Friday, December 05, 2008
French (Gay) Kiss
The Catholic Church, a body that has been opposed to the death penalty (despite American-CathoRepublican say) does not wish to include international protections by the United Nations for gay people who face death penalty charges in countries where homosexuality is illegal.
The Vatican is plan to go against the French proposal that is introducing this piece of human rights resolution, scheduled to be proposed this week and which is supported by all 27 members of the European Union; it recommends protecting gays and lesbians from being jailed or killed because of their sexual orientation and is being introduced to the UN on behalf of the European Union. Basically it wish for ending jail and death penalty sentences gays yet face in more than 80 countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen where you can still be killed for being homosexual.
But this genius Archbishop Celestino Migliore said that if adopted, this resolution would create new and implacable discriminations and also said that states which do not recognize same-sex unions will be made under pressure. I wonder if this man can read: in the resolution there is absolutely nothing-nada about gay marriages!
Maybe they are against the death penalty but don't want to be on the record opposing it for gays and lesbians... Or maybe American Catholics are just right here: the Roman Church is not at all against capital punishment... Or maybe they were just shocked by the words "gay" and "decriminalization" in the same sentence...
As for me just three small words: SHAME ON YO'ALL! (alrighty, those are four!!!)
posted by Auntie Sam at Friday, December 05, 2008
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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanks America
I'm still thrilled.
This Country is a one of a kind Country, a Country where a virtually unknown, multiracial, 47 yo senator can become President, a Country where people make drastic decisions and changes in its most dramatic moments. America has guts, I am so proud to live in the US and I am proud my kids belong to this great Country. This is actually the first time I say that.
Thank you America; the man who is been my dream President for 2 years, now he is your real President. WOW!
posted by Auntie Sam at Thursday, November 27, 2008
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Moderation needed
Because of recent pretty strong comments (way beyond appropriate) in my last posts, I have finally decided to moderate this blog. I didn't want to do it but, believe me, I have enough. I was about to close it and then I thought "Should I let this only person make me destroy my thoughts and writings of 4 years?". No, I won't let him, but I can keep him away from here.
posted by Auntie Sam at Thursday, November 20, 2008
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Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Good luck, Barack
"It doesn't make any difference!".
I've been told by many Italian friends in the last weeks. That's the main difference: Italian people are so fed up of politics, of politicians who let them down, no matter who they vote for. And I guess that's why Berlusconi is for the third time, at the tender age of 72, once and again, their Prime Minister.
"What is Election Day, mommy?"
"It's the day people decide all together"
"People who loves Obama?"
"Everyone!"
I saw hope for this Country since the day I have read the first article about Barack Obama about 2 years and a half ago, I was in Belgium and Obama wasn't even a candidate. I immediately had the feeling he was the right one, the one who could really change something, the one who can make America regain the face it used to have towards the world, lost years ago. When I first heard him talking, I was like "There he is, that's HIM!"
I am living here for almost eight years and I have never seen such a great popular mobilitation in my neighborhood, people of every age volunteering, smiling at me and at my Tshirt, my pins, excited and also nervous, crossing a finger as a sign of calling good luck, it's great to see how much people care. Even if I can't vote this time, I am not a citizen yet and for some I shouldn't give a shit, I still would feel like a loser if I didn't contribute at all, I feel like this is not only an American matter, it's a matter of everyone so I did what I could, volunteering a little bit, discussing and talking to people, spreading the word but - considering my past - in a way I feel a little guilty for not have done more. I feel this is the first time in my life where I feel this is MY Country, not only the Country of my kids, not only the Country where I pay taxes, I feel like I do belong here, this is my home, but I don't belong in this particular era of American history and I know there is a better America out there, somewhere. I don't want to pay my taxes again to another creepy and tacky cowman with a rifle (of 72 yo, dammit!!!), so let me have the illusion that Barack Obama is the answer - even only because the others are not for sure. I am feeling very excited and nervous too. I care a lot.
The world is watching and waiting now, this is the chance for the rest of the world to see it for the great country America can be, a Country who takes care of its citizen for health, education and security (and I do believe the best security is NOT putting guns in the hands of our kids), a Country who cares for minorities, who gives them a real, tangible hope to make their lives better, to be in a better place. It is really the chance of our lifetime... we gotta not blew it, if we miss this, bye bye, gone!
So, today it DOES make many differences. For my kids, for me, and also for the rest of the world. Like the world, I'm here watching today and I am not gonna go to sleep until I KNOW FOR SURE. We might be OK, but I don't believe it until I don't see it with my own eyes on facts, not only polls... Good luck, Barack :)
posted by Auntie Sam at Tuesday, November 04, 2008
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Monday, October 27, 2008
Debts are due
I don't know anything about economy. Nothing, nada, zero.
I should read "Ecomomics for Dummies". It might become a best seller in this very era of weak economy.
Coming to America I found out soon how easy is getting credits for buying everything you like, clothes, TVs, even a new pair of boobs (my girlfriend G. was about to get a $7000 loan for boobies!).
Europeans don't like buying things that they can't afford, at least they used not to like it. Financing companies are blooming in Italy lately, especially for electronics, furniture... never happened before.
But still, the vast majority of Europeans don't like to live on debts and pay the entire credit card bill by the end of the following month instead of having loan shark monthly interests on it to pay. Here people can pay credit cards companies for years. Even passing debts to their offspring.
Having an "old fashion" Italian mentality on money, I am not that comfortable on buying stuff that I can't pay cash for. I am a shopper, yes, I'm good on "helping the economy" (that's my excuse when I over-shop!), but what's the point on buying a new $700 purse if I don't have the money this month? I'll wait the next one, right?
Even when we bought the house we wanted to pay almost 60% down for having this - maybe idiotic - feeling that our house belongs more to our family than the bank's.
School and kids might be one of the first problems.
In Europe where we have a social system, State university tuitions are about $1000-2000/year (give or take...), and families can easily afford to pay for it. In America... well, let's keep it low, let's say you wanna go to a non-expensive College and just try and multiply by 10-20. I have to say I wouldn't be confortable on putting a $60.000 college loan to my kids' shoulder at age 18 as many Americans do. In a way, yes, this makes the kid more responsible about money, but having such debts way before to even start working and building something for themselves and teaches from a very young age how easy and normal is to be in debt.
Restaurants are another problem. Americans eat out or take out an average of 70% of their meals. Do the math. In money, calories, fats. I hope the crisis will take back people in kitchen and cook everything from scratch.
"It's not real. They haven't paid for it!" is what my Italian girlfriend Francesca always tells her 12yo daughter when she points out that her schoolmates have a 40-inches plasma TV in their room or the ultimate 400 dollar videogame!
In most of the times she is right: it's not real :).
posted by Auntie Sam at Monday, October 27, 2008
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Friday, October 17, 2008
Ehmmmm...
It's unbelievable: this reminds me a bit of George W. Bush and a bit of Silvio Berlusconi...
posted by Auntie Sam at Friday, October 17, 2008
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
The John (the Katie and the David)
posted by Auntie Sam at Thursday, September 25, 2008
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