June 14, 2008

If we hadn’t seen it with our own eyes, my movie buddy and I would not believe all the amazing things that happened to Indiana Jones and his friends during his big adventure with the crystal skull. Indiana was blown up, shot at, and dropped from great distances, not just once or twice but for most of the entire two-hour film experience!

Cannes is a term that has come to represent celebrities, new international films, recognition of actors and actresses and, of course, money and power as represented by the outrageous expenditure of capital in that southern French town.

In the aftermath of a major natural disaster, the ongoing tragedy that is playing out in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is unnecessary and criminal.

The man was well dressed, one might even say dapper. He moved to the front of the packed room with a professorial air. Born of the 19th century and known for his advocacy for social justice, he took the podium and with his mere presence held the audience in rapt attention. In the state with the “shot heard around the world” and where abolitionism had deep roots, progressive and revolutionary ideas received welcoming attention.

After the government announced June 6 that last month’s jump in the unemployment rate was the worst in more than 20 years, a few corporate mouthpieces admitted that the economy might have “stalled.”

Senate Republicans gave people a slap in the face June 10, voting to block a windfall profits tax on oil companies that are robbing us blind at the gasoline pump with $4.35 per gallon gasoline. Democrats mustered a majority, 51 senators, but GOP leaders rallied 43 senators to block the bill, effectively killing it.

The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization unanimously approved a resolution June 9 calling on the United States to allow the Puerto Rican people to exercise their right to self-determination and independence.

Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia told reporters this month he does not think an Israeli-Palestinian agreement can be reached this year “unless there is a miracle.”

Germany: The Left Party sets course

Peru: U.S. military intervenes

South Africa: Revival of alliance

Australia: Unions respond to migrant workers

Gaza: Abbas promotes reconciliation