Here's a local man who was awarded the Victoria Cross in WW1:

James MacKenzie VC (2 April 1889 - 19 December 1914) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

MacKenzie was born in New Abbey, Dumfries in 1889 and ( Read more... )

Another song for my collection of favourite songs, otherwise known as the Song Hall of Fame .. "L'Amour Est Bleu (Love Is Blue)" by Paul Mauriat ( Read more... )

From the BBC ( Read more... )

Ten years ago in my journal...

- Linda and I are house hunting (but we end up staying where we are).

- We attend the launch of HMS Portland in Scotstoun, on a Saturday in mid May. I got tickets because I worked there. We were late, actually, and missed the launch itself but stayed for some of the festivities. Afterwards, we go to the Glasgow ( Read more... )

Anti-Immigration and anti-Islamist parties did well in the recent European Parliamentary Elections... Including here in the UK where the British National Party (BNP) has won two seats. Hmmm ( Read more... )

NY Times says ( Read more... )

Nordic Countries:

Iceland’s top votes went to Denmark (12 pts), Norway (10 pts), France (not Nordic, but a good song, 8 pts), Finland (7 pts)

Denmark à  Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Sweden à Norway, Bosnia (?), Iceland, Finland

Norway à Denmark, Bosnia (?), Iceland, Sweden

Finland à Norway, Russia, Israel, Iceland

Former Soviets:

Georgia à  Armenia, ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

According to the AP, via Forbes:

As of Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at least 2,906 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,330 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

The ( Read more... )

From the Newport Daily News:

NEWPORT - D'Elayne Coleman came from Guisborough, Nova Scotia, to Newport on Monday to witness the beginning of excavation work around the Old Stone Mill, the first archaeological dig allowed at the site by the Newport City Council in almost 60 years.

Coleman, as president of the Prince Henry Sinclair Society of North ( Read more... )