'Paris Syndrome' leaves Japanese tourists in shock - Travel News - MSNBC.com

Japanese tourists are experiencing mental disorders after visiting Paris. I wonder why other tourists do not seem to have post-Paris afflictions? Are we better prepared? Do Japanese tourists have trouble after visiting, say, Florence? I can understand culture shock,but the conditions reported here are beyond that.

A Japanese woman, Aimi, told the paper:
"For us, Paris is a dream city. All the French are beautiful and elegant ... And then, when they arrive, the Japanese find the French character is the complete opposite of their own."
Well, yes, and you expected what exactly?

Is it Real Poetry? cont.

DOGGONE EVERYTHING: Is it Real Poetry? Nikki Giovanni's speech
at 6:32 PM, October 15, 2006 Anonymous said...
" Will the last honest politician who leaves Ohio please turn off the lights."

Is it Real Poetry? Nikki Giovanni's speech-Continued

I received this comment about Giovanni's speech, which I also think has valid points:
"I agree with Mary Pierce Brosmer for calling Nikki Giovanni's poem "not really a poem" (I've been waiting for SOMEONE to call [it] a really crappy poem, which I thought it was, when I read the initial excerpt, even BEFORE Giovanni embarrassed herself by inserting a non-sequiteur about Ken Blackwell and cops shooting young black men in the back.) However, I disagree strongly with Brosmer's conclusion that what Giovanni gave us a "poem we deserved." No, Cincinnati did NOT deserve to be insulted during a public celebration. Nikki Giovanni was quoted later as saying that if the KKK can hold events on Fountain Square, then she has the same right to express her opinions. If she doesn't understand the difference between a KKK event that was not sponsored by the city, and an official public celebration of something that is supposed to be positive, then she is an idiot."
Link to DOGGONE EVERYTHING: Is it Real Poetry? Nikki Giovanni's speech

Is it Real Poetry? Nikki Giovanni's speech

Cincinnatians responded differently to poet Nikki Giovanni's poem that she read at the dedication of the 'new' (read:tacky) Fountain Square downtown. I believe she has the right to say what she wants; however, it really was not the best place or time to call Blackwell (Repub running for OH governor) an SOB. As a graduate student years ago, I was a fan of Giovanni, and I've heard her speak many times. Much of her poetry is poetry, and I doubt that the 'powers that be' really knew anything about Giovanni or her poetry when they asked her to read a poem. It's sad but true that few people (except those who had a strong liberal arts education) have read much literature, and maybe not even one poem. However, that point aside, I felt a bit uncomfortable for a few reasons with Giovanni's presentation. Mary P. Brosmer had the best response I've read, thus far, in The Cincinnati Enquirer, 10-22-06.

We Deserve Real Poetry and Community By Mary Pierce Brosmer/Guest Columnist.
Mary, a woman I have always admired, is a Goddess! She said, very subtly and with finesse, the truth. The concern she has with Nikki's 'poem' is clearly one of language--the form and words of the poem that is not a poem.' Nikki delivered a speech, more or less. Her speech was more like a cadence. Whatever category you assign it to, the words are not poetic. I believe Mary feels that a poet would certainly choose better words in a more decidedly poetic form.

Here is also a BLOG that discusses the speech.

CITYBEAT JOURNALIST-GO GIRL!

This may be a 'dated' post since the articles are from May, but not really. I keep sending articles to everyone by Stephanie Dunlap, reporter at weekly Cincinnati newspaper, CityBeat, so I thought I'd just post them here to save email time! Stephanie is a very talented, astute writer, especially about women's issues. Her writing has even convinced me not to vote for certain Yahoos. Her beautifully and sharply written piece about Momeyer retiring from Planned Parenthood is worth the read even if you are not from the Tri-State area.
See the Right to a Private Life: Momeyer retires as Planned Parenthood CEO, proud of her role in promoting health and responsibility in politically charged times.")

And another one: "Phemale Pharmacology: Why can't politicians keep their hands off our bodies? " http://www.citybeat.com/2006-05-10/cover6.shtml

DOGGONE EVERYTHING: Joan Didion

DOGGONE EVERYTHING: Joan Didion
More Didion:
1.http://msfrizzle.blogspot.com/2006/03/joan-didion-and-mystery.html
2. http://teach-essay.blogspot.com/2006/03/in-bed-joan-didion.html
3. http://humorlessfeminist.blogspot.com/2005/10/last-night-joan-didion-saved-my-life.html
(seeing Didion read)
4. http://allspinzone.blogspot.com/2004/11/slouching-toward-today.html
Didion paired with Hunter Thompson. As far as both being powerful and effective writers - yes.

