Here and There, Dec. 29

Diamonds are Forever The Washington Post reports that Presidents Charles Taylor of Liberia and Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso have given support and refuge to Al Qaeda operatives who were trafficking in diamonds to launder money and finance terrorism.

The Hummer 2 has turned out to be one of the top selling SUVs in the Bay Area, despite its $50,000 price tag and poor fuel economy. And even some self-described environmentalists are willing to overlook the fact that the Hummer only gets 10 milles per gallon

On the weekends, [Hummer owner Sam Bernstein] and his wife like to go off-road to look at birds.

"I'm a Sierra Club member," said Bernstein, who noted that he avoids such disposables as paper cups. "You can be environmentally correct and drive a Hummer."

Which helps bolster the perception that the Sierra Club is comprised of folks who simply want to enjoy the outdoors on their own terms, while demanding that other people make the real sacrifices to protect the environment.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer refuses to commit himself to opposing a war against Iraq. Germany takes a seat on the UN Security Council in January and Fischer won't promise that he will vote against resolutions calling for military action against Saddam. This is seen as a change in position, which has earned Fischer the outrage of pacifists from his own Green party, and also praise from the opposition Christian Democrats.

Bill Quick is compiling a list of "Iron Laws" (e.g. "You Get What You Pay for" and "Less Guns, More Crime") and he's asking for reader input. This will be interesting.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at December 29, 2002 12:54 PM