Comments for A Glimpse of the World

Comment on Thomas A. Johnson: N.Y. Times Reporter Covered Vietnam, Civil Rights by Chiara

Chiara — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:35:34 +0000

My friend just forwarded this article to me today. Thank you for remembering my grandfather in your post.

Comment on The Perils of American Exceptionalism by Kim

Kim — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:55:32 +0000

Silly and dangerous are not mutually exclusive, sadly.

Comment on What does it mean to be fluent? by fatou2002

fatou2002 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:42:46 +0000

Love you post. Didn't know the term splicing, but it happens to me with my only two African languages (Jula (Dioula) which i've been using for 12 years and Amharic - which I started learning 1,5 years ago). It seems my brain has a box for African languages. My other 7 languages (all European) have less of an splicing issue, though Italian sometimes suffers when I am speaking it surrounded by French (and then all the 'faux amis' come out).
Hope to be able to speak either Japanese or Chinese one day. My Chinese for the moment is limited to This is a nice notebook. I am a student. And what are you doing tonight?- I guess it could make for a nice pick up line.

Comment on What does it mean to be fluent? by Sunday Reading « zunguzungu

Sunday Reading « zunguzungu — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:58:07 +0000

[...] What does it mean to be fluent? [...]

Comment on Havel, China and Africa by Hao Hao Report

Hao Hao Report — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:32:09 +0000

Someone thinks this story is fantastic...

This story was submitted to Hao Hao Report - a collection of China's best stories and blog posts. If you like this story, be sure to go vote for it....

Comment on The accidental universe: Science’s crisis of faith by gregorylent

gregorylent — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:02:23 +0000

really wish scientists would allow themselves to listen to mystics ... none of the above is new, except to scientists ... there are other ways of knowing, eh?

Comment on Dancing in the Glory of Monsters – a new best read by Rodney

Rodney — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:21:20 +0000

Will look for Jason Stearns's book and read it. Andrew Rice wrote a truly exceptional book, for all the reasons you mention. I used to wonder how he got the Ugandans to share with him certain stories, to come up with words that were, as in one memorable case, untranslatable. It was after I read more about him, and then some of his other stories from Africa, that I realized he is not a hit-and-run reporter. He wants the facts as much as the truth.

Comment on Discrediting Elections, Wasting Lives, Undermining the Congo by And Once More the World Shrugs at the Congo | Writings | A Glimpse of the World

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:32:57 +0000

[...] Discrediting Elections, Wasting Lives, Undermining the Congo [...]

Comment on Reference Points by Your Crib Sheet for Covering African Elections, in Congo and beyond › Jina Moore

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:49:26 +0000

[...] above. Just fill in the blanks with the relevant details. Whatever you do, don't get distracted by actually talking to citizens of the country you're covering. Especially [...]

Comment on Discrediting Elections, Wasting Lives, Undermining the Congo by Nkunda

Nkunda — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:21:13 +0000

Excellent piece, Mr. French. As usual, your posts are very thought provoking in what is otherwise a highly repetitive conversation. As a Rwandan, and one of those "people called Hutu", I lost hope in elections long time ago. My impression is that, nowadays, stability seems to be more of a focus. Democracy seems to have somewhat taken the back seat. Of course, this will be fascinating to watch, especially given the rise of China as a new global power--an area in which you have more expertise than most.

The failures on Congo are without doubt many. And the west is a little embarrassed by them. Once again, window dressing solutions are preferred. Elections are part of this game, and being used as a way to legitimize unpopular regimes whether in Gabon, Uganda,E.Guinea, Rwanda, Ethiopia or the DRC. I personally do not expect the approach to the DRC to be any different.

What we should be calling for, and it might sound cliche to some, is for the west to re-prioritize democracy. This might be the best strategy for them, given rivalry from the East.

Comment on Discrediting Elections, Wasting Lives, Undermining the Congo by howard

howard — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:20:06 +0000

The comment you refer to about the Carter Center is a sentiment I've received from a friend and passed along in my post. The words are not mine, but I understand and sympathize with the frustrated feeling behind them; it is a feeling that is becoming more common as charades like this are allowed to pass. It may well be that holding elections at all in a place like present-day DRC isn't a great idea, that building some basic institutions first, strengthening woefully inadequate infrastructure, providing more basic services to citizens, i.e. education, primary health care, agricultural extension services, etc., should be regarded as higher immediate priorities. This is not for me to say, and is well beyond the scope of this post. Pretending, though, means getting half-way behind elections, which is a catastrophically bad idea. It means providing just enough wherewithal to technically pull off the exercise, however, sloppy, chaotic, flawed or even stolen. Once the votes are tallied, however lacking in transparency the process, the enablers in the international community have no stomach or patience or political will for quibbling. Yes, they may issue some bureaucratic language about flaws in the process, but their basic message is: "OK, done. Now get on with it." This discredits them. It discredits democracy as a process or ideal. And it sets countries like Congo back even further. I am pleased to note the Carter Center's most recent statement on the elections, which deserve a wide reading: http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/drc-121011.html

Comment on Discrediting Elections, Wasting Lives, Undermining the Congo by Kabeya

Kabeya — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:14:36 +0000

@David, I hope you honestly don't know what Howard is talking about, because if you do, it is this kind of hypocrisy that some of us in Congo are tired of. If you honestly don't know anything about what leaders in some Western countries do in our great nation, I suggest you hold on to your comments. By doing that, you are helping save a country.

