NOV 23 BOLIVIA HAS A NEW "PRESIDENT"

NOV 23  BOLIVIA HAS A NEW "PRESIDENT"

2019 is shaping up to be a banner year for anti-government protests. From the streets of Hong Kong, to the bazaars of Tehran to the subways of Santiago, Chile...people are violently taking their message to the streets. However, only one has resulted in immediate regime change: Bolivia. Last week, the activist-turned-dictator Evo Morales was asked kindly by the military to leave. He instantly agreed and hopped a flight to Mexico City.

The suddenness of Evo's exit left a power vacuum in La Paz. That's when Senator Jeanine Áñez stepped up. With a Bible in her hand, she made a humble plea to the people of Bolivia. "Let me be your interim president. My only objective is to hold new elections." Who could say no? So the unassuming 52 year-old Vice President of the Senate slid into office. That was one week ago. Since then, much has changed in Bolivia.

On Monday, Jeanine did a makeover to the military. On Tuesday she selected new generals and majors. Naturally, she fired all of Morales' cabinet members and replaced them with appointees of her own liking. On Wednesday, Áñez took aim at the state-owned companies that run the economy. They now have new CEO's. What a whirlwind! In short, fourteen years of Socialism was broken down in one week!

While Anez has the backing of the anti-Socialist Trump administration, other allies are few and far between. Evo Morales is an icon of the Latin American left. Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba have all issued statements denouncing Áñez  and refusing the recognize her regime. Back in Bolivia, Evo's Socialist Party still holds a majority in the Senate. In response, La Paz saw a fresh round of protests this week.  This resulted in a Presidential decree from Áñez, granting immunity to her military. On Thursday, nine protesters were shot and killed.

What began as an olive branch has evolved into a briar patch. In an attempt to soothe matters, the UN, EU and the Catholic Church have insisted on a peace conference. They want to remind Áñez that the Bolivian Constitution states that elections must be held within 90 days after the resignation of a President. She replied that elections will happen "soon." In the meantime, let's hope Jeanine delivers on her original promise. She also needs to stop tweeting. Calling Evo Morales a "poor Indian" will not solve anything!

NOV 16 A HISTORY OF THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE BALLOONS

Thanksgiving is a mere twelve days away! As always, Americans will watch the fantastic, gigantic balloons at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. It all began in 1924 when employees at Bamberger's Department Store on 34th Street had an idea. To celebrate the holiday, they wanted to dress up in costumes and walk to work in a big group. Store owner Louis Bamberger loved the idea and decided to go for it.

To add to the pizazz, Bamberger added a marching band and a couple of floats. But why stop there? The entrepreneur contacted the Central Park Zoo and added a couple elephants, camels and donkeys to the procession. The best part was the ending. The doors of Bamberger's Department Store were flung open and Santa Claus himself was there to greet shoppers. Think of it as the original BLACK FRIDAY!

Three years later, the parade was so successful, it was drawing over a million spectators. All of which spooked the elephants and camels, so a creative replacement was implemented. Giant Kevlar helium-inflated balloons depicting favorite animals would be used instead. This proved amazingly popular, as now every fan could see them. In 1929, the Macy family bought Bamberger's store but pledged to keep the balloon tradition alive.

Felix the Cat was King of the Cartoon world and was the first character to appear in the parade. Mickey Mouse soon joined him, first flying in 1934. Back then, the helium-filled balloons were released into the sky. Each had a tag on it. If you found the deflated Micky in a New Jersey swamp weeks later, you could return it to Macy's for a prize. Sadly, one year Felix hit a power line and exploded. After this, they just deflated them.

After a three year hiatus, the parade proudly returned in 1945. It was bigger and better than ever. Thanks to TV, a slew of new cartoon characters were created. A 56-foot high Popeye debuted in 1957, followed by Bugs Bunny, Underdog and Bullwinkle J Moose. But 1968 was a banner year for the event. Snoopy made his official debut. Since then, he's been the most popular entry, appearing 40 times. Thinking the Peanuts were passe, the beloved beagle was dropped in 2016, leading to outrage. Mayor de Blasio delivered on his promise and Snoopy was back next year, never to leave again.

THE RANKINGS: Other popular cartoon characters include Garfield (18 appearances), SpongeBob Square Pants (13) and Woody Woodpecker (12). In addition, Spiderman (23) is the mot popular Superhero, besting even Superman (15). Sesame Street fares well, with Big Bird (19) and Kermit the Frog (10) in the lead. Finally, corporate cartoon creations also managed to wiggle their way into the line-up. Ronald McDonald is second-place overall, with 29 flights, followed by Pikachu (17) and Hello Kitty (11). Just in case you wanted to know!!

