What I Read Last Week: Pro-life means pro-gun control, a missile's aftermath, Yakuza photos, Contempt in Marriage and Politics in Madagascar

How one evangelical activist changed his mind on gun violence
A preacher's journey toward an expansive understanding of pro-life the grew from one focused on protecting the unborn to also protecting life in general through gun control.  Personally, I tend to agree that protecting the unborn goes hand in hand with fighting gun violence from a consistency aspect.


In Yemen, Death From Above, Grief Below
While we're reading about the value of life, this is a sober account of what the aftermath of a missile strike looks like for civilians.  So often, the actuality of these events are masked behind passive headlines--it's important to remember that a person's value is independent of their country of origin and that government's relationship to another.

This Photographer Was Given Access Inside One Of Japan’s Yakuza Crime Families
An intriguing and frightening glimpse into the seedy underworld of Japan's crime world.  The depth to which the photographer seems to have been lulled into its pull speaks to families' power--he glosses over the deleterious aspects of their existence quickly--ignoring the implications of prostitution, bribery and corruption.

Easier Said Than Done On the elusive quest for political stability in Madagascar
While Soamiely may be pretty much the only person writing in English on Malagasy culture and politics, he's also an incredible talented and interesting writer.  He's on my weekly reading list.  This article is a great example from June this year in which he dissects the (in)efficacy of the government in Madagascar to make concrete progress.

Couples Who Stay Together Follow This One Rule
I will just give you the rule: "If an argument crosses over from anger to contempt, it needs to stop immediately."

What I Read Last Week: Mada Photo Museum, Ode to Sommeliers, Mondavi Crush, Post-prison meals, El Chapo and Hemingway's Writing process

Construction of Large Buildings in Madagascar
An online photo museum of Madagascar.  This has some great photos of original construction of many of the buildings around town...from the 50's and 60s.

The House of Mondavi: How an American Wine Empire Was Born

An intriguing excerpt from Julia Siler's The House of Mondavi.  It reads like a soap opera and tickled my interests enough to add it to my Amazon wish list for Christmas.  

Why the sommelier watches how you attack the bread basket
An ode to the joys of of sommeliers.

You Just Got Out of Prison. Now What?
An inspiring look at the re-entry program headed by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition that focuses on relationships and which is led by former prisoners.

Ernest Hemingway, The Art of Fiction No. 21

In which Hemingway says the "Racing Form" (with regard to the subject of going to the races) is the true art of fiction.

A working habit he has had from the beginning, Hemingway stands when he writes. He stands in a pair of his oversized loafers on the worn skin of a lesser kudu—the typewriter and the reading board chest-high opposite him.

‘There's No Real Fight Against Drugs’ Discussing El Chapo’s escape with an ex-cartel operative, a Mexican intelligence official, and an American counternarcotics agent
Yikes.  The Mexican government complicit in El Chapo's escape?!! This is a movie waiting to be made.