2005, in Pictures

A picture's worth a thousand words, they say. On the internet that's an understatement - pictures eat the bandwidth and storage capacity (and thus increase the blogger's cost and reader's load times) well beyond a thousand words per jpg.

But here in Mudville we say damn the cost - pictures tell a needed part of the story. Hopefully ours have taken you places you might not otherwise have been; from the cockpit of chase planes at a space shuttle launch to initial damage surveys over ground zero for hurricane Katrina. From election day in Iraq to Independence day around the world, from Paris to Munich to Rome to New Orleans to Washington to Baghdad to Ukraine to Lebanon we've tried to capture images of the world seldom seen - and looking back at a year's worth I think the bandwidth was worth it.

Those of you without high-speed internet connections should make a new year's resolution to find a way to get connected - the world is passing you by. For the rest of you, set your browser window to full screen mode, here's 2005 in pictures from Mudville. Hope you enjoy.

Circles and Chains - some are unbroken, others will fall.

The MilBlogger Prize - the shots seen 'round the ring.

Snow day - a two - part look at my neighborhood shortly after my return from Iraq. Winter never looked so fine.

Ahhh, but a summer day... Mudville's (and the world's) 4th of July - by day and night. A tradition that will continue.

Jihad Jane - a response from the front.

The Space Shuttle - an 'eagle's eye' view of the launch.

Dos and Don'ts - a day with the protesters - and we do mean "pro". And here's a look at protest and counter-protest. Freedom is a wonderful thing. For both sides: no thanks needed, but you're welcome.;)

The Raptor arrives. Air supremacy never looked so good.

Many of our open posts feature photos from our travels around Europe - this example featured the Bad-Durkheim Weinfest - a centuries-old tradition in Germany.

Mention Katrina and most people think New Orleans - but ground zero was Mississippi. Here are some photos from Keesler Air Force Base - taken with the storm still in progress. Here's a look at what an emergency hurrevac is all about - not sure all those stranded by the storm would prefer this escape route. But given the degree of devastation at the real ground zero this might not be too extreme.

Meanwhile, in New Orleans:

P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police, said most of his officers were staying at their posts. But in an unusual note of sympathy for a top police official, he said it was understandable that many were frustrated. He said morale was "not very good."

"If I put you out on the street and made you get into gun battles all day with no place to urinate and no place to defecate, I don't think you would be too happy either," Mr. Compass said in an interview. "Our vehicles can't get any gas. The water in the street is contaminated. My officers are walking around in wet shoes."

But we'll always have Paris...

Like New Orleans, the city's history is still being written, after all.