france – Page 13 – Citizen Reporter

VP Eye Candy

The following is a shortlist of things I’ve done in place of when I would usually be net surfing:

Watching hours of TV, especially TV5 Secials

Sewing new yellow curtains

Reading “The History of Gay New York” by this Chauncey guy.

Showing visitors L and D around, and visiting the sex museum which is well worth the 2.50 entry.

This is what my life has become, that and finding Wi-Fi randomly in this city.

I’m sure some might want me to talk about the Edwards VP announcement. Honestly, the first thing I think when I see these two together is: “Damn.. these boys are white.” I can’t say exactly why that’s the first thought, but its immediately what I notice. They are so dam white it’s annoying. I’m well aware that the other party is and has always put forth two white dudes, but for some reason – Kerry and Edwards symbolize the desire to sell a ticket to white America… making them feel “comfortable” like these guys are pure as a newborn lamb. (cause lambs are pure, Im telling you.) James Ridgeway calls the ticket “Business as Usual” which I think is another good point.. same old formula.. nothing new for the US.

So as part of my new increase in television exposure, last night on TV5 I was emgrossed in a special on the state of Israel. Pardon the pun.. but MY GOD. What a wierd place. Again, pardon me for being culturally disrespectful for a moment, but Israel is a strange-ass country. Things I learned:

Civil marriages are not possible in Israel! Only Orthodox.

Everyone is automatically in the military unless you decide to study religion for a living. (I forget what thats called).

If you choose to study religion as your occupation, you are paid to do so by the government, apparently for your whole life.

The Shinui party is the fastest growing party in Israel and they are tired of the old traditional close-minded thinking.(I think I like them)

Orthodox types hate cameras and if you point one at them they seem to flee.

In summary, Israel is a strange country with policies that I think are not only unique, but unsustainable. But hey, that’s just me. I would appreciate being corrected by one of my wonderful Israeli readers.

Today’s Music: Midtown – Living Well…

Ridin that Train

There is perhaps no better way to see a country, then from the window of a train. On my Newark to DC Amtrak ride yesterday, I did my best to take in the scenery. I enjoy the cities most of all, especially when you first see the Philly skyline or the somewhat depressing Baltimore cityscape. I also noticed places like Wilmington, Delaware for the first time.. it looked interesting, especially this stadium. Of course I also passed some of the more evil places in the world, such as a Lockheed-Martin plant. I could feel the weapons of mass destruction in the air.

Have you seen the photo of W arriving in France? Tony Pierce hit the nail on the head. I should just carry this photo around for everytime an American asks me what Europeans really think of them and Bush. I could use the same photo whenever a European asks me how Americans feel. Wooosh – inside-out blows the umbrella.

There’s alot of talk about a film called Supersize Me. I have not yet seen it, but it’s about a guy who does nothing but eat McDonalds food everyday. You watch as not only his health deteriorates, but he actually notes the addictive qualities of the food. The moral of that story. among others, is you should never give your children (or yourself) McD’s food to eat, because they will want more… ADDICTION! There’s alot more to the film than this, but I leave the rest to you.

Also Fahrenheit 9/11 trailer website is overloaded. And I noticed another film coming out all about Baghdad in the last two years.

Today’s Music: Morrissey – Vaxhaul and I

Web bugs and Backup Governments

Apparently, around the same time I was enjoying the company of some lovely Swiss visitors, my blog went down. I’ve heard rumors of blogger being plagued by bugs.. but now I’ve properly backed it up. I’ve added a few good blogs to my blog links just to your left.. by all means.. check them out.

Well it’s official, the Greek elections are over, and the Conservative Party, aka New Democratic party, have won. Years of domination by the socialist party have ended, to no great surprise – it’s a trend in Europe. Lets see now… Portugal, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Austria, Denmark.. all conservative parties in power, elected in the last few years. Mind you, we’re talking European Conservative, which in American terms would be considered liberal… the spectrum is a bit different. Now I know what you’re thinking – and no, the Olympics will go on as scheduled. You’ll still get to watch Ballroom Dancing, Skeet Shooting, and Kayaking direct from Athens… if they ever finish the construction. I’ve never been there, but it was not rated very highly in terms of the World’s Livable City Survey But Amsterdam came in tenth place! Just below Syndey and Frankfurt. For all the Canadians out there, Vancouver came in second place, and Calgary (home of Miss B.) was declared best in terms of health and sanitation. Click on that link, find out if your city is livable. If it isn’t, in the name of humanity, MOVE AWAY!

