New York, October 29, 2012

Click here to see a handful of NY Scenes from Sandy 

http://bit.ly/SuGCHT

Autumn - from photo to painting

Courtesy of Jason Parsons 
from photo to painting
J.P. Photo

Autumn

Why is Autumn the season which most arouses reminiscence

So often it returns to us our best and most wholesome memories

Foreign policy debate preview - The Washington Post

Here is something both fascinating and encourging.

Anyone living in the US (maybe elsewhere in the world) know that what passes as "news coverage," and especially the choise of "news-deliverers" has degenerated into the sump of telegenic dominance, and when it comes to cable news, a nauseating preponderance of "let's you and he fight."

It is SO difficult to find a place to see issues fleshed out in genuinely informative and educational ways, so that  viewers can walk away more knowledgeable as a result of time spent.

For a period of time, the "internet" was seen as a bothersome and mettlesome interloper, interfering with "the big boys."  But in time, the rough and ready world of reportage continued its slide across to "the internet."

What we see below is, rather than a combative and resistant approach to the nimble "real presence" of "internet" inquiry, is a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" response from The Washingto Post.  A video that is very low tech, yet PERFECTLY fine to suit the needs of a news consumer looking to increase their knoweldge and readiness to watch tonight's very important debate on foreign policy intelligently.

Foreign policy debate preview - The Washington Post:

Luxembourg celebrates royal wedding of Prince Guillaume and Stephanie de Lannoy

Stephanie plans to renounce her Belgian citizenship in order to - one day - become Luxembourg's grand duchess. The tiny country wedged between France, Belgium and Germany is an important financial center and continues to prosper despite Europe's economic trouble.

She will eventually become the nation’s grand duchess and reportedly speaks three languages, plays violin and piano, loves to cook and is an avid reader. The Crown Prince is a lieutenant colonel in the Luxembourg army.

Luxembourg began as a Roman fortress. It has, at one time or another, fallen under the control of Spain, France and Austria. In 1839, it gained its independence from the Netherlands, but lost more than half its territory to Belgium. Germany overran Luxembourg twice in the 20th century despite its protests of neutrality.

The newlyweds seem to be happy with each other.

After watching the ceremony on a big-screen on a public square near the cathedral, royal-gazing fans sensed the joy and historical importance.

"It was a really big moment - a really beautiful moment," said Claudine Als, . "It is a historic day for Luxembourg, the country shines throughout the world."

Strong challenge to interfaith

Something is deeply broken, badly broken,

IRFWP

www.irfwp.org

A letter signed by 15 leaders of Christian churches that calls for Congress to reconsider giving aid to Israel because of accusations of human rights violations has outraged Jewish leaders and threatened to derail longstanding efforts to build interfaith relations.

Rain

By Stanislav Sidorov

From here to there