Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert

In this mixed up world of ours the contradictions of culture can be absolutely mind boggling. I was reading about the recent decision of the court in Botswana that the native Bushmen could not reopen a water well on land that was taken from them in the 1980's when diamonds were discovered. Seeking more information on the story I did that thing we do, googled it.

Look at the first hit I got! Kalahari Resorts. An authentic African themed resort, in Ohio. Featuring the world's largest indoor water park and an even bigger outdoor one. I guess we can forgive the little slip up on the location, the Kalahari is really located off the bottom of the map. I wonder what a bushman would think about all that water? I bet he would enjoy the "incredible" salad bar and a hut room that includes a 32" flat screen TV. Maybe he would be able to catch a National Geographic special about himself and the famous lions after lounging in the plunge pool.

What a world!

I want to be somewhere else

Like Capri for example, I mean the real one, the island off the coast of Italy. Shear limestone cliffs, narrow winding paths between neat whitewashed houses. Glimpses of perfectly tended gardens and the blue Mediterranean sea beyond.

Boy, do I sound like a travel agent. I looked around for some pictures to post here, none of them do the place justice. So use your imagination. Feel the breeze on your face. Feel your legs tremble at the impossibly steep switchbacks leading down to a blue grotto. Try to get a waiters attention, but who's in a hurry anyway?

Sneak out at midnight for a walk and try not to get lost, the place is a maze. The local polizia can maybe help, they patrol on skinny electric carts that can fit on the paths.

I'd like to be there now. Gelato!

Money Ill

OK, so I'm just taking off from the title of the book "Money Ball" which I just took off the shelf for my BART reading. But on the news tonight, there was footage of a worldwide AIDS conference in Vienna. A room with thousands of delegates was shown applauding a new breakthrough. Well, maybe, these things need years of testing before they are proven to work and then be administered to the afflicted people.

Does this conference do anything for the sufferers or more for the attendees? Attendees get a goody bag and lots of eating and drinking and carrying on like all conferences. Plush hotel rooms, lovely bathrobes and all the rest.

The fact is that AIDS is now a major industry, the big Pharmas and the little startups are competing to find the magic bullet and rack in the megabucks. I find it sickening.

People in many countries around the world are wasting away and dying, leaving their families behind to fend for themselves. There are so many little things that can be done to stop the spread of AIDS, like giving away condoms and educating people in their use. But where's the money in that? And the several major religions won't allow it anyway.

As I said, it's just so wrong. Several thousand well fed and housed delegates jumping to their feet and applauding a "breakthrough" that was created and publicized and will be continued based on good old greed makes me sick. Tell them all to go back home and do something actually useful rather than grubbing for cash. Please, someone, please, make these disease celebrities just go away.