I had barely left the farm more than to get on the bus to go to school

and to attend 4-H meetings at the school cafeteria.  I was green and

inexperienced.

Preconceived notions about ‘American women’ was that we were like the

babes in the movies.  I set the record straight early on during my life

in Norway.  And, I had preconceived notions about Norway and about

the international students at the Hamar Laererhogskole at which I attended.

I never would admit to being prejudice, but I was far from having a perfect

understanding of the world around me.

My favorite story, although not the perfect experience, was that of

the time when I learned that my father was seriously ill as a result of a stroke.

I would call my mother to get progress reports whenever I could, whenever

I had a pocket full of change.

The date of which I speak of was within two weeks of my father’s

stroke.   I felt like I was stranded on an island,

my favorite island, and something really bad was happening on the mainland.

And, there was nothing that I could do about it.   I was in my most favorite

place- Norway, and the most horrible thing had happened to my father-

he was now paralyzed- a paraplegic.

I took time out of my studies and my work on campus to write to my parents,

to add entries to my personal diary and to call my mother, once of twice

per week.  The cost of the conversation was $1 per minute.   I couldn’t talk

long.

It was a busy night in the phone room where each of us took turns talking

to our families.     To be continued….

Every word that we say can have two meanings. For example, ‘I spoke’ is to speak and ‘a spoke’ belongs on a bike.  Some times, as I have experienced, one word can have two different and sometimes opposite meanings.   And, in the spoken language, if you are not spelling the word, you could easily be attempting to say one word and say something totally different just by changing the vowel sounds; they are a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y.

These vowels, a, e, i, o, u, y and the  other letters, b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y and z seem to take on a character all of their own when placed on the tongues of English-speaking people, and on those whose mother tongue is something different.  Step foot in to foreign soil and you could put your foot in your mouth simply by changing the ‘tone’ of a word. The word ‘girl friend’ said in one way implies a friendship and said in another way would imply that you, as a man, have romantic ties to a particular woman.

I begin this language session with a lesson in humility.  Studying in Norway several years ago brought me great joy and incredible inspiration.  I brought home many new words from Norway and I am very sure that I left behind some echoes of laughter as any foreigner, inadvertently,  has a tendency to do.  I didn’t mean to do that.  I was sincere in every effort to speak the language correctly and sometimes, things just ‘went to pot’, so to speak.

While on the last leg of my journey, I traveled to Fredrikstad with a classmate from the Hamar Laerehogskole.  I was sitting on the train after a long journey and I, then, turned to my friend and colleague and informed her that I was going to wash my face *in* the toilet.  What I really meant to say is that ‘I am going to the bathroom to wash my face in the sink’.  It had been  a long journey.  I thought that I should ‘freshen up’ before I exited the train and prepared to meet and greet people I had never met before.

This little accident was made on account of the choice of the wrong ‘preposition’ such as ‘in, out, up, and down’, as well as choosing the wrong noun.  I chose the word toilet instead of bathroom.  I said that I would ‘wash my face in the toilet’ instead of to ‘wash my face in the bathroom’.  This was such a simple error;  such an embarrassing situation.

The thought of this little misunderstanding makes me hesitant to try new words, much less, a totally new language.  But, as usual, my sense of adventure overcomes my reasoning, and I add one more language to a growing list of languages.   I have learned Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Sign Language, and Bangla, the language of Bengali citizens.

I can ‘hold my own’ when speaking English and Norwegian.  I can understand your private little discussions when you are speaking Spanish and/or  Sign Language in close proximity.  I can read all of the languages which I have listed to some degree.  I do hesitate to actually put in to practice the Bengali words that I know.  My question to my Bengali friends is,  ”How many wars have been initiated by ‘the slip of the tongue?’ ”   I have often wondered, ‘How do I know if I am saying something ‘kind and caring’ or something totally ‘shocking and/or mean-spirited?’

I decided that I would showcase Bengali words that when translated in to English don’t mean the same thing.  In fact, some of the more meaningful expressions that are said in a benign context could, in fact, spark a war or ‘in the least’ a fist fight, or perhaps, a rebellion.

