...Lest ye be judged

I feel a little bad for mentioning Naomi Campbell alongside the word 'unscrupulous'. While she hasn't redeemed herself yet in the eyes of the world or Special Court for Sierra Leone by handling her implications with grace or finesse, apparently the blood diamonds were 'for the kids'. Groan...not good. But if she indeed donated them to Nelson Mandela's children's charity, which to date she has neither confirmed nor denied, that is certainly easier to swallow than her illegally transporting them from South Africa. The captivating train wreck that is Nobel peace prize laureate + warlord president + international supermodel + big uncut diamonds in the news cycle (which incidentally, partially transpired on a real train) is fleshed out a bit here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1291607/I-Naomi-given-SIX-blood-diamonds--Campbells-closest-aide-speaks-ahead-war-crimes-trial.html
Please ignore the classic British tabloid headlines featured on the sidebar. Personally, based on accounts I've gathered from people who knew the ertswhile Liberian president, I think Ms. Campbell's fears of retribution for testifying are not entirely unfounded. Still, a bit more political agility and a semblance of moral clarity would do wonders for her public image.

In other links -regarding justice, judgment, the writing of history, and the theatricality of life- I am looking forward to seeing the new documentary, War Don Don, about former RUF leader Issa Sesay's war crimes trial. Like Taylor's it was conducted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, but concluded last year when all appeals had been heard. The three RUF leaders were convicted and sent to Rwanda to serve their maybe-not-life (given their international standard prison healthcare that far suprasses Sierra Leone's) sentences. Trailer: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1291607/I-Naomi-given-SIX-blood-diamonds--Campbells-closest-aide-speaks-ahead-war-crimes-trial.html It looks amazing and I know a number of people who were involved in its making, offering interviews and information to the filmmaker.

I am consistently captivated and confused by the multiplicity of truths that constitute my research and the history of the Sierra Leone war. But maybe its our myopic view of good and evil that obscures a certain truth:
Aren't the war criminals necessarily also the peacemakers if true peace is to come at all?

In other news: the neighbourhood dogs went crazy after Spain won the World Cup. Then again, maybe they were just glad to see the match end with a real goal.