family ties

3554 friday family photo wedding this

2008-02-25T00:47:00.001-08:00

3554

Friday Family Photo--The wedding

This handsome young couple, Edna and Jesse Weybright, were married

December 25, 1911. Jesse was the 2nd cousin of my mother and her

siblings--which means they had the same great grandfather, who came to

Ohio from Pennsylvania around 1803. So the groom is my 2nd cousin once

removed. He was about 21 years old here, and my mother hadn't been

born yet. We didn't know any of these people because our branch stayed

in Ohio (near Dayton) until about 1894 (some longer), then on to

Illinois, and this group moved on to Colorado and the family has been

there over 100 years.

Isn't that just the most wonderful hat you ever saw?

2003_08_01_dear_raed_archive

2008-02-25T00:27:00.001-08:00

I just want to make sure everyone read THIS article in the Washington

Post, it freaked me out this morning.

Two hours before the dawn call to prayer, in a village still

shrouded in silence, Sabah Kerbul's executioners arrived. His

father carried an AK-47 assault rifle, as did his brother. And with

barely a word spoken, they led the man accused by the village of

working as an informer for the Americans behind a house girded with

fig trees, vineyards and orange groves.

shitshitshit. and then you go talk to the US Army guys and they tell

you they are fully "plugged in"and know exactly what is going on,

Habibi people who keep you "informed" are being executed by their

families. what surreal movie this country has become.

I am just a bit freaked out because the people I work with are making

me spend the night over in Tikrit, I only hope no one sees me coming

into town with the infidel americans again.

you know something has gone really wrong in your country when ou start

benefits of large family i

2008-02-25T00:17:00.001-08:00

The Benefits of a Large Family--I

The next few days (maybe even weeks) are going to be dedicated to

expounding on the benefits of a large family. So often, we are

bombarded with the "disadvantages" of having children, but no one

talks much about all of the incredible benefits! It's high time we

place the value of children in its proper place. Feel free to leave

your comment about your favorite benefit of having a large family, or

just benefits to having children in general. Of course most of these

benefits are based on the assumption that the children are raised in a

Christian home, and trained properly according to God's standard of

child-rearing.

Todays benefit is:

A large family supports the common adage that "many hands make light

work". It is so true! Every time someone gasps at all my children and

says, "I don't know how you do it! I can barely handle my two!" I

assume they don't have a clear picture of what a large family can look

like.

I have done less house work in the last few years than ever in my

life. And the work I do is less boring because I have so much little

help! Now, unless you are about to scoff at my "slave-driving", let me

clarify. Work is GOOD for children. In our entertainment-centered

culture, that theory is becoming less popular, and parents are often

accused of heaping unfair amounts of work on their poor, deprived

children. I'm not denying that somewhere, some family requires too

much of small children, but most of the time that is not the case.

In most families, the work and play and fun is healthily balanced and

the children learn proper responsibility, while sharing the work load

and developing a strong bond of unity between the members. Any time

people are a part of a team, having a common purpose with a common

goal, those people develop of sense of closeness that is unmatched by

any other. Working together as a family accomplishes that level of

unity.

A child as young as 1 or 2 can begin to pick up things off the floor,

and straighten their rooms under the direction of an older child. If

all the chores of a household are divided between mom and three or

four or five children, nobody has to do a lot of work. My five

year-old can completely clean the kitchen by herself, from the

loading/unloading of the dish washer, hand washing, drying, putting

away, sweeping the floor and wiping down the cabinets. What's even

better...she LOVES it! She begs to do it! AH YES, the joys of

children!!!

futurama fun for whole family except

2008-02-24T23:57:00.001-08:00

Futurama - Fun for the whole family. Except Grandma and Grandpa.

futurama

A dedicated fan has framegrabs of four seasons' worth of Futurama

title cards.

2005_09_01_archive

2008-02-24T23:47:00.001-08:00

Working to prep a class later in the semester, I came across a letter

written in 1615 by Galileo to the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, in which

he defends his ideas and complains about those who accuse him of

heresy. His arguments are striking in light of recent debates about

teaching creationism alongside evolution in the schools:

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed

us with senses, reason and intellect has intended us to forego

their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can

attain by them. He would not require us to deny sense and reason in

physical matters which are set before our eyes and minds by direct

experience or necessary demonstrations. This must be especially

true in those sciences of which but the faintest trace is to be

found in the Bible.

People who are unable to understand perfectly both the Bible and

science far outnumber those who do understand them. The former,

glancing superficially through the Bible, would arrogate to

themselves the authority to decree upon every question of physics

on the strength of some word which they have misunderstood, and

which was employed by the sacred authors for some different

purpose. And the smaller number of understanding men could not dam

up the furious torrent of such people, who would gain the majority

of followers simply because it is much more pleasant to gain a

reputation for wisdom without effort or study than to consume

oneself tirelessly in the most laborious disciplines.

(Full text may be found here.)

_________________________________________________________________

Cat furniture

Published by Pilgrim/Heretic.

I have lots of pissy and spiteful and furious things to say about how

our government is mishandling the crisis in New Orleans, but if I keep

thinking about that, my head will explode.

So in the interest of levity, I bring you instead a little bit of

weekend cat-blogging. We took advantage of a Pier One sale last

weekend to spruce up the dining room; OneCat and TwoCat of course

assumed that new furniture must be intended to showcase not plants or

vases but their own beautiful selves.

_________________________________________________________________

About me

* I'm Pilgrim/Heretic

* From Just over the horizon

* Pilgrim: More committed to journeys than destinations. Heretic:

Too curious for my own good.

* My profile

Still on the table

* Charmed, I'm Sure

* Conclusive evidence

* This Is It

* On the Eights

* 2008: so far, so good

* Happy Festivus!

* Year in review

* Space for the gods to find me

* A belated list of seven

* Spanish spicy

Aging in the cask

* November 2004

* February 2005

* March 2005

* April 2005

* May 2005

* June 2005

* July 2005

* August 2005

* September 2005

* October 2005

* November 2005

* December 2005

* January 2006

* February 2006

* March 2006

* April 2006

* May 2006

* June 2006

* July 2006

* August 2006

* September 2006

* October 2006

* November 2006

* December 2006

* January 2007

* February 2007

* March 2007

* April 2007

* May 2007

* June 2007

* July 2007

* August 2007

* September 2007

* October 2007

* November 2007

* December 2007

* January 2008

* February 2008

Riff-raff

friends and familythe choice is really

2008-02-24T23:37:00.001-08:00

Friends and Family...The Choice Is Really Up To You

One of the main reasons that I chose to study the field of Sociology

was because I have an insane, maybe manic, interest in the dynamics of

friendships, family, social connections and social disconnections. I

am passionate about learning the in's and out's of a person's personal

experience especially how society was involved - i.e. peers, family

background, living conditions, where they grew up..and other social

factors.

One of the main things that I find with my clients is that they may

have a hard time with interpersonal relationships (social

connections). Not that they are some "social" you-know-whats but

sometime outlining boundaries and sticking to them is a very difficult

task.

As you well know, when we all grow up and get older our goals and our

boundaries change. When we were younger it may have been that we were

friends with someone because they were a good time, fun to party with

and didn't steal your boyfriend. But as you get older you maybe

looking for different qualities in a friend...trust, support, respect,

a rock you can lean on..not a fair-weather friend etc. Sometimes

cleaning out your "friend" closet while it might sound harsh might be

a necessity. If someone is dragging you down, being a negative

influence in your life or is just plain sucking your will to live...it

might be time to re-evaluate your boundaries and demand to be treated

as you treat others.....that maybe the same for family too. Just

because blood is involved does not mean you need to be talked down to

or treated like a moron.

Can you communicate this with the important people in your life and

let them know that you are an important and special person and no

longer want to be treated like a rug?

Good question, take some time to think about who and what are really

city of oakland to pay 35 million to

2008-02-24T23:27:00.001-08:00

City of Oakland to Pay $3.5 Million To Family of Accidentally Shot Officer -

Sad Story - Oakland Trib

[SBS Blog Network Menu.........................................] Go

City to pay millions to slain cop's family

FROM STAFF REPORTS - OAKLAND TRIBUNE

OAKLAND -- The city of Oakland is expected to pay $3.5 million to

settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of an undercover

Oakland police officer shot to death by two fellow officers who

mistook him for a criminal, officials said Friday.

The settlement, which must be approved by U.S. District Judge Maxine

Chesney, would putan end to a case that was another blow to a

department already reeling from the Riders police misconduct scandal.

The approval of the Oakland City Council is not required.

A spokeswoman for Oakland City Attorney John Russo said the city's

insurance carrier will cover the cost of the settlement, not taxpayer

funds.

On Jan. 11, 2001, undercover Officer William Wilkins, 29, was

arresting a car theft suspect at gunpoint near 90th Avenue and B

Street in East Oakland after spending most of the evening working for

the Alameda County Drug Task Force.

At about 11:15 p.m., Officers Andrew Koponen and Tim Scarrott arrived

on the scene and opened fire after ordering Wilkins to drop his

weapon. According to court records, they thought Wilkins, who did not

identify himself as an officer, was going to shoot the other man.

Wilkins was hit nine times, and died in surgery.

A longtime friend of Wilkins, Officer Torrey Nash, arrived on the

scene just before shots were fired by Koponen and Scarrott.

In a deposition, Nash recalled saying "Hey, it's Willie" from about 30

yards away, but acknowledged he probably wasn't speaking loudly enough

for Koponen and Scarrott to hear him.

In an e-mail to several news media organizations, Koponen said he is

relieved the case has been settled and is looking forward to moving on

with his life. Both Koponen and Scarrott still work for the Oakland

Police Department.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Wilkins' widow, Kely, his now

6-year-old son and his parents, accused the department of not

adequately training uniformed officers on patrol to recognize

undercover officers.

As a result of the shooting, all police officers now receive

additional training, officials said.

posted by Zennie Abraham at 10:37 AM

Grab my Cloverfiled Widget

Kofi Bonner | Business Simulations | MLB Baseball Tickets |

NFL Football Tickets | Concert Tickets | NCAA Football Tickets | NCAA

Bowl Tickets | NCAA Basketball Tickets | Jane Brunner | Hybrid Cars |

Larry Reid | Mayor Ron Dellums | Tagami Vision | Henry Chang |

NovoMetro.com | Robert Schock

Comments without your name will not be posted. Thank you.

0 Comments:

christmases past_24

2008-02-24T23:17:00.001-08:00

Christmases Past

Nothing put the "family" in Toronto Sun Family more than the

celebration of Christmas at 333 King Street East.

The Christmas party, the decorations.

And a firm handshake from Doug Creighton during a reception in a

festive sixth floor boardroom, with SUNshine Girls, refreshments.

cookies and a cop.

Doug's handshake said "thank you for your part in making the Sun a

success story."

Beside Doug, a table covered with sealed envelopes and in each and

every envelope was a week's pay - in cash - for employees. (Thus, the

cop.)

With the cash, an illustrated Christmas card showing the Three Wise

Men - co-founders Doug, Peter Worthington and Don Hunt - wishing us

all a Merry Christmas.

And the Sun being what it was in those years, we did have merry

Christmases and a lot of happy new years.

2006_02_01_archive

2008-02-24T22:59:00.001-08:00

Patting Myself on the Back

I did good last week.

After feeling like family medicine was a whole new world where I

didn't speak the language, I'm finally getting my bearings. I still

don't know the childhood vaccination schedule off by heart, I'm still

not 100% sure when to recommend routine colonoscopy for colon cancer

screening, and I'm still at a loss with most eye complaints and skin

rashes... but I made a few good calls last week, so I'm going to brag.

And I'm bragging here cause my significant other is tired of hearing

about it.

Patient #1

A 43-year-old guy came into the office for abdominal pain. He had a

long standing history of gallstones. When I came into the room, he was

kneeling on the floor vomiting into a plastic bag. He was literally

writhing in pain. A few questions and an abdominal exam later, I

called over to the emergency room to tell them that I was sending over

a guy with suspected renal colic (i.e. a kidney stone). My preceptor

comes in and asks me why I didn't think it was gallstones, which he's

known to suffer from. Easy... gallstones wouldn't make him jump

through the roof if I tapped him on the back (costo-vertebral angle

tenderness, to you med-folks).

Verdict from emerg? Renal colic. A stone big enough to require a trip

to a larger centre for treatment. Score one for Dr. Couz.

Patient #2

A girl came in with a long standing sore throat. She's 11, and it had

been going on since November. Mom (a nurse) was convinced that she had

thrush, a fungal infection, as she had it a few times as a baby. I get

her to describe the symptoms, and at one point her mother mentions the

fact that she knew it was thrush when her tongue went white. I was

intregued. I questioned further. Turned out her tongue was only white

briefly, before the skin sloughed off and left her tongue strawberry

red. Hmm. And yes, she admitted, now that you ask... she DID have a

rash over her trunk sometime after the sore throat started.

Diagnosis? Strep throat and scarlet fever. I got complimented on the

good pickup. Score two.

Patient #3

34-year-old guy, new to the practice, came in complaining of flu-like

symptoms. The usual viral stuff-- dry cough, fatigue, aches and

pains... sure sounded like the flu. But just to be safe, and since he

was new and we had no information on him, he got the full workup-- CBC

(rule out anemia), TSH and T4 (rule out hypothyroid), and even a

monospot test to cover all the bases.

The verdict? Atypical lymphocytes, positive monospot. He had mono. My

preceptor asked me what made me think to order the monospot. I wasn't

even sure. It was just part of a full workup for fatigue. Either way,

it made me look good. Or lucky. Whatever.

So I'm not saving the world, but I'm starting to feel like I might

actually make a reasonably good family doctor in the next 17 months or

2006_11_01_archive

2008-02-24T22:57:00.001-08:00

Johnny's drawings

posted by cozynblue @ 4:24 PM 1 comments links to this post

Mimi, Tanisha, Cosette, Mom Marsha, Angelique(aka cozynblue) Sister

Akimma

New camera needed for Christmas, Please. This pic was taken with one

of those one time use cameras. Loser.

posted by cozynblue @ 12:58 PM 0 comments links to this post

Mc Donalds Job Application

This is an actual job application a 17 year old boy submitted at a

McDonald's fast-food establishment in Florida...and they hired him

because he was so honest and funny!

NAME: Greg Bulmash

SEX: Not yet. Still waiting for the right person.

DESIRED POSITION: Company's President or Vice President. But

seriously, whatever's available. If I was in a position to be picky, I

wouldn't be applying here in the first place.

DESIRED SALARY: $185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz

style severance package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we

can haggle.

EDUCATION: Yes.

LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.

SALARY: Less than I'm worth.

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and

post-it notes.

REASON FOR LEAVING: It sucked.

HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.

PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they're better suited to a

more intimate environment.

MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM

LIFTING UP TO 50 LBS?: Of what?

DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would

be "Do you have a car that runs?"

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be

a winner of the Publishers Clearing house Sweepstakes.

DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job no, on my breaks yes.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas

with a fabulously wealthy dumb sexy blonde super model who thinks I'm

the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing

that now.

DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR

KNOWLEDGE?: Yes. Absolutely.

SIGN HERE: Aries

posted by cozynblue @ 12:34 PM 2 comments links to this post

Miscellaneous: 13 Ways to Be Happy

1) Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple

things.

2) Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everyting, and

everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life.

The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.

3) Don't take yourself too seriously. Don't think that somehow you

should be protected from misfortune that befalls other people.

4) You can't please everybody. Don't let criticism worry you.

5) Don't let your neighbour set your standards. Be yourself.

6) Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.

7) Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real

ones.

8) Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, avoid people

ho make you unhappy.

9) Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about new places.

10) Don't hold postmortems. Don't spend your time brooding over

sorrows or mistakes. Don't be one who never gets over things.

11) Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

12) Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be

footnotecom teams with family search to

2008-02-24T22:47:00.001-08:00

Footnote.com Teams with Family Search to Release Revolutionary War Pension

Files

Yesterday FamilySearch announced that it will provide free services to

archives and records custodians who wish to digitize, index, publish,

and preserve their collections. This is in addition to the project

already underway to digitize and make freely available the 2 million

rolls of microfilm stored in the Granite Mountain Records Vault.

Today we see the first announcement of this collaboration. I suspect

there will be many more.

May 15, 2007 06:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Footnote.com Teams with Family Search to Release Revolutionary War

Pension Files

Revolutionary War Pension Files Will Be Available for Free at All

Family History Centers Worldwide

LINDON, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Footnote.com announced an

agreement with FamilySearch, historically known as the Genealogical

Society of Utah, a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church

of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch is the world's largest repository

of genealogical information.

This new partnership brings together two organizations that will

utilize their combined resources to digitize and make available

many large historical collections. The first project will be the

three million U.S. Revolutionary War Pension files which will be

published for the first time online in their entirety.

"The Revolutionary War Pensions will provide an intimate look into

the historical events and individuals that shaped our country's

history," said Russell Wilding, CEO of Footnote.com. "We are

excited about this relationship which enables us to put many more

historical collections online."

The Revolutionary War Pension Files feature original records that

include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns and other

miscellaneous personnel pay and supply records of American Army

Units from 1775-1783. They provide a wealth of new information for

historians and genealogists which they can share with other

colleagues and family members.

"We are excited to partner with Footnote.com to provide historians

and genealogists alike a tremendous source of data that will assist

greatly in putting puzzle pieces together to create a rich family

history," said Paul Nauta, manager of Public Affairs for

FamilySearch. "This affiliation allows us to better meet one of our

goals to provide as much data online as fast as possible for those

working on their genealogy."

Also, as a part of this agreement, Footnote.com will be accessible

for free in all FamilySearch operated centers worldwide.

FamilySearch has more than 4,500 Family History Centers in 70

countries.

Since partnering with the National Archives in January 2007,

Footnote.com has digitized over eight million historical records.

Each month an additional two million documents are digitized and

added to the site. Footnote.com estimates that by the end of 2007

it will have made over 25 million digitized documents available on

its web site.

To see free examples of the Revolutionary War Pension Files, go to

Revolutionary War Pension Files

Footnote.com has now begun offering free seven-day trial

memberships. To start a free trial, visit Free Trial

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

2005_08_28_gruntledcenter_archive

2008-02-24T22:37:00.001-08:00

What is the Gruntled Center?

Most Americans love God and their families. Most Americans are

contented with God and their own families. They are gruntled -- the

opposite of disgruntled -- about the core conditions of their lives.

They worry about their communities and society as a whole, especially

if they think that problems in society will come back to dishonor God

or hurt their families. Most Americans can form a gruntled center for

themselves.

Politics is a competition. The small left and small right wings

compete to draw that center one way or the other. The strategists and

salesmen and women of the extremes have to exaggerate the differences

in order to make the center afraid of the other side.

The Gruntled Center aims to bring a calm consideration of the real

facts about religion and family life to help people in the center keep

their bearings in the midst of the competing claims about "family

values" and "rational thought."

I am sociologist and teacher by trade, and a churchman and family man

tel rumeida

2008-02-24T22:17:00.001-08:00

My e-mail in-box was busy this last week, with reports and updates

from the violence reduction presence of the red-capped Christian

Peacemaker Team (CPT) in Hebron, all relating to recent death threats

against three of their members.

I've read CPT reports for some time now, and both these and the CPT

archives represent an oasis of information coming out of a desert of

silence. In Hebron we had endured both the "we work with the

authorities and cannot comment" silence of the International Committee

of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the "Our reports are passed on to

committees [somewhere]" silence of the mostly Norweigen Temporary

International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). TIPH unfortunately means

"spit" in Arabic, and silence - which is what ultimately results from

no-publish human rights mandates - is what keeps the violators happy

and makes you want to make the same sound as the name.

nothing like weekend with friends and

2008-02-24T21:59:00.001-08:00

some highlights:

- e may be better at pilates than me. else, he's a fantastic

motivator. as i pulled myself into the jackknife position, he

proceeded to slap my elevated bottom, as if to say, "you've got a long

way to go, auntie sj. keep it up! i expect you to carry me all around

disney and give a piggy back ride to goofy!" (we're headed to

disneyworld as a *family* including anonymous and her husband sometime

soon -- ray, you may expect me *nightly* at jellyrolls).

- e did not inherit his musical talents from our mother. or, well,

maybe he did. but really, it seems e may have a better sense of rhythm

than our mother. but then, her rhythm may have been affected by the

highball glass of wine anonymous gave her when she first walked in --

which i find ironic, because my musicality gets way better once i've

had a few glasses of wine. after a half bottle of pinot noir, i'm

barbra freakin' streisand. one thing's for sure -- mom was probably

asleep by the time dad pulled in the driveway. and e was probably up

way past 10.

- happy birthday, anonymous! my sis turned.. um.. 30-something

yesterday, but still doesn't look (4,5,6 or 7- take a guess) years

older than me. which is great news for her, but bad news for me and my

235 look-alikes on blogger. j and i went to cabela's and found her a

worthy reel for the great fishing derby of 2008 (when our family

vacations in upstate vermont in a beautiful cabin in the middle of

nowhere on a lake, and about 40 minutes from montreal.) my oldest sis

and i have had our share of giggles and squabbles over the years, but

i'm particularly happy that we have grown closer over the past 5 years

or so. the fact that we could make a sitcom out of our family is made

a little easier knowing that my sister and i would absolutely be able

to commiserate at the end of every episode.

- saturday night we went to dinner with KAT and the PH (just like old

times! except that it was at 5 p.m.... but still similar to the old

days when we'd stay up till 2 playing cards).

we went to one of our favorite connecticut restaurants that sits in

the middle of the state in the same town where i happened to spend my

childhood at 4-H camp. (which has *nothing* to do with this story, but

how often have i mentioned that i went to 4-H camp growing up, eh?)

first, KAT and I may have gotten off to a bad start with the hostess

when she asked us if we wanted to hang our coats in the coatroom

downstairs ("No, thanks.") She pressed on to tell us "but it's really

warm in there. there's a fireplace, so it gets toasty." Still, we

preferred to keep our coats *with* us, but had no intention of keeping

them on. but apparently to this girl, it's a one way street. either

let us take your coats or you wear them. no taking it off at the

table! this probably wouldn't have been an odd exchange for anyone

else but the two of us, i realize.

second, j ordered a salad for dinner -- with no tomatoes and no

onions. which we thought was fine. good for him, being healthy and

all. and the rest of us ordered various entrees, that apparently, come

with a small salad. so imagine our surprise when the waitress came

back to the table to find out if he didn't want tomatoes and onions on

his dinner salad - "I kind of picked up that you didn't like them..."

she said. Really? What gave that away -- the fact that he ordered a

salad without them? even more odd- was he going to get a warm up salad

to his dinner salad?

he very nearly did, although KAT had to ask for hers. the moral of the

story for KAT: you need to build your upper body. that waitress had

eyes for j.

oh - and one more thing. how do you think we could best recreate the

dessert KAT nad I shared: a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or

as i like to call it: 58 extra minutes of folding myself in ungodly

directions)?

2006_12_01_archive

2008-02-24T21:57:00.001-08:00

Eakins Ideas

Several commentaries in today's Philadelphia Inquirer. First, lawyer

Dan Larkin suggests a compromise:

"Philadelphia supporters should offer to contribute a negotiated

portion of the $68 million purchase price for these terms:

"Philadelphia ends legal efforts to prohibit the painting's move,

efforts that would absorb large sums, earn the enmity of a major

medical school at the heart of our major economic growth engine

(health care), delay the 'transformational' benefit promised from the

sale's proceeds, and raise awkward questions for museums that acquire

works of art that also 'resonate' in their home cultures.

"In return, The Gross Clinic is displayed at the National Gallery and

in Arkansas in a setting designed to ensure the painting powerfully

proclaims its Philadelphia provenance to millions of national and

international viewers annually. Text and photographs would complement

the painting's illumination of the city's technical and cultural

preeminence. Evidence of the city's leading role in 19th-century

medicine would be placed in the context of the continuing preeminence

of our medical schools, hospitals, and pharmaceutical and biotech

firms.

"The painting returns home as honored guest and centerpiece for

festive occasions marking major events central to the city or Eakins."

Art historian Marie Naples Maber says let it go: "I lament that this

masterpiece may leave the city where I trained and have enjoyed the

arts for more than 30 years. But I also understand that a broader

perspective can be revealing. This painting has hung at Thomas

Jefferson University since 1878. It was accessible to art-lovers

through a telephone call and a reserved visit. If 500 people per year

is all the audience such a world-famous work could muster, what

family secrets

2008-02-24T21:47:00.001-08:00

2007_05_01_archive

2008-02-24T21:37:00.001-08:00

Agflation

family bonding at paradise island beach

2008-02-24T21:27:00.001-08:00

Family Bonding at Paradise Island Beach Resort - November 4, 2007

Oh well.. I forgot to blog about this one.. never mind if the dates

are not in proper order. The posts have been delayed anyway.. I

decided to treat my family to a beach outing since I gave a promise to

my nephew way back May of this year that I would bring him to the

beach when he finishes answering the books which his new school gave

him to be filled up so his lessons can more or less be synchronized

with theirs coz he is a transferee. FYI I was his tutor for the summer

before i got employed as a content writer and started living as a

vampire(asleep during the day and awake at night). It took several

months before I was able to fulfill my promise but it was good enough

that I was able to fulfill it.. better late than never.

We arrived at Paradise Island Beach Resort at around 6 in the morning.

We always prefer to go there early since the sun is still not that

damaging to the skin and of course we would not want to miss the high

tide. This is the usual problem when you go to paradise island

beach... at around 9am the sea water would slowly drift away because

at this time the tide becomes low. There are only few times in a year

when it would be high tide the whole morning.

Anyways, the fare for the pump boat ride is now at P12/head for both

adult and kids.. and i was shocked to find out the day tour entrance

was already pegged at P90/head while the overnight stay is at

P200/head... whoaaa!!! I could still remember when I spent the night

with some friends there and the price was still P100/head. Good thing

my father has a senior citizen card. It is indeed a big help to get

discounts. Plus we sneaked in a 1.5L bottle of coke.. shhhhh... we hid

it in a towel! hahahaha! I was carrying a coleman cooler and the guard

asked me to open it up but it was only filled with ice.. ice for the

coke of course! hahahaha! =p If we poured the coke inside the cooler,

they would have made us pay for a corkage fee. That's how strict they

are.

We decided to take a dip at the water first then ate our breakfast at

around 7:30 in the morning. Then of course went back to the water

again. My brother and I saw some teenagers catching some fishes. There

were fishes everywhere and we know how much my nephew loves fishes. We

attempted to catch our own fish too but it was harder than we thought.

I even begged the lifeguard to lend us the net they use to get some

dirt off the sea but he told me it was prohibited. We forgot the sun

was already scorching hot since we were concentrated at catching a

fish.. just a single fish! After several minutes of trying and

failing, the lifeguard called me and handed me a fish. Gosh! finally

his conscience got him.. hahaha! He told me.. "Sensya na mam..

simpleng isda lang yan.. di masyado gumagalaw".. i told him it was

OK.. and really thanked him.. i gave the fish to my nephew who was so

excited and even bragged about his fish to some relatives who also

went on a family outing and arrived at the place just before lunch

time.

My nephew had lots of fun playing at the sand.. not minding the heat

of the sun.. we were even shocked when he ran back to our table and

grabbed a plastic cup then came back with the cup containing what you

would call an "omang or umang". It looks like a very tiny crab that is

inside a small shell.. it was surprising coz that thing runs fast and

hides beneath the soil fast. He made it his pet for several days but

it died a week after.

After eating lunch we decided to call it a day and head home since the

tide was already very low and the heat of the sun was scorching hot..

but look at my back.. i am now a member of the X-Men.. hahaha!

sunburned again.. the culprit? that fish that died immediately that

night.

But it's ok.. what's important was I made my nephew happy.. it's very

our family in brief

2008-02-24T21:17:00.001-08:00

Our Family In Brief

Topics: adhd, Bible, humor, mental

JENNIE

Jennie has been feeling really depressed. I guess you could say that

she's been that way for quite some time. Other emotions: anger,

resentment, frustration. I've felt these same feelings and have often

shared them here.

Yesterday morning she came home from work in time to head back out to

an appointment. I later saw her when she came into the restaurant

where I work. By the time I arrived home (circa 4:15 PM), she hadn't

gone to bed yet.

She had a lot on her mind, and I let her talk. Then I got a little

scared when she said she was having suicidal thoughts. Whereas I use

self-injury to cope, she uses food, namely sugar.

I'd been urging her to call the Crisis Care hotline so that she could

speak with someone, and even get help for her depression, etc.

Finally, I called the number and handed the phone to her. She talked

with a woman on the phone for some time. This woman asked if she

wanted to go to their office last night; Jennie said she was feeling

like she'd be okay just to go in tomorrow (this morning). So she made

an appointment for 10 AM.

I remember, two years ago, when my mom first moved up here, that my

mom wound up in the hospital for a week. I really hope that isn't

necessary for Jennie, although I have to consider the possibility.

I feel sad and a little worried for my wife. She is the love of my

life, and I want her to feel better.

I've seen her pull back from God so much over these past couple of

years. I've encouraged her to draw near to him, thinking that, maybe

he's allowing all the things that are going on to happen so that she

will turn back to him. "What if God is allowing all this to happen to

humble you?" I inquired gently.

She has expressed that she feels it's useless to pray. It's as though

doing all the spiritual things like praying, studying the Bible,

meeting with others, are not working. I know I've felt that way at

times myself.

I told her that I was committed to being there for her no matter what.

When we got married, I sang Steven Curtis Chapman's song "I Will Be

Here" to her as part of my wedding vows. I told her that I Will Be

Here no matter what happens.

I need to be careful of using pat phrases like that, however. Because

they can and have been overused, in time they seem to lose their

meaning. It's a little bit like singing the same songs again and again

at church; after awhile we get so used to the words that we stop

meditating on their meaning.

KEISHA

Keisha has also had a tough week. Her school is conducting Terra Nova

testing, which is supposed to give an idea of how kids might perform

on future standardized tests. I guess it also may indicate where the

school can improve in their instruction, etc.

She loves to read, which fires Jennie and I up to no end. It's

becoming so common for her to pick up a picture book we get from the

library and read it out loud to us. Some of the multi-syllable words I

help her sound out. Then after she's read it to me, I sometimes review

it with her to verify she understood what the story was about.

I love going to the library to pick out books for her. Because I want

reading to be fun and the time we read together to be fun, I've opted

for Humor books. Our library places a humor sticker on those books

deemed as such, which makes them easy to spot.

Keisha also loves to draw. It's evident in that her default activity

is to grab some paper and some crayons, markers, etc. and start

drawing.

But math appears to be a bit more difficult. Perhaps it's because it

can be rather abstract to see numbers on a page and not be able to

instinctively see their meanings. I try to think back to when I was

learning addition and subtraction and how I was. Unfortunately, I

cannot remember.

She also gets easily frustrated when she's not picking the information

up. I'm challenged by this because I can be the same way. I also have

to be careful not to get impatient with her and be sure to encourage

her.

There were some particular problems she had for homework that were

bothering her. I finally had the idea to use pennies out of her bank

as visual aids. That seemed to help. What helped even more, according

to Keisha, was that I was there to help her.

I'm not a psychiatrist and I know I'm not qualified to diagnose my

daughter, but, as someone with ADHD, I can say that I see some signs

of it with her. As I would talk with her about her homework, she would

play with her pencil and eraser - distracted. I found that frustrating

because I felt that she wasn't paying attention to me.

I'm learning to take advantage of my day planner. I look forward to

using colors, etc. to make appointments, etc. stand out. (I realize

that this might sound a bit strange to you all.) If I can make my

organization system fun, colorful, and interesting, then I think I'll

have a good chance of keeping up with it.

I would love to have a coach; someone to help keep me on track, etc.

I'm learning to use timers: for example, the kitchen timer has gone

off four times since I began this post to remind me that I need to

leave for work. My watch alarm has a "snooze button" effect in which

it sounds five minutes after I touch the particular button. I use that

to remind me that I need to take my medicine and when I need to get

ready to leave work, among other things. I'm using other alarm clocks,

too.

I hope that eventually stuff like this will become second nature to me

and help me be more effective.

There is so much more that I could probably talk about - I need to

talk about - but I need to go for now. (like we found out yesterday

that our Transitional Medicaid expires at the end of this month for

Jennie and I. This means we'll have no insurance. Ugh!)

verizon family values

2008-02-24T20:59:00.001-08:00

Verizon Family Values

From the "I don't get why this ad is supposed to make me want to buy

your product" department, I bring you the latest ad for Verizon

wireless plans. As you're probably aware, Verizon offers a program

called "in", which means you can talk free to other people who are

also "in" the Verizon network without using any of your plan minutes.

Okay, so the commercial in question goes like this (I'm doing this

from memory, so these aren't exact quotes):

Father (to approx. middle-school aged kids): Guess what, kids! I

got us all cell phones from Verizon's family plan! No we can talk

to each other all we want!

(Kids stare blankly).

Mother: It's also got "in," so you can talk to your friends all you

want, too!

Kids: Yay!

Father: Yay! Family hug. (Kids grab the phones and run off, all

happy-like. Obviously, hugging is not in the cards.)

Father: (pretty much looking out at the cloud of dust left behind

by the kids) Uh, well, okay. Uh, call me!

Okay, two things about this commercial that are just weird.

First, what's the difference between a "family plan" and "in"? Isn't

the former just a subset of the latter? If everyone who's "in" can

just talk to everyone else who's "in," and all your family members

are, by definition, also "in," doesn't that render the whole concept

of "family plan" redundant? "I can talk to my family all I want... oh,

and that also applies to everyone else in the country on the Verizon

network too."

Second -- and the real reason I wanted to comment on this commercial

-- how sad is the premise? How dysfunctional must this family be, and

why then would you want to get a Verizon plan if that's the kind of

family that gets them? The kids can't even muster up the energy to

feign emotion when Daddy announces the acquisition of phones. "Ooo, we

get to talk to Daddy. Woo hoo." But when Mommy puts it in proper

context -- "and all your friends, too!" -- suddenly they're all

excited. That's just rude and disrespectful.

And then to top it off, the kids don't even thank anyone for the

phones. They just run off like greedy little rat bastards, screaming

"me me me" and taking what they get and not even acknowledging that

they possibly didn't do jack shit to deserve a cell phone.

Finally, the commercial ends with the poor dad, having been royally

dissed now, reduced to a pathetic charicature of a man, saying, "Call

me." I mean, that's just pitiful. The kids weren't that enthusiastic

about talking to you on the phone in the first place, dude. Then they

dissed your idea for a frigging hug. Apparently the only way you're

ever going to exchange two words with those bratty little kids of

yours is if you go over to where one of their friends live and call

them from that phone, because that's the only time they'll get excited

when the phone rings. They sure won't get excited when the call is

from you.

***

Oh yeah, that there's that other commerical. I think it's also from

Verizon. Parents dropping off their kids at college, and the father

says, "Don't forget to call." "Sure," says prodigal son, "I got your

number right here, Dad." (He starts scrolling through all the names in

his cell phone's memory, and the parents just stand there, and it soon

becomes obvious that the home phone number isn't in there. In fact, (I

guess for humorous effect), the kid stops once or twice, as if to say,

"Aha! There's the number!", only to find that it's not. He even

mutters once, "Oh yeah, gotta call her back...."

Why do you have to have your parents' number stored in your cell

phone? Do you not know it from regular memory? If we presume that this

kid is a freshman and that he lived with his parents up until he

started school, why are you unable to just say, "Sure Dad. I know the

number."? Why must you search for it?

The saddest part is -- I actually have a Verizon cell phone. But in my

defense, I got it before these commercials came out.

2007_10_01_archive

2008-02-24T20:47:00.001-08:00

September NPD Predictions

With US (and it's just US let's not forget that) console sales numbers

(estimations) about ready to come in, I thought it might be fun to

take a look at what the numbers might be this month. Will the Xbox 360

outsell the PS2 for the second time this year? (that would be the 3rd

time ever!) How will Halo change things? Did the PSP slim release

affect sales?

Here are Michael Patcher's numbers: (who is quite a sport)

Xbox 360 - 450,000

DS - 430,000

Wii - 425,000

PSP - 252,000

PS2 - 220,000

PS3 - 150,000

GBA - 65,000

And a couple of guiding principles:

1 - Sales are usually higher in September than August as Holiday

releases begin to occur

2 - Pre-Halo 3 I predicted Xbox 360 numbers at 360k (so despite now

knowing the Halo 3 sales numbers I should probably stick with the old

prediction, though if I were to change it, 420k sounds about right)

My guesses (Red means my number is lower, green is higher, Black is =)

Xbox 360 - 360,000

DS - 441,000

Wii - 394,000

PSP - 225,000

PS2 - 232,000

PS3 - 150,000

GBA - 70,000

Stories to watch for:

1 - Does the 360 outsell the Wii. With Halo 3, the flagship 360 title

out in September, if the 360 doesn't outsell the Wii it would paint an

interesting picture.

2 - Does Metroid Prime 3 sell? It was released late in August to rave

reviews and pretty 'meh' sales. Perhaps it was just poorly marketed,

but it is a good enough title that the mainstream gamers should be

picking it up. If it isn't selling, what does it mean to the lifetime

of the Wii?

3 - How many of the top 10 games are PS2 games? In August 3 of the top

10 were PS2, 1 was PS2, 2 were Xbox 360 and 4 were Wii.

4 - Will EA solve the Wii 3rd party riddle? Boogie sales were tepid,

Madden were disappointing and though the Wii version of Tiger Woods

outsold all other versions in the UK, it was a mere afterthought in

the US. Will MySims fare better? Will the long term sales of any of

the other titles make up for their poor launches?

5 - What happened to handheld gaming? Though the hardware is

outselling the consoles, the games, outside of Pokemon, aren't doing

much in the charts. Will Zelda's October 1 release put handheld games

back on the charts?

6 - Will Guitar Hero just keep on dominating?

7 - Will Heavenly Sword drive console sales?

Posted by Russell Carroll at 3:41 PM 1 comments

Monday, October 1, 2007

The Casual Threat!

With the continued success of the Casual market on the PC and the Wii

thoroughly dominating console sales, the casual movement, once thought

to be a nice side business, is starting to feel like a Threat to many

gamers. (with a capital 'T')

What is a threat? It is the expectation of future trouble.

When gamers first started playing casual games, their numbers were

few. However, as the money and audience has increased, the number of

developers has also increased, often inplace of core games. The core

audience has carefully eyed the casual audience's growth and the Wii

becoming popular with a bit more contempt of late.

As the success of the Wii has turned the core audience from a majority

into a minority, it has become the new whipping boy of the old core

gamer. You can see it often in the media with even developers like

Dave Perry jumping on with somewhat illogical arguments to try and

fight back against what they see as taking away from their favorite

pass-time.

The mainstream attack on the Wii parallels a longer attack that has

happened in the PC space. Especially among the Indie crowd, which was

formerly the shareware crowd, which formerly was the main money

driving source in the PC gaming space.

As casual has become the key downloadable games market, Indie

developers have gone to great lengths to decry the market as

simplistic and pointless. A general sense of 'dumbing' down consumers

and making games that don't challenge and perhaps aren't even games

has become the outlook on the casual games sector.

It's kind of like an avid outdoorsman, who hikes deep into the

mountains to more fully appreciate nature's beauty. In his mind, those

who stop at the side of a road and take in a vista from their car are

really missing out. The highway and national park system are dumbing

down the experience, keeping people from what's good, and bringing in

people he can't relate with to nature areas once only enjoyed by the

like-minded few.

What's important to remember is that there are lots of different

consumers who want different things. ...and that's a good thing.

