Jimmy Carter on Peace in the Holy Land, NPR Interview

Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter, and Anwar Al Sadat, 1979, uploaded on Flickr by Jeff Kubina

NPR's Renee Montagne interviewed Jimmy Carter this morning on Morning Edition. Carter discusses his new book, We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land. Carter suggests a return to the 1967 borders before the Six Day War as viable solution.

President Obama and special envoy George Mitchell have spoken to Carter twice to discuss peace in the region. Good news, since Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Jimmy Carter, has been working on peace in the region for over thirty years.

Probably been thinking about it since the 1972 Munich Olympics when Palestinians took Israeli athletes hostage. It did not end well when German commandos botched the rescue attempt and all athletes were killed.


1972 Munich Olympics, photo uploaded on Flickr by ciatjj5


The tragic events and trial are covered in a great documentary, One Day in September, narrated by Michael Douglas. During the trial, one of the surviving Palestinians looks directly at the camera and says, "Before this, no one knew about Palestine. Now they do." Absolutely chilling to say the least.

Here is an excerpt of the NPR interview:

Morning Edition, January 27, 2009 · Nearly 30 years ago, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty that holds to this day. Much of the credit for that treaty goes to former President Jimmy Carter.

In the decades since, Carter has pursued a much more elusive goal: a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. And he says there have been three recent developments that could help achieve it.

The first development was the election of Barack Obama as president, he tells NPR's Renee Montagne. For the Middle East, Carter said, that should mean "a balanced and aggressive commitment to bring peace. That's quite a change."

The former president also cited progress in his meetings with members of the Palestinian parties, Hamas and Fatah, in April and December of 2008.

"For the first time, the Hamas leaders pledged that they would accept any peace agreement negotiated between the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israel," Carter said — as long as Palestinians approve the agreement in a referendum.

And the recent violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which Carter called an "evolving tragedy," adds what he said is "another element of urgency to bringing peace to Israel."

Carter has written a new book on that topic, titled We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land. It follows his 2006 analysis, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, which sparked protests from supporters of Israel.

His latest book is subtitled, "A Plan That Will Work." And that plan, Carter said, is no secret: a two-state solution in which Israel's right to exist is recognized by its neighbors — within its pre-1967 borders.

Noting that those borders could be altered by negotiations, Carter said, "By the way, that's also what's been espoused most recently by the prime minister of Israel at this moment — that is, Ehud Olmert."

Carter said Olmert also realizes that Israel must withdraw from the West Bank, that Palestinians must be allowed to return to their land and that Israel must share Jerusalem.

I encourage readers to read or listen to the whole interview with Jimmy Carter on NPR.

Here is the link to the whole story on NPR:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99870908

Obama Grants Al Arabiya TV Excluxive Interview

Al Arabiya Interview, Part 1

Obama discusses peace and mutual respect in this interview aired last night on Al Arabiya Muslim TV. Yet another powerful move by Obama to show the Arab world we are serious about a solution to the conflict in Palestine and Israel.

Obama discusses a new era of mutual respect and how the region is interrelated. This sends a message to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iran to name a few, that he is indeed interested in listening.

As a mattter of fact, he says in his interview that he has advised his ME envoy, George Mithcell, to listen and come back with a report on what was said. Mitchell leaves today to talk with leaders in Egypt, Palestine, and Israel.

Al Arabiya Interview, Part 2

Obama Talks Fuel Efficiency With EPA

Photo uploaded by staticbob on Flickr

President Obama would like stricter emission standards in California for trucks and cars. Trucks leaving the Port of Long Beach, the second largest port in the nation, spew toxic fumes in the air every day. Consequently, this has caused a rise in respiratory problems for residents in the area.

The issue has become quite serious and receives very little press. A friend lost his mother a few years back from lung cancer. She lived in an ocean front condo about a mile or two from the port. Never smoked a cigarette in her life.


President Barack Obama, photo uploaded by jurvetson on Flickr

This president continues to do exactly what I was dreaming he would do once he took office. I hope to hear something about his plan for health insurance next.

Australian Open 2009 - Tennis Anyone?

