Neal's Deal / Rager's Wager

Congratulations to Bro. Neal Rager who successfully completed his Masters in Business Administration just yesterday.

Neal said it was "quite exciting, especially in light of the fact that the last class fell on the same day as the final day of orientation and the conclusion of my 80+ hour work week."

What should Neal do with his free time now? Post your answers here.

I Ran, You Ran, We All Want Away From Iran

Iran on Tuesday handed over its reply to an incentives package by world powers aimed at allaying Western fears that Tehran seeks to build atomic bombs, Iran's state-run Arabic-language Al-Alam television reported.

Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, gave the response to foreign envoys representing the six co-sponsors of the package in Tehran.

Al-Alam gave no details of the reply which Iranian officials have already indicated is unlikely to address a key demand by the U.N. Security Council that it suspend uranium enrichment work by an August 31 deadline or face the threat of sanctions.

The world's 4th largest oil exporter insists it will not abandon what it calls its right to enrich uranium for use in nuclear power stations.

Refusing to suspend the work, which Iran says is aimed only at generating electricity but which the West sees as a disguised bid for atom bombs, would be tantamount to rejecting the package of incentives offered in return, Western diplomats say.

A rebuff would not yet trigger immediate action by the U.N. Security Council, which passed a resolution on July 31 giving Iran a month to halt enrichment or risk sanctions.

Big Question Of The Week:

a) What should the U.S. do short-term to deal with the Iranian situation?

b) What is the best long-term strategy for dealing with Iran?

This week's Big Question:
Seeing this past week's interrupted terrorist plots in the UK and US....
(a) do you think the American public over/underestimates the threat of terrorism in the U.S.?
(b) do you think we are winning the War on Terror?
(c) how concerned are you about terrorism inasmuch as it would/would not directly affect you and your family?

Can YOU Handle THIS?

I started afantasy football league on Yahoo for UU chops. The league name is UU Challenge, password: chops, and league ID is 216609. There are 10 or 12 spots so sinn up soon. There is a live draft the night of August the 15th. If you can not be online for the draft you can rank your players and the computer will draft for you. Come and play, talk some smack, and get dominated.

Robus
(rohnnyjobus@sbcglobal.net)
2006 UU Challenge Champion

Welcome to a new feature on your friendly neighborhood Brotherhood Blog: "The Big Q." The Big Q is an opportunity to interact on a current event or news story. So, to get started.....

Who do you predict as winners in Tennessee's primary elections this week?

Whitt to Wed Wonderful Woman; LawDawg Lands Lovely Lady

It's almost here - Paul Whitt will marry Courtney Brock on September 30, 2006 in South Carolina (Greenville/Clemson area). The couple is registered at Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond and Lowe's.

Political Pontificating or Purposeful and Personal?
Former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan offers a helpful critique and analysis of the demands on today's political leaders. Do you agree with Peggy? http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110008644.

Special Sneak Zeke Preview
Hey, some of you have already seen these pictures, but most of you haven't. For those who don't know, we are having a baby boy, Ezekiel Danley (Zeke), in October of this year. We had a 4-D ultrasound done a couple of weeks ago. These are a couple of the pictures from that. We hope you are all doing well. We're still looking to head to the mission field sometime next year. We'll keep you updated on that. God bless. Have a good day. Grace and Peace,
Dan and Tami Shackleford
(tamianddan@gmail.com)

Any advice for the soon-to-be parents? Post it here.

Blog Is Back
After a period of dormancy due to my job change and the activities related to the new job, the blog is back! Have some updates or news to share? Let me know...


Bringing Americans Back From Lebanon
No doubt you've been following the news about the crisis in Lebanon, particularly as it relates to thousands of Americans fleeing the violence to return home to the U.S. Well, my office is responsible for helping facilitate the provision of assistance to our returning fellow countrymen, so it has been an extremely (!) busy 2 weeks. Without going in to details in this venue, I can say it has been a great experience and a successful operation. Over 12,000 Americans haver returned safely home, coming in on over 60 flights at 4 airports in the Eastern U.S. Though in senior leadership, I am not "in charge" (error), but this piece will give you sense of things:
(http://washdateline.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=wsh&PackageID=46&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=8676&GroupID=181)

REPATRIATION PROGRAM FOR AMERICANS RETURNING FROM LEBANON
The Federal government’s repatriation program is run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program assists with the reception, temporary care and onward transportation of American citizens to their final destinations.

The U.S. Department of State first identifies individuals who are eligible for repatriation from abroad due to destitution, illness, war, threat of war or a similar crisis. The State Department is responsible for the transportation of such individuals to American soil. Once individuals arrive, ACF/ORR is responsible for working with state, local, and non-profit partners, such as the American Red Cross, to provide a host of services.

On July 19, ACF/ORR and its partners began serving repatriated Americans returning to the U.S. from Lebanon. Each repatriation site is staffed by several dozen staff and volunteers. The effort is designed to provide necessary services to eligible individuals after they clear Customs in the United States.

Services may include:

• Medical Care: Physicians, pharmacists, paramedics, counselors and nurses are on site to provide assistance to anyone in need;
• Temporary Lodging: Temporary accommodations are arranged and provided for those who lack the resources to pay for them and shuttle vans or buses are provided for travel to identified accommodation;
• Transportation: Individuals are assisted in booking flight and rail reservations to ensure they arrive at their final destinations safely and efficiently;
• Cash Payments: Individuals in need are provided small amounts of cash to meet shortfalls in paying for specific items;
• Other Goods and Services: Food, water, clothing, toiletries, communications and other products and services are provided as needed.

ACF, working with relevant states, has been serving individuals arriving from Lebanon into Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. On July 26, the U.S. Congress passed legislation raising the $1 million cap on repatriation funding to $6 million for fiscal year 2006. On July 27, the President signed this legislation into law.

What do YOU think about the violence in Lebanon and Israel? Be a talking head and share your opinion here.