The American Spectator : Paradise Island

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Paradise Island

By Ross Kaminsky on 1.11.13 @ 6:10AM

Sri Lanka sure can seem that way once you’ve explored it over a long stretch. A special winter vacation report.

He looked to be in his 60s, with dark-red betel-stained teeth, wearing a faded blue and white checked sarong. He walked over to me slowly as I was standing on the sand, watching my children play in the waves. Through broken English and gestures, he told me something of his story. He used to have a home and a small jewelry shop in this touristy beach town of Hikkaduwa. Then one morning, it was literally all washed away and his life nearly with it.

I asked him, using my hands as much as words to express my question, of that infamous December 26, 2004 tsunami, “How big was the wave?” His answer was indeterminate — probably something around 20 or 30 feet high (the wave height varied greatly even among nearby locations) — but he said that what was most frightening was what happened before the wave: as if by the hand of an angry god, the ocean disappeared. Prior to coughing up a destructive wall of water on the shores of Sri Lanka (and many other vulnerable, low-lying, and usually poor coastal areas around the Indian Ocean), the tsunami swallowed the sea. According to the old man, the beach suddenly stretched two kilometers further out, with sand exposed to the sky in a way I have only imagined on Passover, hearing the story of the Jews escaping Pharaoh through a parted Red Sea.

(A young man we spoke to later in our trip said that the incoming tsunami wave, if its size were not menacing enough, was also black, fiendishly presaging damage of mythical proportions.)

Perhaps it is Buddhism, I think, as he shows me the scars on his shin where four surgeries have been required to repair the bones he broke as he stumbled through a mile of jungle to escape the oncoming wave, which lets him face with relative equanimity the fact that he lost every material possession he had accumulated over what must have been the majority of his life. Maybe it is because what he had accumulated was, by Western standards at least, not very much. Maybe I will never really understand. And maybe I should be thankful of that.

Later, as we drive through this area, my four-year old son points to the shells of former homes, shacks, and temples, asking “Did the salami do that?” The unintended comic relief is welcome as we recognize the real human cost of the disaster of Boxing Day eight years ago.

STILL, WHEN YOU VISIT the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, tsunami destruction is not the dominant feature. The small beach town of Hikkaduwa has something of a split personality, with shops selling clothes, ayurvedic medicines, and food, along with a few mostly quiet restaurants lining Galle Road, the main coastal route in the southwest of this island nation. Less than one hundred yards further west, sitting on the sand are boisterous bars and restaurants, twice as expensive as those along the road, where surf-lovers and mostly European travelers drink Lion beer (not quite as good as Three Coins but easier to find) and a strong coconut-based liquor called arrack, while listening to crashing waves and watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

In this description, there is little that separates Hikkaduwa, or many of the beach towns that dot the coast of western Sri Lanka, from similar towns anywhere across the planet. Indeed, other than the very large number of pairs of Western women holding hands — apparently a hippie mecca has turned into a lesbian one — the town is unremarkable, and therefore a relaxing way to begin our time in Sri Lanka and shake off the last of this damnable jet lag.

It’s rare these days, and therefore particularly appreciated, to find goodwill toward America and Americans, but a genuine “happy to see you” attitude pervades Sri Lanka. No doubt it is in some part due to the rarity of Americans here and the knowledge that we traveled a long way to get here. But people, especially along the coast, rarely fail to mention their gratitude to America (as well as to several other countries including England and Germany) for the quick and substantial aid to Sri Lanka after the tsunami. In these days of confused, confusing, and wasteful foreign aid spending by the American federal government (such as paying for television ads so Hillary can apologize to Pakistan), it is good to know that some money ended up helping the desperately needy, helping rebuild destroyed roads, homes, and lives, rather than just ending up in some tin-pot dictator’s or oligarchs’ fat Swiss bank accounts.

(Lest I give too much credit to our government, I assume that much and perhaps most of the good work was done through private aid organizations and by private individuals — indeed, we have met several people from the U.S. and UK who moved here as post-tsunami volunteers and have never left. After all, what is the chance that federal bureaucrats, and especially the State Department, would ever be able to distribute aid, whether in the form of people or cash, quickly enough to be of help to those who actually need it?)

One might assume, as I did, that a comparison between India and Sri Lanka, with their physical proximity and similar appearance of much of their populations, would be something like comparing the USA and Canada. But a more accurate contrast would actually be the USA and Mexico, namely two places that in most important ways are more different than the same despite some common heritage: different languages, different majority religion, and strikingly different people and culture. For me, in most ways, Sri Lanka comes out on top in comparison with India. For Sri Lankans, it is far more so.

