Tuesday, May 10. 2005
Babalublog Wins High Cuban Blog Award "Hats off to Babalublog which received one of the highest accolades in blogging when the Government of Fidel Castro banned Cubans from seeing his blog. It is unclear at this time if it was because of the politics, his criticism of Chavez or the Caja China ads, after all this high-tech gadget cannot be used in Cuba, it takes whole pig to use it, unavailable at this time to regular Cubans, except in the police corps." Read entire from Hog on Ice: Aging Murderer Frightened by Website Venezuela Follies
Venezuela News And ViewsVenezuela News And Views "Last week saw the visit of Chavez to Cuba to open offices for the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA, in Havana. The gross indecency of this ill management, not to call it by much deserved stronger words, of Venezuelan public monies has shaken quite a few people, including this blogger. The contained rage that I experienced at this act of authoritarian hubris inhibited me from writing on the subject for a few days until I finally could discuss at some level the craziness of it all."
Fidel and Hugo
The following editorial may lead to Ms. Socorro's incarceration since the language can be considered inflammatory and against the Government. Imagine if Maureen Dowd or Bob Hebert lived in Venezuela. El Nacional, Thursday 5, May 2005
Milagros Socorro (2)
The ballot shipwrecked on the shores of Cuba
The recent landing of Venezuelan billions in Cuba is an event of such enormity that it supersedes any previous scandal.
To underrate the great threat that is implied with the installation of a PDVSA office in a country not any foreign country which is the enclave of a long, cruel and awfully impoverishing dictatorship, is a mistake that the Venezuelan democrats cannot afford.
Teodoro Petkoff simplifies the business at dismissing the value of setting a "Caribbean" office in Cuba because we are not in the North Pole (3). It is true, the absurdity can only lead to incredulity and mistrust. And the editor focuses in the accusations on the "flock of traders" that would meddle with PDVSA business (against the current bylaw that establishes the state company to perform all of its operations directly with its final destination clients).
All of this, already being quite damaging, is not, in my humble opinion, the key to the situation. What we need to have clear in mind is that the investment -or should we call it "expenditure"?- that Venezuela is making in the island concentration camp of Fidel Castro does not follow from any analysis performed by Venezuelan experts.
Continue reading "The Latin Beat"
Sunday, May 8. 2005
Moms of the Blogosphere: Being a Mom entails a mountain of heartache and worry. May it be balanced by joy and delight.
Friday, May 6. 2005
Art Highrollers Feeling No Pain Wednesday at Sotheby's:
Picasso, Rodin, and Max Beckmann all fetch premiums at Sotheby's last night. Hopefully the plastic in your wallet has no limit as some of these masterpieces reach prices approaching 20 million a pop. That's the high end even in downtown Greenwich. Thursday at Sotheby's, from the NYT:
"Christie's sale totaled $142.8 million, far above its low estimate of $111.2 million but not quite reaching its high estimate, $149.6 million. Of the 59 lots offered, only 7 failed to sell. Sotheby's sale totaled $91.2 million, after a low estimate of $127.3 million, with 20 of the 65 lots unsold. "It was day and night," said Franck Giraud, a former director of Christie's Impressionist and modern art department, who is now a private dealer. "It restored confidence overnight." The art market has bounced back according to the insiders. Everyone can get a goodnight's sleep now. The euro continues to rise and the Americans are cutting their losses but the "Big Boys" like Lauder, Newhouse and cohorts continue to spend money like it does grow on trees. Good news for the artists--oh wait a minute-they are dead. Posthumously enjoying themselves to be sure. "The undisputed star of the evening, and the most expensive work, was "Bird in Space," from Brancusi's well-known series of sculptures. This one, a delicately carved piece of gray-blue marble with its original box and limestone base, was made in 1922-23. Scholars did not know of its existence until an expert at Christie's discovered it in an attic in France. Last night about six serious bidders wanted the sculpture, and by the time the price had risen to $23 million, two unidentified telephone bidders were determined not to lose. The hammer fell at $24.5 million, and with Christie's commission the price shot up to $27.4 million, a record for a sculpture at auction and more than twice the $12 million high estimate. They audience burst into applause." Art Market Bounces Back in 2nd Night of Spring Sales - New York Times
Thursday, May 5. 2005
Island Trees, etc. "In a 1982 case called Island Trees v. Pico, the Supreme Court ruled that school boards can't remove books from a school library just because they don't agree with their content. But in many communities around the country, school administrators and librarians are under heavy pressure from religious and other groups to censor what we read and study. If you believe that your school is censoring books because of their viewpoints, you, your teachers and the school librarian can challenge book censorship at your school or in court. The freedom to read is the freedom to think – and that's totally worth fighting for!" American Civil Liberties Union : Your Right to Free Expression Sure. Fine. But why is it the ACLU must always refer to "religious" groups when pointing out censorship? If this isn't bias, then what is? It is time for the "card carrying" ACLU members to stop the religious paranoia. Censorship is censorship no matter what group is enforcing it.
