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salem

salem

Sunday, 9 August 2026

Dance on the Volcano.

" Tolerance become a crime if it is for the evil."  Thomas Mann  "I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird, and not enough the bad luck of the worm." Franklin D. Roosevelt.   "The old world is dying, and the new world is struggling to be born, now is  the time of monsters."  Antonio Gramsci.   Since when does a military occupied people have the responsibility for a peace movement ? " Edward Said. " The general population doesn't know what is happening, and it doesn't even know that it doesn't." "The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrantes and aliens, the more you can control the people." Noam Chomsky.   "I think democracy is on the decline in the West. Ruling parties are the same: neo-liberalism at home and wars abroad."   "In Januar 1961 the US severed diplomatic relations in response to Cuban nationalisation of US  owned sugar plantations, banks and business."   "The only continent where social movements have led to polical movements that have pushed through serious social and polical reforms is South America." Tariq Ali.                                                                            Seems to be wedding season in our neighborhood, mainly celebrated on the street, lasting 2 or even 10 nights. Bride and guests beautifuly dressed, especially those from the south of Tunisia. Celebrations vary, often with life music. There is one aspect, though, that I don't understand. They all use loudspeakers absolutely suitable for a big football stadium, frequently unfortunately right in front of our door. Never in my life have I heard a more deafening sound (music) , apart from short breaks, lasting 3, 4 or 5 hours. - It is pretty hot here and in many other countries, I feel we are " getting cooked ", though Mr. Trump advised us not so long ago that there is no climate change and the environmental doesn't require protection. Other experts say too much sealing of the ground, narrow streets with high building and very few trees increase the temperature by 5 degrees centegrate or more. In addition all those wars, worse than ever, destruction of infrastructure, oil and fuel facilties burning, thick smoke - has anyone worked out the effect on human and animal life, on nature? Not to forget these enormous wild fires, mainly in Europe, America and Canada. Some say hell has opened its gates to punish us for allowing the so far achieved progress of mankind to be destroyed, greedy rich getting richer and increased suffering of the poor, who have no lobby. The majority isn't so weak, though, as the issue Fifa proved. While Infantino, Trump, the brother of the president's son-in law,  Kushner, and others had it all worked out nicely, real big money, waive with millions of Dollars.......... and you can sell stakes of Fifa to investors. The world of football, UEFA, CONCACAF, Asia- North-, Middleamerika and Caribbean, Assian football associations, the English and Wales Football Associations, etc withdrew their support, they were prepared to paralyze Fifa or launch rival competitions if Infantino doesn't step down. The European football association declared that they lost confidence in Infantino's leadership and they issued Fifa with a "document of preservation letter". Denmark demands that Infantino resigns, he undermines the values of football. The Canadian PM shares this opinion. Fans advised the World Cup has lost its majestic, just corrupt, big commerce, no longer sports one can enjoy, they lost all interest. The world cup game between Argentina and Spain was kind of strange. What happened with the Argentina players? Why this mad unprofessional foul play? Can't they do better? And most of it the referee didn't see? At the same time he monitored very closely the performance of the Spanish players. Some suspect Trump, Infantino, the referee and coach made a deal.....  after all, Spain beat US, Spain sanctions Israel and didn't allow Trump to use its airspace for his wars. Thus Mr. Trump is not amused, "Terrible country". Good to know that Spain can't be blackmailed! Anyhow, Infantino called an executive Fifa crisis meeting in Marocco. Let us remember, the Somali World Cup referee, Omar Abdulkadim Artan, elected best referee of Africa, was barred from entering US despite having a valid visa. Infantino could not be bothered to protest to his brother-in spirit, Trump, and remind him of Fifa values, that politics should not interfere with the world cup. Not to forget that Infantino neither had any problems with the discrimination of the Iran football players and others, fans and players mainly from Africa. Nevertheless, the federations of Marocco, Qatar, Kuwait. Lebanon and Sri Lanka have publicly declared their continued support for the football executive, Infantino, who wants to keep his post until 2031. Surprise, surprise, Argentina backs Infantino. 54  of 211 Fifa votes come from Africa. Who needs a backbone, the worm lives happily without. When you know a guy is corrupt that may be useful one day. Good news, vow, Infantino even apoligized and presently Fifa is not for sale. By the way, the Fifa world cup intake amounts to 13 Billion Dollars. - A court stopped Trump's ballroom construction without Congress approval. It was supposed to be paid for through donations, now it would require Millions of taxpayer ' Dollars. The judge pointed out that the president is only a resident for a limited period, the White House doesn't belong to him. Trump called that decision a "national  disgrace" , I would have thought that the US president's choice of words is often a disgrace, gutter style, "aiming below the belt", is not exactly appropriate for his post, one could call it a "national disgrace." Anyhow, his deals and negotiations are difficult to follow up, he has a lot of ideas, hopefully not too much influenced by Netanyahu. Demanding compensation for damaged or destroyed ships by Iran, from Canada because their wild fires cause a lot of smoke and spoil the air in the US, interesting thoughts - how about demanding compensation from US for striking Mexican and other boats ("drug boats"? killing the crew), and Israel at least for all the damages/killings that they did in Gaza, Westbank, Libanon, etc since the last peace agreement. Experts say it's more than 4,000 times and more than 1,000 lawless settlers, actively backed by the Israelians army and police, continue to attack, destroy, kill and steal Palestinians property. The UN Commission's investigation revealed that Israeli snipers and drones deliberately kill Palestinian children, gun wounds on neck and head. This amounts to ethnic cleansing. Further attacks on health and education systems. Doctors without Borders confirm killings in cold blood, many are traumatised. At check points Israeli soldiers stop emergency ambulances, enjoying their power let them wait and suffer unnecessarily, switch off the engine and stop the medical aid. All in self-defence? A poor country ? They spend millions trying to influence public opinion, in particular in US and UK. Opinion polls show that in  the US mainly folks above 50 still support Israel, but their numbers are also decreasing. Roger Waters, meanwhile 82, of the famous group Pink Floyd, has been targeted for a decade by an Israelian lobby that decided to destroy his career because he dared to stand up for Palestinian rights, he called Israel an Apartheid system, based on what he saw during a visit to Israel and the Westbank. The pro-Israel lobby also managed to create difficulties for him concerning his charity work with US service members, amputee veterans, even food distributions. In 2023 Roger Waters couldn't book a room in Buenos Aires, Colombia, Ecuador, Montevideo. Israel has a powerful lobby with plenty of money. Hidden from the public eye, many activists were silenced by pro-Israel organizations that targeted hotel chains, excluded well known activists from media outlets and TV, made them "Persons non Grata". All in "Self-defence", no other state even attempted anything like it. - Cuba is a beautiful country with great, smart folks, very inventive. For decades the US tried to break them, more than 50 attempts alone to murder Fidel Castro. It appears to be US policy to decide which government is best for another country, mainly, but not only "in their back yard". Whenever they try to enforce their ideas they appear to make the life of the "natives" worse. Many international dictators were trained at the military 'School of All Americans' (e. g. Noriega, Ben Ali). As one famous man (forgot his name) once put it: If you want a better world, close that academie. In the past, when Cuba saw better days, they did a lot of good for poor countries, in Africa and South America, they helped with well trained doctors and medications. I wish folks will remember and help them to cope with all those unjustified sanctions. They are suffering and they deserve better. 

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