When you go to sell your product the goal is the most sales, which

means you need more people looking at it. To that end, if you are both

a gamer and a businessman there is a lot of good that can from letting

go of your personal aprehensions and embracing the casual group to

ensure that your product is seen by the largest number of people

possible. After all, you never know when someone staring out of their

car window at a beautiful vista will decide to get out and walk to the

family tour part 1

2008-02-24T20:37:00.001-08:00

2006_07_01_archive

2008-02-24T20:27:00.001-08:00

I want my daughter to come home. I was looking at pictures tonight of

the children of other Dillon families who have already received their

referrals from Vietnam. They are all so incredibly beautiful. I know

that Olivia is alive. I know what country she's in. I know that I have

loved her since I was a child. I knew one day I would have a daughter

of my own and I loved her with my own little girl heart. It is

incredibly difficult to know that my child is somewhere in this world

and I can't touch her. I can't feel her breath on my skin as she

sleeps next to me. I can't kiss her sweet lips and gingerly touch my

fingertips to her cheeks. I can't be there for her when she cries. I

have no idea if anyone is holding her in the way she deserves to be

held. Who does she cling to when she's scared? I want my baby girl. I

don't want her tomorrow or by Christmas. I want her home right now.

Right this second. I want to cradle her in my arms and never let her

go. Alas, God's timeline and my own aren't in alignment. I should be

used to this by now, but I'm not. Not when it comes to my children.

Jake is still sick. Again, God's timeline and my own aren't aligning.

Not only do I want Olivia home right this second, I want my son to be

perfectly healthy right this second. He seemed a bit better this

morning, but then he had fever again after his nap. It's just killing

me that he's so sick and I can't seem to do anything about it. Two

trips to the doctor, 4 days worth of antibiotics and he's still

running a high fever and crying everytime he coughs. It's breaking my

heart. There is definitely - FINALLY - a bright light at the end of

this tunnel! Jake decided this afternoon he wanted to go to Wal-Mart

and get a Spiderman toy! This is good! He wants to get off the couch!

YAY! He picked out a Spiderman costume. It's adorable! He looks so

cute in it. He loves to dress up. He also wanted a Sprite from

McDonald's and decided he might try a Happy Meal. He ate 3 chicken

McNuggets!!! This is HUGE progress! He also ate half of his fries! I

never dreamed I'd be so excited about my son eating fast food! This is

the first he's really eaten in days though so I'm thrilled.

There is a point to all of this of course. God always answers prayers.

Sometimes just not when we want them answered. Sometimes he says,

spare thought for nurins family stop

2008-02-24T19:47:00.001-08:00

Spare a thought for Nurin's family! Stop hurting them further!

I call upon all those who have received the email containing the

leaked post mortem photos of the brutally murdered child, Nurin Jazlin

Jazimin, to please stop hurting her family further.

If you have received the said email, please do not forward it to

anyone else and delete it from your inbox.

Spare a thought for her poor suffering family especially when the

killers are still at large and her family subjected to such torment

from the mass media and uncaring idiots amongst us.

I don't know which irresponsible idiot from those involved in the post

mortem of the poor child has so thoughtlessly done such an injustice

to the memory of that poor girl.

Only the hospital mortuary staff and the investigating forensic police

team would have access to such photos. Surely, they should know better

than to do this dastardly act of further adding hurt to the family of

Nurin by this criminal act of disseminating the sensitive post mortem

photos of the sexually assaulted and mutilated child.

Will they share with others such photos if Nurin was their own

daughter?

Hasn't Nurin's family suffered enough? What kind of a sick, depraved

society are Malaysians turning out to be?

What bloody hell kind of government do we have which trumpets to the

whole wide world of a 'civilizational concept' of Islam 'Hadhari' when

clearly the social and moral problems plaguing this nation has

deteriorated to the lowest levels of human decency under this

administration of the dumbfounded 'Imam Hadhari'?

All such abuse and mismanagement of the legal system of this country

under such a misleading program of the proponents of this clearly

useless interpretation of an already perfect and complete faith of

True Islam by the legitimate and authorized Last and Final Prophet of

Almighty Allah by the bida'ah spewing executive ruler of this country

has successfully given birth to the worst kind of criminals this

country has ever seen!

Sexual crimes are at the peak of moral decay in Malaysia and all the

bloody useless ulamaks of this cockeyed administration are to be

blamed for the rot taking place in Bolehland!

Instead of helping to ease the suffering of Jazimin and his remaining

family, the vicious imbecile of the hospital mortuary staff or the

investigating police team has gone and done this abominable crime of

spreading Nurin's post mortem photos that reveal the depravity of the

still at large murderous paedophile and his accomplice!

What the hell is happening to my country? Where has human compassion

disappeared to from the hearts and minds of this nation's population?

May justice prevail upon the murderers and the perverts we have

roaming at will in Malaysia. The thing is , even the bloody judiciary

is proven to be rotten at the top as proven by the VK Lingam -CJ video

expose recently!

Ya Allah! Please save us from the corrupt ones running this government

and the criminal swine out there raping, molesting, torturing,

2006_12_01_archive

2008-02-24T19:37:00.001-08:00

Economic Releases

Yesterday I wrote about the initial unemployment claims, but I forgot

to note that the four-week average for continuing claims also is

rising (see article). I repeat that the end for stocks is near. Next

year they will follow the housing market down.

The difference this year is that construction-related unemployment

won't reverse itself in the spring as it usually does. Earlier in the

fall the economic Fed-CW was that commercial construction would pick

up a good deal of the slack, but now both commercial and residential

construction are slowing. We can expect that trend to continue,

because banks are going to continue to exert more caution in lending,

and because commercial construction is related to both manufacturing

and residential construction. (New developments require new banks,

supermarkets and shopping plazas.)

Manufacturing now is slumping. A weakened dollar in the coming months

should help to offset this somewhat, but will be outweighed by the

very significant drop in domestic demand for manufactured products

produced by falling construction. (Consider Weyerhauser and

Caterpillar, for example. The drop in demand for wood products affects

Weyerhauser, and the drop in the demand for heavy equipment affects

Caterpillar.) In terms of the GNP, it's of concern that exports of

services are dropping.

By February consumer spending will be dropping significantly due to

progressive limitations on available credit, and then the second-order

effects of lower consumer spending, a tightening job market, rising

foreclosures and contracting credit will become the main movers. At

that point, the housing decline will begin to be fueled less by

affordability and more by increased caution in both borrowing and

lending, poorer job/earnings prospects and a procession of negative

economic news. Most plumbing and contracting firms will still have

relatively strong business for another year related to backed-up

existing home demand, but their profits will drop quickly, due to a

more competitive bidding process. They will, in turn, trim spending.

Less pickup trucks, etc. The contraction is beginning in south

California already.

I continue to think that the Fed will drop 50 basis points in the

first quarter of 2007. Inflation signals will remain relatively

strong, but those signals will begin to drop out when credit tightens.

This will be a continuing, slow slide next year, but if the Fed

doesn't get ahead of this domestic cycle they run the risk of a very

severe downturn. I have read quite a bit about Bernanke's theories

about the Great Depression, and I think he will be a strong advocate

for earlier, rather than later, action. Eventually he will draw the

inflation bugs with him as the "unprecedented" occurrences begin to

mount.

Heating oil stocks remain higher than the five-year average. The

Saudis claim that that world oil supply is in imbalance, but unlike

the peak oil fanatics, their concern is centered on oversupply:

High oil inventories in the U.S. are keeping the global oil market

"significantly" out of balance, Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali Naimi

said Friday.

"The market is significantly out of balance," Naimi told reporters

on arrival in the Egyptian capital ahead of Saturday's meeting of

the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries.

"Inventories in the U.S. are high, not low, that is why the market

is out of balance," Naimi added.

When asked what would balance the oil market he said: "Take 100

million barrels out," without elaborating.

What they really mean is that they are terrified of "Fortress

America". They are desperate to keep us politically and militarily

involved in the area through energy dependence. However, their efforts

are going to produce the exact opposite of their intent; the real pain

of this US recession will fuel a broad-based popular demand for

increased energy generation inside the United States. Those with more

historical knowledge view the prospect of being dependent upon the

most dysfunctional corner of the world with dread and fear.

Inflation in this cycle is related to extremely lax lending standards

and high fuel prices. Both will automatically correct going forward

(foreclosures alone will force credit tightening, whereas a recession

will reduce fuel demand), but the self-reinforcing nature of this

credit binge/purge cycle will not. The variable here is extreme

political upheaval in the ME Gulf region, but I think we won't see

that for about another 9 months at the earliest. Edgy Adji does not

yet have any nuclear arrows in his quiver. He would if he could, but

for now he cannot.

There are two theories about what happens after the midpoint of 2007.

The first is that the world economy decouples from the US economy, and

continues to rise. The second is that the woes of the US begin to

propagate to places like China. Weak spending at WalMart has a direct

significance for Chinese exporters, so I would expect some weakness

there over the next two years.

There has been a global housing inflation (in China, in India, in most

of industralized Asia, in parts of Russia, and in Europe), and it is

beginning to settle out in Australia, for example. Going forward, I

expect something near to the US experience to begin to spread in

Europe, Australia, and parts of China toward the end of 2007.

As for our domestic recession, we could reverse it within a couple of

years by removing environmental roadblocks toward any sort of energy

development project alone. However, recent political history suggests

that illegal immigration and deranged environmentalism will be the

determining factors of the 2008 election. Democrats have spent the

last six years insisting that Bush alone refused to ratify Kyoto (he

doesn't have the authority, the Senate has that), and that the

Republicans, left unchecked would, within weeks, cover the country

with an arsenic-laden cloud of oily smoke, killing cute chipmunks and

babies, unless they happened to be fortunate enough to drown in the

global flooding produced by global warming.

It will be difficult to reverse this politically. The deep misery of

the lower-middle and working class will, however, especially when

conditions on Wall Street get bad toward the end of next year and the

first half of 2008.

// posted by MaxedOutMama @ 12/01/2006 09:28:00 AM 9 comments links to

this post

CO2: Do We Laugh Or Cry?

As everyone knows, the Supreme Court will rule on a lawsuit filed to

force the EPA to regulate CO2 emissions from motor vehicles. This is

not a grab of power by the judiciary, but the product of a deranged

Congress which keeps shoving knotty questions off to the courts, who

are totally unequipped under our constitutional system to deal with

the overall questions effectively. So the judicial system has been

forced into a rationally untenable situation, and the balancing of

tradeoffs which should inform the debate will not be made.

Citizens really should be concerned about this. CO2 emissions either

are an immediate climate problem or they are not (see this excellent

article about the very poor correlation between CO2 rises and warming

but the very good correlation between cosmic ray flux and

temperature), but one thing we know scientifically is that regulating

a rather small portion of the total CO2 emissions produced by burning

fossil fuels, which only amount to about 6% of all CO2 emissions into

the atmosphere isn't going to change anything.

This is the GLOBAL estimate from CDIAC:

Given that the relative CO2 emissions keeps shifting from countries

like the US to countries like India and China, the idea that

regulating CO2 emissions from highway vehicles in the US could

possibly affect climate in a century is gut-bustingly hilarious.

Seriously, banning cement production and use in the United States

would produce more of an effect on atmospheric concentrations of CO2.

See this extremely funny article by Charles Kubach at

Mine-Engineer.com regarding California's efforts on carbon emissions:

Motor vehicles driven 12,000 miles per year will contribute 5 tons

annually per vehicle, with about 20,000,000 vehicles in the state,

this amounts to over 100,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. Then there

are 13 cement plants operating in California (about 10% of the

nations cement plants are in California), which produce about

85,000,000 tons of CO2 per year, while producing over 98,000,000

tons of cement. Then there is the power generating industry, which

accounts for about 67,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. (California

buys a lot of its electricity from neighboring states), and over

50% of its power plants are fueled by natural gas.

...

So roughly this is a total of 284,389,500 tons of CO2 per year

(including the 32,000,000 tons produced by breathing humans). These

figures are approximate as of 2004. Globally in 2004,

26,000,000,000 tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere.

California's share of global emissions is 1%, a drop in the bucket.

Therein lies the Law Makers Folly. Even if the emissions were

reduced by 50%, the air in California would not get any cleaner,

for reasons illustrated below. India, for instance releases about

1.4 billion tons of CO2 per year (almost 5 times California's CO2

emissions), and have little if any pollution systems in place, and

as their economy is rapidly expanding, their emissions will expand

by millions of tons per year (more than California produces,

probably).

Research is underway regarding carbon sequestration, if we find it

necessary to do so. It's probably the only alternative that stands the

chance of making a difference, if that is, it turns out that

anthropogenic CO2 is a climate forcer. This is not settled. CO2 is a

dynamic system, as shown in the above (government generated) diagram.

Emitting more CO2 into the atmosphere doesn't mean that it stays in

the atmosphere, and during times of rising temperature, more CO2 is

naturally emitted into the atmosphere, whereas during times of falling

temperature, CO2 drops. This is a totally natural cycle which has held

true for millennia. When the world gets cooler, CO2 in the atmosphere

starts to fall. When the world gets warmer, CO2 starts to rise. In

both circumstances, the change in atmospheric CO2 follows the

temperature changes.

The world's primary greenhouse gas is water vapor, accounting for 97%

of atmospheric warming. There are other gases which also contribute to

atmospheric warming (methane is one of the most potent), but let's

ignore them for a moment, and let's assume the other 3% of atmospheric

warming is entirely caused by CO2 in the atmosphere.

Update: This CBC 2005 peak-oil article says that about 25% of all

American oil consumption is consumed on the highway. That sounds about

right. The US consumes about 25% of the world's fossil fuels, although

our share is dropping quickly. So, 1.5% of that 6% is the US, of which

less than a quarter is what would come under regulation. To make it

easy, assume that regulating .5% of that 6% is what the Supreme Court

is discussing. Assume that regulation would reduce that .5% by 20% or

.1%. Would reducing global carbon emissions by .1%, reducing, in

theory but not in practice, global CO2's anthropogenic rate of 14% of

total CO2, which at most generates 3% of greenhouse-gas induced

warming, change anything? End Update.

serena enters 2007 family circle cup

2008-02-24T19:27:00.001-08:00

Serena Enters 2007 Family Circle Cup

Five World No. 1 Players to Compete in Star-Studded Charleston Event

Serena Williams, reigning Australian Open champion and winner of 27

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles including eight Grand Slam

championships, has officially entered the 2007 Family Circle Cup.

Currently ranked No. 15 in the world, she will be making her fourth

appearance at the Tier I tournament in Charleston. As a former World

No. 1 player, Serena is one of only 15 women since computer rankings

started in 1973 to hold that top honor. She will join four other

players (Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin, Am�lie Mauresmo and Martina

Hingis) in Charleston this year that have held that elite spot in

women's professional tennis. The Family Circle Cup scheduled for April

7th - 15th, 2007 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston,

South Carolina now boasts five of the Top 6 players in the world.

"Serena's performance at the Australian Open last month was remarkable

and it showed us all how determined and focused she is on getting back

to the top of her game," noted Robin Reynolds, Family Circle Cup

Tournament Director. "Serena has certainly been a crowd favorite here

in Charleston over the years and we are delighted to have her back. If

fans want to see the best in women's tennis then Charleston is

definitely the place to be this April."

Since her arrival on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Serena Williams has

captured the world's attention as a top player whose power and

athleticism has elevated women's tennis to a new level of competition.

With over $1.25 million in earnings this year, Serena has returned to

the top of her sport in stunning fashion with a convincing victory

over six seeded players, including the tournament's top seed and

current World No. 1 player Maria Sharapova, at the 2007 Australian

Open. With over 325 match victories, over $17 million in career

earnings, and having spent nearly seven consecutive years as a Top 10

player, Serena is always a contender in each event she enters.

"I'm really looking forward to starting my clay court season at the

Family Circle Cup," commented Serena Williams. "Charleston is a great

city to visit, and I've always enjoyed playing the tournament."

Source

Posted by Craig Hickman at 12:00 AM [gravatarlf6.png]

2006_05_01_archive

2008-02-24T18:59:00.001-08:00

Kittens!

They have finally come, I was starting to wonder if she was ever going

to have them! Last night or this morning, however you look at it our

cat (Tipper) had her litter of 4 kittens. They are so cute. AJ thought

that one was a mouse this morning :) ! She didn't take to all of them

2004_02_22_archive

2008-02-24T18:57:00.001-08:00

a+l+s+b+t+ 21/2

b+i+d+a+d+ h+dkh+ a+l+aHy+a+m+ t+k+a+d+ t+s+t+q+b+l+ snh+r+

a+l+r+b+y+e+...hky+tk a+l+m+sna+t+l+ w+a+l+hkd+a+yHq+ m+l+y+yHtm

b+a+l+w+r+w+d+ a+l+m+w+s+m+y+tm a+l+g+m+y+l+tm, m+n+ m+x+t+l+f+

a+l+aHn+w+a+e+ w+a+l+aHsnk+a+l+...

w+tkm+tm f+r+a+sna+t+ b+y+dda+H' t+i+d+w+ w+t+e+w+d+ aHz+w+a+g+a+ f+y+

hkd+y+q+tm b+y+t+n+a+ , w+k+aHn+h+n+ s+e+y+d+a+t+ m+b+t+h+g+a+t+

..y+q+m+n+ b+ahs+t+e+r+a+dd m+a+ l+ahs+t+q+b+a+l+ h+dka+ a+l+f+c+l+.

a+l+r+b+y+e+ f+c+l+ q+c+y+r+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ ..w+snh+w+r+ a+l+c+y+f+

h+y+ a+l+aHk+tkr+ tjw+l+a+ x+l+a+l+ a+l+s+n+tm ., w+f+y+ e+m+a+n+

snh+w+r+ a+l+snt+a+H' h+y+ a+l+aHtjw+l+ ..w+a+l+c+y+f+ q+c+y+r+ .

w+t+dkk+r+t+ a+n+n+y+ m+r+r+t+ e+l+j+ aHhkd+ a+l+m+sna+t+l+ q+b+l+

a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+aHx+y+r+tm b+y+w+m+ w+a+hkd+ , w+a+snt+r+y+t+ e+d+tm

snt+l+a+t+ g+m+y+l+tm l+l+hkd+y+q+tm a+l+m+n+z+l+y+tm, w+k+a+n+

a+l+w+q+t+ n+h+a+y+tm aHdka+r+ t+q+r+y+b+a+ ..w+ddhkk+ a+l+aHw+l+a+d+

, w+f+ddhkw+n+y+ , w+q+a+l+w+a+ l+k+l+ aHc+d+q+a+H'h+m+ a+n+ m+a+m+a+

t+e+y+sn f+y+ e+a+l+m+ aMx+r+ l+a+ e+l+a+q+tm l+h+ b+a+l+hkr+b+

a+l+q+a+d+m+tm , l+k+n+y+ f+y+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm k+n+t+ m+hktjm+tm m+n+

a+l+d+a+x+l+ , m+n+ a+l+x+w+f+ m+m+a+ s+y+hkd+tk ,,w+r+b+m+a+ k+n+t+

aHx+d+e+h+m+ w+aHx+d+e+ n+f+s+y+ b+t+l+k+ a+l+w+r+w+d+...

****

e+n+d+ e+w+d+t+y+ a+l+y+w+m+ m+n+ a+l+e+m+l+ a+l+j+ a+l+b+y+t+

,sna+h+d+t+ m+g+m+w+e+tm aMl+y+a+t+ aHm+r+y+k+y+tm t+q+f+ e+l+j+

tjr+f+ sna+r+e+ a+l+m+tja+r+, tkm+tm e+tjl+ m+y+k+a+n+y+k+y+ f+y+

a+hkd+a+h+n+ ,t+w+q+f+w+a+ l+ahc+l+a+hkh+ , w+w+q+f+ g+n+w+d+ m+n+

a+l+m+g+m+w+e+tm ,y+snh+r+w+n+ aHs+l+hkt+h+m+ b+a+t+g+a+h+ m+r+w+r+

a+l+s+y+a+r+a+t+ a+l+m+d+n+y+tm x+w+f+a+ m+n+ h+g+w+m+

m+b+a+i+t+...w+n+hkn+ n+m+r+ b+s+r+e+tm x+w+f+a+ m+n+ tjl+q+tm

q+a+t+l+tm t+aHt+y+n+a+ m+n+ a+t+g+a+h+h+m+, w+hky+n+ t+g+a+w+z+t+

,a+b+t+s+m+t+ w+f+k+r+t+ ..m+n+ y+x+a+f+ m+n+ a+l+aMx+r+?+

t+dkk+r+t+ r+s+a+l+tm w+c+l+t+n+y+ q+b+l+ f+t+r+tm m+n+ aHm+

aHm+r+y+k+y+tm q+l+q+tm e+l+j+ a+b+n+h+a+ a+l+dky+ g+a+H' l+l+e+r+a+q+

g+n+d+y+a+ m+e+ a+l+g+y+sn a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ ...w+aHhks+s+t+ m+d+j+

l+w+e+tm q+l+b+h+a+ w+hkz+n+h+a+,l+aHn+ aHx+b+a+r+h+ m+n+q+tje+tm

..w+h+y+ t+x+snj+ aHn+ y+m+w+t+ m+n+ tjl+q+tm e+r+a+q+y+ m+e+a+r+dd

l+l+aHm+r+y+k+a+n+, aHr+s+l+t+ l+h+a+ g+w+a+b+a+ t+m+n+y+t+ aHn+

y+e+w+d+ a+b+n+h+a+ b+a+l+s+l+a+m+tm a+l+j+ aHr+dd a+l+w+tjn+ ,

w+t+m+n+y+t+ l+w+ aHe+r+f+ aHhkd+a+ h+n+a+ l+aHs+aHl+ e+n+h+

w+aHtjm+yHn+ aHm+h+ ..f+aHn+a+ aHm+ ..w+aHhks+

m+e+h+a+..w+a+l+m+sna+e+r+ w+a+hkd+tm.

****

l+m+a+dka+ t+x+t+l+f+ w+g+h+a+t+ a+l+n+zHr+ l+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+ ,

t+g+a+h+ a+l+w+g+w+d+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ , x+c+w+c+a+ a+l+dky+n+

y+k+t+b+w+n+ m+q+a+l+a+t+ e+l+j+ a+l+a+n+t+r+n+t+ ?+

aHn+a+ aHzHn+ aHn+ a+l+e+m+r+ w+a+l+t+g+r+b+tm a+l+snx+c+y+tm f+y+

a+l+hky+a+tm , h+m+a+ m+n+ aHh+m+ a+l+aHs+b+a+b+ l+l+ahx+t+l+a+f+ .

f+a+l+g+y+l+ a+l+dky+ f+y+ a+l+e+snr+y+n+a+t+ aHw+

a+l+tkl+a+tky+n+a+t+ a+l+aMn+ m+n+ e+m+r+h+ , l+m+ y+g+d+ f+r+c+tm

hkq+y+q+y+tm l+l+hky+a+tm w+r+wHy+tm a+l+n+w+r+ a+l+a+ b+e+d+ s+q+w+tj

c+d+a+m+ ...hky+tk w+l+d+ h+dka+ a+l+g+y+l+ f+y+ aHw+q+a+t+ k+l+h+a+

hkr+w+b+ w+aHz+m+a+t+ w+e+d+w+a+n+y+tm ..w+k+a+n+ a+l+e+r+a+q+

e+b+a+r+tm e+n+ s+g+n+ k+b+y+r+ , w+m+s+t+q+b+l+ i+a+m+dd y+hky+tj

b+a+l+snb+a+b+ w+y+hkb+tjh+m+ w+y+hktjm+ aHhkl+a+m+h+m+ f+y+ hky+a+tm

hkr+tm k+r+y+m+tm . t+w+g+d+ aHq+l+y+tm t+m+k+n+t+ m+n+ a+l+s+f+r+

a+l+j+ x+a+r+g+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ b+tjr+y+q+tm m+a+ , w+hkr+m+w+a+ m+n+

m+w+a+c+l+tm e+l+a+q+a+t+h+m+ a+l+e+a+yHl+y+tm , l+y+e+y+snw+a+ f+y+

a+l+m+n+a+f+y+ a+l+b+e+y+d+tm , x+l+a+c+a+ m+n+ a+hkt+m+a+l+a+t+

s+y+yHtm l+a+t+n+t+h+y+ . s+t+c+y+b+h+m+ l+w+ zHl+w+a+ f+y+

a+l+e+r+a+q+ .

w+a+l+aMn+ a+l+snb+a+b+ h+n+a+ s+e+d+a+H' w+aHhkr+a+r+..w+ k+aHn+

a+l+hky+a+tm e+n+d+h+m+ c+a+r+t+ ahm+a+ ... aHw+ , ahm+a+ c+d+a+m+ ...

aHw+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+a+n+ , w+tjb+e+a+ s+y+x+t+a+r+w+n+ a+l+ahhkt+m+a+l+

a+l+tka+n+y+ .

l+aHn+h+m+ dka+q+w+a+ a+l+m+r+ m+n+ a+l+ahhkt+m+a+l+ a+l+aHw+l+ .

w+l+m+ y+e+a+c+r+w+a+ f+y+ hky+a+t+h+m+ aHy+ a+hkt+m+a+l+ tka+l+tk ...

aHw+ hkt+j+ y+hkl+m+w+a+ b+h+...

aHm+a+ a+l+g+y+l+ a+l+aHq+d+m+ , w+a+l+dky+ f+y+ a+l+aHr+b+e+y+n+ m+n+

e+m+r+h+ aHw+ a+k+tkr+...f+l+h+m+ r+wHy+a+ aHx+r+j+ m+x+t+l+f+tm .

h+dka+ a+l+g+y+l+ , w+aHn+a+ m+n+h+ , e+a+sn f+t+r+a+t+ s+e+y+d+tm

m+n+ hky+a+t+h+ ...tkm+ r+aHj+ g+hky+m+ a+l+f+t+r+tm a+l+t+y+ hkk+m+

b+h+a+ c+d+a+m+ , l+k+n+h+ l+a+ y+r+j+ f+y+ a+l+w+g+w+d+

a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ h+w+ a+l+hkl+ a+l+aHm+tkl+ .

****

a+l+dky+n+ e+a+c+r+w+a+ a+l+ahs+t+e+m+a+r+ a+l+b+r+y+tja+n+y+

aHzHn+h+m+ a+n+q+r+ddw+a+ m+n+ a+l+w+g+w+d+ ,l+k+n+ a+l+dky+n+

e+a+c+r+w+a+ a+l+hkk+m+ a+l+m+l+k+y+ w+a+l+dky+ b+e+d+h+ ,

hkt+j+ aHy+a+m+ c+d+a+m+ e+n+d+h+m+ t+g+a+r+b+ k+tky+r+tm w+aHf+k+a+r+

t+x+t+l+f+ t+m+a+m+a+ e+n+ a+l+g+y+l+ a+l+g+d+y+d+ ...

w+aHn+a+ s+aHt+k+l+m+ e+n+ t+g+r+b+t+y+ a+l+x+a+c+tm k+m+tka+l+

l+g+y+l+ e+a+sn f+t+r+tm a+l+s+t+y+n+a+t+ tjf+l+a+ ,

w+a+l+s+b+e+y+n+a+t+ sna+b+a+ tkm+ t+m+r+ a+l+m+r+a+hkl+ t+b+a+e+a+.

k+a+n+ a+l+e+a+l+m+ aHk+tkr+ aHm+a+n+a+ w+h+d+w+H'a+ m+m+a+ h+w+

a+l+aMn+ ....

e+snn+a+ tjf+w+l+tm h+a+d+yHtm f+y+ a+ l+s+t+y+n+a+t+ , r+i+m+

w+g+w+d+ tkw+r+a+t+ w+n+z+a+e+a+t+ d+a+x+l+y+tm e+l+j+ a+l+s+l+tjtm ,

m+r+tm k+a+n+ a+l+hkk+m+ y+m+y+l+ l+l+aht+hka+d+ a+l+s+w+f+y+t+y+ f+y+

e+h+d+ e+b+d+ a+l+k+r+y+m+ q+a+s+m+ , tkm+ g+a+H' hkk+m+ e+b+d+

a+l+s+l+a+m+ e+a+r+f+ w+k+a+n+ q+w+m+y+a+ , tkm+ snn+ e+l+y+h+

a+l+b+e+tky+w+n+ hkr+b+a+ l+aHn+h+ aHb+e+d+h+m+ e+n+ a+l+hkk+m+

...tkm+ q+t+l+ b+hka+d+tk s+q+w+tj tja+yHr+tm , l+a+ y+x+l+w+ m+n+

a+l+snk+w+k+ hkw+l+ a+l+b+e+tky+y+n+ w+d+w+r+h+m+ f+y+ a+l+m+w+ddw+e+

, .tkm+ g+a+H' aHx+w+h+ l+f+t+r+tm q+c+y+r+tm ,f+f+a+g+aHh+

a+l+b+e+tky+w+n+ b+ahn+q+l+a+b+ w+aHx+dkw+a+ a+l+hkk+m+ l+h+m+

....k+a+n+ a+l+n+z+a+e+ e+r+a+q+y+a+- e+r+a+q+y+a+ f+l+m+ t+k+n+

tkm+tm k+w+a+r+tk e+zHy+m+tm ...s+r+e+a+n+ m+a+ y+e+w+d+ a+l+aHm+a+n+

l+l+b+l+a+d+ , w+t+s+t+b+d+l+ c+w+r+ a+l+r+yHy+s+ a+l+s+a+b+q+ e+l+j+

a+l+g+d+r+a+n+ f+y+ a+l+snw+a+r+e+ w+a+l+m+d+a+r+s+ w+m+wHs+s+a+t+

a+l+d+w+l+tm , w+a+l+aHm+r+ r+w+t+y+n+y+ y+t+q+b+l+h+ a+l+g+m+y+e+

k+aHm+r+ w+a+q+e+ .

w+k+a+n+ tkm+tm q+dda+y+a+ m+snt+r+k+tm b+y+n+ a+l+d+w+l+

a+l+e+r+b+y+tm., m+n+ a+l+snr+q+ l+l+i+r+b+ w+m+n+ a+l+snm+a+l+ a+l+j+

a+l+g+n+w+b+ , k+n+a+ n+a+d+r+a+ m+a+ n+r+j+ e+r+b+y+a+ m+n+ w+tjn+

aMx+r+ , g+a+H' l+y+e+y+sn aHw+ y+e+m+l+ f+y+ w+tjn+ e+r+b+y+ aMx+r+

...k+a+n+ tkm+tm a+s+t+q+r+a+r+ w+a+k+t+f+a+H' l+k+l+ b+l+d+ ..

w+k+a+n+t+ a+l+q+ddy+tm a+l+m+r+k+z+y+tm a+l+t+y+ y+t+f+q+ e+l+y+h+a+

a+l+e+r+b+ w+t+s+t+e+m+l+h+a+ a+ l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ w+r+q+tm t+w+d+d+

l+sne+w+b+h+a+ w+w+r+q+tm snh+a+d+tm l+l+w+tjn+y+tm a+l+c+a+d+q+tm ,

h+y+ f+l+s+tjy+n+ . w+a+l+k+l+ y+b+dkl+ m+a+ b+w+s+e+h+ m+n+ aHg+l+

a+l+m+s+a+e+d+tm f+y+ t+q+d+y+m+ hkl+w+l+ l+m+s+a+e+d+tm dkl+k+

a+l+sne+b+ a+l+e+r+b+y+ a+l+m+zHl+w+m+ ..a+l+m+e+t+d+j+ e+l+y+h+ .

w+a+l+m+snr+d+ m+n+ aHr+ddh+ .

w+k+n+a+ n+r+d+d+ c+i+a+r+a+ w+k+b+a+r+a+ ...b+a+l+r+w+hk ..b+a+l+d+m+

..n+f+d+y+k+ y+a+ f+l+s+tjy+n+ . w+k+a+n+t+ m+w+a+ddy+e+

a+l+ahn+sna+H' d+a+yHm+a+ e+n+ f+l+s+tjy+n+ , w+n+h+a+y+tm

a+l+m+w+ddw+e+ n+k+t+b+ ..w+ahn+a+ e+a+yHd+w+n+ ..

k+a+n+t+ aHy+a+m+n+a+ a+ l+s+a+dkg+tm w+aHhkl+a+m+n+a+ a+l+b+e+y+d+tm

t+l+k+ ...tkm+ d+f+e+n+a+ tkm+n+h+a+ i+a+l+y+a+ ..w+aHl+aMn+ aHddhkk+

w+aHhkz+n+ w+aHt+dkk+r+ f+y+ aHy+ i+f+l+tm k+n+a+ n+e+y+sn ?+

k+n+a+ n+hkm+l+ aHhkl+a+m+a+ k+b+y+r+tm ..f+y+ a+n+ n+b+n+y+

aHw+tja+n+a+ g+m+y+l+tm hkr+tm ...tkm+ n+t+w+hkd+ l+n+e+w+d+ w+tjn+a+

e+r+b+y+a+ w+a+hkd+a+ q+w+y+a+ y+x+sna+h+ a+l+aHe+d+a+H'

a+l+m+t+r+b+c+w+n+ ...

w+k+a+n+t+ a+l+aHi+a+n+y+ g+m+y+l+tm ..f+y+h+a+ r+q+tm w+x+g+l+ w+hkb+

snf+a+f+ , w+a+l+m+tjr+b+a+t+ m+hkt+r+m+a+t+ w+m+hkt+snm+a+t+., l+a+

y+m+tkl+n+ tjb+q+tm m+n+hktjtm m+n+ a+l+m+g+t+m+e+ . w+k+a+n+

a+l+k+tky+r+ m+n+ a+l+m+n+a+s+b+a+t+ a+l+w+tjn+y+tm w+a+l+aHi+a+n+y+

a+l+w+tjn+y+tm a+l+t+y+ y+i+n+y+h+a+ a+l+e+r+b+ m+n+ a+l+m+hky+tj

a+l+j+ a+l+x+l+y+g+ ...

w+tjn+y+ hkb+y+b+y+ w+tjn+y+ a+l+aHk+b+r+ ..

w+k+n+a+n+q+r+aH a+l+k+t+b+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm

w+a+l+m+t+r+g+m+tm..w+k+n+t+ aHhkb+ k+tky+r+a+ a+l+k+t+a+b+ a+l+r+w+s+

q+b+l+ a+l+tkw+r+tm a+l+sny+w+e+y+tm , m+tkl+ t+w+l+s+t+w+y+

w+i+w+r+k+y+ w+t+sny+x+w+f+ .. w+aHhkb+ m+n+ k+t+a+b+ a+l+i+r+b+

h+m+n+i+w+a+y+ w+t+sna+l+r+z+ d+y+k+n+z+ ..w+m+s+r+hky+a+t+

snk+s+b+y+r+.

w+m+n+ a+l+k+t+b+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm n+q+r+aH q+c+c+ t+w+f+y+q+

a+l+hkk+y+m+ w+tjh+ hks+y+n+ , w+sne+r+ a+l+g+w+a+h+r+y+

w+a+l+s+y+a+b+ w+a+l+b+y+a+t+y+ , w+m+n+ a+l+sne+r+ a+l+q+d+y+m+

n+q+r+aH a+l+m+t+n+b+y+ w+a+l+m+e+r+y+ ...

w+e+n+d+m+a+ b+l+i+t+ a+l+e+snr+y+n+ k+n+t+ aHhkb+ s+m+a+e+

a+l+aHi+a+n+y+ a+l+aHg+n+b+y+tm , w+aHhkf+zHh+a+ w+aHk+t+b+

k+l+m+a+t+h+a+ f+y+ d+f+t+r+ c+i+y+r+ ..w+t+d+h+snn+y+ m+sna+e+r+

a+l+hkb+ a+l+r+q+y+q+tm f+y+h+a+ w+a+l+b+r+y+yHtm . w+k+n+t+ aHi+n+y+

f+y+ a+l+k+l+y+tm aHy+a+m+ a+l+hkf+l+tm a+l+s+n+w+y+tm , aHi+a+n+y+

e+r+b+y+tm l+f+y+r+w+z+ , aHw+ a+i+a+n+y+ aHg+n+b+y+tm l+b+t+w+l+a+

k+l+a+r+k+ ..k+n+t+ aHhkb+h+a+ g+d+a+ ...t+r+j+ aHy+n+ dkh+b+t+ ?+

h+l+ m+a+ z+a+l+t+ e+l+j+ q+y+d+ a+l+hky+a+tm ?+

w+e+n+d+m+a+ t+x+r+g+t+ w+t+z+w+g+t+ ..q+r+aHt+ g+b+r+a+n+ x+l+y+l+

g+b+r+a+n+ w+aHhkb+b+t+h+ g+d+a+ , w+a+snt+r+y+t+ m+e+zHm+ k+t+b+h+

w+q+r+aHt+h+a+ w+hkf+zHt+h+a+ ..tkm+ t+e+l+q+t+ b+k+t+a+b+ h+k+dka+

t+k+l+m+ z+r+a+d+snt+...l+n+y+t+snh+ a+l+aHl+m+a+n+y+

..w+aHe+g+b+t+n+y+ r+i+b+t+h+ f+y+ aHn+ y+k+w+n+ a+l+ahn+s+a+n+

q+w+y+a+ y+t+hkd+j+ dde+f+h+ w+aHx+tja+H'h+ ...

w+b+e+d+ aHn+ d+x+l+t+ a+l+tkl+a+tky+n+ , e+d+t+ l+q+r+a+H'tm k+t+b+

a+l+e+r+b+ a+l+q+d+y+m+tm m+tkl+ a+l+f+ l+y+l+tm w+l+y+l+tm .

w+a+l+g+a+hkzH w+a+l+aHi+a+n+y+ l+l+aHc+f+h+a+n+y+ .f+w+g+d+t+h+a+

l+dky+dktm g+d+a+ w+f+y+h+a+ r+a+yHhktm q+w+y+tm l+l+snx+c+y+tm

a+l+e+r+b+y+tm q+b+l+ a+l+aHs+l+a+m+ aHw+ b+e+d+h+ ...f+aHhkb+b+t+h+a+

..w+w+g+d+t+ aHn+ h+w+y+t+y+ aHq+r+b+ l+h+dkh+ a+l+k+t+a+b+a+t+ .

tkm+ q+r+aHt+ k+t+a+b+a+t+ a+l+i+z+a+l+y+ w+aHhkb+b+t+h+ g+d+a+

..w+h+w+ m+n+ a+l+f+l+a+s+f+tm a+l+m+t+c+w+f+y+n+ a+l+m+s+l+m+y+n+

..w+a+hkt+f+zHt+ b+k+t+b+h+ , hky+tk k+n+t+ aHf+ddl+ snr+a+H'h+a+ m+n+

r+a+t+b+y+ ..w+aHhkr+m+ n+f+s+y+ m+n+ a+l+m+l+a+b+s+ aHw+ aHd+w+a+t+

a+l+z+y+n+tm a+l+n+s+a+yHy+tm .

w+l+m+ aHt+w+q+f+ aHb+d+a+ e+n+ q+r+a+H'tm a+l+k+t+b+

a+l+m+t+r+g+m+tm. q+r+aHt+ r+w+a+y+a+t+ k+t+a+b+ aHm+y+r+k+a+

a+l+g+n+w+b+y+tm ,

w+k+t+a+b+ m+n+ b+r+y+tja+n+y+a+ m+tkl+ g+w+r+g+ a+w+r+w+y+l+

w+aHe+g+b+t+n+y+ g+d+a+ r+w+a+y+t+h+ 1948, w+k+aHn+n+a+ n+e+y+snh+a+

f+y+ aHw+tja+n+n+a+... tkm+ q+r+aHt+ k+tky+r+a+ l+(d+.g+.l+w+r+n+s+)

w+aHe+g+b+t+n+y+ tjr+y+q+tm t+f+k+y+r+h+ w+k+t+a+b+a+t+h+,w+w+l+y+m+

i+w+l+d+n+i+,w+g+d+t+h+ i+a+m+dda+ w+r+m+z+y+a+ aHk+tkr+ m+n+

a+l+l+a+z+m+ .

w+e+n+d+m+a+ s+a+f+r+t+ m+n+ e+m+a+n+ a+l+j+ b+i+d+a+d+ ,f+y+ e+a+m+

1991, t+b+r+e+t+ l+m+k+t+b+tm e+a+m+tm , b+c+n+a+d+y+q+ m+n+ k+t+b+y+

a+l+t+y+ q+r+aHt+h+a+ w+x+f+t+ aHn+ aHd+x+l+h+a+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ f+t+t+m+

m+c+a+d+r+t+h+a+ ...

w+b+d+aHt+ f+y+ b+i+d+a+d+ b+t+k+w+y+n+ m+k+t+b+tm g+d+y+d+tm..

w+b+d+aHt+ q+r+a+H'tm t+a+r+y+x+ a+l+e+r+b+ q+b+l+ a+l+ahs+l+a+m+

w+b+e+d+h+ ...w+c+r+t+ a+wHm+n+ b+n+zHr+y+tm ahq+r+a+ a+l+m+a+ddy+

hkt+j+ t+f+h+m+ a+l+hka+ddr+ !

w+e+n+d+m+a+ b+l+i+t+ a+l+aHr+b+e+y+n+ ..b+d+aHt+ aHq+r+aH k+t+b+

a+l+d+y+n+ ...w+aHn+zHr+ a+l+y+h+a+ b+e+m+q+ w+n+ddw+g+ w+t+f+h+m+

w+t+s+a+m+hk ...hkt+j+ l+a+ y+c+b+hk a+l+d+y+n+

m+a+d+tm l+b+i+dd a+l+aMx+r+y+n+ w+a+l+b+e+d+ e+n+h+m+ ...b+l+ h+w+

sne+w+r+ b+a+l+hkb+ w+a+l+t+s+a+m+hk t+g+a+h+ a+l+aMx+r+y+n+ hkt+j+

m+n+ i+y+r+ a+l+m+s+l+m+y+n+ .

k+l+ a+l+t+g+a+r+b+ a+l+y+w+m+y+tm t+i+d+w+ t+a+f+h+tm..ahn+ l+m+

t+t+e+m+q+ b+q+r+a+H'tm a+l+k+t+b+ a+l+t+y+ f+y+h+a+ t+g+a+r+b+

a+l+n+a+s+ a+l+s+a+b+q+y+n+.. b+d+aHt+ aHq+t+n+e+ b+h+dkh+

a+l+f+k+r+tm y+w+m+a+ b+e+d+ y+w+m+ ...

