Kris and I were just walking through the market, the one called the Maketi Fou, or "New Market". We saw this guy selling a gigantic fiddler crab. He wanted 15 tala for it. We hesitated. He dropped the price to 12 (about 4 USD), and we snapped it up.
We brought our catch back to the Peace Corps office and devoured it Neanderthal style. It was delicious, especially the massive right claw. Yum!
This notice was posted around Apia this week:
Deadline For Exchanging Damaged BanknotesOver the past few years, the Central Bank of Samoa has noticed an increase in the number of damaged notes created through deliberate defacing and poor handling by some members of the public. As a result, the cost to the country of printing new currency notes has risen substantially. In the event, the Central Bank has decidedto give the Public up to the 30 April 2003 to turn in any damaged currency notes in their possession to the Central Bank for replacement.
From the 1st May 2003, the Central Bank will no longer accept willfully damaged currency notes for reimbursement. Members of the Public are reminded to carefully check all currency notes, which come into their possession at this time, to ensure the notes they have are of good quality.
Anyone who believes he or she is in possession of damaged currency notes should come to the Central Bank, before the 1st May 2003, for reimbursement of these notes.
The Public is again reminded that from the 1st May 2003, the Central Bank will no longer accept damaged currency notes.
The question I have is how can the bank tell if a note has been damaged willfully or is just plain old?
Two days after returning from the bike trip around Savai'i, the fingers on my right hand are still numb. I'm not sure what the deal is here. I did put a lot of pressure on them during the ride, leaning on the handle bars, and all, but I would have thought they would return to normal by now.
I don't know what is going on, but ever since yesterday, I can't access my Yahoo! email account. This wouldn't be such a tragedy except all my email addresses are stored in there. Yahoo is being very uncooperative because of their safety and security policy.
There is a password retrieval function on their site, but you need to know both the zip and the second email you had when you signed. I've had this account for at least 7 years and I haven't the foggiest idea where I was when I set it up.
I guess I'm screwed untill I can convince Yahoo that I am who I say I am. In the meantime, if you want to write, email me at
Just returned from a gruelling 3-day cycling tour around the big island, Savai'i. I'm exhausted, I can't feel my fingers and I desparately need something to eat. More details and pictures to follow in the days to come.
This is a great email story from a jewish soldier in Iraq that was sent to me by my cousins from Arizona:
Dear family and friends,
This morning started with a cold rain. This was a blessing, as it padded
the loose sand and made for a clear, crisp day. For me and two other Jewish
soldiers, the wonderful duo of Chaplain Yacovac, 3rd Infantry Division and
Chaplain Waynick, 24th Support Command, gatherer the necessary six security
personnel and four vehicles to convoy us the 40 minutes from our classified
base at Logistics Support Area Dogwood to Objective Grady for a Passover
seder in the desert.
As we arrived, we were warmly greeted by ten other Jewish soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and Chaplain (Rabbi) Carlos Huerta. Together, we made a motley group of infantrymen, pilots, medics, and truck drivers into a minyan. Into a family. Our table was meager but festive. Dispel all rumors of Army soldiers having seder in palaces. That was not us. Our tent was small and non descript from the outside. We used mess hall provided paper plates, flatware, and cups. No meat or main course. The simple Passover supplies of Matzah, gefilte fish and grape juice from the Aleph Institute and the Jewish Welfare Board, combined with generous packages of cookies, dried fruit, and candy mailed by Lynne from Arizona and my cousin
Stephen Hirsch of Long Island, NY constituted a table fit for a meal. We even used Army issued Louisiana hot sauce for the bitter herbs.
Rabbi Huerta motivated us all to a higher plane. Despite our soldierly harsh living conditions sleeping outside on the ground, without showers or toilets, there are always people who have it harsher. We the Jewish people were slaves once. On a similar idea, the Iraqi people were oppressed for over a generation by Saddam Hussein. And now we are both free. The 10 plagues the Lord cast upon Pharaoh were cast upon Saddam Hussein with embargos, restrictions, war, and perhaps death. Now, like the Jews who crossed the red sea, the Iraqi people must rebuild their lives and teach their children about freedom.
During the meal, soldiers talked about missing family and friends. Back in Pasadena California, Pittsburgh PA, Phoenix Arizona, Brooklyn New York, Orlando Florida, and other home towns across the USA. Each participant was glad to get a few moments away from their military post and remember previous seders with wives, children, parents, and friends. 1LT Abraham Falkowitz remarked "I was surprised to see this much Judaism in the middle of a war zone." Others agreed. We laughed, cried, and had fun. The service concluded with songs and psalms, like this quote Rabbi Huerta read from Psalm 118, "The Lord is on my side, I have no fear."
Together, our unit made that tent a house. And that house a home. A piece of Judaism. A piece of America.
Chag Sameach.
Jonas
Objective Grady, Central Iraq
MAJ Jonas Vogelhut
I put this up because I saw this picture on the front page of New York Times Online. What a brilliant portait. The shot was taken by one of the many great photographers at the Agence France-Presse. The cigar smoking Aziz, whisps of smoke trailing off in the distance, pictured in front of a massive yet blurry mural of Saddam. Fantastic!
Here's a bit of the story
Tariq Aziz, the deputy prime minister of Iraq under Saddam Hussein, has been taken into custody, the Pentagon said late this afternoon.
Mr. Aziz had been the principal international voice of the Hussein government for a decade and was one of the most familiar figures to American television viewers, in part because he often spoke for Baghdad's interests at the United Nations.
Mr. Aziz was number 43 on the list of the 55 most-wanted members of Saddam Hussein's aides. (He was the eight of spades on the cards distributed by American forces.)
You can read the rest of the story by clicking on the MORE link.
LOS ANGELES–Fox executives Monday unveiled their latest reality-TV venture, Appointed By America, a new series in which contestants vie for the top spot in Iraq's post-war government."Get ready, America, because you're about to choose the man–or woman–who will lead Iraq into an exciting democratic future," said Fox reality-programming chief Mike Darnell, introducing the show at a press conference. "Will it be Ahmed Chalabi, leader of the exiled Iraqi National Congress? Or General Tommy Franks, commander of the allied forces? Or maybe Roshumba Williams, the Macon, GA, waitress with big dreams and an even bigger voice? Tune in Tuesdays at 9 to see."
Describing the new show as "American Idol meets the reconstruction of Afghanistan," Darnell said Appointed By America will feature contestants squaring off in a variety of challenges, including a democracy quiz, a talent competition, and nation-building activities that will demonstrate their ability to lead a bombed-out, war-ravaged Mideast country.
A panel of celebrity judges will help eliminate two contestants each week, leaving one lucky winner the undisputed leader of Iraq at the end of the season. Viewers can participate by casting phone-in votes, although Darnell noted that voting is restricted to calls originating from within the continental U.S.
U.S. General Jay Garner (Ret.) will host the show under the auspices of the Pentagon. The three celebrity judges, Darnell said, will be choreographer and former Chrysalis recording artist Toni Basil, internationally renowned hairstylist Vidal Sassoon, and television star Kevin Sorbo.
"They really get into it," Darnell said. "Just wait until you see the fur fly between Sassoon and Basil."
Fox entertainment president Gail Berman said the network was inspired to create the show after witnessing its news division's ratings success over the past few months.
"Fox did such huge numbers with its war coverage, we figured, 'Why not find a way to keep this good thing going?'" Berman said. "I'm confident that our loyal Fox News viewers will find that reconstruction can be just as thrilling as destruction."
The first episode has already been taped in front of a live studio audience, though results will remain classified until airtime. The winner of Appointed By America will be sworn in as president of Iraq on June 24 in a gala two-hour season finale broadcast live from Baghdad.
According to Berman, Fox received more than 3,000 applicants for the show during an open casting call. While most of the hopefuls were American or Iraqi, some 600 aspiring rulers from more than 100 nations auditioned for the coveted 20 finalist spots. Contestants included a San Diego interior decorator, a Philadelphia inner-city schoolteacher, and a peshmerga fighter from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
Contestant Kymbyrley Lake, a cashier from Garland, TX, said she has a "good feeling" about her chances.
