Why so quiet, little one?

Nearly a month since I last posted an update to this blog . . . not out of character, to be sure . . . though it does occasionally make me wonder about why that should be, especially given how virtually compulsive I ave been about writing for most of my life.

It isn't that I don't think I have anything to say. You don't make it through law school without having enough ego and self-centeredness to at least be somewhat convinced of the fascinating nature of your own internal voice.

At the end of the day, what it comes down to is this . . .

Several months ago I re-tasked this blog and determined that it's primary focus would be to serve as a mirror for my reflections on life in the profession.

And then I went silent, principally because I realized that any honest reflections on the work would be bound to make me sound endlessly bitter and angry.

Criminal defense work is not something that breeds idealism and happy, shiny thoughts.

So, how to be honest about the work without leading folks to conclude that I despise my job?

That would be the $64,000 question, wouldn't it?

Enough already . . . too much already

The Prime Minister of Kenya is calling for African nations to engage in some sort of cooperative action to oust Robert Mugabe from his perch atop the government of Zimbabwe. A call that comes later than it should have, in my opinion.

Then again, given the way my home country has ignored Zimbabwe's ever more rapidly deteriorating situation, I don't exactly have the most firm ground on the planet to stand on when it comes to other nations' reactions.

So, for those of you who haven't been keeping track . . .

• Zimbabwe's economy has been a wreck for years, with chronic shortages and inflation levels that make my brain hurt.
• Basic health services in a system that was once the envy of the continent have almost completely broken down.
• Cholera has been running rampant, and has been taking more lives that is common for a disease that is easily treated with adequate sanitation, hydration, and antibiotics.
• In the run-up to the recent elections, forces loyal to Mugabe waged a campaign of terror against supporters of his opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai.
• After losing the election, Mugabe refused to step down.
• Hunger and privation are ever present and growing realities.
• The capital is essentially without safe water.
• Soldiers whose pay has been suspended in the face of government insolvency have started rioting in the streets.
  

And the list goes on.

It is well past time for the international community to stand up.