*****

f+y+ e+a+m+ 1976 , t+x+r+g+t+ m+n+ a+l+g+a+m+e+tm w+t+z+w+g+t+ f+y+

a+l+c+y+f+ n+f+s+h+, tkm+ t+tjw+e+t+ m+e+ z+w+g+y+ l+l+dkh+a+b+ a+l+j+

l+b+n+a+n+

hky+tk a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+aHh+l+y+tm..k+a+n+ q+r+a+r+a+ f+y+ i+a+y+tm

a+l+s+r+y+tm ..w+k+dkb+t+ e+l+j+ aHh+l+y+ w+q+l+t+ l+h+m+ a+n+n+y+

s+aHs+a+f+r+ a+l+j+ a+l+b+c+r+tm f+y+ g+n+w+b+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ m+e+

z+w+g+y+ l+l+e+m+l+ m+e+ snr+k+a+t+ h+n+d+s+y+tm.

w+dkh+b+n+a+ a+l+j+b+y+r+w+t+ ..k+n+t+ m+wHm+n+tm t+m+a+m+a+

b+aHn+n+y+ dka+h+b+tm l+m+s+a+e+d+tm a+l+n+a+s+ a+l+m+n+k+w+b+y+n+

m+n+ x+l+a+l+ l+g+a+n+ ahe+a+d+tm a+l+ahe+m+a+r+ l+l+m+x+y+m+a+t+

a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+y+tm...hky+tk aHw+c+l+n+a+ l+h+m+ a+l+m+a+H'

w+a+l+k+h+r+b+a+H' w+aHn+snaHn+a+ m+x+a+b+z+ , w+c+l+hkn+a+

a+l+b+y+w+t+ b+m+a+ aHm+k+n+ l+t+q+y+h+m+ b+r+d+ a+l+snt+a+H' w+hkr+

a+l+c+y+f+ , b+e+m+l+ a+tja+r+a+t+ l+l+snb+a+b+y+k+ w+aHi+tjy+tm m+n+

a+l+n+a+y+l+w+n+ b+d+l+a+ m+n+ a+l+z+g+a+g+ , w+aHi+l+q+n+a+ b+e+dd

a+l+snb+a+b+y+k+ b+a+l+tja+b+w+q+ , k+hkl+ aMx+r+...

w+k+n+t+ k+l+ y+w+m+ aHf+k+r+ b+a+l+m+w+t+ ..w+aHn+a+ e+r+w+s+

c+i+y+r+tm s+a+dkg+tm l+m+ aHr+ b+e+d+ sny+yHa+ m+n+ m+b+a+h+g+

a+l+hky+a+tm..t+r+k+t+ m+l+a+b+s+ a+l+e+r+s+ w+a+l+h+d+a+y+a+ a+l+t+y+

aHhkddr+h+a+ aHh+l+ z+w+g+y+ , aHm+a+n+tm e+n+d+ aHx+w+a+t+y+ ..q+l+t+

l+h+m+ h+y+ l+k+m+ ahn+ m+t+ aHn+a+ ...d+e+w+h+a+ e+n+d+k+m+

l+l+dkk+r+j+.

w+aHw+c+y+t+h+m+ aHl+aH y+x+b+r+w+a+ aHm+y+ w+aHb+y+ ...l+aHn+n+y+

aHx+g+l+ m+n+ aHk+w+n+ m+c+d+ r+ aHl+m+ l+h+m+ ....

k+n+t+ m+q+t+n+e+tm t+m+a+m+a+ aHn+ h+dka+ e+m+l+ n+b+y+l+

w+y+s+t+hkq+ aHn+ aHm+w+t+ m+n+ aHg+l+h+....

b+e+d+ s+n+t+y+n+ m+n+ a+l+hky+a+tm h+n+a+k+ ...a+k+t+snf+t+ aHn+

tkm+tm x+tjaH. f+a+l+t+n+zHy+m+a+t+ a+l+s+y+a+s+y+tm a+l+e+a+m+l+tm

h+n+a+k+ l+m+ t+k+n+ b+d+r+g+tm a+l+n+q+a+H' a+l+dky+ k+n+t+

aHzHn+h+...k+a+n+t+ l+a+ t+x+l+w+ m+n+ aHn+a+n+y+tm w+hkb+

l+l+m+c+a+l+hk a+l+x+a+c+tm ..hky+tk t+e+tjy+h+a+ aHw+l+w+y+tm

..w+t+s+b+b+ f+y+ n+z+a+e+a+t+ t+a+f+h+tm

t+s+b+b+ a+l+t+f+r+q+tm l+a+ a+l+t+w+hky+d+..w+aHd+r+k+t+ a+n+h+a+

t+n+zHy+m+a+t+ g+a+h+l+tm l+a+ t+m+l+k+ r+wHy+a+ w+a+ddhktm w+l+a+

t+t+hkm+l+ m+s+wHw+l+y+tm a+l+r+s+a+l+tm a+l+t+y+ e+l+y+h+a+

hkm+l+h+a+ .

w+aHc+b+t+ b+x+y+b+tm aHm+l+ ,,w+aHk+t+snf+t+ aHn+ tkm+tm h+w+tm

t+f+c+l+ a+l+hkl+m+ e+n+ a+l+w+a+q+e+ ..w+aHn+ a+l+hkl+m+ b+e+y+d+

...b+e+y+d+ g+d+a+ .

k+a+n+t+ hkr+b+a+ m+g+n+w+n+tm , a+x+t+l+tjt+ a+l+aHw+r+a+q+ , w+l+a+

t+e+r+f+ m+n+ y+q+a+t+l+ m+n+ ?+

a+l+aHhkz+a+b+ a+l+l+b+n+a+n+y+tm a+l+m+s+y+hky+tm ddd+

a+l+t+n+zHy+m+a+t+ a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+b+tm.w+a+l+aHhkz+a+b+

a+l+w+tjn+y+tm a+l+aHx+r+j+ a+l+l+b+n+a+n+y+tm w+a+l+q+w+a+t+

a+l+s+w+r+y+tm m+snt+r+k+tm k+aHtjr+a+f+ aHx+r+j+...w+tkm+tm

m+r+a+q+b+ m+n+ a+l+x+a+r+g+ y+d+y+r+ d+f+tm a+l+n+z+a+e+ ..w+l+a+

aHhkd+ y+d+r+y+ a+l+j+ aHy+n+ ?+

*****

e+n+d+m+a+ a+n+t+h+j+ a+l+e+m+l+ a+l+h+n+d+s+y+ , a+q+t+r+hkw+a+ aHn+

aHe+m+l+ m+e+ a+l+t+n+zHy+m+a+t+ a+l+n+s+a+yHy+tm l+t+n+zHy+m+ m+a+

...l+k+n+n+y+ a+e+t+dkr+t+, w+a+r+t+b+tjt+ b+a+l+e+m+l+ m+e+ m+k+t+b+

h+n+d+s+y+ l+b+n+a+n+y+ l+e+m+l+ t+c+a+m+y+m+ m+s+t+snf+y+a+t+

l+l+h+l+a+l+ a+l+aHhkm+r+ , w+t+c+m+y+m+ m+b+a+n+y+ g+a+m+e+tm f+y+

a+l+y+m+n+ .,

b+a+l+ahsnt+r+a+k+ m+e+ m+g+m+w+e+tm m+n+ a+l+m+h+n+d+s+y+n+ ...

k+a+n+ a+l+e+m+l+ m+m+t+e+a+ w+a+l+d+w+a+m+ m+r+h+q+ w+tjw+y+l+

w+a+l+b+l+a+d+ b+hka+l+tm aHm+n+y+tm s+y+yHtm...w+b+e+d+ hkw+a+l+y+

s+n+t+y+n+ t+n+a+q+snt+ m+e+ e+z+a+m+ hkw+l+ g+d+w+j+ b+q+a+yHn+a+

...w+k+n+t+ hka+m+l+a+ b+r+a+yHd+..w+hka+l+t+y+ a+l+n+f+s+y+tm

m+t+e+b+tm m+n+ a+l+hkr+b+ w+a+l+sne+w+r+ b+a+l+i+r+b+tm

w+a+l+w+hkd+tm...f+q+r+r+n+a+ a+l+x+r+w+g+ m+n+ b+y+r+w+t+

w+a+l+ahs+t+q+r+a+r+ f+y+ e+m+a+n+ hky+tk y+s+k+n+ aHh+l+h+ .

g+yHt+ a+l+j+ b+i+d+a+d+ ..w+w+l+d+t+ r+a+yHd+ e+n+d+ aHh+l+y+

..w+e+d+t+ a+l+j+ e+m+a+n+ l+aHb+d+aH m+snw+a+r+a+ g+d+y+d+a+...

a+l+m+x+a+b+r+a+t+ a+l+aHr+d+n+y+tm dda+y+q+t+n+a+ k+tky+r+a+

...w+zHl+t+ t+hkq+q+ w+t+ddi+tj e+l+y+n+a+ aHn+ n+e+t+r+f+

b+a+n+t+m+a+yHn+a+ a+l+j+ hkz+b+ a+l+b+e+tk ...

l+k+n+n+a+ t+m+s+k+n+a+ b+m+w+q+f+n+a+ ..w+k+n+a+ hkq+a+ aHb+r+y+a+H'

m+n+ h+dkh+ a+l+t+h+m+tm...tkm+ b+d+aH a+l+t+hkq+y+q+ ahn+ k+n+a+ m+n+

t+n+zHy+m+a+t+ f+l+s+tjy+n+y+tm ...l+m+ y+k+n+ a+s+m+h+a+

a+r+h+a+b+y+tm ... k+a+n+ a+s+m+h+a+ f+d+a+yHy+tm !

w+b+d+aHt+ r+hkl+tm a+l+e+dka+b+ h+n+a+k+ ...m+n+e+w+n+a+ m+n+

a+l+s+f+r+ a+l+j+ x+a+r+g+ a+l+b+l+a+d+...w+m+n+e+w+n+a+ m+n+

a+l+e+m+l+ d+a+x+l+ m+wHs+s+a+t+ a+l+d+w+l+tm..w+l+m+ aHk+n+ aHf+h+m+

m+a+ g+r+y+m+t+n+a+ .

dkh+b+n+a+ m+t+tjw+e+y+n+ l+m+s+a+e+d+tm aHh+a+l+y+ m+x+y+m+a+t+

m+n+k+w+b+y+n+ , f+m+a+ a+l+dky+ aHi+ddb+ h+wHl+a+H' , w+g+e+l+w+n+a+

m+t+h+m+y+n+ ..w+m+n+e+w+n+a+ m+n+ hkq+w+q+n+a+ m+tkl+ a+l+aMx+r+y+n+

k+l+ a+l+ahdka+e+a+t+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm t+b+k+y+ e+l+j+ f+l+s+tjy+n+

..w+n+hkn+ dkh+b+n+a+ l+n+s+a+e+d+...f+aHy+n+ a+l+x+tjaH?+

h+dkh+ k+a+n+t+ a+l+c+d+m+tm a+l+tka+n+y+tm f+y+ hky+a+t+y+ b+e+d+

c+d+m+tm b+y+r+w+t+ w+a+l+f+w+ddj+ h+n+a+k+ ...

w+b+d+aHt+ aHn+zHr+ l+l+aHm+w+r+ b+tjr+y+q+tm aHx+r+j+ ...tkm+tm

h+w+tm b+y+n+ a+l+ahe+l+a+m+ ..w+w+a+q+e+ a+l+hka+l+ f+y+ a+l+w+tjn+

a+l+e+r+b+y+..tkm+tm k+l+a+m+ g+m+y+l+ ...w+aHf+e+a+l+

q+b+y+hktm.tkm+tm k+dkb+ l+a+ hkd+w+d+ l+h+ ...

w+l+m+a+dka+ y+k+dkb+w+n+?+ k+a+n+ h+dka+ a+l+s+wHa+l+ y+e+dkb+n+y+

tjw+y+l+a+ w+l+a+ aHq+d+r+ aHn+ aHs+aHl+ aHhkd+a+ ...m+n+ y+m+l+k+

a+l+g+w+a+b+ ?+

i+r+q+t+ f+y+ a+l+e+m+l+ w+h+m+w+m+ a+l+aHs+r+tm a+l+g+d+y+d+tm f+y+

e+m+a+n+ ..w+a+snt+i+l+n+a+ f+y+ a+l+q+tja+e+ a+l+x+a+c+ f+q+tj

.l+aHn+ q+tja+e+ a+l+d+w+l+tm m+i+l+q+ aHm+a+m+

w+g+w+h+n+a+...w+a+k+t+snf+t+ b+e+d+ s+n+w+a+t+ m+n+ w+g+w+d+y+ f+y+

e+m+a+n+ ,

a+n+ k+l+ a+l+snb+a+b+ w+a+l+sna+b+a+t+ a+l+e+a+yHd+y+n+ m+n+

a+l+x+a+r+g+ , y+e+a+m+l+w+n+ h+k+dka+...w+y+e+a+d+ b+r+m+g+tm

hky+a+t+h+m+ w+aHhkl+a+m+h+m+ w+aHf+k+a+r+h+m+ b+tjr+y+q+tm

aHx+r+j+...

tkm+ i+a+d+r+n+a+ e+m+a+n+ a+l+j+ a+l+s+e+w+d+y+tm...hky+tk a+l+e+m+l+

w+a+l+i+r+b+tm..e+z+a+m+ k+a+n+ m+n+h+m+k+a+ b+a+l+e+m+l+ w+aHn+a+

aHq+ddy+ a+l+w+q+t+ m+e+ a+l+aHtjf+a+l+, w+aHhky+a+n+a+ e+m+l+

h+n+d+s+y+ f+y+ a+l+b+y+t+ w+aHhky+a+n+a+ q+r+a+H'tm k+t+b+ ...

w+f+y+ a+l+c+y+f+ k+n+a+ n+s+a+f+r+ a+l+j+ aHw+r+w+b+a+...f+aHx+l+e+

a+l+e+b+a+H'tm w+aHl+b+s+ a+l+b+n+tjl+w+n+ ..k+n+t+ aHhks+ aHn+ tkm+tm

f+c+a+m+ f+y+ a+l+snx+c+y+tm s+y+c+y+b+n+y+...

w+k+n+t+ aHd+h+sn b+g+m+a+l+ aHw+r+w+b+a+ w+n+zHa+f+t+h+a+

w+l+tja+f+tm a+l+n+a+s+ ..w+aHhks+d+h+m+ e+l+j+ hkr+y+t+h+m+

w+h+d+w+H' b+a+l+h+m+ .. w+a+l+hkdda+r+tm a+l+t+y+ y+n+e+m+w+n+

b+h+a+..

w+m+r+tm k+n+a+ f+y+ g+n+y+f+ ..w+k+n+t+ aHd+f+e+ e+r+b+tm

a+l+aHtjf+a+l+ f+y+h+a+ x+a+l+d+ w+h+w+ c+i+y+r+..f+a+q+t+r+b+ m+n+y+

e+z+a+m+ w+a+b+t+s+m+ ..w+s+aHl+n+y+ h+a+m+s+a+: l+w+ c+a+r+t+

f+r+c+tm l+n+a+ ..h+l+ t+aHt+y+n+ l+l+e+y+sn h+n+a+ ?+

r+d+d+t+ f+w+r+a+ w+d+w+n+ t+f+k+y+r+...l+a+ . w+q+tjb+t+

g+b+y+n+y+...

w+l+m+a+dka+?+ s+aHl+ e+z+a+m+ ...aHl+y+s+t+ b+l+a+d+a+ g+m+y+l+tm

w+n+zHy+f+tm?+ a+l+y+s+t+ aHf+ddl+ m+n+ a+l+d+w+l+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm?+

l+a+ aHe+r+f+ ..q+l+t+, w+b+q+y+t+ hka+yHr+tm q+l+y+l+a+ ...n+e+m+

h+y+ b+l+a+d+ g+m+y+l+tm ..l+k+n+y+ l+a+ aHhks+ b+aHy+ e+l+a+q+tm

b+y+n+y+ w+b+y+n+h+a+ ..l+a+ sny+H' m+snt+r+k+ ...k+y+f+ s+aHe+y+sn

h+n+a+?+ s+y+q+t+l+n+y+ a+l+sne+w+r+ b+a+l+i+r+b+tm.

******

f+y+ e+a+m+ 1982 d+x+l+t+ a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ a+l+j+ b+y+r+w+t+ ,

w+k+a+n+t+ m+dka+b+hk f+y+ a+l+m+x+y+m+a+t+ , w+l+m+ t+t+hkr+k+

a+l+d+w+l+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm l+f+e+l+ sny+H' , s+w+j+ t+c+r+y+hka+t+

w+a+g+t+m+a+e+a+t+ w+k+l+a+m+ ...w+k+a+n+ hkc+a+r+ h+n+a+k+

w+t+c+f+y+tm a+s+t+m+r+t+ aHs+a+b+y+e+ aHw+ snh+w+r+ m+a+ e+d+t+

aHdkk+r+ t+m+a+m+a+ , l+k+n+ a+l+m+x+y+m+a+t+ s+q+tjt+

w+a+l+m+q+a+w+m+tm a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+y+tm x+r+g+t+ m+n+ l+b+n+a+n+

a+l+j+ m+n+f+j+ aMx+r+ ,,a+l+j+ t+w+n+s+ ...h+n+a+k+ b+e+y+d+a+ a+l+j+

i+r+b+ a+f+r+y+q+y+a+ ...

k+a+n+ tkm+tm a+hkb+a+tj e+a+m+ f+y+ a+l+sna+r+e+ a+l+e+r+b+y+ m+m+a+

hkd+tk ...

w+f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ hkr+b+ tja+hkn+tm m+e+ a+y+r+a+n+ ...k+a+n+

c+d+a+m+ f+y+ aHw+g+ q+w+t+h+ ..w+k+a+n+ y+f+n+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+

b+hkr+b+ tja+hkn+tm m+e+ g+a+r+tm m+s+l+m+tm..a+y+r+a+n+ .

w+a+l+s+b+b+ tkw+r+tm a+y+r+a+n+y+tm w+hkk+m+ g+d+y+d+ y+x+sna+h+

a+l+g+m+y+e+ ...m+n+ a+l+q+r+y+b+y+n+ w+a+l+b+e+y+d+y+n+ ,

f+t+hka+l+f+w+a+ ddd+h+..

w+h+n+a+ k+a+n+t+ aHm+y+r+k+a+ w+a+ddhktm f+y+ a+l+c+w+r+tm .

s+a+n+d+t+ c+d+a+m+ w+r+b+m+a+ d+f+e+t+h+ l+snn+ h+dkh+ a+l+hkr+b+

w+m+w+l+t+h+ b+a+l+m+a+l+ w+a+l+s+l+a+hk m+n+ aHg+l+ a+n+h+a+k+

a+y+r+a+n+ w+a+l+e+r+a+q+ ,,,t+l+k+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+x+a+s+r+tm

l+l+tjr+f+y+n+ .

k+n+t+ aHe+y+sn f+y+ e+m+a+n+ w+q+l+b+y+ y+m+t+l+y+H' b+a+l+aHl+m+

l+m+a+ y+hkd+tk l+l+e+r+a+q+ ...w+f+l+s+tjy+n+ . w+a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+

a+l+e+r+b+y+tm e+a+g+z+tm e+n+ f+e+l+ sny+H' l+h+ q+y+m+tm...w+k+a+n+

sne+w+r+a+ b+a+l+x+y+b+tm y+k+b+r+ f+y+ a+l+sna+r+e+ a+l+e+r+b+y+

...w+sne+w+r+ b+a+l+i+ddb+ m+m+a+ y+g+r+y+ .

a+n+t+h+t+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm a+l+ahy+r+a+n+y+tm ,

l+t+snt+e+l+ a+l+m+n+tjq+tm m+n+ g+d+y+d+ f+y+ a+l+ahn+t+f+a+ddtm f+y+

f+l+s+tjy+n+ ...w+m+c+a+d+m+a+t+ w+e+n+f+ l+a+ n+h+a+y+tm l+h+

...w+a+l+sna+r+e+ a+l+e+r+b+y+ y+t+s+a+H'l+ e+m+a+ y+hkd+tk

..w+t+snm+yHz+ n+f+s+h+ m+n+ c+m+t+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+

w+s+l+b+y+t+h+a+...w+k+a+n+ tkm+tm s+x+tj y+k+b+r+ ddd+ aHm+y+r+k+a+

..l+aHn+ b+ahm+k+a+n+h+a+ a+l+m+s+a+e+d+tm w+t+h+d+yHtm a+l+aHm+w+r+

w+l+k+n+h+a+ l+a+ t+f+e+l+ w+t+t+hky+z+ l+tjr+f+ ddd+

aMx+r+...w+t+ddi+tj e+l+j+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm m+n+ aHg+l+

m+z+y+d+ m+n+ a+l+c+m+t+ w+a+l+s+l+b+y+tm, w+h+dkh+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+

t+ddi+tj b+d+w+r+h+a+ e+l+j+ a+l+sne+w+b+...w+t+hktjm+ m+a+ t+b+q+j+

m+n+ aHhkl+a+m+ g+m+y+l+tm ..l+t+hkr+y+r+ f+l+s+tjy+n+ . aHw+ w+hkd+tm

e+r+b+y+tm q+w+y+tm .

tkm+ g+a+H't+ hkr+b+ a+l+k+w+y+t+, l+t+k+w+n+ a+l+q+sntm a+l+t+y+

q+c+m+t+ zHh+r+ a+l+b+e+y+r+...

f+a+n+q+s+m+t+ a+l+aHm+tm b+y+n+ m+wHy+d+ w+m+e+a+r+dd ...w+m+n+

s+l+b+y+tm a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm w+dde+f+h+a+ , t+d+x+l+t+

aHm+y+r+k+a+ l+t+snn+ hkr+b+a+ ddd+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ l+t+hkr+y+r+

a+l+k+w+y+t+ .

k+a+n+t+ a+l+ddi+w+tj w+a+ddhktm m+n+ a+l+ahd+a+r+tm

a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+tm e+l+j+ a+l+e+r+b+ , l+e+d+m+ hkl+ a+l+m+snk+l+tm

e+r+b+y+a+ b+y+n+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ ..d+w+n+ t+d+x+l+ aHg+n+b+y+ ..

w+q+a+m+t+ a+l+hkr+b+ w+t+c+d+e+ aMx+r+ g+d+a+r+ k+a+n+ f+y+ b+y+t+

y+ddm+ a+l+e+r+b+ g+m+y+e+a+ ...w+aHc+b+hkw+a+ f+r+q+a+

w+aHe+d+a+H'...

w+f+l+s+tjy+n+ dda+e+t+ w+i+m+r+h+a+ a+l+n+s+y+a+n+

..w+a+l+ahn+t+f+a+ddtm t+w+q+f+t+ w+d+x+l+t+ m+s+a+r+a+t+ m+e+q+d+tm

..m+f+a+w+dda+t+ l+a+ n+t+y+g+tm l+h+a+ , tkm+ t+n+zHy+m+a+t+

e+g+y+b+tm t+hkl+l+ a+l+t+f+g+y+r+a+t+ w+a+l+q+t+l+ k+aHs+l+w+b+

g+d+y+d+ l+hkl+ a+l+m+sna+k+l+...w+aHt+s+a+H'l+ d+a+yHm+a+ m+n+

aHs+s+h+a+ w+m+w+l+h+a+ ?+ f+h+y+ t+d+m+r+ n+dda+l+

a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+y+y+n+ w+t+snw+h+h+ b+d+l+a+ m+n+ k+s+b+ a+l+e+a+l+m+

l+c+a+l+hk q+ddy+t+h+m+ .

w+a+l+h+w+tm t+k+b+r+ w+t+z+d+a+d+ b+y+n+ sne+w+b+ h+dkh+

a+l+m+n+tjq+tm , w+sne+w+b+ d+w+l+ a+l+i+r+b+ .

k+l+ m+a+ hkd+tk m+n+ f+w+ddj+ w+d+m+a+r+ , l+a+ aHhkd+ y+b+r+y+H'

aHm+y+r+k+a+ m+n+ a+l+m+sna+r+k+tm f+y+h+ ..

w+a+l+aMn+ hkr+b+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ ...a+l+c+f+hktm a+l+aHx+y+r+tm..

m+a+dka+ n+hkm+l+ f+y+ dka+k+r+t+n+a+ a+l+m+tkq+l+tm ?+

hkr+b+ 1948 , hky+tk h+w+g+m+ a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+y+y+n+ f+y+ b+l+a+d+h+m+

w+q+t+l+w+a+ , w+h+a+g+r+ a+l+aHk+tkr+y+tm a+l+j+ aHw+tja+n+

b+e+y+d+tm w+q+r+y+b+tm...

hkr+b+ 1967 hky+tk x+s+r+t+ g+y+w+sn a+l+d+w+l+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm

hkr+b+h+a+ ddd+ a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ , l+m+a+dka+?+

m+e+ a+n+ a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ d+w+l+tm c+i+y+r+tm m+hkd+w+d+tm a+l+s+k+a+n+

w+a+l+ahm+k+a+n+y+a+t+ ?+

w+b+m+r+w+r+ a+l+w+q+t+ a+k+t+snf+n+a+ a+n+ a+l+e+r+b+ l+a+

y+hka+r+b+w+n+ h+dkh+ a+l+d+w+l+tm a+l+c+i+y+r+tm ...ahn+m+a+

x+c+m+h+m+ aHk+b+r+ m+n+ h+dka+ b+k+tky+r+...m+n+ y+m+w+l+ h+dkh+

a+l+d+w+l+tm w+y+s+a+n+d+h+a+ f+y+ e+d+w+a+n+h+a+ ?+ a+l+y+s+t+

aHm+y+r+k+a+ ?+

w+hkr+b+ f+a+snl+tm aHx+r+j+ e+a+m+ 1973, tkm+ b+d+a+y+tm m+r+hkl+tm

a+l+b+r+m+g+tm...w+f+t+hk b+a+b+ a+l+m+f+a+w+dda+t+ b+d+l+

a+l+hkr+w+b+ ...

w+a+l+sne+w+b+ t+z+d+a+d+ ahhkb+a+tja+ w+x+y+b+tm ...w+t+a+r+y+x+

y+tjw+l+ , k+l+h+ f+snl+ w+hkr+w+b+ x+a+s+r+tm.

l+m+a+dka+ x+s+r+t+ a+l+hkr+w+b+ ?+ m+e+ ahn+ a+l+sne+w+b+ m+wHm+n+tm

b+e+d+a+l+tm a+l+m+w+ddw+e+ a+l+dky+ t+hka+r+b+ m+n+ aHg+l+h+ ?+

r+b+m+a+ l+aHn+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ k+a+n+t+ t+d+r+k+ aHn+h+a+ aHm+a+m+

x+c+m+ g+b+a+r+ l+a+ t+q+d+r+ e+l+j+ m+w+a+g+h+t+h+,w+t+x+g+l+ m+n+

m+w+a+g+h+tm sne+w+b+h+a+ b+h+dkh+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm, f+zHl+t+ t+r+a+w+i+

w+t+k+dkb+ w+t+d+e+y+ ...w+t+g+r+ sne+w+b+h+a+ a+l+j+ x+y+b+a+t+

w+ahhkb+a+tja+t+ l+a+ n+h+a+y+tm l+h+a+.

w+h+a+g+r+t+ m+e+zHm+ a+l+e+q+w+l+ a+l+e+r+b+y+tm a+l+dkk+y+tm ,

a+l+j+ d+w+l+ a+l+e+a+l+m+ , a+l+j+ aHm+y+r+k+a+ w+k+n+d+a+

w+a+w+r+w+b+a+ w+a+s+t+r+a+l+y+a+...w+aHf+r+i+t+ a+l+m+n+tjq+tm m+n+

k+f+a+H'a+t+ ,m+m+k+n+ aHn+ t+i+y+r+ a+l+hky+a+tm a+l+j+ w+dde+

aHf+ddl+.

w+i+r+q+n+a+ f+y+ a+l+g+h+l+ w+a+l+t+x+l+f+ , hkt+j+ a+l+d+y+n+

...a+x+t+f+j+ w+g+h+h+ a+l+g+m+y+l+ a+l+dky+ y+hktk e+l+j+ a+l+c+d+q+

, w+a+l+sng+a+e+tm m+n+ aHg+l+ a+l+t+i+y+y+r+ , w+aHzHh+r+ w+g+h+h+

a+l+dky+ y+hktk e+l+j+ a+l+c+m+t+ w+a+l+tja+e+tm, w+zHl+m+

a+l+n+s+a+H' , w+a+l+z+w+a+g+ m+n+ aHr+b+e+tm...

hkt+j+ r+s+m+ l+n+a+ a+l+e+a+l+m+ , c+w+r+tm i+b+y+tm

g+a+h+l+tm...l+a+ t+f+a+r+q+ dka+k+r+t+h+.

****

tkm+ b+d+aHt+ m+r+hkl+tm ahe+a+d+tm b+r+m+g+tm a+l+m+n+tjq+tm ,

hkw+a+r+a+t+ w+m+f+a+w+dda+t+ w+aHhka+d+y+tk e+n+ s+l+a+m+ m+e+

a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ ..w+h+dkh+ t+z+d+a+d+ q+w+tm w+n+hkn+ n+z+d+a+d+

dde+f+a+...w+a+l+k+f+tm l+a+ t+t+w+a+z+n+ aHb+d+a+...

tkm+ d+x+l+t+ aHm+y+r+k+a+ a+l+e+r+a+q+...b+e+d+ s+q+w+tj c+d+a+m+ .

w+h+a+ n+hkn+ aHm+a+m+h+a+ ... w+h+y+ aHm+a+m+n+a+ , w+g+h+a+ l+w+g+h+

k+y+f+ n+q+t+n+e+ a+n+h+a+ b+r+y+yHtm m+n+ a+l+k+w+a+r+tk a+l+t+y+

hkl+t+ b+n+a+?+

k+y+f+ aHm+s+hk a+l+m+l+f+a+t+ a+l+s+y+yHtm m+n+ a+l+dka+k+r+tm

a+l+m+l+y+yHtm?+

l+y+t+n+y+ aHq+d+r+....

****

aHm+a+ g+y+l+ a+l+snb+a+b+ ...m+l+f+a+t+ a+l+dka+k+r+tm n+zHy+f+tm

w+g+d+y+d+tm.. s+w+j+ m+a+ s+m+e+w+h+ m+n+ aMb+a+yHh+m+

w+aHm+h+a+t+h+m+ ,w+a+l+dky+ y+s+m+e+ e+n+ a+l+m+a+ddy+ , l+a+

y+k+w+n+ r+d+ f+e+l+h+ k+a+l+dky+ y+r+j+ a+l+aHhkd+a+tk b+e+y+n+h+ .

f+h+m+ b+k+l+ b+s+a+tjtm , s+y+t+q+b+l+w+n+ f+k+r+tm, a+n+

aHm+y+r+k+a+ h+y+ a+l+aHm+ a+l+hkn+w+n+ a+l+t+y+ g+a+H't+

l+n+g+d+t+n+a+...

aHm+a+ a+l+dky+n+ m+n+ e+m+r+y+ aHw+ aHk+tkr+ ...f+y+b+t+s+m+w+n+

b+m+r+a+r+tm, w+k+aHn+h+m+ y+q+w+l+w+n+ : m+n+ aHy+n+ n+b+d+aH

l+n+snr+hk ?+

****

w+a+l+aMn+ ...aHf+k+r+, w+y+x+tjr+ f+y+ b+a+l+y+ s+wHa+l+ c+i+y+r+ ..

a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ a+l+dky+ e+a+sn t+l+k+ a+l+m+r+a+hkl+ , w+e+m+r+h+

y+q+r+b+ e+m+r+y+...

k+y+f+ q+ddj+ s+n+w+a+t+h+ t+l+k+ ?+ h+l+ aHc+a+b+h+ tkm+tm ahhkb+a+tj

?+ h+l+ r+aHj+ aHhkl+a+m+h+ t+t+hktjm+ ?+

h+l+ r+aHj+ sne+b+h+ y+i+r+q+ f+y+ a+l+g+h+l+ w+a+l+i+b+a+H'?+

w+y+q+r+aH t+a+r+y+x+ sne+b+h+ l+y+g+d+h+ m+n+y+r+a+ z+a+h+y+a+

g+m+y+l+a+...k+a+n+ m+n+ a+w+l+ a+l+sne+w+b+ a+l+t+j+ c+n+e+t+

a+l+hkdda+r+tm f+y+ a+l+t+a+r+y+x+ a+l+ahn+s+a+n+y+... f+m+a+ a+l+dky+

i+y+r+ k+l+ sny+H' ?+

w+l+w+ k+n+t+ aHn+a+ m+w+a+tjn+tm aHm+r+y+k+y+tm..w+q+r+aHt+ h+dkh+

a+l+m+q+a+l+tm..h+l+ k+n+t+ s+aHb+e+tk r+d+a+ i+a+ddb+a+ e+l+y+h+

aHw+ aHn+t+q+d+h+ aHw+ aHs+t+h+z+aH b+h+ ....h+l+ k+n+t+ hkq+a+

2004_10_10_archive

2008-02-24T18:47:00.001-08:00

Sunday, October 3rd., 2004

Good evening....

This is the month of autumn...the sky is cloudy sometimes, but the

weather isn't cold yet, nor the rain fell... perhaps by next month

we'll see the cold and the rain, by the will of GOD...

This month holds special meanings for me...it contains the Birthdays

of two of my sons, Khalid and Majid, in its last week. The age

difference between them is four years and two days... when they were

young, I used to arrange a joint birthday party...and when they grew

up, they revolted, each wanting his private party, and invite his

friends only. The selfishness of children is very funny...but it is

the beginning of their personality's independence. And that is a

positive aspect of this selfishness.

********************

In the last years they became grown young men, so they invited their

friends in a restaurant or the club, in their birthdays. The house

became no longer suitable a place for their meetings, laughters,

stories, and secrets. I used to give them only the expanses of the

roses, with a few words written inside, containing a Mother's love,

and her beautiful wishes for her children of a happy life, and a

successful future....they usually laugh, perhaps saying in their

minds: Boring mother's words ....

But today I feel the sting of Majid's absence, with his birthday at

the end of the month... I wish he would spend it with his new friends

in Canada, hoping GOD would always save him, and grant him success,

and happiness, wherever he is.....

Majid is the pampered little one....and parting with him is heavy on

my heart...but I stick to patience...perhaps his life away from here

is better for him than our daily life, filled with violence, killings,

and blood....

I wish he would finish his studies, and come back to a settled, safe

Iraq, so he could join in building a new country... a beautiful

country.....

**********************************

I wonder how people change with time... does the circumstances

change?? Or is it a matter of getting older, and a change of

priorities??

I think the circumstances are the most influential reason... then the

subjective factor of a persons own reaction. For I have seen in my

life some people who lived the same way in life and thinking,

regardless of the changing circumstances, but they were not

influenced, and their inner world kept going by the same rhythm until

they died....

I do not know whether this is a sign of stupidity, or strength??

***********************************

I was invited with Khalid last week to a wedding party for a

relative's son at the Hunting Club. I hesitated a lot, for my mood did

not welcome such partaking, I had no wish... and last week was

eventful of bombings and violence... but Khalid said: Mama, don't be

at fault, they will be upset, and you wouldn't be able to justify your

absence...let's go, even if for half an hour... I reluctantly

agreed....

The club is at the Princesses Street, which it is an old, beautiful,

wide street, but the Villas in it are mostly new and modern...even the

old ones are beautiful and characteristic.

Before we got to the club, there was a burned, black car on the curb,

its doors were clearly defined, the rest of its parts weren't

completely burned, and I didn't find out whether it was originally

black in color, or the explosion had rendered it so, and changed its

color... I knew there was a trapped car that blew up in this street

two days ago, as it went through an American vehicles convoy that was

passing the area... I do not know whether this was the trapped car, or

it was the car of an Iraqi civilian victim?

I saw the black banners on the street corner, bearing the names of the

victims, Iraqi civilians: a young man, (his name), and his nephews,

(their names, so and so), Mr. (so and so), and his family, Mrs. (so

and so), with her daughter and son, ..... I do not know.... Sadness

shrouds my heart, and the hearts of all innocent Iraqis, who were

forced into this black nightmare, without any fault...

************************************

We entered the club, Khalid and I, and asked the driver to come back

for us in an hour...Music was surging out of the Hall, we entered, and

saluted the Groom's family, wishing them happiness. Then we sat at the

table that gathered the relatives... we have not seen each other in

months...and we used to visit each other weekly... life after the war

is no longer safe, we contact each other by phone, but do not meet

each other frequently...even relationships became cold. As if

separations have killed some beautiful things in them, yes, it has

killed warmth and vitality.

