I've been reading "The Fate of Africa", by Martin Meredith -- very interesting history. One of the things that I've gotten from it is the origin of IMF austerity programs. Basically, after African countries gained their independence in the fifties and sixties, they generally instituted presidential one-party systems, which went on to treat the ( Read more... )

Back in Toronto. That was wild. I will post pictures and commentary at some point in the unspecified future.

In Amman, Jordan, on a stopover to Cairo. Prevented from visiting Dome of Rock this morning by unbeliever status -- Friday being the holiday and so forth. I suppose I could have converted -- I can't really think of a downside, although my touristy get-up might have drawn unwelcome attention and I somehow think things would have gone poorly if the ( Read more... )

We had a tour guide for the wandering around today -- he was quite good -- showed us a lot of stuff we would never have seen otherwise. Nice guy too, except he had a kind of a hate on for Muslims. An Armenian Catholic. He told us the story of his grandfather, who had 3 sons, all doctors, all killed by the Turks. The grandfather was forced to ( Read more... )

Saw the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Jesus tomb, former resting place of true cross, etc. Pretty cool. Also saw alleged resting place of Mary (mother of aforesaid) and Joseph (stepfather, more or less) and a different Mary who had a more tangential relationship (but not Mary Magdalene). Perhaps dome of the rock and wailing wall tomorrow. Father ( Read more... )

Just had late night burgers at a random joint in Jerusalem: posting now from the Hotel computers. The burgers were large, and the non-NA-ness was largely limited to having way more sauces available and the fanta being written in Hebrew letters ( Read more... )

Just had late night burgers at a random joint in Jerusalem: posting from the Hotel computers. Pictures will have to wait until I get back ( Read more... )

I notice that Charlotte and I have completely failed to coordinate our French-co-location, but that just means we'll have more to talk about when we get back, no ( Read more... )

My friends list seems to have a pretty lefty slant. Being lefty-ish myself, this is only appropriate. But, in the spirit of being fair and balanced, I am going to link to the blog of Reform wait no I mean Conservative MP Monte Solberg. His Liberal bashing warms the cockles of my cold, cold heart. Ignore the first couple of 'conservative blue' posts ( Read more... )

An interesting little post. Very old, but new to me. Confirms and exceeds my general impression about the Iraq reconstruction.

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/2003_08_01_riverbendblog_archive.html#106208201838841818