Togolese if you please

The world is small, and we are lucky to live here. By small, I mean interconnected in a six degrees from peppered Kevin Bacon kind of way. By here, I mean winning the birth/geographic lottery and having the good fortune to live in the United States. A few weeks ago my wife hosted dinner for some friends and co-workers from from Concordia Language Village. One of our guests is from Togo (which is a mess right now, but because they have no oil, the US is not interested in ensuring democracy and freedom). He (name purposely withheld) worked here in the summer and was to return in September. However, he is still in the States and seeking political asylum. Why? Because it is unsafe for him to return. His uncle was murdered by people who thought that he was our guest. What would bring such wrath from the government? Refusing to spy on the Peace Corps. Our country is far from perfect, but I’m thankful that I can worry about important things like JC Penny’s current ad campaign or what tacky shirts I'll be wearing in Las Vegas.

Best wishes.