Tuesday, May 3. 2005
World's Smallest Political Quiz WaPo says it's accurate. It's called the miracle of sampling. Try it.
Monday, May 2. 2005
The Latin Beat There is always so much to report on the shenanigans going on Venezuela and other places in Latin America that it is hard to decide which to choose. Today, we shall report on the opening of a PDVSA office in Havana (for those not in the know that would be Petroleos Venezuelan) just another move by Chavez to be closer to his mentor and pal Castro. Of course, Fidel could not be happier now that he has found another oil producing country to help dig out Cuba from their permanent economic crisis. Now if he could only grow some vegetables. Since the only ones they tend to have are tomatoes and last I heard they are fruit. Guess who? Yep the Fidelito brothers taking their show on the road. Election of the next OAS Secretary General The OAS is an important organization and the USA has to be involved with its direction and its power. They are in the process of electing the new head and as Americans we should be watching. "the future of the Organization of American States (OAS) lies in "helping fragile democracies like Ecuador, which is going on right now." More of the interview follows: MR. GOMEZ-PABLOS: Is Hugo Chavez -- if you were to single out the greatest menace for the region, considering the purchase of weapons and his engagement with the FARC, et cetera, would you single out Hugo Chavez as the greatest menace today for the region? SECRETARY RICE: Well, I certainly think -- and we have said -- that we have serious concerns about the Venezuelan Government, about its behavior internally in terms of its own democratic government and in democratic institutions and its behavior in the region. The real threat, though, the real question, is: What kind of hemisphere are we going to be? Are we going to be a hemisphere in which people who are democratically elected govern democratically, in which there is transparency and accountability, in which democratic institutions are allowed to grow, in which there is a separation of powers between legislative branches and executive branches, in which there's a free press?
Wednesday, April 27. 2005
Virtual Vacation Start the morning right. Click here for a non-stop NY to Tahiti vacation. Click here: NYC to Tahiti Nonstop
Playground Brawl As reported here on the 21st, the antics on Wall Street continue to amuse and baffle Maggie's Farm. One often hears that "fiction is stranger than truth" but it's true we just can't make this sort of thing up. John Thain must have been sleeping through the meeting that created the merger between NYSE and Archipelago Holdings because how else could he think he wouldn't be chastised for bringing in his old firm? Honestly where is the smarts, John? Langone, Mack and Druckenmiller also seem to be rubbing their hands together smelling a coup but I think this is going to get uglier as more and more people become involved. Clearly Mr. Thain must have thought the same thing or he would not have kept it under wraps until announcing it publicly. But New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is on the heels of anything that moves so it is highly unlikely that we have heard the last of this. Stay tuned to this channel for more on the "Boys from Downtown."
