Prez-O, Change-O!

President Obama certainly has carved out a worldwide personality for himself. I lived through Kennedy, and this guy has more charisma if that's possible. I lived through Reagan, and thought I had seen the biggest personality and the "great peacemaker." I lived through Clinton, and thought I had seen the best politician. I lived through G.W. Bush (ok, just barely). Today, Prez-O spoke live in Cairo, trying to bring the US back to the world community, particularly the Arab world. Get past your biases and mistrust. That's what he said, and that's what I'm telling you as well. After 9/11 we all had thoughts we're not proud of, and this strong, gentle, singular man makes me proud to be an American. If you read his speech from today, I swear Abraham Lincoln would be smiling, and would proudly place that speech next to his Gettysburg Address. He promised change in the campaign, and I think everyone assumed he meant here at home. There's been some of that, to be sure...but change has been sorely needed in the International family of nations, where we have lost so much respect over the last few years. Somehow we lost our standing, and even some of our dignity. But nothing is ever completely beyond repair, and I believe strongly that Prez-O is the man to get the job done. Well played, Sir!

Dutch Treats

"A-B-C. It's easy as 1-2-3. " Wasn't it about 357 years ago Michael Jackson sang those lyrics? Seems like it to me, but they're really good lyrics to remember during Summer months. This is the time when we start watching the coast of Africa to see little blops of clouds, that can grow and turn into those big H-storms. You know the ones I'm talking about, the ones they name after women? A-B-C might be the solution to your vacation worries. I'm talking about the islands of Aruba, Bonaire (pronounced BONE-AIR), and Curacao (pronounced CURE-A-SOW). These 3 islands sit so far South in the Caribbean, in close proximity to South America, they are all-but immune to those H-storms. Although they are all Dutch territories of the Netherlands Antilles, each has its own distinct personality. Everyone knows Aruba. Some people only know Curacao as a blue liqueur, and YES it is made on the island, but Curacao is much more than that. From the pastel Bermuda-like buildings downtown, to the oceanfront market area, the excellent diving, and Dutch influences in the shops such as Delft plates and wooden shoes, Curacao paints a fascinating picture for visitors. The way Curacao is like Aruba's shadow, Bonaire is the laid-back little brother to the larger islands, sort of "Curacao Lite." It's best claim to fame is as a scuba diver's delight, and noted for its birdwatching, snorkeling and overall Jimmy Buffet style. You're not going to find Marriotts, Ritz-Carltons or the like on Bonaire. Go find yourself another island, Mon! But you could do 3 separate vacations to these unique islands, and enjoy 3 very different experiences even though they are close together and all Dutch-influenced. Getting there from Charlotte is easy stuff as well. Most of the year there are non-stop flights in and out of Aruba, and both Bonaire and Curacao can be reached with a quick, single connection. These islands are also quite popular in the Winter-time, because you're virtually guaranteed warm weather even when it's in the 50's or under in Florida.

It ain't waterboarding, but....

The District Attorney in Vilas County, Wisconsin recently announced he was seeking volunteers, for a forensic test to help his case against Douglas Plude, age 42. Mr Plude is scheduled to stand trial soon for the 2nd time in the death of his wife. The volunteers must be female, about 5-feet-8 and 140 pounds, and will have to stick their heads into a toilet bowl and have it flushed. Plude is charged with drowning his wife in a commode, but his version (which the prosecutor will try to show is improbable) is that his wife committed suicide by flushing herself. So far, the list of volunteers has been (not-surprisingly) a very short list.

Speaking of our Judicial System, I'm not sure what it would take in New Hampshire before someone screams out ENOUGH! Paul Baldwin, 49, is accused of punching someone in the face over the weekend. Baldwin told a judge Monday he plans to plead guilty to the assault, along with trespassing and alcohol charges. He said he's had a long battle with alcohol, and was trying to correct the problem during his most recent year-long jail term, which ended last week. The Daily Democrat newspaper suggested he may not be trying hard enough, pointing out that Baldwin's record dates back to 1984, and includes 152 other arrests, 8 trespass orders, 75 citations, 4 Social Security aliases and 17 name aliases. Prosecutor Rena DiLando attempted to read Baldwin's full criminal record during the arraignment, before the judge stopped her, saying "...and so on, and so forth..." Hey, New Hampshire. Your motto is Live Free Or Die, and I'm thinking this guy has lived free just about enough. Lock him up, send me the key, and I'll find a nice place near Davey Jones' Locker to drop it overboard.

Just another day at the beach? Not so much recently for a Chinese man. The un-named 30-year-old saw 5 of his colleagues involved in a tug-of-war. Wanting to be one of the gang, he took up his position at the back of one side. To stabilize himself, he wrapped the rope tightly around his wrist 4 or 5 times, then threw the loose end over his shoulder and back under his arm, while he dug deeply into the sand with his legs. The contest looked to be a tie, when suddenly a large group of people in the audience rushed out to help one side, so there'd be a winner. There was such tension pulled against him, it literally ripped the hand off his arm. "I yelled for people to stop, but my voice was not loud enough to be noticed," the man said. The competition stopped when people finally noticed the severed hand, and the resulting loss of blood from the man's injury. He was taken immediately to a hospital, where the hand was reattached in a 5-hour operation. Doctors warn it will be a few days before they know if the surgery was successful or not.

Next time I'm at the beach, I'm sticking to cold beer for my personal entertainment.