Let’s begin with a simple friendship.  I like you.  You are a nice person.  As I get to know you, I am starting to REALLY like you.  I adore you.  I admire you.  I simply think that you are wonderful.  You have now become my very best friend.  Things appear to be going along quite smoothly.

In the process of this relationship being established, I think that I am ‘falling in love with you’.  Stop.  Wait a minute.  That’s not what I meant.  I love you but, falling in love with you is something totally different.  Falling in love is like a snowball rolling down a steep hill and the feeling gets bigger by every turn and can reach a humongous size when it finally gets to the bottom of the hill.

The result is:  dating, the proposal, engagement, wedding preparations and marriage.  Soon, you will be setting up a household and hearing  ’the pitter-patter of little feet’ following you around the house.  I’m not sure if I’m ready for that!

When I first began to study ‘the world wide web’ and ‘social networking sites’, my favorite source of humor is the site called ‘Speed Date’.  It just sounds dangerous to me.  The term ‘falling in love with you’ could speed up the process of courtship and you could well be on your way to ‘Speed Dating’ and living happily every after at the climax of a Disney-style courtship and marriage.  Use the phrase ‘falling in love’ carefully.

The next contestant in the game show ‘What Not to Say’ is the word ‘visit’.  It is not that visiting is unpleasant or scary in any way whatsoever.  It is that there is this huge misunderstanding that any sort of visit from someone residing in a predominantly Muslim country could be an explosive experience.  I apologize if I have hurt your feelings but, it is true.

When a Muslim says that ‘they want to VISIT you’, they actually mean that ‘they want to visit WITH you’.  They can be friendly, kind and compassionate people, as well.  When a Christian says that ‘they want to VISIT you’, it’s not quite so scary, is it?  Perhaps, by stepping  over the line and asking a Muslim how they feel when such  ’a loving and respectable’ group of people have successfully destroyed any chance of being portrayed as being ‘loving and respectable’, we could learn a lot from our friends around the world, over majestic mountains and across the deep, blue sea.

I’d like to interject a brief comment with respect to the Norwegian language of which I am very familiar with.  When you say that you ‘like’ some one in English, you simply think that they are a pretty good person.  In Norwegian, the word that seems to appropriately match the word ‘like’ is the word, ‘liker’.  Now, the word ‘liker’ in Norwegian actually means to be ‘head over heels in love’ with a person, in my own words.  You have strong feelings for this recipient of your love.   Approach the words ‘like, love, and lust’ with caution when in a foreign country.

Since we are on the subject of being friendly, let’s talk about getting to know some one new and the topic of how do you express ‘I’d really like to get to know you’.  Because of the complex cultural differences and in light of the language barrier we previously discussed, this could become even more complicated than you would ever imagine.  Let’s get started on the ‘right foot’ so as to avoid letting you put your  ’left foot’ in our mouth.  A foot in the mouth is a very embarrassing experience to endure.

Start out by stating your name, your country of origin, your occupation, a few hobbies and if you are comfortable with it, you may tell a funny story about your favorite pet or something that made you smile.  I am here to tell you that if you ask me, “‘What are you doing right now?” and then, proceed to tell me  ”I am thirsty.”, then, I will tell you that ‘I am busy’ and say,  ”Here, have a glass of water.”  My dear friend, whom I’ll call ‘Lili’, informs me that ‘thirsty’ means that you are ‘interested in a sexual relationship’ either  in a realistic sense and/or in a digital sense.  Your response to such a simple question might lead up to something totally unexpected.

And, just when you thought that you’ve ‘got a handle’ on a foreign language, we need to talk about societies where words are said in excess, and in societies where words are carefully and concisely stated.  In other words, some people use the ‘bare minimum’ when speaking a sentence.  It’s not wrong. It’s not bad.  It’s just different.

It is like this.  In your typical English spoken sentence, there is a sequence of twenty-five words to express the same ‘simple phrase’ that is used in a country such as Bangladesh or Norway in three simple words.  I picture a chef with his knife ‘chop-chop-chopping’ words and sentences in to halves and quarters.  I am often trying to gather enough pieces of the sentence to make sense of the situation.  I am often befuddled by the usage of really short sentences and chopped up words.

