MikeLigalig.com

^ hahahaha salamat pood, 'te for being my big sis. Pero, i have to tell you, im not 'little' LOL!!!!
Waray gud! hahaha

Pero you know what im trying to say, 'te. Salamat uy for being there for me to lean back on.

hahahahaha 'if looks could kill'. Especialamente ang mata sa waray.

Pero guapo/guapa man ang mata sa waray....

Dili ra si Hazel, gi mingaw ko ninyo tanan!!!!! Cuz I love my TB brods and sisters

hahahaha!

hmmm..the girl wearing the green sweater has a cute profile. lol.

walang anuman, 'te. So ma one year old na diay si Matt? Kuyawa pood!! Pas-pas ra lagi ang time no? Dont forget to teach him bisaya, so when you guys go back ...maka sulti pood si ondoy Matt. hehehe

Give my regards to your beautiful and loving family, 'te

Quote from: ..yadz.. on July 19, 2007, 09:50:10 AM
i'd rather be poor than living a life without children oiz...anyways, having a child is not that bad at all., mas madugangan pa hinoon imo paningkamot because you already have reasons to do so...

Mao na ang saying "A child is a blessing from the Lord". To create life.......that is the ultimate miracle.

A strong and righteous name for your son, Lumine. He looks like a Mathew John.

Adorable baby. What is your son's name, Lumine?

 VATICAN CITY - It's not the Holy Grail, but for fans of "The Da Vinci Code" and its tantalizing story line about the Knights Templar, it could be the next best thing.

Ignored for centuries, documents about the heresy trial of the ancient Christian order discovered in the Vatican's secret archives are being published in a limited edition â€" with an $8,377 price tag.

They include a 14th-century parchment showing that Pope Clement V initially absolved the Templar leaders of heresy, though he did find them guilty of immorality and planned to reform the order, according to the Vatican archives Web site.

But pressured by King Philip IV of France, Clement later reversed his decision and suppressed the order in 1312.

Only 799 copies of the 300-page volume, "Processus Contra Templarios," â€" Latin for "Trial against the Templars" â€" are for sale, said Scrinium publishing house, which prints documents from the Vatican's secret archives. Each will cost $8,377, the publisher said Friday.

An 800th copy will go to Pope Benedict XVI, said Barbara Frale, the researcher who found the long-overlooked parchment tucked away in the archives in 2001.

The Knights Templar, which ultimately disappeared because of the heresy scandal, recently captivated the imagination of readers of the best-seller "The Da Vinci Code," which linked the order to the legend of the Holy Grail.

The new Vatican work reproduces the entire documentation of the papal hearings convened after Philip IV of France arrested and tortured Templar leaders in 1307 on charges of heresy and immorality.

The military order of the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon was founded in 1118 in Jerusalem to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land after the First Crusade.

As their military might increased, the Templars also grew in wealth, acquiring property throughout Europe and running a primitive banking system. After they left the Middle East with the collapse of the Crusader kingdoms, their power and secretive ways aroused the fear of European rulers and sparked accusations of corruption and blasphemy.

Historians believe Philip owed debts to the Templars and used the accusations to arrest their leaders and extract, under torture, confessions of heresy in order to seize the order's riches.

The publishing house said the new book includes the "Parchment of Chinon," a 1308 decision by Clement to save the Templars and their order.

Frale said the three-foot-wide document probably had been ignored because a catalog entry in 1628 was "too vague."

"Unfortunately, there was an archiving error, an error in how the document was described," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from her home in Viterbo, north of Rome. "More than an error, it was a little sketchy."

The parchment, in remarkably good condition considering its 700 years, apparently had last been consulted at the start of the 20th century, Frale said, surmising that its significance must not have been realized then.

Frale said she was intrigued by the 1628 entry because, while it apparently referred to some minor matter, it noted that three top cardinals, including Pope Clement's right-hand man, Berenger Fredol, had made a long journey to interrogate someone.

"Going on with my research, it turned out that in reality it was an inquest of very great importance," she said.

Fredol "had gone to question the Great Master and other heads of the Templars who had been segregated, practically kidnapped, by the king of France and shut up in secret in his castle in Chinon on the Loire."

Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Templars, was burned at the stake in 1314 along with his aides.

The surviving monks fled. Some were absorbed by other orders, and over the centuries, various groups have claimed to be descended from the Templars.

As for Clement, he "was a hostage in French territory" on the eve of what historians would call the Avignon period of popes, Frale said.

She said the parchment reveals the cardinals reached the conclusion the Templars were guilty of abuses but not "a real and true heresy."

"There were a lot of faults in the order â€" abuses, violence ... a lot of sins, but not heresy," she said.

These included forcing new recruits to "reject Christ in words and spit on the cross," in imitation of the violence suffered by knights when captured by Muslims, Frale said. New members were kicked and punched if they refused to undergo this kind of hazing, she added.

Philip had "confiscated all the wealth of the order, which he used to pay his debts," said Frale, who has written three books about the Templars. "Had the (order) survived, it's clear that Philip ... would have had to give back all" the wealth.

"But the king of France had already spent it," she said.

 MEXICO CITY - An aspiring horror novelist told investigators he accidentally killed his girlfriend but denied eating parts of her, authorities said Tuesday, a day after forensic experts said flesh found in a frying pan in the man's apartment was human.

In his first testimony since he was arrested last week, Jose Luis Calva reportedly said he squeezed the life out of Alejandra Galeana, 32, on Oct. 5 while trying to restrain her during a violent argument. Calva said Galeana began slapping him after he told her he wanted to break up.

"He tried to control her by grabbing her and hugging her from behind. But because of his strength, she fainted. He took her pulse and found she had died. He put her on the bed and then began to think of a way to get rid of the body, and started cutting it up to get rid of it, piece by piece," the Mexico City Attorney General's Office said in a statement recounting his testimony.

The statement said Calva claimed he was cooking the flesh to feed to his dogs and stored the severed limbs found in his refrigerator "so they wouldn't start smelling so quickly."

When pressed on whether he had eaten the flesh, Calva reportedly said he did not remember what he had done that night because he had consumed alcohol and cocaine.

The statement said he also denied involvement in the death of another former girlfriend, Veronica Martinez, whose dismembered body was found stuffed in cardboard boxes in 2004 or the killing of an unidentified woman whose remains were found in a suitcase earlier this year.

Calva made the statement at a Mexico City hospital where he is being treated for injuries suffered when police, alerted by Galeana's family, arrived to search his apartment. Calva tried to escape by climbing down balconies from his upper-floor apartment, but fell and hit his head.

Prosecutors said Calva would probably be charged with homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.

NKARA, Turkey - Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a possible cross-border offensive against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, although the government appears willing to give diplomatic pressure on the U.S.-backed Iraqi administration more time to work.

Lawmakers voted 507-19 in favor of empowering the government to order the military to cross into Iraq during a one-year period, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said. They then burst into applause.

Turkish leaders have stressed that an offensive against the rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, would not immediately follow the authorization.

In Washington, President Bush said the United States was making clear to Turkey it should not send a massive number of troops into Iraq.

Bush said Turkey has had troops stationed in Iraq "for quite a while."

"We don't think it's in their interest to send more troops in."

Bush also noted that Tariq al-Hashimi, one of Iraq's vice presidents, was in Istanbul expressing that Iraq shares Turkey's concerns about terrorist activities, but that there's a better way to deal with the issue than sending more troops into Iraq.

"What I'm telling you is that there's a lot of dialogue going on and that's positive," he said.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to dismiss Bush's comments.

"What's important is the parliament's decision, not what people say," private NTV television quoted him as saying.

Wednesday's motion â€" authorizing an attack into Iraq sometime in the next year â€" had the backing from all of Turkey's parliamentary parties except a small Kurdish party.

Oil prices surged to a $89 a barrel after the vote, which overshadowed a U.S. government report that crude oil and gasoline inventories rose more than expected last week.

Hours before the vote, Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called his Turkish counterpart to say that his government was determined to halt the "terrorist activities" of the PKK on Iraqi territory, and he emphasized the need for the two nations to continue to talk, his office said.

In Paris, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, an ethnic Kurd, called on PKK rebels to stop fighting in Turkey, while also urging the Turkish government not to launch an incursion.

"We consider activities of PKK against the interests of the Kurdish people first, and then against the interests of Turkey," Talabani told reporters during an official visit to the French capital. "We have asked the PKK to stop fighting, to end the so-called military activity."

Kurdish rebels from the PKK have been fighting since 1984 for autonomy in Turkey's Kurdish-dominated southeast, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Visiting Syrian President Bashar Assad said Turkey had a legitimate right to stage a cross-border offensive.

"We accept this as Turkey's legitimate right. As Syria, we are supporting all decisions by Turkey and we are standing behind them," Assad said.

Public anger over attacks by Kurdish guerrillas is high but Turkish officials are mindful that two dozen Iraqi campaigns since the 1980s have failed to eradicate the PKK.

Erdogan said Tuesday that Turkey "will act with common sense and determination when necessary and when the time is ripe."

Turkey has complained about what it considers a lack of U.S. support in the fight against the PKK. It also is frustrated that a U.S. House panel last week approved a resolution labeling the World War 1-era killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians in the final years of the Ottoman Empire a genocide.

The resolution is an affront to Turks, who deny there was any systematic campaign to eliminate Armenians.

At the White House news conference, Bush also repeated calls for the Democratic-controlled Congress to drop plans for the resolution.

Noting the number of domestic bills pending before Congress, he said: "One thing Congress should not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman Empire."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she will schedule a vote soon on the resolution. But the initiative was in jeopardy after several Democrats withdrew their support and sounded alarms it could cripple U.S. relations with Turkey.

 WASHINGTON - President Bush on Wednesday opposed Turkey's possible military offensive against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

"We are making it very clear to Turkey that we don't think it is in their interest to send troops into Iraq," Bush said at a White House news conference.

He spoke shortly before Turkey's parliament approved a possible cross-border offensive.

The president also urged the Democratic-controlled Congress not to infuriate Turkey, a key ally in the war on Iraq, by approving a resolution labeling as genocide the World War I-era killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

With all the pressing responsibilities facing the nation, "One thing Congress should not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman Empire," he said.

Bush seemed less concerned, however, about offending China. He defended his decision to attend a ceremony on Capitol Hill later Wednesday honoring the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibet's Buddhists. The ceremony angered Chinese leaders.

"One, I admire the Dalai Lama a lot; two, I support religious freedom, he supports religious freedom," Bush said.

On talk in Turkey about mounting a military strike inside Iraq, Bush said, "Actually they have troops already stationed in Iraq and they've had troops stationed there for quite a while."

"We don't think it's in their interest to send more troops in."

Bush said he talked about Turkey with Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, on Wednesday. He also noted that Tariq al-Hashimi, one of Iraq's vice presidents, was in Istanbul expressing that Iraq shares Turkey's concerns about terrorist activities, but that there's a better way to deal with the issue than having turkey send additional troops into the country.

"What I'm telling you is that there's a lot of dialogue going on and that's positive," he said.

