Adam

How long do you go to jail for if you rob/steal a cactus???

I have a small cacti. I’m not entirely sure how to care for it though.

The problem is pretty dire in mexico. A few years ago they found a new species of cacti, and although there was already a ban on exporting it the next year they were already being cultivated and sold in Europe.

Hmmmmmmmm. Wondering how profitable cacti farming would be with such a world demand for it. Don’t laugh, remember Pet Rocks?……..Adam, stake out a few hundred acres while your down there for possible future use.
Using FlSunshines’s terminology from the previous post, How’s ‘Pricks-R-US Cacti Ranch’ sound?

Where’d you go Adam
I just caught you on with ED and they lost you…………..

We were in the Sonoran Desert last November….the cacti are beautiful.
I guess since they are slow growing; and people are too impatient; they resort to stealing them and pay a large price for them instead. What a pity to have to destroy nature for ones own pleasures.

They must have farms for the prickly pear cactus as much as it’s eaten out there etc….

spsssst!

hey you!

wanna buy a cacti???

(opening coat)

for sale

(looking around….. sweating)

cheap….check em out

(cringing a little)

reaaaal cheap

(adjusting again)

arghhhhhhhh…GET THESE THINGS OFF ME, FREAKIN DEVILS SPAWN CACTUS,,,,

(running down street…throwing cacti out of my coat)

so much for ole shot going into the lucrative black market cactus business

Adam,

whats ^

shep was cracking me up looooool

Whoever steal a cactus is an idiot ……….. its painful lol…. people know days =/

sgt shot – ha ha!!! does seem like a painful way to make some money. I don’t doubt they are worth some money! They do grow pretty slow (most species) and you must be so careful in planting them.
If we don’t get some rain soon…I’m pulling up my flowers and planting cacti!!! They do grow quite well here actually as long as they aren’t planted in any low areas. You often see them popping up in cow pastures.

Max – what’d you cook?

Ok everybody, you have to see this, I am fascinated by religion and human nature, I have been keeping my eye on this little group out in new mexico I think.

Here is the deal.

1) they think their leader Micheal is the messiah, as in the real deal, jesus himself.

2) this guy micheal has layed naked with many of the woman, all because God told him to, it was truly a sacrifice for him to do it.

3) the state took away one of the virgins that “layed naked” with him because she is under age.

4) he went to jail for 2 1/2 days for it, now he is out awaiting trial.

and here is the coooooooooooool thing

he is fasting until the girl is returned to them or God destroys the United states

maybe I am wrong, but this is going to turn out cool either way…one side has a group of people starving themselves to death, the other is God striking down the united states (and world I am sure)

isn’t it exciting????????

http://strongcity.info/

Adam,

c’mon man, lets get an interview on this, or some footage or something, this is Britney Crazy to the tenth power….

sunshine,

good luck with the cacti, I have an associate in Florida and all she does is complain about the heat

I am amazed at how much equipment Keith is carrying in addition to the camera and tripod! What a workout! Plus I like guys in shorts:D

sunshine: like mac&cheese, but a different shape of pasta.
I don’t use like a kraft meal, but get the pasta and cheese seperately.
I also mixed diced cured ham in as well.

Nothing too complex tonight.

Max
Yum – nothing like homemade mac & cheese. I have a killer recipe that also uses crumbled fried bacon, potato chips, and more cheese on top. Makes a real crispy topping. Soooo good. I also use different types of pasta. Like to experiment.

Think I better make that this week – it has been awhile and you just reminded me – thanks

KC: i generally do the fried style with runny cheese. Today’s was perfect, it’s normally hard to get the cheese to the perfect thickness, sometimes it’s more like a soup.
I think your one is a baked stlye mac & cheese. Sounds pretty good. We don’t have a proper oven, only a microwave oven, so when i’ve tried to bake mac&cheese it never comes out quite right.

Max – you could buy one of those small toaster ovens so you could bake small dishes and have something with a little crunch to it. btw, how do you “fry” mac & cheese?

Everything is better fried…..even prickly pear Cactus!
(keeping it on topic here) LOL

I have heard fried pickles are to die for, there was a place here that served them but I never tried them.

Adam Keith looks strong and capable, I may be old but good form is good form!

Okay I am going to bed, and first in the AM I am off to Houston. I will be back over the weekend. Stay safe Adam!! Everybody else do what you do best!

Good Morning to all who are awake and reading this blog.

Is anyone on guard duty for the cactus?

Sunshine: The recipie called it stir fried. But it’s really more like boiled. Boil the pasta until it’s a few minutes from being done, don’t use much water, if there is a lot left poor some away. Then stir in some fast melting cheese (american works well), leave the lid off to allow the water to evaporate. And then just leave it until it gets to the desired thickness.

I find it very good. It’s quite creamy.

Well Tony’s water bill should not be too much if he has a yard full of cacti– LOL

Adam– javelina– LOL

They should put some gila monsters chained to the cacti for preventive measures– and scorpions– that ought to keep the thieves away!

I just got back from looking for you– dang it is hot!!!!

xxx

Adam-

Have you ever ate nopales? prickly pear cactus. Very good— I love it prepared mexican style!

Adam again—

Jen, her hubbie, and I met– We had a great time!! I see you haven’t been to the preceding thread– our comments are there!

Next time you go to Kentucky, you need to swing by and meet Jen and her husband! Wonderful people! LOL

Max–

I make a great mac and cheese dish– it takes velvetta, cream cheese, cheddar, and cream– very creamy!!!

Adam-

this is the way to eat nopales

I N G R E D I E N T S
3 cups cooked nopales
3 tbsp chopped white onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano
2 tbsp fresh lime juice or vinegar

T O P P I N G
3 tomatoes, sliced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup crumbled queso fresco or añejo or Monterey jack cheese
1/3 cup purple onion rings
3 canned chiles jalapeños en escabeche, cut into quarters lengthwise
1 avocado, peeled and sliced (optional)
romaine lettuce for the side of the serving platter

I love queso fresco!!

