THE BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.. AVOID WORDS LIKE MOHAMMED, MALAYSIA (OR 25 OTHER FAILING MUSLIM STATES) OR CUBA IN YOUR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

 There is a poem by that eminent latin american poet who belongs to all PABLO NERUDA 

How much happens in a day

and I will tell you what happened to me in a day..

Pablo continues:

Who would have said that the earth
with its ancient skin would change so much?
It has more volcanoes than yesterday,
the sky has brand-new clouds,
the rivers are flowing differently.
Besides, so much has come into being!
I have inaugurated hundreds
of highways and buildings,
delicate, clean bridges

like ships or violins.

Pablo lived at a time when snooping at people's lives had not reached such sophistication. If you are interested in what lies ahead please read the Israeli historian, Yuval Noah Harari.

This morning, I woke up to the news that hundreds of barbers in Afghanistan would be out of work as the ruling Islamist militants have warned them not to trim beards and hair of the Afghan population. Beauty salons are closed too.

Why is this of interest to me, apart from a human rights point of view? 

A friend of mine in Malacca needed 250 dollars and I know him well and immediately said Yes. He said he had used a transfer service called WISE and had no problem receiving the amount from his cousin in the USA.

So on the 19^th of this month, I sent 250 dollars to my friend in Malacca, Malaysia.

Most people in this world do not know that almost all Muslim males carry the name Mohammed but are identified by other names in their usually very long names, certainly true in Malaysia (perhaps not in Indonesia where the names remind them of their Hindu past and usually single words)

So the full name for transfer of money was Mohammed S…. bin Mohammed Y..  In Malaysia bin means, son of, so his full name has two Mohammed in it.

You must congratulate the Artificial intelligence. It picked up that the fact that 1. The money transfer was going to Malaysia, a designated Muslim majority country with terrorist connections and 2. The person had the attention seeking name Mohammed, not once but twice 

The poor man was waiting for his money. He desperately needed it. Today is 27^th, a full week later. I received a note from the company.

  What is the purpose of this transfer and how do you know your recipient? (please give us a detailed explanation)

  What does CUBA in your reference field refer to? (please give us a detailed explanation)

  Please confirm if there is any direct or indirect Cuban involvement in this transaction?

I use the moniker CUBA the country or COCHIN a city in India in my communications. To identify this transaction, I had named it DR.CUBA 

Uninformed people in USA especially while condemning the economic situation in Cuba, do not comprehend the role of their government in causing the misery in Cuba.

The previous administration choked Cuba by cutting off any sort of financial assistance by ANYONE around the world. I tried to send a small amount of money to a family in Cuba, from Mexico, Brasil and France  (from USA of course it is not possible).. all were negated.

So a simple man in Malacca who has the required name Mohammed does not understand the Taliban request that barbers would be punished if they trim beards. They are related as far as the Artificial Intelligence is concerned.

Just including the word CUBA in your conversation or communication, especially if it involves a money transfer however small it may be, would draw the attention or ire of the USA government. 

By the way the communication I received was from Europe as the transfer company is based in Europe.

Such is the power of the Embargo against Cuba by the USA !

The conservative philosophy always has been: If you are not with us, you are against us.  

All the enemies of the WEST, the 25 counties mentioned in the Terrorist list plus states like CUBA, VENEZUELA , if they are mentioned in your communications, it will be a red flag. 

In this case, the red flags were. CUBA. MALAYSIA. MOHAMMED. Even though I am a Jew, like many of the jews of the Levant and the east, it has an arabic sound to it. God forbid, you try and send money to IRAN ..

