Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Canada Goes to War Over Philippine Garbage



MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has given Canada a May 15 deadline to take back tons of trash mistakenly sent to the Philippines several years ago, saying he will ship the garbage back if the Canadians do not comply.
NYT

Down there in Manila where the tropic heat waves rise,
they've got a lot of garbage that belongs to other guys.
Canadians, exactly, who won't take it back at all.
They want to leave it to create a stinky useless sprawl.
Duterte says if they won't come to take it all away,
he's gonna ask the Army to invade Quebec some day.
He'll fly the garbage back across the ocean, yes he will!
And dump it in Saskatchewan to make a slimy hill.
Perhaps if the Canadians sent to the Philippines
a better class of garbage they would not create such scenes.
And could we send our President to Philippine trash heap
I don't think we could do it for a price that's very cheap.


And he shall consecrate thine afflictions



. . . and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain . . .
2 Nephi. 2:2


Today has been a total loss; afflictions never came.
I spent the day in happiness -- now isn't that a shame?
I woke up on that side of bed that never has been wrong.
My heart was filled with laughter and a merry giddy song.
I ate a hearty breakfast and then chatted with some friends.
I didn't do a single thing for which to make amends.
Yes, some days are a disappointment; there are no trials for me.
And if this means I lack some some gains, I'll suffer silently!

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Adventures in the Heart of Africa

[This post--a guest post by Bruce Young--appears here in English, followed by a French version.]

Where is the very heart of Africa? The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR-Congo) has a good claim—it’s the second largest country of the continent in area and the fourth largest in population and is located near the geographical center of Africa.

And at the center of the DR-Congo is a city of some historical and political significance named Lodja. The first prime minister of the DR-Congo, Patrice Lumumba, was born not far (roughly 50 miles [80km]) from Lodja, in the village of Onalua in the Katako-Kombe area of what is now Sankuru Province. Other important political figures have ties to Lodja and vicinity. The area was devastated by the incursion of troops from several nations involved in the Second Congo War (1998-2003).

Even now, poverty is intense, educational opportunities are limited, and infrastructure is almost non-existent.

Margaret Blair Young and Deborah Bassa, wife of filmmaker Tshoper Kabambi

For the past couple of years, my wife—Margaret Blair Young—has focused her efforts in this area in an effort to bring hope and help in rebuilding. She has created Congo Rising (a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation) to raise funds and organize efforts, and has spent several months living in Lodja. (As of this writing, she is in the middle of a seven-week stay in the city.) Along with other Americans (including her brother Dell and a friend, Dwan Bradley), she has worked with several Congolese citizens, among them Abbé Veron (On’Okundji Okavu Ekanga Blaise Veron), a Catholic priest and rector of the Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lodja.

Abbé Veron (On’Okundji Okavu Ekanga Blaise Veron)

Abbé Veron, who, besides being a priest, is a poet, playwright, and philosopher (“the only philosopher of the Sankuru Province!” according to some who know him), received a doctorate in France in the 1990s and won a 50,000 euro prize for his dissertation. (It has been published as Les entrailles du porc-épic: une nouvelle éthique pour l'Afrique.) But because Lodja had been ravaged by war and its aftermath, he returned there and used his prize money to establish schools. He is in many ways the spiritual and intellectual heart of this city in the heart of Africa.

Working with Abbé Veron and others over the past couple of years, Margaret has provided equipment and supplies to medical clinics in the area, has helped build a cyber café where residents can use laptops we have transported to Lodja, and, along with others in her team, has taught English and other subjects to students at the university. We have also worked to provide scholarships so students can stay in school. We have gone into villages surrounding Lodja, forming relationships and assessing conditions.

Margaret has interviewed individuals in the area, listening to their personal stories and offering friendship and encouragement—even recording and printing the residents’ stories and providing material and equipment for bookbinding so the stories can be preserved.

Center: Tshoper’s great-aunt; Right: Tshoper Kabambi

Recently, we arranged for Tshoper Kabambi, a pioneering Congolese filmmaker, and his wife and mother to fly from Kinshasa to Lodja so they could meet Tshoper’s great-aunt—the woman who raised his mother but who his mother had not seen for 40 years. That reunion has been filmed and will be part of a documentary—probably the first film primarily in Tetela, the language of this region.

Once it is finished, we look forward to bringing equipment that will allow us to show the documentary in Lodja and nearby villages. Rebuilding this area is more than just a matter of material goods and medical care, though these are important. It also involves rebuilding the spirit of the people and providing a vision of meaning and possibilities. Film making, which is just now reviving in the DR-Congo, is one of the ways this spiritual rebuilding can take place.

