Good morning/afternoon/evening – while the US and Pakistan authorities consider talking to the Taleban, they strike again. The Taliban’s spokesman says dialogue is “worthless…(as long as) foreign troops are in our country”. Fears for personal safety is now the highest concern for many Afghans so is it time to talk to the Taleban?
*****
In India a series of bomb attacks have killed over 30 people and injured more than 100. This is the latest in a series of terrorist attacks in India. Bloggers on this indian news site are venting their frustration at their government and this indian blogger thinks that India’s famous multicultural tolerance is weakening so is India losing its hold on peace?
*****
The UN says rebel soldiers in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo are “out of control” and thousands of protestors attacked the mission’s headquarters in DRC saying the UN was not doing enough to protect them. Aid workers have been blogging here and here about the dangers they are facing in Goma. But when should aid workers leave? Do aid workers in conflict zones need to be armed? An aid worker working in Indonesia following the Tsunami vents his frustration here that he is always considered an outsider. Is this the problem with aid workers: that no matter what goodwill they have they will always be viewed as outsiders with no real understanding of the people they are trying to help?
*****
And here on the blog Will in Canada pointed out this story and wants to ask “can such symbolism be taken back from what it meant in history?” Can we reclaim symbols of hate?
RSS feed
BBC World Have Your Say 
Police offer terminated for committing a felony, bigamy.
http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-102808-mw-officer_fired.15a04dffc.html
Will,
I’m still listening to the WHYS show from today, missed it earlier.
I’m not sure a swastika symbol can be reclaimed. Cultural differences exist for many most areas. In Greece, raising your palm and showing it to someone is extremely disrespectful. In The US, it means stop and in slang terms “talk to the hand” means I’m ignoring you. In most Latin American countries touching a child’s head and “petting” him/her is a form of good luck and completing the child in an affectionate sort of way, in the US it’s weird to be touching other people’s kids…. the list goes on and on.
A swastika, I’m afraid will be forever an image that congruous a thought of Hitler in most of the world and I do not think enough time has passed so that it can be reclaimed… perhaps in another hundred years.
There is number of similar symbols. Have look at “the Peace symbol”. Number of meaning. For me it means “peace. But for hundreds of people who accuse me very often say that it is a broken cross, kind of anti-Christian meaning.
Symbols being stolen from a culture and then regained.
English football (and the red and white cross by association) is the one which springs to mind for me. Hooligans used it as a front for their violence and destroyed the game as something we might have been proud of during the 80’s. We have made a lot of ground claiming back the game into the hands of the fans who just love the game (albeit that there is still some way to go).
At least now the only negatives we hear about English football from others is our dismal performance on the pitch during the last few years, which is a preferred negative to have to deal with.
I guess as long as he stays in Asia, he won’t run into problems with the swastika, but once he comes to Europe or North America… I’m sorry to say this, but certain symbols will forever be stained by the villains who misused it.
I remember my little brother got in trouble for drawing, after we visited a museum on the history of China, a suit with a bunch of swastikas on it. My mom had to explain to the teacher that the sign was once used as something NOT affiliated with Nazis, and that they were backwards compared to the Nazi symbol, lol.
-Anthony, LA, CA
Brand quits BBC over obscene calls
One down – 2 to go.
Wossie should go next then the editor. The show was pre-recorded. The editor decided what to leave out and what to broadcast.
@ Jack
Wow, I can’t believe he quit! I don’t like his comedy so I won’t miss him. I do hope that he finds another job though.
Soooo, in the U.S. the Fed Reserve lowered the rate to 1%. Hmmm, I hope they understand that there’s only so far they can go, hehe. I wonder if this will be the last cut?
Also, did anyone see GM’s stock??? Man…..I’d feel sorry for them, if they hadn’t been making garbage for the last few years, preying on stupid people. If they end up merging with Chrysler that would be mighty interesting!
-Anthony, LA, CA
@ Jennifer
Russell Brand went to another country to host the MTV Awards, and he had the nerve to tell, as a foreigner, people who to vote for. That was absolutely disgusting.
Wow. The BBC is hilarious. They’re having a show now about how racist America is. They’re now interviewing David Dinkens, perhaps the worst mayor in NYC history.
