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Some very interesting things are going to happen in international politics over the next six months, driven by Ebola. And I use the word "interesting" in the sa

Some very interesting things are going to happen in international politics over the next six months, driven by Ebola. And I use the word "interesting" in the same way as it's used in the curse "May you live in interesting times" I think by early next year it'll become obvious that we're going to lose millions of folks to the disease. What remains unknown is what the containment ability of western societies are. R is overall around 2, but in Europe maybe it's just .2 -- or maybe 1.2. The difference between those two numbers has staggering implications for the future of many societies. I also do not believe that some sort of massive intervention would work to contain Ebola in Africa right now. Mathematically, yes, you can make the numbers work to show that a huge intervention could contain it. But practically? Not happening. The world is heading down this road whether we're prepared for it or not.

coldcode 12y ago
I read some senator wants to hold up the US investment for helping out in Africa for political reasons. I suppose there are no voters in Africa so why spend money there. Not in my back yard often goes both ways. People are dying in Africa, why should we care. Of course this is a world problem but politicians seem unable to grasp that.
- maxerickson 12y ago
  It's a nice idea to only repeat things like that if you can find some decent source for it. Here's one: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/09/us-health-ebola-usa-senator-idUSKCN0HY27L20141009 http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/09/us-health-ebola-us... (Well, I think it's useful to provide a source for something like that, it cuts at least 1 step out of the game of telephone that may ensue.)
- hga 12y ago
  So Senator Inhofe's concerns about the health of our servicemen sent over there, and how this will play out over the long term (this money is not going to last more than 6 months), are unwarranted, a ruse for parochialism? Note the DoD is currently using already budgeted money, this is for the future.

coldcode 12y ago

I read some senator wants to hold up the US investment for helping out in Africa for political reasons. I suppose there are no voters in Africa so why spend money there. Not in my back yard often goes both ways. People are dying in Africa, why should we care. Of course this is a world problem but politicians seem unable to grasp that.

maxerickson 12y ago
It's a nice idea to only repeat things like that if you can find some decent source for it. Here's one: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/09/us-health-ebola-usa-senator-idUSKCN0HY27L20141009 http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/09/us-health-ebola-us... (Well, I think it's useful to provide a source for something like that, it cuts at least 1 step out of the game of telephone that may ensue.)
hga 12y ago
So Senator Inhofe's concerns about the health of our servicemen sent over there, and how this will play out over the long term (this money is not going to last more than 6 months), are unwarranted, a ruse for parochialism? Note the DoD is currently using already budgeted money, this is for the future.