After Blago

I do not usually do politics but since this is a historical occasion, I have decided to publish an interview conducted with Kent Mc Millan who is the Public Relations Chair of the Libertarian Party of Illinois. This interview was published in Now Public which is an E Magazine in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

 During the last week of January 2009, Rod Blagojevich fought for his political survival as the Illinois Senate impeached him. Blago [his nick name] presented his case to the world but not in the Illinois Senate until the last minute.

My attempts to talk with Mr. Blagojevich and Ms. Radogno [one of the Illinois Senators involved in the impeachment proceedings] were unsuccessful. Kent Mc Millen who is the Public Relations Chair for the Libertarian Party of Illinois was gracious enough to take time from his busy schedule to talk Blago, Illinois, and beyond.

 

In the process, we have become enlightened with this conversation. The following was done in E Mail format:

 

      1. Why was Blagojevich removed as governor?

 

 Rod Blagojevich was removed for several reasons. First and most obvious is that he was caught on tape saying things and making deals that voters should and did find to be disturbing – even for voters in Illinois and Chicago that are used to an outrageous amount of corruption, “Pay to Play” government deals, and just downright underhanded dealings. Less obvious is that the former governor has angered even those colleagues that normally would have stuck by him and covered for him. This started well before the events that resulted in his removal – as far back as the feud between Blagojevich and Dick Mell – a Chicago “Machine” politician and the former governor’s father in law. He lost the support of the people who were protecting him and one of them tipped off the authorities – who in turn started surveillance of him and caught him making dirty political deals on tape.

2. Was Blagojevich the cause of, a part of, a continuation of the problem,
or all of the above? What is the reason behind this answer?

Blagojevich was a major part of and a continuation of the “Business as usual” state of politics in Illinois. One need only review the histories of several past Illinois governors – most recently George Ryan, who is currently serving a prison term for offenses committed while serving as Illinois Governor – to see that corruption at the highest level of Illinois government is nothing new. It’s also important to note that Rod Blagojevich is not the only crooked politician in Illinois, and certainly not the last – not unless the citizens of our state pay attention and demand the removal of other politicians that abuse the power of their offices.

3. The vote against Blagojevich was 59 in favour of removal and 0 against. Is this a reflection of his popularity in government or in the state as a whole?

Though this may reflect Blagojevich’s incredibly low popularity among the state senators, it could also be because the belief Blagojevich is crooked is so established that even those senators that feel more evidence is needed to prove his wrongdoing are afraid to go on record as saying so. It’s clear that even Blogojevich’s friends in the state senate have abandoned him rather than go on record supporting him.

4. Did Blagojevich commit any violations of human or civil rights against
Libertarians and other parties during the Gubernatorial Elections of 2006? Did those who remove Blagojevich commit the same violations of human or civil rights?

Though Blagojevich probably did not commit any specific offenses against Libertarians or other parties, by allowing grossly unfair and unconstitutional ballot access laws to stand after he was elected, he failed to use his executive power to do the right thing. The politicians who removed him are the same ones who are maintaining this unfair system and have also failed the citizens of Illinois.

5. It appears that Illinois has been through a lot with the Republicans and
Democrats destroying the confidence bestowed on them by the people of the Land of Lincoln. What can the Libertarian Party of Illinois offer as an alternative to the tired Governing Elite in your state?

Libertarians don’t claim to be more honest or trustworthy or “better” than anybody else – we’re all human and suffer from human temptations and frailties. However, only Libertarians want to reduce the amount of power wielded by politicians. This would remove the temptation to misuse power and even much of the ability to misuse it. Libertarians not only want to return all power not specifically granted to the government by the Illinois constitution to individuals, but are also champions of government transparency. We want it to be very obvious to the voter and taxpayer what money is being spent, for what, and who is receiving it. Libertarians offer smaller, less-expensive and less-intrusive government at all levels, as well as more individual freedom. We also want people to accept the personal responsibility that comes with this freedom.

By the way – the official motto of Illinois is “The Prairie State” – not the land of Lincoln. Libertarians feel that Lincoln did much to harm states’ rights and contributed to the growth and tyranny of the federal government.

6. Why should there be direct elections instead of a gubernatorial
appointment when a Senate Seat [or any seat for that matter] is vacant?

Though most Illinois voters probably would not have a problem with the governor exercising his authority to fill an empty senate seat, in the case of Blagojevich, his motives to extract personal gain from his choice of replacement senators was so obvious that any choice he made would be suspect. “Tainted” as the news media so correctly pointed out.

