No, biodiesel is not much of a spectator sport and provides only little entertainment value to most people. But when Lyle talks about biodiesel he is really funny and quite entertaining. Lyle’s humorous and insightful stories from the epicenter of the North Carolina biofuels movement made yesterday’s book reading at the Regulator Bookstore in Durham a real success. The event was well attended – roughly 40 – 50 people – and the discussion after the reading was quite lively. Just like the book, the discussion was focused less on technical issues and more on “big-picture” topics, like the regulatory environment, the status of the sustainability movement, biofuels-centered lifestyles, and the place of biofuels in the sustainable-energy toolbox for this country.

Lyle posts regular updates about his adventures and insights on his energy blog on the Piedmont Biofuels website.

Mexico’s presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (or AMLO), unlike Gore or Kerry, is not about to give up his fight for democracy and justice in his country. In light of evidence of blatant ballot-stuffing by the ruling party PAN, and considering that nearly one million votes have not been counted, the PRD’s candidate has called for massive protests in Mexico City and across the country to pressure the electoral commission (which is controlled by the ruling PAN) to order a complete re-count.

There does seem to be evidence that the ruling PAN also had help from North-of-the-Border. Greg Palast, who published many reports about the problems with the elections in 2000 and 2004, says he has evidence that the Republican-friendly voter-purgers from ChoicePoint compiled citizen files and voter lists for Mexico and Venezuela, just like they did for Florida, under the cover of a “counter-terrorism” contract with the FBI. The Mexican list was apparently provided to the ruling PAN in order to be used to “scrub” AMLO-supporters from the voter rolls for the presidential election earlier this month.

Why does the US government want to influence the elections in Mexico? Could it be because Mexico sell more crude oil to the US than Saudi Arabia:

US Crude Oil Imports (Thousand Barrels per Day)

Country 	YTD 2006
CANADA 		1,757 	
MEXICO 		1,668 	
SAUDI ARABIA 	1,422 	
VENEZUELA 	1,186 	
NIGERIA 	1,134 	
IRAQ 		666 	

source: US EIA

This may be a simplistic POV, but the US government is aggressively meddling with the internal affairs of just about each of these countries (not sure about Canada, though I would not be surprised), especially where the powers-that-be start talking about regulation and public ownership of natural resources (Venezuela, Saddam in Iraq). If the US government spent half the effort on energy conservation, fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources, as it spends on meddling with the internal affairs of these countries – let alone occupying them – this country would be a healthier place in many ways, and the world would be a much more peaceful place.

President Bush is visiting (de) Angela Merkel’s home district in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The cute, historic town of Stralsund is under siege: all cars had to be removed to lots outside the town, gutters are welded shut, mailboxes sealed, stores cannot open, and residents are even prohibited from opening their WINDOWS in July! (Remember very few German houses have A/C). And to top it off, no one knows who will foot the 20-million-Euro bill for the visit.

Way to win the “hearts and minds” of the folks in Stralsund …

The German Football Federation announced (de) that assistant coach Joachim Löw got a 2-year contract as national trainer, after Jürgen Klinsmann elected not to renew his contract after the Worldcup. Löw hails from Schönau (de) in the Black Forest, and I find it intriguing to see a fellow Badenser and former player at SC Freiburg (our regional football “powerhouse”) take the reins of the national team. It appears that Löw will provide good continuity of Klinsmann’s style and leadership – hopefully also of Klinsmann’s success.

Germany’s biggest loss of this Worldcup came today – two days after the closing ceremony, as the German Football Federation (DFB) confirms Jürgen Klinsmann’s decision to quit. Considering his commute and the amount of abuse he had to suffer before the Worldcup, his decision does not come as a total shock – just as a major disappointment. Thank you, Herr Klinsmann, for your courage to make hard decisions, and for pulling together a fantastic team that played some of the best football in this tournament and that put the spunk back into German football.

On the positive side, however, 90 percent of the foreign Worldcup tourists say that they would recommend Germany as a tourist destination (according to a poll conducted by the German tourism association DZT). The images from Germany during the last month have been very positive: cheerful enthusiasm and hospitality, combined with a new flag-waving self-confidence that seems to be generally well-received.

