Wednesday July 7

This is Week 27 of 2010, Day 188 with 177 days left. It is Day 79 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

AZ has made it back to the headlines….again. The Attorney General has filed suit against SB 1070. The United States suit is claiming that AZ is trying to do the work of the US government…and AZ is saying that the US isn’t doing the job. This will be a lose-lose situation I’m afraid. If SB1070 is shot down, the vocals around the country will scream and yell with some radicals taking matters in their own hands. If SB1070 stands our legal immigrants will be harassed, jailed, and live in fear. The AZ tourist industry will fall apart. Our non-elected governor sure likes the publicity. In many of her national news interviews she talks about being re-elected. People outside AZ don’t realize she was never elected governor in the first place. She is Republican, our elected governor was Democratic. She didn’t have a plan when she took over. She didn’t have support from the Republican legislature when she took office. This one issue, started by people from outside AZ, gave her the support she has.

I saw a good news report on Afghanistan today. I now better understand why this war has gone on for so long. It is so simple. Afghanistan is a rural, multi-tribal culture. It has been for thousands of years. They have gained some modern technology over the years but they are still a very rural culture. The roads in the rural areas were not built by the government; they were built by the tribal leaders. Those traveling on that road have always had to pay a toll to travel on the road. The family has cared for the road since a great-great-great…grandfather built it. The travelers were told where the bad spots were, how to avoid parts that needed repair. The family that built the road made much of their income from the toll. A well kept dirt road gathered more toll than one that was always in disrepair. The press says the ‘war lords’ offered safe passage. Actually it was a family giving information about road problems on their part of the road. Now these road owning families are being paid by the troops instead of the travelers. This somehow is supposed to make the travelers into friends of the current Afghanistan government. The road owners are still getting paid and they probably don’t really care where the money comes from. If the Afghanistan government takes over the payments to the road owners, this might work. The roads are only one part of the war. But the entire war all boils down to the exchange of money within this centuries old culture. When a person is paid, that person will be a friend. When the money stops, so does the friendship. Living in a subsistence culture, little else matters.

Living in rural areas on the Rez, l know all too well the importance of well kept roads. Family disagreements over care of a road usually ended up with little cousins fighting at school. During bad weather or windy conditions many secondary roads became blocked, due to mud or sand. Relatives would ‘create’ a new road to get to their residence. Grandma doesn’t like the new roads path and complains that her daughter’s husband is lazy and he should have fixed the old road instead of making a new one. Grandma tells some of her grandkids that the son-in-law is lazy. They come to school and tell all their friends. Soon the father’s kids hear that their dad is lazy. This is followed by looks, then words of denial, and many times physical fights.

Many who have not lived in rural, subsistence areas will never understand. I don’t even understand much of it. I can acknowledge it, but will never understand it. I wish the American government would acknowledge it—either on the rez or anywhere else around the world. By doing that, rather than trying to change it, we might not have to spend so much time, energy, and money on things that people don’t want fixed.

I was out and about today, running some errands. It sure looked like the monsoon was going to drop some rain. The clouds came in, the clouds went out and dropped their much needed water somewhere else. It got to 85° on the deck. It was so nice to read the paper, listen to some music, and just enjoy the rest of the day. I picked up some thistle seed today and the finches didn’t seem to mind my presence while they fed. These little tiny seeds sure are expensive, compared to bird seed. They seem to attract a ‘better class’ of birds so it is worth it. I’m giving the hummingbirds one more chance to find their food, and then I’m going to replace the feeders with more thistle seeds.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1923 ►University of Delaware invents the "junior year abroad" (at Sorbonne)

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Henry Ward Beecher: Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

Beavers can hold their breath for 45 minutes under water.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

Take the given words, and by moving a single letter from one word to the other, make a pair of synonyms, or near synonyms. For example, given: Boast - Hip, move the 's' from 'Boast' to 'Hip' creating two synonyms: Boat - Ship.

