The Gym Shoe/Jim Shoe Sandwich:  Another Chicago Original

Chicago is a place with an extremely rich culinary history.  So many good foods have come from the Windy City:  Chicago Hot Links, Deep Dish Pizza, Stuffed Pizza, Pizza Puffs, Chicago-Style Hotdogs, Garrett's Popcorn, Maxwell Street Polish Sausages, Twinkies, and so on.  One more tasty morsel to add to that illustrious list is the Gym Shoe (Jim Shoe) Sandwich!

Brazilian footballer Bruno Fernandes de Souza recently signed a contract to return to the sport, after serving time in prison for the torture and murder of his ex-girlfriend (mother of his youngest child).   Eliza Samudio went missing in June 2010, after suing the married de Souza for child support.  In July of that year he was arrested, along with two other men and one another one of his ex-girlfriends.  It was learned that Ms. Samudio had been tortured and strangled, before being cut into pieces and fed to hungry dogs.   Her kidnapped child was found with de Souza's wife.  De Souza was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to a 22 years in prison.  However, he was released early in February 2017, and recently signed a deal to renew his career.  In an interview de Souza said:

What happened, happened. I made a mistake, a serious one, but mistakes happens in life - I'm not a bad guy.

For more on this story:

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/03/22/brazil-soccer-player-killed-girlfriend-fed-dogs-mistake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_(footballer,_born_1984)

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Defense planners concerned with the Asian-Pacific Theater were sent scrambling last week as China announced the introduction of its J-20 stealth fighter.  Prior to that move, the only country in the world with stealth aircraft in active military service was the United States.  The U.S. had long held a monopoly on stealth, beginning with experimental stealth use on the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane.  Although not a stealth jet, some stealth concepts were applied to the design.  True stealth combat aircraft first came into public view with the F-117 and B-2 during the 1980's and 90's.  Following the introduction of these bombers, stealth fighter jets came into being with the F-22 (2005) and F-35 (2015).  Enter the Chinese J-20!

It must be noted that the J-20 benefited from espionage.  Chinese hackers gained access to American stealth  technology from both the F-22 and F-35 programs, and this stolen tech was used in the J-20 design.   The jet is built for long range and carries multiple weapons.    It is expected that the US. Navy and its aircraft carrier force will have to deal with  its presence during any future conflict that may arise in the disputed South China Sea region.    

With American stealth aircraft first seeing action during the 80's in Panama, American forces have held a monumental advantage in the airspace above conflicts for decades.  China just changed that calculus, while making itself   a player in future air combat.  In addition to the J-20, China also has the stealthy J-31 in development for EXPORT!   And it doesn't end there:  China is rumored to have a stealth bomber in development; and a number of other countries -- including Russia and Iran -- already have stealth programs underway.  As a result, U.S. pilots could soon be skirmishing with enemy stealth jets over multiple conflict zones.

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At a time when there's so little worth seeing on Cable Television, I was pleasantly surprised today by movie dealing with forbidden love.  "CAROL" focuses on two women who develop a romantic relationship during the ultra-conservative 1950's.  Cate Blanchett gives a great performance in the title role!  "Carol" is an older experienced lesbian who is dealing with a failed marriage, and an accompanying child custody battle.  Rooney Mara plays the role of "Therese"; a young woman just beginning to understand her sexual identity.  The two meet and a moving story of their evolving love ensues!   In addition to the story line and acting being top-notch, the cinematography and direction need to be praised.   This is a really well made movie -- with social relevance -- and I highly recommend seeing it.   5 Stars!!!

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