The African 'Big Man': Robert Mugabe

In a previous piece on the African 'Big Man', I blogged on the symptoms of a disease that afflicted these morally bereft men amongst them a certain Zimbabwean.

Robert Mugabe has gone from Freedom fighter to Nationalist to Dictator to just another African 'Big Man' trying to hold onto political power anyway he can. Robert Mugabe was not always a thief and Murderer. Once upon a time, a long time ago, he defended his people and fought for their independence from Mighty colonialist Britain. He was a pride to the African people.

In old Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Mugabe was an icon, and many of his kith and kin put their trust in him. Mugabe grew stronger in stature riding on the backs of his people to become their leader. Sadly today, he has developed and shows symptoms of this grave disease that has afflicted many African leaders.

What ever happened to this Man, this champion of his people? When did he become afflicted with this disease? When and why did power corrupt Mr Mugabe? In my opinion Mr Mugabe lost his way when his focus shifted from the needs of his people to his own ideology and whims. Mugabe knows (but does not want to accept)that his ideas to bring his people food, health care and decent living standards are not working.

Like previous and current African despots, Mr Mugabe cannot imagine not being in power. He refuses to share power with anyone who is not named Robert Mugabe (plain stupidity, dude!!!).

Under Mr Mugabe's watch, Zimbabwe's economy has burned and crashed while he struggles to fight his shadows. Mr Mugabe in his wisdom has decided that he is more important than the average Zimbabweans (denial)and carries on despite defeats at the polls.

Mugabe wakes up everyday and continues as if he still lives in the 1950's, he constantly accuses the British and American powers of trying to destabilize his country and turn his people against him. The truth is Poverty and sickness are the real enemies of Zimbabwe and have turned your people against you.

Lately record inflation rates and cholera are ravaging the country while Mr Mugabe continues to carry on in pomp as Head of Government. He has run out of ideas to get his people out of the mess he has led them into. His only solution is blind rhetoric and fake optimism.

Mr Mugabe, it is time to move on and now! The people of Zimbabwe deserve much better, they definitely do not deserve you ruining their lives any further. Forget the West, forget Tsvangirai, forget what you want. Remember the fate of Mobutu, Abacha, Idi-Amin and Taylor. Life is too short!!! Put Zimbabwe first.

Rumblings in the Middle-East...Can't we all just get along?

Its just past Christmas, Hanukkah has just ended, and yet the streets of Gaza and parts Israel are under siege from deadly bombs. Bombs being shelled on innocent and an already impoverished people; Children, Women and the Elderly who cannot protect themselves and who were hoping (as all of us) that they would see a New Year in Peace.

The Israeli politicians say it is an "ALL out War" against Hamas and the Palestinians are only too happy to oblige this sentiment. The UN is calling for a cease-fire, protests are going on around the world in support of the Hamas and Israel. It just seems everyone is taking sides yet again and playing politics, dirty stinky politics. Politically' correct speeches are being drafted and released, everyone seems concerned (even this writer) still folks are getting killed all in the name of what?

Just imagine the kids on both sides whose playgrounds have now been turned into killing fields. Imagine the fear that must surely now live in their innocent little hearts. What if any, is their crime? When have they spewed hatred against Israel or called for the dismantling of Hamas? What is their crime really; the sins of their fathers?

If the reason for the ongoing war is to cripple the children of Israel and Palestine, to murder innocent people while hoping to target and eliminate bad guys, then both sides need to keep at it. If however, it is to ensure that people can live in peace then why don't we start with PEACE.

Let the feuding sides just commit to Peace. The world is sick of this, I am completely disgusted that this systemic killings are simply allowed to go on. Where is conscience and empathy?

To the politicians on both sides: Please spare the rest of the world the plethora of propaganda about how this "War is for good". These wars can never be justified. Shame to anyone who tries to. The blood of the 'Innocent' is on your already bloodied hands.

Happy Holidays!!! Joyeuse Fetes!!!

Though the world is on the verge of a meltdown, let us take the time to savor the smells, sound and meaning of Christmas.

Let us spread Love, Cheer and Kindness not only to our loved ones but to strangers too, just as Jesus, the reason for the season teaches.

Happy Hanukkah!!! Happy Kwanzaa to all too.

The United States Vs "Size 10" Shoes

It was indeed an amazing scene in Baghdad this weekend when an Iraqi reporter took off his size 10 shoes and hurled them one after the other at U.S President Bush. This latest sad, sad episode happened at a Press conference given by Mr Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Malaki.

I am no fan of President Bush's policies, but on seeing the images as they were replayed over and over on various media channels, I was aghast. Aghast because I thought George W. Bush-the man, did not deserve to be humiliated like that. I imagined the worst and my thoughts of his family. I thought especially of both Mrs Bush, the Presidents Father, his two daughters. I imagined the horror they would have felt seeing their , son, husband and father in the face of clear danger.