Rafael Nadal, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr



Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr







Fernando Gonzales, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1






Gael Monfils, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1






Four very good reasons to follow tennis (see photos above).

My favorite match so far was the one between Gonzales of Chile and Gasquet of France. Gonzales was down two sets, but with the help of the Chilean fans in the stands, he came back to beat Gasquet. That match felt more like a Davis Cup match. Fans were waving the flags of Chile and France like crazy.

I am looking forward to the match between Gonzales and Nadal, and Tsonga and Blake. If interested and in the USA, check it out on ESPN2.

Obama's New Envoy, Mitchell, Asked to Talk to Ordinary People in Gaza

Middle East Envoy George Mitchell, photo uploaded on Flickr by mashget

Even though Israel did not allow journalists into Gaza during the recent incursion, the world was watching. Bloggers were posting photos of women and children murdered, schools blown to smitereens, and mayhem in the blood drenched streets.

Child in Gaza awaiting medical treatment, photo uploaded on Flickr by pink turtle 2

The video uploaded on YouTube of the doctor who called the Israeli journalist when his house was attacked put a human face on this war. It allowed people from around the world to see that Palestinians are ordinary people. Not all are extremists with a mission to destroy Israel.

Dr. Abuelaish lost three daughters and a niece asks why, photo uploaded by mashget

This incursion undoubtedly boosted extremists inside Gaza and in the rest of the Arab world. Extreme behavior in any situation is usually born out of feelings of injustice or unfair treatment.

In order to stop the extremists, we must openly discuss why they are angry. It is time to open up dialogue between both sides without fear of being labeled an anti-Semite.

Obama's new order to stop the all powerful stranglehold lobbyists have had on how government is run is an excellent beginning. AIPAC has always had a hold on decision making concerning the question of Palestine. Now, without their influence, maybe, just maybe, we will see real dialogue and possible diplomatic solution to this conflict.

Young woman protests in Paris to end war in Gaza, photo uploaded on Flickr by looking 4 poetry

And again, instead of being labeled an anti-Semite, we will be viewed as people or a government with a genuine concern for fair and just treatment for all people.

George Mitchell negotiated peace in Northern Ireland. Moreover, he worked with the Clinton Administration on issues concerning Palestine and Israel. His experience in the region will help expedite the process for real diplomacy and dialogue.

Here is an excerpt of an article filed by Stephanie Nebehay of Reuters yesterday:

War boosted extremists in Gaza, says U.N. official
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters)

John Ging, head of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, called for new U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell to talk to ordinary people in Gaza as part of a "new track" in diplomacy.

Ging, who is Irish, welcomed Mitchell's appointment.

"An individual of his experience and ability coming now to this conflict gives me cause for more than hope, it actually gives me cause for optimism that we will move on to a new track where we will see real progress," he said.

"What we hope will happen is that the U.S. administration will listen to the people. There has to be a rebalancing of the focus," he said.

(Editing by Jonathan Lynn and Elizabeth Piper)

Obama's First 48 Hours Cause a London Train Station to Erupt in Spontaneous Dance

London train stations are usually crowded with people rushing to work, looking tired and forlorn. However, on this particular morning at 11 o'clock, it was a different story.

News of Obama's plan to close Gitmo and end torture caused this busy Liverpool train station in London to erupt in spontaneous dance.

Just kidding. Although it is a rehearsal for the actual advert, the impromptu crowd reaction and participation are priceless.

I love the old grannies who participate and the guy with the funky mod hairdo.

Obama Signs Executive Order to Close Gitmo

Amnesty International protest against torture and human rights violations at Guantanamo Bay prison, photo uploaded on Flickr by damonlynch

President Obama just signed an executive order to close down Guantanamo Bay prison (a.k.a. hell on earth). He is listening to Amnesty International. He is listening to all ordinary citizens around the world who have expressed concerns about human rights.
Photo uploaded by mashget on Flickr

More importantly, the Arab world is listening and watching. This is sending a powerful message and perhaps will be the beginning of the Muslim world believing and trusting that our new president does indeed want to engage in dialogue and diplomacy, not in war and destruction.

I have never been so full of hope as I am right now. I love this man.

