Dec 28, 2012

6 hours of emotions

The most important auto racing race in Colombia took place, as the last 27 years, last december 8th.
That race was in Tocancipá Speedway. And its principal characteristic is that the duration is 6 hours.
The race was the best I ever seen. In my opinion is the most competitive because in four categories there were good cars with good divers. A Daytona Protoype won the race and that was the fastest car during the 6 hours.

Here some pictures to describe the race.



BMW M3

Radical SR8

Mazda 3


Mini John Works

Renault Logan Turbo- Clío

Daytona Prototype

Dec 4, 2012

Bogotá International car Show

During november, International Bogotá's car show took place. Here some pictures. It was simply great!



















Nov 26, 2012

Good end of 2012 Formula 1 season

The last race of 2012 season, in Interlagos, can be described in few words. It was simply great. Taking into account the long season with 20 races and all the good drivers in very good cars, 2012 was awesome. 

Image taken from FIA Facebook Page

But now looking Sâo Paulo, it was as it was predicted. Rainy.
There are many facts that made Interlagos intersting. Starting because the Driver's Championship wasn't decided. Sebastian Vettel had before the race 13 points with the second, Fernando Alonso. Alonso must finished in the podium, and Vettel with few points. That situation happened the most of the race, but finally Vettel did a good job and now he is the World Champion for 3rd time with Red Bull Racing - Renault.

Another fact is that Interlagos was Michael Schumacher last F1 race in his life. After 20+ years he started running he is almost done. 

Image taken from FIA Facebook Page. (MOTORSPORT - F1 2012 - GRAND PRIX OF BRAZIL - SAO PAULO - 23 TO 25/11/2012 - PHOTO : ERIC VARGIOLU / DPPI)
Photo: Interlagos, Sunday– Ross: “Michael gives you a real understanding of why he is so special and has achieved seven world championships” http://bit.ly/TXF2uO
Taken from Mercedes AMG Petronas Facebook Page

Another special situations were that Sâo Paulo's race was the last for Lewis Hamilton in McLaren (who will drive next year in Mercedes), last race for Sergio Pérez in Sauber (who will drive next year in McLaren).

The rainy forecast in Interlagos decided the race. Tyre strategy was really important. Both Red Bull Racing - Renault and Ferrari failed in their strategies. But Finally they could know what to do.
Vettel had a terrible incident in the 1st lap. Fortunately he could continue driving. There were more incidents. Hamilton was beaten by german Hulkenberg (Force India), who made a good race. The best of the year.
Mark Webber, Vettel's partner drove in a bad way.

Taken from FIA Facebook Page. (MOTORSPORT - F1 2012 - GRAND PRIX OF BRAZIL - SAO PAULO - 23 TO 25/11/2012 - PHOTO : JEAN MICHEL LE MEUR / DPPI)

Vettel Won. He did a good job all the year with a good car. Alonso in the second position, in the Championship, did the best all the year but without the car to give a real battle. Raikkonen in 3rd position run as he knows. Hamilton showed he is a very good driver.

Next season will be better. There will be great drivers in nice teams!

Nov 21, 2012

Less colombian sea

Currently in 21st century a country can lose territory. Probably caused by a war or in an strange way by the decision of an international court.
This is the case of Colombia. A country with two oceans and a huge part in the Atlantic one, including some islands and rock formations, lose more than 75.000 square meters of sea. 
Nicaragua won the dispute against Colombia. So Nicaragua right now have a big sea with important fish sources and off course petrolium ones.
International Court of Justice decided that Colombia can have the sovereignty of all the rock formations but a large part of sea is part of Nicaragua.
There was a treaty signed in 1928, which were clearly demarcated the limits of both countries. But the Court took a decision and Colombia loses. A lose that is huge.
One of the bigger problems after court verdict is that many people who live in San Andrés island (COL- Caribbean Sea) live from fishing in the zone that currently is from Nicargua. So what will happen. Nicaragua Gov. would let those people to fish there? Big question.
Other problem is that two colombian rock formations, Quitasueño and Serrana, are now in the middle of nicaraguan sea. 
There are many problems left.
Responsible? 
This judgment is a final instance and Colombia lost a lot of important and beautful sea.


