About the article - WOW! I'm most afraid of hitting a moose, other than that, and since I'm now bus bound - lifes seems pretty damned good.

Africa sounds nice....

Again - just plain WOW.... No opinion....

http://www.climatecrisis.net/

By this guy's logic, we ought to just pull out of Iraq as well, since their problems (no government, no infrastructure, brutal civil war, no water/electricity, etc) are too counfounding to confront. The author is correct in asserting that the Communists have no vested interest in the continent, but who the hell is worried about Communism anyhow? The real reason we cannot just abandon the African continent is that, like Iraq, the continent would become a cesspool for Islamic extremism if completely left to its own devices.

An important emphasis that this blog brings up is that there are many layers to address in bringing human rights and a worthwhile quality of life to people in Africa - and simply throwing aid dollars at the problem isn't a viable solution.

That being said, no amount of tragedy, regardless of how long it has been in existence, is an excuse to turn our backs on our fellow human beings. Coming to the aid of those in need is always the right thing to do, and it is arguably the exact behavior that makes us all uniquely human.

Humanity is not bait to be cut.

Happy Thanksgiving.

It makes me feel kind of funny to say that I enjoyed the article. It was quite a refreshing look at life and death. I feel, however, that the author's view may be shared by many soldiers. Seeing violence and death every day leaves one numb to the experience.

On that note, Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all the troops abroad. Stay safe and come on back home soon. We'll save a seat for you at the table. Thanks for your service.

The point made in the article was made in the 1996 book "The Future of Capitalism" by Lester Thurow of MIT. For economic reasons most of Africa is irredeemable. Assisting it may make us feel better, but will not lead to any changes.

Perhaps the best we, the rest of the world, can do is agree not to sell any arms to any African country.

Personally, I'm thankful I lived while much of the mega fauna of Africa still existed in the wild.

Blood On the Rope:

http://www.crossfitoakland.com

Coach: I'm glad you found that classic Kim du Toit article. I read it several years ago and it confirmed the impression I had formed over the years of seeing foreign aid disappear down that particular toilet. This guy has a very good blog, always concise, logical, and pragmatic. Mike G's comment #4 draws an obvious conclusion. Is Iraq worth all this trouble? I don't know, as I hear conflicting reports from the guys, but it's always going to depend on the people.

It seems as though it's impossible to hand something to someone that they were unprepared or unwilling to get for themselves. It doesn't work with children, personal training clients, the population of New Orleans, or anybody else, anywhere.

Rip

Helping Africa by sending aid does nothing than more than enable despots and worse accumulate more power.

Once Africa is de-populated, the US should annex it and develop highways strip malls and generally make it contribute to word GDP.

But then, I am a capitalist.

I fail to see how Africa could be messed up before the West ever influenced it. I thought the West was responsible for all the misery in the world. Something is wrong here...no one blamed President Bush or VP Cheney...Are we sure Haliburton is not behind this??

One problem at a time...Middle East first, Followed by Latin America and the Korea Pennisula...then pieces of Africa....

We have to get some momentum first and Old Europe needs to quit talking and start doing.

The difference between Iraq and Africa is we use oil.

If Africa has a resource we needed, we would be there too.

at least in africa the people want our help. in the middle east the solution is war. in africa, it's humanitarian aid. in africa, people die from stupid and preventable reasons... from things with cures. there is no cure for religious extremism/intolerance except for a bullet. i say we should forget the middle east and concentrate our efforts on africa. a person shouldn't die just because of the continent they are born in.

don't help africa? that's not the tough truth. that is lazy and embarassing for anyone who calls themself an american or human. don't be so fatalistic or selfish. that's what terrorists do. that is so f'ing immature and wannabe-tough-conservative that i can hardly bring myself to read another posting on this site again. i joined the military so i could make the world a better place no matter what the sacrifice. if africa is hopeless then so is everything else.

semper fi? maybe not today

#14 Nick R

Humanitarian aid is a big problem in Africa, but so is tribalism (just another word for religious extremism, IMO). Rwanda may have had the roots of its problems elsewhere, but in the end it was Tutsis killing Hutus and vice versa, just because of who they were. Sudan has stated that they will not accept any Western troops.

Africa's a complex issue. While I don't agree with just 'letting africa sink', we can't just walk in one day and think we can fix everything with a few aid dollars and some blue helmets, which I think was the bigger point of the article.

I have been recovering from a MRSA infection/broken ankle for 11 months. From bed to walker, crutches, and now cane. Where do I find information how CF is scalable for the disabled? Also have arthritis in knees, back, elbows, hands, wrists, neck. The program looks great for someone already in shape, but how does a "broke" person make it work?? BW 225, 38 y/o male.

Humanitarian aid in excess of the $100 billion already given? (#14)

Africa's problem is not a lack of foreign aid. It is a lack of capital - and capitalism. The "Democratic Republic of the Congo", for instance, has the potential to be one of the richest countries in the world, possessing diamonds, gold, oil, iron, arable land, 12 months of growing season, a long coastline, ports: many advantages lots of countries don't have. Between 1971 and 1994 the US alone gave them $7.8 billion, and average of $325 million/year. It has 300 miles of paved road, far less than my little county here in North Texas.

You can't give them more money, because money is not what they need. If it was, things would already be different in the Congo. Like they were in Zimbabwe before Mugabe took over and re-Africanized the place, destroying a prosperous capitalist economy.

Africa is a quagmire. One of the best things about the Clinton Administration is the he kept us out of Africa, a thing for which we should remember him fondly, if for no other reason.

I'm sorry, I didn't even read the topic, I was so frustrated with my own problems.
I lived in Djibouti/Kenya/Ethiopia for 9 months, I agree with #10 Rip: people tend not to appreciate/fight for things that they did not earn via personal sacrifice. East Africa's problems are further complicated by rampant drug use, which the population refuses to eradicate.
We may continue to lead these horses to water, but I feel they will not drink it. Democracy is only for people willing to die for it (and not just kill for it). The best we can hope for these countries is the benevolent despot model.

#4

The difference is that one region poses a threat to us domestically and the other one does not. One has people hell bent on killing us and the other is hell bent on killing themselves.

Let them kill themselves.

Hated the article, but thank you for the reminder not to participate in any of the uber-conservative politics that make my skin crawl, and instead just focus on getting my pull-ups!

I began referring to the instructions provided on this site and the WOD as a means to improve an already active lifestyle and to become stronger, more flexible, and healthier overall. That is the only reason I use Crossfit.com and the only reason I want to use it.
I have strong opinions that I have either supported or changed through objectivity, rationality, compassion, and thought. I have read many of the comments posted over the course of the few weeks I have been participating in the program and remained silent. After reading the essay offered today and the subsequent comments, I am having difficulty remaining so any longer.
I realize that some of the individuals using this site initially for fitness also use it a means to express their political and personal beliefs. Where I do not feel that a website about exercise is the appropriate venue for such spouting, that is not my decision to make.
I disagree with much of the misplaced patriotism expressed in these boxes and grow weary of the numerous written endorsements for the mindset and philosophies which have claimed the lives of so many men and women.
Not all of our soldiers are there, wherever there might be, for the right reasons and not all of the people fighting those soldiers are doing so with such different mentalities as those on our side. Some are tortuous and sadistic (on both sides), some are scared (on both sides), some are there because they have no other means to provide for their families (on both sides), and some truly believe they are defending what they believe in (on both sides).

I can go on and type out, in lengthy and poignant detail, my feelings on everything from Iraq to the current and future state of Africa and its people, but I digress because I choose not to anonymously post my heart and mind to strangers and I choose not to enter into these discussions because if I did, I would do so somewhere else. I recognize the fact that this is, above all else, a site about fitness and I recognize that it should remain so.

I think Africa is best summed up:

"....Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it. I don't like it any more than you men."

Sometimes a patient just can't be saved, regardless of the desires of doctors, patients, loved ones and modern medicine.

You can continue to coddle the patient, tell him/her that everything will be ok, just keep taking this medicine and, guess what, they still die.

Was that a valuable use of finite resources (money)?

Nicholas (#21): Do you actually know any men or women in armed service?

Nicholas, so you're just here for the free exercise stuff? Then just read that, and don't click on the politics links on rest day. Exercise your self-control here. Rest day is every fourth day, do the math, mark your calendar, and then it can remain a fitness site for you.

Nicholas---#21 Wrote:
"I recognize the fact that this is, above all else, a site about fitness and I recognize that it should remain so."

