Well, hurray for the Nobel Committee. I was thrilled to read that this year's Nobel Peace Prize went to Muhammad Yunnus and the Grameen Foundation. Recognition of the power of micro-lending is long overdue and a powerful endorsement of this incredible tool for reducing poverty. I have written previously about some of the microlending organizations in Seattle, such as Global Partnerships and Unitus. NGOs like Kiva allow average people to make small loans to entrepreneurs in resource-poor countries.

I've been trying to monitor results of the elections in the Congo. Early reports seem relatively promising. Its hard to imagine how elections could be successfully managed under those conditions.

I just read about a new book about aid to developing countries by Nicholas Kristof. Initial reports suggest it is well worth reading. I think he references the Cambodia schools Program, about which I have previously written. Bernie Krisher, the founder is an absolute dynamo when it comes to creating and implementing programs to help the poor in Cambodia. The schools program has resulted in over 300 new schools in rural areas of the country. Amazing. See www.cambodiaschools.com.

A quick follow-up on yesterday's post regarding malaria. There is an interesting op-ed piece by Tina Rosenberg in the NY Times today. She points out that DDT, which has been endorsed recently by WHO for anti-malaria efforts, was banned in developed countries because it was not used properly, although it did eradicate malaria in those countries. Massive spraying campaigns led to the introduction of unacceptable DDT levels in the environment, creating a danger to birds and fish. The proposal on the table now is to permit twice yearly spraying of minute amounts of DDT inside homes to prevent mosquito infestation. Does this create any risk to the inhabitants of the houses?

I was surprised to learn from the article that only 3% of African children sleep under insecticide-treated bednets. I had thought the percentage was much higher.

The article suggests that the U.S. is now supporting DDT usage, presumably in a safe and appropriate way. I hope this is true.

Today I want to write a bit about excess. Recently, I have come across several articles discussing the most outrageous levels of personal consumption. For example, several restaurants in Seattle serve drinks that cost $100 or more due to expensive ingredients such as vintage champagne or decades-old cognac. Or, there are now several luxury vacation clubs that charge membership fees between $50,000 and $425,000, plus several thousand dollars a year in dues so that members get access to luxury vacation properties around the world. Then there are the hotels that charge $600/night and up. Plus, we all know about cars that cost $75,000 or more. Or 10,000+ square foot houses costing millions of dollars.

Have the consumers of these goods and services gone crazy? Have they no clue whatsoever about the standards of living of most of the people on this planet? I enjoy travel, a nice restaurant and a comfortable lifestyle as much as the next person. But this is absurd!

I'll calm down.

There is an interesting debate going on in the anti-malaria community. It centers around the potential renewed use of DDT. I don't know enough about the science to have an opinion on this particular issue. But it does seem clear to me that we must provide more funds for anti-malarial bednets and education (teaching people how to minimize mosquitoes by eliminating standing water, for example).

It seems that the upcoming U.S. congressional elections will result in continuing disregard of the tragic Darfur situation by the Bush Administration. They are so focused on damage control from the Iraq war, Foley scandal, Woodward book, National Intelligence Assessment, etc., that they will not do anything that does not have potential Republican votes attached to it. Sadly, most Americans will not cast a vote with even a thought to the people dying in Darfur.

What a world.