Unbelievable

It's not a good morning for most people today. It's like another Brexit. Predictions showed a clear majority for Hillary, and what does America get? A crazy powerhungry man who wants to build a wall between Mexico and US, and who doesn't believe in free trade. And he thinks that Putin is a nice guy.

Interesting times ahead. And scary.

Go Hillary

I know, the blog has been sorely ignored for a very long time. Life has just been going on and I have shared the things I used to write here with others. But I will make an attempt to get back, no promises though.

However, I just have to write about the US. First of all, I am so glad that the election will finally be held, 'cause having to read about it for more than half a year now gets boring. Seems like all media is hung-up about this election, even though it's just one country in the world. Yeah I know, it's the US but still.

From the very beginning I have had belief in the American people, that they after having made the wrong choice twice with George W now have learned their lesson. Mind you, America is full of people with low education who believes everything they hear in the media. Nevertheless, I am pretty certain that there are enough people with brains, so tomorrow we can celebrate that the world is still fairly safe.

Mind you, couldn't the Americans have found better candidates than a mad man and an old woman?

Satisfying sex life

Interesting! Especially if you can be arsed to read through until you come to Switzerland.

136 years to life

I don't write about politics often. It doesn't mean I don't follow what's going on, or am not interested, but I think there are others better suited to comment.

However, I have to react when I see a headline saying he's only getting 136 years prisontime, but avoided lifetime. Excusez-moi? Have I missed something? Are we now getting to be much older than before?

It's about this whistle-blower Manning guy who leaked stuff to Wikileaks. I have no opinion on that really, haven't read up on the matter. Think I can see both sides.

But really? Would I prefer 136 years in prison or a lifetime sentence?

Actually, if I could serve my sentence in my home, with my cats, having deliveries of wine and food, I wouldn't be exactly unhappy. I think I would only be unhappy if it had to go on for 136 years.

A one way ticket to Mars

I read in the news that a voyage to Mars is planned, and that you now can apply to be one of the participants going into space.

As I understand it roughly 10K people have applied, and will be evaluated over a number of months. As many men as women will be allowed. Which all sounds good and equal.

But has anybody ever thought why all these people are applying in the first place? Since it is a ONE WAY TICKET?

They're all ready for the psych ward if you ask me.

A Quest in Zürich

I was told from a semi-trustworthy source that Richard Quest was walking around in Niederdorf, Zürich, today! If this is true I wish I had known. This is an English journalist working for CNN who is as sharp as the sharpest knife in your drawer. I used to follow his blog, before he took to drugs. Assume he has dried out by now, and am eager to read about what he was doing in Zürich.

Hunger in Africa

As far as I can remember there has been hungry people in Africa. Now there is a drought in some part of Africa. Again. I don't mean to not show empathy to the people living there, but it's not like it should come as a surprise that in some parts it never rains.

In the last 50 years the situation has been the same, and although governments and private people have tried to help, the fact is, it's not better. People are starving, they do not have enough water, sanitation or healthcare. But obviously they have enough strength to procreate.

I know there are voluntary organizations trying to help out, but to no or little avail as it seems.

I'd like to help, but if governments have not been able to in 50 years, how can I be expected to make a difference? Seems to me all the aid is going to fatten the dictators, and I won't have no part of it.

Norway

Most of last weekend I spent following the news in Norway. A terrible tragedy, and I do not find the words. One coldly calculating person destroying the lives of so many.

I participated in the quiet minute held at noon today. I registered on the hug-chain on www.vg.no. I listened to the prime ministers speech, it was heartbreaking.

I don't understand where so much hatred comes from. Is it really Utopia to want to just live a good life and in peace?

Wikileaks and Assange

Tonight there was a live chat in a newspaper with Assange, and I spontaneously sent my question in. It got published! Here's the conversation: Annika: The impression from the press is that this is a conspiracy against you, attacking Wikileaks. What I wonder is if there is any substance to the charges. Can you give any comment to this without compromizing the ongoing investigation? Julian Assange: There is a lot of pressure. We should not let people who want to detract from the seriousness of pressure recast it into a conspiratorial cartoon. That is not how real life tends to work. This case has been going for six months. There are many people and many complicated agendas. Ok, so elegantly avoided to answer my question, but I can see why. But it was cool that my question was good enough to get in there. Only 14 questions got published. Gosh, I'm good!

Thank somebody he's gone

Bush and his stupidity (just a sample).

Obama went

So Barack did it. Good for the US. And good for the world. Let's hope that he now lives up to promises, but I think you have to go back to the days of Kennedy to compare the feelings people have for this guy. Hope he's gonna address the economy, because without it nothing else matters. And my bank account can use a bit of a push right now...

Mock Bush

An oldie but a goodie: Stephen Colbert

Lehman protest

Lehman Bank employees stage a protest by blockading the entrance to the Bank's Headquarters.

The American economy

Violence

20 minutes the other day suggested that "safe houses" should be available for men who have been abused by women. Somehow I think the other way around is more common. Have you ever heard of a man being abused physically by a woman? But this is typical. If it happens once to a man, then measures need to be taken. What about all the hundreds of thousands of women who are abused by men? Mind you, if a man ever laid a hand on me, I would walk away immediately, and it is actually beyond me why other women don't. But hey, not everybody is as tuff as me. Apparently. But "safe houses" for men? Duuuhhhh. Gimme a break.

Politics

I cannot remember ever having written about politics before, but there's a first time for everything. This Sarah Palin, McCains No 2 scares the shit outta me. One of those box-politicians who thinks that everybody who is not white, christian and pro-family should be executed. I rather think it's her who should be if not executed, so educated. When Hillary didn't make it quite to the top I kinda lost my trust (if I ever had it!) in American politics. Well at least I was hoping for the poor yankies to get a new start with Obama. But I donnaw now. The American people are not well known for their ability to choose real political leaders. The understatement of the century? I think we're in for a rough ride in the world. So glad I live in Switzerland! Not that the politicians here are something to write home about, but we do have a good life quality and standard and a social security net for the needy. Ok, enough with the serious stuff!

Slim

I am green with jealousy! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/10/nfat110.xml

Panini

Contrary to what you might believe I'm not talking about Italian bread, but some stickers with pics of football players in the upcoming World Championshit. This has become a competition amongst grown-up (!!) men to collect, and is advertised all over the place. I did that too once. When I was 8.

Bad sperm

According to 20 minutes yesterday young Swiss men have bad sperm, and particularly bad in Zürich. Why? No idea. Why it would be worse in a clean city like Zürich where people have one of the highest standards of living in the world is hard to guess. And this was in comparison to other countries. Well, for me it is good enough. Was just struggling to get on a bus with 3 (!) strollers, kids screaming and mothers who didn't give a flying fuck about the rest of us poor passengers. Bad sperm is a good thing!

From Europe to Australia

Also in the news today was the new A2-plane, which will fly from Brussels to Australia in less than 5 hours. How cool is that? Too bad it's not available yet.