JUNE 4 CHINESE TOURIST VANDALIZES TEMPLE IN EGYPT

JUNE 4 CHINESE TOURIST VANDALIZES TEMPLE IN EGYPT

While on vacation touring the ruins in Upper Egypt, a bored teenager got an idea.  Waiting for the just the right time...he snuck away from the organized group.  Alone amongst the 300 foot high columns, he quickly rummaged through his pockets.  What did he want?  Candy? No...  Phone? No...  Pocket knife? Yes!  Careful not to be seen, he climbed the base of a column.  Quickly, he carved his message onto the 3,400 year old granite, where it would remain forever.  From now on, anyone who visited the Luxor Temple, would read his astute message: "Ding Jinhao Was Here!" 

For the next two years, tens of thousands of tourists visited Luxor Temple  They all walked past the Chinese graffiti.  No one seemed to care or notice.  (Let's face it: There is a lot of graffiti in Egypt!)  However...two weeks ago...everything changed.  That's when a fellow Chinese tourist also got bored at the same exact spot.  He stopped and noticed Ding's tagging and got angry.  But this was no ordinary visitor...  Nope, it was a blogger / tourist. (Yikes!)  Instantly, he whipped out his Smart-Phone and zeroed in for the perfect shot.  Next, it was just a quick tap-tap-tap.  Then.. SEND!  Seconds later, all of China logged into his post and became outraged.

Attached to the downloaded picture, the blogger wrote: "The saddest moment of my trip to Egypt.  I'm so embarrassed.  I said to the Egyptian tour guide: 'I'm Sorry!'"  As we all know, the Chinese are very sensitive to their national image.  Other people from other countries might do vandalism...but not citizens from the People's Republic of China!  Within minutes, the correct Ding Jinhao was located and contacted by authorities.  The juvenile delinquent is now 15 years old and goes to high school in Nanjing.  Amazingly, he had told his parents about the incident when it happened and had already been punished.  Nonetheless, his mother issued the following statement:  "We want to apologize to the Egyptian people and to people who have paid attention to this case across China."

At this point, you might be asking yourself:  Is this subject really worthy of a DUNER BLOG?  Aside from bringing up the subject of China's state-insured-nation-worshipping, what point are we trying to make?  Answer: We want to warn fellow international travelers of a new trend: Chinese Tourists.  According to the World Tourism Organization, China now has more international travelers than any other nation on earth.    Last year, they spent $102 billion dollars on overseas trips.  That means Germany is now #2 and the USA and UK are #3 and #4.  The other surprise on the list is Russia at #5.  It's another communist nation that recently lifted restrictions on international travel for its citizens...who are leaving in droves.

Finally, we'd like to touch on the odd nature of graffiti itself.  See, Ding Jinhao's tagging has now become a tourist spot in itself.  It's not the first time this has happened in Egypt either.  Napoleon's armies carved messages on the great pyramids back in 1805.  Nowadays, people go to Cheops to see the graffiti.  Also in the 1800's: Lord Byron notoriously carved his name on the Temple of Poseidon in Attica.  Nowadays, people crowd around to photograph that!  Despite these exceptions, we here at the DUNER BLOG feel graffiti and all forms of vandalism are bad.  Even if you're a famous poet, conquering soldier or a snotty-nosed teenager...don't do it.  

NOTE: This does not include the dozen "DUNERs" written in wet cement on Berkeley and San Francisco sidewalks.

MAY 29 EUROPEAN SOCCER INVADES U.S. SPORTS TV NETWORK

MAY 29  EUROPEAN SOCCER INVADES AMERICAN SPORTS TV NETWORK

In most U.S. households, a sacred event occurs every night at 11:00 pm sharp.  That's when American males, aged 18-55, gather around the TV for their favorite television show: SPORTS-CENTER.  It's basically an hour-long news program dedicated to athletics.   Like CNN, they begin with the top headlines of the day.  Usually, this means football, basketball and baseball.  Lesser sports like hockey, golf and car racing are shown later in the broadcast.  But what about Soccer?  Well, it's hardly ever seen on the show.  It's no surprise...the least popular sport in America barely gets any coverage at all!

However...that is all changing!  Recently, men across America have noticed European soccer highlights creeping into their sacred SportsCenter broadcast.  As always, the news anchors start off with funny banter.  "Hey Stan!  Mind if I kick it?  Let's start with Arsenal!  Down 2-0 with ten minutes to go..."  They then show 15 to 20 seconds of exciting highlights...often enhanced with laser graphics.  What a difference! Soccer, once banned as too boring, is now included in every SportsCenter broadcast.  The English Premier and Spanish Leagues account for the majority of the coverage, with the BundesLiga and the Italian Primera Division also getting mention.

