“…when the federal Department of Canadian Heritage surveyed Canadian reading habits last year, it found a distinct gender gap. Women accounted for 60 per cent of the daily readers and 70 per cent of the heavy readers who had read 50 or more books in the last 12 months. Women also outnumbered men two to one as regular readers of both classic and contemporary novels.”
How patently absurd. Without even searching, I can think of 5 men I know who read a lot. I may not agree with what they read (i.e. how much does anyone need to know about Caligula and Roman orgies?) but the point is they read books.
I’m helping my nephew along this path. For his upcoming 18th birthday, I’ve gotten him A Guide to Gangster Movies and Frank Vincent’s Guy’s Guide to be a Man’s Man. The young man is in a heavy Scorsese phase right now. Has watched Casino more times than I can count. Yeah, I’m a proud auntie.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
On hair and writing about hair
So because I mentioned that I didn’t see last Saturday’s Globe, a Mushroom felt compelled to send me an article therefrom. Apparently I’m not allowed to get through a weekend without getting miffed about something in the Globe.
The article in question was written by a man and involves the issue of women’s choice of hairstyles.
The question it raised for me is this: Is it a talent to be able to take a non-controversial topic and write about it in such a way that you make it controversial?
The author took two universal truths:
1) Men don’t like short hair on women; and
2) Women don’t care that men don’t like it because it is convenient, so screw you guys;
and wrote a such a snotty column that controversy had no choice but to ensue.
I must express begrudging admiration here. It’s one thing to write about polarizing subjects, but it is a whole other level of achievement to get people riled up about something that most of us acknowledge to be true.
Well done, Russell Smith, you obnoxious twit.
The article in question was written by a man and involves the issue of women’s choice of hairstyles.
The question it raised for me is this: Is it a talent to be able to take a non-controversial topic and write about it in such a way that you make it controversial?
The author took two universal truths:
1) Men don’t like short hair on women; and
2) Women don’t care that men don’t like it because it is convenient, so screw you guys;
and wrote a such a snotty column that controversy had no choice but to ensue.
I must express begrudging admiration here. It’s one thing to write about polarizing subjects, but it is a whole other level of achievement to get people riled up about something that most of us acknowledge to be true.
Well done, Russell Smith, you obnoxious twit.
In Retail News
“BEIJING, China (AP) -- Employees at a Wal-Mart store in southern China set up the company's fifth Chinese union Tuesday amid an official campaign to unionize all of the country's 60 Wal-Mart outlets, news reports said.”
So they can unionize Chinese Wal-Marts, but in Quebec they shut the stores down rather than let the union in. That’s the difference between a potential market of over 1 billion and one of, give or take, 7 million, I guess.
Management must think that the market’s so big they can afford to pay employees fairly. What a foreign concept. Also, I suppose Chinese workers have to make a bit more in order to afford all those Chinese-made Wal-Mart products. It’s Henry Ford and the Model T (or was it A?), all over again. At this rate, they should be able to close all Western Wal-Marts in no time and keep all production and all sales in Asia. Hmmm.
They won’t need us, will they?
So they can unionize Chinese Wal-Marts, but in Quebec they shut the stores down rather than let the union in. That’s the difference between a potential market of over 1 billion and one of, give or take, 7 million, I guess.
Management must think that the market’s so big they can afford to pay employees fairly. What a foreign concept. Also, I suppose Chinese workers have to make a bit more in order to afford all those Chinese-made Wal-Mart products. It’s Henry Ford and the Model T (or was it A?), all over again. At this rate, they should be able to close all Western Wal-Marts in no time and keep all production and all sales in Asia. Hmmm.
They won’t need us, will they?
Monday, August 07, 2006
A petit glimmer of hope for Franck
"PARIS, France -- World Cup star Franck Ribery looks set to exit Marseille after playing no part in their French league opener against newly-promoted Sedan on Sunday.
The 23-year-old winger only returned to training a week ago after his exploits in Germany and stunned the Marseille management by putting in a transfer request.
