Hi and welcome to yet another edition of the Weekend Update blog. We've returned and this time it's for good.
Let us introduce a special report in this edition. It's an article which source is not the Washington Post, but the Heritage Foundation. Enjoy first the linked article, because it is truly worth it. The matter at hand is the 2006 Martí Prize, from the UN agency UNESCO, given this year to an exemplary man, a democracy lover. Hugo Chávez.
As to Spain, we focus today in the lack of initiative in the government. When you're in charge, you're supposed to do stuff, not expect reaction from terrorists... pathetic.
In Italy, Berlusconi rules, but he doesn't lead the country alone. Among his necessary allies, a very uncomfortable party comes along: the Lega Nord, a sort of authonomist party from the North is yelling again. Will they leave the goverment forcing another election? What they should do is go for good.
Publishing tomorrow (Sunday), a comment about the Argentinean-uruguayan new diplomatic crisis... some people never learn, but when a prick such as Kischer is in charge, better find yourself in higher grounds.
I'm Miguel Vinuesa and this is news to me!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
EL MUNDO Lo que nos faltaba por ver
"¿Para qué vivir tranquilo cuando se puede vivir crispado?" La frase es del Gran Wyoming, que amén de ser un progre orgulloso de serlo, de vez en cuando lanza pildoras de sabiduría como esas. Y la verdad que nuestro querido ZP parece aplicar esta máxima al pie de la letra. Con alguna modificación : "para qué tener tranquila a la sociedad española, cuando la puedo tener sin dormir".
Y es que ni un desmentido, ni una ratificación. Desde Moncloa no se hace ninguna señal inequívoca al 100% de que se va a acabar con ETA. Un día el "presi" dice que ve cerca el fin de ETA, y al siguiente el Fiscal General quita años de cárcel al más sanguinario de la pandilla de asesinos. Un día el Ministro de Justicia dice que redobla esfuerzos, y al siguiente Zapatero da plantón a las víctimas del terrorismo.
Es la constante confusión, la que se practica. Se marea la perdiz, a ver si cae muerta, y los medios son muy culpables de este juego, ya que le siguen la corriente.
Y eso que el PSOE tiene medios abiertamente afines. Sin la SER y PRISA, no estaría ZP donde hoy está, pero ¿Y Rajoy? ¿Acaso bastan la COPE y Radio Intereconomía para convencer a la sociedad de que este gobierno lo está haciendo redobladamente mal?
¿La solución? Como diría D. Gabriel Galdón, dejarse de tanto telediario, y empezar a buscar información por nosotros mismos. De lo contrario, estimado lector, corre usted el riesgo de sufrir una intoxicación informativa, que no de gripe aviar. La información sobre este gobierno es informar de nada, y por una desafortunada dinámica, tanto la oposición como los medios tienden a seguirle el juego. Pero yo me pregunto lo que puede durar semejante gobierno si todos le damos la espalda.
Miguel Vinuesa
Y es que ni un desmentido, ni una ratificación. Desde Moncloa no se hace ninguna señal inequívoca al 100% de que se va a acabar con ETA. Un día el "presi" dice que ve cerca el fin de ETA, y al siguiente el Fiscal General quita años de cárcel al más sanguinario de la pandilla de asesinos. Un día el Ministro de Justicia dice que redobla esfuerzos, y al siguiente Zapatero da plantón a las víctimas del terrorismo.
Es la constante confusión, la que se practica. Se marea la perdiz, a ver si cae muerta, y los medios son muy culpables de este juego, ya que le siguen la corriente.
Y eso que el PSOE tiene medios abiertamente afines. Sin la SER y PRISA, no estaría ZP donde hoy está, pero ¿Y Rajoy? ¿Acaso bastan la COPE y Radio Intereconomía para convencer a la sociedad de que este gobierno lo está haciendo redobladamente mal?
¿La solución? Como diría D. Gabriel Galdón, dejarse de tanto telediario, y empezar a buscar información por nosotros mismos. De lo contrario, estimado lector, corre usted el riesgo de sufrir una intoxicación informativa, que no de gripe aviar. La información sobre este gobierno es informar de nada, y por una desafortunada dinámica, tanto la oposición como los medios tienden a seguirle el juego. Pero yo me pregunto lo que puede durar semejante gobierno si todos le damos la espalda.
Miguel Vinuesa
SPECIAL REPORT: about "Congratulations, Comrade!"
Thanks to Heritage Foundation and Mr. Gonzalo Toca.
To come down on UNESCO has lost its old-fashioned taste: it's no news anymore. Remember when the USA pulled out of there, and then returned when Clinton was in office? Well, now they pay for almost the eight part of their budget, but to me that association of gangsters hasn't changed a bit. Liberals might say whatever they like, but please don't believe them!
Mr Gardiner and Mr. Johnson, authors of the linked article, stress the issue in that the José Martí prize does not reflect the visions of the man, but what would you ever expect from a Regime like Castro's? If the Cuban dictator was at the initiative of the prize, the Comandante willl always decide who gets that prize. And who else that his advanced pupil in Latin America?
Plus, consider Mr. Chavez as a Democratic leader and all his propaganda will be a success. A man that can call himself that having passed and election such as the last held in Venezuela surely is insane, or is the biggest phony in the world. In those polls, the opposition counted no more than a participation of 17% of the electorate. Against 70%, a stat from Chavez' agencies, of course. Way to go, Hugo. Way to go.
Coming back to the Prize, I think that Fidel is going to be short of candidates for next year, if Chavez or himself don't win it again. Time will tell, but why not giving it to Bolivian President Evo Morales? Or even better, to North-Korean Pharaoh Kim-Jong-Il. After all, if Chavez is a democratical man, he's at the source of the people's will. hey! He even let North-Koreans eat twice during his birthday! That's not democracy, that's even better, right? Wasn't it a Democratic Republic? Well, now you know that too.
Miguel Vinuesa
To come down on UNESCO has lost its old-fashioned taste: it's no news anymore. Remember when the USA pulled out of there, and then returned when Clinton was in office? Well, now they pay for almost the eight part of their budget, but to me that association of gangsters hasn't changed a bit. Liberals might say whatever they like, but please don't believe them!
Mr Gardiner and Mr. Johnson, authors of the linked article, stress the issue in that the José Martí prize does not reflect the visions of the man, but what would you ever expect from a Regime like Castro's? If the Cuban dictator was at the initiative of the prize, the Comandante willl always decide who gets that prize. And who else that his advanced pupil in Latin America?
Plus, consider Mr. Chavez as a Democratic leader and all his propaganda will be a success. A man that can call himself that having passed and election such as the last held in Venezuela surely is insane, or is the biggest phony in the world. In those polls, the opposition counted no more than a participation of 17% of the electorate. Against 70%, a stat from Chavez' agencies, of course. Way to go, Hugo. Way to go.