Tuesday, April 26. 2005
 Cuba Libre? Well if only the drink meant something other than rum and coke because it sure don't mean "free Cuba.' Below are some of President Fidel Castro's comments made in another very long-winded and very verbose hot afternoon in Havana. First we here of the marvelous educational system existing in Cuba founded and completed by the Revolution. Secondly we read another one of those long-winded treatises by the effervescent ego manic Castro on the anniversary of General Maceo and Che; the heroes that Castro considers to be the inspiration of the Revolution. These excerpts are taken from Radio Cuba and I can just hear it blaring incessantly through the radios made in America from the 1950s when Capitalism claimed the Island and we know the rest. I can only imagine Lenin, Stalin and Hitler blaring over their radiowaves too. And now we have Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution to contend with so "buckle up it is going to be a bumpy ride." Bette Davis "Today we are striving to perfect the work accomplished up until now,
and proceeding on the basis of entirely new ideas and concepts. Today
we are seeking for what should be and will be, in our judgment, an
educational system that increasingly corresponds to the equality,
full justice, self-esteem and moral and social needs of all people in
the type of society that Cubans have decided to build.
Such goals will never be within the reach of a capitalist society.
The required doses of humanism and solidarity do not exist and never
will exist in such societies, and their rates of education and
culture, no matter how great their technology and wealth will lag
further and further behind those of Cuba. There are already many
indicators that provide irrefutable proof of this fact."
"Today we are taking another oath, an oath that will be also taken by
the overwhelming majority of Cubans: that we shall be unshakeably
faithful to the homeland, the Revolution, and to socialism, that
imperialist domination and the capitalist system shall never return
to Cuba -- that would be like going back to the colonial system, or
even the feudal system or the slave system which preceded it, and
which were long ago abolished by history.
General Antonio Maceo: Cubans today, brought up on your immortal
example, would like to have shared with you the honor of being with
you that glorious day when you said to the representative of Spanish
colonial power "We want no peace without independence."
Che, beloved brother: all your comrades in arms would have liked to
have fought with you at Quebrada del Yuro and to have battled for the
liberation of America. It was an unrealizable dream. Destiny had
given our heroic people the mission to withstand 43 years of
aggressions and to finally say "NO" to the imperial government which is
threatening us and trying to impose a new Platt amendment on Cuba,
one more obnoxious than that of 1901.
This is why the people whom you helped to overthrow the tyranny are
today waging the most glorious battle in its history against the
government of the hegemonic superpower, which wants to destroy us.
Fellow Cubans:
Revolutionary Cubans, in the thick of the Battle of Ideas we are
waging and embroiled in the arduous and heroic defence of our
Homeland, the Revolution and Socialism, on a day like today we are
rendering a special tribute to our two great heroes, with a firm,
unshakeable decision:
We shall all be like Maceo and Che.
Long live socialism!
Homeland or death!
We will overcome!"
Official Translation - New York, 15 June 2002
Thursday, April 21. 2005
 The Wave of the Future: The Big Merger Click here: The New York Times > Business > Goldman Seals a Deal, and Its Status I understand we are always standing on the brink of the future. But this merger smells of nepotism. Of course, John Thain was instrumental because his allegiance is to Goldman the company which put him on the map and made him a zillionaire. I feel bad for the traders and seat holders who are going to be looking for jobs that no longer exist. Don't get me wrong, my feelings are not for the ones that made the millions and billions but for the guy on the floor yelling his head off that was just earning a living. Like the egg cream at the counter, the 5 & 10, and the penny candy, another memory has been made. At least the Plaza will remain and won't Eloise fans be glad.
