Mandela Speaks

Nelson Mandela broke his silence. Although I understand why he was silent, the fact that he spoke up speaks volumns. Mugabe better wake up, because two of the most preeminent figures of the liberation struggle have spoken against him. Here is Nelson Mandela's comments (courtesy of the BBC)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7474559.stm

Now, I wonder what will Mugabe do?

Zimbabwe....When will the suffering stop?

The MDC Leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew from the Presidential Run-off Election on Sunday. Who will blame him? His followers have been threatened, beaten and murdered. His second in command has been charged with treason. Mr. Tsvangirai himself has been detained a number of times. Because he was fearful for his safety, Mr. Tsvangirai had to take refuge in the Dutch Embassy. The MDC's headquarters was raided and mostly women and children were arrested and taken away for "hygiene" reasons--according to the so-called Police. Yet, the President of South Africa called for more dialogue. The time for dialogue is past. How many more people must die? When will the suffering stop? There is only one solution and one solution only: SADC must step up in unisom and tell Mugabe he has to go. As for the people of Zimbabwe, they have already spoken with their feet. Is Thabo Mbeki blind? Does he not see that this so-called "quiet diplomacy" has failed?

Zimbabwe....The Tragedy Continues....

The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk) has just reported that the leader of the opposition will not participte in Friday's scheduled run-off. So, Mugabe will win by default. The so-called information minister of Zimbabwe claims that the MDC would ahve been humiliated. Shame on Mugabe for being so power hungry that he will hang on at any price. Shame on South Africa for staying silent and pursuing silent diplomacy while the people of Zimbabwe are suffering.

Bravo to African Notables...

The BBC is now reporting that 40 prominent Africans have published an open letter urging a fair and free election in Zimbabwe. Among them are notables like Archbishop Tutu, The Kenyan Noble Laureate, The former Presidents of Malawi, Mozambique and Ghana and many others. At least, Africa has spoken. The question is whether Mugabe will listen. If he gets away with it, then Mbeki and SADC (the South African Development Community) will lose all shreds of crediblity and will haave to suffer the consequences of a failed state and increased refugees. Why the world can't do anything about this is simply beyond explanation to me.

The Tragedy in Zimbabwe...Cont'd....

The tragedy is Zimbabwe continues...

This morning, The Movement for Democratic Change's Leader Number two was arrested on treason charges. Mugabe will stop at nothing..and his cronies will stop at nothing. Shame on Africa and especially Thabo Mbeki for staying silent. What is Mbeki afraid of?

May we live in interesting times......

Well, Senator Obama has clinched the Democratic Nomination for President. Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have apparently met, according to CNN (http://www.cnn.com) and BBC is reporting that they apparently at Senator Feinstein's home. The party is starting the process to gear up for the general election..and it will be a great election. To me, this is probably the pivotal election that would define where we go from here for another generation.

I have repeatedly reflected upon the world-wide challenges we face as a country. Although we are at peace here at home, we have profound challenges. The credit crisis continues, gas continues to rise, the gap between rich and poor continues to rise and we continue to be faced with changes in our economy and our long-term viability as an economic superpower. These are challenges that the new President has to face head-on.

Moving on to Africa, I have shared my frustrations with what is going on in Zimbabwe. It is shameful that Mugabe goes to Rome to participate in a Food Summit when his country is starving. Now, BBC has just reported that The so-called Zimbabwean Government has suspended aid operations until further notice because of the absurd charge that the aid organizations support the opposition. What is shameful is the silence of the South African Development Community and South Africa in particular. Apparently, South Africa had to intervene in order to get the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change released. I wonder about the poor people of Zimbabwe...and pray for them. This is something that Robert Mugabe has forgotten. When you're in public service, that's exactly what it means...to serve the public.....

June 6 (which is tomorrow) is also the anniversary of the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He was gunned down at the age of 42 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. One of my cousins was there when he was assassinated. From what I have read of that year, it was another watershed year. Historians continue to debate what would have been possible if RFK would have survived.

The struggle to overcome must never be stopped...and we must continue to strive to "
create the future" as we were so eloquently reminded of by Tom Friedman in his book "the World is Flat". We owe it to our children and grandchildren. Our leaders need to remember that.

Mugabe is at it...yet again!!!

Mugabe emerged.....what a shame!!!

I did not want to devote much more here to this man. But, he termed the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Dr. Frasier a Prostitute. He has no shame. He ran his country to the ground and yet he goes blaming everyone else. Hopefully, the MDC will win. I wonder, though. It will require the South African Development Community to show some spine and not take the nonsense Mugabe has fed them as face value. It seems to me that the People of Zimbabwe deserve a lot more.

The final chapter is yet to be written, though.

Mugabe The Clown

Mugabe spoke during Zimbabwe's Independence Day. He again tried the tired and old argument that everything wrong with Zimbabwe is the fault of the British. What blows me away is when leaders blame others for their problems. He has been in charge for 28 years. He is an old, frightened, little man who just does not want to give up. This stance is simply pathetic. This pathetic stance has made him into a clown. At least, the union dock workers in Durban in South Africa refused to unload a shipment of military gear destined for Zimbabwe. There is always something about the common man that amazes me. Maybe this courageous and bold act by the dock workers in Durban will wake up President Mbeki. Jacob Zuma and The South African Parliament Speaker have at least spoken of the idiocy of it all. I do feel for Africa, though.....

Mugabe...Shame On You!!!

Robert Mugabe just does not want to give up, does he? The BBC is now reporting that ZANU-PF has requested a recount of all the votes. Can't this man realize that he destroyed Zimbabwe? What about all the people who are now refugees?
He and his party have quite a nerve. Mugabe wants to stay in power. Shame on the whole of Africa for having been silent for so long. When will Mbeki and others step up and tell Mugabe that he has to go. Of course, all the cronies and the people who became rich will not give up. Maybe, reason will prevail. I wonder if Mugabe knows how to spell reason.

Briely On the Campaign, The Election & Senator McCain

The drama over the Democratic Nomination continues. Senator Obama hauled in $ 40 Million & Senator Clinton hauled in $ 20 Million. The momentum continues to be on Senator Obama's side. Senator Clinton is the underdog and she has said she won't quit. Senator McCain, though, is focused on building up party unity and solidifying his general election campaign coffers. He's also one lucky guy , being married to his wife Cindy. What they have been able to achieve is admirable. The commitment to public service the family has with a Son in the Marines and a Son in the Naval Academy speaks to what they believe in this country.

As I reflect upon the campaign, I am listening to a audio diary from Manuel in Zimbabwe who is talking about the misery of life in that country. Mugabe seems to have stuck his head in the sand. How can he go to sleep when there are millions of his compatriots who can't afford bread, have no running water and no electricity? I can't understand it...but I am not supposed to understand....

The Drama in Zimbabwe...Continued.....

Well, Robert Mugabe is not going to go quietly. The Election Commission in Zimbabwe reported that the lower house of parliament is now MDC & opposition territory. But, the "old man" does not seem to want to go quietly. He destroyed his legacy with his what he has done to Zimbabwe. I hate it when leaders get so thirsty with power that they believe that they are invisible. What is the big deal with reporting the election results? Mugabe does not like to lose. I don't think anybody does. But, Hugo Chavez accepted defeat. I would like to truly understand why Mugabe can't just honor the election results. Furthermore, why the military is loyal to the man, not the country. Because of him, a third of his countrymen have fled and are now refugees. The inflation has hit 100,000%. Money has no meeting. The only people who seem to be winning are Mugabe and his cronies. He should be ashamed....the question is will he just wither away? What a wasted legacy.....