"I just really believe I am going to win this show," Lake said. "I feel it in my heart that Jesus is going to grant me the chance to help all these people. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of doing something to help bring about a more peaceful world."
Lake just might get her chance. Inside sources say she was among the top five vote-getters in the first episode, with Kurdistan Democratic Party official Fawzi Hariri and pre-Saddam Iraqi minister Adnan al-Pachachi–both early odds-on favorites–scoring low points for stage presence.
At a Pentagon briefing Monday, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz gave his blessing to Appointed By America.
"It is great that Fox will play a vital role in post-war Iraq," Wolfowitz said. "Heck, we didn't really know what we were going to do."
I love The Onion. I really, really do.
Former NFL standout wide receiver (and congressman from Oklahoma, incidentally) joined my brother's law firm in DC yesterday. No one is fooled here. Mr. Largent is obviously a ringer brought on for an inter-law firm football game. Next week, they are going to kick the living shit out of Kenneth Starr's firm, Kirkland & Ellis.
here's the story from their website.
Former Congressman Steve Largent Joins Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP
April 22, 2003 - Washington, DC - Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP is pleased to announce that former Congressman (R-Oklahoma) and Seattle Seahawks receiver, Steve Largent, has joined the firm as a consultant. Mr. Largent will work closely with the Government Affairs practice to assist clients with matters related to the legislative and executive branches of government.Mr. Largent joins the firm after serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives where he represented Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District from 1. As a member of Congress, Mr. Largent served on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where he was Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality and a member of the Subcommittees on Telecommunications and the Internet, Oversight and Investigations and Environment and Hazardous Materials. Mr. Largent also served on the Budget and Science Committees.
While in Congress, Mr. Largent, an advocate of Congressional fiscal restraint, worked on several notable legislative efforts including major IRS code and state tax reform, deregulation of the electricity and telecommunications industries, repeal of the Glass-Stegall Act, protection of community banks, incentives for the oil and gas industries, protection of children from online pornography, defense of the institution of marriage and child and family advocacy issues.
"Steve’s impressive work as a respected Congressman on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Telecommunications Subcommittee is highly valued," commented Managing Partner Richard E. Wiley. "His Congressional experience will make him a great asset to our clients."
Jim Slattery , former Congressman (D-Kansas), now a partner with Wiley Rein & Fielding said, "Steve’s outstanding reputation for honesty and integrity in all his dealings will serve him well in the next chapter of his life. I am excited about working with Steve to provide bipartisan counsel to clients who have matters pending before the Congress and executive branch agencies."
In addition to his consulting work with Wiley Rein & Fielding, Mr. Largent is a frequent motivational speaker and is actively involved in a number of community service organizations including the Wheelchair Foundation, which distributes wheelchairs to physically impaired people in under-developed countries.
Prior to his political career, Mr. Largent had a stellar 14-year career as a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, setting numerous receiving records and selected for seven Pro Bowl games. During his football career, he was recognized for his strong commitment to community service, and was awarded the "NFL Man of the Year" in 1988. Mr. Largent was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1995.
He has received many community commitment awards including "Ten Outstanding Young Americans" by the Jaycees, "Golden Plate Award" by the American Academy of Achievement and the first recipient of the "Bart Starr Award" by Athletes in Action. Mr. Largent sits on the board of numerous businesses and foundations such as The University of Tulsa, The Tulsa Salvation Army and the Wheelchair Foundation.
Following his NFL career and prior to his Congressional career, Mr. Largent owned a successful marketing and advertising firm where he developed strategies for numerous Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Largent is a graduate of the University of Tulsa with a B.S. in Biology.
Founded in 1983, Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP is a national law firm with over 225 attorneys practicing in more than two dozen specialties of law. The firm serves a diverse clientele of domestic and international corporations, associations and individuals. For more information, please contact Richard E. Wiley at 202.719.7010, Donna Corini at 202.719.4917.
I finally picked up the blender that I bought at George's garage sale. It's a super-poweful Hamilon Beach 2-speed bar blender. It's awesome, chrome perfection and it's going to make my life here a whole hell of lot more tolerable.
George, who formerly managed the surf camp at Salani on the south side of Upolu, was selling most of his worldly goods before his round-the-world-trip and I was lucky enough to pick up his blender and his a cheese grater.
The first thing I blended: Strawberry Egg Cream
A taxi ride just isn't a taxi ride in Samoa unless you take a stroll down amnesia lane courtesy of the cabbie's radio. Last night, as we made the final turn behind the airport, I could make out the unmistakable strains of Heavy D and Boys belting out "Now that we found love, what are we going to do, with it?" Indestructible rap music.
You know, when i first listened to the Brazil disc Jen sent, I didn't like it. In fact, I was kinda bummned, because the pace of the songs is generally slow, and I was looking for something a little more upbeat to rock to in my fale.
But now, after several dozen listens, I'm hooked. I love it. The songs are so powerful and yet catchy at the same time. If only I could understand what they are saying. Portuguese is so much gibberish to my ears.
Last night after I dried off and had some dinner, I cooked up a pop of popcorn and put the Talented Mr. Ripley on. There are a few movies out there in the world that I can watch again and again and Ripley is one of them. I think this movie is really underappreciated. It got skunked at the Oscars despite standout performances from Jude Law, Gwenyth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and especially Matt Damon, who in a tour de force performance as the tormented Tom Ripley, is in virtually every scene in this movie. Ripley also includes a stand out job from probably the most talented actor working today, Philip Seymour Hoffman, who lights up the screen as the philandering Freddie Miles.
Then there is the incredible backdrop of Italy on the canvas of some of the best jazz tracks ever created from Dizzie Gillespie, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker & Miles Davies, just to name a few, all right there on the cutting edge in 1958. There was an incredible energy of cool. All this wicked jazz music is complimented with a score of haunting beauty by Gabriel Yared and set against classical music that creates a wonderful tension throughout the movie.
Ripley also evokes the great films of post-war Italy by Fellini, Rossellini, et al. There are homage's to Henri Cartier-Bresson in some of the transitional scenes. One of the great aspects of this movie is that it is actually better than the book by Patricia Highsmith. But it's so much better it's not even a contest. Ripley also has one of the best lines ever to come off the screen: "There's female intuition and then there are the facts."
But this isn't why I like this movie so much. I like it because it is classic film noir in the best possible sense.
Anthony Minghella takes us on a roller coaster of a movie which starts at the end and is all flashback, a la Sunset Boulevard?em>. Thomas Ripley invites us into the story with his refrain of, "if I could just go back wipe everything out, starting with myself" and then takes down this labyrithine plot over which he seemingly has no control.
Sometimes I feel the same way myself.
I'm not saying all inventions are good. But you notice dangerous inventions are always unnatural inventions. You want an example? I'll give you the best one I know, Cheese spread that you squirt out of an aerosol can onto your sandwich. That's about as low as you can go.
This is a quote from somewhere in the middle of the book. It spoke to me for a number of reasons. To me, invention is one of central themes of the novel. I couldn't agree more that inventions like Cheese Whiz are dangerous. They represent the worst in human nature. It's not even style over substance. It's far worse. It's quality versus ambivalence.
No one who cares about quality would ever eat cheese from a can when they could eat aged cheddar. Yet there is this demand for cheese in a can. I know this because one of my fellow volunteers in Group 69 brought two cans from the States for another volunteer in country. I could possibly understand it if there was no cheese available here and the only way to get was to find some shelf-life neutral variety. But there is cheese here in Samoa. In fact, there is really good cheese from New Zealand.
Where does this tastelessness come from? Why eat at McDonald's when you can get a far superior burger down the street for half the price? Why eat cheese from a can? If we lose repsect for quality, what does that say about us and where we are heading?
It was these questions that sped 's protagonist Allie Fox south to Honduras, eventually drove him mad and, in turn, made his family crazy.