Comment on Discrediting Elections, Wasting Lives, Undermining the Congo by David Aronson

David Aronson — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:36:43 +0000

Hmmm. Not quite sure what the target of this piece is. The Carter Center? (But why?) Western diplomats, for not investing the sums necessary to foster more robust elections? (But with whose cash?) Or the idea of holding elections at all, in a place like DRC? (In lieu of ...?)
Which people, more precisely, are in which rooms, doing what sort of pretending? (But amen to all that other s#@t, about the Clinton-era duplicity.)

Comment on How Africa Gets Covered (or Doesn’t) by Obi Emekekwue

Obi Emekekwue — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:41:17 +0000

Very instructive. As long as coverage of Africa remains so superficial, so long will the American public continue to misunderstand the continent. Very little in Africa fits within the context of "Across Africa". So much difference abounds within the regions, and even countries, that any general reference to Africa says very little, if anything at all.

Comment on The Bastards We Know by mabeleyalumumba

mabeleyalumumba — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:50:39 +0000

Thank you for being true to facts and democratic principles.

Comment on How Africa Gets Covered (or Doesn’t) by Re-learning how to write about Africa « « MyWeku.com MyWeku.com

Re-learning how to write about Africa « « MyWeku.com MyWeku.com — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:38:27 +0000

[...] The assignment required little-to-no preparation, no languages, no history or study. All you needed was a young reporter willing to plunge into chaos and mayhem and black mischief and serve up the goods, colorfully if you please. It is the continent where newspapers and magazines, and long, long ago, American television networks, figured that they could get away with a single bureau to cover all of the “black’ part. (North Africa, the “white” part, was traditionally stripped off and arbitrarily attached to the Middle East, or to southern Europe. Continue here. [...]

Comment on Newt Gingrich, Maureen Dowd and the Congo… by Dan

Dan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:37:27 +0000

Insightful!

Comment on Children of the Mountain (Gorongosa, Mozambique – July 2011) by kombizz

kombizz — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:00:06 +0000

I wonder if there are any better future for these kids whom you took their images?
You travelled well enough and I am sure you have some kind of idea to share with me and others those who believe in peace & harmony in this world.
If your openin is negative don't share because we all are witness, and if you have a positive one, please share and give lit to our darkened heart.
Namaste'

Comment on Children of the Mountain (Gorongosa, Mozambique – July 2011) by Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:18:35 +0000

These are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them.

Comment on Children of the Mountain (Gorongosa, Mozambique – July 2011) by Children of Gorongosa « Afronline – The Voice Of Africa

Children of Gorongosa « Afronline – The Voice Of Africa — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:34:10 +0000

[...] Here‘s the full set. [...]

Comment on Children of the Mountain (Gorongosa, Mozambique – July 2011) by Children of Gorongosa « Africa is a Country

Children of Gorongosa « Africa is a Country — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:00:21 +0000

[...] Here‘s the full set. GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); GA_googleAddAttr("theme_bg", "ffffff"); GA_googleAddAttr("theme_text", "333333"); GA_googleAddAttr("theme_link", "772124"); GA_googleAddAttr("theme_border", "eeeeee"); GA_googleAddAttr("theme_url", "58181b"); GA_googleAddAttr("LangId", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Autotag", "entertainment"); GA_googleAddAttr("Autotag", "travel"); GA_googleAddAttr("Autotag", "technology"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "journalism"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "photography"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "children"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "e-o-wilson"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "gorongosa"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "howard-french"); GA_googleFillSlot("wpcom_sharethrough"); Rate this: Share this:SharePrintFacebookTwitterEmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. from → journalism, photography ← ‘Let’s pray that this is one bit of culture that won’t make it out of Africa’ No comments yet [...]

Comment on Bill Evans – Live at the Village Vanguard by Kent Matowitz

Kent Matowitz — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:37:03 +0000

Hey Howard, Interesting to hear you're listening to Bill Evans. Another classic from that period is "Explorations,' also with Lefaro. It seems like so much of the jazz from that time is ignored or forgotten, and it was such an incredible period in american music. Much of what I listen to is jazz from the 50's and early 60's. Some other less-known essentials from that period are "This is Our Music' by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, Charles Mingus' 'Pithecanthropus Erectus,' and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' 'At the Corner of the Jazz World.' If you're not familiar with them they're worth checking out. I've got an old tube amp from the 60's that I've been nurturing along, and like to listen to the original vinyl. You really need an analog system to do justice to those old recordings. Kent

Comment on Online Review by Makendra

Makendra — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:26:30 +0000

This site is like a clasrsoom, except I don't hate it. lol

Comment on Do We Have the Congo Rape Crisis All Wrong? by Luke Easter

Luke Easter — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:56:35 +0000

Congo

If only America the great protector could be so bold,
Ah! But, there’s no diamonds, no oil, aka black gold,
So why are we still in Afghanistan? How come Iraq?
Is not being gang raped 10 at a time a serious attack?

And yet it would be hard to help those away from home,
While in military academies we cannot protect our own,
The case for innocence, Jamie Leigh Jones & all the rest,
In uniform, LaVena Johnson, Amy Tirador, Morganne McBeth.

Brutal mass rapes in D.R. Congo occur on a daily basis,
We shudder to think of tears mixed in with bloody faces,
Surely after you have been repeatedly beaten by throngs,
It’s death or you accept defeat & painfully suffer wrong.

Sometimes 100 helpless women are kidnapped in one night,
As it is impossible with a gun in your face to put up a fight,
Democratic Republic of Congo is a woman’s worst nightmare,
However, if America won’t get justice here how will they there?