Tshoper’s great-aunt with Tshoper’s mother, Célestine Aselu

If you are interested in knowing more about Congo Rising and our efforts in Lodja or about how you can contribute, we invite you to click on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/congo-rising-2019



VERSION FRANÇAISE:

Aventures au coeur de l'Afrique

Où est le coeur même de l'Afrique? La République démocratique du Congo (RD Congo) a une bonne prétention: il s’agit du deuxième pays du continent en termes de superficie et du quatrième en population, situé près du centre géographique de l’Afrique.

Et au centre de la RD Congo, il y a une ville d'importance historique et politique appelée Lodja. Le premier Premier ministre de la RDC, Patrice Lumumba, est né non loin (50 miles [80kim]) de Lodja, dans le village d'Onalua, dans la région de Katako-Kombe de l'actuelle province de Sankuru. D'autres personnalités politiques importantes ont des liens avec Lodja et ses environs. La région a été dévastée par l'incursion de troupes de plusieurs pays impliqués dans la deuxième guerre du Congo (1998-2003).

Même maintenant, la pauvreté est intense, les possibilités d’éducation sont limitées et les infrastructures quasi inexistantes.

Margaret Blair Young et Deborah Bassa, épouse du cinéaste Tshoper Kabambi

Au cours des dernières années, mon épouse, Margaret Blair Young, a concentré ses efforts dans ce domaine afin de redonner espoir et d’aider à la reconstruction. Elle a créé Congo Rising (une société à but non lucratif exempte d'impôts) pour collecter des fonds et organiser ses efforts. Elle a passé plusieurs mois à Lodja. (Au moment que j’écris ces lignes, elle est au milieu d'un séjour de sept semaines dans la ville.) Aux côtés d'autres Américains (notamment son frère Dell et un ami, Dwan Bradley), elle a travaillé avec plusieurs citoyens congolais, dont l'abbé Veron (On'Okundji Okavu Ekanga Blaise Veron), prêtre catholique et recteur de l'Université des sciences et des technologies de Lodja.

L’abbé Veron, qui est non seulement un prêtre, mais aussi un poète, un dramaturge et un philosophe («le seul philosophe de la province du Sankuru!» Selon certains qui le connaissent), a obtenu un doctorat en France dans les années 1990 et a remporté 50 000 euros. prix pour sa thèse. (La thèse a été publiée sous le titre dans «Les entrailles du porc-épic: une nouvelle éthique pour l'Afrique».) Mais Lodja ayant été ravagé par la guerre et ses conséquences, il y est retourné et a utilisé son argent pour fonder des écoles. Il est à bien des égards le cœur spirituel et intellectuel de cette ville au cœur de l'Afrique.

En collaborant avec l'abbé Véron et d'autres personnes au cours des deux dernières années, Margaret a fourni du matériel et des fournitures aux cliniques médicales de la région, a contribué à la création d'un cybercafé où les résidents peuvent utiliser les ordinateurs portables que nous avons transportés à Lodja, et, avec d’autres membres de son équipe, a enseigné l’anglais et d’autres matières aux étudiants de l’université. Nous avons également travaillé pour fournir des bourses afin que les étudiants puissent rester à l'école. Nous sommes allés dans des villages autour de Lodja, en formant des relations et en évaluant les conditions.

Des écolières à Lodja

Margaret a interrogé des personnes dans la région, écoutant leurs histoires personnelles et offrant amitié et encouragement. Elle a même enregistré et imprimé les histoires des résidents et fourni du matériel et des équipements pour la reliure afin que les histoires puissent être préservées.

Récemment, nous avons pris des dispositions pour que Tshoper Kabambi, cinéaste pionnier congolais, et son épouse et à sa mère puissent voyager de Kinshasa à Lodja afin de pouvoir rencontrer la grande tante de Tshoper, la femme qui a élevé sa mère mais que sa mère n’avait pas vue depuis 40 ans. Cette réunion a été filmée et fera partie d'un documentaire - probablement le premier film principalement en Tetela, la langue de cette région.

La grande tante de Tshoper avec la mère de Tshoper, Célestine Aselu

Une fois qu’il sera terminé, nous avons hâte d’apporter du matériel qui nous permettra de montrer le documentaire à Lodja et dans les villages voisins. Reconstruire ce domaine est plus qu'une question de biens matériels et de soins médicaux, même si ceux-ci sont importants. Cela implique également de reconstruire l'esprit des gens et de fournir une vision du sens et des possibilités. La fabrication de films, qui est en train de renaître en RD Congo, est l’un des moyens de cette reconstruction spirituelle.

Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur Congo Rising et nos efforts à Lodja ou sur comment vous pouvez contribuer, nous vous invitons à cliquer sur ce lien: https://www.gofundme.com/congo-rising-2019



I Spy a Chinese Guy . . .



