SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "How long must Syrians wait? "

Richard Cohen:
"The United States seems to have two plans to deal with what is fast becoming a civil war in Syria. Plan A calls for the full implementation of the U.N. cease-fire and the complete cooperation of Bashar al-Assad, a dictator who would, at the risk of his very life, give up some power to the opposition. Plan B, on the other hand, envisions a military response through air power. For that to be implemented, Plan A must fail and more Syrians must die.

Just how many more Syrians must die no one can say. But it seems pretty clear that the toll — now in excess of 9,000 — must mount before the U.S., NATO and maybe the Turks and the Saudis will move to bring the slaughter to a halt. Bloomberg News reports that “more than 500 people” have been killed since the start of the cease-fire on April 12. This cease-fire is more fire than cease.

Few people in Washington have much faith in the U.N. plan, advanced by former Secretary-general Kofi Annan. He has been doing what he has been trained to do — go through the motions of peacemaking. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but there is a protocol to these things that has to be honored. Yet as each ticket is punched, more people die. ...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Travel: UN looks at growing mountain tourism sector"

"SUMMIT COUNTY — Mountain tourism has a long and storied tradition in places like the Alps of Europe and Colorado, but countries with emerging econonmies are also trying to get into the game.

The UN’s World Tourism Organization will hold a two-day conference (April 11-12) in Andorra to spotlight mountain and snow tourism, with presentations on emerging resorts in Bulgaria and Serbia, as well as a case study involving Pyeongchang, the South Korean city hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The full agenda is online at the conference website.

The 7th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism will also focus on providing a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the snow and mountain destinations and to acquire an overview of successful business models, innovation, the impact of climate change and tourism marketing during.

“The Snow and Mountain Tourism World Congress is a great opportunity for tourist experts and professionals, and especially those related to this important market, to meet, to analyse the evolution and to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the future,” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation...."
(Bob Berwyn)

(Learn more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: The Right Scoop "Full Speech: Benjamin Netanyahu speech to United Nations "

Netanyahu's speech to United Nations in its entirety.

The BBC cut it off mid-way, but a number of outlets, including The Right Scoop have posted.

A widely praised speech that is notably of a higher caliber than the speech given by President Obama. 

Not just that Netanyahu speaks of specific solutions, the man has an inherent ability to command his audience.  His strength as a leader and the confidence that seems to come from his battlefield experience inspire trust.

Truly a brilliant speech.

(Learn more?  Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Fox News "Calderon Appeals for More U.S. Focus on Drug War Amid Fresh Violence"

'glenwoodsprings22' :

"I think you're right, nanny. Too late to change this poll but they could run another one asking if the people want a bigger stick and staying the course. I've got $5 on that number being above 80% of the population. Mexican Presidente was on FOX. Almost begging for US help with the brutality of the Mexican cartels. The hypocrite still had to imply his political ilk that legalizing was the way to go. But has completely backed down on pushing now that he's at the point of begging for help. If Perry was in office the boots on the ground would have that big stick. This is the worst it's ever been. I for one am not willing to risk my family and loved ones to do a trial spin on legalizing heroin, coke, meth and rec pot. It's like the situation with illegal aliens. We have got to stop the problem and put it to a grinding halt before we can find out what works for long term.    It's about the law. " (Learn more?  Click title or comment to start discussion) "Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."