JULY 22 ETHIOPIA: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

JULY 22 ETHIOPIA: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Next week, President Obama will become the first US President to visit Ethiopia. While there, he will address the African Union, which is headquartered in the capital Addis Ababa. Barack will also confer with military advisers, to congratulate their recent victories over the evil al-Shabab Terrorist group. Nonetheless, the visit has confused many, as the word 'Ethiopia' has become a unfortunate metaphor. It's either associated with Famine or BFE: The most remotest of places. We here at the DUNER BLOG thought we'd clear up the confusion with Five important items.

Ethiopia loves the USA.  Prior to Obama, the only US President to care about the distant land was Theodore Roosevelt. In 1903, he dispatched an emissary to meet with Emperor Menelik II. Formal relations were established, including the coveted Most Favored Nation status. During the Italian invasion in the 1930's, the US stood by this accord, much to the disdain of Europe.

Ethiopia is admired by the rest of Africa. During the Scramble for Africa in the 19th century, 93% of the continent was claimed by one European nation or another. The remaining 7% was Ethiopia, which repelled all invasions. Also, it was the first African nation to join the League of Nations and the U.N. This prestige is evidenced by the flags of the continent. Nearly half of the African nations have green, yellow and red in some form on display as a nod to Ethiopia's history of independence.

Ethiopia is growing. With 90 million inhabitants, Ethiopia is full of folks who want to work. Many are, as the nation posted a 10% economic growth rate last year. Ethiopia also earned a B+ ranking from Moody's Investment Bank. While Obama is aware of these possibilities, the US lags behind China and India in investment. They are currently building hydroelectricity plants on the Atbara and Blue Nile Rivers. Other projects including light rail and a freeway to Djibouti.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of Rastafari. Monarchs have been in charge for the vast majority of Ethiopia's three thousand year history. Some dynasties claim to be descendants of the Queen of Sheba, thus ensuring Biblical status. One such ruler was Emperor Ras (Head) Tafari Selassie. When crowned in 1930, he proclaimed a new Zion in Ethiopia, the original birthplace of man. While not many adhered to the faith in Africa, it found many adherents in Jamaica and Berkeley, California.

Ethiopians regret USA for AFRICA. In the 1980's a severe drought plagued Ethiopia's Northern regions. Already in the midst of a Civil War, the situation spiraled out of control, with a million people perishing. Fortunately, Pop Music Stars stepped in. 'Do They Know It's Christmas' and 'We Are the World.' and subsequent super-concerts raised nearly a billion in aid. Unfortunately, it also formed a seemingly irreversible stereo-type (Ethiopia = Starvation) that still plagues the nation. This harmful notion is the biggest obstacle in luring Western investment today. 

JULY 16 CAN WE MAKE PLUTO A PLANET AGAIN?

JULY 16 CAN WE MAKE PLUTO A PLANET AGAIN?

This week, Houston does NOT have a problem! After a slew of failures, including a failed launch and a fantastic atmospheric explosion, astronomers at NASA have a reason to cheer. The fastest spacecraft EVER, the New Horizons probe, reached Pluto and sent back images to Earth. For the first time, Earthlings can view the numerous canyons, valleys, mountains and craters on the distant celestial body. Even STEPHEN HAWKING is excited, tweeting: "We explore because we are humans and long to know." Nice work, NASA!

However, the most important discovery about Pluto isn't about terrain. Nope, we here at the DUNER BLOG are excited about the measurements of the planet's Equator. The probe indicates it is 1,470 miles across; quite a bit larger than previously thought. The total surface are is also bigger. At 110⁷ kilometers, it's slightly larger than Russia. We are also learning that Pluto's atmosphere is much thicker than previously thought, rich in possible nitrates.

So the question begs to be asked: Does this mean Pluto can be re-instated as a full-fledged PLANET again? "Not so fast!" say the astronomers. The reason why Pluto was demoted from planetary status to dwarf-planet status was the discovery of Eris in 2005. Located in the Kuiper Belt, this celestial body is 27% larger than Pluto. After much debate, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted the next year to re-define the terms, with only eight planets making the cut.

