Palaver

Palaver

They say the best flattery comes from the words of a vanquished foe. And before the next book is written about the exploits of London Olympics 2012 sensation Usain Bolt, it is vital to hear what his nearest competitors said of the 4x100 relay. American Ryan Bailey said: “He’s a monster.” American Justin Gatlin: “He was basically the difference in the team...When he got the stick there was nothing we could do about it.” Jamaican colleague Yohan Blake: “When he starts to open that stride, he is not normal.” And retired sprinter Carl Lewis still thinks Bolt is all hot air and a drug use suspect! Basket of our grapes, perhaps?

 

Some stories are really uplifting. Heard about the AFP post of a “tree-loving boy who donated his life savings to protect forests in the High Tatras region stricken by a plague of bark beetles in Europe’s smallest Alpine-type mountain range”? Matej Jurcisin donated Sh500,000 to Tatras National Park in Slovakia, which has been fighting the disaster since November 2004, AFP reports. And FYI, Matej is 12 years old. Wonder what became of the Mau Forest hype. Anyone gone back to check whether the tree they planted has survived the politics? Won’t see too many nods there.

 

Yes, none of you has heard of Emanuele Pesoli, but you could soon follow his hunger strike right here on Palaver.  Emanuele is one of several football players, coaches, clubs and team owners who have been banned for three years by Italian football federation for alleged match-fixing. Emanuele is protesting his innocence and has chained himself to the gates of the Italian football federation headquarters in Rome and is on hunger strike. “They are ruining my life for something I have not done.” Wonder whether the new Constitution allows me to lead Kenyans into chaining ourselves at the JKIA arrivals door until every last Kenyan athletics official is arrested when they land back with their shopping bags.

 

And finally…

Just when you almost celebrate the absence of a certain voice, former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican VP nominee, Sarah Palin  speaks. And you know what, she congratulates her party’s nominee for VP, Mr Paul Ryan but goes on to mentions President Obama 26 times, but Mitt Romney and Ryan three times only. Wow!

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