Hyperbola and double speak....

are now an accepted form of speaking English. Things were never simple in the English language. You've got to be a genius just to able to spell the words.

But, now, at the journalistic and political levels, we hear all kinds of dumb shit.

President Musharraf of Pakistan said today that he rejected the accusation that his country is allowing insurgents to cross its borders 200 hundred percent! Yes, rejected not 100 percent but 200 percent. Now that's a lot of rejection. I been rejected by hundreds of women but not one of them ever dared reject me 200 percent. Could we see a pie chart of that Mr. President?

A financial analyst said on TV that she was keeping a 'very close eye' on the situation. Not just keeping an eye on it, not even a close eye would suffice for this monster deal but, a VERY CLOSE EYE was a necessity.

Exaggeration is now the norm. Simply saying a thing will get one no attention. A thing must be said with élan, hyperbola and mystical claptrap if one expects to be heard these days.

A reporter for CNN Internal News claimed: "Being a foreign correspondent is more than just being a foreign correspondent". What? If there's more to being a foreign correspondent than just being a foreign correspondent how does one ever become a foreign correspondent? Apparently, when you are a foreign correspondent you're not because there's more to it.

A forensic doctor, when introducing his program announces, with an air of authority that: "A pistol shot does not sound like gun fire" WTF! If it's a pistol shot then that must be what gun fire sounds like or are we to believe a pistol shot disguises itself into sounding like a popcorn fart?

In the past one might say 'I got a deal' and listeners would nod knowingly. later one had to emphasize that it was a 'good' deal (like one would be telling of the 'bad' deal he just lucked into). Then came the 'very good deal' and today, it's not worth mentioning unless one got a 'blockbuster' deal. Shortly, no one will pay you any mind unless you found a 'goddamn, atomic, bazooka deal!'.

While language is fluid and always in a state of
flux this current explosion of adjectives and over kill has become a super-duper pain in the ass.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Blah, blah, blah. Pretend that was something profound and that I said it. (unk.)


MEXICO (as I see it):

Our Mexican household is fairly Representative of most in Mexico.
Homes here are filled with amulets, icons, crucifixes, religious paintings and so on.

For example Leti has placed two, small, plastic sheep at the base of the front door to our quarters. I've forgotten what they do for us but I know they are necessary. Once, while doing a bit of work on the door I moved them some distance across the room and left them on a shelf.

I thought she would not notice or even remember the plastic sheep were ever there. After cleaning up my mess and putting tools back in the workshop I return to admire my work and there, at the base of the door, were the two plastic sheep.

We have candles of several colors. They're not for lighting but to keep us supplied with intangibles like love, health, harmony and to ward off the bad guys. There's even a money candle. It has yet to produce one thin dime.

There is in our refrigerator a small piece of dough resembling a croissant. It is wrapped in clear plastic wrap and is as hard as a hammer. It's been there for more than a year. I have asked that it be thrown out a number of times but the answer is: ¡que no!

I'm informed that said dough has been blessed by a priest and is to protect us against famine. I hope it never comes down to that but if it did we couldn't eat the thing anyway; too hard.

Many Mexicans will not sit in the path of a fan. They claim the blowing air is bad for them. No matter how hot and stuffy a room may get the fan is not considered an option.

It is curious to watch them shrink from the breeze, forming a semi-circle on the periphery of the air's wake while I sit, spread eagled, directly in front my fan.

Many insects strike fear in the heart Mexicans. The centipede is considered particularly sinister. If the creature is found on the property it must be killed immediately. After which, its carcass is burned at the entrance of the home. They tell me this smell will repel any other centipedes that might be thinking of paying a visit.

Logical? Who knows? I do know that if I smelled burning human flesh I would not be anxious to knock of the door and ask to borrow a cup of sugar.

Oh well, as they say in Mexico: Cada cabeza es un mundo.

(Every mind is another world.)

Apparently we've bet on the wrong...

horse. The Bush Administration has put everything it has on 'Iraqi' to win. Not at the two dollar window either, at the billion dollar window. Even the Italians with diamond pinky rings don't go to that window.

Now, the Afghanistan President touts us that:

"...his country would be "heaven in less than a year" if it received the $300 billion the United States had spent in Iraq. "

Let me get this straight, Bush has spent $300 billion on a nag called 'Iraqi' and all he got for it was a hell of a mess. If, according to Karzai, Bush had bet the same amount on a thousand year old filly named 'Afghanistani' he would be in heaven in less than a year!

Heaven in less than a year! I say we go for it. I'm tired of losing. We need a winner. Let's cut our losses, fuck this plow horse called 'Iraqi'. Here's what we do, no quinellas or trifectas or any silly gimmick bets, we put the whole $300 billion across the board on 'Afghanistani's' nose.

I mean, come on, this tip is straight from the owner's mouth not some stable boy. How could we go wrong? We win heaven, ya gotta luv it!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I came to the conclusion long ago that all life is six to five against."--Damon Runyon.


