APR 27 FAQ'S ABOUT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY

APR 27  FAQ'S ABOUT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY

As always after a confusing presidential election, people turn to the DUNER BLOG for clarity. Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky's stunning victory in the Ukrainian elections on Tuesday has got our mailbox stuffed. Let's get started!

Why all the Trump comparisons? Doug, Des Moines. Like the Donald, Volodymyr had never held a public office prior to being elected to the highest public office. Also like the Donald, Volodymyr gained national fame by starring in a TV show. Both portray themselves as heroic political outsiders, trying to drain the swamps in Kiev and Washington of corruption.

What is the premise of the TV show? Leslie, London. Since its premiere in 2015, 'Servant of the People' has topped the Ukrainian Nielson rankings. Like any great sit-com, it has a wacky plot. Mr. Holoborodko is a High-School history teacher in Kiev. His daily rants about the inept rulers of the Ukraine through out the centuries are secretly recorded by his students. They post it online. One thing leads to another, and the lowly instructor becomes a lowly world leader.

What did Zelensky do before this breakthrough role? Kurt, Cologne. Zelensky was born in 1978, when the Ukraine was still part of the USSR. His father was a professor at Kiev University. At age 17, Volodymyr followed suit and enrolled in the law school. On a whim, he auditioned in a talent competition on campus. He didn't win but was invited to join a comedy troupe. As part of Kvartal, he performed extensively and eventually launched a successful Rom-Com film career. His best-known movies are Love in the Big City and 8 First Dates.

Did he really win the election without campaigning? Doris, Laramie. Just like the character in the show, Zelensky got prodded by social media to...you know...actually run for president, in, like, real-life. A new political party, named after the show, was created. Zelensky was instantly nominated. Yet Servant of the People didn't hold any rallies. Rather, they released video-shorts online. They were more stand-up gags than political speeches. Zelensky did attend one debate with corrupt incumbent Petro Poroshenko. He taunted: "There's no jokes about being president." Zelensky replied: "You're the joke. I'm not your opponent. I'm only here as a result of your mistakes."

What does this win say about the state of the Ukraine? Bill, Dubai. Since the fall of the USSR, the once wealthy, 'bread-basket of Europe' has fallen on lean times. State-run industries and wheat production were transferred to a market economy. Oligarchs filled the vacuum, grabbed the profits and the GDP fell. Since 2000, the Ukraine's population has declined  by 10 million people. This figure includes the 3 million folks lost when Russia boldly annexed the Crimea in 2014. Basically, Ukrainians want change and are sick of being known as the poorest and worst-run nation in Europe.

NOTE: According the Ukrainian consulate, it is no longer necessary to use "THE" before "UKRAINE." They also want us to spell "KIEV" as "KYIV." We here at the DUNER BLOG refuse to do either.

APR 19 WHY DO WE LOVE NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL SO MUCH?

APR 19  WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL SO MUCH?

Disbelief. Shock. Sorrow. Worry. These are the many emotions we all felt upon first seeing the first photo of Notre Dame Cathedral engulfed in flames. Just about every traveler has a fond memory of Paris' venerable icon. As a twelve-year old, I remember scampering up the stairs in search of a gargoyle. I also fondly remember taking my own son there when he was twelve. Although I have aged considerably between these memorable visits, Notre Dame is...reassuringly...always the same.

This belief is not whimsical. Notre Dame is one tough hombre. It has survived barbarian raids, religious fanatics, the Third Reich, floods and selfie sticks. Prior to the current structure, the divine island in the middle of the Seine River was the site of Roman and Christian temples. Then, in 1163 the Isle-de-la-Cite was chosen for a massive new cathedral. What really got things soaring was a radical new invention called the 'Flying Buttress.' With this ornate support, taller walls could be achieved. In fact, up until the Eiffel Tower in the nineteenth century, Notre Dame was the tallest building in Paris.

Naturally, these grand and ornate walls became the site for many elaborate ceremonies. Bishops crowned French Kings here, including sixteen named Louis. Sometimes, the monarch's rule over Notre Dame was challenged. For example: In 1548, Paris was besieged during the savage Wars of Religion. Persecuted Huguenots sought revenge and overran Paris. They stormed Notre Dame's hallowed gates and smashed everything they could. This group felt all altars, sculptures and paintings were evil idol worship. God commanded them to destroy.