1. Rode - Can

2. Font - Farce

3. Tory - Stale

4. Dire - Cash

5. Self - Shill

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

TEHRAN — Women in Iran must cover their hair in public to comply with Sharia law, and men, too, are expected to have modest haircuts -- but what exactly does that entail?

A new set of hairstyles has gone on display aiming to guide barbers and their customers away from the temptations of decadent western coiffures.

"We don't have a backward attitude. We are trying to present new hairstyles while preserving tradition and observing Iranian culture," said Jaleh Khodayar, secretary of the Hijab (Islamic dress) and Chastity Festival where the approved haircuts will go on display.

"This is how we will fight back against the Western cultural invasion," she said, according to the semi-official ILNA news agency.

Photographs of the new styles shown to the media include a variety of cuts for curly or straight hair. None are long, but several have elements of style, including long sideburns and, in one instance, a quiff reminiscent of a 1960s Elvis Presley.

"These hairstyles were designed according to aesthetic science, the type of neck, beard, length of chin and the culture of the provinces," Khodayar said.

It was not clear if the haircuts were officially approved by the government.

As Iran deals with international sanctions over its nuclear activities and braces for potential economic upheaval when state subsidies start being phased out later this year, personal appearance remains one of Iranians' biggest preoccupations.

Since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was first elected in 2005, annual summer crackdowns on immodest appearance have intensified. Women who reveal strands of hair run the risk of being stopped in the streets for failing to respect the dress code.

A LITTLE LAUGH

A woman was driving down the highway about 75 miles an hour, when she noticed a motorcycle policeman following her. Instead of slowing down, she picked up speed.

When she looked back again, there were two motorcycles following her. She shot up to 90 miles. The next time she looked around, there were three cops following her.

Suddenly, she spotted a gas station looming ahead. She screeched to a stop and ran into the ladies’ room. Ten minutes later, she innocently walked out.

The three cops were standing there waiting for her. Then, without batting an eye, she said coyly, “I’ll bet none of you thought I would make it.”

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

A ship is docked in the harbour. Over the side hangs a rope ladder with rungs a foot apart. The tide rises at a rate of 9 inches per hour. At the end of six hours, how much of the rope ladder will still remain above water, assuming that 9 feet were above the water when the tide began to rise?

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

Running of the Bulls with interviews: Click Here!

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

EXTRA: THINGS ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE

1. Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

4-10: Freedom Week AND Be Nice To New Jersey Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

National Strawberry Sundae Day

Chocolate Day

Father-Daughter Take A Walk Together Day

Tell The Truth Day

Bhutan: Guru Rinbochy: The Lotus Born: Guru who brought Buddhism to Bhutan

Equatorial Guinea: P.U.N.T. Anniversary

Japan: Star Festival/Tanabata

Pamplona, Spain: Fiesta de San Fermin-running of the Bulls

Tanzania: Saba-Saba Day-founding of TANU party (1954)

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

Sentimental Journey: Les Brown in 1945

Rock Around the Clock: Bill Haley & His Comets in 1955

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones in 1965

Love Will Keep Us Together: The Captain & Tennille in 1975

A View to a Kill: Duran Duran in 1985

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Robert A Heinlein, sci-fi author (Stranger in a Strange Land) born in 1907 Butler MO

Jean Kerr, novelist (Please Don't Eat the Daisies) born in 1923 Scranton PA

Gustav Mahler, composer/conductor born in 1860 Kalischat Bohemia Austria

Gian Carlo Menotti, composer (Amahl & Night Visitors) born in 1911 Cadegliano-Viconago, Italy

Doc Severinsen, 83, composer, conductor, musician (former band-leader on “The Tonight Show”), born Arlington, OR

Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey), 70, singer, musician (The Beatles), born Liverpool, England

+++

Shelley Duvall, 61, actress (Popeye, Nashville), born Houston, TX

Vincent Edwards, actor (Dr Ben Casey, Death Stalk, Firehouse) born in 1928 Brooklyn, NY

