Propuestas del movimiento 15M - 20 Mayo

Tal y como estaba temiendo, el movimiento 15M empieza a tomar ciertas direcciones que no me convencen por lo que anteriormente señalaba: tienden más a desunir que a unir a la gente. Y en una revolución popular lo que se necesita es unir a la gente de todas las ideas políticas. Esto no debe ser una revolución de derechas ni de izquierdas.

Mal se va con propuestas como:

· 8. Desvinculación verdadera entre la Iglesia y el Estado, como establece el artículo 16 de la Constitución.

· 11. Cierre de todas las centrales nucleares y la promoción de energías renovables y gratuitas.

· 14. Reducción del gasto militar, cierre inmediato de las fábricas de armas y un mayor control de las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad del Estado. Como movimiento pacifista creemos en el “No a la guerra”.

· 15. Recuperación de la Memoria Histórica y de los principios fundadores de la lucha por la Democracia en nuestro Estado.

Y alguna más que me dejo.

Por fortuna, parece que desde internet la reacción de mucha gente ha sido contraria a estas propuestas, así que aún es probable que se rectifiquen.

Mis notas sobre lo que está sucediendo en Sol y otros lares

Al hilo de un correo que me envió recientemente un compañero escribo aquí mis humildes notas sobre los hechos que acontecen en Sol y otros lares :

· Tengo bastantes bastantes dudas de que se produzca un vuelco electoral a raíz de estos acontecimientos por los siguientes motivos:

- La gente de derechas se desmotiva menos al votar al PP que los de la izquierda al PSOE.

- Es más que probable que el impacto de dicha acción sea mínimo: el excenario que me proponía mi compañero hablaba de un cambio del 17.8% de los votos (10,4% de los cuales irían al PP y el resto al PSOE). Exagerado a día de hoy.

- Tengo bastantes dudas de que el abandono de indecisos afectara por igual al PSOE y al PP en cuanto a porcentaje de sus votantes.

· El movimiento llevaba ya fraguándose desde hace la tira, como otros antes de él. Y al parecer bastante bien preparado. Lo novedoso es que haya funcionado. Lo menos novedoso es que no se haya oído nada antes por los medios de comunicación habituales (prensa, televisión).

· Me parece una falta de respeto sugerir que los acampados en Sol se han dedicado al vandalismo, cuando en general la situación ha sido todo lo contrario. No se ha informado de ningún acto verdaderamente incívico (lo de saltarse una prohibición poco acertada no me lo parece en absoluto) desde lo del domingo.

· Desde fuera algunos están tratando de jugar a un "divide y vencerás" aprovechando que actualmente no hay un modelo claro. Bajo mi punto de vista esto sólo tiene sentido si se consigue el objetivo de un cambio de la ley electoral y de otros temas en los que en general todos estamos de acuerdo (la politización de la justicia, etc.), y a partir de ahí poco a poco. A más concreta la propuesta, especialmente en temas económicos, más fácil dividir a la gente.

· Hay que reconocer que ciertos medios de comunicación, Intereconomía en concreto, se han ganado a pulso el desdén de los asistentes a Sol. No tenéis más que mirar algunas noticias o imágenes que hay por ahí. Yo dejo una: http://rinzewind.org/archives/2011/05/18/nivelazo/ (Alguien debería recordarles lo que es un "motín". Aunque creo que lo saben muy bien.).

· No todo es por la crisis económica. Cuando llevas tanto tiempo con los políticos como tercer tema de preocupación para los ciudadanos, es lógico que la gente acabe pidiendo responsabilidades a la mínima. Pasa que en España somos lentos de acción.

· Está claro que estas manifestaciones tienen mayor repercusión entre los partidos políticos cuando se acercan las elecciones, ya que es uno de los pocos momentos en los que parece que se acuerdan de que los ciudadanos son quienes les han puesto allí.

· Yo no he visto ningún problema con el funcionamiento de las asambleas. Si nos ponemos a buscar antecedentes de nombres con el pasado, la misma democracia saldría perjudicada (no a votos de inmigrantes, mujeres...).

· Respecto al creador de la web de democraciarealya.es: http://barrapunto.com/~manje/journal/35993?from=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter . Luego que cada uno crea lo que quiera.

· No me agrada usar eslóganes de un pasado tan turbio como la guerra civil. Puedo entender por qué (resistencia del pueblo madrileño, abandonado por unos políticos que tiraron para valencia en cuanto vieron el peligro), pero no me agrada por lo divisorio que resulta.

· El tema de los pactos entre partidos es un problema de sobra conocido por no tener nuestras elecciones una segunda vuelta. Creo que es una de las cosas que se están debatiendo en los grupos de Sol.

· No voy a valorar la propaganda de "estos buenos, estos malos", que cada quien es mayorcito y dichas frases me resultan de nivel de primaria.

· Si de verdad se quiere algún cambio las manifestaciones no pueden parar una vez pasadas las elecciones. Quedará como una de tantas quejas a los que los políticos hacen oídos sordos.

