Ran Jak Diary

Superficial knowledge

Humanity 2009. Ninety percent of the crowd that packed an Italian beach last summer complained bitterly that it was far too overcrowded. Told that another stretch of the same beach 500 meters away had been almost empty all day, less than 5 percent said they will check it out next time and two-thirds expressed displeasure at being told about the alternative beach. 

We live in an era of superficial knowledge, a lack of curiosity and arrogance about ignorance.  

"You know, you have such a stunningly superficial knowledge of what went on that it's almost embarrassing to listen to you."  Former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski used the right words. He was talking with television host Joe Scarborough, who used to be in Congress as a Republican. Here's the clip.

'Army to quell US unrest'

An economic crisis in the US could lead to massive civil unrest and the need to call on the military to restore order, a A US Army War College report claims. 

"Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities ... to defend basic domestic order and human security," the report said, in case of "unforeseen economic collapse," "pervasive public health emergencies," and "catastrophic natural and human disasters," among other possible crises.

The report also suggests the new Obama administration could face a "strategic shock" within the first eight months in office.

Diarist's toast for 2009

Sometimes our days seem easier when we are cynical and doubtful, sarcastic and mistrusting. But it is our positive experiences - our positive recollections - that we hold onto and smile whenever they come to mind. I think we are all going to need to generate a whole lot of positivity to get through the months ahead.  So, I propose we lift our glasses and toast a positive way forward in our thoughts and actions during 2009. Happy New Year!

Erik and Marky (photo) wrote such a sweet comment here a few days ago. I want very much to get together with them early in the new year. Maybe, if our schedules click, they will be able to visit here. Otherwise, oh, I will meet them half way. :=)

Joy assures me that Flash, the cat of cats, is delighted with his new best friends. Flash is the best! 

It is good hearing Matthieu talk about his art, which I enjoy more and more. And to hear about his reconciliation with his mom. In fact it is simply good hearing his voice and sharing a few anecdotes of mine with him.

There are photos that I look at again and again. Can't get enough of them! The first one below is by Martine Fougeron from her Adolescents series that has earned her the great notices it has received. Next is a photo of Julia that Tony did. And then you'll see Tony, but I don't know who took the photo. 

Georgia tanks close to border

The European Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is worried about deployment of armored COBRA tank-type vehicles to areas close to the South Ossetian and Abkhazian administrative boundary lines. The deployment takes place against EUMM’s advice. A top EUMM official warned Georgia it should at least have the vehicles clearly marked. Currently, they have no markings at all.

Europe's degrading silence

Whenever an international event hits the news, the leaders of Europe's nations are quick to go on camera and give their views. They are in favor of this and against that, to oversimplify what the leaders say. But today, as Israel continues its second day of attacks against Hamas and whoever else its forces have killed or wounded in Gaza, most EU leaders were silent. In France, Sarkozy called for both sides to stop the violence, and even that was more than most European governments said publicly. One country's leadership did speak out. The prime minister of Turkey, one of the few Muslim countries to have relations with Israel, called the air assault a "crime against humanity."

Action movie

Police in Philadelphia arrested a man at a movie cinema who allegedly shot another theater goer for talking too loud during a Brad Pitt film. 

Israeli goals, the Gaza attacks

Israel's goals in the Gaza attacks have been to "send Gaza decades into the past" in terms of weapon capabilities while achieving "the maximum number of enemy casualties and keeping Israel Defense Forces casualties at a minimum." Read the Haaretz report.

These attacks by Israel will rank as an atrocity, The Guardian comments.

Death of daily newspapers

The daily newspaper is about to begin dying off. Dozens of US newspapers will close during the first half of the new year. Massive layoffs will hit many others. Newspapers in Europe will either cut back dramatically or close down starting later in the year.

Pinter

The death of Harold Pinter gives reason for us to listen to his words. Please join me.

Sex turn-on chip works

An electronic chip has been developed that turns you on sexually. Scientists confirm that this chip really does turn you on. It sends tiny shocks from implanted electrodes in the brain.

It will be fascinating to learn who will choose criteria for triggering the turn on. If, for example, the criteria will be decided by a very short, obese woman with a US Marines hair cut, look for magazine cover girls, women who read the news on TV and every female fashion model in the world to be fired and replaced by those who fit the new ideal.

A better solution is to let those who have the chip implant decide criteria for being turned on. They could easily choose if their iPhone is linked to the chip's own software pull down menu. Each menu line will show different "types" of ideal types to choose from. The iPhone solution will also allow chip recipients to change their criteria "on the fly."

Hackers will inevitably pose a threat to personal iPhone control of the chip. If they can steal your password, they can also have the deciding influence on your sex life. As the sex chip becomes popular, it will not be impossibke for a hacker to try seizing control over perhaps 30 to 50 iPhone passwords at once, perhaps on a crowded metro or subway train. The resulting orgy will be hard for some metro riders to explain at home.

It was an odd Christmas

What an odd twenty-fifth of December!  It began about midnight when Santa Claus, or someone masquerading as Santa in a Los Angeles suburb, opened fire and killed five persons, then took his own life. The day ended with word that singer Eartha Kitt, who was known as a sex-kitten who purred at her fans, died in New York. Between those two odd events, others happened, each of them slightly strange.

In Britain, Queen Elizabeth's Christmas speech emphasized the world economic crisis and the hardship it is causing.  She said that the season is usually festive, but "this year it is a more sombre occasion for many." The video of her message is below.

Britain's Channel 4 television is well known and highly praised for boldly innovative programs, and this year's alternative to the Queen's message was no disappointment. It featured Iran's president with his thoughts about the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. His remarks are in the second video below.

'Saakashvili hit his PM'

Georgian president Saakashvili (photo) allegedly punched his prime minister in the face before throwing a telephone at him. The country's Alia newspaper cited an unnamed source as saying Saakashvili attacked prime minister Grigol Mgaloblishvili. The newspaper did not provide a reason why.

Saakashvili is known for his hot temper, and at times strange antics. BBC footage of the Georgian president chewing his tie while speaking on the telephone during the country's war with Russia this August was widely circulated. A spokesperson for Saakashvili denied Alia's report.
Mgaloblishvili, appointed in November in a Cabinet shake-up that followed the war, handed in his resignation after the incident, but Saakashvili refused to accept it, according to Alia.