…Athletics

Michelle Kwan, 30, figure skater, born Torrance, CA

Lawrence O’Brien, former head of U.S. Postal Service; National Basketball Association Commissioner born in 1917 Springfield, MA

Satchel Paige, baseball pitcher, ‘never look back’--born in 1906 Mobile, AL

Joe Sakic, 41, hockey player, born Burnaby, BC, Canada

…Business & Education

Pierre Cardin, 88, fashion designer, born Venice, Italy

Joseph-Marie Jacquard, invented programmable loom born in 1752 Lyon, France

…Politics

William Kunstler, defense attorney: Tom Hayden, Chicago Seven, Jack Ruby, Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Abbie Hoffman, Angela Davis, John Gotti, Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, born in 1919 NYC, NY

…Science / Religion

Theodore Edgar McCarrick, 80,American Cardinal, Archbishop of Washington, born in NYC, NY

► Obituaries today ◄

Vivian Leigh, Scarlet in Gone with the Wind, TB @ 53 [born in Darjeeling, Bengal India to English parents] in 1967

Veronica Lake, actress, hepatitis @ 58 in 1973

William Lawrence Francis ‘Bill’ Cullen, game show host (Price is Right), cancer @ 70 in 1990

► Events ◄

…Another Extra 2007► New Wonders of the World were announced in Portugal

The New Wonders of the World Are

1. The Great Wall of China ( It is the largest man made monument ever to have been built and is visible from space. )

2. Petra, Jordan ( Petra On the edge of the Desert, was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV )

3. Christ Redeemer Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ( Statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro )

4. Machu Picchu, Peru ( Ancient Inca City built by the Incan Emperor Pachacútec halfway up the Andes Plateau, and deep in the Amazon jungle )

5. Pyramid at Chichén Itzá, Mexico ( the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization )

6. The Roman Colosseum, Italy ( This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire )

7. The Taj Mahal, India ( This immen'se mausoleum by the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. )

For those who don’t remember

The original 7 wonders of the world were

1. Great Pyramid of Giza Egypt ( Built as the tomb of Fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu.) still standing

2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon ( Multi-levelled gardens reaching 22 metres (75 feet) high, ) destroyed by earthquake

3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus ( took 120 years to build Dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis ) destroyed by Arson

4. Statue of Zeus at Olympia Greece ( 40 feet tall ) destroyed by fire or earthquake.

5. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus ( Stood approximately 45 meters (135 feet) tall with each of the four sides adorned with sculptural reliefs ). disassembled by European Crusaders

6. Colossus of Rhodes ( giant statue of the Greek god Helios roughly ) Destroyed by Earthquake

7. Lighthouse of Alexandria ( between 383 - 440 ft tall it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries. ) Destroyed By Earthquake

…The Arts

--

…Athletics

1972 ►Billie Jean King beats Evonne Goolagong to win Wimbeldon

1990 ►Greg Lemond wins his 3rd Tour de France

…Business & Education

1668 ►Isaac Newton receives MA from Trinity College, Cambridge

1891 ►Travelers cheque patented

…Indigenous People

1540 ►Coronado attacks the Zuni village of Hawikuh in what becomes New Mexico.

1598 ►Oñate’s expedition is at the village of the San Domingo Pueblos. According to their journals, leaders from seven different Pueblo groups meet in a council with Oñate. The journals also says the tribal leaders pledge allegiance to Spain.

…Politics (US)

1846 ►US annexes California

1898 ►US annexes Hawaii

1981 ►Arizona Judge Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated by President Ronald Reagan to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

…Politics (outside US)

1967 ►Beginning of the civil war in Biafra

2005 ►A series of four explosions occurs on London's transport system killing 56 people, including four alleged suicide bombers and injuring over 700 others.

…Science / Religion

1946 ►Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini canonized as 1st American saint

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

1. Rod - Cane

2. Front - Face

3. Story - Tale

4. Die - Crash

5. Shelf - Sill

…2

Still 9 feet because the ladder will rise with the ship!

…Photo

Domino tiles

TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

A Spanish Bull

     <>     <>     <>    <>