this & that

It's a post-holiday link dump!

• Christmas in Texas.
  
• Alex de Waal on why the U.S. is losing influence in Sudan (hint: it's not all Gration's fault.)
• In case you missed it, here's Bec Hamilton's excellent piece on the upcoming Sudanese elections.
  
• It's not just your imagination: 2009 was a record year for Somalia's pirates.
  
• Are expats working for international organizations being targeted in N'Djamena?
• Jason Stearns evaluates the debates surrounding Congo's possibly upcoming local elections and looks at the mess that is the Congolese parliament and its pay structures.
  
• Ah, magical realism. Chris Blattman discusses the ethics of getting his Liberia researchers to prove that a man can turn into an animal. And Louisa Lombard has a fascinating reflection on "crocodile men" in the Central African Republic.
  
• Even in the eastern Congo, the vast majority of fistulae are not caused by rape. The country's weak/collapsed health care system is more at fault; women who need c-sections at delivery but cannot access that level of care in their communities represent the bulk of regional fistula cases.
• Duncan Green on a fascinating method of collecting data on medical supply shortages in East Africa.
  
• The Ugandan-born Archbishop of York condemns the anti-homosexuality bill now under consideration in the country's parliament.
• A gay couple became engaged in a traditional ceremony over the weekend and were quickly arrested. Here's a picture of the two with a reflection on the use of traditional ceremonies as a way of breaking ground for gay rights in traditional societies.
  
• Nestle suspends production at its Zimbabwe milk processing plant. As per usual, normal Zimbabweans will suffer because of Mugabe's political games.
• The NYT got to the Ugandan anti-sexuality bill about six weeks late, but at least they got there. Check out this feature of comments on the issue from Ugandans.
• The United States' HIV+ travel ban ends. Good riddance.
  
• Via @transitionland, here's an awesome takedown of Rory Stewart.
  
• From the same awesome The Security Crank blog, here's a fantastic note about U.S. intervention in Yemen. Can we say "Cold War," class?
  
• John Sides gives a crash course on one point you learn in a basic American political science class: there aren't that many true independents, and everything the media tells you about independent voters is a lie.
• Tales from the Hood has a nice list of newish aid-related blogs.
• This is the best review of Avatar I've seen.
  
• Apparently Charles Taylor was THAT kind of neighbor.
• Alanna Sheikh wrote a lovely post on living life to the fullest over at Speaking of Faith.
• On Muhammad's promise to Christians.
• Emerging human security issues.
• Thanks to Alanna for linking to these amazing pictures of homes in the slums.
  
• Owen Barder reviews the Kindle in Ethiopia.
  
• "The Top 10 Craziest Things Ever Said During a U.N. Speech"
  
• Here's a nice missive on the danger of the anti-vaccine crowd. Hint: it's entirely possible that people died of H1N1 flu because their insanity kept the government from producing the vaccine in a more efficient manner. Check out the rest of the Worst Ideas of the Decade here.
  
• I loved this post on the history of the display and preservation of the Declaration of Independence.
  
• Texas Monthly's Mimi Swartz wrote an absolutely beautiful essay in memory of her mother and their complicated relationship.
• Grover Norquist goes sledding.
• This is an excellent explanation of the Senate health care bill.
  
• Historical institutionalists rejoice: the President has ordered that no government information may remain indefinitely classified.
  
• A TSA triology: 1) Dear TSA, It's not us, it's you. 2) If you hate the TSA as much as I do, you should watch this video. 3) Perhaps the problem in the TSA now/as it was originally created is a fundamental misunderstanding about how the world actually works.
• Are terrorists statistically significant?
  
• Good to know that semi-delusional people are allowed to teach in prominent law schools.
• I'm guessing an essay entitled "Jerry Jones is the Worst Thing that Ever Happened to the Dallas Cowboys" won't win me the chance to blow up Texas Stadium.
  
• DC takes a cue from South Africa and slaps a tax on disposable bags.
• "Libertarian Reluctantly Calls Fire Department." "Jacobs did not offer to pay firefighters for their service"