Images of Vietnam continue to whirl about inside my head though I have yet to draw any IMPORTANT conclusions. I will say this: I love Europe, love to travel there, and love its history. But it ends up being very close to us in term of culture and social issues. Going somewhere else that is very different (think Vietnam or Cuba) is an entirely special sort of experience. My best example disgusting as it is: try having a "toileting" problem in a bathroom with no flushing apparatus in the middle of nowhere and the toilet paper is handed out to you on your way in. Not the Ritz. Moving on.
--Do not try and tell me that this weekend's murders in Colorado are unrelated to the venom spewing out of the mouths of the Republican candidates. Huckabee, he of no experience at all, had the cojones to suggest the murders were akin to abortions. Cannot wait for the Donald to have his say and suggest that if Planned Parenthood were not open, this would not happen.
--Ezra Schwartz, a local kid, is dead and was murdered by a Palestinian probably no older than him in a conflict that shows no signs of waning. And also no signs of real leadership on either side. Spoke to someone who spends a lot of time there and has close Israeli friends there--it is the first time he has heard them say they are scared. I am scared too--scared that I have no clue how this will end up.
--Andrew Ferrence is an NHL player for the Calgary Flames. When he played for the Boston Bruins, he lived in the city and used to bike to "work". He read about the arrival of Syrian refugees into Canada and promptly wrote a check for $10,000 to ensure they had adequate support. Canada is committed to taking about 10 times the number of refugees than the United States. But thanks to the gutless wonders here, we might not even attain that number. And that includes this state's stupid Governor who has finally shown his Republican colors.
--The Mayor of Austin (where a close relative of mine lives) wrote an article for the Texas Tribune in which he wrote that he would welcome the Syrians into Austin. That is called leadership especially in a state which has already said thanks but no.
--The terrorist murders in France have driven the right wing demagogues out of hiding and onto the front pages. They believe the correct response are fences and boats to send them back. On the other hand I am not sure at all that the bombing of ISIS will have a lasting impact. These folks are not just terrorists but religious zealots who might prefer death and ascension into heaven. You cannot fight their zealotry with guns--and I believe Netanyahu and Abbas better figure that out also.
--By the way, many of the terrorists involved in the French murders were born in France or Belgium so closing the borders may not be the answer.
--Not sure where but read a poignant letter from a father who is now a single parent after the murder of his wife. Refusing to let the terrorists change his life or his lifestyle.
--The most dangerous Republican could be Rubio--primarily because he is actually smart. He is also a far right crazy but the other guys are just stupid which is why in a very weird way I hope either Trump or Carson is the nominee. Rubio (and Cruz for that matter) are self hating Latinos who now that they are citizens want to shut down any pathway for others coming from Central or South America. It is truly pathetic. But Rubio is brighter than the rest.
--Our Child Welfare agency just announced some major changes--one of which is requiring that their front line workers receive an hour of supervision a week. Seriously? This is the first time that supervision has been required? They are really shit out of luck and the kids will be the ones that suffer.
--Saw Spotlight the other day and did not think I could again get pissed at the Catholic Church--but I did. I am not sure it is a great movie but really Cardinal Law (who got a promotion for all his dirty work) should be kicked to the curb along with his henchmen.
Enough.
SPORTSTALK
--OMG, I saw the hit on Gronk last night and have convinced myself that they targeted his knee. After that , the Pats had no chance but remain a game ahead in the AFC. They are hurting literally and cannot be counted on unless they get home field in the playoffs.
--Michigan got its ass kicked by Ohio State but remember, this is Harbaugh's first year--they will get better.
--So, while I was away, Seguin scores a hat trick against the Bruins and is leading the league in scoring--but Claude did not like his defensive skills.
Adios
Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
VIET NAM: SOME NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS
So, we just returned from 18 days in Vietnam. Before I share some of my thoughts, let me mention two related items. At any age, let alone mine, a 15 hour non stop flight is a numbing nightmare even if it all goes smoothly. Second, this is not about the war with Vietnam though it did hang over us like a dark cloud--especially in light of the 50,000 Americans killed and untold millions of Vietnamese. So if you want to debate the war, look elsewhere.