Coming back to the Prize, I think that Fidel is going to be short of candidates for next year, if Chavez or himself don't win it again. Time will tell, but why not giving it to Bolivian President Evo Morales? Or even better, to North-Korean Pharaoh Kim-Jong-Il. After all, if Chavez is a democratical man, he's at the source of the people's will. hey! He even let North-Koreans eat twice during his birthday! That's not democracy, that's even better, right? Wasn't it a Democratic Republic? Well, now you know that too.
Miguel Vinuesa
CORRIERE. Maroni, basta di scherzi
La Lega Nord è stato sempre il "partner scomodo" per il Polo.
Berlusconi potrebbe imparare però dai propri errori: l’ eccesso di confidenza. Chi la fà, l’aspetti. E un altro ribaltone sarebbe veramente vergognoso... Sarebbe un’altro Waterloo.
È questo quello che anche Maroni sembra voler dire. Al punto che minaccia con l’abbandono se al referendum viene dato un sì. Lo sò, sarebbe troppo chiedere al Ministro del Welfare essere minimamente serio con le propie proposte, ma il condizionare così un governo di cui si è parte, risulta più comico che eccessivo.
Ancor più surrealista è questo desiderio di creare un “terzo polo” con “le forze autonomiste”. Forse Maroni non stà calcolando molto bene i rischi potenzialmente suicidali di questo nuovo giro nella politica leghista. C’è chi vede in lui un segno d’avvertenza più o meno serio verso Berlusconi, ma c’è chi invece si rende conto che una persona mediocre come Maroni non riuscirà in altro impegno che fare una politica mediocre, di isolamento verso altri partiti, se non si schiera mai con la sinistra.
In Europa, purtroppo, movimenti di questo genere si contano a decine. Nell’ Eurocamera vengono catalogati nel curioso partito “l’Europa delle Regioni”, dove ogni tanto appare un’ ex-terrorista dell’ ETA, un aggitatore del 68, come Cohn-Bendit -“le jeune Cohn”, lo chiamava De Gaulle- e gente di quel tipo di calagna.
Ci si deve chiedere dunque se Maroni vuole stare con quel tipo di gente. Alla Sinistra importa ben poco lo stato federale. Specialmente se non vi si trova un redditto elettorale. Al Polo importa in misura di migliorare la propia gestione... quindi Maroni dovrebbe smetterla con gli scherzi e gestire il propio ministero senza rompere troppo. Modesto consiglio.
Miguel Vinuesa
Berlusconi potrebbe imparare però dai propri errori: l’ eccesso di confidenza. Chi la fà, l’aspetti. E un altro ribaltone sarebbe veramente vergognoso... Sarebbe un’altro Waterloo.
È questo quello che anche Maroni sembra voler dire. Al punto che minaccia con l’abbandono se al referendum viene dato un sì. Lo sò, sarebbe troppo chiedere al Ministro del Welfare essere minimamente serio con le propie proposte, ma il condizionare così un governo di cui si è parte, risulta più comico che eccessivo.
Ancor più surrealista è questo desiderio di creare un “terzo polo” con “le forze autonomiste”. Forse Maroni non stà calcolando molto bene i rischi potenzialmente suicidali di questo nuovo giro nella politica leghista. C’è chi vede in lui un segno d’avvertenza più o meno serio verso Berlusconi, ma c’è chi invece si rende conto che una persona mediocre come Maroni non riuscirà in altro impegno che fare una politica mediocre, di isolamento verso altri partiti, se non si schiera mai con la sinistra.
In Europa, purtroppo, movimenti di questo genere si contano a decine. Nell’ Eurocamera vengono catalogati nel curioso partito “l’Europa delle Regioni”, dove ogni tanto appare un’ ex-terrorista dell’ ETA, un aggitatore del 68, come Cohn-Bendit -“le jeune Cohn”, lo chiamava De Gaulle- e gente di quel tipo di calagna.
Ci si deve chiedere dunque se Maroni vuole stare con quel tipo di gente. Alla Sinistra importa ben poco lo stato federale. Specialmente se non vi si trova un redditto elettorale. Al Polo importa in misura di migliorare la propia gestione... quindi Maroni dovrebbe smetterla con gli scherzi e gestire il propio ministero senza rompere troppo. Modesto consiglio.
Miguel Vinuesa
Saturday, February 04, 2006
EL MUNDO. Puñalada trapera
Que el Fiscal General del Estado es un impresentable lo saben hasta los pingüinos del Polo Sur ; que el que lo nombró, y que es Ministro del Interior, tiene aún más habitos mafiosos que su lacayo, también es sabido. Lo que hasta ahora se nos escapaba es la dimensión más crudamente amoral cuya más evidente manifestación es la vicepresidenta Fernández de la Vega. Sí, sí, la "Iguana"...
Eduardo Fungairiño, ya ex-Fiscal Jefe de la Audiencia Nacional, ha dedicado buena parte de su vida a la justicia, y estos últimos 20 años a la lucha antiterrorista, que ha sido muchas veces el caballo de batalla de los partidos políticos en las elecciones democráticas. Ahora se le recompensa no solo con una "prejubilación forzosa", sino además mintiendo bellacamente sobre la causa de su salida de la fiscalía.
Por supuesto, de los medios de Prisa, lejos de reconocerle su labor pasada, se lo insulta, diciendo que su labor ha sido "polémica". Los redactores Lázaro y Yolti se pueden ir a insultar a las madres de los militares (por ejemplo), o a lo mejor a la "puta España", si son fans de Pepe Rubianes.
Una estrategia del terror, según algunos, para que al tiempo que la dimisión la firma el propio Fungairiño, pero que mantenga aterrorizados a los demás fiscales. Pumpido quiere las cosas claras: o haces lo que te digo, o coges la puerta y te vas. Y no señor, no son formas de licenciar a una persona que tanto ha hecho por España.
Es una tesis a la que me adhiero, por falta de información más que por otra cosa. Una falta de información que ya es recurrente y característica de este gobierno "del talante". Como decía un pariente sevillano, "Llévatelos. Llévatelos a todos, Señor..."
Miguel Vinuesa
Eduardo Fungairiño, ya ex-Fiscal Jefe de la Audiencia Nacional, ha dedicado buena parte de su vida a la justicia, y estos últimos 20 años a la lucha antiterrorista, que ha sido muchas veces el caballo de batalla de los partidos políticos en las elecciones democráticas. Ahora se le recompensa no solo con una "prejubilación forzosa", sino además mintiendo bellacamente sobre la causa de su salida de la fiscalía.
Por supuesto, de los medios de Prisa, lejos de reconocerle su labor pasada, se lo insulta, diciendo que su labor ha sido "polémica". Los redactores Lázaro y Yolti se pueden ir a insultar a las madres de los militares (por ejemplo), o a lo mejor a la "puta España", si son fans de Pepe Rubianes.
Una estrategia del terror, según algunos, para que al tiempo que la dimisión la firma el propio Fungairiño, pero que mantenga aterrorizados a los demás fiscales. Pumpido quiere las cosas claras: o haces lo que te digo, o coges la puerta y te vas. Y no señor, no son formas de licenciar a una persona que tanto ha hecho por España.