Open Letter to Obama in New York Times (Full Page Ad)

2004 Billboard in Times Square, photo by brian glanz uploaded on Flickr

Here is an excerpt of the speech Obama gave on election night, November 4, 2008:

To all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright --tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope."

Here is an excerpt from the open letter to Obama in today's New York Times:

"With your historic inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, we share our sincerest congratulations and hope that you will uphold your commitment to change.

"As American citizens we are deeply concerned that our nation's one-sided approach to the Middle East crisis compromises America's ability to act as a fair negotiator. Our foreign policy has upheld the interests of Israel, but has failed to do the same for the Palestinian people. Israel the fourth largest military power in the world has devastated a population of 1.5 million people, one without an army, navy, or air force.

"As the attacks in Gaza demonstrated, the outgoing administration chose to defend Israeli aggression even though the violence resulted in the disproportionate deaths of more than 1,300 Palestinians, including 300 children, as compared to 13 Israelis. Indeed, the loss of all of these lives cannot be justified."

The letter continues with solutions for ending the violence and concentration camp-like conditions the Palestinians have been forced to live in for so very long.

The signatories of the letter include prominent Muslim and Jewish groups such as the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Jews Against the Occupation, L.A. Jews For Peace, Pax Christi Metro New York, U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, United for Peace and Justice, the Muslim Finance Professionals Association and the Muslim Bar Association of New York.

This is what I am talking about, an open dialogue. Dialogue and diplomacy, not bombs and destruction. And you know Obama and his team have read this letter. I am posting a URL for the full page ad. If that doesn't work for you, just type in google "Open Letter to Obama in NY Times," and you should be able to find it.

http://files.e2ma.net/2785/assets/docs/ny-times-ad-obama-gaza.pdf

President Obama's First Day on the Job

Obama street art, Atlanta, Georgia, uploaded on Flickr by brianmanley

And some people thought Obama wasn't ready to run the country. President Obama has done more in eight hours for peace and justice, freedom and ethics than Bush did in his whole eight years in office.

Palestinian children, uploaded from Flickr by shimriz

President Obama called the leaders of Palestine, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. In the simple act of picking up the phone in his office, this president sent out a strong message, not only to the leaders on the other end of the phone line, but to all of the Arab world that he is serious about opening up a dialogue and engaging in diplomacy toward a peace process in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.


Wrapped present, uploaded on Flickr by altered angel

Obama also signed an executive order banning gifts to staff from lobbyists. Also, if staff members are former lobbyists, they are not allowed to engage in in any activities to promote the lobby they were involved. He also plans to limit access of lobbyists to the White House. No more revolving doors. With these acts, we are definitely going to get a more just government without the stranglehold of the all powerful lobbyists.

President Obama plans to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. The FOIA holds the government accountable by allowing access to public records. No more massive blacked out pages like in previous administrations.

The president said to staff, "Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency."

President Obama also held meetings with economic and military advisers.

And as mentioned in my post yesterday, he has suspended all hearings at Guantanamo Bay prison for 120 days. This is a step toward closing down this torture and absolute hell on earth. Obama is expected to sign an executive order by Thursday that will call for the closing down of the prison within a year.

Lastly, he has imposed a pay freeze on staffers making more than $100,000 in an effort to ease the economic crisis.

I would say a most productive first day. Please remember that his website is up and running. It is interactive and I have heard the Obama will be blogging there. This president welcomes comments and suggestions. Check it out and get involved. We are one, we are the change. Here is the website: www.whitehouse.gov
Art by Koolhats, uploaded on Flickr by seetwist

Obama Family on Inauguration Day

Photo by H Darr Beiser, USA Today

I just love this photo of Barack Obama listening to what his young daughter Sasha has to say moments after he took the oath of office.

An exciting time in history. I heard last night that he already made a move on Guantanamo Bay prison. Obama has signed an order to suspend all war crimes trials for 120 days. I believe this is a step toward closing down this torture chamber of a prison.

I hope he sends out an apology and monetary compensation to those who were wrongly confined in this hell on earth.

Hope: The Inauguration of Barack Obama

I have been ashamed to be an American at various points in my life. But for the last eight years, my shame has not abated for even one day.