I’m finally polishing off this Hunter S. Thompson book Kingdom of Fear, what started as a smooth read filled with Drugs, Guns, Sex and Politics – in that order, has now become difficult to finish. Next up will be a re-read of Freud’s Civilization and It’s Discontents. Fun aren’t I? Otherwise there’s always the Utne Reader Book Club.

Today’s Music: Bill Frisell – Gone Just Like a Train

Libyan Pride

Suddenly every newspaper is giving their little anaylsis of how Libya’s decision to dismantle their weapons programs is a victory for GW Bush’s pre-emptive strike doctrine. They say its thanks to Bush’s invasion of Iraq that other countries are panicing out of fear.

Bullshit.

For almost 10 years now Libya has quite publicly changed its policies with the outside world. Why? Because of Kadaffi and his ego. The man is obsessed with the notions of his legacy and doing important things that will make him loved long after his death. For this reason he has dedicated his time to the creation of the African Union, a European Unionesque framework in its beggining stages. He has also renounced his position as dictator of Libya, keeping a symbolic role of head-of-state, self proclaimed king in many ways. In his place Libya’s parliament makes policy decisions, complete with all the corruption you would find in any western governing body. Kadaffi has also focused on improving his relationship with Europe.. especially France and England, by owning up to his government’s relation to the lockerbie and other hijackings. His government has shelled out millions for families of bombing victims… how many other governments can claim to do the same? Does Saudi Arabia pay WTC survivors?

In a recent interview with a NYTimes reporter, Kaddafi talked about how he once believed in arm sturggle to forward a cause, but now believes he was wrong, and better avenues should be taken to create change.

There is no doubt the man has a huge ego, which in the past has hurt people. But it is not as western media tries to paint it… he is not the same kind of dictator as Saddam or Pinochet…. we always want to paint things black and white, and put things into categories.

This is not the result of Bush’s bully tactics that have alienated the world. Bush has done nothing to make the world a more peaceful place – war does not result in peace, it results in more fighting and despair.

Libya is not a trophy, Libya has been changing for a long time, it’s the press that has no memory of history.

Portugal, facing an uncontrolable outbreak of forest and fires and a scorching heatwave, has appealed to NATO for assistance. This assistance would come in the form of air support and heavy equipment to help fight the fires. But what is baffling to this journalist and European, is why the hell does Portugal have to ask NATO for such things? Has it gotten so bad that the European Union can’t organize itself to assist its member states in the face of emergencies? How is it that Brussels hasn’t already dispatched assistance in its various forms to Portugal, France, Spain and any other nations facing this hurrendous crisis. By not providing its member states with the necessary aid, it helps legitimize the military-industrial dinosaur also known as NATO. An organization who’s charter expired with the cold war, and tries its best to be important in world affairs, and constantly undermind EU initiatives in the areas of defence and conflict resolution.

If Brussels has in fact taken action, it should do more and be quite public about it. Don’t force your poor children to go begging the nearest scumbag just waiting to be called upon.

And while on the subject of crisis and record breaking-destructive heat, how about that… still think Global Warming doesn’t exist? Oh wait.. the only ones who didnt are in the air-conditioned white house. Maybe someday they’ll actually notice the world going on around them.

Patasse is out, Bozize is in… so it goes in the Central African Republic. Home to less then 4 million people, in a country about the size of the state of Texas, political stability has not been one of its stronger points. Yet the current situation is a puzzling one: According to the rebels, led by Bozize, this was a counter coup for peace. This because Patasse was originally put in place with the force of Congolese military that had entered into the country in order to install the leader they supported. However this week, it was Bozize and the “Central African military” that took control of the airport, radio station, and then government buildings, scaring the Congolese troops into retreat, accross the river and back into Congo. The coup-leader calls his a movement for peace and reconciliation, to make up for years of curruption and despotism. Yet Patasse was elected and re-elected in the late 90’s? Were the elections fair? Who is the despot here? Maybe both. Radio France International’s reports spoke of CAR citizens running down the street with furniture and clothes taken from embassies and government buildings, one woman was quoted “This is compensation for pay they’ve owed me for more than six months!” At least maybe some Central Africans, long manipulated and mistreated, can finally have their “compensation.”