Tammertron

Amy Ernst guest blogs for Nicholas Kristof, writing about her work with COPERMA, a war-relief organization and interviewing rape victims.

The problem is deep; the roots grow from many directions. And as the world allows it to continue, the effects are spreading. It’s not always soldiers who rape; more and more I hear stories with civilians as perpetrators. As Congo’s vibrant culture is mercilessly debased by war, a generation of youth is learning that violence is an acceptable reaction to or escape from poverty and powerlessness. I do not excuse the actions of the men and boys who commit the horrific crimes, but they too are victims of a war with no direction.

Her blog can be found here.

Yay for Japanese!

“Among Bernard Madoff’s many dupes were his closest friends, including two tycoons he loved as surrogate fathers: the late Norman F. Levy—whose girlfriend, supermodel Carmen Dell’Orefice, would lose her life savings—and the prominent philanthropist Carl J. Shapiro. Amid the sobs, screams, and curses in Aspen, Palm Beach, and New York, with victims sharing their stories, the author gets behind Madoff’s affable façade, to reveal his most intimate betrayals.”

This is pretty long article, but gives you a good insight on who Bernard Madoff is, the relationship he built with the people he stole from - the closeness of some of those relationship, and how sociopathic his life is.

If you’re following this at all.  Disappointing.