Following up on my earlier post on the death of the foreign desk is this fascinating presentation by Alisa Miller, head of Public Radio International. She focuses on why the United States’ news media is showing even less about the world than ever - despite everyone professing to wanting to know more.
The most arresting fact? In US news coverage for February 2007, one story eclipsed news reports of all countries except Iraq: the death of Anna Nicole Smith. This was the same month that the IPCC released a report saying climate change is unequivocal and caused by human activity, Iran continued its nuclear enrichment program, North Korea decided to dismantle its nuclear facilities, and unrest was unabated in Afghanistan, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Thailand, throughout Africa and in many other counties.
A few other important points:
In the past few years, news networks have reduced the number of their foreign bureaus by 50%.
There are almost no network news bureaus in all of Africa, India or South America.
Having worked with a number of international and domestic organizations over the past several years, who’s mandates may shift considerably on the shifting sands of foreign relation, it has become abundantly clear that familiarity with global trends is a necessity in this increasingly interconnected world.
As we’ve seen with each political cycle here in the United States, ignorance of how the global system works – the ebb and flow of international trade, immigration, information and so on – can lead to naive perspectives on public policy. This allows politicians to more easily exploit popular misconceptions through dangerously populist rhetoric.
If anything, I am certainly an inveterate traveler. What began as an odd trip to this country or that, is now an often-as-possible jaunt to wherever strikes my latest fancy. The latest interest was Mexico, specifically San Miguel de Allende. A pleasant town about five hours north of Mexico City, San Miguel sits roughly 2000 meters above sea-level, giving it a cool temperate climate. The landscape is equally as agreeable, with rolling lowlands interspersed with lofty hills. Here, cattle and goats lazily graze the light scrub while cowboys watch attentively. All considered, a wonderful, but all too brief journey.
The lights of Ribeira glisten in the cool night air, the historic center of Porto, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 (Portugal’s 8th)
With the nearby Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Belem Tower tower was classified a National Monument in 1910 and a World Heritage Site in 1983
Intended for the burial of the House of Aviz, the Church of Santa Maria instead became a house of prayer for departing Portuguese mariners
While darkness descends on Lisbon, as viewed from Castle Sao Jorge, the city begins to awake with the sights and sounds of celebrations
The second part of my journey through Portugal brought me to Porto, the second largest city in the nation and one of the most important ports on the Iberian peninsula. There, I toured the city’s historic cathedrals and fortifications, enjoyed Portugal’s unique and delectable cuisine and enjoyed majestic views of the city from towering bridges spanning the Douro river.
The last half of my journey also saw my return to Lisbon, to once again get lost in its picturesque and bustling streets while also enjoying its most extraordinary - and famous - sights.
So everyone will stop being shocked when they hear about it, yes, I bought an iPhone.
And it’s brilliant. It is sort of like the genius friend we all have. The one who also happens to be a super-model. And just like the beautiful intelligent friend, occasionally it crashes hard when over-burdened. But I still love it. Now, everyone, stop asking to hold it every time I take it out to check the time. My genius-super-model-phone is taken.
Perhaps it was the promise of old-world European elegance, with mysteriously hidden side-streets and quaint restaurants, or the chance to utilize my meager Brazilian Portuguese. Whatever the reason, Portugal became my second foray into Europe thus far. Between its great food, wonderfully unique scenery, storied history and quick public transport network, this gem on the Iberian peninsula did not disappoint.
As always the case, I had far less time in-country then I would have liked - a mere six days. Despite this, I had laid out an extensive itinerary: a few days in Lisbon, then train-rides north to Coimbra and Porto. The south, with its beach resorts and renown sea-food would have to wait for another trip.
Elegant residences line the streets around the Baixa Pombalina (or Pombaline Lower Town), rebuilt following the devastating 1755 earthquake
The red-hued moon ascends above Lisbon’s lower town, Pombalina, on the shoreline of the Tagus River
The 16th century Sao Sebastiao (Saint Sebastian) aqueduct which cuts through the center of Coimbra
The Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra (or simply Jardim Botanico) which was founded by the Marquis of Pombal in the 1770s
Perhaps it was the promise of old-world European elegance, with mysteriously hidden side-streets and quaint restaurants, or the chance to utilize my meager Brazilian Portuguese. Whatever the reason, Portugal became my second foray into Europe thus far. Between its great food, wonderfully unique scenery, storied history and easy access, this gem on the Iberian peninsula did not disappoint.
My itinerary was, perhaps, rather ambitious: three cities, one of them the metropolis of Lisbon, in a scant five days. Alas, the timing was beyond my control, so smooth traveling was subject to capricious winds of fate.
Pure CSS-based drop-down menus are a great thing, if for no other reason than their sheer simplicity and flexibility. However, they have two main drawbacks.
1. They don’t work in Internet Explorer 6 due to the browser’s poor support for the :hover pseudo-class.
2. When the mouse cursor is over a drop-down, the top level navigation item does not stay highlighted under most conditions.
Fortunately, both problems can be solved with some simple JavaScript. The first problem is easily corrected with the excellent Son of SuckerFish drop-down code. The second problem can be solved using the equally small amount of code described below.
The best part of this code its use of DOM hooks in your XHTML document to add the functionality making it self-contained and allowing full separation of content and design.
Having worked with a number of international and domestic organizations over the past several years, who’s mandates may shift considerably on the shifting sands of foreign relation, it has become abundantly clear that familiarity with global trends is a necessity in this increasingly interconnected world.
So everyone will stop being shocked when they hear about it, yes, I bought an 
Pure CSS-based drop-down menus are a great thing, if for no other reason than their sheer simplicity and flexibility. However, they have two main drawbacks.