Around The Bend December 3, 2012

Apartheid in South Africa in the News Again?

There is a bit here from South Africa, regarding white identity and roles in present day, post-apartheid South Africa. It is an excellent article, and you can scroll down to the "Africa" section of the news, and go to the South Africa to find the link. It's an excellent article, and I definitely recommend it!

It reminds me a bit of the brilliant book, "Disgrace" by JM Coetsee. There are a lot of themes tackled in that book, which is really an incredible read, particularly for anyone familiar with South African history. It examines white identity and entitlement in post-apartheid South Africa, among numerous other issues.

Much like here in the United States, life in a post-racial legislation nation has not always been easy and free from complications in South Africa. Inequalities still exist, as does unfairness. Controversies ensue over measures to try to promote greater fairness, such as affirmative action. There is still a great deal of fear, for that matter. One of the growing trends in South Africa, which is mentioned Coetsee mentioned in "Disgrace", and which continues to be on the rise in both South Africa and the United States, would be the popularity of gated communities. Here in the United States, we recently had a major controversy with significant emphasis on racial stereotypes and fears regarding the Trayvon Martin case.

So, although there were plenty of people who quickly proclaimed that racism really was no longer a major problem in South Africa after Mandela was elected and peacefully took office in April of 1994, or here in the United States when Obama was elected and then peacefully took office in January of 2009, the fact of the matter is that race remains a huge problem in both countries, and that the people who are trying to sweep the problems under the rug, and thus shut off further discussion on the issue, really should know better. It does not take much to stir up strong feelings on the subject, and that in itself is an indication that it remains on people's mind, however, much they may try to disguise it.


Congo

Speaking of Africa, since I have given a couple of "Movie Rental Reviews" of movies that focus on Africa recently, with "Blood Diamond" and "Tears of the Sun". To different degrees, both of those films address some of the things that seem to occur on the continent lately, and so, I figured that this developing and rather complicated and involved story should be mentioned. It does not get a great deal of press here in the West, and I'm remembering that scene in "Blood Diamond" when Maddy mentions that the best such a story can generally expect is a short blurb, or perhaps a few seconds of a time slot on the nightly news, with some people being moved enough to be willing to give money towards the cause, and that pretty much would be it.

Some of what happens is nothing short of criminal. Both movies aim for feel good endings, but the truth is that the violence often seems to have no end to it. It also seems to be contagious, as it spreads from country to country. Even relatively stable nations, traditionally, are not immune. Take the example of Kenya, which seemed a model for the rest of Africa for some time. Suddenly, it began to see much of the same type and level of violence as the rest of Africa. It just goes to show how quickly these things can spread, and how fragile the imaginary borders that supposedly separate can be.

What is happening in Congo is a tragedy, and it is in a region that is no stranger to such things. One nation that is involved is Rwanda, and most of us can remember well when there was a genocide on a massive scale there, back in 1994. It was among the worst incidents of ethnic cleansing that we have seen, with somewhere between 750,000 to 1,000,000 people killed in a very short time span. Rwanda is active in the eastern Congo, since it is one of the neighbors, and thus, has an interest in controlling some of the much bigger nation's valuable resources. These tragedies arise far too easily over very specific interests that tend to overlook, or perhaps not care enough about, the human toll that these interests take. Another line taken from "Blood Diamond" was that throughout the entire history of Africa, whenever a precious resource was discovered, blood quickly was shed. It seems to happen far too much in Africa. It happened during the colonial era, and continued through the liberation phase. It continued afterwards, in places like Nigeria, in Ethiopia, and Rwanda. It continues to happen, as recent headlines in Sudan/South Sudan, in Mali, in Congo, and so on prove. It is a vicious and relentless cycle if ever there was one.