PS :WISE money transfers, which I will never use again, after nearly four weeks since i initiated the money transfer, informed me that my money has been refunded to my account and not delivered to a man in need in Malacca, Malaysia 

 

A LOVELY DAY VISITING THE FLORIDA KEYS... TO RECOVER A FORGOTTEN FLORIDA SLOWLY DISAPPEARING

From The National Geographic:

Florida Keys

A key is a small, low-lying coral island. The Florida Keys are probably the most famous keys in the world. A 205 kilometer (127 mile) stretch of road, the Overseas Highway, stitches together the islands of the Florida Keys

As you can imagine, it is an exciting trip and if you have time, to linger. In the name of progress, fast food restaurants, shops and souvenir stores which are so caricatured line the many of the small and big settlements along the highway. But the sea and the flora are the kings here and the sea gives an abundant gift to those who dare to go out.

When my friends offered a chance to accompany them on their drive to Marathon, a small town midlway to the end of the Keys, I jumped at the chance and the day was a very pleasant one 

At a restaurant in Marathon by the water (almost everything is by the water), I had a typical american lunch of these parts: filet of fish, in this case the abundant Mahi Mahi and hushpuppies , the round balls you see on the left and home made "cole slaw".

A cuban immigrant owned this eating place and a cuban joined our table. He and I got on well immediately and he was from the fishing village/town of Caiberien in Villa Clara in the Centre of Cuba, well known for its seafood. In fact many restauranteurs from Havana would think of nothing to drive to Caiberien to bring fresh seafood for their customers. 

After Lunch we drove to Deer Key and you can see why it is called so. Key Deer were roaming around freely every where in the key.

Mangroves always held a fascination for me. This part of Florida has all the varieties of mangroves and they perform a very important ecological balancing activity. Many a fish and bird call Mangrove their home 

 

In the early years of the 20th century during the heyday of american entrepreneurship and wealth, Henry Flagler regarded as the Father of Miami built a railroad over water and the keys all the way down to Key West. It was destroyed by the Storm of the Century in 1935. You can see many abandoned rail bridges all the way down to Key West, the closest point to La Habana, a mere 90 miles away, but a totally different world.

As the sun was setting, we drove back to Miami. A very pleasant day. I felt closer to Cuba, physically and emotionally.

THE FORGOTTEN REFUGEES.. JEWS FROM 10 ARAB COUNTRIES NOW CITIZENS OF ISRAEL AND FLOURISHING

In just 50 years, almost a million Jews, whose communities stretch back up to 3,000 years, have been 'ethnically cleansed' from 10 Arab countries. These refugees outnumber the Palestinian refugees two to one, but their narrative has all but been ignored. Unlike Palestinian refugees, they fled not war, but systematic persecution. Seen in this light, Israel, where some 50 percent of the Jewish population descend from these refugees and are now full citizens, is the legitimate expression of the self-determination of an oppressed indigenous, Middle Eastern people.

from the blog. Point of No Return.

The Jewish people are celebrating the remembrance festival of SUKKOT (of their wanderings in the desert nearly 3500 years ago).

These two old photographs shows Yemenite Jews celebrating Sukkot in Jerusalem one hundred years ago.

The modern Israeli cuisine and music and many other aspects of Israeli culture are strongly influenced by the nearly one million jews who were cleansed out of the Arab countries. 

I enjoy very much the influence of these Jews on Israeli Music. especially if the tunes they sing or words they sing are familiar to me from before.

From Jerusalem Post 19 sept 2021

Iranian Jews receive 500 etrogim, myrtle bunches via UAE for Sukkot

500 etrogim and several packages of myrtle have been sent via the United Arab Emirates to the Iranian Jewish community for use in the “four species” tradition on Sukkot.

The small number of Jews still living in Kazhakstan or Kyrgyztan among other countries, receive the necessary religious requisites (the four species for sukkot for example). Here is a jewish lady from Kazhakstan holding her "four species" (2021)

Photo provided by Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, Istanbul, Turkey to Jerusalem Post.

EAT YOUR FRUIT AND NOT DRINK THEM .. THE NEW TECHNOLOGY HELPS US INDIVIDUALIZE PATIENT CARE..

A patient of mine, after he had finished his brunch decided to have a cup of orange juice.

