By Barbara Katz

A Pulitzer Prize winner, Kidder once again hits the mark in this inspiring and engrossing nonfiction narrative. Partially set in Burundi, Africa, the theme is universal: finding yourself emotionally wounded, and the process of  healing, forgiving, and creating meaning from tragedy. In Deogratias (Deo for short), readers meet a complex man and an imperfect hero. Deo grows up in Burundi, a small country bordering Rwanda with similar social problems. An exceptional student whose parents and grandparents are cow herders, Deo is in his third year of medical school when political chaos breaks out in Burundi and Rwanda. The tension between the Hutus and Tutsis explodes which leads to massive slaughter in both countries. Because he is a Tutsi, the minority ethnic group in Burundi, Deo is forced to run, hide, and survive any way he can. In 1994, Deo escapes the nightmare when a well-connected friend helps him travel to America. But even on safe ground, Deo is traumatized and shadowed by memories.

America treats Deo harshly. He speaks no English, and he has only $200, which would have gone far in Africa. He sleeps in an abandoned building and delivers groceries for an abusive employer who pays $15 a day. Later, Deo finds refuge in Central Park, camping under the stars. Despite a challenging beginning, Deo makes friends easily, and he is bright and resilient. He learns English, befriends people who want to help, and eventually moves in with a loving, intellectual couple. But one desire - to attend college and medical school.- burns inside him. Deo perseveres and amazes those who care about him.

Kidder tells the first part of Strength in What Remains from Deo’s point of view, and author captures Deo’s thoughts and actions magnificently. In the second part, Kidder inserts himself in the telling, as the two revisit Deo’s N.Y.C. landmarks and later Burundi. The second portion is interesting but not as compelling as the first. Readers will walk away marveling at Deo’s character. Although he has emotional scars, Deo returns to Burundi to start a medical clinic that will benefit both Hutus and Tutsis. The story ends with hope. Personally, I would love to read a follow-up.

By Frank Furedi

I HAVE a few hours to kill in Copenhagen before I catch a train to Sweden. Maybe it is the sculptures of emaciated humans outside the conference venue but as I walk around I cannot avoid the feeling that I am in the middle of a medieval passion play.

I keep bumping into earnest pilgrims who take every opportunity to remind passers-by that the situation is desperate and the end is nigh. They may describe themselves as protesters or observers at the climate change conference, but in a different era they would have been characterised as camp-followers. There is clearly a symbiotic relationship between the official delegates and the activists hanging around the outskirts of the Bella Centre.

The role of the protesters may be confined to that of extras, but they add colour and drama to the spectacle. They were even given permission to protest inside the Bella Centre and their ability to bring the proceedings to standstill helped to inject dramatic tension into an otherwise tedious event.

Val & Ted’s Tree Trimming Party

Dairy Free Sugar Cookie Recipe!

Makes about 6 dozen cookies WOW!

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup vegan shortening or vegan butter
• 2 eggs equivalent of vegan egg replacer
• 2 tablespoons of organic vanilla soy milk
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
• 3 1/4 cups flour (organic?)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of aluminum free baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

By Mikhail Saavedra

Ever get the feeling while looking at someone walk down the street that they are filled with purpose? Well Elena Klymenko gives out precisely that at the very first look. Once you see her move it is impossible  to not get the sense that there is no real excuse to sit around and wait for fitness to come to you.  What is particularly appealing about her is that she goes beyond the standard fitness cliche of just “do it” by adding a creative and artistic angle to everything she does; in short she makes you fit by sharing not just her fitness tips but her warm personality, which I think to a large degree is the secret to her success and approachability.

Elena’s story starts far away from our shores. Born in the what is one of the more unique cities in Ukraine, Kharkov (city known among other things for its sciences and love of the arts, and also the famous World War 2 T-34 tank) was her birthplace and a city with such wide diversity that you cannot but help think that is must have influenced her myriad of different passions and interests. I took some time to get a better sense of Elena’s unique perspective and this is our conversation:

The highlight of my year of seeing endless art shows and installations all over Toronto was to attend Art Basel and Art Miami at Miami Beach held on December 3rd to the 9th.

Art Miami and Art Basel were amazing shows this year. The amount of innovation and talent that permeates these shows “Art Basel” being the largest of contemporary art show extravaganzas in the world, is phenomenal.

This is the 8th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach an International art show with more than 250 leading galleries from, North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, taking part. Chosen by renowned gallerists of the Art Basel Miami Beach Selection Committee, the galleries showed works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Special sectors are devoted to very recent artworks, curated exhibits, performance, and art in public spaces.