Here, I have provided two examples, stated in an exaggerated manner, of how we speak in English, and how a Norwegian or Bengali person might speak.  I would like to convey the meaning of ‘we are having an enjoyable conversation and I’d like to continue and if you want to end the conversation could you please let me know at least five minutes in advance’ in English.   In Bengali or perhaps, in Norwegian, this is what the sentence would look like:  Fine.  O.K.   Bye.

Meanwhile, I am  left sitting in a dark room next to my computer screen wondering what I said to offend the other person.   The answer is nothing, and perhaps, the philosophy behind the sentence is ‘don’t mince words’.  After a day or two, the conversation starts up again, in a digital sense, and we are happily discussing interesting, engaging, inspiring topics all over again.   And, then abruptly, I see the typewritten words,   “Fine.  O.K.   Bye”.

The whole situation reminds me of the Country Western song, “Life’s A Dance”, by Michael Martin Murphy.  It goes like this:   Life’s a dance, you learn as you go.  Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.  Don’t worry ’bout what you don’t know.  Life’s a dance, you learn as you go.   I have said at least once during a conversation between myself and a foreign speaking individual that ‘I feel like we are dancing, and I’m stepping on your toes.’   If you’ve ever learned to dance the ‘Two-Step”, you would know what I mean.

Next, in the line-up is the game show, ‘Opposites Attract’.   This relates to the fact that since I am living on this side of the planet and you are living on the other side of the planet in Portugal, or Norway or Bangladesh, the time zones are distinctly different.  Time zones have a bearing on everything that you might want to say in this case.

I am going to provide an example of a typical conversation that will take place at 8 pm in my country when speaking to a person on the other side of the planet:

Person #1:  Good evening, my dear friend!

Person #2:  Good morning.  What did you have for breakfast?  Are you having a good day?

Person #1:  It’s been a good night.  I am fine.  I can’t remember what I had for breakfast. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

Person #2:  This is all too confusing!  I’m talking about today and you’ve already been there.  Can you tell me what ‘my tomorrow’ is going to be like?

Person #1  Well, I certainly can.  Have a good night.  I’m going to bed now.  Fine.  Take care.  Bye.

Please leave a comment.  And, if you would be so kind as to ‘leave an example’ of how innocent words can spice up a conversation, I’d greatly appreciate it.   [Add the comments below, please.]

Sandy Ej

*In the Middle of the Night*   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Life is very, very quiet at the moment

It is the middle of the night

It is peaceful, and I am waiting

For the morning light

*

I pray for peace

Tomorrow’s a new day

Yesterday is gone

Keeps moving, can not stay

*

What tomorrow brings we do not

We do not know

But, no matter how good is the moment,

From each moment, we must go

*

We carry on

To the future and to see

Will tomorrow be sunshine

Or cloudy will it be?

*

Sometimes, it is clouds

So beautiful, profound

So dark and untouchable

With beauty all around

*

For it highlights the fact

That wherever we wait

We might live in the moment

We must accept our fate

*

After the clouds, come sunshine

After the darkness, light

We learn to live, we learn to love

In the darkness of the night

*

Every cloud a silver lining

Every storm a rainbow, too

Every tear brings renewal

Every broken heart goes through

*

Tomorrow be sunshine

Tomorrow be bright

Yesterday be gone

When darkness turns to light

*

When Darkness Turns to Light:

A Poem and An Answer

*By Sandy Ej *2010*

*ALL RIGHTS RESERVED*

*Sandy Ej *2010*

*Sandy and Co*

*Sandy S Zoo Studios*

Many of the calls that come into Poison Control Centers      concern children who have swallowed over-the-counter pain  relievers or prescription medicines. The Poison Prevention  Week Council strongly urges adults to use child-resistant  packaging for medications – even if there aren’t any children in  the house. Poisonings have happened when children visit  homes, or when people have carried medicines into homes in their pockets or purses.

