The New World Trade Center

Bahrain is home to the new World Trade Center. It even includes twin towers.

"Bahrain World Trade Centre nearing completion

The state-of-the-art twin towers of the Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC) are nearing completion, the GDN reported. Construction work on the twin towers has been completed and, currently the fixing of the exterior curtain walling system is advancing.

Situated on the Manama seafront and rising 240 metres from the ground, the 50-storey office towers are part of a larger complex, which includes also a modern shopping mall."

President Bush's 2007 Farewell to Grandma Budget

This story is purely satire. The characters presented herein may appear real but they are unreal.

When questioned yesterday on his proposed $36 billion cuts to Medicare over the next five years, President Bush said "I know there are a lot of older Americans who are as concerned as I am about cutting the deficit. And…and…I know some of them are dying to help me succeed in cutting the deficit."

Using strategies proposed by his top adviser Karl Rove, Bush made his comments on the Medicare cuts at an Alzheimer's day care center. Approximately 50 people with Alzheimer's, and 50 faith-based volunteers, were present for the forum titled "Cutting the Deficit for Your Grandchildren." The President was interrupted numerous times by applause from the volunteers.

When asked by a family member of one of the day care center residents if he realized these cuts could lead to the early death of seniors the President said "I understand…Americans understand that we face hard choices. As President, I face many hard choices everyday. But, I know the American people are willing to make the sacrifices necessary for future generations to enjoy the freedoms we all enjoy today."

None of the seniors in the audience seemed fazed by the proposed cuts. Many were actually nodding their heads while staring at volunteers.

The President's budget represents a 10% reduction in Medicare spending. Ask about reductions in the amount of time seniors will be allowed to rent oxygen and power wheelchairs, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said "With less health care available the administration believes that older Americans will need these devices for a shorter period of time."

President Bush ended his remarks by stating that he lost his grandparents too. But, with the love and support of his family and his church he remembers them fondly.

Religious Fury

Muslims around the world are raging against cartoon characterizations of the Prophet Muhammed.

Using illustrations of Christ, Muhammed, Buddha, or any other religious figure is risky business.

I remember a few years back using the image of Christ in a wheelchair as the cover for handout materials I used doing a presentation for the Anchorage Archdiocese. There were probably about 50 leaders in the Catholic Church present.

Upon first seeing the image of Christ there was a collective gasp in the room. The tension became so thick you could cut it with an knife. Now, I have to admit that the whole purpose of depicting Christ in a wheelchair was to get their attention. Sometimes, the shock factor is all we have working for us.

The presentation turned magical when one of the lay leaders with a disability read from a passage in the Bible. I was able to use the passage to illustrate that Christ was totally accepting of people with disabilities and only cured them to satisfy the scribe's need for sensationalizing.

By the end of the day, the depiction of Christ in a wheelchair was a poignant part of the overall context and the original appalling looks melted into understanding and acceptance.