Apocalypse Later: Well, we all made it through the “Rapture” promised by a certain Harold Camping last Saturday. Unfortunately, that puts Camping, who also promised that the end of the world was coming back in 1994, in a bit of an uncomfortable situation. The Family Radio evangelist has been promising for months that the end would be nigh come May 21. After that particular Saturday proved to be no more Apocalyptic than any other (In fact, it was actually a pretty nice day.), Camping laid low for a few days and then announced that the end of the world was still coming, this time on October 21, 2011. The man certainly sticks to his guns, but he may finally have cried wolf one too many times.
Footing the Bill: It’s one thing to overthrow a regime. It’s another thing entirely to put a new one in its place. Egypt and Tunisia, their old dictators freshly removed, are realizing that now as they try to create new democratic governments to replace the old guard. Fortunately for them, according to Bloomberg News, The World Bank will loan up to six billion dollars to the two countries over the next two years to help them stabilize their economy. This money would come on top of two billion dollars in aid proposed by President Obama, one billion dollars in loans and the cancellation of a third of what Egypt owes the United States, about one billion. It’s easy to support a revolution with nice, cheap words, but it takes money and action to see it through. It’s good to see that all those promises months ago have something to back them up.
Cash for a Disaster: According to The Tuscaloosa News, The Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund has raised over $1.3 million after tornadoes blew through Alabama on April 27. The fund was set up a day after the storms went through Tuscaloosa in order to accept donations towards helping the city recover. Donations have come in from around the world in increments ranging from a few bucks to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Donny Jones, development director for the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, said that the fund could hit $1.6 million by week’s end based on pledges made. None of the money has been spent as of writing, but it will eventually be given out to various non-profit groups around Tuscaloosa who are helping with recovery efforts.
Party Pooped: The dust is finally settling in Gulf Shores after The Hangout Music Festival drew to a close last weekend. According to the Mobile Press-Register, 189 festival goers were arrested over the weekend, most in crimes related to drugs and alcohol. Nearly 35,000 people attended the
three day festival, making The Hangout itself fairly successful. Gulf
Shore locals, however, weren’t all delighted to have thousands of
partying people crowding their beaches. Don Stafford, owner of Ribs
& Reds, a local restaurant, told the Press-Register, “It
seemed to be a lot of people in town that don’t particularly care about
anybody else.” Music festivals are certainly a rip-roaring good time for
those in attendance, but it’s just a shame when people abuse the town
that was good enough to host them.
coach purses