NOV 9 IRAN CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF US EMBASSY TAKEOVER

NOV 9  IRAN CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF US EMBASSY TAKEOVER

Forced jubilation took over the streets of Tehran this week. Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the infamous and illegal takeover of the US Embassy...a pivotal event in the Iranian Islamic Revolution. (NOTE: Forty is an important milestone in the Islamic world. The Prophet Muhammad was exactly forty years old when he met the Angel Gabriel.) While February 11th remains the official national "Victory Holiday," November Fourth is also popular, mostly due to its Anti-American basis.

For our younger readers, here's a quick recap of the Iranian Revolution: Since 1925, Persia was ruled by the Pahlavi Dynasty. (NOTE: The word 'Iran' is 'Persia' in Farsi. In 1935 the change became official) The shahs were stinking rich, thanks to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Over time, the royals adopted wealthy Western customs and strayed away from Islam. In 1979, the Shah was caught off-guard when an Islamic Revolution ousted him on February 11th. The US refused to recognize the new regime. Tensions boiled over in November, when extremists forcibly took the American Embassy in Tehran and held 52 US citizens as hostages.

Initially, the Iranian Revolution succeeded in the goal of more equitable wealth distribution. Iran is the world's second largest petroleum exporter...so there is a lot of cash! However, every historial will tell you: Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Forty years after the Revolution, average Iranians are wondering where the oil profits are going. In response, the mullahs just continue the spew revolutionary rhetoric and stage celebratory events like the one in Tehran this week.

Let's review how the Islamic Republic of Iran commemorates a 'Holy Day.'  Things get started early in the morning. Thousands of people gather at the elaborate tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini. The fiery leader spearheaded the movement and is revered today. Next, the masses of people march down to Azadi (Freedom) Square. Enormous speakers blare a speech by the current leader, Hassan Rouhani. It culminates with the singing of Fajr ballads and a feast of delicious lamb dishes.

The Iranian government makes  it impossible to know the opinions of everyday people. There are no daily CNN polls rating the Ayatollah's job approval. Yet it would seem impossible for the recent US sanctions and the drastic fall of the Rial NOT to effect the lives on Iran's enormous lower-middle class. Armed with the Internet, they could easily stage a similar "Revolution" and return Persia to riches again. In fact, Iran is overdue for regime change. Look at the numbers! There was one in: 1902, 1925, 1953, 1979 and...

NOV 2 YOU CAN'T CLIMB AYERS ROCK ANYMORE

NOV 2  YOU CAN'T CLIMB AYERS ROCK ANYMORE

One of Australia's most iconic sites is Ayers Rock. Also known by the Aboriginal name, Uluru, its shape is so recognizable, its on the Outback Steakhouse logo! Anyhow, ever since William Gosse stumbled upon the 2,831 foot high peak in 1873 (He named it after his boss, Sir Henry Ayers), its been a flash point for Anglo / Aboriginal relations. While the settlers saw it as a tourist attraction, with fantastic alluvial fans and fabulous feldspar, to the Anangu people, it is a sacred place.

While the Aborigines are amongst the earth's oldest civilizations...dating back 50,000 years...this was of little relevance to the British. They saw Ayers Rock as a fun destination for the wealthy; a Victorian Bucket List site. When it officially opened as a National Park in 1958, an airstrip, hotels, restaurants and tourist shops soon followed. Although it was a "no-no" to climb Uluru, posts with linking chains were drilled into the sandstone.

As jet travel improved, the number of visitors to Uluru increased. Statistics show that one-third of the people who made the trek came specifically to climb the peak. It takes about an hour: It's only a half-mile trail, but horribly steep. There is no netting, and 37 people have fallen to their death in attempted climbs. The route chosen for the path is the most gradual ascent. Naturally, this is the same route the Anangu creation god Tjukurpa took. After decades of political wrangling, Prime Minister Bob Hawke handed the land back to the Aborigines in 1985.

While the law did forbid climbing Uluru, the only enforcement came in the form of a harshly-worded, guilt-inducing sign at the base of the trail. It failed the stem the tide. When Uluru was named a World Heritage Site in 2000, the number of annual visitors jumped to 400,000. While the vast majority behaved properly, a couple of yahoos ruined it for everyone. They carved their names in the sandstone and took chunks home as souvies. They hit golf balls, twerked in the nude and peed all over the place. (There are no bathrooms on Uluru.)

Finally, the Anangu people screamed; "Enough!" As of Friday at 4pm, not only is it against the law to climb Uluru, but violators will be fined A$600. When the clock struck four, jubilation filled the air. People danced for joy, knowing the Gods were pleased. Let's see how things progress. Since people spend tens of thousands of dollars to visit the remote site, many fear the $600 fine will just be seen as part of the trip's budget..