Sigh. Even with the new findings, Pluto is still smaller than Eris. Nonetheless, New Horizons has re-opened this debate. The more we learn about Pluto, the more important Pluto becomes. Eris might be larger... But does it have any moons? Pluto has five: Styx, Nix, Kerberos, Charon & Hydra. (Cool names too!) It's got gravity, a defined orbit and isn't located in some silly Asteroid Belt like Eris. C'mon, people! Let get Pluto back in the planetary club!

Pop Astronomer Neil de Grasse Tyson still disagrees. "To call Pluto a planet would be an insult to the other planets," he quipped. Does he really think planets have feelings? The real issue here has nothing to do with Astronomy and everything to do with Geography. When Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930, he called it a planet. When Abel Tasman discovered Australia in 1642, he called it a continent. Likewise, there are no measurements to determine the difference between a creek or a river. THEY ARE JUST NAMES!

JULY 8 THE BEST AND WORST STATE LICENSE PLATES

JULY 8 THE BEST AND WORST STATE LICENSE PLATES

Big news from Sacramento last week. Legislators passed Assembly Bill 1658, also known as the "California Legacy License Plate Program." This means a lucky 7,500 applicants can receive the popular, old-school, black-and-yellow license plates for their antique cars. Used from 1963 - 1969, they were replaced with a safer plate with brighter colors. Since then, the plates have been a sought-after bit of nostalgia.

To celebrate, we examined current plates from all 50 states. Here are our findings:

FIVE  BEST  PLATES:

Alabama. Sure, it's corny to have a Lynard Skynard song on every car in the state. But it's what officials decided upon back in 1997. See, for the fifty years prior, "Heart of Dixie" graced Alabama plates. In our touchy-feely world, this phrase was deemed inappropriate and something less controversial was selected instead. It's much better than the Sinatra song "The Stars Fell On Alabama," the second place choice.

Hawaii. Everyone loves rainbows!  And Hawaii has more than any other state. Designers must have worked hard to get the whole spectrum of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet all on one plate. NOTE: You can tell which island a car is from by the first letter. A-G= Oahu. H= Big Island. K=Kauai. M=Maui, Molokai & Lanai.

Oregon. When first unveiled in 1988, Oregon's plate instantly won praise. It was named 'Plate of the Year' by the Auto License Plate Collectors Association. A grand Douglas Fir tree is matched nicely with the dark blue Serif text, lavender mountains and beckoning skyline. We can just smell the forest now. Nice work, Oregon!

South Carolina. A license plate should reflect a state's image and heritage. South Carolina's Sabal Palmetto is the State Tree. It stands proudly under a crescent moon delicately illuminating an pale orange sunset. Just as we imagine Charleston to be: Beautiful and Relaxing. Are you reading, GREG?!?

Wyoming. This plate topped a recent survey on CarInsurance.com. We agree. There's a flying horse, a calming meadow and impressive mountains. But don't go drawing it: The trademarked Bucking Horse & Rider Logo dates back to 1918 when the Wyoming National Guard fought in the Great War.


FIVE  WORST  PLATES:

Arkansas. Little Rock made a big a big mistake back in 1996 when legislators approved a new design for vehicle registration plates. Specifically, a massive diamond centered in the middle of the plates. It represents Murfreesboro, the only open-to-the-public diamond mining facility in the USA. The rest of the nation wonders why the poorest state has precious gemstones on their license plate.

Delaware. Prior to WWII, license plates were very simple. With few autos and little regulation, cars had tin squares with a couple numbers fastened above the spare tire. However, by 1950, the implosion of automobiles meant states would need bigger and better license plates. Every state but Delaware got the memo. Are you reading, Joe Biden??

Illinois. We get it. Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Illinois. Sure, his bust belongs on a plate. But what graphic designer came up with this? The most recognizable face in US History becomes a blurry blue mess. To add to the confusion, Honest Abe is always obscured by a bright Red number. You can do better, Springfield.

Michigan. From a license plate point of view, the Great Lakes State looks like a Great Mistake. "Pure" is confusing. So is the squiggle attempting to be an "M." We also HATE web addresses on plates. Are we supposed to drop everything, go online and visit Michigan.org? Whilst driving??

Virginia.  According to both the License Plate Association AND the survey in CarInsurance.com, Virginia is the ultimate loser. An uninspired font, dull colors and nothing else. We thought Virginia was for lovers. For history buffs. Nope, Virginia is for...

