"Americans really enjoy violence. We like the power of destruction because afterwards we can rebuild, we can start from scratch." Clotaire Rapaille, a French cultural anthopologist and marketing guru living in the US since 1983.
09-03
The British magazine New Scientist published a report about the happiest people in the world. People in 65 countries were asked if they were very happy with their lives.
04-26 Ron
The catholics' Holy Week was supposed to be a period of meditation and penitence. Nevertheless, it seems that violence exploded in Brazil that week, especially in Rio. We Brazilians are used to living among criminals of all sorts but I think it is time to change our behavior before it's too late.
If going to the streets to protest the absurd situation of the police -- supposed to protect us but inept, outnumbered, and, above all, corrupt -- is not in our blood we must at least be vocal and loud about changes that ought to happen at once. Talking, writing, or calling our representatives, the government, and the media with suggestions on how our safety should be handled is of the utmost importance.
As a first and immediate act I suggest spending more on hiring, equipping, training, and paying not only the police but also members of the judiciary system. I would like to see thousands of men and women on the streets and trying to solve crimes, as well as a greater number of prisons.
I know that what I wrote above is not new. These ideas may be simplistic but no complicated economic formula or miracle is necessary to combat crime. A gradual and steady implementation of such measures does not require piles of money.
Secondly, I really believe that drug consumption should be decriminalized and distribution controlled by the government. Believe me, our lives would become sooooo much better.
Question of the month of May: if you were president Lula what would you do to try to stop crime? Please write to english@lynnandron.com .
04-05-2004
"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the United States of arrogance, and Germany doesn't want to go to war." Anonymous message based on an old joke by Chris Rock, that made its way around the Internet in 2003.
11-28
Once an old Native American described his inner conflicts: "There are two dogs inside me, one mean and cruel and the other good and gentle. They are always fighting." When asked which dog would win the fight, the wise Native American pondered and answered, "The one I feed."
10-06-2003 Ron
Question of the month: Who is your hero?
Hero is a person, especially a man, who is admired by many people for doing something brave or good, according to the Oxford dictionary.
Two years ago, the weekly magazine U.S. News and World Report published an opinion poll among 1,000 Americans about who their heroes were. The top ten choices:
- Jesus Christ
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Secretary of State Colin Powell
- John F. Kennedy
- Mother Teresa
- Ronald Reagan
- Abraham Lincoln
- John Wayne
- Michael Jordan
- Bill Clinton
However, one in six of those asked said they had no hero. It seems that we care a lot about people's mistakes and are disappointed with the famous.
I, on the other hand, agree with the following, "We need living heroes for practical and spiritual reasons. (...) Their stories gladden our hearts, ennoble our souls, and are contagious." In these rough times we need a few brave good men and women.
Write to english@lynnandron.com naming your heroes or explaining why there's no one in Brazil or the world who deserves your admiration.
Your answers will be accepted until October 24, Friday, and the results reported on the From Out There page on Wednesday the 29th.
05-27
Believe it or not!
Outer space for sale
Buy your lunar getaway at moonshop.com! It's crazy but true. There's a website (www.moonshop.com ) that sells property in outer space, and claims to be the only recognized world authority for doing so.
A one acre costs $15,99 plus a minimal lunar tax (no joke) and shipping and handling costs. In return, buyers receive proof of their purchase, as well as a lunar constitution bill of rights, a lunar deed and a lunar map site.
Feb. 5th
Here's a strange bit of news, especially for "tort" junkies. How far should one, an American citizen, be able to demand one's rights? A Moslem woman in Florida is suing the state for not being allowed to take the photo for her driver's license with her veil ON ! She claims that her religious rights are being abused and that it's against her religious beliefs to show her face in public!
10-01-2001
World's Religions
Christians... 1.9 billion people
Muslims... 1.2 billion
Hindus... 811 million
Buddhists... 360 million
Sikhs... 23 million
Jews... 14 million
Non-religious... 768 million
Chicago Tribune: 2/18/2001 " Wed. night, the latest chapter in one of the most heated debates in art, culture and morality to ever hit the entertainment industry will be played out in front of millions on national TV. "
What in the world could they be referring to? Well, it's EMINEM. I surely don't know from first hand experience, actually listening, but are his songs really so full of profane lyrics that bash gays and describe butchery of women? Does he brainwash kids with his "shock rock"? Or is there "artistic excellence" to be found?
Mon. 3/25 Car dealers sometimes promote their new models by putting one in view at the club. Fiat did so on Sunday with their new "Marea"-- yes, "blindado"!!! Armored cars for the common club goer???
Mon. 3/4 Who out there can explain that complete self-destruction going on in Colombia? Are all those factions going to kill off each other...neighbor against neighbor...until no one is left? And what for? Who can figure that out as well as all the suicide bombers in Israel. Of course, over there you have "religion" compelling the people to kill themselves but what's the real purpose? What difference does it make? It's beyond comprehension.
Tues. 2/19 The Olympics...The only fun things about these games were the fantastic suits in the speed skating events. Wow! Wonder how the athletes were poured into them! (Were also featured in Time and Newsweek.)
The quarrel over the Gold for the dance skaters brought the event to a new low...almost causing an "international incident"!