Why the sudden change?  C'mon!  This is America, and it's about Money ($$).  Recently, Walt Disney / ESPN Empire purchased the TV rights to upcoming events in Europe.  Specifically, they will air the next Champions League and the 2016 Euro-Cup...the two largest soccer tournaments in Europe.  Why? ESPN hope the Euro-Leagues have the moxie that American soccer lacks.  Americans need superstar, multi-millionaire  celebrities/athletes.  We want hunks like Cristiano Ronaldo!  Highlights from superstars like Lionel Messi are perfect for SPORTS-CENTER announcers to preen about.  Soccer & ESPN: A match made in heaven.

Not so fast.  Polls indicate otherwise.  A recent survey asked: Which sport do Americans like to watch on TV the most?  The results: Football (33%) Basketball (16%) and Baseball (13%) are still top dogs.  Soccer came in tenth at 2%!  That's behind Figure Skating, which got 3%.  However, there is one statistic that works well in soccer's favor.  Of the 41 million US kids who play organized sports, 17 million (42%) play soccer.  The future of American sports will definitely have more and more soccer.  GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!

  

MAY 21 MAYAN RUINS USED TO CONSTRUCT HIGHWAY IN BELIZE

MAY 21 MAYAN RUINS USED TO CONSTRUCT HIGHWAY IN BELIZE

The unthinkable happened in Belize last week.  Eager to complete construction of a highway on time, construction workers scoured the local countryside for rocks.  They saw a large mound, bulldozed it, scooped up the rocks and used them as 'road fill.'  It turns out 'the hill' was actually an ancient Mayan ceremonial tower. Archaeologists worldwide are outraged!  The Nohmul Pyramid dates back to 250 BC and is the largest site in the country.  The workers claim it was an honest mistake...they thought it was a natural hill.  They were just doing their job.   

Let's examine the workers' point of view.  Today, it's hard to imagine a Great Kingdom once existed on the these lands.  Belize is dirty, poor and run-down.  However, two thousand years ago, Nohmul was a prosperous city with 40,000 residents.  Twin 100 foot-high ceremonial towers were joined by a raised causeway.  Below, ten bustling marketplace plazas sold goods from all over Meso-America.  No one knows why the Mayan Kingdom suddenly vanished a couple centuries later, but we do know that 80% of the ruins remain un-excavated...including the 12-square-mile compound of Nohmul.  This neglect makes them easy targets for an under-educated construction crew with a Caterpillar bulldozer and three dump trucks. 



The sides of the Pyramids used to be smooth!

Unfortunately, this sort of tragedy has happened again and again throughout human history.  In 1168, the savage Syrian Sultan Salah-al-Din conquered Egypt.  Desperate to spruce-up dirty old Cairo, he ordered his men to tear off the smooth stones from the nearby pyramids.  The limestone was hauled it into town and used to make new structures.  You can see it today!  The famed Citadel Mosque is actually built from these very bricks.  The same fate occurred to another popular ancient accomplishment: The Great Wall of China. During Mao's Cultural Revolution, desperate peasants dismantled parts to construct their homes.  And don't forget the Turks! During the Venetian War, they foolishly stored gunpowder in the Parthenon in Athens.  Prior to the explosion in 1687 it had a roof and four walls!

Anyhow, back to Belize.  An investigation is underway.  The law states that any "willful destruction of an ancient site or monument has penalties of 10 years' imprisonment or $10,000 for this kind of destruction."  However, it's unlikely anyone will be punished.  Unfortunately, Nohmul lies on privately-owned land.  The owner Denny Grijiva, is an aspiring politician and "knew nothing of the operation."  Sounds complicated. This week, the Cabinet of Belize will address the issue.  Don't expect that bunch of lazy slobs to do anything!

The best we can hope for is a new awareness of the precarious situation we face.  In addition to forgotten ruins, the world is filled similar problems.  There are endangered animals, threatened rain forests and disappearing habitats everywhere. Sadly, we only find out about such treasures after they are gone.  Fortunately, we here at the DUNER BLOG have a solution.  We propose every student in the Western Hemisphere must spend one year of High School unearthing ancient ruins.  We'll start with my 14-year-old son! 