….
Ribery's likely destination is either five-time straight French champions Lyon or English giants Arsenal. "
My 2 cents worth: Pick Arsenal, Franck, Arsenal!
The 23-year-old winger only returned to training a week ago after his exploits in Germany and stunned the Marseille management by putting in a transfer request.
….
Ribery's likely destination is either five-time straight French champions Lyon or English giants Arsenal. "
My 2 cents worth: Pick Arsenal, Franck, Arsenal!
It's the end of the world as we know it
"Kuujjuaq, an Eskimo village 1,000 miles north of Montreal, just bought 10 air conditioners. According to the mayor, it's been getting hot lately. "
We are friggin' doomed. It's Kuujjuaq, for god's sake, and they are buying air conditioners! It's over, folks. Why bother even trying?
I'm quitting my job, selling the house, loading up on bottled water and canned goods, moving to an island, perhaps with a handsome Afghan man servant, and waiting for the end.
Either that or I'll just wear a sandwich board and march up and down St. Catherine Street yelling at people to "REPENT NOW".
Leonard Cohen was right: The future is murder.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
In Other News
I didn't buy a Globe & Mail this weekend, so I had to look to the NY Times to find the stories that made me roll my eyes. The winner? I confess I didn't even get past the headline. But apparently private jets are becoming realllly common. I knew that. Mine is parked in the back yard behind the shed. Right.
Favourite headline: Castro Said to Be Out of Bed and Talking.
The man never shuts up, does he? He's probably making 6-hour speeches to the nurses.
Factoid that made me go huh?; and which I suspect the Times made up for fun or to give bloggers something to write about:
"About 18 percent of men ages 40 to 44 with less than four years of college have never married, according to census estimates."
18 percent seems like a lot. Where are these characters? I don't see them around. So not having a college degree is a bad thing? I disagree. Some of the most unpleasant jerks I have ever met had multiple degrees. University education is not a sign of anything. I had to go to university to learn this. Prior to that, I thought people who went to "college" (as Americans like to call it) had to be smart. Boy, was I wrong.
Favourite headline: Castro Said to Be Out of Bed and Talking.
The man never shuts up, does he? He's probably making 6-hour speeches to the nurses.
Factoid that made me go huh?; and which I suspect the Times made up for fun or to give bloggers something to write about:
"About 18 percent of men ages 40 to 44 with less than four years of college have never married, according to census estimates."
18 percent seems like a lot. Where are these characters? I don't see them around. So not having a college degree is a bad thing? I disagree. Some of the most unpleasant jerks I have ever met had multiple degrees. University education is not a sign of anything. I had to go to university to learn this. Prior to that, I thought people who went to "college" (as Americans like to call it) had to be smart. Boy, was I wrong.
Today in our war
Both CTV News network and CBC Newsworld are covering the repatriation of four soldiers from Afghanistan. I didn't realize that the Governor General attends these ceremonies. The families are holding up very well. I wouldn't be nearly so composed.
August is....tomato time
10:30 a.m.
Just finished up Sunday breakfast: brown toast, white cheddar and cherry tomatoes that, a mere half hour ago, were still on the vine. Is this not one of the best times of the year, I ask you?
By Labour Day I will be so tomatoed-out I won't be able to look at another tomato, but now, in the first week of August, it's heavenly.
A perfect Sunday here, the sun is shining, humidity is low (well, low for here) and the freshly laundered sheets are on the line, floating in the breeze. Cats are lounging on window sills.
Surveying my vast "spread" I spotted a ripening beefsteak tomato and a mid-sized cucumber whose fates will intertwine sometime mid-week in a wonderful tomato and cuke salad. Note to self: Pick up an avocado.
Aislin says it all here:
Just finished up Sunday breakfast: brown toast, white cheddar and cherry tomatoes that, a mere half hour ago, were still on the vine. Is this not one of the best times of the year, I ask you?
By Labour Day I will be so tomatoed-out I won't be able to look at another tomato, but now, in the first week of August, it's heavenly.
