The Day, The Music Died...

7/30/06-Interesting points brought up by Thomas Friedman on "Meet the Press"

MR. RUSSERT: Let’s talk about the Bush administration and a quote from your column on Friday. And here’s what Tom Friedman wrote: “America should be galvanizing the forces of order - Europe, Russia, China and India - into a coalition against these trends. But we can’t. Why? In part, it’s because our president and our secretary of state, although they speak with great moral clarity, have no moral authority. That’s been shattered by their performance in Iraq.
“The world hates George Bush more than any U.S. president in my lifetime. He is radioactive - and so caught up in his own ideological bubble that he is incapable of imagining or forging alternative strategies.” Pretty strong.

MR. FRIEDMAN: It was strong. It’s meant to be strong. Look at the situation we’re now in. You can’t go anywhere in the world right now—and I travel a lot—without getting that feeling from people thrown in your face. Why is that? You know, I’ve been asking myself that a lot. Some of it’s excessive, this dislike, this distaste, this hatred of George Bush. But what’s it about? Whenever you see something that excessive, you know?

And the way I explain it is this way: Foreigners love to make fun of Americans. Our naivete, our crazy thought that every problem has a solution, that silly American notion, that silly American optimism. But you know what, Tim? Deep down, the world really envies that American optimism and naivete. And the world needs that American optimism and naivete.
And so when we go from a country that, historically, has always exported hope to a country that always exports fear, what we do, and what this administration has done, is actually stolen something from people. Whether it’s an African or a European or an Arab or Israeli, it’s that idea of an optimistic America out there. People really need that idea, and the sort of dark nature of the Cheneys and the Bushes and the Rices, this, this sort of relentless pessimism about the world, this exporting of fear, not hope, has really left people feeling that the idea of America has been stolen from them. And I would argue that that is the animating force behind so much of the animus directed at George Bush.

Read the entire transcript of the interview between Russert and a Jewish-American's take on the situation in the Middle East...

Venice Beach's Festival of Chariots

Jam and I headed down to Venice Beach today for the 30th annual Festival of the Chariots. Ah, just like India, with a California twist:) I especially enjoyed the music and exhibits, explaining a lot of Hindu beliefs...my favorites having to do with reincarnation and that mystical little thing we call karma.

life is strange..

last night i woke up from a dead sleep at 3am. i can't remember the last time i sat up in my bed for 5 minutes in the middle of the night. I even said it aloud, "I can't remember the last time I woke up like this".

The Breakfast of Champions..Bringing the Medit. home to Cali

When the dawn comes and its time to eat, you can have your english breakfast, with its grease, messy pans, and 2 hours of time needed for digestion. Me? I'll go Mediterranean/Turkish and be on the go! Olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, bread, some cold-cuts, and apple tea..ah, can't beat it!

Is It Worth It?

I've always believed that there are two types of groups that have existed since the beginning of time: those who believe in war as a means to solve conflicts, and those who don't.

While it's unfortunate that "the need" for bloodshed continues to this day, one cannot help but come to the realization that it is indeed a part of our everyday existence. Almost everything we have (or don't) is and was borne out of fighting and war. Does it still need to be?

Whether or not it's propaganda agaisnt Israel or justifiable acts in an ongoing struggle in the Middle-East, I think it's important for websites/blogs like http://marwaheen.blogspot.com/ to be published and show the public exactly what is happening abroad. You want war, here it is. Don't sugarcoat the news for people (which is often the case in the US), let them see the horrors and destruction for themselves. You want to argue with me until your blue in the face about how war is sometimes justified and that if we didn't fight we wouldn't be free? Fine, but don't tell me you can't "stomach" pictures of collective punishment and collateral damage. The Cost of War is a topic often debated, yet somehow the reality of it is often lost.

As technology improves, photoblogs like these will hopefully heighten people's awareness of the reality of conflict, and give more meaningful debate to the question "Is It Worth It?"

On a related note, I saw the movie, "Why We Fight", which is another good look at US foreign policy over the past few decades. It also had a very interesting Farewell Address from President Eisenhower back in the early 60s. It's scary how this man came to predict a lot of what is wrong with the US.

Colombian Invasion...

What's sun, sand, babes, and waves without Colombians? Not much it turns out. For those who were trainees back in Istanbul circa 2002, you'll be pleased to know that I met up with Jesus (and his twin brother) last weekend, after 4 years. Def. good to catch up with the "The Jesus", and I will be making a trip to Colombia this winter, insallah;) SHAKIRA, SHAKIRA (sorry, I couldn't resist)!



