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Archive for the 'World' Category

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Back on the Road

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Not getting to India has been nagging on me for a year.  So, I now have the opportunity and will take it.  I will be in India’s north and maybe Nepal with a friend, Mr. X, March 3rd through April 7th.  Although I have been very busy since returning to Kenya with Pamela, I do have stories to post about USA and other past stuff.  More to come…

Protect Your People

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

I’m all for global trade and anti-protectionism.  But over the past two years (yes, my trip is now that long) I have come to the opinion that countries should always produce their own food – more than enough for their own people.  In my mind, any country that cannot regularly provide for its people’s hunger is probably not a country anyone should want to live in.  It would seem to me that the two main reasons for a federal government is to protect its borders and feed everyone and I believe producing enough food is a major factor for both of these to be successful.  I used to be against agricultural subsidies and while I still have problems with some of them I am grateful that American farmers produce more than we can consume and we provide our abundance to the poorest countries around the world.  The loss of prime farm land in America (especially California) as well as what I see in many other countries is very disconcerting.  Worse is that many countries are failing their own people agriculture-wise, they have their priorities very mixed up and their mistakes seem to be aided by the food relief industry.

[read on]

Bricks and Charcoal

Friday, May 30th, 2008
I would never have guessed the two most common commodities in much of the world are bricks and charcoal.  Country after country has shown some aspect of the bricks and charcoal manufacture, market and use.  If you are thinking of ... [Continue reading this entry]

Burned Out?

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
I may have over-cooked.  I don't want to be in Oman.  I don't want to be anywhere near where I am.  I am working on getting back to Nairobi.  I'm not sure if the trip is over.  I reserve the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Moments (Again) by Luis Jorge Borges

Monday, March 31st, 2008
 It was about a year ago that I met Nogah from Israel in Argentina.  I received an email from her today and I am sure we will get together in Jerusalem in May.  In the meantime, I remembered the great ... [Continue reading this entry]

Mango Madness

Friday, March 14th, 2008

Hi, my name is Rick and I am a mango addict.  My friend Mike claimed mangoes to be his favorite fruit to me more than 25 years ago.  I did not get it.  I had never had a real mango.  ... [Continue reading this entry]

Who Is Really Guilty???

Tuesday, June 12th, 2007
One thing that is starting to really bug me is the finger-pointing that we do towards other countries when it seems like we have some responsibility for their problems.  The cocaine trade in South and Central America is a good ... [Continue reading this entry]

“Biggest Problem” in Europe?

Saturday, April 21st, 2007
I have received a consistent story from many of the Europeans I have met and traveled with over the past few months. Many of the travelers from Germany, Holland, Sweden and England (I have not spoken to Spaniards, Italians ... [Continue reading this entry]

Last Six Weeks in Latin America

Thursday, April 19th, 2007
I will be flying back to the California on May 31st.  I am taking American Airlines through Miami.  Can't wait to be greeted warmly by Homeland Security folks there.  Between now and that day I will be in Chile (San ... [Continue reading this entry]

Last Leg

Thursday, March 29th, 2007
What I am trying to do is quite complicated.  I can tell you that it is the most complex thing I have ever done.  The logistics are difficult.  How to piece together the whole world in some meaningful and workable ... [Continue reading this entry]