Personally, I find all this flag-waving a bit silly, but on the other hand it appears to be a sign of a cheerful, self-confident flavor of patriotism that is hardly threatening. And after all, they are waving the banner of the German Märzrevolution (de) (en) of 1848, which was a perfectly respectable (if ill-fated) Democratic revolution. Of all the flags Germans might be waving, we like this one best …

Busy, hot day today at the Eno Festival – but lots of fun! The festival was well attended and we had a constant stream of people with questions about biodiesel: “Can I use it in my car?” – “Where can I get it?” – “How is it made?” – What do you do with the glycerol?” – How does it compare to Ethanol?” – ” How much does it cost?” … All perfectly reasonable questions, and we were excited to see all this interest.

The BBC’s Newsnight published an interviw with Joseph Kony (left), the leader of the so-called “Lord’s Resistance Army” (LRA), which is responsible for the genocide on the Acholi people of Northern Uganda. This is the first-ever interview with Kony, who is wanted by a UN court for war crimes. The BBC also posted an interview with one of the LRA’s victims, the 25-year-old Ugandan Ochola John (right) (warning – the contents of the interview are quite graphic).

The importance of this interview is probably not so much in what Kony said (which is not much), but merely in the fact that it took place at all. Maybe it’s a sign that the LRA is truly interested in peace talks with Museveni’s government.

See Uganda-CAN for frequent updates on the situation in Uganda.

With Ghana, Australia and Ecuador out, all that is left at the FIFA Worldcup® is millionaire football. Both Ghana and Australia got screwed by the FIFA refs (unfair, 92nd-minute penalty against the socceroos and two off-side goals for Brazil against Ghana). Too bad – millionaire football is not that much fun.

Most Germans, I think, would profess to “love nature.” yet, when “nature” has claws and teeth, it must die.

Naturliebe auf Deutsch: gepflegte Waldwege zum Wandern, ein sauberes Gasthaus zum einkehren, ein paar Rehe am Waldrand. Bloss kein Stress. Ein wilder Bär? Ein “Risikobär??” Das kann ja wohl nicht sein! Der muss abgeschossen werden befor “noch was passiert!”

Gestern ist Bruno gestorben. Die Bedeutung seines Todes ist aber noch lange nicht klar. Die deutsche und internationale Presse hat sich daher Gedanken gemacht. Im folgenden dokumentieren wir die Ergebnisse.
Pressespiegel zum Tod des Bären Bruno tagesschau.de

Es ist zu schade dass die Deutschen (Politiker) nicht meher Mut hatten sich etwas mehr auf Bruno’s Bären-natur einzulassen. Ruhe in Frieden, Bruno.

As of last weekend TDI does not only stand for outstanding fuel economy but also for “superior racing platform.” The Audi R10 TDI of Joest Racing made history with the first-ever win of a diesel-powered race car at the 24-hours of LeMans – one of the toughest and most prestigious races in motor sports.

The fans on the race track and a worldwide audience of millions of TV viewers saw an impressive demonstration of Audi TDI Power and the performance of modern diesel engines. The brace of Audi R10 TDI cars, powered by a 650 hp V12 TDI engine, were by far the fastest and most economical cars. During the entire race, one of the new diesel sportscars from Ingolstadt was at the head of the field. Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen drove the fastest lap of the race, setting a 3m 31.211s time, and he was the first driver at the wheel of an LM P1 sportscar to cover 16 laps with one fuel load. Completing 380 laps, Audi also set a new distance record.

In the race, the advantage in fuel consumption of the Audi TDI Power was visible for the spectators too: on average, the Audi drivers only pitted every 14 laps to refuel 90 litres of Shell V-Power Diesel. The opposition, who relies on petrol engines, had to pit considerably more often. The fans were also impressed just how quiet an environmentally friendly 650-hp sportscar can be.
Joest Racing press release, 18/06/06

I wonder if these diesel racers can run on biodiesel??!

…. for the goal-less first half of the game, but after Patrick Vieira’s goal in the 55th Minute the Eperviers collapse and France reels in a 2-0 victory.

Too bad that the first appearance at the Worldcup was such a bumpy ride for the team from Togo. But I hope they still had a good time in Germany (especially the players who don’t live in Germany). I certainly enjoyed watching the games at my favorite bar here in Durham. They played very spirited football and showed great resilience, despite their difficulties with their management. FIFA has intervened and assures us that the players will be paid by the FTF.

La Liberation has an interesting portrait (fr) of the president of the FTF (Fédération togolaise de football):

Président de la fédération togolaise et fils de l’ex-dictateur Eyadéma, l’imprévisible Rock Gnassingbe a plongé son équipe dans le chaos pour son premier Mondial.
Gnassingbe Rock’n’Roll par Stéphane Regy, 19 juin 2006.

