by Minter Dial | Jul 27, 2007 | Politics, Sports
On 25th July, Iraq beat South Korea, one of the cup favorites, in a nail-biter, where the 0-0 regulation time score led to a penalty shoot-out win 4-3 in the semis. (BBC report). A country deprived of joy for four years, Iraq has the potential to hoist its first ever...
by Minter Dial | Jul 27, 2007 | Politics
I have to say something like “it’s like it’s been all over again.” The picture of Sarkozy with Mouammar Gaddafi, hiding behind dark glasses, in Le Figaro on 26 July 2007, is striking because of the timing after Cecilia-to-the-rescue activity...
by Minter Dial | Jul 18, 2007 | Politics, Travel
The refusal of the NY Assembly to implement a congestion charge ($4 for cars and $21 for trucks aka lorries) is a shame. The only amendment I would have recommended would have been to increase the charge on SUVs (I have long been an anti-SUVist). I have been...
by Minter Dial | Jul 16, 2007 | Branding, Politics
We are in the midst of a number of important changeovers in governments around the world. My home country, France, has not only changed government, but seems to be giving France a JFK-esque-1st-100-days-run-for-your-money changeover. Sarkozy is giving true meaning to...
by Minter Dial | Jul 15, 2007 | Politics
I have noticed that overoptimism will often be criticized for idealism, while realism can be taken for negativism or even pessimism. This leaves a very narrow spectrum of allowable optimism in the Western culture. Certainly, pessimism is given a stiff shoulder. What...
by Minter Dial | Jul 14, 2007 | New Tech, Politics
English Version (version française ci-dessous): En velo tout le monde!! I have just found out, via This French Life blog, about the “Velib” service that goes into effect in Paris this Sunday – a day after the 14th July celebrations and synchronized...