A perfect Sunday here, the sun is shining, humidity is low (well, low for here) and the freshly laundered sheets are on the line, floating in the breeze. Cats are lounging on window sills.
Surveying my vast "spread" I spotted a ripening beefsteak tomato and a mid-sized cucumber whose fates will intertwine sometime mid-week in a wonderful tomato and cuke salad. Note to self: Pick up an avocado.
Aislin says it all here:
Friday, August 04, 2006
Miscellaneous Friday Observations
I'm at the office right now, but this beats working.
When did enlarged prostates become THE subject for t.v. commercials? There must be a dozen different medications for this now. I don’t need to see any more old guys running to the toilet. These commercials have got to go. Heh heh.
Burt Bacharach is cool. I like that Geico commercial he does. “She got hit in the reeear.” Yeah, it’s juvenile, but I laugh every time.
Summer is half over, and I haven’t had a gin-and-tonic yet. I knew something was missing this year. I have to remedy this situation.
The races at Saratoga were cancelled one day this week because of the heat. That’s good news for the horses, but if it happens again next week, I know one person who is going to be really miffed (alas, that person is not me) $2 on Sun Up!
Are both Montoya and Villeneuve moving to NASCAR next year? Call me a Formula One snob, but isn’t NASCAR where European drivers go when nobody wants them in F1 anymore? Losers.
Condi goes to the ranch with W when he’s on vacation. Is she ever away from that man? Doesn’t she want to get away from him sometimes? Condi, dear, if you are on vacation with your boss, then you are not on vacation. What is wrong with that woman.
Bob’s new CD comes out in 24 days. Be still my heart.
When did enlarged prostates become THE subject for t.v. commercials? There must be a dozen different medications for this now. I don’t need to see any more old guys running to the toilet. These commercials have got to go. Heh heh.
Burt Bacharach is cool. I like that Geico commercial he does. “She got hit in the reeear.” Yeah, it’s juvenile, but I laugh every time.
Summer is half over, and I haven’t had a gin-and-tonic yet. I knew something was missing this year. I have to remedy this situation.
The races at Saratoga were cancelled one day this week because of the heat. That’s good news for the horses, but if it happens again next week, I know one person who is going to be really miffed (alas, that person is not me) $2 on Sun Up!
Are both Montoya and Villeneuve moving to NASCAR next year? Call me a Formula One snob, but isn’t NASCAR where European drivers go when nobody wants them in F1 anymore? Losers.
Condi goes to the ranch with W when he’s on vacation. Is she ever away from that man? Doesn’t she want to get away from him sometimes? Condi, dear, if you are on vacation with your boss, then you are not on vacation. What is wrong with that woman.
Bob’s new CD comes out in 24 days. Be still my heart.
Yesterday's News
The most upsetting thing about the coverage of our 4 dead soldiers yesterday was how undramatic it was. It was the top story on every broadcast I saw, but that was it. It got maybe 5 minutes, and then it was onto that Saskatchewan pedophile story. And I thought, that’s it? That’s all they get? The media are now officially jaded.
A guy on Radio Canada pointed out that in the beginning, they not only made a big deal about the dead, they covered all aspects of those wounded too. Today, they barely mentioned the wounded. I believe there were 10, three of whom are serious. But they are too mundane to merit mention now.
I listened to Cpl. Reid’s parents on the news this morning, and they are certain that their son’s death is not in vain. I feel for them, and I admire their courage and composure. But I dunno. Canada can’t stay in A’stan forever. We’re going to pull out at some point. Now we have 24 dead, and the political pressure is building. But Steve is resisting. If Canada is still there when we have suffered 50 or 75 deaths, and then we pull out, then are those deaths pointless? We can’t fix that country.
Is anyone negotiating with these Taliban guys? And if not, why not? And who is funding them? The money’s coming from somewhere. You don’t carry out an insurgency without money. Are we talking to those doing the funding? Negotiations are the only way to settle things.
