Closed for vacation

It’s vacation time. I’ll be back in about three weeks. So long everybody!

Happy Birthday America!

“ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
[…]
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. ”

From The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

And to recall more recent times, from Elvis, “An American Trilogy,” which is a medley of “All My Trials”, “Dixie” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Recorded live at the Honolulu International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii on January 14, 1973. In essence, a dedication to all those who have died in battle. It is considered the most dramatic presentation The King ever gave on stage.

Join Burma Campaign UK

“Hats off to the Burma Campaign UK for their strenuous efforts,” The Guardian wrote. It’s actually something great.
Joining the Burma Campaign UK is one of the most effective ways of supporting the struggle to free Burma, a Country which is ruled by one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world ruthlessly persecuting, imprisoning and torturing human rights and democracy activists.

The people of Burma have asked for the world’s support. The Burma Campaign UK is answering their call.

Watch the new campaign video featuring Ricky Gervais below:

If Italy cries Britain doesn't laugh ...

You can say what you like about Italy, but at least the place—unlike the U.K., for instance—“has not become politically correct to the point of self destruction.” It’s not me who says so, it’s Alex, a Brit who lives in Milan, Italy, and also a good friend of this blog. May be he is right, may be not, I have no certainty about that. What I would regard as highly doubtful, in his argument, is the conclusion:

What Does the UK have equivalents of Di Pietro and Beppe Grillo? I’m a bit out of touch, so enlighten me. If the UK does not, it sure as heck needs them.

In fact, I would prefer Clementina Forleo. But, to tell the truth, I am thinking about Italy, where I would change ten thousand of those “honourable men” for only a couple more of Clementina.