I sat gazing at the newly weds, then at the circular dance floor in

front of them, I did not have the feeling of joy and dazzlement in my

heart, as I used to feel in the past... I used to attend weddings with

a feeling of enthusiasm and happiness, saying to my self, this is a

new family, and a nice, intimate relation between two, a man and a

woman, I used to look upon them happily, joyfully, seeing in them a

new experience, and wishing them all happiness, with all my heart...

But today, I do not know where did all my feelings go, evaporated??

Here I sit, in a daze...watching people and things...as if I am from

another world...as if they are from another world...

The young men and women danced to the sounds of music and songs...they

wore their prettiest clothes...had smiles on their faces, and

laughter...perhaps they were hiding their fears behind it...perhaps

they were trying to forget the hell in our daily life, with these

noisy dances and laughter... or perhaps their young years, and fresh

hearts, empty of experiences and sorrows, made them live moments of

innocent joy, while they were unmindful of it.

I looked with a smile, but stifled the urge to cry in my chest...

since when haven't we laughed, danced, or clapped?? We used to attend

weddings here, join in the dace and laughter, talk and babble about

every thing, with joyful hearts, not knowing what sorrows the days

kept in store for us....

At the front of the hall, in a large, gilded line... a verse from a

long poem was written, by Al-Jawahiri, GOD bless his sole, which he

wrote in his exile, away from Iraq..

(I SALUTE YOUR BANKS, FROM FAR WAY, SO SALUTE ME BACK....

OH, TIGRIS, FULL OF OPULENCE, DROVER OF GROVES...).

I don't know why the tears crowded in my eyes, as I stared at those

words. Words of love and longing, to a river, and a homeland....

What is left today of that homeland?? Where is that which they loved,

and longed for??

***************************************

The Groom's mother came and sat by me... she said they had bought a

lot of gold for the Bride, but today, due to the bad security

conditions, will not enrobe her with it...they will have another party

in a weeks time, at home, and present the gold to her...

I looked at her and smiled, said: My dear, who cares about gold these

days...people want only safety, and the peace of mind...

No one really cared about appearances any more....

I remember...when I used to live in Amman, in the summer, there were

so many weddings, for in the summer the expatriates come, the

Jordanians and Palestinians, to get married with their parents... and

of course, there had to be a Hall, a party, dinner, sweets, guests,

and beautiful gowns and suites for the couple...

Then, there is a strange spectacle, some families perform,

sometimes... the Groom's mother comes, carrying a tray, full of

various pieces of golden jewelry... and start enrobing the Bride, in

front of the guests... I used to feel ashamed of such conducts, while

I looked on with people...

What does that mean?? We have bought you with a high price?? We boast

in front of people with what we present to our Bride??

I do not know how these people think... if there was love and respect;

it can be expressed in away devoid of boasting and show- offs, like

this... I find this a manner far from truthfulness and transparency...

I smell in it insincerity and flashing.

I thanked GOD they didn't do this here today, because of the bad

security conditions.

*******************************************

Why do some people keep thinking in a na�ve, foolish way, when

expressing themselves in front of others?? Why do they tend to lies,

hypocrisy, and glamorization of words and deeds?? I do not know...

As I move on in age...and my experiences increase ... I realize that

simplicity and clarity is a grand secret, owned by prophets, and the

great ones... modesty and simplicity are the most beautiful of the

human traits, and the most noble. Why wouldn't some people realize

them, and keep on spinning in the eddy of tiring courtesies, that

drags behind it hypocrisy, stupidity, and foolishness???

I don't know...

Is it a personal matter? Or some society rules that dictate themselves

on the individual??

I believe that the freedom of thought is something that lives inside

us, in our brain cells, first, and then spreads to the human's

comprehension, his behaviors with others.

It's an internal, personal decision... a disengagement from silly

matters that have been controlling our minds for a long time.

When we grow up, and become mature, we posses the ability to

distinguish between silly things and beautiful, and do not remain as

dumb parrots...

*****************************************

I breathed freely when we went outside, to the crowded streets... it

was a Thursday evening, weddings were a plenty, because it will soon

be Ramadan, the Fasting month...when weddings stop.

I smiled again from behind the car window, as I looked at the lights

of commercial shops, the car lights, and heard the noises of pipes,

songs, and clapping, coming from the wedding cars... here is a wedding

procession...it is very crowded...

Then another...the traffic jam gets mixed up... I was not annoyed; at

least we were stuck in a beautiful jam...full of Brides, songs, and

laughter... I wish all traffic jams were like this....

Isn't it more merciful than a jam of ambulances, dead people,

explosions, and American armors, pulling machine guns in you face??

***********************************

Two days later, my friends came to visit me in the shop... we talked

quickly, asking about each other, and our news...then one of them

asked, laughing: Did you hear the speeches of Bush and Ayyad Alawi in

the Congress, and the white House?? I smiled and said: Yes.

She said: Did you hear?? They drew a picture of Iraq as if it is full

of happiness and roses...

We all laughed...

**********************************

We went, my friends and I, to attend a lecture about Democracy, and

the Elections. The lecturer was an Iraqi lady, who said she attended

some work-shop discussions about the subject, and she'll explain it to

us, so we could explain it to others.

She spoke about the meaning of the two words, and their relation with

each other. Then she spoke about the methods of elections, and their

traits, then the civil society and its role in elections, the relation

of the civil society with the parties, and the danger in the party's

dominance over the civil organizations.

Then the elements of elections, which are: The Base, The Candidates,

and The Campaign; and the method of delivering a message of every

candidate to convince the public...

She said The Base consists of three elements:

- -An Element who had fixed his opinion, his candidate, and sticks to

him.

- An Element who decided not to vote.

- And an Element who is wavering, and he is the one to whom all

invitations and debates are addressed, to convince him to vote for one

of the candidates.

She said every candidate has a message, which he keeps repeating to

people's attention until they memorize it...

I smiled........... imagining the poor American citizen these

days...they all fight, and debate, giving him the headaches, as they

try, each separately, to say he is completely right, and the other is

completely wrong...and whoever votes for the opponent is a complete

fool...

Ha, ha, ha...

A game that gives people the headaches...as if you are in a

Bazaar...each is calling for his merchandise, wanting to sell it more

than the others.

But people's lives and destinies are decided here...inside this chaos,

shouting, and headache-promoting noise...

I don't know...as if I see the propaganda, the competition, and the

debates, are subjected to a lot of acting, and show-offs, more than

honesty, calmness, and rationality.

The media plays its role here...where truth gets mingled with lies,

justice with false...and facts get lost.

A very dangerous game....this is Democracy.

And the bad people could maneuver it, because they play like jugglers,

in a circus. And the audiences are poor....who could easily be

tricked.

***********************************************

I buy the newspaper everyday...and I don't read it. Then, a week or

more later, I open them, one by one, according to date, and start

reading... and by GOD, I discovered that this method is very smoothing

to nerves.

First of all, it eases away the daily tension that grips you when you

read the everyday news ... and burns your nerves.

And by then, a week later, it becomes old, but the accumulation is

useful, as it completes painting a picture of the events, and which

way they are moving...

So, reading the newspaper becomes a useful, fruitful event...not a

passing one, which you throw aside, and forget quickly.

****************************************

I always noticed some implying to the presence of Arabs, or Iranians,

after each hot event, in Fallujah, Sammarra, Haifa st, and other

places... except in Najaf, and the southern cities. This story can't

be sold...for there is another explanation for the clashes with

Al-Sadder, and Al-Mahdi Army...(they want to build a model of the

Iranian leaders in Iraq).

That is a na�ve story, and whoever lives in Iraq laughs when he hears

it, because they know it does not concert with the nature of Iraqis,

and their view point to matters...but it frightens the American

citizen, and he believes it.

The Iraqis do not have an extremist vision of religion, as do the

Iranians. It is the nature of the people there, in Iran, that they

love worshiping the religious personals, and exaggerate in this

worship. As the way they look upon Imam Ali, Hussein, and Fatima, (may

the peace of GOD be upon them all).

They have this great love, as if it is a worship of these religious

symbols, and they have habits, like striking their faces, and knocking

their heads with iron, and so on, in the anniversary of Imam Hussein's

martyrdom, (peace be upon him).

At the times of the Shah, he was trying to erect a European model in

Iran...but the Khomeini's revolution, after years of the Shah's

dictatorship, and his injustice to the people, came as a violent

reaction to the Shah, his policies, and his directions...

So, the masses of people rallied around the new religious

leadership...and a dissension began, between a moderate religious

faction, and another, an extremist.

The scale is still trying to balance.....

In Iraq, it is different....

Saddam Hussein fell, and the Iraqis did not seek a religious

leadership like Iran... the Iraqis have a moderate temperament in

religion...not extremist, nor exaggerated. Neither like the extremist

Shi'aa in Iran, nor the extremists Wahabis in Saudi Arabia.

Yes, historically, the Iraqis respected their religious leaderships,

but they never made Political leaders out of them.

They were spiritual leaders, but without politics.

This is how the reality is here....

Even when I read the Iraqis revolution's history against the British

imperialism, I found a spiritual, religious leadership, in Najaf, like

the Sistani's is today. And I found a national leadership, of

politicians, and party men, working to fulfill the Iraqi people's

hopes, and these leaderships meet, every now and then, each respecting

the presence of each other, and co-coordinating together, to the best

interests of the Iraqis, and Iraq.

The books of Dr. Ali Al-Wardi, and Abdul-Razzaq Al-Hassani are my

references.

Why would America want to convince the world, that there are some

clerics, like Al-Sadder, who hate democracy, or anything good, to Iraq

and the Iraqis, and that these leaderships must be eliminated, or, put

down to scale??? Why do they say that these leaderships want to

reproduce the Iranian sample, here?? Who said so??

This is like the story of the civil war, that they want for it to

start in Iraq, everyday...in vain.

These seem to be the illusions in Bush's administration's heads...as

he strikes the opposition here, heaping accusations upon them,

fabricated in his mind. And the people in America believe him, and

support him, saying to him: We are with you, we don't want the Iranian

sample in Iraq.

But who said the Iraqis want the Iranian sample in Iraq??? Who ever

spoke so???

Even Al- Sadder in his speeches did not portray himself as a political

leader of Iraq. The man spoke of the homeland, the occupation army,

and perhaps he said that resisting the occupation is legitimate,

perhaps he was honest, and doesn't want personal benefits, or maybe he

wants to put pressure to gain a post, or a representation percentage

in the Parliament, or so...

Why wouldn't they allow someone like him to have an existence in the

Parliament, and the next elections? Doesn't he represent a faction of

Iraqis?

Even if they were a faction less educated, and has less of a vision

than others, time is capable of developing such factions, or

eliminating them from existence, people learn their experience with

days, and choose the better leaders... that is how the process of

maturing people's experiences goes on, all along human history...

Why wouldn't we allow a percentage of seats to the people of Fallujah,

Sammarra, Ramadi, and others? Why do we attack, kill, and change

town's maps, and elections?? Why would they come up with declarations,

that the highly- tension areas will be excluded from the elections.

Is it logical that the whole Parliament, and the coming Iraqi

government, all of them support Bush's view point in life??

This is an injustice....and Democracy means justice. This is

stupidity, an increase of violence, tension, and a runaway...

In order to absorb anger and violence, give the other party a chance

to express himself, do not oppress or kill him, thinking you have

eliminated evil... more likely you have created evil, and gave it the

strength against you... day by day, violence will increase...and

problems shall not be solved, but rather will be more complex, by

stupidity and stubbornness...

If you do not give a chance to the opposition to speak up, and have a

dialogue with them, you might as well have pushed it to the paths of

evil and darkness... as was the case in Chechnya against Russia, and

the extremist Palestinian formations, that appeared on the field,

after all attempts of logical dialogue between the Palestinians and

the israili government failed, a government as frozen as Bush and his

stiff mentality, and his lack of ability to absorb the presence of the

''Other"".... He controls the media, speaks about himself and the

""Other""...accusing his opponents of always being criminals, dark

people, who wouldn't want Democracy, or freedom... and the events of

September is the fruit of a stupid policy, which created enemies,

whose number and size can't be counted...

The fruit of a stupid policy, and here is the world paying its price

in more victims, and endless violence...

Violence gets more violence...and dialogue isn't weakness....dialogue

is strength. Dialogue opens the doors to peace...and peace is a

victory to all humans...

In my mind now, I thought of : The Noble Peace Prize... why wouldn't

they start a prize for those who wage wars?? Because they are

fools...and plenty, and the way of war is easy, and a rushing,

foolish, decision...

But the way of peace, as the way of virtue, is hard and difficult to

cross, and only great ones and geniuses can go through it.... Making

by that a bright history for humanity.

***************************************

Why wouldn't America solve matters in a rational, quiet, diplomatic

way??

Why does she hold the heavy stick, and hit whoever stands in

opposition against her, accusing them with false charges?? Isn't that

a weakness, and lack of wisdom in running things??

Is the manner of hitting and violence a civilized manner, in facing

the ""other""??

The lady in the lecture said about Democracy: It teaches us how to

respect the other opinion... yes, this is the theory, but the reality

here is something different...

Here, the American Democracy is: How to destroy the other opinion, and

how to wipe it out of existence, by all means...... and the Bush

reason is always: they are extremists, who hate us...

Oh, my GOD...who is the extremist?? Who started the violence, the

hurt, the " in advance hits"??

The style of the American Administration is distrusting the

other...heaping accusations against him, then hitting him, and

destroying him.

Is this the Democracy??

I think America is in a fix... where are the beautiful theories, and

what were their connection to this painful, ugly, reality the world is

living through, because of the bad policies, bad management, and the

unlimited aggression against the other.... These conducts indicate a

defeated, abortive mentality....like the mentality of Saddam Hussein.

That who is sure of himself, wins the battle quietly, without

destroying and disfiguring the opponent...opening the door of dialogue

with the other, because he is strong, and full of confidence in

himself.

And the loser raises storms to win the round, by terrorizing the

others, frightening them, and closing their mouths.

*****************************************

Going back to the story of the Arabs and Iranians in Fallujah, or

Sammarra, or the other hot spots. After each American bombing of these

towns, or clashes and campaign, the newspapers come out with headlines

like: The capture of a number of Syrians, Yamane, and Iranians. That,

of course, is in addition to the Invisible Man: Al-Zarqawi, and his

gang.

Of course, up till now, we saw no one, either on TV., or in the

newspapers, no real faces, no real people who would say they were from

Al-Zarqawi gang, or Iranians, or whatever, and would confess their

crimes in front of people.

Nothing but mock web sites, and silly, na�ve letters, signed by this

and that.

Every person can start a web site, and say whatever he wants...shall

we believe all this gibbering??

************************

This week I started understanding these stories...

Someone wants to circulate, in America and the world, that these

clashes and problems has nothing to do with the Iraqis, that there are

some scum of mercenaries or lunatics, who call themselves Mujahideen,

who came here to fight America...as for the Iraqis, they are in a

state of harmony and contentedness with the occupation forces, no

resistance, and no clashes.

Yes, there might be some truth in part of this theory, that America

promotes, and work to maintain, by keeping the uncontrolled state of

the boarders...where there are no security forces, nor order there,

since the occupation of Iraq till now...the boarders are a loose,

ignored, uncontrolled area. There is no presence of an American, nor

Iraqi, strong force.

So, the situation looks deliberate now....they want to open the

boarders to everyone who wants to confront America and fight her, here

in Iraq, this new battle zone, so, why go to far away America??

We get two birds by one stone....we confirm our existence in Iraq,

with the ploy of fighting terrorism, and control the fate of all the

states of the region. And protect America and its people, from

terrorism and its people. ( There are two more birds in the story:

Iraqi Oil, the free treasure, and protecting the loved, pampered

Israel)...ha, ha, ha....

As for the miserable Iraqis who would fall victims to this vicious

plans, well, who cares about them?? Who shall count them?? Who will

defend them, and stop their bleeding???

No one, of course...

We are an escape goat, so that America, and its people could live in

peace, and sleep soundly. And let death and destruction be ours....and

happiness and calmness be theirs.

But Bush covers all this by weeping for us, that he wants the shining

future and democracy for us, and he must accomplish that one

day....so, we should be patient, and wait....

*******************************************

As for the kidnapping gangs, killings, and beheadings on the

internet...and the daily trapped cars...the killings of the new

recruiters in the Iraqi Police and Army...these are a two-edged

weapon... they prove Bush's inability to control the situation, if his

enemies were behind them. And at the same time, he uses them to his

advantage, a pretext to remain here and clean Iraq of terrorism..

Who opened the doors of hell, and brought them here?? It seems that

Bush's plan is to trick them here...making Iraq the area of terrorism,

instead of America.

And in all possibilities...the Iraqi people remain the sole

loser...and the victim......

************************************

Kerry says America is building 14 military bases in Iraq, and the

Middle East...

I put my hand to my cheek, and smile...will these bases remain

forever?? Shall we always remain like this, to justify the remaining

of the bases?? When will we build an independent Iraq, with Iraqi

eyes, and Iraqi hands??

Shall Iraq remain an American colony?? Will they keep interfering in

our affairs, every thing big or small in our lives, explaining things

by their moods??

And what shall the Iraqis do when they hear this good news?? Will they

sleep, or escalate their resistance?? Who shall win, who shall lose??

I don't know..... The wisdom of President Bush and his administration

has always made me wonder.... For I find no answers to my questions...

*****************************************

The traditional Americans, of old age, or those who wouldn't like

accepting new viewpoints, or those who still believe America is the

master of the world, and would not make mistakes...those would choose

Bush again. And the rational faction, the wiser, the more mature,

shall choose Kerry, even though they know he didn't submit a clear

program...but they choose him under the notion of choosing the (less

evil), assuming he wouldn't commit more evils than Bush...

Most of the Iraqis salute this faction, because they posses a human

sensitivity, with the daily sufferings and anguish of the

Iraqis...because they look upon the matter that there are people who

get hurt, and is paying for the follies of others...their lives has

turned into hell, death, murder, and blood every day...and criminals

of various types filling the streets. Their lives are sour... and a

gloomy, ambiguous future looms on the horizon...and Bush shouts and

repeats that everything is moving all right and well, that he is sure

of the success of his plan...

A man drowning in dreams there...and people are drowning in hell

here....

This is the reality of the matter....

************************************

Yesterday, Bremer, the military governor of Iraq after the fall of

Baghdad, was talking to the press in America, about his experience in

Iraq, that some shortcoming occurred in controlling the security, and

the absence of law... that he demanded more troops from the American

Administration, to enforce the order...but the Administration didn't

grant him that....

We here in Baghdad lived that experience with him, and have seen it

with a different eye....

There was no shortage of troops...the streets were full of tanks,

Humvees, and soldiers...the sky full of fighter planes, and several

types of Helicopters...nevertheless, chaos ruled Iraq...looting,

stealing, and assassinations...

And what were Bremer's priorities?? De-rooting the Ba'ath from the

state... discharging General Managers and University Professors from

their jobs, because they were Ba'athiees...then disbanding the Army

and Police forces, and forming long lines of unemployed in the

streets...shouting and calling for retirement salaries to feed their

families... these long lines were the suitable seeds for criminals and

outlaws to blossom from.

Then he opened the doors of hatreds between Iraqis... instead of

helping them to gather themselves, and solve their pre-war

problems...he opened the door of strife and malice....(I wrote about

that in my war Diaries). Then, with time, after some months, he

changed his mind, and started re-employing Ba'athiees again in state

jobs. And the Iraqi Police always vows that they capture thieves and

murderers, then the American army comes, and turns them loose in the

morning...where did they get these instructions???

I would like these questions to be addressed to Bremer...

Who takes responsibility for these grave mistakes??? Is he the author

of these thoughts and initiatives, or the instructions used to come

from Washington???

I wish the journalists would come here, meet the Iraqi Policemen, and

the local Municipal council Members...to tell them about the

instructions, and how they were in Bremer's time....and up till

now....

This gap between us and the American Media, is used by the Bush

Administration, to tell colorful stories...

Come here, and listen to the true stories...

How do we remove the veil from your eyes, and show you the truth?? And

there are thousands upon thousands of miles between us....and this is

2006_03_01_archive

2008-02-24T18:37:00.001-08:00

More Americns know Simpsons than Constitution

McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that "22 percent of Americans

could name all five Simpson family members, compared with just one in

1,000 people who could name all five First Amendment freedoms." I

guess not everyone can be as well versed as I am in both the Simpsons

and the Bill of Rights as I am :). Of, and for the record, it's

freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress

of grievances; and Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.

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Posted by jcroach

at 3/02/2006 01:04:00 PM 0 comments

Labels: politics, TV

Wilco in Bloomington

that Wilco is coming back to Bloomington! I've missed two shows in

Indy since I last saw them in Bloomington in April of 2002. This show

is at the beautiful IU Auditorium as part of Little 500. The last time

tag 080808

2008-02-24T18:27:00.001-08:00

Xilly want to create a list of 08.08.08 plans.

Chooi Peng was at Hokkaido on 08.08.08

Jazzmint will pass the day blurry on 08.08.08

Dragonmummy will run the normal SAHM task on 08.08.08

Kiasumum's 7th Anniversary 'n honeymoon

Lovely Mummy wants to get a new CRV on 08.08.08

wHOisBaBy wants an addition to the family on 08.08.08

signed editorials

2008-02-24T18:17:00.001-08:00

Signed Editorials

Veteran journalists and Sun readers must be wincing after Sun Media

announced Tuesday it will publish only signed editorials as of today.

It is now Sun Media policy to name the writers of all "Point of View"

editorials, said Paul Berton, National Comment Editor, in Tuesday's

Sun Media newspapers.

Paul's comment that "writers in this space will come from across the

country from various Sun Media newspapers" tells us "Toronto's Other

Voice" will be weakened considerably.

Traditionally, which means for a century or two, newspaper editorials

have been anonymous comment that spoke on behalf of the newspaper, not

an individual. Quebec newspapers appear to be the exception in Canada,

as noted on this Government of Canada web page.

Sun Media's editorial policy announcement Tuesday said, in part:

"Since editorial writers are typically not required to write opinions

they oppose, the editorial is often the opinion of the writer, but

presented as the view of a larger group.

"Not any more.

"Readers will find a wider range of opinions from all sides of the

political spectrum here.

"The intent is to invite as many different points of view as possible

to the Comment pages, and encourage a debate with readers and

interactive discussions through Sun Media's website, Canoe.ca."

There's that Quebecor convergence theme again . . .

But isn't a signed editorial just another opinion piece best suited

for the op-ed page or in columns found throughout the newspaper?

Will Toronto Sun editorials no longer speak on behalf of the newspaper

at election time, or as a united voice on major issues in the

community?

Will an individual editorial writer at the pro-Conservative Toronto

Sun be allowed to endorse an NDP candidate running in a provincial or

federal election?

Or will individual editorial writers be restricted to comment that

reflects only the opinion of the newspaper's owners? Which brings us

back to editorials being a mouthpiece for the newspaper.

The daily editorial, a source of pride and a reflection of the Toronto

Sun's clout in the community since the tabloid's birth in 1971, has

just coughed an unsettling cough.

We're anxious to hear the reaction of founding Sun editor Peter

Worthington to this new editorial page edict. Ditto for Lorrie

Goldstein, Senior Associate Editor.

Personally, an anonymous Sun editorial speaking on behalf of the

newspaper and supported by a classic Andy Donato editorial cartoon can

never be topped.

Do the majority of Toronto Sun readers want editorials that focus on

community events in Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg etc.?

If not, will the Toronto Sun publish their point of view as Letters to

the Editor?

We doubt it. Dumping Alison Downie and her Readership Editor post was

a clear indication the Sun is no longer open to criticism from its

readers.

BTW: Did you notice there were only four letters to the editor on one

page in Tuesday's Toronto Sun, compared to nine letters over two pages

in Monday's paper? Readers have always had ample space to speak their

mind so hopefully the "new look" doesn't include fewer letters.

This Toronto Sun Family blog will post your opinions on this or any

other Sun topic. Just e-mail your comments or leave a comment on this

natural family

2008-02-24T17:59:00.001-08:00

The Natural Family

The Sutherland Institute is promoting its draft resolution on the

"Natural Family: A Vision For Utah". On its face, it sounds like a

harmless, maybe even a good idea -- that is, until you read the

resolution.

"We envision a local culture that upholds the marriage of a woman to a

man and a man to a woman..."

Well anti-gay marriage, what else is new, Utah?

"[the culture] casts the home built on marriage as the source of true

political sovereignty and ordered liberty."

Hmm, I'm not sure, but I think this is saying that legal rights are

ascribed to those in traditional marriages and homes.

"We see our homes as open to a full quiver of children, the source of

family continuity and social growth. We envision young women growing

into wives, homemakers, and mothers, and we see young men growing into

husbands, homebuilders, and fathers."

A quiver of children? Is that like a pride of lions? Seriously, this

statement doesn't leave much room for diversity in personal pursuits.

Could a young woman become a doctor or found a company? Could a young

man be a stay at home dad? Could a couple choose not to reproduce?

This narrow little ideal of what boys and girls should grow into has a

familiar ring - didn't Hitler have a similar ideal?

"We look to a landscape of family homes, lawns, and gardens busy with

useful tasks and ringing with the laughter of many children."

Now this is getting creepy. They're coming to take me away, haha,

where life is beautiful all the time, and I'll be happy to see those

nice young men in their clean white coats . . . Time for your 2 p.m.

Valium Mrs. Smith, and Ritalin all around for the quiver of kiddies.

Yes, a Utopia it would be. Mormons have no objection to heavy drug use

as long as it's the prescription kind. I once heard Utah was number

one in Valium and Ritalin use by population size. Woo! We're number

one! Is that laughter I hear ringing?

The southern Utah town of Kanab has already adopted this idiotic

statement as a non-binding resolution. A wiser mayor of upscale Alpine

is quoted as saying, "Considering a 'natural family' resolution is not

what we are in the business of doing. It's not the role of government

to get into those issues. We're in the business of roads, sewer,

water, police and fire."

Just like the Eagle Forum, these Sutherland guys get attention because

they make noise. In order to combat this, we have to start making some

noise ourselves. I'm considering organizing a non-profit of our own.

I'm curious to find out what kind of support there might be for this

2007_06_01_archive

2008-02-24T17:57:00.001-08:00

Pulling my hair out

It's been one of those days. I could literally pull my hair out of

2007_07_01_archive

2008-02-24T17:47:00.001-08:00

communication keep two shabby family

2008-02-24T17:27:00.001-08:00

Communication - The Keep Two a Shabby Family Live

Or the key to a happy family life, depending on how you look at it.

Just now Dad asked me to close the vents downstairs so we can try our

brand new central air conditioning. I was sure I heard him say, "Use

your tongue!" But what he'd actually said was, "Use your thumbs", but

he pronounces "thumbs" like "tum", hence the confusion. Those of you

who are wondering what the hell thumbs have to do with closing vents,

are just beginning to appreciate the layers of confusion that exist in

our home. See, it's like The Davinci Code, first you have figure what

language it is, then you have to unscramble it, then you have to

decide what was really being said.

My life is a second rate imitation of a Dan Brown novel combined with

a perpetual Laurel and Hardy episode. Maybe a little Backdraft too,

for the fire parts.

Suffice it to say, my Dad could reduce Dr. Robert Langdon to tears

with a single sentence. You remember the party game where one person

whispers something into someones ear and it goes around until "James

likes to eat ice cream in bed" becomes "Kill the Pope, spend the money

and Fred lost his underwear"? High comedy. My father can do that

magically, without the big chain of inebriated teenagers adding extra

flavour to the message.

One time he asked me, "Jewansome nood-lee schnitzel-puss?". I don't

know what's scarier, that he called me "Schnitzel-puss" or that I

understood EXACTLY what he'd meant.

Just now he asked me to check if the compressor was working. Our new

air conditioner is so far not working. YAY. And Dad just spent ten

minutes trying to explain to me where the new air conditioning cutoff

switch is. I'm going downstairs...

Grand. The air is definitely not working. It's now 26 degrees in here

and climbing. Dad's going to call the furnace guy.

I'm sure he'll tell them, "Gift barn art marks not jerking hot!"

Somehow, they'll figure it out.

-----

Next Story: Window Cleaning With George - Episode One

Previous Story: Barbecue Tips For the Insane

-----

measurement conversion culinary

2008-02-24T16:59:00.001-08:00

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2006_04_01_archive

2008-02-24T16:57:00.001-08:00

Andrea Clark Is Not the Only One, Meet Yenlang T. Vo

I represent Andrea Clark and the family. I came to represent the

family because I signed up on the registry of health care providers

and referral groups that have volunteered their readiness to consider

assisting families in the situation where the present attending

physician and hospital ethics committee decides to withdrawing

life-sustaining treatment.

As soon as I signed up, I got TWO cases. One involves Andrea Clark.

Andrea's case has been getting media attention. Ms. Yenlang Vo's case

has not. I would like for you to know about Ms. Vo's case.

Ms. Vo is in her 60's. She is a patient at St. David's North

Austin Medical Center here in Austin, Texas. She has been diagnosed

with persistent vegetative state--but that is disputed by the family.

Ms. Vo's daugher, Loann Trihn, is an emergency room doctor and she

disputes the diagnosis. Such a diagnosis is very subjective and

involves clinical assessments. Dr. Trihn and her father have both

witnessed her mother being responsive.

The attending physician wishes to withdraw dialysis, That is not

acceptable to the family--and it against the express wishes of the

patient expressed before she became unable to communicate. Ms. Vo

needs a new shunt surgically implanted for her dialysis. She is

receiving it by a different means at the present. The physician,

apparently, does not believe that her state of life justifies the

surgery.

Withdrawal of dialysis with no further attempt at creating a surgical

access port not only condemns Ms. Vo to a rapid and untimely death,

but prevents any initiation of dialysis on an outpatient basis should

her sepsis be successfully treated and maximum medical improvement be

obtained. The family have all observed signs that the mother retains

certain cognitive abilities which may well improve with continued

treatment. Removing dialysis is a preemptive and premature act which

deprives her of a more natural path toward a peaceful end of life and

is contrary to her expressed wishes to fight with all her strength

until her time has come. Dialysis is no longer an extreme procedure

and is performed for many patients on a routine outpatient basis and

can in some case be self administered. To deny such a service in a

critically ill patient without family consent and access to judicial

due process is ethically, morally and very possibly legally wrong. The

care for this lady should continue according to the highest current

medical standard.

A physician I retained to look at this opines regarding the surgical

implantation of the shunt as follows:

Whether to perform surgery is always based on the risks of surgery

versus its benefits in individual cases. When the risk of not

performing surgery exceeds the risk of the surgical procedure, then

surgery is indicated. In this case, as pointed out in the

Continuation of Affadavit, the risk of death without the shunt

surgery appears to be 100%, whereas the risk from surgery, while

perhaps high, is unlikely to be 100%, based on the information

provided. Therefore, using the risk-benefit analysis, this patient

can only benefit from surgery. The fact that she is cognitively

impaired should not be used as a reason to deny her surgery.

The Texas Futile Care Statute gives only the recourse of discharge

from the facility within ten days after the letter from the ethics

decision is given to the family. The facility has found only one

facility that will take her--one in Illinois.

The family lives in Travis County and Illinois is too far--though it

may end up to be the only choice. I am continuing to work on attempts

to slow the process down to find more appropriate placement here in

family night at camden yards

2008-02-24T16:47:00.001-08:00

Family Night at Camden Yards

Last Friday we went to the Baltimore Orioles vs. AZ Diamondbacks

baseball game at Camden Yards downtown. It was "Mormon Night" and

there were 3 missions that were given tickets to the game so a lot of

people from our ward and stake were there as well. The game was pretty

boring and we didn't have the best seats in the house - but we still

had a good time. Unfortunately, we didn't see the fireworks at the end

tv south park family guy fued

2008-02-24T16:27:00.001-08:00

2008_01_01_archive

2008-02-24T16:17:00.001-08:00

Mayor Menino appoints two School Committee members

Mayor Thomas M. Menino began the new year with the important task of

appointing members to the Boston School Committee. On Monday, the

Mayor will swear in new member Claudio Martinez (pictured here) and

reappoint Marchelle Raynor to her third term. Mr. Martinez is

Executive Director of the Hyde Square Task Force, and Ms. Raynor is

Program Director for the Gertrude E. Townsend Head Start Learning

Center. The Mayor selects School Committee members from candidates

recommended by a 13-member Citizens Nominating Panel.

Posted by Chris Horan at 4:22 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Boston schools raise more than $18,000 for Globe Santa

Students, staff and families in the Boston Public Schools helped bring

holiday cheer to needy families this year by raising $18,042 for Globe

Santa. The Boston Globe commended BPS children and adults for their

annual support of the charity fund-raising drive: "The students,

faculty, and staff of the Boston public schools have been one of Globe

2006_08_01_archive

2008-02-24T15:59:00.001-08:00

HOME SWEET HOME

If you check this blog with any regularity, you've probably noticed

we've been MIA for several weeks! As soon as Jake's pneumonia was

finally getting better, Mike started having pain in his lower back on

the right side. This is a very bad sign. This pain can only mean one

thing - another kidney stone. He managed on his own for a couple of

days before we ended up in the ER. Our doctor wanted to admit him, but

he was insistent on toughing it out at home. If it weren't for my

wonderful sister, Cerra, and her briefcase full of meds (she has a

terrible bone disease called a vascular necrosis) Mike couldn't have

made it.

By a great miracle from God, Mike's kidney stone finally passed ending

our family's bad health streak. Well, except for the fact that he also

had bronchitis. He healed from that pretty quickly though. We were

even able to go to our friend Vincent's wedding in Montana as we had

planned. Mike, Jake and I drove 5,200 miles in 10 days and covered 11

states. We had a great trip! We spent 3 of those days in San Diego

with Uncle Joby (aka my brother, Joe.) We saw lots of sights on our

trip, but Jake especially loved the beach and the San Diego Zoo! He

loved the pandas most. We had a caricature done of Jake at the zoo and

his picture has a panda in it. The artist also drew one of Olivia from

her photo. It's one of her at the beach. They're so cute! I'll try to

remember to take a picture of them to post.

We're all very happy to be home, especially Jake. The last couple of

days we were on the road, he had started to refer to the backseat as

jordanian young couple sex movie spread

2008-02-24T15:57:00.001-08:00

Jordanian young couple sex movie spread!

There is a short movie spreading among Jordanians of a young couple

having sex in their private room.

The spread story is that the couple isn't married. It is the guy's

room. He shot the movie with his phone camera. It isn't clear whether

she new about it or not. It is either him or his friend who spread the

movie. The girl is identified by her NAME! No body knows the guy's

name neither they care! A stupid rumor accompanied the story is that

the guy is muslim while the girl is christian and that the guy spread

it as an attack on Jordanian Christians and their reputations!

The whole issue shows the amount of bigotry, sexism and sexual

disfunctioning the Jordanian society is diseased with.

People are cursing the young girl for having sex with her boyfriend

and disgracing her family in a society where women sexuality hasn't

yet been acknowledged and is only permitted to be addressed after the

woman get married. The honor of an entire family is connected closely

with the family women sexual activities. A woman losing her virginity

outside a marraige boundary means that her family members lose their

honor unless they kill her.

The young man in the movie isn't tarnished a bit! It is like the young

woman is having sex with a ghost! His name isn't spreading with the

movie as of her name. People are not cursing him for either having sex

outside marriage boundaries or for even shooting the movie with a

possibility to be the one responsible of spreading it. His family

isn't disgraced like of hers!

With nearly everyone having phone cameras in Amman. Such incidents are

bound to happen more frequently. Young men and women are more open to

sex. A lot of young couples practice sex in secrecy and behind close

doors. People should become more tolerance to such behaviour. The

answer is not cursing our youngster for expressing their needs and

crusify them, the only one to blame here is the one who spread the

2006_11_01_archive

2008-02-24T15:47:00.001-08:00

Apartments in Ferney-Voltaire

preserve your family heritage with

2008-02-24T14:59:00.001-08:00

Preserve your Family Heritage with Nathan Hale Memorial DAR

Have you wondered if you are descended from a patriot of the American

Revolution, circa 1776? Learn more about your American roots and your

family's role in America History. Using modern research tools,

volunteers will provide guidance and assistance with this process.

Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honors

and preserves the legacy of your Patriot ancestor. Over two hundred

years ago, American Patriots fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we

enjoy today. As a member of DAR, through participation in the

Society's various programs and activities, you can continue this

legacy by actively supporting historic preservation, promotion of

education, and patriotic endeavors.

Preserving the American Spirit Other than military service, acceptable

service includes: Signers of the Declaration of Independence, civil

service, nurses, Oath of Allegiance, those who rendered material aid,

such as furnishing supplies, lending money to the Colonies, gunsmiths,

and more.

A bit about our chapter

Nathan Hale Memorial Chapter DAR is just one of 3000 chapters in the

United States. It was orgainzed in East Haddam, Connecticut on June 6,

1900. Today, our membership comprises 81 women from all over the

country with the majority residing within Middlesex and New London

counties. We vary our monthly meeting times and locations among the

lower Connecticut River towns. Some meetings involve trips to sites

across our beautiful State. We honor and remember Connecticut's State

Hero, Captain Nathan Hale at our annual Saturday meeting held on or

near his birthday, June 6th.

To learn more about our chapter request a brochure or read about a

sampling of our programs at our website:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ctnhmdar/programs.htm

Location: Greater Lower CT River Valley

Schoolhouse: Main Street, 06423 google map

monkey birthday

2008-02-24T14:57:00.001-08:00

Monkey Birthday!

Monkey Birthday!,

Originally uploaded by jcroach.

It was a Monkey Birthday weekend at the Roaches as Parker celebrated

his second birthday with family and friends and a big bouncy thingey.

I like to think the highlight was the new swingset and slide that

Parker got from his Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Nana. I spent most of

Friday putting it together then on Saturday decorated his Monkey

Birthday Cake. Yes, I am a Renaissance Man. I make Cathy call me that

now.

If you want to see more pictures of the party, check out the link to

the right.

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2006_08_01_archive

2008-02-24T14:47:00.001-08:00

Overheard on a Night Shift...

Although we're not a trauma centre, we do get the occasional 'Homie

Drop-Off'. This leads to exciting nights when someone's 'homies'

decide to leave their injured buddy on the steps of our emergency

department. Last week, we got a gunshot wound to the abdomen. It was a

fairly small bullet, a .22 by the looks of it on x-ray, that

ricocheted off his iliac crest, perforated his bowel and came to rest

sungly against the opposite iliac crest. Small entrance wound, no exit

wound.

Young, panicked thug lying on the gurney: "What's wrong with me doc?"

Staff Doc: "You got shot."

Thug: "What? Like, with a real bullet?"

Staff: "Yup."

Thug: "So how come I'm not dead?"

Staff: "Um... cause this isn't TV."

*********************************************************

Night shift is when you see the most interesting cases. As we're also

the emergency psychiatry resource for the area, many of our

interesting cases come in the form of overdoses and acutely psychotic

patients. One that particuarly stands out was the 26-year-old 225lb

man who came in dressed in a pink bunny suit waving a magic wand.

Which would have been far more amusing had he actually been delusional

and not a sexual predator of young children. Just in case you thought

my job was ALL fun and games.

*********************************************************

Night shift is bad for the size of my ass. For some reason, the night

shift means food. And lots of it. In the middle of the emergency room

there is an island with a computer on it, used mostly for leaning on

when things get slow. On a recent night shift, that island held 4

large bags of chips, one container of french onion chip dip, a giant

caramel cheesecake that one nurse had made as a thank you to another,

a large box of Timbits and a bag of chocolate-peanut-butter balls.

