Archive for the ‘current events’ Category
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I’m a conspiracy theorist.
I love conspiracies of any sort about any topic. Not saying I believe in all of them, but they sure make for interesting reading and lively discussions.
Living in southern Italy has only amplified this fascination as I’m constantly being told to never trust anyone–above all “lo Stato.” I’ve always been an annoying, questioning type, so at least in this regard, the transition hasn’t been a tough one. Whether the attitude of non-trust is Italian, southern Italian, both, or neither is worthy of an entire other post, but for now, I’m just going to share the latest in a 44-year-old murder investigation at the center of my favorite conspiracy theory.
There’s a new video showing JFK moments before the assassination. Apparently the big development is that President Kennedy’s jacket was bunched up in a way that could further call into question the Warren Commission‘s assertion that only three shots were fired.
Quick show of hands: Does anyone *really* still believe the Warren Commission’s report? OK, Senator Specter. You can put your hand down. Now please put your Magic Bullet to rest and redeem yourself by getting habeas corpus rights back for detainees.
Despite not being born until 13 years after JFK’s assassination, I’ve always been fascinated by this particular conspiracy. In fact, back in the States, I have a rather respectable collection of books and articles written on JFK’s life and death, his presidency, and his brother Bobby’s 1968 murder, which I really hope will make it here one day. Ah, the joys of an international move.
Maybe some of you are thinking “Hey, this dude’s been dead for almost half a century. Can’t we just move on?”
Quite simply, no.
Ever hear the saying about those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it? How is it possible that our government has been able to cover up the truth about what happened on and around November 22, 1963 for so long–all while under extreme scrutiny regarding the case?
The President of the United States, in a car with his wife, was murdered in broad daylight in the middle of an American city while surrounded by Secret Service agents.
Can you imagine what they do when we’re not looking?
Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.
-President John F. Kennnedy, Speech to United Nations Assembly
September 25, 1961
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[tags]president kennedy, jfk, john f kennedy, president john f kennedy, conspiracy theories, magic bullet theory, warren commission, warren commission report, senator arlen spector, habeas corpus[/tags]
Italian Dream Intepretation: Lottery Numbers Included
On what is the only Italian-produced television program I watch, there is a running story about Italy’s Unabomber.
For those of you who don’t know, Italy unfortunately does have its own Ted Kaczynski, so to speak, and he has been leaving random bombs in the northeastern part of the country since 1994. No one has been killed by these bombs yet, but several have resulted in severe injuries, including amputations and loss of sight.
He may share a name with the America’s Unabomber, but that’s really where the similarities end. This guy in Italy doesn’t have an apparent motive as he’s made no economic or social demands and his victims seem completely random–except for the fact that he has placed several devices where children were likely to come across them, and, in fact, have.
It’s a horrible story, and now authorities think maybe they know who’s behind it. I’m not sure if the television portrayal is meant to help bring this guy to justice, give him ideas, or make him really, really angry, but it’s had some unintended side effects on me.
Like nightmares.
Just one (so far), and it really wasn’t so much scary as freaking weird. OK, you twisted my arm.
This television show is on Tuesdays, so I’m not quite sure why several days later, I dreamed that there was a group of Italian investigators searching the house I grew up in (in America) for an Italian Unabomber bomb.
To give you the layout, in that house, there are two bedrooms upstairs on opposite ends of the house, connected by a hallway with the staircase taking up the middle chunk of the top floor. Open spaces that we called the cubby hole* run along the entire length of the house on both sides of the bedrooms.
So, in the dream, I had been changing clothes in one end of the cubby (which I would never do) when I noticed that there was suddenly a group of Italian police officers searching the opposite end of cubby hole. And, interestingly, while they were searching, I realized that I had about 200 lovely hand and shoulder bags that I had apparently completely forgotten about. In fact, there was the cutest little red number that was really speaking to me. Only it doesn’t exist in real life.
*sigh*
Anyway, they searched the whole place and didn’t find anything, but then I suddenly remembered that I had smelled something burning the night before. This was actually true. Don’t you love the way your subconscious incorporates reality into your dreams? Well the night before the dream, I smelled something really pungent burning–much stronger than ordinary wood. It was around only for about 10 seconds, and it disappeared. I still don’t know what it could’ve been, but my subconscious figured it must’ve been a bomb. Placed by the Italian Unabomber. Obviously.
Back in the dream, I told the woman investigator (I think she might’ve been the blonde from Without a Trace, but I can’t be sure) about the burning smell, and she was more convinced than ever that they needed to continue searching. Within minutes, she found a small bomb inside a book in the corner on the floor; the other officers then yelled that they had found another on the phone line. So there you go. 
I woke up quite anxious and after I shared the terror with P, I knew what I had to do next.
Even before taking Luna out for a walk, I had to check our dream interpretation book, which, because it’s Italian, also gives you the lottery numbers you should play based on your nightly imaginings. I’m not joking. The numbers are actually the point of the book–the interpretations are just bonus. This, btw, was my birthday gift to P. And he loved it. I swear.
