Category Archives: Politics

In the past several months, Dr. Sheik Umar Khan has been a leader in the fight against the deadliest and largest Ebola outbreak in history.Khan, 39, has treated over 100 Ebola patients in Sierra Leone. He’s a “national hero,” the … Continue reading →

“I saw you.”  “I saw you,” she says. You have to listen to The New Yorker podcast of her reading the story “Prizes” by Janet Frame.

I really like that the ambassador is taking his role incredibly seriously… getting to know people civil society organizations is really important.  This is great! Plus d’une heure 30 minutes, c’est le temps qu’a duré la rencontre entre l’ambassadeur, et … Continue reading →

The question of modifying the constitution to permit President Compaoré to “legally” run for another term now has an American dimension.  As it should.  What is the point of being a partner, and making grants worth $481 million (through the … Continue reading →

After teaching in the evening MBA program, I usually come home and decompress watching something.  Over the last several weeks, I watched the over-the-top police drama Luther, with Idris Elba.  It was pretty good for decompression candy.  Last night though … Continue reading →

At the African Studies Association meetings last November, I picked up a copy of Bitter Bread of Exile – Sir Edward Mutesa II by A.B.K. Kasozi.  It was not until the next day that I realized that the Kasozi writing … Continue reading →

Apparently this is what he said on 4th of July: « Au fil des années, nous avons clarifié ce que « Egalité » signifiait et formulé 27 Amendements à la Constitution. La plupart des amendements ont élargi les libertés de … Continue reading →

As the upcoming mayoral election comes up for San Jose, we have two candidates: Sam Liccardo and David Cortese.  Crime and policing are, at this point, going to be at the center of the campaign.  So I thought I should … Continue reading →

My gut feeling is that nowhere close to the deaths and disability years of alcohol. Excessive alcohol use accounts for one in 10 deaths among working-age adults ages 20-64 years in the United States, according to a new report. Excessive … Continue reading →

A good summary of current macroeconomic issues.  I suppose for every item on Cochrane’s list of “regulations to remove because they slow growth for no good reason” there is a list of “government projects to undertake that will improve productivity … Continue reading →

The beginning of the year was not just bad for the United States economy: It was, on paper at least, the worst quarter since the last recession ended five years ago.The Commerce Department revised its estimates of first-quarter gross domestic … Continue reading →

Tomorrow night at the Blank Club in San Jose… I have to teach until 9:30pm… hope I don’t miss their set .. waah 😦 I liked this review (via Wussy: Attica! | Album Reviews | Pitchfork) of their new album, … Continue reading →

It’s rather obvious, the lesson.  A so-so novel.  But too many Americans (how about we start with Dick Cheney) have not been able to absorb the one lesson of modesty and humility woven through the fabric of the novel.  Unbeknownst … Continue reading →

Skimmed through Holy Motor by Leon Carax (you can stream on Netflix).  Intelligent, beautifully acted.  When I was 25 I would have been very impressed.  Watching it at home, on a computer screen (Carax shudders), stopping to make Elliot two … Continue reading →

Have you published 25 books? Been an editor at Forbes ASAP? Demonstrated expertise in both microprocessing and water conservation? Better yet, is your name Michael S. Malone? Good news: You’re eligible to apply to a quarterly adjunct-lecturer position in Santa … Continue reading →