And these aren’t rumors of unrest because the reports are factual,
Any entity ready, willing & able to assist Amnesty International?
Some say it is their government’s fault, after all they are corrupt,
Villages of old men, women & children yes they’re sitting ducks.

Okay, billions are pledged to save the failing economy of Greece,
High tech weapons for good guys are stolen from Mexican Police,
Nothing more than armed street thugs, this army of the Congolese,
Waiting on our help what’s the saying about hell beginning to freeze?

Where there is no monetary reward how little we value others lives,
More coverage in America about Saudi women not allowed to drive,
Make an effort to check, http://www.atma-foundation.org as it’s a sure bet,
Until something valuable is found in the Congo, our country will forget.

Comment on Kafka on the Shore by Murakami Returns (Soon) « Write-Brained

Murakami Returns (Soon) « Write-Brained — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:20:34 +0000

[...] fog that Murakami likes encircle the reader’s imagination with. As Howard French mentioned in a mini-review of “Kafka On the Shore” (2005), “some say there’s no there there,” but like French, I can’t help [...]

Comment on Wind-Down Bird by Lady

Lady — Sun, 29 May 2011 16:49:57 +0000

I find that readers respond very well to posts that present your personal weaknesses, failings and the gaps in your individual information relatively than those posts the place you come across as figuring out every thing there is to know on a topic. People are attracted to humility and are extra possible to answer it than a post written in a tone of somebody who would possibly harshly reply to their comments.

Comment on Video commentary on African rape by Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:09:20 +0000

Thank you for this -- I was wondering about this issue myself. In particular, I notice it in student papers on conflict -- they are particularly drawn to discussions of rape as a human rights violation for their topics, but they tend to ignore murder.

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Munya

Munya — Mon, 02 May 2011 20:19:09 +0000

Howard,

I 'met' you by chance when I saw your book at the library, A continent for the Taking, a book that lays bare some perennial problems that have always impacted on Africa. I was touched how you got malaria while in Congo DRC and called your father, whom you said had a lot of knowledge about Africa. He must have been a caring man, besides having time for the world, he could still take a moment to listen to his children. May his soul rest in peace.

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Greg Carr

Greg Carr — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:44:11 +0000

Thank you for the life and work of your parents, and for the example of service to African people and to humanity that Dr. French's brilliant work set for us all. I will raise his name this morning in class and have encouraged the Office of University Communications to make sure that the Howard University community be made aware of Dr. French's passing. May the Creator and the Ancestors receive his spirit back into the great oneness.

Sincerely,
Greg Carr
Chair, Department of Afro American Studies
Howard University

Comment on On 50 Years of African Independence by Dallas Browne

Dallas Browne — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:12:19 +0000

Can you recommend a good literary agent? I want to publish a book on African Culture.

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Brett Cole

Brett Cole — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:09:09 +0000

Dear Mr French

Your father was indeed a remarkable man. My commiserations. My he rest in peace.

Sincerely

Brett Cole

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Sheila Thomas

Sheila Thomas — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:03:33 +0000

Howard,

Sending condolences to you and yours. Your father's life and legacy are truly reflected in all of you.

I'll see you at the memorial.

Your cousin, Sheila Thomas

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Ryan Steele

Ryan Steele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:39:44 +0000

My thoughts and condolences go out to you and the rest of your family, Howard. His story serves as an inspiration for us all.

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Carla Thomas

Carla Thomas — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:34:20 +0000

Howard, I am so saddened to hear of your father's passing, but I will continue to be inspired by his example and lifted up by his sweetness for the rest of my life.

Your cousin, Carla Thomas

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Maxine B. Baker

Maxine B. Baker — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:18:06 +0000

Howard, my heart is heavy having heard of the passing of your father. Knowing him was a true blessing in my life. As a child, at the Garden of Children, I remember what a huge figure he was and was in aware of his accomplishment reaching out to mankind. Your generation and the ones that follow had an amazing teacher in your father. May God bless all the French family.

Comment on Remembering Dr. David M. French by Brad Nicholson

Brad Nicholson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:09:46 +0000

Howard, My condolences to you and my sympathies to your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Brad Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Comment on Congo in Harlem by facebook

facebook — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:56:14 +0000

i love it

Comment on Eastern bloc rising: China and Japan‚Äôs emerging symbiosis could shift the locus of modern power completely away from the West, Howard W French writes. by Fred Flintstone

Fred Flintstone — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:16:58 +0000

While it is the conventional wisdom, I disagree that Japan needs to import people. Nursing aides perhaps, but I think the demographic shrinkage of the working-age population will just pull more people from being underemployed back into proper employment.
The relative size of China (and India) vs. Japan is rather sobering.
What does Japan bring to the table this century? Their academic sector is isolated, their industrial organization is parlous, the national finances stretched. China can still profit from Japan via industrial espionage perhaps, but I think Japan's time in the sun is about up. The mass misinvestment of the 1980s and poor adjustment in the 90s may prove to be irrecoverable.

Comment on New BBC Feature on ‘Disappearing Shanghai’ by Pangea Proxima

Pangea Proxima — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:14:23 +0000

Congratulations...I hope these images get a wide viewing before they slip into history...

