News24 Jean Barker

Tidying up after our gods

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:30:01 +0200

You can run, but you can't hide, from pasteurisation, disinfecting, warning and gardening in California, says Jean Barker as she searches desperately for a patch of peaceful chaos.

USA: Better than Bombs

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:16:03 +0200

America's response to the Boston Marathon bombing gives Jean Barker hope for humanity.

Why are Americans Paranoid?

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:54:27 +0200

How can the people with the most bombs, stacks of land and Bruce Willis be afraid of attack? Jean Barker thinks she has figured it out.

What I'll miss about America

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:07:14 +0200

I miss South Africa more than you can imagine, but when I'm home, what I miss the most about America are the very things I came here to find, says Jean Barker.

"Massage", USA-style

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:38:06 +0200

Massage in America is not what it seems, and not all of it is for everybody, writes Jean Barker.

Rebirth in Obama's America

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:51:28 +0200

President Barack Obama's America is an exciting one right now. It feels as if maybe, just maybe things might change for the better, writes Jean Barker.

Be nicer to the USA?

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:36:44 +0200

Maybe it's time to go easier on America. Because I'd resent American visitors judging South Africa the way I judge the USA, says Jean Barker.

Hot Button Tantrums

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 07:50:34 +0200

Jesus? Poverty? Rape? Muhammad? Abortion? Socialism? Nukes? Palestine? Vegetarians? What turns you into a 6-year-old at its mere mention, asks Jean Barker.

SA's wine crisis - exported

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 07:45:51 +0200

How do the latest wave of agricultural protests look to those living in countries with fair minimum wages? Justified, says Jean Barker.

US election funny viral video fever

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:57:47 +0200

Jean Barker takes a tour of the biggest funny viral video hits of the final week of the US Presidential election, and asks: Do Republicans have a sense of humour?

Bad, naughty poor people!

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:14:38 +0200

Why is it that some rich people - particularly those born and raised rich - think they know so damn much about what's good for poor people, asks Jean Barker.

The World is going to Hell

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:29:57 +0200

Sometimes it does seem like the world is going to hell - at least, if all those condemning one another to hell are to be believed, says Jean Barker.

Who would I vote for - Obama or Romney?

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:09:46 +0200

I think that if America wants to continue to run the world, we should be allowed to vote in their elections. No? Okay, well then let me at least pretend I can, says Jean Barker.

Hollywood's dirty dreams

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:56:56 +0200

There's gold in them hills. But how long should you keep on digging for it? Asks Jean Barker.

Why America's roads are safer than SA's

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:46:46 +0200

America's road deaths are only roughly one third of South Africa's per capita. Jean Barker asks why.

Batman killings: 'Not part of the plan'

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:01:29 +0200

The Colorado shooting is all over the news here in the USA, every day. Why? Since when was just 12 people dying big news in this world? Asks Jean Barker.

Trash culture USA

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:26:15 +0200

Reusable, recyclable, made from former yoghurt cups, untouched by human hands...what happened to doing the dishes, America? Asks Jean Barker.

Licence and registration, Ma'am

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:07:44 +0200

The California driver's licence was so easy by comparison to South Africa's that passing left Jean Barker terrified of American drivers.

Black in So-Cal, USA

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:24:43 +0200

In Southern California, “white”, while not “right”, is certainly “normal” - and black is not, writes Jean Barker.

Crazy for President!

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:56:41 +0200

Sometimes it's not hard to see why some Americans would rather occupy Wall Street than vote for these guys, says Jean Barker.