I am hopeful on this day, in this place, at this time, for my country.

I set my alarm for 3 o'clock in the morning to watch all the coverage of this historic event. I just heard on CNN that aides and staff will be getting to work right after the swearing in at noon today.

On the agenda are closing Guantanamo Bay prison, torture, and ending the international gag order for birth control funding around the world. Excellent start.

I only wish Martin Luther King Jr. was alive to see this.

Former Israeli IDF Captain Denounces Attacks on Gaza

In this BBC News interview, former IDF Captain, Yonatan Schapira. says that the Palestinians have been forced to live in ghetto-like conditions and are treated like animals. Please watch this 3:25 minute interview. At about the 2:00 minute mark he talks about the horrible treatment of the Palestinians at the hands of the Israel government and IDF.

Gazan Doctor and Peace Advocate Attacked Asks Why

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in waiting room of hospital, photo uploaded from NY Times by mashget on Flickr

I wanted the world to see what happened to this doctor and my wish is coming true. There is a most excellent article on Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in the New York Times.

My only complaint with the article is that it did not make the front page which is where this story belongs. Here is an excerpt of the article by Dina Kraft:

TEL HASHOMER, Israel — Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Gazan and a doctor who has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. But on Saturday, the day after three of his daughters and a niece were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, Dr. Abuelaish, 53, struggled to hold on to the humane philosophy that has guided his life and work.

As he sat in a waiting room of the Israeli hospital where he works part time, he asked over and over, "Why did they do this?"

And listen to this, Kraft reports in her article that the doctor recently lost his wife to leukemia. One tragedy caused by disease, and another by the disease of war inflicted by man, namely the IDF.

Please read the full article by Kraft in the New York Times. Here is the URL to the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html?_r=1&scp=1&

Gaza Doctors and Medics Attacked

Found this on YouTube from Al Jazeera. A doctor's family was attacked just as an Israeli television journalist was about to interview him to discuss casualties and the situation at the hospitals.

It is a moving video. The journalist breaks down not just because he knows this doctor, but as a fellow human being hearing the screams of a man in distress. The journalist does manage through his contacts in Gaza to get an ambulance to the doctor's house. By the time he reaches the doctor, three of his daughters are already dead. One is still alive.

I have seen footage of medics bringing in wounded on foot. One medic said he walked two kilometers because the Israeli soldiers would not allow his ambulance to drive to the hospital. This medic said that their vehicles are clearly marked as ambulances. They also wear vests that show they are medics and they still come under fire while trying to rescue the wounded.

This simply must qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Sadly, I doubt we will ever see any member of the Israeli government standing trial in the Hague.

Please help spread this blog post and video so the world, that is seemingly turning a blind eye to the continued violence and massacres in Gaza, see the reality of this incursion.

US Airways Plane Crash Lands in Hudson River

US Airways crash lands in Hudson River, photo uploaded
by truthislove_org on Flickr

I think all survivors should buy lottery tickets today. Depending on how you look at it, they are all so very lucky. And especially lucky they had Sully at the helm. He is a hero for landing that plane like he did.
Chelsey B Sullenberger, Pilot of US Airways
Ft 1549, photo uploaded on Flickr by Jennster

Movie Review: The Wrestler

Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, photo by Niko Tavernese

Mickey Rourke's performance in this film absolutely deserved the Golden Globe he was awarded Sunday night. He was this broken down wrestler. His character is so touching and sad, you just want to take him home and tell him everything is going to be okay.

From the opening scene until the end, you heart is breaking for this man who obviously has seen better days. I have heard Rourke say in interviews that he could relate to the character he was playing.

Rourke was the bad boy of Hollywood who gave killer performances in Barfly and 9 and 1/2 Weeks. Then poof... he was gone. I don't read the tabloids, but always wondered what happened to him. And now I wonder if he ended up living in a trailer or some rat trap off Hollywood Blvd.

Rourke thanked his dogs in his acceptance speech. He said they were the only friends he had for a long time. Must have been horrible to live on the fringe of Hollywood when you were once in the spotlight.