MEXICO (as I see it):


Street Foods Of Mexico


We left off here:

27. TOSTAR (toast-TAR)
To brown or toast. To fry until brown and crisp as with
fried or toasted tortillas. The common word TOSTADA
(toast-TAH-dah) simply means toasted or crispy.


SNACKS AND APPETIZERS


The following words all relate to snack or finger foods. Since they are Spanish words a visitor might run into any one of them but not all of these words are common in Mexico. The terms marked with an asterisk are those most commonly used here.

1. ANTOJITO* (ahn-toe-HEAT-toe)
Something light to satisfy one's fancy or craving.

2. APERITIVOS* (ah-pear-ree-TEE-voz)
Appetizers and/or apéritif. In Mexico this word almost always
refers a short alcoholic drink along with a snack to whet the appetite.

3. BOCADILLO (bo-ka-DEE-yo)
Tidbit; tiny sandwich.

4. BOCADO (bo-KA-doe)
Morsel; tidbit.

5. BOTANA* (bo-TAHN-nah)
Snack foods. Small servings of soups, beans, etc. Specifically refers to free finger foods which are served in in bars during 'happy hour'.

6. MORDISCO (more-DEES-koe)
A nibble or little bite.

7. PISCOLABIS (piece-koe-LAH-bees)
Used in Spain more than anywhere in Latin America. A bite of food eaten when one isn't really hungry. Snack or tidbit.

8. REFRESCO* (ray-FRAYS-koe)
In Mexico usually refers to soda pop. This Spanish word may, however, indicate a light food or snack.

9. REFRIGERIO (ray-free-hay-REE-yo)
Light food or snack. Refreshment. Leftover. Something to lift the spirits.

10. TAPAS (TOP-pahs)
Appetizers; hors d'oeuvres served in a bar or restaurant.

11. TENTEMPIE* (ten-tem-PEE-yay)
A popular word in Mexico. It refers to a bit of food to 'tide one over' until the next meal. A composite word made up from a phrase meaning to maintain one's footing, that is, balance, so as not to drop from hunger.

(cont.)

The airlines have lifted.....

the ban on all liquids on flights.

It seems after studying the British reports on their 'liquid' bombers the Homeland Security guys have decided that certain liquids and toiletries may be carried on board in 3 oz. containers.

Curiously this easing of regulations has come after some discussion in the U.K. about the feasibility of mixing a liquid bomb aboard an aircraft. There is mounting evidence that it is not possible. That the British and the U.S. have blown the story way out of proportion.

In fact, a highly decorated military munitions officer, Lt. Col. (retired) Nigel Wylde has gone so far as to say the British Government's claims regarding the event show a pattern of "deceit and lies".

Lt.Col. Wylde is saying that in order to make a liquid bomb the ingredients must be maintained at freezing temperatures, after which, the material must have several hours at room temperature to form the necessary explosive crystals. The techniques are dangerous and trying under the best of laboratory conditions he added.

He said that the idea, according to the British intelligence agencies that made the arrests, of mixing the ingredients with a sport drink in the bathroom of the airplanes is 'fantasy'.

Well, shit! Here we go again. First the British react without knowing the details and then, the U.S. follows suit with it own knee jerk reaction.

Thousands of passengers around the world were subjected to delays, harassment and the loss of personal property because of instantly formed new 'regulations'. Tens of thousands of lipsticks, cold creams, perfumes, shaving lotions and water bottles were confiscated.

All is not lost though. Now, we are informed that we may carry on sodas and water bottles which have been bought at the airports 'secure' shops. Hmmmm..how fortunate for the 'secure' shops around the world. One man's terror is another man's tag sale. I wonder how long it will take for these same 'secure' stores to sell 'secure' lipstick, lotions and perfumes?

Sniff,sniff...what's that smell? Could it be horse shit?


QUOTE OF THE DAY:


Suppose you were an idiot. Suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself. - Mark Twain

MEXICO (as I see it):

STREET FOODS OF MEXICO
OR
what's That They're Eating?


We left off here:

Everything from ladies panties to pickaxes is sold. It is like a traveling K-Mart. An endless variety of food and drink is also available. Make a day of it if you like. Ask for prices and check around before buying.



COOKING TERMS


I thought a few common cooking terms in Spanish might be appreciated by the visitor. The following words will be seen regularly on menus and signs posted around carts and food stalls. As you will see many of these terms seem to overlap.

I'm not sure if we do not have sufficient words in English to make such subtle distinctions or if they have too many Spanish words referring to the same thing.