Bush used the news conference â€" his first since Sept. 20 â€" to prod the Democratic-controlled Congress to approve spending, education and health bills. It came just a day before the House will try to override his veto of a bill expanding a popular children's health program.

"It's unlikely that veto override will succeed," Bush said noting that Democratic leaders knew that "when they sent me the bill."

"Congress has little to show for all the time that has gone by" since Democrats gained control in January of both the House and the Senate, he added.

At a White House news conference, the president also said that Congress needs to act on mortgage relief for homeowners hit by the housing crisis, trade deals that would strengthen allies, legislation expanding U.S. markets and aid to military veterans.

Bush also defended his style of dealing with Vladimir Putin as the Russian president works to expand his control on power.

Bush said he can speak frankly with Putin, and "that's good diplomacy."

Putin is manuevering to maintain influence and remain in power after his term ends next year. "I have no idea what he's going to do," said Bush.

Bush said that when he saw Putin in Austalia last month at an international conference, he tried to get the Russian leader to talk about his plans. "And he was wily. He wouldn't tip his hand."

On other subjects, Bush:

_Said it was important for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on a diplomatic mission to the Middle East, to help Israelis and Palestinians make progress leading to a scheduled upcoming peace conference in Annapolis, Md. "The Palestinians that have been made promises all these years need to see there's a serious focused effort" to set up a Palestinian state, he said.

Bush promised that the conference in Annapolis would be "serious and substantive." He said one reason for holding the conference is to get what he called "Arab buy-in" for a Palestinian state.

"Part of the issue in the past has been that the Arab nations stood on the sidelines," Bush said. "And when a state was in reach, they weren't a part of the process, encouraging the parties to move forward."

_Declined to counter retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who said recently that the American mission in Iraq was a "nightmare with no end in sight" because of U.S. misjudgments. "The situation on the ground has changed quite dramatically since he (Sanchez) left Iraq," Bush said.

• Said he is looking forward to the final 15 months of his presidency and denied that he was losing leverage as a lame duck president. "Quite the contrary. I've never felt more engaged and more capable of helping people recognize â€" American people recognize â€" that there's a lot of unfinished business."

• Continued to fend off questions about a recent Israeli bombing raid inside Syria, suggesting reporters were not going to get any different answers from him no matter how hard they tried. "This is not my first rodeo," he said.

Quote from: lumine on October 18, 2007, 12:18:18 AM
very true!

the person below me loves to write poems.

True. But only when i'm feeling emotional.

The person below likes eating chips.

Good morning guys!! Its 9:10 AM over here in Pennsylvania, and its a windy but sunny day. Hope everyone is doing good!!! Enjoy your day today~

I thought the same, ate'. Until I met Mercedes...with red hair, freckles and green eyes. People from Spain have very mixed beauties; the ones from Northern Spain and near the Basque region tend to look more French, Germanic in appearance (blond hair, red hair, green eyes, blue eyes) and those in the south are darker with dark brown or black hair, brown eyes, and have a tanner complexion.

But they are very beautiful people. Of course not as beautiful as Bol-anons.

**One thing i notice immediately about Spanish beauty is their nose** It has a very straight and long bridge, and I can immediately recognize that some Filipinos have that bridge--either through Spanish mixing or not. I know that my friend Marc's mother has such a nose--an unnatural long bridge that is not common for Malay peoples. Its amazing how much the Spanish have influenced our people's looks. A very Spanish trait.

Beautiful Spain.. 

hehehe of course, lol. But be ready to be scared kai i drive really fast

Sayang...this miillionare could've used his wits for something useful..like..being a secret agent or something. Or he could've worked as a connoisseur (art, wine, clothing etc). What a shame..

Some more (Thanks to my friend Mercedes    for these pics)




Spaniards... lol



Beaches

One thing is clear, he has great tastes in cars.

hmmm??

LOL. hilarious.

Some Information About Madrid:

Madrid, Spain's capital, is a cosmopolitan city. Its position as a centre for economics, finance, administration and services combines the most modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of centuries of fascinating history.

Madrid is strategically located at the geographical centre of the Iberian peninsular, 646 metres above sea level. Its old town is exemplary among major European cities, and blends harmoniously with the most modern and convenient of urban infrastructure. Madrid offers a broad range of accommodation and services along with the most advanced audiovisual and communication technology. All this, combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic and open, and at the same time warm and welcoming, has turned this metropolis into one of the western world's great capitals.

The Madrid area has been settled since the Lower Paleolithic age, but it was not until 1561 that King Philip II made it the capital of his mighty empire. The historic old town, also known as "Madrid de las Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire) is a living example of the city's 16th and 17th century heyday, as is its impressive Plaza Mayor (square), which was opened in 1620 and remains one of Spain's most popular and typical spots.

Near to the Plaza Mayor is the so-called "aristocratic centre" of Madrid, home to the stunning Royal Palace, a 17th century monument that combines Baroque and Classical styles. Next to the palace you can find the Plaza de Oriente (square), the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II. This ensemble of monuments is completed by the Puerta del Sol, a square flanked by select shops, and the "Paseo del Arte", so called for its unique museums, palaces and gardens, not forgetting the unmistakable Bank of Spain building, the Palacio de las Telecomunicaciones (currently home to the Spanish Post Office) and the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains.
   
Art and culture are central to Madrid life. The city has 73 museums that cover all fields of human knowledge. Of these, the most important are the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with more than 800 paintings, sculptures and tapestries that go from the earliest Dutch masters to the most avantguard trends, and the Reina Sofía National Art Centre, which is dedicated to Spanish contemporary art, with works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Juan Gris among others.

Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the sun, go for walks, go rowing or feed the squirrels in Madrid's large, impeccable parks and gardens. The Retiro Park, once playground of Spanish Monarchs, the Casa de Campo and the Juan Carlos I Park among others make Madrid one of Europe's greenest capitals. Madrid is also one of Europe's most attractive business centres. Its international airport receives more than one thousand flights weekly from all over the world and it has two main conference centres, as well as the modern Campo de las Naciones exhibition centre and a capacity to hold more than 80,000 people in other varied conference and meeting facilities.

If there is one thing, however, that characterizes Madrid, it is the deep, contagious passion for life reflected in its friendly, welcoming people. Madrid boasts concerts, exhibitions, ballets, select theatre productions, and the latest cinematographic releases. You can sample a wide variety of the finest Spanish and international cuisine or be enchanted by its bars and taverns. These are just some of Madrid's leisure alternatives, alongside tempting shopping in the most traditional establishments and world-famous outlets stocking the finest international brands.

Madrid's happening nightlife is another major attraction. Its pubs, bars, discos and flamenco clubs have a tremendous atmosphere, while by day there are traditional verbenas (open-air dances), popular festivals or the San Isidro bullfighting festival - rated as the world's most important.

+++++

General Information About Spain:

Spain is a treasure-trove of arts and culture brimming with fabulous flamenco, music, history, painting, architecture, literature, cinema, sport, bullfighting and fiestas!
The exuberance of the Spaniards and the glorious predictability of the summer weather have been attracting refugees from northern Europe's damp and clammy lands for decades, but Spain is much more than a real estate coastal strip of nouveau riche holiday homes and warm English beer.
It is drenched in the historical pageantry of empire and conquistadors, the artistic legacy of Goya, Velázquez, Picasso and Dalí, and the romance of Don Quijote, Papa Hemingway and the International Brigades.


Facts at a Glance

Full country name: Spain
Area: 504,788 sq km
Population: 39.2 million (growth rate 0.2%)
Capital city: Madrid (pop 2,984,576)
People: Spanish (though Catalans and Basques display a fierce independent spirit)
Language: Castilian Spanish (also Catalan, Galician & Basque)
Religion: 99% Roman Catholic
Government: constitutional monarchy
Prime Minister: José María Aznar

Environment

Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula, a vaguely square-shaped realm at the far south-western edge of Europe. Spain occupies some 80% of this peninsula and is separated from France by the formidable Pyrenees mountains. More than half of the country is made up of vast, elevated tablelands - the mesetas - and five major mountain ranges stretch across the country. Landscapes range from the deserts of Almería to the green wetlands of Galicia; from the sunbaked plains of La Mancha to the rugged mountains of the Picos de Europa; and from the wilds of Extremadura to the highly developed coastline of Andalucía. The Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco, is an `autonomous community' of Spain.

The prevalence of an `if you see it, shoot it' philosophy has destroyed much of Spain's wildlife. The critters that you may still come across are red squirrels, chamois, red deers, ibexes, marmots and a wide range of reptiles. Flora is, fortunately, more prolific, especially in the alpine regions.

Most tourists come to Spain's coastal strip during July and August, when the sun is at its strongest. Madrid is unbearable at this time of year, and is almost deserted by Spaniards. In the north, and on the Balearic Islands, summer temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius are standard. In winter, the rains never seem to stop in the north, except in the backlands of Galicia and the Pyrenees, where they turn into snow. Generally the north is best during summer, Andalucía is best in spring, the centre is best in autumn and the south in winter.

History

Located at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, the Iberian Peninsula has always been a target for invading races and civilisations. The Romans arrived in the 3rd century BC but took two centuries to subdue the peninsula. Gradually Roman laws, languages and customs were adopted. In 409 AD, Roman Hispania was invaded by a massive contingent of Germanic tribes and by 419 a Visigothic kingdom had been established. The Visigoths ruled the kingdom until 711, when the Muslims crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated Roderick, the last Goth king.

By 714, the Muslim armies had occupied the entire peninsula, apart from the mountain regions of northern Spain. The Muslim occupation of southern Spain (which the Spanish called Al-Andalus) was to last almost 800 years. During this period, the arts and sciences prospered, new crops and agricultural techniques were introduced, and palaces, mosques, schools, gardens and public baths were built. In 722, at Covadonga in northern Spain, a small army under the Visigothic king Pelayo inflicted the first defeat on the Muslims. Symbolically, this battle marked the beginning of the Reconquista, the reconquest of Spain by the Christians.

By the end of the 13th century, Castilla and Aragón had emerged as Christian Spain's two main powers, and in 1469 these two kingdoms were united by the marriage of Isabel, princess of Castilla, to Fernando, heir to the throne of Aragón. Known as the Catholic Monarchs, they united all of Spain and laid the foundations for the golden age. In 1478, they established the notoriously ruthless Spanish Inquisition, expelling and executing thousands of Jews and other non-Christians. In 1482, they besieged Granada, and 10 years later the last Muslim king surrendered to them, marking the long-awaited end of the Reconquista.

Spain developed an enormous empire in the New World, following Colombus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. Gold and silver came flooding into Spanish coffers from Mexico and Peru as the conquistadors claimed land from Cuba to Bolivia. Spain monopolised trade with these new colonies and became one of the most powerful nations on earth. However, this protectionism hindered development of the colonies and led to a series of expensive wars with England, France and the Netherlands.

