The Queen X Part II (in three parts)

Minutes later she was leaving the first galaxy behind, where her home planet was the centre. More planets, asteroids, suns, all with curious orbits and different shapes came after. Some with spiral shapes as she had seen them before; others flat, triangular, rounded, completely dark or brighter than any known star; some very rich in soil and nature but without any kind of population; a few with only one inhabitant who owned a whole planet but did not have anyone else to talk to.
I will not describe each and every encounter X and her companions had as it would take far too long and it is not the intention of this story. But I can assure there will be the opportunity to let you all know about these delightful and at the same time wicked events.
It is worth to mention though some of the phrases she listened to and advices she was given: “be realistic!; sometimes one has to do bad to do good; believe in others but above all, believe in you; the only thing between a dream and you is you; wish upon a star, you never know who is paying attention; aim higher”…

Exactly seven days after she left her home town she saw at the distance a bright light and nine different sized spheres of diverse colours around. The third one from the fired centre was the blue planet she was looking for.
As her ship went close to the planet, it started making circles around the sphere as checking everything was in order in that new world. After three complete circles, it directed its way to the bottom. First white and blue, then clouds and after that brown and blue patches with green spots.
Heavy rain surprised “X” as in her home world they did not have that kind of phenomenon. All the mirror/windows were covered in water. At first she was a bit frightened. All her companions were too. But her curiosity won and she had to open one of the windows to see what was going on. As she opened it, the drops hit heavily her face but she was so delighted with the experience she decided to open all of them to let the rain in.
The rain stopped and the sky became deep blue. That was when she saw something she would never ever forget: her first rainbow over the green and dense vegetation.

The territory where her spacecraft landed was called Argentium. It was a very rich and vast land with very kind people ruled by a tyrant King called Acionte. He was tall and thin as a lamp post; with a very pale face that looked even paler because he was always dressed in dark black from toes to neck. Black, inexpressive, dead eyes finished that spectrum type look.
Although he tried hard to show himself arrogant and strong someone sensitive could realize he was extremely insecure and weak.
The country had everything to be immensely rich (the land, the natural resources, the weather, the people) but it was in a deep crisis both economic and morally.
To this world in such a state X arrived. She was instantly popular among the people. A sort of divine figure from above made flesh by enchantment was the shared feeling.
Wherever she was, crowds of people followed her. Caravans of cars, buses, bikes, anything that could transport someone were always behind her in procession.
She only needed to be there and everyone felt in peace with a profound sensation of fulfilment. She treated everyone the same no matter colour, religion, social background, sexual orientation or anything else. She even taught (without intention, just through her actions) that there were not disabled people since we all had different abilities, from walking or simply chewing a gum to feeling deeper than others. We were just special in our particular and individual way of being.
Her aspect of a woman in her early 30’s with incredibly shaped and toned physic, pink glossy lips, perfect nose, sparkling crystal blue eyes and a head crowned by think golden blond hair mixed with her elegant and soft manners, diplomatically correct attitude and that firm voice of her with sweet and at the same time fiery accent made her irresistible to children and grown ups.
She was a child in a goddess body with the most humble personality someone could have ever seen.

The Queen X Part I (in three parts)

Once upon a time... there was a little princess who lived in a far, far planet.
Her hair was as blond and luminous as rays of sun. Her eyes, crystal blue; so deep you could see her lonely but passionate and adventurous soul. Pink glossy lips, small perfect nose and immaculate white skin completed her face.
She was five years old, always dressed in bright colours ranging from yellow to red, white, blue and pink. One detail present in every single outfit’s chest and/or arms: an “X”.

Her parents were the Queen and King of this far kingdom in this far far planet called Brazilo. They could never have babies before so they asked the Three Gods to have a child. In exchange, the Gods informed them that at the age of five their child was going to travel seven galaxies following her destiny. She would come to that world –they explained- to be a Queen in a remote and never ending land where people needed to know what happiness was.
Her parents accepted and that same night the Gods asked them to leave in their master bedroom the balcony windows open so to let the spring breeze come in. And next to the windows, a round wooden table with a yellow rose blossom without water.
The parents reminded the Gods that the flower would need water to survive the night but the Holy Trinity explained water was not necessary if they really believed.
They did what the Gods had asked them to do and went to bed falling almost immediately in a deep but peaceful sleep.
The breeze started blowing stronger and even the table was moving but the blossom stayed there. Suddenly a light appeared from inside and illuminated the whole room. It lasted just a few seconds but left blue tiny stars that filled the air as pixie dust.
When the Queen and King got up the following morning discovered the rose was showing all its beauty and inside, exactly in the middle, a baby the size of a seed was looking at them with her blue sea eyes.
As mystery and destiny, faith and hope surrounded her birth, they decided to name the newborn “X”.