--We started in Hanoi--a city full of a bustling street scene and lots of street vendors most of whom seemed female while the men lolled around in the cafes. As we were reminded by our terrific tour guide, the country is not just a socialist one but it is also a dictatorship. This was most evident in Hanoi where every so often the speakers on the electric poles would chirp up some shit to inspire the workers. Then there were the motor bikes (and I am not talking Harleys). I am talking the equivalent of Vespas driven by a bazilliion maniacs--none of whom obey one fucking law. They ignore street lights, ignore pedestrians, go down one way streets the wrong way, drive on the sidewalk if street traffic is too heavy, and carry all manner of cargo including children. Oh, and did I mention, they rarely wear helmets. One look at the telephone poles and you wonder how they don't just explode with the profusion of wires all exposed and connecting who knows what to who knows what.
--The country uses no coins. Going to an ATM allows you to come away with million dollar bills which feels very exciting until you are told you are holding $50 dollars American. No newspapers but plenty of women selling chicken and fish--both unrefrigerated--sitting on cutting boards all day.
--I forget the numbers but this is a young country with tons of children and adults under 30. An excellent state run airline and a 38 hour train ride between Hanoi and Saigon which we did not take. BTW, the Vietnamese do not call it Ho Chi Minh city no matter what the government says--it is Saigon.
--They hate the Chinese even while being afraid of them--the ocean to the East which the rest of us call the South China sea is referred to as the East Sea by the Vietnamese.
--We visited 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites--Halong Bay which is just spectacular, Hoi Ann a tourist mecca but untouched by any war damage and full of pedestrian friendly streets, and the ruins (I forget the name) of an ancient civilization.
--Every time I saw a man with a missing limb, I wondered......
--If Hanoi is the political capital with a population of 8 million, then Saigon is the economic capital with a population of 10 million. Together, they make up about 1/4 of the population. There are a number of medium size cities--Hue, Nha Trang, and Danang to name 3. But a lot of folks live in rural villages and lead very agricultural lives--still plowing many fields with water buffalo. They are the second biggest coffee exporter in the world and that Starbucks coffee you sip might be from there even though Starbucks won't admit it. They export tons (literally) of rice mainly coming from the South. We traveled on the Mekong River--a la John Kerry.
--Met with villagers making bamboo baskets and/chopsticks with old fashioned tools. Drank shots of rum with the mayor of one village. Met with two Viet Cong soldiers still heeding a rather rigid party line and getting me close to anger for the only time during the visit.
--Went to the War Remnants Museum (check out that language) which is their effort to show their citizens about that war. While it is a major propaganda site, it is important to remember they have a perspective too-which is way different than ours. People in the North generally believe they won the war. People in the South generally believe we abandoned them. These are generalities but they sound very familiar today, don't they?.
--Went to the site of Cu Chi which contained multiple tunnels used as both protection and subterranean housing during that war.
--Visited a Montagnard village--the ethnic "hill" tribe who were bought off by our CIA to fight the Viet Cong. Still isolated and still remote though no longer in the jungle.
--Don't ever go in the rainy season. We were there when it was supposed to be over and overall the weather was great--except for two days where it poured horizontally and flooded some streets.
--Nha Trang is on the way to becoming the BIG mid country version of Miami Beach. High rises, discos, and a magical beach populated by Russians and, no offense, but you can tell those Russians in about two seconds what with the men in speedos and the women in bikinis and in both cases they belong on much thinner bodies.
--A vibrant, exciting country very much like Cuba though Cuba seems to be making peace with itself. A socialist dictatorship where public education is not free and there is no national health insurance--go figure.
--Had a terrific time with very nice travel companions and ate wonderful pho and what seemed like 8 courses of food at every meal. There is more to say but like the meals, I have not fully digested it yet.
--The people were warm, generous, hospitable, and excited about meeting Americans. Toured Dalat University with two young women just dying to improve their English and then visiting America. Got laughed at there and elsewhere because of my hirsute appearance.
--Much more to say and I kind of feel like I have not done the trip justice. We loved it.
--But oh that 15 hour flight.
I will stop here by wishing you all a Happy Turkey Day and saying that I have no words/insights into ISIS attacks except my thoughts are with the victims.
Adios.
