Blue and White

1865-1957

2010-11-09T14:57:00.005-05:00

A genius with feelings. Sibelius.

Russ Feingold

2010-10-13T18:47:00.005-05:00

In my opinion, the best senator in the US senate is Russ Feingold. He and Bernie Sanders represent the independent-minded left in the senate. It is really scary that a far-right, tea party-like candidate is leading in the polls Russ Feingold who was first elected in the US senate in 1993. Although I dont live in Wisconsin, I gave money to his campaign. It would be pathetic if Russ Feingold loses to a teabagger, semi-illiterate republican candidate. It would be also a reflection of the total political illiteracy and ignorance of a large percentage of voters here (lets not forget that Bush was elected twice). Lets hope this will not happen and Russ will be re-elected.

Sofia Gubaidulina

2010-09-15T16:00:00.008-05:00

In classical music, there are some recognized geniuses and some yet to be recognized. She is probably the best contemporary composer. Her music is defining and unstoppable.

She has decided to design the borders of time and space and she did it. Her music is a re-definition of the past and the future. A crisp view of the image of existence. Simply remarkable

Stress

2010-09-12T14:46:00.003-05:00

Non-productive stress

And here is another angle

The most famous Chicagoan of all times

2010-08-14T22:59:00.001-05:00

Old Spirit

2010-05-31T19:02:00.001-05:00

Racism and the Tea party movement

2010-05-23T09:23:00.006-05:00

I think it has now become crystal clear what the tea-party movement represents. It represents pure racism and neo-fascist ideas, hidden under the cover of "conservatism". What Rand Paul advocated was pure racism. Of course Rand Paul does not think himself as a racist, but that's not unique. No racist considers himself a racist. Sarah Palin and other similarly minded idiots who support the Tea-party movement are also racists.

I think the Rand Paul incident leads to few conclusions:

1. The tea-party movement is an openly racist movement with characteristics similar to neo-fascist movements in europe.

2. About 30-35% of the voters in this country are consciously or subconsciously racists. That is the approximate percentage of voters who support the teabaggers.

3. Libertarianism is a totally idiotic theory. From another planet.

Franz Schmidt

2010-04-16T20:54:00.008-05:00

The best classical music composers of all times were either Austrian (Mozart, Bruckner, Mahler) or German (Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms). But there have been some other composers who never made it big. Maybe because of bad luck. Maybe because they were are at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

One of them was Franz Schmidt. Shmidt was an Austrian composer who had the bad luck to be the best classical composer in Austria and Germany during Nazi times. Even worse, Hitler thought highly of his music. It is unclear if Schmidt was a Nazi supporter or not. He died in 1939 before World War II. There is some evidence to suggest that he did not really like the Nazis, despite the fact that he was loved by Hitler and other high ranked nazis. He never completed a composition that the Nazi state had asked him to do. It seems that he deliberately ignored it. Sadly, his wife was a Nazi victim herself. She was murdered by the Nazis after his death, under the Nazi euthanasia program, because she suffered from a mental illness.

Schmidt was a student of Bruckner. He wrote 4 symphonies. Symphony #1 is remarkable and clearly Brucknerian in style. A powerful symphony, but much more refined than Bruckner's symphonies. It almost comes across like an evolution of Bruckner. A mature version of Brucker. It is really remarkable. The other 3 symphonies of Schmidt vary in style. They have diverse influences, ranging from Bruckner, Brahms, Reger and maybe even Schoenberg in some parts. But they have a very unique style. They are characterized by an undefined mysticism. A continuous search without completion or resolution. In some ways Schmidt's music is reminiscent of the distant mysticism of Charles Ives. Of course, he is very different than Ives in any other respect.

Schmidt's music is really something. Especially symphony #1. One can not help it but wonder if this exceptional composer would have been more recognized if he did not have the bad luck to live during Nazi times and have his name unfairly linked to the Nazis.

The best piece of classic music ever written

2010-03-29T22:05:00.006-05:00

The best

Ever

Die Achte Sinfonie

2010-03-11T16:17:00.005-05:00

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Jenseits aller vorstellungskraft

Apokalyptisch

Scriabin: When the lines of innovation and insanity are blurred

2010-03-06T14:03:00.014-05:00

There are many brilliant classic music composers. But some of them are unique and exceptional. One of the most remarkable composers is Alexander Scriabin. In my opinion, he is the most ingenious among all Russian composers. All his symphonies, 1, 2, and 3 express a mysticism of unique intensity. An unusual perception. A different angle of the world. As for his remarkable poem of ecstasy (Le Poème de l'extase), it is one of the best pieces of classic music ever written.

What makes Scriabin unusual and different from all other composers was his sincere belief that he could "save the world" with his music. Unfortunately the world was not "saved" and remains a huge mess. Is it because not all humans had the chance to listen to his music? I am sure he would think that were he alive today. Of course, some would call him simply insane. But was he more insane than millions of people on earth who believe that (any) religion could "save their souls"? I doubt it.

A different dimension

2010-01-30T18:52:00.005-05:00

I was just listening to his Symphony number 3. It is so powerful and deep. It is a remarkable reflection of a spirit that has sensed a different dimension in the meaning of existence.

Obama

2010-01-28T20:11:00.005-05:00

It is official. I totally regret my vote for Obama in the democratic primaries in 2008 and the money I gave to his campaign. Retrospectively, Hillary Clinton would have been a much better president.

Of course, I do not regret my vote for him in the general election in 2008, as the republican party is a neo-fascist party by all standards. Obama is a center-right politician that is always a better option than pure fascism, as represented by the republican party of today.

Nevertheless, I will not vote for Obama in 2012 if he continues the same path. Compromising with the fascist republican party, escalating wars and playing political games (like the spending freeze) to appease the teabaggers. I will have absolutely no problem voting for any progressive left-leaning democrat that would challenge him and/or the Green party or Nader in the general election.

The crime of the century

2010-01-22T12:15:00.001-05:00

Woman convicted to jail time for a unique crime.