7. What can Illinois, America, and the rest of the world learn from what has happened to Blagojevich and Illinois?

Though Illinois may seem to be an extreme case, every other state in the union, the country at large, and citizens of every country should be aware that power corrupts. This is inevitable. Though there is no better form of government for a free people, freedom DEMANDS that citizens remain vigilant. Even when the very best people are elected to office, the voters must not consider their job finished. The people must watch their government and their elected official closely. Be involved in their government. Participate actively and not abdicate their duty to govern themselves. After all, we are a “Government OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people.” Keeping government honest is OUR responsibility.

 

I would like to thank Kent Mc Millen and the Libertarian Party of Illinois for this Now Public Exclusive Interview. My best wishes to the people who read Now Public and work for it. Thank you for allowing this exclusive interview. For Now Public, Roberto Alvarez-Galloso reporting.

 

 

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/now-public-exclusive-libs-talk-blago-and-beyond

Mc Cartney, Roig, and Part: 20th Century Classical Music Genius

While Classical Music has been associated with Bach and Handel, the 20th Century has had its share of Classical Music Genius such as Former Beatles Paul Mc Cartney, Cuban Composer Gonzalo Roig, and Estonian Composer Arvo Part.

Classical Music is alive and kicking with composers such as the former Beatles Singer and Songwriter Paul Mc Cartney having written his “Liverpool Oratorio” almost two decades ago. Paul Mc Cartney also wrote another Classical Music piece called “Standing Stone” in 1997 followed by “Working Classical” in 1999, and “Ecce Cor Meum” in the year 2006. The four albums have been garnered popularity in the Classical Music Charts as well as Popular Music.

There have been other releases of Classical Music especially after some of Bachs Cantatas have been found in Japan such as “The Wedding Cantata BMW 216″ and others which were found in eastern Germany. It is these releases that have people buying classical music if only to hear music that was never released to the public. For those who think that Classical Music has no place in the 20th and 21st Century have not heard of the works of Gonzalo Roig and Arvo Part.

Recently, there has been an interest in the music of Cuban Composer Gonzalo Roig [1890-1970] and his classical zarzuela called “Cecilia Valdes” which played to rave reviews in Miami Florida as well as Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I once saw the performance of “Cecilia Valdes” in Miami Florida and the majority of the public were a younger generation of those who either left Cuba when they were babies or born in the United States to Cuban Parents.

During the performance of “Cecilia Valdes”, there were other nationalities in the theatre as well as those who were performing. The public and the performers were from the generation that lived through the era of the Beatles, the Disco Era, and other eras. A recent performance showed another public and performers who lived in the era of Hip Hop, Britney Spears, and Selena Gomez yet they were enjoying the Zarzuela written in 1932 and relaxing.

Arvo Part [1935-Present] is another example of why Classical Music is alive, kicking, and popular.

Arvo Part’s music increased in popularity after the Independence of Estonia from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [now Russia] in 1990. Arvo Part was famous for writing works such as the “Berliner Messe”, “Tabula Rasa”, “Te Deum”, and “Summa for Chorus” have been popular among the youth and young adults for being an alternative to the artificial music that exists today as well as for relaxation.

What is admirable about Arvo Part was that his early compositions of the 1950′s and 1960′s were written at a time when foreign influence in Estonia was minimal with the exception of the usual Russian influence. For those who underestimate Arvo Part and think that classical music is dead should read the quotes of the New York Composer Steve Reich [1936-Present].

The words of Steve Reich about Arvo Part were the following: “Even in Estonia, Arvo was getting the same feeling that we were all getting.I love his music and I love the fact that he is a brave and talented man. He is completely out of step with the zeitgeist [the fashion statements of the present time and yet he is enormously popular, which is so inspiring. His music fulfills a deep human need that has nothing to do with fashion.”

While Paul Mc Cartney deserves credit for maintaining Classical Music, people like Gonzalo Roig and Arvo Part deserve praise for being able to transcend the fashion of the day with their classical music. As long as there are people who listen to Mc Cartney, Roig, and Part, there is hope for Classical Music.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/eur ope/3596027.stm

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/arti cle/0,2144,3271063,00.html

http://www.helium.com/items/1315065-mc-cartney-roig-part-classical-music-20th-century

Recommended African Football Online Sites

African Soccer [Football] has become popular as the world enters a new era of globalization. What has been the favourite of the few who listen to shortwave radio has converted into something that is popular. One of the best places where African Soccer [football] can be found are in some of the web pages of Africa itself.