1. AHUMADO (ah-oom-MAH-doe)
Smoked: as in fish, meat or cheese.

2. A LA BRASA (Ala BRA-sah)
Grilled; broiled

3. A LA PARILLA (Ala pah-REE-yah)
Grilled or broiled over fire or coals.

4. A LA PLANCHA (Ala PLAHN-cha)
Fried on a griddle. That is, a flat, smooth, surface not a
barred grill.

5. AL HORNO (ahl OR-no)
Baked in an oven. HORNO means oven.

6. AL VAPOR (ahl va-POR)
Steamed.

7. ASAR (ah-SAR)
To cook or roast; ASADO = cooked or roasted.

8. A TERMINO MEDIO (ah TER-me-no MAY-de-oh)
Medium cooked or medium well, as steak.

9. BARBACOA (bar-bah-KO-ah)
barbecued meat. Also, a barbecue grill.

10. BIEN ASADO (BEE-en ah-SA-doe)
Well done, as steak or roast beef.

11. BIEN COCIDO (BEE-en ko-CEED-doe)
Cooked well, thoroughly.

12. CASI CRUDO (KA-see CRUDE-doe)
Rare, as steak or prime rib.

13. CRUDO (CRUDE-doe)
raw; uncooked.

14. DORADO (doe-RAH-doe)
Browned; golden brown.

15. EMPANIZADO (em-pan-nee-ZAH-doe)
Breaded, as fish or meat.

16. EN SU JUGO (een sue WHO-go)
Meat cooked and served in its own juices.

17. ESCALFICADO (ees-kal-fee-CA-doe)
Poached. Not a very common word or cooking method south
of the border.

18. ESCALOPE (ees-kal-LOPE-pay)
Refers to any food prepared by dipping in an egg batter
then breaded and fried

19. ESTOFADA (ees-toe-FAH-dah)
Stewed; a stew.

20. FREIR (fray-EAR)
To fry. FRITO (FREE-toe) means fried. Occasionally
deep fried is referred to as FRITO A LA ROMANO.

21. GUISADA (geese-SAH-dah)
Stewed; cooked. One of those overlapping terms I mentioned.

22. HERVIDO (air-VEE-doe)
Boiled

23. POCO ASADO (POE-koe ah-SAH- doe)
Rare, as steak. Also, 'al diente' for other foods.

24. ROSTICERIA (roast-TEE-say-REE-ah)
To broil on a rotating spit. A place where this is done.

ROSTIZADO (roast-tee-SAH-doe) means cooked on a
rostisserie, a popular way to prepare chicken in Mexico.


25. SALTEADA (sal-tay-AH-dah)
Sauteed.

26. SOFREIR (so-fray-EAR)
To lightly fry. Saute, etc.

27. TOSTAR (toast-TAR)
To brown or toast. To fry until brown and crisp as with
fried or toasted tortillas. The common word TOSTADA
(toast-TAH-dah) simply means toasted or crispy.

(cont.)

Can't help but love ...

the new South American presence at the U.N.. This normally, stodgy, petulant bunch of bureaucrats who are able to put one to sleep faster than a Methodist minister have among them a bit of B.T. Barnum.

Chavez, of Venezuela, said the podium stilled smelled of sulfur a day after Bush spoke there.

Evo Morales, of Bolivia, took the podium waving a coca leaf and claiming the U.S. needs to recognize that the coca leaf is green and cocaine is white. He also told the U.S. it could keep its millions of 'drug interdiction' money if it meant Bolivia had to change a thousand years of its culture to get it.

I'm not defending or even taking these guys seriously but, damn it's great to introduce a little Woodstock into this lifeless political body.


It looks as if the Muslims have taken a page from the African American political playbook. They are now dictating what words may be used when referring to them and exactly how they must be viewed by the rest of us or else.

The Pope is falling all over himself trying to placate the Muslim world for quoting a 14th century Byzantine king who thought Mohammad was a pain in the ass.

Isn't it funny how there is never outrage by the 'peaceful' Islamic community over sawing off the heads of infidels or training children to strap on bombs or denying the right of Israel to even exist but, a single cartoon or a six hundred year old quotation will unite them into a worldwide flurry of destruction?

Pretty touchy lot I'd say.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

More people are driven insane through religious hysteria than by drinking alcohol. - anon.

MEXICO (as I see it):

STREET FOODS OF MEXICO


WE LEFT OFF HERE:

With reasonable precautions you will be able to enjoy the world of Mexican taste treats with nothing but happy consequences.





PRONUNCIATION GUIDE


It is necessary to include a word or two regarding this guide. As you will quickly recognize it bears little resemblance to any other known, or accepted, pronunciation guide. I'm forced to admit that it was strictly my idea and I am not sure if there is any defense for using it.

It was my intention for the guide to be visually orientated, that is, made up of easily recognizable syllables or short words which can be sounded out with no difficulty. It is my hope that when the reader pronounces each syllable or word in a purely American way he will be correctly, however unwittingly, pronouncing the word perfectly as it is said in Spanish.

In any list of words this long there are going to be a few sticklers but I have tried to approximate the Spanish sounds as nearly as possible without tampering too much with this basic system.

Rather than asking the reader to remember that the Spanish 'a' is always pronounced as 'ah' and their 'e' sounds like our 'a' in words like hay and gray I have simply spelled out these sounds so it will be very difficult not to pronounce the word correctly.

