A few quickies:

Of course, the events in and around Zimbabwe never fail to sadden me. Note the “If we all believe it, it can be true” wishful thinking of South Africa’s president Thabo Mbeki, who pronounced that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. This, hours before the convening of the Southern African Development Community summit to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe. Okay then, so two weeks passing since the presidential election with no word on results is normal? The current president and his party pushing for 1) a recount and 2) a runoff election before results are released is indicative of a stable, smoothly-functioning government? We are looking at either an imminent explosion of violence, or the leaden acceptance of a permanent regime, impervious to even the most basic mechanisms of democracy. I’d call either a crisis.

Cuba has shown some surprising developments in a more positive direction under Raul Castro. The latest reforms incentivize production and warrant new confidence in property titles. Now while I don’t doubt that such changes are purely tactical, designed to give Cuba and its government a little more breathing room while still preserving the bulk of the communist agenda, an increase in freedom is always to be welcomed. A little freedom tends to beget more freedom, at least at the sorrier end of the spectrum of liberty.

Finally, in non-current events, have a gander at the amazing eight-minute animated short Tango (1980) by Zbigniew RybczyÅ„ski. I originally saw this piece as part of this compilation, but it doesn’t appear to be part of any DVD currently in print. If it strikes you as familiar, you might be remembering the video for Redundant by Green Day about ten years ago, which was an homage.