Susan: is it a baked Mac & cheese dish?

Here’s a good lead-in for Adam’s anticipated reports on drug smugglers within he next few days………

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,365802,00.html

I know, I know……..I didn’t digress……….I don’t know what’s wrong, I’ll go and see the doctor later on.

@John-

The study said marijuana use increased the risk of developing mental disorders by 40 percent.

well that explains me!

Max– yes– baked!

@ Adam-

but lately there’s fried candy bars, fried twinkies…etc.

fried or melted? LOL

Susan: they wouldn’t be melted, you’d put them in for only a few seconds. Ever heard of ‘baked alaska’? That’s icecream in a sponge cake topped with meringue. The ice cream will still be solid in the middle as the temperatures are very high, but only for a moment.

OK now we finally have our cooking thread ….since Adam participated. LOL

Susan– I can pretty much vouch for all you say now, except you saying this stuff about marijuana; I am totally innocent with that one!

Jen–

referring to my past– now you can vouch for that one– as I think you know some of my past! LOL

But that is a given– from all my older posts, one can figure out I probably have done some things! LOL

Max–

Yes– I have even had baked Alaska– LOL

I was referring to the hot sun– as it fries everything– LOL

Max–

the baked Alaska– too tedious– (meringue)

So you make it?

Jen–

the only thing that fries my mind now is the AZ sun! LOL

Good morning everyone

Patty – you OK????? Heard this morning Kansas got hit again and received some major damage. It is soooo sad to hear every day the terrible terrible damage done to so many states with tornados, flooding, etc.

Santa Cruz mountains are on fire again – 1600 had to be evacuated between last night and this morning. Homes are going up really fast due to our dry dry climate conditions.

Wonder if Adam has to go home and get his red bag!!!

today :

50 rockets / morters fired into Israel…… Israels response is a joke….

in other news: im going to some cool concert 2night …. in tel aviv

and in frustrating news: me have back to back math exams sunday :’(

Avi

Good luck with the math exams. When do you get summer break? Schools are out in Ohio until late August.

Adam,

You must be sweltering in that desert heat…I’ve been there and it’s awful.

Avi–

Yesterday when Ken’s case manager came over she told me a sad story–Her husband is from Israel, and he is a general manager here for one of the major restaurants– Well last year, her husband’s brother was shot in cold blood by a group of people who are known as Drews? Did I get the spelling right? Do you know what I am referring too?

Iowa got hit too big time!!

Adam—

wear a cap and lots of sun screen– skin cancer is not fun!!! Carry an umbrella– what the heck!

what concert Avi?

Adam–

don’t let anyone talk you into drinking pulque– (made from the maguey) Now that is a definite YUCK!

Susan…the thought of Adam carrying an umbrella in the desert is really funny.

Sylvia–

Beats carrying the equipment! LOL

Susan,…..you got that right!!!

KC—

I heard about the fires yesterday— and it was windy here– everytime the winds start here, I think of CA and wonder if there is a fire– I am beginning to hate these winds! curse!

Sylvia-

Susan

The fire yesterday was in Northern California, about 60 miles north of Sacramento, around Oroville. A lot of people lost their homes and all of their possessions. Some of the homes that were burnt to the ground were around 100 years old and in families for generations. It was so sad to hear their interviews. Claudia Cowan was doing the coverage on that one.

I believe the fire in the Santa Cruz mountains started last night. As of this morning it was burning out of control and two firefighters were severely burned because they got caught up in the wind change and were trapped. It is so terrible for everyone involved. Everything is just so dry around here.

By the way, glad you had a great visit with Jen and her hubby – What fun!!!

@Susan-AZ

re: “Did I get the spelling right?” — probably not. You most likely were trying to say “Druze”.

Gentle reminder: Druze are one of the religious/ethnic subgroups of the area of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. Those that live in Israel are Israeli nationals, and some of the most patriotic citizens of that country. The way you retold that story made it sound like “they” are all the same, and enemies of the people… which is certainly not true. Here’s a fictitious statement equally misleading: “Well last year, her husband’s brother was shot in cold blood by a group of people who are known as Catholics…” See where that retelling went wrong?

KC–

WOW! I haven’t turned on the tele– now I know why!!! How awful!!!!!!!! Yesterday there was a firefighter who had third degree burns– These guys are truly brave!!! I could not do their jobs! No way!

On a lighter note– it was a great visit and hopefully there will be future visits as well!

@LDG–

Gentle reminder: Druze are one of the religious/ethnic subgroups of the area of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria—

yes!!! As she told it to me too– However, she didn’t give me the correct spelling as I asked– so muchas gracias!!!!

time to go look up Druze–

xxx

…and a good ‘morning’ all around.

Whew! Just read back through this thread (and other recent ones from FOXNews): Floods; fires; tornadoes; math tests ((grin))… it sounds pretty rough out there!

Well–

I just learned a bit about the Druze– or Druz or Druse!

@LDG–

cooking too!

@LDG-

So why did they kill one of their own? hmm? I need to get the story from the husband– sounds like Dolores has some things left out!

@LDG–

But you can’t correct me on pulque and maquey! LOL

@Susan-AZ

“So why did they kill one of their own?” — likely gangsterism. One of the rarely told stories of life in Israel is the prevalence of “mafia-style” activities.

“But you can’t correct me on pulque and maquey!” — nor would I. Those were very interesting comments by you, btw. Pity I missed out on the cooking comments earlier.

@LDG–

Did you skip the latest news about the marine and the new puppy video? I sure did!!! I don’t want to know!

LDG

Heard on the news this morning that people in Japan have the longest life span and live longer than we do. What’s the secret???