Mapa
Taken from bbc.co.uk - http://bbc.in/XXsbQw

Nov 19, 2012

Circuit of the Americas (Austin)

Three pictures to describe United States Grand Prix.
-Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) won the race. 2nd Sebastian Vettel and 3rd Fernando Alonso. So the season will be defined in next and last race: Interlagos.
-Hamilton did a good job!
-Red Bull Renault won 2012 constrctor's championship

Taken from F1 Austin page in Facebook

Taken from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes page in Facebook


Taken from Red Bull Page in Facebook

Nov 15, 2012

Known winner?

The last presidential elections in the United States of America were important, taking into account the economic panorama of the last years, the "wars" in Afghanistan and Irak, the situation in Libya, Iran, internal affairs as the medicare law purposed by Obama, the unemployement, the immigrants situation, and the relations with some countries as China.
Those was, in my way of view as a foreign, the most important facts carried during the last presidential campaign.
Starting this year (2012), republicans planned all their primaries/caucus state-by-state to vote and elect the candidate who should competed with the current and re-elected presidente Barack Obama.
In the first weeks, republicans had 4 strong candidates: Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. At the end, Santorum that was the strong rival of Mitt Romney decided to resign and finally Romney won the primaries. Is important to mention that Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, won in important states and he received important support.

In august, Romney was elected as the republican candidate to the elections. Then Obama was elected by his Democratic party.

October, one month before elections was, probably the most important month. Debates, polls and surveys.
Both candidates had good things. According to some media, Romney won the 1st debate, and Obama the 2nd and 3rd. But, they really "won"?
One week before elections and hurricane arrived to New York with bad consequences.

Obama won with important support of "swing states". But now is time to look forward and start looking if 4 years enough to do all the things mentioned and off course more and more. There's a great challenge!

Nov 6, 2012

Probably, the best race

After Abu Dhabi GP, driver's championship is in the best point ever during the year. But that's not the only fact. That race was awesome! It was an example of good way to drive! The most of the drivers that are in the top of driver's championship did a good job!

Taken from FIA Facebook page

Sebastian Vettel (1st in driver's championship) started in the last position (24th), because he had a problem with the fuel during the Quali. He was so angry, but finally he showed that he is one of the best driver's in this moment. It's simple to summarize his race. He started in the last place and he finished 3rd! taking into account he had a lot of problems during the GP.
Fernando Alonso that is in the 2nd place in driver's championship also did a good job and he finished 2nd. He drove very good and his team strategy was the correct one. I think, and according to some specialists told,  Red Bull - Renault has a better car.
Kimi Raikkonen in Lotus - Renault won in Yas Marina. He drove so good! And he is one of the best in the championship too.
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) drove good but a mechanical fault in his car, damage all his good work. He started in the 1st position but he couldn't finish.

Next race is in Texas. It's a new GP. It will be a good race for sure. Driver's must study it and know how to do a good job there.
Interlagos (Sâo Paulo) is the last one, it will be hard and probably the most important, the one that will decide the championship.
So there are missing to GP, and those will be nice races.


Commercial of Circuit in Texas (2011)

Oct 27, 2012

Three races to the end of the season

Indian GP, in New Dehli, was a good race. Good one to be one to decide 2012 world diver's championship. The quali was awesome and the grid line was between the three best teams of the year: Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.
Starting the Gp, in the 1st and in the 5th place were the two drivers who can win the championship.
In the 3rd and 2nd place were the ones who have a little chance. Qualifying (Formula1.com).

Taken from Lotus F1 team Facebook Page. (At Buddh International Circuit)

During the race, Vettel were always in the same position (1st)*. Alonso did a good job and after a good strategy and good management could arrive in the 2nd position, few seconds of Vettel. Alonso lost only 7 points, missing 3 races to the end.

Webber developed a good race, but Alonso was better. DRS had an important job durong the race. At the end, in the podium, both Red Bull's and one Ferrari. 4th and 5th position to McLaren's, then Massa and Raikkonen. The seven drivers that finished in the seven 1st posotions were the same that started the race in the 1 - 7 positions.
Photo: A good day at the office #IndianGp http://instagr.am/p/RUyXlBQLv7/
Taken from Red Bull Racing Facebook page. Instagram pic.

*Vettel won Indian GP after he won the last 3 races (Korea - Japan - Singapore).
F1 drivers Championship after Indian GP

Oct 25, 2012

9 hours of sunlight


Winter season means the last part of the year and the first months of the year too. Winter also refers to temperatures below 0 celcius degrees (32 Farenheit degrees), and also snow.