Art Miami is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. It’s the city’s longest running contemporary art fair and the anchor fair for the city of Miami. Considered one of the most important venues for modern and contemporary art in the U.S.The fair takes place in the Midtown Miami Arts District adjacent to the Miami design District and the Wynwood Arts District, more than 80 national and international contemporary art galleries, representing 12 countries, feature works of more than 750 artists including presentations of decorative arts, African tribal art, Pre-Columbian art, Japanese bamboo art, textiles and kiln formed glass.

In the vast array of art that I viewed at these two shows I have chosen to high light two Artists that are at completely different ends of the spectrum.

For some last minute edible gift ideas for the bacon lovers:

Bacon Jam $12 US for 8oz Jar     by Skillet - Evolved Cuisine
I sent my friend Melissa a jar for her graduation, I have heard nothing but good reviews thus far, still patiently awaiting for my own jar to arrive.

Mo’s Dark/Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar by Vosges Haute Chocolat
Price varies $7.50 US @ Vosages’ site, $11.39 CDN @ Summerhill Market
For the ultimate indulgent in one snack.

J & D’s Bacon Salt 2oz Jar available in 9 flavours     by J & D’s
Available @ $7.99 The Mercantile’s 297 Roncesvalles Ave
To my surprise, this product is vegetarian and KOSHER… now you can enjoy the delicious essence of bacon and keep Kosher. It’s available in Original, Hickory, Peppered, Natural, Applewood, Cheddar, Jalapeno, Maple and Mesquite.

Bacon Floss $4.95 USD @ Archie McPhee & Co.
Go to bed, with good dental hygiene and drift into dreamland with the taste of bacon. More bacon novelty items such as bacon gum, soap, bandages, wallet etc. and the bacon mints featured below.

Bacon Mints $2.99 USD @ Archie McPhee & Co.
Neat packaging, definitely a good gag gift, my best friend got me a tin of it, although I am not sure if bacon and mints is a good combo.

Compiled by People’s Voice

(I chose this article to help give some context to what Barack Obama’s words could actually mean for the people of Afghanistan and to also give some voice to a debate that seems to focus only on US strategic interests. Publisher Mikhail Saavedra)

Afghan MP Malalai Joya, an outspoken critic of the NATO occupation of her country, has been touring North America last fall to help build opposition to the war. She has just published her autobiography, A Woman Among Warlords, co-written with Derrick O’Keefe, longtime activist in Vancouver’s StopWar coalition. Joya was interviewed by Blake Sifton of the TheTyee.ca website shortly before the Canadian leg of her tour began in Vancouver, where nearly 1,000 people packed a hall to hear her speak. Here are excerpts from that interview.

On the Afghan presidential election mess:

“An election held under occupation and the influence of corruption and warlordism has no legitimacy at all. It is impossible for there to be a democratic election in Afghanistan right now. Hamid Karzai is a corrupt puppet who is betraying our people and Abdullah Abdullah was the preferred candidate of the warlords. Both of their policies are similar - they are both called the Taliban `brothers.’ They are both traitors.”

On what most Afghans think about the election:

“Ordinary Afghans don’t have security or even food to eat. They don’t trust the candidates and often they hate them. It’s hard for true Afghan democrats because elections are supposed to be a hallmark of democracy and we want to believe in them. In the lead up to the election Afghans had a saying. They said that whatever the result we would have, [it was] `the same donkey with a new saddle.’”

On U.S. President Obama’s Afghan policies:

“I was hopeful when Obama was elected but unfortunately when he came to power his message to my people was that there will be more war. He increased troop levels and wants to send even more soldiers to Afghanistan. This will only bring more conflict. It is impossible to bring democracy through military occupation and the barrel of a gun. His policies are quite similar to that of the Bush administration. His drone attacks in the border area with Pakistan are killing innocent civilians and they have killed hundreds of Afghan civilians with cluster bombs and white phosphorous. They even bomb our wedding parties. Despite all of this, somehow he received the Nobel Peace Prize. I don’t understand how they could give it to a president who is pursuing wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.”

On what would happen if NATO pulled out of Afghanistan:

“We are stuck between two enemies - the occupation forces killing innocent civilians, and the Taliban and warlords. Many people say that if the troops leave Afghanistan, civil war will happen. But we have a civil war now. As long as the U.S. and NATO are here, the civil war will continue because they are supporting the government and the warlords. If they end the occupation of my country then we, the true democrats of Afghanistan, will be fighting one enemy instead of two.”

On the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan:

“The United States, Canada and the other NATO countries are wasting their taxpayers’ money and the blood of their soldiers to support a completely corrupt and illegitimate system. I am sorry for the Canadian families who have lost their sons in Afghanistan. The soldiers are themselves victims of their government’s policies, just as our civilians are. Their families should raise their voices against the misguided policies of their governments… they must turn their sorrow into strength.”