The time went by and “X” blossomed showing brightness wherever she was. When she was around everyone was full of happiness; but not of empty and meaningless happiness. People that met her felt something pure deep inside and had always the necessity of doing something good for others without expecting any reward or recognition. That was her gift: leading people to give the best from them.
Some of you may think this was easy for her since all people in this small planet had everything they needed and could imagine. However, her magic was not due to the place she was born but came from her pure soul…

The day finally came. Her fifth birthday arrived. Exactly a week before, one night of full moon, the Queen and the King were visited by the Gods again.
They asked her parents to order the construction of an intergalactic transport in the shape of a dish. Once finished, it looked as if it had and inverted rounded coffee cup on top (including the handle), followed by two soup plates, all in white. As “legs”, two straws in red and white colours with two big black shoes. And as a periscope it had another bended straw in the same colours as the legs. The unusual object had just below the cup and on top of the first plate a massive multicoloured and luminous letter “X”. Inside, just one big room surrounded by mirrors and only one huge sofa that covered all the outer circle of the floor. Exactly in the middle, one white “X” shaped table and by one side, the control panel. It looked more like a Hollywood’s star mirror with bulbs all around. “What about the engine?” the parents asked the Trinity. “There will not be any engine”, they replied. The ship (as they called it) will move and fly due to simple faith. Its name: Popotito 23.
“X will not travel alone”, the God continued explaining. She was going to have three companions: a duck, Archibald; a cat, Gordal; and a dog, Bixux. “Just three pets?” the parents inquired worried. “Not JUST three pets”, the Trinity went on. Archibald was tempered as a unicorn; Gordal had the wisdom of the dragons; and Bixux, the strength of the lions. All the three represented the essential virtues and combined together under “X” direction would have an interesting and unique effect in the right place and at the right time.
The last piece of the jigsaw: a squared red golden ring. The Holy Trinity made it appear in the middle finger of “X” left hand: a plain, very simple ring of square shape made of red gold. “It represents eternal love”, they said to her. “As love changes shapes but do not alters its true essence with the time, so will you and it will be reflected in your outfit which will be different everyday thanks to the golden ring. Your appearance will change as per your mood or needs but you will always remain with your true virtues”, they explained.
The Queen, the King, “X” and thousands of colourful citizens congregated at the Major Park below the Palace as the Gods asked. The ship was also there in the middle of the crowd. The Trinity started: “You will now ascend with your ship to the sky. Archibald, Gordal and Bixux are already waiting for you inside. You will travel seven galaxies and meet different people and cultures, know what is on the sky and the seas, visit vast and small lands, and will land at last in a blue planet, in an territory which borders are so far apart the four seasons are always present at the same time, with a fertile soil, a vivid nature but a lost population. That place is called Argentium. You will spend three years there and find out the reason they are in such a state having everything they could wish or dream about. You will learn from but you will also teach them. What to teach, what to learn? Only you will find out as we can not tell. Only you can fulfil your destiny. We are here as one of the episodes of your life time travel in this existence but you will be the one who will be choosing her own adventure every time you will be in front of an option. You and only you with the advice of the three virtues will conquest what is waiting beyond…One last thing: you will look to others as if you were 33 years of age although deep inside you will always be your same age now, hence five. Remember that since people will expect you to behave as a grown up. Once again, another choice…”
“X” nodded her head at every comment and once the Trinity finished, she hugged both her parents, waved to the crowd and vanished into the thin air. As she vanished, the ship ascended calm and slowly to the bright blue sky. No one cried. No one was sad. They all knew (without knowing why) she was going to be back in three years time…

Queen and The Muppets - Bohemian Rhapsody Music Video

Falklands: an Argentinean invention? A British solution? Malvinas: un invento argentino? Una solución británica?