Comment on Can China become the World’s Leading Country? by Micah Sittig

Micah Sittig — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:19:36 +0000

There's a difference between being the biggest most powerful country and being the leading country. CF the line from that rant by cuckolded CCTV host Hu Ziwei: ‚ÄúThe Olympics will be here next year, the whole world pays great attention to China, but without a proper value system, China is far from a great country.‚Äù http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/01/china-has-a-morality-crisis-xujun-eberlein/

Comment on Letter from China: Shanghai Is Sprucing Up Its Image by coolhead

coolhead — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:41:13 +0000

If the World Expo is to be held in NY, will the city try to cover up the subway graffiti? Probably not, because this is already world (in)famous, too late to hide. But Shanghai is not as well known around the world as NY, so their face skin is not as thick yet. Besides, why not use this as an incentive to do some cleaning up that should have been done anyway? When you invite some guests to your home, do you clean up your home in addition to your welcoming smile? Give them some credit, man,:) unless you do want to see Shanghai as a messy city. At least their Metro is much better than the good old NY subway, isn't it.

Comment on Letter from China: Shanghai Is Sprucing Up Its Image by coolhead

coolhead — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:29:10 +0000

I mean "don't take it too seriously".

Comment on Letter from China: Shanghai Is Sprucing Up Its Image by coolhead

coolhead — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:25:44 +0000

The Chinese do lack the habit of a warm "hello" and smile to strangers. But they do the same to all strangers, Chinese or foreigners. They do talk about a stranger, Chinese or foreigner, in the stranger's presence, probably because they think their talk is neutral, not hostile, so no need to hide. "Lao wai" is a neutral slang, albeit not as pleasant as a formal "gentleman" or "sir". So don't take serious, though I do hope the Chinese will develop the habit of a warm "hello" and smile. After all, if you ask the people, who just talked about you "lao wai" in your presence, for help, I am sure they will usually gladly help you, won't they?

Comment on Too Late to Talk About Xinjiang? by coolhead

coolhead — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:28:07 +0000

In China, no one gets jailed for wearing their own ethnic clothing or speak their own language at home or in streets. People do have this level of freedom in China. Claiming that China is out to destroy minority cultures is simply exaggeration out of some exiles' own political agenda.

Comment on Too Late to Talk About Xinjiang? by coolhead

coolhead — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:22:42 +0000

The Han Chinese do not wear their traditional costume in daily life either. They wear shirts, jackets, pants, T-shirts, etc. which are not traditionally Chinese. So are the Han Chinese destroying their own culture too? Lots of fuss about nothing.

Comment on Too Late to Talk About Xinjiang? by coolhead

coolhead — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:20:04 +0000

The book "Xinjiang: China's Muslim borderland" by S. Frederick Starr gives detailed information and statistics about the education system in Xinjiang. There are both Uighur and Chinese language schools. People can choose which ones to go to, though usually learning Mandarin is more beneficial for finding good jobs. The chapter also shows the efforts made by the government to improve education in XinJiang, the results and comparison, tables, numbers... It shows that it is false to claim that the Chinese government is destroying the Uighur language. This is the link to Google books. http://books.google.com/books?id=FHq7lb1Pb8UC&pg=PA194&lpg=PA194&dq=xinj...

Comment on New BBC Feature on ‘Disappearing Shanghai’ by coolhead

coolhead — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:58:03 +0000

Hi, Mr. French,
Have you taken photos of run-down American inner city quarters? I understand the beauty in those ordinary people as captured by your camera. I am sure they were so glad that they would be moving to better apartments and better life, leaving behind the old quarters only in your photos. This "wonderland" to you is kinda like Brooklyn to a Chinese. The only difference is that the old Shanghai quarters are disappearing fast while the old Brooklyn quarters don't.

Comment on Will Japan Ever Grow Up? by Noah Kristula-Green

Noah Kristula-Green — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:46:09 +0000

Much of the essay rings true to me and reminds me of my own time in Japan. I doubt that the mandate that may be given to the DPJ really reflects the start of any sort of change in Japan. It just seems that there is no other alternative and so the Japanese are voting for the only other party that has a chance to govern, without much regard to what their policies might be, or how skilled they will be in governing.
I also can't see a way out for Japanese culture in this mess, the habits are too strongly set.

Comment on About Howard W. French by SwordOfScotland

SwordOfScotland — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:55:45 +0000

I am new to this site, but the artcles, commentary, photographs,and reading list appear very intriguing to mr.

Comment on It’s nice to see likable Steve Nash win the NBA’s MVP award, but come on. Was race a factor? by ff

ff — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:41:14 +0000

You can't be serious?
Nash made Stoudemire - even Shaq admitted as much on several occasions. So Nash makes someone an MVP candidate, helps others, and does very well himself, yet he is not an MVP candidate?

Comment on China’s new intelligentsia by Shannon Baker

Shannon Baker — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:37:33 +0000

Comment on Cormac McCarthy would rather hang out with physicists than other writers. He doesn’t do blurbs, book tours, or even Oprah. by BillGee

BillGee — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:41:58 +0000

McCarthy's use of post modern prose is unparalled.
His use of story and character unparalled.
The Coen boys did a decent job of adaption but missed the point entirely. In the book, Chigurgh did not have to be expressed as pure evil. As with all all great fiction it is shown not said.
McCarthy is pure genius.
Who are the other great writers of the post Bellows-Mailer-Updike (late 20th century) group.

Comment on Cheering for Goliath by DrFeerchaild

DrFeerchaild — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:24:03 +0000

Comment on Cheering for Goliath by DrFeerchaild

DrFeerchaild — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:21:33 +0000

In the Confucian moral framework, it may be the case that other cultures and
moral systems are implicitly downgraded to second-class status. But that‚Äôs
no different than Christianity and other universalising traditions that aim
to spread their values to the rest of the world. And for minority groups in
China, the practical choice is between harsh legalism and hands-off
Confucianism. Clearly the latter is preferable.

