Welcome! This is an unapologetic, agenda-free zone. Just commentaries on current events that’ll move you to think, laugh, rage, and even cry.
By any objective measure, South Africa’s transition from Apartheid to Democracy has been a resounding success. Over 2 terms (the first under the leadership of Nelson Mandela and the second under current President Thabo Mbeki), the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has made unprecedented strides in providing basic services (from running water to electricity to… Read more.
Only weeks ago, I decried the Orwellian Agreements Yahoo!, Microsoft, and other technology companies signed with the Chinese government to spy on the Internet activities of Chinese citizens. Of course, the tech titans involved protested with indignation that they would never become stool pigeons for China’s police state. But no amount of protestation could disguise… Read more.
Creationism – the biblical account of the origin of man (the Adam and Eve not Steve version) that was crucified in the (first) trial of the 20th Century, Tennessee v. John Scopes – has been resurrected in the guise of Intelligent Design. Intelligent-design theory adds a scientific gloss to creationism by arguing (according to my… Read more.
Timing is everything! Therefore, with the world now focused on providing all kinds of relief for American victims of Hurricane Katrina, no one should be surprised that pleas for (yet more) relief for African victims of chronic starvation have been entirely ignored. And, in this regard, I refer you to the BBC article “Malawi appeal… Read more.
For Interpol, “4-1-9” scams have become as notorious and unstoppable as narcotics trafficking. They are named after the section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes. And, although Nigerians are the masters of these scams, Europeans, Asians and even Americans are honing similar schemes with remarkable success. 419 scams take many forms but… Read more.
Yesterday, former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker released the findings of his committee’s 1-year, $30 million investigation into the UN’s $64 billion Oil-for-Food-Programme. Unfortunately, the 1000-page report merely detailed facts about corruption at the UN that were sufficiently exposed by international newspapers over a year ago. And, it only echoed insights into the UN’s… Read more.
The surly Princess Michael of Kent has proved once again that a Royal title confers neither class nor intelligence. Several months ago, I published a commentary on reports about her gauche behaviour at a restaurant in New York City. On that occasion, her royal act was made notorious by the racial slur she spewed against… Read more.
South African inventor Sonette Ehlers claims to have patented an anti-rape female condom “to help a woman so that she does not get raped.” I’m all for doing anything within reason to reduce the incidence of female rape – particularly in poor countries where women are most vulnerable. But, perhaps due to innate male obtuseness,… Read more.
Today, leaders of 13 Caribbean Commonwealth countries (CARICOM) and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will hold a summit in Jamaica – reportedly to sign (but possibly only to further discuss) their PetroCaribe Oil Agreement. Since Chavez and Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson announced the draft agreement in June, concerns have been raised – from reading the… Read more.
Yesterday, in a shrewd political move, President Bush re-nominated the affable John Roberts to replace William H Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. And, despite dogged opposition from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party, Roberts is expected to win easy confirmation. Bush can now savor the prospect of nominating a different… Read more.