I have used the letter 'z' where, it might be argued that, an 's' would serve more logically. Again, there is no defense for the method other than I thought the letter 'z' had a little more visual impact than the very familiar 's' and the difference it would make on the pronunciation of a word would be negligible.
Also, using an 's' after a vowel gives the English speaker too many vowel sound options hence more chances to mispronounce a Spanish word

At any rate, people totally confused can always go to any good dictionary using a more conventional system to resolve particular problems.


EATERIES


Most of the foods described in STREET FOODS will be sold in one or more of the following establishments. The word 'restaurant' might cover most of these terms if one doesn't expect too much of the word.

1. AMBULANTES (ahm-bu-LAN-tayz):

Roving carts or simply vendors carrying baskets full of food.

2. CANTINAS (kahn-TEE-naz):

Typically, places where men go to drink, talk, sing and eat a variety of botanas.

Some cantinas admit women, others will not. There should be a sign on the door explaining what is what.

3. CARRITOS/CARROS (ka-REET-toz/ Ka-rows):

Carts from which food is sold. Many are quite large, with enough stools to seat several customers. Others are so small one must stand, balancing a paper plate in one hand, trying to eat with the other. Some carts are permanently situated, even to having concrete foundations. Some, just appear during their business hours then disappear after they've sold everything.

4. COMEDORES (Ko-may-DOOR-rayz):

Small restaurants squeezed between shops in busy commercial districts. They offer good food at reasonable prices. Nothing more.

5. FONDAS (PHONE-daz):

Very small eating stalls or booths found in and around teeming market places. Do not be intimidated if the cooks and kitchen help vigorously solicit your business, it's all part of the fun. It may be worthwhile to roam among the FONDAS to see what the competition is offering.

6. LONCHERIAS (lone-chay-REE-yaz):

Similar to COMEDORES and FONDAS. Simple 'Mom and Dad' operations. No frills.

7. PUESTOS (pooh-ACE-toz):

This word literally translates as: a place. Here in Mexico it usually refers to a booth or stall where food is sold. There probably won't be a menu so it is proper to ask, ¿Que Hay? (¿kay eye?), "What is there?"

After that a fat lady will permit you to take a peek into whatever pots she has working. Don't be afraid, it's home cooking at its best.

8. TIANGUIS (tee-AHN-geese):

This is an Indian word meaning 'market'. Hundreds of merchants gather on a given day and construct rows of makeshift tents, stalls and booths. These market may stretch for several blocks and completely close off an,otherwise, busy thoroughfare.

Everything from ladies panties to pickaxes is sold. It is like a traveling K-Mart. An endless variety of food and drink is also available. Make a day of it if you like. Ask for prices and check around before buying.

(cont.)

European diplomats....

are considering meeting with Iran with the hopes of calming the nuclear development debate with that country.

But, here's the kicker...the United States will not be asked to participate! Apparently our President, the so-called leader of the so-called free world, is just too abrasive and derisive to take along.

Mr. Bush has said he will attend such negotiations only if Iran shuts down all of its nuclear research facilities first. What then, one wonders, will be left to negotiate? The President wants a guaranteed win before he joins the game.

So, for now, the other team members have decided, if Bush is going to do nothing more than aggravate the situation, it's best if he doesn't suit up.

Looks like the rest of the world is beginning to tire of the President's ham fisted tactics and have decided to try a different course. I wish the Republicans would do the same.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you. - Will Rogers


Michigan 47
Notre Dame 21
GO BLUE !


MEXICO(as I see it):

Note: This is an excerpt from an article, book, essay, who knows what, I began collecting data for in 1987 in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Almost went broke trying to get it published and finally gave up. So, now I'll toss it out in cyber space to fend for itself.

If it's not too boring I'll use it as filler from time to time when I can't think of anything more interesting to say.


STREET FOODS OF MEXICO
or

What's that they're eating?

by

(B. Buckman)



It is believed that the first cultivated plants by the early Indians of Mexico were squash, chilies and tomatoes. This is a reasonable assumption since these plants require little tending and the Indians of that period were still semi-nomadic.

It is far more certain, however, that the domestication of corn was the basis of the great Mexican Empires of the Olmec, Mayas and, later, the Aztecs.

Corn, and the meal made from it, called 'masa', are still the most consumed foods in Mexico. 'Tortillas', made from masa, are the mainstay in the daily diets of millions of modern Mexican families. In effect, the history of Mexico is the history of this marvelous plant.

The following list of foods has historical roots in that many of the entries have been a part of the Mexican culture for more than a millennium. Yet, the list is strictly modern and the majority of the foods described herein can easily be found and sampled by even the most casual traveler.

The author of STREET FOODS has lived in Mexico for almost eight years. He was attracted early on by the tantalizing aromas of simmering foods being prepared on the streets of every city and puelbo in that vast country. The variety of foods is stunning and a list of their rhythmical names sounds like a composition of Mariachi music.

