Your Wednesday Enlightenment 08.08.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 08.08.2007
Don't let pesky paparazzi ruin your next vacation.
*The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
After enjoying a lovely Simcoe Day long weekend here in my home province - despite having to work on Monday thank YOU very bloody much - and visiting the cottage country of Muskoka, it's time to buckle down and get to work, enlightening all my rabid fans out there.
Rabid fans? Sounds as if you're a bunch of raccoons.
The NEWS.
Dope Pushing Dope Busted
Sao Paulo, Tuesday, August 7: Brazilian police have announced the capture of one of Columbia's most notorious alleged drug lords. The supposed serial drug trafficker, Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia, was seized by authorities in a massive drug raid outside of Sao Paulo. Mr. Abadia is suspected of ordering the murders of hundreds of people in Colombia and in the United States, where he is wanted. The United States Department of State had offered US$5 million leading to Mr. Abadia's arrest, who was in the drugs trade since 1986, and had a supposed net worth of over US$1 billion. He had actually surrendered at one time to Colombian courts in 1996, but was released in 2002, and apparently returned to his criminal ways. It has yet to be decided where Mr. Abadia will stand trial, or where he will be sent for prosecution.
One less worry.
Australia Aborigine Plan Under Fire
Canberra, Tuesday, August 7: The Government of Australia has introduced controversial legislation which has drawn fire from Aborigines, and would allow the government to "seize" Aborigine settlements due to child abuse. The settlements face a grave alcohol abuse situation where women and children are beaten, and the Australian military and police have intervened in the country's Northern Territory in the past to help stem the tide of events. The legislation, if passed, would include bans on pornography and alcohol and heavy fines or jail terms for violators. Aborigine leaders have condemned the plan, accusing the government of paternalism.
Home.
All I can do is shake my head when I hear stories like this one, which is all too common. I shake my head in shame because of the governments of Australia, America, and yes, Canada too. All are "first world" countries, all with gross domestic products in the hundreds of billions, or trillions of dollars. One of the greatest blights on the records of these nations is the treatment of its Aboriginal citizens. Those who choose to stay on reserves face squalor conditions more common in third world states. Hunger, poverty, disease, alcohol abuse, high suicide rates, are just some of the symptoms these people face. Canadian Aboriginals are wards of the Crown, yet the Crown has let these people suffer in substandard housing and have far lesser life expectancies than their brothers throughout the rest of the country. Amnesty International has condemned Canada for Natives' living conditions; rightfully so. But I must wonder: has government intervention helped any situation? I am of course talking somewhat tongue-in-cheek. I cannot say whether this Australian law will ultimately hurt or help Aborigines and their culture, but the abuses cannot be allowed to continue.
Archaeologists In Aztec Discovery
Mexico City, Saturday, August 4: Archaeologists have reported to the Associated Press (and now to me!) that the first ever tomb of an Aztec ruler has likely been found. Archaeologists using radar have thought to have found the chambers of Ahuizotl, who was the last Aztec emperor to fully rule before the Spanish invasion and subsequent conquest of 1519. The find, if confirmed, may offer up items buried in the emperor's chambers, and provide invaluable artefacts from the long past empire.
Aztec god of the earth. Wouldn't want to meet for a coffee and chat with them.
Now with the news out of the way, erm, written and accounted for, it's time for some fun, well sometimes it's fun, but yes, your friend and mine, this week's "Moment."
"A Moment of Dignity."
For your viewing "pleasure," His Excellency Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, on vacation. And very irritated. While on vacation in zee United Ztates, specifically Nouveau Hampshire, two photographers got a bit too close for comfort to the French President (who is armed with nukes, for the record), raising his ire. He supposedly jumped into their boat and began to chastise them in his native tongue. Now at least had he done that to me, I might have had some semblance of understanding since learning French was mandatory for me, but yammering on en Francais to Americans? C'est nest pas brilliant. Kudos though to Sarkozy for sticking up for himself and trying to swat those annoying gnats away from his quiet time.
Now it's time to spin the wheel - globe. It's…"This Just In."
*spins the globe*
Congratulations RUSSIAN FEDERATION, it's your turn to shine!
Another member of the G8 stars this week, so let's take a look to see what's making news up and around and over the North Pole. Oh, and that flag is not just blue and red, the white part blended into the rest of the damn screen. Just saying, m'kay?
Ah it says "breaking news," so it MUST be good!
Apparently the "Just Russia Party" (how aptly named) will be aiming to re-nominate Russian President Vladimir Putin for the presidency in 2012, according to the Speaker of the Russian Upper Council, Sergei Mironov.
Term limit, what's that?
Reference: http://english.pravda.ru/
I do admit to be a bit baffled by this story. If I know my Russian constitution well enough, there is a two term limit in place…perhaps it means you can't run for more than two consecutive terms, allowing you to run AFTER your two terms and AFTER some other turkey takes over. Whatever.
STAY CURRENT