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Africa on the Cusp
Author: BobR    Date: 05/30/2012 13:35:36

Being an election year, it's easy to overlook the fact that there is a whole other world out there with its own stories and problems. One of the least-covered areas on this planet by our news media is Africa. Back in the 80s, there were all kinds of conscious-raising events to help the starving people of that continent. Since that time, the war and genocide have been ravaging numerous countries, with very little coverage by the "lamestream" media (except for - you know - oil-producing countries like Libya).

Perhaps this will change with an announcement that caused my jaw to hit the floor: Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe chosen to be UN ‘leader for tourism’:
With a line-up that includes Drew Barrymore, David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, and Ricky Martin, the UN’s choice of ambassadors has been known to cause raised eyebrows or the odd smirk.

Seldom, however, has there been such anger, or questioning of the organisation’s credibility, as that greeting the appointment of a new international envoy for tourism: Robert Mugabe.

Improbable as it seems, the Zimbabwean president, who is widely accused of ethnic cleansing, rigging elections, terrorising opposition, controlling media and presiding over a collapsed economy, has been endorsed as a champion of efforts to boost global holidaymaking.

This is a serious WTF??? moment. Mugabe should be in jail. Unless your holiday plans include rape and machete attacks, there is no reason to think this dictator should be anywhere near a vacation center.

This got me looking into other stories that we have covered in the past. That includes the Congo and Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army (that Rush Limbaugh supported). The brutal problems in that country have been brought to light with the Kony 2012 campaign. Last fall, Limbaugh threw his support behind the LRA, mostly because he is an idiot, and thought it would be a good way to smear President Obama as a "closet Muslim". Had he looked behind the name, he'd realize that it involved conscripting children as soldiers, and using rape as a weapon.

There is some good news there, though. In March, one of the leaders (Thomas Luganga) was convicted in International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. This was the first conviction by this court, created 10 years ago for just these sorts of things.

In a different court, former leader of Liberia Charles Taylor was sentenced today to 50 years in prison by an international war crimes court in the Netherlands for his war crimes. One hopes that this conviction and sentencing (along with Luganga's) gives some comfort to the victims of their reigns of terror, and gives pause to others considering repeating their actions. Kony needs to be next.

Perhaps these are the first steps to moving Africa from chaos and bloodshed to some semblence of society. That, however, will require more coverage by the media, more concern from the rest of the world, and action from our international bodies. These are the sorts of things our treaties are made for.
 

46 comments (Latest Comment: 05/30/2012 21:19:50 by Raine)
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Comment by wickedpam on 05/30/2012 13:43:36
Morning

Glad to see you guys back all safe and sound

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 13:43:37
Excellent blog, Bobber.

It appears that the only news source to truly dig below the surface with regard to countries like these -- and including Syria and Egypt is NPR.



Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 13:44:21
In other news:

I am glad that we have finally cleared something up. Mitt Romney was never talking about fixing America's economy. He was talking about AMERCIA -- the magical country on Newt's proposed moon colony.

Comment by BobR on 05/30/2012 13:44:44
Quote by Raine:
Excellent blog, Bobber.

It appears that the only news source to truly dig below the surface with regard to countries like these -- and including Syria and Egypt is NPR.


Yeah - I am going to have to do better about watching NPR more often.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 13:52:41
You win! Robert Friggin Mugabe as a host for tourism beats mailing a bloody human foot to the HQ of the Canadian Tory party for deeply weird.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 14:16:48
What the bloody foot story killed the blog?

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 14:18:57
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine:
Excellent blog, Bobber.

It appears that the only news source to truly dig below the surface with regard to countries like these -- and including Syria and Egypt is NPR.


Yeah - I am going to have to do better about watching NPR more often.



Umm one doesn't watch NPR. the R is for radio.

Comment by BobR on 05/30/2012 14:32:56
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine:
Excellent blog, Bobber.

It appears that the only news source to truly dig below the surface with regard to countries like these -- and including Syria and Egypt is NPR.


Yeah - I am going to have to do better about watching NPR more often.



Umm one doesn't watch NPR. the R is for radio.

whatever :smacks gum: :tosses hair:

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 15:08:54
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Glad to see you guys back all safe and sound
I am a little late in responding here... Sorry.

How did you guys make out with those wicked storms last night? Driving thru it was HELL.


Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 15:13:00
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine:
Excellent blog, Bobber.

It appears that the only news source to truly dig below the surface with regard to countries like these -- and including Syria and Egypt is NPR.


