Category Archives: Spain

Reign Of Terror In Spain

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

If you are considering a visit to Spain, make certain to avoid the island of Mallorca if safety is your concern. A reign of terror has wracked the island due to rise of terrorist Muslim groups. The town council, in an effort to halt the spread of terrorism, has banned  Muslim women from wearing a  burqa or a niqab in public  places. According to Mayort Biel Serra, it is an issue of “public safety.”

Actually, there are exactly two Muslim women on the island who wear a face covering. However, the mayor is concerned that if one of them commits a crime it will be impossible to identify the culprit. There is need on this island to find out who is behind the reign of terror. Frankly, the mayor is right to focus on these two Muslim women as the source of crime and terror. First, they  take over Mallorca, next the two women seize control of Spain.

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Posted in Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Satire, Social Justice, Spain, War, World News

Perhaps, Karl Marx Was Right

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union the ongoing mantra among conservatives, liberals and libertarians has been that capitalism is the only way to function in a modern society. As I recall, Karl Marx predicted that capitalists were greedy and only concerned withe their own economic interests which meant they would be more than happy to destroy the middle class and create a society in which a small group of wealthy were in control. As one examines modern capitalism, that prediction increasingly describes what is.

In nations like the US and England, the top one percent control about 20% of the wealth and the top 5% control over 40%. Statistics reveal the middle class has been continually declining in wealth over the past twenty years. In other words, exactly what was predicted by Marx is now a reality. Does this suggest that Capitalism is inherently designed for the top five percent while the remaining population lives off crumbs thrown by those above?

Perhaps, it is time to revisit Karl Marx and pose a different question: were his ideas insightful, but placed in the hands of those who never understood him, the result was an economic disaster? After all, isn’t that what happened to the ideas of Jesus Christ?

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Posted in Asia, Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Europe, Finland, France, Gender Issues, George Bush, Germany, Human Rights, Liberals, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani, Russia, Social Justice, Spain, Sweden, UK, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Drive Car Without Driving!

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

President Obama continues to emphasize the need for America to become a nation driven by the spirit of entrepreneurship, but all too many of our business leaders are only focused on the bottom line of profit. Over $2 Trillion are safely stored in bank accounts or invested in the market rather than invested in new ideas. Swedish, German and Spanish automobile companies are experimenting with a new idea that would encourage road safety. They have created a model which allows drivers to go to sleep and still drive their car.

Project SARTRE, Safe Road Trains For Environment, allow a driver to join a “convoy” of cars proceeding on a major highway. There is a lead car which is electronically equipped to drive all cars in the convoy. A driver places his vehicle on autopilot, picks up a book or gets a snooze while his car is being driven by the lead vehicle. When the driver decides to go off on his own, he sends a signal, and within moments is able to exit the convoy and do what he desires.

We await some new ideas from American automobile companies that point the way to the future. How about using some of that $2 Trillion for new development?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Germany, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Social Justice, Spain, Sweden, US Foreign Policy, World News

In Defense Of Public Nudity

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Jacint Ribas is an unassuming man from Barcelona who enjoys hopping on his bike, wandering through the streets of the city enjoying the sights. He is an upright man who enjoys leading with his body thrust right out so everyone can see who he really is in person. Jacint wanders the streets of his beloved city without a stitch of clothes because he believes in nudity. He is head of the Association for the Defense of the Right to Nudity.” When asked why he goes around nude, there is a shrug of the head and quietly he says, “I do it to show it is normal.” At one point he wanted to organize 7,000 stripping down to their birthday suits, but it never came off. There is something intriguing about nudity. For example:

1. It would be interesting if Sarah Palin stripped away the mystery of her bank account and let her followers know exactly how much she has made out of their stupidity.

2. How about seeing Rush Limbaugh in the nude with the stomach hanging down as he rants on about people born overseas.

3. Of course, if Rep. Paul Ryan let us see the real bare facts about his plan to reduce the deficit, he might find a deficit in the number of people who think he makes any sense.

4. I doubt if anyone would pay attention to Michele Bachmann if her idiotic remarks were made in the nude.

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Posted in Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Ron Paul, Social Justice, Spain, World News

Pope Incorrectly Pontificates About Past

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Pope Benedict XVI is an intelligent man, but every so often when visiting Catholic nations which are attempting to become integratedf within the 21st century, he has a tendency to twist history in order to fit into the point being made. The Pope is upset at secular actions of the Spanish government which led to statements that were completely out of context to reality. He claimed: “in Spain a strong aggressive lay mentality, an anticlericalism, and secularization, has been born as we experienced in the 1930s.” He was referring to the rebellion led by Fascist Francisco Franco who over-threw the Republican government and instituted a Fascist dictatorship that was close to Nazi Germany. During the Civil War, about 4,000 priests were killed by loyalist forces which charged that the Church was aiding Franco’s armies. Of course, hundreds of thousands of Spanish people died at the hand of the Fascists, a point never mentioned by the Pope. Comparing laws passed to protect gay rights or seeking equality for women with violence in the Civil War is simply an absurd and insulting comparison.

Rarely does the Pope explain why Catholic nations are passing laws that curb the power of the Catholic Church and accord rights to gays or Jews or Muslims. The Church during the Spanish Civil War took the side of Fascists who were working with Nazi, Germany. It ill behooves a man born in Nazi Germany to defend a dictator like Franco!!