MAY 14 THE ABBA MUSEUM OPENS IN SWEDEN

MAY 14 THE ABBA MUSEUM OPENS IN SWEDEN

Last Tuesday, the ABBA Museum opened in Stockholm with great fanfare.  And it's better than anyone expected!  In addition to the gold records and vintage photos, there are interactive exhibits as well.  Jubilant fans don green, sequin-studded suits and photograph themselves with wax statues of band members.  You can also pretend to record a hit in a re-creation of their famed Viggsö Studio.  Talk about fun!  However, since ABBA never achieved Super-Stardom in the USA, most Americans do not know much about the fearsome foursome.  So, inform the uninformed and to celebrate the great, we have constructed an ABBA quick guide.

Their Name.  The band originally was known as Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid.  For obvious reasons, their manager STIG ANDERSON wanted something more catchy.  At first, he tried BABA.  Then it was FABB.  But they finally all agreed on ABBA.  At first, the band was worried it would be confused with the popular canned fish brand of the same name.  Fortunately, few folks outside of Sweden like canned fish.

Their Awards.  While the band has accolades galore...including Grammy's, BRIT Awards and a Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame induction...they are most proud of their EUROVISION Song Contest Award.  Never heard of EuroVision?  It's a mix of American Idol and the Olympics. Every year since 1956, each European nation submits a song and artist to the event.  Back in 1974, Sweden's entry took the competition by storm.  ABBA wisely chose the song "Waterloo," as the event was held in Brighton that year.  Following the win, the band became instant stars.

Their Album Sales.  Controversy abounds about the total number of records sold by the band.  According to the record books, they have sold 200 million certified albums.   In reality, the rights to produce ABBA albums in places like Baluchistan are non-existent.  Hence, in actuality, it's estimated 375 million ABBA albums have been sold.  This places them at third on the All-Time List.  That's behind the Beatles and Elvis but ahead of Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones.

The Marriages. What makes ABBA so fascinating is the chemistry within the band.  In addition to being band members, the foursome were also two married couples. Anita and Björn were husband and wife from 1971 - 1978...the band's peak period.  The same is true for the other band members Benny and Anni-Frid, who were married from 1975 - 1981.    TRIVIA: Björn wrote the song "The Winner Takes It All" about his divorce.

Their Royalty.  Sweden's Royal House dates back to 970 AD when Erik the Victorious united Svealand and Gothia.  Although ABBA are considered pop royalty by their rabid fans, they are indeed common citizens.  But not Anni-Frid!  In 1992, she married a Prince from the defunct...but still royal...House of Reuss in Central Germany.  Her official title is now:  Anni-Frid, Princess Reuss, Countess of Plauen.  
  

Their Reunion.  Unlike other disco bands, ABBA managed to maintain their popularity over the years.  (Sorry, KC & the Sunshine Band!)  Their seven studio albums all went platinum.  Their numerous 'Greatest Hits' compilations are found in every one's music collection.  Unfortunately, relationships between the band members themselves deteriorated...we mentioned the double divorce earlier.  In 2000, they turned down a Billion Dollar offer for a concert tour.  But time heals all wounds and the foursome came together in 2008 for a reception for their hit movie / musical:  'Mamma Mia!'   

MAY 7 WHICH U.S. RETAILERS SELL SWEATSHOP CLOTHES?

MAY 7 WHICH U.S. RETAILERS SELL SWEATSHOP CLOTHES?

Bad news from Bangladesh.  The death toll is now 700+ in last week's horrific building collapse in Dhaka.  Five separate factories were all crowded together under one ridiculously large concrete roof.  A mere ten days prior, government inspectors had ordered the building shut down after the large cracks in the foundation had recently became even larger.  Greedy owners ignored the warning.  See...WalMart penalizes Bangladeshi sweat-shops big time for delivering their orders late.  (Yes...this very sweatshop in Dhaka sells directly to WalMarts in the USA!)

In response, bloggers worldwide are asking readers to think twice about where they purchase their clothes.  Remember: There is an alarming reason why those jeans are so cheap.  To make this easier, we have researched the seven largest clothing retailers in the USA and gave each a grade.  Here they are, ranked by earnings.

