Preserving the Mayan Languages and Culture

Guatemala: The Maya In Guatemala, a country ravaged by civil war for most of the past 50 years, the Mayans make up around half of the population. But the fields of education, politics and the media all belong exclusively to the Spanish language, while smiling white faces and messages in Spanish look down on the [...]

Restricting Political Speech: How to Silence the Citizen

How states are restricting political speech  By George F. Will, Published: February 1, Fountain Hills, Ariz. Dina Galassini does not seem to pose a threat to Arizona’s civic integrity. But the government of this desert community believes that you cannot be too careful. And state law empowers local governments to be vigilant against the lurking danger that political speech might occur [...]

Two from Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll, one of my favorites for having invented the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen, not to mention the rabbit into whose hole she fell, has always fascinated me.   Jaberwocky is at the bottom. . . The Walrus and the Carpenter BY LEWIS CARROLL “The sun was shining on the sea,       Shining with all [...]

Frost: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Another poem by Frost.  More widely known but suggested by a reader.  Anything that can quell the fire of world violence on a Sunday evening is a welcome respite. – Carlos Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening BY ROBERT FROST Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; [...]

Razor Wire

Razor Wire Barbed wire is made by twisting short, pointed segments of wire around a longer, coiled length of wire. Razor wire is made by die cutting pointed razors in an endless chain around a longer, coiled length of wire. . Barbed wire pierces and tugs at the skin. It holds you like a fly [...]

ee cummings: i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear . no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i [...]

Frost: The Road Not Taken

Simple poems of a time when I was younger, perhaps not as well known as they should be internationally. The Road Not Taken Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920. TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as [...]

THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS

THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS by: W.B. Yeats I  went out to the hazel wood, Because a fire was in my head, And cut and peeled a hazel wand, And hooked a berry to a thread; And when white moths were on the wing, And moth-like stars were flickering out, I dropped the berry in [...]

Community Radio in Guatemala Preserves Cultures and Languages

 For many years and for many reasons the indigenous people of Central America have been separated.  This has caused many groups to be isolated.  For a long time local radio has been on the edges of the law, but this new law will allow the indigenous peoples and languages to be united at least  on [...]

Mayan Glyphs on Pottery in Georgia?

I confess to being a dilettant as far as mayan culture is concerned. I’ve hitchhiked through Chiapas, Yucatan, Guatemala and visited many of the important (and less important) sites.  I’ve read “Reading the Maya Glyphs” and recognize Michael Coe but wouldn’t introduce myself.  I am an amateur. From time to time I come across interesting items that [...]