Comment on Cheering for Goliath by DrFeerchaild

DrFeerchaild — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:16:35 +0000

Comment on About Howard W. French by Ralph Tindal

Ralph Tindal — Sat, 30 May 2009 10:23:06 +0000

Intrigued by the challenges faced by two friends recented posted at the new AFRICOM HQ, I have been reading about the continent with considerable and renewed interest. A grad student on my staff with a strong interest in Africa recommended your book to me. Your descriptions of the people. the environment and the challenges were exceptionally interesting. Once again, I found that reading books written by journalists provide me with the clearest insights into regions of the world. "Applause" for your excellent book.
Having just finished your book, I went to Wiki to learn more about what you have done or are planning to accomplish. Your project on Shanghai sounds very interesting. I spent a week there last Fall; my first visit to China. I observed and was saddened even then by the loss of historical context and living art that will result from the "disappearing" city. I am delighted that you are trying to capture the essence before it is too late to do so.
Best wishes for your own future and your endeavors.

Comment on Africa’s Freedom Railway: How a Chinese Development Project Changed Lives and Livelihoods in Tanzania by Simon

Simon — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:11:00 +0000

This is a topic of my interest.

Comment on Steelers MVP Gives S. Korea a Most Valuable Perspective by Ki

Ki — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:26:39 +0000

Dear Ilonzo1 As a Korean-American, who grew up in Korea, I sincerely appologize. Through media reports and TV shows, I know what you have experienced is true. I hope you understand that it's been only 10 or 15 years Korea has seen influx of forigners. Believe me when I say Korea is going through a hugh change. There are a lot of inter-racial marriges (with black or white) and because of that people's perception has changed. I have a suggestion for you: Why don't you just go? Go and tackle the issue firsthand. Beleive me! If you befriend Koreans, they will be your friends forever. I want to send you a link about Lt. Colonel Andrew Bossard. Take care and I hope you go to Korea and find out what a beautiful country Korea truly is! http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=63285&archive=true http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812290002.html

Comment on Steelers MVP Gives S. Korea a Most Valuable Perspective by llonzo1

llonzo1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:16:41 +0000

I can relate as a dark-skinned, college educated African-American. Twice I have applied to teach english in Seoul, Korea not only did I take the time to get my passport, obtain every single document required and send it UPS which cost me lots of money but I purchased a plane ticket only to be told that more documentation about me was needed, but over the phone the director of those schools claimed that they liked me and was looking forward to me coming there but once I sent my picture and I am a handsome looking guy, they had a change of heart and set up barriers that pretty much crushed me psychologically. I couldn't figure out how a man who possessed a Master's Degree from America could not get a position as a teacher in S. Korea, but it goes to show you how racism is alive and well in Asia despite the election of an African-American president here in one of the most progressive countries in the world, America.

Comment on If Kagame doesn’t rein in Nkunda, we should tell him we won’t fund him. by johndoe

johndoe — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:24:05 +0000

At least, everyone is finally saying what the people of Kivu have known for years: greed is the fuel of this conflict, not ethnicity.
an humanitarian worker in Goma, DRC

Comment on A Transition by Midnight Breakfast

Midnight Breakfast — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:34:44 +0000

Any update on your "first attempt at fiction"? What's it about?

Comment on The Olympics: An Alternative Medals Table by roger

roger — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:55:05 +0000

thanks for some really inspiring reflections! I found this interactive chart widget, that illustrates some of your points: http://www.clearspring.com/widgets/48abc6bc903b61d0 Australia is pretty well positioned!

Comment on A Transition by Dan Harris

Dan Harris — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:03:33 +0000

Damn. I just did a post talking about how balanced, insightful reporting on China, like yours, is so rare. Good luck in your new job though.

Comment on Beneath Olympic glitter, a 20th-century mindset by PB

PB — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:51:12 +0000

Amen. It is difficult not to be impressed by the sheer scale and audacity of the great Chinese urban transformation, but it is refreshing to see opinions such as yours which delve deeper than the now-standard and tiresome "China is the future" hyperbole.
I, for one, remain completely puzzled as to how the "La Defence meets Los Angeles" form of contemporary Beijing remains a potent symbol of the future for so many- it is perhaps more appropriate to declare Beijing the last great city of the 20th century than any sort of model for the 21st.
All the snazzy new mega-projects (designed, perhaps fittingly, by European architects liberated from all constraint and accountability) might be interesting from a pure design perspective, but they say next to nothing about how China is going to deal with the monumental challenges to come.

Comment on China’s SATIf the SAT lasted two days, covered everything you’d ever studied, and decided your future. by Chinese Polyglot

Chinese Polyglot — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:38:32 +0000

Hello, I enjoyed reading your article. Just a minor point to clarify is that "Gaokao", while your direct translation of "kao" for high is accurate, it is not, however, an indication of the test's perceived level of difficulty, despite the fact that it is a challenging examination. It is, rather, the abbreviated word for "gaozhong", or high-school. Thus the term "gaokao" really means high-school final examination, which is, as you accurately compare, closely related to America's version of the SAT.

Comment on Living Carelessly in Tokyo and Elsewhere by Shanghai Girl

Shanghai Girl — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:13:34 +0000

I read Nathan's memoirs and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact I thought about Mr. French when I saw the "Howard French" blurb and wondered if it was the same Howard W. French, as he's known to the NYTimes readers. And he is! Thanks for the recommendation. -- Vivian Yang, New York/Shanghai

Comment on Cormac McCarthy would rather hang out with physicists than other writers. He doesn’t do blurbs, book tours, or even Oprah. by Ron

Ron — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:50:18 +0000

The review of "No Country for Old Men" notes that "it has the structure of genre fiction and film ..." Subsequent reviews have made similar, almost disdainful, observations about the book. I believe that does not do the character of Sheriff Bell justice, and even less Chigurh. McCarthy meets his social obligation by judging Chigurh "pure evil" in the interview. (Is this why he doesn't like them?) Many reviewers label Chigurh a psychopath and avoid his eyes. But Chigurh is also philosopher who shows much more than he directs soliloquies -- though they are there waiting to be hermeneutically unsealed. And is not Bell in his frequent soliloquies, among other things, a theologian?