When Louis XVI was guillotined in 1793, Spain declared war on the new French republic, but was defeated. In 1808, Napoleon's troops entered Spain and the Spanish Crown began to lose its hold on its colonies. Sparked by an uprising in Madrid, the Spanish people united against the French and fought a five-year war of independence. In 1813, the French forces were finally expelled, and in 1814 Fernando VII was restored to the Spanish throne. Fernando's subsequent 20-year reign was a disastrous advertisement for monarchy. During his time, the Inquisition was re-established, liberals and constitutionalists were persecuted, free speech was repressed, Spain entered a severe economic recession and the American colonies won their independence.

The disastrous Spanish-American War of 1898 marked the end of the Spanish empire. Spain was defeated by the USA in a series of one-sided naval battles, resulting in the loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, Spain's last overseas possessions. Spain's troubles continued during the early 20th century. In 1923, with the country on the brink of civil war, Miguel Primo de Rivera declared himself military dictator and ruled until 1930. In 1931, Alfonso XIII fled the country, and the Second Republic was declared, but it soon fell victim to internal conflict. The 1936 elections saw the country split in two, with the Republican government and its supporters on one side (an uneasy alliance of communists, socialists and anarchists, who favoured democracy, a more equitable civil society and a diminished role for the church) and the opposition Nationalists (a right-wing alliance of the army, the Church, the monarchy and the fascist-style Falange Party) on the other.

The assassination of the opposition leader José Calvo Sotelo by Republican police officers in July 1936 gave the army an excuse to overthrow the government. During the subsequent Civil War (1936-39), the Nationalists received extensive military and financial support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while the elected Republican government received support only from Russia and, to a lesser degree, from the International Brigades, made up of intellectuals, artists, writers and the politically committed. Despite the threat of fascism, England and France refused to support the Republicans.

By 1939, the Nationalists, led by Franco, had won the war, in which more than 350,000 Spaniards died. After the war, Republicans were executed, jailed or forced into exile. Franco's 35-year dictatorship saw Spain isolated by economic blockades, excluded from NATO and the UN and crippled by economic recession. It wasn't until the early 1950s, when the rise in tourism and a treaty with the USA combined to provide much needed funds, that the country began to recover. By the 1970s, Spain had the fastest growing economy in Europe.

Franco died in 1975, having earlier named Juan Carlos, the grandson of Alfonso XIII, his successor. With Juan Carlos on the throne, Spain made the transition from dictatorship to democracy. The first elections were held in 1977, a new constitution was drafted in 1978, and a failed military coup in 1981 was seen as a futile attempt to turn back the clock. In 1982 Spain made a final break with the past by voting in a socialist government with a sizeable majority. The only major blemish on the domestic front since has been the terrorist campaign waged by separatist militant group ETA, which is trying to secure an independent Basque homeland. During 30 years of terrorist activity, ETA has killed over 800 people - in September 1998 they announced a cease fire.

In 1986 Spain joined the EC (now the EU) and in 1992, Spain announced its return to the world stage, with Barcelona hosting the Olympic Games, Sevilla hosting Expo 92 and Madrid being declared European Cultural Capital. In 1996 Spaniards voted in a conservative party under the leadership of the uncharismatic José María Aznar, an Elton John fan and former tax inspector. However, the conservatives failed to gain an overall majority, and only after months of talks managed to stitch together a coalition with moderate Basque, Catalan and Canary Islands nationalists.

Economic Profile

GDP: $548 billion
GDP per head: $14,000
Annual growth: 3.5%
Inflation: 4.3%
Major industries: textiles & apparel, food & beverages, metals & chemicals
Major trading partners: France, Germany, Italy

Culture

Spain has an extraordinary artistic heritage. The dominant figures of the golden age were the Toledo-based artists El Greco and Diego Velázquez. Francisco Goya emerged in the 18th century as Spain's most prolific painter and he produced some wonderfully unflattering portraits of royalty. The art world in the early 20th century was influenced by a remarkable group of Spanish artists: Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí. Spain's architecture ranges from prehistoric monuments in Menorca in the Balearic Islands, through to the Roman ruins of M&eacuterida and Tarragona, the decorative Islamic Alhambra in Granada, Mudéjar buildings, Gothic cathedrals, castles and palaces, fantastic modernist monuments and Gaudí's intricate fabulist sculptures.

One of the world's greatest works of fiction is the 17th-century novel Don Quijote de la Mancha, written by Spain's Miguel de Cervantes. Important 20th-century writers include Miguel de Unamuno, Federico García Lorca and Camilo José Cela, winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize for literature. Women writers have been prolific in the last 25 years and prominent feminist writers include Adelaida Garcia Morales and Ana María Matute. Spanish films were once synonymous with the work of surrealist genius Luís Buñuel, who spent much of his time abroad. They are now associated with the mad-cap kinky farces of Pedro Almodóvar, who has enjoyed huge international success.

Flamenco is experiencing a revival, and you are sure to see dramatic performances in Andalucía, its traditional home, accompanied by excellent guitar. You will also see flamenco at Spanish fiestas, which are not to be missed. Spaniards are sports crazy and football (or soccer) is huge; try and see a match because the atmosphere is electric. Bullfighting is also very popular, despite continued pressure from international animal rights activists.

While Catholicism is deeply ingrained in all aspects of Spanish society, only about 40% of Spaniards are regular churchgoers. Many Spaniards have a deep-seated scepticism of the Church; during the Civil War, churches were burnt and clerics shot because they represented repression, corruption and the old order.

Spanish food has a deservedly fantastic reputation and tapas are probably one of the most civilised inventions since cold beer. Paella, gazpacho and chorizo may be familiar to most Western diners, but the range of meals goes well beyond this, with a smorgasbord of rich stews, soups, beans, seafood and meats, all of which have been influential in Latin American cooking. It's a good idea to reset your stomach-clock when travelling in Spain because lunch is usually the main meal of the day, and is eaten between 1.30 and 4 pm. The evening meal is lighter and is served between 10 and 11 pm.
Events

In true Spanish style, cultural events are almost inevitably celebrated with a wild party and a holiday. Among the festivals to look out for are La Tamborrada in San Sebastián in February, when the whole town dresses up and goes berserk. Carnival takes place throughout the country in late February; the wildest is said to be in Sitges. In March, Valencia has a week-long party known as Las Fallas, which is marked by all-night dancing, drinking, first-class fireworks and colourful processions. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week leading up to Easter Sunday with parades of holy images through the streets; Sevilla is the place to be if you can get accommodation. In late April the Feria de Abril in Sevilla is a week-long party counterbalancing the religious fervour of Semana Santa.

The last Wednesday in August sees the Valencian town of Buñol go beserk with La Tomatina, in which the surplus from its tomato harvest is sploshed around in a riot of friendliest fashion. The Running of the Bulls (Sanfermines) in Pamplona in July is Spain's most famous festival. Along the north coast, staggered through the first half of August, is Semana Grande, another week of heavy drinking and hangovers. Olé!
Facts for the Traveller

Visas: Spain, along with Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal forms part of the border-free travel zone known as the Schengen Area. US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Israeli citizens are among those who may enter Spain as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days. EU passport holders can come and go as they please.

Time: GMT/UTC plus one hour
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz AC
Weights & measures: metric
Tourism: 45.1 million visitors

Money & Costs

Currency: peseta
Exchange rate: US$1 = 144 pta
Relative costs:
Budget meal: US$4-8
Restaurant meal: US$10-15 Spain is one of Europe's more affordable countries. If you are particularly frugal it's just about possible to scrape by on US$20-25 a day. This would involve staying in the cheapest possible accommodation, avoiding eating in restaurants or going to museums or bars, and not moving around too much. A more comfortable budget would be US$40 a day. Travellers' cheques can be cashed at banks and exchange offices, and usually attract a slightly higher exchange rate than cash. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants, especially from the middle range up, and also for long-distance train tickets. These days, even smaller towns have an ATM (cajero automático) where you can withdraw pesetas from credit and debit accounts. Be careful carrying your money, whether it's jingling or plastic as tourists are a major target of theft - 200,000 British credit cards and cash cards went missing in Spain in just four months (June to September) in 1995. In restaurants the law requires menu prices to include service charge, and tipping is a matter of personal choice - most people leave some small change if they're satisfied and 5% is usually plenty. It's common to leave small change at bar and café tables. Markets and cheap hotels are the only places in Spain where you are likely to bargain. When to GoThe ideal months to visit are May, June and September (plus April and October in the south). At these times you can rely on good weather, yet avoid the sometimes extreme heat - and the main crush of Spanish and foreign tourists. That said, there's decent weather in some part of Spain virtually year-round. Winter along the southern and south-eastern Mediterranean coasts is mild, while in the height of summer you can retreat to the north-west, or to beaches or high mountains anywhere, if you need to get away from excessive heat. If you want to make sure you hit some parties, the best festivals are concentrated between Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter Sunday) and October. Attractions

Madrid
Madrid may not have the glamour or user-friendliness of Barcelona, but what it lacks in style it more than makes up for in substance, with a remarkable collection of museums and galleries, beautiful parks and gardens and wild nightlife.

The most fitting place to start getting to know Madrid is at Puerta del Sol. Sol, as it is known to locals, is not much more than a huge traffic-junction-cum-bus-stop, but it's as central as you can get. Although Madrid is an enormous metropolis, the region which is of most interest to travellers is confined by Campo del Moro in the west and Parque del Buen Retiro in the east. The most exciting street is Gran Vía, but Plaza Mayor is the true heart of Madrid.

Be sure not to miss one of the greatest art galleries in the world, the Museo del Prado, where the main emphasis is on Spanish, Flemish and Italian art from the 15th to 19th century. Goya is well represented and you'll find a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez. If you haven't run out of steam after the Prado, the Casón del Buen Retiro houses an excellent collection of 19th-century Spanish art. For one of the best art history lessons you'll ever get, check out the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, a private assembly of paintings from Titian to Pollock. The Museo de la Escultura Abstracta, has an interesting collection of abstracts by some of Spain's better known modern sculptors, including Chillida and Miró. The beautiful Real Jardin Botánico, near the Prado, is a good spot to recover from an art overdose.

For the little bit of interior decorator in everyone, visit the Palacio Real, if only as a lesson in what can happen when you give yourself free reign - you'll see some of the most elaborately decorated walls and ceilings imaginable. If you've ever got stuck renovating a house, take heart in the stark and cavernous Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena. It opened to the public in 1992 after only 110 years under construction.

Madrid is the home of the world's largest bullring, Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas, and is one of the best places to see a bullfight (corrida) - if you're so inclined. For something a little less cruel to animals, check out a football match when local favourites Real Madrid or Atlético de Madrid are playing at home. If you're in town on a Sunday morning, snaffle a bargain at El Rastro, one of the biggest flea markets you are ever likely to see. This is said to be the place to go if you want to buy your stereo back, so watch your pockets and bags.

Finding a place to stay in Madrid is never really a problem. In summer the city is drained of people, thanks to the horrific heat, so if you are mad enough to be here then, you may well be able to make a hot deal on the price. At other times it is still worth trying to bargain if you intend to stay a while. The Santa Ana area is one of Madrid's most popular places to stay and it's close to good restaurants and nightclubs. The epicentre of Madrid's nightlife is Plaza del Dos de Mayo, in the area known as Malasaña.

