Tag Archives: News

Christopher Hitchens

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We just lost one of the best writers and most brilliant minds with the passing of Christopher Hitchens (age 62). He succumbed to cancer after a year and a half battle. He continued to write and share his thoughts on life and ultimately, death. Here’s a tribute from Vanity Fair. Here’s Christopher’s final piece: Trial of the Will

Here’s an amazing appearance he made at Google to discuss his book: God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything”
No matter how deeply religious you are, you must admit that Mr. Hitchens does present much food for thought. While the premise of philosophy is unsettling to all believers, it’s worth pondering. It will either make you more faithful or lead you to another truth and path in life. He was a gifted writer and a talented thinker. His entertaining, charming and provocative spirit is already missed.

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Presidential History

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Here’s a new collage of presidents including a new face, Barrack Obama. This is an important achievement in many respects, especially for children so grow up seeing this map of Presidents at school and even at home on things like place maps. This result gives credence to the old saying that anyone can become President of the United States of America. While that’s not exactly true, a candidates race will no longer be an issue or roadblock to the White House. What’s next? Let’s try to get a female face on that wall of faces. :)

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I really like this Electorial College section on the US government site. Here’s a listing of every Electorial College result from every Presidential election from 1789 to 2004. Notice just how close some of the races were! I never new Thomas Jefferson lost his first time running and actually tied the year he did win (which was broken by the house 10-4). Lots of great information about our history here.

Funny, I always made History classes my nap time in school but now I love it! I realize now that in order to understand where you are and how to get where you want to go in the future you need to learn about the past and how you got where you are today.

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Dreams and Nightmares

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So Obama has become our first African American President. While many Americans are still upset about this result, not because of his skin color but because of his politics, every one of us needs to realize that we’re all in this together. A house divided cannot stand. No matter who you voted for, you need to continue to support our country and respect the process, however wrong you think it is.

Despite your political persuasion, you must admit that this is a groundbreaking and historical event. Consider all that we’ve been through as a country regarding race relations through the years and still today. We’ve endured nightmares going all the way back to the times of slavery. We’ve suffered massive bloodshed with brothers killing brothers in a civil war in order to abolish slavery. Then we made slow progress with incredible visionaries like Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. Both would be over-joyed with today’s monumental achievement. Let’s hope we all will be in four years.

Here’s the full “I have a dream” speech from 45 years ago by MLK.

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RIP Bernie Mac

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Bernie passes away at young age of 50!
I’ll never forget the first time I saw him many years ago when he was an unknown on the Def Comedy Jam on HBO. The comics were bombing that night and looked afraid of the rough crowd at the Apollo theater (I think). Well, the unknown Bernie walked out there and immediately took control of the stage and a star was born in those six minutes.
Warning! Harsh language! Hilarious stuff though.
Love when he says “You don’t understand! I’m not scared of you…”
Kick it!

Mobile post sent by Paisano using Utterz. reply-count Replies.

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The Seven Year Itch

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Here is the Video of that german politician who actually wants to propose a new law that would limit all marriages to seven years at which time the couple would have the option to renew the license for another seven years or let it expire! Talk about scratching a seven year itch! Zoiks!!! What do you think of this? I guess it’s like the subject matter of prenuptial agreements. Some think prenups kill the romance, others consider it vital.

Here’s the News Item and an interesting Article.

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Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo

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Valentine’s Day will be here in a couple of days so all thoughts are on all things sweet and romantic. Well, those thoughts were interrupted this morning by a tweet from a friend (@driveafastercar ) who shared a heartbreaking news item about the bride who died during her first dance at her wedding reception. I am still numb thinking about the husband and how he felt when his new lovely bride died in his arms. It is just unbelievable. It makes you think deeply about things and appreciate everything all the more.

All this soul searching reminded me of another heart-wrenching tragedy from many years ago. I can’t believe it’s been almost fifteen years since the sad story of what they called the Romeo and Juliet of Sarajevo. For those of you who don’t recall or never heard of this story, here’s a link with information on the documentary based on their lives.

Here’s a recap of their Story

The seige of Sarajevo in 1993 was so horrific that a couple decided to flee the city. Having friends on all sides involved in the conflict there was a general thought that their passage through the city and its infamous Sniper Alley could be a safe one. An arrangement was made for May 19, 1993 that no one would fire as the couple approached. According to Dino Kapin, who was a Commander of Croatian Unit allied at the time with Bosnian Army forces, around 17:00 h, a man and a woman were seen approaching the bridge. As soon as they were at the foot of the bridge, a shot was heard, and according to all sides involved in their passage, the bullet hit Boško Brkić and killed him instantaneously. Another shot was heard and the woman screamed, fell down wounded, but was not killed. She crawled over to her boyfriend, cuddled him, hugged him, and died. It was observed that she was alive for at least 15 minutes after the shooting. Mark H. Milstein was the American photojournalist who made the haunting image of Admira and Bosko’s final embrace.


Bosnian Moslem Admira Ismic and Bosnian Serb Bosko Brckic, both 25, died trying to escape Sarajevo. Their bodies remained in the no-man’s land for nearly four days before being recovered. They are now buried together, side by side in Lion Cemetery, surrounded by thousands of other victims from the Siege of Sarajevo.

Here are links for more information:

NFB Web page

The Journal for MultiMedia History

PBS Transcript “Romeo and Juliet of Sarajevo

CNN Mission: Peace “Bodies of Sarajevo’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ come home
Kurt Schork’s signature dispatch from siege of Sarajevo

Here are the lyrics to a tribute song called Vrbana Bridge by Jill Sobule.

Final Thoughts

I know this is all sad and depressing kind of information, but I am not sharing it to bring anyone down. On the contrary, I am doing this with the hopes that it will have the total opposite effect on you. I hope that it makes you appreciate those you love more and perhaps cherish and treasure more moments that you have on this wonderful place called Earth. Just as having the Christmas spirit needn’t be relegated to just an annual event, being a lover doesn’t have to be a once a year thing either. Remember, cupid works 24/7 all year long.

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