Congratulations to Fall Graduates!

The SWOSU Libraries want to congratulate all Fall graduates including our own student worker, Anthony Moore. We wish everyone a happy holiday break and travel safe!

Contest Winner: Curry Read

Congratulations to Curry Read, the winner of the Finals Resting Place contest! Curry's guess was only 5 rubberbands away from the actual number of rubberbands in the jar. As the winner of this contest, Curry received a wrapped Christmas present from Jack Skellington (aka the Library).

Tora Bora Revisited: How We Failed to Get Bin Laden.

Click on the blue title above to link to a report of the 111th Congress about the failure of the United States to find Bin Laden - and the consequences of that failure. This report is powerful and concise.

Finals Resting Place Begins Wednesday

It's that time of the year again where students must endure a nightmare before leaving for Christmas break. A nightmare called "finals!"

The Finals Resting Place is an annual activity during finals week where the library provides free refreshments, games and a contest to help students relax and take quality breaks while studying for finals in the library. This event runs from Wednesday, December 9th to Wednesday, December 16th.

The library will be open late for students on December 9, 10, 13, and 14. On these evenings, the library will remain open until midnight.

Refreshments will be offered on the evenings of December 9, 10, 13, 14, 15. Games will be available throughout the event.

The "Win a Christmas Gift" contest will begin on December 9th and a winner will be selected at noon on December 16th. A jar full of rubberbands will be placed at the circulation desk and contestants need only guess how many rubberbands are in the jar. Contest forms will be available at the desk. The winner will receive a wrapped Christmas gift from the Library.

Although the Library is making the study environment fun and festive, the Library does observe absolute quiet throughout the building during finals.

Climate Change Summit: Copenhagen 2009

Business Week Reports:

A deal at the climate conference would tip the balance toward renewables, and offer huge opportunities for companies ranging from Alstom to IBM.

When the delegates at the climate summit in Copenhagen need to call home, they can do so in style. Cisco Systems (CSCO) is outfitting four rooms in the city's Bella convention center with a giant-screen teleconferencing system, enabling officials to confer face to face with counterparts in 100 places around the world. The donation is not entirely altruistic. It's a demonstration of how

Cisco's products can substitute for business travel, slashing carbon emissions. Technologies such as these "have the power to transform how the world manages its energy and environmental challenges," says Laura K. Ipsen, Cisco's senior vice-president for global policy.

For the complete article go to Business Week

Remembering Pearl Harbor - December 7, 1941

To the Congress of the United States

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message.

While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost.

In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves.

The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Franklin Roosevelt

President's [Fitness] Challenge.

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2008, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-two states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; six of these states (Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.

It's never too late to get in shape. Click on the blue title above to link to the President's Challenge. Teachers can get free software to help track group achievement and also free certificates with a Presidential signature for their students.

Check out the rules for an active lifestyle and select an activity that you enjoy. Walking is one of the simplest and inexpensive means of exercise. Buy a pedometer and simply walk ast least 8,500 steps a day. (If you have children or grandchildren at home, this is pretty easy to accomplish.)

Also, if you have a goal chart on the wall at home, it will help you remember to exercise each day to get down to your desired weight or BMI.

Congress' Best (And Worst) Committee Web Sites

House Education and Labor Committee Tops Poll, Dead Last For Senate Armed Services. Experts Say More Coordination Is Needed.


Read the article from NationalJournal.com