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

It's a little too soon

One of the things that I think has made our society go crazy is the pace that we live at. It is always hurry this, go there really fast and there is NO margin for error.

Today I saw a poll asking the public about how did President Obama do in his first 30 days. 30 days. You have got to be kidding.....no one other than God himself could do anything for this economy in 30 days.

We all need to slow down....the problems didn't happen overnight and won't go away overnight. Give the man a chance to show what he can do without analyzing every little move without a good sample to judge from. A year or two from now, we would have enough of sample to start making some decisions. But not now....

Here's hoping you have a slow, wonderful night!

This blog is finally making a difference...

Okay maybe not but the New York Times syndicate and Slate has finally heeded the call for Mugabe to be scrutinized. Find the article here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2210830/
One thought....his premise is that his crimes were not as egregious until recently because they were the crimes of an elected government. Genocide is genocide elected or not...until we hold anyone who commits genocide responsible this kind of things will happen again and again and again....
I am thankful that this information is finally hitting the mainstream!

Financial Infrastructure of Africa

A group of African leaders met in Ethiopia last week to talk about how the current financial crisis will impact their countries.

According to World Bank, Angola, who is a large exporter of oil, will see its exports drop by approximately 30% according to World Bank. Obviously this will have serious ramifications on the financial stability of the whole continent.

The World Bank has a proposed solution: Robert Zoellick has called for rich countries to donate 0.7 percent of the stimulus packages they approve for their own economies to a fund for developing countries which would be managed by international lenders.

Interesting....I am not sure what the breakdown of "rich" vs. "developing" countries will be. And this borders a bit on socialism. What international lenders will manage this?

A few questions:
1. Would this plan put a unstable continent into further instability?
2. What lenders would you trust to manage the stimulus packages?
3. What happens if the "rich" countries decide not to do a stimulus package?
4. What do you do with a country like Zimbabwe were there are serious questions concerning how monies from this fund will be used?

Talk amongst yourselves......

3 Things I Want From Our New President

Dear President Obama,
I would like 3 things from you for the next 4 years:

1. A healthy economy: It doesn't have to be perfect just better than it is right now! Please find a way to infuse hope!
2. A kinder, gentler Africa: Being the first multi-racial president, I am hoping other countries will listen to you. Bring peace to a place that needs it badly.
3. A new national anthem: How many times can we hear a second rate song butchered badly?

If you do these three things, you have my vote in 2012!

All the best,
Michael

Thanks to my friend Taylor for this...

At least someone is getting some worth out of this....


http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1978/138/102/512173329/n512173329_1216157_6335.jpg

The truth is stranger than fiction....

In reading this article, you will come to the startling realization that the IL Gov. will be swearing in new state senators when their first order of business is how to proceed on the impeachment process of Hot Rod.
Abosutely freaking amazing.....

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2009/01/08/news/doc49663988d6903620290642.txt

I Usually Encourage Ownership...

but in this case, ownership scares me completely. Our villain of the moment, Robert Mugabe, recently said:

"Zimbabwe is mine. I will never, never, never never surrender. Zimbabwe is mine, I am a Zimbabwean. Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans. Zimbabwe never for the British, Britain for the British," Mugabe told his party's annual conference.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081219/wl_africa_afp/zimbabwepolitics_081219142025

How in the world is Zimbabwe his? Granted, he is ruling the country but only a dictator would say a country is "his".

That should solve it for everyone...talk amongst yourselves......

Living In Il Part 2

I have to give props to my old friend from college Tracy who rightfully commented that downstate IL is not as bad as the Chicagoland area. I would have to agree with her. Chicago dominates Illinois like New York City dominates New York.

I hear that the Governor wants to have his side of the story heard. No matter how I don't like what he has done (I won't say supposed to have done because well, I have heard the tapes!), I think our justice system needs to fulfill what it is supposed to do. He is innocent til proven guilty and he has a right to be heard.

If justice is no longer blind in our society, then we have a major shift in judicial law which I am not sure we can handle with everything else going on in our society!

Thank you Tracy for giving me perspective and thanks to the judicial system for working in every case, not just the ones we like it to work for.

Talk amongst yourselves......

Living in IL

Usually the reason I curse the state that I live in (Illinois) is the cold mornings when it is 15 degrees and I am walking my dogs or walking to the train. Unfortunately, I have a new reason this week.


I live in what could possibly be called the most corrupt state in the nation. Even law enforcement officials concede this point. The latest corruption takes the cake.....

The governor of Illinios conspired to sell the vacant senate seat of our next President Barack Obama. His request was a job after he is done being governor and a seat on organization boards which would guarantee a pretty hefty income.