A study conducted by the American Association of Poison Control Centers found that 23 percent of the oral prescription drugs that were ingested by children under 5 belonged to someone who did not live with the child. Overall, 17 percent of the medicines ingested belonged to a grandparent or great-grandparent. The data suggest that grandparents – and all adults – need to use child-resistant packaging and keep medicines properly secured, away from young children.

“The caps to medicine bottles are child-resistant, not child-proof,” warns Dr. Muller. “Eventually, a child will figure out how to get it open.”

This is the exact scenario that happened in my case.  We were visiting my great-aunt Cora.  Her elderly uncle was staying at her home for an extended visit.  My brothers and cousins and I were upstairs playing in my great-aunt Cora’s bedroom.  In the adjoining room, her uncle  had left his high blood pressure medications on the nightstand.  I had entered the room, removed the cap and was eating the medications like a child would ‘eat candy’.   One of my brothers found me and acted immediately. He told my mother that I ‘was eating chalk’.   My brother was my guardian angel then, and he always has been.

I was 16 months old and my brother was almost three  (3) years old.  My brother went downstairs to get my mother and brought her to the room where I was holding the bottle of blood pressure medications and had chalk residue on my teeth and lips.  I was rushed to the Emergency Room twenty minutes away and they  had to ‘flush my system’ using a variety of uncomfortable procedures.  Being only 16 months old, I don’t remember this story, but everyone who was there that night remembers and are sure to remind me how lucky I am when we are together at family gatherings.  My great-aunt Cora was there that evening.  She was like the lighthouse in our family, sharing memories, and always had a smile and an encouraging word.  My great-aunt Cora, she was a gem!

My mother says that the doctor was livid and gave my parents and their hosts for the evening an extensive and very ‘loud’ lecture on children and prescription medications.  There is not much research that I can find on the topic, but I do know that a lot of the children that accidentally took ‘prescription medications’ did not survive.  I was one of the lucky ones, and my guardian angel is my brother.  He always followed me to and from the school bus and ‘looked out for me’.  Imagine that.  A three year old saving his little sister…and I’ve never forgotten the gift that he gave to me.    Sandy Ej   *2010*

Postscript:  It was determined that the prescription medication was the  lipid-soluble beta-blocker known as propranolol.

These are two websites that provided some information regarding accidental exposure to prescription hypertension and/or cardiovascular medications.

http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceu…

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/81…

The following information has been cited as being from this website:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/81…

• Bradycardia with associated hypotension and shock (systolic BP <80 mm Hg, heart rate <60 BPM) defines severe beta-blocker toxicity. Patients with severe toxicity often manifest extracardiac manifestations of intoxication.
  • Bradycardia, by itself, is not necessarily helpful as a warning sign because slowing of the heart rate and damping of tachycardia in response to stress is observed at therapeutic doses.
  • Although case reports have documented hypotension in the absence of bradycardia, blood pressure usually does not fall before the onset of bradycardia.
  • Bradycardia may be isolated or accompanied by mild conduction disturbances.
• A depressed level of consciousness and seizures may occur as a result of cellular hypoxia from poor cardiac output, a direct CNS effect caused by sodium channel blocking, or even as a result of hypoglycemia. The lipid-soluble agents have increased distribution into the brain, and these agents are associated with severe CNS toxicity.
  • Patients who have taken lipid-soluble beta-blockers, such as propranolol, frequently present with seizures after an overdose.
  • Seizures are generalized and may be multiple but are usually brief, lasting seconds to minutes. Seizures occasionally have been reported after therapeutic use of esmolol and with overdose of alprenolol, metoprolol, and oxprenolol. Seizures are far more common after propranolol overdose.
• Coma may be prolonged, depending on the half-life of the agent involved and the coexisting morbidity.
• Severe memory impairment developed in an 81-year-old woman taking propranolol 20 mg 3 times per day. Effects were associated with an elevated propranolol blood level (163 mcg/L) and resolved after discontinuation of the drug.
• Bronchospasm is a rare complication of beta-blocker therapy or overdose but is more likely in patients who already have bronchospastic disease. Sudden fatality following administration of therapeutic doses of beta-blocker has been reported in 4 patients with asthma. Pulmonary edema had been reported to occur as a result of cardiac failure. Respiratory arrest has also been described with beta-blocker intoxication, especially with propranolol, and is thought to be secondary to a central drug effect.
• Hypoglycemia is relatively uncommon but described in patients with unstable diabetes and in children. Beta-blocking drugs may cause hypoglycemia by inhibiting glycogenolysis.

