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MY FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS
We did have a very interesting discussion last night. This area is strategic to Russia, Iran, Turkey, and therefore the US. An interesting question with regards to the US presence in helping several countries, all former part of the USSR, join NATO was discussed. How would the US react if Russia or Iran became involved in the politics of Mexico, Central America, Cuba? How is the US intervention in the Caucasus area any different? This is a very fine line for sure. At the present time neither Russia nor Iran have the ability to get involved outside their own area, but as we know, that can change. If it does, they will not have short memories. We all need to learn more and watch the changing events in this area. Pipelines in the area furnish gas and oil to Russia, Turkey and Iran. If those pipelines are slowed or cut off or if there is a stop to the building of several new pipelines, things will change. All three nations will have to get fuel from somewhere and that most certainly will have an impact on the US. The US has been talking about freedom from foreign oil since the days of President Ford. Special interests, big business, and others have done much work behind the scenes to keep us dependant of foreign fuel. It has almost become a joke when a President makes the obligatory speech to say how the US has to cut down our dependence of foreign fuel. So fascinating and so frightening. I will be leading the next discussion on the Horn of Africa.
My trip to Ethiopia is also on my mind. This is not a Muslim country and about 64% of the country is Christian. It does have its radicals, like every country in the world. The State Department advises Americans to be vigilant, not spend time anywhere without security and to be aware of their surroundings. The ‘vigilant’ and ‘be aware’ sounds much like what Homeland Security tells all Americans while living in the US. I have trust in Hamdy that he won’t take us to an area that is unsafe. I know he is following all the developments in Africa. I too will be watching and following any events from Ethiopia. The country has so many things to see, so much to learn. I learned today that Ethiopia’s etymology is from the Greek for ‘burnt face’. I also learned that several of the surrounding countries are not safe for American travelers. None of the border areas are part of our trip. We will be spending our time throughout central Ethiopia. So unless there is a big change in that area, all is good for our trip in late October.
I also am still following Egyptian news. It is so amazing to watch people of all ages who have discovered freedom, many for the first time in their lives. The last couple of weeks have been extraordinary over there. The real work now begins. I feel that the most important part of freedom is realizing that with that new freedom comes responsibility. I was lucky to learn that early. When I moved out of my parent’s home and left the state, I learned about bills, monthly payments, the importance of reading before signing, and a whole lot more. I also knew that I had a safety net back in Colorado, if necessary. The new found freedom in Egypt has all the pitfalls I had but they don’t have a safety net. This will make it much harder for them. I fear that their safety net is only there if they do what the holders of the net want. No matter which countries offer them assistance that assistance may suddenly disappear as quickly as it was offered. I hope the people of Egypt and able to remain non-violent during the long process ahead.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Put a couple of drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil on a cool light bulb to help repel bugs.
When you're pressing a large item like a tablecloth or bedspread, slide a table or large cardboard box under the narrow end of the board. That way, you can lay the fabric over it as you go, so it stays flat and doesn't wrinkle.
SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION… Opera Part II
After an opera, it is appropriate to yell bravo for a man and brava for a woman. If you want to cheer for two or more singers, use the plural form, which is bravi. If the group consists only of women, yell brave (BRAH-vay).
Opera’s origins are typically traced to the dramas of ancient Greece, though the Egyptians had been performing the Heb-Sed (or Feast of the Tail) for 2,000 years previously. The Heb-Sed evolved into Passion Plays in which the Egyptians acted out stories from Egypt’s glorious past set to music and singing.
The first public opera house (San Cassiano) opened in Venice in 1637 where “the father of opera,” Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), shifted the emphasis from a more dialogue-based opera to a more musical opera. Monteverdi helped place Venice as the opera capital of the world.
UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM… River FALLS, WI
-- Police in Wisconsin said a manager at a cookie factory is facing charges after a shot he took
at birds in the rafters missed and hit an employee. River Falls police said the 29-year-old manager at the Best Maid factory was firing birdshot at the birds in the rafters of the factory Dec. 14 and a poorly aimed shot struck a 28-year-old employee in the back of the head, the River Falls Journal reported Thursday. Investigators said the victim felt a sensation like a bee sting and removed a small piece of lead from above his ear. The manager is believed not to have realized the shot struck the employee. The manager, whose name was not released, is now facing a charge of
injury by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, police said.
at birds in the rafters missed and hit an employee. River Falls police said the 29-year-old manager at the Best Maid factory was firing birdshot at the birds in the rafters of the factory Dec. 14 and a poorly aimed shot struck a 28-year-old employee in the back of the head, the River Falls Journal reported Thursday. Investigators said the victim felt a sensation like a bee sting and removed a small piece of lead from above his ear. The manager is believed not to have realized the shot struck the employee. The manager, whose name was not released, is now facing a charge of
injury by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, police said.
A LITTLE LAUGH…
After I prosecuted a man for killing a bird out of season with his slingshot, the court clerk suggested setting up a date for him to return with both the money for the fine and proof of community service.
"That way," she said innocently, "you can kill two birds with one stone."
"That way," she said innocently, "you can kill two birds with one stone."
