Bible Lessons for the Coming Apocolypse

Apropos of potential worldwide influenza pandemic originating in Mexico and calling into question my potential travel plans by adding the pain of deadly mutated H1N1 flu strain to the seemingly endless ways a foreigner can imagine dying in Mexico (as of late, most involving the cartel), I refer you to the following biblical wisdom:

“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.”

-Deuteronomy 14:8

Of course you can’t actually get swine flu from eating pork…nonetheless, I am bitter, and who better to take it out on than helpless pigs. Anyway, after you are all done stocking up on canned food and potable water, boarding up your windows, donning hazmat suits, loading your shotguns, freaking the fuck out and otherwise preparing for the coming end of days, please feel free to enjoy the following pig related media.

Wikipedia List of Notable Pigs

I Want My Cigars

The Cuban embargo is a bit outdated. Close to 20 years after the end of the cold war, Americans are still restricted from trading and visiting the island nation. These restrictions hamper the import of Cuba’s two most important resources into the USA, cigars and baseball players.

The Cuban embargo was put in place in 1961 in order to try and drive Fidel Castro from power by forcing economic hardship on the populace. The embargo has worked so poorly that Fidel Castro did not lose power until 2008 when he voluntarily stepped down from the presidency because of health issues. In fact Fidel Castro’s reign in Cuba was so unobstructed by the embargo that it lasted through the terms of 9 American presidents.

Although it has failed to cause political change, the embargo against Cuba has succeeded in placing hardship on the majority Cubans. Financially these hardships can be seen when comparing the minuscule GDP per capita in Cuba of only $9,500 (2008 est.), to the United States’ $47,000 (2008 est.). The hardships that many Cubans suffer are also apparent when the 2,656 Cubans who tried to sail into the USA from Cuba in boat, tires, and bathtubs are considered. Obviously Cuban is not a very great place if people are so desperate to get away.

Cuba still has a dismal record in the area human rights and that should not be forgotten when dictating foreign policy against them. The United States government should consider alternatives that place the burden of the sanctions or the government not the people. It is time for the ineffective US embargo against Cuba to come to an end.

Sources: CIA World Factbook, Whitehouse.gov