ON OUR WAY TO the central city of Kandy, the last capital of pre-modern Sri Lanka, we stopped at the Pinniwala Elephant Orphanage, one of the most visited tourist sites on the island and a place that inspires mixed emotions, beginning with being shunted to a ticket window for foreigners with ticket prices (a bit over $16 per person) four times higher than for locals. On the one hand, the place is overwhelmingly touristy, with young men tending to elephants and inviting visitors to take a picture with an elephant before then asking for tips so outrageously high than they must just be assuming their visitors are clueless. On the other hand, seeing two truly adorable baby elephants who were rescued from certain death, and knowing the devastation wrought by (primarily British) hunters on the island’s elephant population — they killed about 90 percent of the elephant population from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th century — makes the enterprise seem worthy of the high ticket prices and hyper-commercialized mindset of certain employees.

One of the little-discussed but most important aspects of high humidity is that it causes cold beer to warm much more rapidly than it does in the foothills of the Rockies where humidity peaks at around half the usual level here in Sri Lanka. Lesson learned: in the tropics, drink your beer fast.

We went to a house near Kandy where we intended to stay for five nights. It is a vacation home for a wealthy Colombo family, and their happy family photos are on prominent display in a large but minimalist dwelling that seems inspired by a Buddhist temple. Although the place was beautiful, we didn’t love the location, so in between everything that it wasn’t close to anything. In that sense, it reminded us of our own home and perhaps a place better suited to a honeymoon than to traveling with children while wanting to explore surrounding areas.

The good news is that we did indeed move to a better location after just two nights. The bad news is that the change was caused and allowed by our one truly unpleasant experience in this country. The property manager, whom I will call “E,” is a man of about 55 years whose behavior from the moment we arrived evolved from slightly strange to horrendously inappropriate.

The property has a small swimming pool. When he was showing it to us, E casually mentioned to my wife that “some guests swim naked.” He invited my wife to visit a nearby tea plantation, where E knew the long-time manager; they would travel there by motorcycle. My wife was happy to agree, being interested both in tea and in riding motorcycles — she often asks me about having one at home to which I risk-aversely reply that I enjoy my children having two parents.

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About the Author

Ross Kaminsky is a self-employed trader and investor and is a senior fellow of the Heartland Institute. He is the host of The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver’s NewsRadio 850 KOA at 11 AM on most Sundays. You can reach Ross by e-mail at rossputin(at)rossputin(dot)com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (91) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 8:13AM

Sri Lanka. Look at you. Is that your Wife in the picture? Cause if it is? You might wanna STAY in Sri Lanka.

What was it like, over there? Are the women smoking hot? Are they naked, from the waist up? Are they naked, from the waist down? Are they totally naked? Were you ever naked when you were there? Did you ever drink 4 or 5 Bhuddist Monestary Ice Teas, and then a face plant on the Tiki Bar floor, naked?

What was pooping like, over there? Do you really have to squat over a hole in the ground? Is it true that you got so drunk that you pooped in the Village Well by accident? Was Andy Dick, there?

You're so lucky. Sri Lanka. We're going to Misquamicut. It's sorta like Sri Lanka, only with Toilets, and Underpants.

Did you go on a Safari? Were you scared? Did you ever have a naked Sri Lanken man sit on your bare chest while you were sleeping? That happens a lot over there. Especially when you're in a tent, and then you wake up with a Red, Itchy Rash.

Did that ever happen? Did it?

No matter. Shalom. It's nice to have you back. Everybody around here thinks you're the man, and we worry that you might succumb to the Siren Call of the Phoned In Loser Column version of "What I did on my Summer Vacation" every day, like what's his name.

Seriously.............. Is that your Wife?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 8:24AM

I counted six repetitions of the word naked above. That ought to draw in all of the best trolls today.

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 9:16AM

Did I say Naked?

I meant Bare Ass.

Von Mises Jr| 1.11.13 @ 10:30AM

Talking about asses, where is Caliban today? I have no one to inflict "iches and pinches" (that is from the "Tempest" for those in Rio Linda).

Perhaps he is visiting Titan or with the Traveller from Tralfamadore ("Sirens of Titan")?

Did I win anything for that TLP?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 10:59AM

You have won my Admiration.