Falklands: an Argentinean invention? A British solution?
In 1982 the Argentinean Military Government tried to recover the Falkland’s Islands from British hands. The official reason: the Britons had taken them illegitimately some time ago.
Leaving at one side the historical discussion about who arrived first to the islands (Spanish or Britons), who moved there, who left them, etc., we shall only focus this essay on the motives that ended up in the 1982 was and its consequences.
On the one hand, Argentina with a Military Government present since 1976. Its popularity was diminishing within the population. In 1978 they tried to obtain major adhesion with the organization of the football world cup. It seems it had the effect they were looking forward to obtaining as some people’s consciousness fall asleep. However, the years went by and the kidnappings, tortures and deaths continued and the economic situation got worse. All these elements contributed to the oxidization of the governmental machinery so they needed a new effect blow to regain unity and adhesion (as television shows seek higher ratings using desperate attempts).
To attack an internal enemy would generate more problems and divisions within since 6 years of confrontation were undermining the civil society. An external enemy common to all was the best solution. And if we added the fact that the national defence, the patriotic pride (or better, simply pride) taking into account an object that was publicly announced as stolen, the result was clear.
It is similar to the case of a family with several children that grow up with the legend of the stolen wealth in a previous generation by another family. No one would challenge or doubt about what the majors have said. And despite the personal interest the children may have, when the opportunity came they would put together all their efforts if they were compelled to defend the family name and recover the pride of the group.
On the other hand, on the other side of the ocean and up in the globe, England with a Prime Minister in a very unpopular situation. With measures that only helped to attack the middle and low classes, cities like Liverpool or Stoke on Trent affected by the massive closures of factories leaving men and women of mid age in an unemployed band difficult to insert in the job market due to the fact they did not have enough formal education, only techniques learnt from generation to generation in the same factories their parents and grandparents did. The unions, dismantled. The State, in debt.
To a society in such a situation it had very little importance the destiny (in fact they did not even remember their existence) of some big stones on a sea at the south of the end of the world. Furthermore, the same British government was planning to give back in the long term that expensive enterprise to the Argentineans (and for this they have precedents such as Hong Kong so it would have not resulted a novelty for their international relations).
But the luck had been already decided. With big drums and trumpets, the islands were taken by the Argentinean forces. We shall not enter into the analysis or narration of the sad events that followed as the youngsters of both States were doing something more that fulfilling their duty: they were defending as their own way what they considered they mother country.
It results interesting to highlight to us the popular level of ingenuity at this point in time: people in the Argentinean south disguising themselves as ghosts so to scare the enemy; collection of letters with candies and other things so to be delivered to the young defenders of the State that were resold in other markets. It is true and this is a good example: in many cases people believe what they want to believe.
At the end of the story, both governments were playing a political chess with a swaying level of popularity in the two States. The United Kingdom won and Margaret Thatcher continued ruling for 10 years becoming the Iron Lady; Argentina was beaten and democratic elections were called the following year.
Could it be said that thanks to the fact that the United Kingdom won the war Argentina recover its democracy? Would the military government in Argentina have continued if they won the war? If so, would Margaret Thatcher have lost the elections? We shall leave these questions to the reader.
What is clear, at least for us, is that even after 2000 years of history the governments continue using the roman “bread and circus” and different societies accept it and live it with joy.
Moreover, almost 30 years after that episode the same phenomenon take place over and over again: every future President in campaign in Argentina promises the islands will be back (however there is no eco in the northern State as reality shows no developments have been made); and up north… nothing, simply nothing; the Britons remember little about a conflict three decades ago in a lost south sea.
Some still insist on selling the theory that the northerners pretend the archipelago because of the vast black treasure hidden beneath the sea. The truth is that there is no study regarding the veracity of this urban legend. And let suppose that in the best of all possible scenarios that a petroliferous mantle bigger than the ones in Middle East or Venezuela took place beneath the South Atlantic Ocean: Argentina does not posses the necessary means for its investigation, perforation and exploitation so the State would be obliged in any case to adjudicate the business to foreign entrepreneurs (the case of YPF).
This essay does not pretend in any way to support one or the other. We want to have a neutral vision of a mere political conflict between two governments over 30 years ago exploited until its ultimate consequences for three decades by one of them and whose starring actors, the people from Argentina and the United Kingdom, no participation have and the inhabitants of the islands have to tolerate.