He had his lunch which was not a large lunch at  12 22 pm . Before Lunch his Blod sugar was 117 mg/dl and at  5 22 pm his blood sugar is at 118. So the gluose dysfunction (he is a patient with Type 2 Diabetes) was under control.

at 5 22 pm he decided to have ONE CUP OF FRESH FLORIDA ORANGE JUICE ..

It says FRESH SQUEEZED.. does it mean FRESHLY SQUEEZED? far from it.

The oranges are squeezed and FROZEN for a considerable period of time 

Eva Kleiman:

The truth is that orange juice can stored for up to a year before being bottled and sold. The oxygen is removed from the juice to prevent it from going bad, which also removes essential flavor and aroma compounds. To make it taste like fresh orange juice again, flavor packs developed by flavor and fragrance companies are added back in later on.

This juice can be kept up to one year and then packaged and sent and distributed 

so on the average, the fresh orange juice you are buying in a store is at the minimum one year old , on the average two years old and may be up to three years old.

Wonder why when you are flying a foreign airline and ask for Orange Juice ( I dont) it tastes different? Have you ever wondered why your favourite brand (Ojala, NO) tastes the same whether in winter in Washington or on a hot summer's day in Miami. They have one thing in common, the added chemicals..

My patient checked his Blood sugar at 6 40 pm. one hour and 20 minutes later .

The blood sugar had climbed 40 mg/dl, suggesting that the body's normal defense were overwhelmed by the chemicals in the OJ.

Forty minutes later at 7 20 pm, his blood sugar had come down to 105 mg/dl

When something like the sweet Orange Juice enters the body, it is quickly absorbed and there is a sudden rise in the Blood sugar. This alerts the Insulin and it is secreted but there is a slight lag between insulin secretion and the peak of the Blood sugar. So the people with diabetes this lag is longer and the insulin secretion less, so the blood sugar may persist. But in this patient the insulin secretion is brisk and was able to bring down the Blood sugar. as one sees in a healthy person, who may feel a little tired after a meal because his good insulin surge brings down the glucose surge, somewhat enthusiastically and he feels a little REACTIVE HYPOGLYCAEMIA.   Sometimes this effect may persist for a while, so it is nice to monitor the blood sugar and the symptoms. My patient did not have any symptoms but the blood sugars continued to remain below 100. He does not take any evening dosage of diabetes medication. 

If you want to drink Orange Juice, buy oranges and squeeze them, at least you avoid the chemicals and preservatives the companies put in the store bought OJ.

Better still it is better to eat your fruit, whatever your fruit may be.. in that way the many good ingredients are preserved and the benefits to your body are not lost and the taste if what you desire and not what the OJ company desires for you ..

GENUINE SENSATION OF WELL BEING AND HOPE FOR A BETTER YEAR AHEAD

 

I broke the fast yesterday night with my good friends at their home. 

In my heart, i had been feeling that this year 5782 has begun well and that it augurs well for all of us, not only for us individually and our peoples but the entire world. 

The covid isolation has been difficult for most people and every single person around the world has been affected. we can look forward to an end of this very soon. 

Certainly what helped many people psychologically, in this era of internet and social contact was the ability to provide company for the other. 

I would like to thank a friend of mine from Brasil whose company on line alleviated any undue anxiety from creeping in.

As always, very happy to offer my gratitude to the three important people in my life:

Maqroll El Gaviero Judio who at this moment, after having missed our meeting in Paraty is steaming towards Montevideo. We have a rendezvous in Marrakech in the coming months.

My travel companion, Sr Carlos always dressed nattily in a linen suit and his trademark Ray Ban sunglasses and Panama hat (the one woven in Ecuador). I recently saw him in Europe and our next meeting is in Jerusalem where he wants to follow the path of the cross with its various stops. I have consented to accompany him.

and last but not the least, the petite poete de Cote Sauvage, whose presence in my life is a blessing. Occasionally I get a poem which I enjoy very much. 