Then you have failed to recognize what this site is. The website owner posts these articles for a reason. I do not appretiate your failed attempts at moral equivalence. Voice your opinions on the topic if you like, that is why it is here. Your indignation towards fellow Crossfitters simply because they believe in their country and people is what is unwarranted. You disagree?? Then explain your position. What this site does not need is "hit and run" posters.

Sack up.

What I have found amusing is that some would abandon an excellent fitness program based on the political views of many of their fellow fitness junkies(and yes, if you do CrossFit you are a junkie, normal people don't do this $#%^!). Julia Childs was a great cook, she was a drunk(how 'bout a little more cooking sherry?), but a good cook. I wouldn't ask her to speak at an AA meeting but if I could get her to cater it you bet your sweet patootie I would.

One of the Great things about CrossFit is that you know exactly when there is going to be some form of politics/current media crap mentioned. On the rest day. Sure someone may bring it up on an exercise day, but they are usually told to shut up rather quickly and to save it for the rest day. If you want to post, then do so. If you don't want to post, then don't. But please, don't come on here saying you're not the type to post your personal opinions after doing so. Do I post? Sometimes. I'll usually bring up the rest day article with some of my CrossFit friends that refuse to read them just to stir up debate at lunch or dinner but hey that's me.

As for Africa, I think we need to prioritize, deal with the people that are trying to kill you first, then people that have helped you out in the past, then people that are trying to help themselves, then the rest. Incidentally, I would help out someone I needed something from before I would help someone that I didn't.

There are a lot of fit but ignorant people posting tonight. Africa was just fine (primitive but fine) until the WEST exploited it in the 1800-1900's. Western exploitation is the reason it's wasted cause now & ripe for Islamic exploitation. The author's point of view is Jingoism turned on its head. Interesting how the author states how closely he identifies his views as having been shaped by Africa in the beginning of this article & then identifies with the West in his last sentence. If he lived there for 30 years & GREW up in Africa, I don't think he has any claim to being western at all. i don't care what his ancestry is, he is African in his heart.

comment 25: "Then you have failed to recognize what this site is"

Which is what exactly?? Are you suggesting that this site isn't primarily a fitness site? Did you not notice the title?

And please don't try and suggest these articles are put up to stimulate healthy debate, as if that were the true intention then a wider range of political views would surely be represented.

#28, It is primarily a fitness site. Three days out of four. Welcome to the fourth day.

I found the first part of this article interesting but I am appalled at the latent racism and, or so I thought, decidedly un-american attitude of stoïc resignation displayed by the author at the end and echoed in most of your comments.

1) I agree throwing money at this issue not the solution but just because a complex problem hasn't been solved yet doesn't mean it cannot be solved or that we cannot get closer to the solution if we keep trying. Otherwise, we might as well just pull the plug on scientific research altogether for instance.

2) Africa does have oil and oil companies ARE trying to take advantage of that. Doesn't any of you read the NG? Doesn't something like one of every five barrels of oil coming to the US come from Nigeria? Just for that selfish, I mean strategic, reason, the very idea of a wall is completely ludicrous.

3) Sounds to me like the author is a racist prick who implies that Africa is such a mess because black people can't seem to get their act together but doesn't have the courage to say so. There is a reason White Africans where and are doing better and it is spelled A-P-A-R-T-H-E-I-D. South Africa is the country with the best resources and potential. The class in power in such a country, regardless of its color, would have done much better than anywhere else on the continent.

I believe that there is hope for Africa. I have heard of increasing Chinese investments in the region. Seems to me the Chinese know a thing or two about a mostly agricultural society that modernizes itself and start producing goods that compete with those of western countries (now I am not talking about the methods used...). Maybe they are seeing something we are not?

Or maybe just build a wall around the USA and finally let people eat themselves to death....

Rest day is NOT a rest day, it's a day for mental gymnastics. It promotes mental fitness, by encouraging debate and discussion. One of the characteristics of debate is opposing points of view, and there is no shortage of that here (kipping vs. strict pullups, anyone?), nor any other message board, regardless of the topic. I'd suggest that you let your skin toughen up and callus, much like those that develop over time as a result of hard work and exercise.

Discussions like these aren't supposed to be easy, and the ones that may appear innocuous at first blush are usually exactly the opposite, much like the WODs. Like the WODs, you can either approach them with the attitude of "Man, this is going to suck, it might hurt a little and make me uncomfortable, but in the end I'll have been introduced to some new stimulus that will foster some sort of improvement", be it physical or mental. Or, you can approach it with the attitude of "I don't like doing those because they suck and hurt and are uncomfortable. Can I sub something for it, because I don't like doing anything that takes me out of my comfort zone", which will result in stagnation. If CrossFit does anything, it takes you out of your comfort zone like nothing else. Like I've seen posted here before, you don't have to like for it to be fun.

I was quite upset by the article "let Africa sink". It stinked.
It reminds me so much of the neo nazis in Sweden, GB or Germany. Yes, I am European, but i can deal with the patriotism on CrossFit. This is something else.
I have met skinheads with swastikas tattoed on their necks who express exactly the same attitude towards Africa, or towards anything that is not White, Christian or Western.
Or is it that the author just wants to stir the pot? Tiresome.

"and on the fourth day," Coach said, "argue!"

joe's climate piece has been successfully ingnored.

Mike G, Iraq was a cesspool for Islamic extremism before we got here. They didn't make this crap up over night. Pretty much the entire are is. I don't think it happened like this: "Look the non-believers are here. We must kill them all."

mrjling, Are you saying Americans have bad dietary habits?

Maybe we should start a more direct approach, you want our aid you have to behave in a certain way. reward behavior we deem appropriate and remove reward when their behavior is inapporpriate. You want food, try getting rid of your warlords first. You want clean drinking water, quit it with the massacres. You want medical supplies, quit having kids you cant support, feed or nourish. Or maybe, just maybe, you should try helping yourself.

We are all headed for screaming, bloody & deserved oblivion.....may as well go down kipping like double leg amputee chimp on acid.

Theres my next offering for a T

Im with whomever says there is too much serious shizer on rest days. Can I make a sugegstion to the site admin/editor to even out the non-crossfit "as hard-core as possible" material with some fun stuff too? How about posting some pics of crossfit kids or something. Kids are fun & nice. Heres an idea ....have a crossfit kid photo contest and give away a T-shirt for the best one. Have a great weekend everyone.

Pete in Oz, I second your motion and make a motion to not be so serious all the time. Lighten up folks. It will all be over before you know it!!!

Africa is messed up and I agree that the Aid is being misused, but I feel that N. Korea is the country that deserves the most attention. You have a volatile dictator sitting atop an economic inrastructure that is prepared to implode, and THE GUY HAS NUKES! Worst case is that he launches right before he dies in a last ditch effort.
No one will invade NK for the reason that they have an standard of living over a half centry behind and the rebuilding efforts may very well bankrupt any coutry that tries to rebuild.

I have never seen a rest day with so much affection as I have seen today's!

I caught myself laughing out loud reading the conclusion of build the wall...

While serving as an (Navy) EOD Tech OCONUS I had the opportunity to travel with the POTUS advance team on several occassions. I did not get to traveld with Clinton on his trip to Africa but did speak with a couple of my friends that did.

Because of the vast oil resources available, Clinton wanted to be seen at different places in Africa that could demonstrate some sort of prosperity or hope of. Five days later...nothing. Not 1 good thing.

Now I'm currently working with a charity to fund a humanitarian de-mining team to work in Africa. I am not doing it for Africa or any intrinsic value of being able to tell my lib friends that I care. I'm doing it because I'm a capitalist and I want to employee as many US vets and specifically EOD Techs that I can.

Keepd in mind that their pay will be 80% tax-free. Africa doesn't get the money, the US government doesn't get the money and I get a tax break.

If they do build the wall, when they're done they should send their resumes and start working in Texas.

Too those who disagree with the strong conservative themes, don't fuss about it. If you feel the need to express your views, please do so, no one seems to be filtering strong liberal views. It seems to me that one of the greatest things about CrossFitters is the strong bond held between them. One of the greatest bonds and friendships can be built on the tolerance of views that are different than your own.

Or maybe this is to filter out those who can't stomach such strong topics... ha...who knows?

My take on the article? Good read. The authors view seems a bit harsh and his opinons are guided on his own negative experiences. I spent a couple of years in West Africa, and I must say, it was a culture shock. It is very easy to lose faith in people that do not share the same value of life as you do. Ignoring the problems won't make it them go away.

There are so many problems that extend from disease to government corruption. I think the problem we face is the chicken vs. egg conundrum. How can we displace a corrupt government when the people are uneducated? How can we educate the people if the governments are corrupt?

I don't have an answer, but I think re-prioritizing how funds are used and re-evaluating the role of the U.N.'s "peacekeepers" is a good start.

