06-FEB-A-4
RASHID ABDU’S REVIEW OF “OUT OF
ASSA”
AFTER I HAD READ HIS BOOK “YEMENI
BOY”
Dear Glenn "Golden Helmet",
I read Out of Assa word for word and cover to
cover. I found it interesting,
educational and sometimes entertaining.
I thought your comments about treating
hypothyroidism and at the same time disrupting the balance was insightful. When we look at the positives, we should
always consider the negative, (the law of compensation).
The girl with Burkett sarcoma was a tragic
event--she was the victim of ignorance.
Because of your lucid description and attention to details, I could
clearly see the law of the jungle--the survival of the fittest, and the
powerful. The savagery of the solders was no surprise in
that part of the world. They obey their
lords, who also practice the law of the jungle, where as you say, "life is
disposable out here, as quickly extinguishable as a gnat in the eye."This says it all--a very powerful statement,
indeed. The sad part is how much
responsibility did we have in placing those leaders,
like Motbuto, in power. Please read "Endless Enemies" by
Jonathan Qwitny, 1986, who described how our CIA
played its "chess" in
Those five guys who killed 5 elephants--do you mean
each carried the meat and tusks of one elephant? Also, after 5 days, I will think the meat
would have rotted in the heat!
You often spoke of "kleptocracy"
which is rampant in the 3rd world, but actually it is universal. We see it in the so called
"civilized" countries, except it is done in subtle and sophisticated
ways!
Doing 21 major operations, writing a book,
conducting research, jogging, hunting, socializing,
and doing all those chores in less than three weeks seem impossible! Only you could do it!
After you gave your last two dollars in Nyankunde,
where did you get money to continue on the safari?
Overall, I enjoyed your book very much and I commend
you for all the good things you are doing for those who are in need.
God bless you and many thanks.
Rashid