Much has been said about possible problems connected with eating from carts and small restaurants in foreign lands. I will not try to trivialize these possibilities but I think some common sense must be applied when deciding whether to experiment with something new.

To presume that everyone who samples street foods will become ill is going way too far. It has to be assumed that a busy cart, fixing tacos for scores of famished people every night in the same location, can not be poisoning their clients. Business in Mexico is like business everywhere: if you eliminate your customers you're out of business.

I believe if one starts slowly, that is, not with chorizo (44) tacos, followed by a jericalla (75) and washed down with horchata (67) on your first day in town, you should find it easy to adapt to the magnificent variety of foods available.

Stick to places that are busy thus assuring that the food is moved quickly. In the beginning go easy on dairy products. Ask for purified water, if it's not available, order a soda-pop or beer. If the cooking oil smells a little too strong check the next stand.

With reasonable precautions you will be able to enjoy the world of Mexican taste treats with nothing but happy consequences.

(cont.)....maybe

Even though the President....

has been ridiculed for his apparent lack of language skills. Malapropisms, mush mouth pronunciations and vocabulary stumbling blocks have provided much entertainment to those of us who watch for such things.

The President now wishes, rather, demands that 'clarity' be adopted into the verbiage of the Geneva Convention's rules of interrogation.

Phrases such as: humane treatment, "cruel treatment and torture," and "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment" are being scrutinized.

To the President this language is hazy, unclear and lacks clarity.

He would like to raise the bar. In the interest of 'clarity' he would like the rules of interrogation to allow everything until the phrase 'shocks the conscience' kicks in.

Apparently, all is well if our behavior does not 'shock the conscience'. Well hell, that sounds reasonable. Now, all we have to do is decide whose conscious will be used as the yardstick.

Will it be Clarence Darrow's or Johnny Cochran's? Will it be Walt Whitman's or Eminems? Martin Luther King's or Osama bin Ladin's?

Personally, I hope they don't use Mike Tyson's, but that's just me.

Again America is being coaxed down roads weary from history's obscenities. We are being asked to parse 'human decency'. What is so unclear about the principal of 'humane treatment'? For centuries America has loomed as the champion of humaneness throughout the world. And now? We are reconsidering our position? Why?

In my opinion the only thing that 'shocks the conscious' is that we are having this discussion in 2006.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Military justice is to justice what military music is to music. - anon.


MEXICO (as I see it):

Today (Sept.16) is Mexico's Independence day. 'El Grito' is the symbolic 'cry of independence' which is at the center of the day's celebration.

Actually, most of the celebration happens last night. Parties, fireworks and muchos 'Gritos'.

There was, of course, another gathering of Leti's family. And, of course, I had to show up or be the gringo prick again.

Lots of bunting, balloons, all red, white and green. Tacos, tostadas and tamales. Singing, talking and children screaming. Every year the women of the family break out some old, turn of the century, dresses and everybody dons one. A few of the buttons are left undone to provide oxygen for our buxom ladies but, they look pretty and elegant anyway. Some beer but, tequila is the traditional star at these fêtes.

I don't drink tequila, any more, because my relationship with it over the years has been anything but smooth. I do not allow myself to be left out though. As you all know I carry my own.

They served a drink, using tequila, that I was not familiar with. And, of all things, it was Leti who mixed it up for the whole group. Who knew?

It's called a 'cazuela'. It you look up that word in you Spanish/English dictionaries it will probably describe some sort of cooking utensil. In this case it refers to a clay bowl about the size of a cereal bowl.

The 'cazuela' is filled with ice, tequila, grapefruit juice ( or pop of that flavor), slices of oranges and limes. One may ask for a straw but the most of the locals cup the bowl with two hands and sip its ingredients thusly. Looks really good.

I didn't partake because of lousy relations with the tequila gods. No problem. I figure brandy,over ice, in an old fashioned glass is the same thing except without the tequila, grapefruit,oranges and limes. Viva Mexico!

."Time is running out," ....

Bush said in a Rose Garden news conference.

This offer expires at midnight! Buy now! And we will throw in: "the enemy wants to attack us again." ( Bush,AP, today)

Imagine! Two for the price of one! Guaranteed to leave your neighbors pissing themselves in fear!

Only people who buy major appliances from door to door salesmen can go for the President's insane hard sell to make the United States of America abandon the precepts of the Geneva Convention.

Over the years the U.S. has accused dozens of other countries of violations of the Geneva Convention. Now, when it's our turn to be so accused, we say, fuck that, change the rules.

Bush and the boys are a class act. If the U.S. Constitution doesn't fit Attorney General Gonzales' idea of what's what, change it! Geneva Convention? Bullshit...outdated, doesn't fit this era's insanity, change it too. If the Supreme Court, stuffed to the max with right wingers, are morally forced to vote against unlimited spying programs, fuck them, Bush will take them out of the loop and claim national security requires no Judicial Branch OK's.