Fast food comes to Iraq
Basra, Iraq (April 21 2003) -- Fastfood giants Pizza Hut and Burger King have set up their first franchises inside war-torn Iraq, even as many aid convoys waited on the borders for the war to officially end.
The arrival of the two restaurants - sited inside giant trailers on a British military base near Basra - won a rapturous welcome from soldiers, whose limited range of rations lost their appeal many weeks ago.
But some officers were less keen on the new arrivals, which are due to start selling food tomorrow.
"I would prefer we got decent showers and toilets sorted out first," muttered one high-ranking officer.
Fastfood outlets are common in US bases, including Camp Doha in Kuwait, but it is believed to be the first time they have been sited inside a British military base.
Another officer, who was directly involved in the franchise process, said: "It's an Americanism, we usually have them off the base, but because it is still a war zone we have to give them protection."
Permission to open the restaurants was granted through the British Army and they will be run by existing franchise holders from Kuwait, with a percentage of any profits going to charity.
But soldiers waiting for a brewery franchise to be awarded are set for a disappointment as military chiefs have already vetoed any alcohol being sold on the base, which is home to almost 8000 British soldiers.
The Kuwaiti franchise holders provided staff and raw materials and the Army escorted them into Iraq, although it is understood it will not provide constant escorts for the supply runs.
A spokesman for the two restaurants, Atef Bassent, said: "I hope we will do good business here."
from the Sydney Morning Herald:
(http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/21/1050777195239.html)
It never fails. Easter rolls around and I think about one of my favorite Simpon's episodes.
This is setup: The Simpsons doze off during the Rev. Lovejoy's sermon and dream they are Bible characters.
The sign on the chruch this day reads: "Christ Dyed Eggs For Your Sins."
Homer dreams about the Garden of Eden. Bart imagines David vs. Golaith.
But the best dream is Lisa Simpson's reverie about the Exodus from Egypt featuring Millhouse as Moses. Here is a snippet of the dialogue from the end of the dream:
Milhouse: Well, Lisa, we're out of Egypt. So, what's next for the Israelites? Land of milk and honey?Lisa: [consulting a scroll] Hmm, well, actually it looks like we're in for forty years of wandering the desert.
Milhouse: Forty years? But after that, it's clear sailing for the Jews, right?
Lisa: [nervously] Uh-huh-hum, more or less -- hey, is that manna?
You have to love Matt Groening.
If you want to read more about this or any other Simpsons episode, check out the Simpsons Archive
I read today on Google News and few other sites about the passing of Nina Simone, the high priestess of soul.
I first came across her music from the odd place, the reasonable American remake of Le Femme Nikita called Point of No Return (originally entitled The Assassin when I saw the trailer) with Gabriel Byrne and Bridget Fonda.
Bryne plays the CIA agent while Fonda the role of the reluctant assassin. She uses Simone's music to quell her inner demons. Simone's music is, of course, lovely, and is also one of the few notable differences, other than the beefed up cast, between the original and the remake. The movie's other great asset is Venice Beach as backdrop for Fonda's re-entry into the real world.
Says PONR director John Badham, "Simone is a woman who doesn't take any crap from anybody." Right on, brother.
I got a last minute request to feed Van's cat. I'm serious when I say last minute. By the time I found out about it, she was already in Siumu. She left me her cell phone, the key to her flat and 10 bucks.
I was sort of bummed about having to make the trip up to Vaivase Uta because I was really looking forward to two straight days of doing nothing but tafao in my fale. But in truth, I needed the exercise and I was getting a little stir crazy on Easter Sunday.
I waited until about 430 to get on my bike because the weather has been insanely hot and Van lives way the fuck up the hill in Vaivase Uta and I didn't want to kill myself over this little kitten. I think it took me about 35 minutes to get my hill and up and over to hers, and only that long because I made a few wrong turns on my way. It was my first time in Vaivase during the day.
I opened the door and her little kitten Galo came flying out, so happy to see me. I poured him some of the dry food I picked up at Lucky's and put out some of the mackerel that Van said I would find on the top shelf of the fridge. Result, happy kitten.
Van also wanted me take a look at her malfunctioning laptop. I broke it out, hooked it up to the wall and went to work.
Meanwhile it starts raining. Serious rain. Like rain that washes away villages. I had no choice but to wait it out.
Van's computer wasn't cooperating. It's got some errors on the hard drive and scan disk doesn't want to run all the way through. It thinks other applications are running and continually restarts. I settled in, turning on the radio and grabbing "Out of Africa" from her bookshelf.
Darkness started to settle in on Vaivase and I was no closer to getting the computer fixed. When the rain abated slightly, I took a chance and hit the road. I could have stayed the night, but one of my kittens was out in the cold and I needed to get back to rescue her. Or so I felt.
The street was a flowing river. It was so dangerous. I must have been out of my mind. Within a few seconds, the rain came down harder than before. I couldn't see shit through my glasses and I was soaked. Even though I was going as slow as I could, my tires were throwing up mud and rain from the street so I was getting it from above and below. The good news was the rain sent the dogs searching for cover and I didn't get attacked.
At the bottom of the hill I was almost run over from behind by a car that didn't see me. I only averted disaster by stacking in the grass along the sidewalk. Then came the uphill run to my house, not pleasant under normal circumstances, it was downright miserable in this weather. I did it make without any major incident, which is lucky as hell. I found Filemu in the protective custody of my neighbor Eunice and all was right in the world.
Here's a little piece of fun I came across on the net today. It's a flash parody of Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady" featuring America's favorite dictator, Saddam Hussein.
http://www.toccionline.com/creations/realhussein/index.html
If you don't want to download the flash piece, you can just read the full lyrics here.
LYRICSMay I have your attention please?
Infidels,
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Hussein please stand up?
I repeat. Will the real Hussein please stand up?
We're gonna have a problem here...Y'all act like you've never seen a dictator before
Jaws all on the floor like Hitler and Stalin just walked in the door
I started terrorizing years before the first gulf war,
Now I plan to even the scoreI've got so many body doubles. It's true. No kidding.
I don't go to the streets. They all do my bidding.
And Chemical Ali said... Nothing you idiots Chem Ali's dead
I'll find a replacementYeah I probably got a couple of screws up in my head loose,
But it's no worse than what's going on in the U.S. war room.
Sometimes I wanna go on Al Jazeera and let loose, but can't
But it's OK for the U.S. to destroy my statues.Osama's down with this. Osama's down with that.
And if he's lucky he might get weapons from Iraq.
And that's the reason why my regime got attacked.
If I react with chemicals, I'll surely get jacked!Of course you're gonna bomb me and my forces
By the time you fly warplanes
I'll be in Tikrit sippin' on champagne.
And when you miss me, please don't start to complain.
You've got so many soldiers tearing up my terrain.I'm like a cockroach cuz you can't kill me.
The guy you're bombing now isn't the real me.
My information minister goes on TV
So he can say I wasn't found in the debris.And there's a million of us just like me
Who dress like me, walk, talk, oppress like me
Mustache like me, a big piece of trash like me
And just might be a piece of shit, but not quite me!I'm Saddam. Yes, I'm the real Saddam.
And you other Saddams can all kiss my bottom.
So won't the real Hussein please stand up?
Please stand up?
Please stand up?I'm Saddam. Yes, I'm the real Saddam.
And you other Saddams can all kiss my bottom.
So won't the real Hussein please stand up?
Please stand up?
Please stand up?Check me while I babylon.
Pump up the bass, Qusay.
I'm bad.
No I mean it. I'm really bad. I could have you killed.
[gunfire]
[record scratch]GOT EM!
So when I listen to compilation of Brazilian music that Jennifer sent me, I don't hear the words, just the rhythms. And the rhythms kill.
When I first started listening to the CD, I wasn't all to pleased. I really looking forward to some rocking Samba music to liven up the fale, and this was mostly bossa nova and other genres.
