UP, PLEASE! One national capital city is sinking. Do you know which one might that be?
You might think it could be Venice with all that water and ooze, but, then, just in time you realize, just in time, it is not a national capital.
The city was built on an old island in a large lake area and it is now sinking at rate of about six to eight inches per year.
How, I wonder, do they manage to keep so many buildings upright with such a drastic change as that? It may be that the loss is rather uniform and gradual so that walls simply settle without coming part from any irregular stress or strain, I should think that the knowledge that such a thing is taking place would be enough to make dwellers therein to, at least, inquire about seeking a firmer spot elsewhere - sunny Cancun in Ole Mexico, perhaps?
As I recall, Mexico has been subjected to many earthquake and middle of what is called The Federal District,a great city have been growing for centuries. That's right - a national capital and sinking steadily. Some residents must live in constant fear that an earthquake will hasten the process whereby the city sinks six feet every ten years,and they will be living in a Sunken Garden city need of a second level to be appended.
This city, too, was originally, build as an island sanctuary in a large lake. It was done for safety reasons which made good sense at the time. The water barrier - a moat of sorts - must have deterred potential enemies and provided a better life for the island dwellers - a sanctuary in any time of need. Will the trait which served them so well in their early days, now be a part of their ruin?
The best opportunity the Mexican people have is to plan to build to build a totally new national city as Brazil did. Brazil set the example! It can be done and even improved,too, because fully warned, Mexico could avoid the creation of instant slum on the outskirts of their new capital city built on a firmer found foundation and a safer one as they learn to play the role that those nations must undertake to play in the new centuries ahead.
Certainly, there must be an adequate supply of "Yankee ingenuity" kicking around in Ole Mexico. They have shown some very clever ways in making strong inroads into the American labormarkets. Much of Rome's art, that of Greece, can be seen London and Paris; London Bridge is in Arizona. Brazil operates quite well from its new federal district. Mexico can do as well, or better.
A.L.M. October 5, 2005 [c462wds]
FREEDOM FAULTS Gradually, it appears, mankind's sense of order concerning freedom seems to be maturing. The term, heretofore, has always
been most frequently used, has had limitations and offered freedoms fashioned according to the originators specifications of what constituted he the exact type of freedom being discussed.
We like to think of ourselves and being well above the mean level to which most other nations have obtained. We prove that to our own satisfaction by recalling details common to many situations in our past activities. We feel we can now look at our previous decisions in a more objective light and give an honest appraisal of betterment we have made it to be the centerpiece of our thinking, the by-word of our teaching and prime opinion of our fondest hopes and most laudable hopes and demanding dreams.
I often wonder how much longer the American people will continue to be willing to pay the way for this group which thwarts
our every effort to encourage world peace and tranquility. At the moment the main concern is the major renovation of the United Nations building in New York City. The plan calls for the purchase of a nearby high rise building. UN offices and personnel will be moved t here while the former HQ building - now "the historic home of the UN" is being modernized and renovated. We will promptly find the recently acquired building is in dire need of modernization.
You may have noticed that some of our network radio talk shows are, again this year, urging parents to allow their children to give
to the "UN's Children's Fund". If you allow such giving you are treating yourself to some trickery.
When we examine the records in strict honesty we are not at all impressed. Many of the good things we have done for all mankind will earn a place in history, but they are, for the most part, far too often facades of fables, fracture factoids and wishful thinking. It continues to puzzle me that someday people continue to believe in the United Nations organization as one of the greatest boons ever known to Man
It's wake-up time, America!
A.L.M. October 3, 2005 [c374wds]
WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS I used to wonder why it has been that so many people ask me what tomorrow will be like.
I don't know. You don't know. I have long held the view that we really don't want to know what the future holds, even through most of us seem to have rigged so ultimate good. I think one reason I am asked so often I am asked is that I happen to be one of the only people they know who has a memory stock of, at least, one hundred years of memory... my own plus a quarter century more from my parents and other family members and friends.
The amazing thing about such mental exercises is the fact that regardless of how fantastic our wildest dream become they will fall short of what the future will actually provide.
In this century expect many radical changes:
Man will discover a news source of energy. It maybe cosmic in nature, chemical, sound or noise. By that time we see oil refineries dotting our Atlantic coast, on both sides of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico solid with them.
Many common diseases will be eradicated. New ones will haunt humanity. Of several new ones, only one will be a major killer.
New food forms will be developed. Immense populations will be nourished. Life spans will increase by twenty years.
Time warp travel will be common and space travel greatly enhanced.
There will be an extended awareness of the inherent unity of Mankind under one creator God.
Racial differences will become less troublesome and will fade away as we all become gray rather than black or white; copper or bronze instead of red; tans instead of yellows. Several religious wars will hasten the process.
Space colonies will be thriving on the Moon, Mars and three Asteroids fitted with wrap-around space dwellings.
Computers will be the center of all civilization. Education will not teach information but rather where one can best find it when needed.
A cheerful end note: comedy will continue as Man
keeps laughing at himself and strange things he had said and done.
A.L.M October 2, 2005 [c366wds]