Barcelona
If you only visit one city in Spain, it probably should be Barcelona. It's sophisticated, elegant and romantic, but has the energy and raffishness of a port city. The inspiring and unique architecture of Antoni Gaudí is evident in buildings such as the Sagrada Família church and Parc Güell, and its world-class museums include Museu Picasso and the Fundació Joan Miró. There is a fascinating old quarter, the Barri Gòtic, and a night scene to rival any in the country.

As a starting point, the area around La Rambla, Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol and the Plaça Reial is where you'll pick up the vibe of the city. There's a buzz of activity and a constant stream of people promenading and enjoying the scene. There are hundreds of cafés, bars, shops and sights to take your fancy.

In the north of the city, the fantasy land of Parc Güell showcases Gaudí's work. If you miss this place, you will have missed a huge part of the essence of Barcelona. For more modernism, try the Passeig de Gràcia and its surrounds; for the best modern art museum in Spain, head to the Fundació Joan Miró.

Barcelona has an imposing Gothic cathedral, where each Sunday at noon crowds gather for the performance of the sardana, a traditional Catalan dance. Just east of the cathedral is the fascinating Museu d'Història de la Ciutat (City History Museum) which features a subterranean walk through excavated portions of Roman and Visigothic Barcelona.

For retail therapy, the markets are great places to shop. The best are the Els Encants, a good second-hand market at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes; the antiques market on Plaça Nova; and the crafts market at Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol. There are also enough chic boutiques to keep the fashion-conscious happy for weeks.

When you're all shopped out, there's always food and drink to pass the time. Barcelona has a seemingly endless variety of bars which are much more than just watering holes. The greatest concentration of bars and restaurants is within walking distance of La Rambla. The best cheap places to stay are in the old city, on either side of La Rambla.

Toledo
Toledo is one of Spain's most magnificent historical monuments. It's an intact medieval city of narrow winding streets perched on a small hill above the Río Tajo. The city is crammed with fascinating museums, galleries, churches and castles. Unfortunately, it is also crammed with daytrippers, so travellers wanting to enjoy the city should stay overnight and explore in the evening and early morning to see it at its best. The dominant Alcázar has been the scene of military battles from the Middle Ages right through to the 20th century. The awesome cathedral, in the heart of the city, harbours glorious murals, stained-glass windows and works by El Greco, Velázquez and Goya. Other attractions include the city's two synagogues, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé (which contains El Greco's greatest masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz) and the Museo de Santa Cruz. Archaeologists working on Toledo's Carranque recently uncovered a 4th century basilica, Spain's oldest.
Valencia
Spain's third-largest city, and capital of the province of Valencia, comes as a pleasant surprise to many. Home to paella and the Holy Grail, it is also blessed with great weather and the spring festival of Las Fallas, one of the wildest parties in the country.

One of Valencia's most raved about attractions is the baroque Palacio de Marqués de Dos Aguas. The façade is extravagantly sculpted and the inside is just as outrageous. The Museo de Bellas Artes ranks among the best museums in the country and contains works by El Greco, Goya, Velázquez and a number of Valencian impressionists. The Institute of Modern Art houses an impressive collection of 20th-century Spanish art. Valencia's cathedral is also worth a visit. Climb to the top of its tower for a great view of the sprawling city.

Granada
During the period of Muslim domination of Spain, Granada was the finest city on the peninsula. Today it is still home to the greatest Muslim legacy in Europe, and one of the most inspiring attractions on the Continent - the Alhambra.

La Alhambra is one of the greatest accomplishments of Islamic art and architecture, and is simply breathtaking. Much has been written about the fortress, the palace, its patios and gardens, but somehow nothing can really prepare you for it. The Alcazaba is the Alhambra's Muslim fortress dating from the 11th to the 13th centuries, with great views of the city from the tops of its towers. The Casa Real is the centrepiece of the Alhambra, and is noted for the intricacy of its stonework. Finally, there is the Generalife - the summer palace of the sultans, set in the soul-soothing Alhambra gardens.

Granada's biggest attraction after the Alhambra is the city itself which is set against the mountain backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. Simply wandering around the narrow streets of the Albaicín, the city's old Muslim quarter, across the river from the Alhambra, or the area around Plaza Bib-Rambla is a real pleasure. Stop by the Casa del Castril (Archaeological Museum) and Baños Árabes (Arab Baths), and the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) in which Fernando III and Isabel, the Christian conquerors of Granada in 1492, are buried. Next door to the chapel is Granada's cathedral, which dates from the early 16th century. The Gypsy caves of Sacromonte, dug into a hillside in the north of the city, are another popular attraction.

Sevilla

Sevilla is one of the most exciting cities in Spain, with wonderful parks and gardens, Muslim monuments, flamenco, bullfights and a large and lively student population. Expo 92 brought the city into the international spotlight. If you really want to experience Sevilla at its best, try to come for Semanta Santa (the week before Easter) or the Feria de Abril (in April) - a truly unforgettable experience.

Sevilla's immense cathedral is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having an area greater than any other in the world. This immense structure is primarily Gothic, though the work done after its central dome collapsed in 1511 was mostly in Renaissance style. The climb to the adjoining tower, known as the Giralda, is well worth the effort for the great views of the city. Check out the Alcázar, a magnificent palace dating from the Moorish times of Spain; and the Archivo de Indias, which houses over 40 million documents dating from 1492 through to the decolonisation of the Americas.

Other attractions are the Parque de María Luisa, which has a maze of paths, garden beds, pretty little patios, fountains and shaded lawns; the Museo Arqueológico, which has an interesting collection of broken statues and bronze tablets; and the rather kitsch Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares.

San Sebastián

San Sebastián is stunning. Famed as a ritzy resort for wealthy Spaniards who want to get away from the hordes in the south, it has been a stronghold of Basque nationalist feeling since well before Franco banned the use of Euskera, the Basque language, in the 1930s. Donostia, as the city is known in Euskera, is a surprisingly relaxed town with a population approaching 180,000. Those who live here consider themselves the luckiest people in Spain and will not hesitate to tell you so. After spending a few days on the beaches in preparation for the wild evenings, you may well begin to appreciate their unbashful claim.

The Playa de Concha, and its continuation at Ondarreta, is one of the most beautiful city beaches in Spain. You can swim from Ondarreta to Isla de Santa Clara, in the middle of the bay, and in summer, a number of rafts are anchored at the halfway point to serve as rest stops for the daring.

The Museo de San Telmo, in a 16th-century monastery, has a bit of everything - ancient tombstones, sculptures, agriculture and carpentry displays, a wonderful fine arts collection - and the squeakiest floors in Spain. Overlooking Bahía de Concha is Monte Urgull, which is topped by a statue of Christ and has stunning views.
Balearic Islands
Floating in the blue waters of the Mediterranean off the east coast of Spain, the Balearic Islands are invaded every summer by a massive multinational force of hedonistic tourists. Not surprising really, when you consider the fine beaches, relentless sunshine and wild nightlife. What is surprising is how the islands have managed to maintain their integrity, identity and strong links with the past. Beyond the discos and beaches are Gothic cathedrals, Stone Age ruins, small fishing villages, and endless olive groves and orange orchards. There are four islands, the biggest is Mallorca, followed by Menorca, Ibiza and tiny Formentera. Formentera is the least developed; Ibiza attracts party animals, gays, hippies and fashion victims - it's one of the world's bizarre melting pots.

Off the Beaten Track

Las Hurdes
Nowhere in Spain has been untouched by tourism, but Las Hurdes in mountainous northern Extremadura comes about as close to being untarnished as possible. It also happens to be extremely beautiful. Time has not quite stood still, but it has certainly slowed right down, and many people still live in the traditional stone houses that are unique to this corner of Spain. It's an area of picturesque hamlets, waterfalls and fine walks, but you'll need a car to explore it properly.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza, capital of Aragón, is often said to be the most Spanish city in Spain. The city's appeal lies in the fact that it has been left relatively untouched by tourism: most travellers know it only as a train station on the way from Barcelona to Madrid. Those who take the time to get off the train are rarely disappointed. The old town is full of authentic Spanish restaurants, and Aragonese cooking is superb. Attractions include the Aljafería, the greatest Moorish edifice outside Andalucía, the Roman Forum of ancient Caesaraugusta, and the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar.

Teruel
Located in the deep south of Aragón, Teruel has maintained an atmosphere all its own. It is best known for its Mudéjar architecture and the flavour left by the many centuries of Moorish domination. Teruel has four magnificent Mudéjar towers: the cathedral of Santa María and the churches of El Salvador (13th century), San Martín and San Pedro (14th century). Note the inlaid stones and colourful tiles which are so typical of the style. The Museo Provincial de Teruel has a fascinating archaeological collection going back to the days of Homo erectus.

Activities

Skiing is cheap and the facilities and conditions are surprisingly good. The season runs from December to May and the most accessible resorts are in the Sierra Nevada, the Pyrenees and in the ranges north of Madrid. Spain is a trekking paradise, especially in the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa in northern Spain.

Cycling is popular but there are deterrents, like the often-mountainous terrain, crowded roads and summer heat. Take your pick of the hundreds of beaches offering fine swimming, but be prepared to tiptoe over package tourists during summer. The coast of the País Vasco has good surf.
Getting There & Away

Spain has many international airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Sevilla, Granada, Málaga, Almería, Alicante, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza and Maó. Bus and train travel are other good options and there are regular bus services to Spain from all major centres in Europe, including Lisbon, London and Paris. Travelling to Spain by train can be more expensive than by bus unless you are under 26 or have a rail pass. Ferry services connect Spain directly with the UK and Morocco. A departure tax applies when flying out of Spain, but this is included in the price of the ticket at purchase.

Getting Around

The only time you might seriously consider flying within Spain is to get out to the islands. From Barcelona, Valencia or Alicante, there are often good deals on charter flights. Ferries regularly connect the mainland with the Balearic Islands, but flying is better value considering the time saved. There are plenty of bus routes serviced by dozens of independent companies, and the bus network is more extensive than the train system and cheaper. Walking is the best way to meet the locals.

Downtown Madrid, Espana


Happy Spaniards 


What a legacy..










LOL!


So classic..




La Madria Patria...

Some pictures of my friend's travel to the splendid city of Madrid, Spain. The greatest city in all of Europe, in my opinion.
Definitely one of my top destination spots in the future. 




Beautiful 19th century architecture


His Majesty's Royal Spanish Cortes (Spanish Legislative Body)


Where Baroque meets Victorian architecture....and fits perfectly. Only in Madrid..


Espana...


Royal gardens in Madrid


His Royal Spanish Majesty's Royal Palace. Residence of the King of Spain...


Front View...Viva El Rey de Espana!


San Jose Cathedral


Same cathedral; diff. view


16th century Baroque Cathedral (forget the name---but it was built by Emperor Philip II the Great)

Just finished reading this thread. Great minds and great sayings in here.

I take my hat off to you, Mr. Balong.

