I promised to keep writing about up-to-date Mexican topics. Yesterday there was something quite striking on the news. Some call it a didactic play of free trade...
When Mexico jointed the NAFTA, many Mexican farmers couldn't compete with US maize prices any more because US maize is highly subsidised. Therefore, Mexico now very much depends on maize from their northern neighbour. However, the USA started to produce grain-based fuel ethanol and prices are rising with the higher demand. Many Mexicans can hardly pay the basis for their traditional food: the tortillas. It's quite a problem for the new president Felipe Calderón.
Here are some links to the article in The Telegraph and a comment on truthabouttrade.org.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
At the Races
Some of you know that I record my own songs from time to time (I don't say I write them because that's not how they develop). Here is an example which I called "At the Races". I hope you enjoy it!
If you like, you can let me know your opinion writing a comment.
If the player doesn't work on your computer or you wish to download the song, you may also use the following link:
AtTheRaces.mp3 (2.1 MB)
If you like, you can let me know your opinion writing a comment.
If the player doesn't work on your computer or you wish to download the song, you may also use the following link:
AtTheRaces.mp3 (2.1 MB)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Family Watchdog
Sometimes I wonder if the internet is a progress or a step back into the Middle Ages.
Last weekend I saw a report on TV about how the USA make sure sexual offenders don't commit a crime again. Via internet everybody can access a variety of databases (like familywatchdog.us for example) and look for offenders by address or name.
Although I understand the reasons to have such databases (especially after a case in Germany where not even the police knew about an offender living round the corner of a kidnapped girl), it also reminds of what was called "outlawing" in the Middle Ages. Many offenders don't find a flat because of that and so there have developed real offender communities. In addition there have been trying to burn down offenders' houses or kill them in other ways.
I know you can vividly discuss the topic. I just found it interesting to present it to you.
Last weekend I saw a report on TV about how the USA make sure sexual offenders don't commit a crime again. Via internet everybody can access a variety of databases (like familywatchdog.us for example) and look for offenders by address or name.
Although I understand the reasons to have such databases (especially after a case in Germany where not even the police knew about an offender living round the corner of a kidnapped girl), it also reminds of what was called "outlawing" in the Middle Ages. Many offenders don't find a flat because of that and so there have developed real offender communities. In addition there have been trying to burn down offenders' houses or kill them in other ways.
I know you can vividly discuss the topic. I just found it interesting to present it to you.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Game over
It was worth waiting some days more. At least Nadja had enough courage to compete with me. You can see her paper boat below. I really like the idea and from her emails I know how much she struggled to make it and take pictures.
Therefore I think it's more than fair to call you, Nadja, the winner of this competition. Congratulations! Let me know what you would like me to write about. You know that's your prize:-)
Therefore I think it's more than fair to call you, Nadja, the winner of this competition. Congratulations! Let me know what you would like me to write about. You know that's your prize:-)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Delay
I'm very far from calling my Paper Boat Challenge successful. The results so far:
Therefore let's wait until Thursday and then have a very quick vote.
Was something wrong with that task? To creative, to complicated... Maybe you can let me know. Next time (5th February) it will be something completely differnt. Much more a puzzle...
- Nobody sent me a picture or instruction.
- Two persons promised to send a foto.
- One person had a relevant excuse why she couldn't send it to me until today and added she could do so on Thursday.
Therefore let's wait until Thursday and then have a very quick vote.
Was something wrong with that task? To creative, to complicated... Maybe you can let me know. Next time (5th February) it will be something completely differnt. Much more a puzzle...
Monday, January 01, 2007
First Paper Boat Challenge
First of all: A happy new (blog) year to everyone!
I guess the whole world already awaited this moment: the beginning of the first Paper Boat Challenge. I expect millions of people to participate;-) but if you know somebody who hasn't heard about this great event, please tell them about it.
Here comes the task: Make a paper boat nobody has seen before and send an instruction or a photo to unbarcodepapel(at)arcor.de (paper boat means: it should be made of paper and look like a boat/ship, the rest is completely up to your creativity: paint an ordinary paper boat, make an extremely big one...).
I will publish all your creative ideas below until next Monday (8th January). Then we will have a vote about the best one. You can also win something here. The person with the most votes can tell me a topic for a post and I promise to write about it (this could be dangerous but I take the risk).
You can also send me proposals for the coming Paper Boat Challenges (every first Monday of a month). It doesn't have to do with baper boats at all. The only condition is that everybody can participate.
If you need a creative ignition, have a look here.
And here are the entries:
I guess the whole world already awaited this moment: the beginning of the first Paper Boat Challenge. I expect millions of people to participate;-) but if you know somebody who hasn't heard about this great event, please tell them about it.
Here comes the task: Make a paper boat nobody has seen before and send an instruction or a photo to unbarcodepapel(at)arcor.de (paper boat means: it should be made of paper and look like a boat/ship, the rest is completely up to your creativity: paint an ordinary paper boat, make an extremely big one...).
I will publish all your creative ideas below until next Monday (8th January). Then we will have a vote about the best one. You can also win something here. The person with the most votes can tell me a topic for a post and I promise to write about it (this could be dangerous but I take the risk).
You can also send me proposals for the coming Paper Boat Challenges (every first Monday of a month). It doesn't have to do with baper boats at all. The only condition is that everybody can participate.
If you need a creative ignition, have a look here.
And here are the entries:
- Competitor: Christian
- Competitor: Nadja
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