Monday, April 18. 2005
The Latin Beat: Corruption The biggest problem facing Latin America is finding one honest politician. It isn't so much that as Americans we need be worried about the despots in charge like Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez, it is the alternative candidate who may be worse. If Americans think they have it bad here then they should bone up on their banana republic history. Read and weep for the Latin nations that are drowning in corruption and malaise while the rich keep moving to Miami. Bolivar's Dream
"Simón Bolívar sent a joyous letter to a fellow general on January 8, 1822, displaying his belief in a unified America. He wrote, "America's greatest day has not yet dawned. We have indeed driven out our oppressor, smashed the tablets of their tyrannical laws, and established legitimate institutions; but we have yet to lay the foundation … that will make of this part of the world a nation of republics." Bolívar was confident that this unified America would impress Europe: "Who shall oppose an America united in heart, subject to one law, and guided by the torch of liberty?"
—adapted from Selected Writings of Bolívar, compiled by Vicente Lecuna and edited by Harold A. Bierck, Jr. (1951)
Friday, April 15. 2005
The Latin Beat: Chavez We begin with "Fidelito" by mentioning the plight of Luis Posada Carriles, a CIA-trained Cuban seeking political asylum in the United States. Mr. Posada is 77 and considered a hero by the Cuban exiles for his efforts to topple Castro in the Bay of Pigs, an assassination attempt in Panama and the clincher--bringing down a Cuban civilian airliner that killed 73 people as well as bombings in Cuban tourist hotels. Rep. William D. Delahunt(D-Mass.), wrote a letter to the leaders of the House International Relations Committee: "Given the enmity between the US and Cuban governments, it is possible that US officials have turned a blind eye to Posada's entrance into our country -- or even worse, facilitated it. If he is allowed to remain here--it would obliterate America's credibility on the war on terrorism, because it would suggest that we share the views of those who support al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents that 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.'" Speaking of terrorists, '"One Darned thing after another": That is how former Secretary of State Dean Acheson defined foreign policy. The latest "darned thing" for the United States is Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez,' reports Peter Brookes. A main concern for the US is the chance that a conventional war between Venezuela and Colombia, our main regional ally, could break out especially since Chavez has been buying Russian AK-47's, MIG-29 fighters, helicopter gunships and ammunition. The FARC ( Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) has been trying to overthrow the Colombian government and Chavez is their 'good ol boy.' Hugo is also trying to sink his teeth into Peru by offering funds to support a rebellion against President Alejandro Toledo this past December. Mr. Brookes does a great job of explaining why Americans need to keep an eye on this Latin tick. And if Chavez's purchases of conventional weaponry isn't enough to get your neck out of joint then how about the WMDs he is reportedly buying from our so called friends in Spain. "President Chavez may be a thuggish autocrat, but he isn't stupid enough to use biological or chemical weapons against American civilians, at least directly." Gee, I feel better, don't you? But wait, there is more. According to Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Spain "has no problem in providing Colombia with material such as the aircraft and patrol boats sold to Venezuela." And a bit more from the Spanish Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Georgina Pol Borras regarding the 30,374 EUROS worth of chemical and biological exports to Venezuela, she replies, "It is [CS chlorobenzylidene malonitrile) gas used to produce tear devices used to control riots." Now tell us, why would Venezuela need so much GAS to control riots if everyone is so damn happy to have President Chavez manning the helm? It is no wonder Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during her confirmation hearings, "I think we have to view, at this point, the government of Venezuela as a negative force in the region." And this is why Americans need to follow the situation in Venezuela and neighboring Latin American countries: According to Ecuador's former president Abdala Bucaram after eight years of exile in Panama, has returned to lead a "revolution of the poor" just like the one led by Chavez. " I come to Ecuador to copy Chavez's style with a great Bolivarian revolution." Bucaram is planning to emulate Chavez's movement which according to both knuckleheads is loosely based on Simon Bolivar's writings. If anyone knows anything about Simon Bolivar, they would know that he is turning over in his grave at the thought that these crackhead despots are using his name in vain. Simon Bolivar, the Liberator of seven Latin American nations, would never have stood by either of them in the battlefield or in the House of Congress.