KOL NIDRE, MELODIES FROM ASHKENAZ, SEFERAD AND MIZRAHIM. LET US TRAVEL, OJALA, AND EAT WELL IN 5782

Last night, it was Erev Yom Kippur, the beginning of the day of atonement. I had been with the Indians are hurried home before the sunset, missing the opening hours of  the Israeli Arab restaurant near my house. 

Central Synagogue has a livestreaming of their services which is a great help for those of us, stranded in different places and without the usual family support.

How do Jews keep being Jewish, when the centrality is not exactly the practice of the religion. In Melbourne, Australia I was so much part of the community that religious affirmation by attending the services at the synagogue was not absolutely necessary. But in the USA, perhaps with the influence of the strong christian church attendances, community has the synagogue as focus. Of course in Israel, just being there affirms your identity and I have celebrated sacred days there just with the family and friends without the assistance of any clergy. The Central Synagogue clergy are impressive: The Chief Rabbi is very Korean looking but was born and brought up as Jewish and has a nice jewish family, the Cantor (Chazzan) who chants the melodies is an American Jew of Turkish heritage. The architecture of the synagogue is wonderful and there is an emphasis on rituals and order. 

Last night's service, called the Kol Nidre service was very enjoyable and at the end I felt the absence of something. Oriental (middle eastern) melodies that soothes my ears. The Americans follow the european jewish traditions and tunes (with exceptions of course, I discovered there is a oriental (sefardic) chantor at a synagogue in Miami Beach. Would be nice to listen to him one day. 

I am going to briefly describe four different prayers and contrast the Occidental and Oriental melodies.

Kaddish 

Kaddish is a 13th century, Aramaic prayer said during every traditional prayer service. Kaddish means ‘sanctification’ in Aramaic and it is related to the Hebrew word Kadosh, which means ‘holy.’

Of the five variations of the Kaddish; the best known is the Mourner’s Kaddish. The prayer never mentions death or dying, but instead proclaims the greatness of God. By reciting it, mourners show that even as their faith is being tested by their loss, they are affirming God’s greatness.

Two versions here

One an Eastern European Hassidic version, this melody is familiar to most American Jews. The other is a kaddish from Morocco. 

This one from Chazzan Ari Schwarz from the Park Avenue synagogue in New York.

contrast the above with this prayer from Morocco. I liked the fact that the video had paintings of certain historical events and also of great jewish personages, such as Maimonides.

Adan Olam

This is a favourite prayer of many, attributed to Solomon Ibn Gabirol who was born in Malaga 1020 CE. You can see a building dedicated to him in Malaga with a statue in front. 

I was surprised that many of the Yemeni Israelis could sing the melody well as seen in this clip.

I like the Israeli version sung here by Sarit Hadad, who is of Azerbaijani Mountain Jewish origin. 

The versions in Australian or American synagogues are quite different. 

Avinu malkeinu

The Talmud records Rabbi Akiva (died 135 CE) reciting two verses each beginning "Our Father, Our King" in a prayer to end a drought (apparently successfully).  In a much later compilation of Talmudic notes, published circa 1515, this is expanded to five verses. It is very probable that, at first, there was no set number of verses, no sequence, nor perhaps any fixed text. Apparently an early version had the verses in alphabetic sequence, which would mean 22 verses. The prayer book of Amram Gaon (9th century) had 25 verses.  Mahzor Vitry (early 12th century) has more than 40 verses and added the explanation that the prayer accumulated additional verses that were added ad hoc on various occasions and thereafter retained.  Presently, the Sephardic tradition has 29 verses, among the Mizrahi Jews the Syrian tradition has 31 or 32 verses, but the Yemenite has only 27 verses, the Salonika as many as 53 verses, the Ashkenazic has 38 verses, the Polish tradition has 44 verses, all with different sequences. And within traditions, some verses change depending on the occasion, such as the Ten Days of Repentance, including Rosh Hashana and the bulk of Yom Kippur (when it is generally said kotvenu - "inscribe us"), or the Ne'ila Yom Kippur service (chotmenu - "seal us"), or a lesser fast day (zokhreinu - "remember us").