@ steve
Do you have a link to what BBC you’re talking about (T.V., radio, podcast), I’d like to hear what other people think about Americans.
-Anthony, LA, CA
http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=6M1zVLx5xelP1MtzIxs1zjE2Nzg3MjQ-&id=
Does this work? LOL
@ Anthony
I think the show is called “Outlook”
“Black in the USA” is the particular episode
@ Steve
“Wow. The BBC is hilarious. They’re having a show now about how racist America is. They’re now interviewing David Dinkens, perhaps the worst mayor in NYC history”
So, because you think Dinkens was the worst mayor in the history of NYC, as a black man he cannot have an opinion of race issues? You’re logic is astounding to me. LOL
@ Jessica
Dinkens was interviewed for being the first black mayor of NYC, and he was worried is that his legacy is going to be that, and Crown Heights. Anyone who has ever lived in NYC knows that during Dinkens, NYC was a far worse place, much more dangerous, and it took Guiliani to fix it.
@ Steve
Re: Russell Brand
I do think that he stepped over the line by giving his political opinion at the MTV awards but that wasn’t as bad as his phone calls to Andrew Sachs. Don’t get me wrong funny is funny but I can just picture someone calling up my grandma and saying things like they did. Totally not appropriate at all. Especially if the person doesn’t even know.
@ Steve
So tell me why was David Dinkens the worst-ever? Was it Crown Heights Riot? His handling of the NYPD during a racially tense time in NYC? Or just that he was first and only black mayor in NYC?
@ Will
Hahaha! That will teach you to forget! Thanks for the link, it’s hilarious!
@ Jennifer
I disagree. He’s a comedian. It’s his job to do stupid things and make “jokes”. It is not his job to tell people who to vote for, ESPECIALLY in a foreign country. I think his political stuff is a lot worse than the joke. He should have resigned over that, as a BBC employee, going over to another country telling people who to vote for, but not for actually doing his job.
@ Jessica
Why don’t you just accuse me of being racist while you’re at it? He was incompetent, the city fell apart. Crime was rampant, and he didn’t do anything about it.
Who was the last US president that smoked cigarettes?
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/obama-admits-sm.html
@ Anthony
You’ll see, soon the banks will pay you to take a loan… that will be the only way they can still make business, and with the “right” minds in control, they’ll think they’re making a great deal!
@ Steve
OMG, that’s it, I won’t vote for him! I’d rather have someone who cheated on his sick wife than a smoker in the White House … oh, wait, I can’t vote anyway. Oh well, I’m sure the righteous American electorate will make the right decision. I wonder why this story is coming out seven days before the elections?
@ Katharina
it’s not a new story. it’s widely known that Obama is a smoker, but he quit for political reasons, not for his health. Just shows how dishonest politicians are.
Who in their right mind would want to be the President anyways? Inherit this mess? You have to be nuts to want the job, so we elect someone that’s nuts to do the job that takes someone sane to do?
@ Steve
Re: He’s a comedian. It’s his job to do stupid things and make “jokes”. It is not his job to tell people who to vote for, ESPECIALLY in a foreign country. I think his political stuff is a lot worse than the joke. He should have resigned over that, as a BBC employee, going over to another country telling people who to vote for, but not for actually doing his job.
I disagree. He could have tried to persuade me to vote for Obama until the cows come home but unless I want to vote for Obama I won’t do it. I listened to his show once, decided I didn’t like it, but I did listen to the prank phone calls he made and they were just disgusting. There is a difference between comedy, being silly, and being crude and disgusting. No wonder I only listened to his show once.
@ Jennifer
Him doing a stupid joke like that was within the scope of what you expect a comedian to do. They make jokes. What you don’t expec ta comedian to do is tell people who they should vote for while hosting an MTV award show. Not within the scope.
Re: Obama smoking
I think it’s curious that he smokes. Nothing appeals to me like wasting a bunch of $$ on cancer sticks that will make me smell like an ashtray.
@ Jennifer
YIKES. I bet Obama likely smoked around his children. Child abuse?
@ Steve
Why do you take this so personally? How would I know if you are a racist? Your comment mocked the BBC for interviewing NYC’s first black mayor who presided over riots during his tenured. I wanted you to clarify you comments.