Like JR's comment #32 I agree that the biggest reason people post that the discussion of politics shouldn't be on a fitness site is because it makes them uncomfortable and pushes their comfort zone. Why bother doing the WOD then on the other days if you don't like your comfort zone being compromised?

As for the article I did like it and I do agree with many points. The fact that Africans are being killed by their governments and not being given aid is because for many reasons, but (this is my favorite that I like to bring up) like in Zimbabwe the government would not accept any of the corn that was sent to them from the US. They were worried that because we genetically alter our corn so Mugabe didn't want it to contaminate their potential corn crop. Mugabe told the country that the corn was poisoned and that we were trying to poison the population. The shipments of corn were dumped and destroyed because he would rather see his people starve than consume American corn. Also, the way that Mugabe "Africanized" the country was to go in and hack and kill all white farmers regardless of the fact that they had been farming the land for generations, just to give the land back to the blacks, regardless if the blacks were good farmers or not. The whites were killed in their beds or as they were getting ready for school, and it wasn't just the men that were killed, it was whole families.

Comment #15- The Hutu and Tutsi genocide wasn't started because they originally hated each other. Initially they didn't hate each other, they lived in the same area and had conflicts like any two tribes do, but the Dutch went in and they put the Tutsis in power, even though they were a minority. The Tutsi's were told that they would be able to control the whole country not just their original small part of it. Because of the restrictions being placed on them and the inequalities, the Hutus rose up and revolted, to take back their rights and gain control. They carried it to far, that is why it was a genocide, because they were going to kill every Tutsi person.

Africa does have a lot of resources that we use. They also have a lot of problems that we could help solve. Africa is also not just one country like a lot of people like to see it. Throwing aid at the countries does not solve the problems. Education of everybody is the best way to help them.

The Chinese are there, not because of they care about helping Africa grow. They are looking at it from strictly a profitable stance.

Why not help fellow man and look beyond the borders of countries or differences in race? Ignorence is not bliss in any part of the world.
We should all be Humanitarians because when you narrow your focus, you are not just hurting yourself, you are potentially hurting the human race. We need to remember that living in the world is just like living in your house. You keep your house clean and pitch in and do chores. Taking care of the world and helping fellow Man is the same as paying rent. We should not do this for selfish reasons but because it is the right thing to do.

Kate

30 minutes eleptical trainer
90 minutes soccer with the locals
60 minutes weights
QA4, Afghanistan

Well, I too have entered the foray, if only to offer a few observations from my rather warm, safe and snake-free home.

Being from Canada, I have always lived under the guise of American patriotism. Having always lived close to the border, I have enjoyed watching FOX, CNN, ABC, and NBC for years. Throughout this time I have always marvelled, wondered and sometimes even envied the patriotism held by the ordinary American. I have also always wondered and marvelled how often this patriotism makes its way into the most irrelevant and is often misplaced in some conversations. Having thoughts, one way or another on how to deal with any complex problem should not have anything to do with one's patriotism, but rather with one's ability to appreciate international, socio-economic and political influences. I would suggest, not having an affiliation with either the Republicans or Democrats, that attacking someone's patriotism is a play out of a desparate politician's playbook, not someone engaged in a thought provoking and intellectual discussion. I would suggest, that it is a desparate tactic, aimed at redirecting one's attention from the issue at hand, and clouding the subject with smoke and mirrors.

However, to come back to the issue of Africa: To look at the "African problem" and to discuss it in a vacuum without acknowledging the influences of Western Democracies is to ignore one of the defining problems on the African Continent. If we can, set aside the more recent problems of Apartheid, failure of UN forces to stop genocide in Rwanda (A Canadian General in command of that disaster!) and general apathy for the plight of AIDS victims in Africa (is it really that hard for the Vatican to promote the use of condoms in order to save MILLIONS of lives - or better yet, should it be that hard?)

Anyhow, when Britain and other European nations who colonized Africa, decided to arbitrarily redraw the national boundaries within Africa, completely ignoring the tribal and ethnic boundaries already established for thousands of years, they put the finishing touches on what amounts to today, to the eventual crippling of Africa. Yes Apartheid was bad, yes pillaging the country for a century was bad, yes the slave trade was bad (my American friends), but pitting ethnic and tribal communities against each other, within the same national borders was a complete "coup de grâce." Add on the fact that the all-mighty dollar is the determinant of where military power is projected, and you have the recipe for creating the mess we have helped create in Africa.

Finally (yes I know you're all anxious for me to shut up now) I would suggest that Canada, the US and the rest of the G8 (or G9 if we're really feeling inclusive) have a responsibility, if only morally, to do what is practical to assist in Africa. If, for the moment it is limited to financial aid, then so be it. But, if in the future, we can actually deploy forces there, or better yet deploy mentors and observer staffs there to get on the ground and assist the Africans in helping themselves, then that is the way to go. Having done a tour in Afghanistan I can tell you that restoring someone's sense of pride and self-esteem by helping them, help themselves, is the key to long-term success. Maybe something someone who has served in Iraq can comment on.

Thanks for my 2 cents.

Why does the article's author describe Africa as one homogenous entity? Africa is a CONTINENT with many countries. These countries have unique resources, cultures and challenges. It is flawed logic to extrapolate the problems and setbacks of Mozambique, for example, into problems confronting the entire continent.

I agree that providing aid via governmental channels has resulted in a lot of fraud/misappropriation. Perhaps future aid should consist of infrastructure building - roads, water treatment facilities, etc. - via joint ventures with local agencies.

one person can make a difference. kenyarelief.org

Nicholas #21 - Thank You! I completely agree with your post.

I am not sure how the discussion of Patriotism got into this discussion, but since it is I would like to share an interesting essay with the group that I think offers a very unique point of view. I invite you to read it. It is a first-hand account and does not throw rocks.

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/homeland.php?id=397352

#21 - Nicholas, so sad. Such an opportunity to find quality conversation... wasted.

Africa is most definitely a difficult study, and I would imagine that 100 good ideas could come and go, and history would prove them all to be disastrous.

However I believe the simple logic remains, that if we are in a place to seemingly help stabilize life, to move people to a place where they can grow up without a disdain for others, and without a nonchalant view of death, then we have a purpose to live for. Though we might make those 100 or 1M mistakes on the path to achieveing that, it is a purpose that warrants action.

Too many people live life without laughter, love, and obviously NO opportunity to pursue fitness for the sake of improving one's physical, socaial and emotional well-being. It is sad, and I am only able to enjoy such pursuit knowing that this country is on a mission to change that situation.

God Bless all the troops out there on this Thanksgiving, I for one am most thankful for you and your efforts.

#46 CCTJOEY-

What a great article! Thanks for sharing it.

Kate

I try to stay out of the rest-day conversations because I find them incredibly difficult. I am woefully ignorant on so many levels and lack the proper experiances and context to properly shape an adequate comment.

I'm not lazy, else I wouldn't have stuck with CF for so long, (+2yrs. But I could easily spend the entire day doing research before commenting and still not do justice to the gravity of The Topic. I do have other work to do. My comment would ultimately just be another mal-formed amd misguided opinion.

I would be the 400 pound, 5 foot-nothing man, who has never seen a gym or even his his toes for that matter, trying to hit a WOD as Rx'd.

What I do like about the rest-day articles is that it does expose me such a variey of views and information that it enables my education to continue as I attempt to scale these efforts.

Having said all that, from my stanpoint - I am in agreement with the content of Kate's post Comment # 40.

And this:
"We are all headed for screaming, bloody & deserved oblivion.....may as well go down kipping like double leg amputee chimp on acid."

Classic! Once agin the Aussies rule.

Timbo - that Canadain General forsaw that diasaster and tried to stop it. He was not supported by those in charge of the mission. Also - slavery was carried out by those Nations that founded Canada and it also existed in various forms within Canada.

As always - great comments; lots of sheeit that I agree with and plenty of stuff that makes me nauscious - tough WO!

Chris

But, but. . .Bono loves Africa.
Of course, I loathe Bono.

Hello friends. This is my first posting.

It seems that this discussion about Africa is missing the African perspective.

It is true that a lot of missionaries seeking to do "humanitarian aid" are not well received. This is because those mission groups, with their condescending paternalism, alientate the people they are trying to help; they insult the indigenous culture and and offend the local leaders. Often times, the work of missionaries is perceived as an effort to destroy the indigenous culture.

Imagine if I came into your house uninvited saying, "Hey buddy, I don't like the way you do things, you are totally wrong, and you should do things my way." How would you respond? You would probably think, "Who the heck do you think you are?" and proceed to kick me out of your house, right?

