Noor Almalecki - R.I.P.

On Monday, November 2, the 20 year old Iraqi born girl who had been run over by her father on October 20 for being too "westernized", died from her injuries. Her father will be likely be charged with intentional homicide. "Honor killing" must be an oxymoron.

Being Peevish - Language Errors Again

Many in my family roll their eyes when I point out misspellings in restaurant menus, in news channel crawls, signs, or nearly any other place they crop up. Some think I should lighten up and let the errors roll off my back and take a laissez-faire attitude about our language.

I can't.

When I hear some say "ex cetera" instead of "et cetera", or "excape" instead of "escape" (there is no "x" sound), I get crazy.

The latest irritation was a CNN interview with a retired army officer regarding the Fort Hood Massacre, when he started with saying that shootings occur on "all army posts's", adding a superfluous "s" to the plural. The plural of post is posts - very simple. Just as some say that they made a round of "conference breakfasts's. " Breakfast is singular and if you must have a plural, it is "breakfasts."

The nice gentleman went on in the interview to use the above "ex cetera", and then capped it off with the pronunciation of the word "heinous" (usually followed by "crime") as "heeny-us" instead of the correct "hay-nus." Some will say "hee-nus", still wrong, but better than "heeny-us."

The last error of this veteran soldier was perhaps the most egregious. He was a former officer in the 1st Cavalry unit, yet he still made the error many others do. He said "Calvary" instead of "cavalry." Christ died on Mount Calvary, and horse mounted troops (or tanks, today) are "cavalry." A good way to remember to say the right thing is to use one of their own adages: "If you ain't Cav, you ain't."

Now about that use of "ain't"...

Take Some Responsibly For Yourself, Please!

Two years ago, a police officer stops a car and driver for drunken driving. The 21-year-old female passenger is also drunk but not incapacitated. She is not wanted for anything else. The cop arrests the male driver, places him in his squad, secures the vehicle, and takes the passenger to a nearby convenience store so she can call for a ride. She has a cell phone and is walking upright.

The passenger walks in and out of the store (as seen later in security cams) and seems able to walk in a straight line. She has her cell phone in her hand.

This female passenger is now complaining about the Tempe (AZ) Police Department because after the officer left to process her male drunken partner she opted to take a ride from two strangers (male and female), who then took her to a vacant house in Mesa where the female proceeded to sexually assault her. It seems it is now the cop's fault because she made some very poor choices.

The investigation later showed that she, indeed, drank to excess. She then got into a car with another drunk person who was caught driving while intoxicated. She was free to go at the scene of the stop, but was given a ride by the Officer to an open business. She then opted to get into a car with strangers instead of calling other friends or a taxi for a ride.

Those bad choices led to a very unfortunate event where she was sexually assaulted. Facts. She now wants to blame the police for her situation, when the real culprit is the assaulter. How could any cop have reasonably known that a 21 year old tipsy woman, who he left at a populated place, was going to be raped?

Before I get accused of "blaming the victim", I find the assault and the other actions of the strangers to be repugnant and well as heinously illegal. But where do we draw the line on whose life is it anyway? Who is responsible for being in this situation? Could the police officer have done something else? Of course. He could have called for another officer to provide "taxi service" to this woman. He could have had her taken to a detox facility if she was incapacitated, but didn't think she was. She was never his responsibility beyond getting her off the street to civilization where she could secure her own ride. Imagine if the police had to take responsibility for every adult they come in contact with that had too much to drink.

I suspect there is an "ambulance chasing" shyster somewhere in the mix. But I could be wrong.

Winning Hard Hearts and Minds of Iraqis?

The United States often seeks to win the "hearts and minds" of the countries in which we have a military presence, to wit: Iraq. It seldom works well, but the U.S.A. put billions of dollars into their country's road works, water systems, electrical grids, and schools. We often fund their health care and even pay their army and police at times.

We have been doing this for some time in Iraq, propping up that country with our "blood and treasure" hoping that they will like us. We think we are nice people, so what's not to like? And we ARE nice people, no doubt, trying to make things better for their people as well.

Recently in Arizona an Iraqi immigrant was accused and later arrested in London after running down his own daughter with his car in a parking lot; she was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Apparently he thought she was getting too "westernized." If this is the mindset of even a few Iraqis about us westerners, then how can we ever overcome their hatred for what the collective "we" represents? We love democracy, rule of law, freedom of religion, and equality - among many other great tenets of freedom.