Yeah - I am going to have to do better about watching NPR more often.



Umm one doesn't watch NPR. the R is for radio.

whatever :smacks gum: :tosses hair:



PBS, has news coverage, but it is mostly the gentile discussion and consensus driven "News Hour" which has to be the most boring news program in American broadcasting. besides the bordom, they also give David Brooks air time. This might be the far greater sin.

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 15:21:57

I want to get a hold of that Polygamy Porter.

I actually have a friend in UTAH, this could be a possibility...

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 15:34:38
http://www.wtop.com/emedia/wtop/24/2475/247584.jpg?filter=wtop_article
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center adopted a baby otter that had been found in South Carolina, apparently abandoned by his mother. (Ross Taylor/The Virginian-Pilot) OMG, the cute!
The Virginian-Pilot reports that because the animal was so young when he was found, he became dependent on human care and it was determined he could not be released into the wild.

Officials say the baby otter is getting adjusted to his new mammal caretakers and a new routine.

Those wishing to learn more about the otter or to suggest a name by the June 15 deadline can visit the aquarium's new blog, YouOtterKnow.com.


Comment by Scoopster on 05/30/2012 15:36:22
Mornin' all..

In other news, it seems Zede Day is either upon us or coming soon. Yesterday we heard about the face-eating guy in Florida. Today we have a man in New Jersey who was tearing out his own guts and throwing them at the police!

Stay safe kiddos and remember rule #3 - do your cardio!

Comment by wickedpam on 05/30/2012 15:36:43
Quote by Raine:
http://www.wtop.com/emedia/wtop/24/2475/247584.jpg?filter=wtop_article
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center adopted a baby otter that had been found in South Carolina, apparently abandoned by his mother. (Ross Taylor/The Virginian-Pilot) OMG, the cute!
The Virginian-Pilot reports that because the animal was so young when he was found, he became dependent on human care and it was determined he could not be released into the wild.

Officials say the baby otter is getting adjusted to his new mammal caretakers and a new routine.

Those wishing to learn more about the otter or to suggest a name by the June 15 deadline can visit the aquarium's new blog, YouOtterKnow.com.


OMG I Baby Otters!!!!

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 15:42:38



One could say it has been soaked in vodka laden irony.

Comment by wickedpam on 05/30/2012 15:58:31
okay liberal confession, I geeked out and had to submit a name for the baby otter - Ahanu - its Algonquin for "he laughs"

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 16:10:31
Quote by Raine:
http://www.wtop.com/emedia/wtop/24/2475/247584.jpg?filter=wtop_article
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center adopted a baby otter that had been found in South Carolina, apparently abandoned by his mother. (Ross Taylor/The Virginian-Pilot) OMG, the cute!
The Virginian-Pilot reports that because the animal was so young when he was found, he became dependent on human care and it was determined he could not be released into the wild.

Officials say the baby otter is getting adjusted to his new mammal caretakers and a new routine.

Those wishing to learn more about the otter or to suggest a name by the June 15 deadline can visit the aquarium's new blog, YouOtterKnow.com.



So cute! So very cute!

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:12:10
Quote by wickedpam:
okay liberal confession, I geeked out and had to submit a name for the baby otter - Ahanu - its Algonquin for "he laughs"
You did geekout.

I'd be ok with Otto Ahanu --

Funny story about this, My Grandfathers favorite creature was an Otter -- and his name was Otto.


Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:13:00
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

In other news, it seems Zede Day is either upon us or coming soon. Yesterday we heard about the face-eating guy in Florida. Today we have a man in New Jersey who was tearing out his own guts and throwing them at the police!

Stay safe kiddos and remember rule #3 - do your cardio!
OK, this is really getting disgusting.


Comment by trojanrabbit on 05/30/2012 16:18:16
Looks like Mitt's new iPhone app has a slight problem. Spent too much on quality control, he did.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/trojanrabbit74/Fark%20stuff/trekamercia.jpg


Comment by wickedpam on 05/30/2012 16:18:46
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
okay liberal confession, I geeked out and had to submit a name for the baby otter - Ahanu - its Algonquin for "he laughs"
You did geekout.

I'd be ok with Otto Ahanu --

Funny story about this, My Grandfathers favorite creature was an Otter -- and his name was Otto.



can't help it I love otters XD

aawww Otto is a good Grandpa name!

