With the fomenting of the delicate succession in North Korea and rampant speculation about the elections in Russia, politicians and reporters perhaps ought to be a bit more gracious in their commentary--not censored and restrained but on the contrary, using the voice and platform they have to speak for the oppressed and as well as admonishing their audience about their own tenuous state of affairs, how their ability to voice those opinions is under constant threat and due vigilance is never out of bounds.
Tuesday 20 December 2011
the trend is towards the bourgeois-smug
catagories: ๐ฉ๐ช, ๐บ๐ธ, ๐, ๐, ๐ฅธ, economic policy, foreign policy, revolution
Monday 19 December 2011
o du frรถhliche or shutter-speed
I suppose there is no bigger challenge for amateur photography than a lively Christmas Market (Weihnachts-markt, Christ-kindlmarkt) in its native setting, the festive glow of the booths under an icy sky and many attractions quite kinetic, like the giant Pyramid of the Leipzig, sort of a wooden carousel with Christmas figures that's propelled by the heat of flames. Leipzig's fair is among the eldest traditions in Germany, along with nearby Dresden and Bautzen, and decorated with the holiday trappings and influence of the Ore Mountains' (Das Erzgebirge) arts and crafts.
catagories: ๐ฉ๐ช, ๐ป, holidays and observances, lifestyle, travel
navidad or chili incarnate
• 1 can of diced Tomatoes (with peppers)
• 1 can of Kidney Beans
• 1 can of Garbanzo Beans
• 2 cups (about 500mL) of Vegetable Broth
• 2 teaspoons ground Cumin, 2 teaspoons Chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt
One small chocolate Santa, about one ounce (50 grams)
catagories: ๐ซ, food and drink, holidays and observances
Thursday 15 December 2011
paperwork reduction act or schwarzgeld
Der Speigel (auf englisch) reports that in response to the reporting burdens coming with the enforcement of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), starting in 2013, many European banks are barring or dropping their American clientele. Brokerage services, small business with American partners as well as accounts with assets of more than $50 000 must be identified and reported back to the US Internal Revenue Service.
the holly and the ivy or plant hacks
catagories: health and medicine, holidays and observances, lifestyle
Tuesday 13 December 2011
chef surprise or old-new world cuisine
- About 800 ml of whole, peeled tomatoes (28 oz can)
- 6-8 corn tortillas
- 2+ teaspoons of chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper to taste
- 3+ tablespoons of cooking oil
- 2 garlic cloves and a large onion
- 2 small to medium sweet potatoes
- 500 g shredded cheese (Cheddar or a spicy mix)
- 450 g of black beans (14 oz can)
catagories: environment, food and drink
fennec fox
catagories: ๐, environment
Monday 12 December 2011
modular text or cabinet shuffle
Nine months or so after his self-imposed exile in the States, Germany’s former Economic and Defense minister, with the affectionate moniker zu Googleberg (EN/DE) has returned but this time on the board of the European Commission as the advocate for protecting freedom of the internet, especially from oppressive regimes who would quash the voice of revolution and insurrection.
catagories: ๐ฉ๐ช, networking and blogging