But if an Iraqi father will run over his own daughter because she has shamed him in some way by being too "westernized", then the battle is lost, not to mention the war. You have to wonder why this man moved his family to the "west" if he didn't want them "westernized"? Pray for the 20 year old girl.

Las Vegas - Still Glitzy, But With Changes

Speaking of Las Vegas where we spent about six days in October, I began to think about how many times I has visited this city of lights and "Lost Wages." I estimated about 30 times so now could reflect on some of the changes we have seen over the last 40 years or so.

Las Vegas is said to be suffering from the same economic decline affecting the rest of the world, but unless you look closely it is not always evident. I see that as a good thing. First, for the workers who still have their jobs, and second, because I want to return again and again and not find boarded hotels and casinos.

Our first forays to Nevada's Mecca were to ogle the sights and maybe play a game or two. As the years went on, we spent more time seeing the sights than actually gambling, or rather "gaming."

The newer hotels and casinos today - The Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, Encore, Rio, Palms, and a few others exhibit the decadence that appeals to the visitor. Some are classy, some are over the top, and some are plain kitschy, but all are far beyond what any of us will have. That is the attraction: to be in a fantasy world; to watch people be happy and sad (often within minutes), and to escape our own existence if only for a few days.

We once stayed at the Dunes, the Sands, the Stardust - all gone now. We visited the Desert Inn where Howard Hughes holed up (where the Wynn stands now), and even stayed in the Flamingo bungalows where Bugsy Siegel put his high rollers. The Flamingo, in its remodeled glory still stands, but the bungalows are long gone. The Venetian stands atop the Sands property where the Rat Pack often entertained. The Bellagio lake and fountains now cover where the Dunes tower once stood.

Today, the slots do not take quarters and if you win, won't spit out pounds of dirty change, but will print you a nice ticket you can cash in. The slots still produce the sounds of the change being paid out, but even that will disappear once someone asks what that noise is.

The dealers talk to you now, and the fearsome pit bosses are now overly friendly and don't seem as likely to bust your kneecap if you misbehave. Where it was once discouraged to chat with a dealer, it is now OK, although some are still tight-lipped and look like they'd rather be anyplace else besides chatting with rubes from Wisconsin. Lucky for them the dealer tips ("tokes") are pooled or they would be paupers.

The food, which was once so cheap that it made no sense to go to McDonald's, is now quite pricey. Buffets; once the poor, broke, gamblers chance at a meal; are now upwards of $20 plus. Drinks can be found for less, but a nice martini at Caesar's is $14.

There are still bargains to be had, for sure. Room rates are reasonable if you search online, and the valet parking is always a deal even with the $2-3 tip. Hotels in most cities gouge the traveler for parking and it is (nearly) free at even the best hotels in Las Vegas.

The downtown area with Fremont Street at is center used to be the seedy part of town that was known to cater to locals and those with only a few dollars. The fifty-cent shrimp cocktail is mostly gone, but there still can be found a shrimp delight for a dollar. The table limits are lower at Binion's, the Four Queens, and even the classier Golden Nugget so gamblers don't have to risk so much on each dice toss at the crap tables. Some casinos are a little shopworn and the clientele won't grace the cover of People, but it is a friendly place, and much enhanced with the addition of the "Fremont Street Experience". The street is covered with a sort of video light canopy and each hour the show in the sky is something to behold, at least once. Queen's "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" were blasting from the 550,000 watt sound system when we were there.

Unfortunately the area between the Sahara, considered to be the northernmost hotel on the "strip" and the downtown area is still seedier and getting worse. During the day, the wedding chapels are quaint and fun to see, but at night no one should be walking this area. Yet, that is still somewhat of a attraction - to see the billions spent on (and at) the Palazzo, and just a few blocks north, tattoo parlors, street folk, and bail bondsmen.

While I once enjoyed the $1.99 breakfast, and the $4.99 T-bone in 1974, I knew that it could not continue just as the $1.00 limit blackjack and crap tables had to go as well.

Las Vegas is still that fun destination, not so much for families as they tried to cater to in the 80s, but still with that glint that says riches. Bring money, leave it there, but still have a great time. No where else does it feel so good to just break even.

Big & Tall - No Way to Fly

Last week we went to Las Vegas for a few days and opted to fly from Phoenix rather than drive from our winter home in Mesa. Southwest Airlines had a sale so $49 for a round-trip ticket sounded better than driving six hours each way through the desert.

