Morning Blog-7-3-10

Goodness, Kalima, what are you doingup in the middle of the night?

One result of you missing, Kalima, is that I miss my world tours from your links. So glad you now have your AC fixed and you are enjoying a good nights rest.

Some news from Israel on the Gaza Blockade. Seems that they will soon be able to buy head lights for their non-running cars, windshield wipers too. Engine parts? Nope.

“Chocolate and ketchup flow into Gaza, but still no cement”

If you have cash to spare in Gaza, you can treat your children to new varieties of chocolate Israel has just let in for the first time in a few years, or splash out on new tableware it allowed into the territory this week.
If you need cement and steel to rebuild a home destroyed by war, you’ll have to wait a bit longer….
The steps taken by Israel so far have disappointed Palestinians who want ready access to materials such as cement, not consumer goods which are plentiful for the few with spare cash.
Chocolate and ketchup flow into Gaza, but still no cement
Israel is still deciding exactly what it will and will not allow into Gaza under a new approach towards the enclave, which it has blockaded for four years.
If you have cash to spare in Gaza, you can treat your children to new varieties of chocolate Israel has just let in for the first time in a few years, or splash out on new tableware it allowed into the territory this week.

If you need cement and steel to rebuild a home destroyed by war, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.

Israel is still deciding exactly what it will and will not allow into Gaza under a new approach towards the enclave, which it has blockaded for four years. As it changes the policy, some previously banned goods have started to flow across the border.
A Palestinian man carries a sack of wheat inside a shop in northern Gaza Strip June 8, 2010.

A Palestinian man carries a sack of wheat inside a shop in northern Gaza Strip June 8, 2010.
Photo by: Reuters

As yet, there is no sign of the basic materials and machine parts which aid workers and businessmen say Gaza needs if the homeless are to be rehoused and the economy is to be revived to alleviate growing poverty attributed to the blockade.

Facing an international outcry over its lethal raid on a Turkish aid ship that tried to break the embargo last month, Israel announced on June 20 that it would ease the blockade.

The announcement was welcomed by foreign governments which have urged Israel to lift or ease the embargo.

The steps taken by Israel so far have disappointed Palestinians who want ready access to materials such as cement, not consumer goods which are plentiful for the few with spare cash.

Gaza has yet to rebuild from Israel’s 2008-2009 offensive against Hamas, the Islamist movement which governs here and the stated target of the blockade, imposed because of the group’s hostility towards Israel.

Over the past two weeks, the easing of the embargo has allowed grocers to fill their shelves with cornflakes, cakes, biscuits, shampoo and razor blades supplied through the Kerem Shalom crossing to Gaza.

Like most items, these goods were available, if expensive, from black marketeers who have been filling the supply gap by bringing in merchandise through tunnels from Egypt, Gaza’s main supply route for the past two years.

“The market cannot absorb this,” said grocery store owner Emad al-Buzm, as he turned away boxes of vacuum-wrapped cakes that had just arrived from Israel.

“The country needs materials that employ people: cement, metal, raw materials for the factories,” he said, alluding to the economic hardship in Gaza. The United Nations’ agency UNRWA which cares for Palestinian refugees says 80 percent of the population now depends on its food aid, compared with 40 percent a few years ago.

Cool, now they will have big screen TVs available to dream about placing in their bombed out living room that has no electricity. Soon they can think about buying new draperies, if they ever get a paycheck or job, for their glassless windows.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/chocolate-and-ketchup-flow-into-gaza-but-still-no-cement-1.299408

Yeppers, beyond petroleum.

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/bps-wins-coveted-emerald-paintbrush-award-worst-greenwash-2008-20081218

I was just getting ready to call the police, then realized I couldn’t speak Japanese. Hope you don’t melt away. Time to go and spend the day some where that has AC, WiFi, comfy seats, and a snack bar. Any ideas? 🙂 Good to see you.

I feel so bad for you Kalima – it’s hard to cope in that kind of weather with no relief from AC. Listen to Bito’s wise words and find somewhere with AC to spend a few hours of relief.

Senator Byrd passed away.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37959947/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

The ecstasy one day, and agony the next…

RIP

He remains a powerful testament to the power for a man to change what’s in his heart and to the power of redemption.

I’ve been wondering the same. That’s why I always let you guys know when I’m too occupied.

By the way, the last pic for me. I want some Taybeh beer!

#5 reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials.

#8 breaks my heart.