Mickey Rourke, photo by Niko Tavernese




Marisa Tomei plays an old stripper with a heart of gold. Tomei's character seems to mirror Rourke's in terms of the stage they seemingly love to be on and the cold reality staring them both in the face; their days on stage are numbered.

Rourke tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter played by Evan Rachel Wood. She plays her part perfectly. The scenes with the two of them are exactly what it might be like for the abandoned daughter and the guilt-ridden absent father trying to make amends.

Evan Rachel Wood and Mickey Rourke, photo by Niko Tavernese


Darren Aronofsky directs this film. While trying to get financing, Aronofsky was turned down left and right with Rourke in the lead. Aronofsky made the film on a very low budget. Seven million is what I heard. I am glad he kept Rourke in the lead. A very good call.

Robert D. Siegel wrote this screenplay. I do not know anything about this writer, but wonder if he is an old wrestler. Or maybe he lived next door to an old wrestler in some trailer park in Anytown, USA. If not, he did one hell of a job with his research.

Without giving the film away, I just want to say that I love when we are shown Rourke's character, Randy the Ram, fiddling with his hearing aid, playing video games with neighbor kids in his trailer, and when he is working at the deli. His interaction with the customers are priceless.

Mickey Rourke, photo uploaded on Flickr by robiffic

Also love when he is at a convention of sorts where wrestler's are signing autographs. Rourke is in a room with other old wrestlers. At one point he looks down the leg of one guy and sees his urine bag sticking out of his pant leg. Made me weep.

I am torn between three stellar performances this year for the upcoming award season; Mickey Rourke, Sean Penn, and Frank Langella. Although all performances are great, I think I want Rourke to win. Rourke's career desperately needs a win for the SAG and Academy Awards.

Sean Penn and Frank Langella will continue to work until the day they die if they want. However, Rourke may end up on the fringe again when he deserves the spotlight. This man is a truly talented artist and deserves our forgiveness for whatever he did. Everybody deserves a second chance.



Mickey Rourke at the Golden Globe Awards, photo uploaded by mashnet on Flickr


One last thing, Bruce Springsteen said in his acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards for best song that Rourke called asking if he might do the song for the film. Rourke briefly described the character to Springsteen. Springsteen said, "I know guys like that."

I have always loved Bruce Springsteen. And love him even more for doing the song for this film. Bet he did it for peanuts too. Guess Springsteen also believes everybody deserves a second chance.
Bruce Springsteen, photo uploaded on Flickr by nachocorreanet

Book Review: Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea - One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time, photo by elycefeliz, Flickr

Greg Mortenson has done more to combat terrorism than the trillions of dollars the Bush administration has spent on the illegal war in Iraq will ever do. This is a true story of one man's journey and failure to make it to the summit of K2. This event changed Mortenson's life forever.

Mortenson spent 7 weeks in a remote village in Pakistan healing from this attempt. One of the village elder's opened his home and treated Mortenson with kindness and tender loving care.

When Mortenson felt strong enough to return to his home in the United States, he promised this village elder to return and build a school for the children in this impoverished region.

Once back home in Oakland, CA, Mortenson downsized like you wouldn't believe to make this happen. He rented a storage unit before he left for his lifelong dream to make it to the summit of K2. Instead of renting an apartment, he kept everything in storage and slept in his car. He showered in various locations and worked in his field of nursing at night.

During the day he wrote letters to rich people, foundations, journalists, Oprah Winfrey. Tom Brokaw was the only one who responded by sending a check for $100.


Greg Mortenson with children in Pakistan, photo uploaded by benauchc76 on Flickr

A fellow climber heard about the 580 letters Mortenson sent out asking for funding of his school in Pakistan. This climber suggested he write an open letter to a climbing magazine. Did this ever turn out to be the best advice.

An old climber, Dr. Jean Hoerni, who was filthy rich, called Mortenson after reading the open letter in the magazine. Hoerni asked how much he needed for the school. Mortenson told him $12,000. The rich man sent the check and the rest is history.

Mortenson has built several schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He opened schools for girls. Girls never went to school until he built these schools.

Anyway, this is a great book. It will inspire you to act. We can all do little things to make the world a better place. When Mortenson was trying to raise money for the first school, a group of school children donated jars and jars of pennies. Little things make such a difference.