Radio Cairo or Egyptian Radio and Television have the best coverage when it comes to African Football. They have been great when it comes to the coverage of the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Egyptian Radio and Television have the inside story about African Football [Soccer] Players from the viewpoint of Africa.

Radio Cairo as well as Egyptian Radio and Television has been at the forefront of African Football [Soccer] News On line as well as on Radio and Television taking into account an experience of almost five decades. I could still remember some of the coverage of the 1978 African Cup of Nations in Radio Cairo when I listened to it on shortwave radio.

Another station that has given coverage to African Football [Soccer] News has been Angolan Radio and Television otherwise known as Radio Nacional do Angola and Radio Television do Angola. Angola gave coverage to one of the African Cup of Nations World Cups and was one of the first stations in the 1990s to reveal the death of one of the players of the Mozambican National Football [Soccer] Team from a heat stroke long before the Western Media reported the story.

Another station that has given coverage to African Football [Soccer] News has been Angolan Radio and Television otherwise known as Radio Nacional do Angola and Radio Television do Angola. Angola gave coverage to one of the African Cup of Nations World Cups and was one of the first stations in the 1990s to reveal the death of one of the players of the Mozambican National Football [Soccer] Team from a heat stroke long before the Western Media reported the story.

The Zimbabwe Daily and one of its writers Isabel Panangara was one of the first reporters and medium to reveal the extent of the Sex Scandal in Zimbabwe Football [Soccer] when other sports on line services ignored the news. Ms. Panangara revealed how the Chief Executive of Zimbabwe Football [Soccer] Henrietta Rushwaya was having sex with some of the football [soccer] players during practice.

The Zimbabwe Daily also revealed how the Sex Scandal ended any or all hope of Zimbabwe classifying in the African Cup of Nations or in the World Cup.

One of the best Non African Websites for African Football [Soccer] has been the BBC. The BBC has various online sites dedicated to African Football [Soccer]. At one point, the BBC was able to interview one of the coaches of the Sierra Leone National Football [Soccer] during an attempted military coup in the Ivory Coast. One of the best programmes have been “Fast Track” hosted by Farayi Mungazi.

“Fast Track” gives an indepth coverage of African Football [Soccer] and was one of the stations that was reporting publicly on Didier Drogba. There are many venues but the best are Egyptian Radio and Television, the Zimbabwe Daily, Radio Nacional do Angola, and the BBC.

http://www.zimdaily.com/news/z ifa27.6466.html

http://www.helium.com/items/1313777-african-football-news-online

Sacha Kljestan and the United States Soccer Team

 

On the 24^th of January 2009, the United States Soccer [Football] Team played a friendly game against Sweden in the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. It was a great beginning for the United States Soccer Team and one of its players Sacha Kljestan who is a midfielder and winger.

 

It appears that given the present situation, the United States Soccer Team is growing.

 

The United States Soccer Team defeated Sweden 3 to 2 in a game of nerves due to the three goals of Sacha Kljestan. It is with pleasure that I dedicate a profile to this player who has been no stranger to controversy.

 

Sacha Kljestan was born in Anaheim, California on the 9^th of September 1985 and started soccer [football] at an early age. He started his career with the Region IV Olympic Development Program before playing with Seton Hall Pirates.

 

During his time with the Seton Hall Pirates, Sacha Kljestan was the first team All American, Big East Offensive Player of the Year for 2005, 20 goals, and three NCAA Tournament Appearances.

 

Sacha Kljestan is a holder of more records such as 15 single-season assists record in 2005 and 28 points to be ranked as a fifth all-time at the school with 28 during his career at Seton Hall.

 

His professional career started with the USL Team [in the Premier Development League] Orange County Blue Stars where he scored one goal in two appearances. He also eventually signed with the MLS Team Chivas USA and the United States Soccer Team.

 

He participated in the Beijing Olympics of 2008 and has also been training with the Celtic Football [Soccer] Team. Sacha Kljestan also earned a yellow card for a personal foul against Real Salt Lake Player Andy Williams which left him seriously injured.

 

Sacha Kljestan was suspended for two games and received a fine of $1000.00 for his foul which gave Chivas USA a 4 to 0 victory over Real Salt Lake.