Here there are two examples , one in the western tradition and the other in the eastern tradition sung by a Turkish Rabbi. Rabbi Isak Maçoro.

Kol nidre considered sacred in itself has had a checkered history beginning with Gaonic period 11^th century. It is an Aramaic compilation of rules (much as the Ketubah the wedding contract of the Jews in Aramaic). But Kol Nidre appears on the eve of the sacred day of Yom Kippur and such has acquired a holy status, even if it is not a prayer.

In this video, you can see some memories of Sefarad (Spain ). In Miami Beach there is a strong Sefardi Orthodox Jewish Community with a very busy schedule at their synagogue.

I was first introduced to the turkish way of singing at the Synagogue in Rhodos, Greece where the jews are of turkish origin.

As melodies differ, so does the food. I am very fond of Israeli cuisine which now is amalgamating the various foods from the jewish communities of Levant. It bears no resemblance to the ashkenazi influenced jewish cuisine one can have in Australia or USA. 

Here is an example of Cochin Jewish food at Nevatim, Israel.

My younger brother who lives in Haifa, can cook up a storm and I am already looking forward to his cooking on my forthcoming visit.

A good example of amalgamation of cuisine is this table from a restaurant in Israel 

WISH ALL OF YOU A PEACEFUL, FRIENDLY, TRAVEL RICH, TASTY YEAR 5782

MITAKUYE OYASIN. WE ARE ALL RELATED. AN EVENING OF CONNECTIONS WITH CUBA, BRASIL, MIAMI, ISRAEL

LAN is a pan Asian fusion restaurant here in Miami. It is owned by a Filipino Chinese chef who has built a reputation for tasty, healthy food based on recipes from around the Southeast Asian region. I had lunch there, a small cup of Miso soup, a salad, a small California roll and Salmon with glazed teriyaki sauce. As it was a Monday, I thought of filling the car up with petrol, getting ready for the week ahead which includes Yom Kippur.

While at the Petrol station, I remembered that my Israeli friend (Sudanese, Egyptian, Iraqi Jew) who has a hair dressing salon nearby. I had not seen him in a while. I decided to drop in, pulled into a small strip mall and walked towards his salon. From a few feet away, I could see him typing something into his telephone.

I opened the door, and his face was reminiscent of one who has seen a ghost. Pleasantly frightened I suppose. You will live to be 120, he said. I was writing a message to you, wishing you well over the fast on Yom Kippur, and I look up and here you are. We chit chatted for a while and he asked me, you are a healer, are you not ? I did not know what to answer. The best, closest to the truth would be, yes I am associated with people who are capable spiritual healers. 

My phone rings, which is rare, as I do not conduct my business on the phone, chatting. Messaging and texting but not talking.

It was my Cuban sister, the very person with whom an alliance in spiritual healing. The very topic we were discussing. 

I have to tell you what I saw in my healing table (mesa) this morning. Can you talk? I said I was with a friend. I noticed a sense of urgency in her voice. I will ask you a quick question, she said, is it necessary for you to travel this Friday to Brasil ? I was hesitant to answer, Yes, thinking of the person I was going to meet in Paraty, a seaside town much reminiscent of Baracoa in Cuba. Talk later, she hung up.

My Israeli friend and I went to a Cuban coffee shop and enjoyed some coffee and continued our conversation, but I couldn’t take my mind off the call from Cuba. 

This is my day off, said my Israeli friend, I decided to drop in by the Salon and what a surprise, I got to see you. When I said goodbye, he said, please send some blessings to my shop and I know you can. 

As I got into the car for the short ride home to my sister’s, I began feeling a strange sensation in my body. As soon I reached home, I had to use the bathroom and I took a shower. Called my spiritual sister in Cuba. She explained, what I saw in my mesa is that if you do go, you have to be extremely careful, as I cannot promise full protection for you. If you do go, I will have to go to 4 caminos outside Havana tomorrow and get some ingredients for a ritual I have to do for you. 

