W_L

The Israelis probably have no choice other than siding with a more moderate faction within Egypt or keeping both sides well supplied for a long drawn out civil war that will weaken Egypt. If Mubarak can't keep in control, the Israel's will have to act in one way or another. Supporting a leader, who can't stay in power isn't a good idea and everyone from the US foreign affair analysts to the Japanese Prime Minister to the heads of World Economic forum think Mubarak has a small chance in hell of coming back to his old power. No matter how this turns out, the entire middle east will be affected. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, UAE, and the other nations will face a challenge of epic proportions. It's happened in history before when the poor hungry peasants of France began a small demonstration for more food from their king; thing started going bad after they start taking government buildings and eventually beheading their king. Revolution does not begin in a vacuum; it begins with good intentions gradually growing into dangerous patterns. On the other side of the world, another nation has done something interesting that could prove to be another issue coming. China's silencing of Egypt, a sign of fear If what we are talking about is growing as large as the French Revolution, this could get ugly fast.

These developments are very interesting. News of civil unrest is not uncommon, but the most interesting thing is that these demonstrations have started a life of their own in our modern information age. The Iranian protest were quelled by the government, but the Egyptian protest have a little more going for them. Barricades are forming and citizens have taken up arms, including stripping the police stations of guns. Of course a few handguns, rifles, and knives will not be able to counter a modern army, but in principle, the Egyptian population have won. Also, I am betting Mossad will be more than overjoyed to supply arms to the embattled population, including more powerful munitions and support, I doubt the Israeli intelligence agency would not take this opportunity to eliminate one of their neighboring threats.

This might get political once I post this news article on here, but I think people have been civil enough on this topic. I feel that the argument of privacy is very relevant to an issue in current events: Shutting Down the Internet Privacy concerns and fears of revolution brewing in their nation forced Egypt to turn off its internet as many of you have heard. In the US, we also have that idea floating around, proposed by Democrats and Republicans alike. Let's take another look at what privacy means in context, it means the right to silence opposition without a single shot fired, it means rule by dictatorship without any formal recognition, and it means that every voice is silenced without appeal. That is the ultimate cost of privacy and the ultimate result is a closed society. While many voted on this topic out of fear of losing internet privacy from news stories and popular fears, 80 million people have gotten "privacy", but at what cost to them and their nation? It is the limitations on the social networking sites that we should fear, not their openness and ease of use. It is that openness that has kept governments more honest and, despite my loathing for them, it is the reason why populist groups in the US have gained so much power. Most people know I dislike the Tea Party movement as I am a classical conservative, but despite my political leanings, I would rather fight these groups in open debate than to eliminate them with a switch. Here is the hidden threat despite your reservations about social networking sites, if we defend the notion of privacy to its very core, then what is truly being defended is despotism. You might think, national matters don't really apply to how I live my life and how I keep my secrets. Let's take a few steps: first let's remove the insurers and companies from viewing your profile legally. People cheer and politicians get political points. Then, let's say some kid gets killed by facebook teasing or something, okay make a law to allow banning of certain people from Facebook due to concerns for harassment. Sound great so far, right. After that a person complains that facebook and twitter are helping people to organize in violent mobs, okay let's make a law against organizing through facebook and twitter as it is not a 1st amendment right to do that online and it would reduce liability for the two organizations. Each step of the way, people see nothing but good in their wake. However, look closer. removing insurers and marketers are great, but what about companies that recruit through sites as well. Not bad loss, right. Then Banning harmful people from Facebook sounds great, but the rules of banning people means any kind of offense could be used. No problem if a few people are banned incorrectly, right. Finally, you stop people from organizing in violent mobs,it sounds great in theory, but look deeper. Phonebooks are no longer useful in many areas as the internet has replaced the old phone tree system of organizing events. Without the ability to organize, many non-profits, business, educational, and civic events cannot occur. What you end up with is a society in lock down, not unlike that of Egypt. It doesn't take much fear to create disaster.

...... In life as there is in fiction, we have blocks in our way. Mine right now is two pronged: 1. What do I do with my career as it is? 2. What should I do about my romantic life? I've been working and volunteering my time, but I realized now that I was just pushing my mind off those issues. Yes, I am reasonably successful with a good job, but I can see the clouds forming, Health centers even those managed through private firms like mine without a change in their business models will die out within a decade. It is simple as that. I can work in any other health business without issue, but being the one to choose who gets funded and who doesn't is not as fun as it sounds. I had some tough choices, like adjusting funds after a shortfall from collections for diabetes or AIIDS testing and treatment. I feel guilty that I sided with AIDS, but it is those judgment calls that accounting and finance does in any health business. These seem like small minutia choices, but each dollar means lives saved or destroyed. Less money in one area means less testing and less supplies of drugs. There's a cost benefit reality with how things work in the real world, the doctors know it and so does the finance departments. As for my romantic life, I really don't have much of one. After my last failed relationship, I am now back in the old game of cat and mouse without success. It feels like I have a hole in my heart; at times, I wish I had someone to console with and someone to give me that tender shoulder to cry on. Someone I can talk with and someone, who can tell me, you did the right thing. I don't and all I have is my conscience.

Probably, Sean Rule, for the 1st timeline, from dkstories's Do Over series, because I love scientific guys with a rich story, but may not be as well featured as some of the other main characters..

