Yeah, and Kennedy was killed by the Mafia too.

My thoughts are on Castro. Yes, the 80 year old ruler of that nation of Cuba. In recent years his popularity has seemed to rise. Why? Well he does seem to be a cool old dictator kind of guy. He has ruled with an anti US style, but not such a confrontational one like that fella, Chavez.
The question.

Is he really alive?

Theorists feel that he did in fact pass away after his much publicized operation this week, contrary to many news reports. Reputable news agencies say he is recovering and is well.

Now enter the bloggers.

A posted photo of him reading yesterday's newspaper looks pretty genuine. Now let us look a little closer. I couldn't tell you with authority and will provide the link below, but his face is a younger and more virile one than in the past couple of months. The track suit he is wearing is exactly the same as the one in which he met Jimmy Carter in 2002. C'mon, let's hope he has a couple changes of clothes here. The newspaper he is purported to be holding is in fact a "proof copy" and not the real mc coy. These copies can be published weeks before the actual paper is published. Lastly, if you look closely you will see clearly, the outline of a staple in the left side. Newspapers do NOT have staples in them. Kind a makes ya wonder. Hmm.
http://sean.gleeson.us/2006/08/13/not-dead-just-dying-says-castro

Finally, this post is not to get embroiled within a debate in which we have a pro-alive castro and a anti-dead castro, and a dying castro or a pro whaling debate, or a kiss me chavez case. It is simply to say, question your press. Question your local media. Are they responsible? Are they being duped? Are they checking their sources and protecting the integrity of what they display to the world?

Tara, you passed on a link the other day. Thanks for that. Literally fell on your lap eh. Great. I saw a picture today in the New York Times. It showed a bombed out Beirut neighbourhood. An old man was walking down the street. In a dusty dirty environment there was a clean looking man, with no dust and no creases in his clothes smoking a ciggie. The questions started in my mind. Are they in yours? I hope so.

Chanks. (where the heck is everyone?)

Oh, and did you like the links provided at the end of the last BS?

A whole bunch of whoo haa.

The Netherlands.
Today we focus on them.
This country was neutral in WWI. It should be given a little more research, but it would appear they were either wise in not choosing a side in such a bloody war or they were such a small player in Europe they were overlooked. Yes I am showing my great great ignorance. I will dig a little deeper. In WWII, they were occupied by the Germans, which is not surprising due to the fact they live next to them.

Today there is about 17 million living here. Amsterdam is it's most well known city. Germany is its biggest trading partner, and Belgium, who sucessfully seceded from them in 1830 is second. The Netherlands was a founding member of NATO, and the EU, and played a part in the introduction of the Euro. They are the parent of the Netherlands Antilles in the same way the UK is the ruler of the Commonwealth countries. I feel like a little school kid doing a report on the place, one who is standing in front of the class, all scared, and is stumbling along belting out tid bits of info on a place he has never been to. Check er out.

I was intrigued this evening because of a headline I caught. It said plainly that this country, a rich one, was number one in the World in helping out poor countries. Yes this place smacks of a Psam rant. Sorry. I can see him now glowing with glee, a reputable country, one stooping to help out those which are less fortunate. I think though, sarcasm aside, that for once a positive headline is in order. I think there is enough gloom, corruption and dismay in the mainstream media, so this can be a little positive. I would like to follow this country a little more because of this. It should be noted that other countries have actually contributed more than this place has but not the same per capita.... read for yourself...here...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4785813.stm

In relation to the bottom of the above article I look at Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark and wonder if these people are built with a bit more of a caring attitude than most of us. What is unique about that region? The have some great Ice Hockey players too. Have you met Emi? It is her blog that prompted me to start mine. http://letterstomarcjacobs.blogspot.com/

On a side note, Psam you are becoming a little violent. Tone it down. I don't want to have to filter all the comments that come through before they get posted. Lets keep it fun, not so over the top you talk about killing people. Thanks for your help on this one. And yes Psam IS a good person.

Daost, you are the grand winner! Your prize will be discussed soon. We will be sending it to you in a very special way... maybe.

Okay. Is everyone else up to tackle our champion in trivia number 2?

Netherlands Antilles. One of the Islands was a part of a previous trivia question. What is the name of this country? Think the Beach Boys.

Number 2. Why is this small country so important on the World stage today?

I hope you have a wonderful week. I am back, if you want me to.

and Ciao ( that c word is dedicated to a wonderful person who signs off with that comment all tha time )

Here is to YOU, the reader of this BS. (blogspot.)

Chanks.


http://www.afterhiroshima.org/kazuya.htm
http://humor.beecy.net/menwomen/bride/ this one was ha ha.