Say what you may about the unfortunate policies of this most un-popular President, he still represents a lot of 'good'; freedom, democracy and leadership for the world. The Office of the President of any country is a high office that should be respected. No matter what and where we disagree.

A good point to note is that in a Saddam Hussein Iraq, the fate of the 'skilled shoe thrower' cum journalist would have been far different and horrifying. I guess the incident is a testament of the 'Freedom' President Bush preaches for Iraq.

The legacy of George Walker Bush will no doubt be tarnished by this incident, but it will be determined more so in the coming years after Mr Bush leaves office.

The Disease of The African 'Big Man': Symptoms and Effects

The African 'Big Man' is a sickness!!! So far this syndrome has no cure and like most illnesses gets worse with time if not treated or eliminated. This is a disease of the mind. Some of the early symptoms of this syndrome includes nepotism, crass materialism, kleptomania, the prevalence of murderous instincts, denials, plain stupidity and war mongering.

The African 'Big Man' is not really liked in his country or village, he is however feared. He rules by force and guile. He is a menace and unforgiving. He is surrounded by people who will only tell him what he wants to hear for the right price and gain. He courts and buys favors from people who are hoping he would live forever. They sing his praises, encourage and stoke his ego.

The African 'Big Man' is a murderer of babies and women, a rapist-in-chief and Kleptomaniac of his peoples' treasures. He prefers to live in Presidential palaces while his people live in squalor. A lover of titles, His Excellency, the Chief-Thief, will not hesitate to sell off his countries and peoples' wealth for his own profits. He will go to war to protect his hold on power. The African 'Big Man' does not display the characteristics of a typical African; no empathy, no brotherly love and definitely no heart.

The African 'Big Man' has friends and cronies outside his country; these friends help him hide his stolen treasures in foreign bank accounts especially in Switzerland, where no questions are asked. They sell him weapons to fight his own people and provide an escape for him and his family when they require it.

The continent of Africa has always been afflicted by the African 'Big Man'. All over the black continent they are spread like a bad lesion. They spread poverty, death, disease and turn a blind eye to injustice. The African 'Big Man' invents ways to trample on his people. His pitiful and diseased persona is gutless and utterly shameless. They hinder economic development and growth that would render them useless.

At every juncture in history, the African 'Big Man' has always been present. These men are not citizens but monsters. The worst of the worst will no doubt include Sani Abacha of Nigeria, Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, Charles Taylor of Liberia and lately Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

The African 'Big Man' is a threat to the continent; one that could be as deadly than any disease out there.

Well It's About Time

More than lately the news media has been bandying about the R-word, and most of the speculators in New York, Tokyo and London have been dreading the use of the word. Late last month a unique U.S. based Think-tank of 'renowned' Economists finally declared that the largest economy in the world was in a recession. These modern-day wise men even went further to clarify that the shrinking of the world's economy started in 2007.

The problem with this type of news is that it is no NEWS. Heck every Tom, Dick and 'Joe the plumber' already knew this. For Pete's sake we had noticed jobs losses for months all over the world. Oil prices that hit a record US$140 tag in July 2008 are currently trading for around US$47 in November 2008; that is recessionary evidence if there was ever one. Everyone knows the crude oil business is primarily a supply and demand concern, especially faux demand.

However, what worries me is this? If the stronger economies are in recession, what about the over 1 billion poor living in developing countries? What will be their fate now? I guess you know the answer.

But hold on, before the recession in the rich economies started, what was the state of the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and South East Asia where the poorest of the poor live? When these regions of the world plunged (seems now like forever) into deeper poverty the rest of the world just threw them 'Harvard' made Economic theories. "Deregulate", "Open your markets" they preached. They blamed civil strife and corruption as the bane of progress in these improvised parts.

The G-7 leaders years after years promised aid, grants and help but only delivered trickles. The fact is that the problems of the struggling countries was not considered a global problem. It was not imperative and the big economies simply did not have any interests in seeing the rest of the world at balance. Imagine this scenario; Equality all of over the world. What would that mean for the world powers? Less aid to impoverished countries, less emigration from these places and the availability of markets that can afford to buy and sell goods and products from rich nations. So what was stopping the West from "lifting" the rest of the world?

In these days when even the strongest economies in the world are shaky, and folks around the world are asking for real and sustainable change. It is an opportunity for the world to address this seeming structural issues that would lead to a more balanced world economy.

My advice, let the big economies borrow a leaf from the poorer ones; curtail the waste and reduce excessive individual and government spending. Also let the west improve 'Green' technology in every facet. Let everyone simply cut their coats according to their cloths. These are simple ideas but will require unprecedented courage to bring to fruition. Again these are not changes we can 'speed dial' into effect. There is a lot of work ahead and we simply have no other choice but to get on with it.

In 5 years, after the current recession has passed, I hope and pray that the enormous social and economic gaps between folks around the world will be on a steady decline. This would be the sign that things are moving in the right direction.

Good Luck World!!!