Category Archives: South Africa

Hatred Lives In South Africa

Posted on June 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

One would hope that a people who were compelled to live in segregated society where skin color determined education and economic success would be sensitive to issues of multiculturalism. The people of Israel come from a heritage of hatred and persecution, but justify the oppression of Palestinians in their country. The people of South Africa are confronted by over a million refugees from Zimbabwe whose ruler, Robert Mugabe is a tyrant and thug. Former South African President Mbeki allowed this two bit murderer to continue in power and now those driven from the country face hatred and persecution in South Africa. A video is now circulating on YouTube about the beating of an innocent man from Zimbabwe who was attacked and killed by a mob out to get “thieves.” He was walking home from church. Last year mobs roamed through refugee camps attacking and burning and killing in a frenzy of hatred toward those who were “strangers” in their land. Joseph Makota, shrugs and says: “Just being a Zimbabwean is a crime here, you do not have to be a criminal or to be a thief.”

Katlego Matheta, who witnessed the latest murder of an innocent man, sighed and said: “It’s simple to kill a man here. They are not scared to kill here.” Ironically, last year’s World Cup which took place in South Africa witnessed a reduction in hatred, but, alas, the game is over and killing has returned.

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Posted in Christianity, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, South Africa, US Foreign Policy, World News

GADDAFI-I’M STAYING, YOU GO!

Posted on June 1, 2011 by | Leave a comment

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa made a trip to Libya in order to discuss peace issues with Muammar Gaddafi. Zuma was bringing the African Union proposal which calls for a cease fire and a follow up dialogue. Zuma was told by Gaddafi that he wanted and end to bombing and some sort of discussion. However, the little colonel made clear to the South African leader, “he emphasized that he was not prepared to leave the country, despite the difficulties.” Even as this talk was proceeding sounds of bombs and destruction echoed outside as NATO planes continued their destruction of Libya’s infrastructure. China got into the act by offering mediation and an end to violence. The Chinese government strongly supports discussions between people holding opposing views–of course, they mean such discussions that occur outside of China.

Reality is there can not be discussions with this thug and murderer. Muammar Gaddafi is going to leave Libya–the only questions are–when, why and how?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Europe, Human Rights, Islam, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Social Justice, South Africa, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Sub-Sahara Next On Rebellion Agenda?

Posted on May 31, 2011 by | Leave a comment

At present, nations which border on the Mediterranean Sea or those in close proximity have been the center of protests demanding an end to long term rule by a leader. First, Tunisia forced its president to leave, then Egypt asked Mubarak to vacate the palace and there are similar demands in Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. One is left wondering if sub-Sahara nations will soon join in the clamor for an end to one party rule. The Ivory Coast is currently the scene of a stand off between African Union nations which want the man who won the last election to assume leadership while incumbent President Gabagbo refuses to leave. South Sudan has broken free from the nation of Sudan, but waiting in the wings are nations like Zimbabwe or the Congo or Uganda or even Kenya. In each of these nations there are serious issues concerning the extent of democracy that is allowed.

Of course, the sub-Sahara now poses problems for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She already has made clear her disgust with President Robert Mugabe, the thug currently in charge of Zimbabwe, but her efforts to protect democratic forces have not been very successful. Standing off in the distance is the African Union, which can posture defiance when it comes to former colonial powers, but when the issue is a home grown African despot, silence reigns.

Question: Does the US have a role to play in the sub-Sahara on issues concerning democracy?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, South Africa, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Goldstone No Longer Golden Boy

Posted on April 15, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Richard Goldstone was a former judge in South Africa and a fighter for the end of apartheid in his nation. He risked his life and reputation by fighting for the rights of black skinned South Africans. A few years ago, he was asked to investigate the Israel invasion of Gaza(Israel Defense Forces) and offer an honest report on what happened since Gazans claimed the IDF had deliberately killed hundreds of innocent civilians. The IDF refused to cooperate with him on this UN effort. Thus, he could only directly gather information from Muslim sources. After the IDF carried out an internal investigation, Goldstone was able to gain access to a more extended version of the invasion. He checked Israel sources very carefully and concluded there were several errors in his report. Goldstone did what few politicians ever do–he issued an apology for the errors in his report. HE DID NOT SAY THE ENTIRE REPORT WAS FALSE!