Oh yes terrorists are nice sometimes... and just trying to survive... very hospitable really! Oh wow. I am their ally now....print THIS ONE!

Adnan Hajj and Reuters have embarrassed themselves.

You may come across the disgust of millions of readers against Reuters for the "doctored" photos of a so called Israeli raid upon Lebanon. Adnan Hajj, I guess, didn't want to be too close to the fight, or couldn't be bothered, or was under a tight deadline, or was simply a glory monger, yes I just threw (up) in that word, and brazenly sent in some false photos. Heck why even write an article, I could just copy someone else. I think it could be said, that all reporting by the media on the ground in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and like places will always have a sympathetic slant against the Western World, including the UK, the US and Israel. Why?

One Palestinian journalist told me that “the worst the Israelis can do is take away our press cards. But if we irritate Arafat, or Hamas, you don’t know who might be waiting in your kitchen when you come home at night.”
http://eddriscoll.com/archives/009436.php

I am drawing the conclusion that, to coin the word, "terrorists" are media savvy. They know how to use the media to achieve their own ends. They are organized. They know which journalists produce which pieces and if they do not like what is printed...... Daniel Pearl happens. (google that name)

I don't know if it is unfashionable, or what, but many people I speak with on the streets, ( and yes I do ) reading articles in the press, editorial responses, etc etc are greatly anti nations I mentioned above.. UK....... and affected by what is presented by reputable corportations like Reuters. If the reporters are distorting the facts so they are not KIA'ed; well that is just dead wrong. It seems only in free countries can you actually publish your own view or one of a contrary opinion towards that of your country. I feel greatly they have a responsibility to tell the freaking truth. Do you. Ha ha ha ha ha tell me another one. It will never happen.

(ahem) clear throat. ( sip some coffee) stop. pause. (SIGH)

Okay. I can breathe now. Please disregard the above. Do not pay attention to the spelling mistakes, and the disjointed structure. It is late and I have a day job. It won't happen aga... er I mean hopefully the quality of the BS won't suffer again.

Sorry but the first fake photo is a photoshoppe special I found while surfing, and couldn't find it again after saving it so I could give credit to the person that did it. The second one is from fired correspondant Hajj, which it should be noted, bloggers jumped onto and insisted the photo was a fake. So you Psam, AV, Daost, Targo and the rest DO make a difference.... well.. yeah.

Chank a rama said.....plaftz

Johnnie Howard to run for next term, much to the chagrin of Costello.

Have you ever had a neighbour that had a dog. We did. Her name was Blackie. Then down the street was Whippy and Tasha. Zachary lived at another house and for the life of me I can't remember the name of the dog that lived down at the crazy kid's house. Dogs are great. Now they all seemed to be great pets. Some were male, and some were female, and they all had something in common. What do all dogs do?

I am curious as to why there is just no news on Afghanistan. The dogs are not barking and it makes me wonder. Sometimes we get little snippets here and there when we have another bunch of young soldiers die, but all the news seem to cover Iraq. The flavour of the moment is somewhere else, as in Lebanon. I don't know. I suppose there are older wiser people than me who can tell me why there is nothing in the mainstream media. Some wars, I guess are not covered. This is one of them. (Not that we would get fair and accurate reporting anyways)

Opium. Oh sweet opium. Jean Cocteau, said that "without opium, plans, marriages and journeys appear just as foolish as if someone falling out of a window were to hope to make friends with the occupants of the room before which he passes." If there is one thing missing in a life. One thing that needs to be filled. An absence. Opium will fill it. It will also feed you. It will also consume you so you need nothing else. You will not need to feel, or love, or be comfortable unless it holds your hand for the journey. I just completed "Opium" by author Salar Abdoh. It lends a look at a different lifestyle. In the end this substance, opium, takes more than it gives and never lets you go. I reckon, if you gave an addict an unlimited supply they would comsume it until they were dead. duh.

And our horse race...

1. The answer is spain. Britain did have that title but Spain was the first. 1 out of 2 for doast and AV.
2. What is happening? They are building a bridge. Why is it behind. Not enough cement. 0 of 2 for all of you.
3. Bhutan. 1 point for Targo, Doast, and AV.
4. Fish eating the cats? Score 2 for Targo, right on, and 1 each for Doast and AV for effort.
5. and the stories... johnnie nory, and the crazy family..... 1 for all of yaz.

Now we have sorted it out. Psam faltered and his jockey stopped off for some fast food. Now as they thundered towards the finish line, AV looked across towards "hoof hearted" and started to chuckle, which let Targo and Doast stride ahead. Now they were going and going. Neck and neck. The both crossed the line.... it is close... so close....
the winner is...