 

[Personally, I would agree with the MLS that this was a red card given the nature of the injury and after reviewing articles and videos of the play.]

 

Regardless, Sacha Kljestan deserves praise for his decisive hat tricks which gave the United States its 3 to 2 victory over Sweden. It is also hoped that the United States Soccer Team will be prepared for its upcoming game against Mexico. My best wishes to Sacha Kljestan and the United States Soccer Team.

 

http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=390729

 

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070425&content_id=90408&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp

Health and Ecology in Zimbabwe

While the world is watching and celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama, it appears that the unfolding crisis in Zimbabwe needs to be placed back in the limelight. The situation cannot be ignored as long as people who have nothing to do with the politics die. The situation cannot be ignored as the ecological damage is present.

 

According to the Xinhua News Agency, World Vision-Canada has sent nearly $4.7 Million in US Dollars of equipment and medication to stem the Cholera Crisis that has affected Zimbabwe. Wilfred Shukula who is the director of World Vision-Canada arrived on the 21^st of January 2009 at Harare International Airport for the delivery.

 

This comes at a time when there has been a recent outbreak in Mashava in the province of Masvingo. There was more news from the BBC, Medecins San Fronteire, and the UN about an increase in the deaths from Cholera with 2755 deaths since August 2008 or a 20% increase.

 

It should also be mentioned that in Zimbabwe, there have been eight deaths from Anthrax since November 2008, 400 deaths a day from HIV/AIDS, as well as an increase in maternal mortality.

 

The UN has reported that ALL of Zimbabwe has been affected with nearly 50,000 people infected. Human Rights Watch has asked for the intervention of African Countries while the foreign policy spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance of South Africa Tony Leon has asked for sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

 

It appears that the story of Zimbabwe is going to continue for a long time with people wringing their hands and doing nothing. Only time will tell what can happen. I could only think of my interview with Johnny Rodrigues and think what has happened in Zimbabwe.

 

http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/01/22/189s446861.htm

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7844417.stm

 

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20090122113625944C452247

 

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20090122131732672C659848

 

http://my.nowpublic.com/environment/now-public-exclusive-ecological-destruction-zimbabwe

 

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/aid-zimbabwe-situation-becomes-catastrophic

The Life and Times of FC Zimbru Chisinau

At a time when people talk about Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Chivas USA, and other teams; the soccer/football world tends to forget the gems that are present in but not appreciated. One of the gems in the soccer/football world is Zembru Chisinau. The time has come to talk about the history and times of Zimbru Chisinau.

 

FC Zimbru Chisinau was formed after World War II in the Moldovan Soviet Republic [once a Republic within the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or USSR] which is present day Moldova. It should be remembered that Moldova and the Moldovan Soviet Reprublic was formed from territory taken from Romania by Russia [when it was the USSR] during World War II. There are people who say that Moldova became a part of the USSR on a voluntary basis. 

 

Zimbru Chisinau is the Romanian Word for a form of European Bison.

After finishing this detail of history, we can continue with FC Zimbru Chisinau. FC Zimbru Chisinau functioned under various names such as Dynamo, Burevestnik, Moldova, Avintul, and Nistra. FC Zimbru Chisinau had two eras which of course were the Soviet and Moldovan Era which will be discussed fully.

 

The Soviet Era of FC Zimbru Chisinau was characterized by being in Class B of its football league until its eventual promotion to Class A. There was a  time of relegation and promotion between Class A, Class B, as well as Top League and First League. FC Zimbru Chisinau was once in the quarterfinals of the Soviet Cup in 1963.

 

For those who are not familiar with the Soviet Cup, it was a football/soccer cup which existed in the USSR from 1936 to 1991. I remember hearing some of the games on Radio Moscow with my shortwave radio.

 

The fortunes of FC Zimbru Chisinau changed after the fall of the USSR and the establishment of the Republic of Moldova. FC Zimbru Chisinau won the Divizia Nationala eight times with five consecutive victories between 1992 to 1996. They won the Moldovan Cup five times.

 

Before continuing with the history of FC Zimbru Chisinau, it is important to discuss the history of the Divizia Nationala and the Moldovan Cup. The Divizia Nationala is the Moldovan National Division and is the top division in Moldovan Football. It was formed in 1992 and is composed of 12 teams. After the end of football/soccer season in Moldova, the club that is in the bottom tier is relegated to the A Division. The Moldovan Cup is a national cup in which all teams in Moldova compete.