Yet this was nothing compared to the insanity of the French Revolution. During the Reign of Terror, a group called the Cult of Reason admonished all things religious, social and political. After killing the king, they reorganized all of French society. In 1793...or Year Zero as they called it...they renamed the cathedral the "Cult of the Supreme Being.' All 28 gilded statues of the Biblical Kings were hauled off to the guillotine. Yet Notre Dame would recover, proudly hosting the wedding of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte a mere decade later. Over the next century, these sturdy walls outlive occupations from both the First and Third Reich.

Sadly, none of these horrific eras is as destructive as a "computer glitch" in the year 2019. Oops! It's still too soon to come to any conclusion. The finest Gendarmes in the Paris police force are currently interviewing 40 people regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the rest of us are still stunned. We're searching through our photo albums, reminiscing and reliving...just like we did when the World Trade Center went up in flames back in 2001. It's true: We humans love our buildings. They keep us united, secure and safe!

APR 13 SUDAN OVERTHOWS OMAR AL-BASHIR

APR 13  SUDAN OVERTHOWS OMAR AL-BASHIR

Remember the famed Arab Spring of 2011? Long-standing dictators in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia were suddenly toppled. Well...it took eight long years...but the Arab Spring has finally reached the distant Sudan. After months of mostly peaceful protests in the capital city of Khartoum, the military finally capitulated on Thursday. After thirty years in power, Omar al-Bashir was arrested. While this event received very little coverage in the American press, we here at the DUNER BLOG are happy this bad dude in no longer in office. Let's review some of his atrocities.

Back in 1989, he came to power the same way he was forced out of power: In a bloodless coup d'état. As "president" his first action was to send his country backward socially by instituting Sharia Law. Amazingly, al-Bashir tried to set the world backward judicially as well. For the last three decades, he has ignored all international laws and Khartoum has been a haven for all sorts of evil terrorists. For example, the murderous Abu Nidal of the PLO was given refuge by al-Bashir. Before moving to Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden lived in a posh condo on al-Mashtal Street. Even Venezuelan terrorist Carlos the Jackal was welcomed with open arms.

Although these are disturbing actions, Omar al-Bashir was just getting warmed up. In the 2000's, he decided he had enough of the minority population living in the desert province of Darfur. Just like Hitler, he executed unknown numbers of people based on their beliefs. It's the worst genocide of the new millennium and it seemed only George Clooney and the International Criminal Court cared. They indicted al-Bashir for war crimes against humanity. Maybe now he can be arraigned.

Back to the turmoil in Khartoum today. Although one tyrant is gone, many fear the new boss will be the same as the old boss. Protesters cheered when it was announced al-Bashir is no longer in power. However, they booed when they were informed his second-in-command General, Awad Ibn Auf, was now in control. After 24 hours, the General resigned and was replaced with Lt. General Burhan. On state TV, he informed the nation of their future. After three months of curfews, the Army will remain in control for two more years. Then, the Sudanese people are promised free and fair elections.

It remains unsure which direction the nation will go. Islamic fundamentalists are strong in the Sudan, but most people must be happy to be leaving the stone-age rule of al -Bashir. People who commit a serious crime don't get stoned to death. They get burned to death. Let's hope the people of the Sudan lift the veil on their closed-off society and let the world in. Although always known as Egypt Junior, the Sudan actually has more ancient pyramids than her Northern neighbor. And instead of just one Nile River, the Sudan has two: The Blue and White Nile Rivers meet spectacularly in the heart of the capital city of Khartoum.

APR 6 REMEMBERING THE DUTCH TULIP CRAZE

APR 6  REMEMBERING THE DUTCH TULIP CRAZE

Spring is in full bloom. As the saying goes: 'April Showers Bring May Flowers.' And here in San Francisco that means tulips. Lots of 'em. How many? Try...like...100,000 of them! As part of a promotion for American Tulip Day, last month famed Union Square was converted into a flower market. Here's the best part: They were all given away for FREE!

It's true: The tulip is a top-seller in flower shops and nurseries. Every year, Americans spend 50 million dollars purchasing a staggering 142,000,000 stems. Not bad for a relative new-comer to the flower market. 500 years ago, tulips were only found in their native area: Turkey and Iran. Things changed in 1554. That's when an Ottoman ambassador brought some tulips to Vienna as a gift to the Holy Roman Emperor. Europeans were mesmerized by the delicate petals and their stunning shades of color.

Eventually, tulip cultivation spread across Central Europe. Owning a tulip became a sort of status symbol. You'd proudly display it on your window sill and enjoy your neighbors' jealous comments. Farmers jumped at the chance to grow the new coveted luxury item. It sold for a lot more than an apple! At the time, Holland enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world. So it came as no surprise that the Dutch decided to spend their extra income on tulips, creating a new industry.

