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Published Thursday, April 13, 2007
Wars in distant lands, space travel, paranoia — the themes that served to backdrop author Kurt Vonnegut's richest period of work 40 years ago nag at us just as persistently today. The American lodestar died on Wednesday, leaving behind the ageless humanist questions: Why bad? When good? The good, in fact, did emerge in the East, as China and Japan agreed to put aside millennia-old grudges and renew reconciliation efforts. Less encouraging were two separate waves of deadly violence in North Africa and news that 13 detainees on hunger strikes in Guantanamo are being force-fed through the nose.
If Earth proves too unwelcome, the moon could soon be viable; a 20-spot will buy you an acre with excellent views. Vonnegut probably would've written craftily about such developments, fueled by his mortal vices, Pall Malls and coffee — which scientists say might lower the risk for at least one disease.
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Separate incidents have highlighted the possible formation of more unified Islamist terrorism efforts in North Africa. Two bombs in Algeria, one targeting the prime minister's office, killed at least 33 on Wednesday, with the Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb claiming responsibility. Previously known as the Salafists and active in Algeria's 16-year-long civil war, the organization has recently reached out to Islamist extremists in the region.
Earlier in the week, in neighboring Morocco, three men blew themselves up after being confronted by police about their connection to a 2003 bombing in Casablanca. Officials cannot agree, however, on whether a link exists between the Algerian and Moroccan groups.
