Category Archives: Obits and ‘bobs

FARC peace negotiator killed in Colombian bombing raid

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Sabina Becker

One really has to question the Colombian government’s good faith in its negotiations with the FARC. All the time, of course. But especially when things like this happen: A member of the peace delegation of the FARC guerrillas in Havana, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cuba, Libre (de los Yanquis), El NarcoPresidente, Obits and 'bobs | Comments Off

Quotable: B.B. King on women

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Sabina Becker

The late B.B. King, who loved women so much that he even gave his beloved guitar a woman’s name…Lucille. He will be very sadly missed!

Posted in Obits and 'bobs, Quotable Notables | Comments Off

Two great lights go out at once

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Today, the world lost two greats of literature. Uruguay lost this one: …whose influence on my awareness of the issues of all of Latin America is tremendous, thanks to his Open Veins of Latin America and Days and Nights of … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Confessions of a Bad German, Obits and 'bobs, Paraguay, Uruguay | Comments Off

I miss you, Robin Williams.

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Sabina Becker

And I can think of no better antidote to the grief than to look back on some of the funniest moments….all the funnier because they’re real. Like his candid observations on booze and pot: Or cocaine: “Anything that makes you … Continue reading →

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More Music for a Sunday: Goodbye, Big Jim

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Sabina Becker

In honor of the passing of James Garner, a true legend of screens both big and small, I present: Hands down, my favorite 1970s TV show theme song. This is the full length version, so you can hear just how … Continue reading →

Posted in Music for a Sunday, Obits and 'bobs | Comments Off

Jaime Lusinchi is dead

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Sabina Becker

The former president of Venezuela, Jaime Lusinchi, accuses crooked, putschist media mogul Marcel Granier, of RCTV fame, of being a coward. Savor that hilarious bit of irony, folks, because one of its key players is now an ex-parrot: Jaime Lusinchi, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fascism Without Swastikas, Filthy Stinking Rich, Huguito Chavecito, Isn't It Ironic?, Obits and 'bobs | Comments Off

Festive Left Friday Blogging: Adiós, Gabo…

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Sabina Becker

An interview with Gabriel García Márquez, who died yesterday at the age of 87. The great Colombian talks about the influences on his “magical realism” style, especially Faulkner, popular culture, his childhood in Aracataca (“Macondo”), and more. Video in Spanish. … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Festive Left Friday Blogging, Obits and 'bobs, Paraguay, Uruguay | Comments Off

RIP, Pete Seeger…

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Sabina Becker

Via Aporrea this morning, I learned that the man who brought “Guantanamera” to Gringolandia had passed away yesterday at the age of 94, after a week’s hospitalization. In a strange twist, today is the 161st anniversary of the birth of … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Cuba, Libre (de los Yanquis), Obits and 'bobs, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off

Quotable: Nelson Mandela on death

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Sabina Becker

RIP, Madiba. Sleep well. You are loved and missed.

Posted in Obits and 'bobs, Quotable Notables | 1 Comment

Music for a Sunday: Songs that made the hit parade

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Sabina Becker

In loving memory of Jean Stapleton, most famous for her portrayal of Edith Bunker on “All In the Family” (and her screechingly funny rendition of the theme song above, which is a satire on nostalgia for the not-so-golden age of … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Music for a Sunday, Obits and 'bobs, Uppity Wimmin | Comments Off