Witchcraft

Just when you think that Africa might be showing a degree of progress - socially or economically - we are confronted by stories told from the Darfur region, or the incredibly high HIV infection rates in South Africa.

Or this.

Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in 'aid' from the affluent nations over a generation, parts of Africa still shock us when revealing the differences between western culture - and those of the 'Dark Continent'.

Is it be too much to ask our leadership (ie: the guys who write cheques with our taxes) to actually achieve some sort of tangible, long term change in rates of education or economic improvement, for all of the money put into the region?

And if they fail - if literacy and abject poverty grow, or the latest dictator of the month makes off with millions in aid - shouldn't they quit their post?

It's not too much to ask. But as history is littered with examples, it's too much to expect of politicians and bureaucrats.

The Faithful Weigh In

The Roman Catholic Church has always seen itself as a leader in faith and of the congregation, guiding and advising the faithful. And it is only natural that it reacts to threats.

Since the fall of Communism, the left has lacked a single, unifying, raison d'tete. Leftist ideology has simply formed along the anti-capitalism/anti-corporate line. Not that it has ever strayed.

But socialism's rail against human nature has been such a failure globally, that is has been easier for adherents to focus on specific persons or issues - as opposed to actually examining why people and societies are - in general - rejecting socialism's practices.

And climate change is an excellent proxy for this - because who better to portray Snidely Whiplash to our Nell Fenwick than of the big bad Corporations - and their evil stooge, Chimpy Bush McHitler?

The global warming prophets appeal to a large swath of people - and the natural concerns we all have have about their environment. And of the people I know who are the true believers, their faith burns as bright as a star.

Is it any wonder the Catholics have been concerned about false prophets since the beginning of their Church?

And is it surprising that the language used by the climate change converts is the same language used by politicians and ideolougues - the language of fear.

And the church's response? Clinical.