Reflections on not being sad By WL I am not really sad. How can I be sad? I am usually at the front of everything pushing on without rest. There is nothing to be sad about. Yeah, it must be the weather or something. It's really cloudy outside; I want to crawl up into bed again. Just sleep away my day and hope tomorrow will be better. I mean why does anyone have to do anything at all? There is no meaning in the actions like going out to a mall with friends, when you don't buy a

Just a moment in my thoughts

Just Business By WL Matthew walked into the locker room with his baseball uniform covered in what "looked like" dirt. He was the splitting figure of what all men craved to be with the best features that money could buy. Brett was not far behind him; he was slightly shorter and less muscled. His more compact muscular appearance was no less charming than the well muscled God in front of him. His eyes were fixated on the perfectly round ass cheeks of Matthew, who suddenly tu

Contemporary fiction short story, it's sad and for some hopefully an eye opener. Dialogue heavy with moderate language and scenes not for the weak of heart.

What to Write? By WL Characters: Mind, a voice of reason Heart, a voice of emotion Play: Mind: Let's start a story Heart: Love story, vengeance story, sex story, or all the above. I want extra sex scenes in this new story. Mind: You always want more sex scenes, if it were up to you, then all I will be writing is pornography. Heart: There is nothing wrong with that. It makes me feel good. Mind: It makes me gag at how everything

Existentialist vignette play

Curiosity Killed the Cat By WL You have all heard what happened to the tortoise and the hare? The hare was so arrogant that he messed up the race by sleeping a few steps from the finish line and the tortoise out of share patience and humility won the race. A great parable and children's fable to teach people to be very humble despite overwhelming odds. That is not what happened, though. My name is Alfred ‘Schrodinger' Cat and Harry Harris Hare, the famous hare

A short little "what if" fable on the tortoise and the hare.

Home is in the Heart (Part One) By WL The spectacle of the old American West is one filled with greed and despair. Across the vast stretches of prairies and open fields, there were many men, women, and even children seeking out their own claims to fame, fortune, and a new life. The Northeastern cities and towns were filled by immigrant factory workers and low standards of living. The South had been ravaged by a half decade long war and suppressed by rabid Reconstruction Republican sta

A new type of Western Story, very well researched, and perhaps a new genre away from the gay cowboy dynamic.

Examinations and Executions Chapter 2 By WL (One month after the events of Better to Reign in Hell) The first strike had frightened and elated some, but it was nothing in comparison to what must be achieved. Mark and Jodi needed to analyze their own patterns and figure out any missteps that they made along the way. Even with a presidential pardon, it is best not use such a favor during the term of the sitting president due to both public outcry and realistic ramifications f

hapter 1 Better to Reign in Hell... By WL The scene could not be more perfect with the amazing views of a wide open vineyard and a large Spanish influenced home right in the center. Mark Buchannan-Breckenridge was the happiest gay man that anyone would envy. He had made large amounts of money from savvy investments without lying or cheating like his Wall Street friends. He had a nice family owned home that was beautiful and amazing to the eyes. Above all else, he had a wond

Imagine having the perfect life as gay man, you have a partner since you were a kid that loves only you. You are both married and have son. Your old father has finally come around to accepting your sexuality. You are rich through sheer intelligence and good business skills. The perfect life.... Then, the world begins to hit you, how far will you go to get revenge?

Lines in the Sand- Part 5 By W.L Egypt was merely a stone throws away, but there remained one major obstacle to Alexander's conquest and dominance of the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza. The fortress was situated in the lands of Canaan, a tributary state of the Persian Empire. After their departure from Egypt, the descendants of Lot had grown as a semi-independent regional power with trade networks that extended from the Pillars of Hercules to the Straits of Bosporus. The conquest of Egypt by

Rules of Engagement (Part four) By WL After the Battle of Issus, Darius had to retreat to his capital in the ancient lands that were once known as Ur. The Persian army had been dealt a serious defeat by the well-trained cavalry forces of Alexander and Hephestion. A day after the battle, Alexander's scouting cavalry captured several family members of King Darius including his pregnant wife, the Queen of Persia. Alexander and Hephestion wished to inspect them together and they h

Words and Actions (Part three) By WL Thebes had been laid to waste. Olympia was correct the remaining rebel Greek cities surrendered after Alexander's army destroyed his favorite city. Fear of destruction had persuaded most of the leadership to join Alexander's push towards the east, but two men stood in his way. Demosthenes, the great oratory leader of Athens, denounced Alexander at every turn and engagement. He personally led the remaining anti-Macedonians contingent in Athens and h

Struggle, Death, and Rebirth (Part two) By WL Alexander had taken his role as King of Macedon, but he would need more than just his own kingdom in order to create an empire beyond the wildest dreams of mankind for ages to come. Hephestion was the only person that Alexander could share his vision with; no one from his mother Myrtle to his closest courtiers knew the extent of his vision to unite mankind. The first true test and road block to his dream of uniting mankind was Per

Olympian Deeds (Part one) By WL What defines Greatness? Is it a word of size and Grandeur? Or could it be a far Greater and Grander? As centuries past, the lovers would again meet. In the old lands of Dorias, there was a mighty kingdom called Macedon. Its king Philip II was a warrior of the highest value and highest foresight. An unlikely candidate for the supreme leader of Greece; he was exchanged as the captive son of the Macedonian king to the city state of Thebes as

Age of Innocence By WL (Dedicated to Lord Byron) As Ages have gone, and lovers hath held From the simplicity of Crete, we leave for new land Oh great isle, where romance was compelled Will their true love survive the dark journey at hand? In the Centuries passing, Crete developed into the center of a new trade network between many of the mainland Greek cities, which had rebuilt and prospered through the old Egyptian trade routes that are now controlled by Persia.

Simple and Simplicity What is a Dark Age? There have been many things people call dark ages throughout human history, but can anyone explain this concept. No one truly understands the concept, because they have the perception of ignorance and primeval dread whenever the word is used. After the Dorias, later known as the Dorian, completed their campaign along with allies throughout the Aegean; the old ways of civilization were shattered. Assyria rose to prominence in the region of