2010 FIFA World Cup Predictions

In less than a year, South Africa and the world will be hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is the first time that an African country hosted the World Cup. The FIFA World Cup for 2010 has not started and already it is making history after upsets and surprises.

Brazil will win the 2010 World Cup since it is the football [soccer] capital of the world and has won previous World Cup titles. It also recently defeated the United States of America in order to win the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup. Its victory catapulted Brazil into first place in the FIFA Coca Cola Ranking with 1,672 points and overtaking Spain. While Brazil is considered the favourite to win the 2010 World Cup, there are countries that will surprise the war. 

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [otherwise known as North Korea] surprised the world by earning a berth in the 2010 World for the first time in four decades. North Korea played against Italy in the 1966 World Cup and defeated it. The arrival of North Korea to the 2010 World Cup was secondary to a draw against Saudi Arabia 0-0 and a draw between the Republic of Korea [South Korea and Iran 1-1. 

North Korea will probably not advance since it is in 83rd place with 393 points. It would be interesting what would happen if the two Koreas were to confront each other in the football field.

The US Soccer Team is a team that should not be underestimated. The experts wrote off the US Soccer Team in the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup only to be surprised when the team defeated Egypt and Spain. Even though they won second place, they were able to give Brazil a headache in the first half of the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup Finals.

The United States of America is currently in 12th place with 983 points and is almost behind the big giants Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Greece, and Croatia. It remains to be seen if the US Soccer Team will be in South Africa taking into account the Gold Cup and other classifications.

The US Soccer Team has come a long way from the 1994 World Cup and is becoming a factor in the 2010 World Cup and beyond.

South Africa may be another surprise since it has the home team advantage. While South Africa did not win the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup, they play with their heart and soul. The underwriter is taking into account the FIFA Coca Cola Ranking which places South Africa in 70th place with 474 points.

Personal Reflection on The USA VS Egypt FIFA Confederation Cup Game 2009

The USA faced Egypt in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on the 21st of June 2009. According to the experts in football [soccer], it was a game in which the victory belonged to Egypt.

There were many reasons that were discussed among the experts. One of the reasons was that the USA was not a nation of Football [Soccer] but one of American Football, Basketball, and Baseball. The experts reasoned that these sports were the ones that ruled USA.

One reason used by the experts was Egyptian victory over the USA on June 8, 1987 in Seoul, South Korea. The statistics and recent changes were ignored by the experts at their own peril. Examples were the following:

The FIFA Coca Cola Standings as of June 2009 placed the USA in 14th place with 947 points compared with Egypt in 40th place with 719 points. Many people have forgotten that since the 1994 World Cup, the USA took strides to move forward as a Football [Soccer] Nation.

The first half of the game started with the US Soccer Team dominating the game while Egypt attempted to respond to the onslaught.

The first goal which was by Davies in 21 minutes was due to an attempt by the goalkeeper from Egypt Essam Al Hadary to block a kick from Altidore. During the attempt, Egyptian Defender Ahmed Fathi accidentally kicked Al Hadary in the head with his knee.

Davies took advantage of the accident to score the first goal for the USA. Everything remained the same until the second half. The second half was characterized by the goals of Bradley and Dempsey within the last few minutes of the game.

Bradley passed the ball between himself and Donovan and surprised the Egyptians with the second goal within 63 minutes.  The method utilized for this surprise was the give and go passes and it helped the US Soccer Team.

Afterwards, Jonathan Spector took advantage of a long cross to score the third goal for the US Soccer Team in 71 minutes. Egypt was not going to sit back and allow itself to be defeated and launched a counter offensive which proved to be a failure.

The match turned to be one of historical proportions since the USA was to later advance to play against Spain and eventually Brazil for the FIFA Confederation Cup Championship.

While the USA played a great game, other factors that came into play was the lack of goals by Egypt and Italy in their Confederation Cup Game. The Egyptians were also fatigued and were quick to blame the absence of its striker Mohammed Zidan.

Regardless, the US Soccer Team made history.

FIFA Confederation Cup 2009

Date: 2009-06-21

Place: South Africa

USA 3-0 Egypt

Most Valued Players: Davies, Bradley, and Dempsey

4th of July [Anonymous]

4th of July

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

Another had two sons captured.
 
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.  They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
 
What kind of men were they?
   
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the

Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
 
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
pay his debts, and died in rags.
 

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
 
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
 
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
   
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
 

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid. 