That's how Broke I am.

Ronsch| 1.11.13 @ 1:18PM

Come on Tim, you meant "Bare Ass Naked."

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 1:24PM

Exactly.

By the way, Ross.........This isn't a Contest.

Those are Once a Month, these days.

We just like ya.

Think of this as one of those Funerals where the Dead Guy gets stood up in the Corner, and all of his friends get together and make fun of him.

Warrior| 1.11.13 @ 3:13PM

Dammit!! I was already to do scenes from Gilligan's Island. It was a toss-up as to which writer at TAS would be the skipper. The real problem I was having with the casting is that none of them come even close to being "professor" like.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 3:32PM

I say Ben Stein and Wifey would be a good Thurston Howell III and Lovey.

R Martin| 1.11.13 @ 10:01AM

Even the trolling trolls would have to admit (well, probably admit; sometimes they are not honest with themselves) that TLP's comment is somewhat amusing and reasonably well written. He's probably back on his meds. Anyway, one wonders if Mr. Kaminsky (and his wife) were amused.

Kaminsky, tell us the truth. Were you over there doing commodity trading research?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 11:00AM

Somewhat amusing?

Whatcha talkin bout Rickey?

R Martin| 1.11.13 @ 2:20PM

Sorry, I meant to say semi-amusing.

Occam's Tool| 1.11.13 @ 7:01PM

A minor point---having the antibiotics OTC helps build up bacterial resistance.

You DID not mention visiting Arthur C. Clarke's former house. Shame on you, Ross. :-)

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 5:50PM

May he Rest in Piece, in Space.

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 8:36AM

Has to be his wife and daughter, unless he hired some Americans to pose in the photo.

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 9:18AM

Really?

I figured it was his Daughter and his Son.

But then..........what do I know?

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 10:07AM

Are you going to post photos of your Misquamicut vacation?
Maybe we can all write about our favorite vacation spots like Sri Lanka, I like the old name Ceylon?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 10:20AM

That is a great idea.

I hope I remember it.

A Slide Show Analogy Contest.

Stay in touch.

Von Mises Jr| 1.11.13 @ 9:33AM

I started to read this until I realized it is an amateur version of "War and Peace." I don't think old Ross even got to see his wife naked since he must have spent the whole vacation writing this clap-trap article.
Can you believe that someone would not take time to enjoy a vacation in order to write a novel in one’s own honor?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 10:27AM

He did worse, time wasting things than that.

And, go easy on Ross.

I heard that he has a Rash on his chest that he got while sleeping, bare chested.

Give him a break.

AlanKneeJerkLiberalBrooks | 1.11.13 @ 1:38PM

Sticky sticky stumbo
nos e rumbo
e prom pennio
hara bara brisko
niki prom po
nish no minio
Dumbricko.

AlanKneeJerkLiberalBrooks | 1.11.13 @ 5:40PM

...BTW, does she like Kipling?
She's never Kipled!

AlanKneeJerkLiberalBrooks | 1.11.13 @ 5:43PM

"TLP's comment is somewhat amusing and reasonably well written."

Nothing wrong with his writing style: but he might end up like Frank Burns in MASH:

"why you bare-ass naked Hot Lips Hoolihan! as long as wifey don't catch on..."

Occam's Tool| 1.11.13 @ 7:09PM

I'm sure your wife is a lovely person, and I'm sorry you ran into a prime asshole, Ross.

Might I point out that Muslims tend to behave best when in a very distict minority?

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 10:36AM

What happened to Ross' Wife?

One of these Days I'm gonna have to actually start Reading these things.

Also............ I find that Muslims tend to behave best after they've been hit by a piece of 1,000lb. Ordinance, dropped from a Heavy Bomber.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.13.13 @ 5:09AM

The guy who behaved badly toward my wife was a Catholic...one of the few we met on the trip, but a measurable minority of the population

Stkman| 1.11.13 @ 8:51AM

Is that Brent Musberger peering from underneath the rock?

Where's today's composition exam being held?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 9:19AM

Nothin today, Stkman.

Once a Month.

Pecos Pete| 1.11.13 @ 8:54AM

Ross: Very interesting. Thank you.

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 9:22AM

Could you have your nose any farther up his @ss?

Is that even humanly possible?

Dom. You seein this!

