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Friday, April 24, 2009

Black and White

The colors of a pirate flag. Or alternatively, "black and white" can represent an utterly simplistic view of the world. East versus West. Us versus Them. Good versus Evil.

It's never that straightforward. Unfortunately however, taking a black and white view of the world makes it easy to write eye-grabbing headlines and project the idea that you have the answer to every problem. Economist/New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman (author of The World is Flat) drives me crazy with his black and white view of the world. In his famous book, Friedman argued that technology has made the world a fair arena of competition for everyone. He claimed that since it's easier to communicate and share information, the world must be completely fair.

Um, Tom, let's not forget about the fact that economic inequality has increased almost exponentially since the industrial revolution, and the skewed plane on which people compete has only become tilted further in favor of those with the goods since the dot-com explosion of the 1990s. The rich keep getting richer much faster than everyone else. How does that make for a flat world?

More recently, Friedman took the opportunity to espouse more black and white nonsense. Only this time it's worse: he's lecturing the world on a topic in which he doesn't even have expertise -- U.S. diplomacy. Friedman says the pirates in Somali waters are likely to cooperate with al-Qaeda, and the U.S. should employ a surge of military power to gain control of the pirates.

From John Feffer, co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies:
The lumping together of Islamists and pirates obscures the only real solution to Somalia's manifold problems. Piracy is not going to end through the greater exercise of outside force, no matter what New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman may think. . . Indeed, the sniper killing of three pirates by three U.S. Navy Seals has, to date, merely spurred more ship seizures and hostage-taking.

Read the whole article here.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Springing Spring in Lower BC

I know I've already said it a thousand times, but spring time is such a fine time in British Columbia. It puts every other spring I've experienced in the last quarter century to pathetic shame. Yes, the mid-Atlantic in April can be greener than a jealous leprechaun, but on the east coast of the U.S., nature has been forced into a submissive state. Beautiful parks surely illuminate the power of nature to transform itself, but a park is nothing compared to the wild.

In DC, nature resides in the shadow of society. In BC, nature looms over humanity with a power so immense it beckons one to come close, to throw oneself into the mossy green wilderness -- only to lose oneself completely among the rocks, trees, and glacial waters. Mother Nature presents herself so boldly here, it would be easy to lose one's mind trying to describe the awe inspired by the unfettered Earth.

Humbled by my inability to capture the essence of a BC spring with words, I offer you some pictures.


On the road to the grocery store.














At Wreck Beach on the campus of the University of British Columbia.












In Squamish, BC, one hour north of Vancouver.












View from Shannon Falls.














The spring thaw.













A walk in the woods.

Friday, April 3, 2009

National Museum of African American History and Culture

From Smithsonian.com
The Smithsonian Institution has revealed the six architectural designs vying to become the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The concepts—from boxy to spiral-shaped (like the inside of a conch shell, really), geometric to organic—certainly run the gamut. And there’s no shortage of special features, like outdoor amphitheaters, panoramic windows showcasing views of other monuments and roof gardens. (See photo gallery) The designs, photographs and models are on display at the Smithsonian Castle until April 6.

You can vote for your favorite design online. Just go here. I think the design that is currently in first place (Diller Scofidio + Renfro in association with Kling Stubbins) is as ugly as sin. There's enough cement and metal on the Mall already. Check out the use of green space and embrace of nature in the design concept by Foster + Partners/URS Group, Inc. That's where I put my vote.

This is a great opportunity to have an impact on the selection of the winning design. Seize the opportunity! Just go to http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/index.php?s=nmaahc

Thursday, April 2, 2009

News Like This Gives Me Indigestion

The head of the Alaskan Republican party called on Democratic Senator Mark Begich to step down today and for a special election to be held to fill his seat. Begich was elected last year after the incumbent, Ted Stevens, was indicted for seven counts of failing to disclose gifts and home renovations to the Senate.

Misconduct and "ethical lapses" by the federal prosecutors led the Justice Department to drop the charges against Stevens, causing the Alaskan Republicans to charge he would have retained his Senate seat if the Justice Department had not interferred.

I beg to differ. First of all, Stevens has already been found guilty of those crimes. The federal investigation was just an additional measure. Second, Stevens in 85 years old. Eighty five. And in case anyone has forgotten, he is the only who famously said that "the Internet is a series of tubes." Really, this is the same guy. How can anyone in their right mind argue that this man belongs in the Senate?