My respects,,,

ah lol! i thought you were part of a large humanitarian mission to Tibet or something. I was going to ask you to take pictures,

Unsa manang "matsalams"? A re-written version of Salamts? hahaha
Is this a new pinoy slang term that im not accustomed to?

Michael Buble "Home"

This is what im currently listening to.   

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fDQnkYwfNfk

Beautiful song..

Colbie Caillat - Bubbly

Such a soothing and reminiscent song. Hope you all enjoy this~~

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2PWfB4lurT4


Gotta admit, this song brings me to smile no matter what the situation.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like an eagle." Psalms 103:1-5

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Schlumberger. I hope that justice will come for your beloved nephew. You have my condolence and my sincere support.

God Bless You.

 MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- Thirty suspected Islamic terrorists went on trial Monday in a courthouse they are charged with plotting to destroy with a truck bomb.

The alleged terrorists planned to kill hundreds of judges, prosecutors, support staff and police officers who work daily at the National Court, which tries cases of terrorism, according to a prosecution document viewed by CNN.

They also planned to destroy files against other Islamic terrorist suspects, including those charged in the Madrid train bombings, it added.

First on the stand was Mohamed Boukiri, 33, of Algeria. Prosecutors said he was ready to be the suicide bomber against the courthouse.

Boukiri is charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist attack and membership in a terrorist group. Presiding Judge Alfonso Guevara said Boukiri could get 27 years if convicted.

Prosecutors identified the alleged ringleader of the plot as Abderrahmane Tahiri, 34, of Morocco.

Tahiri sought to obtain 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of explosives for the alleged attack ijn the summer of 2004, months after the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people and wounded 1,800 others, the document said.

"The level of preparation for the attack had reached the point where" Tahiri and six other defendents "had expressed willingness to blow themselves up in carrying out the attack against the National Court," the document said.

Others on trial allegedly played supporting roles.

A court source told CNN that all of the defendants have insisted on their innocence at arraignments and other pre-trial hearings. Six defense lawyers who represent 11 defendants said their clients pleaded innocent in pre-trial hearings.

Police arrested most of the suspects in October 2004. Many of them had been convicted of other crimes and were serving time in prison, the document said.

The trial started in a secure basement courtroom equipped with bullet-proof glass separating the defendants from the three judges who will hear the case, and more bullet-proof glass separating the public from the court. The proceedings had been suspended for 10 minutes because of sound problems.

Twenty defendants were separated from the court by bullet-proof glass.

Ten defendants entered the court handcuffed and were seated in two rows flanked by four uniformed police officers. Handcuffs were removed from some of them.

The defendants include 19 Algerians, 5 Moroccans and others from Mauritania, Afghanistan, Palestine, Lebanon and Spain.

Tahiri could get 66 years in prison if convicted on four counts: conspiracy to commit a deadly terrorist attack, leader of a terrorist group, document forgery, and counterfeiting for terrorist aims, the document said.

Some others could get just 10 years if convicted on one count of belonging to a terrorist group.

Prosecutors base their case on testimony and documentation provided by a Moroccan man operating as a police informant and on wiretaps and intercepted correspondence between some of the suspects, according to the document and the court source.

There are streets on three sides of the courthouse. The main street runs next to the building. An attack "would have been easy" at the time, the court source said.

But the courthouse has since increased security, installing thick metal barriers to block traffic on the side and back of the building.

Tahiri started the alleged terrorist group while serving a sentence in the Topas prison in northwest Salamanca province. He recruited and indoctrinated some fellow inmates, and the group later spread to another prison as transfers occurred, and to eastern and southern Spain, outside of prisons, the document said.

Two of the defendants, Dibali Abdellah, 32, of Algeria, and Baanou Abdullah, 22, of Lebanon, also corresponded with three men -- Mohamed Amine Salameh, Mohamed Abouhahima and Nidaly Ayyad -- who were serving sentences in the United States for their links to the 1993 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the document said.

Abdellah faces 12 years if convicted of leadership in a terrorist group and Abdullah could get 10 years if convicted of membership in a terrorist group, the document said.
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Another defendant, Hocine Kedache, 51, helped hide a key fugitive of the Madrid train bombings who later blew himself up with other prime suspects in a suburb of Madrid. Kedache could get 10 years if convicted of membership in a terrorist group, the document said.

The trial is expected to last until Christmas and the initial testimony by 30 defendants could take weeks, the court source said.

 BEIJING, China (AP) -- Chinese leader Hu Jintao pledged to make communist rule more inclusive and better spread the fruits of China's economic boom, in an address Monday to a party congress that offers a key test of his authority.

Hu also offered talks on a formal peace accord with Taiwan, but the vague proposal included preconditions previously unacceptable to the island, which quickly rejected it.

Shying away from the warlike rhetoric that often accompanies such occasions, Hu instead stressing Beijing's preference for a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the 58-year-old conflict with Taiwan.

"We would like to make a solemn appeal: On the basis of the one-China principle, let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides, reach a peace agreement," Hu told the party and military elite gathered in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

Hu's speech is the most public event at the congress, which comes at the midway mark of his decade-long tenure as party chief and head of state.

The weeklong conclave's chief purpose is to reappoint Hu for a second five-year term as party general secretary. A key measure of Hu's influence will be how many of his political allies he can maneuver into top party jobs, including proteges expected to take over when he steps down in five years.

Hu's leadership has never been threatened, but he is largely seen as weaker than past leaders, forcing him to compromise on some top appointments and other decisions. In a sign of possible constraints, Hu's retired predecessor, Jiang Zemin, was appointed to the committee handling the congress' arrangements, state media said Sunday.

In his address, Hu outlined policies intended to make China more prosperous and stable by raising incomes and improving the party's hold on a fast-changing society.

"Obviously we want to see China be able to move forward with both political and economic reforms," Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said in Washington. "I don't think I have heard or seen anything coming out of this particular set of meetings that changes our basic views."

While offering few specifics, Hu said Chinese citizens would have "more extensive democratic rights" by 2020, China's target year for establishing lasting economic security, even as the party retains its monopoly on political power.

"Contemporary China is going through a wide-ranging and deep-going transformation. This brings us unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges," Hu told the more than 2,200 delegates gathered in Beijing's massive Great Hall of the People for the once-every-five-year meeting.

Broadcast live on nationwide television, the far-ranging speech lasting more than two hours and 20 minutes was one of Hu's most important public addresses since taking over as party leader at the last congress in 2002.

Reflecting Hu's cautious manner, it contained few initiatives and was vague on just how proposals for expanded democracy would be carried out.

Hu also promised to continue a buildup of China's military, but pledged to use the country's economic and diplomatic clout as a force for peace internationally.

"I think the secretary-general did very well with this speech," said Shen Ruixiang, a district party secretary from the thriving eastern province of Jiangsu.

"I'm sure he'll emerge from this congress with even more authority and prove an even better leader," Shen said.

Hu dwelled also on his signature policy, a push to re-channel breakneck development by spreading the benefits of economic growth more evenly that goes by the rubric "the scientific outlook on development."

Hu referred to the social divisions that have erupted from fast growth -- gaps between rich and poor, urban and rural -- and made an oblique reference to an emerging, demanding middle class.

"There are still a considerable number of impoverished and low-income people in both urban and rural areas, and it has become more difficult to accommodate the interests of all sides."

While Hu spoke, police and soldiers who sealed off Tiananmen Square and the areas around the Great Hall of the People detained at least two dozen people, many of them elderly, forcing them into police vans. Many carried documents detailing grievances against local officials and hoped to get the attention of Chinese leaders.

In looking outward, Hu reiterated an offer to end the hostilities between China and Taiwan since their separation amid civil war 58 years ago. Hu, however, restated a condition for talks that has been anathema to Taiwan's democratic government -- that the island must recognize that it is a part of China.

Hu reveled in the achievements China has made since he took over, pointedly referring to income growth and its two manned space missions.

"During this period, China's overall strength grew considerably and the people enjoyed more tangible benefits. China's international standing and influence rose notably," Hu said.
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Deliberations over the next leadership lineup have been going on for months and will take place this week behind closed doors. Its makeup is officially announced after the congress ends.

Hu is expected to push for the elevation of protege Li Keqiang onto the Politburo Standing Committee, while Xi Jinping, the party boss of Shanghai and the son of a revolutionary veteran, is also expected to get a seat

 SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A kayaker fought off an 8-foot great white shark with her paddle on Monday after it knocked her off the craft at one of Australia's most popular beaches.

Linda Whitehurst, 52, shows the injury to her arm after a shark attack near the Australian resort town of Byron Bay.

Linda Whitehurst, 52, was paddling her sea kayak near the eastern resort town of Byron Bay, about 375 miles north of Sydney, when the shark lunged at her, knocking her into the water, the paddler and police said.

It was one of two shark attacks in Australia on Monday.

"I'm going to lose a limb, that was my first thought," Whitehurst told Australian television.

"I had my blade in my hands so I punched at it with my blade. That was the only way I was going to survive," she said, referring to the double-ended paddle used on sea kayaks.

"I just kept punching, punching, punching" at the shark until it swam away, she said.

Whitehurst made her way back to shore, where she received four stitches in her right arm for a small bite wound. Her vessel shows bite marks underneath.

The local lifeguard association closed the Byron Bay beach, in New South Wales state, for several hours until they located the shark and chased it out to sea using boats, a common practice in Australia when sharks venture close to popular beaches.

Earlier Monday, a 31-year-old man was attacked by a bronze whaler shark while spear-fishing near Australia's Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state.

The man, who was not identified, was treated onboard his charter boat for a deep cut to his calf muscle before being airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the northern city of Cairns.

 TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Police raided the headquarters of a religious sect in central Japan on Monday and arrested 20 women for allegedly beating a member to death, an official said.

Motoko Okuno, 63, died last month at the Kigenkai sect's headquarters in the city of Komoro, allegedly after a mass beating, according to local news reports.

Police arrested the women late Monday on suspicion of injury leading to Okuno's death, according to a Komoro city police official. The official refused to give his name, citing policy.

Kigenkai, founded in 1970, is based on Japan's indigenous Shinto religion. Members sell purified water that they say can cure diseases for about $500 a bottle. It has about 400 members across Japan, according to news reports.

Among those arrested were a girl as young as 15 and a woman as old as 80, according to the Kyodo News agency. Earlier Monday, television video showed police streaming into the sect's headquarters to seize documents and question members.

Some news reports suggested Okuno, who owned a sushi restaurant, was killed as punishment for failing to carry out religious rites.

Police launched an investigation after doctors who examined her bruised body raised the alarm, Kyodo said.

Residents living near the headquarters told public broadcaster NHK they often heard drums beating from the compound.

Religious sects in Japan, a largely nonreligious society, have often been linked to crimes and attacks.

Members of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo released nerve gas in Tokyo's subway system in 1995, killing 12 people. More than a dozen former members face the death penalty in the attack, including cult's former guru, Shoko Asahara. The cult remains under surveillance by authorities.

 BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- A teacher from Canada suspected of sexually abusing young boys in photographs posted on the Internet is now the subject of an intense manhunt in Thailand, where authorities believe he is currently located.