Domestic Politics

Here in the United States, it did not take long following last month's elections for the usual Washington gridlock to take a firm hand. While there were some signs that Republicans might relent a bit on their traditional strong stand against raising taxes on the very wealthiest of Americans, with some Republicans showing signs of being willing to at least listen to President Obama's proposals, now it seems to be the same old same old. Republicans not only are in the minority right now in Washington, but they are going against the grain of what a clear majority of Americans feel on this particular issue. Most Americans approve of the notion on raising taxes on the very rich. Still, many Republicans, and particularly Congressional leaders such as Boehner, McConnell and Cantor are once again digging the trenches, as the so-called "Fiscal Cliff" looms ever nearer. Both sides are, once again, pointing the finger of blame at the other, claiming that they are not willing to work in a bipartisan manner. Business as usual in Washington, as politicians will be politicians. Republicans seem to be returning to their age old strategy of obstructionism, which I believe was part of the reason that they lost this past election. Not sure if this even qualifies as "news", but since it seems to be what's dominating the headlines (once again) as of late, I figured it was worth mentioning. Of course, I've been wrong before...

Around the World

Middle East

Palestine - The biggest news, obviously, is the United Nations vote this past week, essentially empowering Palestine by recognizing their statehood more than ever before. I saw some posts on Facebook welcoming the 194th member. The vote came with nine nations opposed led, of course, by the United States and Israel, who put up vehement opposition. But in the end, Palestine was recognized as having a right to exist. I think that this could be a positive. Americans and Israelis claimed that Palestine will use their new leverage to work towards further violence, which itself will breed even more violence. But given that there is no shortage of violence in place already, and that Israelis continue to settle the West Bank (illegally), and that the Israeli government has, in effect, eliminated the two state solution option, it seemed that something was going to give. The current predicament simply was not working, and this is an attempt to at least try something different, something new. Also, it shows the rest of the world, as well as Israel and the United States, that things can be done without the world's leading superpower, and that a united world (minus these two powerhouses) can get things done on their own, even if it has to drag the feet of these two hesitant nations, kicking and screaming. Maybe it's not the solution, but it's working towards some kind of solution, rather than dancing around it, and holding with the status quo, the same old same old, and making a mockery of everyone truly working towards a peaceful solution. I applaud the efforts of those nations, and the United Nations overall, towards at least attempting to resolve this obviously very longstanding problem. 

Egypt - Protests that are reminiscent of last year's "Arab Spring" revolts continue in Egypt's capital city, Cairo, and elsewhere in the nation. President Morrissey, of course, maneuvered himself to gain considerable powers, so that he was beyond the reach of the courts. Whatever his intentions were, it seems to me odd that this man would seek to gain so much powers so soon after the mass revolts that saw the fall of the long-standing Mubarak regime. Is he now surprised that there are so many on the streets, protesting? How could he be? What was he thinking, anyway? Faced with the turmoil in his country that threatened to become so much more, Morrissey called for a vote. In the meantime, Egyptian courts have closed, and protesters are being blamed for it. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/world/middleeast/egypt-morsi-constitution-vote.html?pagewanted=all

http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-top-court-shuts-down-blames-protesters-051812098.html

Lebanon - Signs that the war in Syria might be spreading, as Lebanese troops exchanged fire with Syrian rebel troops.



Europe

European Union - Bishop Desmond Tutu claimed that is not worthy of the Nobel peace Rpize, and that there is a contradiction from the values that the prize traditionally symbolizes, since Europe relies so heavily on military force.

http://news.yahoo.com/tutu-eu-not-worthy-win-nobel-peace-prize-133224912.html

Serbia - In this day and age of sparkly and sexy vampires and endless zombie shows and movies and books, perhaps we should have been expecting the inevitable report of a vampire on the loose. Indeed, one has been reported, and in Eastern Europe, to boot! Only, this is not Transylvania, this is the Balkans. The vampire resides in Serbia, in the little village of Zarozje, where reports of a legendary vampire that once allegedly haunted the area has now made it's return. Apparently, this is being taken seriously enough that a local council advised villagers to carry garlic in their pockets and put wooden crosses in their rooms.