Political illiteracy in MA and the USA

2010-01-20T09:48:00.000-05:00

Should we be surprised that a teabagger won the seat of Ted Kennedy? Should we be surprised that one of the most liberal states in the country just destroyed health care reform?

Well, maybe not. After all, this country re-elected Bush in 2004! Tonight, it was reminder that not much has changed in the mentality of US voters.

Lets face reality. The biggest problem in this country is misinformation, ignorance and political illiteracy. The "independent" voters who voted for Brown, probably had no idea what they were voting for. It is inconceivable that anyone would vote for Barack Obama a year ago, and now vote for teabagger Brown. But that is exactly what happened. The reality is that the majority of the voters in MA and in the whole country are generally superficially informed and they "dont care" about politics. They dont know much and they dont want to learn more. They just vote based on headlines, trends, even appearances.

I was shocked to hear earlier while driving home on ABC that the "independents" who voted for Brown, were voting for "change" because in their minds Obama did not deliver, while Brown may? WTF? lol

I have been critical of Obama and I believe he made many mistakes over the last year seeking "bipartisanship". But he is a president who tried and came very close to do something big. Make essential health care reform changes so the shameful current system is changed. The voters of MA proved that it is essentially impossible to bring real change in this country.

The whole situation would be totally laughable if it was not tragic. The majority of voters in MA decided that they did not want health care reform, but probably dont know why. They dont understand why and they dont want to know why. They just wanted to send a "message". They are politically illiterate people who could even elect a war criminal like Cheney president in 2012. Why not? That's their way of sending a "message".

San Fransisco

2010-01-17T00:20:00.002-05:00

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Finally something interesting.

IL Democratic Senatorial Debate.

2010-01-14T10:08:00.000-05:00

I had recorded and finally got to watch the entire IL democratic senatorial debate that took place a couple of days ago. To me it was important to watch for a variety of reasons. I had been undecided for some time now. Initially, I was considering voting for Alexi Giannoulias, but his support for the escalation of the war in Afghanistan had made me re-think the whole thing.

Interestingly, I think that there are now some new developments that suggest that the winner of the democratic primary will almost certainly be the next US senator from IL. Although the presumed republican nominee, Mark Kirk, is a formidable opponent he has been weakened big time by the attacks of another republican candidate. Andy Martin has been running radio ads in Chicago, claiming that Mark Kirk is gay. Although such ads clearly reflect bigotry on Martin's part, they have hurt Mark Kirk enormously as he may well now lose the teabagger and religious right "conservative" vote in the general election. Those people will most likely stay home in the general election instead of voting for Kirk. In fact, things have gotten so bad that Kirk has been afraid to show up in the republican debate tonight, and he will skip it.

Anyway, here is what I thought of the candidates after watching the democratic senatorial debate:

Cheryl Jackson: She is a good candidate and has good positions, but she is not aggressive enough. She is running second in the polls now after Giannoulias, but I doubt she can win. She will not be the strongest choice in the general.

David Hoffman: He was very disappointing in my opinion. I was very willing to switch my support to him, but I was not impressed at all. Very negative. It seems that his all candidacy is about attacking Giannoulias. He does not come across as a progressive and learning in the debate that he worked in the past for neoconservative William Rehnquist was even more disappointing. He won the endorsement of conservative Chicago Tribune, but I dont consider that a positive. It is almost a negative. His position on Afghanistan not very clear either.

Jacob Meister: He is a very good candidate, but has no real chance to win in November. I liked him and his style better than Hoffman, but can not win.

Robert Marshall: He lost his way and he went to the wrong debate. A right-wing republican calling himself democrat. Far right positions on many issues. Not a serious candidate.

Alexi Giannoulias: He is an impressive candidate. He came across "senatorial" and he was very good on issues relating to the economy. He was a little lucky that the Afghanistan war was not discussed, but he came across as very strong and effective. He will be the strongest candidate in November.

In summary, in my opinion Giannoulias won. Despite my total disagreement with his decision to support the Obama Afghanistan war escalation, I will vote for him in the primaries. He is progressive and strong on many issues. He will make a great senator.

Obama's War

2010-01-02T15:11:00.008-05:00

Reality

For a week....

2009-12-19T21:23:00.003-05:00

I will be here...

The best view on earth

2009-12-10T07:27:00.002-05:00

Elections today in the Honduras while the junta kills

2009-11-29T14:01:00.001-05:00

The blackout of the main stream media here relating to what is going in the Honduras continues. Well, today there are (supposedly free) elections in the Honduras. Such elections are apparently happening in the absence of international monitors, while the legally elected president of that country remains in the Brazilian embassy surrounded by the troops of the junta.

What kind of elections are those? How can there be elections when the legally elected president of the country is surrounded by troops ready to arrest him if he moves out. Such elections are reminiscent of "elections" done by other military regimes in Europe and South America in the 70s and 80s to legitimize such dictatorships.

But it gets more worrisome with recent new developments that show that the junta is willing to kill to establish its rule. Amnesty International USA has called for an immediate investigation of an incident in which the military shot at civilians.

Amnesty International today said it was deeply worried about the safety of victims of and witnesses to a shooting at a military blockade that took place in Tegucigalpa last night. The organization called on the Human Rights Prosecutor to urgently investigate the incident.

According to eye witnesses interviewed by Amnesty International, last night, four men were on their way back home when they saw a military blockade moved from its normal position, close to the Estado Mayor (military compound). They were not given any indication to stop or request to slow down so they drove past.

Immediately after, shots were fired by the military at the car. The men drove on and as they went into a new road, one bullet hit the driver, 32-year-old Angel Salgado, in the head. He lost control of the vehicle which then crashed into a taxi and injured several bystanders, including 45-year-old woman, who was also hit by a stray bullet. She is now in a serious condition in hospital.

That is the climate under which the military junta in the Honduras carries on "elections". Such elections are obviously flawed and not free. These elections should not be recognized by the Obama administration. In fact, the leaders of countries in Latin America have warned the Obama administration that it risks isolation if they recognize such elections.

The United States risks souring relations with much of Latin America if it recognizes upcoming elections in Honduras, the foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in an interview on Wednesday.