Thai police identified the suspect as Christopher Paul Neil, a Canadian national. Interpol, the international police agency that issued a worldwide appeal for information in the case last week, said the suspect had been working as an English teacher in South Korea and flew from Seoul to Bangkok last Thursday.

"I would appeal to him to give himself up and to come in to have this matter sorted out in a reasonable and adult matter," said Interpol spokesman Mick Moran.

Interpol issued a worldwide alert last week after about 200 photographs showing a man sexually abusing 12 different young males were posted on the Internet.
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The photos, which authorities believe were taken in Vietnam and Cambodia in 2002 or 2003, had been digitally altered to disguise the man's face. But German investigators were able to reverse the process and restore the images, and his picture was then distributed worldwide.

The suspect was identified within three days after the photographs were released, based on tips from five sources on three continents, according to Interpol.

 (CNN) -- Yahoo misled Congress regarding information the Internet company gave to Chinese authorities about the journalist Shi Tao, Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos said Tuesday.

Yahoo officials have been asked to testify before a House committee in November about a Chinese journalist's case.

Lantos, a California representative and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, asked Yahoo Inc. officials to testify about the company's role in a case that sent Chinese newspaper writer and editor Shi to prison on a 10-year sentence.

Lantos asked Yahoo Chief Executive Officer Jerry Yang and Senior Vice President and General Counsel Michael Callahan to appear November 6.

"Our committee has established that Yahoo provided false information to Congress in early 2006," Lantos said in a written statement. "We want to clarify how that happened, and to hold the company to account for its actions both before and after its testimony proved untrue. And we want to examine what steps the company has taken since then to protect the privacy rights of its users in China."

The newspaper reporter had posted information under a pseudonym on an overseas Web site called Democracy Forum about a government crackdown on media and democracy activists, Lantos said.

Shi was later arrested in his home in Beijing after Yahoo gave Chinese authorities information about his e-mail account, his computer address, his log-on history and the contents of several weeks of his e-mail, Lantos said.

Lantos said a Yahoo official testified last year that the company knew nothing "about the nature of the investigation" of Shi, a pro-democracy activist now serving time on what Lantos called "trumped-up charges."
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"We have now learned there is much more to the story than Yahoo let on, and a Chinese government document that Yahoo had in their possession at the time of the hearing left little doubt of the government's intentions," said Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey.

"U.S. companies must hold the line and not work hand in glove with the secret police."

In a written statement, Yahoo spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said Yahoo representatives have been truthful with Congress. He called the House committee's accusation "grossly unfair" and said it "mischaracterizes the nature and intent of our past testimony."

During a February 2006 subcommittee hearing on limits to freedom on the Internet in China, Lantos and Smith questioned Callahan about Shi.

Callahan testified to the subcommittee that Yahoo handed over the information to Chinese authorities at a time when it knew nothing about the investigation, Lantos said.

But the San Francisco, California-based human-rights group The Dui Hua Foundation released documents in July indicating police in China had written to Yahoo saying they were seeking evidence about Shi for illegally "providing state secrets to foreign entities," a charge frequently levied against political dissidents in China.

"This new documentation suggests that Yahoo's Beijing office was at least aware of the general nature of the crime being investigated in the Shi Tao case," said Joshua Rosenzweig, manager of research and publications for The Dui Hua Foundation.

Even if Yahoo was unaware of the specific circumstances of the Chinese government's inquiry, "One does not have to be an expert in Chinese law to know that 'state secrets' charges have often been used to punish political dissent in China," said Rosenzweig.

Shi has appealed his 10-year sentence for divulging state secrets, saying he did not know the information he shared was classified. He accused the police of using improper procedures in the investigation and arrest.

In addition, he has filed suit in U.S. federal court against Yahoo and its Hong Kong-based subsidiary.

Yahoo's spokeswoman said the company is working with other companies and the human rights community "to develop a global code of conduct for operating in countries around the world, including China."

Some pictures of this weekend.


Don Rico (my 14 year old brother), and Andre Nicholas (my baby munchkin)  This was taken before I took them to church with me.


While we were planting outside, Andre found a turtle---we placed it on the bird bath, hahaha!


Don with the poor turtle. 


Kaiser playing with the turtle


his first time playing with a turtle, lol.


    Someone played chess...


my sister Lorraine and Andre


Mommy and Lorraine

Quote from: Bambi on October 17, 2007, 08:55:26 AM
Hello Pare, 

nice having you here, you were too busy? long time no hear. take care of yourself, okey?

i was away for break, pare Pero im back, hahaha. dokdok na pood

Quote from: C2H4 on October 17, 2007, 08:50:29 AM
Hello dong,

we've missed you,

gimingaw ka's imong parents ug baby brothers noh? 

maybe you can post some pics during your stay in NJ, dong

Hey 'te! God bless you! Hey thanks for the PMs, na happy2x pood ko from reading them

Yes. Mingaw ko sa ahong mom, dad, my brothers Don and Andre. Just being around them was a gift, kai, ive been antosing to visit them---just to be around my papa and my mom. Talking about brod Mike and his papa this week has been very reminiscent for me, and reminded me how rarely i say 'I love you' to my own papa. I was able to do that this fall break.

The break wasn't bad, 'te. My dad and I rented a cultivator for our backyard and planted blue grass and fescue seeds; did some flower planting with my mom (for the Halloween season). I also was able to take my little bros out to the costume store---to buy costumes for them---it was the least Kuya could do for them (since i wont be able to go trick-or-treating with them this month). Ay sus...its very wierd how time passes tho. I still cant believe my brother Don is already a first year in high school, and my baby bro is already in 3rd grade. Papa and Mom celebrated their 23 years of marriage this break. So, of course, emotional pood. lol! Ning hilak pood ko, pero i didnt show it ...ning pahid2x lang ko quickly. lol!

Quick ra kaayo ang time, 'te. Kai 2 more months jud until this semester ends.

Ikaw, 'te? What did you do this beautiful weekend?

I missed you, ate belle and hazel

Beautiful.

Thank you Mr. Jun  Ayag for being there for Mike and his family, and sharing your experiences with us. I am very touched by your show of support and friendship towards Mike's father and Mike himself. I cant help but smile as I'm filled with happiness in reading this thread. God Bless you, all of you. And may the good Lord keep us in good strength, in will, and may he sustain us in our everyday lives. Through Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

We pray for you, Mike and Mr. Reynaldo Ligalig.

Humbly Yours,
The Lucino-Salvo Family.

     we are family,
although we do not resemble
although i am black and you are white
although you are rich and i am poor

we are family,
even though i am democrat, and you are republican
even though your ancestors are from Iraq, and mine are from Africa
even though you teach the class i'm enrolled in

we are family,
although i'm a poet and you are a singer
although you are old and i am young
although i'm a gentleman and you a lady

we are family,
even though you praise Allah and I praise Jesus Christ
even though i love football and you play soccer
even though you are a Sagittarius and i'm a Cancer

we are family,
although i prefer rhythm and blues and you love blue grass
even though you have a car and i have a bus…to ride
although i have love and you are alone
even though you dress one way, and i dress the other
although my family loves me and yours does not know of you

we are family,
you and i are family,
me and you are family,
no matter what the difference is
family we are, forever
because we are here, and here is earth
and earth is our home
so here, we will live,
we are family.


~Michael J. Burt 

hey agnes, hows my cousin jing? hope your week was fine.

Hey guys!!! Hows everyone ??

Just got back from an 9 hour drive from New Jersey. Im officially back on campus...homesick kaayo.

Another food for the mind, from Sir GEC. My knowledge on possible candidates for the gubernatorial race in Bohol for 2010 is rather limited. Who do you think would run for office of Governor in 2010, and who do you think would likely win?

Welcome to TB, Adtin.

Heres a classic.

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight"

by Elton John

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Nmr8J_GhVg&mode=related&search=

Quote from: C2H4 on October 14, 2007, 03:57:54 PM
Maayo pa sila, dong.

They're having the time of their life.

Dong, can you develop a drug nga ang epekto, the more you eat, the more you lose weight?

hahaha mao lagi no? No matter what happens in the world, the pharmacologists etc will always benefit; kai with new diseases and new 'medical conditions', comes the need to treat these so called 'diseases'. Examples of this are RLS(restless leg syndrome): which is a neurological defficiency of ferratin, which leads to uncontrollable movement of the lower appendicular ligaments (indicative of terets syndrome); and the new mode of treatments for this is oral medical intake of iron (about 50 mcg) which has been proven to reduce RLS symptoms. Some physicians have outright given patients diagnosed with RLS with dopamine agonists such as ropinirole, pramipexole, carbidopa/levodopa.

What is rather alarming is that this so called 'medical condition' was unheard of in the past; and billions of dollars are invested in developing 'medical cures' for this rather 'new medical condition'.

Either way, the drug companies are profiting.

Beautiful family picture, Lumine. How is your family in 'pinas doing? Hope everything is great over there, and God Bless You!

Always,

PATER NOSTER...

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum.
Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem:
sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

*translation*
    Our Father in heaven,
    Hallowed be your name,
    Your kingdom come,
    Your will be done,
    On earth as in heaven.
    Give us today our daily bread.
    Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
    Save us from the time of trial,
    And deliver us from evil.
    [For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
    Now and forever. Amen.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kmVyiuA6DY

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to make music to your name, Oh MOST HIGH!
Your deeds alone have made me glad, for the work of your hands, I should rejoice, O LORD,
How Great are your Works!

The drug companies are having the time of their life, eh 'te?

Naa mii sa south jersey, 'te. You went to livingston diay? its like 1 hour north of where i live.

Ate Ethylene, you're not old at all. You're young, vibrant, and most of all a great human being with a sweet heart. Your husband is very lucky to be married to a woman like you, tell him i said that , lol. He lucked out jud!

Hahaha about harry potter, maybe i can relate myself to Gideon Prewett.

My day has been filled with warmth, happiness and love. I'm currently back home with family in New Jersey---enjoying my college Fall Break, which lasts till Wednesday. Today was great because i was able to have some quality father-and-son time with my dad, with my little brothers and my mom. Both of my parents worked today, so my sister and I took our little brothers to the Philadelphia Art Museum from 2pm till 5 pm, then we ended our day at the restaurant and just talked. My little brothers are sleeping right now, lol, and both of them sleeping in my bed (they want to sleep with kuya ) Im very happy right now, and feel content. I thank the good Lord for his blessings on us, and I hope that everyone in TB is enjoying their weekend as well.

Hows everyone's week going so far?

I hear you, Ate. And you are very right. Absolutely.

Reading news like this is very alarming me, because an age-old American 'Ally' is saber raddling, and one that threatens the national security of a nation that is under military protection of the United States. Hypothetically speaking, if the Turks engage the Kurds of northern Iraq, and strain the United State's strategic interests, Turkey--will find itself being isolated and even attacked by the United States for defensive purposes. That, in itself, is a political, regional nightmare. The United States military chiefs of staff and the administration needs to indulge Ankara to lower its militaristic tone, at the same time, needs to persuade the Kurds from instigating the Turkish military; for the good of the region.