In fact, many in Africa are skeptical of foreign aid in general. Remember PeaceCorps? PeaceCorps was created during the Cold War era to bring Western influnece into the third world, thereby resisting the spread of communism. As such, much of the original PeaceCorps acted to convert; aid was an afterthought. This is sad, because even though many present day aid volunteers are truly altruistic, skepticism towards these volunteers remains.

And about those despots who squander the aid dollars they receive... It is important to remember that many warlords were installed BY THE WEST, against the will of the people who they were meant to govern, during the Cold War era because they had the power to resist the Soviets. Even though the Soviets are gone today, these warlords are still around. And the warlords are using their power to stay in power, rather than build the infrastructure that their "people" so badly need. And sadly, this downward spiral continues.

So when people complain of Africa's corrupt governments, lack of infrastructure, sectarian violence, and uncooperative attitude towards aid, remember that the West contributed to all these things.

Would these things be around if the West had never messed up Africa in the first place? There is no way of answering that question, but the lack of faith in the African people both insulting and racist.

PS - Thank you Kate for mentioning the Hutus and the Tutsis. Violence between the Hutus and the Tutsis was instigated by the Dutch; when they were too busy fighting with each other, they were distracted from fighting against the colonists. It is sad that this engineered racial conflict still exists today. (For anyone interested about learning more about racial conflicts as a means of pacification, then I recommend reading about "Bacon's Rebellion.")

God bless the melting pot of political ideas. When I read the article I could not believe one person would have the balls to type up an article with such quotes...
"It sounds dreadful to say it, but if the entire African continent dissolves into a seething maelstrom of disease, famine and brutality, that’s just too damn bad. "
"a high wall around the whole continent, all the guns and bombs in the world for everyone inside, and at the end, the last one alive should do us all a favor and kill himself"
Too good. Classic. Epic. Will never forger that someone typed those words, then 50% of the postings to follow supported such ideas. I am drunk with bewilderment.

I do see the authors points and how he/she gets to the thought, but I don't see how someone can get to that point as a human being and justify the action.

It sounds like they really hate their former homeland. I used to live in Grand Junction, Colorado. I hated it. I wouldn't mind seeing walls erected around the city, and throwing in weapons to aid in the slaughter (right now I am picturing that scene from Anchorman when all the news anchors get into that battle royale. Tim Robbins with a Mace, hilarious)

As with every problem I like to boil it down to a microchosm. I work with children that have severe emotional difficulties. I equate the continent of Africa to those children (death seen in great amount to cause emotional instability, maybe??) Now with these kids it is easier for me to throw in the towel and not teach them necessary coping and social skills. However, that leads to compounded problems in the future when they have kids (typically at a younger age). I need to teach them MEDIATION strategies. How is that for a "kissingerian" aprroach? Africa needs these mediation strategies...from experts. Someone posted the idea earlier of rewarding countries that behave positively. I couldn't agree more. That is how you get people aboard the train, and compounding problems see relief. It is up to us to take the moral highground on this topic and provide the help.

Rippetoe--- love your articles and contributions to the journal.

Chris - Ottawa
"I'm not lazy, else I wouldn't have stuck with CF for so long, (+2yrs. But I could easily spend the entire day doing research before commenting and still not do justice to the gravity of The Topic. I do have other work to do. My comment would ultimately just be another mal-formed amd misguided opinion."

Awesome, my feelings exactly.

Hello,
i consider myself a liberal and i consider myself a patriot. 15 months ago i would have reacted to the article by calling the author uncaring and inhumane. Unfortunately, i now see his point. What changed my mind? Working for FEMA following hurricane Katrina. The events are similar by the reaction of common people: a desire to help, the problems are also similar:

"Charity is no answer. Money simply gets appropriated by the first, or second, or third person to touch it."

Following Katrina millions of dollars were given to aid agencies [NGO's] how much was skimmed from the top and used for 'administration'? The Red Cross voucher cards were a joke. Most got none many got several. We still have very little accountability.

Worse yet is the governmental aid, the situation in rural LA and Miss. is largely unchanged. Where the hell did all the money go?? A large part of it went to 'infrastructure' FEMA employees getting paid for 12 hours of work, seven days a week when they might work a couple hours here and there. Some of it went to the corporations that set up and ran tent cities housing workers; the govt. paid for 100% capacity even if they were only 20% full. Same for the cruise ships.

"Food isn’t distributed." i imagine we do better with this than in Africa; but there are still cases where people with transportation load up carload after carload and stash it in their garage while the most needy and least mobile go without.
The parish presidents are similar to the warlords, they dress better and are smoother as they steal the money and goods but it’s still all about power and control.

One of my team members said that "taking all the money and dropping it from a plane would be more fair than what we did." Throwing money at the problem only increases corruption and greed, yet it's the most common solution. Give a few dollars to UNICEF and you get to feel better and close your eyes to the atrocities.

If we can't do it here how can we expect third world countries to do it?

Travis #34
"Maybe we should start a more direct approach; you want our aid you have to behave in a certain way. reward behavior we deem appropriate and remove reward when their behavior is inappropriate. You want food; try getting rid of your warlords first. You want clean drinking water, quit it with the massacres. You want medical supplies, quit having kids you cant support, feed or nourish. Or maybe, just maybe, you should try helping yourself."

What a great idea; not only for Africa but how about Israel and the Palestinians? How about Korea? one thing that idiot understands is money.

As for making the world a better place; i have a new strategy; before i give a dollar to any charity i make sure there will be a direct benefit to those most in need. Before i write a check to the homeless shelter, i talk with the director of the shelter and find out about who they feel is the most needy and why. i stop at an inner city school and ask a teacher what would they do with $100, it maybe ink for a printer or a backpack for a kid who can't afford one. Then i go and buy it, no chance for corruption no chance for mis-use.

This Christmas my department will sponsor a family, we'll get to know them from their teachers and pastors [or imams] and we will provide what they need. The one on one connection is so much better than the anonymous gift to a huge charity.

I wish I had more answers…

ratt

Hello, I have a question. First let me give you some backround on myself. Im 17, 6 foot 4 and weigh 170 pounds. Ive been lifting heavily and doing crossfit for around 4 months, but im simply not improving in any aspect. My bench is awful. I max out at around 160. My squat is terrible. Every lift I do in crossfit is terrible. I believe, however, that I should be improving. I do crossfit religiously and push myself on every work out. I'm in the gym every other day benching both dumbbell and bar. I eat healthy and I try to incorporate the crossfit ideas into my everyday life. I am just simply not making progress. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get stronger? I've tried alot of things

It sounds like some people may not be aware, but the US (and other nations) military is in Africa trying to make things better. I'm in the US Air Force and am currently stationed in Djibouti where our primary mission is to set-up humanitarian projects (building/renovating schools, clinics, roads, wells, etc) throughout the Horn of Africa. We seek to hire African contractors to do this work, essentially allowing the African people to help themselves. As has been stated in the article and by other posters, we're in an uphill battle here, but I certainly don't see that as a reason to stop trying to do the right thing?

did the front squat today.
7x3- 60-70-80-90-100-110 kg-110 kg F
Extra: skill work.
Enjoy the mental gymnastics, stretch your mind and most of all,
Have fun, Johan

#55 sbm,
sounds like you may be overtraining...more is not always better and if you're benching every other day at the type of intensity you would have to in order to see strength gains (1-5 reps), you are likely overdoing it...also, if you are doing a lot of lifting in addition to crossfit, i would back off a bit...the crossfit workouts are plenty...just remember quality over quantity, have patience and remain consistent in your efforts..

Mary (max rounds in 20 minutes)
5 HSPU
10 Pistols
15 Pull Ups
6 Full rounds and 5 HSPU

Farewell CrossFit.

sbm, #55,

Post that question on the Message Boards under "Fitness". You'll get a much better response over a longer period of time. Cheers.

Perhaps one should not conclude that by posting an article, that Coach or "CrossFit" endorse the view points offered by the article.

I was wondering how long it would be before someone said "racist". We made it to Comment 30.

Kate #40, David #51, I'm sure the Dutch have enough things of their own to worry about than to be confused with the Belgians and blamed for the Hutu/Tutsi issues in Rwanda and Burundi...

A number of posters have put forward views along the lines of :"To look at the "African problem" and to discuss it in a vacuum without acknowledging the influences of Western Democracies is to ignore one of the defining problems on the African Continent." (Timbo #40, etc.). All these things are true - the West did terrible things in Africa and we have a responsibility to try and help the African countries out of their current difficulties. That's a major reason so much effort (whether it has been as effective as it could have been is another issue) has been put into Africa in the past decades.

