in the nearby dry dock..
This particular cruise ship moving along Amphibian waters came in contact "with a severe underwater current " 'we are told which caused it list suddenly at a thirty-degree angle. Try putting your feet in line toe-to-heel and the suddenly lean at about one third of the way. Unless you shifted base with feet quickly, you can get up off the floor and tell me about it.
Only one woman passenger was injuries, we are told, but the ship took on enough water from lower ports and other openings to merit a prompt return to its home port.
All of this suggests we might find it wise to be a bit more careful just whom we allow to design those whom we allow to design the ships in which we are sail.
Now, back to third sad story of the day. We woke up to be told we have twenty-five thousand American citizens "stranded" in Lebanon (a figure which came down somewhat during various tellings during the day) who have, it appears, made little or no efforts of their own to leave because they seem to feel it is the duty of the U.S. State Department to ferry them all home. I was disturbed to find that many remaining. I was even more disturbed by the foul mood so many of them are in seemingly expectant without slowing any appreciation. Not all, mind you, but too many.
State has leased a Greek cruise ship (a smaller, older model) to take some to Cyprus resort hotel living for a while.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-19-06 [c520wds]