What is going on in the Honduras is sad. It is an attack on democracy by a military junta, reminiscent of what went on many years ago in other countries in South America in the 70s and 80s. The elections today are not free and any elected leader out of such elections can not and should not be recognized by the US.

Cross-posted in Daily Kos .

POLITICAL ILLITERACY

2009-11-24T08:24:00.005-05:00

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This is truly total political illiteracy.

This sort of illiteracy elected Bush and because of this sort of illiteracy, republicans and "conservatives" still have 40-45% of the country supporting them. This is an achievement of the system that took long time to get to that level.

Pure Horror

2009-11-06T20:35:00.004-05:00

This is truly shocking and despicable.
From the BBC link above:

"Islamists in southern Somalia have stoned a man to death for adultery but spared his pregnant girlfriend until she gives birth"

and then the article continues:

"Abas Hussein Abdirahman, 33, was killed in front of a crowd of some 300 people in the port town of Merka.

"He was screaming and blood was pouring from his head during the stoning. After seven minutes he stopped moving," an eyewitness told the BBC.

That is an example of how horrendous and criminal theocratic beliefs can be. The criminals who killed this man probably believe they were acting in "gods will".

But where it gets even more scary and chilling, is this part:

"An official from the al-Shabab group said the woman would be killed after she has had her baby."

This is pure horror. An innocent woman is waiting to be killed after she delivers her baby, in the hands of a bizarre group of criminal theocrats. What is the civilized world doing to stop this? I hope that the United Nations and groups for civil liberties will do something to save this woman.

I also hope that the Obama administration and governments of other civilized parts of the world will try to interfere to stop the completion of that horrendous crime.

Crossposted in Daily Kos .

ILLUSIONS

2009-11-04T07:04:00.000-05:00

I finally realized what the problem of the far right is in this country: Illusions.

It is hard to understand how and why, but apparently some believe that the loss of a 100 years+ republican congressional seat is a victory !

Then there are illusions like this one. Of course, in this case there maybe some sort of a deliberate deception. Nevertheless the concept is still surrealistic and based on an illusion.

Now, beyond ridiculous, illusions can be dangerous. For instance, the illusion that Saddam Hussein was an "immediate threat" to us because of "weapons of mass destruction" was used as an excuse to start a disastrous war by the far right.

Nevertheless, the current illusions of the far right are more comical in nature than anything else. Maybe the most ridiculous illusion of the right-wingers is their sincere belief that they stand for "freedom". I only wonder how they would feel if they were able to understand what they really stand for...corporations and antidemocratic policies. A modern version of a neo-fascist ideology. That is what the "conservative", teabagging movement represents in this country. But in their illusions they see themselves as defenders of freedom, etc. etc. In a totally delusional manner.

What is going on in the Honduras? Toxic gas in the Brazilian embassy?

2009-09-26T14:52:00.002-05:00

I really dont get it. There are dramatic developments in the Honduras, but the media almost completely ignores that story. We have the president of the country (Zelaya) in the Brazilian embassy surrounded by tanks and army sent by the fascist junta.

There have been reportedly 10 pro-democracy demonstrators that were killed over the last few days in clashes with the army. The United Nations has formally condemned the "harassment" of the Brazilian embassy by the fascist Honduran regime.

Now, it appears that the junta may be using toxic gas to poison those inside the embassy and force them out.

President Manuel Zelaya, who has taken refuge in Brazil's Embassy in Tegucigalpa, has accused the interim government of using toxic gas to poison those inside the embassy.

A doctor was seen treating people at the embassy Friday. Mr. Zelaya charged that gas caused breathing difficulties and bleeding.

The situation there is more than dramatic and it does not appear that there will be a political solution. But the media here completely ignores these events that have major implications on what will eventually happen in Latin America. They also have major implications regarding the idea of democracy as a whole these days.

Essentially the whole international community, with the exception of far right extremists here (like Fox News and Redstate) want democracy to be restored there. I hope this happens without bloodshed. I just dont understand why CNN and MSNBC completely ignore the events there. At least there is BBC and other independent european stations that have no problem covering really important events. Like this one.

Cross-posted in Daily Kos

September 11, 1973 and modern conservatism

2009-09-12T11:16:00.002-05:00

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There was another terrible event in history that occured on September 11 that many forget. It was September 11, 1973 when a fascist dictator, Augusto Pinochet, overthrew the democratically elected President of Chile by a coup-d'etat. That day, the fascist forces of Pinochet killed the President of Chile, Salvatore Allende, and established one of the most brutal fascist regimes in history. Over 3200 Chileans died under the military junta of Pinochet, while at least 130,000 were incarcerated without trials and 30,000 tortured.

After many years of terror, torture and killings, the regime of Pinochet eventually collapsed. Pinochet though remained free, until he was arrested in London on October 16, 1998, while visiting europe. After a prolonged legal battle, he somehow escaped prosecution. Despite efforts to bring him to justice later in Chile, at the end he escaped prosecution and died from natural causes on December 2006. Prior to his death, the fascist dictator took "political responsibility" for his crimes.

I believe that there is a strong link between the events of September 11, 1973, the establishement of the fascist regime in Chile and the current conservative movement and republican party of today. For starters, it is well established that the Republican Nixon administration then, with Henry Kissinger leading the effort, helped Pinochet gain power. Kissinger also encouraged the brutal repression of Chile by the Pinochet regime then.

Although people have argued that the help that Kissinger and the Nixon administration gave to Pinochet had only to do with "efforts" to counter the influence of the "evil Soviet empire", in my opinion there are ideological similarities between the Pinochet regime and the conservative movement of today. In fact, one could argue that the ideologies of the republican party of today and of modern "conservatism", are a natural evolution of ideologies of regimes like the Pinochet regime. It is not surprising that some on the right openly still admire and approve of Pinochet's actions. They do so because they represent a more refined ideological homologue of that regime.

