Friday 28 March 2008

Zimbabwe

Amidst an inflation percentage of a staggering 100,000% (or more), 80% unemployment and one out of every three residents having fled its territory, Zimbabwe is holding presidential elections this weekend. Robert Mugabe, self-styled dictator and liberator-hero of the first hour, is seeking re-election at the age of 84. He faces a challenge from two opposing candidates. Allegations of planned vote-rigging, disenfranchisement of voters through lack of voting booths threaten to make this election anything but fair. But what do you expect from a man who will stop at nothing to stay in power?

Question for George W. Bush. Here is a dictator in flagrant defiance of human rights, democracy and freedom. He has deliberately wrecked his country's economy - Zimbabwe used to be a prosperous place - and has his opponents beaten if not worse. So what's the difference between Iraq, where a huge invasion could be mounted in 2003 to oust a monstrous dictator, and this corner of Africa? Why not send the troops there, Mr Bush?

11 comments:

  1. Well said! I'm not exactly looking for another war, at the moment I would be pleased if the candidates would promise an end to the one we have on going. (Hugs) Indigo

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  2. Why do you think?  It's slimey and nutritious for cars.  Heck, "Mugabe" is there another name that riles so many?  Don't look to Bush to hold up the standards this country was founded on, he can't even read.  CATHY

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  3. Here here Is what I would say to President Bush.....We can only pray that things will come to pass in Zimbabwe..as you know I have a great fondness for the country having visited when it was still Rhodesia and have some dear friends who have had to leave their beloved country for their safety.  Sybil x

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  4. Well put Guido. Many people are starving and dying for one mans greed.Its a shame that the bloke can not be ousted without more bloodshed.I hope your day is a good one.
    love and hugs
    Katie

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  5. Sadly,I think is WAS all about the oil...as for Mugabe, well, they voted him in didn't they?Is that a dictatorship?? YES! He has withheld food from his own people running up to elections in a bid to blackmail them...now he is handing out free cars to get the doctors to stay!! ABSURD!! My husband fled Rhodesia in 1980 and now we are fleeing to the UK because we see the same signs here....I am afraid for my country!I love my country but am fleeing to give my children a chance and escaping another Zimbabwe.MAKES ME SOO MAD...neither I nor my kids had anything to do with apartheid (evil) yet we are suffering...two wrongs DO NOT make a right!!

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  6. Good question you asked, Guido.


    lj

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  7. In my opinion since there is no OIL to be had it isn't worth the effort.  He can't come up with a dozen lies as to why America should get involved...like imaginary weapons of mass destruction etc.  Secondly, he doesn't have to finish what Daddy started so he doesn't have a hard on for Mugabe like he did Hussein.  Bush doesn't give a rats behind about people ~ he's so out of touch with reality.  Everyone knows Cheyney is running the show and I imagine the devil himself is afraid of him.
    Lisa

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  8. Good point Guido.
    Pam

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  9. Sadly Robert Mugabe is looked up to by other African Presidents for being the one who ousted the white Zimbabweans and claimed Zimbabwe for black Zimbabweans.  They have been backing him to the hilt for their own misguided leanings of blacks only in their countries.  This is just the same as apartheid under Iain Smith regime in South Africa.  Only it has been visited upon the white farmers instead of the blacks.  Apartheid is the same no matter what the colour.  It's wrong and obscene!
    I read, and I hope it is true, that Mugabe's guards and henchmen are beginning to jump ship.  I hope the rest of the rats do it soon!  They are anhilating their own people for their own gain.  
    Jeanie

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  10. Guido~
    I have also been following the election and troubles in Zimbabwe for quite some time. Here is a great link to the NY Times posting some preliminary reports that the Robert Mugabe (terrorist in my view for 28 long years) has lost.
    NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/index.html  This page also has many other articles about Zimbabwe. I recommend it for great reading. And the photos? Just broke my heart.

    Huggers,
    Gayla

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  11. Guido, I gave you the wrong URL address. Here is the correct one:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/world/africa/01zimbabwe.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

    Sorry for the trouble,
    Gayla

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