Good news however, they bumped up our (women’s) lifespan to 78 so I guess I will be around a bit longer to annoy and/or pester people. Hope they don’t run out of social security!!

@LDG-

likely gangsterism. One of the rarely told stories of life in Israel is the prevalence of “mafia-style” activities.

Now that is what she said— but she said it as if the Druze were a type of mafia– she named this gangster group as a Druze killing her husband’s brother and his business associate too as well!

@Susan-AZ

I think you mean the one “puppy video” from months ago, and the fact that the military has recently punished the perps, yes?

re: “but she said it as if…” — that may be how she said it. Look at my “catholics” example, above, for why that is inherently mistaken. Sadly, it is a common mistake still.

Patty is Ok. Thanks for asking KC! A little short on sleep, but that i can survive. That just goes along with my boss being the Emergency Manager!
I probably won’t be back the rest of the day though. Duty calls.

This article, when it speaks of Soldier, KS…that is 30 miles south of us.
The Chapman, KS is 75 miles SW of us.
Also the Kansas State University recieved much damage. Also about the same distance as Chapman, 75 miles.
All too close to home, although we know how fortunate we are. My heart breaks for the iowa boy scout parents.
and more storms coming today.

h ttp://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/19816649.html
disabled the link…you’ll have to remove the space after the “h”

btw: I LOVE fried ice cream!!! Covered in honey and topped with whipped cream. YUM!

@LDG–

Are you settled in? I checked out Foxy’s blog earlier– and nada new– I have been up since 4:00– Ken woke me up and I haven’t been able to go back to sleep! So I was visiting blogs earlier and I didn’t see any new pictures– (sad for me)

Patty–

Here in Az– Mexican deep fried ice cream– they roll the balls of icecream in crushed corn flakes and deep fry for a second and then serve with whip cream– sounds like yours–

@LDG–

I didn’t find out if this was the marine from the past– I can’t handle stories like that one– but you are probably right- title reads- Marine expelled, another penalized for puppy video- So it could be read– as another one of the perps from that incident or it could be read as more recent– LOL

re: “but she said it as if…” — that may be how she said it. Look at my “catholics” example, above, for why that is inherently mistaken. Sadly, it is a common mistake still.

And this is why you are here!!! You catch it all! LDG, genius always at work!

Patty–

oh yes– they put the honey on it too!

I love chocolate– not into ice cream too much!

@KC-Fresno

“Heard on the news this morning that people in Japan have the longest life span and live longer than we do. What’s the secret???”

heh, medical science wishes they knew…

The commonly ascribed reasons are: diet (low in fat, more fish than meat, and most (current) seniors having experienced periods of very low calorie intake in their youth from the years of postwar shortages); universal availablity of basic health care; extremely high standard of living; a cultural veneration of longevity.

The odd counter-indications are: an appalling stomach cancer rate in middle-aged adults; high stress, alcohol comsumption, and smoking rates, especially in men; some serious vitamin deficiencies in the foodstuffs of the traditional diet; a very high suicide rate.

…so it is a bit of a mystery.

I will say that the idea of growing old *and living well* is a fairly new idea here. Most of the aged of the previous generations lived to a late age, but with severe incapacities. Thankfully that is already becoming a thing of the past here.

@Patty

Good luck, and glad to hear you are well!

Patty

Very thankful to hear you and yours are OK. We feel so bad for everyone that is being hit by these disasters. Life changing times.

Now that I know you are OK, I can go to my tai chi class and not worry.

Talk to you all later

@LDG—

What is the price of gas in Japan?

Patty–

Have a good and safe day!!!!

xxxxx

@Susan-AZ

“Are you settled in?” –yes, with a big *however*…

Foxy is back at work, and has been hitting 3+ hours of OT every day. So she gets up, goes to work, comes home, eats and maybe has a half an hour to chat or play with kitties, then falls into the sack. This should wind down in a few days, and she has a two-day weekend this week, so it is possible she will have the time to tend to her ‘blog a bit then.

I do know more pictures have been taken, but the two “biggies” will come next week when (1) the last of the furniture arrives and (2) the yard landscaping is underway.

Thank you for asking, and please allow a bit more time.

@LDG–

We were discussing longevity a couple months ago– (Japan) I also thought they had lived long!

I think diet plays a big factor, habits, and exercise– as well as with the environment-

@KC-Fresno

((waves, smiles)) Have a good class!

@Susan-AZ

Locally we are between 165 en and 169 en per liter, regular grade…

(using ~105 per US $ as a current exchange rate, and ~3.9 liters per gallon, that comes out to: ~$6.13 a gallon at the low end)

@LDG–

re– Foxy– I bet she is exhausted— I hope she slows down for some R&R–

oh dear– someone is at the door–

Neighbor is here!!!!

Will have to come back!!!!

Have a good day– and LDG, if I don’t see you before you go to sleep– oyasumi nasai

xxxxx

@Susan-AZ

“…as well as with the environment-”

Hm? how so? Could you explain this further for me, please?

((waits patiently, as no where near done with other things tonight))

@Avi, if he wanders back by…

You might want to see this:

http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/12/scaling-the-wall-in-ramallah/

Greg Burke reporting from Israel and the West Bank on a clever business venture. (No, they don’t really “scale” the wall)

Susan: No, i rarely make cakes, so i’ve not tried making it yet.

Adam……here’s kind of an interesting wine story……

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080612151850.rcr1mc4a&show_article=1&catnum=8

Adam – still waiting on my bottle of wine. lol

Adam – just thought that maybe the winner of the POD with the grape vines should get a bottle. (hiccup)

Susan (whispering so Adam doesn’t hear) be on the look out for that news van with Adam and the crew in the desert and ambush them with a video camera to post on the blog. lol they might also enjoy a nice cold drink while out in the desert.

hm… it is quiet… too quiet… Susan still gone… no breaking news…

Time for a DIGRESSION!