The ideological links between fascism and the conservative movement of today can be seen on several issues. Here are some examples:

1. Extreme nationalism. All fascist regimes in history were driven by extreme nationalism. Need to say more?

2. Many fascist regimes in history used religion as a weapon. They have been traditionally pro-religion, whether christian (like many dictatorships in the recent past in South America) or islamic fundamentalists (like the fascist theocratic regimes of the Taliban or Iran). The resemblance with many religious fundamentalists of the republican party of today who think that God drives their actions could not be more obvious.

3. Anti-abortion/ultra-conservative mentality. A classic example was the fascist regime of Mussolini in Italy that had banned abortion as a crime against the state. We all know who would love to make abortion a crime in this country these days.

4. Political illiteracy of fascist supporters through history. Traditionally the supporters of fascist regimes have been illiterate, or at least politically illiterate people who are easy to manipulate and instill hate. The similarities with the tea-baggers of today are more than obvious.

5. Anti-immigrant hysteria.

6. Bigotry, hate towards homosexuals.

7. Racism.

In summary, I believe that there is a lot of evidence that the current "conservatism" of today is in many ways the evolution of fascism from the 40s, 70s and 80s.

2009-08-30T08:10:00.006-05:00

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Bolt again

2009-08-23T09:09:00.002-05:00

And here is an interesting article from New York Times about Usain Bolt. And here one from Times online .

The question is what will be the next WR he will break. Will he be the first human to go below 19 in the 200 m? or touch 9 in the 100s? Amazing.

Unbelievable

2009-08-23T08:31:00.012-05:00

Something really unbelievable has been happening in track and field. Usain Bolt recently broke both the 100 meters world record with an unbelievable 9.58 and the 200 meters world record with an also unbelievable 19.19. The videos are worth watching. What is going on? It is shocking that these records were reached. We are witnessing the impossible.

Nathalie Cardone

2009-08-04T10:35:00.014-05:00

One of the very best

Dont believe me? Try this one then .

Silvio

2009-07-31T15:02:00.004-05:00

My opinion of Berlusconi is getting better by the minute. I may not agree with his right-wing policies, but the guy is cool.

How could anyone blame him? He is brilliant.

How could he not notice?

2009-07-10T12:56:00.003-05:00

I would be disappointed with him if he did not. Probably the most interesting scene from the G8 summit. Sarkozy cool as always.

Fascist Military Coup in Honduras

2009-06-28T22:24:00.003-05:00

A group of fascists military officers deposited the democratically elected president of the Honduras and took control .

Fascism sucks and South American fascism sucks in particular. That will be a big test for the Obama administration. I hope that they will do the right thing. That the will not recognize the fascist junta in that country and that will work with other countries in the hemisphere to isolate this fascist group and help to restore the democratically elected president of that country.

Lydia Guevara

2009-06-22T17:23:00.004-05:00

Being a vegetarian, I totally agree with her new revolution.

Chavez's Idiocy and Google News

2009-06-21T14:53:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, I wrote this diary in Daily Kos pointing out that Hugo Chavez is an idiot for supporting the fascist regime of the Iranian theocrats.

Well today, I was looking for more news regarding Chavez and Iran and I did a search in Google News . Well, I realized then that my diary in Daily Kos was among the top news articles in Google news about Hugo Chavez and the only blog article quoted about Chavez. Interesting. Anyway, as I wrote there, Hugo Chavez is a total idiot. Supporting the criminal theocratic regime in Iran is supporting crimes against humanity. It is despicable.

Iranian Theocrats Murderers

2009-06-20T15:42:00.007-05:00

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Monsters of the Iranian regime shooting and killing students who are fighting for democracy.

And more killings by the theocrat criminals.

Murderers

I think that it is now clear that after such crimes the fascist theocratic regime in Iran will collapse. It is only a matter of time.

Hortensia Bussi

2009-06-19T17:45:00.004-05:00

Hortensia Bussi, the wife of Chilean President Salvador Allende just died at age 94 . She was among the leaders of the opposition in Chile against the monstrous dictator Augusto Pinochet who had ousted her democratically elected husband and established one of the worst dictatorships in history. The picture above is of the heroic president of Chile Allende the day of the coup when he fought the thugs of the mass murderer Pinochet, shortly before he was killed by them.

Dramatic Videos from Iran

2009-06-18T07:13:00.003-05:00

Here

Remarkable video

Will fascism be defeated in Iran?

2009-06-16T06:53:00.002-05:00

History tells us that when an uprising like that happens, a fascist state eventually collapses. The fascist regime of the mullahs and religious fundamentalists that controls Iran is destined to collapse one way or another. It may not happen now, but it will happen eventually.

And here is why .......

2009-05-17T07:48:00.006-05:00

Bush and Cheney should not be investigated for potential war crimes.

It makes sense.

Pelosi

2009-05-17T07:35:00.007-05:00

I am very impressed by Pelosi. She must be the first speaker of the house ever that openly accused the CIA of having lied to congress. She is really cool.

The hate of the republicans against her is also somehow a proof that she is really good.

Swedish are cool

2009-05-16T20:19:00.004-05:00

Very cool. My favorite country on earth.

A rational foreign policy

2009-04-17T22:48:00.007-05:00

Finally a rational foreign policy. An American president who respects and talks to other leaders rationally. I hope Obama restores the relationships of the USA with Venezuela and other latin America countries. Obama has obviously realized that Chavez is nor a danger or threat to anyone. He is a democratically elected lead of his country.

Who is more powerful?

2009-04-12T09:18:00.006-05:00

Hard to know. From the unrest in Thailand.

As cool as it gets

2009-04-04T22:08:00.008-05:00

Seden Gürel.

Oh and also Demet Akalin.

Spain to investigate war crime suspects

2009-03-29T13:44:00.008-05:00

Spain has initiated criminal proceedings against six senior officials in the Bush administration for the use of torture. Spain is totally willing to prosecute any members of the Bush regime suspected of war crimes.

What is Obama doing? He said he is for the rule of law. What is he waiting for then to go ahead and investigate alleged war crimes? Also, the war crimes tribunal in the Hague has jurisdiction for international war crimes against humanity. If Obama is afraid to prosecute any war crimes here, he should work on a treaty to extradite suspects to the Hague.

