The topic of giving aid to Africa is an emotive and hair splitting one. While most scholars agree that short term aid in times of disaster is necessary to alleviate suffering, paths diverge on  mentioning long term developmental aid. Like the debate on homosexuality or abortion there are two major factions and a malleable middle. Pro- aid members  argue that Africa ...Read More »

The Hellon-Arunga affair is a growing irritation. This circus is not in a hurry to leave town and the media has supplied front row seats for everybody, interested or not. Perspective, however, is sold separately. Save for the double entendre quips on twitter, I did not have a clue as to what was going on. At the behest of a friend ...Read More »

Love is in the air. Again. *Male species insert appropriate groan here* She bought your gift weeks in advance and she is expecting one from you. *Longer groan here* Advertisers and manufacturers are assailing you with gift ideas like fundies and other  "especially created for two" mortifying oddities. While the gift ideas  below are not quite as atrocious as a gym membership or divorce papers, ...Read More »

Earlier this week NY Times published Nicholas Kristof's report on a nine year-old Congolese rape survivor. The Times included the minor child's name as well as a picture of her face with her aunt standing behind her. It has since become clear that Kristof's decision to include personal identifiers like real name, age, location and the picture was not sanctioned by any ...Read More »

I have never quite understood this iPhone shtick. I am told this once-bitten-apple contrivance is the ultimate sign of sophistication. Sophistication Schmostication. It does everything I don't want it to do, like changing my Swahili phrases to words requiring me to swallow my tongue then regurgitate it several times over. Or telling my annoying ex to go "duck" himself while what I actually ...Read More »