If however, the United States fails to prevent this strategic nightmare, then it will be another can of worms for us, the American people. And would substantially reduce our political and strategic clout in the region, and in the world.

Is this the beginning of the fall of the United States? What do you feel?

Good.

lol, hahaha id rather not say

But i think you do make a great Hermione. Both are paralleled to beauty.

Great article, 'te. Tea is a great source of vitamins that are productive in preventing bone loss for women as well as men in their later stages of life. Tea is also effective as an anti-oxidant, and conducive for detoxification when trying to rid the body of chemicals, as it functions perfectly as a diuretic agent. Additionally, I also recommend the consumption of tea on a regular basis for those who have a family history of oncological problems because tea (particularly green and black tea) has anti-cancer properties of polyphenols. Some studies indeed suggested that tea's polyphenols may reduce risk of gastric, esophageal and skin cancers if one consumes 4 to 6 cups daily. Other laboratory studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels. Consumption of tea instead of high-sodium yielding liquids such as (soda, caffeine-based products, etc) is an effective way reducing hyptertension as well as cardiovascular problems (of course should be augmented with proper diet and exercise and prescription medicine---for those who are medically hypertensive/diabetic etc).

Quote from: RV on October 14, 2007, 10:58:25 AM
Oh, I see. Thanks for the info dude!

I'm burying my nose lately with books by Mid East mystic, and Rumi, I must say, makes me do the dervish spin  as an aftertaste of reading his works. hahaha

Thanks for sharing, keep cool!

lol! Dervish spin eh? hahaha, have you actually tried that before? Frankly, I don't reckon myself ever derving around, though I experienced many times where I would sit and ponder the meanings of Rumi's beautiful poems. I cant help but relate his poems to the acts and psalms of the bible.

Btw, i know its rather off-topic (and i do apologize for that), but when are you going to Tibet?

Thank You.

PS. The pleasure is all mine. And likewise.

hahaha, GEC, ma lingaw pood ko mo read sa imong post, pre. lol!
'te, i think Mr. GEC is  Headmaster Dumbledore.

Ikaw?

 MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) -- The army halted attacks on villages near the Afghan border Wednesday to give residents time for funerals after days of fighting that killed as many as 250 people, a local schoolteacher said.

Ten residents went to the army base in Miran Shah, the North Waziristan region's main town, and military officials "assured us that just for today there would be no action so that the funerals of the locals could be held and the injured treated," Hafiz Muhammad Wali, the teacher who led the group, told The Associated Press.

He said he was told to announce the pause in hostilities in the nearby town of Mir Ali, where the fighting has been concentrated.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad confirmed that the military had spoken with the locals and said: "There is no cease-fire, but currently there is also nothing untoward happening either."

Residents reported a burst of shelling before dawn but there was no repeat of the fierce clashes that began on Saturday and have sent thousands fleeing for safety.

The clashes between troops and militants in the region near the Afghan border are the deadliest since Pakistan threw its support behind the U.S.-led war on terror in 2001.

On Tuesday, residents said Pakistani aircraft bombed Epi, a village near Mir Ali, killing dozens of militants and civilians and injuring many more, including shoppers in a packed bazaar.

The army said the planes were targeting militant hideouts and that local tribesmen reported about 50 militants were killed.

Arshad said on Tuesday that the airstrikes might have killed some civilians, but he had no exact numbers. Residents said several dozen funerals were to be held in Epi on Wednesday.

The army has reported the deaths of up to 200 militants and 47 troops, and that scores more had been hurt.

An Associated Press reporter in Miran Shah, the region's main town, heard a burst of artillery or mortar fire before dawn on Wednesday. Farid Ullah, a resident of nearby Mir Ali, said the shells had hit houses in that town.

"I have not dared to go outside, so I don't know if there anyone was hurt," Ullah said by telephone.

Ullah said some 10,000 people from Mir Ali and surrounding villages had abandoned their homes and, with the army blocking the roads, walked through the mountains to safer towns.

He said 60 of his relatives were among them, but that he was staying behind along with his aging mother.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf is trying to secure another term as president, vowing to shore up Pakistan's effort against Islamic extremism, particularly in its border regions where Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri are suspected to hide.
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A bomb destroyed ten shops selling music discs -- frowned on by fundamentalists -- in the town of Kohat before dawn on Wednesday, police said. No one was hurt. A similar attack in the city of Peshawar on Tuesday wounded a dozen people.

Pakistan struck a controversial cease-fire deal with militants in North Waziristan last year. U.S. officials criticized the pact, claiming it provided a safe haven for al Qaeda and a rear base for Taliban guerrillas fighting NATO troops in Afghanistan.
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In July, Pakistan's army redeployed troops at key checkpoints in the region, sparking fresh hostilities. Security forces have since suffered more than 250 casualties, many of them in suicide bombings, and more than 230 soldiers have been kidnapped.

The escalating clashes have sparked debate in Pakistan on whether military action -- widely perceived as done at the bidding of the United States despite Musharraf's insistence it is in the national interest -- can curb Islamic extremism or only serves to enflame it.

 ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- With Turkish-U.S. relations strained, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Turkey would not be deterred by the diplomatic consequences if it decides to stage a cross-border offensive into Iraq against Kurdish rebels.

"If such an option is chosen, whatever its price, it will be paid," Erdogan told reporters in response to a question about the international repercussions of such a decision, which would strain ties with the United States and Iraq. "There could be pros and cons of such a decision, but what is important is our country's interests."

Erdogan also had harsh words for the United States, which opposes a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq -- one of the country's few relatively stable areas.

"Did they seek permission from anyone when they came from a distance of 10,000 kilometers and hit Iraq?" he said. "We do not need anyone else's advice."

Analysts say Turkey could be less restrained about defying the United States because of a congressional committee's approval of a resolution labeling the mass killings of Armenians around the time of World War I as genocide.

"Democrats are harming the future of the United States and are encouraging anti-American sentiments," Erdogan said. Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives support the resolution.

Erdogan said Turkey was ready to sacrifice good ties with Washington if necessary.

"Let it snap from wherever it gets thin," Erdogan said, using a Turkish expression that means breaking ties with someone or something.

At issue in the resolution is the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated, and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest that killed Muslims as well as the overwhelmingly Christian Armenians.

Turkey, a key supply route to U.S. troops in Iraq, recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations and warned of serious repercussions if Congress passes the resolution.

"In the United States, there are several narrow-minded legislators who can't think of their own interests and who cannot understand the importance of Turkey," said Murat Mercan, head of the Turkish parliament's foreign relations committee.

Turkish authorities have refused to comment on whether Turkey might shut down Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, a major cargo hub for U.S. and allied military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turkey's Mediterranean port of Iskenderun is also used to ferry goods to American troops.

The Yeni Safak newspaper, which is close to the Turkish government, said Friday that Incirlik and $15 billion worth of defense contracts, including purchase of warplanes, missile and radar systems, could be reviewed. Turkey could also prevent U.S. firms from taking part in new contracts, Yeni Safak said.
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Erdogan said Turkey has long been seeking the cooperation of Iraq and the United States in its fight against Kurdish guerrillas, but there has been no crackdown on the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has bases in Iraq. Erdogan said a recent anti-terrorism deal signed with Iraq was not valid since it had not been approved by Iraq's parliament yet.

The Turkish parliament was expected to approve a government request to authorize an Iraq campaign as early as next week, after a holiday ending the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

"We are making necessary preparations to be ready in case we decide on a cross-border operation since we don't have patience to lose more time," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey has lost 30 people in rebel attacks over the past two weeks.

A Turkish soldier was killed in a mine explosion on Thursday night on Mt. Gabar in southeastern Sirnak province, authorities said Friday.

Turkish army units, backed by helicopter gunships, were hunting rebels in the rugged border area.
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Bahoz Erdal, a senior rebel commander, said the PKK fighters were moving further inside Turkey and taking new "positions" in the face of attacks from Turkey, pro-Kurdish Firat News Agency reported Friday. The agency is based in Belgium.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since 1984.

 MOSCOW, Russia (AP)  -- The Russian government under Vladimir Putin has amassed so much central authority that the power-grab may undermine Moscow's commitment to democracy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice listens at a news conference in Moscow on Friday.

"In any country, if you don't have countervailing institutions, the power of any one president is problematic for democratic development," Rice told reporters after meeting with human-rights activists.

"I think there is too much concentration of power in the Kremlin. I have told the Russians that. Everybody has doubts about the full independence of the judiciary. There are clearly questions about the independence of the electronic media and there are, I think, questions about the strength of the Duma," said Rice, referring to the Russian parliament.

Telephone messages left with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov were not immediately returned Saturday evening.

The top American diplomat encouraged the activists to build institutions of democracy. These would help combat arbitrary state power amid increasing pressure from the Kremlin, she said.

The U.S. is concerned about the centralization of power and democratic backsliding ahead of Russia's legislative and presidential elections in December and March. Putin will step down next year as president. He has said he would lead the ticket of the main pro-Kremlin party in the parliamentary elections and could take the prime minister's job later.

Rice sought opinions and assessments of the situation from eight prominent rights leaders.

"I talked to people about the coming months and how they see the coming months. How these two elections are carried out will have an effect on whether Russia is making the next step on toward democracy," Rice said after the private sessions at Spaso House, the residence of the U.S. ambassador in Moscow.

Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Friday received a chilly reception from Putin and senior Russian officials on U.S. proposals for cooperating on a missile defense system in Eastern Europe that Russia vehemently opposes.

But as she has in the past, Rice declined comment on Putin's possible political future and said she did not raise the matter in her official discussions.

Although she would not speculate about Putin's ambitions, Rice said there were signs that whatever transition occurs could be smooth.

"To the degree that anyone can predict, it looks like it will be fairly stable," she said. "But, I would just caution that change is change."

Earlier, Rice said she hoped the efforts of rights activists would promote universal values of "the rights of individuals to liberty and freedom, the right to worship as you please, and the right to assembly, the right to not have to deal with the arbitrary power of the state."

In the meeting with business, media and civil society leaders, Rice said she was "especially interested in talking about how you view (the) political evolution of Russia, the economic evolution of Russia."

"Russia is a country that's in transition and that transition is not easy and there are a lot of complications and a lot of challenges," Rice said. "If Russia is to emerge as a democratic country that can fully protect the rights of its people, it is going to emerge over years and you have to be a part of helping the emergence of that Russia."

Participants in the meetings said they outlined their concerns but that she did not offer any judgments about the state of human rights and democracy under Putin.

Lyudmila Alexeyeva of the Moscow Helsinki Group told the Interfax news agency her organization sees "the purposeful construction of an authoritarian society and an onslaught on the people's rights, elections are being turned into farce, and human rights and opposition organizations are experiencing pressure."

Alexander Brod, head of the Moscow Human Rights Bureau, said the discussions touched on "authoritarianism and the crisis of human rights." He said he disagreed with "the opinion that we had a flourishing democracy in the 1990s and that we have a setback now."

"Not all is ideal in America, either. We see protests against the war in Iraq and violations of human rights on the part of security services and violations of human rights in countering terrorism," Brod said.