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:20:44
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Looks like Mitt's new iPhone app has a slight problem. Spent too much on quality control, he did.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/trojanrabbit74/Fark%20stuff/trekamercia.jpg



Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/30/2012 16:22:51
Hello, bloggers! BobR, thanks for an excellent blog. I have noted in the past that there is some progress in bringing justice to Africa. However, appointing Robert Mugabe to any position on the United Nations undermines the credibility of the organization. I can see Angelina Jolie as a goodwill ambassador to draw attention to a cause. The sort of attention that Robert Mugabe draws is one that makes me ask why he is not on trial before the Hague. (Having written about Mugabe here, I find the man to be among the most despicable political leaders on this planet.)

Substitute teaching is essentially over for me (one more day to check tomorrow). So, I am checking on freelance writing to help me out over the summer. I am working on a sample test story for one potential client.

Also, I updated 30 job applications for Massachusetts teaching jobs yesterday now that my license is here. So, I hope to have good news to share with the blog soon.

As

Comment by trojanrabbit on 05/30/2012 16:29:15
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Hello, bloggers! BobR, thanks for an excellent blog. I have noted in the past that there is some progress in bringing justice to Africa. However, appointing Robert Mugabe to any position on the United Nations undermines the credibility of the organization. I can see Angelina Jolie as a goodwill ambassador to draw attention to a cause. The sort of attention that Robert Mugabe draws is one that makes me ask why he is not on trial before the Hague. (Having written about Mugabe here, I find the man to be among the most despicable political leaders on this planet.)

Substitute teaching is essentially over for me (one more day to check tomorrow). So, I am checking on freelance writing to help me out over the summer. I am working on a sample test story for one potential client.

Also, I updated 30 job applications for Massachusetts teaching jobs yesterday now that my license is here. So, I hope to have good news to share with the blog soon.

As


Good luck, Will

As for the Mitt app.

You turn the iPod to landscape mode and the text won't rotate with it? Sheesh. What good is that?

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:32:13
You know, the entire Mugabe thing reminds me of when Kadaffy Duck was appointed to the UN. We now know the motives behind that debacle, I would like to know the motives behind this move.

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:35:13
Maybe this is why. From the CSMonitor:
There have been rumors for years that Mugabe would like to step down from power, and pave the way for a peaceful succession for his ZANU-PF to remain in power, so the seeming rehabilitation of Mugabe by various UN agencies could be seen as a gentle nudge toward honorable retirement.

Navi Pillay, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Europe and the US to lift economic sanctions and travel bans against Mugabe and his inner circle of supporters because all three of the major parties in Zimbabwe now oppose them. Lifting sanctions would allow Zimbabwe to hold a fresh round of elections, perhaps by early next year, Ms. Pillay said.

"I would urge those countries that are currently applying sanctions on Zimbabwe to suspend them, at least until the conduct and outcome of the elections and related reforms are clear," Pillay told journalists on May 25, following a five day trip to Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital.

Could a few honorary degrees, an honorary ambassadorship, and a few thousand tourists persuade Mugabe to step down from power? Perhaps. It’s certainly a cheaper alternative to war.
I really don't agree with this move.

He's a monster.

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:42:40
It's official, ®money is embracing the birthers.
On the very day that Donald Trump’s birther comments have dominated coverage of the presidential race, Mitt Romney managed to slip in a reference during a speech to the U.S. birth requirement for anyone who wants to be president.

“I was speaking with one of these business owners who owns a couple of restaurants in town,” said Romney at a campaign event in Las Vegas, mentioning a private roundtable he held ahead of the event with local residents. “And he said you know I’d like to change the Constitution.”

“I’d like to have a provision in the Constitution that in addition to the age of the president and the citizenship of the president and the birthplace of the president being set by the Constitution, I’d like it also to say that the president has to spend at least three years working in business before he could become president of the United States,” said Romney, recalling the business owner’s suggestion.

Then Romney seemed to agree with the suggestion.
This is even more insane that McCain/Palin -- I'm quite serious here.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/30/2012 16:47:34
I can understand the motives in trying to help Mugabe to step down, but he does not deserve an honorable retirement. A fair trial in a court of law is much better.

By the way, Raine, here is an image that seems to apply to both the misspelling on the Romney campaign ad and having the Donald open up his trap to help give the Obama campaign a new ad to show Romney in a bad light.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZZ7KAdgfuHM/TiZ7Mly2k-I/AAAAAAAAELU/_bO_4BcLhGw/1293%2B-%2Bdouble%2Bfacepalm%2Bfail%2Bstar_trek.jpg


Comment by livingonli on 05/30/2012 16:47:46
Good day, folks. The scary part is there are people who actually will argue that McCain would have done better if he embraced birtherism (as if picking Palin ended up not being enough). Last night the stuff I watched (Ed and Rachel) seem to indicate that Trump has gone full-on insane.