I didn’t find much out there regarding what war my subconscious is waging, but I do know that I should be feeling lucky about 4, 17, 22, 34, 37, and 77. If anyone plays those and wins, I’ll be happy to accept a percentage of your proceeds. If anyone plays those and bad things start happening, you should really watch Lost. And not get on a plane.
After I checked my dream book, it was time to take a more-than-ready, butt-swishing Luna out for a little stroll in the gusting wind. The past couple days, we’ve had amazing winds around here, especially at night and into the early morning. Because of this, the temps finally feel more February-like and drying clothes outside has been heavenly, so I can’t complain.
But I can bundle up. And I did. And then I turned around to tell P we’d be back shortly. And he told me to get the camera.
That’s me on the right, in case you can’t tell the difference between the famous sketch and me. For any of you out there who know my last name, perhaps this is an extra amusing side-by-side. Think about it.
So, in conclusion, I’ve been tempted to do it before, but now I’m pretty sure–it’s time to swear off Italian TV forever.
It’s just no good for me.
*Please note that I am using the first definition listed here, and *so* not the fourth one. We most certainly did not have two of those running along the sides of our house. Ew.
Esther Reed / Brooke Henson Identity Theft Case
Caught this article this morning: Woman steals another’s identity, gets into Ivy League.
Brooke Henson was 20-years-old when she went missing seven years ago. Another girl named Esther Reed has been missing for about the same time. During those seven years, Esther, a high school dropout, took on Brooke’s identity and got into Harvard and Columbia using Brooke’s identity.
To be fair to Esther, though, she took the GED (high school equivalency diploma) and SAT (college admission) tests herself only using Brooke’s identity, so she did earn her university spots for the most part, right?
Esther is now missing again, by the way, now that her two identities have been discovered; let’s hope she’s OK somewhere.
Up until now, I’m following. Mostly.
But then two odd facts stand out in the article for very different reasons:
On the serious tip:
(1) Authorities are investigating Esther’s contacts in two of the United States military academies (Navy in Annapolis, MD and Army at West Point, NY) as well as some international money transfers she’s received.
“Officials want to make sure she’s not a spy.”
Really? That was definitely a turn I wasn’t expecting.
It also says the Army is investigating. Admittedly, I don’t know much about the inner workings of high level government, but why is the Army investigating? Don’t we have, like, a Federal Bureau of Investigation or something for things like this?
And doesn’t this involve potential international terrorism? What exactly does Homeland Security do these days?
All I’m saying is that I’m worried that the Army is being overworked, what with the war and all. Maybe someone else could handle the Ivy League mystery.
And on the not so serious tip:
(2) Esther had a high IQ but poor grades in school, so an English teacher encouraged her to join the speech team. None of this is odd to me. The following sentence from the article, though, is: “Reed won competitions with the speech team, and 10 years later her name is still on plaques at the high school.”
What do you mean still? Are plaques normally plated over to make room for new speech team winners? Or, in the spirit of Everything’s About Me, should I be going back to my high school and making sure my name hasn’t been erased from plaques (assuming it’s on any)?
Spies. International Terrorism. High School Plaque Tampering.
CNN.com can be scary in the morning.
Pigskins Aren’t Just for Frittole* Anymore!
Indulge me, non-sports fans, but I’m having a moment.
Right now I am watching the Eagles-Giants game LIVE and IN ENGLISH on Sky Sport. No, we don’t even have any “extra” sport channels; this is just what’s already included in our package. I had no idea! They’ll have on all the playoff games, in fact, according to my handy dandy Sky Guide.
And, as a special treat, at halftime there was a recap of the NFL season narrated by (I’m tearing up here) Harry Kalas. God I missed that voice. If only he had managed to work in “Outta here…homerun…Michael Jack Schmidt!”
Yeah, I know that would’ve been a lot weird (wrong sport, wrong decade and all), but a girl can dream. After all, just a few hours ago, I never would’ve imagined that I’d be cheering on Jeff Garcia (huh?) and the Birds in the NFC Wild Card Game.
Have I mentioned that I love my Sky TV?
*It’s in Italian, but I found a link where you can see a picture of frittole–boiled pig parts that didn’t otherwise make the cut. Yeah, um, don’t expect this to appear on What’s Cooking Wednesday. Ever.
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[tags] sky tv, frittole[/tags]
Tigger’s Dangerous Side
Anyone going to Disney World in the new year?
Here’s a heartwarming story: Father says ‘Tigger’ hit his son at Disney Park.
And don’t think this is the first time such allegations have come up either. Snopes is on it, but to save you a click through, one of the other claims came up a few years ago when another “Tigger” was accused (and then acquitted) of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl.
People. Come on!
Tigers *are* wild animals and attempting to snuggle with them can get you scratched, clawed, mauled, bitch-slapped, or molested.
And another thing, parents, do *not* leave your video camera at home if you’re taking a trip to a land of life-sized plush characters.
Three words: Potential future lawsuits.
Happy theme-parking!
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[tags] tigger, disney, theme park characters, tigger lawsuit[/tags]
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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