Chick Fil A and 2 Live Kru

Wow, I bet you never thought you would see those two things together in a title of blog did you?

I didn't have a chicken sandwich for lunch today.  I had some of my wife's amazing ziti for dinner so I am a happy man.  But the support Chick Fil A day that was created for today did interest me.  But maybe not for the reason you think.

I am a big fan of free speech.  And I am worried about it staying that way.  Do I think anyone should burn an American flag? Absolutely not.  But, I am not willing to take the right of expression away from anyone. 

I remember watching the movie Demolition Man. The society in that movie was so sterile that there was an underground group of people who lived outside the norm, lead by of all people, Dennis Leary as the aptly named Edgar Friendly. I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy his stand on life:

"According to Cocteau's plan, I'm the enemy, 'cause I like to think, I like to read. I'm into freedom of speech, and freedom of choice. I'm the kinda guy that likes to sit in a greasy spoon and wonder, "Gee, should I have the T-bone steak or the jumbo rack of barbecue ribs with the side-order of gravy fries?" I want high cholesterol! I wanna eat bacon, and butter, and buckets of cheese, okay?! I wanna smoke a Cuban cigar the size of Cincinnati in the non-smoking section! I wanna run naked through the street, with green Jell-O all over my body, reading Playboy magazine. Why? Because I suddenly may feel the need to, okay, pal?"

I hope that those at Chick Fil A today were people who support Dan Cathy but also those who support free speech. Whether we agree with someone's opinion or not, the freedom to state it is something I cherish. I love my friends because many of them do not share my opinion or the opinions of the others. I support Dan Cathy's right to state what he believes and always will whether it is the opinion that is in vogue in the moment or not makes no difference to me. One of my favorite stories was when the B-52's were being interviewed while I was in college and 2 Live Kru was the big rage. They asked Kate Pierson what she she thought of them. She said in American everyone has the right to be stupid. I love that right!

So here's to green jello, Chick Fil A sandwiches and 2 Live Kru.  Go think and enjoy yourselves everyone.....

I Could Not Have Said It Better

I am reading a book called Margin by Richard Swenson. Here is his take on modern society and what we need to do....

"We once again assert that jobs are only jobs, that cars are only organized piles of metal, that houses will one day fall down but people are important beyond description."

Yep, that's it......

The Other Side of the World Cup

The World Cup is one of the biggest events in the world and it is being held in South Africa this year. While I hope this helps the South African economy, the darker side of this event or any event like it is inevitably going to come out.

While the vuvuzelas blow and they can be annoying, it might be a better use of vuvuzela outrage to use this as a platform to fight child sex trafficking.

While this practice is common throughout the world, South Africa has not enacted a pending law that is stuck in limbo. A bill to ban sex trafficking has been on the books but has not been made into law. The anti-trafficking bill has been waiting for approval for 5 years. It is high time to get that passed and a viable law that can be enforced. (The attached article tells of what is happening around the World Cup but things like this happen all over the world and not just at an event. )

I hope the proposed legislation becomes law and helps South Africa be able to prosecute those who foster this kind of slavery, especially on young women.

The next time you hear a vuvuzela blow, turn that into a call for action....

Quarter Pounder Anyone?

It is now reported that because of drought and Mugabe's land programs, Zimbabwe can only produce 1/4 of what it needs to feed its population. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091001/wl_africa_afp/zimbabwefoodagriculturefao_20091001165859)

Is there any wonder there are problems in Zimbabwe. Can you imagine what it would be like if you had only 1/4 of what you needed to eat?

Life would be very different....Mugabe needs to give up his personal fortune to feed his people who he is supposed to be serving.

Malaria still kills 1 million per year in Africa

I know it has been a long time.....to quote the fount of wisdom known as Eric B and Rakim.....

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you/Without a strong rhyme to step to
Think of how many weak shows you slept through/Time's up, I'm sorry I kept you

I have written about malaria early on in this blog but it has come up again. It looks 3 billion dollars and a new organization called the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (see article here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_re_us/un_africa_malaria_1) intend to eradicate malaria in Africa by 2015.

I encourage everyone also to give to Nothing But Nets (http://www.nothingbutnets.net/) which is also helping to fight the malaria problem in Africa.

This problem is easily solved in theory but difficult to do in reality. We have had the cure for many moons but getting it out to the impoverished areas of Africa is difficult...along with some leaders who stop care from going to people in need. I am thankful that African leaders are banding together to fight this...let's see if they can get Mugabe to actually help his people.

If that happens, I would be VERY happy....

It's about Africa kids.....

Unemployment in South Africa

I visited South Africa a few years ago and had the privilege of meeting many young people that were searching for jobs. They all had graduated and had skills that an employer could use. The only problem was that there were no jobs for them to apply to.

The article says the unemployment rate has jumped up 1.5% in the last few months to 23.5% with a loss of over 200,000 jobs. I think this rate is low. I would have estimated more like 35-40% from the people I met in Durban.

President-elect Jacob Zuma says he will work with businesses to create jobs. How exactly will he do that? That is a nice campaign promise but I have no idea how you will accomplish this in Africa right now.

And, for that matter, in the U.S. right now either.....

Even Elephants Know What Is Going On

According a report out of Zambia, a good number of elephants have crossed the Zambezi river to live in Zambia rather than Zimbabwe. I think we can read between the lines and surmise the elephants found Zimbabwe unlivable.

But of course, Mugabe blames western intervention for the problems Zimbabwe is experiencing.

It is amazing that elephants are smarter than Mugabe....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5233991/Elephants-abandon-troubled-Zimbabwe.html