Coincidentally, another era was also being launched in Europe in the 1600's: The Scientific Revolution. Farmers were learning how to cross-breed and create new varieties of crops. This meant that new shades of tulips were being created. As always, people have innate desire to possess the rarest diamond, painting or...tulip. Soon people were paying extraordinary large amounts for the Bizarden. (yellow streaks on a read or violet background) Tulip, the rarest of them all.

What followed was Tulip Mania. Economists call it the first boom/bust in modern history. Behind gin, herrings and cheese, tulips were the #4 export from Holland in 1636. How much did they cost? Well, it's difficult to convert 17th century Dutch florins into Euros, but records indicate a sale of 40 Bizarden bulbs for 100,000 florins. That's around $40,000 in today's money! Sadly, what goes up must come down. With the help of the Bubonic Plague, the Tulip Craze came crashing down in two years' time.

But...just like a tulip bulb...industries can grow again. Last year, The Netherlands produced two billion tulips, surpassing last year's record!

MAR 29 A QUICK PRIMER ON VENEZUELA

MAR 29 A QUICK PRIMER ON VENEZUELA

It's hard to ignore all the horrible stories coming out of Venezuela these days. Hospitals without power. Stores without food. Hyper-inflation at 1,300,000%. (How is that even possible?) While many developing nations experience similar crises, Venezuela deserves special attention. Since geography is extinct in US public schools, here's a quick primer on why this is such a unique nation.

THE NAME. Columbus was the first European to see this stunning land, way back in 1498. He was astonished with the size of the fresh-water Orinoco River and called it a "Terrestrial Paradise." The next year, famed navigator Amerigo Vespucci sailed along the coast. The stilt-homes of the Carib people, perched high above the water, reminded the Italian of Venice...a little bit. So he named it 'Veneziola' or 'Little Venice.'

THE NATION. For centuries, Caracas...along with Cartagena...became one of Spain's most important port cities. Hence, it was the location of a pivotal battle for Venezuelan independence. Dashing revolutionary Simon Bolivar outwitted the Castilian navy in 1821. Venezuela joined Mexico as the second Latin American nation to be recognized by Spain. Here's the story behind the flag, according to Wikipedia: "Yellow is for land wealth, blue is for the ocean that separates Venezuela from Spain, and red is for the blood shed by the heroes of independence." 

THE OIL. For the nation's first 100 years, Venezuela floundered. It was plagued by a sadly common cycle: Violent dictators, corrupt presidents, rigged elections. Then everything suddenly changed. The Great War demonstrated just how thirsty the world was for petroleum. Fortunately for Venezuela, there is tons of black gold under Lake Maracaibo. By 1935, the nation boasted the highest GDP in Latin America. Caracas became a Caribbean jewel.

THE SOCIALISTS. In 1960, Venezuela joined the newly founded OPEC. It proved to be genius. Wars in the Mideast set oil prices soaring. Unsurprisingly, little of the petroleum profits made it to the average citizen. In 1998, populist Hugo Chavez was elected and proclaimed a 'Bolivarian Revolution.' While the poor were helped greatly at first, the Socialist movement fizzled out in the new millennium. Rampant corruption runs the nation, not people-oriented programs. Today, Venezuela is a Socialist nation by name only.

THE FUTURE. Venezuela has fallen to 62nd place on the worldwide GDP index, behind most other South American nations. On the 'Quality of Life' index, it ranks in the bottom ten. However, there is one special chart where Venezuela is #1: The list of nations with proven petroleum reserves. Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran and Iraq round out the top five. But while Saudi oil will run out in 50 short years, Venezuela's fields won't dry up until the year 2382. That's a pretty rosy future indeed!

We here at the DUNER BLOG hope Venezuela can break the cycle and discover a new government that can more equally share the nation's proven future wealth. Christopher Columbus was right: Venezuela is a natural paradise. For example: It's home to world's tallest waterfall. Angel Falls was featured in the Pixar movie 'Up,'

MAR 23 JIMMY CARTER IS NOW THE LONGEST-LIVING US PRESIDENT

MAR 23 JIMMY CARTER IS NOW THE LONGEST-LIVING US PRESIDENT

Yesterday, former US president Jimmy Carter achieved an auspicious milestone. He became the oldest person to have served as an American president. Of the 45 men who have held the office, none have lived past 94 years and 172 days. Jimmy says his longevity is from healthy eating, a positive attitude and always working. There have been six nonagenarian (fancy term for people in their 90's) presidents. Let's examine who else is on this impressive list.

