Today's Conversations and Odd Tidbits

Today, everywhere I went, people were talking about the hurricane Katrina. But, like Katrina, our conversations took some unexpected twists and turns.  The most alarming comment was how the weather front did the most devastation in the "red" states.  I won't repeat what followed, but if you have any recollection of those states, you can guess where the conversation ended up.  Check out the red state/blue state map.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/

I spoke with a man who spoke no English.  He was from Chile.  I did pretty good on my own but did much better with his cousin as our interpreter.  I inquired about the savings certificates that all their people had now that they had a privatized social retirement program.  I explained that my curiousity peeked when our president told us how well it was doing, how happy and proud the people of Chile are with their savings books that they carry on them as he tried to sell our country on the idea.  This fellow warned me and told me that the rich are all busy selling us untruths.  He explained that not one of them is being truthful that they are in the golden boot (collusion) together. He told me about General, César Gaviria, distinguished former President of Colombia and how he too had fallen to the side of untruth that the people in Chile have never been so discontent.  So I decided to look this fellow up and check out what date this speech of his was, and who was present.  I did more follow-up and this fellow was telling me the truth.  Here is the link:

http://www.oas.org/speeches/speech.asp?sCodigo=02-0342

I asked some folks if they heard what happened to Dick Luger (R-Ind) and Barack Obama (D-Ill) while trying to leave out of Russia to continue their trip to Ukraine.  Each and every person who knew the name Obama ,skipped over the little problem the two senators met up with. They all said something like this. "Obama for president!"  Interesting.  As a matter of fact, I think he would make a fine leader.  More curious is why the National Security Force of Russia wanted to search Obama's and Luger's plane, especially since it is against international diplomatic policy.  This occured in Perm, Russia.  If I were Obama, I'd be watching my back. And.... what about Luger and Obama????  I mean, what an odd couple!

Like the block buster movie of the week, Cindy Sheehan continues to be high on the spin list of the media.  I've been patient as they paint pretty much the same picture of what one little gal from Vacaville, Calif. has accomplished; and, still the media misses the mark.  This one woman has acquired the attention of international media and what is on display to the entire world?  Democracy-Liberty-Freedom of expression.  Not only that, she has many people dissenting her dissent.  This my friends is huge news! Huge!  The entire world is watching as one woman has succeeded in making herself heard in a time where a supposedly evil country like the United States does nothing to stop her.  Not only that, others are opposing this one woman.  She must be important!   Imagine, one woman being that important.  Imagine others being allowed to disagree and not be shot or imprisoned.  The world is getting a far different picture of democracy and America that it had with the promise of freedom that lead to a war which destroyed all resources the people need.

On the other hand, the world sat watching a show they might never have watched had some American not used his liberties so  irresponsibly.  Yup, Pat Robertson was at it again.  It wasn't bad enough that he said to his viewers (I happened to be channel surfing and caught him!) that Muslims believe they are rewarded heavily when they are martyred, so why don't we go make martyrs out of every last one of them.  This time he merely thought assassintation would be more cost effective so why don't we assassinate this evil communist, good friend of America's enemy, Fidel Castro.

Cindy Sheehan used our rights and it was good for the world to see.  Robertson used our rights irresponsibly and the ripples haven't slapped our asses yet--but they will.  Still, I'm a firm believer that if you don't use it, you lose it (have it taken away) but freedom comes with responsibility.  Live and learn; or die a dummy.  Good job Ms. Sheehan! Pat, Pat, Pat<slap!!!>

One more thing, check out the Hutchinson-Wampoa Shipping lines.  Would you  be surprised to learn that they are owned by the Chinese Army? 

http://www.fmc.gov/reading/ChinaOceanShippingCompany.asp

They control the northern and southern entrance of the Panama Canal.