Nov. 2008 seems light years away. Hope there's enough left to vote for.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:


It's no disgrace not to be able to run a country nowadays, but it is a disgrace to keep on trying when you know you can't. ~ Will Rogers


MEXICO (as I see it):


WHO'S AT FAULT?

Mexicans are so used to products that don't work, shoddy
workmanship and lack of quality control that they often blame
themselves if something breaks or fails to perform.

It's as if they would rather accept the responsibility for the malfunction than to complain against the manufacturer's obvious lack of interest in the consumer. They have been conditioned that their role is to consume, nothing more. Through the years they have had little choice but to accept whatever was on the store shelves.

There has never been any real competition between private enterprises in Mexico. But, even though they understand the problem, the Mexicans will not complain, will not unify, will not
mobilize, protest or boycott.

It appears they have swallowed the same line of crap that was tried on the Americans during the seventies: My country, right or wrong.

The result of this misguided loyalty is that each Mexican has a built in alibi device when faced with grossly inadequate consumer goods.

It is never the fault of their government, the manufacturer or the inferior materials. It is not because of a nationally accepted lethargy which always refuses to speak up and point a finger at the real culprit. None of these reasons will be used to fix blame.

Mexican customers shoulder the responsibility themselves by assuming that they are too dumb or too inept to make the bloody
thing work.

War on drugs, war on terror,

war on poverty...and....blah,blan,blah....the war of words.

To the government of the United States everything, life itself, is a war. Which is exactly what my grandmother said. While we spend our lifetimes ranting and warring when do the 'good times' start?

I have lived through WWII, the Cold War, the Korean War, Vietnam, Watts, Detroit riots, Grenada, Haiti, Kosovo and 9/11. Oh yeah, and the occupation of Iraq. And for what?

It's not like after each one there was a decade or two of peace, or calm. No, my friends, at the end of each horrible episode is the beginning of the next.

Our government touts peace and promises that at the end of this latest debacle we'll be able to get back to living the American Dream.

I've been here almost seven decades and not a single one of them has been peaceful. There has always been a warning, a threat or the promise of disaster.

No wonder Americans are dying of stress related illnesses. If we, the mightiest nation of the world cannot live healthy,happy lives imagine how hard it must be in a Palestinian refugee camps or in Somalia or Zimbabwe or Iraq or Colombia or Sri Lanka or...well, you get the picture.

It's a simple question: When do the good times start?

AND:

How smart are the Australians who, while grieving the death of their icon, Crocodile Guy, have begun killing manta rays? Not just killing them but cutting off their tails. That'll teach those goddamn, vicious, fish!

And:

Globalization is a term that means the world is shrinking. It means the least of us may barter with and buy from the greatest of us. It means we learn from each other, it means we can adopt cultural nuances from each other.

The Mexicans have already adopted one of the Middle East's customs. A few nights ago, at 1:30 A.M., in a tavern in the state of Michoacan´, several gunman burst into the place and threw six decapitated heads on the floor! Praise be to Allah.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:


Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. - Mark Twain

MEXICO(as I see it):

Many Mexican men, especially from the middle-class upward, are pampered their whole lives. If not married it is common for a man to stay in his parent's home into his forties or all of his life for that matter.

The "Go West Young Man", adventuresome spirit does not attract many takers in Mexico. Educated Mexican men do in life whatever they learned in college. Nothing else. They don't change tires, pull weeds or make sandwiches. Their niche is carved by whatever it is they graduated as.

This weekend we were awaiting a visit from Leti's sister from Mexico City. All was set. A last minute call told us the trip could not be made. My sister-in-law's son, who is 33 years-old, had his business trip to Monterrey canceled and, therefore, she could not come to see us.

Why? Her son would be home alone for the weekend! Who would feed him? Iron for him? It just would not do to run off and leave him in such a lurch.

This social commitment to the sons of Middle class Mexican families doesn't only rest on the age of the male in question.

Another brother-in-law, a 75 year old doctor, was to be abandoned for one day while his wife, who never went outside without her husband, was pressed into going to Guadalajara to pay respects at the funeral of one of her family members.

Two days before her departure she made arrangements for her husbands breakfast at one relatives and 'comida' at another's. She would be home about 9:00P.M., in plenty of time to serve him his bedtime snack.

To a fellow who hitch hiked away from home at the age of 15 I find it difficult to take this culture seriously. But, make no mistake, it's no joking matter anything less would be seen as a dereliction of duty.

Damn, you'd think a doctor would have enough capacity to buy a chocolate bar and a tall boy to get through the day, wouldn't you?

I am too...

angry, old, revengeful, mistrusting, cynical and conniving to write anything sensible on this date.

I would refer you to my daughter's blog: 'bamboo lemur boys are mean to their girls' (still don't understand how to put it in blue, sorry).