Remember also that the Libertarian Party is the true American Political Party that supported the values of the signers of the Declaration Of Independence.

A Tribute To The People’s Republic of China and CRI English

While the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 60^th anniversary and CRI celebrates its anniversary, I am celebrating my first anniversary of my trip to the People’s Republic of China and meeting the people of CRI English for the first time.

It is considered a milestone in my life and was of historical significance in the relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America. It is also of historical significance in the friendship between the People’s Republic of China and the US Latin Community.

I will always cherish the day that I found out about winning a trip to China. It was a trip that I accepted as an honour and pleasure.  

It was my first trip to the People’s Republic of China and CRI English. It was a dream ever since I first heard Radio Peking [now CRI] on my shortwave radio as a little boy of 8 years old in Ohio. After all, the People’s Republic of China and CRI English has been my constant companions in good and bad times within my life.

Unfortunately, there were certain elements within the US Latin Community influenced by the misinformation that emanated from the television stations in the USA about China. The US Mainstream Media blamed China for everything that went wrong in America and there were certain members of the US Latin Community that believed the lies.

It was these people that lived the Cold War mentality and did not believe in progress. Regardless, I continued with my plans to visit my family and friends in China. After all, no one ever forgets a family member or friend while the certain elements of the US Latin Community talked about “freedom” and “democracy” but did not lift a finger for their fellow citizens. The same applied to those within the US Mainstream Media.

The moment that I stepped on a plane from Miami to Washington in order to continue towards Beijing, I felt a sense of happiness and tranquility that could not be expressed.

The moment the plane landed in China and the pilot announced “Welcome to Beijing, Capital of the People’s Republic of China”, my heart and soul felt a positive emotion that has not been felt for many years. My first impressions of the airport in Beijing were that of a natural beauty as envisioned. The welcoming committee from CRI English was very gracious.

While traveling on my way to the China People’s Palace, I told the welcoming committee of CRI English of how China exceeded my expectations. Beijing China is a beautiful cosmopolitan city which has managed to combine the old with the new.

While many so called experts in America wanted to attribute this beauty to the Reforms of Opening Up in 1978, it is of the opinion of this humble CRI Listener that the Golden Age of China began when the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949 by Chairman Mao Zedong after so many centuries of feudalism and colonialism.

The city of Beijing was clean, clear, and the people were well dressed. There was a sense of community and family that did not exist in America. Before arriving at the China People’s Palace, the welcoming committee took me to a restaurant a few blocks from the hotel.

The restaurant was very impressive and the fact that the cook is present to prepare the food in one’s presence was impressive. This was something that was not seen in America. Afterwards, it was onto the China People’s Palace.

I was impressed by the kind and courteous service of those who worked in the China People’s Palace from the post office, internet café to the people who served coffee and food. The stores were the souvenirs of China were sold had an abundance of products which included souvenirs of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

It is not uncommon for this CRI English Listener to remember his time within the China People’s Palace as it became a second home. The television programmes were also excellent. CCTV as well as CRI English is also family oriented with programmes dealing with sports and other aspects of life.

It was a pleasure to see CCTV in all of its aspects in English, Spanish as well as the music videos and cartoons which were great. I could remember one programme where there was a music video. The music video showed a Female Rock Star from China singing about family and friends. The video showed people enjoying life and family. It affected me within my heart and soul since I am believer in family, a belief that is almost non existent in America.

It was far superior to the US Mainstream Media that showed violence, treason, and hatred. For more entertainment, I would listen to CRI Easy FM 91.5 and feel more tranquility.

How could I ever forget Tiananmen Square and the area around it such as the Great Hall of the People, the Forbidden City, and the War Memorial? The moment that I walked in this area, it was like being in paradise on earth. It was the moment that I dreamt of for a long time.

I will always treasure the Badaling Section of the Great Wall of China and being able to climb the highest peak. I can never forget the feeling of being a true man, a great father, and a great husband after climbing the highest peak. It was also great to appreciate the clean air and beauty of nature while climbing up and down the Badaling Section of the Great Wall.

In further discussion of the Great Wall at Badaling [around May 2009 in Miami Florida], I talked with Univision TV Presenter Satcha Pretto. Ms. Pretto and I discussed about our experiences of visiting the Great Wall of China. She was also in the Badaling Section as well as another section of the Great Wall. We also discussed about the beauty of Beijing.