Vladimir Lukin, the government-appointed human rights ombudsman, was quoted by Interfax as saying he told Rice that human rights should be discussed in a dialogue rather lecturing in a "doomsday" style.

The State Department frequently has criticized what Washington regards as creeping authoritarianism among Putin and other top Russian leaders.

Its most recent human-rights report on Russia notes continuing centralization of power in the Kremlin, a compliant legislature, political pressure on the judiciary, intolerance of ethnic minorities, corruption and selectivity in enforcement of the law, and media restrictions and self-censorship.

Rice and Gates later met with Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov for talks on trade and economic relations, including negotiations for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization.

Moscow and Washington signed a trade agreement last November that removed the last major obstacle in Moscow's 13-year journey to join the 149-member group. Moscow must still conclude other outstanding bilateral deals and assuage the European Union's concerns about energy supplies.

The Russian government press service said Zubkov also pressed the Americans to work to abolish the Jackson-Vanik amendment. The 1974 measure ties Russia's trade status to whether it freely allows Jewish emigration.

Great article, Mr. Barbaro.

It goes to tell us not to take for granted the comforts of home, as they would have been considered luxury in times past. Sometimes I wonder what I would have been had I lived in a different time era. A soldier? a poet? a farmer? a rebel? (lol).

Perhaps....

Just heard this remixed version of 'Beautiful Girls' by JoJo. Its supposed to be the girl's version of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls". Sweet song. Great beat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pzro0T8rgY&mode=related&search=jojo%20sean%20kingston%20beautiful%20girls

Hi RV,

I couldnt help but notice your poetic verse in your signature. It has been about 4 years since I touched the poems of Rumi, the great Sufi philosopher, but your signature forced a smile on my face. Very wise choice, sir.

Have you read Rumi's "We are a Flute" poetic benediction?
It follows:

We are as the flute, and the music in us is from thee;
we are as the mountain and the echo in us is from thee.

We are as pieces of chess engaged in victory and defeat:
our victory and defeat is from thee, O thou whose qualities are comely!

Who are we, O Thou soul of our souls,
that we should remain in being beside thee?

We and our existences are really non-existence;
thou art the absolute Being which manifests the perishable.

We all are lions, but lions on a banner:
because of the wind they are rushing onward from moment to moment.

Their onward rush is visible, and the wind is unseen:
may that which is unseen not fail from us!

Our wind whereby we are moved and our being are of thy gift;
our whole existence is from thy bringing into being.

+++

Glad to meet you here, sir.

If you have any problems regarding your profile, shoot a message at our admin, Mike.

Regards.

Love is the sense of Family, the Lord God, and the sense of unchallenged Friendship. A deep affection that cannot change.

But thats my own view.

Welcome back Lumine. I hope we can see some pictures of the vacation

Missed you in here.

I feel for the people of Taiwan, their people deserve the right to be recognized as a sovereign nation. However, it is impossible to avoid the political and economic clout of the rising Red Dragon, The People's Republic of China.

As we speak, the allies and supporters of Taiwan are grim, all ASEAN states (Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei and Timor Leste) abide by the One-China Policy and as a result, only recognize the PRC as 'China' and Taiwan as a lost province. Perhaps, in due time, the Chinese will abandon their cause for reunification, though I say that with a sad heart.

One. China would not risk open war with Taiwan, as it would aggravate surrounding nations such as S. Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States; and would jeopardize its economic stability and international standing; at the same time, Taiwan cannot ignore the growing magnetic force of the People's Republic of China, as more and more Taiwanese are longing for re-unification with the rising Super Power.

Surely, the People's Republic of China can squash Taiwan with a single stroke, however, considering the preparation of the Taiwanese and their defensive perimeters, taking Taiwan would be costly, and the island would be reduced to ruin before it would subject itself to surrender to Beijing.

An economic, political, social and military nightmare for the Asia-Pacific region.

For now, I hope that war isnt in the horizon..

Another incident? What is going wrong with this country...

If You Don't Know Me By Now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRPzJWeICzY

Mao lagi, pre. You are like that too
Boholano men have this trait. Humble ra kaayo, pero ug mo sulti, dako jud.

I am very blunt and direct. To the point jud ko. I was raised to respect every individual as a human being, but I give respect where respect is due as well as show respect on regards to the actions of the individual. For me theres no need to hide the truth, if im wrong--then ill be proved wrong. If, however, im correct about something, providence makes it known. Either through thoughtful dialogue or through evidence.

Hold your own ground, says I, and dont let people walk all over you. An age-old American saying.

Quote from: Sigbin II on October 11, 2007, 08:07:34 PM
Ayo lang pud og ningliwat sa amahan, Gaw.  Bogo man pud ko sa chess.   I've been known to lose 13 games in succession sa usa ka tigduwa sa Plaza Rizal.

Mr. Sigbin,

So i hear you are an ardent chess player, sir?

I will join your website, pre. Hahaha as for anything else, feel free to email me: lucinoa@allegheny.edu

I'm glad we got over that stupid mistake on my part. You are a kind hearted man, pre. Thank You for your forgiveness. It means alot to me.

Quote from: frog70 on October 11, 2007, 03:47:49 PM
Lorenzo,
  bug at ka kaayo mangutana murag nafeel jud nako na guibundak jud kaayo and word BAKLA! wow. asa gud adto na picture?kana man na mga pictures akong gui pang post kay puro mana mga naa sa halloween pictures nako ug kahibalo bitaw ka diri sa Tate na ang mga laki mag suot jud ug binabaji kung Halloween para palamuot!mura ra ko ug imo kung gui buking to the whole world without my permission.

Mikey, that was very thoughtless of me on my part, and was callous on my part. Sorry pre, i really am.

Uy sorry ha pre, just a simple question ra. Next time mo PM ra ko.

Sige, sige,

my sincerest apologies, Mikey and Leo.

hahaha ah classic saying man gud na, pre.

Mike, na hilak ko when i read your poem, bro. I hope and pray that your trip is with happiness, God bless you and you and your family are in my prayers. Salamat kaayo Mike for writing this, kai mo remind ka namo how a son should be like to his father. 

Quote from: frog70 on October 11, 2007, 09:17:02 AM
mao diay ning wala koy stress and pain after tennis the following day kay i see to it na i have to have sex before going to bed!true bitaw tanan ning guisulti ani da and esp. no. 10 para dili mag sige mug ot and babaji

lol, my friend Phil tells me "Early to bed early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"

lol. no need for briefs, 'te. Naked lang ta. hahahaha jp jp!

Quote from: frog70 on October 05, 2007, 05:42:10 AM
"Treadmills and stretching are out: Physical therapists are turning to the Nintendo Wii to help the injured and infirm get their grooves back while increasing flexibility and strength. Click on over to see a video of a 70-year-old patient looking awfully spry as he hits a few balls in Nintendo's Wii Sports tennis game... all part of a medical therepy regimen.

This is hardly the first time that video games have been used for medical and health purposes. Nintendo's Brain Age series is popularly prescribed to help elderly patients stay sharp as a sort of "exercise" for the mind. Re-Mission was designed for children with cancer, helping to inform them about treatment while keeping their spirits up during therapy. The company says the game has been shown to actually improve the prognosis for patients, saying that players actually maintain higher chemotherapy levels in the blood, suggesting the game helps them stick to their therepy schedules [PDF link]. Check out the Games for Health initiative for more news on the topic.

The Wii, though, is moving gaming out of niche applications and into the mainstream because the console is so accessible to such a wide variety of players. (You should see my four-year-old play Wii Carnival Games.) The upcoming Wii Fit could be a real killer in this category for those who don't have the sense of rhythm that Dance Dance Revolution requires: Check out the video at the following link to see how it could make working out into something you look forward to, whether you're eight or eighty.

See, mom? I told you video games were good for you!

LINK: Nintendo Wii Providing Therapeutic Opportunity"

This is my current favorite right now. I usually have a LAN system based game play--where 16 of us guys connect our x-box 360s and play multiplayer....with the game HALO3

.....NGEK!!!!

na buta na ko....

Quote from: frog70 on October 11, 2007, 09:50:26 AM
di jud ko sayangan kay it's a celebration na madungan ang federasyon in our perspective!

edited

Quote from: C2H4 on October 11, 2007, 09:29:32 AM
dodong Bran,

I remember you mentioned nga ganahan ka'g chinese mestisa nga type sa beauty...

You'll like this girl's beauty then, she's Cebuana...

I, personally, find her soOooo pretty...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjes6_LdXOA&mode=related&search=

Oh shes definitely gorgeous. Mao nai chinay beauty! haha

haha yea i like light skinned women. kanang puti-on ba.

hahahaha kuyawa pood si mikey uy, gi tagaa'n man ti iyang area code. LOL! Unsa na ..California area code, pre? LOL!

Pero te' tinuud ba na naa siya anak? Kai i remember my sister was talking to me about that---pero im sure he can afford it. With all his millions and fanitas LOL.

Must be nice, being a super good looking guy and single....and rich at the same time. And the girls are going ga-ga for them.

Average joe-shmoe like me have to work for things.

she looks so pinay hahaha

She's definately hot, very south east asian beauty no?

Pero i cant help but getting an attraction to A. She is very exotic to me, so foreign...with the red hair and baby green eyes...

And the freckles...hahaha

Uy! I love the way you define these words, Sir GEC!

Classy da!

Ah boholano man, so of course daku ang size hahahahaha!

++++++

Pero is it true that Piolo has a child??

lol, 'te. Uy mo adto nako! hapit nako late...haha!

Unya na pood!

LOL! dili metal means metal jud! hahahaha steel briefs jud ba! hahaha

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

hahahaha lagi intawn.

ehem, what did you say Hazel? I dont know what youre talking about....i dont have any metal whips at all.....




LOL


Ps. btw, how is you know who?? Any luck??HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

ROFLMAO!

LOL! sige sige, maybe i can also get a metal-laced whip to go with that eh? Hahahahaha

sobra kinky pood ni uy! Ma hadlok ang TB members ani....

puauaaahhaahahahaha

hahaha naa sigoro, pero wa ko maka find lagi. Mo tangaw ko sa dominatrixx store unya.

LOL!!!!

Okey ra man, pero tight ra kaayo kay dako man ang 'package' nako

LOL!

lol, sure ka dili mo attract na sa gnats? Sige, mo try ko ana, pero ug i-attackon ko sa mananap, i blame-on ka nako, Hazel. hahahaha and ill come after you

Quote from: frog70 on October 11, 2007, 03:44:34 AM
excuse me jud kay i truly believe na naa pa guihapon ang akong traits na pagka bol anon na very shy and gentle in many ways, unsay pagtoo nila sa akoa, easy girl? este, easy easy lang?no way Jose!bahala pa ug bilangkaran nako nila,hehehe.

Ah mao ba, pre? Strickto diay ka ha? Sige, i-palitan ka nako ug 'metal briefs' kai mao na mo prevent any entry. hahahaha !

joke ra pre, joke ra uy!



Pero thats good man, keep your standards up.