On how she would define global support for the people of Afghanistan:

“When I say that we don’t want your soldiers I don’t mean that we don’t want your help. We are honoured to have the support and solidarity of democratic people in Canada and around the world… Please put pressure on your governments to change their policies and demonstrate in your cities to help end our occupation. No one’s drones will bomb you and no one will shoot you.

“Moral support and humanitarian support will help us in the difficult and long struggle against the Taliban and the warlords. Support intellectuals and democratic-minded people of my country and support education in Afghanistan. Education, and especially women’s education, is a key to democracy and our emancipation.”

On the failure to effectively combat the Afghan opium trade and its impact on North American society:

“After eight years, the U.S. and NATO have failed so badly that now Afghanistan exports 93 per cent of the world’s opium. In 2001, the Taliban almost destroyed the opium trade in Afghanistan. The Taliban! These uneducated, ignorant misogynists. It’s unbelievable that a superpower along with 40 other countries cannot stop the opium trade but a medieval organization like the Taliban nearly succeeds.

“How many poor people do you have on your own streets? Yet the U.S. and Canada send millions to help warlords and drug dealers in Afghanistan. Support for corrupt warlords not only affects the people of my country - it also allows more and more drugs to make their way onto the streets of Vancouver and destroy your youth as well.”

On Pakistani involvement in Afghanistan and the repercussions for Pakistani civilians:

“Throughout our long years of war, the Pakistanis have had puppets in Afghanistan and they still do. The Pakistani intelligence supports the Afghan Taliban, and the madrasas along the border are essentially ‘Taliban factories’ where people are brainwashed to commit suicide bombings in Afghanistan. The U.S. works with the ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence], and the ISI supports the Afghan Taliban. They are playing cat-and-mouse with the terrorists.

“Now Obama fights a war with drones in the Pakistani border areas. It is the civilians of Pakistan who suffer. They are bombing the poorest and most backward cities of Pakistan.”

On going into exile and fearing death:

“I am a woman and I refuse to stay silent. I document the crimes of the warlords, so they want to kill me. My life is always at risk. Even with bodyguards, I am not safe in the country NATO occupies under the banner of women’s rights and democracy. My supporters abroad are worried, and many people tell me to leave Afghanistan. But I’m not any better than the other democratic people in my country who are dying. My blood is not more red then the blood of my people. Faced with so many assassination attempts, I have to imagine that one day they will succeed. But I do not fear death. I fear silence in the face of injustice. That is my message to democratic people around the world.”

by JD Benjamin

Filipinos protest martial law declaration, demand independent investigation

Even by the blood-soaked standards of Philippine politics, the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan municipality, Maguindanao province, was shocking. At least 57 people, all unarmed civilians, were killed in a broad daylight attack on a convoy of journalists, human rights lawyers, and female relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu, a politician intent on running in the local provincial elections, as well as some motorists who happened to be passing by at the time.

The victims were killed at close range with high powered rifles or hacked to death. Twenty four of the victims were women, some of whom were raped and mutilated. Twenty nine were journalists and 2 were human rights lawyers. At least 6 of the dead were decapitated. Reporters Without Boarders described the killings as the worst loss of life in the history of journalism.

By Pablo Vivanco

Waking up to the reality that Obama will not bring peace to the World

Around this time last year, H1N1 was not the only epidemic spreading quickly across the world. Last November, a global population starved for a decisive departure from the perpetual conflict and fear scenario so synonymous with the administration of George W Bush joyfully welcomed the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. For many outside of the United States, Obama’s election was seen as a monumental step for the United States away from its history of racism and, it was hoped, imperialism.

This was not without good reason. Obama brought a history in grassroots organizing close Left of the Democratic Party, including his much publicized connections to ACORN. Moreover, Obama’s original commitments to an Iraq withdrawal and other overtures towards a significant break with the military industrial complex of the United States gave good reason for the world to hope that change had indeed come. However as his candidacy for the Democratic ticket appeared more plausible than originally thought, his discourse on these topics began to shift. Once his candidacy for the Democratic Party was confirmed he began making disturbing allusions to pre-emptive attacks on Iran and Pakistan, about a longer stay in Afghanistan and Iraq, and about recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital (something even Bush never dared to do). Those voices critical of this shift were quickly told to be patient and to have some understanding of the complex circumstances of his campaign for the US President.

By Mikhail Saavedra

Well in short, our art director Valentina, also moonlights as a singer (we like to make sure everyone around here has about a dozen interests MINIMUM!). This time she teams up with Justin Hines to bring some good cheer for the holidays. You most certainly owe it to yourself to add some good musical joy and why not? Support one of Alternavox’s own!