Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land

I was sent the link to this video by a friend. I'm sorry, it has nothing to do with food. However I felt that it is imperative that we spread the TRUTH about what is really going on in the Middle East, even if it has to begin at my blog. Please do me a HUGE favour and spend some time watching this . And please pass the message on to your friends. P. Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land provides a striking comparison of U.S. and international media coverage of the crisis in the Middle East, zeroing in on how structural distortions in U.S. coverage have reinforced false perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This pivotal documentary exposes how the foreign policy interests of American political elites--oil, and a need to have a secure military base in the region, among others--work in combination with Israeli public relations strategies to exercise a powerful influence over how news from the region is reported. Through the voices of scholars, media critics, peace activists, religious figures, and Middle East experts, Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land carefully analyzes and explains how--through the use of language, framing and context--the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza remains hidden in the news media, and Israeli colonization of the occupied terrorities appears to be a defensive move rather than an offensive one. The documentary also explores the ways that U.S. journalists, for reasons ranging from intimidation to a lack of thorough investigation, have become complicit in carrying out Israel's PR campaign. At its core, the documentary raises questions about the ethics and role of journalism, and the relationship between media and politics.

Welcome to the surface of the sun! - Part Two

Okay, the heat's not letting up. I just saw the forecast that it's going to be 105 Fahrenheit this whole next week. *@&%@#*^!!! Looks like we're eating out of the pantry this week. I am NOT trekking out there and risk becoming Instant Carnation Raisin. It's a replay of the same two weeks this time last year. The week my family was here for my wedding, it was hot. And then someone cranked up the thermostat - the week after was excruciating!!!

*Grumble, grumble....* Ok, where did I stop the last time? Let's see if the bloody picture will load this time.......TA-DAA!!! Success! Gah, noodles....ack, this is pure torture!

Ahem, right....continuing on with Vegas. When we weren't working (we really didn't work that much), we spent many a day and evening out walking along the Strip to different places of interest. We spent some time at the Secret Garden & Dolphin habitat at the Mirage. Saw Siegfried & Roy's (go ahead and giggle) old white tigers and lions.....and bears. Oh my!!! (ok, no bears)
The dophins were cool.....literally. I would be too if I had my own pool to frolic around in. They swam around to the viewing window and teased us endlessly with their splashing and silly cackling. I would have paid big money to dive in the pool with them, except I don't have money - big or small. Haha.

Now, one place I definitely recommend for any tourists to Vegas would be the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. This place is gorgeous and HUGE! 175,000-square-foot, three-level shopping centre, with ancient Roman architecture flooding the walls and floors, from frescos to gigantic sculptures. Everything here is designer - Versace, Harry Winston, Kate Spade, Gucci, Hugo Boss, etc. Coolest thing? Spiral escalators! I've never set my eyes on one before, so that was quite an experience. (Added picture for your viewing pleasure. You're welcome!)

A really great, family friendly place would be the Mandalay Bay Hotel. It's nicely laid out with some of the best restaurants in Vegas. Case in point - the Burger Bar. Fantastic food, burgers were top-notch, non-greasy but still flavourful. Jon ordered the Colorado lamb burger which was astonishingly good. I had a grilled shrimp on mesclun salad with Japanese dressing and sundried tomatoes. (was craving some greens that day). Turned out to be a great choice. It had layers of flavour from the crisp greens, to the succulent shrimp and the tangy umami of the dressing.

After that delectable meal, we adjourned to the Shark Reef which is within hotel limits. Tip - if you go after 7pm, the tickets are $5 off for adults. It was an impressive effort to showcase strangely creepy oceanic creatures along with sinister-looking pirahnas from the Amazon basin. Couldn't help thinking what it would be like if I put my finger in the water. Chills!

This is probably more information about my trip to Vegas than you'd care for, I should think. There's more to come actually, but I think I'm all worded out for now. Peace!