Blog From Abroad: Kenya

Warning: I'm in a hurry so no proofreading took place.

Where do I begin? It's Thursday, I've been in Kenya since Tuesday evening. Yesterday I traveled through Nairobi with my Amy, my girlfriend, and Willie, a friend of the family's. When I arrived in Nairobi it was of course in the airport. The people were nice enough, the airport is old but well maintained. Pretty much everybody spoke English. We got our luggage and headed out to the airport. An old man said Jambo to me and it was then that I realized that American must be stamped on my forehead.

We met Amy's cousin and her husband at the front of the airport and began putting luggage in the back of the vehicle. This is significant because a man rushed up helped us put a bag in the trunk and then demanded at least two dollars. I gave him one and smiled because I felt like I hadn't left Baltimore in that moment.

For the Detroiters and Baltimorians. You won't belive me, but thus far the quality of the roads are better than in both the D and Bmore. I was joking with a cousin of mine about the possiblity. Can't wait to get home to tell him.

From what I can see, Kenya is a modern city. Large buildings, some of which are older and from the middle of the last century, others which are made of the same all glass design of the modern skyscraper. When I walked through Nairobi, I saw tons of local chain stores, plenty of suited up business people, and agressive drivers.

I took whats called a matatu into town. The city of Nairobi has a private bus system, with enterprising people buying small Honda vans and choosing a route. The spontaneous order that capitalist espouse has taken place in regards to public transportation here.

Traffic is crazy in Nairobi, its crowded and you have to be a stunt driver to get through, add in the fact that they drive on the opposite side of the road and I doubt an American could drive here.

The food is good. I ate a lot of Kenyan food before I got here, so I'm at least familiar with it. It's worth checking out if you get the chance.

I speak about Swahili like a three year old, but luckily English is one of the languages here. Any way, I'm having a blast. This is a stamp that you need to get on your passport.

Gone to Kenya

I'll be in Kenya so will be posting sporadically(more sporadically)for the next three weeks. I'm going to blog from abroad, similar to how my sister did from Nicaragua. I'll do my best to share my experience with you.

Obama the Secret Jew?

Obama the Secret Muslim?

Claude McKay: If We Must Die

If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!

George Tiller Assassinated

I lived in Kansas for about two years. One of the most divisive issues in the state was the medical practice of George Tiller who performed late-term abortions. Anti-abortionists have rallied against Tiller and he has faced charges occasionally due to his practice, and possible breaking of law. I’m pro-choice, but I honestly find myself torn when it comes to late term abortions, it’s a difficult issue. No matter where one finds himself on the issue, one should believe in the rule of law. If evidence existed that George Tiller had performed abortions in an illegal fashion, than he deserved to be prosecuted. What he did not deserve was to be assassinated in church, in front of his wife and fellow parishioners, while acting as an usher as he was on yesterday.

There is an element in our society that does not understand the rule of law and the democratic process. We cannot allow the barbarians amongst us to drive our nation into primitive theocracy and anarchy. There are too many Christian extremists who believe they know the will of God, but do not know the Beatitudes. There are too many Christian extremists who read selectively read the Bible to support there world view but ignore the tenants of Jesus Christ whom they claim to worship. We must stand as aggressively for freedom in our nation as the feudal minded do for their own small minded view of the world.

I was not a fan of George Tiller. I knew very little about him save that he was one of three doctors who performed late-term procedures in his manner. What I do have a great deal of knowledge is for this nation and what it stands for, as well as what it stands against. It stands against the political assassination that killed George Tiller. It stands against the use of violence to make a political point. Those who perpetrated the actions against must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and condemned by those of us who love freedom of thought and the rule of law.

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