JUNE 30 OLDEST CURRENCIES IN THE WORLD

JUNE 30 OLDEST CURRENCIES IN THE WORLD

Panic hit the streets of Athens today, with nervous folks queuing at ATM's, desperate to grab whatever Euros are left. While we here at the DUNER BLOG are no experts on the complex world of International Finance, it's clear that Greek Banks will be defaulting soon. Expelled from the EU, Greece will likely return to their fabled currency, the Drachma. To celebrate, we thought we would review some of the world's Oldest Currencies.

Shekel.  ₪ As the Semitic root for Trade, the word Shekel appears in numerous ancient texts. The first mention in the Bible is in Exodus 30:24. By the time Christ was born, Shekels were the dominant currency of all Judea and Palestine. Then...for the next 2,000 years...Shekels disappeared. They were replaced by Roman Sesterces, Ottoman Para and other foreign coins. However, the Shekel made a triumphant return in 1949, when it was declared the official currency of newly created Israel.

Rupee.  ₹ Again, it's difficult to determine when coins called 'Rupees' first appeared in Southern Asia. It's from the Sanskrit word for 'Silver,' with the oldest coins dating back to 600 BC. Ancient and Medieval India were a checkerboard of city-states and kingdoms, unified by religion and rupees. When Britain arrived, the official exchange rate of 15 rupees to the pound was established. Today, ten nations from Indonesia to Pakistan call their money some form of the Sanskrit word.

Drachma.  ₯  Based in Hellenic word for "handful," Drachmas first appeared around the year 1100 BC. They gained notoriety during Athens' Golden Age, when Athena's celebrated Owl first graced these venerable coins. Historians have found 26 City-States that used the Drachma, from Syracuse in Sicily to Alexandria in Egypt. Like the Shekel, they vanished for a thousand years before reappearing in the 1900's.

Pound.  £ Europe's oldest surviving currency first began circulating in Britain in the Eighth Century. The Mercian King Offa officially introduced silver pennies called Pounds. However, it wasn't until 1694, when Parliament boldly created the Bank of England and established the Pound Sterling in landmark legislation for world finance. These days, Brits are celebrating the fact they refused to join the EuroZone. Londoners are busy planning holidays to Greece to take advantage of the weaker currency!

Peso. ₱ Imperial Spain made billions mining silver in the plentiful New World Colonies. Prior to being shipped back to Europe, mints in Mexico and Peru were established. At first, they produced the famed "Real de Ocho" or "Pieces of Eight." They weighed 930 grams each! In 1686, Spain reduced them to a more manageable 27 grams. These were called little Pesos, or Pesetas.

Dollar.  $ The most common denomination in the Americas today has its roots in Europe. 'Thaler' coins were first minted in Bohemia in 1520. They flourished, with variants found across the Holy Roman Empire. Hence, when Dutch settlers arrived in New Amsterdam in 1609, they carried 'Daler' coins. When Alexander Hamilton established US currency in 1792, Dollars were pegged to the Spanish Peso, the established currency of the world, to insure lasting value.

JUNE 24 FAQ's ABOUT ITALIAN P.M. MATTEO RENZI

JUNE 24 FAQ's ABOUT ITALIAN P.M. MATTEO RENZI

Lately, the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has been in the news. Some say his immigration policies are horrendous. Others applaud his anti-corruption efforts. Mafia bosses want him dead. With so much controversy swirling around Senor Renzi, we here at the DUNER BLOG thought we'd provide some much needed answers for frequently asked questions...

Where is Matteo from? Like the Renaissance painter Botticelli, Renzi was born in Florence. He too had a cultured upbringing, studying at the renowned Dante Lyceum. Here, he scored a perfect 60/60 on his final exam. Likewise, he flew through classes at the University of Florence, where he obtained his law degree by age 20. However, our favorite early accomplishment was winning 48 million Lire on La Ruota Della Fortuna. (Wheel of Fortune).

Why the comparisons to Benito Mussolini? Although not similar politically, the two Italian Prime Ministers share one important quality: Youth. When Mussolini assumed the position in 1922, he was the youngest prime minister ever at age 40. This record held until last year, when Matteo Renzi became Prime Minister. He was 39 years old!

Is such a young man qualified to be Prime Minister?. Renzi is seasoned politician, with a dozen years of high-level service. At age 34, he was elected Mayor of Florence. His progressive policies rejuvenated the city. Enrollment at public schools is up and the number of homeless people is down. But...most importantly...the entire city of Florence has FREE WI-FI!