I second whatever she says. She is so much more eloquent than I, and younger and more idealistic and, perhaps, more observant than I, that in such situations I must defer to her.
I was brought up believing I was enjoying life amidst the most influential civilization since the Roman Empire. And now?; and now, I just don't know anymore. The platitudes I was brought up on don't seem to hold water now. Talk of torture, foreign prisons, rigged voting machines and a Constitution that no longer meets the needs of the people it was written for have left me unsure, doubtful and uncertain of my place, of my country's place, in the world.

So, for these reasons I'll let my daughter speak for me. Her view is more modern, fresher and, hopefully, will hold true for her
lifespan, unlike my own.

Watching one's beliefs wither and fall to the ground is difficult to accept, especially for old farts.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government. - Thomas Jefferson

MEXICO (as I see it):

The town square in the pueblos of Mexico are where people go to observe each other and to compare how they are doing against the rest of their tiny world. This is especially true on Sunday when the cathedral is jammed to overflowing with hundreds of people out on the side walk receiving their weekly blessing by microphone.

Old men sit on benches watching their cronies limping by and
wonder what happened to them and why do they look so old. While
they're having their boots shined they may nod curtly to one another, half remembering where they know each other from.

Some passing slowly with canes tapping, others, more slowly because they refuse to use a cane. Their bodies bent and stooped from too much work and not enough pay.

An endless parade of women with children trailing. They chat about things that they have already chatted about a million times. They spend a lot of time marveling over the curly hair of someone's newest baby or how fat its cheeks are or how the baby
reminds them of their cousin's sister's youngest.

They buy popsicles, ice cream and other sugar treats for the children who get some of it in them, some of it on them and drop
the rest.

There are young boys poking and pushing each other, laughing and sneaking peeks at the promenading girls. A giggling of girls moving, and changing direction, in unison like a covey of quail.
While the boys posture for the girls, the girls, shoulders thrown
back with new breasts pointed skyward, show the lads why it's all
going to be worthwhile.

The 'zocolo' or the 'plaza' is the social center of Mexican culture. It's where one goes to see and to be seen. It is where
one learns what's 'in' and what's not, what's desirable and what
one must do in order to be on the correct side of it all. It's the place where Mexicans learn to be Mexicans.

As the Bush Administration...

continually assures the American people that progress is being made in Iraq I thought the following data might provide us with a macabre counterbalance. In the first year of the war 5000 Iraqis were killed. In July 2006, 3438 Iraqis were killed! 1800 of these were killed in the city of Baghdad. So, if one were to extrapolate July's figures we discover that somewhere around 41,000 Iraqis will be killed during this current 12 month period. Now that's what I call 'Turning the corner'.

And the solution? The Americans don't have one nor do the coalition forces. Except to pump meaningless slogans and propaganda through the worlds airwaves they are clueless.

The Iraqi's, on the other hand, being a practical people have begun to take on the matter straightforwardly. The city of Baghdad is building two new morgues. When completed the cities morgues will be able to handle 250 corpses per day.

Wow, 250 stiffs a day! Looking forward, the Iraqis are preparing to handle over 91,000 bodies a year. Does this mean there really is progress in Iraq?


QUOTE OF THE DAY:


Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies. - Groucho Marx

MEXICO (as I see it):

When a Mexican driver passes his turn off by mistake he will never go around the block. He will make the correction then and there, on the spot.

If it means backing down a one way street, making a 'U' turn across 4 lanes of morning traffic or something really illegal, the Mexican driver will do it.

It must be noted that 'around the block' in Mexico often means half way around the world. Because there is no basic grid pattern in the city's traffic plan, one way streets, diagonal streets and 'glorietas' can make correcting a simple error a frustrating and time consuming labor of anything but love.

This is, in large part, the reason Mexican drivers insist on making the adjustment immediately no matter how outlandish the maneuver.

Sure, it's a dilemma but, still, human beings should strive for the most civilized solution in any given situation, don't you
think?

Most Americans believe...

that the Oriental peoples are a wiser more serene lot than the rest of us. I mean with so many intellectual philosophies and Confucius and Zen it's understandable.

Well, shit! Imagine how balloon popping was an article I just read about China.

It seems there is a tavern over there that allows, no encourages, violent behavior. Clients may break glasses with impunity. It's OK. In fact, for a modest surcharge (about $6.00 American) one may attack the waiters!

Apparently this is considered some sort of stress release and is good for business.

It's nothing really unique when you stop and think about it. For years, in bars throughout the U.S, customers have been breaking glasses and assaulting waiters.

The only difference is, all you had to pay for was the broken glasses.




QUOTE OF THE DAY:

In the beginning there was nothing...which exploded - KOS blog



Mexico (as I see it):

Animals in Mexico are not treated with the same reverence as they are in the U.S., in fact, they are viewed with suspicion by many people. Many men and most women and children are afraid of dogs. They are wary of cats also and consider them sinister.

Here 'A dog's life' is a phrase with some grit attached to it. Some are pets and are treated decently but most wander the streets dodging cars and stones stealing meals where ever they can. Consequently dogs cannot be trusted to respond well to kissy noises and fondling as many tourists have learned.