Pecos Pete| 1.11.13 @ 10:15AM

If you used Dom the Don, or Don Dom, then you might, but not necessarily, see a response.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 12:42PM

Now that the appropriate honorific has been applied, I can respond (though you will have to check with R Martin as to whether I resemble Dom DeLuise instead of Kelsey Grammer).

I think the important question that Mr. Kaminsky should answer is not is that his wife and child (I presume they are), but who is that under the rock on the upper right?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 1:28PM

Is it Waldo?

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 11:03AM

Under the rock.

Is it Waldo?

R Martin| 1.11.13 @ 3:50PM

Hummm...Are those choices collectively exhaustive or may we add Robert Redford to the list?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.12.13 @ 9:47AM

Not exhaustive, just a starting point. Pesco has noted previously that in his mind's eye, I resemble Dom DeLuise. In my mind's eye, I am still a 6', 185 lb warrior witha 32" waist and all of my hair. In real life, others have said Kelsey Grammer, but not Redford so much.

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 11:14AM

"In my mind's eye".

What about in your Bathroom Mirror? Who is your Bathroom Mirror telling you you look like, and is anyone that used to try Killing Abbott and Costello in one of those "Abbott and Costello meet (fill in the blank)?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.12.13 @ 11:27AM

The mirror shows an extra fifty pounds spread throughout my body, expanding that waist 6-8 inches, and the hair on top of my head looking a lot blonder than it used to appear (though the Crayola people used to call that color flesh).

Warrior| 1.11.13 @ 4:02PM

There is a wide disparity between Dom D. and Kelsey G. You need two figures that are closer in physical appearance like TLP and Bill the Cat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_the_Cat

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 4:20PM

Has to be Kelesy G, the shrink, who in real life is a conservative.

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 10:54AM

Bill the Cat?

I guess it coulda been worse.

It coulda been Dom DeLuise.

My wife says that I look like Guy Ritchie (sans the used up olde Slut Whore Ex Wife) when he has his beard and his Eglish Cap on.

"Survey Says?"................................BING.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.12.13 @ 11:31AM

Wasn't he great with the Commodores? No, that was Lionel Ritchie.

I'm surprised your wife can say "Guy Ritchie", as mine would have a lot of trouble with it (it would likely sound like "guile itchy", and she wouldn't be able to handle Lionel's name at all).

Warrior| 1.12.13 @ 11:55AM

Bill the Cat was more for the whole picture which seems to provide analogy quality references to many of your contest quality posts. Sorry ACJ, I thought Guy Ritchie was Kid Rock. I pictured TLP rapping with a midget (RIP Joe C.) and a somewhat used up Pam Anderson on his side.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.12.13 @ 12:01PM

The description "somewhat used up Pam Anderson" is a literary gem.

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 4:19PM

Note they are feeding elephants, symbol of the GOP, and not the jackass donkey, symbol of the Dems.

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 5:57PM

Think about it: They're feeding the GOP Elephants, while an obvious Democrat Occupy Jackass is peering out from under a Rock.

Hardcard| 1.11.13 @ 9:26AM

Hmmmmmm ! On vaction in the Asian sub-contenent and writing articles for TAS sounds like the taxpayers are underwriting this famly junket. Whers's turbotax timmy when you ndeed him?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 9:31AM

He's probably with Kaminsky.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 9:34AM

There might not be a contest today, but as I look at this thread, the gang is all starting to show up like there is.

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 10:29AM

After that Ben Stein redux, can you blame us?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 12:45PM

For all of Ross' assistance with your recent troubles, I figure we should clutter this thread this weekend to give him all of those extra hits on his article, to increase his rating at TAS (after all you've helped bring to Bowman and al-Tamimi, why not help out a pal?).

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 1:29PM

Agreed.

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 3:12PM

Did I mention that Kaminsky is the best writer here, or anywhere?

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 3:55PM

And he's so good looking.

What naked Sri Lanken Man WOULDN'T sit on his chest?

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 4:21PM

Ask him if it was a Ceylon man, he may be confused.

Occam's Tool| 1.11.13 @ 7:04PM

You know, Ross is a very good guy, who has given me a hat-tip before in his column, so I gotta love the guy, ya know....

So I'm happy to help out the Ross cause if he helped out the Tim cause. Besides, I generally actually do like his stuff...

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 11:20AM

And, bye - "Generally" - you mean - "Never".

You can be frank. We're all friends here.

Obviously you Hate him, and everything he's ever written. That's okay. Not everybody, likes everybody.