The weather in California has turned HOT (with Mid-west style humidity, baby!), which means living 2 minutes from the beach is having its advantages;)

Take care guys, and see you out East or down South!

Commanding Heights

I'm in the middle of watching PBS' webcast of the 3 hour documentary about the history of the global economy: Commanding Heights. Kudos to Surya and PBS, what a great documentary. It's amazing how much I miss college sometimes. All your days filled with classes (or sleeping in;), learning for the sake of learning. I swear, if it weren't for Colbert and his undying patriotism for George W. Bush, I'd cancel cable and just stick to public television.

Cause We "Get It"!

Well, even admist all the turmoil in the Middle-East, there appears to be some light at end of the tunnel...

Colbert For President

Obviously, RocketFever "Gets It!"

Gun N Roses-Istanbul

"Paradise City" just took on a whole new meaning:) I have to say I was a little amazed when I heard my friend Merve had attended the concert last week...

bittersweet return

After the politicians have plotted, the media has skewed, and the idle office chit-chat about current events has settled, this is the result. Some days I sit back and marvel at this world, others I look away in disgust.

Flyin' By

And the summer just keeps flyin by...

-Heading back to Michigan tonight, although this time not for vacation...

-Got a nice email from a long lost Irish blogger, got me in the mood for one of my favorites "Boondock Saints", the only bad thing was that the movie caused my turrets to flare up again.

-Aside from a possible promotion at work, I've been spending my days getting lost on site-visits, eating out too much, playing Sudoku during meetings, and hitting the gym as often as possible to offset the massive amounts of Caloric intake.

-I haven't seen a cloudy day in months. The weather in Southern California is absolutely incredible, even after almost 2 years, I'm still amazed.

-Spending hours with the neighbors, cooking, eating, drinking, talking about god knows what. Basically just me talking and everyone watching TV or some movie I think. Sunday was a helluva good time with the Belizeans perparing an "Authentic Belizean meal". I made the ceviche, Che the chicken, Soph the Guac, Jam the potato salad, and my neighbor brought the hot-ass chiles that had my mouth on fire! One thing about Belizeans: When they are hosting you def. feel like you are on vacation. It's the sort of laid back attitude that makes you think you're under some coconut tree on a deserted island in the Carib. Pass the One-Barrel, please!

Last night we experienced some meat from www.omahasteaks.com. My neighbor's Dad sends him steaks in the mail. What does your Dad do?

-Alex Gamero is still in town, for all you who haven't met the lad, he's like the Clint Eastwood of Belize. A quiet, reserved fella;)..until you give him a drink..

Mumbai..

Everyday I hear about violence here and there, across cities and countrysides throughout the world, yet it always hits harder with places you've visited recently. Ah, India, again. My heart goes out to those affected and to the people of India in general, which as I've said before, are some of the warmest I've encountered. Fortunately, I also know they're quite resilient and that Bombay, perhaps out of neccessity, will be back to normal within days.

Happy 1 year!

230 years, Getttin Old I Can Feel It!

WAY TO GO, DONNIE! The 4th went down in style down at Laguna Beach where I would assume I was def. the minority celebrating Independence Day. The beaches were packed, from Dana Point to Malibu, and it was great seeing all the different people out...Arabs (with shisha), Chinese, Mexicans, Turkish? (haha, I don't know) etc. Def. a different mix from the "whitebread" hotdog/hamburger Michigan style 4th of July celebrations I usually attended growing up.

I always snicker when I think about the conservate redstate types, the ones that would be dumbfounded to see America as it was in Laguna Beach on Tuesday..a land of immigrants, not living in poverty and not hailing from European destinations-;)




Not the Sea of Japan, but Fireworks off the Californian coast...

The Danes...

(Sofie on the right)

Not many know, but my small little hometown of Greenville, Michigan is home to a quaint little Danish Festival. Yes, everything Danish, from "elephant ears" to hemp jewelry to Bud Light served in milk containers, it's a very good cultural experience for all 60,000 Johnsons, Johansens, Rasmussens, Petersons, Hansens, Christensens, etc. who attend.

Unfortunately for me this year, I'll probably miss out on this year's Danish Festival, however I'm here to say that it appears that the festival is coming to Los Angeles (even if she is flying in from New Zealand and her plane was delayed 6 hours..poor girl!)

Now, the question is: Do we let her rest when she arrives or do we throw her "in the mix"? Let's see how 12 hour flights and 4th of the July celebrations gel.

Tee, when can we be expecting you?

From the Cuz.......

jeffgunnip18(10:15:35 PM): nothing like saying god bless america like blowing stuff up