RE: Dinkens & Guiliani
Guiliani along with NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton cleaned up the crime in NYC. However, Guilliani was far from the “best”. As such New Yorkers did not elect him as our Senator nor did we change the laws to give him a third term as major.
Not only has he started smoking but he is turning grey. Looks like the stress is getting to him.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/3278147/Barack-Obama-gaining-grey-hair-as-election-campaign-draws-to-close.html
@ Steve
Oh no, those phone calls were not in the scope of what Jennifer finds acceptable or would ever find funny! I find it less offensive that he was trying to sway voters and kind of funny considering he’s not even from the US.
@ Steve
When I was in college, I lived next to a couple. They had a little girl and both went outside to smoke; even during the winter. I really admired that because they realized that second hand smoke can be harmful to children. I am not sure that it’s child abuse but it’s definitely a parent’s responsibility to go outside or quit if they have to.
My mom went through a very short time where she tried to smoke…one of her kids would grab her cigarettes, break them, and flush them down the toilet without her knowing 😀 After a few months of that; she stopped trying to smoke. It was best for her and for my brother who has asthma. Even though she never smoked around him it was on her clothing and because of his asthma it would make him wheezy. My cousin smokes and she always goes outside to smoke so that her little boy isn’t around the smoke.
@ smoking
I like to smoke when I’m drinking booze, but I NEVER smoke around my son 🙂
-Anthony, LA, CA
@ Steve,
My husband smokes, but never inside, and usually not around our son – but of course, you can’t always stop the kid coming outside when you’re having a cigarette. My husband tried to quit several times, but his job is quite stressful, and it’s easy to fall back into bad habits. I think that there are worse things to do than smoke. As far as Obama is concerned, the article you linked mentioned that he also did it for his wife.
@Steve,
“it’s not a new story. it’s widely known that Obama is a smoker, but he quit for political reasons, not for his health. Just shows how dishonest politicians are.”
Or it just goes to show how society and American culture frowns upon smoking. There are jobs that will not hire people if they smoke, or if they do, encourage them to quit. Being a smoker in this day and age can make a person pariah. That’s the way things are. It doesn’t make anyone dishonest, it’s social pressure to conform.
@Steve
The problem with cigarretes is that it is actually difficult to quit. I started smoking at college and quit when I got pregnant. However,when I am very stressed, I want to light a cigarrete. I cannot help the urge!
So I don’t see as a “flaw” the fact that Obama smokes. It is difficult to break free from it. And for sure, as many said in this blog, there are worse things to do than smoke…
The US has decided to enter the “carry trade,” a sign of economic desperation. Banks can borrow money in dollars at low interest, exchange it for bonds paying higher interest in foreign currency, and repay the loans to the US treasury. It’s simply printing free money for large institutions.
Socialism for the already wealthy if you will. Eventually currencies get devalued and markets crash because nobody can accurately predict what the value of their money will be for long enough to run a business plan. The con-men running the banks get to but solid assets like gold and land with the money they cream off.
Does any of this sound familiar?
steve,
he quite because michelle badgered him. heck let him have his couple of smokes, hardly worse than living in a polluted city.
From the times of India: Man attacks wife for not getting him new spouse”>
Infuriating.
Russel Brand has now done the honourable and resigned from his BBC Radio 2 programme he made this statement http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=45489787. I think it a shame because he can be rather funny.
More than ‘excessive’ ~ West Hollywood man “hangs” Sarah Palin in effigy.
@Kelsie,
Hollywood is called Hollyweird for a reason.
@effigy:
A friend of mine and I both agree: would this be a “hate crime” instead of a community nuisance if the effigy had been Mr Obama?
Re: Obama’s 30 minute dog and pony show
There were no real unscripted conversations with common people. It was all stuff I had already heard over and over and over again. I can’t believe he wasted 30 minutes of my tv time for that crap!
I guess it’s just one of the perks of having a boatload of money to spend to “get the word out” and peddle your vote.
_______________
Re: Sarah Palin hanging
Many posters here love that I am sure!
I hope everyone had a chance to watch Obama’s 30 minute speech.
It was fantastic, they best one yet!