Comment on The need for unanimity in China exacts a hidden price by cootoy

cootoy — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:26:14 +0000

Great insights

Comment on China’s multiple victims include its own public by jannx

jannx — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:54:22 +0000

Howard, this is a much better written analysis than is usually trotted out by our western media corporations. All the news is not balanced nor does it weigh in on both sides. This only provides fodder for demonstrating that there is no understanding or appreciation of China thru their own media.
Well written!

Comment on Ditch the tatty flag of nationalism by Micah Sittig

Micah Sittig — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:33:51 +0000

I'd be interested to know if this article was translated into Chinese since, after all, ordinary Chinese are the ones who need to hear this most (and are also most likely to miss it).

Comment on m97ÁîªÂªäËç£Âπ∏Âú∞ÂÆ£Â∏ÉÊëÑÂΩ±Âèå‰∏™Â±ï – A Solo Photo Show in Shanghai by Steele

Steele — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:09:12 +0000

amazing

Comment on Geldof and Bush: Diary From the Road (in Africa) by stuart@isett.com

stuart@isett.com — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:39:37 +0000

Comment on Shanghai Rail-Line Plan Fuels Middle-Class Protest by hazelmay

hazelmay — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:28:54 +0000

Howard
The story you describe above could have been written here in Vancouver BC. Yang Yang and I have much in common with our reluctant protest of a government driven mega-project threatening our neighbourhood and livelihoods.
Our battle is with the several BILLION dollar RAV/Canada Line project, a 19km long cut-and-cover-up (60 foot deep trench) that runs from the airport to downtown through a crowded retail and residential corridor. Cambie Street is now lined with vacant stores and scores of bankrupt businesses.
It was sold to the public and stakeholders as a bored underground tunnel that would have left the street surface relatively undisturbed.
I could insert my name in this piece, and RAVline for maglev, and this would be my story as well.
I am one of the small businesses along the line and I've had to re-mortgage my home twice now to sustain my business after signing a long lease based on the false information it would be a minimally disruptive bored tunnel.
The secrecy surrounding the bidding process, the double-cross of the small business community and residents, the lack of any kind of financial assistance factored into the plan - we could be in China! Our Olympic Committee even had a Countdown Clock designed based on the one in that bastion of democracy, Tiananmen Square. It's unbelievable.
Many of the merchants are immigrants from China and are afraid to speak out about this injustice. I am doing all I can to see jusice and compensation. We have had our concerns ignored by Premier Gordon Campbell and the Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. Out of desperation I have launched a legal fight against all parties in this disaster in the making - every level of government and several huge corporations. This is not what should happen in a democracy. My case goes forward in Novemeber.
(I sent you a letter from the NY Times site as well) We call this the Democratic Dictatorship of BC, with all the heavy development leading up to our hosting of the 2010 Olympics.
I will try to follow this issue in Shanghai and hope they are successful in their fight.
There is much more to this story on Cambie. It is shameful. There are many stories online at canada.com

Comment on Waving Goodbye to Hegemony by Micah Sittig

Micah Sittig — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:15:49 +0000

Wow, that's hard-hitting.