Both of us also talked about the areas both of us visited including Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City. Ms. Pretto was happy when I told her about how this humble CRI Listener dressed himself as a Chinese Emperor for a photographic souvenir. I wanted to tell her more but since she was interviewing a social worker for her program, I referred her to the CRI English Webpage.

The Olympic Stadiums as well as the International Broadcast Centres and the National Museum were also beautiful examples of architecture. I will never forget my visit to the National Museum and how the staff at CRI English explained the history of China.

The visit to the studios of CRI English and being able to converse with the staff of CRI English and CRI Easy FM 91.5 was also an unforgettable experience. It was great to have visited the Listener’s Museum with letters and souvenirs from listeners from all over the world. It was also an honour to see the recording machines and microphones used to announce the birth of New China.

Comentario de Oscar Peña por Radio Marti sobre posición del Sec General de la OEA y la ONU

Comentario de Oscar Peña por Radio Marti sobre posición del Sec General de la OEA y la ONU

Saludos Pueblo de Cuba:

Insisto en el tema de la penosa situación de un país hermano de América Latina porque se que allá en la isla nuestro pueblo esta extremadamente confundidos con el bombardeo de información parcializada y tendenciosa.

De esa manera les  ruego vean y perciban las diferentes informaciones y acuerdos  de la Asamblea General de la ONU timoneada en estos momentos por ex=canciller de Nicaragua y amigo del régimen cubano el Sr. Miguel D’ Escoto y  la posición y declaraciones de José Miguel Inzulza secretario general de la OEA…. la verdadera seriedad, imparcialidad, honestidad y respeto a esos altos cargos nos hacen preguntarnos -y quisiera nuestro pueblo medite en esto- porque estas instituciones y personalidades no corrieron para Cuba cuando los cubanos planteamos también hacer un Referéndum acerca de temas prohibidos en Cuba como es la libertad de expresión, de asociación, económica y política, y la libertad para los presos políticos, etc.

Como se puede entender esta doble evaluación e hipócresia  democrática de estos organismos internacionales y de sus principales rectores. … Ellos deben ser imparciales  y con derechos para todos. No correr a babor, ni a estribor, sino pararse firme y serios en el centro. Los cubanos estamos esperando corran tambien a Cuba a exigir se restituya la democracia…

Sin duda el pueblo cubano aparte de enfrentar nuestra dictadura interna tenemos que navegar con estos vientos internacionales en contra…

Ha comentado para ustedes Oscar Peña, un abrazo a todos…

Reflexiones Sobre El Equipo de Futbol EEUU VS Mexico En El Estadio Azteca

Los EEUU es un equipo subiendo como la espuma.

Incluso, despues de su segundo lugar en la Copa Confederaciones 2009, el equipo estadounidense subio en la escala de la Clasificacion FIFA Coca Cola en lequipo mundiales con 12 lugar.

En la misma clasificacion, los EEUU esta en primer lugar en la Clasificacion FIFA Coca Cola y Mexico en tercer lugar. A pesar de todo, Mexico tienes posibilidades.

Mexico debe mirar las clasificaciones, imponer diciplina, menos comercializacion, y jugar un futbol con aquella diciplina y tenacidad.

Si Mexico logra imponerse con la diciplina y tenacidad podemos ver a Mexico ganando en El Estadio Azteca contra los EEUU.

A la diestra de Dios Padre sube a escenario del MDC

A la diestra de Dios Padre sube a escenario del MDC

Miami, Julio 1, 2009 – Actors Arena, el grupo de teatro hispano del Campus Norte del Miami Dade College, presentará a partir del 17 de julio y durante dos fines de semana consecutivos,  A la diestra de Dios Padre, una adaptación libre de la obra de Tomás Carrasquilla y Enrique Buenaventura, dirigida por Max Ferrá.

La pieza es una farsa sobre la humildad y la caridad, que parte de una leyenda colombiana y  aborda las peripecias de un humilde campesino con un gran corazón quien, de socorro en socorro, llega a sentarse a la diestra de Dios.

Esta presentación es la cuarta de Actors Arena en el Teatro Lehman del Miami Dade, donde un taller de formación de actores ofrece la oportunidad a sus miembros de presentarse en las tablas con regularidad. La puesta cuenta con un elenco de 12 actores, muchos de los cuales interpretarán varios personajes. Entre los mismos figuran: Lizaida Mansito, Reinaldo González, Sandra Scarpa y Humberto Fored.

