Day 41

This has been a quiet day. Did errands and mopped up an a/c problem. Water was running out of the unit early this morning. I shut down my living room a/c and will just use the bedroom a/c until Monday.

Worked on my further redraft of my work plan. The conference yesterday has allowed me to add on some additional strategies. I will send another status report to NY tomorrow. Went to Ryan's Irish Pub (seems truly Irish; owned by the Breens) and has draft Guiness and Irish Stew. Next time I will try their hamburger.

I just got a score on the Northwestern v. I.U. football game, and I see I.U. is barely leading at half-time. Hope to hear the Colts radio broadcast tomorrow via the internet. Oh. I also see that Norman Mailer died at 84. It seems he has been trying to die for quite awhile. At least that is how I interpreted his life style. I guess he finally ran out of words to speak or write.

Press Conference Later

At the press conferencef Kwame' announced that we have decided to specifically target the Pres of Gambia and his country's tourist trade. These are the Gamibia's biggest economic enterprises, and the presidnet owns a good share of the hotels etc that are involved. I believe that this is a good strategy and will be the best economic weapon that we can urge other counties to utilize. Other sanctions will also be implemented.

Also, one of the attendees (originally from Canada) invited me to join her and her hausband for a drink at their home, and guess what, they served up an exquisite g 'n t with lime. What a nice thing to do. I hope to see them again before they leave for Cairo. He is with the U.S. Embassy and it is time for his move. Till tom...Dan.

Day 40--Conference on Human Rights Violations in Gambia

Attached is a pic of the speakers at the conference today (showing Kwame', Femi and others). I have another pic that will follow.

We have decided to file a case against Gambia concerning the torture of a journalist. We will file in the Ecowas Court prior to our hearing on Nov 20, so we have some work to do.

Bar/Media Speech

Just returned from the International Press Center where I gave the principal speech re media law in the U.S. and how it can impact and help journalists and lawyers in W. African countries. I also spoke about my mission here. The speech was well attended though no one arrived from the U.S. Amb's office. Of course the last thing our governmentt would want to do is give attention to the press or its lawyers so I am not surprised. Channel 3 here covered the event and is putting it on the local news. I had many good questions and the evening seemed successful. Later, refreshments were served and the crowd of about 90 persons mixed well.


Attached are some pics of the event. Tom I will spend the day with the media from The Gambia where my help is sorely (no pun) needed. Good night everyone.

Our Man in Havana

Moving the program forward out here. My speech is ready for tomorrow evening at the International Press Center and a good number of attendees are expected. The U.S. Ambassador has confirmwed his office's attendance, but we shall see.

The cook fixed Tilapia again tonight. That fish has almost beaten my brains in. Where is the great Walleye when I need her. I sit here staring at the head and picking over the bones and dreaming of a gorgeous Walleye in the frying pan at One Man Lake in upper Ontario along with skillet taters and Van Camp Pork 'n Beans. Pour on the Tabasco sauce and there you have it...maybe next year. Even a Bluegill would be acceptable.

The cook did fix french fries tonight to accompany the fish and they were excellent. I do miss having a hamberger but that too can wait. Till next time...

Working Day

Spent the A.M. going to the Sierra Leone Embassy and going through the visa process. Per custom, they will hold my passport until 2 pm on Friday at which time they will give me a visa (hopefully).

Spent the remains of the day working on my speech to the Ghana Bar, Media persons, and apparently officials from the U.S. Ambassador's staff. They have indicated that they will attend. I will speak for one-half hour and then take questions. Hopefully, the lawyers will treat me better than Pakistan's lawyers are treating Musharraf. Of course those lawyers have more reason to protest, or so it seems. Cheers everyone!

Kwame'----The Prof

This is a picture of Kwame' and me taken at his office today. We accomplished a lot today. I am set to go to Sierra Leone to meet with the attorney there and discuss her cases defending journalists as well as develop strategies re these matters. Tomorrow I go to the Sierra Leone Embassy to get my visa (hopefully) for entry on November 13 with a return on the 15th.

In the meantime I received comments back today on my litigation plan for W. Africa countries and was able to complete a good updated redraft.

I am also preparing for my lecture to the Bar Association and media officials on Thursday. Apparently the U.S. Ambassador will have a representative or two there as well. My topic is: Media Law in the U.S.-It's Alive and Kicking. I intend to get into the Judith Miller story (she went to jail for 84 days for refusing to reveal her source in the Scooter Libby case). This has resulted in the newly proposed federal shield law which recently passed the House in aveto-proof and lopsided vote (even though or maybe b/c the Bush Administration opposed on national security grounds). But national security is already an exception, it is just too narrowly drawn for the Cheney crowd. Now it is up to the Senate. I know, I know, I am boring everybody to death but hey it's my blog, right.

Anyway, I meet with The Gambia media on Friday here in Ghana as we are having them in for some updating and strategy, so I have a busy work week.

Observations

Spent today at the Arican Market in Osu as you can tell from the pics. I have noticed something different and healthy here. I have not seen one Ghanian with a cigarette or any other nicotine delivery system. Only Europeans smoke here with maybe a very rare Am. thrown in. Not everyone is poor here, although by our standards most are. But this cannot be the reason since the poor certainly smoke in the U.S. and many well to do people do also. It cuts across all classes in the U.S. At first I thought it maybe was a coincidence but each day brings the same result. Also, Ghanians do not seem to drink much and the beggars in the street are not inebriated. I wonder if they have less addictive personalities. I also notice that I see beer and wine ads but no cigarette or liquor ads. I note that some stores sell tobacco and liquor but I do not Ghanians purchasing these items, nor few others also. I wonder if thwe govt bans this or whether the tob and liquor cos. decided it would be a waste of money.

Tonight is the Colts/Patriots game and it will not be on in Ghana anywhere. But I can listen to the Colts radio announcers and follow the game graphically through nfl.com at no cost. Since DST just expired, the game will not start here until 9:15 pm. Rember losing the game may give that team greater incentive to adapt and win when they meet in the playoffs, although it is always better to win I suppose.

Till next time...

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