But the more I listened, the more the songs grew on me. They are sweet and sexy. When I put the disc in, it gives me so much energy. I forget for a few precious minutes that I'm in Samoa and I'm transported back to Rio. I remember all the reasons I love Rio and want to get back there as soon as possible.
If only I understood Portuguese. I'd really have something.
Here is the blurb from the liner notes:
Throughout its history, Brazil has been a land of diversity and paradox, as a European Portuguese influence struggled to mesh with a West African culture. The soft sounds of the bassa nova versus the pulsating rhythms of the carnival samba. The untamed Amazon river juxtaposed with five-star beach resorts. A free-spirited people alternately controlled by a colonial power, an emperor, and a military dictatorship. The music of Brazil is the perfect foil to the country's unique and amazing history. Brazil's Euroean, African and native Indian roots are incorporated into the sounds of samba, choro, bossa nova, forro-music which tells the story of this land and its people.
This is an old story, but I came across it today, and it's just too funny not to pass along. File it under Scandavians With Too Much Time on Their Hands.
Pigeon-powered Internet Takes Flight
By Stephen Shankland
Staff Writer, CNET News.comOne of the Internet's most obscure technologies came to life last weekend: transmitting network information by carrier pigeon.
In 1990, David Waitzman wrote RFC 1149, a tongue-in-cheek standard for using pigeons to transfer information using the Internet Protocol (IP). On Saturday, a group of Linux enthusiasts in Bergen, Norway, succeeded in exchanging some data using the Carrier Pigeon Internet Protocol (CPIP).
The group transmitted a "ping" command, among the most basic operations of the Internet, in which one computer sends a signal to another, which in turn signals that it is attached to the network. In the experiment, packets of network data were printed on paper then attached to pigeons' legs. Upon their arrival at the destination, the data was transferred to the computer using optical character recognition software.
I just signed up for an online course, Development and the Internet, that is being run by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School. It should be extremely interesting and I'm really looking forward to the readings. Plus it's free, and as we all know, offering freebees to a Peace Corps Volunteer is like giving dope to a junkie.
This five-week online series, the latest of our BOLD series, will consider the many initiatives being undertaken, worldwide, to bridge the “Digital Divide”.We will aim to provide a basic conceptual framework of background information, readings and case studies derived from the personal experiences and projects of the staff, faculty and affiliates of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at the Harvard Law School. Modules will be led by Charles Nesson, Geoffrey Kirkman, Colin Maclay, Andrew McLaughlin, Jim Moore, Ethan Zuckerman, Diane Cabell and John Palfrey, co-coordinated by Wendy Koslow with Teaching Fellows Urs Gasser, Isabel Neto, Rebecca Brackley and Nandan Kamath (Head Teaching Fellow).
Each module will then be used as a platform for discussion and the sharing of information, opinions and personal experiences between and among participants. This process will often be facilitated and moderated by the Teaching Fellows. Participants will be able to select from different streams and levels of discussion based on their personal expertise and interest.
Conceptualizing the “Digital Divide”
Knowledge and Information are key drivers of human freedom, growth, well-being and progress. The Internet and other networked information technologies are capable of delivering this potential widely and effectively. They can help people listen, but can also help them speak and be heard.
Regardless of how “neutral” we may consider information technology networks to be, their ability to deliver the benefits of knowledge and information are cabined by the social, political and economic milieu they operate within. The benefits will likely be shared unequally – some countries will gain more than others; some individuals and groups within countries will gain more than others. Technology-haves gain rapidly while technology have-nots will be left behind. This reinforces, if not increases, the divides. This is the problem of the “digital divide”.
The digital divide operates unchecked in a world without intervention. Fortunately, our world is not one such. National governments, development agencies, inter- and non-governmental organisations, citizens groups and even individuals can take, and have taken, steps to positively influence the technology infrastructure and information environment.
Contemporary efforts aim to:
� make access easier and wider,
� make content more useful and relevant,
� promote entrepreneurial efforts, and
� change laws and policies so as to foster information creation and knowledge sharingSuch efforts improve the readiness of a political economy to gain from the benefits that information, and information and communication technologies have to offer and to share the benefits more widely and equitably.
What are the contours of the efforts we have mentioned above? What is their interplay? How do we choose, if we need to, between the appropriateness of various initiatives? What are the various hurdles that people seeking to change the status quo are faced with in the field and in officialdom? How do we design a plan of action sensitive to the needs and circumstances of a particular region or group? How do we determine what problems are worth dealing with using technology, and in what priority? These are some of the difficult questions that we will ask. We hope you will participate by sharing your experiences, opinions and thoughts.
Series structure and requirements
While knowledge of, or experience in, technology or development policy are not prerequisites, interest in these issues is. This is a chance to learn and share in an area where there is much to gain from pooling thoughts, and diverse experiences and expertise.
This series will run for 5 weeks from March 31, 2003. The entire series will take place online. There is no particular time at which readings or discussion is required and participants may complete these at their convenience in the course of the particular week. The series is free, and open for anyone to join and there is no commitment required that registrants will participate in all of the modules.
Each week, we will release one module online, with required and suggested readings to provide the necessary background to the subject under discussion. Participants will go through these readings and will then be provided a case study or a set of policy conundrums to discuss and dissect, on one of our online discussion boards.
Days like this when the buses don't run are no fun, especially when my bike is locked at the Peace Corps office.
Today, Good Friday, incidentally, I had to be at the Peace Corps office for a meeting. With no means of transportation (expect an expensive taxi ride), walking is really my only option. I could hitch, but there were so few cars on the road since everyone was at church. And it was brutally hot today.
I don't know what happened to the weather, but just when we seemed to be turning the corner with the mercury coming down to more comfortable levels, it shot back up into the stratosphere.
I just saw Daredevil in a packed house (on Good Friday, mind you) at the Magik Cinema. Not a great movie, but they did a decent job with the "blind" special effects. Plus Colin Farrell was just plain freaky cool as Bullseye.
The movie reminded of another flick, If You Could See What I Hear that I watched repeatedly when I was kid. It's about the life of blind musician Tom Sullivan, played brilliantly by a young Marc Singer before crap like Beastmaster put his career in the shit can.
Daredevil really wasn't any good, but since there are so few options for entertainment here, the threshold for attending becomes much lower. As people like to say, it's good enough for Samoa.
Ok. First piece of news. Ralph "Sonny" Barger, legendary founder of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club is not a functional illiterate. In fact, get this, he actually wrote a book about his life. Well, to be honest, Sonny probably didn't do much of the writing. He had two ghost writers Keith & Kent Zimmerman help him with . Sort of rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? And a clever, too.
Well, for most of the book, Sonny exlpains his draw to the open road, his love for bikes and his brotherhood with his club members. The whole book, which runs 255 pages, could be probably be condensed into a few paragraphs. Let me give it a try right here.
Hi, I'm Sonny Barger. I founded the Hell's Angels. We know you don't like us. We don't like you. We fucking kill pencil necks like you for even looking at us. People are afraid of us. We fight with anyone who wants to fight and many who don't. We deal drugs. Why won't the cops forget that we deal heroin and leave us the fuck alone? We'll do time in prision, because freedom ain't cheap.
Sonny gives a plug to his website a few times in the book, but when I tried it was down, but have fear, if you sprechen sie deutsch, you're in luck because the German version is up and running.
The gigantic cruise ship Tahitian Princess has called into Apia Harbor this morning. It's always amazing to see gleaming white ships bigger than the biggest building in Samoa sitting at dock in the harbor.
The boat disgorged hundreds of Palagi tourists who are now wandering around in Apia and headed for sightseeing trips around the island.
The Tahitian Princess is headed for Pago Pago in American Samoa tonight at 6pm. You can check out all information about the ship on the official Princess Cruises site.
Last night was a great night. I went to a friend's house and made sushi and sashimi. We then devoured our creations as we got pleasantly inebriated, first with gin & cranberry and then on wine, and watched 3 or 4 episodes of the Iron Chef, possibly the best television show ever conceived by mankind. Chaiman Kaga is, indeed, a mad genius.