#1: WalMart (Bentonville, AR). Everything costs less at WalMart.  The ruthless retail giant scours the third world, looking for "factories" to produce their latest fashion lines.  Bangladesh is merely the most recent nation exploited by WalMart.  Last year, Thailand ordered WalMart-affiliated factories shut down for hiring 8-year old girls.  In 2010, it was Honduras and Samoa who trafficked kids into textile factories.  The list goes on and on...  Anyway you look at it, WalMart is bad news in the Karma Department...don't shop there.  Grade: F

#2 Target (Minneapolis, MN)  Based in a notoriously liberal Green State, Target tries very hard to promote itself as "environmentally friendly."  In 2007, they proudly proclaimed their stores to be "Free of PVC."  Consumer groups are skeptical, since the majority of their products come from China.  As far as clothing lines are concerned, Target holds its cards close to the vest and won't reveal if they bought clothes from a specific sweatshop in any county. For lack of transparency:  Grade: D+

#3  Sears  (Chicago, IL)  While most American retailers target the productive factories in the People's Republic of China, Sears prefers to exploit Mexico and Central America.  First, representatives sign contracts with large warehouses.  Next, the bosses pay off local officials.  They turn a blind eye to offences like 24-hour work shifts and mandatory pregnancy tests.  Another violation: Workers in at an El Salvador factory affiliated with Sears must earn bathroom trips and access to drinking water.  Wow! It takes a lot of shady stuff to get a $10 polo shirt.  Grade: D-

#4 Kohl's (Menomonnee Falls, WI)  Newsweek gave this expanding retail giant high marks in its recent "Green Rankings," noting the chain's commitment to solar power and reusable shopping bags.  However, they were named in the recent lawsuit in American Samoa, where hundreds of illegal Asian immigrants were being held against their will.  Also, the NAACP gave Kohl's an "F" for its treatment of people of color.  Grade: C

#5 Marshall's (Framingham, MA).  Also known as TJ MAX, this retail giant has been successful in not revealing the locations of factories for their large garment division.  In fact, shareholders continually demand more transparency in this department...and don't get it.  Specifically, they are concerned about the allegations from the group "No Dirty Gold." who allege their jewelry counters are stocked with blood diamonds.  Grade: D+

#6 J.C. Penney (Plano, TX).  After years of hardship, America's favorite store has re-branded itself and is back in the black.  Sadly, workers in India are the one paying the price.  In fact, three of them died from a mechanical accident in a Penney-affiliated sweatshop back in 2008.  This prompted a Indian government study which concluded sweatshop employees rarely break the cycle of poverty and become "modern slaves."  Grade: C-

#7 L.L. Bean (Freeport, ME).  Okay!  L.L. Bean is the not the 7th largest retailer.  They're actually 21st.  But...we wanted to close with a positive example for our readers.  So while you may not wear flannel shirts or Chino Pants, you gotta love L.L. Bean's policy.  They provide information on every product they sell: Where it was made, how it was constructed...all with a 100% guarantee.  While roughly half of their inventory comes from overseas, they make sure all of their products are from regulated factories. Grade: A+

APRIL 30 OLDEST FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER IS 102 YEARS OLD

APRIL 30 OLDEST FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER IS 102 YEARS OLD

The weekend box office totals are in.  Let's check them out.  As expected, the action/comedy Pain & Gain staring THE ROCK and MARKIE MARK is #1.  The latest Sci-Fi thriller from TOM CRUISE INC. is #2.  No surprises there.  However, the film at #3 is a shocker.  The movie '48' chronicles the amazing story of JACKIE ROBINSON, the first African-American to break the color barrier in baseball.  While you already know about the Brooklyn Dodger slugger...you might have missed another story about a former Major League hero from yesteryear in the news this week.  On Thursday, the oldest living former baseball player CONNIE MARRERO turned 102 years old.

Never heard of Marrero?  Don't feel bad...he played in only four seasons for the Washington Senators in the 1950's.  The right-hander was known for his deadly curve ball which earned him the uncreative nickname "El Curvo."  His career 297 strikeout victims included legendary players like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and Nellie Fox.  A confused slugger Felipe Alou called Marrero's delivery:  "A windup that looked like a cross between a windmill gone berserk and a mallard duck trying to fly backwards."  Try hitting that pitch!

Wondering why Marrero's career was so short?  Well, it took our hero quite a while to make it from the sugar cane fields of Central Cuba to the pitching mound at Yankee Stadium.  In fact, Connie didn't pitch in the major leagues game until he was 38 years old.  Conrado (his real name) spent his twenties pitching for Cienfuegos Elephants in the Cuban Amateur League.  His slider and change-up were impossible to hit.  One day, he caught the eye of a scout for the Havana Cubanos of the Florida International League.  Back in those days, Cuba and Florida were best friends.   Cuba had two baseball teams in the Florida Minor Leagues.  