An apology

2009-03-22T07:35:00.004-05:00

From Portia de Rossi . This is one of the best apologies I have ever seen. Again, watching this is just a reminder that human rights continue to be suppressed throughout the world on the issue. The bigotry of proposition 8 is not different than the racism of the 50s and 60s.

Shocking

2009-03-18T21:15:00.004-05:00

Very shocking and sad. She was a great person and had contributed to AIDS research. She was apparently very active in raising money for AIDS research. And I feel also terrible for her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, one of the greatest humanists of our times.

That's why religion sucks

2009-03-18T13:41:00.005-05:00

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A classic example of why religion sucks. The pope is against the use of condoms .

"The Roman Catholic Church says marital fidelity and sexual abstinence are the best way to prevent the spread of HIV".

How dangerous is such a mentality? Very dangerous. The problem is that there are really people around the world who believe such things and follow what the pope tells them.

Religion is a defense mechanism. In fact, many religious ideas would be considered totally delusional if a non-religious person expressed them. But what the pope argues has a negative impact on the HIV epidemic. It is a case where delusions can affect reality. It is called insanity.

Please do that..... Please.....

2009-03-15T08:58:00.007-05:00

The wingnuts are having panic attacks with Obama. They think he is too far to the left. Not only is he a "socialist" according to them, but he know lifted the ban on stem cell research. To them embryonic stem cell research is equivalent to a crime. Well now the famous Chuck Norris wants to run for president of Texas. Not only does he want Texas to secede from Obama's "socialist" America, but he also believes that other states would follow.

Actually, I think that is a brilliant idea. Let some red states secede and elect president Chuck Norris! And lets have the intellectual/advanced part of America unite with Canada! Civilization and progress versus "conservatism" and religious fundamentalism. It sounds like a great idea to me. I hope that Norris and his faction would prevail within the republican party and that would become their future agenda. Go Chuck!

Boring news

2009-03-09T07:04:00.002-05:00

The news have been generally boring, ecpecially with those financial things. Here is an interesting story.

Reversing Insanity

2009-03-07T09:35:00.003-05:00

Finally a serious president is about to reverse insanity. The bizzare theocratic religious/republican right in this country has been blocking federal funding for real stem cell research for the last 8 years. The theocratic Bush regime had put a ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research that uses actual stem cells from embryos (real stem cells) and not just embryonic stem cell lines.

Obama will reverse that Monday. We are about to be again out of the dark ages and the medieval times. The real America is on its way back.

The collapsing ideology of conservatism

2009-02-27T22:34:00.011-05:00

Conservatism represents the worst in this country and the world. It represents the adherence to old anachronistic ideas and failing financial models, the opposition to scientific and cultural evolution and the insistence in returning to the past instead of looking forward to the future.

Most importantly, it represents an egocentric view of the world. A selfish view of the world with complete disregard for other human beings. What I find shocking is that "conservatives" do not care if people do not have health insurance in this country. Or if they die because of lack of health care coverage. All they care is to pay less taxes and get a few dollars in their pockets. How idealistic.... Even more shocking is their subconscious intense bigotry against gays and other minorities.

Although I respect libertarianism as an ideology and some idealist libertarians, I have no respect for religious conservatives and conservative republicans. Groups like CPAC, which is having its annual convention now , are not far from the extreme far right neofascist groups in europe, like the French neofascists of Jean Marie Le Pen.

The good news is that conservatism in general is in an irreversible path of self-destruction. The path has been clear the last several years: Starting from Ronal Reagan we are now to Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal and Ann Coulter. Although Reagan was a terrible president and leader, he was someone who had at least his own ideas and agendas. The new leaders of the conservative movement not only lack in ideas, but they also lack in basic political education. People like Palin, Jindal and Coulter are politically illiterate. And the fact that they are the prominent figures of "conservatism" is a reassurance that this philosophy is on its way to complete marginalization and collapse.

Cross-posted in Daily Kos.

Oscars

2009-02-23T08:15:00.006-05:00

I am glad Sean Penn won the Oscar for second time yesterday. Beyond being a great actor, he is a great man. He is not afraid to express his political opinions and stand for what he thinks is right. He is my favorite person in Hollywood.

George Soros: Financial crisis equivalent to the collapse of the Soviet System

2009-02-21T12:33:00.014-05:00

Finally, someone has articulated what I have been thinking. George Soros on Friday called the obvious : "Soros said the turbulence is actually more severe than during the Great Depression, comparing the current situation to the demise of the Soviet Union. "

He also mentioned: "We witnessed the collapse of the financial system,".... "It was placed on life support, and it's still on life support. There's no sign that we are anywhere near a bottom."

Now George Soros is someone who understands well the collapse of the Soviet system and the repressive regimes in the eastern european countries, as himself stood and fought for democracy those days any way he could.

I am not an economist, but there is one obvious question that comes to mind: Are we witnessing of the beginning of the collapse of capitalism as a system altogether? Is it possible that capitalism as a system is failing? At least in its extreme form that we have here?

Interestingly, I wrote about it here in Daily Kos and one commenter there, brought up what I have been also thinking. That Obama is America's Gorbachev. A reformer trying to reform/fix a corrupt system, but in the process he may bring it down. Of course, that begs the question of who would be the equivalent of Yeltsin or Putin.

Bizzare

2009-02-20T22:25:00.006-05:00

Totally. This guy (next to McCain) is one of the most bizzare people who ever run for president. Alan Keyes. Here is what he said:

"Obama is a radical communist and I think it is becoming clear. That is what I told people in Illinois and now everybody realizes it is coming true. He is going to destroy this country and we are either going to stop him or the United States of America is going to cease to exist."

This certified lunatic run 3 times for president as a republican and against Obama for the senate in IL in 2004. I still remember him showing up in a debate against Barack then and wondering how would the republican party let someone that insane to run.

It is unbelievable but this guy is the mainstream of what is left in the republican party these days. They all think that Obama is a "communist" and that the stimulus package is the first step of Obama's plan to make the country "communist". Insanity without limits. The modern "conservatism" of today.