Things do not happen without a reason, the wise advice given to me by Meskwakia elder ran in my ears, it is just that we are not smart enough to understand them. I knew everything is related. As soon as I sat down after my conversation with my sister in Cuba, a message arrives from the person, the reason for my travel to Brasil. Would it be possible for you to postpone your trip? I discovered a forgotten appointment in another town as well as a mistaken appointment (by a month) with a governmental agency.

I was in the liminal state, but I knew at that minute that I was not going to Brasil this Friday. I told my friend in Brasil, I will cancel my trip and we can meet soon in Paraty, Paris or…..

I called the airlines, cancelled the trip and they informed me that I wont be penalized for the cancellation and that I can rebook it at any time. 

A sense of relief and a great calmness came over me, much like what a patient feels after having a fit (post ictal sedation).

I felt closer to my spiritual sister in Cuba, my friend in Brasil and I thanked all the Indian teachers over the years. I began preparing in my mind for the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur .

Today, I received a message from my closest friends in south florida: would you like to join us for breaking the fast meal?  Of course, it would be my pleasure.

Our year 5782 has begun well for me, feel close to all the people important in my life and also feel good about looking after the special group of people I work with and with lots of unexpected pleasures on the horizon

October in Israel

November in France 

I would like to return to the Amazon. Visit my friends in Westport, Washington and Portland, Oregon, Piedras Negras, Mexico. I would like to  re visit the colonial city of Merida in Mexico. Mexico City.. all before the end of the year .

And CUBA is waiting.. 

The Synagogue in Cochin, Kerala, India 

The synagogue in Yangon, Myanmar 

at the synagogue in La Habana, Cuba.

To my mischpochah in Miami, Portland, Haifa, Brussels and the rest of the world 

A special hello to my jewish friends in Iquitos, Peru; Cochin, India, Yangon, Myanmar...

Well over the Fast on the day of Yom Kippur and wish every one a wonderful 5782

Like always , la shanah ha ba' a........

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD ...EACH GENERATION CREATING THEIR OWN IDENTITIES

I am not a fan of watching sports on TV but I like to be abreast of what is happening, especially from an anthropological point of view. 

When we were growing up in Australia, Tennis and Swimming loomed large and the great athletes were heroes of a country, beginning to look for its own identity. Cricket was also huge in our imagination. I remember watching a one day cricket match at MCG between the West indies and Australia, without realizing that it would have a profound effect on my life and travels in the Caribbean, I did get to know the Caribbean reasonably well, the English and Spanish parts.

This week's US Open pitted two teenagers. their backgrounds were very interesting and a tale of the times .

Both were born in Canada, one of whom now is British.

The Canadian had an Ecuadorian father and a Filipino mother. She confesses not knowing much about the Philippines or Ecuador, except to say that my maternal grandfather cooks great filipino dishes.

On the other hand, the British teenager, whose father is Romanian and mother Chinese, talks proudly of her Romanian and Chinese backgrounds and in fact, can speak Mandarin and also visits her ancestral lands frequently.

The Chinese social media celebrated Emma's victory.

This is a wonderful moment, to see these two young women representing so many different cultures, and not to downplay the role of Canada and Britain in their victories.

To me Leylah is Canadian and Emma is British. I am happy Emma speaks Chinese, I am sure Romanian too. Leylah speaks Spanish and French, I am certain.

My interest in genealogies started long before I became an Anthropologist but studies in Anthropology (kinship system) only fired that flame.

Emile Durkheim is considered Father of Modern French Sociology and had influenced many an anthropologist, including his nephew Marcel Mauss (The Gift).  I would dig a little deeper, the curiosity which is characteristic of my people, and find out that Durkheim's father was a Rabbi. 

