Basque...el camino por santiago

Folks,

I sent thru what may seem an obscure exchange between Linda and Martin because
it strikes a
theme... Linda I surmise is on a pilgrimmage, el camino por santiago, and martin
has expressed
envy. I am going to take a wild guess... Linda is self-employed, and Martin is
not. This is not a
criticism, just to make the point again, that self-employment is first about
lifestyle.

Martin, if I am right, how about a new biz oppty? A travel agent to/for
pilgrimmages? turn that
envy into lifestyle...

(In the car this morning, I heard on the radio one Kevin Trudeau got around govt
rules on
touting medical cures by writing books about what others say, not about what he
himself says.
Apparently he rakes in the dough and is untouchable.)

John
On Wed, 24 May 2006 02:41:53 -0700 (PDT), linda williams

wrote :

> This is all very interesting as i am currently walking el camino por santiago
and have gone
through some of the basque country. i wondered about all the political grafiti,
posters etc. my
spanish is poor, so could not grasp it all, and of course, could not understand.
>
> linda
>
>
> martin@mendiola.us wrote:
> Luis,
>
> With all due respect, specially since we are probably neighbors in Miami, I
just got back from
Gernika and Bilbao last night and the Basque people want independence. Not
necessarily for the
same reasons that John may think (I disagree with a lot of what he says and
believes, but always
find his comments interesting and thought provoking) but they still see
themselves as being the
mouth of the cow that gets milked in Madrid. Along with what they feel has been
oppression
from past governments there are many other non-political reasons the Basque seek
independence. In his book The Basque History of the World, Mark Kurlansky
indirectly points
out many of these reasons. Lets not forget that the concept of a Basque country
crosses the
Pyrennees into France.
>
> The political situation in Spain is interesting to say the least. They have a
tremendous
immigration problem. "A la" Jimmy Carter with the Mariel Boatlift from Cuba,
Zapatero has sort
of opened its borders creating a major influx of what are rapidly becoming
"undesirables".
There is an increase in reported government and corporate corruption. During my
visit, there
was a major scandal involving over 350,000 investors that got pulled into by a
major scam. It is
a time of caution for Spaniards. Up to now they have been "recipients" of funds
from the
European Union, as more (poor) countries come aboard and the roles reverse to
where they
become "contributors", the economic boom will begin to slow down or end. The
European Union
has already voted to withhold wine subsidies which will impact Portugal much
more than Spain,
but this should be a warning.
>
> Towns like Gernika (known for the famous Picaso painting) were experiencing
tremendous
construction and real estate price increases. As of 5 days ago, real estate
prices were not just
leveling off, but actually coming down with a BIG drop in sales. Those who used
to be strong
Socialist Party supporters are beginning to wonder. They also realize there may
be a small
window of opportunity for them to gain complete independence since an economic
slow down
and mistakes made in Catalunya will cause reactionary shifts in government due
to public
pressure. (This last statement may give some insight as to John's comments
regarding more
communist countries becoming independent).
>
>
> I find the current situation in Spain quite interesting, it may be provide a
"faster" indication as
to where the US economy is headed since there are many similarities. Tremendous
expansion in
construction and real estate prices where the youth cannot afford housing and
live off credit
cards, lack of innovation and "product" creation, globalization and an abundance
of jobs that
were once considered desirable and respectable (ie: restaurant and hotel
employees) filled by
immigrants, since natives do not want them.
>
> My two cents worth turned to be more like a dime. Good luck and take care,
>
>
> Martin Mendiola
> 305-445-2525
> Martin@Mendiola.US
>
>
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: [spiers] Re: All Hail Montenegro!
> > From: "spiersegroups"
> > Date: Tue, May 23, 2006 12:44 pm
> > To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Luis,
> >
> > In principle, the moment a majority wants independece, ought they not be
afforded it,
> > regardless of history? In practice, independence rarely is based on
majority rule,
> > rather 40% for, 40% against, and 20% undecided. The undecided 20% is won
over by
> > politics. Thus it was in USA independence movement.
> >
> > As to violence, I am with you, it is abhorrent. I think the mistake the
confederates
> > made in the USA was to resort to violence. Better to be like Montenegro, or
Singapore
> > or Norway... all gained independence non-violently. Certainly Canada gained
> > independence from England nonviolently. It seems to me violence is
introduced by
> > thugs who use the good of independence to put a halo on their crimes.
> >
> > John
> > --- In spiers@yahoogroups.com, LUIS1467@... wrote:
> > >
> > > Dear John
> > >
> > > Basques (Vascos) are a part of Spain since the origins of Iberia (Spain)
> > > They are free since they have their autonomy, their local goverment, their
> > > Parliament, their local police, etc, and most of the Basques like what
they have
> > > since they feel Spaniards, .but few nationalists plus the ETA terrorists
it
> > > means something close but not exactly the same that a Federal State as
could be
> > > Florida or New York States. If you need further information, please let
me
> > > know and with pleasure I will provide it.
> > >
> > > Sincerely
> > >
> > > Luis Cabo
> > > Tel/Fax 305667 7630
> > > Cell 786 4730868
> > > email: Luis1467@...
> > > email:luis.cabo001@...

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