Back in Canada, Steve-o cannot hold out forever. There will have to be elections soon. The war is unpopular in Quebec more than elsewhere, and Steve has knocked himself out trying to build up support here. But we have no loyalty to him. And the war is a deal-breaker, especially when coupled with Steve’s total support of Israel in Lebanon. We’ll vote massively BQ, and Steve & Co. will either be sent back to the Alberta wilderness or be stuck with another minority govt. I wish I had some faith in any one of the other parties to do a better job of fixing this mess, but I don’t.
A guy on Radio Canada pointed out that in the beginning, they not only made a big deal about the dead, they covered all aspects of those wounded too. Today, they barely mentioned the wounded. I believe there were 10, three of whom are serious. But they are too mundane to merit mention now.
I listened to Cpl. Reid’s parents on the news this morning, and they are certain that their son’s death is not in vain. I feel for them, and I admire their courage and composure. But I dunno. Canada can’t stay in A’stan forever. We’re going to pull out at some point. Now we have 24 dead, and the political pressure is building. But Steve is resisting. If Canada is still there when we have suffered 50 or 75 deaths, and then we pull out, then are those deaths pointless? We can’t fix that country.
Is anyone negotiating with these Taliban guys? And if not, why not? And who is funding them? The money’s coming from somewhere. You don’t carry out an insurgency without money. Are we talking to those doing the funding? Negotiations are the only way to settle things.
Back in Canada, Steve-o cannot hold out forever. There will have to be elections soon. The war is unpopular in Quebec more than elsewhere, and Steve has knocked himself out trying to build up support here. But we have no loyalty to him. And the war is a deal-breaker, especially when coupled with Steve’s total support of Israel in Lebanon. We’ll vote massively BQ, and Steve & Co. will either be sent back to the Alberta wilderness or be stuck with another minority govt. I wish I had some faith in any one of the other parties to do a better job of fixing this mess, but I don’t.
5 Weird Things about me
Hmm. Well this is almost impossible because I never do anything weird. Ever.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to ask people who know me to name 5 weird things about me? They’d have a better idea than I do. Here goes:
1) I occasionally mow my lawn diagonally. (OK, that’s weird.) This is my father’s fault. He instilled the idea that cutting grass in different directions is good for its overall “health”. But, in my defense, I have yet to try spirals.
2) I stood on the sidewalk for two hours one day just to get a glimpse of Fidel. He finally drove by in a limo. I saw him for about two seconds, and I actually considered that time well spent.
3) I can barely skate. I have an irrational fear of falling and breaking my leg. I keep telling myself I will take one of those “adult learn to skate” programs, but I’m too embarrassed. I’m sure I would be the only Canadian in a class full of Peruvians, Guatemalans and Vietnamese.
4) I came face to face with Wayne Gretzky in a hotel lobby once and didn’t recognize him. I knew I knew that face and thought he was someone I went to high school with. Took me all afternoon to figure out he was not in Mrs. Baker’s Grade 10 chemistry class.
5) I own a fake wooden log with a picture of John Wayne on it. I just can’t throw it out.
And a bonus one, just for Greg my tagger.
6) When I lived in DC., I used to walk down the street where Dischord Records was, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ian MacKaye. I never did. I am a failed stalker.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to ask people who know me to name 5 weird things about me? They’d have a better idea than I do. Here goes:
1) I occasionally mow my lawn diagonally. (OK, that’s weird.) This is my father’s fault. He instilled the idea that cutting grass in different directions is good for its overall “health”. But, in my defense, I have yet to try spirals.
2) I stood on the sidewalk for two hours one day just to get a glimpse of Fidel. He finally drove by in a limo. I saw him for about two seconds, and I actually considered that time well spent.
3) I can barely skate. I have an irrational fear of falling and breaking my leg. I keep telling myself I will take one of those “adult learn to skate” programs, but I’m too embarrassed. I’m sure I would be the only Canadian in a class full of Peruvians, Guatemalans and Vietnamese.