However, this this line of argument strikes me as a cop-out. Many other regions were colonised and pillaged, and many of them seem to have been able to 'recover' from their Western influence to a much greater extent than Sub-Saharan Africa has, although many still have issues. In some cases borders were arbitrarily drawn across ethnic groups; in many cases the locals were persecuted and their natural resources exploited. This applies to North Africa, South America, much of Asia, etc. While every case has it's own idiosyncracies, the question is what is different about Sub-Saharan Africa that has made it unable to get over colonialism? It wouldn't appear to be the fact of colonialism itself.

Borat

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with what happens to you. True enough for Africa as a continent.

To comment on RATT's post... The tragedy that is "Katrina" in New Orleans started over a century ago and can be directly to the locals and their Government. That is an area that had the wealth, revenue, and know how to short cut this tradgedy. Which was driven more by the Levee breaking than Katrina.
The rural areas in Mississippi and Alabama on the other hand had no such infrastructure to help themselves.

To think that any Government Agency could do anything other than make minimal progress in sucha massive mess is confused about the workings of buracracies and Government to be anything other than re-active.

Sad for sure but everyone involved (the citizens, local gov, state gov, and fed gov) are all key players in that tradegedy. However, one must do theie best to look out for oneself.

Another reference-free "article". I don't know enough about Africa to know if this article is worth the ether it is written on. Coach, please give us something with some meat on it if you want a real debate.

I'm just one white, American, conservative male (you know: patriarchal, racist, bigotted, uncaring hate-monger), but I have to disagree with the author on this one. I can understand and sympathize with his feelings of hopelessness. I simply cannot abide by them. My spirit cannot afford to lose hope. Nor can it afford the "dubious luxury of passing judgement" on the viability of a continent. Despite the overwhelming challenges facing Africa, despite the unspeakable evils that present themselves, there exist innocent people who need help. Those that can continue to attempt to help them must do so.

"We are fallible. We certainly haven't attained perfection. But we can strive for it, and the virtue is in the striving." Carlos P. Romulo (1899-1985) Phillipine Diplomat, Aide-de-camp to Gen. Douglas MacArthur

On the article, the author makes many valid points, however one he doesn't approach is that self reliance is a path ignored by many western civilizations as well. By merely taking a look at the welfare system in America we can see that self reliance is ignored for the more popular equal right to "The pursuit of happiness." Any pursuit of happiness funded by the government (read Taxpayers) is moot however due to the fact that the happiness given is cheap. True happiness, which can also be termed self actualization can only be attained through putting in the effort of gaining happiness on your own. It is for this reason that socialism will never survive, and neither will capitalism as long as the government allows people to bow out of the race by supporting them without any effort put forth on their part.

My other problem is this: as American we have said that certain rights are inaliable. In other words they are for all men, that includeds literally all men. Charity as I have said isn't the answer, but accountability is. Until Africa (and all other countries including our's) finds leadership that are accountable for every action they take, their civilization will be doomed to failure.

I was listening to a history of the Constitutional Convention, and Alexander Hamilton proposed, if I recall correctly, that the President be elected for life. This idea, while rejected resoundingly, provided the necessary "space" for the creation of what did amount to a much stronger executive function than can be found, in my understanding, in Parliamentary systems.

Sometimes you just have to let it all hang out. I doubt this guy (gal? I forget) is completely serious. At the same time, we seem to be infected culturally by this notion of the Noble Savage, and its worth actually describing, at times, what is actually in front of our eyes, unconditioned by political correctness.

In the context of current political discourse, it's worth recalling that within well-recorded history there have been ACTUAL empires, which invaded nations with the express intentions of 1) taking stuff, either overtly, or through taxation; and 2) civilizing the natives, as an expression of the "white man's burden". The first goal, of course, was generally primary.

Rhetorically and politically, the typical opposition to this has arisen in forms related structurally to Rousseau's Noble Savage argument, which in effect states that it is civilization itself which causes people to fall from their "natural" goodness and simplicity. The corollary to this is typically an effort to equate the cases where we fail our own ideals, to the cases where the "natives" are perfectly congruent with their own ideals, such as "kill the other tribesment, and take their cattle and women".

I found the following interesting quote: "The Noble Savage is felled by comparative anthropology. Tribal societies have merits: they can probably bring pressure for cooperative behaviour - like not exceeding advisory speed limits - as can any village, because everybody can identify everybody else. But pre-state peoples are quite the reverse of pacific. In the last century, the nation states killed an unacceptable number of their young men in repeated vicious wars; but that proportion of dead is miniscule against the annual deaths in battle of the men in "unspoilt" tribal societies. Up to 60 per cent of the men in some tribes meet their end in this way. We think, rightly, that some of our cities are alarmingly violent. The murder rate among the hunter-gatherer !Kung, though, exceeds that of the US inner cities - we get the impression that the rates among hunter-gatherers are low only because the absolute numbers killed in their tiny populations are inevitably small."

Link here: http://pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/books/tbs/media_reviews/2002_09_27_timeslitsup.html

In the last century, many, many arguments were made by leftists--both in the West, and in Western educated members of the various African nations--that colonialism was unfair, unethical, and that they should have the right to govern themselves. Fair enough. They got it. What have they done with it?

You have to understand that the Western style of democracy and free market economics, as modelled by America, and to a lesser extent Britain, is the only system that has proven to generate sustainable growth in wealth and standard of living without decreasing the rights of the citizens. This is the only model of which I am aware that COULD have a similar effect in Africa. Communism has been falsified by history, as has socialism. Capitalism works. Yes, there are times when things appear unfair. Those of you reading this on a personal computer at a home you own, with a persistent internet connection, have ancestors who had to work their butts off for "the man". I know I do. I still work for the Man. I'll take that over a grass hut, and uncertain food intake.

What we need are leaders in Africa who respect property rights. That will encourage investment, which over time will help build the infrastructure (you need more than 300 miles of roads in most countries) to build wealth.

Capitalism and and Buddhism are the only two systems of thought I can think of that have spread widely without the need for force. Is Vietnam coming to us, or vice versa? Our system works, for those willing to work.

It occurred to me the other day that we do really need to create a new word "effortism", in which we judge people by how hard they are actually trying to remedy their own situations. Only racists would assume that Africans are inherently lazy, or intellectually incapable of surmounting the obstacles created by the vagaries of colonial policies. Rather, they are ACTING lazy, and stupid (BTW, I view dishonesty as a variant of laziness). Big difference. It seems to me many leftist apologetics are covertly racist, for that reason.

I had a bit more to say, but will get back to it after a while. I have work to do.

Joey #46,
The link you posted was one of the best reads I've had in a long while. Moving and well written. Thanks for that.

Doug # 13- How about gold, diamonds, chromium and vanadium to name a few? Much of the United States source supply of strategic metals are from Africa. Try building a jet fighter with cast iron.
I'm old enough to appreciate that Rhodesia was a prosperous and SAFE democracy before it became the horrorshow we call Zimbawe.
I can corroborate one of the authors points first hand. Catholic charities is importing Somalis to the Minneapolis area in wholesale quantities. We can boast of a high rise with close to 5000 Somali residents and genuine 3rd world conditions. Destroyed infrastructure, excrement in the public spaces, a madrass and at least one midwife doing female circumsision. All hail diversity!! God bless moral equivlancy. K-

Let Bakersfield sink.

-D.

I forget to mention the Booming local khat market at the aforementioned location. K-

In the article cited by Joey #46, the author, Pat Conroy, states "America is good enough to die for even if she's wrong." Wow. I wonder if this summarizes the belief of many people? It seems to lead to the question: If America is wrong and wins (in whatever context "win" is) then would America potentially mean "Wrong" wins or perhaps, Might makes right?

#55 sbm

I can identify with your frustration. When I was in high school, about 8-12 years ago, I am 26 now, I had a very hard time putting on strength. I was dedicated to the Bigger, Faster, Stronger program. However, my gains were painfully slow. This changed in college, my freshman year I put 70 lbs on my bench, 50 lbs on my power clean, and 120 lbs on my squat. I think the problem you are running into is that you just haven't reached adult strength building capability yet. If I had to guess, don't laugh, I would say you probably don't have much of a beard. I wish I were at that point, I hate shaving! To me this is pretty good indicator of when you are able to quickly put on muscle. Hang in there, your work will pay off, it just won't be as fast as an adult. I will add this caveat though, you should see improvement in endurance in the WODs that you are doing, if not, then there may be an issue.

Good luck,

David

#64 Borat-
You are right about the Belgians being the instigators, sorry about the confusion.