But in the same way, winter means 'shorter' days. The same quantity of hours (24hrs), but the sunlight less than 10 hours.
In equatorial countries the sunlight can be all the year 12 hours daily. And during the summer (the countries with seasons), the sunlight can be 17+ hours daily.

Taking into account the concept of 'shorter' days it's important to precise at what time it starts and at what time it ends. Probably the sunlight can starts at 7:00 - 7:30am and the night can start at 4:00 - 4:30pm.


Sounds strange, but with this few hours the people who live in those countries do the same things of the people who live in 12+ sunlight hours. Certainly the day ends soon, and a person that goes to the bed currently at 10pm could be in bed few hours earlier. 

Have that experience of change time zone can be hard during the first days, but then it will be normal. Maybe a person can sleep more and can rest in a better way. Although the time to do activities is less, the person would fix it to reach the daily goals.


Oct 15, 2012

4 races (mini season)

Formula 1 season 2012 is in the last part of the stage.
Only 4 races left in a big calendar this year (20 races). 4 races including 2 continents and 4 separated countries (India, Abu-Dhabi, United States and Brazil). But there are more important facts also.
2 drivers (maybe 3) are competing for the championship. All of them already world champions.
Vettel is in the 1st place after Korean GP, Alonso in a 2nd place and Raikkonen in a 3rd place. 215, 209 and 167 points in order.

Vettel seals victory at Korean GP to take championship lead
Motorsport.com / Weber-Vettel-Alonso / Korean GP
During the last two races the fight started. In Japanese GP Sebastian Vettel was the winner also in the last GP (Korea). Alonso didn't finish Japan (incident caused by Renault's driver (Romain Grosjean). Raikkonen did good things in both races.

Formula 1 Backstage by DHL Facebook page. Alonso - Suzuka
























In the next races will be important the teams work and also the pilots way of drive will affect the results. India and Abu-Dhabi (Yas Marina) will be two GP to take advantage and try to take the most of the points.
Then in Texas, Circuit of the Americas will be an opportunity to know a new circuit (taking into account that the season is on the end). Ending with Brazilian GP (Säo Paulo), will be a race to know who won 2012 season. But taking into account that if the championship isn't decided on that time it will be a hard race. It's important to say that in brazil all years the stuff is different. The weather plays an important role and all the things that the drivers do will help to win or lose.

Oct 14, 2012

Red Bull Stratos-phere Challenge

Felix Baumgartner reached a world record the last october 14th 2012, when he jumped from a capsule in the highest point a human jump, without any help.
Only images and data can really explains what he did.
It was called: Red Bull Stratos



 Red Bull Stratos Facebook page


 Red Bull Stratos Facebook page


Altitude: 128,097 ft Duration of freefall: 4:19 Total jump time: 9:03

Speed: 1137 kmh (Mach 1.24) 833 mph
Felix during the 2nd manned test jump
 Red Bull Stratos official web page


Photo: Mission Accomplished: Felix Baumgartner completes a World Record Breaking Jump.

http://win.gs/P3udMH 

"Sometimes you have to go up really high to understand how small you are." Felix Baumgartner

Preliminary Figures:
Altitude: 128,097 ft
Duration of freefall: 4:19
Total jump time: 9:03
Speed: 1137 kmh (Mach 1.24) 833 mph
 Red Bull Stratos Facebook page


Photo: Felix has landed safely from his jump from the stratosphere! http://win.gs/stratoslive
 Red Bull Facebook page


Red Bull Stratos Facebook page

ACCORDING RED BULL STRATOS OFFICIAL WEB PAGE:

AUSTRIA'S FELIX BAUMGARTNER EARNED HIS PLACE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS ON SUNDAY OCT 14 AFTER OVERCOMING CONCERNS WITH THE POWER FOR HIS VISOR HEATER THAT IMPAIRED HIS VISION AND NEARLY JEOPARDIZED THE MISSION.
BAUMGARTNER REACHED AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 1,342.8 KM/H (MACH 1.24) JUMPING FROM THE STRATOSPHERE, WHICH WHEN CERTIFIED WILL MAKE HIM THE FIRST MAN TO BREAK THE SPEED OF SOUND IN FREEFALL AND SET SEVERAL OTHER RECORDS* WHILE DELIVERING VALUABLE DATA FOR FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION

Felix at the press conference said "I want to inspire the next generation. I want to be in mission control with someone younger than me wanting to break my record." Red Bull Stratos Facebook page

Oct 9, 2012

Venezuela was looking for a change

Venezuela didn't get a change. Was their real opportunity as a country to develop a new project, but nothing happened. October 7th will a day to remember in their history.

