Rob Bates

More Diamond Media Watch: Too Much “Blood”
December 12, 2006

You may all be as sick of reading about “Blood Diamond” and the related issues as I am, but here are some of the more interesting and unusual pieces I’ve seen lately:

* Glad to see some media outlet – after all the puffball  articles –asking some real questions of Canadian diamond seller Brilliantearth! And what does Brilliant Earth say about this?

* Wonder why the diamond industry works so much better in Southern Africa than in West Africa? Here is a solid primer. And the State Dept.’s briefing on conflict diamonds has some interesting (and rather pro-industry) things to say about the overall issue. Isn't it ironic that after all the years of bad blood, the U.S. government is now on De Beers' side?

* On a far less serious note, here’s "Blood Damond" director Ed Zwick dissing my new BFF Russell Simmons. Ed's all up in Russell's grill because Simmons went on a De Beers-sponsored trip and came back chirping about Botswana.

But let’s not forget the larger picture: Simmons is donating 25% of his product’s profits to charity. A great gesture. Let "Blood Diamond" do the same!

By the way, perhaps future generations can explain why something as important as this issue is being debated in the media by a film director and music producer.

* And if you need further evidence this once-serious issue has become a true media circus, here’s Rush Limbaugh saying he’s going to try and buy conflict diamonds (about the tenth paragraph down). Pardon me while I silently weep.

* Back on Planet Earth, youtube has a lot of things, and now it has Martin Rapaport, talking about “Blood Diamond” and Sierra Leone. (Regrettably you cannot embed video on this here blog tool.) Hmmm ....Good production values, and I agree with everything he says here, but he seems to have confused a commenter or two ... Let me know what you think ..

 - Finally, sound off about the movie here.

Posted by Rob Bates on December 12, 2006 | Comments (0)