I have always feared flying, not for the usual reasons most might have; but because airline seats are generally built for the average 19th century adult, and not for the big and tall. I qualify on both counts, starting with a height of 6'4", and a weight that can only be guessed at. Surprisingly, despite my girth, I can fit into the seats width-wise, but knee room is often a problem. With extra long femurs, my knees push into the hard plastic back of the seat ahead and I spend the whole flight fearing that the passenger in front of me will suddenly want to lay down in my lap.

Reclining anywhere but First-Class should be a felony. Even for those vertically challenged folk whose knees are not crushed when the seatback comes back, the view of the top on a stranger's head is not usually a pleasant one. Miraculously the tray tables still seem to work with the seats back, but with my snack and Diet Coke on my table, the hair hanging above waiting to drop a strand (or worse) into my drink does not enhance moi bon appetit.

I try to anticipate my front neighbor's intention to shoot backwards by bracing his or her seatback with my knees. They try to recline but meet resistance and cannot figure out why the feature does not work. I smile when they finally give up after a few tries, and rest easier for the rest of the flight. There are some, however, who will wait a minute to try again, often surprising me when I am not on recline alert, and find the seat shooting back toward me followed by shooting pains in both knees. My only recourse is to let out a retched, pain-induced scream, which all but the most obtuse understand is from them causing me pain and suffering. Most will look over their shoulders, see the problem, and apologize for the assault.

Some, however, will look peeved at me for being so tall, and one even announced, "I have a right to recline!"

I responded with, "And I have a right to be able to walk for a few more years", which settled it for that flight.

When possible I try to get the aisle seat so that I can extend one leg at times. I can also lean toward the aisle to ease my incursion into the next seat space. Luckily (for me) I travel with my wife mostly, and she endures the incursion better than most strangers. Southwest Airlines seems to "get it" that moving that drink cart up and down those narrow aisles is not the most efficient, so they take drink orders like a cocktail waiter, and deliver my Diet Coke on a tray. Those airlines still using those heavy, wheeled Patton tanks, will continue to ply the aisles inevitably ramming my knee and driving my femur further into my hip.

Seat belt length does not seem to standardized across the airlines, so I sometimes find my seat belt to be tad short (or two tads short) so have to ask for an extension from the flight attendants. Most will discreetly get the belt extension and slip it stealthily to me as they pass in case I might be embarrassed. I'm not. But one attendant could not have cared less about my possible mortification when she came down the aisle, holding the extension high for all to see and then said, "Who needed this seat belt extension?"

On the return flight from Las Vegas, we managed to get in line early enough to select an aisle seat for me so once I got settled with my knees planted firmly on the seat in front of me, my seat belt fastened (no extension needed) and my slight trespass into my wife's personal space, I was feeling fairly smug, until I glanced across the aisle.

Sitting not 18 inches from me was Ali Vincent, the last season winner of the Biggest Loser reality series. She was reading a People magazine, turned to an article on some celebs weight loss. Ali was from Mesa so I couldn't help touch her arm and say to her that I was glad to see that she was still successful. I mentioned something about her being an inspiration and she was very gracious and thanked me. She must have wondered what kind of inspiration I was talking about as she surely noted my seat belt cutting into my abdomen and my wife listing slightly toward the window.

Who Knew? It's Clinton with the Cojones

While President Obama is always the cool and collected one, there are more than a few Americans who wonder about his "Mr. Nice Guy Who Will Talk to Anyone" demeanor. Diplomacy is fine if there is progress, but there comes a time when good old plain talk is in order.

Today, Secretary of State Clinton was in Pakistan trying out her charm to get the reticent government of that nation to do a little more of our bidding. They were offended. They were incensed that the U.S. might put conditions on the $7.5 billion we give them. They said it threatens their sovereignty. How can a country declare it is sovereign (read independent) if it is on the dole from its ally, the United States?

When the Pakistani press got its back up and wondered what right the U.S. had to put conditions on our aid, Secretary Clinton could take no more. She basically said that if you don't like the conditions, then don't take the money. Maybe the U.S. needs to say this a little louder to the countries who benefit most from our largesse along with Pakistan. Israel is getting a little feisty these days and Egypt needs to show a little more progress toward democracy if they want to keep taking our money.

Clinton is supposed to be the diplomatic one, but her tough talk will have to stand in for the President until he sees that we are being duped far too often.