Malvinas: un invento argentino? Una solución británica?
Allá por 1982 el Gobierno Militar argentino intentó recuperar las Islas Malvinas de manos de los británicos. La razón oficial: éstos las habían tomado de forma ilegitima tiempo atrás.
Dejando de lado la discusión histórica acerca de quienes fueron los primeros en llegar a las islas (españoles o británicos), quienes se asentaron en ellas, quienes las abandonaron, etc., solamente centraremos este ensayo en los motivos que llevaron al enfrentamiento de 1982 y sus consecuencias.
De un lado, Argentina con un Gobierno Militar presente desde 1976. Su popularidad en baja entre la población. En 1978 se intentó lograr mayor adhesión con la llegada del mundial de fútbol que al parecer logró en algunos el efecto de adormilar las conciencias. Mas los años pasaron, los secuestros, torturas y muertes continuaron y la situación económica empeoró. Estos elementos comenzaron por oxidar la maquinaria gubernamental y se necesitaba un nuevo golpe de efecto para lograr unidad y adhesión (a la manera de un programa de televisión que busca rating a manotazos desesperados).
Atacar un enemigo interno generaría más problemas y divisiones puesto que 6 años de enfrentamiento estaban minando la sociedad civil. Un enemigo foráneo común a todos era la mejor solución. Y si sumamos el hecho de la defensa nacional, del orgullo patrio (mejor, orgullo a secas) tomando como objeto algo que se publicitaba como robado, el resultado era claro.
Es similar al caso de una familia con varios hijos que crecen con la leyenda de la riqueza robada en la generación anterior por otra familia. Nadie pone en duda la veracidad de los dichos de los mayores. Y pese a los intereses personales de los hijos, llegada la oportunidad, éstos generalmente aunaran esfuerzos si son conducidos en una gesta por la defensa del apellido en pos de recuperar el orgullo de la casta.
Del otro lado del océano y arriba en el globo, Inglaterra con una Primer Ministro en franca impopularidad. Medidas que no habían hecho más que atacar a las clases media y baja, ciudades como Liverpool o Stoke on Trent afectadas por cierres masivos de fábricas dejando a hombres y mujeres de mediana edad en una franja de desempleo difícil de insertar en el mercado laboral por no contar con estudios suficientes, sólo técnicas aprendidas de generación en generación en las mismas fábricas que sus padres y abuelos lo hicieron. Los gremios desmembrados. El país endeudado.
A una sociedad en esta situación poco importaba el destino (de hecho menos recordaban la existencia) de peñascos en un mar del sur del fin del mundo. De hecho, el mismo gobierno británico estaba planeando devolver a largo plazo tan costosa empresa a los argentinos (y para esto poseen antecedentes como el de Hong Kong por lo que no sería extraño a sus relaciones internacionales).
Pero la suerte estaba echada. Con bombos y platillos, las islas fueron tomadas por las fuerzas argentinas. No entraré en el análisis o narración de los penosos hechos sobrevinientes ya que los jóvenes de ambas naciones estaban haciendo algo que fue más que cumplir con un deber, defender cada uno a su manera la patria. Resulta interesante a quien escribe subrayar ciertos acontecimientos que dan cuenta de la ingenuidad popular del momento: gente en el sur argentino disfrazándose de fantasmas cerca de la costa para ahuyentar al enemigo; colección de cartas con golosinas y demás para ser entregados a los jóvenes defensores del país que eran revendidas en otros mercados. Es cierto y este es un buen ejemplo, en muchos casos la gente cree lo que quiere creer.
A fin de cuentas, ambos gobiernos jugaban un ajedrez político en un tambaleante nivel de popularidad en los dos países. Venció el Reino Unido y Margaret Tatcher continuó 10 años más transformándose en la dama de hierro; Argentina resultó vencida y se debieron convocar elecciones democráticas el año siguiente.
Podría decirse que gracias a que el Reino Unido venció fue que Argentina recuperó la democracia? Hubiese el Gobierno Militar seguido en Argentina de haber ganado la guerra y Margaret Tatcher hubiera perdido las elecciones? Dejo estos interrogantes al lector.
Lo que queda claro, al menos para quien escribe, es que aun luego de 2000 años de historia los gobiernos siguen usando el “pan y circo romano” y sociedades distintas lo aceptan y festejan con beneplácito.
Incluso hoy, a 27 años de la gesta se da el mismo fenómeno: cada futuro presidente en campaña en Argentina promete las islas volverán (mas nunca se encuentra el eco real en el país del norte pues la realidad muestra que no hay gestiones); y arriba … nada, simplemente nada; el pueblo británico poco recuerda acerca de un conflicto bélico sucedido hace tres décadas en un mar perdido al sur.
Algunos incluso siguen intentando vender la teoría que los del norte pretenden el archipiélago por el cuantioso tesoro negro escondido debajo de las aguas. Lo cierto es que no existen estudios acerca de la veracidad de esta leyenda urbana. Y supongamos en el mejor de los casos que un manto petrolífero mayor que cualquiera de Medio Oriente o Venezuela yaciera en las aguas del Atlántico Sur: Argentina no cuenta con los medios para la investigación, perforación y explotación por lo que se vería obligada de todas maneras a adjudicar la plaza a capitales extranjeros (YPF, recuerdan?).
Este ensayo de ninguna manera pretende apoyar a unos o a otros. Se intenta una visión neutral de un conflicto meramente político entre dos gobiernos casi 30 años atrás explotado hasta el hartazgo por tres décadas por uno de ellos y cuyos actores principales, los pueblos argentino y británico, ninguna injerencia poseen y los pobladores de las islas se ven obligados a soportar.