Part 1: Another Russian sub blows up, while Putin spreads his brand of charisma in Guatemala and sells nine subs to Venezuela.
Part 2: US ‘plans huge Saudi arms deal’.
American and Latin American Politics, Society, and Culture
By Fausta
Part 1: Another Russian sub blows up, while Putin spreads his brand of charisma in Guatemala and sells nine subs to Venezuela.
Part 2: US ‘plans huge Saudi arms deal’.
By Fausta
No Pasaran has the video:
Via Lawyn, Don Suber has the week’s round-up, which saved me the work. Also, please visit Pajamas Media daily and check out the Scroll.
By Fausta
A brief look at the international press gives you an idea of how the PR wars are fought:
From Spain’s El Pais, via Lady Godiva:
El proyecto socialista de Chávez divide a sus partidarios entre pragmáticos y radicales
El ex ministro de Defensa venezolano avisa: “Antes de redistribuir la riqueza, debemos crearla”
Señaló que el socialismo que se pretende instaurar en Venezuela no tiene por qué estar reñido con la democracia ni con la propiedad privada.
My translation:
Chavez’s socialist project splits his followers as partisans or radicals.
Ex-Minister of Defense warns: “Before we redistribute wealth, we must creat it”
“He pointed out that the socialism they are attempting to establish in Venezuela doesn’t have fight against democracy or private property.”
Things were a tad more blunt over in Germany:
Via Baron Bodissey,
Bürger sollen “überflüssigen Reichtum” abgeben
“Citizens should hand over superfluous wealth”
which in plain English means: “Hand over your wallet!”
By Fausta
This category will include quotes that will never, ever cross the lips of a straight married man speaking to his wife.
The first two:
“I know what we can do next: Let’s take you shoe shopping!”
“Is that the only store we’re going to?”
Feel free to add your own (and keep it clean).
Update
Baron Bodissey:
“You were much prettier when you were younger.”
Obviously the Baron values his life.
“Sure, I’d LOVE to go to the Ice Capades!”
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again- indigo is YOUR color!!”
“You know, we’d have a lot more fun if we brought your mother along”
“Sweety, would you please hold the TV remote?”
“Wow- those Manolo’s really are worth the money!”
“You know, I have idea. Why not clean out the garage and turn it into a craft center. After we set that up, we could get a coordinated garage storage system, maybe in the that pale aubergine color you like so much.”
“Can we talk? You really don’t listen to me anymore and that’s starting to hurt my feelings.”
“You know, Oprah said….”
“I don’t care what Mary says about Jenny Craig. She’s still chunky.”
Hmmm… Siggy shares my dislike of ice skating, crafts, and Oprah….
And don’t miss the comments section!
Update
A gentleman who doesn’t want to be named emailed,
Hon, why don’t you watch some more HGTV?
Those words will never be uttered at casa de Fausta.
“Yes, I know there’s lipstick on my collar, dear. What do you think of the shade?”
“You know, you really don’t have enough shoes. There’s a sale at Nordstrom‘s just now. Busy?”
“If you need more closet space, we can always convert the garage. I don’t really need all those power tools.”
(In reply to the most annoying question my wife asks me — and she asks it repeatedly) “For dinner? How about gazpacho, leeks vinaigrette with shrimp, marinated zucchini, a bottle of Cotes du Rhone Rouge ’59, and for dessert maybe an orange mousse?”
Keep them coming!
By Fausta
Imagine having a hernia operation go wrong and instead of getting immediate medical attention, being referred to a pain clinic.
Waiting in the emergency room for five days to be admitted to a hospital.
Having a lottery to get a doctor’s appointment.
That’s the kind of thing that caused Dr. David Gratzer to change his mind.
Go read his article.
By Fausta
I was just talking to Baron Bodissey and remembered an excellent post of his, The Little Wicked Wicket Gate where he discusses Orthodox Secularism. His message is as relevant today as it was then.
Accommodation as an Islamist Political Instrument
By Fausta
The Tour de France was the big news yesterday in France, for good reason: ETA detonated two small explosive devices (the article didn’t specify what kind of devices), and Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen of Denmark was removed from the race and fired from his team after winning the 16th stage yesterday. Since the Tour ends on Sunday, this was way more than the usual excitement, particularly since this morning the Tour resumed with no-one wearing the yellow jersey.
But for the news addict like myself, there was another item of interest. Sarko’s on a tour of Africa and dropped by Muammar Gaddafi‘s.
Always the fashion plate, Gaddafi wore a white suit with the emblem of African unity prominently pinned over his heart, black shirt and a wide (silk chiffon, maybe?) sash. Sarko looked appropriately French in traditional business garb. The day before yesterday Sarko was in Liberia, were he was warmly welcomed. Today Sarko’s in Senegal, where he probably will have to work a little harder.
As it turns out, the Libya meeting took place a day after Libya released the six Bulgarian medics who had been convicted of deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV. The medics had confessed under torture and had been sentenced to death. According to the BBC,
The medics’ release was made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties, following years of negotiations.
Not one to let a good opportunity go to waste, Sarko – whose trip was strategically timed – showed up, and the Guardian has the headline:
Sarkozy flies to Libya to reap rewards of medics’ release
Mr Sarkozy ignored criticism that he and his wife Cecilia had been grandstanding by intervening at the end of the eight-year crisis when the hard work had been done by the European commission and other EU governments. Mrs Sarkozy joined in negotiations and then flew to Sofia with the freed medics.
Sarko and Gaddafi/Gadafy also agreed to work on a nuclear energy project that will turn sea water into clean drinking water.
Shall we drink to that?
Update, Friday 27 July
Nidra Poller examines the reaction in France.
Update, Sunday 29 July
Pinky and the Brain!
By Fausta
Fidel Castro has written a series of articles but not appeared in public
Cuba’s acting president, Raul Castro, is leading revolution day celebrations, filling in for his brother Fidel who was last seen in public a year ago.
Ah, huh!
And why would that be?