Lets Talk About the U.S. Relationship with Africa

Today I received a comment from an adoring fan and high school classmate, Daniel Davis. He wrote on my Facebook wall: "Let's talk about the U.S. relationship with Africa and why we only choose to extort the land for resources, oil, and artifacts. The rich get richer and poor get poorer in the republican regime that is the "united states." All that patriotism stuff is bull and you know it. Stop the horseplay." It would seem that the United States has a minimal interest in Africa other than in the defense realm where there recently was a reorganization to allow for an AFRICOM or African Command. This of course is most closely related to the terrorist threat in Africa rather than any peace keeping missions to help the people of the continent. But then again, people tend to complain we get involved to much, so perhaps the fact that the U.S. does not play a major role in Africa is a good thing? Daniel... I'm giving you a forum and an audience... perhaps someone else out there care and they will comment about it. But I wouldn't get your hopes up.

In International News...

North Korea is rattling sabers again as they "tested" a bunch of short range missiles in response to South Korea's tougher stance against the North's nuclear program. North Korea also recently threatened... “Should the U.S. delay the settlement of the nuclear issue, persistently trying to cook up fictions, it will seriously affect the disabling of nuclear facilities.” Sounds like someone is a little grouchy... or perhaps they have been listening to Daniel's rants about the intentions of the United States?


In Cuba, the average person can now own a cell phone. Of course they probably won't be able to afford it. Right now for those who are allowed to own one, they cost about 60 cents a minute domestically and $2.50 to call the U.S., the service also does not support picture messaging, internet, or e-mail.

Another overpriced government offer includes a hostage trade in Columbia. It appears that "hundreds of guerrilla fighters will be freed in exchange for the release of politician Ingrid Betancourt." I'm not sure what spurred this... but talk about a stupid decision. The FARC have many other captives and this will just encourage them to continue the behavior of kidnapping politicos knowing they can later exchange them for prisoners. Maybe the Columbian government misread my paper on negotiation with terrorist groups... I specifically said hostage trading was a bad move.

Local Politics...

Those of you may remember how this blog started with my political campaign for CD 22 here in TX. After getting out and endorsing Pete Olson, the race has only become more fun to watch. Currently we are in a run off between Pete and Shelley... and it would appear that Shelley's former deputy campaign manager is donating to Pete's campaign! I can't wait for the debate on Tuesday!