I wanted to know what made the great founders of modern anthropology (why rather than what?) become the persons they became.. and their personal journeys 

Malinowski was British but was born into a Polish well off family.

Boas was American but was born in what is now Germany.

When I was reading Anthropology in London, we had lovely sessions with Prof. Adam Kuper (south african born, british) about the history of Anthropology. I had read Medicine previously and very proud to be a Physician but Anthropological education was a medal to be worn proudly on a Medical Uniform!

What a nice way to start a week in Miami..at the end of the week, I expect to be in another continent, as usual with the hopes of unexpected pleasures..

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11TH.. THE STAB THAT BEGAN AS A TRICKLE NOW FLOODS THE RIVERS OF HATRED IN THIS WORLD

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Miami

Remembering the Terrorist Event 20 years ago in which we all lost so much: mainly an innocence. It was a pivotal moment for those with connections with USA.

20 years later we are once again in a setting of isolation, this time more individual than collective, this time more physical than emotional, this time No religious group is involved or targeted.

20 years ago there was an Unity 

Not only in the USA but also around the world 

Now, not only countries are divided from one another, China from India, Hungary from Poland, Belarus from Lithuania, Hong Kong is but a memory but within the countries the division is as deep as the rivers of the arctic which were recently revealed under the submerged ice age glaciations. Brasil, USA, Australia come to mind but I think if you analyze each country, I don’t think there is any that can be called cohesive, but only fall into the Just Okay category. 

Humanistic sympathy which prevailed the aftermath of the tragedy now has categorized people into so many divisions that we may soon have only a Left-wing dictatorship or a Right-wing dictatorship to choose from, all in the name of progress.

In this last year of this isolation which has affected every single one of us, I was able to observe the depth of sadness and depression that exists in this world. I try to alleviate it a drop knowing that each drop is important in this vast ocean.

USA changed irrevocably in 2001, suspicion of the OTHER was emphasized and now twenty years later it has become the path of no return: the other has become any one who does not believe in a selfish, destructive, conservative ideology. 20 years ago it was United States of America, now it is Dis-United States of America. 

Countries close to my heart are all either dictatorial control or lacking in democracy: Iran, Cuba, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia but I have had the privilege of living in countries where I could breathe freedom: France, England, Belgium, Australia, USA, Sweden

I have always struggled with the concept of Freedom. Freedom without the consciousness of the Other is not freedom but tyranny. Obviously in the countries which are close to my heart, there are elements which satisfy my emotions. How I enjoyed being associated with Myanmar! The underlying element is always the sweetness of the people or as you can call the people who live in Cuba, less polluted by the greed of capitalism. Iran where I have many friends whom I cannot visit, I still can see in each one of them the shining lights of their glorious past, my interest being in the classical Persian literature.

Intellect with access to education, Health with access to universal health care, curiosity about the world with access to travel, freedom from the oppression of any religion or caste or creed. Belief in God will not save you if you are not a Good Samaritan here on earth. This is my wish for all the people of this world, those living comfortable lives (when they talk about comfortable, they usually mean, reasonably good wages that they can flash and splash ), security about their lives and the lives of other people (whether the street violence of Caracas, San Pedro Sula or Rio de Janeiro) or the oppression by the State players, dictators like Assad or nincompoops like the Lebanese leaders.

What would I like to do on a day like this?

Take the boat from the Amazonian town of Leticia, upstream to Nazareth, the village of the Ticuna Indians where in their one room clinic, I can meet and offer assistance (health problems and planning for good health).

And to know that there are many places in the world like that where I am welcome.

PS. I have to remember also a personal Loss which was to become a symptom of the sickness of the western mind. A very close friend of mine, under the influence of his Arab lover, called me to say that Jews are to blame for the Terrorist attacks.  Anti semitism has been played well to unite the hatreds among Blacks, Browns as well as Whites in the USA towards this constructed enemy of theirs and also in the  other richer part of this globe. 

You cannot expect me to be a friend of an anti-semite.