I think we should have the next blog meet-up where the otter is.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/30/2012 16:53:59
The otter is adorable.

I am listening to the Ed Schultz Show right now. Does anyone think that President Obama should go to Wisconsin or send a surrogate? Or would this be a distraction on the effort to recall Scott Walker and up helping the Republicans?

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 16:58:26
Quote by Will in Chicago:
The otter is adorable.

I am listening to the Ed Schultz Show right now. Does anyone think that President Obama should go to Wisconsin or send a surrogate? Or would this be a distraction on the effort to recall Scott Walker and up helping the Republicans?
I'm not listening. To be honest -- the way you phrase that question makes me unsure either way. (I was actually unsure before you posted it)

I believe that the DNC should be showing much stronger support. My concern is that the Obama campaign would be a distraction.



Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 17:00:20
NOT the onion.

Becuase creating a special federal department to determine who can run for POTUS is so democratic.

How does this make government smaller, btw?

Comment by livingonli on 05/30/2012 17:02:04
Quote by Raine:
NOT the onion.

Becuase creating a special federal department to determine who can run for POTUS is so democratic.

How does this make government smaller, btw?

Because they believe only rich, white guys should be president.

Comment by BobR on 05/30/2012 17:09:37
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
The otter is adorable.

I am listening to the Ed Schultz Show right now. Does anyone think that President Obama should go to Wisconsin or send a surrogate? Or would this be a distraction on the effort to recall Scott Walker and up helping the Republicans?
I'm not listening. To be honest -- the way you phrase that question makes me unsure either way. (I was actually unsure before you posted it)

I believe that the DNC should be showing much stronger support. My concern is that the Obama campaign would be a distraction.

tough call - if Obama went in person, it could energize the Dem base, but it could also energize the Republican opposition and leave him open to criticism, a la interfering with state's elections. Not that I agree with that, but I can see the RW making hay of that.


Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 17:33:17
After being away for 5 days, My cukes have gone from 5-6 inches to some over 2 feet!

And... I am VERY happy toreport that the little people have nibbled most -- if not all the peas. IT is getting near time to plant another batch!

I also have a tiny little green tomato, and beans!


Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 18:19:09
Why I dislike IE, reason 4000. It gets stuck running scripts and won't close by itself.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 18:50:47
Quote by Raine:
After being away for 5 days, My cukes have gone from 5-6 inches to some over 2 feet!

And... I am VERY happy toreport that the little people have nibbled most -- if not all the peas. IT is getting near time to plant another batch!

I also have a tiny little green tomato, and beans!



Sorry, my mind went into the gutter...expanding cukes...

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 19:23:41
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
After being away for 5 days, My cukes have gone from 5-6 inches to some over 2 feet!

And... I am VERY happy toreport that the little people have nibbled most -- if not all the peas. IT is getting near time to plant another batch!

I also have a tiny little green tomato, and beans!



Sorry, my mind went into the gutter...expanding cukes...



Comment by Mondobubba on 05/30/2012 19:24:45
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
After being away for 5 days, My cukes have gone from 5-6 inches to some over 2 feet!

And... I am VERY happy toreport that the little people have nibbled most -- if not all the peas. IT is getting near time to plant another batch!

I also have a tiny little green tomato, and beans!



Sorry, my mind went into the gutter...expanding cukes...




Aww MOM!

Comment by livingonli on 05/30/2012 19:30:04
Randi's on a roll about Romney's crowd and the AmerCIA and the flaven.

Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 19:49:11
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
After being away for 5 days, My cukes have gone from 5-6 inches to some over 2 feet!

And... I am VERY happy toreport that the little people have nibbled most -- if not all the peas. IT is getting near time to plant another batch!

I also have a tiny little green tomato, and beans!



Sorry, my mind went into the gutter...expanding cukes...




Aww MOM!
yeah, you seem so distressed.

In other news,this from NPR:
The drug has been linked to other crimes in which the suspect becomes irrational and violent. In some ways, they're a "walking dead person," according to the president of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police.




Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 19:56:19
Quote by livingonli:
Randi's on a roll about Romney's crowd and the AmerCIA and the flaven.
She's on a roll on everything right now.


Comment by Raine on 05/30/2012 21:19:50
Randi Roll kilt the blog.

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