Es una tesis a la que me adhiero, por falta de información más que por otra cosa. Una falta de información que ya es recurrente y característica de este gobierno "del talante". Como decía un pariente sevillano, "Llévatelos. Llévatelos a todos, Señor..."
Miguel Vinuesa
Post. Is it all about money?
This is what I call a busy week for the American news that spread out of the borders. We knew on Monday that the Enron process began. The POST comes up with a poll about confidence of the americans about the economy, which can be indeed a dangerous tool. If 40% of the participants do not believe in business-related affairs, this is bad news for the economy. But, after all, it's a poll.
What happened in Enron, though, is a state of the art deception. Massive and at all levels, the unconvered Enron bankruptcy meant that they were lying to us, to the people -source, in the end, of their wealth-. And that lie didn't came only from the "bigger fishes", but from all levels. In one word, disappointing. Some point up that the healing has begun, but I wouldn't be that optimistic.
Better news were brought the following day with Mr. Greenspan's retirement and the positive vote for Judge Alito. We can congratulate the ousting chairman of the Federal Reserve for two decades of top-notch service. He left proudly, so he deserves recognition for that.
As to the final vote on Alito, we made it! The Bush administration can finally congratulate itself to have put the Republican Party back together -almost- in order to back up one candidate to the Supreme Court. It was, sincerely, no surprise, since Alito was not an anonymous within Republican circles, as it was that Kennedy's democrats voted massively against him.
In the end, we can realize that many matters are at hand. Some good, some not that good, but in the end, this week leaves a good balance after all.
What happened in Enron, though, is a state of the art deception. Massive and at all levels, the unconvered Enron bankruptcy meant that they were lying to us, to the people -source, in the end, of their wealth-. And that lie didn't came only from the "bigger fishes", but from all levels. In one word, disappointing. Some point up that the healing has begun, but I wouldn't be that optimistic.
Better news were brought the following day with Mr. Greenspan's retirement and the positive vote for Judge Alito. We can congratulate the ousting chairman of the Federal Reserve for two decades of top-notch service. He left proudly, so he deserves recognition for that.
As to the final vote on Alito, we made it! The Bush administration can finally congratulate itself to have put the Republican Party back together -almost- in order to back up one candidate to the Supreme Court. It was, sincerely, no surprise, since Alito was not an anonymous within Republican circles, as it was that Kennedy's democrats voted massively against him.
In the end, we can realize that many matters are at hand. Some good, some not that good, but in the end, this week leaves a good balance after all.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
new year, new worries (week 20)
Oh yeah, one shouldn't left business undone like that. But when it comes to exams, believe me, my team and myself are pretty serious about them. After all, consider we're students... well, most of us.
But what worries us is not that. it is Kischner in Argentina, it's Hamas in Palestine, it's the changing moods of the Spanish Premier when it comes to find allies in government... Little by little we realize that this is a crazy world and if we can't help it, we'll be rather nuked by France (who could ever dream about it a decade ago) or Iran (the same applies here).
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this rather incomplete 20th edition of the Weekend Update blog. Some of our guys needed a break, and hell, I'm more than happy to say "hi" on my own.
I'm Miguel Vinuesa, and I'm outta here!
But what worries us is not that. it is Kischner in Argentina, it's Hamas in Palestine, it's the changing moods of the Spanish Premier when it comes to find allies in government... Little by little we realize that this is a crazy world and if we can't help it, we'll be rather nuked by France (who could ever dream about it a decade ago) or Iran (the same applies here).
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this rather incomplete 20th edition of the Weekend Update blog. Some of our guys needed a break, and hell, I'm more than happy to say "hi" on my own.
I'm Miguel Vinuesa, and I'm outta here!
EL PAÍS. Si no te gustan tus amigos... ¡cambialos!
Nada como este gobierno para fomentar el viejo dicho de "año nuevo, vida nueva". Y lo que pasa es que uno no puede tomarse vacaciones, porque te pueden colar un estatuto de por medio. El caso es que Zapatero, que no lee ABC, pero se lo cuentan, ve con horror estar 10 puntos por debajo en una encuesta. No del CIIS, que esas son de chiste, una pleitesía (al gobierno) o pitorresía ( hacia los votantes. Esta encuesta venía cargada con TNT y no añade nada nuevo: las amistades de ZP le cuestan caro.
Tonto no es (del todo), así que el cambio de aliados se impone, y además en un momento delicado: la recta final del Estatuto de Cataluña. Un estatuto en el que, tanto ERC como CIU han pugnado por ser el partido más radical en la carrera por un "estatuto mejor". La estrategia era evidente: pedir la luna "para ver qué nos dan en Madrid". Y Zapatero se la ha jugado a Carod-Rovira. Con los presupuestos para 2006 aprobados, eso sí.
Debe de doler. Puigcercós y Carod-Rovira han sido los "protas" durante todo el proceso. Han llevado su Estatuto a Madrid (no el de Maragall, no pequemos de ingenuos) y ahora Artur Mas se lleva el merito... ¿les parece extraño que amenacen ahora con votar en contra? A mi no.
En cambio, Artur Mas está en su mejor momento. Después de hacer una oposición sucia en Cataluña, después del escándalo del 3% durante la crísis del Carmelo, se hace el "amigo" con tal de tener un estatuto nuevo... y cuando parece que no se va a llegar a un acuerdo, coge a Zapatero por banda y chuta a gol...
Mas, y esto ya lo dijimos aquí, es idiota. Ha echado sus cartas sobre la mesa demasiado pronto, aunque se le veía venir. El estatuto daba igual, pero desgastar a ERC, no. Ese es el objetivo, y a Zapatero le da igual uno que otro, con tal de quedarse afincado en la Moncloa.
Ya veremos, pero me da que ya no le salen las cuentas y que el ocaso zapateríl ya no es más que cuestión de paciencia. Rajoy lo ve, y por eso no da la puntilla... no hace falta.
Tonto no es (del todo), así que el cambio de aliados se impone, y además en un momento delicado: la recta final del Estatuto de Cataluña. Un estatuto en el que, tanto ERC como CIU han pugnado por ser el partido más radical en la carrera por un "estatuto mejor". La estrategia era evidente: pedir la luna "para ver qué nos dan en Madrid". Y Zapatero se la ha jugado a Carod-Rovira. Con los presupuestos para 2006 aprobados, eso sí.
Debe de doler. Puigcercós y Carod-Rovira han sido los "protas" durante todo el proceso. Han llevado su Estatuto a Madrid (no el de Maragall, no pequemos de ingenuos) y ahora Artur Mas se lleva el merito... ¿les parece extraño que amenacen ahora con votar en contra? A mi no.
En cambio, Artur Mas está en su mejor momento. Después de hacer una oposición sucia en Cataluña, después del escándalo del 3% durante la crísis del Carmelo, se hace el "amigo" con tal de tener un estatuto nuevo... y cuando parece que no se va a llegar a un acuerdo, coge a Zapatero por banda y chuta a gol...
