ABC Nightline — Coltan is a dull metallic ore found in major quantities in the eastern areas of Congo. Metal from this ore is used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and many other electronics. All week we have reported a tragedy of immense proportions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Armies there kill, rape and pillage in order to maintain control of the mines throughout Congo.These armies are financed by the raw materials that we in the developed countries assume are our right to possess. It once was rubber and ivory. Today it is diamonds and gold and coltan. (01/26/02)

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The person riding a donkey is going to be a partner, or they aren’t going anywhere together.  Force a donkey too much, and it will end up looking for a chance to kick you in the head, or run away.  But if a person is willing to listen, a donkey is also willing to listen.  If no danger is sensed ahead, the donkey will concede to carry you forward.  People have liked horses better than donkeys, because while horses also want partnership, they aren’t so conservative about fears down the road.  Horses have evolved to outrun any danger down the road, and this fits nicely with the instincts of people, who also feel like they can outrun, outfight, and outsmart anything they meet up with.  A human riding a horse makes a good  metaphor of instinctive leadership leading instinctive people.  A human on a donkey makes a good metaphor of how leadership rationally should be. (01/26/02)

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We Californians like most Americans don’t like to think about stressful threats to our lifestyles. The spring 2001 electrical energy crisis has faded from our consciousness.We haven’t heard a lot about the energy crisis lately, and so most of us have quietly returned to the routine of just earning our livings. Is the crisis over ? (01/26/02)
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