…maybe… politics? …or something controversial? …or…

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/06/12/funny-pictures-i-haz-a-happee/

…maybe just a happy thing.

I think that Adam and crew are quite aware of Susan’s proximaty to their location. And, I have no doubt that they can get into their camouflaged Ghillie Suits, made up of cacti spines and Gila Monster turds, at the first sign of Susan’s 1972 Ford Pinto station wagon.

@John

“…camouflaged Ghillie Suits, made up of cacti spines and…”

those are the ones with the label “spines toward enemy”, right? ((grin))

LDG……yup……..however if Susan forgoes the Pinto for the more concealing 1968 Volkswagon Microbus, with the hippie flowers, peace signs and Vote for Hubert H Humphrey for President bumper stickers, she may be able to surprise them if approaching with the setting sun.

cute kitty. I sent it to my cat loving friend.

@Max

“cute kitty…”

Glad it was of pleasant interest. Given that my other choices for a digression were nasty political infighting stories, more horrors from Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), or rants from the ‘blog-o-sphere about M. Malkin’s treatment by FOX during her appearance on broadcast today…

…I chose the happy.

ah well, no Susan back yet, and time has now come to go rest.

Be well and safe, All.
((departs))

This is somewhat of a “happy” digression, at least it’s not bad news. Just goes to show that in the very end, it all comes down to communication

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/809628b4-38a4-11dd-8aed-0000779fd2ac.html

The M. Malkin one sounds like it could be entertaining.

Susan,

yah druse ….. there actually good people soo its rare for them to act bad……. they serve in the IDF and are a big part of israel…..

the concert was great it was like a concert/musical play …….. it was really cool……

Adam, if you need a clean pit stop on your way back to California, just give a yell.

I can promise cool drinks and legal cactus to go!!!

Hi to everyone from the very hot desert southwest!!!

Montana

Posted on Jun. 10, 2008

By Cristal Montañéz

Venezuela: Rich Dictator, Poor People

I am a former Miss Venezuela, and although a naturalized U.S. citizen, I feel a deep responsibility for and commitment to my country of origin. Today, I condemn the disaster that has befallen my country since Hugo Chávez took office, and continue to denounce it to let the world know the current reality of Venezuela. This is a personal account juxtaposed by political and social events.

In 1977 when I received my crown, my country was an enticing paradise and a lucrative place for business. Venezuela’s inviting tropical climate mirrored the fun, fresh personality of her people. During my career as an international model, I always felt proud to represent Venezuela. Even though its system was not perfect, my country was a peaceful, exotic melting pot. It was considered an example of democracy and a political model to be imitated in Latin America, characterized by the separation of power and respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. Those were years of development and growth, excellent international relations, and recognition for Venezuela.

I remember with pride the creation of PDVSA (1975), the inauguration of the Caracas Metro (1983), and the Grand Mariscal de Ayacucho, a scholarship program that educated so many of our petroleum engineers. There were food programs for the schools, internationalization of the oil industry, and the construction of the Teresa Carreno Art Center, among many other triumphs. All that, was before Hugo Chávez came to power.

I also remember my first experience as a political activist during the 1978 presidential campaign. That year, when I placed my ballot in the box for the first time, I had the confidence my vote would be secret and respected. Today, Venezuelans face an irregular electoral registry, and their ballots are manipulated by fraudulent electronic machines.

The Vargas Tragedy

Many of my fondest memories are of driving with friends and family to Vargas State, the region I represented, on weekends to enjoy some of the most stunning beaches on the northern Caribbean coast. Vargas was a popular (and profitable) tourist stop. Home to the country’s large seaport, La Guaira, and the principal airport in Venezuela, its unique blend of beauty and Caribbean charisma attracted people from all over the world. Unfortunately, that has changed during the Chávez regime. Now, increased crime and violence discourage tourists from traveling to Venezuela.

A few days before the 1999 referendum for a new constitution, meteorologists advised President Chávez’s government that some 16 inches of heavy rains were expected in Vargas and recommended that the scheduled election be postponed. Chávez ignored the warning, demanding that all go to the polls and commanding them to “fight against nature” if necessary.

Chávez called upon the armed forces to fully monitor the referendum process instead of calling for the affected area to be evacuated. Hence, few soldiers were available to help in the disaster areas.

My father was a military man, and I grew up with great respect for soldiers who dedicate their lives in defense of the state. Even though the Venezuelan constitution established that the armed forces “are at the exclusive service of the nation, and in no case at the service of any person or political partisanship,” Chávez has converted them into his own political appendage and ensured that the military serves his interests. The Venezuelan military now includes reserves and territorial guards, whose main purpose is to spread political ideology and serve as “local resistance before an internal aggression or invasion of foreign forces.”

After the torrential rains, it took days for the Venezuelan military to take action in Vargas. The rainfall reached some 48 inches and mudslides resulted in a loss of lives that could have been prevented. Approximately 30,000 people died and thousands were airlifted out of the disaster area to other states.

Six months after the tragedy I traveled to Vargas, leading a group of young ambassadors representing Bear Hugs for Venezuela, a UNICEF program for the children affected run in conjunction with the Venezuelan Red Cross. The devastation was heart-wrenching: the beautiful beaches I had enjoyed so much were destroyed and abandoned as dirty mud marshes. Mud covered buildings up to their fourth floor. Brick homes had been destroyed by the landslides, displacing all remnants of normal life. Horrible smells and flies infected the area. The air was thick and filthy, and the reigning misery overpowered every breath. Those who had no place to go dug holes above their buried homes, cleared the waste inside, and molded a pit with room enough to sleep. The shelters were not equipped with the basics necessary for sleeping, cooking, and eating. The area was totally unsanitary, and people felt abandoned with no hope, no future. This is the true story of an oil-producing country once considered the jewel of the Caribbean.

