The gay bashing which became gay beating two weeks ago in Uganda was widely reported worldwide. But not enough has been said about the U.S. Christian right which fomented the violence in the first place. In September I wrote that the “C Street Players” – a list of prominent leaders and politicians on the U.S….Continue reading
Here’s a perfect picture of what’s wrong with part of America: Kids, yes kids, duped by charity. No one doubts the generosity of Americans. But charity must be researched first. And that’s what so many Americans just don’t do. It would bother me less if it weren’t adults misleading kids. And I wouldn’t be quite…Continue reading
Your voice against the Serengeti highway has attracted the attention of the most powerful in Tanzania. Unfortunately, he’s digging in his heels. During an end of July live television speech to the country President Jakaya Kikwete said that “under no circumstances” will the government be deterred from building the road. Kikwete doesn’t shy from the…Continue reading
As we were traveling from the Entebbe (Uganda) airport late last night, the first topic we discussed was “security.” Security against a catastrophic 9-11 is better in Africa than at home. My first clients, the Pomerantz family, (Roger and Cathy Colt and son, Daniel) remarked first that they had recently been to Egypt where it…Continue reading
Tuesday Congress gave President Obama additional emergency funding for the war in Afghanistan. But the real new news is that America and Britain are beginning a new war in Somalia. This was a week where terror succeeded. It began with the Al-Shabaab (Al-Qaeda) bombings in Kampala, which like 9/11 are intended to provoke. Terrorists know…Continue reading
The U.S. is finally realizing that Somali is the center of the world’s “War on Terror.” And so now we’re all ready to do exactly the wrong thing. Again. I’ve written often — and spoken in public — about the growing power that Al-Shabaab has in Somalia. Al-Shabaab is Al-Qaeda in The Horn. Western preoccupation…Continue reading
This week as summer rains pelted the Midwest major battles for single drops of water were raging in Africa. We take so much for granted and nothing more necessary to almost every aspect of our lives than potable water. That may be one of Africa’s top problems, if not the single-most urgent need. All of…Continue reading
Ugandan police gave indications, yesterday, that Al-Shabaab plans further bombings in Kampala next week during the OAU conference. I imagine that several Heads of State who had planned to attend will not, now, or will greatly reduce their stay. In this regard, the Sunday bombings would have achieved their objectives, so further disruption wouldn’t be…Continue reading
The suicide bombings in Kampala Sunday night are not an escalation, but a continuation of the terror the world has always suffered. In the midst of this recent horror, it’s critical to realize that terrorism is a part of our ordinary lives. Americans have this subconscious absurd notion that there wasn’t terror before 9-11. Yet…Continue reading
In a huge and welcome change from past American policy, eight U.S. Congressmen are in Kenya to promote democracy. “Change,” I said? Absolutely! Until the Obama administration, America’s promoting democracy in the Third World was something akin to my own dear old-style Chicago politics. You tell them what to do, and if they don’t, you…Continue reading
By Conor Godfrey In less than two weeks the Ugandan parliament will vote on one of the most virulent anti-gay bills in history. Ugandan Anti-Gay Bill 2009 mandates the death penalty for some homosexual acts and significant prison terms for people who fail to report homosexual activity to the authorities. Mass rallies preceding the introduction…Continue reading
Safer to be in than Tanzania or Uganda, according to the UN. The U.N.’s announcement this week that Kenya is now safer for its employees than Tanzania or Uganda sheds new light on how travelers should view government travel warnings. Not much has changed in the last year in world governments’ advice to their citizens…Continue reading
The predicted El-Nino rains are beating East Africa and reversing the drought completely, causing mayhem anew. Nairobi’s Standard newspaper reports now that five people swept away by running waters have been confirmed killed throughout Kenya. Two major bridges, one linking the mainland with Lamu, has been swept away, and major roads into the north are…Continue reading
Uncontrolled, big game hunting is resurgent in Uganda. I believe big game hunting contributes to conservation if carefully controlled. Problem is, it’s not being controlled at all. The only reason tourists first came to Africa was to hunt. One of the world’s greatest conservationist, Teddy Roosevelt, was a big game hunter. That changed radically in…Continue reading