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| This time he says he didn't know the adoption was permanent. He says he did not understand what he signed.
Anyway, the Malawian government, I repeat, is to blame for all this. If they weren't so eager to process this adoption for the convenience of a celebrity, maybe somebody would have taken the time to explain what was going on to the illiterate baby daddy.
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| What kind of sicko pays money to watch animals copulate? People in Oslo, apparently.
The Oslo museum of national history is hosting an exhibit about gay wildlife. Predictably, this has drawn the ire of conservatives. The idea of the exhibit is to point out that "homosexuality is not against nature".
First off, anybody who believes homosexuality is not natural is naive, uninformed or dense. I guess, in that sense, this exhibit is welcome.
However, I believe the debate about homosexuality is often too simplistic. It has settled into one of unnatural vs natural, or life choice vs genetic fate. Listen, homicidal tendencies can have genetic backing, as can any number of behavioral traits, good and bad. That is not enough to decide whether they should be accepted. I am not saying homosexuality is wrong. I am simply asserting that the debate has to move to more important points, like whether or not it is detrimental to society (which I do not believe it is).
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| After a hard day's work of saving Africa, madonna likes to relax by putting on her favourite crown of thorns and stretching out on a cross. OK, that is a hard day's work for Madonna. It's a part of a concert of hers that NBC will air. They'll air the concert, not the crucifixion.
Christian groups vowed boycott if the clip was aired. Others are yelling free speech.
Here's what I say.
NBC has the final say.
NBC is probably more concerned about the bottomline. They probably are afraid of offending viewers. Their prerogative.
Madonna says she did not mean to offend, and I take her at her word. The way I took the Danish cartoonists at their word. However, like in that scenario, one must realise when one's work does offend. I'm not saying don't express yourself. I'm saying don't be so shocked when your expression is not broadcast, or is met with riots or burnings in effigy. Humans are touchy that way.
I personally do not find the crucifixion offensive. Just a little too... disco. I much preferred the classic wooden cross from Nas' "Hate me now".
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| Well, the saga of the Maternal Girl and her Caramel Kid continues. The boy's father (is he Madonna's baby-daddy?) says the advocacy groups challenging the adoption should go suck on a lemon. "Where were these people", he asks, "when David was struggling in the orphanage?" Where were you, papi, but that's another story.
Here's my take on the whole thing:
I assume Madonna has heartfelt reasons for wanting to adopt. God bless her for that.
I do not believe in interracial adoption, ESPECIALLY when that also entails intercultural adoption. The psyche of an adopted child is troubled as it is without a crisis of ethnic identity.
I am annoyed at the way African governments are so quick to bend the rules when it involves Euro-American celebrities, potential investors, or anyone with money to spend. If Madonna wants to adopt a Malawian, so be it, but shouldn't the Government be making sure due process is followed?
I am annoyed at rich Africans. If they did their bit and gave the way the Madonnas and Bonos and Jolie-Pitts do, would our poorer brethren be subjected to the indignities they currently endure? Would their fly-visited faces be scanned on every TV north of the equator? Would the removal of their infants from home and culture run the risk of becoming another celebrity fad for the bored West? I don't think so.
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| Some things on my mind after watching Gangs of New York again.
Americans are made, not born.
The truest distinction on Earth is Haves vs Have Nots.
The Have Nots are often the people least aware of who their true adversary is.
American is a religious affiliation, not a nationality.
A man's personal journey must always come first. Race, religious and national duties are actually choices. They must come from an individual's personal realisation, and not from external obligation. Otherwise, he is nothing but a slave.
Haves and Have Nots span the world. The Mexican crossing the border to get better wages is on the same side as the American who lost his job, who is on the same side as the guy in India who got it.
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