If you missed it http://www.barackobama.com/
Or you can see it here:
Many posters here love that I am sure!
What an arrogant and ludicrous generalisation, Jennifer. I suggest you tend to the planks in your own eyes before lambasting us for the specks in ours.
@Kelsie,
Let’s not forget about the college campus in Western North Carolina over the weekend where a 75 pound bear cub was found shot in the head with an Obama sign wrapped its head.
Jennifer,
Because I am not humorous at all,
I did not find it the least bit amusing … … and I am not voting for her, either.
Decency is decency.
@Kelsie,
Let’s not forget about the college campus in Western North Carolina over the weekend where a 75 pound bear cub was found shot in the head with an Obama sign wrapped around its head.
@ Kelsie
You know, I hate to call you out specifically but do you drink alot of caffeine or something? You seem to take my comments VERY personally when they are NOT addressed to you specifically. If they were, I would have put Kelsie in front of them. You can go back through the talking points and even yesterday when I said you, you took it that I was speaking badly about you. Chill out. If I am speaking to you directly, you will know it!
I do not share your same opinions so I am very likely to express an opinion that you do not “approve” of or that will offend you. I don’t care. I am still able to express it just like you and everyone else on this blog expresses theirs.
Also, unless you see something sick and twisted that I have done anti obama I won’t be judging myself for anything. I would never take my opinions that far. If you don’t like it don’t look or even respond. It might make it easier since I have had to explain that you take comments the wrong way and ask you to calm down. This is JUST a blog!
HAHA @ Julie P.
@ Jamily5
Yes, decency is decency. Some people have it and some people don’t obviously. It’s pretty sad. I can’t believe anyone would take their opinions that far.
@effigies:
I won’t delve into legalities, but I do not support this form of “expression” in either case: I find it tasteless, disgusting, and worthless. I don’t like Mrs Palin, but I don’t see the need in displays such as this—and I don’t make value calls between displays targeting Democrats over displays targeting Republicans: they’re all useless, and I for one dismiss them all for that.
This election has already become a self-mocking act, and both sides of the partisan divide share equal responsibility for that. How the hell can we expect the candidates to debate and discuss serious issues when large swaths of the electorate are too busy carrying out nonsense like these “effigies” to care?
@ kelsie and Julie P
RE Sarah Palin effigy
It was absolutely horrible to hang a Sarah Palin effigy from a noose. I am appalled at the things ignorant people do. I did not click on the video, the image was enough.
I am an ardent advocate of free speech and dislike Palin more than any other politician, but that was in very poor taste. That fails to see that if it was Obama, riots would have erupted.
@Jennifer:
You’re talking in circles, as usual.
I called you out for generalising that the non-Palin-supporting members of the blog “loved” that display. You are, quite obviously, incorrect. You didn’t maket a personal attack: you made yet another a ridiculous, indefensible generalization. And now you’re sidestepping the fact that GOP supporters did the same thing, so here’s a generalization for you and your buddies (what few of them there are) around here: I suppose all of YOU “loved” those anti-Obama displays as well.
@Jennifer,
“HAHA @ Julie P. ”
That is really sick and twisted.
@ Jennifer
“Re: Sarah Palin hanging
Many posters here love that I am sure!”
Wow, just when I thought I had heard the most ignorant comment on here, you top off my glass. It’s astounding the low levels people sink to.
@ Kelsie
I am NOT talking in circles.
You are correct in saying I did not make a personal attack. So, why are you so perturbed?
I am allowed to have that opinion if I so choose. Just like you are welcome to have yours. It is fine with me-no sweat off of my back. Say all you wish about republicans, Sarah Palin, John McCain, any conservative you choose. That already happens here. I expect nothing more from some people on here. That’s just how it is and it’s fine by me.
I find ALL such “crap”, killing animals with presidential signs, hanging people, etc. to be horrible. I do not support or condone any of that behavior. I don’t care if you do or if you do not. I was not addressing you, Kelsie, personally with my statement!
I do not know weather you are reading more into my words than is actually there or what but for you to become offended by everything I say is just ridiculous. Simple and to the point: get over it. I am not out to offend you.