For those of who are familiar with this program, you know what I am talking about. For those of you who are not, all I can say is, get the Food Network and get watching. You surely won't regret it.
The premise behind Iron Chef is that a insanely wealthy and eccentric gourmet (portrayed by Chaiman Kaga Takeshi) lives in his castle with a army of fine chefs. He delights in staging food battles between his honored Iron Chefs and premiere chefs of the culinary world.
It's that eccentric nature of Kaga's character that accounts for the sequined and Liberace-esque wardrobe that he sports. That's the word on the street, anyway.
Kaga is actually the only actor on the show. The rest of the people are actual chefs, food critics, sports commentators, what have you. If you think you've seen Kaga before, it may have been in a PBS special with the international cast of Les Miserables; Kaga was Jean Valjean in Japan's 1994 production. He was also the first Japanese Tony in West Side Story (1977) as well as the first Japanese Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (1976).
The highlight of the night was the "Japanese Lobster Battle" between Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and American restauranteur/chef Bobby Flay from the Mesa Grill in NYC and host of Food Nation on the Food Network.
This was a rematch of an earlier "battle" between the two that took place in New York City. That one was taken by Morimoto, so there was something of a revenge factor here.
The audience was pumped. They were going wild. Signs, costumes, the whole works. It was something like a cross between American Gladiators and WWF wrestling. Here are the dishes:
Challenger's Dishes:
Spicy marinated lobster with coconut milk and avocado
Lobster fruit salad with hot sauce
Mexican style lobster
Butterfly, mango and carrot sauce
Surf and Turf
Iron Chef's Dishes:
Drunken Lobster, served with Japanese lime and salt
Lobster appetizers
Sushi roll, fried and served with cheese sauce
Lobster shabu shabu
Results: 4 to 1 in favor of challenger Bobby Flay
Judges' Scores Total
Flay
Morimoto
My top 5 favorite shows on the Food Network:
Iron Chef
A Cook's Tour
Good Eats
The Naked Chef
Emeril Live
I was doing my laundry this morning, listening to some great techno MP3's that were sent to me by my good friend Jon Taylor. One of my cats, , was at the door and wanted to come in. She was panting heavily which could only mean one thing. She was eating the fucking grass.
This was a first for her. Usually it's who's the prime offender, but he's, well, not so bright. I had more faith in Filemu.
Within a few minutes of her return to the house, she was spewing her guts all over my floor. Lovely. And guess who gets to clean that shit up? It ain't the maid.
Well, April 15th is here and I, umm, don't have my taxes done. Not a big deal since people living overseas have an extra 2 months to file without penalty. I am missing some vital documents, that are going to make it hard to file accurately. Hopefully everything will show up soon, if not, I'll wing it.
I'd also love to get my hands on a copy of Turbo Tax. I've never done my taxes without and they don't exactly have H&R Block in Apia.
A link to a website of a Peace Corps trainee in Guyana was sent to me today:
On August 23, 2002, my Peace Corps service in Guyana abruptly came to an end. Called an Early Termination, I was separated from the Peace Corps less than three months from when I began.
My separation was officially considered a non-administrative Early Termination/Interruption of Service due to "no viable assignment in-country for which the trainee or volunteer is qualified."
I maintain, however, that my service was wrongfully terminated. This is my story.
Today, a rainy day in Apia, there are a few tankers/freighters out in the harbor. I went for a walk around the seawall to take some shots. Around the far side, this kid started walking with me. He wanted to play with my camera. I said no. Then he wanted me to give him 2 tala. I said no. He pestered me a for a while longer, then he took off.
I walked behind the "Iver Explorer" to take a shot of the boat and as I was getting ready to take the picture, something hit me directly on my right elbow, right on the damn funny bone. I turned around and I saw the kid running away in the park behind the government buidling. What a little shit.
My little notebook computer finally hit the skids over the weekend. The breaking point came with the attempted installation of a PCMCI card to read my memory stick. The OS found the new hardware and installed it, but on the restart, the piece of shit collapsed. All I got was some inexplicable input/output error. I couldn't get to the fricken' desktop. The thing was hosed.
The solution, long in coming, was to upgrade to Windows 2000. There only reason I waited this long was that I was afraid I was going to lose some applications and some of my files, especially all the Samoa pictures (1500+).
I went over to Sio's place on Saturday, borrowed some of his disks. began the lang haul of reinstalling. There was a moment of trepidation after the Windows 2000 installation because when I first booted up, there was nothing on the desktop nor the start menu. I freaked for a second. But I manged to hunt all the files down. The only casualties were a few applications (Cold Fustion Studio, Palm, etc.) for which I didn't bring the CD to Samoa. I'll figure out how to reinstall them somewhere.
I moved all the valuable files onto Sio's machince using his 1 GIG microdrive and then we burned everything on CD. So now, the computer is saved and all the files are in a safe place. Fa'afetai le Atua!
I had my fifth episode of Sinus Tachycardia on Saturday. ST is when your heart starts racing (the sinus node fires too rapidly see "read more" for more info).
This time it was Saturday afternoon and I was eating a plate of chips outside the new Auto Supacentre in Matautu-Tai. My heart was just speeding along at probably twice the normal rate. When I took a deep breath, my chest felt constricted and my heart started beating faster.
I was with another volunteer, Vic, and I had him put his hand on my chest to check it out. His eyes went wide and he said something along the lines of, "Wow".
Sinus Tachycardia
As its name implies, sinus tachycardia is a condition in which the sinus node fires too rapidly. It is usually due to some other condition, such as anemia, fever, an overactive thyroid gland, or as a side effect of certain medications.
Also, the sinus node is very sensitive to physical and emotional cues (mainly through the effects of adrenaline), so sinus tachycardia can often be due to anxiety.Sinus tachycardia may cause symptoms of palpitations, lightheadedness, or fatigue. It may also cause no symptoms at all. Your physician will usually try to find some hidden cause for sinus tachycardia.
Generally, treatment is aimed at the underlying cause, but occasionally no other cause is found. In these cases, a diagnosis of "Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia" (a disorder of impulse generation) is made.
In symptomatic patients, medications are available to slow the sinus node and relieve symptoms.
If sinus tachycardia is due to another condition, the arrhythmia should resolve after that condition is treated.
Johnny English is probably not going to be winning any academy awards, but it's funny as hell (and good enough for Samoa). Rowan Atkinson is a physical comedy genius. There are some scenes in the flick that are classic. And the choice of John Malkovich as the villan was brilliant. His accent was fucked up, but the nationality was so perfect.
Test appearances record a worthy milestone for durable Waugh
by David Wiseman, cricinfoWhen Steve Waugh takes the field in Guyana for the first Test match of the Australia-West Indies series, he will eclipse Allan Border and become the most capped player in the history of the game.
It is a remarkable achievement and testimony to Waugh's endurance and durability.
To play international cricket for 17 years means not only that you are incredibly talented over a vast stretch of time but that you are also very lucky regarding injuries.
Waugh made his debut against India aged 19 years and six months scoring 13 and five. It was not until his 27th Test, against England, that he posted his first century.
After beginning his career as a bit of a dasher, Waugh restrained himself and became a run accumulator. Many a time he was the backbone of the Australian innings, especially when they were in trouble.
One of Waugh's most memorable knocks was quite apt as it was Brad Hogg's one and only Test match, to date. After making a duck in the first innings, Waugh wanted to make amends in the second. Australia faced a 179-run deficit on the first innings and were four for 78 in the second when he strode to the crease.
In four and a half hours, he fought and scrapped his way to an unbeaten 67 from 221 balls with just five fours. He watched six partners fall at the other end as he dug in tooth and nail for Australia. In the oppressive heat and stifling humidity, Waugh had to single-handedly take on an Anil Kumble who was on top of his game.
Waugh has been repeatedly knocked down but he has got to his feet and risen every time. For 19 months; from April 1991 to November 1992 he was out of the Test team. Sounds like a long time but in reality it was just nine Tests.