The Chavez Victory

2009-02-19T23:09:00.013-05:00

Hugo Chavez won the referendum in Venezuela. Clearly and decisively. But, of course, the opposition is already predicting that such a victory will only make worse his "authoritarian rule". But what authoritarian rule are they talking about? Chavez has been elected in free elections and won the referendum a few days ago in free elections as well.

Some simply do not want to face reality. The majority of people in Venezuela support Chavez strongly. Maybe for good reasons. Is it maybe because he has been good for that country? Is that is why the majority there supports him.

Here Chavez remains "demonized". His demonization started by the Bush regime. They called him anti-American, anti-democrat and various other names. But is he? If being anti-Bush and anti-Bush policies qualifies someone as anti-American, how about the tens of millions of Americans that could not stand Bush and his policies?

I dont know what would happen with the Venezuelan experiment. Time will tell whether Chavez will fail or not. One thing is clear though. Whether you like you agree with him or not, Chavez respects democracy and he has the support of his people. And we have to assume that they know better what is good for Venezuela than us here.

The only rational republican left in the senate

2009-02-13T23:09:00.016-05:00

Olympia Snowe. She is the only republican senator who still makes sense. I dont say that because she supported Obama's stimulus bill. I just think that she is the only one who still stands for basic democratic principles in that party. The rest are either close to being ideologically fascists (like the whole senate leadership of the republicans and most senators) or some mean well but are frequently totally out of their minds (like Susan Collins and Arlen Specter). There is also McCain who is confused and split between fascist ideas and respect of human rights. Anyway, I can not help it but like Snowe, despite the fact that she is a republican. She has been a centrist/moderate voice and has been willing to recognize her mistakes.

Her personal story is tragic in many ways. Her original name was Olympia Bouchles. Her Greek parents both died when she was very young . Her mother died when she was 8 and her father when she was 9; and then her first husband was killed in a car accident when she was only 25. Despite all those tragedies she overcame adversity and eventually became a US senator.

She and (ex-senator) Lincoln Chaffee are the types of republicans that Obama should have asked to join his administration. Instead of wasting his time trying to have "bipartisanship" with the wingnuts. I hope he now learned his lesson and he will no longer try to engage with republicans any longer.

Hating humans

2009-02-07T23:43:00.009-05:00

The efforts to reverse gay marriage in California are sad. Beyond bigotry, they reflect some sort of hate towards humans altogether. The hate of "puritans" against gay people and gay marriage reflects their inner fears and their inability to respect anyone who is different than them. Anyone who deviates from their small world.

Finding gay marriage unacceptable is racism. In some cases it is subconscious racism, while in many it is conscious. No difference whatsoever from other forms of bigotry. Here is some reality-check.

I hope that Obama stops this right away

2009-02-05T15:25:00.004-05:00

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Totally unacceptable. I dont believe Obama himself approves of this. But there are clearly elements in his administration whose actions are unacceptable.

I also wrote about it in Daily Kos. I never thought that it would be easy for Obama to implement real changes. There are still many elements/left overs of the rogue Bush regime who still have influence. But this goes against the core of Obama's values and concepts and needs to be stopped. If Obama can not change this, it means that he will be unable to implement any substantial changes. Of course, that would not surprise me.

Is capitalism failing as a system?

2009-01-28T19:17:00.009-05:00

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The economic collapse continues. It will be interesting to see if there will be a recovery or not. Another possibility is that capitalism as a system is finally failing.

It is an obvious possibility that no one dares to bring up. But it is certainly a possibility. What I find interesting is that so far countries with a social-democratic structure (i.e. Sweden and the rest of the Scandinavian countries) have been affected to a much lesser degree than the US and other western countries. Are we witnessing of the beginning of the collapse of capitalism as a system and the come-back of socialism? Maybe.

A cool guy from the 1700s

2009-01-19T20:52:00.006-05:00

Carl Stamitz, a major influence on Mozart. His music reflected his cool personality. The last few years of his life he became interested in alchemy, but failed to produce gold.

The last days of the Bush regime

2009-01-17T07:43:00.009-05:00

Only 3 days left. Here are the achievements of that regime:

1. They violated international laws.
2. They violated US laws.
3. They randomly destroyed another country (Iraq).
4. They lied to start a war that resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths and innumerable numbers of wounded.
5. They used torture. A totally un-American concept.
6. They created Guantanamo and violated human rights.
7. They blocked funding for stem cell research.
8. They dramatically decreased funding for scientific research in the US.
9. They destroyed the US economy.
10.They destabilized the global economy.

But according to them it was worth it . Or to be more accurate, it was worth it to the financial interests of Cheney and rest, who was really making the calls.

Here is another more detailed review of the 8 years of the Bush regime. In my opinion, Bush has many similarities with Benito Mussolini because in some ways he is as much of a joke as Mussolini was. Of course Mussolini was more intelligent than Bush, but still some sort of a ridiculous figure also. Italy is lucky because noone like Mussolini ever took power since then. Lets hope that this country and the world will never see again another regime like the Bush-Cheney regime.

The Very Worst

2009-01-09T15:52:00.007-05:00

The very worst Congressman in the US House is my congressman: Republican congressman Mark Kirk.

I gave money and did everything I could to support his opponent Dan Seals, a democrat who would have been a great congressman. Unfortunately, Kirk was re-elected. Such a shame for this area. Of course, Kirk has apparently no shame.

Until The New Year

2008-12-27T10:47:00.005-05:00

I will be out of the country in the place above. I will be back after the new year. For those of you who enjoy hearing wishes, happy new year to you.

Strychnine Lady

2008-12-25T00:29:00.005-05:00

Now this is real strong classic music .

Remarkable

2008-12-24T21:31:00.003-05:00

Another remarkable composer whose work I listened for the 1st time tonight. Jani Christou (1926-1970). A unique view of the world reflected in his unique music. Exceptionally distinct.

One of the 3 best composers of all times

2008-12-21T16:19:00.005-05:00

Along with Bruckner and Beethoven they are the 3 leading composers of all times in my opinion. I hope people recognize who he is.

