Tribute to Frederic Mitterand

"Frédéric Mitterand ancien ministre de la culture et homme de télévision, est mort .." writes Le Monde annoucing the recent passing of Frederic Mitterand . For who was a prominent tv journalist in France for many  decades and who later became Mininister of Culture. He was also the nephew of President Francois Mitterand. For me, he is immemorial for this tv documentary entitled "Le Negus" he produced and broadcasted in early 1990s. 

From the first time i watched it when it was broadcasted in one of French TV channels, I loved everything about it. The work put into it, the unique footages not seen in other films, the beautiful narration delivered through soft voice and in gentle manner etc. 

Since then I watched it again and again several times especially after it was posted on Youtube. It's effect on me didn't diminish with time. I wish many Ethiopians understand the language and enjoy it in the same way i did. I wonder if those with no language barrier have same reaction or have been moved by it as well. 

Rest in Peace Frederic Mitterand! Merci infiniment pour ce magnifique documentaire!

https://youtu.be/xLB82qvFo4U?si=zZq8hhM6vOQhgDNo

America, what has become of thou?

I need to share these two YouTube clips that i stumbled upon while surfing aimlessly after a long day of work. The clips are about America, the place o call home now. Within few minutes, the clips managed to induce in me rather two contrasting emotional states. One to a worrisome state and another to a hysterical laugh or as the kids say l o l  state.  The worrisome one is about the abandonment and lately suppression of good ground breaking investigative journalism by main stream media in America. 

The second which made me laugh like crazy is about tv evangelism, (prosperity gospel to be exact) born and raised in America but has been exported outside its its border since then. I can visualize  those "God -denying, socialists" Europeans laughing their derriere-off at Americans.

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/lUTwLiuiNh0

https://youtu.be/7y1xJAVZxXg

Necessary actions after the peace accordlq

Now we have a sigh of relief following a cease fire and peace accord signed between Ethiopian government and rebel region's forces, here are some measures that i think would sssist for peace and prosperity to prevail in Ethiopia:

-Dismantle or repurpose all regional armed forces.

-Delegitimize all armed groups operating as militia whether they call themselves Fano, Qero etc.

(If these groups go back to their roots as wagers of civil disobedience, that should be allowed but not as armed militia or vigilante group)

-The Ethiopin diaspora should focus on trust building and dedicate its collective energy on effots such as reinstating Ethiopia back in AGOA so that enterprises who were forced to close and lay off workrs in Addis, Awasa, BahrDar, Diredawa or Makalle open again and provide jobs that would impact positively millon lives.

ፖለቲካና ኮረንቲ Ethiopian euphemism for avoiding politics

A post on facebook reminded me the favorite saying by many in Ethiopian diaspora until the last couple of years when it came to political situation in Ethiopia: "Better avoid politics and korenti (an exposed electric wire)". My answer to them was also 'it is absurd to be apolitical, as politics means public policy that affects lots of our life'. I add 'it is one thing to avoid partisan politics or not being interested in it but completely different thing to avoid or abhor politics in general. 

A one time roommate who had disdain for  'politics' learned the hard way when his request for basic and common service involving his family was rejected by Ethiopian Embassy. 

You may ask 'how about in the last couple of years'. Well my friends, Ethiopians in the diaspora seem to have found their voices. They are opining all over and wherever you find them. On social media, when we encounter on communal or social occasions. The bold ones have opened youtube channels and are busy posting sensational stories even hate ethnic mongering.

What changes?  I am sure sociologists or political scientists can provide good answer based on theoretical framework and thorough analytic work. 

My non-expert mind leads me to coclude that the main reason why many in the Ethiopian diaspora avoided 'politics' was purely selfish calculation especially fear of consequences. Getting involved in 'politics' then had costs. Now, not really.

International Organizations leadership what is at stake?

Read the article below from 'The Economist' magazine and you will understand what the stake is and why Tedros Adhanom was able to get the votes of majority of non-western countries. In short they were voting for Ethiopia or any other non-western nation. 

These positions were given by default to Westerners (mostly white men) for decades. Majority of non-western countries decided to end this when the choice was between a non-western and a Western (British). 

It is good we have nothing to do with the final selection. It could have been embarassing and we could have been laughed at & scorned. Worse, we could have ended stabbing Ethiopia from the back because of petty tribal mentality ( at least by some). I am aware of his affiliation with the hated TPLF regime. However, there is also a thing called 'hold your nose and do the right thing' understanding what the stake is for Ethiopia or the majority of underrepresented nations.

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/12/11/africans-are-winning-top-jobs-at-international-institutions

The short story of Injera making at industrial scale.

This video clip reminds of me the story of the Ethiopian Environmental Engineer in U.S. who invented similar machine for industrial scale production of Injera 2 decades ago and and wanted to make it operational in Ethiopia. You can read some more details of the story in Harry  Kloman's book 'Mesob in America' or in my forthcoming article tentatively titled 'Ethiopian Food & Drinks in North America:  Culinary & migration history'. The details may not be as accurate as i would like them to be but I will try to summarize and provide the general contour of the story.  

In addition to achieving more production with much less energy use, the Engineer had hoped that his machine replacing the traditional way of making Injera will contribute immensely for reduction of the health hazard Injera-gagaris (bakers) are exposed to by inhaling smoke from coal or woods as well as reduction of the environmental hazard by protecting the forests which were cut for use in injera making. He wanted to these women to be employed in injera making factories instead. 

Well you may ask what happened to that plan or how come it was not operational?

Yes, you guessed it right, after many years since the original application and too much bureaucracy TPLF/MLLT demanded that the blueprint and patent info has to be shared with their EFFORT endowed enterprise (I believe Mesfin Engineering). I was told the Engineer refused and that became the end of it.

https://fb.watch/9XQUkH29Jf/

Plus ça change, plus ça reste le même.

I hate to sound like Debbie Downer of SNL. I am elated that Joe Biden wins over Mussolini wanabe orange buffon but I will not join any celebration outdoor or indoor. The main reason is because i know the heartbreaks will be coming soon. 

I am afraid soon we will hear that Susan Rice or Gail Smith would be considered for high level foreign/security positions which mean in the long run continuation of Libya type regime change policy or South Sudan like creation of new countries  or territories in the name of "democracy promotion".

Already is media and pundits are advising Biden and making prediction that he would move to the Center and his cabinet might even include Republicans as a gesture toward Independents who voted for him.

I just learned that we should not expect also any change toward Natanyahu as the President-elect is also in good terms. I don't think Al-Sisi, Prince Salman or the potentates in the Gulf are sweating their biggest supporter is no longer in power. Their new "uncle" Natanyahu & AiPAC will make sure that they do not face retribution. For progressive voter like me it is deja vu again . Our vote is courted during primaries but it is the so called Independents who will be compensated at our expense.

https://youtu.be/TfE93xON8jk