It made the cut up veggies I had brought to snack on look pretty

2006_11_01_archive

2008-02-24T14:37:00.001-08:00

mini gourmet cakes assortment

2008-02-24T14:27:00.001-08:00

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adult family care unique option for

2008-02-24T14:17:00.001-08:00

Adult Family Care: Unique Option for Independent Living

Adult Family Care (AFC) is a program which matches those who need

extra assistance living successfully in the community with families

and individuals who can provide a private bedroom, meals, limited

personal care, transportation assistance, and medication reminding.

Hosts are paid monthly by Medicaid and receive room and board

reimbursement from the participant. Hosts undergo a thorough

assessment process to ensure the best possible match with a potential

participant. AFC staff provide ongoing support and training to the

participant and host. Hosts can have up to three AFC participants in

their home.

AFC participants are people living with a variety of different medical

diagnoses, ranging from epilepsy, to traumatic brain injury, to

HIV/AIDS, and many more. Some participants work, while others attend

Adult Day Health programs. Participants are age 18 or older and have a

chronic medical diagnosis that requires assistance with at least one

activity of daily living per day (e.g. feeding, bathing, dressing,

ambulating). Participants cannot be immediately related to the host,

but can be friends and may already be living together.

Medicaid pays the host $19.00 per day in TAX-FREE income

(approximately $570 per month), while the participant pays at least

$400 per month in room and board. Private pay options are available

for non-Medicaid clients.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) provides the AFC Program in

the Greater Boston area as far north as Ipswich, and in the western

2004_08_08_archive

2008-02-20T10:17:00.001-08:00

Saturday, August 7th, 2004 Good evening...When I am late in writing, I

feel guilty, thinking that someone is waiting for fresh news from

Iraq...And I wish all news would be happy and good...for those here

and there.Baghdad is still hot these days, but then it is August, and

the old Folklore saying says about it:The first ten (days) melts the

nail in the door, the second ten reduces the grapes and increases the

dates, and the third ten opens a door to winter....Well, what I'm

really interested in are the last ten that would bring with it the

breezes of winter... I am dying in longing to meet it, after the

torture of the heat all summer long......At least by then we should no

longer care whether the electricity comes or goes....

****************** Last week was full, as usual, with unhappy

events...but there were some tiny, happy events, sort of on the

personal side, or perhaps they were connected to the general

conditions.The most important sad events were the bombings against the

Iraqi Churches, in Baghdad and Mousel... I don't know, but it is as if

the criminals are laughing at us and saying to the Iraqis: No one is

excluded from the anger, murder, and destruction...the churches that

were targeted were in poor, populist neighborhoods, crowded with

innocent, civilian residents... as if there is a theory that (they)

keep applying to the Iraqis, kill them, or cast them away outside of

Iraq...And today, settling up scores with Al-Mahdi Army and Al-Sader,

and the departure of Al-Systani to London, huh.., a shameful story,

which shows a collusion with the occupation forces, as he leaves Iraq

so Al-Sader and his supporters would be eliminated without turning to

Al-Systani to calm down the situation, as was done each time for

months.Yes, there are still some files that need to clarified and

closed, and the Fallujah and Al-Sader files are still under

operations... in these operations the coalition forces collaborates

with the Iraqi government, the police and the army. And we watch, and

listen to the news from ground and satellite channels. No body knows

exactly if it was a battle about posts, or a personal advantage, or an

honest national advantage? All cards are mixed up; we no longer know a

truth from a lie.********************We bought a DVD of Michel Moore's

Documentary film (Fahrenheit 9/11), I hardly got a copy with

difficulty, every day I went to the shop and asked, the salesman would

tell me that all available copies were finished. I was amazed because

I thought the Iraqis haven't heard about it yet...I felt glad that

they are buying and watching it, a healthy sign. I love for Iraqis to

open their eyes upon every thing a new...to see, hear, and understand

what goes on in the near-far world... enough for them were the years

of darkness and ignorance they lived in during the Saddam era. Now

they are subjected to a serious overcastting in vision. There are

those who want to attract their attention to a certain direction, and

distract their attention from others, and I pray to God that the eyes,

ears, and hearts of the Iraqis would remain alert, and open to

understand what goes on around them, and wouldn't go back to the prior

condition of slumber. Perhaps some of those who want to re-make the

new Iraq want to use the same methods of Saddam Hussein in

intimidating and terrorizing us, so they could pass up and implement

what is best for their interests...without respect to the people's

interest, future, or national independence.***************For me, the

(Fahrenheit) film didn't come up with a new viewpoint, for through

this site, I get hundreds of letters monthly, and read the different

viewpoints of American citizens, and this film came to prove that the

American society today is divided among itself: between a supporter of

the war and the Bush policy, and an opponent to both... and the

letters say what the film didn't...the letters say that they would

choose Kerry not because he is better than Bush, for he didn't

represent a clear, convincing program, but because they got tired of

Bush and his aggressive tide of dealing in the foreign policy, for he

hits, bombs, and destroys, thinking he is protecting America and its

people, and in truth he is creating new enemies for America, who wish

for a chance to hit back with the same aggression and cruelty. This

means spreading the spirit of revenge among humans and nations as a

dialogue language, instead of the language of peace and respect, which

is a language that creates friends, and keeps the balance of the state

from collapsing, reducing the psychological pressures on people, the

constant feelings of fear and terror, the continual departure of their

sons and daughters to join in wars that do not end...Afghanistan, then

Iraq, then Iran on the way, then perhaps Korea....and, to what end????

The road of wars, hostility, and hatred has no end......and the

American people see that they are paying the price of this clumsy

policy, the results are not always fascinating, as the Bush government

is trying to convince them. Iraq did not live happy days during the

war or afterwards, did not reap beautiful fruits from this war, and

even its causes became a subject of suspicion and discussion... it did

not give happiness to the Iraqi people, nor to the Americans, nothing

but destruction, killings, and lies, and more lies to cover up the

previous lies, and so on....months and years go by, and here we are,

waiting for signs of well-being, and see nothing but bombings,

violence, and score-settling, and endless excuses to clarify the delay

of the process of re-building Iraq? The Fallujah file isn't closed

yet, the violence is still the dialogue language, and here's another

file opened, that of the fighting against Al-Sader and his

supporters... If I were a prime Minister, and loved my people, I would

have said to all factions: please be seated to a dialogue table...we

want what is good to Iraq and the Iraqis, we want to build Iraq all

over again...lets hear what you have to say, let us try and talk

together... but the on-coming American thinks in an aggressive way, in

Bush's way, strike your foe and do not talk to him....How are we to

build a free, democratic country, while we hit the opponents and

destroy them, instead of listening to them??? Is it wise to accuse

them of being enemies and criminals before talking with them, and

listening to their political speech?? Even an accused has the right to

defend himself in front of the judge... but the Iraqi Resistance's

image was distorted, and many acts of destruction and violence were

attached to it, in order to give a reason for eliminating it. And the

people...where are the people?? Aren't they supposed to decide their

destiny?? Aren't they who decide whom they want, and whom they don't

want??What is happening now in Iraq is a very painful thing; the

people are far away from the decision, America, unaccompanied, is

putting the government under pressure, to carry on some program, that

serves the interests of some factions, inside and out. Then, after the

end of the blood, killings, and destruction series, they will wash

their hands, open the doors, and tell the Iraqi people, smiling:

Please come in, its time now for the democracy game, the field is

clean, as WE want it to be........... So...this is how things happen,

that who watches and understands, would almost be killed by grief, but

he should hold on to patience, and the belief in GOD...for all goes by

HIS will, not that of Mr. Bush's.************************And going

back to the (Fahrenheit) film... It has asked some questions about the

mysterious relation between the Taliban, Saudi Arabia, and the Bush

administrations, senior and junior. About the oil and construction

companies, and the September blasting, the removal of Bin-Laden's

relatives to Saudi Arabia safely, and secretly. The events that didn't

contain one single Iraqi defendant, how did it turn against the

miserable Iraqis, and led to a war against them, making them pay for a

crime committed by another....where is the justice in all this?How did

they convince the Americans that their enemies are these

unjustly-treated, and sanctioned people, deprived of their rights for

tens of years? Toppling the regime didn't take long...but the daily

torture of the Iraqis isn't finished yet, since the downfall of

Baghdad, till now...Where is the aspect of success in this war??Yes, I

cried for the scenes of Iraqis wailing and crying in the days of air

raids in Iraq, and no one showed them any mercy and stopped the

torture...as if the whole world colluded against us, either supporting

Bush, or fearing him...then the pictures of Iraqis, at night in their

houses, and the occupation forces raiding houses, the son lying on the

floor, hands bound, the mother sitting on the stairs, crying in the

dark, asking: what did my son do? Shame on you, he is a third-year

collage student....How many beautiful things were broken, ripped apart

by this war???Our lives, relations, our whole outlook to the world has

collapsed, but the happiness with which Bush promised us didn't come,

the happiness by which he justified the war, so he could bring freedom

and welfare to the Iraqis...Is he really concerned with us?? Did he

ever read the diaries of our pains and torture? Did he apologize for

what he brought of chaos and destruction into our lives?.... I don't

think so... he didn't , and he never will....he gives adulations only

to the American who pays taxes, then sends his children to join in

killing us, and destroying our lives...under the slogan of (A

Beautiful, Free Iraq)....It is we who live like this every day...and

the American here protects himself in every possible way, so he could

get back home safely, healthy, and happy, meeting the press, TV.

Networks and Internet, speaking about his sacrifices here for the

Iraqis.Yes...thank you...we see the other side of the picture...away

from the media and publicity...the true face of which we write in our

diaries.....***************** At the end of the film there was some

mention of the contracts signed with American Companies, in fantastic

numbers, to implement projects in Iraq...then sub-contracting them to

Iraqi contractors with humble fees... The film didn't come up with any

made-up story, all that he mentioned here was true...we thank Michel

More and his truthful, transparent spirit, with which he dealt with

the film's atmosphere, from beginning to end. I thank him, and thank

the beautiful face of America, which supported More in bringing this

film to light. It had humanity and fairness in dealing with the Iraqi

human-being. Not only the American is worthy of being mourned by

mother and friends, the Iraqi also deserves to find someone to cry

upon him, for he is a human, with a past, memories, a father and a

mother, a family, relatives and friends.... Who grief for the news of

his death...cry for him, and feel angry at those who started this

accursed war.**************** Now...I shall move away from the sad

stories. Last Thursday, I was invited to attend a meeting of a new

Iraqi women society...by the name of (The Iraqi Business Women

Society). It was at the Iraqi Hunting Club Hall, an old, beautiful

club, bearing the scent of happy days when the halls used to be filled

by Iraqi families, gathering for dinner, Bingo playing, and the noise

and laughter of children, especially in summer nights. Then there are

the beautiful tennis courts, the open swimming pool for children, and

the closed swimming pool for adults...tidy, beautiful gardens,

containing all colors of flowers....I do not think such customs are

left these days...the security situation does not permit.I went to the

meeting, the hall was filled with women, there were cameras, and

lights... the Chairwoman said the society was established some months

ago, now it will be called off, then re-established, by adding new

members, and electing a new administrative council...A good percentage

of members were engineers, doctors, attorneys, municipality council

members, free lance career women, and entrepreneurs. I don't know what

put in my head the idea of nominating myself for the membership of an

administrative council... I asked the Chairwoman if I could nominate

my self? She said: Yes, in a short while we will announce the names of

the nominees, writing them on a board, and each will stand up on the

dais, and speak about herself, so the other members would know her. I

liked the idea...they wrote my name with the other nominees on a white

board in front of the dais...the nominated women each stood up to talk

about her degrees, her experience, and her ambition to work in the

society, what she would like to present... I looked at them, one by

one...some were very nice, and very convincing, because they were

founder members, they had some things to say from previous experience,

some were new, having a nice spirit of ambition to share and work,

while others were as if they are begging strongly: Please choose me or

I'll die...ha, ha, ha...yes, I laughed, saluting their friendly,

fighting spirit, that wants to join in taking decisions....And when it

was my turn to talk...I stood up, laughed, and said that one minute

wasn't enough to talk...but I'll make it short... I talked about my

graduation from the collage of engineering, my work, my life outside

Iraq, and my new job in Baghdad, and my address. I heard some

approving cries.I said I wanted to contribute in order to help Iraqi

women...I want no personal advantages, and will not run after any... I

will not fight to attend a conference outside Iraq, or visit some

country; for I spent my life traveling...I only want to help Iraqi

women.They distributed voting papers, stamped by the society's stamp,

by the presence of a woman delegate of the Ministry of Planning, a

woman legal register, and the representative of the Women's societies

in Iraq. Those were an observation committee, to ensure the voting

legitimacy. We wrote the names, there were nine names needed... all

the time I was thinking, praying to GOD to successd, if there was any

good that I could present to people through this society, or to lose,

if it were merely a silly, worthless procedure... all the time I was

thinking that I was an adventurer... for I only knew three women in

the hall, and I couldn't guarantee their votes...but I was betting on

my personality, my speech, and their trust in what they heard me

say.... Then came the happy surprise that made me laugh a lot....I won

by a third of the votes, and became a member of the administrative

council of the society...By God I was dealing with the subject in a

spirit of mirth, a curiosity to join, and adventure... but today I

find my self a little worried, for this is a responsibility, which

deserves interest, time, and dedication...Tomorrow is our first

meeting...I wish for things to move in a good way, for this society to

be a starting point to help Iraqi women in making a better future...I

will try contacting some Arabic and Foreign Societies for consultation

and listening to suggestions from those who have experience...I hope

we will get the chance of arranging training courses, to promote the

work and thinking of the working, producing women, especially those

responsible for supporting families...and I hope we could produce

development programs, in languages and computer skills for collage

graduate women, to provide them with better job opportunities by

adding new capabilities. Many new ideas will come with time...I wish

God would be with us, as long as the intention is true to serving

people....****************************I have learned something nice

from the Americans...from those I meet, or those who send e-mails...

(Do not just sit and complain )...I always hear this sentence. From

friends or foes... yes, this is a frustrating situation...and I intend

to try the adventure, and participate, regardless of the danger in

participation these days, in these conditions...But I keep my eyes on

to God...I say, In The Name of God...He will save me, He will support

and encourage me, with all those I love, those who love me...I take

the first step...in the thousand miles path... asking success from

nuclear family

2008-02-20T09:59:00.001-08:00

Nuclear Family

Last night I was at a party with my pals (Doomed to Flail, Fabulous

Jackass, Glennalicious, Morbid Optimist, Tin Man, Useless! Worthless!

Insipid! and other assorted boyfriends and hangers-on: mwah, I love

you guys!) and I was sharing the story of the recently discovered

gossip-item that my father's father is not who we thought he was.

Friend: "So, you're a bastard?"

2006_06_01_archive

2008-02-20T09:47:00.001-08:00

Naxos Music Library Additions

The Naxos Music Library is proud to announce that we have reached a

great milestone. With the addition of three additional labels to our

offerings, we have now surpassed 30 record labels within our offerings

representing over 140,000 tracks from over 9,000 cd's and over 7,000

composers!

The new additions include:

* Signum Classics, a label dedicated to high standards of

performance and a loyalty to composers' intentions. Performers

include some of the best choral and instrumental groups in the UK:

The Kings Singers, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the

BBC Singers, as well as Oxford and Cambridge University College

choirs.

* Hungaraton, the Hungarian record company founded in 1951 and

reorganized in 1995. The label specializes in Hungarian music,

mainly classical and folk, performed largely by Hungarian artists

* ABC Classics, Australia's foremost producer of classical CDs.

Belonging to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Music),

this label caters for a broad classical music market, encouraging

and promoting key repertoire through high- quality performances.

Upcoming Conventions and Meetings

If you have not yet had a chance to check out the Naxos Music Library,

there will be several opportunities in the coming months.

Naxos will be at the American Library Association convention in New

Orleans, Louisiana from June 24 thru 27. Please come by to say hello

and take a test drive of the interface. We will be at booth 349 with

plenty of giveaways and goodies for all who visit. We look forward to

seeing you there.

We will also be at the IAML meeting in G�teborg July 19 thru 23. We

will have a booth where you can experience the Naxos Music Library

"Live." In addition to this there will also be a Naxos Breakfast where

2006_06_01_archive

2008-02-20T09:37:00.001-08:00

Naxos Music Library Additions

The Naxos Music Library is proud to announce that we have reached a

great milestone. With the addition of three additional labels to our

offerings, we have now surpassed 30 record labels within our offerings

representing over 140,000 tracks from over 9,000 cd's and over 7,000

composers!

The new additions include:

* Signum Classics, a label dedicated to high standards of

performance and a loyalty to composers' intentions. Performers

include some of the best choral and instrumental groups in the UK:

The Kings Singers, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the

BBC Singers, as well as Oxford and Cambridge University College

choirs.

* Hungaraton, the Hungarian record company founded in 1951 and

reorganized in 1995. The label specializes in Hungarian music,

mainly classical and folk, performed largely by Hungarian artists

* ABC Classics, Australia's foremost producer of classical CDs.

Belonging to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Music),

this label caters for a broad classical music market, encouraging

and promoting key repertoire through high- quality performances.

Upcoming Conventions and Meetings

If you have not yet had a chance to check out the Naxos Music Library,

there will be several opportunities in the coming months.

Naxos will be at the American Library Association convention in New

Orleans, Louisiana from June 24 thru 27. Please come by to say hello

and take a test drive of the interface. We will be at booth 349 with

plenty of giveaways and goodies for all who visit. We look forward to

seeing you there.

We will also be at the IAML meeting in G�teborg July 19 thru 23. We

will have a booth where you can experience the Naxos Music Library

"Live." In addition to this there will also be a Naxos Breakfast where

blog post

2008-02-20T09:27:00.001-08:00

Games, Family and Work

So the long weekend was good. I played bocce, saw Kat, and played many

a board game. One in particular I was introduced to was Ticket to

Ride. It's a game where you try to build a rail system across Europe.

First game of the day and the only one I was able to win.

Another game I really liked was Carcassonne. This game involves a

series of tiles that each display a section of a field, road, castle

or some combination of the three. You take turns placing the tiles and

essentially building a world. You also get little wooden people called

"meeples" that help you score points depending on where you place

them. It's a very interesting and fun game, and can be played with as

few as two players. The first time I played it took me a while to get

it, and the second time I did much better.

In addition to fun and games, I shot yet another job with Whoopi

Goldberg this week for LA Weight Loss. For those of you who don't

know, I shot a commercial with her last Fall. Here's the picture form

that:

This one was a lot bigger and a little stressful, but we wrapped super

early, and you can't complain about that. Here are some pics:

asleep on the job...

sets we built...

brownie, anyone?

My parents were also in town this week. They were cleaning out my

grandmother's house to get ready to sell it. I got a lot of cool stuff

like a a 25" tv, stereo speakers, paintings and kitchenware. It's nice

to get cool stuff, but it did feel strange dismantling a house I grew

up in and had many memories with. It was like taking apart a section

of my childhood and releasing it into the void. Here's a picture of me

in my grandmother's kitchen for the very last time:

find right house plan for your family

2008-02-19T21:47:00.001-08:00

Find The Right House Plan For Your Family.

A planning is like milk that you leave a day outside the fridge. Same

goes if you want to find a house plan for you and your family. A house

plan is the pattern that will be followed by the designing and

constructing team. Imagine constructing a house without a house plan.

I believe you know the asnwer.

Actually, finding the right house plan for your family is not a

difficult thing to do unless you know what this website can benefit

you. HousePlansAndMore.com is a great website where you can find and

download your dream house plan based on your taste and your budget.

Family size is the most important indicator of how many square feet of

living space will be required. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms and

size of the common living areas should also be considered. That's why

you should find the perfect house plan for your family.

You just choose your own house plan. If you like one of these like

this Log Cabin House Plans, English Cottage House Plans and Small

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next plan.

2006_07_23_archive

2008-02-19T21:37:00.001-08:00

a+l+a+r+b+e+a+H' 26 t+m+w+z+ 2006

c+b+a+hk a+l+x+y+r+...

r+yHy+s+ a+l+w+z+r+a+H' a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ y+z+w+r+ a+m+y+r+k+a+ h+dkh+

a+l+a+y+a+m+ l+l+t+hka+d+tk m+e+ a+l+a+d+a+r+tm a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm

e+n+ snwHw+n+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ w+k+y+f+y+tm a+x+r+a+g+h+ m+n+ a+l+m+aHz+q+

w+a+l+f+w+ddj+ a+l+t+y+ t+i+r+q+ f+y+h+a+ a+l+b+l+a+d+ m+n+dk

a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm e+l+y+n+a+ f+y+ 2003 w+hkt+j+ a+l+a+n+..

w+r+aHy+t+ a+l+r+yHy+s+ b+w+sn y+q+r+aH x+tja+b+a+ , w+m+n+ k+tkr+tm

m+a+ s+m+e+t+ m+n+ x+tja+b+a+t+ w+k+l+a+m+ f+a+r+i+ l+a+ e+l+a+q+tm

l+h+ b+a+l+w+a+q+e+, f+q+d+ w+q+f+t+ l+l+hkzHa+t+ c+i+y+r+tm

a+s+t+m+e+ tkm+ m+ddy+t+ a+l+j+ x+a+r+g+ a+l+i+r+f+tm , n+f+s+

a+l+x+tja+b+ a+l+m+t+hkg+r+ f+y+ e+q+w+l+ a+e+dda+H' a+l+a+d+a+r+tm

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm, l+a+ y+q+r+aHw+w+n+ a+l+w+a+q+e+, b+l+

y+r+d+d+w+n+ m+a+ f+y+ e+q+w+l+h+m+ f+q+tj, w+h+w+ e+a+d+tm, aHb+e+d+

m+a+ y+k+w+n+ e+n+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm, w+a+q+r+b+ m+a+ y+k+w+n+

l+m+c+a+l+hkh+m+ a+l+snx+c+y+tm...

h+l+ c+a+d+f+t+m+ n+w+e+y+tm m+n+ a+l+b+snr+ , t+hkk+y+ l+h+ q+c+tm

m+a+ a+w+ t+snt+k+y+ l+h+ e+n+ m+snk+l+tm m+a+ , tkm+ t+n+zHr+

a+l+y+h+ f+t+r+a+h+ sna+r+d+a+ f+y+ e+a+l+m+ a+x+r+, tkm+ y+l+t+f+t+

a+l+y+k+ f+y+e+tjy+k+ m+l+a+hkzHa+t+ w+a+s+t+n+t+a+g+a+t+ l+a+

e+l+a+q+tm l+h+a+ n+h+a+yHy+a+ b+m+a+ k+n+t+ t+t+hkd+tk e+n+h+?+

h+k+dka+ h+w+ a+l+hkd+y+tk m+e+ a+e+dda+H' a+l+a+d+a+r+tm

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm , w+i+a+l+b+y+tm a+e+dda+H' a+l+k+w+n+i+r+s+

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+, h+m+ m+g+r+d+ a+n+a+s+ y+e+y+snw+n+ e+a+l+m+h+m+

a+l+m+i+l+q+ a+l+m+hkd+w+d+, w+l+y+s+ e+n+d+h+m+ r+i+b+tm aHw+

q+d+r+tm e+q+l+y+tm , e+l+j+ a+l+a+s+t+m+a+e+ l+l+aMx+r+, h+m+

y+s+t+m+e+w+n+ l+l+c+w+t+ a+l+d+a+x+l+y+ a+l+w+h+m+y+ f+y+

r+wHw+s+h+m+, w+y+c+r+w+n+ e+l+y+h+, s+n+w+a+t+ w+s+n+w+a+t+, hkt+j+

y+t+m+ a+q+c+a+H'h+m+ e+n+ m+n+a+c+b+h+m+, w+l+a+ a+d+r+y+ w+q+t+h+a+

h+l+ s+t+t+i+y+r+ t+l+k+ a+l+e+q+l+y+tm a+l+b+b+i+a+w+y+tm

a+l+i+b+y+tm a+m+ s+t+t+tjw+r+ a+l+j+ e+q+l+y+tm t+f+h+m+ a+l+w+a+q+e+

w+t+s+t+g+y+b+ l+h+, l+k+n+ m+a+ a+l+f+a+yHd+tm?+

f+h+y+ q+d+ a+c+b+hkt+ x+a+r+g+ d+a+yHr+tm c+n+e+ a+l+q+r+a+r+....

****************************

b+w+sn q+a+l+ aHm+s+ k+a+l+e+a+d+tm a+l+g+m+l+tm a+l+t+y+ y+hkb+

q+w+l+h+a+ k+l+ a+l+f+a+snl+y+n+ f+y+ a+l+a+d+a+r+tm

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm w+a+l+t+y+ y+b+r+r+w+n+ b+h+a+ b+q+a+H' q+w+a+t+

a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ a+l+j+ a+g+l+ i+y+r+ m+s+m+j+,

w+t+b+r+y+r+ b+q+a+yHh+m+ l+aHs+b+a+b+ n+b+y+l+tm ..

(q+l+t+ l+r+yHy+s+ a+l+w+z+r+a+H' a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ a+n+n+a+ l+n+

n+t+x+l+j+ e+n+k+m+ , w+l+n+ n+s+hkb+ a+l+g+y+w+sn m+n+

a+l+e+r+a+q+....)

h+dkh+ a+l+g+m+l+tm s+m+e+t+h+a+ a+w+l+ m+r+tm m+n+ e+ddw+

k+w+n+i+r+s+ a+m+r+y+k+y+ k+n+a+ n+q+f+ f+y+ a+l+m+m+r+ f+y+ m+b+n+j+

a+l+k+w+n+i+r+s+ q+b+l+ snh+w+r+, m+e+ w+f+d+ n+s+a+yHy+ e+r+a+q+y+,

e+n+d+m+a+ m+r+ a+l+r+g+l+, w+t+b+r+e+ b+e+dd a+l+w+a+q+f+y+n+ m+n+

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+y+n+ b+t+q+d+y+m+n+a+ a+l+y+h+, f+n+f+sn r+y+snh+

w+q+a+l+ n+f+s+ a+l+g+m+l+tm: l+a+ t+q+l+q+w+a+, n+hkn+ l+n+

n+t+x+l+j+ e+n+k+m+, w+l+n+ n+s+hkb+ a+l+g+y+w+sn m+n+ a+l+e+r+a+q+...

n+zHr+t+ a+l+j+ dkl+k+ a+l+a+hkm+q+ , w+r+aHy+t+ k+m+ h+w+ m+i+r+w+r+

w+i+b+y+ w+y+q+r+aH a+l+w+a+q+e+ hks+b+ m+z+a+g+h+, w+y+t+x+y+l+

a+n+h+ y+q+w+m+ b+d+w+r+ a+l+b+tjl+ a+l+m+n+q+dk, w+n+hkn+ n+q+w+m+

b+d+w+r+ a+l+dde+f+a+H' a+l+dky+n+ y+s+t+n+g+d+w+n+ b+h+,

w+a+l+hkq+y+q+tm h+y+ e+k+s+ dkl+k+ t+m+a+m+a+, a+l+w+g+w+d+

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ g+l+b+ l+n+a+ a+l+d+m+a+r+

w+a+l+k+w+a+r+tk w+a+l+f+w+ddj+ w+a+l+a+r+h+a+b+, w+g+d+w+l+tm

a+l+a+n+s+hka+b+ h+w+ a+l+sny+ a+l+w+hky+d+ a+l+dky+ y+m+k+n+ a+n+

y+f+r+hk a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+.........

l+m+ n+r+j+ m+n+h+m+ s+w+j+ a+l+i+b+a+H' w+a+l+t+x+b+tj f+y+

a+l+e+r+a+q+ , a+b+t+d+a+H' m+n+ s+w+H' a+l+t+x+tjy+tj w+s+w+H'

a+l+a+d+a+r+tm w+a+l+q+r+a+r+a+t+ a+l+x+a+tjyHtm a+l+hkm+q+a+H'

w+a+l+t+r+a+g+e+ e+n+h+a+ l+a+hkq+a+ , a+l+j+ a+s+t+d+r+a+g+ x+c+w+m+

a+m+y+r+k+a+ f+y+ a+l+m+n+tjq+tm m+n+ a+f+r+a+d+ a+w+ d+w+l+,

l+l+d+x+w+l+ l+l+s+a+hktm a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm w+g+e+l+h+a+ s+a+hktm

a+l+m+e+a+r+k+ a+l+a+q+l+y+m+y+tm w+a+l+d+w+l+y+tm, w+a+l+x+a+s+r+

w+a+l+ddhky+tm h+w+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+w+n+, w+h+dka+ h+w+

a+l+a+s+t+h+t+a+r+ b+a+l+d+m+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ a+l+b+r+y+H' w+g+e+l+h+

q+r+b+a+n+ l+t+e+y+sn sne+w+b+ a+l+d+w+l+ a+l+a+x+r+j+ b+s+e+a+d+tm

w+aHm+a+n+ b+e+y+d+a+ e+n+ h+dkh+ a+l+c+r+a+e+a+t+ a+l+d+m+w+y+tm.....

y+e+n+y+ x+l+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ hkq+l+ t+g+a+r+b+, w+a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+

f+yHr+a+n+ a+l+t+g+a+r+b+, t+m+w+t+ m+n+ a+g+l+ a+n+ y+e+y+sn

a+l+a+x+r+w+n+ b+s+e+a+d+tm w+y+n+a+m+w+n+ b+tjm+a+n+y+n+tm ,

h+dka+ h+w+ w+a+q+e+ a+l+hka+l+ m+n+dk a+k+tkr+ m+n+ tkl+a+tk

s+n+y+n+...

w+a+l+a+s+t+h+t+a+r+ w+a+ddhk t+m+a+m+a+ hkw+l+ m+w+ddw+e+ s+f+k+

a+l+d+m+a+H' a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm

l+a+ t+hkq+y+q+a+t+ hkw+l+ a+l+t+f+g+y+r+a+t+ w+a+l+q+t+l+

w+a+l+x+tjf+ w+a+l+e+n+f+, k+l+ sny+H' y+t+k+r+r+ k+l+ y+w+m+ b+n+f+s+

a+l+tjr+y+q+tm a+l+i+b+y+tm w+k+aHn+ a+l+dky+n+ y+m+w+t+w+n+

hky+w+a+n+a+t+ w+l+y+s+ b+b+snr+m+n+dk tkl+a+tk s+n+y+n+ w+a+k+tkr+...

l+a+ t+tjw+y+r+ hkq+y+q+y+ l+e+m+l+ a+g+h+z+tm a+l+snr+tjtm

w+a+l+g+y+sn a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm, m+m+a+ y+w+hky+ a+n+h+a+ m+s+t+e+d+tm

w+g+a+h+z+tm l+a+s+t+l+a+m+ a+l+m+l+f+ a+l+a+m+n+y+ w+a+l+s+y+tjr+tm

e+l+j+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ b+tjr+y+q+tm m+q+b+w+l+tm t+s+m+hk b+g+d+w+l+tm

a+n+s+hka+b+ a+l+q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+g+n+b+y+tm , w+a+l+a+d+a+r+tm

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm t+q+w+l+ d+a+yHm+a+ a+n+h+a+ s+t+n+s+hkb+

e+n+d+m+a+ t+k+w+n+ a+l+q+w+a+t+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm m+wHh+l+tm

l+t+s+l+m+ m+l+f+ a+l+a+m+n+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+.....

m+e+n+j+ h+dka+, a+n+ m+n+ m+c+l+hktm a+l+q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+g+n+b+y+tm,

b+q+a+H' a+l+q+w+a+t+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm m+h+z+w+m+tm w+dde+y+f+tm a+w+

m+k+r+w+h+tm m+n+ q+b+l+ m+w+a+tjn+y+h+a+ , m+snk+w+k+ f+y+ hks+n+

a+d+a+yHh+a+, l+t+b+q+j+ a+l+q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+g+n+b+y+tm e+l+j+ a+r+dd

a+l+e+r+a+q+ a+l+j+ a+g+l+ i+y+r+ m+s+m+j+....

l+a+ m+hka+s+b+tm e+n+ a+n+t+h+a+k+a+t+ hkq+w+q+ a+l+a+n+s+a+n+

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ m+n+ q+b+l+ w+z+a+r+tm a+l+d+a+x+l+y+tm w+a+l+d+f+a+e+

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+t+y+n+ a+l+l+t+y+n+ a+q+t+r+f+t+h+a+ g+r+a+yHm+

k+tky+r+tm , l+k+n+ l+y+s+ tkm+tm m+n+ g+l+b+ a+l+w+z+r+a+H'

w+hka+s+b+h+m+ a+w+ hkq+q+ m+e+h+m+...

l+a+ m+hka+s+b+tm e+l+j+ s+r+q+a+t+ m+l+y+a+r+a+t+ a+l+d+w+l+a+r+a+t+

m+n+ x+z+y+n+tm a+l+e+r+a+q+ w+m+n+ a+l+m+a+l+ a+l+e+a+m+ a+l+dky+

m+n+ a+l+m+f+r+w+dd a+n+h+ l+ahe+a+d+tm a+e+m+a+r+ a+l+e+r+a+q+

l+a+ t+hks+y+n+ l+x+d+m+a+t+ a+l+m+w+a+tjn+y+n+, m+n+ y+h+t+m+

b+h+m+?+

b+y+sn h+dkw+l+h+?+

h+h+h+h+h+h+, e+l+j+ tjr+y+q+tm a+l+a+s+t+h+z+a+H'

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm.....

r+f+e+ a+s+e+a+r+ a+l+m+hkr+w+q+a+t+ w+a+l+m+w+a+d+ a+l+i+dka+yHy+tm,

w+a+l+b+l+a+d+ t+i+r+q+ f+y+ n+s+b+ b+tja+l+tm m+r+t+f+e+tm

w+m+t+z+a+y+d+tm t+t+r+a+w+hk b+y+n+ 50 a+l+j+ s+b+e+y+n+

b+a+l+m+yHtm...

m+n+ y+h+t+m+ ?+

l+a+ a+hkd+ y+h+t+m+ b+aHr+w+a+hk a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+, w+l+a+

r+a+hkt+h+m+, w+l+a+ l+q+m+t+h+m+...

l+a+ a+d+r+y+ l+m+a+dka+ a+n+q+l+b+ a+l+e+a+l+m+ k+l+h+ ddd+n+a+ a+w+

t+x+l+j+ e+n+a+ ?+?+

m+c+a+l+hk d+w+l+y+tm?+

l+e+n+tm a+l+l+h+ e+l+j+ a+l+m+c+a+l+hk a+l+t+y+ t+m+y+t+ ddm+a+yHr+

a+l+n+a+s+ w+t+g+e+l+h+m+ q+s+a+tm a+l+q+l+w+b+ k+a+l+c+x+w+r+,

w+a+n+dka+l+ k+a+l+x+n+a+z+y+r+...