4) I came face to face with Wayne Gretzky in a hotel lobby once and didn’t recognize him. I knew I knew that face and thought he was someone I went to high school with. Took me all afternoon to figure out he was not in Mrs. Baker’s Grade 10 chemistry class.
5) I own a fake wooden log with a picture of John Wayne on it. I just can’t throw it out.
And a bonus one, just for Greg my tagger.
6) When I lived in DC., I used to walk down the street where Dischord Records was, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ian MacKaye. I never did. I am a failed stalker.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Huge Butter Wad
Intriguing headline: Cow, Superman sculpted from huge butter wad.
I wonder what W is doing this weekend. Hey, isn't he going on vacation? I'm picturing me and George and several dozen dinner rolls. Wow, we could be so happy.
Is it me or is there something vaguely obscene about the phrase "huge butter wad".
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
I [heart] Michael Ware. But Wolf Blitzer? Not so much
What a doofus Wolf is.
What makes me like Michael Ware?
Is it:
a) his "working class" accent?
b) his asymetric nose? (Only tonight was it confirmed for me that he actually has a left nostril. For a long time now, I'd suspected he had only one. But he showed his left profile tonight and I saw the elusive left nostril.)
c) his infinite patience vis-a-vis Wolf, the Drama King?
All three, but mostly c).
In Beirut tonight, a bomb went off near Ware during a segment on THE SITUATION ROOM and Wolf got so excited I was sure he'd pee in his pants. No damage was done (to either Ware or Wolf's pants), but I sensed this is just the kind of drama Wolf wants in THE SITUATON ROOM.
Wolf went on ad infinitum about the blast and even brought Ware back about 15 minutes later just to talk more about the blast. And yet Ware never once told Wolf to get over it. I, on the other hand, several times muttered to Wolf, "oh enough already". A couple of other bombs had dropped in the meantime, but much to Wolf's (unstated) disappointment they seemed to be landing farther away from Ware instead of endangering him a bit more and making for more dramatic footage HERE IN THE SITUATION ROOM.
I know Wolf doesn't want any reporter to die on his show, but I feel he'd be silly with excitement if one got injured LIVE IN THE SITUATION ROOM or at least if the camera went all zooomy and they lost the feed. That would be so exciting for Wolf. sigh.
Just thought of a reason d) why I like Michael Ware. He uses polysyllabic words. Often. That may not be appreciated by many people, but it is by me.
What makes me like Michael Ware?
Is it:
a) his "working class" accent?
b) his asymetric nose? (Only tonight was it confirmed for me that he actually has a left nostril. For a long time now, I'd suspected he had only one. But he showed his left profile tonight and I saw the elusive left nostril.)
c) his infinite patience vis-a-vis Wolf, the Drama King?
All three, but mostly c).
In Beirut tonight, a bomb went off near Ware during a segment on THE SITUATION ROOM and Wolf got so excited I was sure he'd pee in his pants. No damage was done (to either Ware or Wolf's pants), but I sensed this is just the kind of drama Wolf wants in THE SITUATON ROOM.
Wolf went on ad infinitum about the blast and even brought Ware back about 15 minutes later just to talk more about the blast. And yet Ware never once told Wolf to get over it. I, on the other hand, several times muttered to Wolf, "oh enough already". A couple of other bombs had dropped in the meantime, but much to Wolf's (unstated) disappointment they seemed to be landing farther away from Ware instead of endangering him a bit more and making for more dramatic footage HERE IN THE SITUATION ROOM.
I know Wolf doesn't want any reporter to die on his show, but I feel he'd be silly with excitement if one got injured LIVE IN THE SITUATION ROOM or at least if the camera went all zooomy and they lost the feed. That would be so exciting for Wolf. sigh.
Just thought of a reason d) why I like Michael Ware. He uses polysyllabic words. Often. That may not be appreciated by many people, but it is by me.
Astounding
This is from the White House press briefing, regarding the fact that it was Venezuela that issued the health update on Fidel yesterday.