He has also missed Tests through injury but for the better part of the last 12 years, Waugh has been the heart and soul of the team, inspiring his team mates, wanting them to be better cricketers.
With the bat, Waugh sits in the lower middle-order and is often the link between the top and bottom halves of the batting line-up. Waugh has scored a record 5997 runs batting at No 5 at 54.52 whilst he has compiled an equally impressive 3034 runs at 49.74 in the No 6 spot.
His fielding in the gully-point-cover region is superb. Sadly, he has not done as much bowling in recent times but he has compensated for that by being captain.
Waugh cares about the heritage of the game. The culture and tradition of it. Under him, players are made to appreciate what number Test cricketer they are for their country. They're made to acknowledge the deeds of those who have gone before them.
For Waugh, this may be an incredible milestone and one which he will reflect on once he finally hangs up his whites but for the moment he will be treating it like every one of his 156 other Test matches - doing his darnedest to win it for Australia.
I am beginning, once again, to have an urge to salute my Uncle Oswald. I mean, of course, my Uncle Oswald Hendryks Cornelius deceased, the connoisseur, the bon vivant, the collector of spiders, scorpions, and walking-sticks, the lover of opera, the expert on Chinese porcelain, the seducer of women, and without much doubt the greatest fornicator of all time.
You have to love a book that begins that, especially when it was penned by one of the greatest authors of children's stories, Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Sure, is silly in excess, but it's an incredibly fun ride. I highly recommned it.
On The Rocks bar, no Palagi mafia haunt
by Afamasaga Toleafoa
11 April 2003"This is not a Palagi Mafia haunt," Peter Blain, owner of 'On The Rocks Bar' in town said to me, as we sat down in the bar area during the middle of the day. I declined Mr Blain's offer of a drink, but I couldn't help noticing the dark and stale smell of alcohol that seems to inhabit all bars and drinking places in the daytime.
I was also reminded how the staleness and the atmosphere change miraculously it seems, once the sun goes down and the lights and music go up.
But I went there because Mr Blain was upset at allegations made against his bar, although it had not been identified by name by Mr Baukes when he came to our office last week to complain about the appointment of a Mr Roy Aylloff as the engineer for the new government T$5 million dredge.
Mr Baukes told the Samoa Observer that a certain bar in Apia was the home of a Palagi mafia group who used their contacts and network of mates to obtain business for themselves at the expense of Samoans.
And he gave as an example the case of the recently appointed engineer for the brand new government owned dredge.
"What Mr Baukes has said is defamatory," said Mr Peter Blain. "And I simply want to have the right of reply to correct the misconception people will get from these allegations."
Mr Baukes had not named the bar, On The Rocks, but its clear to anyone reading what he said which bar he was referring to," Mr Blain continued.
"Mr Baukes never sought any comment from me before he made these allegations to the paper. It is true I recently warned Mr Baukes about his behaviour and threatened to bar him from coming here again if there was any repetition. But this is the fifth time I have spoken to Mr Baukes about abusive and aggressive behaviour.
The first time was when he was very loud and abusive particularly about Jews, and repeatedly threatened to kill a certain Melbourne solicitor. The second was when he threatened a local Swiss man over the Second World War. The third time also involved abuse being shouted at another Swiss man. The fifth time involved an actual physical attack on a customer. Each of these involved shouted abuse and swearing.
The latest occasion once again involved abusing and swearing at a customer. This time I issued Mr Baukes with a written warning that if repeated, will be asked not to return. A few days later, the Samoa Observer article appeared making allegations about me being a member of a palagi Mafia.
There is no palagi mafia except in the imagination of bitter and aggressive man who cannot control his temper. My bar is a peaceful and congenial establishment. It is open to all kinds of people with all kinds of opinions. I only ask that they behave in a reasonable way. If they do not, I have a responsibility to the public to deal with the situation."
On The Rocks Bar is among a group of drinking places and restaurants that has become quite a feature of Beach Road day and night. In fact only last week, we had someone, a respectable local resident comment on the danger the area was beginning to pose to the public and passers-by especially later in the evenings.
Apparently, a lot of the drinking starts spilling onto the footpath and the road, and could be quite threatening for people, especially visitors.
Mr Blain agreed that this was getting to be the case, and is something that the Police should look at.
" Its true the place is getting very rowdy at night. A lot of people are seen out there in the public area with bottles of beer in the hand, Mr Blain agreed. " That is why I close the Rocks at ten o'clock in the evening to avoid that kind of behaviour. My place is for a quiet and convivial evening. We have a pool table and people can buy food from the restaurants next door and have it here."
Mr Roy Aylloff the man Mr Baukes had accused of incompetence was also there. He too had been put out by the allegations.
"At no time did I approach Mr Baukes for a job. But I offered to help him with his machine as a friend, which was not an $80,000 machine as claimed, but a Chinese 'Hobby' that can be had in Australia for $5000". Mr Aylloff said. "I told him I had no experience on milling machines. But once the machine was damaged, Mr Baukes lost his temper and started yelling abuse and telling me to get off the premises. So I did."
Asked about his employment at Samoa Ports Authority, Mr Aylloff said he had not been employed as engineer for the dredge as claimed.
Apparently, there is an engineer that comes with dredge. But there is a position or positions for someone to operate the dredge. And that was the position Mr Aylloff was interested in.
But he said that he was no longer interested after what appeared in the paper. The Samoa Observer had however received word Mr Aylloff "had lost his job." And had been seeking confirmation for two days from the Samoa Ports Authority of whether Mr Aylloff had been laid off and why. The Samoa Observer did finally get the truth from the Minister himself, Hon. Palusalue Faapo II.
In any case, I concluded that On the Rocks Bar looked harmless enough, at least during the daytime. It's hard to imagine this being associated with any kind of mafia. But it's clear from the feuding among some of the patrons that old and forgotten wars are still being fought over in there.
That was it, I thought. This may not be a palagi mafia haunt, but much more like a place for old soldiers to meet and reminisce about old battles fought, and mostly lost.
I ate at the Steakhouse twice today. They definitely have the best burger in Samoa. And they are conveniently located near the Peace Corps office. I don't know where they get their bread, maybe they make it themselves, but it's great stuff. A little mustard instead of mayo and it's almost like being at home. Sadly the salad that comes with the hamburger is probably the only green veggies I get during a given week.
Today I got to ride down the Lefaga Junior Secondary School in the far Southwest corner of Upolu. The mission: Meet with the pule (principal) to discuss their computers. The problem: I arrived at the school and no one was there. No teachers. No students. No janitors. And. most importantly, no pule. I'll try again next week.
The deal is that I am taking over a SPA (small project assistance) grant that another PCV, KellyAnn Roberts, had set up for the school. When KellyAnn departed Samoa prematurely, I stepped up to fill her role.
The grant is for peripheral equipment for 3 computers that were donated to the school by some juice company in Florida. I needed to talk to the pule to verify that the items on the list that KellyAnn gave are still needed and to talk about buying other things with money I planned to save by calling in contacts to get a discount.
After I get all the equipment purchased and in place, I'm going to set up and training schedule to educate all the teachers so that their computer program can be self sustaining. It should be a fun project.
I paid a visit to Mental Health Symposium today at the Kitano Tusitala Hotel to check out the lecture on suicide in Samoa. Some of the information was pretty alarming. I took copious notes and will write up something later.
I heard a news story today on the radio that the amazing Samoan/Tokelauan music group Te Vaka will never again return to the shores of Samoa to perform. The reason given: It's just too expensive for them to lug their equipment and retinue to this country.
The population here is probably too small for them to put on more than one show. That's really sad news. I'm guess I'm going to have to go to New Zealand if I want to catch them live.
Te Vaka played a concert in Apia Park last year to kick off the Teuila Festival. It was a huge event. They just pressed a DVD with several hours of footage from the concert. I need to get my hands on it. Hopefully I can get my computer working again so I might be able to watch it.
For more information, check out their website.
96 minutes of Te Vaka live in concert with Dolby
digital stereo sound plus....