On a personal note, my brother's first wife worked for the Kiriyama Book Prize. Three Cups of Tea won the prize a few years back. She told me that she met Mortenson and he was the most amazing individual she had ever met in her life. And she has met some pretty amazing writers in her life.


Greg Mortenson with children in Pakistan, photo uploaded by benauchc76 on Flickr

So if you want to make a difference, buy this book. Or check out the link on the left hand side of this post, Central Asia Institute. This is Mortenson's foundation. For my educator friends, maybe tell your students about Mortenson and his schools. Maybe your students will be inspired to help by holding a bake sale, or raising jars of pennies.

One last thing, Mortenson talks about how if we all knew more about the Islamic world and culture of Central Asia, maybe we wouldn't be so full of hate and fear.

I took a few ME history courses in college. I remember one of the 5 pillars of faith in the Koran is the tithe. Every Muslim has to give a percentage of their earnings to charity. Imagine that. Imagine if we all did that. The world would surely be a much better place.
Greg Mortenson and children in Pakistan, photo uploaded by benauchc76 on Flickr

Kate Wins Two and Mickey Gets a Second Chance

A happy Kate Winslet with her two Golden Globe Awards, photo uploaded on Flickr by beastandbean

Kate Winslet absolutely deserved both Golden Globe Awards. Her performances in Revolutionary Road and The Reader were screen perfection. She won best actress for Revolutionary Road and best supporting actress for The Reader. Winslet was the embodiment of these two very different women.

Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, photo uploaded on Flickr by robiffic

Loved seeing Mickey Rourke win best actor for The Wrestler. He was that character. There were countless scenes in that film that ripped my heart apart. One that stands out in my mind was when he was working in the deli. His interactions with the customers were priceless.

Others include when he was playing video games with the kids in his trailer, the autograph signing convention, every time he adjusted his hearing aid, and the opening scene in the trailer park where Rourke's character lived.

I loved Rourke's acceptance speech. Rourke thanked his dogs because they were the only friends he had while he was living a life of loneliness on the fringe of Hollywood.

I have heard interviews with Rourke where he says that so many things about the character resonated with him.

Also loved that Bruce Springsteen won best song for The Wrestler. Springsteen said that Rourke called him, described the character he was playing, and asked if he would write a song for the film. Springsteen said, "I told Mickey that I knew guys like that." Love Bruce Sprinsteen. Always have.

Rourke also thanked the director for taking a chance on him. Rourke said that Darren Aronofsky had a hard time getting financing because he was playing the lead. But Aronofsky stuck with his choice forcing him to make the film on a very low budget. Good call Mr. Aronofsky.

Slumdog Millionaire, photo uploaded by beast and bean on Flickr


Best picture and director went to Slumdog Millionaire. The director, Danny Boyle got all choked up while giving his speech. They won two other awards as well. This is a great film that takes you right into the slums of Mumbai and the undying love of a man for a woman.

Waltz With Bashir won for best foreign film. The director, Ari Folman, gave a perfect speech in light of the recent incursion by Israel into Gaza. He said,"Four children from members of my crew were born during the making of this film. I only hope that when they are old enough to see my film, it will all seem unreal and foreign to them because they have never seen anything like it in their life time."
Waltz With Bashir, photo uploaded by guido castillo on Flickr

Surprisingly, Vicky Christina Barcelona won for best comedy. I am happy, but was not expecting it. This is a great film with the sexy Javier Bardem. This film takes you to the heart of Barcelona, passion, lust, and adventures in travel. The film made me think of a spontaneous affair I had with a sexy lawyer in Mexico one summer while I was in college. Even if you never had an affair while traveling, go see this film. It will make you want to hop on a plane for Spain.


Vicky Christina Barcelona, photo uploaded on Flickr



Sally Hawkins won for best actress in a comedy for Happy Go Lucky. Just loved this film. Mike Leigh usually makes such dark and creepy films. Granted, there are a couple of creepy moments, but nothing like you normally see in one of Mr. Leigh's films. I especially like the flamenco dance instructor. God, I thought I would never stop laughing.