"The Bush administration said it viewed attempts by Venezuela or other countries to influence the transition in Cuba as unwarranted intervention. “The president is worried about people in the neighborhood who seek to destabilize neighbors using economic or other means,” Mr. Snow said. "
Good God almighty, the Bush Administration’s own plan to influence the transition in Cuba was revealed yesterday!
Their policy is "we can do stuff, but you can't" and they wonder why they aren't trusted.
Someone hand me a heavily buttered roll. I need to sit back and ponder this for a while.
"The Bush administration said it viewed attempts by Venezuela or other countries to influence the transition in Cuba as unwarranted intervention. “The president is worried about people in the neighborhood who seek to destabilize neighbors using economic or other means,” Mr. Snow said. "
Good God almighty, the Bush Administration’s own plan to influence the transition in Cuba was revealed yesterday!
Their policy is "we can do stuff, but you can't" and they wonder why they aren't trusted.
Someone hand me a heavily buttered roll. I need to sit back and ponder this for a while.
I feel for him
For the first time 6 very long years, I feel sorry for George Bush.
The man exercises like a maniac 6 days per week, and he still gained 5 pounds over the past year. I SO understand his frustration. The solution is obvious. Exercise 7 days a week. He needs to do less decider stuff and more mountain bikin'.
That being said, during his "yo, Blair" chat the other day, I did notice how thick he was spreadin' that butter on his roll. Time to cut back on the sat fats, W.
The man exercises like a maniac 6 days per week, and he still gained 5 pounds over the past year. I SO understand his frustration. The solution is obvious. Exercise 7 days a week. He needs to do less decider stuff and more mountain bikin'.
That being said, during his "yo, Blair" chat the other day, I did notice how thick he was spreadin' that butter on his roll. Time to cut back on the sat fats, W.
Fidel
Funny bit on NBC News last night.
They said that at his last public appearance last Wednesday, Castro looked "frail" but still spoke for 6 hours.
Only 6 hours! That's nearly dead.
They said that at his last public appearance last Wednesday, Castro looked "frail" but still spoke for 6 hours.
Only 6 hours! That's nearly dead.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Wakey, wakey (Today's war musings)
Can’t somebody wake up Ariel Sharon? Are they sure they've tried everything? What about blasting Barry Manilow records at him?
Never thought I’d miss the old lug, but boy, think of all the people who would still be alive if he were healthy.
Sharon had the experience and wisdom not to be suckered into a full fledged war over such a mundane incident*. Aren’t the current generals, those who are directing this war, the same guys who served under Sharon? Or has there been a change in the upper echelons of the IDF? If they are the same, then why have they lost their senses? Maybe they were always itching for a confrontation, but they couldn’t browbeat Sharon. He’d been through enough of that in Lebanon already. Just the fact that he was an old tired man with no interest in leading his country into yet another war might’ve been enough for him to firmly put the brakes on his guys.
There might’ve been a few shots here, a few rockets there, and then Sharon would’ve privately sat down with the enemy and hammered out a prisoner exchange. That would’ve been the end of it. It would have been page A-17 stuff and the rest of us wouldn’t even have cared.
*Yeah, I'm pretending this conflict has ANYTHING to do with kidnapped soldiers. I am so three weeks ago!
Never thought I’d miss the old lug, but boy, think of all the people who would still be alive if he were healthy.
Sharon had the experience and wisdom not to be suckered into a full fledged war over such a mundane incident*. Aren’t the current generals, those who are directing this war, the same guys who served under Sharon? Or has there been a change in the upper echelons of the IDF? If they are the same, then why have they lost their senses? Maybe they were always itching for a confrontation, but they couldn’t browbeat Sharon. He’d been through enough of that in Lebanon already. Just the fact that he was an old tired man with no interest in leading his country into yet another war might’ve been enough for him to firmly put the brakes on his guys.
There might’ve been a few shots here, a few rockets there, and then Sharon would’ve privately sat down with the enemy and hammered out a prisoner exchange. That would’ve been the end of it. It would have been page A-17 stuff and the rest of us wouldn’t even have cared.