Connie earned a spot on the team and continued to impress.  He won 70 games in three seasons...including a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Smokers.  As expected, Havana's parent team, the Washington Senators, called Marrero up to play in the majors.  Again, El Curvo did not disappoint.  American League sluggers fanned at his impressive array of slow-stuff.  Marrero won 39 games over four seasons.  His best outing was a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1951.  Unfortunately, age caught up with Connie...in 1954 he was the oldest player in the majors.  That year, he was released by the Senators.  Marrero retired to a lavish apartment in Havana where he still lives today. He continued coaching kids on how to pitch until he lost his eyesight in 2008.

Unfortunately, Connie Marrero never got to pitch to fellow barrier-breaker Jackie Robinson. Back then, there was no regular season inter-league games, and the Washington Senators had only one World Series appearance in 50 years! However, Marrero and Robinson did both appear in the 1951 All-Star Game in Detroit for their respective leagues. While Jackie made movies about his experience, Connie tried to stay out of politics and only talked baseball. However, in 1999, he was asked by Fidel Castro to throw out the first pitch in a friendly game between the Cuban National Team and the Baltimore Orioles in Havana's Estadio Latinamericano. However, Marrero continued throwing pitches. He didn't yield until Manager Sparky Anderson came up to the mound and grabbed the ball out of his hand.

 

Fidel Castro and Bud Selig:  BFF's.



APRIL 24 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC'S NEW PRESIDENT IS A JOKE

APRIL 24 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC'S NEW PRESIDENT IS A JOKE

At the DUNER BLOG, we search the globe for stories you might have missed.  Last week, we took you to Polynesia to uncover Samoa Air's controversial new policy.  This week, we journey deep into the humid jungles of the Central African Republic.  We'll try to sort out what motivated last month's bloody coup d'etat and how the new "president" is acting to get his woeful nation back on track.

Let's start some basic geography.  The landlocked Central African Republic is slightly smaller than Texas.  The North is covered in savanna, which give way to tropical forests and dense jungles. Finally, the mighty Ubangui River forms the nation's Southern border with the Congo.  The French-built capital, Bangui, is found on this river.  It lies one mile below the rapids and serves as a port for goods produced further inland.  Of the nation's four million inhabitants, a quarter live in this sprawling capital.  The remaining three million are divided up between eighty officially recognized groups in the interior.  In short, it's like most other African nations: It was drawn up in Brussels in 1894 when European ministers looked at maps and played a real-life version of the board game Risk. 

Next, we'll examine the nation's name.  The Central African part is correct, but the Republic has never existed.  (In fact, for a dozen years, the nation was officially known as the Central African Empire!) Anyhow, the nation gained independence from France in 1960.  Within months afterward, the entire region slipped into anarchy.  See, megalomaniac leaders in the capital Bangui claim to rule the vast nation. Ahem! These despots just embezzle enough money to purchase an army to stay in power.  The worst such violator was BOKASSA THE FIRST, Emperor of Central Africa.  His 'coronation' cost $20 million dollars!  And this figure doesn't include his $5 million diamond-encrusted crown.  Other Presidents For Life include DAVID DACKO and FRANCOIS BOZIZE.

Unfortunately, the new "president" MICHEL DJOTODIA could end up being worse.  While he doesn't have the audacity to proclaim himself a divine monarch, he does want a life of luxury.  After shooting up the Presidential Palace, the rebel leader decided it wasn't nice enough for him and his rag-tag army.  So the motley crew drove to the lavish, Five-Star Ledger Plaza Hotel and Resort across town.  Djotodia is now living in the top-end, $3,850-a-day private villa and drinking inported cocktails served on calalily flower petals.  Meanwhile, his generals and lieutenants are slumming it in the executive suites, which cost $675 a night.  At any rate, it doesn't sound like they really care about the politics of the Central African Republic.

The real tragedy here is the senseless deaths that occur every time a military junta comes to power in Africa.  This time, thirteen South African peacekeeping soldiers were indiscriminately killed by Djotodia's child soldiers in last month's bloddy Battle of Banjui.  We can add these killings to the 28 people murdered in Mali in February, when another junta occurred.  And...until the UN, EU, USA and African Union think outside the box and come up with a big picture plan for the mineral rich, yet incompetently run African continent...we can count on more of the same in upcoming months.