La entrada es gratuita y constituye una prueba más del compromiso del Campus Norte del MDC con las artes escénicas dentro de la comunidad hispana, tal como afirma su presidente, Dr. José Vicente: “El teatro y las artes en general son un componente esencial en la formación educativa de un individuo y un elemento vital en la cultura de una comunidad. Por eso el Campus Norte del Miami Dade College mantiene su compromiso de apoyar las artes, frente cualquier obstáculo.”

QUE: Presentación de la obra teatral A la diestra de Dios Padre.

CUANDO: Julio 17, 18, 19 y 24, 25, 26. Viernes y sábados a las 8pm, domingos a las 5:00 p.m.

DONDE: Lehman Theatre. Miami Dade College, Campus Norte

               11380 N.W. 27 Avenue, Miami, FL 33167

INFORMACION: 305-237-1505

ENTRADA GRATIS

Noticias de Venevision 2 de Julio 2009 [Venezuela, Honduras, EEUU]

El nuevo presidente de Honduras, Roberto Micheletti, acuso este miércoles al gobernante de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, de ser el responsable de la crisis que vive el país centroamericano.

 

El vicepresidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Venezolana, Baltazar Porras, condenó la doble cara que tienen organismos internacionales en el caso de Honduras. A su juicio, es lamentable la presencia venezolana desmesurada y una intromisión en los asuntos internos que ha tenido el presidente Hugo Chávez en el caso hondureño.

 

El presidente venezolano, Hugo Chávez, viajará a Belarús probablemente al final del verano, indicó este miércoles el embajador de Venezuela en Minsk, Américo Díaz Núñez

 

El secretario general de la Causa R, Daniel Santolo, rechazó categóricamente el golpe de Estado en Honduras, pero considera que el presidente Hugo Chávez, no debe desviar su atención en conflictos externos. Cree que el jefe de Estado debe enfocarse en resolver los problemas que padecen los venezolanos a diario, como por ejemplo la inseguridad.

 

La Comisión de Administración de Divisas (Cadivi) estableció los requisitos y el trámite para la adquisición de divisas por parte de los funcionarios de las representaciones diplomáticas y consulares, así como por parte de los funcionarios extranjeros de los organismos internacionales, debidamente acreditados ante el Gobierno Nacional.

 

Las empresas del sector privado en Estados Unidos recortaron 473.000 empleos en junio respecto del mes anterior, lo que representa una mejora con relación a las cifras de mayo, según datos que difundió este miércoles la empresa Automatic Data Processing (ADP).

China To Help Zimbabwe

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Qin Gang announced that the Chinese Government will be granting loans to Zimbabwe. This will be via its financial institutions.

The purpose is to help Zimbabwe in its process of reconstruction under the National Unity Government. Qin Gang has stated that China helped Zimbabwe in the past and will continue to do so.

It appears that Zimbabwe will need a lot of help in the reconstruction of its infrastructure in the aftermath of its economic and political problems.

http://english.cri.cn/7146/2009/07/02/1241s498482.htm

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/china-grant-aid-zimbabwe

Carta Abierta A La OEA/ Open Letter To The OAS

Estimado OEA:  

Parece mentira que hablas tanto de democracia pero no levantaste un dedo cuando Batista dio su golpe de estado en 1952 [Cuba]. Lo mismo sucedio cuando surgio Castro en 1959 en la misma isla. Atraves de las decadas, no lograste una promocion hacia la democracia.

Incluso, no lograste ninguna condena a Cuba, Venezuela, ni EEUU por sus violaciones de los derechos humanos.   Ustedes son un ejemplo patetico cuando se trata de la democracia y derechos humanos. Ustedes hablan de ser defensor de la democracia y libertad sin apoyarlo. Estas sorprendida hay golpe de estado pero permites personas sin escrupulos de la izquierda y la derecha acabar con la constitucion y la democracia.

Con que cara condenas a Honduras sin querer condenar a Cuba [no hay democracia], Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bolivia, y EEUU [Dictaduras disfrazadas de democracia]? No tiene ninguno.  

Dear OAS:  

You seem to talk about democracy and human rights but never practiced it. You did nothing to prevent the military coup by Batista in Cuba 1952 and the subsequent takeover of the island by Castro in 1959.

You condemned other countries in the American Continent but Cuba and the USA were untouchable. You allowed the left and right to crush democracy and freedom and yet say that you defend these concepts in your website. This makes you pathetic in the eyes of men and women.   You have no right to talk about Honduras when Cuba as no democracy, Venezuela/USA/Ecuador/Nicaragua/Bolivia have dictatorships disguised as democracy.