***************************************

l+w+ r+a+g+e+n+a+ k+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+ m+a+ hkd+tk l+l+e+r+a+q+ m+n+

m+s+l+s+l+ a+l+e+n+f+ m+n+dk 2003 w+l+hkd+ a+l+a+n+, k+y+f+ k+a+n+t+

d+a+yHr+tm a+l+e+n+f+ t+d+w+r+ w+t+d+w+r+ k+l+ y+w+m+ , l+k+n+h+a+

t+t+x+dk h+y+yHtm m+x+t+l+f+tm aHw+ m+zHh+r+a+ m+x+t+l+f+a+ k+l+

f+t+r+tm

( k+l+ f+t+r+tm q+d+ t+s+t+i+r+q+ 3 snh+w+r+ a+w+ 6 snh+w+r+ )

y+e+n+y+ a+r+y+d+ a+n+ a+t+dkk+r+ m+r+a+hkl+ a+l+e+n+f+ f+y+

a+l+e+r+a+q+, w+f+y+ k+l+ a+l+a+hkw+a+l+ h+w+ e+n+f+ m+n+zHm+

w+m+b+r+m+g+, l+a+n+h+ y+g+r+y+ a+l+t+hkw+l+ m+n+ hka+l+tm a+l+j+

hka+l+tm b+q+r+a+r+ y+zHh+r+ e+l+j+ a+l+sna+r+e+ t+tjb+y+q+h+ f+g+a+tm

s+b+hka+n+ a+l+l+h+ !

a+l+b+d+a+y+tm k+a+n+t+ a+l+h+g+w+m+ e+l+j+ a+l+m+t+hkf+

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ w+m+wHs+s+a+t+ a+l+d+w+l+tm , n+h+b+ w+hkr+q+ k+l+ sny+

m+n+ y+c+d+q+ a+n+ h+dka+ k+a+n+ a+f+e+a+l+a+ e+f+w+y+tm?+

k+n+a+ n+g+l+s+ f+y+ b+y+w+t+n+a+, w+k+a+n+ tkm+tm a+tjl+a+q+ n+a+r+

e+snw+a+yHy+ w+m+n+e+ t+g+w+l+ f+y+ a+l+x+a+r+g+ !

e+r+f+n+a+ f+y+m+a+ b+e+d+ a+n+ h+dkh+ a+l+w+tka+yHq+ a+l+m+n+h+w+b+tm

m+n+ a+l+w+z+a+r+a+t+ w+d+w+a+yHr+ a+l+d+w+l+tm dkh+b+t+

a+m+a+ a+l+j+ a+l+snm+a+l+ f+y+ k+r+d+s+t+a+n+ , a+w+ a+l+j+

q+a+e+d+tm a+l+e+y+d+y+d+ a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm f+y+ q+tjr+)

w+t+a+k+d+ t+m+a+m+a+ a+n+h+a+ l+m+ t+k+n+ a+e+m+a+l+ n+a+s+

e+a+d+y+y+n+ m+n+ a+l+sna+r+e+...

tkm+ t+tjw+r+t+ a+l+j+ s+r+q+tm a+l+b+n+w+k+ w+b+y+w+t+

a+l+m+s+wHw+l+y+n+ a+l+s+a+b+q+y+n+

tkm+ b+d+a+t+ hkm+l+tm a+i+t+y+a+l+a+t+ m+d+r+a+H' e+a+m+y+n+

w+a+tjb+a+H' w+e+l+m+a+H' w+a+s+a+t+dktm g+a+m+e+y+y+n+ w+tjy+a+r+y+n+

m+n+ s+l+a+hk a+l+g+w+ w+e+s+k+r+y+y+n+ s+a+b+q+y+n+ w+b+e+tky+y+n+

s+a+b+q+y+n+ ...

tkm+ hkm+l+tm s+l+b+ s+y+a+r+a+t+ a+l+m+w+a+tjn+y+n+ a+l+e+a+d+y+y+n+

w+q+t+l+h+m+ f+y+ a+l+snw+a+r+e+ a+l+d+a+x+l+y+tm a+w+ a+l+tjr+q+

a+l+x+a+r+g+y+tm

tkm+ hkm+l+tm m+d+a+h+m+tm a+l+b+y+w+t+ m+n+ q+b+l+ q+w+a+t+

e+r+a+q+y+tm w+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm l+l+a+e+t+q+a+l+a+t+ a+l+e+snw+a+yHy+tm

tkm+ hkm+l+tm a+l+x+tjf+ m+n+ a+l+a+i+n+y+a+H' w+a+s+t+m+r+t+ hkt+j+

tja+l+t+ a+w+l+a+d+ a+l+f+q+r+a+H', hkt+j+ a+w+l+a+d+ a+l+x+b+a+z+tm !

tkm+ hkm+l+tm t+f+g+y+r+a+t+ a+l+s+y+a+r+a+t+ a+l+m+f+x+x+tm f+y+

a+l+a+s+w+a+q+ a+l+sne+b+y+tm w+a+m+a+m+ a+l+m+d+a+r+s+

w+a+l+g+a+m+e+a+t+ w+d+w+r+ a+l+m+s+n+y+n+ w+t+g+m+e+ a+l+e+m+a+l+

a+l+f+q+r+a+H'

w+e+n+f+ y+s+t+h+d+f+ a+l+m+d+n+ a+l+sny+e+y+tm x+a+c+tm

b+s+y+a+r+a+t+ m+f+x+x+tm w+a+n+t+hka+r+y+y+n+ , w+y+q+w+l+w+n+

:h+wHl+a+H' m+n+ a+l+q+a+e+d+tm a+l+t+y+ t+k+r+h+ a+l+sny+e+tm

w+t+r+a+h+m+ x+w+n+tm m+t+w+a+tjyHy+n+ m+e+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ (

a+l+q+a+e+d+tm t+n+zHy+m+ m+snb+w+h+ m+t+tjr+f+ y+s+y+H'

l+l+a+s+l+a+m+ k+l+h+ w+l+a+ y+e+b+r+ e+n+ m+sna+e+r+ i+a+l+b+y+tm

a+l+m+s+l+m+y+n+, w+q+d+ sna+r+k+t+ f+y+ t+aHs+y+s+h+ a+l+s+y+ a+y+

a+y+h+ a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm d+w+n+ n+q+a+sn, l+a+ n+t+b+l+j+ e+l+y+h+m+,

h+dkh+ hkq+a+yHq+ w+a+s+aHl+w+a+ b+a+k+s+t+a+n+ w+a+f+i+a+n+s+t+a+n+ )

tkm+ g+a+H't+ a+l+a+n+t+x+a+b+a+t+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm a+l+a+x+y+r+tm

m+n+t+c+f+ d+y+s+m+b+r+ 2005

k+a+n+t+ n+q+tjtm t+f+a+wHl+ l+i+a+l+b+y+tm a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+,

sna+r+k+ b+h+a+ m+e+zHm+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+w+n+, w+q+a+l+w+a+ h+dkh+

x+tjw+tm s+n+g+e+l+h+a+ f+y+ a+l+a+t+g+a+h+ a+l+c+hky+hk , s+n+w+hkd+

a+l+c+f+w+f+ w+n+b+n+y+ hkk+w+m+tm w+hkd+tm w+tjn+y+tm m+n+s+g+m+tm ,

w+n+x+r+g+ q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ s+r+y+e+a+...

tkm+ g+a+H' a+n+f+g+a+r+ s+a+m+r+a+H' l+y+d+x+l+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ f+y+

d+a+yHr+tm e+n+f+ g+d+y+d+tm , w+y+h+d+m+ k+l+ a+l+a+hkl+a+m+...

zHh+r+t+ e+c+a+b+a+t+ w+m+l+y+sny+a+t+ l+a+ a+hkd+ y+e+t+r+f+ m+n+

a+l+a+hkz+a+b+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm b+a+n+h+ m+s+wHw+l+ e+n+h+a+,

t+r+t+d+y+ a+l+s+w+a+d+ , w+t+h+a+g+m+ a+h+l+ a+l+s+n+tm f+y+

a+l+e+r+a+q+, y+e+n+y+ e+n+f+ m+n+ tjr+f+ a+l+sny+e+tm f+y+

a+l+e+r+a+q+ ddd+ a+l+s+n+tm f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ h+dkh+ a+l+m+r+tm ....

w+b+d+aH m+s+l+s+l+ q+t+l+ a+l+s+n+tm w+t+h+g+y+r+h+m+ m+n+

b+y+w+t+h+m+ w+m+n+a+tjq+ s+k+n+a+h+m+ w+q+t+l+h+m+ e+l+j+

a+l+h+w+y+tm, w+t+e+dky+b+h+m+ b+m+w+ddtm g+d+y+d+tm a+s+m+h+a+

a+l+d+r+l+, hky+tk y+tkq+b+ g+s+m+ a+l+ddhky+tm hkt+j+ t+m+w+t+,

m+a+sna+H'a+a+l+l+h+ h+dkh+ tkq+a+f+tm l+m+ y+e+r+f+h+a+ hkt+j+

c+d+a+m+ hks+y+n+ f+y+ z+m+a+n+h+ , w+q+tje+ a+l+r+wHw+s+

w+a+l+q+a+yHh+a+ f+y+ a+l+snw+a+r+e+, w+a+tjl+a+q+ a+l+r+c+a+c+

a+l+e+snw+a+yHy+ e+l+j+ a+l+n+a+s+ b+a+l+snw+r+a+e+ a+w+ f+y+

m+hkl+a+t+ e+m+l+h+m+ , c+a+r+ a+l+m+w+t+ m+t+w+f+r+a+ w+r+x+y+c+a+

m+tkl+ a+l+z+b+a+l+tm f+y+ snw+a+r+e+ a+l+e+r+a+q+....

********************

a+l+aMn+ aMx+r+ m+w+ddtm f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ f+y+ a+l+snh+w+r+

a+l+a+x+y+r+tm , h+y+ m+w+ddtm a+l+m+l+y+sny+a+t+ a+l+t+y+ t+d+a+h+m+

a+l+a+hky+a+H' a+l+s+k+n+y+tm f+y+ w+ddhk a+l+n+h+a+r+ a+w+ s+k+w+n+

a+l+l+y+l+, m+x+t+r+q+tm s+a+e+a+t+ m+n+e+ a+l+t+g+w+l+, w+l+a+ a+hkd+

m+n+ q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ a+w+ a+l+snr+tjtm a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm

a+l+r+s+m+y+tm, q+a+d+r+ e+l+j+ a+l+s+y+tjr+tm e+l+y+h+a+, a+w+ c+d+

h+g+m+a+t+h+a+ w+hkm+a+y+tm a+l+s+k+a+n+ a+l+m+d+n+y+y+n+..

y+d+x+l+w+n+ a+l+m+n+a+tjq+ a+l+s+k+n+y+tm w+y+h+g+m+w+n+ e+l+j+

a+l+g+w+a+m+e+ y+hkr+q+w+n+h+a+ w+y+q+t+l+w+n+ a+l+a+m+a+m+ w+tja+q+m+

a+l+hkr+a+s+tm f+y+ a+l+g+a+m+e+

( h+l+ h+wHl+a+H' m+s+l+m+w+n+?+ l+m+ n+s+m+e+ b+hky+a+t+n+a+ m+s+l+m+

y+h+a+g+m+ g+a+m+e+a+ w+y+hkr+q+h+ ,

m+n+ h+wHl+a+H'?+ m+g+w+s+?+ k+f+r+tm?+ c+h+a+y+n+tm ?+ l+a+ a+hkd+

y+d+r+y+ )

a+w+ y+k+w+n+ l+h+m+ e+y+w+n+ m+t+e+a+w+n+h+ m+e+h+m+ f+y+ a+l+hky+

a+l+s+k+n+y+, y+e+tjw+h+m+ q+w+a+yHm+ a+s+m+a+H' a+l+e+w+a+yHl+

w+t+c+n+y+f+h+m+ , h+wHl+a+H' s+n+tm h+wHl+a+H' sny+e+tm, f+t+t+m+

m+d+a+h+m+tm a+l+b+y+w+t+ w+q+t+l+ tja+yHf+tm m+e+y+n+tm , w+q+t+l+

e+d+d+ m+n+ a+c+hka+b+ a+l+m+hkl+a+t+ a+l+t+g+a+r+y+tm, m+hkl+a+t+

m+w+b+a+y+l+, m+f+r+w+sna+t+, b+q+a+l+tm, x+dda+r+, f+r+n+ x+b+z+,

l+a+ y+h+m+...

t+d+w+r+ h+dkh+ a+l+m+e+a+r+k+ l+s+a+e+a+t+ , tkm+ t+h+r+b+

a+l+m+l+y+sny+a+t+, w+a+l+hkk+w+m+tm w+q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+

e+a+g+z+y+n+ a+w+ i+y+r+ m+t+g+a+w+b+y+n+ m+e+ n+d+a+H'a+t+

a+l+a+h+a+l+y+

w+t+t+k+r+r+ n+f+s+ a+l+q+c+tm l+snh+w+r+ f+y+ n+f+s+ a+l+hky+ hkt+j+

y+c+b+hk m+h+g+w+r+a+ l+a+ hky+a+tm f+y+h+...

a+l+s+k+a+n+ h+a+g+r+w+a+ w+t+r+k+w+a+ b+y+w+t+h+m+, w+a+l+m+hkl+a+t+

m+i+l+q+tm ....

hkd+tkt+ h+dkh+ a+l+q+c+c+ f+y+ a+hky+a+H' b+b+i+d+a+d+ m+tkl+

a+l+e+a+m+r+y+tm, a+l+i+z+a+l+y+tm, a+l+d+w+r+tm, a+l+x+ddr+a+H', hky+

a+l+g+a+m+e+tm, w+a+l+a+n+ hky+ a+l+g+h+a+d+ w+a+l+m+n+c+w+r+

w+h+k+dka+....m+tjhkn+tm t+d+w+r+ w+t+d+w+r+ t+tjhkn+

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+ a+l+m+d+n+y+y+n+ a+l+a+b+r+y+a+H'

w+a+l+hkk+w+m+tm w+q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+, y+c+r+hkw+n+

w+y+s+t+n+k+r+w+n+, l+k+n+ w+a+q+e+ a+l+hka+l+ a+n+ a+hkd+h+m+

e+a+g+z+

( w+h+w+ tjb+e+a+ tjr+f+ a+l+hkk+w+m+tm)

w+a+l+a+x+r+ s+e+y+d+

( hky+tk h+dkh+ a+l+q+c+c+ t+b+r+r+ b+q+a+H'h+ e+l+j+ q+l+b+

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+ k+m+hkt+l+ y+r+y+d+ a+n+ y+hkq+q+ a+l+aHm+a+n+

l+l+sne+b+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ a+l+s+e+y+d+ )

tjy+b+ a+n+ k+a+n+ a+l+m+h+a+g+m+w+n+ m+n+ a+l+q+a+e+d+tm , l+m+a+dka+

y+s+t+h+d+f+w+n+ q+t+l+ a+l+s+n+tm w+h+m+ m+n+ a+l+s+n+tm?+

w+l+m+a+dka+ y+s+t+h+d+f+w+n+ e+r+a+q+y+y+n+?+

m+n+ h+w+ e+d+w+h+m+?+

a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+ a+l+m+hkt+l+ a+m+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ a+l+b+a+yHs+?+

t+b+r+y+r+a+t+ s+x+y+f+tm w+i+y+r+ m+n+tjq+y+tm, l+k+n+ n+t+y+g+tm

k+l+ h+dka+ a+l+e+n+f+, a+l+m+n+zHm+ a+w+ i+y+r+ a+l+m+n+zHm+, y+c+b+

f+y+ c+a+l+hk q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ a+w+l+a+ w+a+x+y+r+a+,

w+y+b+r+r+ b+q+a+H'h+a+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ a+l+j+ a+g+l+ i+y+r+

m+s+m+j+....

h+dkh+ a+l+a+hky+a+H' a+l+s+k+n+y+tm s+a+b+q+a+ , k+a+n+t+ q+b+l+

h+g+w+m+ a+l+m+l+y+sny+a+t+ e+l+y+h+a+ w+t+m+z+y+q+h+a+, m+z+d+hkm+tm

b+a+l+s+k+a+n+ , w+m+x+t+l+tjtm, w+aMm+n+h+ , l+k+n+ t+snh+d+ m+n+

w+q+t+ l+aMx+r+ h+g+m+a+t+ ddd+ q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+....

s+b+hka+n+ m+i+y+r+ a+l+a+hkw+a+l+, m+a+dka+ f+e+l+t+ m+l+y+sny+a+t+

a+l+q+t+l+ w+f+r+q+ a+l+m+w+t+ f+y+h+a+?+

k+y+f+ i+y+r+t+ a+l+b+r+n+a+m+g+ m+n+ a+hky+a+H' s+k+n+y+tm m+k+t+zHtm

m+x+t+l+tjtm f+y+h+a+ sny+H' q+l+y+l+ m+n+ m+q+a+w+m+tm

a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+, a+l+j+ aHhky+a+H' t+e+a+n+y+ m+n+ m+d+a+h+m+a+t+

y+w+m+y+tm m+n+ q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ w+a+e+t+q+a+l+a+t+

e+snw+a+yHy+tm l+l+r+g+a+l+, a+l+j+ m+l+y+sny+a+t+ q+t+l+ w+f+r+q+

m+w+t+ t+d+a+h+m+h+a+ w+t+q+t+l+ r+g+a+l+h+a+ w+t+h+g+r+

a+l+e+w+a+yHl+ , l+t+t+hkw+l+ a+l+j+ m+d+n+ a+snb+a+hk l+a+ hky+a+tm

f+y+h+a+....

h+l+ tkm+tm t+r+a+b+tj m+n+tjq+y+ b+y+n+ a+l+m+r+a+hkl+ ?+

n+e+m+, b+a+l+t+a+k+y+d+ tkm+tm x+y+tj x+f+y+ y+r+b+tj hkl+q+a+t+

a+l+e+n+f+ b+e+ddh+a+ b+b+e+dd...

h+dkh+ h+y+ a+l+x+l+a+c+tm k+m+a+ a+r+a+h+a+ aHm+a+m+y+ ,

w+aHq+w+l+ d+a+yHm+a+ aHy+n+ h+w+ a+l+b+y+t+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+ a+l+dky+

l+m+ t+m+s+h+ a+l+n+a+r+ b+e+d+ h+dkh+ a+l+hkr+b+?+

a+l+n+a+r+ m+s+t+n+a+ g+m+y+e+a+, w+a+hkr+q+t+n+a+ b+tjr+y+q+tm a+w+

aHx+r+j+....

w+m+a+ e+d+n+a+ n+c+d+q+ q+c+c+ a+l+a+d+a+r+tm a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm

a+l+i+b+y+tm, f+y+ t+f+s+y+r+ m+a+ y+hkd+tk e+l+j+ aHr+dd

a+l+e+r+a+q+...

aHw+ t+b+r+yHtm n+f+s+h+a+ m+n+ a+l+g+r+a+yHm+ a+l+t+y+ m+z+q+t+

a+l+m+g+t+m+e+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+......

***************************************

m+n+dk hkw+a+l+y+ snh+r+y+n+, a+e+l+n+t+ a+l+hkk+w+m+tm

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm a+l+g+d+y+d+tm a+n+h+a+ b+a+l+t+e+a+w+n+ m+e+

q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ a+l+e+t+y+d+tm a+l+b+tjl+tm , s+w+f+

t+n+f+dk x+tjtm a+m+n+y+tm e+zHy+m+tm w+m+m+t+a+z+tm, w+t+f+a+H'l+

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+w+n+ a+l+b+wHs+a+H', q+l+n+a+ y+l+h+ x+l+y+n+a+ n+snw+f+

e+b+q+r+y+tm q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ w+a+l+hkl+w+l+ a+l+s+hkr+y+tm

a+l+t+y+ s+t+tjb+q+h+a+ e+l+j+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ a+l+g+r+y+hk l+w+q+f+

a+l+n+z+y+f+...

tkm+tm a+c+w+a+t+ f+y+ a+l+hkk+w+m+tm a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm e+l+t+

w+q+a+l+t+ a+n+ h+dkh+ a+l+x+tjtm a+l+a+m+n+y+tm f+y+h+a+ tki+r+a+t+

k+tky+r+tm, l+k+n+ l+a+ a+hkd+ a+c+i+j+ l+h+m+, w+t+m+ t+g+a+h+l+

a+e+t+r+a+dda+t+h+m+...

w+tjb+q+t+ a+l+x+tjtm b+n+snr+ q+w+a+t+ k+b+y+r+tm m+n+ a+l+snr+tjtm

a+l+e+r+a+q+y+tm t+r+a+f+q+h+a+ q+w+a+t+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+ f+y+

m+yHa+t+ a+l+hkw+a+g+z+...

l+k+n+ a+l+a+z+d+hka+m+ z+a+d+ f+y+ a+l+snw+a+r+e+ a+l+r+yHy+s+y+tm,

w+a+l+m+l+y+sny+a+t+ n+snr+t+ a+l+q+t+l+ w+a+l+d+m+a+r+ f+y+

a+l+a+hky+a+H' a+l+s+k+n+y+tm a+l+m+x+t+l+f+tm e+l+j+ a+tjr+a+f+

b+i+d+a+d+ m+tkl+ hky+ a+l+g+h+a+d+, a+l+d+w+r+tm, a+l+m+hkm+w+d+y+tm

, w+i+y+r+h+a+...

w+b+q+y+t+ a+l+x+tjtm a+l+i+b+y+tm m+a+ddy+tm, w+a+l+f+snl+

y+t+r+a+k+m+ y+w+m+a+ b+e+d+ y+w+m+, w+k+dkl+k+ a+l+ddhka+y+a+

a+l+m+d+n+y+y+n+...

w+a+l+a+n+, t+e+l+n+ a+l+a+d+a+r+tm a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+tm w+t+e+t+r+f+

b+i+b+a+H' a+l+x+tjtm a+l+m+w+ddw+e+tm, w+q+r+r+t+ a+e+a+d+tm w+dde+

x+tjtm g+d+y+d+tm, a+y+ tjb+e+a+, a+l+e+r+a+q+y+w+n+ hkq+l+ t+g+a+r+b+

a+l+a+i+b+y+a+H'...

m+r+tm k+n+t+ f+y+ tjr+y+q+ a+l+m+tja+r+ m+t+g+h+tm a+l+j+ e+m+l+y+

e+a+m+ 2004, w+g+d+t+ hka+g+z+ q+w+a+t+ a+m+r+y+k+y+tm, q+l+t+

l+l+s+a+yHq+ a+l+x+a+c+ , x+f+f+ s+r+e+t+k+, a+r+y+d+ a+n+ a+t+k+l+m+

m+e+ a+l+dda+b+tj a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+ , t+w+q+f+n+a+, w+snh+r+ s+l+a+hkh+

b+w+g+w+h+n+a+ k+a+l+e+a+d+tm , m+x+r+w+e+ e+b+a+l+h+ a+hkn+h+

a+r+h+a+b+y+y+n+ , q+l+t+ l+h+ a+dka+ s+m+hkt+ , e+n+d+y+

m+l+a+hkzHtm, l+m+a+dka+ t+dde+w+n+ a+l+hka+g+z+ e+l+j+ a+l+sna+r+e+

a+l+r+yHy+s+y+ , w+a+n+t+m+ t+e+l+m+w+n+ a+n+ e+c+a+b+a+t+ a+l+q+t+l+

w+a+l+x+tjf+ t+e+y+tk f+s+a+d+a+ f+y+ a+l+snw+a+r+e+ a+l+x+l+f+y+tm,

l+m+a+dka+ l+a+ t+dde+w+n+ n+q+a+tj a+l+t+f+t+y+sn h+n+a+k+?+

n+zHr+ a+l+y+ b+i+ddb+ , tkm+ q+a+l+ l+l+s+a+yHq+ b+i+ddb+ :

a+n+tjl+q+, t+hkr+k+...

h+h+h+h+h+, f+h+m+t+ a+n+ k+l+a+m+y+ l+m+ y+e+g+b+h+, a+m+r+y+k+y+

i+b+y+ a+x+r+, y+i+r+q+ f+y+ m+s+t+n+q+e+ a+l+e+r+a+q+, w+y+r+f+dd

s+m+a+e+ m+l+a+hkzHa+t+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+...

e+n+d+n+a+ m+tkl+ e+r+b+y+ q+d+y+m+ : a+h+l+ m+k+tm a+d+r+j+

b+sne+a+b+h+a+...

y+e+n+y+ a+h+l+ a+y+ m+d+y+n+tm, y+e+r+f+w+n+ t+f+a+c+y+l+

w+a+s+r+a+r+ m+d+y+n+t+h+m+ w+hky+a+t+h+m+...

w+h+k+dka+ h+w+ a+l+hkl+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+...

l+n+ y+k+w+n+ tkm+tm a+m+a+n+ w+a+s+t+q+r+a+r+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+

s+w+j+ a+l+dky+ t+c+n+e+h+ e+q+w+l+ w+a+y+a+d+y+ e+r+a+q+y+tm

w+tjn+y+tm m+x+l+c+tm n+zHy+f+tm...

s+t+t+e+b+ a+m+y+r+k+a+ , w+k+l+ a+l+a+i+b+y+a+H' f+y+ a+l+a+d+a+r+tm

w+a+l+k+w+n+i+r+s+ ...

w+s+y+zHl+ a+l+f+snl+ hkl+y+f+h+m+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+...

hkt+j+ y+s+t+l+m+ ahd+a+r+tm a+l+e+r+a+q+, a+l+e+r+a+q+y+w+n+

a+l+hkq+y+q+y+w+n+ a+l+dky+n+ y+e+m+l+w+n+ b+hkr+c+ m+n+ aHg+l+

s+e+a+d+tm sne+b+h+m+ w+m+s+t+q+b+l+h+, w+l+y+s+ hkt+j+ b+aHy+d+y+

e+r+a+q+y+tm x+a+yHn+tm e+m+y+l+tm m+l+tjx+tm y+d+y+h+a+ b+s+r+q+tm

a+l+m+a+l+ a+l+e+a+m+ w+tkr+w+a+t+ a+l+e+r+a+q+, w+m+l+tjx+tm

a+y+d+y+h+m+ b+d+m+a+H' a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+ a+l+a+b+r+y+a+H'...

h+wHl+a+H' t+g+a+r+ a+l+hkr+w+b+ , b+yHs+ a+l+t+g+a+r+tm,w+b+yHs+

a+l+r+b+hk...

h+wHl+a+H' hkb+a+y+b+ a+l+a+hkt+l+a+l+, w+a+e+d+a+H' a+l+e+r+a+q+

w+a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+...

e+n+d+m+a+ t+n+z+a+hk h+dkh+ a+l+w+g+w+h+ m+n+ m+w+q+e+ a+l+s+l+tjtm

w+a+l+m+s+wHw+l+y+tm f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+, s+y+k+w+n+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ q+d+

b+d+aH a+w+l+ x+tjw+a+t+h+ f+y+ a+l+aht+g+a+h+ a+l+c+hky+hk, a+n+

sna+H'a+l+l+h+

a+l+s+l+a+m+ e+l+y+k+m+.........

# posted by Faiza Al-Arji @ 5:46 PM

Thursday, July 20 th, 2006

Good morning...

I feel very tired, and have no wish to talk or write. But what

calamities are happening in Iraq should be talked about, and I feel it

my duty to take the responsibility of talking for what is happening to

the Iraqis, from my point of view, and my readings of the daily

reality there.

Those Iraqis like me, who were forced by the bad security conditions,

which threatened their families directly by kidnapping or killing, had

to leave Iraq and live in different exiles.

The days pass very heavily upon us, each day like a year...

And in the countries were Iraqis reside, there is: security,

settlement, water, electricity, and fuel...

But we live like strangers........

For who can compensate us for the homeland we were forced to leave?

And what about the Iraqis who have no ability to leave?

They remained there; enduring, suffering fear, terror, and the threat

of death, every hour of every day...

When will the suffering Iraq and the Iraqis end?

I do not think there is naught who knows the answer...

Even the American administration who waged the war, doesn't know the

answer. For they flounder in their stupidity and the Iraqi swamp,

about which they didn't quiet grasp the truth, until they sunk in

it...

And now, that failure of an administration is stumbling, not knowing

how to solve the problems of Iraq and save the Iraqis, and doesn't

even know how to save its own face in the dilemma in which it is...

the foolish Bush doesn't stop giving lying, empty speeches, which are

worst than those of the Arab leaders at the times of defeat; full of

lies, and stories of imaginary victories...

He says he will not withdraw the armies from Iraq until the mission is

complete.

I do want someone to ask him: Sir, what is the mission you want to

accomplish in Iraq for three years now? And how much of it did you

finish?

The destruction of Iraq, and killing more Iraqis?

Is this the mission?

Or to achieve freedom, democracy, transparency, and all that empty

talk the world grew bored from hearing, and especially the Iraqis?

Tell him: you destroyed Iraq and killed its people, you fool, and you

still sing of victory? The reputation of your army is stained by

scandals; from the Abu Ghareeb prison, to the white Phosphorate in

Fallujah, the massacre of Hadeetha, to the story of the teenage girl;

Abeer Al-Janabi, who was raped by the American soldiers and killed

with her family, to tens, or maybe hundreds of black stories

unannounced till now...

An army whose reputation is stained with shame, an administration

consisting of criminals and fools, and those claim they are

manufacturing a new Iraq, to become a model for the Middle East

states.

What model criminals and fools like those will create?

****************************************************

For almost a month, the Iraqis started leaving Iraq in a more

intensive way, by the end of schools and university terms, and the

beginning of the summer holiday for their children... and here in

Amman I always meet new faces, or relatives and friends from Iraq, to

hear new varied stories that the news media do not broadcast...

On the next day of my return from Umrah, I read a break- news item on

one of the Iraqi channels that there are armed gangs attacking the

public marketplace in Al-Jihad district, killing innocent civilians

after checking their ID cards...

We used to live in Al-Jihad district during the last war on Iraq; the

area is mixed, like many others in Baghdad, and I cannot tell who of

my neighbors is the Shia'at and who is the Sunnie. We are all Iraqis

who lived together through the good times and the bad times, so, where

did all this evil talk come from?

The Iraqis call these sorts of subjects: after-the-occupation-culture.

A poisonous, deformed, lying culture...

I went to the phone and called Baghdad. The line rang in one of my

neighbor's house's there. I knew they were Sunnies, because they were

from Fallujah. Then a strange voice answered me. I asked him about the

people of the house. He said they were fine, that he was their

neighbor guarding the house, and that they left yesterday to

Fallujah...

In one way, my heart felt relieved because they were not killed by the

gangs, but from another I felt sad for them; for how does it feel for

someone to be forced to leave his house to that of a relative's,

because some frantic militia entered the area?

And a Shia'at neighbor guards the house of an evicted Sunnie neighbor?

Isn't this a comedy?

The neighbors cry for one another, and the militia that comes from

outside the area brings along poison, death and destruction to the

civilian residents?

Who finances these killers?

And for whose benefit do they work?

Some 50 civilians; women, men, and children of that neighborhood were

the victims of that day in Al-Jihad district.

The government was confused, opinions contradicted, and ministers and

parliament members clashed, trying to pin the responsibility on

someone's head?

Some said they were militias from within the Interior Ministry;

sectarian militias carrying out an agenda to destroy Iraq and rip its

unity apart, and it is beyond the control of the Iraqi government.

And the Iraqis were baffled; is this a militia backed by Iran, the

occupation, or by another enemy in the region who wants to tear Iraq

apart?

But nobody claimed responsibility for that crime.

And for sure the American newspapers and other media said it was a

sectarian fighting, to justify the presence of the occupation army in

Iraq, and not to schedule its withdrawal...

******************************

On the next day, a similar disaster happened in Al-Doora District,

south of Baghdad. Some militias erected false roadblocks, read

people's names in the ID cards, and killed those with evident Sunnie

names, like Omar or Othman...

And in Al-Ghazalia, the same thing has been happening for months. The

Shia'at families evicted their houses. Someone must have told them to.

And the majority that remained are of Sunnie families, so, the area

was shelled with mortars, and innocent civilians died. Then the shops

and markets were stormed repeatedly, with random killings in broad

daylight, until the area died. The shops closed. Even the baker's

shop...

So was the case in Al-Ameriyah....

And in Al-Khadra'a District...

And from Al-Khadra'a, my friend told me that the occupation forces

distributed referendum papers among the residents, asking: Do you want

the guarding forces in the area to be American forces, or local

Iraqis?

And the neighbors, of course, after the disasters they faced by the

transgressions of the Iraqi police and their fierce behaviors with

people, the random raids and detentions, hated that local police, and

wished that the occupation forces would remain to guard them...

What a comedy...

The Iraqis demanding that the occupation forces should remain and

protect the residential areas, because the local police are corrupt

and unjust...

Well then who trained this new police force?

Aren't the occupation forces responsible for the training of the new

army police force in Iraq?

Is this the policy required to be followed in Iraq? Let the Iraqis

torture their fellow citizens, so the citizens would turn to the

occupation asking them to stay...

Does this theory apply for the reason of the existence of these

criminal militias on the Iraqi streets, so the Iraqis would call for

help from the occupation? So the occupation can keep on justifying its

presence in Iraq?

And a question: If the Iraqis would have remained united and in

harmony, as they have been all their former lives, then what are the

chances for a foreign occupation force to remain on the Iraqi soil?

The answer is: Nil.

***********************************

And the series goes on; a trapped car in Al-Sadder city, for example,

kills tens of Iraqi Shia'ats. Then it is followed by an attack on

Sunnie mosques, and then followed by the killing of a number of Sunnie

Iraqis, and so on...

The Iraqis are in agreement that the hands messing around in Iraq are

one and the same... the hands that are blowing the Shia'at mosques are

the same that blow the Sunnie mosques, the hand that sends a trapped

car to a Shia'at neighborhood is the same that sends a trapped car to

a Sunnie neighborhood, and the armed gangs that attack innocent

civilians, Sunnies and Shia'ats alike, are gangs from one source, and

are financed by one source.

And the question is: Who reaps the benefits of all this chaos and

bloodshed?

Is there any one Iraqi Party or any Iraqi Formation which achieved any

gains from all this?

It is evident that everyone are losers, and everyone is shouting and

wailing under the Parliament's roof; the Shia'at members cry and

complain of what befell their people, and so are the Sunnie members,

angry and complaining about what befell their people.

Well then, who is the winner out of the Iraqi bloodshed? Who is the

winner out of demolishing the trust among the Iraqis? who is the

winner out of shredding all attempts at national reconciliation among

the Iraqis?

Iran?

Israel?

Or the occupation?

These are usually the three suspects for more than three years now,

for what is taking place in Iraq; the calamities, the killings, the

devastation, bloodshed, assassinations, and sectarian provocation.

It is in the interest of these to destroy Iraq, tearing it apart so it

would remain weak, and not threaten their interests...

They all agreed upon one goal: a torn, weak, divided Iraq...

***************************

Today I watched an interview on the Iraqi TV channels, with some heads

of parliamentary blocs who spoke about the National Reconciliation,

about rejecting the idea of a civil war, it being a made-up notion

that some people want to market on to the media, to achieve their own

ends...

The head of the Parliament spoke; criticizing the occupation, saying

that we shall unite, for the occupation is defeated, and when we will

unite, it will be more so...

Whoever propagates for civil war is someone who wants the occupation

to remain...

And we want the occupation to leave Iraq...

We will do all that is in our power to unite the Iraqis. We know that

our enemy wants the opposite, and that is our battle...

My heart swelled with hope, as I saw them all on screen.....

******************

I prayed to God to unite the Iraqis' hearts...

To unite the Iraqis' ranks...

To defeat the militias of crime, and whoever feeds them... by the will

of God, may they get defeat, and shame...

May the Iraqis get victory, after their patience and sacrifices...

By the will of God, we shall get back to our homes, our neighbors, and

loved ones.

That peace shall reign in our cities, villages, and streets.

That we shall see Iraq as one; united, liberated of any occupation,

2007_04_01_archive

2008-02-19T21:27:00.001-08:00

Simple Ways To Support Our Troops

Are you looking for simple yet meaningful ways to support our troops?

Below are 4 low cost ways to do just that.

Sending Gift Cards

Sending Care Packages

Sending Calling Cards

Being A Pen Pal

cards.

Sending Care Packages - If you choose to support our troops by sending

care packages, be sure you know what to put in them. Iraq is an

extremely hot country so don't send anything that will melt (i.e.

chocolate). Soldiers have access to just about all the cheap snacks

they could ever want at the Post Exchange.

So what could you put in the care packages? Think entertainment.

Soldiers love watching movies and playing video games in their off

time. In most circumstances a Soldier would be delighted to receive a

new release movie as opposed to melted candy, foot powder, etc. Movies

are also supplied at the Post Exchange but the selection is often

limited.

Sending Calling Cards - You could also show your support by sending

quality phone cards. The calling cards offered to our troops often

times have hidden fees. This means Soldiers may pay for a four hundred

minute phone card but their minutes get cut in half by hidden charges.

Find a quality phone card to send to a Soldier and he or she would be

extremely grateful.

Being A Pen Pal - Another great way to support our troops is to become

a pen pal. As much as care packages are appreciated, it is only

logical to conclude that a personal note that you took the time to

write from your heart would be equally (if not more) treasured.

A quick internet search led to to penpalsforsoldiers.org. Check them

out or conduct your own search to find Soldiers wanting pen pals.

Labels: Iraq, Support, Troops

posted by Alex at 2:10 PM 2 Comments

Family Life and the US Military

Life in the Armed Forces is not for the faint hearted. This goes

double for their spouses and children.

There are many special challenges for dependents of service members.

One of the first are periodic moves to different locations. Uprooting

a life with friends and known conditions is at best harrowing even if

everything goes correctly. When something goes wrong, such as

belongings that show up late, it can get downright horrific.

Another special challenge is the community standard. Living on post

exposes everyone to the needs and requirements of the service. While

it is possible to annoy neighbors in a community by letting the grass

grow too high, in a military community that is a punishable offense.

Another of the challenges to be overcome is relative isolation. While

military bases have many amenities, this is not the same as having

everything you might desire or need, and typically the area

immediately around a military base isn't family friendly.

The most harrowing issue is of course deployment. Staying behind while

the service member is sent overseas, possible to a war zone is one of

the hardest tasks a family will ever face. While military units will

try to prepare both the service member and dependents, this is never

really enough.

The ways to combat this vary from family to family, but all units will

have some sort of family association that should provide help. From a

welcome committee which can provide you with maps and tell you where

necessities can be found to a support group which can help each other

out with needs or a shoulder to cry on during deployments. Having

other families who can show up and help deal with the burdens when

they grow overwhelming can be a lifesaver. Helping others in need can

also provide a needed lift for you.

Dependants will quickly learn to have their ID handy. This will be

required for services like the commissary. The actions and appearances

of dependents will effect the promotion and progression of their

service member. Military posts are much like small towns, with enough

people around to make secrets difficult to keep. There is an old

saying that anyone can make colonel, but it takes a wife to make a

general. This emphasizes the importance a family can have on a career.

Military posts will normally have a commissary of some sort where you

can purchase groceries, other stores and franchises to allow some

semblance of normal life, a post laundry, a library and a school or

schools. Often there will be neighborhood playgrounds.

Sometimes there are other facilities, such as workshops where service

members and dependants can perform automotive maintenance, woodworking

or other tasks.

There are visitor's centers which can point you towards the various

features of the post. Another option is to search online. Many posts

will have websites which discuss the post and locale, and there are

many blogs where dependents discuss life around the service and how to

deal with it.

For more information on the US military please check out the author's

site at http://usmilitary.com

posted by Alex at 1:00 PM 0 Comments

Drunk Driving Vs. The War In Iraq

There's a really popular trend right now of bombarding Pres. Bush with

criticisms for a lot of reasons, but particularly for the current

conflict in Iraq. I can't attest that his reasons for entry were

flawless or that we "should" or "should not" be there (that's so grey,

in spite of what a lot of hard-headed and self-important protestors

think). Basically, I feel that I, along with most Americans (both for

and against the war) are not perfectly informed and therefore, I have

a hard time picking sides, though I do dislike the whiney liberal

media. Anyway, on to my point.

In listening to the news, we are quick to hear about the rising death

toll in Iraq. Interestingly enough, though, it still loses out to the

number of fatalities caused by drunk driving in the United States by a

ratio of about 17 to 1 (according to MADD and DoD Reports, comparing

fatalities of 2005 to both causes). 17 to 1. 17 to 1. That's in favor

of drunk driving. There aren't 17 reports against drunk driving for

every report of some legislator fighting Bush's Iraq policy. In fact,

I'd wager that the number is quite inverse.

There are some big differences, too. Those who serve in our military

do so with a commitment to laying their life on the line in the

defense of our nation. Those killed by drunk driving accidents are

often on their way home from the store, taking kids to a school play,

going to see a movie, etc. They never chose to have their life

unnecessarily endangered. How is that fair?

So what I don't get is why we can spend so much energy slamming Bush

for his foreign policy while we let 15 more people die here for every

one that loses a life in Iraq and we do relatively nothing about it.

Why? I guess it's a weak and easy strategy to heave blame on someone

else so we don't have to feel guilt for our own misdeeds. Plus, if we

really cracked down on alcohol misuse, we wouldn't have those

hilarious commercials. I mean, talking frogs. That's good stuff.

That's worth 16,000 citizens a year.

Lewis originally posted this article on his blog at TheGoont.com,

ottawa deal

2008-02-19T21:17:00.001-08:00

Ottawa deal?

Negotiators on both sides of the Ottawa Sun/Sun Media contract talks

were quiet last night, but a reliable source says a tentative deal was

reached and will be voted on today.

The 32 unionized newsroom employees set a Monday midnight deadline

last week and then extended the deadline to midnight Wednesday.

The union members have been negotiating for their first three-year

contract since March of 2006.

A settlement for the CEP employees would be timely, with the Ottawa

Senators about to compete in the Stanley Cup finals.

The 50 unionized London Free Press employees, members of CEP's

Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guide, settled May 11 for 2% pay hikes in

each year of their new three-year contract.

Meanwhile, more than 250 Journal de Quebec employees, members of CUPE,

continue their month-long lockout/sympathy strike in Quebec City.

And newsroom employees at Sun Media's Simcoe Reformer have set a

presidents budget may provide states

2008-02-19T20:59:00.001-08:00

and Congressional Budget Office, "Additional Information on CBO's

Estimate of the Administration's SCHIP Proposals," March 9, 2007.

[2] As part of the extension of SCHIP through March 2009, Congress

provided $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2008 and $275 million in fiscal

year 2009 above the $5.0 billion-a-year baseline funding level in

order to avert the federal funding shortfalls otherwise projected to

occur through March 2009.

[3] Cindy Mann and Michael Odeh, "Moving Backward: Status Report on

the Impact of the August 17 SCHIP Directive to Impose New Limit on

States' Ability to Cover Uninsured Children," Center for Children and

Families at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute,

December 2007. States already covering children above 250 percent of

the poverty line must comply with the August 17, 2007 directive by

August 17, 2008. States implementing planned expansions were

effectively barred from covering such children upon issuance of the

directive.

[4] States already covering children with incomes between 200 percent

and 250 percent of the poverty line could apparently continue to cover

such children, but only at a reduced SCHIP matching rate or the

federal Medicaid matching rate. (On average, the federal government

pays for 70 percent of the costs of SCHIP but 57 percent of the costs

of Medicaid.)

[5] The August 17, 2007 guidance requires states to use a gross income

test, under which all family income is counted in determining whether

the family's income exceeded the guidance's limit on SCHIP coverage of

children with incomes in excess of 250 percent of the poverty line.

The President's budget proposal would codify this 250 percent of

poverty gross income limit.

family day at oakdale

2008-02-19T20:57:00.001-08:00

Family Day at Oakdale

Mom and I went over to Oakdale, where Scott, Marc, and my niece Amalia

go to school.

We first went over to my sister's house, where she was on the phone

with a colleague of Dean's when we arrived. Joey was playing with a

plunger nearly as tall as he is out in the hallway. Tori got off the

phone and told us that this colleague was sending Dean a turkey, a

ham, and a pie as thanks for Dean's sending him patients during the

year. Looks like they got Christmas dinner all wrapped up LOL...