He has now come under attack on charges that his admitting of errors is due to pressure that was placed on him. University of Johannesburg professor Steven Friedman charges the admission of errors “arguments are laughable, I should imagine that the pressure on him(from the Jewish community) became untenable.” He went on to charge, “One assumes that Goldstone is doing this because of intense bullying.”

It is difficult to imagine that a noted Constitutional lawyer who risked his life under apartheid is now afraid of the Jewish community in South Africa. The charges of Friedman are laughable.

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Posted in Education, Human Rights, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, South Africa, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Issues Of Academic Freedom

Posted on March 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The University of Johannesburg in South Africa has decided to sever its working relationship with Ben Gurion University in Israel due to questions concerning that institution’s support of the Israel armed forces. The decision arose out of student demands to end the relationship on grounds Israel believed in apartheid policies. Among groups supporting the decision was the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign which argued BGU was engaged in “research for an occupation army” and supported efforts to deny academic freedom to Palestinian professors and students. On the other hand, the South African Union of Jewish Students argues the decision is a blow to “academic freedom” and singles out Israeli universities while remaining quiet about universities in societies like China, or Saudi Arabia or Belarus which are blatantly dictatorial.

If individual Israeli academics were involved in assisting the Israel Defense Force then it is appropriate to regard them as violating academic freedom, but there are professors at BGU who fight for the rights of Palestinians. If Israel is to be denied relations with South African universities than so should academic leaders at all universities in dictatorial and oppressive regimes. If not, it is an example of anti-semitism.

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Posted in Christianity, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, South Africa, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Can I Sing, “Kill The Umpire?”

Posted on February 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Ah, the great battles of humanity, what can I or can’t I sing before an audience of people. In an age in which thousands of young people are risking their lives in the struggle for human rights, fights still emerge over the words of war. U2 Bono is in the middle of a controversy. His band was in South Africa and a song about resistance was sung. It included the words, “shoot the Boer” which referred to the struggle of black South Africans against the white rule of Afrikaaners who ruled South Africa for decades. Bono argued his Irish uncles sang revolutionary songs which described fighting and killing the Brits who were in their country so what was wrong about a song dealing with the fight for human dignity in South Africa. Heck, I was raised in a union home in which we sang songs about Joe Hill and how the rotten, dirty bosses killed him. I was raised to sing about the human struggle against forces of oppression. The words were strong and often filled with anger, the intention was emotional, rather than to have anyone actually go outside and kill a wealthy person.

Up the Irish!

Up the Working Class?

Down with the bosses!

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Posted in Conservatives, Human Rights, Military, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, South Africa, World News

Diamonds Are Robert Mugabe’s Best Friend

Posted on February 2, 2011 by | Leave a comment

There is an old expression about “diamonds being a girl’s best friend,” but to Zimbabwe dictator, Robert Mugabe, they are his ticket to remain as chief thug of the country for the coming decade. After ousting South African companies from the Chladzwa fields of his country, luck became his companion because an incredibly rich find of diamonds made Zimbabwe a rich nation. Of course, none of this money will find its way into the hands of ordinary citizens, but Bobby Mugabe and his cronies and fellow thugs will gain incredible wealth. Experts say this is the “biggestyfind of alluvial diamonds in the history of humanity.” Kimberly Process, the diamond industry watchdog has allowed diamonds from these fields to be sold on the international market. In a nutshell, this means US and EU economic sanctions which were placed on Mugabe in order to force restoration of human rights are now meaningless.

