08 Aug 2010 12:00 AM:

This  just makes me smile and confirms why I love the Spanish people inspite of...; no one has more grace or style, whether in soccer, food, or now diplomacy:

The following is a letter from Spanish lawmaker (and former leader of the United Leftist Party) ,Gaspar LLamazares Trigo,to the U.S. Director of the FBI, Robert Mueller - enjoy.

Mr. Director,

As you may have been informed, on the official website of the U.S. State Department, the FBI has used facial features of the undersigned to create a digitally modified image of what Osama bin Laden might look like today.

The FBI has violated domestic and international law and caused irreparable harm to my honor. Even more serious is the deliberate threat to my personal security in the event that I should travel to the United States, since the mentioned announcement lists"a reward up o $25,000,000." Considering the FBI's precedents, especially under the shadowy directorship of J.Edgar Hoover, it is hard to believe that this is a coincidence. As a member of the Congress of the Deputies of Spain, I called for the withdrawal of Spanish troops fromAfganistan and criticized the layovers in Spanish airports of CIA flights on which presumed terrorists were illegally transferred to secret prisons to be interrogated ot tortured. In the unlikely event that the FBI, like amateurs, simple resorted to Google, and my image appeared among the more than six billion inhabitants of the Earth, such primitive methods would only show your agency's incompetence.

In defense of my honor and image, I hereby ask you to open an investigation of this issue. Where did you get my picture? If it was from Google, what were the key words used to find my picture? Does the FBI have foreign leftists on file along with criminals? Can you guarantee that the FBI will revise its procedures so that such shameful events do not happen again? I thank you for your time and look forward to your response.

Sincerely yours, Gaspar LLamazares Trigo

 

Thread: The Grace and Style of the Spaniard

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13 Jul 2010 5:37 AM:

What a superb moment on the global stage for Spain. They played with the grace and style that seems to be uniquely Spain's, never deviating from who they are and how they play. To watch the footwork and teanwork was mesmerizing. For those who found the game dull, they do not understand the game - it was a nail bitter down to the wire. Well done - well deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thread: Who is supporting Spain today?

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05 Jul 2010 3:53 AM:

Thank-you for your input.You both make very important points and Gandia and Bunol have been at the top of my list for smaller communities. I"ll look into Marxuquera and the Murcia area.)  Train service is so much better in Spain, and all of Europe, generally, than the States. (Round trip to Philadelphia is almost $50.00 and the trains do not run late enough for most concerts.) I never take them; I either drive in or drive to a bus terminal to go into New York - and, our bus services are no thrill either. I like the idea of being in a smaller community. My original thought for my first trip over was to stay in Valencia for two weeks in October to get a feel for the city; I'm re-thinking that - perhaps staying somewhere on the coast and going in and out makes a better first step. My biggest problem re: travel for any extended time is my cat.  I would like to rent short-term for several months after the first of the year but am hesitant to bring him over. How easy is that process? (He's 15.) Leaving him for two or three weeks is one thing with a neighbor stopping in; I have never left him longer than that.

Go Spain! Nadal and the World Cup in one week-end.?  It as fantastic.

Thread: Mexico, no. Any thoughts/advice on considering a move to the Valencia area?

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03 Jul 2010 7:07 PM:

What I am used to is living in a smallish town or city with easy access to culturally diverse urban areas. I am within 11/2 hours to Philadelphia, 21/2 hours to New York and 3 to Washington, so the idea of mirroring this combination has great appeal , such as living in Bunol- at least, on paper.  In looking at Valencia, I confess that I have been totally seduced by the look of the city, new and old, in particular, the Calatrava architecture and, in particular, the new opera house which leaves me speechless and I think I would give up a good amount of convenience to be able to attend concerts there on a regular basis. (I am an opera nut.) I also like the smaller size of Valencia compared to Madrid and Barcelona as well as its location on the coast with proximity to Barcelona.  I have wondered about the language. I speak tourist level Spanish  - Castilian with a Pennsylvanian accent right now, and am planning to take the year to improve my level of comprehension and speaking; I don't know what may be available to me in Valencian but that is a concern and could be a deal-breaker.

I always thought I would land somewhere on the southern coast if I ever made the move, and, ultimately, that may make for an easier adjustment with planned trips to the larger cities. I'm glad to get some input about Murcia as I have wondered about that area. Thank-you and as well for the Grant Hughes site.  Many thanks to each of you for your input.  It is so helpful to be in touch with people who have made the movesuccessfully.  (And, I would never under-estimate the importance of nearby bodegas.)

Ayrez - knowing what you know now, are you pleased you ended up in the Murcia area rather than Valencia?

Thread: Mexico, no. Any thoughts/advice on considering a move to the Valencia area?

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30 Jun 2010 8:43 PM:

Thank-you so much for replying. May I ask what you believe are the advantages?

Thread: Mexico, no. Any thoughts/advice on considering a move to the Valencia area?

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