With Hamas telling tales of deprivation and suffering in Gaza, Egyptian journalist Ashraf Abu al-Houl has added his report to others who were surprised to discover a “prosperous” Gaza in which prices are low and luxury businesses are booming. Al-Houl's story of his trip to Gaza and his realization that “in actual terms, Gaza is not under siege” was written up in the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

"A sense of absolute prosperity prevails, as manifested by the grand resorts along and near Gaza's coast. Further, the site of the merchandise and luxuries filling the Gaza shops amazed me,” he reported.

Concerned that his initial impression of prosperity may have been misleading, “I toured the new resorts, most of which are quite grand, as well as the commercial markets, to verify my hypothesis. The resorts and markets have come to symbolize prosperity, and to prove that the siege is formal or political, not economic,” Al-Houl said.

Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004)

President Reagan was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975).

Former first lady Nancy Reagan joined California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today in Simi Valley for a ceremonial signing of a bill making it Ronald Reagan Day every Feb. 6 in California.

The late president — and former California governor — was born Feb. 6, 1911, so the 100th anniversary of his birth is approaching.

A few great Reagan quotes:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

“True wealth comes from the heart, from the treasure of ideas and spirit, from the investments of millions of brave people with hope for the future, trust in their fellow men, and faith in God.”

From left to right:unkown, Bob Tuskin, Bitchard