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Posted in Catholics, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, Spain, War, World News

Avigdor Lieberman –Mouth Roaring Nonsense

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Once upon a time the nation of Israel had leaders such as David Ben Gurion or Golda Meier who were respected in the world as individuals who understood the dynamics of diplomacy. Alas, today, Israel has a foreign minister whose childishness and ignorance have made his nation’s diplomatic corps the laughing stock of the world. At a recent meeting with foreign ministers from France and Spain, Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman proceeded to offer a lecture on the history of Europe. “Solve your own problems in Europe before you come to us with complaints. Maybe, I will be open to accepting your suggestions.” He went on to compare urging Israel to negotiate with Palestinians to European leaders in 1938 allowing Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia. “Israel will not be the Czechoslovakia of 2010.” Naturally, he would not stop spouting nonsense by going on to explain European concerns for peace in the Middle East as stemming from problems in Afghanistan and North Korea!

Europeans know it is important to avoid violence in the Middle East and seek a compromise agreement between Israel and Palestinians. How can that be compared to Hitler taking over Czechoslovakia? Lieberman is an ignorant, uncouth slob who does not belong in any government position, let alone being foreign minister.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Europe, France, Human Rights, Judaism, Military, Peace, Politics, Spain, US Foreign Policy, World News

Basque Separatists Promise Peace

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Israel and Palestinian leaders just participated in discussions which, ostensibly, were initial steps on the road to peace. Just as their talks ended, Spain’s Basque separatist group which has been fighting for autonomy for half a century, announced it was ready to end the fighting. ETA announced to the people of Spain its “commitment to finding a democratic process to decide freely and democratically our future, through dialogue and negotiations. It remains unclear as to how this process will proceed, it remains unclear as to wether Basque militants will unilaterally lay down their arms or will it require some action on the part of the Spanish government. Cynics argue it is a ploy to gain sympathy, but ideas concerning localism have lost power in countries like Spain which is now linked, not only throughout Europe as part of the European Union, but has commercial links in every part of the world.

There is no doubt many areas of the world continue to witness “nationalism” as a powerful driving force that is able to fuel anger and violence. Perhaps, the Basque statement reflects a slight shift in the drive of nationalism to achieve power. Who knows what awaits Spain, the only hope is the future of this country is peaceful and negotiations proceed to a successful conclusion.

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Posted in Europe, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, Spain, War, World News

Michelle(Marie) Obama(Antoinette)?

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Summertime, and the living is easy, at least that’s what Michelle Obama thought when she decided to take daughter, Sasha on a trip to Spain. Little did she consider how right wing kooks would interpret going to Spain in the summer while millions of Americans can’t even go to Six Flags this summer with the kids. Right wing media has unleashed a torrent of criticism concerning a trip that included lunch with the King and Queen of Spain at which Michelle tasted; Andalusian style chilled gazpacho soup, chargrilled turbot, veal escalopes with mustard, oriental rice with sauted mushrooms. And, rather than staying in two or three star hotels as do most Americans, Michelle had to park her body in a 7 star hotel which cost $7,000 a night. Of course, the Secret Service selected the hotel. Most probably this is another of those storm in a teacup episodes in American politics.

However, perhaps, Mrs. Obama might have reflected on the current situation in which so many millions of people are desperate and are cutting back on summer activities for their own children. A trip to someplace in continental America would have resonated with Americans. There are times when the powerful have to be cognizant of how the powerless feel.

Oh, Michelle, after assuming office in March, 1933, Mrs. Roosevelt had a party at which hot dogs were served. In the midst of the Depression, she had to entertain the visiting King and Queen of England– once again, hot dogs were served. Got the point, Mrs. Obama?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Military, Politics, Republicans, Spain, United States, US Foreign Policy, World News

Stop, Go In Middle East Peace

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos that if he is compelled to continue a freeze on West Bank settlement past September 26 it will most likely result in the downfall of his coalition government since some of its members are adamant about ending the freeze. Moratinos told the Israel leader he had talked with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and he was determined not to engage in negotiations unless there is a freeze on settlements. He is under pressure from the Arab League to stand firm, and Abbas fears if he talks and settlement construction resumes, he will most probably lose support of the average Palestinian. In other words, Hamas which is feared and disliked by Israel will gain power among Palestinians if the freeze ends. End the freeze and Abbas is weakened, continue the freeze on settlements and Netanyahu is weakened. Talk about a dilemma!

There is an old song which goes, “did you ever get the feeling you wanted to go, stop, go, stop.” The song typifies issues in the Middle East. Of course, one solution would be for Netanyahu to end his coalition with right wing extremists and ask Tzipi Livni to join his government. That would ensure a government that is committed to an independent Palestine and working out a compromise on West Bank settlements.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Human Rights, Iraq, Islam, Judaism, Military, Muslims, Religion, Social Justice, Spain, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

World Cup And LeBron James

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

The World Cup has finally come to an end with the high scoring 1-0 victory of Spain over the Netherlands. As one who has absolutely no interest in the World Cup anymore than I have in who LeBron James forces to give him a hundred million dollars, it is amusing to observe the anger and fury generated by sporting events and personalities. Just about every World Cup game included fury on the part of one side regarding officiating. There were moments when simply turning over to umpires the entire process of playing a game made more sense than anything else. It is a freaking game, but these referees appear to be observing something else besides the game they supposedly were officiating. I am simply too much of an American to become excited about one game after another which concludes in 1-0.

Of course, we Americans are no better when it comes to sports. A young man, LeBron James, apparently believes he is the second coming of Jesus Christ and arranges a TV SPECIAL! in order to inform the entire nation with whom he will play next season. Sports has been transformed from a “sporting even” into commercial enterprises in which the game is of secondary importance. Oh, in fairness to King James it should be noted he donated a few hundred thousand dollars to children. God Bless You Tiny James.

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Posted in Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Netherlands, Politics, Social Justice, Spain, World News

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