You said that many countries have recovered from Colonization and while that may be true, you also have to look at the fact that when the colonist pulled out, what did they leave behind for government structure? What had they introduced for crowd control? A certain kind of crowd control is what the English did in Central Asia and tried to do in China in circa 1800's. Crowd control back then was Opium. It was introduced opium to Afghanistan and China, in the hopes that if everyone became addicted then it would be easy to take over more land and overthrow governments.

No one likes to be oppressed. Sometimes the governmental structure has been in place for years and they don't know how to lead themselves out of it. I believe that there are a lot of people out in the world that are unhappy with their situation in life, whether it is governmental repression or relationship repression, but are stuck in the survival mode and don't have the energy to fight or to find a way out. Fear is a big issue to overcome, especially fear of the unknown. They need someone to lead them out, but at the same time it takes a huge leap of faith for the oppressed to follow a new leader.

Kate

Jump Rope: 3 x 50 singles
CFWU: 3 rounds x 6 reps

Jog an easy mile

Mobility and stretch

#74 dbones

You're right man. I dont think I am old enough to start "filling out". I think another one of my problems is that I ran long distances for around a year. I got really lean and no muscle or body fat. It's been a struggle just getting back to a normal physique. Its also hard to pack muscle on my tall lanky frame because im not naturally big at all. I think with enough work and time I can get to where I want to be.

#60 Jamila, I was just wondering what happened to CF Live, now I understand.

Myself I am almost always provoked when I read rest day articles(which is not often). I come here to train.

Anyway, todays article I read, and I have absolutely no clue to why it is posted. Only to provoke? Why? No, can't be.. To just offend people? No, that would be pointless. Is it comedy? To make us laugh? Yes, that can be it! Maybe it is a "NOT" joke? I got it! Coach will write "NOT" in big letters tomorrow instead of WOD. But wait! its not good enough... Then we need YOU Borat, we need you more than ever. We need you to visit HQ and talk to Coach! Please Borat. It will be hillarious!!! Maybe there is a point after all. Or should we just expect Mussolini quotes from here on?

Even Kim du Toit should know we spend more public and private money on Israel than any other foreign nation. The other issue that was overlooked was the massive migration from the Balkans and the former USSR. We saw what became of that wall, though I hear Israel along with our Minuteman in Texas are busy trying this wall thing again! When will we learn?

Ken-Davis...

I suspect based on the other content of the piece, that "Might makes right" is not his point. I took it to mean that America is generally such a good country to its citizens comparetively that as an individual it is worth dying for based on the reltive treatment it has given you as a person who disagrees with its policies at the time.

I have always wondered how many draft-dodgers and anti-war types are against a conflict because they are afraid to fight and use the guise of disagreement of policy as a front, versus those that really do not think war is necessary.
I would say a good split of options 1 and 2.
Take Vietnam for instance...did those protesters really think the spread of Communism was a good thing? Did they just think it was not for us to involved (I don't buy this excuse since most anti-war types are in everone's business in other matters)? Did they really hide cowardice behind reasonable disagreement?

Based on his article I would nod toward the last option for him. For the rest

Rather 1 and 3

I've got my own version of the, "Heads Found...Heads Don't Match Bodies" story. I picked up a copy of a local paper at the airport upon arrival in Johannesburg on my first business trip to South Africa and was stunned to read of an armored bank car hijacking the previous day that was like a scene out of "The Road Warrior". Two pickup trucks full of AK-47 toting gunmen took on a bank car travelling down a busy metropolitan freeway. A wild gun battle unfolded over the next few miles. One of the trucks was forced off the road during the melee and crashed heavily. The surviving bad guys got back into the fray, however, by hijacking the BMW of a good Samaritan who had pulled over to help. (They shot and killed him for good measure.) The armored car was eventually run off the road and the crew killed. Body count for bad guys, bank car crew and unfortunate passersby was in the double digits. I can't remember whether any of the remaining bad guys made off with any loot. Given the unbelievable carnage, the disposition of the money seemed almost immaterial--but clearly wasn't for some of the participants. (du Toit would probably say I'm guilty of applying Western notions about the sanctity of life.) I asked the Managing Director for our South African business partner about the event. He was fairly nonplussed. Seems it wasn't that extraordinary. When I pressed him on how the bad guys could continue the pursuit after a half dozen or so of their number had been killed or badly wounded, he looked at me and said with only a small trace of irony, "Brian, you must understand that we are a highly perseverant nation". There may be a moral in there about misplaced energy, but I'm not sure. I can't draw any broader conclusions and South Africa's serious problems with violent crime don't prevent me from planning a vacation there with my wife.

Regarding the du Toit piece: du Toit sounds like a bomb thrower. This piece has a Swiftian "Modest Proposal" feel to it. I believe it would be a mistake to read it too literally. I don't believe du Toit is so unsophisticated as to see Africa as one big undifferentiated lump and so callous as to condemn all of its inhabitants and those who would seek to help them. Nor do I think du Toit is so ignorant as to think that in an age of easily spread communicable diseases (e.g. SARS, drug resistant TB, etc.) and Islamic fascism taking root in failed and failing states (Horn of Africa) that you can easily make even a principled case for non-involvement (du Toit's isn't) and watch parts of the world slide into a "...seething maelstrom of disease, famine and brutality". So I think this essay is about shock value. If I am wrong and this is the straight up Kim du Toit , then the man is a dirtbag, and Coach a knave for posting the link.

Every fourth day there is a link posted which says "Do not push me if you are easily pissed off". People push it, then complain. Is that not possibly the shortest possible feedback loop on the necessity of, and evasion of, personal responsibility? If you click on the link, it is your fault, not Coach's. If that is not obvious, then it rapidly becomes obvious why you would implicitly compare Coach to the originator of actual historical Fascism.

I've thought about this, and it seems to me that the bulk of leftist criticisms of moderate conservative agendas boil down to two basic methods. First, there is straight-forward emotional attack, typically coupled with ad hominem. If it isn't obvious (it's hard to say any more what should be obvious), "expecting Mussolini quotes" is a straight forward character attack, which is considerably less creative than "conserveretard toon". Now, that's good. Fascist is dramatically overused, although you did actually attempt to use it correctly. Hitler, to my knowledge, never called himself a Fascist, although he dearly loved Mussollini.

The second type of criticism takes a complex phenomena like global warming, or the war in Iraq, or poverty and violence in Africa, and boils it down to "basically" one of the many possible--and likely present--reasons. Thus, anyone doubting global warming is undoubtedly an oil industry shill; the war in Iraq is "blood for oil" (I'm pretty bright, and I have never understood this argument, perhaps because it's never been made clearly, perhaps because it is stupid and only intended polemically); poverty in Africa is a result of "our" desire for oil and of course racism.

Once you get the hang of it, you just insert "big oil/corporations", add racism or some other sort of -ism, if possible, then insult anyone who dares question your assessment. It really is that simple.

All anyone needs to do to get create a "balanced" argument is make a coherent argument on the other side of what you perceive to be the predominant bias of the site. At one point, I got so pissed with the combination of superciliousness and intellectual vacuity on the part of those trying to explain leftist positions, I endeavored to advance a few viewpoints I largely disagreed with.

I will agree, most of those positions exist at best tenuously in the the cold waters of non-unanimous agreement, making it perfectly understandable that those who wish to continue to hold them would want to avoid discussions like this.

What makes me mad, is that these positions--which to all intents and purposes appear indefensible in open discussion--are used as the basis for decision-making by many of our so-called leaders. I still view the recent election not as a victory of the ideas of Democrats--most of them don't seem to have any--but rather of a rather cynical and vicious propagandizing of the Iraq War. I was reading a recent article in Vanity Fair about how there will be a last chopper in Iraq, just like in Vietnam.

This battle, this cultural war, is far from over. I don't think most leftists know just how out of touch with ordinary Americans they are. I don't see how an overcorrection with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker can be avoided, if she is granted any real power. She will guarantee the Republicans will retake the House in 2008. Joe Lieberman will keep the Senate under control.

I can only speak for myself, but I believe "peace in our time" is possible. I believe that if America keeps to her core principles, and refuses to back down to a bunch of ragtag religious nihilists, and cowardly doom-sayers, that not only is a relatively just Iraq possible, but so is a prosperous and democratic Africa.

One idea which has occurred to me more than once is what we might term the "George Washington" factor. If almost anyone of lesser quality had led our armies, or been our first President, we would have either not become a nation, or would have been radically different. The notion here is that quality matters.

One program which I believe could make a difference both in our ghettoes and in Africa is what I call the "One Spartan" program. According to the epigraph to the David Mamet movie Spartan, with Val Kilmer, the Spartans of old, when asked for military assistance, would send one Spartan.