Nobel Prizes-Who should win?

Americans did well with the prizes this year. Interesting comments from readers on MSNBC about whom should win the Peace prize. I agree that the Amish community is a good choice. Alas, it didn't happen.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15242643/

Democrats Seize another Stick

US foreign policy
Democrats seize on crisis as election issue
Ed Pilkington in New YorkWednesday October 11, 2006 The Guardian
"Democrats have seized on the North Korean nuclear test as another stick with which to beat the Bush administration in advance of midterm elections less than a month away. The nuclear test is being used as an argument in several closely fought Senate and Congressional races, with Democratic candidates arguing that it marks another foreign policy failure on the part of the White House."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/korea/article/0,,1892548,00.html
What happens when they run out of sticks, or run out of issues on which to beat the stick? Will they have to have some sort of plan, perhaps? I wish some more Independents would come forth and run. The Dems and Repubs are just stale. That said- and bypassing upcoming elections, looking ahead at Presidential election - Rudy Giuliani would be a good contender, but he's pro-choice, married three times, etc. etc., so the ultra-conservative wing of Republicans might not/would not vote for him.

The Bachelor-Rome & other "Competitions"

Is no one else out there outraged by these ridiculous Bachelor shows? The women who participate are only reinforcing old stereotypes (harmful to all) and have set feminism back 50 years. Is Gloria Steinem gnashing her teeth? Probably not, but only because she has more important things to do. It's sad that these women think they are 'competing.' For what? What exactly is the competition based on? Hmm. Let me guess.
Our society is getting shallower and fakier by the day. Speaking of competition: On the same night as the Bachelor show, On Plastic Surgery 90210, a young (I believe Latino) woman went to the CA doctor to get bigger breasts so she could get more points in surfing competitions. She was adorable - a small young woman who will look ridiculous with the C-D implants that she wants. What kind of surfboarding competitions is she in? Certainly they aren't athletically based if women are getting extra points for their fake body parts.
Also, on the same night, there were women competing for some competition to be the Playboy-like ECW sign carrier? babe (Spike TV, I think). They had to answer one question about the sport. Twins -who were favored-claimed they were 'competitive' because when one of the twins got breast implants, the other went right out and got some. Whew! That takes a lot of effort. She didn't want to be left behind when competing, so she kept getting herself 'fixed' each time her sister did. I am only getting nauseous writing this. Time to go.

Foley Fallout-From SLATE

Foley
Because I still enjoy the e-zine SLATE, I am posting a recent article about Foley from Slate's site. To Foley's credit, he said today as reported on NPR that he takes full responsibility for his actions and that he will not 'use' his past (childhood) as an excuse.
http://www.slate.com/id/2150807
Foley Fallout .There is a way Democrats can go too far. By, John Dickerson .Monday, Oct. 2, 2006.
"The ultimate judgment of this affair may be that it's just more dumb behavior by Republican leaders, and that may be enough to help Democrats with the midterm election, especially if this incident is seen as the final insult. But voters, particularly Republican voters, might pay attention to the facts (assuming more ugly ones don't come out) and use them to absolve their party's leaders. Sure, they could have handled the situation better, but who could know that Foley was going after young boys? "

Michelle Malkin: October 2006 Archives

Michelle Malkin: October 2006 Archives
Check out MM's Blog (scroll down to the LA public school teachers union's newspaper) and this poem about Bush. Sounds scarily familiar to a type of propaganda we have seen before. Whether it's the right or the left disseminating political 'ideas' to kids, there had better be a balanced presentation of ideas. If you do not do this in your classroom, you are not even remotely a good teacher, just a pusher of your political agenda; thus, you need to be a politician- or a documentary film maker.

An Opera in the Key of Denial

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/02/AR2006100200930.html

An Opera In the Key Of Denial
By Anne ApplebaumTuesday, October 3, 2006; Page A17

Anne says in her column what Bruce Bawer has been saying for a long time: Europeans seem clueless about the real extremist Muslim threats in their countries. She does not mention, however, that Europeans still tend to be non-religious; thus, one of the reasons why there was not much 'discussion' about the Pope's comments.