Why does the Mafia want Renzi dead? As Mayor of Florence, Matteo earned the nickname Il Rottamatore (The Scrapper). He has called upon the nation to scarp the entire political establishment, which is "discredited, tainted by corruption and failed the nation decade after decade." Whoa! Most Italian leaders don't take such a harsh position. As a result, death threats have come piling into the Palazzo Chigi.

What is Merkenzi? A current fad is to mash two people's names together. (Kim Kardashian + Kanye West = Kimye.) Using this formula: Angela Merkel + Matteo Renzi = Merkenzi. Germany has constantly complained about the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece & Spain), where corruption impairs growth. Hence, Merkel is ecstatic about a progressive minded leader who demands transparency in government.

Why the sudden loss of confidence? Having lasted nearly two years in office, Renzi has beat the odds. (Of the 62 Prime Ministers to hold the office, most are voted out by Parliament at this point.) Yet...just as things were starting to change...tens of thousands of refugees began landing on Italy's Southern coastline. Unfortunately, the media has blamed Matteo and his popularity has fallen to 25%.

Does Renzi have a gorgeous wife? Surprisingly, no! Agnese Landini is a Plain-Jane First Lady. She remains a schoolteacher at a Private School in Florence. There, she raises their two young children while Matteo tries to save the country. Her interests are Opera, Classical Music. She speaks Latin fluently. She never misses Mass.

JUNE 12 TOP TEN MOST SACRED SITES WORLDWIDE

JUNE 12 TOP TEN MOST SACRED SITES WORLDWIDE

Here's a story you might have missed. Last week, ten tourists were arrested in Malaysia, charged with inciting an earthquake. See, the group had climbed to the top of Mount Kinabalu, to see the views from the top of the 13,435 foot peak. Next, they stripped bare for the ever-popular Nude Internet Selfie. When a 6.0 earthquake struck the region on the same day, local officials concluded the sacred mount was angry at the tourist's disrespectful display and vented. To help our readers avoid similar situations, we listed the Top Ten Most Sacred Sites Worldwide.

#10. Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia. Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Malaysia owns the upper third, called Sabaha. Legends tell of a young wife, Kinabalu, who sat on the mountaintop for years. She gazed into the distant South China Sea, hoping for her husband's return. She died, and the spirit of the mountain was touched by her loyalty. So when these nutty tourists stripped naked, this spirit got angry! 

#9. Mount Parnassus, Greece. This peak is home to Apollo, our favorite Greek God. He channels his infinite wisdom to humans through the Oracle of Delphi, who lived on the mountain's steep slopes. In ancient times, Athenians would consult the wise woman for advice before making a big decision. Prior to declaring war on Sparta or colonizing Cappadocia, a King would travel to Delphi first. Today, only the Castalian Spring remains. Drinking these sacred waters will inspire your poetic and artistic side.

#8. Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. After the Ice Age, three separate volcanic calderas merged to form this amazing body of water. At 5,000 feet, yet deep in the tropics, a unique fog forms along the shores. Called Xocomil by the Maya, it was deemed sacred to breathe this damp air. Thousands of Mayans still do every day. Alexander Von Humboldt called Atitlán "the world's most beautiful lake" and author Aldous Huxley said it put "Lake Como to shame."

#7. Mount Sinai, Egypt. A couple thousand years ago, a middle aged man named Moses came upon this remote desert peak. As you know, God presented him with the Ten Commandments, and people have been coming here ever since. Today, you'll find a Christian monastery, a Jewish Temple and an Islamic mosque.

#6. Mount Kailash, Tibet. At 21,778 feet, this proud mountain is the tallest on the list. Nestled deep in the Himalayas, Kailash is near the source of both the Ganges and Indus Rivers. Hindus believe Lord Shiva resides at the summit. Buddhists believe it's the home of Demchok, a revered figure who has found ultimate bliss. Even obscure religions like Jainism and Bön deem this place sacred!

#5. Axum, Ethiopia. When people think of the centers of Christianity, Rome and Jerusalem come to mind. But neither of these cities are home to the sacred Ark of the Covenant. See, back in 586 BC, King Solomon gave the ark to the Queen of Sheba. She took it back to Ethiopia. It resides today, hidden in the Church of Our Lady of Zion. Don't laugh. Ethiopian Orthodox is one of the oldest branches of the Christian faith.