Since 3+ months a possible change had started it's construction. A new opposition candidate (Henrique Capriles) was the person who should fought with the actual president Hugo Chávez. He did it !
But most of Venezuela's people didn't agree with him. why? That's an unknown answer that maybe in less than 6 years will be answered.

Last october 7th was the elections and the opportunity to say no more to a president that is doing what he wants with his country. Starting with the private factories and also with the money of the petrolium. 

The proof of this is the military armament that he bought during the past 10 years, also the subsidies that he give to many people (including food and buildings).

Most of Venezuela's population was looking for a change to start again, with new relations with other countries and other policies different of "Century XXI socialism" that promote Chávez during the last years.

Most of the population decided to re-elect Hugo Chávez. But a lot of people (more than 6 million) supported Capriles.

Probably hugo chavez will apply what he said in his victory speech (work with the opposition). But Venezuela can't trust in his words because the President didn't do ever. 
Nowdays the only chance is to wait for his actions. He will be the same? 
Chávez told that day (october 7th) that this period will be the best of the last 3.
Many people hope that those words become truth.

The change maybe arrive in the future (Chávez told that he only want to be until 2019 in the presidence). 
But maybe it will be late for Venezuela in 6 years.    



Taken from The Economist http://ow.ly/ekYZB

Sep 13, 2012

Falcao, a worldwide player



Pelotas Calientes FB page

Radamel Falcao García was born in Santa Marta (COL) 26 years ago.  Known as 'Falcao', this soccer player has won many tournaments since he started 10  years ago.


Boyacá Lanceros was his first team. This team ascended to the most important league in Colombia, but when Falcao played, Lanceros was in the second category.
Then, after two years, Falcao trained in Millonarios. (As some people said).
But Falcao's first professional team was River Plate in Argentina. There, this magic player started to ascend step-by-step. Each match doing goals. And finally 4 years later of his arrival to Argentina, Falcao played in the first division of this team.
Falcao wasn't the exception of injuries, but finally he could won some trophies with River Plate.

2009 was one of the most important years in his career. Porto FC of Portugal decided to contract him. And there Falcao started a great campaign with this team. He won some local leagues and the famous UEFA Europe League
In 2011 Atlético de Madrid owned Falcao and in this team Falcao also developed good things!
He won again the UEFA Europe League and finally the Europe superleague against Chelsea FC.
Many teams want to acquire Radamel Falcao. But In his actual team he is doing good things. Many goals and the fans want him to stay.
Falcao is not only an 'star' in Atletico de Madrid. He Also did good things with his coutry team (Colombia).
As a front player he did many goals, and also more that are comming.
In this moment as he said: he only want to calssify to Brazil World Cup with Colombia and stay in Atletico. By the way other teams must wait.

Aug 29, 2012

MJ Aug 29th 1958

Today, august 29th 2012, Michael Jackson should be 54 years old.
This is a biography of RollingStone magazine. Good one about Michael, to remember this pop-star (king).


No single artist – indeed, no movement or force – has eclipsed what Michael Jackson accomplished in the first years of his adult solo career. Jackson changed the balance in the pop world in a way that nobody has since. He forced rock & roll and the mainstream press to acknowledge that the biggest pop star in the world could be young and black, and in doing so he broke down more barriers than anybody. But he is also among the best proofs in living memory of poet William Carlos Williams' famous verse: "The pure products of America/go crazy."
When Jackson died on June 25th, 2009, of apparent cardiac arrest in Los Angeles at age 50, the outpouring of first shock, then grief, was the largest, most instantaneous of its kind the world had ever known, short of the events of September 11th, 2001. What immediately became obvious in all the coverage is that despite the dishonor that had come upon him, the world still respected Michael Jackson for his music – for the singles he made as a Motown prodigy, for the visionary disco he made as a young adult, for Thriller, a stunningly vibrant album that blew up around the world on a scale we'll never see again, for his less impactful but still one-of-kind later work, even for his cheesy ballads. In 2009 Jackson was the biggest-selling artist in the world.