Watch this movie

2008-11-30T09:52:00.003-05:00

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I hate going to the movies, but somehow I ended up going yesterday (wife's insistence). And I watched this movie: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

I would use one word to describe it: stunning. It is a remarkable movie about the son of a head of a concentration camp in Nazi Germany and his friendship with a Jewish boy of the same age that was in the camp. Totally shocking movie. Most definitely worth watching, even if you hate going to the movies.

Brilliant

2008-11-15T22:24:00.002-05:00

Some disappointed and upset republicans found already a mechanism by which Obama can be impeached or investigated, so he is eventually replaced by a republican. Brilliant, huh?

Maybe they should call Sarah Palin and ask her to bring it to the press. The idea that Obama is not a US citizen is such a novel and highly intelligent idea that only an intellectual heavyweight like Sarah Palin could promote it and bring it up to the national spotlight.

Barack

2008-11-05T13:59:00.003-05:00

I am on my way to England for a few days. I guess I will find out in person how excited europe is for the victory of Barack. And one more conclusion. This election established that "conservatism" is a failed political ideology that has no place in the modern world. America has spoken and rejected that ridiculous ideology. Once and for all.

President-Elect

2008-11-04T22:24:00.003-05:00

Barack Hussein Obama. We are all proud of America tonight. The real America is back.

LIBERATION !!!

2008-11-04T20:45:00.002-05:00

It is now clear. Obama wins the election. The country will be liberated!! Democracy and freedom will be restored again. The whole world is celebrating the liberation of the USA.

Wow

2008-11-02T23:08:00.000-05:00

One more day .

Landslide

2008-11-01T19:02:00.005-05:00

This election will be a total landlside. Obama will win by 10-12% and over 350 electoral votes. There are a few obvious reasons for which this is happening:

1. Obama is far more competent and intelligent than McCain. Day and night. That comes across big time and the American voters have noticed.

2. Obama is the only candidate who can reverse the economic disaster. And he will. And that also comes across big time.

3. Obama is a better person than McCain. At all levels. And that comes across easily and the voters appreciate that.

4. McCain has been totally unable to explain why he is running. What he has to offer and how he is different than Bush. For good reasons. Because he is not really different than his endorsers, Bush and Cheney.

On Tuesday history will be made. Obama and change will win by a landslide. Americans will vote overwhelmingly on the right side of history.

Desperate lies

2008-10-30T16:12:00.004-05:00

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From the McCain campaign . Fabricating antisemites with whom Barack hangs around. But can not name them. McCain is surrounded by liars. His whole campaign has degenerated to a desperate lie. A campaign that promotes hate and lies. McCain makes Bush look like an honorable man at this point.

Racists and Fascists

2008-10-28T14:55:00.003-05:00

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Another McCain/Palin mob. Probably the worst seen in any video so far. Many of them in the video are openly racists and fascists. Despicable.

Why rational republicans should be wishing that McCain loses big

2008-10-26T18:16:00.016-05:00

I think it its has become now obvious that McCain will be defeated in 9 days and the next president will be Barack. That is good news for the country, the world, and for democracy in general. McCain has degenerated to a defender of people who hate democracy. That is not so surprising anyway, after we learned recently that he had visited the murderous dictator Augusto Pinochet in the past. Obviously McCain liked Pinochet. And that is beyond despicable, as Pinochet was one of the worst dictators and criminals in recent history, having killed over 3,000 Chileans defenders of democracy while in power in the 70s and 80s.

In any case, this election is more about competence than ideology. Anyone who really cares about this country can not vote McCain. That is exactly why McCain will lose. But the question is how big he will lose. I would argue that it is in the interest of republicans that McCain loses very big. Why? Because the republican party needs to eject its theocratic part and become back the old fiscally conservative/socially liberal party that it was in the old days (Nixon and before). The theocratic antidemocratic element of that party represents the very worst in this country. It should be isolated and separated from the republican party. However, only a big loss (>15-20%) will lead to the split of the republican party and an internal civil war that could result in the (r)ejection of its theocratic/antidemocratic element.

The distance between being bizzare and being a fascist

2008-10-18T11:18:00.006-05:00

There is not much of a distance between being a far right wing lunatic and being a certified fascist. This (politically) illiterate woman, republican congresswoman Michelle Bachman, thinks that members of the congress should be investigated to "find out if they are pro-America or anti-America."

Hello? Yes, she said that. The bad news for her is that such statements are totally anti-American and, based on that, SHE qualifies as anti-American. Even worse, such mentality is anti-democratic and clear-cut fascist. That is exactly what fascism looks like.

Debate

2008-10-16T13:31:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately I was traveling. I was in Canada and I missed the debate. But watching some video clips and the post-debate polls, it is obvious who won. In fact, the outcome of the debate can be summarized in this debate picture that I found in Daily Kos. One of the candidates looks slightly stressed. Huh?

Racism and Hatred in McCain/Palin events

2008-10-13T11:46:00.001-05:00

A new video of a McCain/Palin mob. In Johnstown this time. Despicable.

The Bush-McCain Financial Miracle

2008-10-09T06:07:00.008-05:00

Dow Jones average Nov.07-Oct.08. Failing economy. Because of failed radical economic theories.

Madonna Goes Off on Sarah Palin

2008-10-08T15:54:00.006-05:00

Madonna is cool. She has an IQ 5 times the IQ of Sarah Palin and George Bush combined.

Oh and she does not think any better of McCain either . Madonna is the very best.

Yesterday in Paris

2008-10-04T12:42:00.005-05:00

French are cool

Krauthammer Calls The Race For Obama

2008-10-03T15:50:00.003-05:00

You know the election is essentially over, when someone like Krauthammer calls it for Obama. I can not stand Krauthammer. I disagree very strongly with essentially everything he writes or advocates for. But at least he is honest on this issue. And at least he obviously realizes how ridiculous the whole Palin candidacy is.

This election is essentially over. McCain simply can NOT win. He is unable to distinguish himself from Bush (for good reasons) and that is why he will be defeated. And I now believe it will be a landslide. Obama will win big time.