Causes

• Beta-blocker toxicity in children usually results from exposure to an adult’s unattended medications
• Portions of this article written by:          Sandy Ej   *2010*

I started building a waterfall

The day after  I was born

My parents added rocks and twigs

And a few leaves, albeit torn

-

As years went on-

They added more

To make it more beautiful

Than the years before

-

I played on the farm

And collected shells

I collected flowers

I admired the well                                        [a watersource]

-

And then, it was time

To meet some new friends

It was time to show off

The waterfall and then…

-

Something happened

The waterfall was dry

There were no drops

Of water as the years went by

-

And then, all of a sudden,

It happened overnight

The water, it trickled

And so began my plight

-

Your teeth, they are  funny

You look like this                                                       [beaver teeth]

The weird way you walk and

You smell like a fish

-

I had a grandmother

Who watched the waterfall flow

I had a dear friend

It was tough, she said so

-

I walked a little farther

I would walk down the road

I danced,  I jogged,  I cried

It helped lessen the load

-

And, I can honestly say

The teasing never stopped

If it wasn’t this, it wasn’t that

My happy bubble popped

-

My grandmother, she’d say

Just never say ‘hate’

You need not like the sinner

But, you can’t  say ‘hate’, just wait

-

Some day you’ll understand

My little chick-a-dee

Some time, you’ll know that

You’re as strong as can be

-

The waterfall it trickled

The waterfall it ran

The waterfall it rippled

It was according to plan

-

Oh, grandmother

I can see now

I see water in the ‘fall’

I can see it coming

Over the ridge and the wall

-

But, grandmother

It hurts, this gently

running river

And, grandmother

It stings, like a bee

bite can deliver

-

My little one,

You wanted water

And a waterfall, too

My little one,

You wanted beauty

This waterfall, it’s you

-

I never wanted the pain

I never wanted the tears

I never wanted the river

That brought injustice and fears

-

And, she said

In a quiet little voice

But, your parents gave

you a chance,

They gave you a choice

-

You could avoid the rain

But, you’d miss all o’ the joy

You could avoid the thunder

And miss  ’missing that boy’

-

You could avoid the sunburn

And avoid the cockleburrs

You could avoid it and run

But, not escape your fears

-

The river, a waterfall flows

Over and around the trees

You have to go through it,

You will learn this, you’ll see

-

But, a waterfall was built

And the waterfall it flows

There’s nothing I can do

How to stop it, no one knows

-

I went down to the waterfall

I sang songs, I skipped rocks

I chased ponies and frogs

I ran through corn stalks

-

I began to understand

That my life was a gift

My parents didn’t wish for me

the pain or  lack of bliss

-

But in order to feel

In order to glow

In order to shine

In order to know

-

If the water fall

was meant to run over

If the water fall

was to highlight the clover

-

It had to run

You had to cry

That’s how it is

I don’t know why

-

I stopped and looked

What beauty I see

The rocks and the water

The sounds; they reflect me

-

I will let that waterfall be

I will let it run, too

I will not hold back

Because grandmother knew

-

In order to live,

In order to grow

Let the tears come

Let the wind blow

-

You can’t stop it

Or fight it

The water,  wind blowing

Just enjoy the beauty

of a waterfall flowing

-

*Sandy S Zoo* 2010* Copyright*

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Sometimes, it takes a little effort to open up my heart and to get me to listen

to love.   Sometimes, it takes a little extra care to encourage me to open up

my arms to your tenderness.   Sometimes, it takes a special person to gently

open each petal and to blow a kiss on the broken ones.   Sometimes, it takes a

lot of kindness to look at my storybook and to tell me that no matter how bad

it was, the best is yet to come.   Sometimes, it takes just a little kiss on the

cheek to open up my imagination to all sorts of possibilities.   Sometimes, I

want to run and not look back.   Sometimes, I just want to dive in your arms

and I know that I’ll only land in the ocean.   I don’t know how to fly yet.