Mas, y esto ya lo dijimos aquí, es idiota. Ha echado sus cartas sobre la mesa demasiado pronto, aunque se le veía venir. El estatuto daba igual, pero desgastar a ERC, no. Ese es el objetivo, y a Zapatero le da igual uno que otro, con tal de quedarse afincado en la Moncloa.
Ya veremos, pero me da que ya no le salen las cuentas y que el ocaso zapateríl ya no es más que cuestión de paciencia. Rajoy lo ve, y por eso no da la puntilla... no hace falta.
POST. Trouble ahead in the Middle-East
It’s useless to say now that the Palestinian elections have been disappointing for most of the International Community and that President Bush is firmly against Hamas’ violence towards Israel.
It’s useless to say that Hamas is the leading terrorist group in the Middle-East, financed with Iranian money, and very close in its ideas when it comes to the “soon-to-be-nonexistent” state of Israel.
It’s useless to say that Israel has menaced to cut any funding to the Palestinian authority as long as they do not abandon violence, and considering Hamas’ background, this is rather unlikely to happen.
But even if all odds are against, there’s still room for hope. Not much but still. Why? Because Palestine is not alone, so to say. The European “Troika” has always shown a great interest in the moderation of the precedent government of Al-Fatah. After the Oslo agreements in 1993, Arafat’s party gave up violence. This doesn’t mean Hamas is going to follow the same path. Its origin is quite different, mainly because we’re talking about a religious-based party.
It is not credible, thought, that in the Middle East, a region which is increasing its democratic values election after election, vote after vote, a radical party such as Hamas raises to power, but again, look at Iran’s Amadineyad. We cannot cast a spell and ban radicals from government, but we can press up to soften its pretensions.
With Iran’s retaking of nuclear threats, and a newly-aggressive Palestinian Authority we cannot progress. The problems posed by the Iraqi occupation will be a minor setback if there’s an escalade of terrorism just because “Allah commands it”. We better take the issue seriously on time. Europe is there. America is there too, so let’s check out how Hamas is going to act before proceeding any further.
Miguel Vinuesa
It’s useless to say that Hamas is the leading terrorist group in the Middle-East, financed with Iranian money, and very close in its ideas when it comes to the “soon-to-be-nonexistent” state of Israel.
It’s useless to say that Israel has menaced to cut any funding to the Palestinian authority as long as they do not abandon violence, and considering Hamas’ background, this is rather unlikely to happen.
But even if all odds are against, there’s still room for hope. Not much but still. Why? Because Palestine is not alone, so to say. The European “Troika” has always shown a great interest in the moderation of the precedent government of Al-Fatah. After the Oslo agreements in 1993, Arafat’s party gave up violence. This doesn’t mean Hamas is going to follow the same path. Its origin is quite different, mainly because we’re talking about a religious-based party.
It is not credible, thought, that in the Middle East, a region which is increasing its democratic values election after election, vote after vote, a radical party such as Hamas raises to power, but again, look at Iran’s Amadineyad. We cannot cast a spell and ban radicals from government, but we can press up to soften its pretensions.
With Iran’s retaking of nuclear threats, and a newly-aggressive Palestinian Authority we cannot progress. The problems posed by the Iraqi occupation will be a minor setback if there’s an escalade of terrorism just because “Allah commands it”. We better take the issue seriously on time. Europe is there. America is there too, so let’s check out how Hamas is going to act before proceeding any further.
Miguel Vinuesa
CORRIERE. Basta aerolinee di bandiera
Anni or sono, la sola idea di creare un’aerolinea non-statale era vista come un’utopia. Le ditte o erano dello stato o non c’era banca al mondo che potesse finanziare gli aeri, servizi, etc...
Poi apparirono le nuove aerolinee di basso costo, como EasyJet. Malgrado qualche esperimento venuto a meno, specialmente in Italia, si sono rivelate un fenomeno grandiosamente solvente, con l’eliminazione di “lussi superflui” come pranzi, l’installazione di cucinette, etc...
E questa settimana, Alitalia ha affrontato un triste momento: ancora un altro sciopero, che ha provocato disagi un pò dappertutto nel nostro paese e le conessioni estere. Quante migliaia di impiegati conta “l’aerolinea di bandiera”?
Purtroppo, quello che serve a identificare una ditta statale da una privata è l’ecesso di personale, che scarsamente viene risolto quando la si privatizza, e sempre coi sindacati in mezzo. Sono i sindacati, non lo stato, quelli che controllano queste ditte. L’utente è sempre alla mercè dei capricci di quattro inutili nostalgici dell’ Unione Sovietica, che altro che voler far funzionare la ditta vogliono la busta paga e lavorare il meno possibili.
Scusate l’eccesso di liberalismo, ma imprese del genere vengono a fallire, come stanno fallendo globalmente. Quando lasci in mano di molti la decisione che si deve prendere dall’alto, tenendo in conto tutte le maledette variabili, ci schiantiamo. È come se i passeggeri pilotassero l’aereo, invece del pilota: di sicuro potrebbero stabilizzare la macchina, ma mai la porteranno a buon porto.
È questo ciò che, sfortunatamente, succede in Alitalia. Invece di prendere le decisioni corrette, cioè licenziare il personale che stà mangiando il budget della ditta inutilmente, e di riconvertire quel personale al settore privato, gli italiani devono mantenerlo, e spesso di sciopero in sciopero, come le Ferrovie dello Stato.
Io mi chiedo quando l’Italia sveglierà da questo protezzionismo Keynesiano... E spero pronto.
Poi apparirono le nuove aerolinee di basso costo, como EasyJet. Malgrado qualche esperimento venuto a meno, specialmente in Italia, si sono rivelate un fenomeno grandiosamente solvente, con l’eliminazione di “lussi superflui” come pranzi, l’installazione di cucinette, etc...
E questa settimana, Alitalia ha affrontato un triste momento: ancora un altro sciopero, che ha provocato disagi un pò dappertutto nel nostro paese e le conessioni estere. Quante migliaia di impiegati conta “l’aerolinea di bandiera”?
Purtroppo, quello che serve a identificare una ditta statale da una privata è l’ecesso di personale, che scarsamente viene risolto quando la si privatizza, e sempre coi sindacati in mezzo. Sono i sindacati, non lo stato, quelli che controllano queste ditte. L’utente è sempre alla mercè dei capricci di quattro inutili nostalgici dell’ Unione Sovietica, che altro che voler far funzionare la ditta vogliono la busta paga e lavorare il meno possibili.
Scusate l’eccesso di liberalismo, ma imprese del genere vengono a fallire, come stanno fallendo globalmente. Quando lasci in mano di molti la decisione che si deve prendere dall’alto, tenendo in conto tutte le maledette variabili, ci schiantiamo. È come se i passeggeri pilotassero l’aereo, invece del pilota: di sicuro potrebbero stabilizzare la macchina, ma mai la porteranno a buon porto.
