Cow Patty

Now that the $700 billion bail out package of Wall Street has crashed and burned the quote of the day goes to a Republican Congressman who said that Congress was being asked to eat a cow patty with a marshmallow in the middle. Colinfucius Say it seem like bullshit and he need big heaping helping of aspertame to sweeten poison pill.

Crazy English

The new wave of enthusiasm in China for training in English as a Second Language (ESL) is the brain child of a once shy student in high school, Li Yang, who now is a phenom and goes on stage in front of audiences of tens of thousands. Parents pay two months of salary to get their children, sometimes themselves, into week long classes (rallies) where the formula for success is to shout out in unison with Li quotes, jokes, articles etc in English. It all started when lack of success academically led Li Yang to get his room mate to join him for two hours a day shouting out their English homework and readings. Soon they expanded to 50 on campus. All have gone on to major success we are told. The originator is now a multi millionaire and has stayed home in China. Most of his colleagues live abroad. The phenomenon is known as Crazy English.
Source: CBC Sunday Edition, September 28th, 2008.

Zocalo

Los Intocables

The untouchables. Mexico is undergoing a renewed wave of violence which is causing widespread insecurity. Major demonstrations urge the government to do something about the impunity rampant throughout society. The strategic location of the country means it is a natural point of entry for the USA drug scene. 24 young men in shorts and t-shirts were recently found executed in a field in the State of Mexico (Edomex). Drug cartel victims? Whatever the case it is certain that no political elites or entrepreneurs will be called to account. Government spokespersons now acknowledge Mexico is more dangerous than Colombia. This morning's headline is eight dead in a bombing in Morelia, a place I holidayed in some years ago.
Source: El Excelsior newspaper, Mexico.
P. S. Another source I have since read claims 2700 have died so far in Mexico this year in drug related violence.