There have been record highs this summer, in the triple digits, especially in the American southeast. It hasn't been a dry heat, at least not where I live. Its been muggy, and often the long days end with rumbling, torrential rains.
Its beautiful to witness, to hear, and occasionally to be caught up in the wonder. But I can't help but ask myself if our record highs are isolated aberrations peculiar to the United States, or are these trends seen all over the world.
In Sudan, its raining. In fact flooding in most of Khartoum which has piss poor drainage system. Its deluge in the provinces, especially in Kordofan.
Meanwhile we seem to have an impasse, a stalemate. For Bashir and Silva Kirr have both amassed their sizable armies along the North-South divide. Staking claim to the valuable oil reserves that lie below.
Its a sobering reminder that "peace" isn't worth the paper it was written on. It demonstrates to the people of Sudan the lack of trust between the two "partners," and it offers a very scary picture of the future. For in a few short months, the people of Southern Sudan will have a referendum. A choice between autonomy or complete separation. A vote for separation seems to be a forgone conclusion, and with it, the North can kiss the lucrative oil reserves goodbye. Or will they? Will Bashir's government give it up so easily?
Its quite possible the historic referendum of January 2011, might become a blood bath. Just another.