Sometimes, I wonder if there’s a chance that we could be the best of friends

and…..

I guess I’ll never know unless I dare to take a little effort to open up your

heart and to get you to listen to love, to take a little extra care to encourage

you to open up your arms to my tenderness, to gently open each petal and to

blow a kiss on the broken ones, to look at your storybook and to tell you that

no matter how bad it was, the best is yet to come, and to give you just a little

kiss on the cheek to open up your imagination to all sorts of possibilities.

And, when you want to run and not look back,  I’ll be here sitting on the park

bench waiting for you.

Ode to Young Lovers:  For the Tender Hearts That Never Dared to Love

and For the Tender Hearts That Some Day Will….            Amen.

Sandy S Zoo

Copyright *2010* All Rights Reserved

Written for the one I never dared to love…

*30 Years Ago*

I’m running along,

singing a song

Running for peace,

on a tight leash

Holding your heart,

close to my soul

Knowing your mind,

just rocks over rolls    (nonsense words)

Friends come together

We never know why

How far they’ll jump?

It could be up to the sky.

Holding your hand, though

I can’t see your face,                     (I can see the screen though)

Knowing it takes two

To finish this race

Sometimes two souls collide

They are clueless to explain

Why their thoughts coincide

Why God gave them pain

They keep running

Albeit in different directions

It’s easy to see, there is

Kindness, affection

But, it’s not like that

Not like that, this song

If you’re thinking those thoughts

Then, you’re totally wrong

We’re just two people

Come together for a reason

We’re too good friends

Come together

For more than a season

From the outside looking in

That’s just plain silly

How can you say that

You sound like a hill billy                    (Ej does….)

But, you see, I can’t say it

I can’t tell you life is perfect

I can’t tell you life’s  ’rosy’

There’s a flaw,  minor defect                  (rhyme without reason)

Those rainbow stories

There is magic in the wind

That bird has a song

It’s under it’s wing

This one’s for you, 4 Rah Rah                              (et al….)

Just treasure it, your youth

But, that doesn’t mean

You don’t know it, ‘the sleuth’                  (someone who uncovers mysteries)

You’ve come a long ways

To explain life, people in it

You’ve explained interactions

The love, hate, friend, foe bit

But, there’s one question

I’ve got to ask, right now

You understand why I’m here

And I wonder just how

You must have a heart of gold

And you don’t even know it

You see goodness and kindness

With wisdom and wit

I want to hear your voice

I want to touch your face

I need to see you now

You left without a trace

*

I need to see you now

I need a warm embrace

I want to hold you close

Heart to heart, and face to face

*

I said, “Just go away..”

I didn’t want you near

Just words, I  just didn’t mean it

Here’s my heart, right here.    [Sharing a red paper heart....]

*

In the quiet of the night

As the stars began to shine

I thought I heard your voice

It was only half past nine

*

He  is in the I.C.U, they said

His heart beats slower by the minute

His eyes are closed, his breath is weak

What’s life without you in it

*

And, she* holds the ‘phone up to his ear                   *a nurse in an I.C.U.

He leans in to the ‘phone

She whispers, I didn’t mean it

I want you to come home

*

Without you, I can’t do it

Without you, life is h*ll

When I can’t hear your voice

I start to scream and yell   [click and disconnect]

*

And, then a moment later

The ‘phone, I heard it ring

The phone, it’s for you

What message did it bring?

*

I need to see you now

I need to hear your voice

Your voice is music

Not just noise….

*

I need to see you now

I need a warm embrace

I want to hold you close

Heart to heart, and face to face

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Everybody has dreams.  Sometimes, they’re good.

Sometimes, they’re not.  This is every one’s worst

nightmare; to have an argument and never have the

chance to say, “I’m sorry.”  Sometimes, it’s not even

an argument, sometimes, it’s when two people just can’t

get along.    Life is unpredictable.  Live life living.

But, don’t forget to say, “I’m sorry.”      It’s o.k.