The obvious extension, is that one person, of sufficient quality and training, can, by the extension of example and teaching, influence vast groups of people. The two most influential people in history were Muhammad and Christ.

Likewise, programs could be developed of mental, physical, and ethical training that result in quality people, and they could be placed in positions of influence and power, or given preferential access to loans or other economic assistance.

It can be argued Africa isn't our problem. However, it should never be argued, in my view, that ANY problem is unsolvable, in some amount of time. 100 years? 500 years? 1000 years? Surely over one of those time periods, we can "solve" those problems. No, there's no remote control, with a "problem solved" channel. Difficult things take time, and step one is getting some of the people in these nations genuinely interested in solving their own problems.

I am always particularly persuaded by those who post on a subject with actual, on the ground experience. Kim du Troit actually lived in Africa and several others who posted have either lived there or at least visited the place. Last year I met an Italian doctor who travelled to sub-Saharan Africa every year as part of a doctors without borders program. He remarked that Africans had one hobby:****ing. He said that only those Africans who practiced Christianity developed the personal discipline and necessary health to care for themselves and their families. Thanks again for another thought provoking rest day essay.

Well i work with alot of Black african's from all over NW Africa and in talking to most there contries have been the victim of many hostile govt take over's and alot of inter tribal rivalry and most muslim countries practicly refuse to defend there way of life and only want a hand out not the proverbial hand up.

Most of the African's at my job work here 10-15yrs, save as much as they can then go back to there country and live like king's when they hit 65 they draw there US social secuirity and it is a great deal for them, and screw everyone else.

It is a sad state in my opinion.

Jeff

This is an outstanding and directly relevant link:

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20050701faessay84410-p60/nancy-birdsall-dani-rodrik-arvind-subramanian/how-to-help-poor-countries.html

I have another much longer post floating around somewhere. Hopefully it finds its' way home.

Passing ladder of
2 hand high mills with 20# fitness bat (10/10, 9/9....1/1 ) alternated with double 35# kb snatches 1...10
19:52. Meaner than I'd planned...quite a grip workout.

Dan,
2 words in favor of saving Bakersfield:
Buck Owens.
Of course, he's dead now, so. . .

Let Fresno sink.

africa: a worthless place that contributes nothing to the world. are there any resources there that would be valuable to the west? if not, i'm with Kim.

i don't understand why people feel the need to feed africa.. so that someday they can come here and come and burn my house down? sounds like a great idea.

i suppose we could use some of the big overgrown males for our sporting industry. boxing has become pretty boring lately.

I'm from South Africa. And it is the most beautiful country in the world. Sure it has it's problems. Everycountry does. I'm Disgusted with Kim du Toits, she may not call herself a South African. True Africans are strong and persevering. I may not be a true African anymore (being born there but of european descent) but I still feel it's life. I'm sorry she can't. I'm glad the US hasn't taken over. Australia is a sell out. It has almost no original culture! South Africa has traditions. It has SOUL! The people there are amazing! They strive through increadible hardships. Granted they don't deserve to own the country, they need to be educated and guided. The white supremist group screwed them over. Talk about opression and slavery almost into the 20th century. You're right! They have no oil, and if they did, they wouldn't let America take over and ruin the country. Murders happen all over the world, just like with 9/11, the American government sheltered the people and onyl the rest of the world got to see what REALLY happened. Atleast Africa is honest, with journalism, and not corrupted by the gov't. Besides, Australia is JUST as dangerous as South Africa, only problem is America has it's claws in an can control it. This lady OVERREACTED. When I moved to America, because of my parents, the South African government BEGGED all the 400,000 PLUS skilled/educated people who left South Africa to come back. All the white people that fled for fear of their families were justified, but they left our home terribly low on gas. If Europe, or Australia would help South Africa out, I think things would work out eventualy. South Africa doesn't need your PITY, it doesn't need TROOPS, or AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. It needs PRAYERS, LOVE and PATIENCE. Things will work out. Life began there and it will end there. Don't worry about AFRICA sinking, it will survive, and surpass. Just give her time. The rest of the world just needs to help it. It's all one planet, we're all one poeple. Our sisters and brothers may die from snakes, spiders or crocidiles, but they're also dying from aides, guns, and IGNORANCE. Just because you can't see it, doesn't make it go away. The SOUL of Africa will persevere.

Off topic, but I'm just so excited. I got my Parkour tutorial DVD in the mail!!

Barbed wire has nothing on me!!!

Interesting read.

My only problem is that the U.S. shells out billions of dollars in aid for everything under the sun, and yet we still can't square away New Orleans.

I believe in taking care of your own first, then reaching out...

Greatly off-tangent, but relevant to a discussion of the difficulty of bringing law and order to chaotic conditions is an excellent Australian movie I saw the other day, The Proposition, with Guy Pearce. I will warn anyone who wants to watch it, it richly deserves an R rating. http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=12771&reviewer=128

It is in many senses morally ambiguous, but isn't life like that? So many people, of a certain stripe, see ambiguous situations as calling for inaction. I don't agree. If you study history, you will see a lot of proverbial knifefights in telephone booths. You will see a lot of mistakes, missteps, unnecessary death and suffering, and in spite of it all, an overall advance in freedom and standard of living.

The moral, as I see it, is that a combination of absolute perseverance in basic principles, combined with regular recalibrations, such as are offered by a vigorous democracy, are unstoppable over time.

Even if New York, or L.A. or somewhere else does get blown up, we will rebuild, and likely emerge stronger for it. You cannot stop a people that refuses to quit.

I very much do still view America as the City on the Hill. Our blemishes and imperfections are calls for redoubled efforts, not willing concession to failure.

On the road...found a playground:

"Cindy"
15 rounds even, 24 seconds to spare but nothing left to give.

I feel that this gentlemen is a nay-sayer. You have to have optimism or else you are difintely not going to slove a problem. No only that, but you have to have a beilf that one man or women can change the world. With these cardinal beilfs I do not see how one can not help but to change the world.

SBM, you may find "Maximum Fitness" or one of Stew Smith's programs useful (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578260604?tag=stewsmcomfitn-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1578260604&adid=1YN0JPASNQ91HP6GS542&). (or www.stewsmith.com) It's hardcore, but it works wonders! Also, you need to EAT if you want to gain weight! Keep it healthy though.

As for the article, interesting perspective on life. I've heard some incredibly nasty things about parts of Africa, but I'm not sure I agree with all of the authors's conclusions. Can't help but to remember "Tears of the Sun". And of course... "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing".

Lots of interesting posts!

Barry (#84),

I recently saw a friend of mine from college who had come over here from Africa... Nigeria if I recall correctly. She had a very interesting perspective on things - US politics, the (violent) rise of Islam in her home country, and African politics to name a few. More to your point, she suggested that there already exist many (native) people like you describe. The problem as she put it is that those who are successful and are strong leaders have a short life expectancy in her country... or for that matter, simply voicing the wrong opinion can get you killed.

Additionally, I seem to recall that awhile back the South African gov't was taking the farms from white farmers and giving them to the black populace. If the white families put up any resistance, they could find themselves hacked to death. The underlying story was that the white farmers were successfully cultivating their land - conversely, the black farmers were struggling on their farms. The logic was that the whites must have better land, but once taken over they still had little success. Ultimately it was the Western agricultural techniques used.

It's a sad state of affairs, but all is not hoplessly lost.

Hey CAOC Team,

Got in the Front Squats but did not finish as my wrist was hurting. Got through 4 sets at 135.

2K Jog to the Gym warm up with 2 CFWU and then into the Squats. Finished up with 65lb Goblet Thrusters, 10 X 2 sets. Dips and did some handstand work. I was trying to earn my REST DAY but don't think I did it. I'm going to try the cross grip next time for Front Squats.

Keep the faith, get some and go back for more!

Bill Cattley

Do you get to add time to the WOD if your workout is interupted with Mortar Fire? I'm really looking for any excuse I can find, since it never hits anything anyway!

#55.... If you think #75 is correct and find that frustrating, think of it this way (from a guy who had similar problems).... Take this time to do what Coach recommends, and LEARN THE LIFTS FIRST! get really good form and you will get several benefits: In the short term, you will surprise yourself with how much weight you throw- the more technical, the more benefit. (I WAY out-clean a guy here who benches 315, and I barely get 225) And in the long run, you will have a safer "career" and REALLY be pushing some impressive weight if you get the skill at your young age! I'm 38 and wish I had started at 17!