That doesn't make you a Bad Person.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.12.13 @ 11:34AM

Perhaps a contest some day on the things that would make you a bad person.

My first entry would be : "Voting for Obama-Biden".

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 5:59PM

Another one would be: Going to The Contest.

It's one of those: "I don't wanna belong to any Club that would have Me as a member" thingies.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.12.13 @ 6:31PM

Perhaps you look like Guy Ritchie if he was Groucho Marx.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.13.13 @ 5:11AM

that's a very strange comment, "Hardcard." What part of my travel or my writing do you think has anything to do with the government?

TLP| 1.13.13 @ 9:12AM

I'm sure he was only kidding. And, don't get my first remark, the wrong way.

When I said: "And, if that is your Wife? You might wanna STAY in Sri Lanka" it was because she looks so Young.

That's a good thing. Not an insult.

No shot. Dog bite. Not bang bang. Woof woof.

I would never make fun of your Family. I have all the Comedic material I will ever need, just with you, and these guys.

Welcome back, and take care of that Rash.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.13.13 @ 9:37AM

"that's a very strange comment, 'Hardcard."'

All of us should hit Control C and add the above response to our clipboards, as its usefulness in response to the stream of consciousness genius of our fellow poster will likely lead to its recycling.

On the other hand, I took the comment to mean that the trip was perhaps a business travel expense to be deducted from the Kaminsky federal tax liability (or as Kramer in Seinfeld would describe it, "a write-off").

TLP| 1.13.13 @ 12:53PM

Some people just can't spend the night at someone else' House, let alone, their Country.

Everytime my 12 Year Old kid sleeps over his Stupid Fat Friend's House, he comes back with an attitude. You know what I'm talkig about? He leaves the house, a Good Boy, and comes back acting like Purp's Favourite thing in the World.

I'm thinking that Ross is just Tired. Sri Lanka has gotta be one heckuva Plane ride, especially if the rumors are true, and he had a Naked Sri Lanken Man sitting on his Chest, while he slept. You know how a day at the Beach wears you out? Having a Naked Guy on your chest all night while you're sleeping's gotta be like two or three days at the Beach, at least. Alan? A little help?

I'm just glad he's back, and that he didn't lose any of his Pretentiousness back in the Land of feeding the Elephants on the Beach while Pedophiles leer at you from under a Rock.

Please see his Tropical Island Ratings List, a little further down the page.

It's like Ben Stein on Steroids.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.13.13 @ 2:12PM

At least Ross didn't call to have anyone's taxes raised.

Bob Grant| 1.11.13 @ 9:42AM

Great pic, great article. Very interesting.

David T| 1.11.13 @ 9:48AM

Interesting, Mr. K., but I simply can't get past the fact that you let your wife go by herself to the tea plantation with that creepy guy.

Stkman| 1.11.13 @ 9:59AM

I know Tim is a little off, but creepy?

OP4| 1.11.13 @ 10:07AM

I spent a semester of college in Sri Lanka long ago. It still may be the most wonderful place I've ever been. A real hidden gem - particularly for Americans.

You hit some of the great sites. Sigiriya really is an unforgettable place. Hiking trough the jungle, then up the endless steps of Sri Pada was wild - like being dropped into an Indiana Jones movie.

The people are great. The food, once your taste buds and stomach adjust, is incredible.

And yes TLP, while the women are all clothed in public, they are blindingly beautiful.

R Martin| 1.11.13 @ 10:26AM

Is OP4 really Ben Stein?

OP4| 1.11.13 @ 10:46AM

I wish I had some Ben Stein cash.

I have not been back to enjoy a Lion Lager since, because I could not afford the trip or the long vacation that flight would require.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 12:50PM

Lion translated into German is Lowenbrau (with an umlaut), and into Thai it is Singha (no umlaut). Perhaps it is worth trying one of each of these beers often available in the US to see if it helps capture that nostalgic flavor (now that we're taking the beer discussion off of the Flynn thread and bringing it here).

TLP| 1.11.13 @ 1:31PM

My wife's Father's first name is Singha, as is my 12 Year Old's middle name.

Are you sure it doesn't mean: Cheater at Cards?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 2:15PM

As Thai is a tonal language, and word meanings shift with a change of intonation, who is to say it can't be both?

loulou| 1.11.13 @ 3:02PM

Aren't there giant lizards all over the place and at night they drop off the ceiling onto you while you're sleeping? Not for the faint of heart.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.11.13 @ 3:33PM

At least the giant lizards eat most of the small lizards and rodents.