#4. Ayers Rock, Australia. Called Uluru by the locals, it is an obvious point where heaven and earth meet. It juts out of the horribly flat Australian Outback, triumphantly jumping nearly 2,000 feet into the air. To just walk around it takes six miles. Vaparitja, the Aboriginal Creator God, still inhabits the peak. Therefore, no one should ever go to the top. However, twenty years ago, the Anangu Tribe began allowing Westerners to climb it for a $25 dollar donation.

#3. Bodh Gaya, India. In the year 540 BC, Buddha sat underneath a Bodhi tree. Six years later, he achieved his goal: Enlightenment. Since then, this tree has evolved into the most important site in the billion-people strong Buddhist faith. Just make sure you don't visit during the full moon during the month of Vaisakh. You'll be swarmed by pilgrims and more incense than you can imagine!

#2. Wailing Wall, Israel. Constructed by King Herod on the site of King Solomon's temple, only the West-facing side survived the Roman attack on Jerusalem in 70 AD. Immediately afterward, Jewish Rabbis declared the spot to be the closest place pilgrims can go to the Foundation Stone...the holiest site in the faith. If you go, arrive early. Security checkpoints at holy sites in Israel are always hours long.

#1. Mecca, Saudi Arabia. While the other sites on this list will grudgingly allow non-believers access, Holy Mecca is different. All roads have border posts where inspectors demand proof that you are indeed Islamic. Inside, two million residents and fifteen million annual visitors worship at the holiest of all sites, the Kaaba. This cuboid structure is the House of Allah and is the focal point of a Hajj. Let's just hope those silly tourists from Malaysia never try to visit and get naked here!

JUNE 5 LOVE LOCKS REMOVED FROM PARIS BRIDGE

JUNE 5 LOVE LOCKS REMOVED FROM PARIS BRIDGE

It was one of the best OMG moments from Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Season Six. OK. Here's...like...what happened: Kourtney, Scott and Mason spontaneously decided to go to Paris. The highlight of the trip was when the family went to the Pont des Artes. Here, they followed the romantic tradition of the "Love Locks." It's easy. You buy a padlock, write your names on it and then fasten it to the railing of the bridge. Finally, to signify the permanence of your love, you toss the key into the Seine. (Or as Scott called it: "Umm. That River).

Never heard of "Love Locks?" Well the tradition began long before the advent of Reality TV. During the Great War, a Serbian couple were separated when Relja went off to fight in Greece. He fell in love on Corfu and never returned home to his beloved. Nada died of a broken heart, spending her last days moping on the Vrnjacka Bridge, where the lovers had met; years prior. To insure that other Serbian couples would not meet the same fate, the odd traditions of writing names on padlocks and fastening them to the railing began.

For decades, 'Love Locks' were found only in this remote Balkan village. Things changed when Italian author Federico Moccio incorporated the touching tradition into his popular novel, Ho voglia di te. Here, the young lovers meet at the Ponto Milvio in Rome. Everyone in Italy adores a romantic novel and the book became a bestseller and inspired a made-for-TV-movie. Then, Love Locks began to spread. In addition to the bridge over the Tiber, people also began chaining the Porte Vecchio in Florence and the Pont des Artes in Paris. However, when it became part of American Prime Time, the number of locks increased exponentially.

See, once the Kardashians do something, millions of people will emulate it. Whether it's Italian shoes, designer dinners, unique fragrances...or Love Locks...folks will buy it. Naturally, this meant a sudden and dramatic increase of visitors to this one bridge in particular. These days, before you even reach the Pont des Artes, Algerian street vendors are aggressively peddling padlocks for €3. If you do buy one, it's impossible to find any virgin railing, so people lock them on to another lock..which is already locked to another lock. It doesn't take a scientist to figure out what happens next: The railing falls over from the weight.

On Monday, Parisian city authorities began doing the inevitable: Dismantling the tens of thousands of padlocks. First, the bridge was closed to all traffic. Then dozens of workers began the laborious task of clipping off the locks with bolt cutters. Finally, a new, lock-proof, railing will be welded into place. The sad truth is that in today's world, once cute, obscure traditions hit the Internet and Reality TV, they quickly evolve into twenty-tons of iron falling into a river!