È questo ciò che, sfortunatamente, succede in Alitalia. Invece di prendere le decisioni corrette, cioè licenziare il personale che stà mangiando il budget della ditta inutilmente, e di riconvertire quel personale al settore privato, gli italiani devono mantenerlo, e spesso di sciopero in sciopero, come le Ferrovie dello Stato.
Io mi chiedo quando l’Italia sveglierà da questo protezzionismo Keynesiano... E spero pronto.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
We'll be right back!
First of all, let me apologize for those weeks of abscense. An absence, unfortunately, that will continue for some time. Until Saturday September 28th most of us are busy with exams. Sorry about that, it's the bad part of learning how to be a pro.
Ok, then! I hope to see you all soon. Until then, stay safe.
Miguel Vinuesa
Editor-in-chief
Ok, then! I hope to see you all soon. Until then, stay safe.
Miguel Vinuesa
Editor-in-chief
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmass from Weekend Update (week 19)
Merry Christmass indeed, and our best wishes from the team, for this new year that comes full of surprises.
One of them is the elections in Bolivia. Evo Morales, the Socialist candidate has made it and is now in power. He's already been the victim of a prank joke, but what he represents for his country might not be salvation, but instead the alliance with Castro and Chavez. And that will do no good to anyone I'm affraid.
And it appeared the Christmass ghosts came in to see Mr. Fazio in Italy. The former governor of the Italian Central Bank has left office this week, which has lead to the beginning of reform period for that institution... good news indeed.
For Zapatero in Spain, is no good christmass. If he turns the back on his allies, no matter how radical they might be, they'll do the same to him. And let us remember that this guy is in office with not enough support to stand on his own... In the end, all parties agree that they have "the best man" in there, and the objective is to keep the Right out of office... bastards.
And it was a polls week for Judge Samuel Alito. Guess what? He's got popular support. They better keep that in mind in the Senate, but my best guess is that he'll be picked up.
Finally, we played a little with France's two best-fit men to become Président de la République. Mr. Sarkozy (defended by Patricia) and Mr. de Villepin (which I defend, a bit against my will). Pros and Cons for anyone.
Okay, so have nice holidays and we'll see you guys really soon!
Miguel Vinuesa
editor-in-chief
One of them is the elections in Bolivia. Evo Morales, the Socialist candidate has made it and is now in power. He's already been the victim of a prank joke, but what he represents for his country might not be salvation, but instead the alliance with Castro and Chavez. And that will do no good to anyone I'm affraid.
And it appeared the Christmass ghosts came in to see Mr. Fazio in Italy. The former governor of the Italian Central Bank has left office this week, which has lead to the beginning of reform period for that institution... good news indeed.
For Zapatero in Spain, is no good christmass. If he turns the back on his allies, no matter how radical they might be, they'll do the same to him. And let us remember that this guy is in office with not enough support to stand on his own... In the end, all parties agree that they have "the best man" in there, and the objective is to keep the Right out of office... bastards.
And it was a polls week for Judge Samuel Alito. Guess what? He's got popular support. They better keep that in mind in the Senate, but my best guess is that he'll be picked up.
Finally, we played a little with France's two best-fit men to become Président de la République. Mr. Sarkozy (defended by Patricia) and Mr. de Villepin (which I defend, a bit against my will). Pros and Cons for anyone.
Okay, so have nice holidays and we'll see you guys really soon!
Miguel Vinuesa
editor-in-chief
LA NACIÓN. La teoría del dominó no ha muerto
Tristes noticias de más allá de los Andes: ni más ni menos que cocaina gratis. La verdad es que Washington podía preocuparse más o menos con el moribundo Castro o el incipiente Chávez que no deja de vender petróleo al "imperio". Ahora, al patio trasero norteamericano le han salido víboras.No hay duda, el triunfo ha sido democrático y responde al estado de ánimo (por lo suelos) de un país que es una mina vagante, en estos momentos. Un país que se enfrentó a la sombra de la guerra civil por la rebelión Santacruceña, y a la aún mayor amenaza de un EEUU al que quizás no le hace tanta gracia el hecho de que se fabrique cocaína en los Andes bolivianos.
Morales dice que tiene un miembro así de gordo. Foto: Diario Los Tiempos
Con el ascenso de Evo Morales, asistimos a una revitalización súbita del peor problema del Siglo XX, el Comunismo que asoma otra vez su cabeza y se sobrepone a "derrotas históricas" como la del Ché Guevara. Hoy Bolivia es socialista, por suerte o por desgracia.
Sin embargo, los problemas no se limitan a ese país, que no está aislado, pese a la orografía. El riesgo de que este nuevo ascenso del comunismo en tierras insospechables se extienda es real. La vieja teoría del dominó, que la CIA pensó en su día para Asia y Europa cobra hoy validez. Un comunista cubano "exportó" su modelo a Venezuela, y ahora traspasa fronteras para llegar a los Andes. Tampoco olvidemos las concesiones que Uribe hace en Colombia a las FARC, lo que se traduce en una posición de fuerza para los narco-terroristas.
Mi diagnóstico, y perdonen el pesimismo, es que si no se trata este problema, toda América Latina va a representar un problema para EEUU de aquí a 15 años. Si se continúa descuidando el problema, lejos de un área de libre comercio, va a tener un área de oposición frontal.
Miguel Vinuesa
CORRIERE. A mai rivederci, Fazio
Non c'è miglior momento per le buone notizie. Il natale cuando arriva, arriva. Lo diceva già Renato Pozzetto
Con Fazio fuori dai piedi, Bankitalia si trova alle prese con due faccende delicate, e cioè l'affaire Antonveneta e la vecchia pretensione della banca spagnola BBVA di avere presenza in Italia. Inversioni che, in fin dei conti sono molto beneficiose per l'Italia e che vengono in un buon momento per l'economia.
Il problema è che Fazio si era afferrato al seggio propio con una resistenza davvero infantile e che non è amettibile nell' esercizio di una pubblica funzione, peggio ancora quando si tratta dell'imaggine economoica dell'Italia, che ci metterà parecchio a riprendersi da questo shock. Se la fiducia non viene restituita, chissà, ma l'economia non ne trarrà profitto, quello che nel mondo del business significano perdite.
È stato incredibile, sì, ma alla fine Fazio si è fatto visitare dai tree fantasmi di Scrooge che gli hanno mostrato la retta via: la dimisione. Lo già detto: solo podeva accadere in una notte di natale.
Ora però resta la parte difficile. Convincere che si può investire in Italia, che le idee di questo corrotto banchiere sono fuori da Bankitalia e che le operazioni abbortite in passato possono riprendere con le adequate garanzie.
Gli scandali economici sono frequenti. L'abbiamo visto con Enron, Worldcom, Parmalat... E l'ingrediente di base è sempre lo stesso: avidità. Ci vogliamo arrichire, sempre di più e senza rispettare la legge. C'è chi più che soldi cerca il potere, vero e propio motore delle società, ma nel caso di Fazio è andato storto. È quindi normale che, rendendosi contro che si ha tutto il mondo in contro, che non c'è via di fuga, insomma, la decisione che ha preso era l'unica possibile.