Reports indicate the Zimbabwe army controls the diamond fields and is compelling people to work as virtual slave laborers in order to extract diamonds that will flow into hands of army and government leaders. I guess diamonds are not the best friend of most people.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Politics, Social Justice, South Africa, US Foreign Policy, World News

IN DEFENSE OF ARCHBISHOP TUTU

Posted on January 13, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Ik write as one “anti-Semite” to another “anti-Semite,” who has been a courageous fighter for human rights. This “anti-Semite,” like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, helped to develop a Holocaust Center which certainly is what most anti-Semites do! A group of 300 people have signed a petition asking that Tutu be removed as patrol of Holocaust Centers in Cape Town and Johannesburg because they regard him as uttering “numerous anti-Semitic” statements that are “morally repugnant” and “horrific, grotesquely false accusations against the Jewish people.” Alan Dershowitz, self appointed defender of what anyone can utter about the nation of Israel or Jews, insists that Tutu “is an unrepentant sinner.” The basis of these accusations stems from Tutu’s disagreements with policies of the Israel government. As an “anti-Semite” I also disagree with many policies of the Israel government. I do not recall anything in my upbringing as a Jew that requires me to agree with policies that oppress people and deny them human rights.

Fortunately, about 380 people throughout the world also signed a petition in support of Bishop Tutu. Among those signing was South African Arthur Chaskalson, former head of the Constitution Court. This petition argues: “he represents the finest tradition of resistance to all forms of oppression. To call him an anti-Semite because he has attacked the policies of the Israel government is outrageous.” The essence of being a Jew is opposing any policy which deprives people of their human rights, their property, and their right to be free and equal citizens. Even as opponents of Tutu were sending their petition, the Knesset in Israel was pushing for a law that would compel non-Jews in the country to swear allegiance to a “Jewish state.” How does lawyer, Alan Dershowitz defend such actions which violate the right of individuals to decide who or what they pledge allegiance to?

A Holocaust Center only has meaning if it becomes involved in ALL issues in the world dealing with denial of human rights. A Holocaust Center is NOT FOR JEWS, it is for ALL humanity so that we may never forget what happened during the Holocaust.

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Posted in Christianity, Human Rights, Judaism, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, South Africa, War, World News

Dictator Robert Mugabe Rants On And On

Posted on December 29, 2010 by | Leave a comment

In theory, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe promised to share power with Morgan Tsvangirai in the aftermath of the stolen presidential election which was won by Tsvangirai and stolen by Mugabe. A group of African nations led by South Africa attempted to persuade the two bit dictator Mugabe to share power in order to end the chaos which had engulfed the nation. During the past two years, Morgan Tsvangirai had worked-and succeeded– to end the calamitous inflation which wrecked country’s economy. His efforts have been challenged at every step of the process by the President who regards Zimbabwe as his personal nation. After all, he led fight to drive out the British which, in his view, entitles him to run everything as long as he breathes.
The latest chapter of the so-called joint government is leading to a ludicrous conclusion. Wikileaks revealed that Prime Minister Tsvangirai had the audacity to speak with the US ambassador to his country!

The Attorney General of Zimbabwe has appointed a group of lawyers to examine whether the prime minister should be charged with treason because Wikileaks reveal he discussed the need for continuing sanctions until Mugabe gave evidence he was really interested in peace and reconciliation with opponents. Most probably there will be some charges laid against the prime minister for failing to wipe the ass of Mugabe.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Democrats, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, South Africa, US Foreign Policy, World News

Jacob Zuma Caught With Justice Pants Down

Posted on December 16, 2010 by | Leave a comment

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa enjoys women, he has been involved with quite a few and several have made charges that he forced attention on them. In 2008, the president was acquitted of rape charges and soon after there appeared a cartoon in the Johannesburg Sunday Times which apparently he has not fogotten. The cartoon depicted Zuma with his pants open and preparing to attack a female figure who symbolised justice. For some reason, two years later, the president has decided to sue the paper for defamation of character. Of course, this will allow open season for cartoonists throughout the world to do their best in attacking Zuma.

If Zuma can sue over a cartoon showing him ready to rape justice, what the heck can Barack Obama sue about? How about cartoons depicting him as a gorilla? A Muslim terrorist?

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Posted in Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Multicultural, Politics, South Africa, World News