@ Kelsie
“Effigies of Barack Obama were hung in Kentucky and Indiana”
I am at a lost for words and deeply disappointed. The ignorance of people who never think of the consequences is shameful. It’s embarrassing to see people of the free world in the biggest super power behave like neanderthals.
World, I am embarrassed for the ignorant people that live in my home country. 😦
Hi, Will and the rest of the world…
Re: NEXT TUESDAY
i will be a poll-worker here in syracuse…so, i will be
able to give insight on election night…
Dennis
Jennifer:
Do you comprehend English?
You made a GENERALIZATION (please look the word up—it’s in all finer English dictionaries): you claimed that the bevy of Mr Obama’s supporters on this blog “loved” this effigy of Mrs Palin. You were dead wrong. I called you out on it. The only reason it might have looked like I was “taking it personally” was because no one else was calling you out for it at that moment.
You keep dragging this idea of me “taking things personal” back as a feeble, typically weak shield to hide behind because you won’t own up to one simple fact: your generalization—that Mr Obama’s supporters on this blog “loved” the effigy of Mrs Palin—was wrong.
Why don’t you admit you were wrong, and then we can all decided “weather” [sic] or not to “get over it.”
@effigies:
It is sad that they are showing this type of behaviour!!! I wish they could
be charged with an crime….
Dennis
Is this the most divisive election campaign in US history?
Good morning all!
Re: Palin Effigy
Just for the record, I condemn this and any other intimation–from either side–that violence is a political tool. It’s not funny and it DOES set a tone that such things are acceptable.
@ Kelsie
Yes, I do. Do you?
I am not going to admit I was “wrong” when I did nothing wrong. People post comments here all the time that are “generalizations” about conservatives, republicans, and the like. Do they ever apologize? Nope!
I am sorry that you found my comment offensive Kelsie. My suggestion: if you do not like my posts, please don’t read them. I called noone out PERSONALLY in making my observation because I find doing that rather tacky as I think I have said before and because I do not care to argue. Ironic since that’s what I am now doing.
I will not be apologizing but I do hope you get over it because obviously, nothing I said was directed at you specifically.
Re: Swastika
The swastika has been used as a religious and goodwill symbol millenia before its hijacked use by Hitler. In the East it is still widely used in places of worship.
In the West, however, most reflexively see it as a symbol of evil and hatred. In schools, rarely, if at all, has the original meaning of symbol being taught. As long as it remains a tabooed symbol inside our subconscious mind its symbolism will never be restored.
Interesting though that the image of the Christian cross has survived untarnished despite its twisted use by the KKK.
@Jennifer:
It’s obvious what you’re doing: you’re hanging on for dear life to this pathetic, immaterial argument about me “taking things personally” because you won’t admit your generalization (a word you’re clearly not familiar with) was wrong:
“Many posters here love that I am sure!”
Wrong. Period. You can keep concocting these idiotic deflections all night, but it won’t change the fact that NONE of the “posters” “loved that,” despite your being “sure.” That was the generalization (have you looked it up yet?) you made, and it was wrong.
Good night.
@things generally:
Catch you on the flip side, WHYS—it was fun.
@ Tom
Yes, I think it is. We have McCain doing his own thing, Palin going rogue, Obama already rolling out the victory headlines, and Biden putting his foot in his mouth at every turn. Sometimes, it seems that the candidates are not even on the same page with their running mates. How do they expect anyone to be confident in their abilities?
@ Kelsie
One thing is obvious to me: you apparently don’t get it. Even if I were inclined to apologize for doing wrong, I will not. Noone here who make generalizations apologizes when they do and those generalizations are “wrong”. I won’t be the exception even though I am a rather polite and nice person.
And, as you can ask others here, I am familiar with what a generalization is, I’ve mentioned it to them in the course of “conversations”….You have a lovely evening!
@ Jennifer
Hey! Another generalisation!
Oops! I apologise for any past generalisations on my part!
@ Tom (of Melbourne)
“Is this the most divisive election campaign in US history?”
Not at all… Bush was the most divisive and toxic thing to happen to the US and world.
Obama is bring people together, look at the polls and all the prominent GOP leaders supporting him. Watch, Dems will pick up a few senate and congressional seats.
@ Bob
Yeah, what do you know!