--We started in Hanoi--a city full of a bustling street scene and lots of street vendors most of whom seemed female while the men lolled around in the cafes. As we were reminded by our terrific tour guide, the country is not just a socialist one but it is also a dictatorship. This was most evident in Hanoi where every so often the speakers on the electric poles would chirp up some shit to inspire the workers. Then there were the motor bikes (and I am not talking Harleys). I am talking the equivalent of Vespas driven by a bazilliion maniacs--none of whom obey one fucking law. They ignore street lights, ignore pedestrians, go down one way streets the wrong way, drive on the sidewalk if street traffic is too heavy, and carry all manner of cargo including children. Oh, and did I mention, they rarely wear helmets. One look at the telephone poles and you wonder how they don't just explode with the profusion of wires all exposed and connecting who knows what to who knows what.
--The country uses no coins. Going to an ATM allows you to come away with million dollar bills which feels very exciting until you are told you are holding $50 dollars American. No newspapers but plenty of women selling chicken and fish--both unrefrigerated--sitting on cutting boards all day.
--I forget the numbers but this is a young country with tons of children and adults under 30. An excellent state run airline and a 38 hour train ride between Hanoi and Saigon which we did not take. BTW, the Vietnamese do not call it Ho Chi Minh city no matter what the government says--it is Saigon.
--They hate the Chinese even while being afraid of them--the ocean to the East which the rest of us call the South China sea is referred to as the East Sea by the Vietnamese.
--We visited 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites--Halong Bay which is just spectacular, Hoi Ann a tourist mecca but untouched by any war damage and full of pedestrian friendly streets, and the ruins (I forget the name) of an ancient civilization.
--Every time I saw a man with a missing limb, I wondered......
--If Hanoi is the political capital with a population of 8 million, then Saigon is the economic capital with a population of 10 million. Together, they make up about 1/4 of the population. There are a number of medium size cities--Hue, Nha Trang, and Danang to name 3. But a lot of folks live in rural villages and lead very agricultural lives--still plowing many fields with water buffalo. They are the second biggest coffee exporter in the world and that Starbucks coffee you sip might be from there even though Starbucks won't admit it. They export tons (literally) of rice mainly coming from the South. We traveled on the Mekong River--a la John Kerry.
--Met with villagers making bamboo baskets and/chopsticks with old fashioned tools. Drank shots of rum with the mayor of one village. Met with two Viet Cong soldiers still heeding a rather rigid party line and getting me close to anger for the only time during the visit.
--Went to the War Remnants Museum (check out that language) which is their effort to show their citizens about that war. While it is a major propaganda site, it is important to remember they have a perspective too-which is way different than ours. People in the North generally believe they won the war. People in the South generally believe we abandoned them. These are generalities but they sound very familiar today, don't they?.
--Went to the site of Cu Chi which contained multiple tunnels used as both protection and subterranean housing during that war.
--Visited a Montagnard village--the ethnic "hill" tribe who were bought off by our CIA to fight the Viet Cong. Still isolated and still remote though no longer in the jungle.
--Don't ever go in the rainy season. We were there when it was supposed to be over and overall the weather was great--except for two days where it poured horizontally and flooded some streets.
--Nha Trang is on the way to becoming the BIG mid country version of Miami Beach. High rises, discos, and a magical beach populated by Russians and, no offense, but you can tell those Russians in about two seconds what with the men in speedos and the women in bikinis and in both cases they belong on much thinner bodies.
--A vibrant, exciting country very much like Cuba though Cuba seems to be making peace with itself. A socialist dictatorship where public education is not free and there is no national health insurance--go figure.
--Had a terrific time with very nice travel companions and ate wonderful pho and what seemed like 8 courses of food at every meal. There is more to say but like the meals, I have not fully digested it yet.
--The people were warm, generous, hospitable, and excited about meeting Americans. Toured Dalat University with two young women just dying to improve their English and then visiting America. Got laughed at there and elsewhere because of my hirsute appearance.
--Much more to say and I kind of feel like I have not done the trip justice. We loved it.
--But oh that 15 hour flight.
I will stop here by wishing you all a Happy Turkey Day and saying that I have no words/insights into ISIS attacks except my thoughts are with the victims.
Adios.
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