Google; Bush and Iraq; Pensive Guys

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I was looking at the Google news when I decided I needed to visit the bath. I carefully placed the laptop on the couch table and headed for the bath. When I returned, the text, like water into wine, has mysteriously become Spanish.

I know there are an extensive number of options under the preferences link: try the larger image link at the left, and you will see it in the middle to the right of the search bar.

My first try was to visit the preferences page, and I noticed the pull down menu under the Interface Language block which allows you to "Display Google tips and messages in" the option you select. Much to my surprise, the options are more than just extensive but, in some cases, downright bizarre

There are languages listed that I've never heard of. But if you are so inclined, you can also have Bork, bork, bork!, Elmer Fudd (indicated in graphic at left), Esperanto, Hacker, Interlingua, Klingon, Latin, Pig Latin and Yiddish.

I figured out how to get back to English. Then I remembered that under News there is a listing of international options available at the bottom of of the page. These are not language selections but reflect an emphasis by country: Argentina, Canada English or French, France, Ireland, South Africa, Israel, Arabic, and Russia.

So what happened: My guess is that one of the kits clomped across the keyboard, as they often do, and inadvertently clicked the Spanish option.

(Google images from: Google Homepages)

From a January 11 article in The New York Times, "Devastating Criticism on Iraq by Both Parties".Some selected highlights:

When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, the Democrats, newly ascendant in Congress and frustrated by the war in Iraq, controlled the microphone.

Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut accused the administration of letting American soldiers be used as “cannon fodder.”

A smattering of applause erupted when Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska warned that Mr. Bush’s new plan would be “the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam, if it’s carried out.”

In an especially contentious exchange, Mr. Feingold (Senator Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin) asked Ms. Rice: “Is the United States more secure now as a result of our military incursion into Iraq than we were before we entered Iraq?” Dissatisfied with her responses, Mr. Feingold repeated the same line three more times.

How many more troops do you send? I don't see anything that makes me think the country is capable of governing itself. So in turn American youths will again be deemed "expendable." What utter madness!

As an aside, for some time, I'd been intending to post Jacques Brel's English translation of his song ""La Colombe" / "The Dove." In the process of seeking the lyrics I came across the web page of a soldier in Cyprus which had what I needed. The soldier is Petros Evdokas, and his page can be found at "We are not here to sing, We're here to kill the dove". "Pax tecum," Petros. (Lyrics are available at contours provocations lyrics.)

(Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice image from: Source not recorded)

I continue to work on the Pensive Guys section. I have added some more photos to the Adrien Brody, James Dean and Elijah Wood parts. And I've just finished some pages on Tobey Maguire. And I'm looking at a batch of images of Clive Owen.

This has proven far more difficult than I would have anticipated. One factor is that not everyone lends themselves to being photographed in a pensive mood.

Second is that in some cases, I can't tell if they are being pensive or not. So far the most "realistic" photos of pensiveness are those of James Dean. But then his brooding intensity was the premier facet of his personality. That by no means slights the others. I certainly get the impression that even poised many are are "off camera."

And third, in some cases, it is very, very difficult to achieve a critical mass. Chris Rice is a good example. Those six photos are literally the only ones I could find. There is another taken by his lover, Brian Orter, and is obviously part of a commercial venture, so I am disinclined to use it directly. However, you can see it at :::: brian orter :::: under portraits, bottom row, second from right. (Beautiful, zen-like site that never intrudes but waits for your reaction.)

(Tobey Maguire image from: Source not recorded)

PAX!