Michael's father, Joe Jackson, was a crane operator during the 1950s, in Gary, Indiana – a place in which, according to Dave Marsh's Trapped: Michael Jackson and the Crossover Dream, quotas were imposed on how many black workers were allowed to advance into skilled trades in the city's mills. Michael's mother, Katherine Scruse, was from Alabama but was living in East Chicago, Indiana, when she met Joe. She had grown up hearing country & western music, and although she entertained her own dreams of singing and playing music, a bout of polio had left her with a permanent limp. Joe and Katherine were a young couple, married in 1949, and began a large family immediately. Their first child, Maureen (Rebbie), was born in 1950, followed by Sigmund (Jackie) in 1951, Toriano (Tito) in 1953, Jermaine in 1954, La Toya in 1956 and Marlon in 1957. Michael was born on August 29th, 1958, and Randy was born in 1961. Janet, the last born, wouldn't arrive until 1966.
Michael and his siblings heard music all the time. Joe had a strong inclination toward the rowdy electric urban blues that had developed in nearby Chicago, and also for early rock & roll. Along with his brothers, Joe formed a band, the Falcons, and made some modest extra income from playing bars and college dances around Gary. When the Falcons folded, Joe retired his guitar to a bedroom closet, and he guarded it jealously, just as he did everything in his domain. Katherine, though, sometimes led her children in country-music singalongs, during which she taught them to harmonize.

Aug 26, 2012

Countdown has started in Venezuela

Countdown for presidential elections and also for a change has started in Venezuela, a Latin American country who had the same president since 12+ years ago.
The change mentioned can be done in two different ways. If the actual 'leader' continues in his position, that country can submerge in a process to lose all it's democracy, all it's autonomy because all the things will be controlled by the same 'leader' who will do whever he wants (more than today).
The other change is the other candidate, the opposition one. Younger than the actual president, that 'new leader' is looking for all the people that doesn't like the actual president. That candidate can develop new proposals if he wins next october 7th.
Sounds difficult, but not impossible. This candidate, Henrique Capriles, should win against a president who has all the state-force with him. Should win against a powerful machine that maybe is using the petrolium money (state money).
Also there's more candidates. 5 more, but Capriles is the real face that can win against the president.

Since 1+ year the surveys became popular to see what candidate can win (virtually). Many times the president is in the 1st place, other time Capriles. But the real one will be in 1+ month.
So, the countdown has started and it's time to look what are doing both candidates to win.

Aug 21, 2012

Syria can wait?


This is a real event that is happening nowdays and since more than one year (march 2011).
'Revolution in Syria'. Can be called in that way.
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, in the position 10+ years, took the power after his father (Hafez al-Assad).
Al-Assad attacks (daily) his own country, but he says everytime that those are terrorists.
On the other side, the 'rebels' are fighting against the government forces. Everyday in each city many people die. No matter woman, children or man.
Taking into account this situation, the world should act quickly. But it doesn't happen yet.
UN "tried" with special envoy Kofi Annan, but nothing happened. A route plan was made, 300+ UN forces went to Syria to act as 'Peace forces', but nothing happened.
Now, world leaders give each week an opinion about what's happening in Syria.
But no actions. Nothing.
Turkey had accepted many refugees. But in some days this country will say, no more! There are more than 60.000 people.
So, Syria can wait more time?

Aug 17, 2012

Ecuador want to be the focus?


Julian Assange, famous because of his 'leaks' during the last years, can be the focus of the world in this moment.
Sweeden required him, because could allegedly abusing some women. All we know that thing since 1+ year ago.
But he decided (seeing he cannot do anything more ) ask asylum to Ecuador, to president Correa.
That thing happened some months ago, but previously Assange entered in Ecuador Embassy in London.
Nowdays Ecuador Chancelor answered his petition with a yes. So Assange received the answer he wanted. But why he want is asking assylum taking into account he consider he is innocent?
Maybe, he think there is something hide like his leaks of reserved US important information?
Taking into account Correa's position, saying that he want to care of Assange's security, why Ecuador's president didn't think in what he is doing inside his Country? maybe he want to be the focus of all the world, but without accepting he doesn't care about the journalits and expression liberty in his country?
UK is not agree with Ecuador's decision, they told that they will not enter inside Ecuador's embassy. But they don't let Assange travel to Ecuador. This case include many questions without solve.