Sono cose che capitano a Natale, lo diceva già Pozzetto...
Con Fazio fuori dai piedi, Bankitalia si trova alle prese con due faccende delicate, e cioè l'affaire Antonveneta e la vecchia pretensione della banca spagnola BBVA di avere presenza in Italia. Inversioni che, in fin dei conti sono molto beneficiose per l'Italia e che vengono in un buon momento per l'economia.
Il problema è che Fazio si era afferrato al seggio propio con una resistenza davvero infantile e che non è amettibile nell' esercizio di una pubblica funzione, peggio ancora quando si tratta dell'imaggine economoica dell'Italia, che ci metterà parecchio a riprendersi da questo shock. Se la fiducia non viene restituita, chissà, ma l'economia non ne trarrà profitto, quello che nel mondo del business significano perdite.
È stato incredibile, sì, ma alla fine Fazio si è fatto visitare dai tree fantasmi di Scrooge che gli hanno mostrato la retta via: la dimisione. Lo già detto: solo podeva accadere in una notte di natale.
Ora però resta la parte difficile. Convincere che si può investire in Italia, che le idee di questo corrotto banchiere sono fuori da Bankitalia e che le operazioni abbortite in passato possono riprendere con le adequate garanzie.
Gli scandali economici sono frequenti. L'abbiamo visto con Enron, Worldcom, Parmalat... E l'ingrediente di base è sempre lo stesso: avidità. Ci vogliamo arrichire, sempre di più e senza rispettare la legge. C'è chi più che soldi cerca il potere, vero e propio motore delle società, ma nel caso di Fazio è andato storto. È quindi normale che, rendendosi contro che si ha tutto il mondo in contro, che non c'è via di fuga, insomma, la decisione che ha preso era l'unica possibile.
Sono cose che capitano a Natale, lo diceva già Pozzetto...
EL PAÍS. Solo e inseguro
La pseudo-resistencia que está llevando este pseudo-gobierno hacia el Estatuto de Cataluña va a pasarle factura a Zapatero más que todo lo que la COPE o la oposición hayan podido hacer por derribarle.Y es que cuando se hace una campaña electoral, hay que medir con regla hasta el más fútil de los recuerdos, porque las palabras de la gente corriente sí se las lleva el viento, pero no las de un hombre tan destinado a meter la pata como ZP. Un hombre que, recordemos, prometió que iba a aprobar el estatuto "como viniera". Evidentemente, Maragall picó, y por lo visto, Carod también.
Sudando la gota gorda por convencer. Foto: Elmundo.es
Ya se me venir, claro: Carod ya está dándose cuenta del tipo de aliado que está manteniendo en la Moncloa. Un hombre que dice "sí a todo" que piensa "sí a un poco" y que termina obrando un "sí a nada", porque la propuesta de Zapatero es un "está", un estatuto cortado por la mitad -perdonen ustedes la rima-.
Esto a corto y medio plazo puede significar una serie de problemas legislativos para el pseudo-gobierno de Zapatero, como la complicación de los próximos presupuestos, el rechazo de la LOE cuando el Senado la devuelva al Congreso de los diputados... y más o menos cualquier iniciativa que se tome medianamente en serio el PSOE.
Zapatero se está quedando sin amigos en una España que le es más y más hostil en cuestión de semanas. Que si Ibarreche amenaza con otro plan, que si los catalanes, que si los gallegos... Un tren, si se dan cuenta, que va camino de descarrilar.
No sería pues de extrañar que una nueva encrucijada se abriera en el gobierno. Una encrucijada que lleve a este pseudo-gobierno sin programa a buscar aliados más sólidos, entre nacionalismos más moderados como el que hasta hace poco profesaba CiU. De lo contrario, ZP seguirá como hasta ahora: solo e inseguro
LE MONDE Tête à tête Sarkozy-Villepin
Sarkozy. Futur président en 2007. Patricia Hueso
Les partenaires de Nicolas Sarkozy doivent considérer, pour convaincre au sein de l’UMP que son candidat propose une restructuration sociale, inévitable du moment que la société est fragile. Sarkozy, après un septennat de gouvernement de Chirac se retrouve une France divisée, déçue, sans horizons et démoralisée par une conjoncture économique difficile.
Évidemment, Sarkozy ne peut pas s’attaquer à la source du problème, qui dépasse le pays, mais ce qu’il peut faire c’est améliorer la qualité de vie des français, et cela s’achève par la déconstruction des « ghettos ». Pour Sarkozy l’un des principaux problèmes en France c’est l’auto isolement où les minorités d’immigrants se plongent, et qui dérivent au long terme dans l’anarchie de Clichy-sous-Bois.
Ce dont le Ministre de l’Intérieur peut être fier, c’est d’avoir été le visage du gouvernement pendant la crise. Contre le piège politique tendu par Chirac et son dauphin, Sarkozy fut énergique, dans la mesure des possibilités pour résoudre la situation, et il peut exposer clairement sa capacité pour gouverner. Ce que son adversaire, soyons clairs, ne peut guère faire.
VILLEPIN. LA CONTINUITÉ DE L’UMP. Miguel Vinuesa
Du moment que M. De Villepin est le premier ministre de la France en ce moment, il semble logique qu’il succède à Chirac, surtout quand un mandat le confirme comme un homme d’état capable.
N’oublions pas le passé de M. De Villepin. Excellent diplomatique, excellent Ministre des affaires étrangères… Il s’opposa frontalement à la guerre d’Irak, gagnant pour soi le support et le respect de l’ensemble de la Communauté Internationale. Mis apart, il a réussi à maintenir des liens étroits avec les anciennes colonies, et en France le support de ces citoyens. Sarkozy est l’image de l’ambition, mais lui est la véritable face de la continuité, une continuité qui représente l’esprit de l’UMP.
Et les français ont raison : la défense que le cabinet de Mr. De Villepin a fait de la PAC, contre une présidence Britannique excessivement centrée sur ses propres intérêts, ont redonné au pays confiance dans son premier ministre. Et non seulement eux, puisque la PAC, si bien représente un mécanisme essentiel pour l’économie française, rend ses bénéfices à plusieurs pays de l’Union.
De toute façon, ont est d’accord sur le point d’une conjoncture difficile, que l’on ne va pas résoudre en deux mois. Ce qui sépare le Premier Ministre, du Ministre de l’Intérieur sur cette question précise, c’est la façon d’aborder la dynamique de reprise.
Les partenaires de Nicolas Sarkozy doivent considérer, pour convaincre au sein de l’UMP que son candidat propose une restructuration sociale, inévitable du moment que la société est fragile. Sarkozy, après un septennat de gouvernement de Chirac se retrouve une France divisée, déçue, sans horizons et démoralisée par une conjoncture économique difficile.