American rethoric: a place to hear and read speeches in english

It is not surprising that you can be able to find almost anything on the internet nowadays. What it is surprising are the thoughts of some of us thinking "Bah, imposible. That cannot exist". Well, maybe not in all the languages on earth, but definitively you can find almost anything in english nowadays with enough patient and the proper search engine.

Why am I writing this? Well, because of what is written on the title: I found a great place to practice both reading and listening following my previous advice: use political speeches to practice english, since they have to communicate clearly their ideas to everybody.

Since I had already the idea in mind, the famous speech of Marthin Luther King Jr., "I have a dream", I went to youtube and found it without many difficulties. Then I moved to google and search for the speech (I felt too lazy to write it and it would be a pointless effort, since probably it was already done) and found the webpage... with the video. Great! I never thought both things would be available at the same place. Not if it wasn't written in youtube itself. Ah! I underestimated how youtube revolutioned internet, letting you to show the video almost anywhere you want. I must say I don't know the entire history, so maybe there were another service before, but at least not as popular as youtube.

So, as I said, here is the web-page I mentioned:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

and here the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

Do not worry if you cannot understand everything. It is a bit more difficult than the previous speech of Obama. And the noise also disturbs a bit.

Listening test (medium level). Transcript included

As I say last time, youtube offers a great offer of videos to practice english. Not subtitled ones are probably not the best ones at low leves, but they can be useful when when it comes to higher levels... and tests. Down here the video of the announcement of Osama Bin Laden killed by U.S.. My experience says that politicians speeches, particullary top class politicians speeches, are one of the easiest audios to understand (not considering its message, that's it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ellnd3M8-ow



The link has a better video, in my opinion.

Now the questions:

· What is Osama responsible for?

· What happened with a bright September day? When did it happen?

· What could be seen at the Pentagon?

· What happened with Flight 93?

· Some children were forced to... (complete)

· How many citizens died on 9/11 due to the terrorist attack?

· In our time of... (complete)

· What didn't matter on 9/11 to be united as one american family?

· What was intentended to do with to people who commited the crimes of 9/11?

· What was Al-Qaeda committed to?

· How have been made great strides in fighting Al-Qaeda?

· What did the Taliban government in Afghanishtan?

· How did Al-Qaeda operate across the world?

· With Obama, which has been the top priority to fight against Al-Qaeda?

· Where was Bin Laden found?

· A small team of Americans... and capability.

· For how long has Osama been the leader of Al-Qaeda?

· We must and we will...

· What was not Bin Laden? What was he?

· What helped to lead US to Bin Laden?

· What did the American and Paquistan teams agree on?

· Why did the fight begin?

· What will never tolerate US?

· We will be true... who we are.

· What can be said to the families who have lost loved ones?

· What did the intelligence and counterterrorism professionals feel that night?

· What does Obama say to the families who have lost loved ones?

· What is that day achievement?

· That is the story...

· Why can EU do these things?

· May God... . And may God...

Note: The "to-complete" questions are generally expressions. Learn them.

____

"Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

"It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory - hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

"And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

"On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbours a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

"We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda - an organisation headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against Al-Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

"Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that effort. We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defence. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and Al-Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of Al-Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

"Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

"And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against Al-Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

"Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

"For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al-Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat Al-Qaeda.

"Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that Al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must - and we will - remain vigilant at home and abroad.

"As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not - and never will be - at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, Al-Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

"Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

"Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

"The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.

"So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defence of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to Al-Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done.

"Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

"We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

"Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

"And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

"The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

"Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

"Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America."

Nueva hornada de monólogos en youtube

Acabo de ver que recientemente ha habido una nueva hornada de monólogos en youtube vía las reposiciones de la sexta 2. Gran noticia para los que nos encantan estas cosas.

Aquí uno de Goyo Jiménez, donde se puede ver lo mucho que ha cambiado (y ganado):

Some videos for english listening practice

It is surprising how many videos from youtube can help to english practice. As one of my teachers said, you can use any video to practice: the only thing that matters is how much you should (and actually can) understand.

Here different examples (I only put the links, no direct videos):

· Tales of Symphonia (3:08-5:30 & 8:30-10:00): extremely easy and with big subtitles. Make absolutely sure you catch every single word. Get some expresions: "Hang on a sec", "It sounds kind of arrogant"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOZH00Wf_Pk&feature=related


· Mass effect (2:23-4:02 & 4:36-9:45): a realistic pronuntiation (though sometimes slow) and smaller subtitles. The vocabulary used also makes it a bit more difficult the first time: thrusters (=propulsores), drift (=deriva, desvío, derrape), hazard (=peligro, riesgo)... Add the extra locations for space stuff (half of it invented) and there you have: a greater difficulty. Specially for the first time: that's why, at exams, you here things twice (note: one way to increase or decrease difficulty: add/reduce number of repetitions).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmOrrylbPyo&playnext=1&list=PL20B9CF2C01D9B9DD

· Dragon Age Origins (1:36-4:40): same as before, but no subtitles and some background sounds which makes hearing more difficult.

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

They are all walkthroughs, so you can see (and listen) the entire game if you want.

All this brings some good memories, by the way.