Posting deficit; Afro-poverty; U.S. independence

Sorry for going almost a month without posting; I've started a new job that demands more of my time. Things have settled down a bit, but posting will be sporadic, hopefully once or twice a week, at least until I get into a new flow of life.

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A smart, unabashedly Christian article by Wesley Pruden questions the wisdom of Live 8 and the whole African prosperity movement.

Solutions to almost any world problem aren't complicated, but are often tough to implement. What would solve the woes of the Sub-Saharans? Catholic constitutional monarchy and private property. In 50 years much of the Dark Continent could be a paradise.

Debt relief and fresh Western cash should be portioned out only to nations that meet the above criteria, and to the degree that they do. Or despots will continue to waste and steal anything we continue to send their way.

Maybe the vaunted International Community can bring about a constitution or two. But the powers of the world are so invested in religious subjectivism, the alleged panacea of democracy (read: Iraq) , and socialist oligarchy that nothing will ever be done on the other three points.

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It's tough to be a proud monarchist and a proud American on the Fourth of July. Especially as a lover of pomp and tradition, it's one of the few days we get any here in the States. Talk about mixed feelings. 'Nuff said.

At least the beer and sausage is untainted by such considerations.