My weekend was pretty nice. Had some really good Latino-style hot dogs made by my mom at my brother's place on the 4th of July. The History Channel kept showing their fascinating programs on the American Revolution, and the struggles faced by the brave men and women who not only put words to paper, but actually had to go out and fight in the battlefield to defeat the British. As it is often said these days, real leaders like those from the past just do not exist anymore. We went to a residential zone in Burbank nearest to this place so we could catch the fireworks show for free! My crazy airline stewardess cousin had just arrived to L.A. from working and showed up to my brother's place late Friday night. Lots of babbling and reminiscing about the family. Saturday, some more of the same, as we all went to El Torito for dinner. I love the food there. It's not authentic Mexican food at all, but it works for me damnit!
Did you guys hear of that humble Colombian woman and the other hostages freed last week from their guerrilla captives? What a remarkable story! Ingrid Betancourt was born in Colombia, a country she adores with all her heart, but has strong ties to France, where she spent lots of her childhood. Watching European television online last week was pretty facinating, because they devoted complete coverage to this harrowing story. She (once a senator/candidate for the presidency of her nation) and other hostages were in captivity by the Colombian FARC rebels for about six and half years! Can you bloody imagine 
that length of time being held hostage? How does one survive or not go insane?! Our remarkable and competent American media devoted very little attention to this story, and only mentioned how three Americans were finally released and back home in Texas or something. I was kind of upset at that; does a story of this magnitude only matter when Americans are involved? The French government had spent considerable effort in trying to get her liberated and her French children were ecstatic at their mother's release. Good news like this is rare to hear in our negative world, but it certainly was wonderful to have happen to this seemingly gentle and strong woman.
that length of time being held hostage? How does one survive or not go insane?! Our remarkable and competent American media devoted very little attention to this story, and only mentioned how three Americans were finally released and back home in Texas or something. I was kind of upset at that; does a story of this magnitude only matter when Americans are involved? The French government had spent considerable effort in trying to get her liberated and her French children were ecstatic at their mother's release. Good news like this is rare to hear in our negative world, but it certainly was wonderful to have happen to this seemingly gentle and strong woman. My beloved Loren Soth and I can't get enough of this silly show as of late. And the host is kinda cute too:
10 comments:
Glad you had a nice 4th. How nice you were able to spend it with family. I had not heard about the hostage release, I bet they are most happy to be alive and out of that situation. I can not even imagine how awful that must have been.
I just watch the show becuase the host is so darn cute and hot.
As I read the story about the hostages being released I was thinking "Wow, I need to get up on the news" but you made me feel better when you wrote that it wasn't really covered here. If it wasn't for your blog I would know nothing about the world!
Or The Soup. What's up with all the bear stories?
Dennis loves Ingrid-- it was covered very very well on BBC news, which Dennis watches on Cable--forget Fox news, watch Le Journal, the French news with subtitles, and BBC and RTE news.
Dennis noted a lot of people complaining that the Big Sur Fire was not being covered every day, but again he has seen daily reports. Whats up with American News?
Dennis will tell you what's up with American news--they care more about a baseball player's personal life and a model's divorce coverage.
Dennis is just fed up with this Bullshit! America needs a decent news station that WON'T cover "possible affairs" and babies named Sunday who are born on Monday. who cares!? Not Dennis.Yet this crap news is everywhere non-stop, like we are morons or something, who can't grasp real news or follow world events.
There's a lot happening down south and we should be paying more attention. I seriously think our future will hinge on things happening in South America. Fortunately, the BBC does some great coverage and they've followed all the action. Bentancourt is a very remarkable person. We'll be hearing more from her.
Glad you had a great weekend!
I never liked THE SOUP, until this guy started hosting it...now I never miss it. He's cute, funny, smart, and irreverent. He's going places.
the columbian hostage story was simply amazing....
glad you had a good 4th and was able to hang with the fam... send recipe for 'latino style' hot dogs...I love all things latino style!!
saturday we got fireworks when we went to see the cleveland orchestra perform carmina burana - which I should have posted about but didn't - oh well..... do you know the music??? thanks for emailing me your snail mail address. will be sending you an email soon. bises. souris
Ms. Betancourt is an intriguing character, and I read her book just before she ran for office. When I was in Ecuador, I was within a few miles of a FARC compound, and they often hijack young people from Ecuador to join them. This story was interesting in that it is a possibly encouraging way of dealing with terrorism without violence.
I look forward to reading anything written by Ingrid B.
Thanks Junk Thief for mentioning her writing. I'll look for it.
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