Thursday, April 14. 2005
Max Ernst Yes, there are things we like from Europe. If visiting New York this is a must see. Let's try to forgive the Germans and the "Frogs" for their Anti-Americanism folly and take in some of the good stuff. Like Ernst. "A founding member of the Surrealist group in Paris, German-born Max Ernst (1891–1976) was one of the most inventive artists of the 20th century. His paintings, steeped in Freudian metaphors, private mythology, and childhood memories, are regarded today as icons of Surrealist art. Comprising some 180 works, this exhibition—the first retrospective to be shown in New York in 30 years—includes his most important paintings, his celebrated collages, drawings, sculptures, and illustrated books lent by private and public collections in Europe and the United States."
Click here: The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Special Exhibitions: Max Ernst: A Retrospective
Old News
The New Criterion does not always make friends in the Liberal, Anti-Dubya and all around beat up the Conservatives playground but what the hell sometimes "ya gotta do what ya gotta do." Although this piece on Berkeley was reported in 2002, it hasn't changed much. All the liberal thinkers and Berkeley grads might want to skip this link.
Good Blog
Here at Maggie's Farm we don't feel we have space to highlight every worthy blogger, but one has to give credit when credit is due. Here is another reason to like the Midwest - the land of nice people with good values. A quote from his recent post, which sounds like Mr. Grim's My Back Pages: "Etienne Gilson once remarked that "politics is the concern of the quarter-educated." Well, I think he overstated things a bit, but I do have to agree that I'm getting tired and bored of politics. There are plenty of bloggers around to comment on politics. But what is sorely needed is a voice for high art and culture. It's my metier and what I am going to focus on in the future. There are several reasons for this. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Conservatives have largely won the debate on religion/morality and completely dominate the field concerning politics and the economy. But where conservatives (from neo-con to paleo-con and from the religious right to freethinkers) have greatly failed in is the debate on culture and aesthetics. Conservatives have largely abandoned the cultural/aesthetic side of the equation to the loony left...and with dire consequences.
Tuesday, April 5. 2005
Poor Paulie He showed so much promise at first. Oh Paulie, you did not listen to Maggie's last post, did you? Psychiatrists around the country are thinking, discussing and will soon provide your family with recommendations for hospitalization. It will be as soon as they figure out the degree of your insanity. I believe you may have offended quite a number of scientists, professors, philosophers, doctors and just about anyone with a brain. Either you are smoking some strange stuff or you have lost your mind. To read the entire column click here but you have been warned: Click here: The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: An Academic Question The Best (?) The Pulitzer Prizes have been announced. Oh goody, now we know who is the best poet, journalist, critic and author of the year. Quick get thee to the local newsstand and book store lest you be left with nothing to discuss on the way to work or at the water fountain that is if there still is a water fountain. Can't wait to find out who will be the best blogger. Click here: The Pulitzer Prizes
Monday, April 4. 2005
Milosz
In honor of His Holiness John Paul II, a poem by another Polish Catholic who left an indelible mark during his time on earth as well. The Pope who many may have forgotten forgave and prayed with the man who attempted to assassinate him, truly living the words "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Milosz was born in 1911 and John Paul II in 1920 and as contemporaries whose works and lives were influenced by WW2, the genocide inflicted by Nazi Germany and the destruction of Poland and yet they maintained an undying faith in the Lord and in Humanity. Men who touched people through writings, meditations and actions and lived lives worth emulating.