Regy describes the son of Togo’s late strongman Gnassingbé Eyadema as a poor manager who allows very little financial transparency, and who appears to prefer the company of the animals at his private zoo to the mundane duties of running an organization.

The zoo at the Togolese camp in Germany was a direct result of the incompetent leadership at the FTF, and resulted in an ill-prepared and distracted team that was unable to realize all its potential. The chaos also sadly reinforced old stereotypes about Africa and African leadership. But worst of all, it let down the people of Togo, who deserve better than that, and who could have really used a boost in national self-confidence after the political unrest of the last six months.

Ghana beat USA and qualifies for the next round! Only to meet Brazil … oh well …

Happy solstice to all you Wiccans!

The picture says it all: the 2-0 loss of the Eperviers against Switzerland is no big shock to most, but nevertheless a big disappointment to many. It seems that the back-and-forth over the premiums, and the FIFA’s “play-or-else” order, left very little spunk in that team. Sadly, Togo’s first Worldcup appearance will not primarily be remembered for the quality of the football the players played, but for the incompetence of their management.
(Image copyright Getty Images)

The BBC’s James Copnall wrote a piece that, despite its snarky, almost condescending tone, scratches the surface of the Togo story slightly deeper than the usual “greedy-players” line of the ESPN talking heads. At least he bothers to ask some Togolese what they think:

“A famished player cannot play good football, so I think they should get the money,” one fan said.

“After all, the World Cup has brought lots of money into Togolese football, and it should go to the players.”

Fifa gives each nation that qualifies for the World Cup $5.7 million (£3.1m), and each country makes additional money from sponsorship.

“If the players don’t get the money it will just go straight into the pockets of the administrators,” said another fan.
Bonus row haunts failed Togo bid, BBC News, 19 June 2006

Yeah, the Togolese get it. They know their officials. If the FTF pockets all the FIFA money and the players have to hitch-hike home, it still does not really qualify as a proper scandal in Togo. I mean, the official Togo government mouthpiece proudly announced today that the President Faure Gnassingbé appointed his brother Mey Gnassingbé to a juicy government post. Imagine George Bush announcing that he appointed his brother Jeb to be the FEMA Director. Uh – bad example – Jeb already HAS a juicy government job in Florida …

The NY Times also manages to see a bit past the “greedy players” line:

At the heart of most of Togo’s team troubles is money. The bonuses the players seek may seem disproportionate to the means of the country, which is slightly smaller than West Virginia with a population of about 5.6 million. But the equation is not that simple. Togo’s Sparrow Hawks are all professionals with European and Middle Eastern clubs, and the star forward Emmanuel Adebayor plays for Arsenal, the English power.

[snip]
Each federation receives $5.8 million from FIFA for qualifying for the World Cup. The eventual champion will receive a bonus pool of $21.8 million. Viewed in that context, the demands by Togo’s team are perhaps less strident.

[snip]
The president of Togo’s soccer federation, Rock Gnassingbé, whose brother, Faure, is president of the country, has been accused by the federation’s treasurer of a lack of accountability in handling finances, according to news reports.
Togo’s Chaotic Trip to Remember and Forget, Ny Times, June 14, 2006

Uh, yeah … you read that correctly … the president of the the FTF (Federation Togolaise de Football) is the brother of the countries president, Faure Gassingbé, who is the son of the former president of Togo, Gassingbé Eyadema. Get it? Togo is a family business, of sorts. And in the end, this nepotism is directly responsible for the $1,600-a-year per-capita income of Togo. And now this nepotism spoiled Togo’s innaugural appearance at the Worldcup.

Finally FIFA intervened and explained to the team from Togo that they will play … or else … after the Togolese Football bosses proved to be completely incapable of resolving this embarrassing dispute.

The coach Otto Pfister appears to be sympathetic to the players’ grievances:

“I understand the players, they are being promised things but then nothing happens,” he told reporters at the hotel before the team left for the airport.

Pfister said the federation had yet to pay the players an agreed 50,000 euros ($62,500 dollars) bonus for reaching the finals.

Each team at the World Cup is paid one million Swiss francs (642,000 euros) by FIFA who also pay the travel cost of 45 people per squad.
Togo players end cup boycott fears, CNN, June 18, 2006

That’s probably extra hard to swallow, when all these FTF so-called-officials come to Germany and expect to live large on FIFA expenses.