Évidemment, Sarkozy ne peut pas s’attaquer à la source du problème, qui dépasse le pays, mais ce qu’il peut faire c’est améliorer la qualité de vie des français, et cela s’achève par la déconstruction des « ghettos ». Pour Sarkozy l’un des principaux problèmes en France c’est l’auto isolement où les minorités d’immigrants se plongent, et qui dérivent au long terme dans l’anarchie de Clichy-sous-Bois.
Ce dont le Ministre de l’Intérieur peut être fier, c’est d’avoir été le visage du gouvernement pendant la crise. Contre le piège politique tendu par Chirac et son dauphin, Sarkozy fut énergique, dans la mesure des possibilités pour résoudre la situation, et il peut exposer clairement sa capacité pour gouverner. Ce que son adversaire, soyons clairs, ne peut guère faire.
VILLEPIN. LA CONTINUITÉ DE L’UMP. Miguel Vinuesa
Du moment que M. De Villepin est le premier ministre de la France en ce moment, il semble logique qu’il succède à Chirac, surtout quand un mandat le confirme comme un homme d’état capable.
N’oublions pas le passé de M. De Villepin. Excellent diplomatique, excellent Ministre des affaires étrangères… Il s’opposa frontalement à la guerre d’Irak, gagnant pour soi le support et le respect de l’ensemble de la Communauté Internationale. Mis apart, il a réussi à maintenir des liens étroits avec les anciennes colonies, et en France le support de ces citoyens. Sarkozy est l’image de l’ambition, mais lui est la véritable face de la continuité, une continuité qui représente l’esprit de l’UMP.
Et les français ont raison : la défense que le cabinet de Mr. De Villepin a fait de la PAC, contre une présidence Britannique excessivement centrée sur ses propres intérêts, ont redonné au pays confiance dans son premier ministre. Et non seulement eux, puisque la PAC, si bien représente un mécanisme essentiel pour l’économie française, rend ses bénéfices à plusieurs pays de l’Union.
De toute façon, ont est d’accord sur le point d’une conjoncture difficile, que l’on ne va pas résoudre en deux mois. Ce qui sépare le Premier Ministre, du Ministre de l’Intérieur sur cette question précise, c’est la façon d’aborder la dynamique de reprise.
POST Alito wins... in the polls
We've already spoken about Alito. However, that was a while ago.
Back then, not many americans knew who Alito was. Nowadays, though, Samuel Alito could become part of the United States Supreme Court. This happens in a rather good time to take decisions: right after Christmass and New Year, with a serenated spirit, after the nicest of holidays during the year.
Justice Alito... sounds good, doesnt' it? He's done his bit to convince the people. What Fred Barnes called the "Mainstream Media", have been active in the discussion. No matter if it was the Washington Post, the New York Times or the Daily Standard. The discussion was serious, with its notable part of pro and againsts, but the main objective has been achieved: now Samuel Alito is not unknown to the American public.
And by knowing him, they've realised he's the one meant to take the seat in the Supreme Court. He's got a quite positive background, considering his previous career, and Alito has shown quite some confidence in his rather harsh way to success. Senate sessions could be tiring, hard, but if you pass over that, you can consider yourself worth the prize.
In other words, Samuel Alito is going to take the seat. I'm sure of that. The vote might take place on January 20th. If not, I don't see it as a problem, since the polls support him, and my best guess is that the Senate shouldn't go against the public opinion shown in this polls. It could do that, but since we are supposed to be a democratic nation, I don't advise it.
Don't miss, please, the Washington Post's pill against Bush, though: a cheese showing the lack of support for Bush. Once again I'll quote Fred Barnes: 60 percent of what?
Back then, not many americans knew who Alito was. Nowadays, though, Samuel Alito could become part of the United States Supreme Court. This happens in a rather good time to take decisions: right after Christmass and New Year, with a serenated spirit, after the nicest of holidays during the year.
Justice Alito... sounds good, doesnt' it? He's done his bit to convince the people. What Fred Barnes called the "Mainstream Media", have been active in the discussion. No matter if it was the Washington Post, the New York Times or the Daily Standard. The discussion was serious, with its notable part of pro and againsts, but the main objective has been achieved: now Samuel Alito is not unknown to the American public.
And by knowing him, they've realised he's the one meant to take the seat in the Supreme Court. He's got a quite positive background, considering his previous career, and Alito has shown quite some confidence in his rather harsh way to success. Senate sessions could be tiring, hard, but if you pass over that, you can consider yourself worth the prize.
In other words, Samuel Alito is going to take the seat. I'm sure of that. The vote might take place on January 20th. If not, I don't see it as a problem, since the polls support him, and my best guess is that the Senate shouldn't go against the public opinion shown in this polls. It could do that, but since we are supposed to be a democratic nation, I don't advise it.
Don't miss, please, the Washington Post's pill against Bush, though: a cheese showing the lack of support for Bush. Once again I'll quote Fred Barnes: 60 percent of what?
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Politics in and out (Week 18)
Hi, and welcome to Weekend Update!
Fortunately, for us, we're up and running again, with our minds ahead on Christmass. Probably we'll have an unusual rate of activity by then, but we might fill that vacant space with some extra work. In short, wait and see. We won't disappoint you, I hope.
Anyway, this week has been somewhat peaceful in most news matters. I thought interesting a conference the American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, attended on the Thrusday. That's today's Washigton Post news for this edition.
I feel also confident to have a laugh at the current Spanish Governtment, as they have to return to demagogy in order to lose less on polls. We already told you that the most pro-government paper, EL PAÍS ordered a poll just to hide it in its deeper pages, but this time, the strategy is clear: as we do nothing of mention, let's piss off the center-right. A pathetic style of government for a pathetic man.
In France, we're at the same: polls. What is the UMP, the party of Chirac, de Villepin, and the most-feared (by communists) Sarkozy? Patricia is coming up with that.
Furthermore, in Italy they're discovering the right-wing parties use the same strategies to catch up on youth people as the commies. That's why we can consider this new generation is going to be pretty active in politics. Heck, look at us... But are we going to be "part of the parties"? Not that sure on that.
How about Argentina? News came in this week that 46,1% of the people evade taxes. Fred Barnes would say "46,1% of what?" but I'm affraid that's just Argentina. A country that rejects its own government, no matter who it is, but doesn't do a thing to fix up the place. Contradictions...
I'm Miguel Vinuesa and these is news to me!
Fortunately, for us, we're up and running again, with our minds ahead on Christmass. Probably we'll have an unusual rate of activity by then, but we might fill that vacant space with some extra work. In short, wait and see. We won't disappoint you, I hope.
Anyway, this week has been somewhat peaceful in most news matters. I thought interesting a conference the American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, attended on the Thrusday. That's today's Washigton Post news for this edition.
I feel also confident to have a laugh at the current Spanish Governtment, as they have to return to demagogy in order to lose less on polls. We already told you that the most pro-government paper, EL PAÍS ordered a poll just to hide it in its deeper pages, but this time, the strategy is clear: as we do nothing of mention, let's piss off the center-right. A pathetic style of government for a pathetic man.