Cats? Well what can be said of cats? They are second class citizens in most every country around the world and Mexico is no exception. Their only asset is that they fair better on the streets than dogs. Not because they are better thought of but because they keep to themselves and avoid even the slightest opportunity to chum up with people.

Birds are no different. Wild birds are not amenable to hopping among busy pedestrians pecking at whatever crumbs are dropped. Folks do not think it's particularly cute or useful. Pigeons, naturally, are the exception but nobody can seriously think of a pigeon as a bird. They are pigs with wings.

The wild birds in Mexico, like dogs and cats, avoid contact with people. So, when Leti wanted to have birds in her garden I built a couple of feeders and began putting out seed. I was surprised that no birds came to the feeders. Eventually the seed was carried off by ants.

I could see birds eying the feeders but, apparently, they thought it was some sort of trap. Lots of Mexicans trap and sell wild birds for indoor cages.

Perhaps a month went by before a few sparrows came to visit. Then, a few more. A dove or two. A pair of woodpeckers and some more sparrows. After a bit some more sparrows came, enough so they might be referred to as a flock. Until now, when it could be said the garden is inundated with birds. Every entrance into the garden causes an explosion of flying feathers as they make for high ground.

What started as a half cup a day of bird seed has now grown into a three kilo a week jones. Leti is pleased. The pet store (feed store, actually) owner is pleased. And, it's fun for me too. Where else can one go into a pet store and browse the glass counter cases filled with bird stuff including a selection of razors to be tied to the legs of one's fighting chicken?

And you guys only eat chickens I bet.

Back by popular demand.

Retirement was just not in the cards for me. The clamor made by my public was deafening. I would like to answer each and every one of you but that would be impossible.

So, in the interest of time I'll respond to the four most poignant messages:

Yes, Gandhi Rules it is about fucking time.

Toasty, it is not proper to call a man approaching his seventieth year 'crabby pants'. The more mature term would be 'crabby trousers'.

Thanks Cameo for so noticing my absence. It's so nice to be so noticed.

But, the most astonishing message of them all came from Janet Evening who said she assumed I was rock climbing. How in the world could she have known that!

You bloggers are some really big time ass kickers.

As to current events, in the last twenty four hours bombs have killed people in Afghanistan, Lebanon, India, Iraq and Pakistan. So, there's nothing new in that.

Here is Mexico someone threw a grenade into the office of a newspaper. We haven't gotten to the real bomb stage yet. Nobody wants to stick around long enough to detonate it so,for now, its tossing grenades and run like hell.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Every new love is a murderer. Without batting an eye, It kills all former loves - Blaga Dimitrova

MEXICO (as I see it):

One nice thing about Mexico is the equality among the social strata. It's comforting to know that the rich don't get what they pay for either.

Their cable television channels come with black screens, static or screeching noise, no sound or garbled sound too. Their computers cannot find the server either. Their fancy houses are on streets flooded by honking trucks, thumping radio speakers and hawkers of every description selling plastic crap of every description just like everybody's streets.

Mexico's pretty much free of rules and regulation, unless, of course, one is trying to apply to the government for something, then a labyrinth of laws suddenly appears. Our society is free wheeling. Something between laissez faire and lawlessness.

Still, it's satisfying to know it works the same way for all of us.

Perhaps no one noticed...

but I have been absent for some time. I have lots of excuses... working hard, social obligations etc.. I know you nice people would accept any one of them with a knowing nod and a "I've been there friend".

Really, I have just hit a dry spell. Nothing more to it than that. I have gotten tired of listening to myself. Everyone else's blogs seem vibrant and interesting and mine sound trite and crabby. Probably has something to do how many years one has endured but, still, I could be more positive if I gave a damn. But, I don't.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

A budget takes the fun out of money. - Mason Cooley


MEXICO (as I see it):


I suppose you've been keeping up with the news from here. What a bunch of assholes. Mexicans talk highly of democracy but they really don't trust the idea. Having to accept the tenet that the majority rules is just not palatable to them. They are more comfortable with an authoritarian type rule. They need a king, an infallible know it all. I guess if choices are taken out of the equation the people are better able to cling to the victim role, which relieves them from taking responsibility for their own lives.

What started out as a teachers strike, in Oaxaca, noble on its surface, has turned into a free-for-all, including every radical agenda one can think up. They've all but destroyed the city. Smeared graffiti over everything, countless meaningless slogans crying for 'justice'. If 'Justice' were ever to visit this country the people would have to hide in shame.

In Mexico City Obrador has proclaimed he will govern from the streets. He is, in my opinion, a hot-air populists who panders to the poor during his candidacy; 'chicken in every pot' bullshit, but, after the election, will leave them to fend for themselves as they always have.

The chaos in Mexico has taken my mind off the chaos in our own government. For awhile, at least. For which I'm grateful.

By the by, happy Labor Day. Here it's just another 'Lunes'.