* Te Vaka music video clips
* Video clip filming bloopers
*Te Vaka is officially welcomed to Samoa
* Te Vaka visits schools in Samoa
*Soundcheck before the concert and more
Technical Details:
Region code: PAL all regions
Disc format: DVD 9 Dual layer
Audio: Digital Stereo 2.0
Total duration: 2.5 hours approx
The toppling of Saddam
by Oliver Poole in Baghdad and David Blair in Ruweished
from The SpectatorThe tyrannical rule of Saddam Hussein was brought to an end by the American-led coalition yesterday amid wild scenes of jubilation in Baghdad from many of his own people.
Thousands of ecstatic Iraqis gave US forces a tumultuous welcome in the capital before turning on the symbols of the regime that had lasted for 24 years, tearing down statues and pictures of the old dictator, pelting them with rocks and smashing them to pieces.
Baghdadis chanted the praises of President George W Bush, while others took the opportunity to loot government buildings and shops. Many were openly thankful for their new-found freedom, standing in groups waving and shouting "America" and "Kill Saddam" as the US vehicles rolled past.
One tank was surrounded by a group of well-wishers, their hands outstretched to shake the hands of their liberators.
"It is a great feeling. I have never felt this way before," said Ayass Mohammed, a 20-year-old student. "It was only two hours ago when suddenly I feel freedom, when I saw the American tanks and heard that the regime had run. All my life all I know is Saddam. Now we are free."
The American forces struck out from their enclave on the west bank of the Tigris, which runs through the centre of Baghdad, and met only sporadic and ineffectual resistance as they secured the city's centre. It was a triumphant climax to their 21-day campaign after their dash through the desert and up the Euphrates valley from Kuwait to the Iraqi capital.
The British and Americans responded cautiously, warning that more fighting lay ahead. But Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, said Saddam had been dumped among history's "failed, brutal dictators" alongside Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Nicolae Ceausescu.
The scenes in Baghdad were "breathtaking", he said. "Watching them, one cannot help but think of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Iron Curtain."
Mr Rumsfeld added that Washington had evidence that Syria, Iraq's western neighbour, might be helping supporters of Saddam's collapsed government flee the country.
Tony Blair's official spokesman said the whole of No 10 was "delighted" at the scenes in the Iraqi capital. The Prime Minister believed they demonstrated the burden Saddam had imposed on his people and their joy at the oppression being lifted.
But the spokesman added: "I think it is premature when there are still parts of the country that the coalition does not yet control and when the situation on the ground in Baghdad remains as fluid as it is."
Saddam's elite forces charged with the defence of his capital, including the Special Republican Guard and the Fedayeen, appeared to have largely melted away, although some of his loyal forces were still firing at American soldiers in Baghdad last night.
Government officials were nowhere to be seen, and journalists found themselves abandoned by their information ministry minders.
Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed Al-Douri, was last night the only senior official from Saddam's regime to show his face and admit defeat. "The game is over," he said, getting into a car outside his residence in New York. "We hope the peace will prevail. That's all."
The fate of Saddam and his family remains unknown. Sgt Grant Zaidz, 20, from the US third infantry division, said: "I never expected to see myself in Baghdad. We did not face any resistance whatsoever today. We just strolled in."
By the afternoon, US tanks had reached al-Fardus Square in the centre of Baghdad, beside the Palestine Hotel. They received an ecstatic welcome from Iraqis.
After mobbing the American soldiers, a group of men turned on the statue of Saddam that stood on a marble plinth in the centre of the square. Hoisting themselves on to the statue's feet, they set about it with hammers and stones.
Then they tied a rope to its neck and tried to pull it down. But they failed to topple the edifice and American soldiers placed a chain around its neck and attached it to a tank recovery vehicle.
Cheers rose as the armoured vehicle's engine revved. Slowly the statue was torn down from its cement pedestal. At first, Saddam's likeness lurched horizontally, leaving his outstretched right arm pointing at the ground. Then it crashed to the ground and, within seconds, Iraqis swarmed all over it.
Tearful men pounded the face with shoes and slippers - a grave insult in the Arab world. Others battered its face with sledgehammers.
"I'm 49, but I never lived a single day. Only now will I start living," said Yussuf Abed Kazim, a local imam. "Saddam Hussein is a murderer and a criminal."
With the statue lying prostrate on the ground, US Marines and Iraqis shook hands and hugged one another. Some people handed flowers to the soldiers. Others knelt in silent prayer.
However, not all Baghdadis were happy at the Americans' arrival. Some stood with arms crossed, their faces grim. "How would you feel if there were foreign tanks outside your home?" asked Ahmed Kadra, 50. Two friends shook their head in agreement.
"The young people they don't know life, they just think it is a revolution and we can dance and be excited. They do not have a relation to the land, our country. That is what we die for, that is all that matters." He stamped his foot on the pavement. "The land that is ours and others are trying to take from us."
Brig Gen Vincent Brooks, at US Central Command in Qatar, said: "The capital city is now one of those areas that has been added to the list of where the regime does not have control."
US commanders are now turning their attention to Saddam's home town of Tikrit, 100 miles north-west of the capital.
In Baghdad, Saddam's regime went out with a whimper. If there is to be a last stand, Tikrit is the most likely setting.
It seems as though the problem with my notebook computer is that it's running in something called "MS-DOS compatibility mode", whatever the heck that means.
I ran the Dell Diagnostic on the system and the BIOS is reading the DVD-ROM. But for some reason the OS is not.
When the problem first came up, I removed the driver, thinking that when I rebooted, Windows would find the "new" hardware and reinstall it. It did not.
I went online and found the driver and installed it. It still does not show up. It's not even listed in the Device Manager.
I've been in contact with Dell via email, but the process is so slow and they are ignoring all my queries about this compatibility mode business. I just want my fucking DVD player to work again so I can watch a movie.
Drive X is using an MS-DOS compatibility mode file system.This problem often occurs on more than one drive. Usually it is caused by a driver listed in the Config.sys file that Windows does not recognize and that is related to the message Compatibility mode paging reduces overall system performance. If you see both messages, see the Help for the Compatibility mode paging reduces overall system performance message first.
If you only see the message Drive X is using an MS-DOS compatibility mode file system on one drive, that drive is using an MS-DOS compatibility (real-mode) driver, which may reduce that drive’s performance. Contact your hardware manufacturer to see if an updated driver is available for your drive. If not, the drive’s performance may be less than optimal, but you can still use it.
Compatibility mode paging reduces overall system performance.
Windows was unable to identify a real-mode driver or memory-resident program loaded in your Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file. You will see another message that lists the name of the driver or program causing the problem.
Because Windows could not identify the driver or program, it has switched to MS-DOS compatibility mode to ensure the program will run. However, this decreases overall performance. To improve performance, remove the program or driver causing the problem, or contact its manufacturer for an upgraded version.
Tonight I'm starting my first secondary project, teaching an Introduction to HTML course at one of the local universities, Samoa Polytechnic.
The course manual just arrived here at the Peace Corps office. It's something I hashed together out of resources that I found on the web. I didn't actually have much time to put it together, so it's amazing for me to see it published and bound.
I'm very excited to get started. This is exactly the sort of work I expected to be doing when I signed up for the Peace Corps. There are 13 students registered who have each paid 200 tala for the privilege of attending my class which runs 6 weeks. The classes are Tuesday and Thursday night, so I don't have to worry about schedule conflicts. Hopefully I will be able to impart some of my knowledge to these interested students.
Possession is probably not going to go down as one of the great "Merchant Ivory" films, but it was an enjoyable film despite Gwyneth Paltrow with her annoyingly fussy British accent. The best part was the scenery, the shots inside the basement of the British Museum and Aaron Eckhart's wardrobe. It's so hot and humid here sometimes that I dream of wearing sweters, cords, and leather jackets instead of flip-flops, shorts and tank tops. As they in these parts, good enough for Samoa.