In the midst of this misery, Chávez’s government refused much-needed equipment that was offered by the U.S. Why? The Chavistas claimed any U.S. help would be a front for a military invasion. Chávez has prevented the resuscitation of Vargas by limiting the ability to open a viable road network. He has also ignored the need for reconstruction in the region.

Today, nearly a decade after the tragedy, I’m appalled to see how the government has failed to create the infrastructure needed to rebuild Vargas and promote economic development. Thousands of displaced poor people are still waiting for the government to fulfill its promise to rebuild their homes. There are no resources allocated for rebuilding Vargas. However, Chávez, who insists that “being rich is bad,” spent $65 million on a private jet for his personal use while the poor people of Vargas remain in dire need of basic housing.

The Savior of the Poor?

Chávez has claimed to be the savior of the poor. In reality, he has used them as a political tool to gain power. His neo-communist and militarist model continues to be funded by oil wealth that belongs to all Venezuelans. While PDVSA plays a major role in the Chávez revolution in Venezuela, Citgo is used as his political instrument in the U.S. The PDVSA and Citgo profits are then used by Chávez to buy political loyalty.

Before Chávez took over in 1999, when oil was selling for about $10 per barrel, PDVSA was the world’s second-largest energy company and one of the leading foreign suppliers of crude oil and refined petroleum products to the U.S. Under Chávez, with oil selling for over $100, Venezuelan oil production has fallen almost 50 percent.

Never in Venezuela’s history has there been such rampant and shameless corruption. According to Domingo Maza Zavala, former director of the Central Bank of Venezuela, “Now, in Venezuela, there is more poverty than there was before Chávez.”

There are also serious problems in the healthcare system. From the 1960s to the ’80s, my mother worked for the Instituto Venezolano de Seguro Sociales (I.V.S.S.), the public healthcare system. Even though it faced problems before Chávez took office, the I.V.S.S. was able to serve its constituency and offered outpatient medical services, surgery, and hospitalization, as well as free prescriptions. While far from perfect, the agency was innovative. My mother used to get excited about the new technology and equipment purchased by the I.V.S.S. to provide better and faster service.

In March 2003, the Chávez government adopted what they called “socialist” innovations in healthcare, but completely failed to maintain basic medical functions. Instead of supporting the existing public health programs, Chávez built a parallel health program, Barrio Adentro, which features 11,000 community modules (one-room clinics) staffed mainly by Cuban doctors. The system diverts resources and equipment from the I.V.S.S. public hospitals, where the public still goes for emergency and maternity care and for most major and elective surgeries. There are not enough beds for patients, and often two patients share a bed. Two or three newborns may share the same incubator. Supplies are no longer available, and fewer doctors work for the public system due to low wages. Patients are required to bring their own sheets and bandages. According to UNICEF, since the mid-1990s the childbirth mortality rate has risen 18 percent, to 59 in every 100,000 deliveries. Between 1998 (the year before Chávez took office) and 2007, cases of malaria nearly doubled.

Today, Venezuela’s public health system is fatally deteriorating due to lack of resources and corrupt accounting. The finances of Barrio Adentro are mismanaged and disorganized, making it impossible to determine its efficiency.

Meanwhile, the once-amicable climate of cooperation among the Venezuelan people is being extinguished by violence, a consequence of the lack of rule of law. Today the air is thick with fear as brainwashed Chavistas now differentiate among skin colors. It horrifies me to see racism and hatred dividing families where friends and family once felt free to hold different opinions and political views. It used to be we could passionately support opposing campaigns and still enjoy a meal together. This is no longer the case, as Chávez’s goal of imposing “his revolution” infects the country. I regret that my grown children cannot experience the same beauty and serenity that up to a decade ago I was so proud of.

When I was growing up I remember walking to school every morning, book-bag in hand, laughing with my friends. My biggest concern was getting to school on time. Today, children cannot step outside without worrying about being assaulted, losing a leg or even their lives over a $60 pair of Nikes. My school days were filled with assignments that encouraged creative thought. Through projects, plays, books, and foundational literature like Moral y Luces, I learned traditional subjects infused with respect and love for my country.

Today, Chávez imposes his Bolivarian curriculum, which intends to promote Chavista ideology and eliminate the democratic history of Venezuela. Instead of focusing on educational standards, schools today are becoming miniature military boot camps. It is no surprise that literacy rates are dropping. Children with green uniforms and red berets are handling guns and shouting, “Fatherland, Socialism or Death.”

This horrifying phenomenon is fueled by Chávez’s determination to condition the Venezuelan youth into believing his own skewed interpretation of history, through which they will likely become little soldiers for his cause.

The Future

In November, the Chávez regime will allow political parties to receive public financing to promote the campaigns leading up to the gubernatorial and mayoral elections. That will likely mean that some opposition politicians will be elected. And that will allow Chávez to declare that he is a democrat and that the opposition is governing with him.

But next year Chávez is expected to bring in regional vice presidents (established in the constitutional reform rejected in the December 2007 referendum) to exert control over the newly elected opposition governors and mayors. Indeed, as long as Chávez controls the electoral system, he will stay in power. If you don’t believe that, take a look at his adviser, Fidel Castro. .

Cristal Montañéz is the international coordinator for RECIVEX, Resistencia Civil de Venezolanos en al Exterior.

http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=910

ooops this is the link to the former Miss Venezuela’s Article.

@LDG–

I am back and you are gone! waaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took a four hour nap– it was needed– I had four bad nights of very little sleep– Ken– Finally, his blood sugar is back to normal and he is eating again!!! Relief!!!!!!!!!!!

Environment?– stress– pollution- disease– et al– and I think genetics plays a role in longevity as well-

John– boy do you have me pegged!!!