Blake,

I agree. It's tempting to say "they" are backward. The fact of the matter, though, is that in many of these countries it's survival of the most vicious. The road to political liberalization is a long, lurching, ugly one.

That's why it makes me so mad when people born here with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths are so willing and eager to throw dirt on the sacrifices of our ancestors.

If you study the history of even this country, you will find a progressive increase in rights over time, even for whites. Remember women for the first, what, 120 years or so, didn't have a universal right to vote. Slaves were tolerated for 70 years or so, and it took another 100 years to get blacks the universal right to vote.

Even now, we are far from perfect. I'm well aware there are greedy dishonest corporations out there. I've seen all this first hand.

None of this, though, should cause us to cease striving to realize the progressive increase in human rights and economic well-being throughout the world. This process will at times appear to be a decrease in human rights, and will at times appear exploitative.

However, if you study history, if the shrieking leftists can be kept at bay long enough, good things happen. We won the Cold War in spite of them.

I found a good quote in my planner today, from Victor Hugo: "The future has several names. For the weak, it is the impossible. For the fainthearted, it is the unknown. For the thoughtful and valiant, it is the ideal."

Well, my comments were also very much "tongue-in-cheek". If anything I implied the li'l Kim fella was Mussoliniesque...

From now on I'm gonna stick to trainin'

#102 included the comment: "Slaves were tolerated for 70 years or so..."

Please explain the term "tolerated" in the context used.

I thought the article was interesting, but I disagree with it from a humanitarian and strategic perspective.

From a strategic perspective, if the U.S. doesn't have a presence in Africa, the Chinese and the radical Islamists will. The Chinese will happily arm everyone to the teeth in exchange for oil and minerals, and the Islamists will promote the kind of social policies that have turned out to be so, so helpful to us all in Afghanistan.

On the humanitarian side, people are suffering, and legitimate efforts to solve those problems should be encouraged. However, they have to be tailored to the local mindset, which du Toit rightly points out is different from ours.

Here's an interesting article about someone pushing approaches that are more likely to succeed than the typical "massive foreign aid check" model (where the massive check ends up in someone's Swiss bank account):

http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=23023612

Nice Thanksgiving day article, a real heart-warmer. Maybe instead of helping our fellow man we should wall off entire continents and let people kill themselves. What an idiotic viewpoint!

3/5th compromise and all that. Quite obviously, they were banned in the North fairly early, but it took the Civil War to eradicate the formal institution of slavery in the South. We, Yankees, had to invade what had declared itself to be a sovereign nation. The Civil War is probably the paradigmatic example of moral ambiguity in our nations' history. Personally, my feeling is that the South had the law on its' side. Yet, had Lincoln failed to persevere through a bloody, bloody, at many moments stupid war, it likely would have taken many, many more years to free the slaves.

I see people apparently lacking the elementary ability to think state that because Lincoln did not explicitly fight to free the slaves--rather, his primary goal was to preserve the Union--and because they were not immediately accorded full recognition as equals by their former owners, that the Civil War was really a farce, and Lincoln a contemptible racist.

This is projecting backwards current perceptions into the past. The obvious question is: well, should the North not have fought the South?

"Yes, of course they should have, but they should have made sure everyone had the right to vote and didn't get treated mean. They also should have adhered to Christians theories of "Just War".

"Are you a Christian?"

"No, but the point is the same, because he said he was."

"Is it realistic to think that universal racist sentiment would be fully overturned overnight, particularly given the cultural gap between the forcibly uneducated former slaves, and their owners?"

"Well, it's the right thing to do, so they should have done it."

"But what in your experience would lead you to believe that was a reasonable expectation, especially in the aftermath of a spectacularly sanguinary war?"

"There is just plain no excuse for racism."

While true enough, you have to ask from history what is possible, not what is ideal. The second approach I call putting 55 rocks in a 52 rock jar. Something has to give.

I went into this lengthy monologue, because I wanted to make a point about the article.

Part of the physical effect of the WOD is what we might term provocation. Your body, complacent in whatever homeostatic condition it finds itself, is regularly surprised by something new. Looked at another way, the neuroendocrine response is a way for your “metabolic intelligence” to stay "on guard".

If you get thrown into outer space with emotion by the posting of something you really disagree with--to the point that you feel the need sever any bonds of loyalty you may feel to this community--then I would argue that what you are in effect doing is failing to do the WOD because it isn't bicep curls or bench press, which is what you're used to. You're forcibly maintaining an intellectually homeostatic state, by failing to internalize the new stimulus.

For me, personally, I've done enough WOD's that I am fully confident that no matter what is posted, I will make it through in some version in some period of time. That's all that matters to me, personally. Same with ideas. I read leftist stuff. It doesn't bother me, it bores me. The plot is always the same. There is no difference between Iran, Iraq, North Korea, the Palestine Authority, etc. It's always our fault, and there's usually no effort even to fill in any basic details.

Even if Kim is fully serious and sincere, can anyone doubt she is alone? Isn't it imaginable to reach a state where you really don't care what happens to people you’ve tried repeatedly to help, but who nonetheless persist in internecine and endless fighting? Haven't most of you parents got to that point at some point with your kids? "Go argue somewhere else and leave me alone."

This is obviously not an admirable stance, and I've tried to offer a number of possible solutions. At the same time, it is manifestly obvious to me that our freedom of speech has been radically restricted by concerns about political propriety. This woman is neither contemptible nor wrong, in that this is her opinion.

The only basis for judging her is that we, as a nation presumably, ought to feel a moral responsibility for raising up poor nations. This used to be called the White Man's Burden, and was run out of town by leftists, because it generally implied colonialism. You know what? I'm not 100% certain on the details for every nation, but I'd hazard a guess that most African nations had much lower homicide rates while being ruled by European nations, even counting politically oppressive “security” measures. If the goal is stability, most or all African nations simply lack the political history to maintain it. Colonialism, in this sense, amounted to a form of apprenticeship, which was cut short for political reasons. Now, our would-be tradesmen are muffing the job of running their own countries. They lack the political and social framework for success.

Now, again, we are supposed to feel a responsibility for nations that kicked out their colonizers, and now are demonstrating that they in effect need adult supervision. You can't have it both ways.

I'm oversimplifying, of course, and do feel we should do our work, but it's quite galling to be criticized on the one hand for imperialism, and on the other for indifference.

"So, what do you want?"

"I want a perfect world, with no work, no pain and unlimited money."

“How do you propose we get there?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll do my part to let you know every time you make a mistake. Have at it. Good luck. Or not, you racist, imperialistic pig.”

I think I've posted this before, but there appears to be a correlation between length of colonization, and standard of living.

http://www.slate.com/id/2151852/

Per the study:
"Each additional century of European colonization is associated with a 40 percent boost in income today and a reduction in infant mortality of 2.6 deaths per 1,000 births."

Who was the best colonizer? The Great Satan. Obviously.

Barry Cooper,
Thanks again for the education.

For those who disagree with the rest day topics (or that such should even be posted on this "fitness site"), getting a chance to read BCoop is good enough reason to have them, IMO. Or some of the other thoughtful posters who actually offer something on these days. Barry just happens to be the most consistent in my time here. Brian M usually adds something thought provoking, as well as some others.

Cheers, ladies and gents. Wish I had time to say more.

Dale,

Thanks, as always.

It occurred to me that the logic obviously extends to Iraq. They are in effect our colony at the moment, although we are doing our level best to stand them up as a self-supporting nation. The same sense of responsibilty some people feel we should bring to the topic of poverty and violence in Africa applies doubly in the case of Iraq. With a couple glaring differences, it would not be grossly off the mark to say our occupation of the nation is at this moment akin to the latter stages of the British Empire, when everyone was in revolt. When the British withdrew, in almost all cases massive bloodshed resulted.

The glaring differences are these:

1) We invaded to take out a tyrant who showed every sign of having the desire and (future) ability to manufacture WMD's, and the desire and ability to use them to arm our enemies. The long term occupation of the country was, to put it mildly, not part of the plan.

2) Unlike the British, we have never employed a policy of "divide and conquer". We are trying to get everyone to get along.

In asking the question as to the wisdom and ethics of a summary withdrawal, as counseled by our American Chickens, let's look at it this way: are we in effect saying, let's build "a high wall around the whole [country], all the guns and bombs in the world for everyone inside, and at the end, the last one alive should do us all a favor and kill himself."?

It's a valid question.

From where I'm sitting, we made the mess, we need to fix it. By doing that we build our credibility around the world, deter terrorists, and get to look at ourselves in the mirror without cringing.

This world is a messy place. Anyone who doesn't understand that from personal experience, I envy, but don't respect.

Hobbes was so right in many ways.