Old news from the Q4TK sidebar item “Things that have caught my eye“
2020
=> The Queen’s remarks, 5 April 2020: A welcome affirmation of those making sacrifices and for solidarity, relying on the best characteristics of the UK.
2018
=> I am just back from a conference on the economic future of the Mediterranean basin. Sadly, a lot of the discussion focused — justifiably — not on boosting growth, but rather on the essential pre-condition, which is peace. Some businesses take risks and go ahead in places like Libya or Iraq, but they also risk to lose everything.
And, as for Syria, it is a human tragedy on a scale that is hard to imagine. A few days ago I made a small contribution for a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) project in Syria. Shortly thereafter the government bombed into ruins the one of the hospitals operated by MSF. This is reportedly part of a systematic campaign to prevent access to medical care in areas outside of government control. It is hard to think of making progress under these circumstances.
Le Monde had a hopeful article (in French, check it out, linked below; very moving, I think) about one Syrian family and their journey to Europe. In this case, the official channels for help delivered results and the support for integration is starting to work. But, it is a very hard path toward long-term success. The family and the various government and charitable institutions went through a lot to reunite the family members (the family did pay their own ways over). They are now set up, installed in their new apartment, and engaged in schooling. Language is a big issue. Full integration will take longer.
With millions of people dislocated from the Syrian conflict (of course, that is just one conflict among others in the region), it will be difficult to replicate this story enough times to meet the needs of all. In Lebanon, a neighbouring country of 4.5 million population, there are 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Clearly, a key part will have to be finding a way to restore peace in the home country. Meanwhile Europe will continue to struggle to absorb the one million or so refugees that have arrived so far. The scale of the challenge is daunting. And, there is no easy solution.
With all that is going on in our lives, it is hard to do more than to try to help chip away at the problem in small ways. I am renewing my donation to Doctors Without Borders. The important thing, I suppose, is to act in some way.
Immigration et diversité (Article in French)
May 2017
Cruising the Grand Canal in Venice, as seen from a vaporetto water bus.
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May 2015
=> Fatoumata Diawara is a fine musician from Mali, now collaborating with Cuban keyboardist Roberto Fonseca. Together, Fatoumata and Roberto blend intercontinental vibes to produce world class Afro-Cuban jazz. They played a fine concert on 30 May 2015 in London. Well worth a listen, if you can catch one of their concerts!
Fatoumata’s music really strikes a chord in me from my 2 years with Peace Corps in next door Burkina Faso. She is an outspoken advocate on behalf of Africa. She may be best known for the theme song from the movie Timbuktu, about the seizure of that Malian town by Islamists who imposed a harsh rule (including prohibition of music). Here is a link to Fatoumata’s video from the film Timbuktu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yOfimHhARw”>Timbuktu – Music Video
February 2014
=> Seoul: Now here is a city government that listens to its citizens!
In Seoul it seems that a giant ear was set up by the government in front of city hall. Passers-by can submit verbal suggestions and complaints, which are then echoed quietly in a lobby at city hall. Electronic monitors automatically retain submissions that elicit responses of listeners, while other submissions are disposed via a process that “composts” them into music.
This certainly merits recognition as creative! It would be interesting to know how effective it is. It may help with managing tensions of frustrated citizens, but what about getting attention for worthwhile new ideas and effecting change?
The Atlantic Cities Article on this new approach to complaints in Seoul
“Got a Complaint With the Government? Yell It Into This 8-Foot Ear”
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August 2013
=> Moscow: Crackdown on a Pasta Procession of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
I must confess that I have followed the evolution of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster with some glee. These folks believe that the world was created by a flying spaghetti monster. His original followers were pirates who liked pasta, also known as Pastafarians. Oh, and they like beer and oppose dogma.
So, imagine my surprise to learn of a crackdown by riot police in Moscow on a pasta procession. Apparently, the local Pastafarians undertook an unauthorized outing in conjunction with a rite that involved spaghetti and walking down the street with colanders on their heads. Perhaps the forces of order prefer tortellini?
About the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Link
The Moscow Times Story
Link
May 2013
=> Roaming the San Joaquin Valley in California
One of the treats of reading the opinion pages of the New York Times is the occasional article by Verlyn Klinkenborg. His clear prose and rural themes draw me in and remind me of my own past days of living in the countryside and more recent visits to such places. It is not just nostalgia. That is, I generally learn something useful from his columns, too.
This week his report on the San Joaquin Valley has reflections on country life but also jarring observations on agricultural developments that are damaging to nature and life in the valley more broadly. It brings into focus the costs of the current approaches to agriculture in this region.
Wikipedia Overview of the San Joaquin Valley
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March 2013
=> Roaming the Roman Ruins of Baalbek, Lebanon
Baalbek is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a city with impressive Roman ruins including a remarkable temple of Bacchus. I have always wanted to see the ruins in Baalbek, but alas it has not been an easy place to get to in my lifetime. Emily Jane O’Dell, a professor of History and Archeology at the American University of Beirut recently published a nice column on Baalbek in the New York Times. It highlights both the interest in visiting Baalbek and the risks.
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February 2013
=> WABC and Cousin Brucie
Here is a website dedicated to WABC Musicradio 77 in New York, which was my main source of music in the 1960s and early 1970s. To see top 10 music listener surveys, listen to old shows and see images from those times, check out this site! It is like a time capsule:
Link to Cousin Brucie
Address for the radio station: http://www.musicradio77.com
Wonderful!