Thanks for your apology but you are not one who makes generalizations! 😀
Jessica in NYC,
Just bringing a post to your attention re. a certain contributor and their misguided points of view.
Thought you might like to see it. It is re. Blank Page no. 30, October 24th and was posted on October 29th originally at 4.17am and a slightly amended two part version at 9.32am and 10.17am. These two being the better examples.
Would appreciate your thoughts upon it and if the information I passed to you is useful at all. Thanks.
Kelsie is saying that you have made a generalization that obama supporters have such a low character that they would find such things funny. This is just not tru and since Kelsie is an obama supporter, he was letting you know that by virtue of being an obama supporter and writing on this blog, does not mean that **we** and I add myself in this one, are insensitive and support that kind of inappropriate behavior.
And, the generalization was not about a wide scope of people: it was about the obama supporters on this blog, which is limited to … … at the most 50.
He is saying:
Why would we “love such a thing?” — just because we are Obama supporters?? Well, that implies a very small mind for the 50 or so of us who are both Obama supporters and WHYS bloggers.
@ Matthew, Hi
RE Blank Page no. 30, October 24th ???
I missed it. Thanks for pointing it out. I will look it up and get back to you tonight or tomorrow.
Jennifer~
By saying that you believe that Obama supporters on this blog “love such a thing (as hanging Palin in effigy),” you say a whole lot about yourself, and absolutely NOTHING about we Obama supporters.
I’ll leave it to you to figure out what such a comment says about you.
Compelling questions for the new millennium:
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Whose idea was it to put an ‘S’ in the word ‘lisp’?
What is the speed of darkness?
Why is it that people say they ‘slept like a baby’ when babies wake up every two hours?
If the temperature is zero outside today and it’s going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
@ PortlandMike and jamily5
Very true, but it’s useless.
On another note, anyone listen to Obama’s rally in Florida? Bill Clinton gave a fantastic speech. I loved when Bill said Obama asked what’s best for Americans, don’t tell me what’s popular. I loved how how much they laughed!!!
@ Jamily5
Thanks for clarifying my generalization for me. I know what I said and in what context I meant it. It was posted as my opinion and was in no way meant to make anyone upset. Generalizations are made readily by the majority of people who post here that would be offensive to “conservatives” due to the fact that liberals far outweigh the conservatives on this blog. I guess I can be lumped with conservatives even though I am a democrat?
This little fish is swimming upstream and her opinions will be different at many turns! 🙂 It will cause much fuss but seeing as there is definitely a majority/minority issue here ; it should be accepted that people have different opinions and all should be respected. Unless I say something directly at someone I am not meaning anyone specifically as the “target” for something I say. Kelsie could not get that.
Several times Kelsie has misunderstood my words and I have explained to him what I meant; which was greatly different from how he interpreted my comments. It seems like he is just looking for something to be offended about. I am sorry that he was offended but to ask me to apologize was actually rather arrogant of him.
Nazi symbol of Swastika is similar to Hindu Swastika, but the Nazis inverted the alignment to Upside down from what it is in Hindu symbol of auspiciousness.
Anyway, its the festival time in Nepal…Today sisters put a 7-colored Tika on their brothers forhead and offer delicious meals. Just a few days ago, Nepalis worshipped the Dogs by putting garlands on their heads.
Its really enjoying.
But, the traditional rituals & ceremonies in Nepal have been distorted in the name of modernity. In a country which badly suffers from load-shedding, does it sound sane to flaunt electric lights to celebrate the Deepavali ?
And people always lament that they went broke while celebrating the festivals.
I’d be interested to know whether you people think it’s necessary to change the mode of celebrations.
Symbolism … ha. Everything we do is symbolic … are you kidding me, we Americans are Pro-Vets at it too. I mean, we got the entire world wanting to keep up with the Jones. We buy magazine guides on how to be better symbolist’s too, by the millions daily. Oh, and dare challenge an old view, one will have a tough time. Dare I say idolatry?
I think the ‘other half of the western world’ is better equipped to redefine, reclaim, or recondition in the matters of belief and mind than we in the US are. We had to first be redefined by Europe and accepted in that, we weren’t what we once were to them anymore. Pretty sure that was a difficult process too, but then, things of worth are usually difficult work.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7461707.stm
Yes, I think we can reclaim and redefine who we are and what things means to us, but if it’s worth anything, it will not be easy. And I just wonder, if it’s worth everything, how difficult that will be?