Chinese intelligence agents acquired National Security Agency hacking tools and repurposed them in 2016 to attack American allies and private companies in Europe and Asia, a leading cybersecurity firm has discovered. The episode is the latest evidence that the United States has lost control of key parts of its cybersecurity arsenal.
NYT

I spy a Chinese guy who hacks our tools on his first try.
He takes our cyber cakes and starts producing many fakes.
They say there ain't no way that hackers can get in to stay.
Such crap is not worth snap, as all our secrets are on tap.
Should we allow this spree to keep on going constantly?
I think we're on the brink of seeing our defenses shrink.



Uber Doesn't Want Your Kids to Ride in Their Cars



This is the state of parenthood today: overbooked children and overworked parents scrambling to get places.
Driven mad by the child-chauffeuring dilemma, parents are naturally looking to outsource the job to ride-hailing services. Unfortunately, the biggest companies, Uber and Lyft, forbid drivers from picking up any unaccompanied riders under 18.    WSJ

Whether you're a toff or goober
your kids cannot ride with Uber
if they are alone -- no ride
is provided them curbside.
Send them off on skateboard, dude.
Or a pogo stick (though rude.)
Bicycles are good for heart.
What about their own go kart?
Strap 'em on to one big drone.
(Just make sure you've got a clone.)
Hiking in the good fresh air
helps keep children's dermis fair.
There are options by the ton --
shoot 'em out of Bofors gun!
Best of all, just keep them home.
Why go bankrupt while they roam?
With the internet today,
hermit kids are here to stay.

How Great Things



. . .  and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done for them . . . 
2 Nephi. 1:1

Debit and credit is hard to maintain
when in the service of God I remain.
What have I done, or could possibly do,
that balances to my account could accrue?
Do I give sunshine or laughter or health?
Can I take credit for earth's candid wealth?
No! All the great things and small things as well
come to me when with my God I do dwell.
Cut from the Vine, I would wither and die.
His debtor I am til the oceans run dry!


Monday, May 6, 2019

William Barr



WASHINGTON—The House Judiciary Committee said it would vote Wednesday on whether to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, escalating a dispute with the Trump administration after Mr. Barr missed lawmakers’ deadline to turn over an unredacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
The contempt measure refers Mr. Barr for possible federal criminal prosecution while also opening more legal avenues for House Democrats to try to force the release of the full report on President Trump and Russian election interference through a civil lawsuit.

WSJ

A snowball in Blazes has got better chances
than Barr has with Congress by telling romances.
The AG is certainly out of the pan
and into the fire with his latest plan.

His scorn for a deadline is rather patrician;
twill lead to a blow up like nuclear fission.
It's likely the hot air released by both factions
will scorch Mr. Mueller and all his redactions.

Our Congress is burning, yet Mr. Trump fiddles
with horse races on his insane tweets and twiddles.
Each day a new crisis spouts up like a geyser,
and Washington seems to be never the wiser. 




To be a diplomat today





DAKAR, Senegal—The U.S. State Department is opening new, military-style training facilities around the world, expanding plans to prop up local forces battling terrorism as the Trump administration seeks cutbacks in conventional diplomacy and development programs.
WSJ
To be a diplomat today for good ol' Uncle Sam
you gotta shoot a rifle and perform a body slam.
Negotiation is old hat; our allies need to learn
that if they don't kowtow to us their cities we will burn.

Our britches are capacious, we can fit in them with ease.
And all the world will soon begin to grovel and say 'please.'
Cuz if they don't we've got a drone that visits them at night
and drops a little present right upon their naked site.

It's not that we won't talk at all, or quarrels like to pick;
we only want the world to know we carry a Big Stick.
Twould be a very naughty thing to label us a 'brutes.'
(We just might have to break your neck with one of our jackboots.)



Nai Gai Cha



SHANGHAI—They say 1.4 billion customers can’t be wrong. But what if those customers are putting cream cheese in their tea?
Known as “nai gai cha” (“milk-lidded tea”) in Chinese, the drink is made using a base of tea topped with a cap of cream and cream cheese that is whipped together until it forms a light, fluffy texture. Tea houses encourage drinkers to sip it at a 45-degree angle for the ideal mouthful. And it’s become a bona fide phenomenon.  WSJ

I do not want tea with cream cheese.
I do not want it full of fleas.
I do not want it here or there;
make your thickened dairy rare!

I do not like cream cheese in tea.
I'd rather drown in vats of ghee,
or yak butter in old Tibet --
Away with such a dismal wet!

Could I, would I want cream cheese
in my oolong as a tease?
I do not want it, Ms. Barista;
tis worse than being Sandanista! 



There is safety in repentence



But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent.
1 Nephi. 22:28

There is safety in repentance for each member of mankind.
Creed and color matter not, to gain real peace of mind.
The Holy One of Israel has pledged to take our grief
and turn it into nothing but the joy of sure relief.
Sins are chains and shackles that we forge ourselves each day.
But when we dwell with Jesus Christ such bonds will melt away.
The nations of the world must bow before his loving strength
to know he keeps no penitent away at cold arm's length.