 

FC Zimbru Chisinau have participated in the UEFA Cup as second round and the Championship League in the third qualifying round. At the time of this article, FC Zimbru Chisinau is in third place in the Divizia Nationala with 34 points behind FC Dacia and FC Sheriff.

 

Regardless, they are club with pride in its history as manifested by a Museum and a Hotel in their honour. FC Zimbru Chisinau also treat their supporters like family. It is for this reason that the gems of football/soccer such as FC Zimbru Chisinau should not be overlooked.

 

Reference:

 

http://www.helium.com/items/1308114-fc-zimbru-chisinau

 

http://www.fmf.md/champion_en.htm

 

http://www.fmf.md/champion_ro.htm

 

http://www.zimbru.md/?module=pages&pageid=17&PHPSESSID=45892f09c5365ff8a154f4c7422ba507

 

http://www.zimbru.md/?module=pages&pageid=41

 

Para Radio Internacional de China: China y la UE

Para mi familia de Radio Internacional de China en Espa~nol:

 

1. ¿Cómo evalúa las relaciones actuales entre China y la Unión Europea y, más concretamente, con España?

 

Aunque no puedo hablar de las relaciones entre la Republica Popular China y la UE, considero que las relaciones pueden tener un buen paso si la UE [incluyendo Espa~na] pueden mirar a la Republica Popular China como un socio importante. Es una relacion que se basa en el mutuo respeto y en la NO injerencia en los asuntos internos de los involucrados.

 

Digo eso pues a pesar de las intenciones de las personas que tienen buena voluntad, existe personas que viven en el pasado y quieren utilizar ese pasado para torpecer las buenas relaciones entre la Republica Popular China y la UE. Estoy contento que las relaciones marchan bien aunque hay necesidad de parte de la UE de no juzgar para no ser juzgado.

 

2. ¿Qué expectativas mantiene respecto a la visita del Premier chino? ¿En qué sentido cree que China y los países europeos pueden cooperar para fortalecer las relaciones bilaterales y enfrentar juntos la crisis financiera mundial?

 

Considero que la visita del Premier de la Republica Popular China hacia Europa es un factor positivo para ambos. La Republica Popular China tiene mucho que ofrecer al mundo en especial a la UE. Para enfrentar la crisis financiera mundial, hay que utilizar el sentido comun. La Republica Popular China y la UE han tomado medidas para ese fin. Las bases de la cooperacion en el ambito economico es fuerte.

 

Quizas la Republica Popular China y la UE pueden fortalecer mas sus relaciones atraves de los deportes y la musica. Existe en la Republica Popular China torneos de futbol donde representantes de los EU y UE participan junto con China. Hay los encuentro culturales como lo que sucedio entre China y Grecia en el Museo Nacional de Beijing China entre Junio y Julio 2008.

 

3. ¿Qué comentarios o sugerencias tiene sobre las relaciones chino-europeas?

 

La necesidad de mantener un dialogo a base de la verdad y sinceridad por parte de la UE.

 

Saludos desde la Comunidad Latina en EEUU.

 

Roberto

CROWN PRINCE CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT OBAMA

PRESS RELEASE

CROWN PRINCE CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT OBAMA

Belgrade 21 January 2009. HRH Crown Prince Alexander extended his warmest congratulations to President Barack Hussein Obama on becoming the 44th President of the United States of America . The Crown Prince watched the inauguration live from Washington DC .

“I warmly congratulate you Mr. President and wish you great success with your endeavours in dealing with important common challenges such as the global financial crisis, efforts to bring about peace and security , poverty and climate change.

We in Serbia look forward to a lasting friendship and warm relations with the United States . Your swearing in as the first African American President has given hope to millions of people.

I expect and anticipate that your administration will look favorably on Serbia and its people. I also appeal that you will increase your backing for our membership of the European Union and firmly impress on those who do not wish us to become a member of the European Union that one cannot deny the future and destiny for all the people of Serbia . Our government is fully committed to respect our international obligations, further democracy and human rights.

The Membership of the European Union for all men, women and children of Serbia regardless of religion or ethnic origin cannot be overlooked and or deprived of by a European Union Member. Serbia deserves to become a member of the European Union and indeed a good friend of the United States , which I will always support.

Mr. President I wish you good health, happiness and success always.”

The Crown Prince said in his communication.

2009 Royal House of Serbia

 

 

Homenaje a Barack Obama II

Homenaje a Barack Obama