Aug 9, 2012

"Inspire a generation" London 2012

Another olympics year.

Sounds good! It's a good year. It's a different year. All the countries around the world (regardless politics or economic situation) can measure how is it's sports 'scope'.

It's a good time to forget conflicts or economic crisis, it's a good time to watch and breath sports.
But also it's a good time to see which countries are looking to the top, which countries support all their athletes, which countries win at least 1 gold medal, or silver one.

Olympics means the best athletes. That's true. But why a few countries win only gold medals. At least 41 countries won a Gold during London. And the other 100+?

In the top Only USA and China are competing. Then Great Britain, Russia, Republic of Korea, Germany, France, Hunagry, Italy, Australia (and at least 31+) obtained 1 gold.

There's still the question. The other 100+ countries. Athletes can do it! but those countries support their own athletes to improve their level?

By the moment it's important to have fun and enjoy olympics. But the goal for many contries is Rio 2016!


 YouTube - London 2012


May 1, 2012

More than a good driver: Ayrton Senna

18th anniversary of Ayrton Senna tragic crash in San Marino GP.

A hero remembered: Ayrton Senna

By:

The events that played out on my TV screen in the early morning hours 18 years ago today were ingrained forever into my mind, as they were for millions of Formula 1 fans around the world.

Ayrton Senna's heavy crash from the lead of the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola at first looked like just another unlikely bump in the road of his surprisingly slow start to the season for Williams-Renault; then, it became clear that things were more serious; then, bizarrely, impossibly, grave. The images on my screen were plain enough, but still surreal – all the more so as they followed the shocks we had experienced earlier that weekend, of Roland Ratzenberger's tragic death in qualifying the day before, and Rubens Barichello's near-tragic wreck in practice on the Friday. But this was Ayrton Senna, the master of the art. Such things couldn't happen to him...could they?

Senna's records have been recounted in detail so much that one tends to skip over the numbers – the 65 poles, the 41 wins, the three World Championships – without fully processing the impact they had on the sport and his contemporaries. Even the fact that his records have been broken hasn't diminished Senna's place in the minds and hearts of those of us who were privileged to watch him working his magic. And now Asif Kapadia's masterful film Senna has enabled more recent arrivals to F1 fandom to gain an understanding of Senna's skills as well as his forceful, engaging charisma.

For it's the aggregate of all those things that made Senna more than a great racer, more than a star, but a hero for me and countless others. We recognized his flaws – he could be churlish when thwarted by mechanical failures or when he thought he was being unfairly treated or denied his due, but we gave him more leeway than we might have others in the same circumstances, since we recognized it as another part of the passion that he brought to all aspects of his profession.

Took from: Racer web magazine. Racer > F1 > A hero remembered: Ayrton Senna.

Took from YouTube. 'Tribute Ayrton Senna '

Apr 20, 2012

Rockets


Last week North Korea launched a big rocket. Against the comments of many countries around the world they did it. But Finally it failed. After some minutes in the air it went probably to the ocean.
N. Korea government told it was a satellite. Who knows?

This week India launched with the ‘approval’ of some countries a big rocket that can run long distance. 

According to indian authorities more than 5.000 kilometers. It was a test, but it is important to take into account that the rocket has nuclear capacity. A important fact!

What means this ‘tests’?

Maybe is call of power in this nations or maybe can be simple tests only to measure the artifacts.
Is not a good moment to test rockets, according to the international panorama.

Probably other countries will develop similar ‘exercises’. And the ‘excuses’ of those countries may not be ‘just kidding’.

Mar 15, 2012

Syria? yes Syria


The situation in Syria is critical since one year ago.
But during the last week Al Asad forces have started a slaughter in regions like Homs and Idlib.


Those attacks are against the called ‘rebels’ (maybe as Libia ones).
Battle tanks and heavy artillery is used actually to kill lot of people (including ladies and children).
Day-by-day newspapers and TV take  images of dead people and buildings completely destructed.
But Syria is alone in the world?
UN named a former general secretary to talk with Al Asad in Damascus and look for a solution but during the last days nothing happened.


Security Council Meets on Situation in Libya
Pic: http://bit.ly/wEX9TO United Nations/Mark Garten

Security Council of UN talked many times about Syria, but two countries dont want to act (Not refferring military).

Latin american presidents (very-very far of Syria) support the President that only says the dead people is because of terrorists.

