Paul McCartney / Time Capsule

Tom Cruise / Time Capsule

Patricia Espinosa - Mx

NEWS - MEXICO
Mexico as failed state
“Mexico is not a failed state,” declared Patricia Espinosa at the end of last week. The country’s foreign minister was reacting to, among other things, a recent U.S. Joint Forces Command report warning that two countries-Pakistan and Mexico-are at risk of “rapid and sudden collapse.” The Pentagon’s assessment sounds about right.
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The Mexican government is fighting a brutal war with drug barons, who are also fighting each other. Last year 5,300 Mexicans were killed in the various struggles, some shot in public, many beheaded or mutilated. Tijuana, the sprawling city opposite tranquil San Diego, and Juarez, across El Paso, are littered with bodies each morning.

President Felipe Calderon, to his credit, deployed the army in the battle in 2006, but he has nonetheless been losing ground to the cartels, which now control large parts of the country. Earlier this month Stephen Hadley, then national security adviser, stated that the violence even threatened Mexico’s democracy.

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And our nation is also endangered. “Mexico could represent a homeland security problem of immense proportions to the United States,” the Pentagon report notes. Drug violence has already spilled over the almost 2,000-mile border, the world’s most frequently crossed international boundary. “There is a wave of barbarity that is heading toward the U.S.” said one Mexican.
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Whether or not Mexico is a failed state, we need to work with Mr. Calderon for the good of both of our countries. “The more secure Mexico is, the more secure the U.S. will be,” the Mexican leader said as he met Mr. Obama in Washington before he took office. There are many international challenges for the United States, but perhaps the most pressing is the one closest to home.

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http://bilingual-journalists.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-post_717.html

Galileo Galilei

The tomb (L) of astronomer Galileo Galilei is seen at the Santa Croce basilica in Florence January 22, 2009. Italian and British scientists want to exhume the body of 16th century astronomer Galileo for DNA tests to determine if his severe vision problems may have affected some of his findings. The scientists told Reuters on Thursday that DNA tests would help answer some unresolved questions about the health of the man known as the father of astronomy, whom the Vatican condemned for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun.

La Flota Rusa del Pacífico

NEWS - RUSSIA
Entrenamiento de paracaidistas de la Flota rusa del Pacífio
Los paracaidistas de la Flota rusa del Pacífico se dirigen al avión An-26.

El instructor conversa con los paracaidistas de la Flota rusa del Pacífico.

Paracaidistas de la Flota rusa del Pacífico saltaron del avión An-26.

Galileo Galilei

NEWS - ITALY

The 1635 portrait of astronomer Galileo Galilei by Dutch painter Justus Sustermans hangs in the Palazzo Pitti art gallery in Florence January 22, 2009. Italian and British scientists want to exhume the body of 16th century astronomer Galileo for DNA tests to determine if his severe vision problems may have affected some of his findings. The scientists told Reuters on Thursday that DNA tests would help answer some unresolved questions about the health of the man known as the father of astronomy, whom the Vatican condemned for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun.

Muhammad Ali

NEWS - USA
At the inaugural Bluegrass Ball
Muhammad Ali, right, is presented with two paintings as his wife Lonnie Ali, far right, and presenter Ashley Judd, second from left, look on at the inaugural Bluegrass Ball Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in Washington.

Kentucky Gov. Steven L. Beshear, left, presents Muhammad Ali, center, with a bust of Abraham Lincoln as his wife Lonnie Ali looks on at the inaugural Bluegrass Ball Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in Washington.

Muhammad Ali / Time Capsule

Muhammad Ali / Don King / Joe Frazier

Muhammad Ali and the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley

Muhammad Ali / Time Capsule

Muhammad Ali - Time capsule