Israelis for Obama

2008-10-02T06:23:00.002-05:00

Israelis for Obama

Shana Tovah

2008-09-29T13:45:00.002-05:00

Next year we will elect a great president in this country.

Sad

2008-09-26T07:05:00.002-05:00

It almost makes you feel sorry for that (intellectually) poor woman. Why did McCain do that to her? Sad.

Oh, and here are some more examples. Again, what did McCain do that to her?

Obama ahead in Noth Carolina

2008-09-26T06:57:00.001-05:00

A new Ramussen poll from North Carolina shows Obama ahead: Obama 49, McCain 47

That is most remarkable. NC is a classic red state. And the fact that Obama is leading now there says a lot.

Now, it is easier to understand why McCain panicked that much to the point of "suspending" his campaign. McCain's campaign is imploding and he is trying to play games and pull new tricks to revive it.

McCain Loses it. Suspends Campaign.

2008-09-24T15:45:00.004-05:00

McCain's new slogan.

Political Illiteracy

2008-09-19T18:54:00.008-05:00

I have no doubt that the only reason Bush was re-elected in 2004 was political illiteracy. Simply, 30-40% of the voters are politically illiterate and they do not really know why they vote for someone. They simply respond to slogans, personalities, appearances, etc. without having any idea of the positions of their candidates. Some vote republican because they believe, subconsciously, that by voting republican they will become miraculously rich.

We had before politically illiterate candidates (George W. Bush is a prime example), but this year we may have the most politically illiterate VP candidate ever. Watching Sarah Palin's interview with Hannity on Fox News yesterday was something else. She was totally superficial and could only articulate basic repetitive concepts. I was wondering if she ever graduated from college (I know she did). She seems ignorant, uneducated and totally illiterate politically.

In a way, I feel sorry for her because McCain used her. He knows and she knows that this campaign is too much for her abilities and her intelligence. But she could not resist the offer.

The Evolution of the McCain Campaign

2008-09-10T10:36:00.003-05:00

With a new powerful message.

A Pig is a pig

2008-09-09T22:01:00.002-05:00

Even with lipstick

The Supreme Court and November 2008

2008-09-07T12:11:00.003-05:00

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There is something very simple that people who are "excited" with Palin should consider. There is a simple question of high importance in this election. Do you want America to stay as it is or not?

The facts are simple. The next president will likely appoint 2 supreme court justices. McCain has promised to appoint justices that will try to overcome Roe v Wade. But that is the least of the problems.

If Palin is the VP and becomes president (and that is a real possibility when McCain's age and history of illness is taken into consideration), she would be able to make supreme court appointments. And that is a very serious problem. Sarah Palin is a theocrat that believes that women should have NO choice and that abortions should be outlawed. She also believes that creationism should be taught in schools. She also believes that the Iraq war was "God's wish". Appointing religious extremists with views similar to hers to the supreme court would be disastrous for this country.

To me the choice in this election is very obvious because I like Barack Obama. But even if the democratic nominee in this election was someone else that I could not stand or trust, I would still vote for him. To me appointments to the supreme court are extremely important, because they can really define what kind of country we will be. America has to remain a free spirited and tolerant country. And having a theocrat as a VP is a far from reassuring that this will happen.

The Choice of Palin

2008-09-06T09:24:00.005-05:00

There are many who like McCain because of his POW status and his "country first" message. In fact, he is now the republican nominee for president exactly because of that. When his campaign seemed to be over in the primaries a year ago, he was able to recover exactly because of that.

But beyond the many reasons for which McCain does not deserve to be elected, there is one that is very defining. It is not the fact that he would be "Bush-III" (although that is true). It is not that he is too truly out of touch with the average American (although that is also true). It is Sarah Palin.

By that single decision, McCain established a few things:

1. That his "country first" message is not sincere. One has to be totally blinded not to see that there dozens of women candidates in the GOP far more intelligent, accomplished and qualified than Palin. Some examples are Kay Bailey Hutchison, Susan Collins, Elizabeth Dole, Olympia Snowe, and even Carly Fiorina. McCain picked Palin simply for political calculations. He did not care whether she is qualified to be president if something happens to him (and she is obviously not). That means that he simply decided that he no longer cares about this country.

2. By picking Palin, he underestimated the intelligence of many female voters all over the country. Paradoxically, it was a sexist move on his part. Picking an unqualified woman (when there so many qualified ones) and expecting that women will simply vote for her because she is female, is sexist and offensive. McCain has a record of disrespect for women, and his selection of Palin was consistent with that.

3. By picking Palin, he also proved that he can not stand up to the religious extremist faction of his party. Palin is essentially a religious fundamentalist with some extreme out of touch views (like that the Iraq war was God's wish). If McCain can not stand up to the religious extremists within his party and he is held hostage by them, how could he stand up to America's enemies?

Electing McCain would be a total disaster for the country. Lets hope it does not happen. This country deserves better than that.

The first VP candidate in history who did not want to be an American

2008-09-02T10:43:00.001-05:00

Sarah Palin

Weird

2008-09-01T09:43:00.005-05:00

The pick of Palin by McCain as his VP running mate proves a few points:

1. That the hijacking of the republican party by the theocons is complete. The republican party is officially the party of medieval beliefs and thinking.
2. That McCain is reckless.
3. That McCain has totally lost it.
4. That McCain no longer cares about America.

It is beyond bizzare that McCain picked a semi-illiterate anti-abortion ex-mayor of a small town in Alaska who believes that creationism should be taught in schools and that global warming is not caused by humans. What is even weirder is that McCain calls Palin his "soul mate". Wow.

McCain does not know what car he drives

2008-08-22T19:30:00.003-05:00

Nope. He does not. I posted about it on Daily Kos and you can find it in the recommended list there.

More White and Blue

2008-08-13T19:58:00.002-05:00

Back

2008-08-12T09:28:00.003-05:00

I am back from a vacation in europe. I have one conclusion from that trip. That EVERYONE there wants Obama to win. Like everyone. I was amazed on how popular he is there.