Very interesting

By now you have probably heard the story about US troops distributing Bibles here in Afghanistan.

I’m not writing about the alleged incident, but I do want to demonstrate the difference in reporting styles among the media. Below is the first paragraph of two stories from two different media outlets; CNN and Al Jazeera. The different approach each outlet takes to the story is very interesting.

Keep in mind the video in question was shot more than a year ago.

Al Jazeera (Qatar), 5 May
The US military has confiscated Bibles that Christian US soldiers in Afghanistan had apparently intended to give to local Muslims, a military spokesman has said. Al Jazeera broadcast footage on Monday that showed troops apparently preparing to convert Afghans to their faith. Some of the soldiers who appeared in the video have also been reprimanded, US government and military officials told Al Jazeera's James Bays.

CNN (United States), 5 May
The U.S. military is denying that troops in Afghanistan have been attempting to convert Afghans to Christianity, countering video showing a chaplain delivering a sermon about religious conversion and Bibles printed in local languages.
The video was shown recently on the Qatar-based international television news service, Al Jazeera English.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock…

In exactly eight days I’ll pack my bags and head home for 18 glorious days of R&R. By the time I walk through the front door, I will have been away from my family for eight very long months. In retrospect, time has actually moved along pretty fast. So why is it that the days leading up to my trip home are moving so slowwwwwww!

I guess Einstein would say its all relative. To help pass some time, I’ve researched some timely quotes on the topic of… time. Here’s a few of my favorites.

Dost thou love life? Then waste not time; for time is the stuff that life is made of.

Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity!

No time like the present.

Whatever begins, also ends.

Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.

Time flies when you’re having fun… except in Afghanistan.

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. While most Americans were taking the day to thank Mom for all she has done over the past year, for me it was just an ordinary day. Not because the mother of my children is not here with me, but because I make a point to thank her every day for her efforts.

My wife is amazing! Singlehandedly, she has been holding down the fort while taking care of our two little ones. Cooking, cleaning, paying bills, disciplining, educating; she does it all and with a beautiful smile on her face.

And just when my wife thought my tour was over and help was on the way, she was the one who encouraged me to accept my general’s requested extension which will keep me here an additional four months. She did that because she knew it was in the best interest of my career and our family.

There are many words I can use to describe my wife; beautiful, loving, supportive, kind, committed, generous. I’ll just use three: My best friend!

Happy Mother’s Day!