I am pleased to be able to post this update to my family's request for information about missing relatives due to Hurricane Katrina.

Bless you Michelle in Texas for calling me, not once but twice, to make sure I received the message my family in Ocean Springs was fine. Amidst all this tragedy there are good people who go the extra mile to help someone else. I hope you find your loved ones soon. Thanks to your message I was able to help Linda's family in England via e-mail.

Many Thanks,

Carol in Florida

My mother asked me to post the following in the hope we may reconnect with missing family who live in the areas effected by Hurricane Katrina. UPDATE

I am looking for my family in Ocean Springs and Biloxi, Mississippi. In Ocean Springs, Frieda and Bill Orsi on Audrey Circle and cousins Dan and Linda Richard on Woodland Circle. In Biloxi, cousin Suzanne Palfreyman on McDonnell.

I ask that they or anyone with news or information about their status contact me either by telephone (407.766.2058) or e-mail (carolATmtsutro.com). Also, if you have been in either of these two areas, I would appreciate an e-mail to let me know the condition.

Thank You,

Carol Nichelson

I have submitted this request to Craig's List: New Orleans Lost and Found (post) and The New Orleans Times-Picayune Missing Persons Forum (post). Please feel free to link to this entry or reproduce it on any additional mediums that may increase visibility.

I would additionally like to add that I will be donating goods during a local collection campaign tomorrow and encourage you to do the same in your area. And if you have the means, the American Red Cross could use your financial support.

I was quite pleased with an interview I heard during Morning Edition today. Discussed was Timothy Naftali's newest book, Blind Spot: The Secret History of American Counterterrorism, a comprehensive look at how the United States' position on counterterrorism tactics have dramatically changed in the last fifty years.

Of particular note was the fact that hijacking used to be taken as a mere inconvenience. Many hijackers of passenger aircraft would instruct the flight crew to take them to Havana, Cuba. This happened so often in fact, pilots who frequented the southeastern United States had maps of José Martí International Airport on-board just in case.

Additionally, the Swiss government — the United States' representative in Cuba — had a standardized pre-filled form prepared that only needed the flight number and date entered which formally requested the return of the airplane, passengers and crew.

And finally my favourite bit, the Cuban government decided to profit from the regular dispatch of hijacked Americans and started giving out Cuban sandwiches. Billed, of course, to the United States Department of State at thirty dollars a piece.

You can listen to the story at npr.org.

Part of life here in Orlando includes the once-regular Space Shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral and the frequent Delta Rocket launches. Having the gateway to space as your next-door neighbour is one of the few positive attributes of living in this area.

And now that two and a half years have passed since the last Space Shuttle launch, I share with NASA the enthusiasm of returning the Shuttle fleet to space. As such, I am going to drive to the coast to watch mission STS-114 get off the ground. Now while the view from my front yard is spectacular, nothing compares to sitting on the gravel beach of the Banana River directly across from the launch complex. The initial flash of light at ignition and the delayed rumbling make the experience one you not only see, but feel.

Dean Acosta/Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1898/4769)

Michael J. Rein
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

June 30, 2005

RELEASE: 05-171

NASA Gives Go for Space Shuttle Return to Flight

NASA has cleared the Space Shuttle to Return to Flight. After a two-day Flight Readiness Review meeting at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, senior managers approved a July 13 launch date for Discovery.

Commander Eileen Collins and her crew are scheduled to lift off at 3:51 p.m. EDT on the first U.S. space flight since the February 2003 loss of the Shuttle Columbia.

"After a vigorous, healthy discussion our team has come to a decision: we're ready to go," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said after the meeting. "The past two and half years have resulted in significant improvements that have greatly reduced the risk of flying the Shuttle. But we should never lose sight of the fact that space flight is risky.

"The Discovery mission, designated STS-114, is a test flight," Griffin said, noting that astronauts will try out a host of new Space Shuttle safety enhancements. In addition, Discovery will carry 15 tons of supplies and replacement hardware to the International Space Station. July 13 is the beginning of three weeks of possible launch days that run through July 31.

NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Readdy, chaired the Flight Readiness Review, the meeting that traditionally sets launch dates and assesses the Shuttle's fitness to fly.

"Today's decision is an important milestone in returning the Shuttle to service for the country. Our technical and engineering teams are continuing their in-depth preparations to ensure that Eileen and her crew have a successful mission," he said.

The folks over at Best Gay Blogs, a site that accepts submissions for the people's choice of the best gay-authored weblogs and content, have selected Mount Sutro for the News category. Hello to you readers from Best Gay Blogs!

I must admit surprise over the selection considering that Mount Sutro does not focus on gay-themed news and politics, though it does come up from time to time. The article that caught their eye as the dealmaker was my discussion over the controversy surrounding the children's music video featuring cartoon characters — including SpongeBob SquarePants and his sidekick best friend Patrick — and the song "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge.

The Focus on the Family group, founded by James Dobson for the purpose of acting out against actions and opinions they feel are opposite their conservative and religious beliefs, was very vocal about this video stating it was another plot by the "homosexual agenda" at placing pro-gay propaganda in public schools.

After reposting the original BBC article on the subject, I went on to discuss the gay rights movement versus those in opposition, comparing and contrasting other civil right actions in history. A lively conversation came forth in the comments, as well.

It is an article I am quite proud of and am happy to have it recognized.

And just yesterday, I was called "the media." I wonder what is in store for tomorrow.

Note: some of the Best Gay Blogs site's content and advertisements are for adults only. Browse with caution.