Police in Baghdad Iraq had begun stopping drivers of black, blue, or dark gray BMWs after intelligence reports have indicated that insurgents in that country are using those automobiles in drive by shootings, kidnappings, and other attacks. Authorities recently set up roadblocks around the capital and pulled over hundreds of drivers to check their documents. Many drivers had their vehicles impounded.

BMWs were hard to get under the regime of Sadaam Hussein, but they have become much cheaper and more accessible since the US led invasion of Iraq. Mohammed Sulaibi who drives for a news agency said, "It's crazy, they're stopping everyone. Everyone in Iraq has a BMW."

Police authorities say they will continue to stop and impound the vehicles until the security threat is lifted. They confirmed they are targeting dark-colored BMWs.Sulaibi recognizes the risk to his own BMW. He says, "They're fast, they're comfortable and the air-conditioning is pretty good. But if they pull me over again, I may have to get rid of mine."

—Reuters, BMW Drivers Have Wrong Set of Wheels for Baghdad, October 7, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

A dating website that claims it only allows “beautiful people” to join says Britons are among the ugliest people in the world. Fewer than one in eight British men and just three in 20 women who have applied to BeautifulReople.com have been accepted according to a statement from the website. Though founded in 2002, the site went live around the world in 2009. Since then, the site has rejected nearly 1.8 million people from 190 countries, and admitted only 360,000 new members.

The way the websites accepts members is simple. A potential member applies by submitting a brief profile and a picture. Over the next 48 hours, the existing membership, from the opposite sex, vote on whether or not to admit that person. Managing Director Greg Hodge says so far, Swedish men had been most successful, while Norwegian women are considered the most beautiful. Hodge said Russian and Polish applicants fared worse than British men, but Russian women often did better. Regarding the problem with British applicants Hodge said, “I would say Britain is stumbling because they don’t spend as much time polishing up their appearance and they are letting themselves down on physical fitness. Next to Brazilian and Scandinavian beauties, British people just aren’t toned or glamorous.”

--And the ugliest people are…, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/relationships/6542263/British-people-among-worlds-ugliest-according-to-BeautifulPeople.com.html; November 11, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Samuel 16:7 (GW) “But the Lord told Samuel, ‘Don't look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.’”

APPEARANCE

Botox has come into vogue as the premier method of reducing the signs of aging in women. However, a recent study shows that along with paralyzing the facial muscles and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, Botox may also reduce the ability of a person to relate emotionally to other people. Scientists have discovered a link between facial expressions and the perception of emotion. A person who can no longer make facial expressions may have an impaired ability to empathize. All of this comes because of an effort to reverse the natural sign of aging which is a purely cosmetic and vain effort.

Aging and death are the natural enemies of man. There is only one solution to the end of life, and that is Christ.

--Forbes-http://blogs.forbes.com/marcbabej/2011/04/23/botox-may-deaden-ability-to-empathize-new-study-says/ Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Miguel Martinez

1 Corinthians 15:54-57(NASB) 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

--Candidate’s looks matter for less-informed voters, http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/exclusive/candidate-looks-matter-less-informed-voters-133346843.html ; July 19, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

1 Samuel 16:7 (CEV) But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."

A growing fear of the number 39 is sabotaging the booming car industry in Afghanistan. Residents believe the number is associated with a criminal in nearby Iran who reportedly had a flashy car with 39 in its license number. The sudden aversion to the number has owners of vehicles with license numbers containing the number “39” being mocked and taunted across Kabul. Because of the connection with criminal activity, anything with that number is now a mark of shame. Officials at the traffic department are now issuing plates with a new series starting with 39. The department offers to change plates, but they charge $200 to $500 to change plates to something less offensive.

Automobile dealers say thousands of dollars of stock is sitting in their yards now. Though the vehicles are in good condition, they are unsalable if the plates bear the hated numerals.

Mohammad Jawed bought a used Toyota for $10,000 a few months ago. Now he regrets the decision. Jawed said, “No one wants to buy this car anymore, even though I would sell it now for $6,000 now.”

--Coincidence or Greed “39?”, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110615/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_afghanistan_number_1 ; June 15, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Galatians 3:13 (CEV) But Christ rescued us from the Law's curse, when he became a curse in our place. This is because the Scriptures say that anyone who is nailed to a tree is under a curse.