Top 10 In The World…Rivers
CLOSEUP PICTURE…
Can you identify this close up picture
FOUND ON ‘YOU TUBE’…
Seasons of love from RENT the movie
♫ Rock Anthems ♫
Click on Song Title to see and hear
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DAYBOOK INFORMATION
¤…THIS WEEK…¤
7-14 ► Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week ♥ Publicity for Profit Week ♥ Risk Awareness Week ♥ Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week ♥ World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week
10-16 ► Celebration of Love Week ♥ Children of Alcoholics Week
12-15 ► Random Acts of Kindness Week
¤…TODAY IS…¤
10-16 ► Celebration of Love Week ♥ Children of Alcoholics Week
12-15 ► Random Acts of Kindness Week
¤…TODAY IS…¤
Dream Your Sweet Day
Employee Legal Awareness Day
Employee Legal Awareness Day
Get A Different Name Day
Grammy Awards Day
Madly In Love With Me Day
Man Day
US: St Augustine FL : Fiesta de Menendez : 1565 landing by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and founding of city
Today’s Births...
○ AUTHORS/COMPOSERS/ARTISTS
1892 Grant Wood US, painter (American Gothic)
○ ATHLETES
1918 Patty Berg LPGA golfer (1938 US Amateur, 1943, 1955 AP Sports Woman of the Year)
Randy Moss, 34, football (Vikings)
○ BUSINESS & EDUCATION
1766 Thomas Malthus economist/demographer/population expert (Law of Malthus)
○ ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS/…)
Stockard Channing, 67, actress (Six Degrees of Separation, The House of Blue Leaves, “The West Wing”)
1919 Tennessee Ernie Ford country singer/actor (pea picker)
1919 Tennessee Ernie Ford country singer/actor (pea picker)
Peter Gabriel, 61, singer, songwriter
Kim Novak, 78, actress (Bell, Book and Candle; Vertigo), born Marilyn Novak
George Segal, 77, actor (A Touch of Class, “Just Shoot Me”)
Jerry Springer, 67, television host (“The Jerry Springer Show”)
Peter Tork, 67, singer, actor (“The Monkees”), born Peter Thorkelson
George Segal, 77, actor (A Touch of Class, “Just Shoot Me”)
Jerry Springer, 67, television host (“The Jerry Springer Show”)
Peter Tork, 67, singer, actor (“The Monkees”), born Peter Thorkelson
○ POLITICIANS
1885 Elizabeth Virginia "Bess" Truman 1st lady (1945-53)
1885 Elizabeth Virginia "Bess" Truman 1st lady (1945-53)
○ SCIENCE & RELIGION
1805 Peter G L Dirichlet number theorist/analyst
1875 Kanouse quintuplets 1st quintuplets in US, born to Edna Kanouse
Chuck Yeager, 88, pilot who broke sound barrier
Today’s Obits…
1998 Jo Clayton author, (Cancer Died, Drums of Chaos), cancer @ 58
1542 Catherine Howard queen of England/5th wife of Henry VIII, beheaded @ 17
1980 David Janssen [Meyer], actor (Fugitive, Harry O), heart attack @ 49
Today’s Events…
○ ARTS
1867 Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube" waltz premieres in Vienna
1996 Rock musical "Rent", by Jonathan Larson, opens off-Broadway
○ ATHLETICS
1976 Dorothy Hamill wins Olympics figure-skating gold, Innsbruck, Austria
1990 Larry Bird (Celtics) ends NBA free throw streak of 71 games
○ BUSINESS & EDUCATION
1601 John Lancaster leads 1st East India Company voyage from London
1635 Oldest US public institution, Boston Latin School founded
1693 College of William & Mary opens
1795 1st state university in US opens, University of North Carolina
1799 1st US law regulating insurance passed, by Massachusetts
1866 Jesse James holds up his 1st bank, Liberty MO ($15,000)
1959 Barbie doll goes on sale
○ INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
1743 Schaghticook sachem Mahwee is baptized in New York. He will be the first of his tribe to do so.
1879 According to Army reports, Victoria, and twenty-two Warm Springs Apache Indians, surrender to Lieutenant Charles Merritt, of the Ninth Cavalry, at Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. The Apaches lived in Mexico for years eluding the Army's attempts to move them to the San Carlos Reservation on September 2, 1877.
○ POLITICS (International)
1692 – Massacre of Glencoe: About 78 Macdonalds at Glen Coe, Scotland are killed early in the morning for not promptly pledging allegiance to the new king, William of Orange.
1982 Río Negro massacre in Guatemala.
1982 Río Negro massacre in Guatemala.
1990 German reunification: An agreement is reached on a two-stage plan to reunite Germany.
○ POLITICS (US)
○ POLITICS (US)
1957 Southern Christian Leadership Conference organizes in New Orleans
○ SCIENCE & RELIGION
1633 Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before Inquisition for professing belief that earth revolves around the Sun
1832 1st appearance of cholera at London
1858 Sir Richard Burton & John Speake explore Lake Tanganyika, Africa
1924 King Tut's tomb opened
1955 Israel acquires 4 of 7 Dead Sea scrolls
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