Avi– I think LDG hit it on the head– more of a gangster kill– (And I was able to learn today about the Druze) LOL — But Ken’s case manager’s story of the unfortunate death made me listen more attentively as you live in Israel– she has been to Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusaleum–

Sunshine– I was headed out to look for Adam but I got sooo tired, I decided to take a nap and I slept too long– Now the sun will be down in a bit and I am afraid of the desert critters at night! LOL

@LDG-

I want one of those meow’s!!!

Alfredo–

great article– but very sad to hear about the happy childhood memories~ no longer!

Kathy Texas–

when you get back– O’Reilley is going to be in Texas tomorrow– Are you going to squeeze him in your busy schedule?

Adam–

if you stop here, bring Tony– Maybe he will finish my backyard as it still needs some more work.

I will fix dinner!

@ John–

nice to read China and Taiwan are working together! (charter flights)—

Those boyscouts in Iowa sure went through a horror!

@Max–

M.Malkin– she use to fill in for O’Reilly, didn’t she? She is so pretty!

@LDG–
I am with Max– what is the entertaining news about her presently? LOL

@Susan-AZ

re: environment — Well, going down your list: ’stress–’ we have some of the worst job stress in the world. We even have a name for “death by overwork”; ‘pollution-’ um, the countryside is pretty fair, but the cities are awful. Neither air nor water quality is maintained at the level expected in North America, and the aftereffects of the postwar re-industrialization have ruined lots of places. Even modern buildings are often built with materials that ruin the interior environment. Look up “sick house syndrome” sometime; ‘disease–’ well on that we do better. Very few diseases of risk to longevity compared to North America or Europe. Communicable diseases in particular are kept in check. But counter to that are the incidences of heart, liver, and immune disorders.

one other matter comes to mind, but I lack any easily available statistics to back up this guess: We don’t have anything like the rate of “death while young” that North America or Europe has. Our murder rate is *almost* negligible; violent accidents are less common by far (manslaughter); our defense forces have very few fatalities (and no wars); drug overdoses are almost unheard of; even the rate of death in automobile accidents is significantly lower than much of the world. Industrial accident death rates are about par, and so are Home accident death rates. Only the appalling suicide rate runs counter to all that.

So I guess the “answer” may be that if you don’t kill off people in their teens, 20’s, or 30’s, they then live to old age. That would skew the statistics to give a “longer” average lifespan.

re: M. Malkin — the furor has to do with the captioning that was run by FOXNews at the bottom of the screen while she was on the air (which were things she *did not* say). I am not so crass as to go into it in detail here, but if you wish, look for phrases like “baby mama” on the web, or just look in on Daily Kos or Salon. The hostility there is palpable. Ms. Malkin is correctly staying above the fray, so she has made no comment on her site.

@LDG–

hehe–

I meant environment by every country and not one specific~

For example: In Africa, aids runs rampant and so do the other diseases transmitted through the insects-

Haiti- certain parts in South America, Mexico, et al- environment—- poverty

War Zones = environment

Stress– very damaging to the heart– blood pressure– + cardiovascular = heart attack-

genetics–We are predisposed through our RNA and DNA–

And there is always luck! We make it longer on the grace of something! LOL

@ Malkin–

when Bill was gone and she stepped in, I liked her better than what’s her face now! LOL

@LDG

So I guess the “answer” may be that if you don’t kill off people in their teens, 20’s, or 30’s, they then live to old age. That would skew the statistics to give a “longer” average lifespan.

___________________________________________________________________________________

You crack me up! (grinning)

So true! LOL

@LDG—

Is it time for you to post a trivia here within the next few days?

Time for my mind to get rattled!

xxxx

@KC–

tai chi class—–

I took a few of these classes– but I am still confused on how to sleep since the west does this for that and the east does this for that! LOL

@Sunshine-

Comment by FL Sunshine
June 12th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Adam – just thought that maybe the winner of the POD with the grape vines should get a bottle. (hiccup)
_____________________________________________________________________________

Yup! You earned it— hiccup!

Adam—— send her a bottle of vino!

And follow-up— did K2 get her special greeting from you when she guessed Ireland?

And– where are all your funny stories? We are still hanging! Ask John!

Signed,

Your Personal Assistant— again!

@Adam–

It has been awhile!

New POD– And don’t be throwing any more grape vines!

A picture of one of your places you visited would be cool!

gracias,

tu amiga

Susan: Yes, she would fill in for Bill sometimes. Laura Ingram is the other woman who fills in for bill. You may have noticed she was filling in a lot recently, but i don’t think she’ll be covering for Bill again. She is going to have her own show starting Monday at 5pm.

LDG: from the way you said it i thought it would be from the right wing of blogosphere. But the uproar about the Baby Mama thing seemed to come mostly from the left.

It’s Friday the 13th
with so much to dread.
Some people ignore it
and just stay in bed.

Jen…..don’t tell me you’re a ‘paraskavedekatnaphobic’…………….I’ll bet Bill O’ doesn’t even know that word.

John

✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

It has been estimated that $800 to $900 million in business is lost on Friday the 13th in the US alone, because of up to 20 million Amercians that suffer from the “unlucky” phobia will not make any type of decisions (business or personal) or travel on this day. (Source Wikipedia)
A British Medical Journal has noted an increase in traffic accidents on Friday the 13th.( Wikipedia )

The number 13 has been considered unlucky for a long time. Early Romans thought 13 was a sign of death and destruction.

✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

Betty……LOL, I mispelled it on purpose. The correct spelling (as you spelled it) has 23 letters in it………too close to ‘13′ for my comfort level. The way I spelled it, it only has 22 letters……..much closer to ‘12′, a much more neutral number.

My favorite number is ‘69′ BTW…………enough said.

John,
Nope; I’ve been up since 5 am. So no paraskavedekatriaphobiaism here.
How many letters…..?? how the heck do you pronounce it!!??

BTW .. Adam is a Friday the 13th baby
so he will love this digression!