Anyway, we all went in Tori's van over to the school, where Scott was

one of two greeters at the door where we entered the school. He looked

so mature, but remember, he is a 13 year old boy.

We went to Amalia's classroom and met her teacher, then we got in line

for the turkey dinner (at 11am, no less!). Marc joined us while we

were in line. The meal consisted of the usual Turkey Day items:

turkey, dressing, a roll, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin

pie. We had chocolate or regular milk, water and iced tea, and very

polite 8th grade girls who asked if we needed a refill or to take our

trash. And, I learned that Scott (?!?) can flirt! Eeeek!

Only setback was that the cafetorium was cold as an icebox! Brrrr!

Scott was doing all his goofy things, the things that boys his age do

(besides the flirting, that is). His dumbest thing was eating packets

of sugar. The last thing that kid needs on top of his ADD is a sugar

rush! I had to take the sugar containers out of his reach, or he'd

have eaten them all!

Later, before we left (the kids got to leave school early), we went

back to Amalia's classroom where her teacher took a group picture of

all of us. She also took one with Tori's digital camera, and I'll see

if I can get her to email it to me. I may or may not post it.

========================

My friend, JC, has a new part of his personal website where he is

selling some of his art. He sent a mass email about it to about a

zillion (ok maybe not that many, but it looked like it LOL!) of his

close personal friends. Even an old email of Jon's was on that list.

Go take a gander at what JC has. He is, IMHO, one of the best artists

I've seen in a long time; and I am not just saying that because he's a

friend of mine, but you be the judge.

========================

--MorelaterZ--

My name is Stef, and I approve this post. Posted @ 5:02 PM

Links to this post:

competitive enterprise institute study

2008-02-19T20:47:00.001-08:00

Competitive Enterprise Institute study on ESRB and media regulation

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON DECEMBER 12, 2007 at 11:49 p.m. EST. Moved back

for holiday guides.

Scroll down for the December 13 edit.

Reading Assignment for All!

Lately there's been a little buzz about a study from the Competitive

Enterprise Institute. And while I haven't finished reading it, I

encourage you to pick it up and at least skim it's 30-some pages.

Within the first few pages, the study starts off with a great message:

No ratings system can replace good parenting.

p. 3, last paragraph

The study isn't all about videogames--it covers movies, comic books,

radio, music and television. Each medium has its own section that

recaps the history of that medium's controversy, rating system(s),

politics and legislation. I've been meaning to look into the history

of media rating systems outside of videogames, and find this as a

really interesting read.

EDIT TIME :D

Posted December 13, 2007 @ 8:32 p.m. EST

Videogame portion of the study

-Stop! Grammar time!-

By the way, CEI, since you have this site bookmarked and I would like

to take a few seconds to be a grammar nazi (kinda surprised you guys

found this blog, actually). The fourth word on page 21 should be

"which" instead of "wich". Tsk, tsk on your editing.

//end grammar nazi

As with the other sections of this study, the videogame section begins

with the history of the medium's controversy. Death Race (Exidy, 1973)

and Custer's Revenge (Atari, 1983) are listed as the main offenders

before political action against games was taken in 1992 when Mortal

Kombat was released for Sega game systems and Nintendo's NES and

GameBoy. MK was a big deal because of fatality and dismemberment

finishing moves and added blood, which Capcom's Street Fighter II,

Sega's competition, did not have (although these aspects were edited

out of Nintendo MK games). MK had been in arcades for a couple of

months before the game console releases, but it looks like it only

became a political issue when it debuted on such systems and,

therefore, into living rooms everywhere.

The study touches on the events that led up to political action

briefly, but leaves me with one major question: why wasn't there any

political action until 1992? That's almost 20 years after Death Race.

Was it that a large and powerful title finally hit home consoles, and

parents were worried? Sega had sunk a lot of advertising money into

the MK venture and it was a hit right away. Was it that politicians

had been occupied with the Cold War and the Gulf War and had bigger

issues to worry about than addressing media violence? This is a real

stretch, but 1992 was an election year, and even now, media violence

is a fun topic to utilize to sway some votes your way.

Because the study talks about political involvement in the development

of ratings systems, I would have liked to see an answer to this

question. I wonder if it can even be answered. (And this is where not

knowing U.S. history post 1960s comes and bites me in the butt).

After MK lit a political fire in Washington, Congress was about to

pass a bill that would give the videogame industry one year to develop

a ratings system of their own. But, the game industry beat them to the

punch before the bill even passed, creating the well-known Electronics

Software Rating Board (ESRB). The study praises the ESRB system for

its flexibility and its ability to react quickly to the ever-changing

game industry and US culture.

Criticism of the ESRB's rating process was talked about briefly,

touching on the most common complaint about ESRB...

[The ratings process] involves three or more trained game raters

watching a DVD prepared by the game publisher which must contain

"[a]ll pertinent content (as defined by ESRB), including the most

extreme instances, across all relevant categories including but not

limited to violence, language, sex, controlled substances and

gambling." Some have criticized this method for an alleged lack of

thoroughness, which supposedly allows some content to slip past the

raters.

p. 22

...and swiftly discredited this argument.

Given the potential for such costs, why would a game manufacturer

submit to the ESRB rating process? Quite simply, for market access.

.... If the ESRB determines that a manufacturer is acting

dishonestly, it can make a pariah out of the company and its games.

p. 22

I don't know if I quite agree with this. From the example of GTA and

Manhunt 2, which surprisingly was not mentioned at all in this study,

one can see that being dubbed said pariah = controversy =

controversial publicity = free advertising = BIG SALES. This is, of

course, in absentia, the game merits at least a Mature rating come

sales time.

The CEI study also covered the typical fare of parental controls and

Rockstar's Hot Coffee controversy. I'm surprised the mayhem

surrounding Manhunt 2 was not mentioned at all. Maybe because that

would have nullified the "why would game publishers shoot themselves

in the foot?" Simple answer: controversy = sales.

With talk of controversial game ratings inevitably comes the

Adults-Only (AO) and Mature (M) ratings. Mature ratings are for ages

17+ and, according to the ESRB ratings guide, "may contain intense

violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language."

Adults-Only ratings are for ages 18+, in other words legal adults, and

"may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic

sexual content and nudity." Seeing that most game retailers refuse to

carry AO titles, the AO rating has become socially unacceptable.

Yet, the only real difference between the ratings' definitions is the

word "prolonged" and one year. One year. Other than being able to

legally buy porn and cigarettes, does that one year really make a

difference in the content you view? Is 18 magically more able to

handle "controversial" content than 17? Why just one year? Something

does not seem right with that. Except, I don't know what a socially

acceptable solution might be. Merging M and AO into one adult

super-rating probably would not work because having that middle ground

between Teen and adult seems like a necessary buffer. Maybe bumping

back Mature to 16+ might make a teensy bit more sense... I don't know.

This topic is easily another article entirely.

What I've been meaning to get to, however, is that I would like to see

a study cover this topic of Mature vs. Adults-Only more in-depth. I

thought the CEI study might touch on it because of its examination of

the ESRB. It's not disappointing that they didn't, but it is something

I would like to see in the future.

The conclusion of the study was definitely the most interesting.

In our judgment, the ESRB ratings system--the least government-

influenced of the lot--does the best job of giving parents the

information

they need to make decisions for their children. At the other

extreme,

the radio regulatory system, which is almost entirely political,

provides

parents practically no useful information. Between the poles, we

see a

great diversity of opinion. We close, therefore, with four pieces

of advice:

First, keep politics out of ratings systems

... Ratings systems that avoid government involvement will do a

better job giving people the information they need.

Second, know the medium being rated. Video games are complex...

This complexity requires a ratings system that provides lots of

information....

Third, if a ratings system collapses, it is not a cause for

concern. Changing tastes or attitudes mean that all ratings systems

will need to be updated....

Finally, ratings systems will never substitute for other social

institutions.

Parents, houses of worship, schools, and communities need to take

the lead

in keeping obscene, dangerous, or offensive materials away from

children.

Ratings systems cannot be expected to do this. Properly

constructed, they

provide useful information to parents, nothing more and nothing

less.

p. 24-25

I cannot agree more with the fourth point. That is so important to

remember, especially in today's culture where we cannot explain some

of the tragic violence around us and look for scapegoats, something

that can give us reason why one person snapped and went on a rampage.

That "why" is very comforting--it doesn't matter if it's right or not,

we just need it. And all media, not just videogames, are constantly

evolving, making them fresh for the finger-pointing.

I really agree with keeping government regulation out of media,

especially if the medium's industry is willing to take responsibility

with some kind of ratings. The day that our videogames have to go

under federal government review would be a sad day, indeed. This goes

hand-in-hand with the second point mentioned, which is knowing the

medium and acknowledging its complexity. Games are too complex to be

broken down with paperwork, stamps and laws. You truly need that

case-by-case scenario that the ESRB provides, and the possibility of

having someone's politically-driven agenda behind that scares me.

After reviewing the CEI's conclusions, it's time to come to my own.

Because my knowledge of rating system histories outside of videogames

is limited, this was an interesting read. I haven't finished reading

all of the sections yet, but maybe that can help provide new and

better insights for this site and this article. The section about

videogames and conclusion seem to mirror what I've seen and heard on

the game industry scene lately. I'd say the study had some solid

analysis, but this study almost seems to be too pro-ESRB, -videogames

to be true.

Here's the link to the study at the CEI site.

Here's the link to the study (PDF format).

+5 cookie points

if you get this :D

2004_01_11_archive

2008-02-19T20:37:00.001-08:00

Hi:

2007_02_01_archive

2008-02-19T20:17:00.001-08:00

Islam Tops List

I reported that communism was responsible for the deaths of 148

million people. Now Bill Warner of the Center for the Study of

family disrespect

2008-02-19T19:59:00.001-08:00

family with 16 children wow

2008-02-19T19:57:00.001-08:00

Family with 16 Children - WOW

Can you imagine?? (smiling) Woman Has 16th Baby, Is Ready For More

All Children's Names Start With J click here to the Duggar Family

This woman deserves an award!! My heart goes out to her "Big Time" and

she home schools too!!

MOM of the YEAR in my opinion.

Effective Feb 2006 All comments have been saved and hidden due to

transferring to Haloscan 17 Comments

posted by Assorted Babble by Suzie at 8:44 AM

Links to this post:

2005_02_06_archive

2008-02-19T19:47:00.001-08:00

Thursday, February 3rd, 2005

Good morning...

The weather in Amman today is sunny and beautiful, but cold... and

people are still debating in ideas and opinions about the Iraqi

elections, right or wrong? A great accomplishment or a silly one? A

true step forwards, or a lie and deceit? Legitimate, or not? And each

would bring forwards the evidence to support his opinion... I am sick

of this nonsense, which is no good to anyone, nor would it accomplish

a good deed, except lots of talk, and a headache.

I want to accomplish something useful...on the ground of reality,

something to help the Iraqis in the coming years.

*************************************

Life here is so quiet... I am trying to make use of my time here to

read more books, and look for a suitable university to study in, and

obtain the Masters Degree in some Women-Related Studies, which would

be useful to me when I get back to Iraq...in helping the Iraqi women

in a better way.

Through these studies I shall learn how we could think and form

suitable programs for our society, for this subject is a science by

itself, and I don't think the personal experience would be enough...

but science plus the personal experience would give more positive

results, by the will of GOD...

My first mission in life was my family and sons, now that they are

grown up, and almost independent from me... I want to give the

priority in my coming life to helping the Iraqi Women, for they have

had enough misery, suffering, ignorance, and injustice, especially

those living away from the capital, or important cities.

I pray to GOD to open up the path for me, so I would move forwards,

and begin my new journey...

I do not want to "Import" the ideas of the west to implement for Iraqi

women, no, but, from those ideas and experiences we could extract

ideas that would be suitable for our religion and society.

I feel sad to be away from my home, my family, my city, and all those

I love there...but no doubt the goal is worth that sacrifice; that is

what I tell myself, to ease the feelings of sadness, patience,

waiting, and the fear of what is to come.

***********************************

Perhaps, if the war on Iraq didn't happen, I would have continued

living my life the way it was... an engineer, a manager of a sales

shop for water treatment devices, domestic, industrial, and

commercial, and the new branch for swimming pools and their pumps,

accessories, and the many other details. Perhaps I would have read to

learn more about my career, and get to know about the new companies

and products, I would've had many responsibilities, and sales duties.

For life never stops, and learning and development are very important

factors for success.

But, the war took place, I was hurt by all that happened to Iraq, and

the Iraqis, and I couldn't live on as if nothing has changed...

There was a lot of evil in Iraq at the time of Saddam Hussein, and the

Iraqis, in spite of all their suffering and tries, couldn't stop it,

or eliminate it. And today I see that evils increased in Iraq, and all

doors are open for them....so we must contribute to decrees the

effects of evil upon us, and extend a helping hand to people,

regardless of facing dangers....

Of course, I would have had a flourishing future in my career, if I

would have stayed on... becoming the agent of new companies, more

work, success, and new acquaintances... but I no longer want this

horizon... I see it as a limited one, not fit to my ambitions... I

want to help as much people as I can, through work, not business based

on interests... social work, as a first priority. I do not even like

politics, because it is dishonest, and untruthful, right and wrong

mingles in it, and lies are more frequent than truth...

I found it a dirty game, so I hated it...

I am looking for a clean field to deal with people in need... the

crushed, who were the victims of the injustice of the strong, those

who had no chances to gain a good livelihood. Through humanitarian

Societies, or governmental programs in the future, to support and care

for them, I wish to extend a helping hand, to help them for their own

good.

And, the most social category worthy of interest, are women, and their

children, because they are responsible for bringing up the future

generations... how do we give such a responsibility to someone who is

ignorant, and doesn't have the knowledge, experience, or education?

What kind of a generation it would be, resulting from ignorant,

mistreated women?

The woman deserves to have social, educational, and health care, so

the outcome would reflect positively upon her, and undoubtedly, on the

lives of her daughters and sons.

******************************************

Whoever thinks that caring for women means giving them the chance to

become rebels against family, husbands, and society, is a mistaken

ignorant.

If you had a partner in life, would you prefer him to be a

thick-minded, dumb, ignorant? Or to be open-minded, joining in the

important family decisions?

I know that some would prefer her to be dumb....ha, ha,ha. But, on the

long run, he would become tired, and sorry. There has to be an

understanding partner, for life would become more beautiful with one.

And the mentality of being the only power-source, and decision-maker

in the family must be changed.

Yes, the man's position in the family is secure, and respected, but

the woman's position is the one that needs to be lifted, and be

improved. Women are generally unjustly treated in our societies, even

those with degrees, and those who work....she cannot always be sure to

have a just, understanding husband... for he might refer to some

selfish, unjust behaviors, on many occasions...because he knows that

the general notions in society support him, and are in consent.

The notions of religion are different from those of society. The

Islamic Religion is much more fare to women, than the back-wards

notions of society.

A lot of injustice was heaped upon women in our Islamic world, and

usually religion is the accused, but I do not see it as the real

reason.

Yes, there are some certain points in religion concerning women, such

as in Inheritance, giving testimony in front of a judge, the veil, and

the man's supremacy upon her in the family, along with his right to

marry more than once, but with the condition of utmost just treatment

between the wives.

How many men would respect this condition of justice??

And who would stand up to him if he didn't??

Law...the courts??

Women do not usually want to refer to law, because they are usually

shy, and wouldn't want to ruin the relation with the husband

completely.

The injustice to women has become a habit, and a heritage.... I know

of many Muslim women who want to put on the Veil, but are afraid of

their husbands! I know about a friend of mine who put on the veil, and

her husband threatened to divorce her if she wouldn't take it off, she

asked for the advice of many people she knew, and they advised her to

take off the veil to hold on to her house and family from

destruction.... Ha,ha,ha...

Who then destroyed Islam, and harmed the Religion more than the

Muslims themselves??

Obeying the husband is a Must, yes. But obeying him even in an unjust

point??

If he wanted to drink alcohol, and she opposed him, complaining

against that, she wouldn't find a listing ear to do her justice. If he

wanted, he could enforce anything upon her, like quitting work, not

visiting her parents, or retreating from joining the general social

life. He could enforce his own opinion, in having more children, or

not having more children, even though she might want to... he might

oppose her wish to gain more knowledge, without influencing the

family, or causing any damage to their life... who shall defend her,

and support her?

If he had any "unclean" women relations, and she had all the evidence

against him, who shall punish him, or stop him??

If the woman complained against all this, who would do her justice,

and listen to her??

Everybody would tell her to be patient, and endure, or " he is right,

so, obey" !

Who established such values?? Not Religion...Religion is innocent of

all this injustice.

And most women are peaceful, feeling shy from talking publicly about

this suffering, that deforms and hurts what's inside of them, their

dreams, and beautiful ambitions.

At the same time, the Media if full of Made-up women, in make-up, and

revealing clothes, the men would love to look at them, watching them

dancing and singing on the Arabic Satellite Channels... or on magazine

pages.

There is no justice.... This faction, who is very much "loose" from

the values of society, is basking in fame and protection, while the

decent faction, those who possess logical, quiet ambitions, are

unjustly treated, and nobody wants to hear them, or do them justice.

It is a world ill with a split-personality.

This split-personality we inherited from false leaders, claiming the

love of Islam, while destroying it at the same time.

Saddam Hussein, for instant, leads a "Campaign of Faith" to teach the

Holy Quran, while he wages a war against Iran, making the Muslim kill

his brother, the other Muslim. For what?

Weren't the interests of the west at stake, then? Hummmm.

Then, he attacked Kuwait, destroying a Muslim country, killing and

imprisoning Muslim men, committing violence against Muslim women? Thus

implanting hatred between the Iraqis and Kuwaitis for long years.

He then announced he shall liberate Jerusalem, and wrote " ALLAH IS

GREAT" on the Iraqi flag??

A comedy, huh.

Of course, many fools believed him, inside and outside of Iraq,

running behind him and yelling; This is the great Muslim leader.

And in other Arab countries, they used to, and still are, beating

prisoners, and threaten to rape their women, to force them to give

confessions?

What is left of Islam?

I believe that what is happening to us is the punishment of GOD, so we

would wake up from our slumber, and reform our deformed path. So we

would be more honest in our lives and way of thinking, in our

relations with GOD, and with each other.

**************************************************************

Do we leave the relations between husband and wife to the chances of

luck? He might be peaceful, nice, and understanding, so the woman

would live joyfully in his partnership. Or he might be a mean, unjust

miser, so she would live in hell? Isn't society supposed to move on

progressively, finding solutions to bestow justice to women, who are "

half the family"? the women who contribute to the joy of this family?

Who carry the responsibility of raising children, teaching them the

principles, and the beautiful values of life, due to the fact of their

spending longer times with the children, even if they worked outside

the house, for they give the relation with their children a priority

in life, that is not out weighted by any other? The man usually gets

home tired, seeking food and rest... while the woman, as she gets home

tired from her job, would not seek rest for herself, but wants to

check upon her house and children, giving them her love and attention,

inquiring after their welfare, and that would make her forget the toll

of the whole day.

As for non-working mothers, they have been deprived of life, closing

the doors with the outside world for the sake of one item only: The

Family and children care.

The spirit of sacrifice and self denial exists in the hearts of

women... and I see them deserving love and care more than others.

***********************************************

I have been reading a book issued by "Amnesty International", which is

an International, Voluntary, Non-Governmental Organization. This book

was issued by them in 1995, speaking of Human Rights in general, and

Women's rights specifically.

The book is painful, carrying between its two covers the injustice

inflicted upon humans, by their fellow humans, during wars and

conflicts, all over the world.

By GOD, it is a shameful history...

The book says, that the percentage of civilian casualties in World War

I was only 5 %, then, in World War II, the number rose to 50 %, then,

in Civil wars since the Seventies, eighties, and nineties, the number

rose to 80 %. With women and children representing most of the

victims, because most men take part in wars and conflicts.

Does this mean that the reason of the world's destruction is men,

being mostly the active members in politics, conflicts, and the

decisions to start wars?

Of course there is a percentage of peaceful men on earth, but, what

have those done, to stop the follies of other men? Women and children

are subjected to religious, ethnic, or sect massacres, they are

subjected to forced immigrations from their towns and villages, and

during all these conditions, they are subjected to beating, insults,

and all kinds of assaults, shaming the human conscience.

By GOD, if I went to the jungle, and spoke to the animals by a

language they would understand, I would have been ashamed to tell them

what humans are doing to each other. Animals wouldn't do to each other

what humans are doing to each other.

And Man is supposed to be the master of all creatures, the follower of

GOD on earth. As for me, I no longer see him like this....for the time

of the Prophets is gone, like Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, GOD Bless

them all, and so the times of reforming men, people like Gandhi, and

Marten Luther King... today, the seats of power and authority are

seized by men of another kind... men possessing talents like lying,

turning the truth upside down, and forging what is right, men whose

hearts are blinded by greed, self-interests, and selfishness, laughing

upon the fools who believe in them, follow them, and clap for them,

while they fill earth with corruption.... Claming they are the

reformers.

These men hold in their hands not only the military weapons, but a

strong, mighty weapon, a weapon that drives people's minds, and wash

their brains, wherever they were; the Media, and its various means.

The Newspapers and Magazines, the Radio and TV., and a big portion of

the Internet...all these are used to market the literature of hate,

violence, and ignorance.

******************************************

If there was no mercy between the people on this earth, nor one of

them would be kind to the other, or wish what is good to others of his

kind, if they have believed all the calls of violence and malice

raised by the spiteful ignorant, on various media outlets, while they

are hiding, faceless, like Al-Zarqawi, and Bin Laden, for those, and

whoever responds to them, are the tools for marketing hate and

destruction on earth.

And whoever drags the whole world behind him, just to answer back to

Al-Zarqawi, and Bin Laden, bears more follies, and more hatreds.

We became the victims of violence and hate.... We came to a position

of having to choose: either.... Or. Chose where to stand, either with

this fool, or that, and both are dragging the world to its doom.

Where are the wise men? Where are the leaders who possess wisdom, and

the quietness in handling the people's public issues? Where is the

feeling of responsibility to prevent blood shedding on earth?

**************************************

Once more, the world needs leaders like Gandhi, and Marten Luther

King..... To market the policy of non-violence. And people are in the

dark, sinking... listening, believing, and their minds are washed, and

many times they would be divided, a supporter, and an opposer.

But the whole balance works for the benefit of a small, evil faction,

that rules the world's destiny, and its people, leading them like

sheep to the slaughter, without their feeling.... fighting and

arguing, on their way to the slaughter: I am right, and you are wrong.

Fools......merely fools.

When will they stop, and give attention, opening their eyes, realizing

to what fate they are moving?

I mean, will they stop, and question the Shepard, before it is too

late?? What are you doing? Where are you leading us? Huh.

I wish this would happen one day.... And what is left of this

bottled water lite

2008-02-19T19:27:00.001-08:00

Bottled Water Lite?

Our country is having a bi-polar moment with regards to bottled water.

On one hand Americans love their bottled water. Each year our

consumption of bottled water rises about 10 percent. Last year alone

Americans gulped down 8.3 billion gallons of bottled water, and spent

$11 billion along the way.

On the other hand, Americans are starting to think outside the bottle,

and recognize how potentially wasteful and expensive drinking bottled

water can be. Studies show that eight out of 10 plastic water bottles

end up in landfills (not recycling bins) each year. Add to that a

little fact that consumers seem to forget--plastic is made from

petroleum, meaning that the chilled bottle of water that you just

pulled out of your gym's refrigerator case came from a ton of fossil

fuels. The Pacific Institute estimates that it took 17 million barrels

of oil last year to make plastic water bottles. That doesn't really

whet your appetite for a cold, prepackaged bottle of water, now does

it?

Enter the bottled water industry, which is trying to make the best of

both worlds--get people to continue drinking bottled water but make it

appear to be a green thing to do. What got me thinking about this was

the recent news that Burger King has kicked Pepsi-Cola's Aquafina to

the curb in favor of Nestle waters' new "eco-friendly" bottled water

called Pure Life. According to Nestle these bottles are better for the

earth because they are made using a thinner layer of plastic that

doesn't require as much petroleum, and because of this, the bottles

are easier to recycle.

OK, so good for Nestle for trying to make a step in the right green

direction but that doesn't solve the problem of people not recycling

their plastic water bottles, does it? Thin, easier-to-recycle plastic

or not, if most water bottles end up in the trash, then we haven't

really solved any problems in the long run, have we? (By the way, Coke

isn't getting off easy these days: the Tappening campaign plans to

deluge Coke's headquarters with one million plastic water bottles when

the new CEO takes office later this year.)

Here's what I'd like to see: fast-food restaurants taking a page from

coffee shops. I'm thinking of the ones that let you bring your own

reusable and refillable coffee mug into the shop, and then they reward

you by giving you a discount on your Joe because you saved them from

using a cup. Why can't I bring my reusable water bottle with me to a

restaurant and use it to hold my soda or, gasp, tap water? And why

can't the Burger Kings and McDonald's of the world reward me for doing

so?

In the meantime, save yourself the dough with bottled water (which is

three times as expensive as gas these days), and just don't buy it.

Instead, invest in a reusable water bottle, such as the "Filter for

Good" bottle from the people at Nalgene and Brita water filters, and

take it with you everywhere. If you don't like the taste of your tap

water, put a filter on the faucet or get one of those filtered water

pitchers that you can fill and keep in the fridge, thus giving you

2004_07_04_archive

2008-02-19T19:17:00.001-08:00

a+l+aHr+b+e+a+H' 7/7/004

c+b+a+hk a+l+x+y+r+....

m+a+ z+l+n+a+ f+y+ e+m+a+n+ , a+l+g+w+ hka+r+ h+dkh+ a+l+aHy+a+m+ ,

l+k+n+ a+l+k+h+r+b+a+H' l+a+ t+n+q+tje+ h+n+a+ k+m+a+ f+y+

b+i+d+a+d+...

w+a+l+m+d+y+n+tm c+i+y+r+tm h+a+d+yHtm, l+y+s+ f+y+h+a+

a+z+d+hka+m+a+t+ a+l+m+r+w+r+ a+l+t+y+ f+y+ b+i+d+a+d+, w+l+y+s+

f+y+h+a+ t+f+g+y+r+l+t+ w+q+w+a+t+ a+hkt+l+a+l+,

w+l+y+s+ tkm+tm aHc+w+a+t+ l+tja+yHr+a+t+ h+l+y+k+w+b+t+r+ aHw+

d+b+a+b+a+t+ t+h+z+ a+l+snw+a+r+e+ w+a+l+b+y+w+t+ k+aHn+h+a+

z+l+z+a+l+ c+i+y+r+....

l+k+n+y+ l+a+ aHhks+ a+l+n+a+s+ h+n+a+ s+e+d+a+H'...

f+a+l+aHr+d+n+ b+l+d+ c+i+y+r+, w+m+w+a+r+d+h+ q+l+y+l+tm, l+a+

n+f+tj, l+a+ c+n+a+e+a+t+ k+b+y+r+tm aHw+ m+n+t+w+g+a+t+ z+r+a+e+y+tm

t+e+tjy+ d+x+l+a+ k+b+y+r+a+ l+l+d+w+l+tm , w+e+n+d+h+m+ s+y+a+hktm

g+y+d+tm, w+f+y+ a+l+c+y+f+ t+m+t+l+y+H' a+l+snw+a+r+e+

w+a+l+f+n+a+d+q+ b+a+l+s+y+a+hk a+l+e+r+b+ w+a+l+aHg+a+n+b+...w+f+y+

a+l+snt+a+H' a+l+m+d+y+n+tm snb+h+ m+q+f+r+tm ...w+aHh+l+h+a+

y+x+t+b+wHw+n+ f+y+ a+l+b+y+w+t+ m+n+ a+l+b+r+d+.

a+l+hka+l+tm a+l+ahq+t+c+a+d+y+tm c+e+b+tm q+l+y+l+a+,

w+a+l+m+d+y+n+tm i+a+l+y+tm n+s+b+y+a+, e+l+j+ s+k+a+n+h+a+ w+e+l+j+

a+l+z+a+yHr+y+n+.

*********************

a+n+t+h+z+t+ f+r+c+tm a+l+ahg+a+z+tm, w+n+z+l+t+ l+l+s+w+q+,

w+a+snt+r+y+t+ m+g+m+w+e+tm k+t+b+ e+n+ t+a+r+y+x+ a+l+w+l+a+y+a+t+

a+l+m+t+hkd+tm a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+tm.

e+n+d+y+ f+ddw+l+ l+m+e+r+f+tm h+dka+ a+l+t+a+r+y+x+, w+e+n+d+y+

w+q+t+ f+a+yHdd h+dkh+ a+l+aHy+a+m+, w+q+l+t+ l+n+f+s+y+ h+dkh+

a+f+ddl+ f+r+c+tm l+ahn+g+a+z+ h+dka+ a+l+m+snr+w+e+ a+l+dky+ a+f+k+r+

b+h+ m+n+dk snh+w+r+, f+y+ b+i+d+a+d+ hky+a+t+y+ m+z+d+hkm+tm w+l+a+

w+q+t+ f+r+a+i+ e+n+d+y+...w+h+dkh+ a+l+m+h+m+tm t+hkt+a+g+ a+l+j+

w+q+t+ tjw+y+l+ w+t+r+k+y+z+.

a+snt+r+y+t+ k+t+b+a+ l+m+wHl+f+y+n+ aHm+y+r+k+y+y+n+, h+dkh+ a+f+ddl+

tjr+y+q+ l+m+e+r+f+tm a+l+aMx+r+...a+n+ t+s+m+e+h+ h+w+ y+t+k+l+m+

e+n+ n+f+s+h+.

w+t+e+l+m+t+ aHl+a+ aHq+r+aH e+n+ snx+c+ aHw+ t+a+r+y+x+ aHm+tm m+n+

w+g+h+tm n+zHr+ aHsnx+a+c+ aMx+r+y+n+ aHw+ aHm+m+ aHx+r+j+, l+aHn+h+

b+a+l+t+aHk+y+d+ s+y+snw+h+ a+l+k+tky+r+ m+n+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm, hkt+j+

l+w+ k+a+n+ m+hkb+a+....hkt+j+ l+w+ k+a+n+ m+hkb+a+...

h+dkh+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm t+e+l+m+t+h+a+ tjw+a+l+ hky+a+t+y+ w+m+n+

q+r+a+aMt+y+ w+m+x+a+l+tjt+y+ l+l+n+a+s+.

a+l+dky+ y+hkb+ y+snw+h+?+

n+e+m+, l+aHn+h+ s+w+f+ y+b+a+l+i+ f+y+ t+f+s+y+r+ b+e+dd

a+l+aHm+w+r+, w+y+zHn+ n+f+s+h+ y+d+a+f+e+ e+n+ c+a+hkb+h+, w+f+y+

a+l+hkq+y+q+tm, h+w+ y+s+y+H' a+l+y+h+, w+y+q+w+l+h+ m+a+ l+m+

y+q+l+....w+f+y+ h+dka+ a+b+t+e+a+d+ e+n+ hkq+y+q+tm

a+l+m+w+ddw+e+...w+a+s+a+H'tm l+l+q+a+r+y+H', w+l+y+s+t+ x+d+m+tm

tjy+b+tm.

*********************

k+l+ a+l+m+c+a+d+r+ a+g+m+e+t+ a+n+ t+a+r+y+x+ a+l+w+l+a+y+a+t+

a+l+m+t+hkd+tm, y+m+k+n+ t+q+s+y+m+h+ a+l+j+ f+t+r+a+t+ r+yHy+s+y+tm

w+a+ddhktm.

f+t+r+tm a+l+ahs+t+e+m+a+r+ , w+hkr+b+ a+l+t+hkr+y+r+ ddd+

a+l+b+r+y+tja+n+y+y+n+, w+t+k+w+y+n+ aHw+l+ hkk+w+m+tm a+m+r+y+k+y+tm

w+d+s+t+w+r+, a+l+t+w+s+e+ n+hkw+ a+l+i+r+b+ w+hkr+w+b+ ddd+

a+s+b+a+n+y+a+ w+a+l+m+k+s+y+k+ l+ddm+ w+l+a+y+a+t+ g+d+y+d+tm a+l+j+

a+l+aht+hka+d+, a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+aHh+l+y+tm b+y+n+ a+l+snm+a+l+

w+a+l+g+n+w+b+, f+t+r+tm a+l+b+n+a+H' a+l+d+a+x+l+y+

w+a+l+ahx+t+r+a+e+a+t+ w+a+l+t+c+n+y+e+, a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+e+a+l+m+y+tm

a+l+aHw+l+j+, w+k+s+a+d+ a+q+t+c+a+d+y+ w+hkm+l+tm ahe+a+d+tm

t+r+t+y+b+ a+l+b+y+t+ m+n+ a+l+d+a+x+l+ q+a+d+h+a+ a+l+r+yHy+s+

r+w+z+f+l+t+,tkm+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+e+a+l+m+y+tm a+l+tka+n+y+tm

w+z+y+a+d+tm t+tjw+y+r+ a+l+c+n+a+e+tm a+l+hkr+b+y+tm, tkm+ a+l+q+a+H'

a+l+q+n+b+l+tm a+l+n+w+w+y+tm e+l+j+ a+l+y+a+b+a+n+ l+aHg+b+a+r+h+a+

e+l+j+ a+l+ahs+t+s+l+a+m+,tkm+ n+snw+H' m+a+ y+s+m+j+ a+l+hkr+b+

a+l+b+a+r+d+tm ddd+ a+l+aht+hka+d+ a+l+s+w+f+y+a+t+y+ l+aHn+h+ zHh+r+

k+q+w+tm e+zHm+j+ m+n+a+f+s+tm b+e+d+ h+b+w+tj b+r+y+tja+n+y+a+

w+f+r+n+s+a+ w+a+l+m+a+n+y+a+ k+q+w+j+ e+zHm+j+ f+y+ a+w+r+w+b+a+,

a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+k+w+r+y+tm , a+l+hkr+b+ ddd+ k+w+b+a+, a+l+hkr+b+ f+y+

f+y+t+n+a+m+, a+s+t+m+r+a+r+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+b+a+r+d+tm hkt+j+ s+q+w+tj

a+l+aht+hka+d+ a+l+s+w+f+y+a+t+y+,+ w+ t+d+x+l+ f+y+

n+y+k+a+r+a+i+w+a+ w+ t+sny+l+y+ w+ a+l+s+l+f+a+d+w+r+ l+t+i+y+y+r+

a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+,+ tkm+ a+l+t+d+x+l+ f+y+ aHf+i+a+n+s+t+a+n+ w+ d+e+m+

a+l+m+g+a+h+d+y+n+ w+m+n+h+m+ b+n+ l+a+d+n+ ddd+ r+w+s+y+a+,+ tkm+

a+l+hkr+b+ f+y+ g+z+r+ k+r+y+n+a+d+a+ f+y+ a+l+m+hky+tj

a+l+k+a+r+y+b+y+,+ tkm+ a+l+hkr+b+ ddd+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ hky+n+ d+x+l+

a+l+k+w+y+t+,+ tkm+ a+l+hkr+b+ ddd+ a+l+ahr+h+a+b+ f+y+

aHf+i+a+n+s+t+a+n+,+ tkm+ t+i+y+y+r+ a+l+n+zHa+m+ f+y+ a+l+e+r+a+q+.

l+m+ a+dde+ t+w+a+r+y+x+ hkt+j+ l+a+ t+t+e+b+w+a+ f+y+ a+l+q+r+a+H'tm,

w+r+b+m+a+ a+c+b+hkt+ m+m+l+tm.

a+r+y+d+ f+q+tj a+n+ t+n+d+h+snw+a+ m+e+y+, k+m+ m+n+ a+l+hkr+w+b+

x+a+ddt+h+a+ h+dkh+ a+l+d+w+l+tm.?+

w+l+y+s+t+ s+w+j+ w+a+hkd+tm h+y+ hkr+b+ t+hkr+y+r+ a+s+t+i+r+q+t+

s+n+w+a+t+ tjw+y+l+tm, w+a+l+aHx+r+j+ hkr+b+ d+a+x+l+y+tm a+h+l+y+tm

ahs+t+i+r+q+t+ e+d+tm s+n+w+a+t+...

w+a+l+b+a+q+y+ ddd+ a+l+g+y+r+a+n+ a+l+q+r+y+b+y+n+ a+w+

a+l+b+e+y+d+y+n+...

w+m+n+ aHg+l+ m+a+dka+?+

m+n+ aHg+l+ a+l+n+f+w+dk w+m+z+y+d+ m+n+ a+l+tkr+w+a+t+, w+k+aHn+h+a+

e+l+y+h+a+ l+e+n+tm m+a+, l+a+ t+snb+e+y+, zHl+y+ f+y+ q+t+a+l+

w+d+m+a+r+ m+s+t+m+r+y+n+ w+l+n+ t+e+r+f+y+ a+l+r+a+hktm aHw+

a+l+ahk+t+f+a+H'....

t+a+r+y+x+ m+hkz+n+ w+m+hkb+tj l+y+ w+aHn+a+ i+y+r+ aHm+r+y+k+y+tm....

t+r+j+ m+a+ y+q+w+l+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ a+l+dky+ y+hkl+m+ b+a+l+r+a+hktm

w+a+l+s+l+a+m+ l+n+f+s+h+ w+e+a+yHl+t+h+ w+l+d+w+l+ a+l+e+a+l+m+?+

h+l+ h+dka+ m+m+k+n+?+

h+l+ t+q+d+r+ d+w+l+t+h+ t+q+d+y+m+ a+l+s+l+a+m+ w+a+l+e+d+a+l+tm

w+a+l+hkr+y+tm l+d+w+l+ a+l+e+a+l+m+, w+t+a+r+y+x+h+a+ k+l+h+ hkr+w+b+

, w+q+s+w+tm, w+hkb+ t+d+x+l+ f+y+ snwHw+n+ a+l+aMx+r+y+n+, w+t+d+x+l+

f+y+ m+c+y+r+ a+l+sne+w+b+, w+sne+a+r+a+t+ g+m+y+l+tm m+d+h+sntm

b+r+a+q+tm....

a+l+hkr+y+tm l+sne+w+b+ a+l+aHr+dd...

k+l+ a+l+hkr+w+b+ a+l+s+a+b+q+tm q+a+m+t+ t+hkt+ h+dka+ a+l+sne+a+r+

a+l+e+zHy+m+....f+aHc+b+hkt+ k+l+m+tm a+l+hkr+y+tm m+b+t+dkl+tm

r+x+y+c+tm m+n+ k+tkr+tm s+w+H' a+l+ahs+t+e+m+a+l+....

