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Miss Universe Outcome: An Unusual Pattern of Correlations (VIDEO)

Strange coincidences parallel world history.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Maybe I am a little slow at the draw here, but strange ironies and coincidences in this week's contest for the most appreciated woman in the world.

First, there is the strange correlation with our nation's serious military dilemma in Iraq, and the Miss USA competitor's inability to stay on their feet. The Iraq War is called by many red blooded Americans nothing but "a repeat of Vietnam" because like the war in SE Asia, it seems fairly unwinnable and a draw at best.

Lies and Fabrications are Behind the Drive to Attack Iran

Iran has not invaded another country in 300 years.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Talk is cheap, and most people who talk loud and cheap about attacking Iran probably believe they will never have to deal with the violence suggested by such an act. Perhaps some deep thought should be given to this subject, because an attack on Iran would likely be the beginning of the last of the world wars.

The people pushing for this type of military, national suicide are the Lieberman's and the Bush's and the Limbaugh's and others who only profit from war, destruction and fear. If Israel or the United States attacks Iran, then World War III will be on and it is hard to predict how many countries will be on the side of the attackers.

It seems possible that America or Israel could be as bad as any other nation in history in its quest for needless blood and unwarranted destruction. The only thing Iran has done is lay plans for nuclear power plants.

Nine Americans Killed Fighting Along Afghanistan`s Border with Pakistan

This is the heaviest, single loss for Americans fighting in Afghanistan. Although no final assessment has been made, it is believed insurgents suffered heavy casualties during several hours of fighting.

(KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan) - Nine American Army soldiers were killed in Afghanistan this weekend during fighting with anti-Coalition forces along the country's eastern border with Pakistan.

Salem-News.com reported in early 2007 that these bases were constantly in peril from attacks originating in Pakistan- a country allegedly an ally according to the Bush Administration, but oddly the place where the Taliban is actually from. See a number of video reports below that show the relationship between these deadly attacks and their proximity to the Pakistan border.

Western Heavy Rain, Dry Lightning Risk (VIDEO)

Prolonged exposure to the extreme heat could result in potentially deadly heat stroke or dangerous heat exhaustion.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Forecasters at AccuWeather.com, say they are monitoring two areas of thunderstorms across the West over the next day or two that have potential to create new wildfires over California. Temperatures in the central valley and the high desert today will soar above 110 degrees, with highs in the 80s and 90s spreading east to the western Plains and north into western Canada.

Storms associated with the Southwest monsoon will bring drenching rainfall to portions of New Mexico and Arizona through Thursday. The rainfall will be enhanced by a southeasterly flow off the Gulf of Mexico. Where thunderstorms are persistent and slow-moving, flash flooding can occur.

While some of this moisture will not make it over the Sierra Madre Oriental, there is copious moisture flowing from this direction, as evidenced by the very heavy rainfall in recent days across South Texas and eastern Mexico.

Weather Experts Predict Extreme Heat Danger in Western States

More than 1,700 fires have scorched nearly 1,000 square miles of California in the past two weeks. More than 300 of those fires are not fully contained.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - The extreme heat building through the West could reverse gains made by firefighters battling dozens of wildfires in California, AccuWeather.com forecasters say. Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect again today across many areas of California.

Temperatures in the central valley and the high desert will soar above 100 degrees, with the heat spreading north and east into western Canada and the western High Plains.

It has been three and a half weeks since an unprecedented number of lightning strikes sparked over 1,700 fires across northern and central California.

Willamina Residents Say Officials Refuse to Help Abandoned Dogs (UPDATE)

Tied on short, kinked chains for weeks on end with no food or water, the dogs appeared to be in misery.

(WILLAMINA, Ore.) - Residents in a Willamina neighborhood say dogs abandoned for over a month in the front yard of a run down rental, are in poor health, living without regular food and water, and in need of intervention.

Lee and Paulette Grant say law enforcement officials in this rural community at the base of the coastal mountains, haven’t helped these animals so far, and they are at their wits end.

“They have been out here in 100 degree weather,” Paulette Grant said. She and her husband Lee, along with other neighbors here on First Street in Willamina, say it is heartbreaking and they feel there are few choices anyone can make to avoid what they see as a clear case of animal abandonment.

Rescue of Ingrid Betancourt From FARC May be Among Most Daring in History

Independence day has its own reality for several people freed last week from Colombian guerrillas.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Sometimes life is as awesome as it is tragic, and that is no easy competition in this day and age. Last week's surprise rescue of Ingrid Betancourt from FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, shows that even a highly remote long-shot can be reality and that people are brave, very brave, in their willingness to help an innocent person regain their freedom.

Betancourt is a 46-year old French-Colombian politician, former senator and anti-corruption activist, who was kidnapped by the FARC on February 23rd 2002 while campaigning for the presidency.

FARC has held several hundred people hostage over the years, as bargaining chips for their political maneuvering.

Long, Hard Job Ahead for Wildland Firefighters in California

National Guard forces are working with firefighters in an effort to bring the hundreds of early season fires to a close in this dry state.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Dry and hot weather conditions across central and northern California are increasing the difficulty for firefighters. They continue to battle hundreds of wildfires sparked by dry lightning and thunderstorms two weeks ago. So far, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports hundreds of fires have been contained, but hundreds of other fires continue to burn and they now threaten a number of communities.

Accuweather.com forecasters report that the fire in Santa Barbara County is threatening as many as 200 homes in Goleta. Farther to the north, the Big Sur fire has scorched more than 60,000 acres, and it is only 3 percent contained at this point. Among the communities and homes threatened by the wildfires, is the historic town of Big Sur and the town of Lucia. The Associated Press reports that authorities ordered the remaining residents of the communities to leave after the out-of-control wildfire jumped a fire line and threatened more homes Wednesday.

Medical Marijuana Questions Answered by Salem-News.com`s Dr. Phil Leveque (VIDEO)

This is the 21st installment of Salem-News.com's special video series on medical marijuana.

(SALEM. Ore.) - In our latest medical marijuana question and answer video, Dr. Phil Leveque and Bonnie King go over a number of questions sent to us by our viewers about the legal ins and outs of medical marijuana in Oregon as well as other states.

This is the 21st edition of this special series; and it is the only service of this type available in the world. Dr. Phil Leveque is a physician, toxicologist and pharmacologist, and his experience with this subject is almost unrivaled.

Anyone with questions about what is legal and what is not legal in regard to medical marijuana, is encouraged to write to us at the email address listed below. We will do our best to answer your questions through a video segment, or through email.

Fires Flare as Smoke Spreads From California Wildfires to Oregon and Nevada

The National Weather Service reports that wildland fire activity was reported with six new large fires nationally, but California remains the most active state with 27 large fires and 409,046 acres burned.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that over 1,450 fires in California have scorched more than 416,200 acres as of early this morning. AccuWeather.com forecasters say smoky conditions will continue to affect central and northern California as well as western Nevada and southern Oregon.

Red Bluff, California, Reno, Nevada and Medford, Oregon, all reported lowered visibility due to the smoke being spread by a south-southwest steering flow on Monday. The smoke will continue to cause poor air quality and poor breathing conditions, even for healthy adults, through the week.