Category Archives: Politics
Brexit, illustrated with food
(Thanks to Subb-an for the photo.)
Different Professions of Faith
In Sicily, many people openly display their Christian belief by putting up images or statutes of Jesus or Mary next to their front door: The neighbour at number 59 counters with a completely different but equally public profession of faith: … Continue reading
How Brazilians reacted to the Impeachment
First reactions from the streets of Brazil after the news broke that Congress had voted to initiate an impeachment proceeding against President Dilma Rousseff:
Easily Confused (57) Coup in Brazil
1889, that was a coup when the military toppled the Brazilian emperor Pedro II and forced him into exile. 1964, that was a coup which lead to 20 years of military dictatorship. 2016, that is, contrary to some angry rhetoric and calls of “coup” … Continue reading
The Stages of Protest in Bolivia
I have fallen so much for Bolivia that it’s hard to say what I like most. But the lively political and social debates, the culture of discussion, the broad interest in questions that concern all of society, the readiness to … Continue reading
“The New Yorker” confirms my warning about terrorist geeks
Exactly three years ago, I had outlined the way to detect terror suspects. Without racial profiling (which is illegal and doesn’t work), without torture (illegal and doesn’t work), carpet bombing (costly and cannot be applied in North America and Europe). In … Continue reading
Cuba, before the Americans are coming
As soon as I had announced that I would move to Latin America, the unsolicited advice began knocking on my door. From all four corners of the world, the recommendations arrived, yet they were so identical as if they were based on one and the same … Continue reading
Bolivia: Constitutional Law on Drugs
The hotel at which I stayed in San José de Chiquitos (I didn’t find any Couchsurfing host there) banned not only the indoor use of dogs, cats and cigarettes, but also of coca leaves. This prohibition surprised me because coca leaves … Continue reading
The Vice President explains the Telenovela
In most countries, the job of Vice President is limited to sitting around and waiting for the President to die. In Bolivia, the Vice President’s job includes explaining the cast of the country’s leading telenovela. Which is a tough job, because there … Continue reading
Easily Confused (56) Republican debates
How Republican debates used to be: How Republican debates look now: Even I, as someone who is very interested in politics, have stopped watching these debates. There is nothing new to be learned from them, there is nothing of substance. … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 