I once flew on an airplane on Friday the 13th and sat in row 13 and it was the smoothest flight I ever took.

Here’s a way to mess those peoples minds that are afraid of the number 13……………

Airplanes with 13 or more rows of seat DO have a row 13, start at the first row and start counting rows as you walk to the back of the plane and see. Just like all 13 story, or taller buildings DO have a 13th floor. Again, stand outside and start counting up.
Another funny thing to do is board an airplane wearing a Carolina Panther’s football jersey with the number 13 and the black cat emblem on it on , preferably on Friday the 13th ………..almost guarranteed to see a few passengers sweat with that trick.

John- lol

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
That is a way to really mess with people—–
it’s a fear of long words. 80 !

woops… 80 should be

I hope this doesn’t turn into a spelling bee because I have enough trouble trying to figure out how to pronounce those words. And as for spelling….sometimes my own name is a challenge!!!!

Hamas claims responsibility for deadly blast in Gaza house
By The Associated Press
Tags: Hamas, Israel, IDF

Hamas on Friday claimed responsibility for an explosion a day earlier in a house in northern Gaza that killed seven Palestinians, one of them an infant girl.

An announcement Friday on the official Web site of Hamas’ military wing says the group’s martyrs died while putting the final touches on a plan to carry out a special holy war mission.

Five militants were among those who died in the explosion that flattened the house Thursday.
Advertisement
Immediately after the blast, Hamas blamed Israel, and militants in Gaza launched a barrage of rockets and mortar shells at the western Negev in apparent response. But Israel denied involvement and said explosion was caused while militants were making bombs.

The militant group later suggested the explosion was accidental. Friday’s
statement was the first explicit acknowledgment that the blast was caused by explosives in the house.

Hamas has controlled Gaza for one year and its militants regularly clash with Israel Defense Forces troops.

HI ADAM!

Do you see me waving to you? Well, at my TV. ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

Good Morning Everyone…….

Nice report Adam. Hope you got to eat in some of thge good restaurants where you are.

Look forward to the next report.

Montana

Susan

Comment by Susan–AZ
June 13th, 2008 at 2:04 am
@KC–

tai chi class—–

I took a few of these classes– but I am still confused on how to sleep since the west does this for that and the east does this for that! LOL
___________________________________________________________________________________
Not quite sure what kind of tai chi classes you took so I am confused on your comment regarding sleep and east and west and would be interested in knowing more about it.
The tai chi classes I attend are like a slow dance, beautiful and peaceful. The form we use has 113 movements which uses (exercises) every part of your body. It is so very good for health maintenance, physical, and mental well being. Actually we have quite a few severe diabetics in our class and this has been a real benefit to them. Great for helping us older folks with balance to, and hopefully preventing falls. I am sure Wikepedia would have something on tai chi if you would care to read about it. Let me know what you think

@Max

“from the way you said it i thought it would be from the right wing of blogosphere…”

Ah sorry, the right half of the outrage is that said broadcaster did such a thing to M. Malkin without her knowing about (or saying) the caption. Some claim that it was a dirty trick by someone (various theories).

The left half of course thinks she is evil incarnate, and so grabs onto any such as a chance to bash her, set up or not.

Good morning all

Adam
Saw your report this morning on the border fence in Tuscon and I have a question

Why is the Indian Reservation so against this fence??

@Betty

I am sure you know that while Friday the 13th is considered by some unlucky in English and Germanic (and some other ) cultures, that a different day of the week, when associated with the 13th of the month, is considered unlucky in Latin (Spanish) culture, yes?

I have some doubts about the “early Roman” claim, by the by. In later Roman times, one of the most famous legions was XIII…

My favorite “the 13th is unlucky” is the reputed Templar letter tale, but heck, pretty much any attempt to claim a reason for 13 being “unlucky” is guesswork.

@John

re: 13 rows and floors — well said, sir.

@Avi

Pity the owner of the house wasn’t home, given who he is, eh?

I do so love to read about terrorist industrial accidents… “Hey guys! What does *this* button do?”

and a good ‘morning’ to All!

KC-Fresno………Regarding your question of why the Indian Reservation isd against the (border) fence………

I missed Adam’s report, but one theory might be that certain American Natives still do not recognize the US Federal Government and Federal laws. Could be that they also do not recognize any borders that are imposed by the US government and are therefor against any fence or other obstruction put up by them.

KC–

Hi-

re-class— In one of the classes, Mary Lee, the instructor for the Adaptive gym at GCC, had a session about if you face west while sleeping, you are too have more energy– something lke this–

We went to a luncheon the Adaptive Gym had and Mary Lee had a group of people do a presentation with the tai chi — the slow dance– it was very pretty to watch! Everyone was so in sync–

Happy 13th to all–

my word is-SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS

A good friend of mine in high school was Cherokee. One of his favorite sayings about the American Native, when questioned on why he thought that American Natives did not have to abide by certain US laws was, “We (the Cherokee) may be living in your country, but you are living on our land.”

this day in history–

1966
The U.S. Supreme Court set forth in Miranda v. Arizona that the police must advise suspects of their rights upon taking them into custody.

@LDG–

Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky in other parts-

@Susan-AZ

“Tuesday the 13th” — indeedy so!

hey… we are both here at the same time again… this must be lucky… or… wait…

((grin))

LDG,

yah…. funny how when they kill themselves they blame israel and fire 50 + rockets …. then they say” oopps that was our fault.” well they killed a few high profile terrorist soo thats good….. terrorist killing themselves — priceless

fyi– on sunday our school is taking us ( the whole school 10, 11 , 12th grades) to this water park up north and is sponsoring the high school which is situated near the gaza border and is the school that kids in the area attend affected by the rockets so yah … our school is being generous …..

@Avi

yeah, I guess the 50+ rockets were just a “Thinking of you” card in their minds… *sheesh*

re: “our school is being generous …” — that is very good thing! Should be a fun trip, too.