In France, we're at the same: polls. What is the UMP, the party of Chirac, de Villepin, and the most-feared (by communists) Sarkozy? Patricia is coming up with that.
Furthermore, in Italy they're discovering the right-wing parties use the same strategies to catch up on youth people as the commies. That's why we can consider this new generation is going to be pretty active in politics. Heck, look at us... But are we going to be "part of the parties"? Not that sure on that.
How about Argentina? News came in this week that 46,1% of the people evade taxes. Fred Barnes would say "46,1% of what?" but I'm affraid that's just Argentina. A country that rejects its own government, no matter who it is, but doesn't do a thing to fix up the place. Contradictions...
I'm Miguel Vinuesa and these is news to me!
DEPORTES La vida sigue igual
Un espejismo. Esa es la definición de lo que ha sido el Real Madrid desde que Vanderlei Luxemburgo abandonó el club blanco. Un partido en Atenas y una actuación interesante en Málaga habían llevado a muchos a pensar que esté Madrid podía cambiar. Pero la realidad es bien distinta. El domingo se volvió a la historia de siempre.Llegaba el Osasuna al Bernabéu con la vitola de equipo revelación. Del Madrid se esperaban muchas cosas, sobre todo orden, ideas renovadas y confirmar lo visto la semana anterior en Málaga. Pero los "rojillos" no llegaron a Chamartín de paseo.
Todo parecía ponerse de cara para los madrdistas a los 17 minutos, cuando el árbitro Pérez Burrul decidió expulsar injustamente a Puñal. Quedaba todo un partido por delante para doblegar al conjunto de Pamplona. Pero en el banquillo navarro se sienta un tal Javier Aguirre que sabe muy bien lo que se hace. Cambió a Valdo, que estaba tocado, por Sosa y aportó contundencia al centro del campo para evitar fisuras defensivas. La jugada le salió bien, visto lo visto.
El caso es que el Real Madrid siguió siendo el de los últimos tiempos, es decir, un equipo que juega andando, no presiona y pierde la colocación en defensa en cuanto el contrario da tres pases seguidos medianamente rápidos. De una jugada a balón parado y un despiste en la zaga blanca, se aprovechó Milosevic, que adelantó a los visitantes. Pintaba negro. Salió entonces Soldado y tuvo que ser él quien salvara medianamente los muebles, por segunda vez este año. Empate a uno y el guión de siempre. O mucho cambia la cosa o el Arsenal puede dar un susto en los octavos de final de la Liga de Campeones.
La vida sigue igual en Madrid y también en Barcelona. Los culés visitaban el sábado al Cádiz con las bajas de Xavi (ya conocida y para toda la temporada) y Ronaldinho (por una inorpotuna gripe). Pero a este Barça le da igual con quién juegue, porque todos tienen la lección muy bien aprendida. Si no está Ronaldinho, está Eto'o, y sino Messi, y sino Deco y así hasta el infinito. En el Carranza volvió a demostrarlo. Brilló por encima del resto Leo Messi, un joven con visos de crack mundial. El argentino puso el juego y Eto'o los goles. Finalmente 1-3 (Giuly abrió el marcador) y nuevo récord batido, 12 victorias consecutivas. Se están escribiendo páginas históricas para el equipo blaugrana. Veremos cuál es su techo. El Chelsea espera en Campions, esa puede ser la clave.
Del resto de la jornada, desaca un partido, el Sevilla-Real Sociedad. Espectáculo en estado puro. A quince minutos del final, los donostiarras dominaban en el marcador por 0-2. Pero el canterano Kepa, que poco a poco se está destapando, puso el 1-2 en el marcador en el 76. Quedaba tiempo para que los sevillistas salvasen un punto, y así lo hicieron en el 81, gracias a Kanouté. Soñar es gratis y en Sevilla con doble motivo. Un centro de Alves rematado de nuevo por Kepa culminó una sufrida victoria. Es la tercera vez que a la Real le remontan un marcador con dos goles a favor en la últimas jornadas. Amorrortu tendrá que revisar sus papeles.
En el Atlético de Madrid, aunque parezca de chiste, la cosa tampoco cambia. El Atleti sigue cosechando empates. En esta ocasión se cumplió la costumbre de encajar goles a balón parado y en los útimos minutos. El domingo tocaba en Mallorca. Los colchoneros se adelantaron 0-2 contra, pero dos goles de Iuliano acabaron por igualar el derby de técnicos argentinos entre Cúper y Bianchi.
Mientras, en Galicia, hubo derby el sábado. Realmente hubo derby hasta el minuto 23, moento en el que Undiano Mallenco pitó penalty y expusión para el portero celtiña Pinto. Celta de Vigo: 0 - 3: Deportivo de la Coruña (Tristán de penalty, Valerón y Capdevilla. Todos en la primera parte).
El Villarreal suma y sigue, se mantiene en zona Champions y recupera la conexión Riquelme-Forlán. Sobre todo el primero vive un estado de forma que da miedo a cualquiera. Esta vez la víctima fue el Getafe, que se mereció más ante los castellonenses, aunque finalmente se llevó un 2-1 en contra.
En la zona baja hay que mencionar al Betis, que en su duelo directo del sábado contra el Athletic perdió 2-0, se coloca colista y no parece que pueda mejorar a corto plazo. El Cádiz, que pierde fuelle y el Alavés, acompañan en puestos de descenso a los sevillanos.
POST Condie sez...
For Condoleezza Rice, delivering a speech in a place like the Heritage Foundation is a real piece of cake. What is not is the current situation of the American foreign policy.
Mrs. Rice spoke about Iraq, mainly, but also of terrorism, Iran, Indonesia... making a point clear: America is an active member of the International community when it comes to promotion of democracy, and it's not alone, as the Coalition in Iraq is formed by 30 countries.
She doesn't give a chance, does she? Photo source: Reuters
The longest argument, and what the whole event was about, was the election on the 15th in Iraq. To be terribly honest it's a big challenge. Mrs. Rice said that soldiers would be treated as "heroes" when they returned to America. The same boys, only a generation later, that fought in Vietnam in the 60s and 70s,
Now, I'm troubled about the "heroes" adjective: ret. General Norman Schwarzkopf wrote his memories some years ago, and realised how "people returning from Vietnam were just ignored. It was an unpopular war and nobody wanted to hear about them". it's not a myth, it's true. Who will be a hero in a society that is small by small feeling the same about Iraq?
Certainly, the social division will happen, it's already happening, but what should last is that America is doing what it always does: encourage freedom and democracy abroad. It happened in 1918, it happened again in 1941. They thought they'll win again in 1964, and in 1991 they lead the way.
This is the American way for foreign politics, not getting back into isolation like in the 20s. For now, the Secretary of state is doing a better job than her predecessor. She's making her opinion count in Europe and elsewhere, and until America and its allies understand each other, there will be no "minor setbacks". Americans know it, and it's a topic, but in unity lies strength.
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