You have to feel a little sorry for Roy Williams. They guy has had a bad run of it. And you really want him to win. He's such a classy guy. He graduates his players. He stayed at Kansas even when his dream job at Carolina opened up. But he can't seem to get the monkey off his back and win the NCAA title.
On the other hand there's Jim Boeheim. A little slimy guy with questionable "student athletes" and no real quality players delivered to the NBA, unless you count Derek Coleman, but who would?
Kansas didn't deserve to win. They played hard. They kept coming back and I don't know how they made it close at the end, but they had a chance to tie it up with a 3, all despite horrendous shooting from the foul line. A few more free throws and Kansas walks away with the crown.
I watched the game up at one of the local hotels, Insel Ferman, on Armed Forces Network. I missed most of the first half due to a Donald Rumsfeld/Ricahrd Meyers press conference. I doubt people at home watching on NBC had to cope with that, nor the multitude of Army recruiting commericals during the time outs.
Is it just me or are not most of the people who are watching AFN already in the armed services? I can't quite figure that one out.
After the game, I went shopping at Lyn's and then got absolutely soaked as I rode my bike down to the Peace Corps office.
Today I was at the ice cream place in the food court. They were advertising that their Sara Lee ice cream was a 1.50 for a single instead of 2.50. I guess they were trying to get rid of the stuff. Since they were out of chocolate, I decided I would try the mint chip, one of the Sara Lee flavors.
The woman behind counter tried to scoop the ice cream, but it was too hard and she gave up. There wasn't any other flavor I really wanted so I asked her if I could sccop it myself. I was shocked when she said no problem since I was joking around. She lifted the carton out of the freezer and onto the counter. I let it thaw for a few seconds and then scooped myself a massive single. And then, since they wanted to get rid of it, I scooped one for my buddy Sio and they didn't charge us.
It's Sunday.
I walked down to the Peace Corps office from Fagali'i. It took about an hour an half. It was more grueling than normal because a mosquito had bit me last night on the foot right where the leather on my sandals rubs against the top of my foot.
There was a cruise ship in port and I went down by the large tree to take a pic. There was a group of soles sitting drinking on the seawall under the tree. They waved me a over because they thought I was coming from the cruise ship. When I busted out some Samoan, they gave me a shot of whatever it was they were drinking (niu voka and coke, i think) in the cut-off bottom of a plastic bottle.
Just after I downed the drink, the cops pulled up and waved the guy with the bottle over the side of the car. This seemed like a good time to leave. The last thing I needed on my record was an arrest in Apia.
The Defrag of my hard drive is finally complete at 10:49AM after more than 14 hours. I didn't realize how fragmented my drive had become. Hopefully this will improve performance which has really bogged down lately.
I'm having a number of problems with my computer lately that may or may not be heat/humidity realated. My monitor seems to be slowly shrinking is visual area. The USB port is not reading my digital camera and worst of all, the DVD-ROM has stopped working. No more movies until I can get that solved.
...We need skilled professionals. And we need them now.
Such is the call for service of the VSO , the Volunteer Service Ogranization based in the UK. If you want to volunteer, but don't want to commit to the 2 years of the Peace Corps (or have other issues with the Peace Corps), this is a good place to look.
If you want to read up on one volunteer's experience, check out the dispatches from an IT volunteer sent to Kenya.
Peace Corps Suspends Program in China
Washington, D.C. April 5, 2003 – Today, Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced the temporary suspension of the Peace Corps program in China.
“The health and safety of Peace Corps volunteers is the highest priority of the Agency. After a thorough assessment of growing concerns with regard to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the volunteers to temporarily suspend the program in China,” stated Director Vasquez. “We will continue to monitor developments and look forward to returning Peace Corps volunteers to China when conditions permit.”
The Office of Medical Services (OMS) at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. is in daily contact with Peace Corps medical officers in China. OMS also consults frequently with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to stay apprised of the latest developments.
Families are encouraged to contact the Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. Special Services maintains a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week duty system. The telephone number during standard office hours is , Extension 1470; the after hours number is . Special Services may also be contacted via e-mail at .
For recent updates from the CDC and WHO please consult the corresponding websites: www.cdc.gov/travel and www.who.int/en.
There's this fungal thing going on in my crotch. I don't know what it is, but it's driving me nuts, so to speak. I'm just constantly itching and no amount of anti-bacterial soap seems to do the trick. Time to check in with the PCMO.
I have a good idea. Here's an approximation of a conversation we might have upon my return to the house after a long day on the job:
"What's up, bitch? Let's see some food on the table."
"Can you wait a sec while I put my bags down and get settled?"
"You don't have a minute, sucker. You get some food out for us right now or we're going to puke on your mat. In fact, we might puke on your mat even if bring you food out right now. We like to keep you guessing that way."
"And you best make sure it's something we like. And none of this, oh, it's been in the fridge for two days, but the cats won't mind, bullshit. We want something fresh. Else, we're going to relieve our bladders on your mattress."
"Um, ok."
That's my cats, folks.
"Flying from one capital city to another is not travel to me. Travel, especially in Africa, must be overland and must involve the crossing of borders — negotiating on land, usually on foot, the national frontier. That experience teaches a great deal about the state of the country."
This is an excerpt from an interview with former PCV and travel writer extroadinaire Paul Theroux. You can find the whole interview on the Peace Corps Writers site.
Peace Corps Suspends Program in Morocco
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 3, 2003 -- Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez today announced the temporary suspension of the Peace Corps program in Morocco.Peace Corps volunteers in Morocco were consolidated on March 20 to allow Peace Corps staff in country and at headquarters in Washington, D.C. to evaluate the political and public climate in Morocco as a result of the events in Iraq. Peace Corps also offered volunteers the option of Interrupted Service for those who preferred not to continue their service.
“After a thorough assessment of safety and security issues it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the Peace Corps volunteers to temporarily suspend the program in Morocco. Moreover, the uncertainty of a date or time for the volunteers to return to their job sites has proven to be a disruption to the continuity of their work,” stated Director Vasquez.
The Moroccan government has been extremely supportive of Peace Corps volunteers and programs in their country and very attentive to the needs of the volunteers during these difficult times. The Peace Corps values the relationship that has been established for more than 40 years and looks forward to returning volunteers to Morocco in the near future. Peace Corps staff will continue to operate the Peace Corps office in Morocco.
Family members may make inquiries about Peace Corps/Morocco by contacting the Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services, which maintains a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week duty system. The telephone number during normal business hours is , extension 1470. The after hours number is . Special Services can also be reached via e-mail at .
One third of the world could be left behind if more is not done to provide developing countries with the skills, knowledge, and access to markets necessary to compete. In globalizing developing countries, per capita income increased 5 percent a year in the 1990s.
So starts the webpage for the DFI, or Digital Freedom Initiave. There is pilot program in the works for Senegal. Somoa could really use something like this.
I'm working on convinving the Peace Corps to find a government agency that will allow me to open and run a computer community to help bridge the ever widening digital divide that exists in Samoa between rich and poor and city and kua.
One third of the world could be left behind if more is not done to provide developing countries with the skills, knowledge, and access to markets necessary to compete. In globalizing developing countries, per capita income increased 5 percent a year in the 1990s. In other developing countries, per capita income decreased by 1 percent over the past decade. Appropriately designed information and communication technology (ICT) in developing countries can provide inexpensive and critical access to domestic and global markets, allowing the invisible hand of the market to be a helping hand to the poor.
The Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) will help meet the challenge by promoting free market based regulatory and legal structures and placing volunteers in businesses and community centers to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with the information and communications technology skills and knowledge to operate more efficiently while competing in the global economy. These objectives can be achieved in partnership with U.S. business entities whose voluntary, innovative and entrepreneurial participation in the DFI provides access to new markets and competitive opportunities for developing products and services in emerging economies.
The DFI will be piloted in Senegal over a three-year period and, if successful, rolled out to a total of 20 countries in the next five years to increase business activity, develop more efficient markets, create more jobs in the U.S. and DFI beneficiary countries, and help establish a business friendly regulatory framework conducive to U.S. investment and partnerships.