#2. George H.W. Bush. 94 years old.  When Ronald Reagan became president, his age was an issue. At 69, he was the oldest president ever. He proved the doubters wrong and eight years later, his Vice-President became the third-oldest president. After losing to Bill Clinton in 1992, George didn't go out to pasture. For 25 years, he tossed coins at the Super Bowl, visited troops and jumped out of planes.

#3. Gerald Ford. 93 years old. Who says football players die young? The two-time NCAA champ from Michigan lived to a ripe old age. Not only did he survive savage hits by linebackers, Ford also lived through two assassination attempts while president. Likewise, Ford lived a busy life in his post-president years. He appeared at Republican National Conventions and championed social causes in Michigan.

#4. Ronald Reagan, 93 years old. When Ronnie left the White House, he was 77 years old. After a jampacked life as a movie star, governor and commander-in-chief, it was clearly time to retire. He and Nancy moved into their sprawling Rancho del Cielo in Santa Barbara. A couple years later, he revealed he suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

#5. John Adams. 90 years old. For nearly 200 years, US history teachers taught that our second president lived the longest. Despite his recent fall on this list, Adams' long life remains the most impressive. Life expectancy in 1830 was only 39! After losing his re-election bid to life-long rival Thomas Jefferson, Adams was bitter. However, ten years later, the two amazingly reconciled. It's true: shedding anger helps us live longer.

#6 Herbert Hoover, 90 years old. After suffering a landslide loss to FDR, Hoover remained active in the Republican Party. He is one of the few ex-presidents to serve in another administration. Harry Truman created the Hoover Commission to help him manage the expanding post-war federal government. He also wrote several books.

MAR 16 FAQ'S ABOUT JAIR BOLSONARO

FAQ's ABOUT JAIR BOLSONARO

Tomorrow afternoon, newly elected Brazilian president JAIR BOLSONARO arrives in Washington DC for a three-day summit. It marks a rare moment between the Western Hemisphere's two largest economies. It's also when of the rare times when the leaders of the US and Brazil are aligned politically. We already know too much about Trump, so let's find out more about Bolosonaro.

His last name doesn't sound very Portuguese. Frank, Turlock. You're correct! The Brazilian president is a second-generation Italian/Brazilian. Jair's grandfather was born in Padua, Italy and was part of the massive migration from Southern Europe to South America around 1910. The Bolozonaro's were middle-class migrants seeking a better life in a new continent with the same climate as home. They decided to change the 'Z' in their last name to a more Portuguese-friendly 'S'. (Just like: Brazil - Brasil.)

He boasts a proud military career. True? Travis, Isle of Man. As a teen, Jair attended a military school. This helped his entry into the prestigious Agulhas Negras (Black Eagles) Academy, which is the Brazilian equivalent of West Point. Afterwards, he served a Paratrooper in Mato Grosso for ten years. However, it wasn't jumping out of planes that catapulted him into the public eye. Rather, it was a small interview in Veja Magazine. He voiced his anger over the low pay in the military. This gained him national fame...and a jail sentence. He was elected to Congress next year.

Is he racist? Homophobic? Misogynist? Meg, Providence. Yes, yes, and yes. Through social media, he has long expunged deplorable statements about people from Africa, same-sex marriages and inappropriate comments about women's bodies. We also need to add another important issue to the list: The environment. His Brazil-First campaign slogan means Business-First. This sounds like the wrong person to be in charge of the world's largest rainforest!

What about the comparisions to Trump? Klaus, Koblenz. This is why the summit is so blog-worthy. Many feel the Brazilian president is a Trump protégé. Although he served 27 years in Congress, Jair portrays himself as an outsider...just trying to make Brazil great again. His campaign slogan was 'Brazil acima de tudo, Dueus acim de todos.' (Brazil above everything, God above everyone). Both were elected by voters from the religious right. Both Trump and Bolsonaro use social media as their preferred method of communication...as they both hate the press. And they both have gorgeous wives.

How did he react to the recent Sao Paulo shooting? Cindy, Portland. Through Twitter, Jair did the standard 'Thoughts and Prayers' statement. Yet many in Brazil must be scratching their heads these days. They're wondering about the President's go-to gesture: A gun. They're also questioning his plan of loosening gun laws, in the belief that an armed population is the solution. One thing is clear: No other nation on earth is looking for leadership from either nation when it comes to the problem of gun violence. They are #1 and #2 on the list of per-capita gun deaths.