John Lennon was right about Women

Africa, word up, do not concern yourself with women issues. I guess they are not important at all.
The "scholars" of Constitutional Law here in the USA agree with that they are not. Or else they are simply dedicated to self-promotion and that would be a terrible waste of trees.

 A Dean of an American LAW SCHOOL does not consider gender important. Africa it is ok to continue with the status quo. Women truly are the  the N word of the WORLD.

This new book on how the Supreme Court of the US has failed the minority does not worry itself with a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy. Regardless of your religious view, you might have a view about whether a judge should tell a woman or a couple what they can do about a pregnancy. How about discussing a Father's rights? How about the rights of the unborn child?

crickets

How can an intellectually honest American lawyer not include this topic in a BOOK that discusses the wrongness of SCOTUS? It declared what women can do and started the mess.

Did the US Supreme Court get everything right including this but not other things??
Please, law professor, explain it to me.

Please let me know when the author is checking in for his pap smear.
Tackle the tough stuff too, or nothing, my friend.
The World is watching.

Intellectual Property infringement as techno-civil disobedience from Harare to Tijuana

Across the continents, intellectual property laws are broken. You can travel most anywhere with a USB and acquire pirated material from movies to music.

Original creations, trademarks, and patents are protected by laws for the benefit of the creator. This makes sense to me as a lawyer and a rule-loving individual. Tell me what the rule is and I will joyfully follow it. In spite of my rule-based disability, I tried to understand why my students were so cavalier about infringing these creative rights. When asked if they were a shoplifter, my students responded slowly with some shame. Asked if they pirated movies or music the hands shot up with an enthusiasm I wished they applied to reading the textbook. I asked them why they stole from others and their answers, rather justifications, were complex. They know they are breaking the law, sort-of. They infringe for many reasons and I think one of them is a response to economic inequality and I would go so far as to say an expression of techno-civil disobedience.

Some copyright owners can afford to track down infringers and punish them.  Disney goes VERY FAR to protect it's mouse, all day long. Other artists and creators do not have those resources. For the artists who have less resources, anecdotal data collected in my business law classes over the past 3 years suggests, individuals try not to infringe. When its a major movie or very wealthy artist, students infringe with impunity. They are Robin Hood, sharing with others or charging a minimal fee.

It is too simplistic to explain away this behavior with generalizations about youth or lack of conscience. I find that their descriptions of how and when they infringe displays a somewhat complex calculation after reflecting on who is actually hurt by their non-compliance. Of course, there exists in this group the everyday, unremarkable criminal intent to deprive someone else of income or property that is theirs. However, I have found that to be the minority.

The majority are looking at the artists involved and making a decision to infringe based on the ability to sustain the loss of revenue. New artists who put music out for free or whose concerts they attend are given the greatest deference. The least concern is for the Motion Picture Association of America, or other high earners. (BEYONCE)  My students constantly surprise me with the things they feel strongly about!

I always wonder why they did not riot or "Occupy" the college during the credit crisis-sub-prime meltdown. They do care about good behavior and what is right. They care quite a bit actually. Their demonstration in the classroom of a real value for treating people fairly was also tainted by a jaded view of embedded unfairness in their world. Many cannot afford more than just Community College. Many students are working full-time and taking care of family or without family and a support system. They think the NSA already reads their email. They believe things are rigged against the less powerful. They are not idealistic. They are not idealistic in a manner that can be easily understood.

They believe in a free Internet and they will always support environmental issues. I laugh out loud in class when they whole-heatedly agree on environmental things but are not sure at all about hiring a felon as an employee. They really struggle with giving people second chances but they care very much about electronic rights and carbon emissions. With some exceptions--it is a car culture and they want to allow some carbon emissions for certain cars, apparently.

It is not easy to understand youth. I gave birth to one and he is 21, but that does not create understanding. Talking to them, spending time with them, just like with AFRICANS, creates some beginning appreciation of the differences---and from that comes understanding--hopefully. This post is the beginning of my writing on something that I have been thinking and discussing with students in classrooms for several years. I believe it is valuable to contemplate.  

Economies in Africa doing well-will this attract investment?

African Capital Market News relays that Nigeria has surpassed South Africa as the continents fastest growing economy. That report also links to a great website all about investing on African Exchanges complete with who to email, customer agreements, and brokerage fees called Investing in Africa. Investing in Africa also has an informative article about the Nairobi Stock Exchange IPO.

All of this exchange activity raises one question in my mind, once there is an increase in investment related disputes--broker/customer, broker/broker-- how will those disputes be resolved. More certainty in this area will create an environment that even more investors find comfortable for entry and exit.    

Truth and the Human Spirit in Africa

Some very interesting articles online about Africa these days--surprisingly supportive.

The first is an article in on Truth Dig by Joe Conason about Ebola, minuscule US foreign aid (despite perceptions otherwise) and scientific research. It argues for more understanding by Americans of how little we give to the developing world and how a increased level of support for health care and research in the developing world is the right thing for everyone.  

The second is an inspirational article in the New York Times about nurses and workers in Sierra Leone who have stayed to fight and support the efforts to control the Ebola outbreak. The article is a testament to the human spirit and a people dedicated to the rebuilding of a nation despite so much hardship and turmoil. Please take the time to read it.

   

Uzo Aduba

Last night was the African Leaders Summit gala at the White House.
According to USA Today, very few celebrities showed up.

Uzo Aduba was there!!! She is an amazing actress and most recently played Crazy Eyes in "Orange is the new Black"

Today the Summit wraps things up.
I found a place for you to buy your commemorative Summit T-Shirt!

US Africa Business Forum

The US Africa Business Forum has a LIVE STREAM of what is going today. This is a collaboration between Bloomberg Philanthropies and the US Department of Commerce.

Out of fairness, I must add that they are headquartered in LA. (smiley face) I believe this is more for proximity to the beach but I cannot say for sure. Here is their facebook page.

Great charts and data sources on Africa

The Washington Post has some great charts and breakdowns of the African Leaders Summit in D.C. They discuss who was invited and not invited and the political identification of the countries--democratic, autocratic.

What I would love to see, but have not found yet, is a similar set of maps and charts that talks about GDP, Market Capitalization, what do the capital markets look like, does a commodities market exist, real economic data for each of the attendee nations. That data is certainly available through the IMF, World Bank and World Federation of Exchanges. I would like to see it also in the Washington Post or better yet the LA Times!! LA, I love you, but you spend so much time looking at your navel. You really do.

People in the states very much want to talk about Ebola right now. I do not think that is bad for Africa. In a perverse way this has focused Americans, once again, on how connected we are--only a plane ride away.  

The news reports and information regarding the Summit has actually been really good. I am finding new blogs and information sources. Rock on, Oooooobama! You go be a politician and create a legacy for yourself and the Democratic Party. Hopefully, there will be some collateral economic benefit for Africa from this political performance.