FRANKFURT, June 18 (Reuters) – Togo did not leave their team base Wangen on Sunday on time for a planned departure to their next World Cup group match.

‘We are still in the hotel,’ coach Otto Pfister told Reuters on the phone when the team was meant to get on the plane to Dortmund, where they are due to play Switzerland on Monday.
Will Togo turn up for Switzerland match?, ESPN, 6/18/06

What will it take for the FTF to figure out a solution??

What a day full of surprises in the Worldcup! Ghana v. Czech Rep. was one of the best, most exciting games I have seen so far. The Black Stars brought the Czech team to its knees and won a great upset. And then the USA – Italy battle … horrible football … but what drama. Wow!

We watched both games at Satisfaction in Durham, and the USA game drew quite a crowd – who says the Americans don’t like football (the real football). Americans appreciate a good, competitive sport when they see one! I noticed a few people stay and watch the game, although they did not go there to see the game, and probably had no idea the Worldcup was on.

I am looking forward to next Thursday’s games – this should be interesting!

[UPDATE: Ghanaweb summarizes today’s game in three words …]

The ongoing trainer/premiums comedy has inflicted quite a bit of international embarrassment upon Togo’s Worldcup team – mostly due to the incompetence of the Togolese football management. Yet, the eperviers gained some respect back in today’s game against South Korea. They fought hard, and showed a strong defense, and some good offense action. Had it not been for a bad foul by their captain, Jean-Paul Abalo on Ji Sung Park, for which Abalo saw the red card and was sent to the bench, this game might have very well ended differently. But for a team without coach and with one man down for half the game, they still gave South Korea a run for their money.

Summaries: ARD (de) | RFI (fr) | BBC (en) | reactions from Togo (BBC)

It makes me mad when the media discuss the premiums of the players for Togo and they point to the average per-capita income for Togo as a comparison for the 155,000 Euro premiums promised to the players. BULLSHIT. Most Togolese players live and work in Europe, and in the European context that is not such an outrageous premium. Some of the other teams pay a lot more than that. Also, the FIFA contributes at least 4.5 Million Euros to every team in the finals. And the Gnassingé clan, who runs Togo, is worth Billions of Dollars (Google cache).

So, the players see their boss Rock Gnassingbé get off his private jet with an entourage of FTF fonctionnaires, expecting to live large in Germany on FIFA money. Yet, the FTF bosses are surprised that the players are not very inclined to play for the honor of the nation and a bowl of fufu??

[UPDATE: here’s another Togo Football blog]

[UPDATE: Agbessi over at Au Village vents his frustration (fr) about the situation with the Togolese Football management. You tell ’em, my friend.]

In one way Togo already lost the Worldcup. Sadly, this loss was not inflicted upon the team, and the country, in a fair sports competition in the stadium. Rather, the incompetence of the football (soccer) bosses of the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) bear full responsibility for the current, sad state of affairs.

The lack of leadership within the FTF is almost comical. It seems rather unclear who is in charge there. Winfried Schäfer, who at one point was supposed to take over as coach, reportedly (de) said that “too many officials are running around” at the camp of Togo’s team in Wangen, and one of the coaches, Mawuena Kodjovi, is scheming in the background. Schäfer cited the persistent, total chaos and lack of leadership as the reason he lost interest in the job.

After Schäfer’s retreat, on Monday, Messan Attolou announced that Pfister would be back on the job. Reportedly, an intervention from Rock Gnassingbé, who is supposedly in charge of the FTF, brought about an agreement. Then, two hours later, a special envoy from the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé (yes – the brother of Rock Gnassingbé!) – the President of the Togolese Olympic Commitee Zoumaro Gnofame says that, no, Kodjovi Mawuena will be coach.

None of this helps to clarify to the rest of the world who is in charge at the FTF. But it does shed some light on the management competence of Rock Gnassingbé.

Oh boy – that’s IT for the eperviers’ chances in this worldcup.

Pfister only took charge of the team earlier this year Togo’s World Cup Group G preparations are in turmoil after coach Otto Pfister resigned over a pay dispute.
His former assistant Kodjovi Mawuena will take charge of the side for their first game with South Korea on 13 June. “When I started to be manager of Togo, I was promised that bonuses for the players would be cleared,” Pfister told Fifaworldcup.com.
Togo coach Pfister quits over pay, BBC News, 10 June 2006

There had been rumblings about money problems and the, but this really sucks. I guess the Togolese Football Federation just has NO interest in the team doing well and earning some respect for the West African country.