Comment on The inhuman touch – MAO: The Unknown Story by HW

HW — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:39:50 +0000

Chang and Halliday’s Mao, Unknown Story is good, but it is not good as The Private Life of Chairman Mao by Dr. Zhisui Li
Chang and Halliday’s Mao, Unknown Story provided a brand new version and perspective of Chairman Mao. It is the first time to portray Chairman Mao as a bloody mass-murderer. In their book, Chairman Mao was a large-scale murderer during a Chinese peace era. Nearly 80 million people were dead by his Utopian idealism: that was an unbelievable number. It is four times the number of deaths of the Soviets in the war between the Soviet Union and Germany. He used drastic violence to suppress people who he believed stood in his way for industrializing China. He ignored the death of 30 million people during the starvation period of the Great Famine, which was caused by his foolish “Great Leap Forward” for overtaking the British and catching up to the Americans. After the Great Famine, his lunatic behavior reached new heights. He launched the culture revolution, which was completely insane. He became a maniac. Under his direction, the violence was propelled to its bloodiest high tide. The horror broke historic records. Elementary school students unbelievably beat their teachers to death. The death toll was continuing to pile up until the day he died. From Mao, Unknown Story, the figure of Chairman Mao was drawn as a vicious monster and mass-murderer.
No wonder, horrible bloody killings described in Mao, Unknown Story truly happened in China from 1949, when Chairman Mao took over China, to 1976 when Chairman Mao died. Chairman Mao did everything so lunatic, and insane. From the catastrophe which he brought to China, he deserves to be considered a bloodthirsty monster and a bloody mass murderer. Overall, the book is good and correct.
Even though the book is good and correct, it cannot compare with Dr. Zhisui Li’s The Private Life of Chairman Mao in deeply and lively describing of Chairman Mao. No less than Dr. Andrew Nathan pointed out, all of biographic writers have a limitation in deeply and lively describing their objects. Because they have never served their objects, they have no chance to observe them closely. Also they have done a lot of research, but the inherent defect is that they don’t really know their objects’ personality and psychology. They don’t know their objects’ courtyard operations; their objects’ retainers, and the relationship between their objects, their objects’ retainers and the government officials.
Dr. Zhisui Li’s The Private Life of Chairman Mao did not portray Chairman Mao as a bloodthirsty monster and a bloody mass murderer; instead of that, it focused on details of Chairman Mao’s personality, psychology and his courtyard operation. Owing to Dr. Zhisui Li’s position, it made him as so called: inside man. He could know a lot of Chairman Mao’s important information that an outsider could not know. Even Chairman Mao’s former public health minister told Dr. Li to come see him anytime if Dr. Li wanted to tell him about any of Chairman Mao’s activities. In the same way, Chairman Mao’s former chief commanding officer of guards also was available to Dr. Li with no appointment.
The deepest impression for me about Dr. Li’s book is the Chairman Mao’s courtyard and his retainers. Chairman Mao’s medical doctor, chief commanding officer of guards and secretaries comprised his retainers. They were called “Group One”. Chairman Mao’s retainers formed a powerful and vicious retainer circle. Their power was even above party officials. The party officials were not servants of people. Instead they were servants of Chairman Mao. They cared for Chairman Mao’s retainers a lot of more than they cared for people. The gossip of those retainers could cause party officials a serious trouble. People were powerless and ignored. The party officials entertained Chairman Mao’s retainers with the best Chinese whiskey and the best Chinese cuisine while the Chinese commoners had a little of meat to eat. During the starvation period of the Great Famine, Chairman Mao even stopped eating meat. But his retainers flaunted the banner of celebrating Chairman Mao’s birthday, and required the local party officials to hold a grand dinner party for them. The dinner fulfilled the best Chinese cuisine, seafood, and the best Chinese whiskey, wine, beer. The party was in the name of celebrating Chairman Mao’s birthday, but Chairman Mao didn’t even attend. Dr. Li found it very hard to swallow that tasty food. However his colleague exhorted Dr. Li, saying that unless he wanted to leave “Group One”, he had better wallow in the mire with them. Some party officials even colluded with some of Mao’s retainers making a fraud deal in secret. The fraud deal deceived party treasurers by saying that Chairman Mao ate more than one thousand chickens in three, four days. Actually, the party officials took chickens for their own meals. Chairman Mao even had never known it until he was dead.
The factions in Chairman Mao’s retainers circle were stricken by each other fiercely. Opponents attempted to topple their counter part desperately. A vicious atmosphere permeated daily life. Nobody felt safe. Chairman Mao’s wife was frequently involved in the factions’ conflicts. In this vicious atmosphere, even Chairman Mao himself suspected somebody of crawling on his bedroom roof at midnight. He did not trust any of his retainers. He even suspected that the swimming pool in his palace was poisoned.
Dr. Li’s dream to be a great neural surgeon became a surviving nightmare. Although Dr. Li wanted to avoid touching this vicious politics, he could not stay out from it. For survival he was forced to stay with one faction. Later, the factions’ grappling escalated to a cross line battle between the retainer circle and party officials, and eventually led to a palace coup after Chairman Mao was dead. Chairman Mao’s wife and her three colleagues were arrested. However, Dr. Li survived successfully.
I feel that Dr. Li portrayed the figure of Chairman Mao and his courtyard operation more close to the true Chinese history, what was really happened in China from 1949 to 1976. Compared to Dr. Li’s book, Chang and Halliday’s Mao, Unknown Story seems pale.

Comment on Federer’s Ability to Dominate May Be Coming to an End by Crisp Volley

Crisp Volley — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:46:30 +0000

I appreciate the fact that you keep coming to your defense, albeit without mounting much of one. It is a little confusing, though. I guess that's to be expected, since we, the headline writer for the NY Times included, apparently have so much difficulty ascertaining your meaning. According to you. Or, in fact, it could be the opposite, i.e., that you don't know what you're writing, but headline writers and the reading public do. If, in fact, Federer's dominance over the field has ebbed in the latter half of 2007, as you say is really your point, how is it that the world's tennis press has missed this remarkable development? Are you saying that you are the only scribe with enough insight to analyze the trend? I'm not a big fan of the world's tennis press, but I do suspect they'd be on that story like white on rice, and yet, nothing. And please let me frame my own objection to your article. I've never said you claimed "Federer's era is coming to an end." If you had written that, I'd have never responded since that would clearly have been written by someone incapable of reason, or a mystic, neither of whom I like to debate. No, my objection is that you clearly suggest that Fed's dominance was eroding. And that contention is simply a non-starter. In any case, "the journeyman question" isn't so opaque as you want it to be. Please let me know where you disagree with this objective, tennis specific definition of "journeyman": Journeyman professional tennis player: One who's career is marked by consistently average or below average results, relative to other professional tennis players. Notwithstanding your own tennis exploits (which I find an amusing defense for your knowledgeability of the game) there is no confusion in the world of tennis about what journeyman means. It's not necessarily pejorative, unless it's used in an attempt to diminish a player who clearly is not a journeyman, eg. Gonzo and Nalbandian. Indeed some 10 year pros would be pleased to be called journeymen, since their accomplishments rank well below average for the field. Gonzo and Nalbandian are so far above average over the span of their careers that it can only be construed as a blatant hostility to refer to them as journeymen, or, short of that, as a blithely under-informed, careless act. Which is it in your case? I don't mean to be anything but courteous, but I see that your own tone has been a bit gnarly in your responses. I don't mind. Gnarl away. But please, add in a smidgen or two of supporting argument to make it more interesting.