International Community will be the whitness of  more than 8.000 people killed in Syria? countries around the world will forgot that Syria crisis is in a high point?

Mar 6, 2012

'Super tuesday'

By A.J. ND citizen.
I consider myself to be a republican voter.  Where I live in North Dakota, USA, we are agricultural and oil minded people.  These are the two industries that make up most of our communities.  There isn't a real republican canidate that stands heads and shoulders above the rest.  I think it will be between Romney and Santorum, with Romney eventually winning the republican bid.  Historically republicans in office help the industries fore mentioned.  I do not believe we have a potential republican canidate strong enough or popular enough, to "knock" the democratic leader / president Obama out of office.  We are lucky that our political party retains majority in the house of representatives.

Feb 17, 2012

Falkland or Malvinas Islands?

During the last weeks Argentina restarted a controversy around the islands located near this country in the south Atlantic Ocean.

Fernadez's government decide to take some decisions around agreement reached 30 years ago when the american country became in war with United Kingdom.

Taking into account Argentina’s decision, prime Cameron gov. decide send a destroyer. Later Prince William travelled to the islands in a mission.

Cristina Fernández decided to go to the United Nations to report british reaction.

Then, its true that this year is the 30th aniversary of Falkland/Malvinas war. But what is the intention of both governments? Repeat the secenes that already happened?

Both countries are in different continents and their army forces are really different, also their allies. So, someone will react? Someone is waiting for the reaction of the other country?

Falklands, Malvinas, two languages, two (very, very, very) different points of view.

Feb 3, 2012

Experience flying on the world's largest passenger aircraft.

By: Brandon Lee Jun Yao, student.

I vividly remember it being in December 2009 that I first sat the A380 on a Singapore Airlines flight. It had been over two years since the first commercial flight on that airplane (Singapore to Syndey, October 2007), but the plane was spick and span. As I boarded the plane and was greeted by the world-famous cabin crew, I thought about how the national carrier of such a small country like Singapore got to where it was. Also, I felt extremely lucky that I had the opportunity to see the world, and in the process, having a safe and pleasant ride on an engineering marvel.

As I got to my seat, in economy class, things pretty much looked the same. As a gadget lover, I was pleased to see a USB port next to the inflight entertainment screen in front of me. This allowed me to use my then iPhone 3GS (in airplane mode, of course) without the fear of landing in London with a flat battery. In this connected world, more thoughtful features like these will be necessary in order to stay competitive. Indeed, some airlines around the world already offer in-flight WiFi, with many others planning to do so.

I wish I could give a more in-depth review, which I believe is possible given the opportunity to fly First or Business Class, which have private cabins, and other luxurious features. What I can say though, is that facilities and features are only part of the picture, and a memorable service experience on the flight may be even more important. Singapore Airlines, in my case, definitely lived up to their reputation and delivered a well-coordinated performance on the long flight to London. In this tight economy, maybe airlines should pay more attention to their "economy" class, even though the lion's share of revenue actually comes from business and first class.

Jan 21, 2012

Obama, looking for his presidential reelection

Barack Obama was elected in 2008 as the 44th US president.
He was elected looking for big challenges in his country after George W. Bush time. Two wars (Afghanistan and Irak) and the most important thing: a big recession that put in bankruptcy many important and historic companies.

Photo of Barack Obama
The White House web page.

Obama arrived to the White House after he did a good job as US Senator.
During the last 3 yeras he did good things and in other things he tried but he couldnt obtain the purposed goals. What about Guantanamo, what about some reforms?
Now is time to ask if he is the better candidate of Democratic Party to run for President next november?
Republicans are deciding nowdays who will be their candidate.
Obama can do a good job if he is elected in november.
9 months is a good time to see if this is true or not?
Check out his web page.

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Obama's Narrative.
(Taken from: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/11/obama%E2%80%99s-narrative/)

Mixing historical perspective, personal reminiscence, and psychological analysis, Harvard Law School Professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr. kicked off a three-part lecture series titled “Understanding Obama” Tuesday at the Barker Center and sponsored by the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research.