Symbolism … ha. Everything we do is symbolic … are you kidding me, we Americans are Pro-Vets at it too. I mean, we got the entire world wanting to keep up with the Jones. We buy magazine guides on how to be better symbolist’s too, by the millions daily. Oh, and dare challenge an old view, one will have a tough time. Dare I say idolatry?
I think the ‘other half of the western world’ is better equipped to redefine, reclaim, or recondition in the matters of belief and mind than we in the US are. We had to first be redefined by Europe and accepted in that, we weren’t what we once were to them anymore. Pretty sure that was a difficult process too, but then, things of worth are usually difficult work.
Yes, I think we can reclaim and redefine who we are and what things means to us, but if it’s worth anything, it will not be easy. And I just wonder, if it’s worth everything, how difficult that will be?
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7461707.stm
I would have put the entire address but, I kept getting an error message.
@ Roberto
Re: Compelling questions
Did you get those as an email forward?
I received this today! 🙂 Maybe you/Bryan might enjoy it!
Gov Sarah Palin was invited to meet with the Pope while he is vacationing south of Rome in Venice. The liberal press reluctantly watches the semi-private audience, hoping they will be able to allot minimal coverage, if any.
The Pope asks Governor Palin to join him on a Gondola ride through the canals of Venice. They were admiring the sights and agreeing on moral issues when, all of a sudden, the Pope’s hat (zucchetto) blows off his head and out into the water. The gondolier starts to reach for the Pontiff’s cap with his pole, but this move threatens to overturn the floating craft.
Sarah waved the tour guide off, saying, “Wait, wait. I’ll take care of this. Don’t worry.” She steps off the gondola onto the surface of the water and walks out to the Pope’s hat, bends over and picks it up. She walks back across the water to the gondola and steps aboard. She hands the hat to the Pope amid stunned silence.
The next morning the topic of conversation among Democrats in Congress, CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, CNN, the New York Times, Hollywood celebrities, and in France and Germany is:
“Palin Can’t Swim!!!”
Republicans or Democrats as used in terms, more often than not, give me the same gag-reflex like reaction I have to hearing racial slurs. I think this is one of those things we need to reclaim, from history, our definitions of such.
Paul Harbin –
Sorry about the delay but your posts had gone into the spam queue. It does take us a while to get around to all posts, I have recovered one of yours and allowed it.
You don’t really have to repeat post, if you could give us a bit of time we will get to your post.
Cheers, and I apologise once again.
Will
Roger-willco. The the process of the error just makes it appear as if it didn’t even go through at all. I’ll try to work on my patience to help you with yours =)
Republican – the world is flat.
Democrat – we can sail around it.
Independent – I have no proof of either and will reserve my opinion on the matter till I have a better understanding or experience to suggest one or the other.
Hello all,
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AMERICA???
Two neo-Nazis charged in plot to kill Obama…
Two white supremacists allegedly plotted to go on a national killing spree, shooting and decapitating black people and ultimately targeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, federal authorities said Monday.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_10831868?source=most_emailed
Neo-Nazis Clash With Protesters…
Three Arrested as White Supremacist Group Marches on Capitol
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/19/AR2008041901894.html
@Steve,
You’re always asking this question “Why muslims are killing each other over religion which you called “fairy tales”??
Now let me ask you this question.. why are those Americans killing each other over color difference!!!??
@ Zainab
If you read the article, they killed nobody and were arrested and face trial. Tell me how my trials suicide bombers give?
The Navajos of New Mexico used swastikas as a fertility symbol. Before Hitler. Like Tom says about people in the East, Jessica.
As a person who believes in the interpretation of signs, I think that one should be aware that symbols have different meanings in different cultures.
As a native Texan, I can only agree with Jessica that George Dubya Bush has been seriously toxic for the US and the world.
I hope Obama wins, but I doubt that four years is enough to clean up the mess made by Dubya and his cronies.
A lot of the people I know who clean up the messes made by other people are smokers. ” It’s a big world if you have to clean it”.