More ‘isms’ rearing their ugly heads

2 comments November 19th, 2008

“Socialism” was the word conservatives smeared around Obama during the presidential campaign.

Now that he’s been elected, today’s nasty “isms” are “protectionism” and “isolationism,” describing Obama shifting trade policies.

Me thinks less alarmism and more realism would foster more patriotism. Don’t you?

Mountainclimbing expert from Rockford advises Today’s Ann Curry

Add comment November 19th, 2008

Rockford native Ed Viesturs appeared on the “Today” show this morning to advise Ann Curry, the NBC reporter on assignment climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro. (NBC-released photo)

Curry is climbing the mountain as part of the morning show’s “Ends of the Earth” feature series to illustrate environmental stories.

Viesturs is the first American to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000 meter peaks and is a Rockford East High School graduate who lives in Seattle with his wife and children.

Curry and crew have been having physical ailments on their trek. “Sounds like acute mountain sickness,” Viesturs said.

“If, in the morning, any one of us has a headache or any symptoms, would it be prudent” for us to go on? Curry asked. “Definitely, you do not want to go up,” Viesturs said. “The best option would be to go down.”