When everything was fine And the notion of sin had vanished And the earth was ready In universal peace To consume and rejoice Without creeds and utopias, I, for unknown reasons, Surrounded by the books Of prophets and theologians, Of philosophers, poets, Searched for an answer, Scowling, grimacing, Waking up at night, muttering at dawn. from A Poem for the End of the Century. Read entire: Click here: Czeslaw Milosz - A Poem for the End of the Century
Friday, April 1. 2005
The Latin Beat The Nation recently published as a cover story an extensive article written by Christian Parenti on the Venezuelan regime led by Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chávez and Petro Populism ."It offers readers a biased and sugary version of what is already a populist dictatorship in the tradition of Castro, Peron and Velasco Alvarado. I read the article feeling like the mosquito flying over an elephant and thinking: I know what I have to do, but where do I start?" The Nation Magazine does Venezuela | www.vcrisis.com Gustavo Coronel, a Venezuelan petroleum geologist and political consultant picks apart the liberal Left's analysis on the Venezuelan situation which in light of the present oil prices bears reading. For in formation on the current oil market check out the Wall Street journal's latest report. WSJ.com - Oil Prices Hit Records In New York, London As Gas Futures Rally
Syria and Lebanon Today in the Washington Post, Charles Krauthammer writes about the true Evil Axis affecting the Democratic campaign in the Middle East. America's focus needs to redirected to Syria where a true dagger in the Terrorist heart can be inflicted. Harsh words to use but "when in Rome......" Syria and the New Axis of Evil (washingtonpost.com) "As Iraq, in fits and starts, begins finding its way to self-rule, the center of gravity of the Bush Doctrine and the American democratization project shifts to Lebanon/Syria. The rapid evacuation and collapse of the Syrian position in Lebanon is crucial not just because of what it will do for Lebanon but because of the weakening effect it will have on the Assad dictatorship. We need, therefore, to be relentless in insisting on a full (and as humiliating as possible) evacuation of Syria from Lebanon, followed by a campaign of economic, political and military pressure on the Assad regime. We must push now and push hard." letters@charleskrauthammer.com Then read the article by Victor Davis Hanson, the blogger no one should miss, who writes "The Noose Tightens" clearly pointing out why Assad's demise is in everyone's best interest. VDH's Private Papers::The Noose TightensAnd finally, one last entry worth perusing is "Lebanese Politics for Beginners" by
The Latin Beat: Venezuela More news on the Venezuelan front from the Miami Herald. The Herald due to its location is one of the few papers that follows the Latin American happenings. Will Americans ever learn to look at the their neighbor's policies and realize that their perils affect us in the long term more than one could possibly think?
"Poverty figures undermine Chávez's success claims. If the Bush administration is really serious about countering democratically elected Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chávez's claims that he is a champion of the poor and victim of a U.S. smear campaign, here's an idea -- broadcast the Venezuelan government's own poverty statistics."
The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/andres_oppenheimer/11272295.htm
Thursday, March 31. 2005
Re Schiavo, by Dr. Bob Dr. Bob reluctantly offers a humble, Christian, medically-sophisticated essay on the case:
Click here: The Doctor Is In
Books, plus Robert Lowell This is a great site and a fabulous source for commentary, book reviews and the like. There is a great column on Robert Lowell and his letters. However they only make a few of the articles available online. The Art Forum is equally chock-full of interesting stuff. Paul Mariani wrote the book Lost Puritan: the Life of Robert Lowell and states "If Lowell as historian was our Gibbon and our younger Pound, he was also our wild Shelley, and Hart Crane, and -- at the last--our Lear: grizzled, fallen, and -- in that wounded state -- most noble and most heartbreaking
Wednesday, March 30. 2005
Amazon.com: Books: Hedge Fund Mistress. Yes, that's right . The "Barbarians" are back. Check out the latest in the world of Big money. Must be a reason all of these books have titles like Liar's Poker, The Predators Ball: The Inside Story of Drexel Burnham and the Rise of the Junk Bond Raiders, and Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle.
Monday, March 28. 2005
Movie Review: "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" 
"Watching this movie at an IMAX is one of the most amazing things that I've ever seen on a screen. The visuals and sound are so astounding (and the low-level flying so, well, low) that I consistently had to remind myself that it wasn't CGI. Absolutely spectacular. And worth far more than the $8 ticket." Thanks for the heads up, INDC.
|