His actions were referred to as a crime "spree". Not an actions but a coordinated set of illegal actions. A coordinated SET!!!

On the tapes (they actually wiretapped his phone) he said he had considered appointing himself to the seat as a prelude to running for president in 2016.

Clarence Page was asked if the governor was the most corrupt person in the world to which he answered to the effect that Robert Mugabe was far and above the most corrupt person in the world but the governor was catching up quickly!

I know politics is a pretty messy game but I was shocked by this.....and I don't get shocked very much.

When candidates meet with a sitting governor to buy a senate seat, something has gone wrong with our political system and, even scarier, with people in general.

I hope that the governor will be impeached and the senate seat will no longer be appointed but elected. But can we assume in this current political situation an election would be free from corruption? No such luck.....

A few thoughts to consider
What would your solution be to assigning this seat?
Should the IL constitution change to allow an election for a vacated senate seat rather than it be appointed by the governor? (IL governors don't have a great track record.)
If not, should the previous senator pick his or her replacement?
Will this hurt Chicago's chances to host the 2016 Olympics?

Talk amongst yourselves.....

Cholera...Just another problem for Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe, for those of you who don't know, is the place in Africa where my wife and I support a child who has HIV. The HIV problem is bad enough (to say the least) but now there is another player in the life and death game for the people of Zimbabwe: Cholera.

MDC secretary for health Dr Henry Madzorera had this to say recently: ""Our observation is that we do not have the capacity to deal with the epidemic, there are gross shortages from human resources to materials, drugs and fluids. The human resource situation is very dire, we have all nurses on strike, and only senior nurses are manning the wards. They are working long hours, they are tired and exposed to the extent that some health workers are now being infected with cholera while on duty," said Madzorera.Some health workers have also been admitted to hospitals as they contract the disease because of lack of adequate protective uniform."

It is amazing that the drug tetracycline and clean water would cure most problems with cholera in Zimbabwe. But yet, Mugabe's group denies there is even a problem with cholera. Shock...

The mismanagement of the government has caused this huge problem once again. This makes Peter Thum's mission even more important. Clean water is the basis for health around the world.

How do we get water to those who need it.....talk amongst yourselves.....

Jimmy Carter and Zimbabwe

I was just reading an article in the L.A. Times about Zimbabwe. A man I admire for his tireless humanitarian efforts, former President Jimmy Carter, said the situation in Zimbabwe is much worse than can be imagined.

This is his quote from the Times:

"The entire basic structure in education, healthcare, feeding people, social services and sanitation has broken down," Carter said at a news conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. "These are all indications that the crisis in Zimbabwe is much greater, much worse than we had ever imagined."

The interesting thing is that Carter has not been to Zimbabwe lately. A group of people that includes Carter and Kofi Anan, who label themselves The Elders, were denied access to Zimbabwe by guess who?

Robert Mugabe.

Carter talked to refugees from Zimbabwe in South Africa to gather the information. An estimated 4.9 million people need aid for food and none of the 4 major hospitals are functioning in Zimbabwe.

This is a problem....read the article in the L.A. Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mugabe25-2008nov25,0,7756381.story) and discuss amongst yourselves.....

Giving Water

Today the keynote address for the Blackbaud Conference I am attending was by a gentleman named Peter Thum. Peter started Ethos Water in order to sell bottled water to provide clean water for children and communities who have no access to water that is unspoiled. It is an amazing way to take something that is popular and use it to help make the world a better place.

Traveling through South Africa, the lack of access to clean water was clearly evident. Water is the next big issue in conservation and also should be in health care.

So next time you buy bottled water, check out Ethos and this article. (http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/31/smbusiness/Ethos.fsb/index.htm)

Let us hope that we can use our resources and technology to make sure every person (especially children) has access to clean water. I hope all of us will do the same thing Peter did...have an idea, write it on a napkin, and change the world....

Turning 39

Yes, this very day 39 years ago I was born. I am thankful that I have made it this far with so many things in my life that I am thankful for:

1. My wife who graciously married me when she might have been smarter to rethink that decision:)
2. Our dogs who teach me the meaning of unconditional love every day. One day I hope to be as good of a person as they think I am.....
3. My parents (and Marybeth's Mom and Grandma too!)
4. My brother-in-law, sister and their two boys.
5. Friends that I couldn't imagine life without.
6. A job.

I am truly more fortunate that I realize everyday......

Thanks also for those of who read this blog......It is a pleasure to interact with you.

Have one for me tonight!