Oh and for those of you that followed the Viktor Bout arrest story a while back…

…another of the major bad-guy arms dealers who was under arrest in Spain for the last year just got extradited to the U.S.A.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,366327,00.html

…and this guy has some serious accounts to be put paid against him.

Avi………is this land considered Israeli, or not? The article is a little unclear about this…………

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080613164851.cs6hi2bo&show_article=1&catnum=0

@LDG–

I am back- I just read your link– Al-Kassar looks like Tony Bennett–

I am headed out– stuff to do! Tonight is mariachi night with my daughter! LOL kanpai

Rest well my friend!

@Jen–

give Amy a big smooch from me and thank you for your lovely story on your blog! Tears in my eyes!

xxxxxxxx

@LDG-

Did I get the kanpai right? (toast)

xxx

@Susan-AZ

“Tonight is mariachi night with my daughter! LOL kanpai”

wooohooo! Should be great fun! …and yes, you got kanpai right!

See you on the next go-round.

@KC–

Here is something which was similar to what Mary Lee was talking about that one day-

http://www.spaceandtime.com/04Design/041cuorehealthybedroom.html ·

@ LDG–

arigatou!

(I found some new words)

xxxxx

test ✈ ✈ ✈

@KC–

You might enjoy this– from the Mayo Clinic– dang– I should have been more involved in the classes– I just went to a couple– (Ken would not sit through the classes)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087

This must look hilarious to someone that just walks in on them…….

http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=app-0d050eb2-0305-41ee-a375-d4151f606b70&show_article=1

Susan

Yep – that is why I love and enjoy my tai chi classes so much. Really feel good after class. I go every Tuesday and Thursday and this is my 5th year of doing so. I also practice my form every day.

Hi everyone. Looks like i missed some fun here.

Wanted to share this article, from all that I have seen, this is one of the more “personal” ones.

http://cjonline.com/stories/061308/kan_290171473.shtml

Soldier is the little town that is about 25 miles south (as the crow flies) of us. Around here, we are all “next door neighbors”.
Notice the ironic sentence…”His bicycle was thrown across the road into Ontario Cemetery…”.
it brought tears to my eyes.

Patty………Kansas sure has taken the brunt of these storms as they have many years in the past. The Weather Channel had an interview with a gentleman last night who had lost everything except his life in one of those tornadoes in the Chapman area. He summed it up best when asked what he would do now. He just stared ahead of him and shook his head……..”I don’t know” he said, “It just never ends…….it never ends.”

Be safe out there and thanks for the updates.

Johm,
its controversial depends who you ask …. when i was in the area a few weeks ago its an area where palestinians live in ( close by) ….. mostly super religous people live in those areas…..

Thanks Avi……..sounds like neither side (Israeli or Palestinian) can lay ‘true’ claim to that land. If it is indeed Israeli land though, I don’t see why they shouln’t be able to develop those houses there. I can see the US State Department’s concern, however I feel they should let the Israelis and Palestinians sort this one out.

@John

I can give you the legal workup on that issue, if you care for the bloody details.

A short form would be “the legal history of the issue is moot since a Two-State solution is the accepted future course, so claims and counter-claims will have to be resolved as part of that solution”.

LDG……agreed. Here’s a ’simple’ solution………..650 houses for the Israelis, 650 houses for the Palestinians. 650 X 2 = 1300…………Done.

OK, what’s the resolution they need solved?

Sorry, should have written, What’s the NEXT resolution they need solved?

I generally have good luck on Fridays the 13th.

@John

heh, simple. makes you wonder what all the trouble is about, huh?

The matter needing resolution is “should there be created a Palestinian State (there never was one before), and if so, what territory should it have?”

The problem goes back to the 1948 “borders” drawn within the Palestine Mandate (which weren’t viable for Israel), the ejection of Arab powers from their occupation of parts of the Mandate in the 1967 war (Jordan, from the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in this particular issue), then the functional annexation of East Jerusalem under Israeli law, and a UNSC resolution specifically rejecting any annexation…

…all the while with a seperate declaration stating Jerusalem is a unitary city…

…and another claiming it should be an “international city”…

…and then with the post-Oslo Accords intention to create a “state” out of those parts of the Mandate not within Israel’s borders, the PLO claimed that a partioned East Jerusalem should be the capital of the Palestinian State…

…which if that meant the 1948 “borders” would leave Israel less than viable…

…and round and round we go.

@Max

Don’t you have good luck every day? just asking…

((grin))

LDG: well just a bit better than normal.

Ahhhhhh, but that’s too easy. Call the entire region Palisraelistine…….Issue new passports. Give them freedom to practice whichever religion they desire. Shake hands and let’s get on with life.

If you think about it, it really isn’t that hard.

OK, that’s enough thinking for me……….have a nice weekend all.

@John

Have a good one. Best of luck getting the Arab League to drop their claims against a unitary state, but by all means give them a call. You might win them over and we’d all be better off if you did.

((looks at the time))

un oh… overstayed *again*. Time for me to out, too.

Be well and safe, All.
((departs))

Tim Russert dead a the age of 58 of a heart attack -

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06132008/news/nationalnews/tim_russert_dies_from_apparent_heart_att_115384.htm

Adam
You have more gadget issues than I can count!
We just had a big bang of thunderstorms run through and the power was out bit.
Thank goodness for my laptop & battery backup.

RIP~~ Tim Russert

Patty-good to see you climbed out of you Dorothy bomb shelter ….
your news article is way too sad.

Comment by Jen S
June 13th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Adam
You have more gadget issues than I can count!

That’s because he has so many gadgets. More gadgets, more issues.
Same with magazines

Max…….
You must have taken a double dose of clever pills today. HAHA!!

Jen: i think i’m just funnier when sleepy.