Final Page 5 Snail Maiol

Issue 4

Page 5

Across the Pond THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

by the Hummingbird I AM AN AMERICAN! I should be proud to write that sentence and I am proud to live in a country where opportunity is everywhere, freedom to be who I am is allowed, and the ability to speak freely about my feelings is accepted. Since I have become older and hopefully wiser I can see the bad as well as the good. I am aware that every country has its own prejudices and problems. I am too young to remember the gathering of the Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor, but I have read about the hate-crimes that took place against these innocent people simply because of their ethnic background. With war comes hatred, but we do have to use our minds when we target our feelings against people. Since then I have seen for myself during the civil rights/Martin Luther King era the hatred that can be slapped against a group of people simply because of who they are. As a young teen I remember watching and wondering why all the violence of the 60’s was taking place, and now I see hatred taking place against another culture. Arab-Americans are in the spotlight and since 911 hundreds of hatecrimes are taking place against guiltless people. We have now decided that racial profiling at airports is a good thing and perhaps it will deter another attack. However, I don’t see where police harassing people on the street because of their race or religion should be allowed or accepted. My son has an Arab friend and believe it or not, parents have already taught their kids to call him a “rag head”, it sickens me to think we have such ignorant parents. Hating people because of their religious beliefs has been going on since the beginning and will always continue. It is not our God, or their God that is killing people, but only power hungry people killing in the name of God that is our problem. What ever happened to loving in the name of God, and turning the other cheek?

Joe Parker, seriously... DESPITE HIS YEARS as a stand-up comedian and musician, Joe Parker is reticent when asked about Joe, the man, his aspirations and life goals. However, his ready smile and warmth makes him easy to talk to and he did answer one or two questions! Apart from being a funny man in his own right Joe has been a driving force in the South African scene by getting more talent into the business. He maintains that those alredy established in the business should be nurturing the next gereration of comics. Those readers remembering queueing from Brickhill Road up West Street into the Lonsdale Hotel’s Pool Bar to see Joe will find him mature but just as funny when they visit Krakatoa, Sibiya Casino & Entertainment Centre on the North Coast where he appears most Friday evenings at 8pm. www.internationalpairs.com.for Q What event has excited you the most in all the details. the past twelve months A That’s easy - I saw the Eagles live in Q What are your Dublin thoughts on South Africa Q You’ve been at the top of the tree for hosting the 2010 many years - is your career moving in a World Cup particular direction A No. Its an expansion of what I was doing A I think we’ll do a good job before - creating work, managing comedians and organising events.We Q Is there a movie also import UK comedians for the local you’ve seen more circuit every month than once that you’d sit through Q How are you involved in the Old Mutual again? International Pairs Golf Tournament. A Well we have the licence for South Africa A Body Heat and I have just returned from the IP World Final which was held at Celtic Q What is your favourite form of Manor in Cardiff. It’s the largest golf relaxation event of its kind in the world and open to all club golfers with an offical A Doing nothing handicap from an affiliated golf club.No Q Serously what does the real Joe Parker invitation is required and the clubs think is important in life simply provide qualifying pair/pairs from A Peace is very important in my life and their club. And having Old Mutual as the expansion of that peace in sponsors has made the entrance fee everything I say and do very affordable to all aspiring golfers. Take a look at the website Q Sport?

A No contest. The Sharks and Man United! Q So what’s your answer to all the conflict both international and local A I say if you can’t do anyhting about a situation do somethng good. A random act of kindness does more and has more impact on both the doer and the done to!

De Lille wants Eastern Cape JATT back ‘As the poorest province in the country, the Eastern Cape can ill afford to let people get away with this. And it is those departments which need the money most that have been defrauded – the Education and Health departments,’ De Lille says. ‘The estimated 3 000 employees responsible for social grant fraud must be locked up, tried and sentenced.’ ‘Instead of the SIU getting these criminals to agree to repay the money they stole, they should be forcing them. As for those that have promised ‘to repay small amounts over long periods’, they must come under the full might of the law,’ says De Lille. ‘It appears as if the authorities don’t seem to know the difference between stealing and loaning,’ she says.

YOU ARE PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN WHEN..

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You prodauce a R100 note instead of your drivear’s licence when stopped by a traffic officer You have to hire a security guard whenever you park your car You can count the national soccer team’s scores with no fingers To get free electricity you have to pay a connection fee of R750 Hijacking cars is a profession You can pay your tuition fees by holding up a sign at a traffic light

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The petrol in your tank may be worth more than your car More people vote in a local reality TV show than in a local election People have the most wonderful names: Christmas, Goodwill, Pretty, Wednesday, Blessing, Brilliant, Gift, Precious, Innocence and Given “Now now” can mean anything from a minute to a month You continue to wait after a traffic light has turned to green to make way for taxis travelling in the opposite direction Travelling at 120 km/h you’re the slowest vehicle on the highway You’re genuinely and pleasantly surprised whenever you find your car parked where you left it A bullet train is being introduced, but we can’t fix potholes The last time you visited the coast you paid more in speeding fines and toll fees than you did for the entire holiday You have to prove that you don’t need a loan to get one Prisoners go on strike You consider it a good month if you only get mugged once Rwandan refugees start leaving the country because the crime rate is too high

Two Comedy Legends in one unique show! Plus Plus Plus Legend Under Construction

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Live music by Slap-Up four course meal ! Wine & Champagne on table ! Good idea to reward top clients, staff and suppliers? - We think so ! All this for only R9 500-00 for a table of ten ! ! Emperor’s Palace ! 20 November 2006 ! 7 for 7.30pm

Phone your Department on 011 803 6963 / Carrie 083 251 7759 or Ann 074 102 4272

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Snail Mail 09/06 ERH

ID PRESIDENT PATRICIA DE LILLE wants the Joint Anti-corruption Task Team (JATT) in the Eastern Cape to be ‘reassembled immediately to stop the plundering of taxpayers’ money.’ De Lille says stealing in the Eastern Cape has turned into ‘full scale looting and the looters are getting away with it. ‘The fact that JATT was disbanded for questionable reasons earlier this year makes one wonder just how far up the corruption goes. JATT must be brought back to sort out the rampant corruption for once and for all and imprison those that have stolen from the people.’ Ms De Lille says the fact that the Special Investigations Unit had taken half a year to recover just R500 000 of the R38m that was ‘stolen from the people, ‘is pathetic.