Sally Hawkins in Happy Go Lucky, photo uploaded on Flickr




Lastly, Madmen won. I was hoping it would win. If you haven't seen this series on AMC, I highly recommend it. Madmen takes place in the 1960s at an advertising firm. This, my friends, was the beginning of the massive influence advertisers have had on the world. We live in a society of the spectacle.

I have written reviews for the movies above, except Happy Go Lucky. Check December 2008 archives if interested. A review of Vicky Christina Barcelona can be found in August 2008 and an addendum to the post in September 2008. But I must warn you, the review is more about my affair with a sexy lawyer in Mexico while traveling for the summer.

I have absolutely no complaints about the choices the Hollywood foreign press made last night. They were all perfect in my humble opinion.

Che Guevara Movie

Poster for new Che movie, directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Benicio Del Toro as Che, photo uploaded on Flickr


I heard five years ago Steven Soderbergh was making this film. Been waiting patiently ever since. My boyfriend, Benicio Del Toro, plays Che. The very sexy mayor of Tijuana on the show Weeds plays Fidel. I think I can sit through four hours of this important time in our history quite easily with those two in the leading roles.

Ernesto "Che" Guevara, photo uploaded on Flickr by notinet

The movie has been playing in limited release, but opens across the nation this weekend. For folks in my area, it is playing at the theater near South Coast Plaza starting next weekend.



Benicio Del Toro, photo uploaded on Flickr by bbsammlung

Soderbergh directs this two part film. Can't think of a better director for this film. Many who only know of Che as the guy on the poster adorning many dorm room walls on university campuses. Or as the guy on the t-shirts hipsters, revolutionaries, and students wear will get the full story.

Steven Soderbergh and Benicio Del Toro, photo
uploaded by cineando on Flickr

Motorcycle Diaries shows the experiences that laid the ground work for Che's revolutionary ideas. After his trip through South America on a motorcycle, Che returned to Buenos Aires, finished his medical studies, in record time by the way, and then took off again on another tour through South America, up into Central America, and ended up in Mexico City. I do not know if this film shows how Che and Fidel met in Mexico City, but they spent many a night talking poetry, philosophy and the revolution.

Fidel, Che and about 80 to100 men boarded a run down old fishing boat off the coast of Mexico and headed for Cuba. In a few short years they, achieved their dreams.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara, photo uploaded on Flickr by broocey

Inside Gaza: Ribhi Salem on Radio Program, To the Point , Today

American International School in Gaza, all photos courtesy of Ribhi Salem

Just got an email from Dr. Taatgen. Andrea Brody, the producer, made contact. Yes! Dr. Taatgen gave her the cell phone number for Ribhi Salem, the current director of American International School in Gaza. Please try to tune in today at noon. The whole hour will be on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.


AISG blown to smithereens

I do not know what the plans are for the future of AISG students, but I am guessing they may try to do what they did when Dr. Taatgen was director. In 2005, the Israeli Defense Forces engaged relentlessly in low flying missions over the school, blowing out windows and ear drums, and wreaking havoc on the well being of staff and students. In response, because the international community ignored this psychological warfare, they began teaching the students at the apartment complex where the international teachers lived. A "home school" of sorts.


AISG after bombing

Lastly, I just heard on NPR that the Israeli government has expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis and will help in anyway they can. This reminds me of an interview with the Syrian ambassador in Washington D.C. on CNN shortly after the invasion of Lebanon in 2006. The journalist said, "but Israel has said they are a friend of Lebanon."


AISG after bombing

Ambassador Moustapha responded in a very excited, high pitched voice that I thought was going to break the juice glass I was holding by saying, "this is like a rapist telling a woman after he rapes her that he wants to be her friend."



AISG after bombing


God I loved that and was so glad he was not censored. I sent Ambassador Moustapha an email telling him I saw and loved his interview. He wrote me back and thanked me. Told me that he was glad to know American citizens were paying attention.

If you miss To the Point today, you can listen to it on line. I have the direct link for To the Point on my links "news outlets trying to make the world a better place." Or just go to www.kcrw.com and click on link for news. You will find it there.
AISG playground