The vampire has a name: Sava Savanovic, who happens to be Serbia's most famous vampire.

Some feel a bit more skeptical, and think this is a ploy for attention. A local municipal council member, Miodrag Vujetic, said, "If Romanians could profit on the Dracula legend with the tourists visiting Transylvania, why can't we do the same with Sava?"

Of course, Dracula is most famous because of the famed work of fictional horror by Bram Stoker that gave rise to the fame of Dracula. Apparently, the legendary vampire Dracula has some competition in a regional rival nation.

Sometimes, news stories are stranger than fiction.

http://news.yahoo.com/vampire-loose-serbia-140736133.html

Hungary - There was an anti-Nazi rally in Hungary's national capital city of Budapest on Sunday, after a prominent member of the far-right Jobbik party, Marton Gyongyosi, said in the legislature this past Monday that it was time to find out "how many people of Jewish origin there are here, and especially in the Hungarian parliament and the Hungarian government, who represent a certain national security risk." Gyongyosi later apologized for the remark, but qualified that by adding that the nation still needed to be wary of "Zionist Israel and those serving it also from here"

http://news.yahoo.com/thousands-attend-anti-nazi-rally-hungary-181111963.html

Latin America and Caribbean


Mexico - New president Pena Nieto finally took office, and vowed to end the violence that has long plagued his nation, as well as reverse the long-standing sluggish economy. There were some violent protests during his swearing in. 

http://news.yahoo.com/mexicos-pena-nieto-takes-power-begins-era-old-143340170.html

http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-swears-president-amid-violent-protests-174340779.html

Paraguay - One of the surviving leaders of the peasant movement in Paraguay, Vidal Vega, was gunned down on Saturday by two unidentified men, who managed to get away. According to a friend, Vega was gunned down when he stepped outside to go feed his farm animals.

http://news.yahoo.com/gunmen-assassinate-peasant-leader-paraguay-152213118.html

Asia



Afghanistan -Taliban insurgents attacked a US base in Jalalabad yesterday. 

North Korea - North Korea is once again vowing to test long range rocket sometime later this month, in the back and forth tug of war that seems to define this nation. One step forward, two steps backwards. This marks the second such attempt to launch missile since Kim Jung Un took power last year.

http://news.yahoo.com/north-korea-vows-test-long-range-rocket-soon-082344582.html

North Korea - Also in North Korea, and in keeping with the bizarre nature of the report of a vampire on the loose in Serbia (see above), there is a report coming out of the Korean Central news Agency that scientists of the Communist nation are claiming proof that unicorns did in fact exist, once upon a time. A burial site of unicorns was found by a temple near the capital city of Pyongyang, with an engraving of "Unicorn Lair" at the front. it is being claimed that this is the burial site of the remains of the unicorn ridden by King Dongmyeong, who was the founding father of the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo, which existed from 37BCE -668AD.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/11/30/unicorns-existence-proven-says-north-korea/?hpt=hp_t3

 

Africa

Congo - Rwanda continues it's involvement in the confict in eastern Congo, trying to exert some influence over this region that has some considerable wealth in natural resources. Rebels have gained control over one major city here, and the civil war continues. The United Kingdom just blocked payments that were about to be made to Rwanda, citing "credible" reports of Rwandan involvement in war-torn eastern Congo. Rebels in the Congo have made demands for negotiations.

http://news.yahoo.com/uk-blocks-aid-rwanda-over-congo-rebel-claims-155615232.html

http://news.yahoo.com/rebels-congo-demand-negotiations-160835103.html

South Africa - A new controversy in South Africa has many in the country opening old wounds. Filmmaker Roger Young decided to try and wake people up a bit, and created t-shirts that read: "I benefited from apartheid".

There were only 40 t-shirts total, yet it garnered enough attention that it sparked considerable controversy in the nation where white minority rule ended less than two decades ago.

