The spill

The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico keeps being a depressive reality. British Petroleum thought some clever engineering would solve its bad handling, but it sadly didn’t and oil keeps coming to the surface. Still...

With disastrous consequences for nature and local communities around the Gulf. Those communities’ lives depend on the sea, and thus those people’s future is in serious jeopardy. Sad, sad, sad.

BP needs to realize and recognize they did not handle this drilling and the spill well. On the contrary. It started with a shortcut on some needed security valve. And now it’s a manmade disaster with long term consequences for man and animal and plants. Very sad affair.

Human behaviour is slick.

The Taliban freaks in Afghanistan have refused any talks with NATO. A British General had suggested that a chat with the cavemen might be useful.

One must seriously wonder what any talks with the extremist Taliban might be good for. What level of trust is there? The Taliban don’t like democracy, male/female equality, education for girls, human rights, social development,... so one wonders what is the point of talking if the opposite players in any talks have vastly opposing views on life and society. There is no use to talk to the cavemen as they are not interested in honest civilisation.

Human behaviour can be backwards.

Meanwhile a pregnant woman somewhere in South Africa wanted to deliver her baby in a hospital. But the hospital refused any assistance and the baby was born on the streets. And it died. A South African government official called it “unfortunate”.
Understatement of the year!! Outrageous, unacceptable, brutal, disgusting,... would be better used. Find the one who refsued to help and sack him/her!

Reality is tough.

Human behaviour is sickening.

So Obama is signing into law a new set of sanctions against Iran. No choice really than to go that route. Iran keeps pushing the international community against the wall. And the presidential nuke freak in Tehran keeps uttering outrageous comments. He is really a destabilising factor in the region and the world. Words of a madman. Delirium.

He is set on destroying Israel as he does not recognize its right of existence. And that is without a single drop of doubt totally unacceptable. The civilized world cannot talk serious business and politics with a nutter like that. Without a doubt one has to criticize Israel loud and clear on some of its actions and policies, especially towards the Palestinians. But it is also without a doubt obvious that Israel is living with crazy neighbours. Neighbours who don’t even believe you have the right to breath. Now that’s an insane situation as a starter.

And on top of it the recent Iranian elections have been far from free and fair. It’s a farce. A dictatorship with a nuke program. Nothing good about that.

So the only way for the civilised world is to isolate Iran. Close down trade, finances, assistance,... French oil giant Total announced a halt to its business with Tehran. Right move. Sad thing is that not so fair-playing nations like China will maybe enter the void. But a democratic, lawful nation like the US and the Europeans need to act like a democratic, lawful nation and thus sanctions and turning the screw on Tehran are respectable options. Something’s gotta give.

A region and a world cannot keep being hostage to a madman with nuke-phobia.

From nutter to sports fever. It’s all about human emotions.

The soccer worldcup in South Africa is reaching its climax. Quarter finals up next.
The Latin American nations are in full swing while Europe is a mixed bag. Half of the quarter finalists are from South America. Disgraceful France and current world champions Italy did not even make it through the group stage. The French players even went a day on strike because the coach had sent one of the players home after some tough words were spoken. England is another disappointment. Lots of hype and bold tabloid headlines before the world cup, but the overpaid stars went home after a crushing 4-1 defeat against Germany. And yes the game was killed by a massive error from the linesman disallowing a perfectly legal goal from England, but the English defence was nowhere to be seen during the whole game. So home they went.

And before the June 11 kick off there were high hopes that the first world cup on African soil might see the glory of African soccer. But the hope turned into a sad dream. Only 1 of the 6 African nations made it through the group stages. Africa’s broken expectations now fully lie on Ghana’s shoulders. Host South Africa was a mixed bag, but super-egos Nigeria did not even win a single game. Not even a draw.
It was so bad that the Nigerian president announced a 2 year ban on any Nigerian international football. A move that outraged the world’s football body FIFA as they, rightly so, are massive opposed against political interference.

And anyway, honestly, how can you get better as a soccer team if you don’t play serious games?! So Nigeria’s presidential, emotional reaction makes it even worse to turn Nigerian soccer around. Sure there is more to come from that corner....

Throw out. Californian old timers Bad Religion have released a free downloadable album called “30 Years Live” that brings a collection of 3 decades of on stage punkrock action. An amazing achievement. 30 years on non-stop, fast-paced tunes. Keep it up boys!

C -Ya

collateral – July 2010 is here