****************

w+aHdde+ y+d+y+ e+l+j+ x+d+y+ w+a+t+e+g+b+ m+n+ d+w+l+tm s+m+hkt+

l+n+f+s+h+a+ b+a+l+q+a+H' q+n+b+l+tm dkr+y+tm e+l+j+ m+d+y+n+tm

c+i+y+r+tm l+aHg+b+a+r+ a+l+ahm+b+r+a+tjw+r+ a+l+y+a+b+a+n+y+ e+l+j+

a+l+aHs+t+s+l+a+m+....m+a+t+ m+a+yHtm a+l+f+ aH w+aHk+tkr+ m+n+

a+l+q+n+b+l+tm a+l+aHw+l+j+ f+y+ m+d+y+n+tm h+y+r+w+sny+m+a+...tkm+

b+e+d+ tkl+a+tktm aHy+a+m+ a+l+q+t+ a+m+y+r+k+a+ b+q+n+b+l+tm

tka+n+y+tm e+l+j+ m+d+y+n+tm n+a+i+a+z+a+k+y+..f+m+a+t+ s+t+w+n+

a+l+f+a+...w+t+w+q+f+t+ a+l+hkr+b+.

w+b+k+j+ a+l+ahm+b+r+a+tjw+r+ w+a+l+hkk+w+m+tm a+l+y+a+b+a+n+y+tm

w+a+l+sne+b+ k+l+h+ m+n+ q+w+tm a+l+k+a+r+tktm w+a+l+aHl+m+.

w+w+q+e+w+a+ a+w+r+a+q+ a+l+ahs+t+s+l+a+m+ .

t+r+j+ m+a+dka+ q+a+l+ a+l+sne+b+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ a+l+m+t+hkddr+,

a+l+m+n+a+d+y+ b+hkr+y+tm a+l+sne+w+b+, m+a+dka+ q+a+l+ l+q+a+d+t+h+?+

w+h+l+ s+a+H'l+h+m+?+

l+a+ y+b+d+w+ dkl+k+ m+n+ k+t+b+ a+l+t+a+r+y+x+...f+a+l+r+yHy+s+

t+r+w+m+a+n+ aHe+y+d+ a+n+t+x+a+b+h+. w+a+s+t+m+r+t+ a+l+hky+a+tm f+y+

t+tjw+r+h+a+ f+y+ a+m+y+r+k+a+,

w+k+aHn+ sny+yHa+ l+m+ y+k+n+.

a+y+n+ a+l+m+snk+l+tm?+ f+y+ a+l+hkk+w+m+tm aHm+ f+y+ a+l+sne+b+?+

aHm+a+ a+n+h+ sne+b+ snr+y+r+ m+tkl+ q+y+a+d+t+h+, aHw+ sne+b+

g+a+h+l+, aHw+ sne+b+ m+x+d+r+ b+tjr+y+q+tm a+l+l+h+a+tk w+r+a+H'

a+l+q+w+t+ a+l+y+w+m+y+ w+m+z+y+d+ m+n+ a+l+m+k+a+s+b+

a+l+m+a+d+y+tm...w+a+l+hkk+w+m+tm t+q+n+e+h+ a+n+ h+dka+ k+l+h+ t+m+ (

b+t+ddhky+a+t+ ) a+l+sne+b+ a+l+m+r+y+k+y+ w+c+b+r+h+....l+aHn+h+

sne+b+ y+hkb+ a+l+hkr+y+tm w+a+l+s+l+a+m+...

l+a+ aHe+r+f+...h+l+ a+ddhkk+ aHm+ aHb+k+y+?+

l+dkl+k+ , w+g+d+t+ a+n+ m+a+ f+e+l+t+h+ a+m+y+r+k+a+ f+y+ hkr+b+h+a+

ddd+ a+l+e+r+a+q+ , l+y+s+ s+w+j+ hkr+b+ l+tjy+f+tm zHr+y+f+tm m+a+t+

b+h+a+ e+snr+a+t+ a+l+aMl+a+f+ m+n+ a+l+e+r+a+q+y+y+n+, f+h+y+ l+n+

t+h+z+ ddm+y+r+ a+hkd+, m+a+ d+a+m+t+ a+l+q+n+b+l+tm a+l+dkr+y+tm l+m+

t+h+z+ a+l+ddm+a+yHr+ , w+l+m+ t+i+y+r+ s+y+a+s+tm a+l+g+sne+

w+hkb+ a+l+t+s+l+tj w+a+l+b+hktk e+n+ m+n+a+tjq+ n+f+w+dk g+d+y+d+tm..

**************************

w+aHe+w+d+ f+a+q+r+aH q+c+tm a+l+h+n+w+d+ a+l+hkm+r+ w+k+y+f+

t+e+a+m+l+t+ m+e+h+m+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+tm , w+k+b+f+

snw+h+t+ t+a+r+y+x+h+m+ w+r+s+m+t+h+m+ k+w+hkw+sn, aHzHn+ h+n+a+

a+l+c+w+r+tm w+a+ddhktm q+l+y+l+a+...k+m+a+ t+c+w+r+ a+s+r+a+yHy+l+

a+l+sne+b+ a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+y+ k+aHn+h+ k+w+m+tm m+n+ a+l+w+hkw+sn,

f+t+e+y+tk f+s+a+d+a+ w+q+t+l+a+ w+t+d+m+y+r+a+ b+a+l+n+a+s+

w+a+l+m+d+n+, w+aHm+y+r+k+a+ t+t+f+r+g+ m+t+e+a+tjf+tm, w+t+s+a+n+d+

a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ f+y+ a+l+aHm+m+ a+l+m+t+hkd+tm ddd+ aHy+ q+r+a+r+

y+t+x+dk, aHw+ aHy+ e+q+w+b+tm, w+t+s+a+n+d+h+a+ m+a+l+y+a+

b+m+l+a+y+y+n+ a+l+d+w+l+a+r+a+t+ s+n+w+y+a+.

k+n+t+ a+t+s+a+H'l+ d+a+yHm+a+, l+m+a+dka+?+

w+a+l+aMn+ aHk+a+d+ a+e+r+f+ a+l+s+b+b+...

b+d+a+y+tm a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ t+snb+h+ b+d+a+y+tm t+k+w+y+n+

a+l+w+l+a+y+a+t+ a+l+m+t+hkd+tm...m+h+a+g+r+w+n+ l+aHr+dd g+d+y+d+tm,

w+s+k+a+n+ aHc+l+y+w+n+.

l+k+n+ a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ snq+t+ w+g+w+d+h+a+ h+n+a+ b+tjr+y+q+tm aHk+tkr+

d+m+w+y+tm w+e+n+f+ w+k+dkb+ w+t+snw+y+h+ l+aHh+l+ a+l+b+l+a+d+

w+t+a+r+y+x+h+m+, w+aHk+l+ hkq+w+q+h+m+

m+n+dk e+snr+a+t+ a+l+s+n+y+n+., w+m+a+ z+a+l+t+ t+q+t+l+ k+l+ y+w+m+

w+t+d+m+r+, w+ddm+y+r+ a+l+e+a+l+m+ h+n+a+k+ q+d+ m+a+t+ m+n+dk z+m+n+

b+e+y+d+....

q+c+tm a+l+h+n+w+d+ a+l+hkm+r+ e+r+f+n+a+h+a+ b+e+d+ e+snr+a+t+

w+r+b+m+a+ m+yHa+t+ a+l+s+n+y+n+, a+l+m+s+a+f+a+t+ b+e+y+d+tm, w+l+a+

w+s+a+yHl+ a+t+c+a+l+ hkd+y+tktm,

a+m+a+ q+c+tm a+s+r+a+yHy+l+ w+a+l+f+l+s+tjy+n+y+y+n+, f+h+y+ q+c+tm

m+n+dk x+m+s+y+n+ s+n+tm, l+k+n+h+a+ a+c+b+hkt+ m+m+l+tm , w+dda+e+

a+l+hkq+ b+y+n+ a+y+d+y+ q+a+d+tm d+w+l+ l+a+ y+e+r+f+w+n+ a+l+hkq+,

b+l+ y+e+r+f+w+n+ a+l+q+w+tm, w+a+l+q+s+w+tm , k+w+s+y+l+tm l+hkl+

m+sna+k+l+ a+l+b+snr+...w+y+t+k+l+m+w+n+ k+l+a+m+a+ g+m+y+l+a+..

w+h+m+ y+r+t+d+w+n+ b+dkl+a+t+ a+n+y+q+tm w+r+b+tja+t+ e+n+q+

m+l+w+n+tm, w+y+b+t+s+m+w+n+ w+h+m+ y+g+l+s+w+n+ e+l+j+ k+r+a+s+y+

w+tja+w+l+a+t+ a+n+y+q+tm, f+y+ q+a+e+a+t+ a+n+y+q+tm tkm+y+n+tm

a+l+m+hkt+w+y+a+t+, l+k+n+ f+y+ d+a+x+l+h+m+ t+s+k+n+ w+hkw+sn

q+dkr+tm q+b+y+hktm l+a+ t+e+r+f+ a+l+r+hkm+tm...w+l+a+ t+n+t+m+y+

l+b+n+y+ a+l+ahn+s+a+n+....l+a+ t+n+t+m+y+ l+b+n+y+ a+l+ahn+s+a+n+

b+aHy+ snk+l+ m+n+ a+l+aHsnk+a+l+, s+w+j+ a+l+m+n+zHr+ a+l+x+a+r+g+y+.

*************************

w+a+e+w+d+ f+aHq+r+aH e+n+ a+l+e+b+y+d+ w+a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+aHh+l+y+tm

w+a+b+r+a+h+a+m+ l+n+k+w+l+n+ w+k+f+a+hkh+ ddd+ a+l+aHi+n+y+a+H' f+y+

a+l+g+n+w+b+ w+q+s+w+tm q+l+w+b+h+m+ w+s+w+H' m+e+a+m+l+t+h+m+

l+l+e+b+y+d+, w+hkr+m+a+n+h+m+ m+n+ hkq+w+q+ a+l+b+snr+...

a+l+e+a+yHl+tm t+f+c+l+ e+n+ b+e+ddh+a+, w+y+wHx+dk a+l+tjf+l+ m+n+

hkddn+ a+m+h+, l+aHn+h+m+ e+b+y+d+ , hkt+j+ hkq+ a+l+aHm+w+m+tm l+a+

y+t+m+t+e+w+n+ b+h+, w+y+wHx+dk a+l+z+w+g+ m+n+ z+w+g+t+h+ l+aHn+h+m+

e+b+y+d+, l+a+ hkq+w+q+ z+w+g+y+tm m+tkl+ a+l+b+snr+, w+y+hkr+m+w+n+

m+n+ a+l+t+e+l+y+m+ w+a+l+hky+a+tm a+l+hkr+tm a+l+k+r+y+m+tm.

w+y+e+y+snw+n+ f+y+ d+w+l+tm t+t+b+a+h+j+ a+n+h+a+ c+a+hkb+tm

a+l+d+y+m+q+r+a+tjy+tm a+l+aHw+l+j+ f+y+ a+l+e+a+l+m+...

y+a+ a+l+h+y+...tkm+tm f+c+a+m+ f+y+ a+l+snx+c+y+tm ?+?+?+

a+l+k+l+a+m+ w+a+l+m+zHh+r+ hkdda+r+y+ w+g+m+y+l+, l+k+n+ w+a+q+e+

a+l+hka+l+ aHs+w+d+ q+b+y+hk...

w+e+n+d+m+a+ f+a+z+ l+n+k+w+l+n+ b+a+l+ahn+t+x+a+b+a+t+

a+l+r+yHa+s+y+tm, a+e+l+n+t+ a+l+w+l+a+y+a+t+ a+l+g+n+w+b+y+tm

a+l+e+c+y+a+n+, w+a+n+f+c+l+t+ e+n+ a+l+aht+hka+d+....tkm+ snn+t+

a+l+hkr+b+ ddd+ w+l+a+y+a+t+ a+l+snm+a+l+....

h+dkh+ a+l+aHhkd+a+tk k+a+n+t+ f+y+ a+l+f+t+r+tm b+y+n+ a+l+aHe+w+a+m+

1860-1865

a+n+t+h+t+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+aHh+l+y+tm, w+a+n+t+c+r+

a+l+snm+a+l+...l+k+n+ l+n+k+w+l+n+ t+m+ a+i+t+y+a+l+h+..

f+y+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm b+k+y+t+ e+l+y+h+...w+b+q+y+t+ hkz+y+n+tm

e+l+y+h+, w+e+n+d+y+ s+wHa+l+ y+wHl+m+n+y+, m+n+ q+t+l+h+?+

tjb+e+a+ w+s+a+yHl+ a+l+ahe+l+a+m+ a+l+r+s+m+y+tm s+t+q+w+l+ tkm+tm

m+x+b+w+l+ l+h+ d+w+a+f+e+ snx+c+y+tm, q+t+l+ l+n+k+w+l+n+.

w+aHn+a+ aHr+j+ f+y+ l+n+k+w+l+n+ snx+c+y+tm i+a+n+d+y+...k+a+n+

q+a+yHd+a+ l+l+aHm+tm n+hkw+ a+l+hkr+y+tm w+a+l+s+l+a+m+...w+d+f+e+

hky+a+t+h+ tkm+n+a+ l+m+b+a+d+y+H' n+b+y+l+tm.

w+aHzHn+h+ a+l+q+a+yHd+ a+l+w+hky+d+ a+l+dky+ l+m+ y+snn+ hkr+w+b+a+

e+l+j+ a+l+g+y+r+a+n+, w+k+a+ n+ sne+a+r+h+ a+c+l+a+hk a+l+b+y+t+ m+n+

a+l+d+a+x+l+ .....

( k+y+f+ y+m+k+n+ l+aHm+tm aHn+ t+t+q+d+m+ , n+c+f+h+a+ hkr+,

w+n+c+f+h+a+ e+b+d+ )

k+m+ aHzHn+ aHm+y+r+k+a+ m+hkt+a+g+tm l+q+a+yHd+ m+tkl+h+ w+h+y+ f+y+

h+dkh+ a+l+zHr+w+f+?+

***********************

w+w+dde+ l+n+k+w+l+n+ q+w+a+n+y+n+ l+t+hkr+y+r+

a+l+e+b+y+d+...l+k+n+h+a+ l+m+ t+tjb+q+.

w+aHq+r+aH e+n+ a+l+d+k+t+w+r+ m+a+r+t+n+ l+w+tkr+ k+n+g+, w+h+w+

y+x+a+tjb+ g+m+a+h+y+r+ a+l+s+w+d+ a+l+m+zHl+w+m+y+n+, w+a+l+dky+n+

y+e+a+n+w+n+ m+n+ q+w+a+n+y+n+ a+l+f+c+l+ a+l+e+n+c+r+y+ f+y+

a+l+m+d+a+r+s+ w+w+s+a+yHl+ a+l+n+q+l+ w+f+y+ a+l+hkm+a+m+a+t+

a+l+e+a+m+tm w+hkt+j+ f+y+ a+l+k+n+a+yHs+.

h+dka+ f+y+ m+n+t+c+f+ a+l+s+t+y+n+a+t+ m+n+ a+l+q+r+n+

a+l+e+snr+y+n+, y+e+n+y+ b+e+d+ m+a+yHtm s+n+tm m+n+ t+snr+y+e+a+t+

l+n+k+w+l+n+?+

w+k+a+n+ a+l+q+a+d+tm a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+w+n+ y+l+q+w+n+ x+tjb+a+

r+n+a+n+tm w+tjn+a+n+tm e+n+ a+l+hkr+y+tm l+sne+w+b+

a+l+aHr+dd...h+h+?+

h+l+ tkm+tm f+c+a+m+ f+y+ a+l+snx+c+y+tm?+

d+x+l+t+ a+m+y+r+k+a+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+e+a+l+m+y+tm a+l+aHw+l+j+ 1919

b+q+y+a+d+tm a+l+r+yHy+s+ w+y+l+s+w+n+, w+tjb+e+a+ a+l+sne+a+r+

d+a+yHm+a+ h+w+: a+l+hkr+y+tm l+sne+w+b+ a+l+aHr+dd.

w+d+x+l+t+ a+l+hkr+b+ a+l+e+a+l+m+y+tm a+l+tka+n+y+tm b+q+y+a+d+tm

r+w+z+f+l+t+ 1944 , l+aHs+q+a+tj a+l+aHn+zHm+tm a+l+f+a+sny+tm

w+a+l+n+a+z+y+tm f+y+ a+w+r+w+b+a+...w+t+hkq+y+q+ a+l+hkr+y+tm

w+a+l+d+y+m+q+r+a+tjy+tm..

w+d+x+l+t+ f+y+ hkr+w+b+ l+a+ t+e+d+ w+l+a+ t+hkc+j+...a+l+c+y+n+,

w+g+z+r+ a+l+f+l+b+y+n+, w+k+w+r+y+a+, w+k+w+b+a+, w+f+y+t+n+a+m+

w+k+m+b+w+d+y+a+..w+i+y+r+h+a+ , f+q+d+ t+e+b+t+ dka+k+r+t+y+..

w+d+a+yHm+a+ a+l+x+tja+b+ n+f+s+h+ f+y+ a+l+b+d+a+y+tm

w+a+l+n+h+a+y+tm.

w+aHn+a+ a+t+s+a+H'l+ d+a+yHm+a+, a+y+n+ a+l+sne+b+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+?+

w+m+a+ r+aHy+h+?+

w+g+d+t+ k+t+a+b+a+ g+m+y+l+a+ f+y+h+ m+q+a+l+a+t+ m+d+h+sntm

k+t+b+h+a+ a+m+r+y+k+a+n+ ddd+ a+l+hkr+w+b+, ddd+ a+l+t+m+y+y+z+

a+l+e+n+c+r+y+, ddd+ a+l+ahs+a+H'tm l+l+h+n+w+d+ a+l+hkm+r+, ddd+

a+hkt+k+a+r+ a+l+r+aHy+ a+l+m+e+a+r+dd l+l+hkk+w+m+tm f+y+ m+w+a+q+f+

m+x+t+l+f+tm.

l+k+n+y+ aHzHn+h+a+ a+c+w+a+t+a+ dde+y+f+tm l+m+ t+wHtkr+ k+tky+r+a+

e+l+j+ ddm+y+r+ a+l+a+m+tm w+t+g+e+l+h+a+ t+c+hkw+ m+n+ i+f+l+t+h+a+,

w+t+s+a+yHl+ n+f+s+h+a+: m+a+dka+ a+q+t+r+f+n+a+ m+n+ aHx+tja+H' ,

w+a+l+j+ aHy+n+ n+hkn+ s+a+yHr+w+n+?+?+

*****************

w+aHq+r+aH a+n+ g+w+n+ k+n+y+d+y+ k+a+n+ n+m+w+dkg+a+ g+d+y+d+a+

l+r+yHy+s+ aHm+r+y+k+y+, r+i+m+ x+tja+b+h+ a+l+q+t+a+l+y+ n+hkw+

a+l+g+y+r+a+n+ w+hkr+b+h+ ddd+ k+w+b+a+, w+t+w+t+r+ a+l+aHg+w+a+H'

m+e+ a+l+d+b+ a+l+r+w+s+y+, k+m+a+ k+a+n+w+a+ y+s+m+w+n+h+, l+k+n+

m+w+q+f+h+ a+l+n+b+y+l+ ddd+ a+l+t+m+y+y+z+ a+l+e+n+c+r+y+ k+a+n+

n+q+tjtm t+hkw+l+ m+m+t+a+z+tm f+y+ t+w+g+h+a+t+

a+l+q+y+a+d+tm...w+k+a+n+ e+n+d+h+ x+tjtm e+m+l+ g+d+y+d+tm t+g+a+h+

d+w+l+ a+l+snr+q+ a+l+aHw+s+tj w+a+l+aHq+c+j+, w+m+e+zHm+ d+w+l+

a+l+e+a+l+m+...

l+k+n+ a+l+w+q+t+ l+m+ y+k+n+ k+a+f+y+a+, f+q+d+ t+m+ a+i+t+y+a+l+h+,

w+zHl+ a+l+f+a+e+l+ m+g+h+w+l+a+ , r+i+m+ q+c+c+ r+s+m+y+tm k+tky+r+tm

q+d+m+t+h+a+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ a+l+t+a+l+y+tm.

w+m+a+r+t+n+ l+w+tkr+ k+n+g+ aHy+dda+ t+m+ a+i+t+y+a+l+h+..

w+r+w+b+r+t+ k+n+y+d+y+ a+y+dda+ t+m+ a+i+t+y+a+l+h+ , k+a+n+ ddd+

a+l+hkr+b+ f+y+ f+y+t+n+a+m+,w+ddd+ a+l+t+m+y+y+z+ a+l+e+n+c+r+y+

w+k+a+n+ y+s+y+r+ e+l+j+ x+tjj+ aHx+y+h+..

w+a+n+a+ a+t+s+a+H'l+, y+a+ l+h+a+ m+n+ a+m+tm l+m+ t+q+d+r+ aHn+

t+hka+f+zH e+l+j+ x+y+r+tm r+g+a+l+h+a+....

*********************

w+a+l+aMn+ , t+f+t+t+ a+l+aht+hka+d+ a+l+s+w+f+y+t+y+, w+dkh+b+ x+tjr+

a+l+sny+w+e+y+tm b+e+y+d+a+...

l+k+n+ q+a+d+tm a+m+y+r+k+a+ l+a+ y+t+r+k+w+n+ a+l+sne+w+b+ t+e+y+sn

b+aHm+a+n+..

k+a+n+ a+l+x+tjr+ a+l+sny+w+e+y+ hkg+tm l+l+t+d+x+l+ f+y+ f+y+t+n+a+m+

w+k+w+b+a+ w+k+w+r+y+a+ w+d+w+l+ a+l+snr+q+ a+l+aHw+s+tj

w+i+y+r+h+a+...

w+a+l+y+w+m+ , m+a+ hkg+tm a+l+t+d+x+l+ f+y+ d+w+l+ a+l+e+a+l+m+

w+sne+w+b+h+a+ ?+

a+l+hkr+y+tm.. m+r+tm a+x+r+j+, .dkl+k+ a+l+q+m+y+c+ a+l+m+m+z+q+ m+n+

k+tkr+tm a+s+t+e+m+a+l+h+ m+n+dk m+yHa+t+ a+l+s+n+y+n+..

************

l+a+ n+r+y+d+ sny+yHa+ s+w+j+ a+n+ y+k+w+n+ a+l+q+r+a+r+ b+y+d+

a+l+sne+b+ a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+ h+dkh+ a+l+m+r+tm...

n+r+y+d+h+ a+n+ y+t+w+q+f+ l+l+hkzHtm, w+y+f+t+hk e+y+w+n+h+,

w+y+q+r+aH t+a+r+y+x+h+ m+n+ g+d+y+d+..

m+a+dka+ k+s+b+ m+n+ a+l+hkr+w+b+ m+e+ a+l+g+y+r+a+n+?+

w+l+m+a+dka+ l+a+ t+hkb+ a+l+sne+w+b+ a+l+l+aHx+r+j+ aHn+ t+q+t+r+b+

m+n+h+a+ a+l+w+l+a+y+a+t+ a+l+m+t+hkd+tm a+l+aHm+r+y+k+y+tm?+

l+aHn+n+a+ q+r+aHn+a+ w+s+m+e+n+a+ b+m+a+ f+e+l+t+ m+e+ sne+w+b+

dde+y+f+tm m+tkl+ f+y+t+n+a+m+ w+d+m+r+t+ b+l+a+d+h+m+ w+q+t+l+t+

m+yHa+t+ a+l+aMl+a+f+ w+r+b+m+a+ a+l+m+l+a+y+y+n+ f+y+ hkr+b+

s+x+y+f+tm tja+hkn+tm, tkm+ t+d+x+l+t+ f+y+ d+w+l+ a+m+y+r+k+a+

a+l+l+a+t+y+n+y+tm hky+tk t+s+l+tjt+ e+l+y+h+a+ b+tjr+y+q+tm i+y+r+

m+b+a+snr+tm b+w+dde+ hkk+a+m+ m+wHy+d+y+n+ l+aHm+y+r+k+a+ ,

w+y+r+b+tjw+n+ a+q+t+c+a+d+ a+l+b+l+a+d+ t+hkt+ r+hkm+tm a+m+y+r+k+a+

w+q+r+w+ddh+a+ w+m+s+a+e+d+a+t+h+a+, t+b+d+w+ l+l+m+sna+h+d+ a+n+h+a+

c+d+y+q+tm, l+k+n+ f+y+ a+l+hkq+y+q+tm a+n+h+a+ e+d+w+tm a+l+sne+b+,

hky+tk t+s+l+b+h+ hkr+y+t+h+ f+y+ a+l+q+r+a+r+ w+a+l+ahs+t+q+l+a+l+,

w+y+zHl+ dde+y+f+a+ m+r+b+w+tja+ b+h+a+ e+snr+a+t+ a+l+s+n+y+n+

a+l+q+a+d+m+tm.

w+h+dka+ m+a+ t+hka+w+l+ e+m+l+h+ m+e+ d+w+l+ a+l+snr+q+ a+l+aHw+s+tj.

a+l+ahs+t+e+m+a+r+ a+l+a+m+r+y+k+y+ l+h+ n+m+tj m+x+t+l+f+ e+n+

a+l+ahs+t+e+m+a+r+ a+l+aHw+r+b+y+ a+l+q+d+y+m+.

k+a+n+t+ t+l+k+ a+l+d+w+l+ t+b+d+w+ zHa+h+r+tm b+g+y+w+snh+a+

w+a+s+l+hkt+h+a+ e+l+j+ aHr+dd a+l+d+w+l+ a+l+t+y+ y+t+m+

a+hkt+l+a+l+h+a+...

a+m+a+ a+l+y+w+m+, f+aHm+y+r+k+a+ t+hkt+l+ m+e+zHm+ d+w+l+

a+l+e+a+l+m+ f+y+ a+l+x+f+a+H'...k+aHn+ tkm+tm x+y+w+tj i+y+r+

m+r+yHy+tm t+r+b+tjh+a+ b+q+a+d+tm y+t+c+r+f+w+n+ hks+b+

t+e+l+y+m+a+t+h+a+...

w+a+l+k+l+ y+e+r+f+ w+y+f+h+m+...

l+k+n+ tkm+tm m+i+f+l+y+n+ n+a+yHm+y+n+...m+n+sni+l+y+n+ f+y+

a+l+e+m+l+ a+l+y+w+m+y+ a+l+sna+q+, a+w+ a+l+l+h+w+, a+w+ g+m+e+

a+l+tkr+w+a+t+..

h+wHl+a+H' h+m+ a+l+n+m+a+dkg+ a+l+t+y+ t+hkb+h+a+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+

a+l+snr+y+r+tm, w+t+hkb+ a+n+ t+k+w+n+ i+a+l+b+y+tm a+l+sne+w+b+

m+tkl+h+a+, l+t+f+e+l+ t+l+k+ a+l+hkk+w+m+a+t+ m+a+ t+sna+H', m+n+

s+hkq+ l+l+hkq+, w+n+snr+ l+l+b+a+tjl+, w+s+r+q+tm l+hkq+w+q+

w+tkr+w+a+t+ a+l+sne+w+b+.

l+k+n+ a+l+t+a+r+y+x+ y+b+t+s+m+ m+n+ i+b+a+yHh+m+, w+q+c+r+

n+zHr+h+m+, w+k+aHn+h+ y+q+w+l+, a+n+zHr+w+a+ l+l+dky+n+

s+b+q+w+k+m+...f+e+l+w+a+ m+tkl+k+m+, w+r+b+m+a+ aHk+tkr+ w+r+b+m+a+

aHq+l+..

w+e+a+d+t+ sne+w+b+h+m+ f+q+y+r+tm, a+w+ m+t+w+s+tjtm

a+l+hka+l+.....t+k+d+hk m+n+ aHg+l+ q+w+t+ y+w+m+h+a+..k+aHy+ sne+w+b+

aHx+r+j+.

****************************

q+r+aHt+ q+c+tm q+c+y+r+tm l+l+k+a+t+b+ a+l+ahn+k+l+y+z+y+, ( d+y+,

aHg+ , l+w+r+n+s+

e+n+w+a+n+h+a+ a+l+hkc+a+n+ a+l+x+snb+y+ a+l+h+z+a+z+

e+n+ e+a+yHl+tm m+y+s+w+r+tm a+l+hka+l+, l+k+n+h+m+ l+a+ y+r+ddw+n+

b+w+a+q+e+h+m+, w+y+tjl+b+w+n+ a+l+m+z+y+d+ d+a+yHm+a+, w+l+a+

y+k+t+f+w+n+...

w+k+aHn+ a+l+b+y+t+ y+h+m+s+ tjw+a+l+ a+l+y+w+m+ f+y+ a+l+l+y+l+

w+a+l+n+h+a+r+: aHr+y+d+ m+z+y+d+a+ m+n+ a+l+n+q+w+d+...aHr+y+d+

m+z+y+d+a+ m+n+ a+l+n+q+w+d+...t+t+hkw+l+ hky+a+t+h+m+ a+l+j+

g+hky+m+.

aHzHn+ a+l+k+a+t+b+ k+a+n+ y+r+s+m+ hky+a+tm sne+w+b+ t+e+y+sn t+hkt+

a+n+zHm+tm g+sne+tm l+a+ t+snb+e+ aHb+d+a+...w+l+a+ t+t+dkw+q+ tje+m+

a+l+r+a+hktm w+a+l+s+e+a+d+tm aHb+d+a+..

*********************

a+l+hkr+y+tm w+a+l+s+l+a+m+ l+sne+w+b+ a+l+aHr+dd l+n+ t+t+hkq+q+

b+w+g+w+d+ q+a+d+tm g+sne+y+n+..

y+d+m+r+w+n+ hky+a+tm sne+w+b+h+m+ w+h+m+ y+q+w+d+w+n+h+m+ m+n+ hkr+b+

a+l+j+ hkr+b+...

e+n+d+m+a+ t+c+hkw+ h+dkh+ a+l+sne+w+b+ m+n+ i+f+l+t+h+a+...w+t+w+q+f+

a+l+aHsnr+a+r+ e+n+d+ hkd+h+m+...y+c+b+hk tkm+tm aHm+l+ b+e+a+l+m+

m+snr+q+ g+m+y+l+

s+y+a+t+y+ dka+t+ y+w+m+...

e+a+l+m+ y+e+y+snh+ a+tjf+a+l+n+a+...w+aHg+y+a+l+n+a+...

e+a+l+m+ l+a+ aHhkq+a+d+ f+y+h+, w+l+a+ aHtjm+a+e+, w+l+a+ hkr+w+b+.

h+l+ hkq+a+ n+q+d+r+ e+l+j+ c+n+a+e+t+h+, a+w+ a+l+m+sna+r+k+tm f+y+

c+n+a+e+t+h+?+

l+y+aHt+y+....l+y+aHt+y+ , dkl+k+ a+l+e+a+l+m+, f+aHzHn+n+a+ k+l+n+a+

m+t+e+b+w+n+...w+m+hkt+a+g+w+n+ l+l+sne+w+r+ b+a+l+r+a+hktm

pass gefilte fish

2008-02-19T19:00:00.001-08:00

Pass the Gefilte Fish

Yes I know it is way too early for Passover, but I think my brain

turned to matzoh by Friday between a very long week at work

(considering it was a short week due to the Monday holiday), and my

zeal to get out a bunch of posts on the state of the Bush economy.

Enough economic lessons for the week.

So you are stuck with family history

To the left is my great-grandfather Philip (his actual name is

Fizschel). He was born in Lask, Poland in May 1866. His parents were

Heschel and Sarah, both born in Russia. Sarah was born in 1843.

He married Klara Jacobowitz, my great-grandmother, in 1887. She was

also born in Lask on March 10, 1867 to Meier and Lena Kelvner. Philip

and Klara had 5 kids -- Harry (my grandfather), Lena, Max, David and

Chava - all born in Lask.

Philip emigrated around 1900. There is no record of him at Ellis

Island or any landing visas anywhere. For all I know he could have

been illegal. (So Tom Tancredo, send me back to Poland)

Harry emigrated by himself at age 14 to the US via Ellis Island on

April 17, 1902.

Klara and the 4 other kids landed on Ellis Island on March 15, 1904,

where she joined her husband and Harry. They all resided initially on

Orchard Street (heart of the Manhattan's Lower East Side). Philip died

on May 7, 1922. Klara died on June 14, 1945.

Amazingly I have Klara's landing papers, both their death

certificates, Philip's birth certificate (in Polish) and their

marriage certificate in Russian and Yiddish. Some Catholic Churches in

Poland apparently took upon themselves to hide and store a lot of the

records of the Jews when the Nazis invaded in 1939. You can actually

request the certificates via the Mormon Church (I guess that means I

should vote for Mitt).

Harry married Esther Silverstein on July 6, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York

(pictured on right). Esther was born December 3, 1890 in New York

City. She used to claim she was born in Austria, but all records seem

to indicated NYC.

Her parents were Benjamin Silverstein and Ella Weiss, both born in

Galicia (which was part of Austria-Hungary at that time) in the

1860's. Benjamin had to die before 1928 since my father is named after

him (the Jewish tradition) and Ella died in the 1930's -- no one seems

to remember when. The Silversteins had nine kids, the oldest being my

grandmother and the youngest, Selma born July 1905. Selma is still

alive and kicking up a storm at 102.

One side note. The marriage record seems to indicate Benjamin and Ella

were married in 1891. Which means Esther was born out of "wedlock."

Either one of those dates is wrong or Benjamin and Ella were just

years ahead of their time.

Harry died on July 4, 1971. Esther died October 15, 1974. They are

both buried in Beth David Cemetery right near Belmont Race Track -- so

my grandfather can for all eternity watch the ponies race.

They lived off Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn - on East 5th Street. The

stoop to get to the apartment had the steepest stairs. The apartment

was a railroad flat -- meaning you had to walk through one room to get

to another. You walked into the kitchen (which was in the back), which

led to the bedroom, which led to some "other" room like a den, which

led to the living room (in the front). The bathroom was right off the

kitchen. Make that right in the kitchen. Didn't make the kitchen an

appetizing place to eat.

My grandmother was the world's worst cook. This was the woman who

boiled lamp chops since she wouldn't turn on the oven. She also make

meat balls in a frying pan. One year she tried to make gefilte fish

(which is basically carp, pike and some other fish) by bringing home

whole fish and storing them in the bath tub. Gefilte fish is really

difficult and time consuming to make. And it stinks. The omnipresent

can of silverware sat on the table -- the can with the stolen

restaurant utensils (Lundy's, Junior's, Schrafft's Woolworth's to name

a few). She also used Kosher salt in everything - there was always a

huge box sitting on the counter. Once I remember her throwing in salt

while she made chocolate pudding. Lunch was often spaghetti and a can

of tomato sauce with the fried meat balls -- plain canned tomato

sauce. Not marinara. She only bought white bread and always cut the

crust off the sides. She also liked cream cheese and olive sandwiches

and would always make me one (on the bread without the crust). Don't

ask what that tasted like. Sometimes she would splurge and get bagels

and whitefish. A whole whitefish -- which at age 7 or 8 I found hard

to take the bones out of. She also loved Ritz Crackers and had a whole

cabinet full of them.

The photo above is Passover 1952 on East 2nd Street and Avenue A

(where my father grew up). This is pre-Distributorcap, so of course I

have no recollection of this place 8-). Pictured is Uncle Marvin, my

Grandfather, my father, my Grandmother. The fancy hats as opposed to

yarmulkes I guess were the fashion statement of the time.

why family is important

2008-02-19T18:37:00.001-08:00

why family is important

Daddy had 3 servings of icecream. Kondoot.

James Ray asks "How can you ever expect anyone else to enjoy your

company if you don't enjoy your own company? Do you really treat

crazy family holidays ugh

2008-02-19T17:47:00.001-08:00

Crazy Family Holidays--ugh

TIm came to my house for Christmas! I was way grateful not to go to

his parents. I'm going to have to learn to like them, I guess, but I

don't see why should have to right now. Why is it families have so

much trouble mixing? I mean, like, we're all good enough people--we've

all got table manners and none of steal--far as I know--and you'd

think that sharing a meal, one stupid meal, wouldn't be so effing

hard. But there you go. It sucks. His mother drives me nuts with her

"oh on your side of town this" and her "oh with your background that"

The woman ought to just check my teeth and be done with it.

Hey, I make a living. What does the woman want--some girlie-girl whose

daddy pays her way? That would make me better? I bet she thinks that

would make me more virginal. Ha. Fat lot she knows about those little

princesses. And a fat lot she knows bout her son.

I mean my mom drives me up a ll sometimes but that's just cause she

talks too much and doesn't know what she's talking about.--she's never

a snob and she welcomes everybody. ANyways she and Tim got along great

and Christmas was great and even Mercie came over for a while. She

went to lots of places on Christmas day. I think she was afraid to

stay too long at home--talking of moms who drive you nuts. I'm

surprised she goes home at all. She spent some of the day at

Paul's--lots of wedding talk there. She's been asked to read a poem or

something. I'm working the guest book--had to give us female friends

of the groom something to do! And she denies it but I think she spent

toy boy

2008-02-19T17:37:00.001-08:00

* In Sarajevo, as the wife of a BBC war correspondent, Rosie

Whitehouse and her five children "heard the firing of the shots

that started a war". Heather Ryan asks what else she had to juggle

in the raising of a most unusual family. Cherwell, June 27th 2007

Recent Atricles

* Life as a frontline family. Choosing to raise her children in the

world's war zones required a special set of parenting skills. The

Sunday TimesJune 24, 2007

* One family on the frontline. It takes a brave journalist to report

from a war zone, but the families they leave behind often feel

neglected by their newsrooms.Rosie Whitehouse The Guardian Monday

June 11th 2007

THE RORY PECK TRUST

Part of the proceeds of Are We There Yet? Travels with my Frontline

Family go to the Rory Peck Trust, which helps the families of

freelance newsgatherers, like my husband Tim Judah, who are killed,

imprisoned or seriously wounded in the course of their work. Find out

more by clicking here - www.rorypecktrust.org

Frontline Families

I am working closely with the Dart Centre for Trauma to raise

awareness of the sacrifices that the families of frontline reporters

make on a day to day basis not just when something goes horribly

wrong. To find out more about Dart click here -www.dartcenter.org

The French Connection

Bringing up kids with dual French and British nationality? "Are We

There Yet? Travels with my Frontline Family is a witty true story of

one British mother's experience of bringing up her five children

phrasebook in hand." French in London. Click on this link to find out

why Are We There Yet? is the book for you -

http://www.franceinlondon.com/en_eventsview_1852_Are-We-There-Yet.html

Meet Rosie Whitehouse

* September 2008 National Women's Register Conference Bath

* 6th December 2007 6.30pm Kensington Library, London.

* 14th November 2007 7.30pm Hillingdon Library, London

* 19th October 2007 British Council Sarajevo, Bosnia

* 18th October 2007 British Council Zagreb, Croatia

* 12th October 2007 Birmingham Book Festival

* 9th October 2007 Leicester University Women's Club

* July 5th 2007 7.30pm Kettering Library, Kettering

Northhamptonshire

* 20th June 2007 6.30pm The British Association for Central and

Eastern Europe 10 Westminster Palace Gardens, Artillery Row London

SW1. In discussion with Vesna Goldsworthy author of 'Chernobyl

Strawberries'

* 14th June 2007 2.30pm-4.00pm The French Bookshop Bute St London

SW7

* June 16th 2007 Warminster Book Week. 1.30pm-4.00pm Author's Bazaar

Warminster Library. 7pm Warminster Theatre in discussion with

Melanie Pullman of the Armed Forces Families Association and

author Annabel Venning

About Me

Rosie Whitehouse

Rosie Whitehouse studied International History and then Russian

Government and Politics at the London School of Economics. She

had a successful career at the BBC World Service until she

became a mum. She then spent five years as a housewife in the

war-torn Balkans married to the correspondent of The Economist.

Back in London she continued developing her ironing skills as

she built a new career as a freelance journalist. Rosie has

written on parenting and family issues for a wide range of

newspapers and magazines and is the author of Take the Kids:

South of France (Cadogan, 2003). Rosie lives in Shepherd's Bush

with her husband the frontline reporter Tim Judah and their

five children.

View my complete profile

2004_04_01_archive

2008-02-19T17:27:00.001-08:00