Evil Ice, and Some Happier Thoughts

A few weeks ago I read a moving article about life in Iraq that centered on an industry very important in the absence of reliable electricity: ice-making. With no electricity to run air conditioners, those who can make and deliver ice are very popular...but not, sadly, with everyone. The writer interviewed a man who ran one of the last functioning ice-making plants in Baghdad, and the gentleman ran down the litany of problems he faced in keeping his plant running: the lack of spare parts, electricity, safety in which to deliver his wares, and so on. But his worst problem, and the one that had made him decide to close his business, was with a radical religious militia that bluntly ordered him to close or be killed. Their reason: ice is un-Islamic, because there was no ice in the time of the prophet Mohammed.

Sadly, I think this says a lot about prospects for Iraq's future, and for overall hopes for peace in the Middle East.

On a happier note, I'd like to call your attention to some of the entries in my Recommended Link List. There are tens of millions of blogs out there, and finding ones that are worth your time in reading isn't easy...but I can recommend these:

Captain Picard's Journal. If you are a Star Trek fan you'll enjoy this blog, which is written in the form of the private log of the captain of the starship Enterprise, with frequent guest entries by other characters. The recent documentation of Seven of Nine's experiment in dating with the hapless Reg Barclay is a classic.

It Is a Numeric Life. If you're into numbers, or even if you aren't, you will always find something interesting here to stimulate your thinking...or just provide you something you can use to make conversation at those boring cocktail parties.

Out of My Hat. As you know, I'm not a traditionally religious person, but this blog is worth reading for its presentation of religious thoughts in a pleasant and straightforward manner. And who couldn't like a person like John, who is a preacher...and a magician?

Rhumba Dervish. I enjoy ballroom dancing, and this blog documents the dancing adventures of some of our friends here in the local area. If you live in, or are visiting Northern Virginia, check it out for observations on dancing opportunities.

The Milk Bar. Amanda is a stay-at-home-mom in Indonesia whose cheerful blog on life, love and children is a joy to read.

Enjoy these blogs. I do.

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo