Ethiopia-Kenya Border Flag Fight: Professor Predicted Both Outcomes

Transcript

What BBN said on air. Comedy, with fictional anchors.

1. 

   Vera BullockHundreds of Ethiopians, mostly women and children, have crossed into Kenya after two regional forces fought in Moyale over a flag.

2. 

   Vera BullockKenyan police say they came in through crossing points including Sessi, Kore, Biashara, Foundation and Miti, and the Kenya Red Cross has launched a relief operation in Moyale aimed at one thousand households.

3. 

   Vera BullockDr. Osric Tamblyn is a border studies professor whose new book says he saw this coming. Doctor, did you?

4. DO

   Dr. Osric TamblynYes, absolutely. As I wrote on page two hundred twelve, a flag is never just a flag. It's a flag with a schedule.

5. 

   Vera BullockThe dispute reportedly began on October eighteenth, when an office tied to the Somali Regional State opened in Moyale and raised its flag.

6. 

   Vera BullockWas that the page?

7. DO

   Dr. Osric TamblynPage two hundred ninety. But in the sequel, I also predicted the opposite, which is that nothing happens.

8. 

   Vera BullockBoth?

9. DO

   Dr. Osric TamblynBoth, yes. It's a two-volume set. As I wrote on page three hundred forty, readers deserve options.

10. 

    Vera BullockOne resident who fled says Garre family houses were set ablaze, along with offices and signboards. So who got the options there?

11. DO

    Dr. Osric TamblynNobody, and that's my point. Two forces fought over the cloth, and the families who never voted on it got the bill.

12. 

    Vera BullockThat's the most useful thing you've said, and I'd like it on a page.

13. 

    Vera BullockWhich volume gets my verdict: the book is a five out of ten, and the flag is a zero.

14. DO

    Dr. Osric TamblynAs I wrote on page four hundred, the flag is fine. It's the people who keep ending up under it.