R Martin| 1.11.13 @ 4:21PM

No, loulou, you're thinking of the South American Gag Spiders. In Sri Lanka the giant lizards are too heavy to crawl on the ceiling. They just wait under your bed.

CJW| 1.11.13 @ 4:23PM

Maybe Kaminsky will spring to bring Tims's friends to Sri Lanka for a conservative party?

TLP| 1.12.13 @ 11:26AM

I don't think that's ever gonna happen.

He's more likely to supply the Giant Lizards for under our Beds, after we've paid our own way, there.

OP4| 1.13.13 @ 5:57PM

There are small lizards called gekos everywhere. They eat insects so people just leave them alone. After a while you stop noticing them on the walls when you walk into a room.

Job| 1.11.13 @ 5:14PM

Samson was before the kamakazees. welcome home and interesting article but just say no FW the next time your spidey senses are tingling like that!

Occam's Tool| 1.11.13 @ 7:07PM

And, Ross: seriously, you do great work.

My wife wants to try Hawaii before other places in the South Pacific. She got burnt out on the SP a couple of years ago, but is thinking about it again.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.13.13 @ 5:13AM

Depending on what you like to do, Fiji is decent, and for just beach it's hard to beat the Maldives. But they're both a nightmare to get to so I don't recommend if you only have a few days.

I'm also told at Mauritius is excellent. Personally I don't recommend the Seychelles.

As for Hawaii, we recently went to the Big Island and loved it. The lava is amazing. Sometimes you can get a great deal from one of the major timeshare companies out there if you agree to sit through a 90 minute presentation. It's probably worth it.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.13.13 @ 5:14AM

We asked my seven-year old daughter why she did not ask us about why all the women were dressed in burqas. She said she just thought they were ninjas.

TLP| 1.13.13 @ 9:23AM

I hope you said to her: No, sweetheart. They're not Ninjas. They're Human Chattle, with no Human or Civil Rights whatsoever, who can be Sold as Property, Beaten Unconscious on a whim, and Raped unmercifully by her Husband's Card Buddies, as a prelude to Divorce and a coupla hundred Rocks to the head, in the back yard.

But Ninjas was very very close, and I love you.

Now, don't ever go near one of those Sick B*st*rds.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.13.13 @ 9:48AM

What should be frightening to all of us is how the young 7 year old Miss Kaminsky has a worldview and grasp of military capability that resembles that held by a former President while in office. In the event anyone forgot this story from 2002, about the response following the 1998 Kenyan/Tanzanian embassy bombings:

Daniel Benjamin and Steven Simon, "Clinton-era National Security Council experts on terrorism," say that after Clinton's missile attacks on al-Qaeda in Afghanistan "achieved little" in August 1998, he dreamed up this little stunt, the Associated Press reported today:
The prez approached Gen. Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and said, "It would scare the [expletive] out of al-Qaeda if suddenly a bunch of black ninjas rappelled out of helicopters in to the middle of their camp. It would get us an enormous deterrence and show those guys we're not afraid."

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.13.13 @ 9:50AM

By the time young Miss Kaminsky turns 8, she will likely have grown past the point of understanding the ability to project force overseas that will have exceeded the comprehension that a former POTUS had after nearly six years in office.

Joellen| 1.13.13 @ 8:08PM

I am sorry, but why are you asking your daughter this question? Do you really think at seven years old, she gets its? She is an innocent. Why dont you ask those who are of age and who should get it - someone who understands the absolute abuse these woman are subject to. This article is moot, because it doesnt go to the core and really attack what is going on around the world. Ross breifly touches it and then lets it go, because, truly, he doesnt know how to deal with it - Just like the rest of those who we deem "aware of the problem" and thus able to provide solutions.

No solutions, because they are afraid - afraid to deal with the problem.

I am just saying.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.14.13 @ 10:45AM

Joellen,

Wouldn't you think it was interesting if you took a child to a Muslim country and he or she made no comment at all about the burqas?

Also, the article is not "moot", at least not for the reason you suggest since I didn't write it primarily to discuss Islam.

I'm just saying...

hrgfue | 1.15.13 @ 7:40PM

2013 Happy New Year,NFL,NBA,fashion kickoff for u

Karlo Bones | 2.5.13 @ 5:33PM

The answer is very clear - yes, it can!