Below is the link to an excellent, must-read article: "I benefited from apartheid" T-shirt sparks South African race row" by David Smith of Guardian Africa:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/16/benefited-apartheid-tshirt-south-africa

Nigeria - At least 10 people were killed yesterday in northeastern Nigeria in attacks by a radical Islamist sect. The slayings took place in the village of Chibok, in Borno state.

http://news.yahoo.com/least-10-killed-northeast-nigeria-violence-172039423.html

Sports

NFL

Very strange and tragic news from Kansas City, where Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his 22 year old wife, Kasandra Perkins, and apparently not even one hour later, took his own life in the parking lot of the practice facility outside of Arrowhead Stadium. He thanked General Manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel before taking his own life. Pioli and Crennel actually witnessed Belcher kill himself. Pioli described it: "It's unfathomable. It's something that you would love to wash away from your mind, but you can't do it. There's nothing like it. There's nothing like it. Think about your worst nightmare and multiply it by five."

The Kansas City Chiefs decided to go ahead and play their scheduled game against the Carolina Panthers at 1pm on Sunday, despite the tragedy. Belcher left a 3 year old daughter without either of her parents.

The Chiefs won on a very emotional day, holding off the Panthers for a 27-21 win, only their second win on the season.

The Chiefs entered this week with the longest active losing streak, as well as the very worst record in the league. But now, two other teams are tied with the longest active losing streaks, which were extended this weekend.

The Eagles lost in a shootout to the Cowboys, 38-33, marking their eighth straight loss after starting off 3-1.

But even more incredible of a negative turnaround, the Cardinals dropped their eighth straight game as well, losing narrowly to the Jets, 7-6 (Sanchez was benched in this game). I have never before seen a team start the season off so hot, only to get so ice cold as this! Remember, this was one of the three teams to remain undefeated through the first quarter of the season, at least. The Falcons also did it, and remained undefeated at 8-0, before dropping one to new Orleans. They just beat the Saints in the rematch, and clinched their division this weekend, and are now enjoying an 11-1 record. The Texans also started off with an impressive undefeated start at 5-0, and like Atlanta, also can boast an 11-1 record. They did not clinch the division (at least not yet(, but they did clinch a playoff berth. Both of those teams are doing just fine. But the Cardinals, by way of comparison? After that 4-0 start, their best since 1974 (the year that I was born), they now are 4-8. Terrible! That hot start was obviously a fluke.

Atlanta was not the only team to clinch their division this weekend. In fact, I don't remember so many teams ever before having clinched their division so early in the season. Both the Patriots and the Broncos clinched their divisions, as well, each with 9-3 records.

Two other teams had a strong chance to get closer to division titles as well, and both are coached by a Harbaugh. But the Ravens were shocked by the Steelers, who won on a field goal on the last play of the game, while the 49ers and Rams almost went the distance in overtime towards another tie, before the Rams finally got a field goal through the upright with very little time left, to clinch a win.

Chicago could have stayed alone atop the NFC North, but the Seahawks proved just too much, and they beat the Bears in OT. In the meantime, the Packers came from behind to knock off the Vikings at Lambeau Field.

Cleveland has now enjoyed three consecutive impressive games, narrowly losing at Dallas, then pulling off an upset last weekend against Pittsburgh, and finally following that up with a big win at Oakland. After an abysmal start, the Browns are finally showing signs of life this season, and that could bode well for next year.

The Buffalo Bills rolled over Jacksonville, while the Colts, with that awesome comeback against Detroit, control their own destiny with favorable playoff positioning at the moment.

Tonight, the defending champs, the New York Giants, visit RG3 and the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. 

MLS

David Beckham went out with bang in the league that he breathed new life to, as the Los Angeles Galaxy managed to win back to back MLS Cup titles, trouncing the Houston Dynamo, 3-1. This was a rematch of last year's championship. Omar Gonzalez was named the game's MVP.