*Yeah, I'm pretending this conflict has ANYTHING to do with kidnapped soldiers. I am so three weeks ago!
Let's play "Fill in the Blank"
Complete this headline from Reuters:
___________ seeks meeting with Jewish leaders.
Is it:
a) Mahmoud Abbas,
b) Bashar al Assad, or
c) Mel Gibson.
Of course, the answer is c).
What a wacky world we live in.
___________ seeks meeting with Jewish leaders.
Is it:
a) Mahmoud Abbas,
b) Bashar al Assad, or
c) Mel Gibson.
Of course, the answer is c).
What a wacky world we live in.
Cuba's Future
“WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. should have assistance in Cuba within weeks of President Fidel Castro's death to support a transitional government and help move the country toward democracy, a government report recommends.
President Bush created the commission in 2003 to "help hasten and ease Cuba's democratic transition," according to its Web site.”
In theory, this transition should be a slam dunk. But knowing the Bush administration, they will find a heavy-handed way to screw it up and turn the Cubans against them.
Saddam was a nasty dictator, and most Iraqis, I believe, were happy to see him gone. And yet the Bush League, with their simpled-minded assumptions, failed miserably in planning for Iraq’s future after Saddam. Why should we expect them to be any smarter on this side of the world?
This plan seems to call for slow transition and assistance over two years or more. Do they really expect the nuts in Florida to wait that long? They’ll be screaming for immediate regime change. And total meddling in Cuba's internal affairs.
Assuming this happens between now and 2008, an American election could be at stake. I predict a mess.
President Bush created the commission in 2003 to "help hasten and ease Cuba's democratic transition," according to its Web site.”
In theory, this transition should be a slam dunk. But knowing the Bush administration, they will find a heavy-handed way to screw it up and turn the Cubans against them.
Saddam was a nasty dictator, and most Iraqis, I believe, were happy to see him gone. And yet the Bush League, with their simpled-minded assumptions, failed miserably in planning for Iraq’s future after Saddam. Why should we expect them to be any smarter on this side of the world?
This plan seems to call for slow transition and assistance over two years or more. Do they really expect the nuts in Florida to wait that long? They’ll be screaming for immediate regime change. And total meddling in Cuba's internal affairs.
Assuming this happens between now and 2008, an American election could be at stake. I predict a mess.
Fidel
My favourite dictator is teetering towards his inevitable demise. I don’t want to anticipate it too much, though, because he could hang in there for a while. But intestinal problems often get complicated, especially for older people.
Brother Raul is 75 years old and finally has a chance at the top job. He must be the only person in the world who really, really understands how Prince Charles feels.
Fidel’s real successor isn’t Raul, though, it’s Hugo Chavez. Socialist Cuba won’t survive the end of Fidel, but Venezuela is already a huge thorn in the USA’s side and that’s the main role Cuba has played. Though, in reality, since the fall of the USSR, any “threat” posed by Cuba is strictly in the mind of the US politicians and those right-wing Cuban nuts down in Florida, whose votes carry the state. Now the USA can focus on Venezuela as the “threat” in their backyard.
Havana is a funky place. I think it’s a shame that in a matter of months it will be buried in McDonald’s and Starbucks, just like the rest of the world.
Brother Raul is 75 years old and finally has a chance at the top job. He must be the only person in the world who really, really understands how Prince Charles feels.
Fidel’s real successor isn’t Raul, though, it’s Hugo Chavez. Socialist Cuba won’t survive the end of Fidel, but Venezuela is already a huge thorn in the USA’s side and that’s the main role Cuba has played. Though, in reality, since the fall of the USSR, any “threat” posed by Cuba is strictly in the mind of the US politicians and those right-wing Cuban nuts down in Florida, whose votes carry the state. Now the USA can focus on Venezuela as the “threat” in their backyard.
Havana is a funky place. I think it’s a shame that in a matter of months it will be buried in McDonald’s and Starbucks, just like the rest of the world.
Viva la revolucion, baby.
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