“Barack Obama is a brilliant man — a really brilliant man — and sometimes that gets in the way of politics,” said Ogletree, the Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice.
In Tuesday’s talk, “From Barry to Barack,” Ogletree focused on Obama’s childhood, schooling, and early career, tracing the role race and religion played in forming his character.
Ogletree covered what has become common knowledge about Obama’s upbringing, infusing the facts with fresh insight. The future president was born in Hawaii to a white American mother and a Kenyan father. “In each stage of his life, trying to understand race has become increasingly difficult,” Ogletree said.
Obama’s sense of racial identity came largely from his mother. “She was instrumental in telling him who he was,” Ogletree said. She told her son about his father’s struggles to improve his life; she brought home books on the civil rights movement. His father, whom Barack met only once, gave him his name, but called himself  “Barry,” as did young Obama until high school age. Ogletree showed a slide of the poignant inscription “King Obama,” drawn decades ago in a schoolyard’s wet cement by a youngster grappling with an absent father.
Ogletree described how Barry, now Barack, searched for a religious community in Chicago and found a connection in the church of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. There he was brought to tears by a sermon on “The Audacity to Hope.” Obama changed the phrase for his book, “The Audacity of Hope.”
Ogletree, who knew both Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, when they studied at Harvard, emphasized that Barack was an excellent student but had to be “pushed and pulled” to run for president of the Harvard Law Review.
“He was not always highly regarded by people when he was president,” Ogletree said.  “He believed then as I think he believes now that he can bring everybody together. And is that a benefit or is that a challenge in some respects? He allowed people of every political perspective to be editors on the law review and write what they wanted to write about. And some of the most conservative people respected him because he was smart and he had the judgment to say that what they wrote would be accepted because it was well-written even if he disagreed with it. He was deeply committed to bringing folks together.”
Ogletree played a video of a 1990 rally for Harvard Law Professor Derrick Bell, who announced he was taking an unpaid leave of absence to push the Law School for more diversity. The image was blurry and jumpy, but the voice of the young man who introduced Bell was unmistakably that of the future president. “Of course, we hid this during the 2008 campaign; I don’t care if they find it now,” Ogletree said.
A more significant development came after Obama graduated Harvard in 1991. He could have been a clerk for the Supreme Court; he could have easily gone to a big law firm with a big salary. He and Ogletree even talked about the options, and Obama said he wanted to go back to Chicago to be a community organizer.
“I thought about it and I said, ‘Barack, yes, you can,’ ” Ogletree said amid huge laughter. He added, to an even bigger laugh, “Barack has never given me credit at all.”
So Obama went back to Chicago, and eventually won a Senate seat. In 2004 in Boston, he gave a career-defining speech at the Democratic Convention, again sounding the theme of bringing people together. “It really was to be a defining speech about who was Barack Obama,” Ogletree said.
Audience members, however, questioned the effectiveness of the president’s efforts to unite people, and Ogletree acknowledged: “When you think about the stimulus package, health care, the jobs bill, there is something remarkable about watching other presidents do what they thought was right, even against congressional reaction, to put it in their face to get something done.”
He predicted, however, that the Supreme Court will uphold most of Obama’s health care plan and that the term “Obamacare” will become a positive not a pejorative description.
Asked, “What keeps him together? What is his core?” — or as Henry Louis Gates Jr., Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, interjected, “What makes the brother tick?”— Ogletree cited Obama’s efforts every night in the White House to eat dinner with his family and to read about 20 of the thousands of letters he receives. “He is still really learning how to be a great president,” Ogletree said.



Jan 15, 2012

Raid Dakar, more than a Rally

2012 - Argentina/Chile - Personal
Dakar Official logo. http://www.dakar.com
Since 2009 the Dakar was transferred from Europe and Africa to South America. The landscapes changed (not radically) but Sahara dessert is kind of diferent of  different of Atacama dessert and Andes Mountains.


Raid Dakar was born in 1979, 33 years ago. Cars (Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Hummer, MINI, BMW, Renault, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Peugeot, Citroên, Toyota), motorcycles (KTM, Yamaha, BMW, Jincheng, Cagiva, Aprilia, Honda), trucks (Iveco, Kamaz, MAN, Tatra, Hino, DAF, Merecdez Benz) and quads (Yamaha) compete around 15 days each begin of the year across 8000 kilometers.

Dakar is a Off road endurance race and most of the vehicles are modified. During the history of the race there are lots of incidents and some drivers died. Its important to remark that the organization prepare a good test each year taking into account the geography.

This is the most difficult car race in the whole world. Only professional drivers can do the most important goal: arrive to the end.

http://www.dakar.com