I’m sorry.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

This poem is written about situations in general, not

just one specific  situation.  Thanks for stopping by….

*Sandy S Zoo*

*Copyright *2010* All Rights Reserved*

.

To find out more about “What’s Happening in Italy”

.

Read:  http://www.dreamofitaly.com/public/398.cfm

.

The Bologna Masacre was the largest and the last of the bombing, appearing in 1980 and resulting in 85 murders and 200 people being injured. The masacre was the work of the neofascist circles called P2 (Propaganda Due). There have been speculations that the strategy of tension is supported by the United States in order to stop Socialists entering the government.

Berlusconi returned as the head of the government in 2001 as the leader of the ‘Freedom House’, a center-right coalition.
Following the Mani Pulite investigation which uncovered a vast array of corrupt political and economic actions, many seemingly immortal parties went into oblivion and some changed their names in order to appear more attractive. Socialist Party and the Christian Democrat Party disbanded while the Communists changed their name to Democratic Party of the Left and became the leading social Italian democratic party. This was the start of another Italian transformation called the Second Republic.
The Democrats of the Left formed a new government which also had to resign because of their poor performance.
Prodi was the Prime Minister between 2006 and 2007 after the narrow victory of his l’Unione coalition that received more votes than Berlusconi’s Casa delle Liberta. Due to the government crisis Prodi resigned. New election resulted in Berlusconi becoming the new Prime Minister who formed the Berlusconi IV Cabinet.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 25, adopted on May 22, 1947, recommended Italy’s application for admission to the United Nations to the Committee on the Admission of New Members for “study and report to the Security Council at the appropriate time”.The resolution was adopted ten votes to none, while Australia abstained.

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Political_history_of_Italy

.

Amidst the ‘long and winding road’ of political jargon, I found this delightful and pungnant cartoon from www.bumblehood.com:

.

http://www.bumblehood.com/article/iIog-dH0R7SNbvzzhSfrhg#section3

.

For those who aren’t up on Roman Catholic saints, Calabria’s own Saint Francis is often overshadowed by Saint Francis of Assisi, the co-Patron Saint of Italy with Saint Catherine of Siena (although there is some debate on that, with Saint Joseph (father of Jesus) as the other contender).
And finally, guess who’s invading the Bel Paese? You’ll never guess.
Or maybe you will.
Give up?  Starbucks!
This ABC article is actually from April 30 of this year, but I just saw it referenced here. Scary thing is that the article talks about the time frame of 24-36 months during which Starbucks plans to open branches in France, Germany, Spain, and (gulp) Italy.

.

http://bleedingespresso.com/2007/09/whats-happening-in-italy.html

.

Mussolini made every effort to destroy any evidence of hisfirst marriage. Now, pre-eminent Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio (Fists in the Pocket; China Is Near; Good Morning Night) has crafted the scandal of Mussolini’s first, hidden marriage into Vincere (To Win), a gripping political thriller that draws provocative parallels between the rise of Italian fascism under Mussolini and the career of Italy’s present-day prime minister, right-wing politician Silvio Berlusconi.
But it’s the consciousness of audiences in Italy and beyond that seems to have been Bellocchio’s primary target. As journalist and left historian Ethan Young commented after the screening, “Fascism is still part of Italy’s national identity. Forgetting isn’t acceptable.”

.

http://www.indypendent.org/

.

Ah, hah…My connection to Italy.  I have a rare disease; Narcolepsy. It is successfully treated  with Provigil.
Italians organized the “Rare Disease Day 2010″ in February of 2010.

.

Read:http://www.rarediseaseday.org/2010/country/it/italy

.

And, Here’s My Favorite Travel Guide on National Public Televison:

.

http://www.ricksteves.com/

.

More About Italy?

.

Try this:   http://pope2you.net/index.php?id_testi=13

.

Compiled by:  Sandy S Zoo  - April 28, 2010

Each article has been properly cited.  Addresses are placed after the article.

With regards to the [periods] located throughout this article,

there are times that spaces have not been recognized and I have used

a [period] to enforce the space, otherwise,  the article regresses back to

a previous version of the article with [no spaces].      Enjoy!