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ACD, I just read your July 4th S&F blog and agree wholeheartedly. I hope this philosopher will also be able to rule effectively.

Also, on this day, the broadside by the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum -- a grouping of very important clerics in that religious center of Shia Islam -- is positively inspiring in its courage. [urlnw]http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/middleeast/05iran.html?ref=global-home[/urlnw]

pczipott wrote:Also, on this day, the broadside by the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum -- a grouping of very important clerics in that religious center of Shia Islam -- is positively inspiring in its courage. [urlnw]http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/middleeast/05iran.html?ref=global-home[/urlnw]

Indeed it is -- if it's what it appears to be. This is the Middle East, remember, and what underlies that singular act of defiance may be something other -- or something more -- than what it seems to us Westerners.

ACD

Very true. We shall see how it plays out. One thing is certain: it's as direct a challenge as can be to the present supreme leader.

A fine weekend of tennis, indeed

Except for the usual fizzle of a Williams-Williams final,* this was a fantastic finish to Wimbledon. Not only was Federer's victory over Roddick (16-14 in the fifth!!) one for the ages, but both men's and women's doubles finals were scintillating as well. Superb fireworks for the Fourth of July weekend!

* In no way do I intend disrespect to the Williams sisters; they are clearly the great female players of the present era; but when they face each other, their play suffers from psychological inhibitions that are entirely understandable. Neither of them plays their free-flowing best en famille, so these finals are anticlimactic. (Serena's narrow semifinal defeat of Dementieva, 10-8 in the third set and having escaped a match point against her, thanks to a lucky net cord, was the match of the women's tournament.)

After watching a good amount of the men's finals, the amazing ability of these players to play tennis at its most intense level for so long, and with such energy is astounding.

I used to think that NBA players were the most remarkable athletes in professional sports, but pro tennis players may very well be the pinnacle of human's capability to perform at the peak of physical demands.

A splendid match by two superb and talented gentlemen.

pczipott wrote:Very true. We shall see how it plays out. One thing is certain: it's as direct a challenge as can be to the present supreme leader.

Such open defiance of the supreme leader is remarkable. However, I fear that all that may result at the end of this is a power struggle within the regime, without much change to the lives of Iranians who so desperately want change. Khamenei has never held the respect of many of the clerics in Iran. He was "fast-tracked" through the system to attain the title of ayotollah and take on the supreme leader role from Khomeini. The recent events may have just given the establishment an excuse to openly challenge his position, with the end result being more of the same. I desperately hope that I'm wrong.

Peter: Agreed about the Wimbledon weekend (though I missed most of the doubles). I was hoping that after years of facing off against each other in finals, the Williams sisters would produce a more electric final but it was not to be. Both played at a high quality and Serena was remarkable at times, but the match only became exciting the in the final points of the first set and the final game of the second.

Going into the final, I was rooting for Federer all the way but Roddick really won me over with his hard work and determination. He has really improved his play and put on a truly impressive display of tennis. His gracious comments after the match were classy through and through. In that final set, I really thought that Roddick would take it because I couldn’t see how Federer was going to break his serve. But when the break point came, Roddick got a bit tight and Federer maximised the opportunity (which he does so well). That final mis-hit of Roddick had a lot to do with huge top-spin that Federer put on his backhand.

When the U.S. Open rolls around, I’ll be rooting for Roddick all the way.

Ali: my thoughts and sentiments, precisely, on both topics!

And to HH's point, the stamina and alertness that both men displayed was simply extraordinary. Deep into the fifth set, neither looked like he had played more than two, such was their power and precision.

ACD:

Glad that you are well (sort of) and recuperating.

The G8 summit is taking place in Aquila, which is still recovering from the earthquake, and is still experiencing aftershocks?!!! Whose idea was that? Is it a metaphor for the world economy?

ACD: So that's where you were! I was wondering where you'd gotten to. It's good to hear that you're healing, after all your tribulations.

Brunnie: it was Italy's turn to host, and Berlusconi decided to have it there as a show of national character (and perhaps to distract from his total neglect of the Italian economy).

I diligently avoided the Michael Jackson extravaganza today, but could not avoid it completely on the news this evening. Most amazing statements I heard: "Michael Jackson was the greatest child prodigy since Mozart." Urrrrppp. and "Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer in the history of the world." Of course, the latter was said by Sheila Jackson Lee (my former Congresswoman - blush), who doesn't know much about history or the world (or much else, except how to get on camera), so I guess her statement is not surprising, considering the source.

Oh dear! Luckily, I managed to avoid the extravaganza altogether!

MJ was actually the greatest child prodigy since Saint-Saens.

I, too, am glad to have avoided the hoo-haw.

Unlike most of you, I do recognize that Michael Jackson was a Pop Guru and, like Elvis Presley, deserves that moniker in my book. His talent was awesome. I do not look at his dark side anymore than I dwell on Wagner's or ________ (fill in the blank) of many obnoxious and disgusting celebrities or famous people who happened to have been touched with a special talent. (Can you say Mario Lanza?)
HOWEVAH!
I find it obscene that every major TV station pre-empted their regular programming for the all-day funeral show like he was a president (or Verdi) for gosh sakes!
Talk about over-the-top....

I think "funeral show" is a perfect phrase that says all that needs saying...