Make Some Noise!

Catching up. Ok, I confess, my viewing of the Olympics has been less than stellar. I am not glued to the TV, I don't watch it much, if the games come up while channel surfing, I'll watch. And here's a little secret- the TV isn't on that much. Whew, feels good to get that out in the open.

But, I digress....(really? as M. says, disgressing again?)

Yeah, well.

I'm sorry, love Spain, love my Spanish friends, but as sportsmen, their sports teams are a national shame.

The latest lovely demonstration of Spanish manners was held by not one by several Spanish Olympic teams, including the Women's basketball team.

I don't care if this was for an ad, it's racist, demeaning and disturbing, especially given the racist behavior that occurred during the World Cup in 2004 with several people appearing in blackface to racially jeer Hamilton, a Black British player.

This is just unacceptable no matter who does it.

For a take on how this kind of thing makes people feel, lend an ear to

this from NPR:

Midnight's Children are collectively 61 today. Things economically are looking quite good for India as it sits, poised to be a major player over the next 10 years.

To celebrate tonight, watch

Earth
or
Partition.

the Prez out?

I mean, really!

From The Guardian:

miss the Cold War?

Somebody must have because it's back! In all its nasty glory with Georgia slogging on South Ossetia, Russia slogging on Georgia. And the US- whoa, was that Dick Cheney come out with his Cheshire Cat grin, suggesting we should take sides?

All this diversion to take our minds off Iraq, the coming war with Iran and hide some offensive behavior going on somewhere.

Have a high ball. Hell, have two. Just don't let Disk Cheney stir it for you.

From the Guardian:

A vigil for Mahmoud Darwish

from the Independent on Mahmoud Darwish:

Mahmoud Darwish, however, did not come from a country which swapped communist oppression for blatant capitalist excess. He came from Palestine, or what would be Palestine if the state were allowed to exist. At the age of 12, he was invited to write a poem for Israel's Independence Day and wrote one contrasting the experience of living in Israel of an Arab and a Jew. He was summoned to the military governor, who told him that if he continued to write such subversive material, his family would suffer. From that point on, he never stopped.

(the rest)

Record!

I am an Arab

And my identity card is number fifty thousand

I have eight children

And the nineth is coming after a summer

Will you be angry?

Record!

I am an Arab

Employed with fellow workers at a quarry

I have eight children

I get them bread

Garments and books

from the rocks..

I do not supplicate charity at your doors

Nor do I belittle myself at the footsteps of your chamber

So will you be angry?

Record!

I am an Arab

I have a name without a title

Patient in a country

Where people are enraged

My roots

Were entrenched before the birth of time

And before the opening of the eras

Before the pines, and the olive trees

And before the grass grew

My father.. descends from the family of the plow

Not from a privileged class

And my grandfather..was a farmer

Neither well-bred, nor well-born!

Teaches me the pride of the sun

Before teaching me how to read

And my house is like a watchman's hut

Made of branches and cane

Are you satisfied with my status?

I have a name without a title!

Record!

I am an Arab

You have stolen the orchards of my ancestors

And the land which I cultivated

Along with my children

And you left nothing for us

Except for these rocks..

So will the State take them

As it has been said?!

Therefore!

Record on the top of the first page:

I do not hate poeple

Nor do I encroach

But if I become hungry

The usurper's flesh will be my food

Beware..

Beware..

Of my hunger

And my anger!