Notes And Queries

[poliphilo]

A second morning of mist and frost. The sheep merge into their background. We were in Paddock Wood yesterday and it was colder there than it was up here on the high ground, which seems entirely the wrong way round. Surely its normal for the valleys to be warmer that the hills?

I liked how they sang and danced at the Mandela Memorial; that's the way to do it! Also how they booed Jacob Zuma- who deserves it. Also how Obama took the opportunity to shake Raul Castro's hand; it was as if he'd been giving thought to Mandiba's way of doing things.

I ordered two books by Colin Wilson from Amazon. I expect many people had the same impulse. I wonder if it's generally the case that an author's sales figures go up immediately after they die. I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you about the Celebration of Mr. Mandela's life. It's not gloomy and fraught with sadness, it's singing and dancing and smiling. He's released from his pain and - whether you believe in heaven or not - suffering.

You put words to my thoughts. I'm sure our President wasn't setting out to alienate Cuban Americans or insult anyone. He was acting a gentleman, not bringing POLITICS into the mix but honoring the spirit of Mr. Mandela.

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

I also wondered about the fog, and coincidentally, stumbled on this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/24429515

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Is that what they're saying about Obama and Castro shaking hands- that it insults Cuban-Americans? I didn't know that. I think the feeling in Europe (it's my feeling anyway) is that it's about time the USA and Cuba came to some sort of an understanding.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Now I know the difference between mist and fog. I'd often wondered.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

oh, yes, it's a *terrible insult* to all those people who have lost friends and family to the Castro regime in some way. It is, after all, still a dictatorship...but in the spirit of Mandela, I think, I liked it.

[veronikos.livejournal.com]

>> it's about time the USA and Cuba came to some sort of an understanding.

And thereby embolden tyrants and bullies everywhere? No, thank you.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The USA- the West generally- is happy to embrace tyrants and bullies as bad as Castro- and worse- when it suits its global game plan.

Cuba is changing. This is a not a bad time for the two governments to be talking.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If a Mandela could talk to a De Klerk then an Obama can talk to a Castro...

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

My co worker said "It was classy." Yeah, that was the word I was looking for! And you're right, too.

[veronikos.livejournal.com]

That is a caveat, not a counterpoint.