A huge thank you to 
( Read more... )

Some interesting stuff I read today:

From Chuck Todd: "Joe's Lockdown: Obama campaigns today in Wisconsin, tomorrow in Iowa, Tuesday in Missouri, and Montana on Wednesday -- all without Biden. In short, they won't stump together again until after convention. While that move seems surprising at first glance, think about it this way: The images we saw ( Read more... )

We finally know, and I can stop being neurotic.  Without trying to analyze above my head, I'll say that I really like Joe Biden.  I like him a LOT.  I don't necessarily think he was the best pick.  I think he would have been a better Secretary of State, and I was pulling for a semi-surprise Wes Clark pick.  Maybe I'm more let down that it's a safe ( Read more... )

Some interesting (though wholly unsurprising) comments on PEPFAR from European aid groups.

It  should be noted that the folks quoted in that post are largely criticizing the "abstinence earmark" in PEPFAR.  This required 1/3rd of all prevention funding under PEPFAR be spent on programs to encourage abstinence and fidelity.  This requirement was ( Read more... )

The American Prospect has a good roundup posted of Obama's top staffers, written by one of their interns.  The summaries themselves are ok, but it's most valuable for the links to more in-depth press pieces on each.  If he's elected, many of the folks on that list will end up in very high-ranking positions in an Obama administration.

If anyone knows ( Read more... )

"Britney sues vagina for divorce."

The President of Zambia died about 4 hours ago at a hotel in Paris.  There's no reason to fear any instability or problems, but here's hoping that the elections and transition to new leadership goes smoothly, as it will likely happen while I'm here.  It should be really interesting to follow, assuming all goes well.

Wish the Zambians luck.

Sorry I haven't posted here at all in the last month; I've been posting more sterile and informative items about my trip at my blog alter ego, but I'm going to try to get back in the swing of posting on both so I can rant and ramble a bit more freely here.  Not that it will make for very interesting reading here, but tough luck.

Not much to say this ( Read more... )

I am incredibly, incredibly, incredibly lucky...

...and ridiculously fucking tired. But mostly lucky.

A little over a week left. Departure from D.C. tentatively set for next Wednesday the 16th (assuming I can change the ticket), and departure from the U.S. definitely set for next Thursday the 17th ( Read more... )