Comment on Federer’s Ability to Dominate May Be Coming to an End by the editor

the editor — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:39:48 +0000

You're right, I don't write the headlines, nor do I see them before an article is published. I do know how to read beyond them, though, and as anyone who bothered to do so before climbing a high horse would have quickly learned, the piece doesn't say Federer's era is coming to an end. It doesn't even come close to saying this. Indeed, it begins with a discussion of greater competitiveness at the top of the game, and is a reality based assessment, meaning one based on results, in which Federer, based on his own truly sterling past, looked a little less dominant in the second half of this season than he often has. It's difficult to know how to respond on the journeyman question, since you don't wish to take any objective definition of the term into account. That pretty much rules out a rational discussion, un-pal. As for my knowledge of the sport, I've actually practiced and played against grand slam winners before - several of them, going back to the 1970s. Have you? Finally, there are few guidelines to posting here, but one of them pertains to basic courtesy and tone. If you can't abide by that, take your views elsewhere, please.

Comment on Federer’s Ability to Dominate May Be Coming to an End by Crisp Volley

Crisp Volley — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:10:15 +0000

I don't drink the wine, thanks anyway. Perhaps you do. Clearer headed writers would never have made the mistakes you made in your article, "forecast" or not, unless they knew nothing about what they were making such bold proclamations about, and were more interested in being flamboyant than anything else, which I suspect is the case here, rather than inebriation. The article was indeed a proposition, a forecast, if not an outright wager. (Your headline writer made it more difficult on you than you deserved, in one sense, but you could see that he/she had merely swallowed what you were selling). The article made an effort to support the absurd contention that Federer's domination might be ebbing. Absurd, since there is absolutely no evidence of such a thing, once again proven by the outcome of yet another dominating performance at the most recent tournament. And then it tried to prop up that absurd contention by declaring Federer's most recent vanquishers (Gonzo and Nalbandian) as "journeymen", as if by demeaning them, the Federer "decline" was more than a figment of one hack's fevered imagination. No, Nalbandian and Gonzo have not won GS tourneys. Neither has anyone else of their generation except Federer, Nadal, Safin, Roddick and Gaudio. And Gonzo and Nalbandian compare favorably to all but Nadal and Federer, despite the others' single wins on a Grand Slam stage. Indeed, Gonzo and Nalbandian are much more accomplished than Gaudio or Safin, and arguably, Roddick. Is everyone, then, except Federer and Nadal, a journeyman over the past 14 years of men's professional tennis? According to you, yes. I'm sorry, that's beyond ignorant. Do you know how many players there are that make a living playing professional tennis? Many more than the creme de la creme you saw in Shaghai last week. Journeymen don't make the year end Masters tournament; they don't get ranked in the top 50 of the world, let alone the top 5; they don't have multiple tour titles; they haven't made it to GS finals or semi-finals repeatedly, etc., etc. Journeymen are the lower tiered guys, capable of having a great day once in a while, but not consistent enough to dent the rankings above 50 or so. Gonzo and Nalbandian are easily on the short list of "best players who've never won a GS tournament", a list, as I've pointed out, that excludes all but five players over the past 14 years. Glance over the players currently ranked 50 to 200, you'll find many "journeymen" there, amongst some who've not yet made a mark one way or the other. When declaring who's a "journeyman" in the world of professional tennis, don't be distracted by your dictionary. The substance of what's what in the world of tennis can't be found there. It requires some knowledge of the game itself. Not your pal.

Comment on Federer’s Ability to Dominate May Be Coming to an End by the editor

the editor — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:03:36 +0000

Put some water in your wine, pal.
The article was not a forecast.
Meanwhile, the dictionary is a good place to look for definitions.
Here's one:
Journeyman - any sound, experienced but not brilliant craftsman or performer.
That's Webster's New World. Blame them, not me.
After six or seven years on tour, Nalbandian has, I think, seven career titles, none of them a major. That's pretty good, but not brilliant.

Comment on Federer’s Ability to Dominate May Be Coming to an End by Crisp Volley

Crisp Volley — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:01:17 +0000

What in the world are you smoking? Federer dominance coming to an end? Nalbandian and Gonzalez, journeymen? I'm dumbfounded by this article of yours, since I don't usually find hyperbole of this magnitude in the NY Times. Will Federer's reign be over sometime? Of course. Is there evidence it's going to happen sooner than later? Not at all. He lost twice in a row to the same player this summer (Canas). He used to lose to Nalbandian all the time. Does he have to be invincible to be dominant? Not even close! He never has been and never will be invincible. But he's still the most dominant player in the current field, and of all time. End of the year tournaments are not Grand Slams, and are hardly the test of much more than exhaustion level. If he retires at the age Agassi did, he'll have 24 more grand slams to compete in. How far past "best player of all time" do you think he'll go with his GS total? That was weird enough for one article, but then to call Gonzo and Nalbandian "journeymen"? I can't help but think you're not much acquainted with the game. Do you realize where these guys fall in the heirarchy of male tennis pros today? Nalbandian has been ranked #3 in the world. Gonzo was ranked #5 THIS year! Both have beaten all their contemporaries, and have exemplary careers. If we re-define "journeyman" to include these two, what do we call the likes of Vince Spadea and Jeff Tarango? Come on! How can you call a guy a journeyman (Nalbandian) when he's been a semi-finalist or better in EVERY Grand Slam?! I'm gonna rub my eyes and read the article again, hoping that they were so blurry before that I was seeing stuff that wasn't there.