If It Weren't For The French ...
Whenever we Americans start to get down on ourselves all we have to do is look at France and we feel better. When it comes to seeming absurdities, the French are the masters.
The French are continuing to stir things up with the country's Muslims. Current French law does not allow the wearing of Muslim headscarves in school. And now there is also a bill in the parliament that would ban face-covering veils (such as the burqa) throughout the country.
The absurdity comes in when you realize that at the same time all of this is going on, the fast food burger chain, Quick, (2nd in size only to McDonald's) introduced hala-only food in 22 of its outlets. Hala food is prepared in strict accordance with Islamic dietary law. For example, though hala beef does not taste different, hala beef must come from a cow that was killed by a cut to its jugular vein (from which the blood is drained).
Even stranger, Quick introduced their new hala menu during Ramadan, which even I know is a period during which Muslims fast. Duh. Viva le France
Perseverance Korean Style
Cha Sa-soon is a 69-year-old woman who lives in the mountains of Sinchon, 112 miles south of Seoul. The lady recently earned her driver's license after repeated failed attempts - 960 failed attempts to be precise.
Starting in April 2005, Cha took the driver's license exam every day, five days a week, for three years. After that, she slowed down and only took the test two or three times a week. There was a big celebration at the driving school when she finally passed the test. However, the teacher said he was not worried about her being on the highway. It was the written test she failed so many times. Hmm?
South Korean car maker, Hyundai-Kia started an online campaign to send her congratulations. Thousands of people responded. Hundai also presented Cha with a new $16,800 car.
The 'Angels' Video
This video explains this whole 'Angels' thing of mine - both the book and the charity effort. Just click on the link below to view. Turn on your sound and enjoy.
Angels and Heroes Video - Click Here
Not To Be Outdone, This From Syria
The headline screamed, "Syria moves to curb influence of Muslims". 'Huh, curb Muslims?' you say.
The Syrian government has moved forcefully to curb the influence of Muslim conservatives in its mosques, public universities and charities. The government is requiring imams to submit recordings of their sermons and have started strictly monitoring religious schools. And this summer, 1,000 teachers who insisted on wearing the niqab (face veil) were transferred to administrative duties.
The government's crackdown is design to reassert the country's traditional secularism in the face of rising threats from radical groups in the region.
Be Careful What You Say In Iran
Iranian authorities have arrested Nasrine Sotoudeh, a prominent lawyer and women's rights activists, her husband reported. Last week authorities raided her home and office, seizing files and computers. Her family said it has no news about her whereabouts.
She is the winner of several international human rights awards. It appears that the stimulus for her arrest was when she voiced her outrage when one of her clients was executed at dawn without her notification.
A Fall Diversion - Read My Book
My novel is available from the publisher in both hardback and paperback. Order your choice below
Order Paperback Here
or
Order Hardback Here
Till Next Time. Pura Vida.
Click on the thumbnails to view the photo full-sized.
This is a dog's life?
Recent Comments