tbrown 26 #1 June 25, 2008 Anybody have any thoughts on Robert Mugabe's latest re-election campaign. His opponent has had to take refuge in the Dutch embassy. Aside from my fellow American dot commers, I know there are a bunch of South African and even some Zimbabwean skydivers on this website. So what's up down there ? Speaking for myself, I don't think there's anything wrong with Mugabe that two shots to the chest and one to the head won't clear up. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #2 June 25, 2008 Mugabe is just like any other african dictator/despot. Brutal, murderous, and self-serving. Oh wait, did I just commit racial profiling? "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 617 #3 June 25, 2008 I am a Zimbabwean and getting rid of Mugabe is not really the solution as in reality the Military run the country. With every week that passes the probability of civil war increases. I know the opposition party is saying that genocide is taking place and even the Rwandan president is saying the signs are ominous. As the situation grows more tense the tribal divisions are starting to show (especially now that the "white" enemy has largely been exploited as much as possible). Personally I feel that another Somalia/Ethiopia/Sudan is being born where there will not likely be a "traditional" government for a few generations, but rule by warlords. There are horrific stories of amputations (the hand is the main political symbol - Mugabe/Zanu PF = the fist, MDC = open hand) and quite a number of people have had their hands amputated. http://www.sokwanele.com On a slightly lighter note according to the CIA Mugabe is "sniper proof" http://www.hayibo.co.za/articles/view/801 It is sadly a case of people reaping what they sowed, as Mugabe got into office through murder and subversion in 1980 (look into the background with US president Carter and the British not recognising Abel Muzorewa and allowing Mugabe to force their hands) http://www.aim.org/guest-column/carterian-civics/ Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #4 June 25, 2008 As always, thanks for the updates & links. What do you think of the PM Brown's call for sanctions against Mugabe's government? Potentially useful or further entrench Mugabe's position/status as anti-colonial? VR/Marg FOX News story BBC video Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #5 June 25, 2008 QuoteAnybody have any thoughts on Robert Mugabe's latest re-election campaign. Thoughts: it has emerged as an example of state terrorism. The "Mapping Terror in Zimbabwe: Political Violence & Elections 2008" link that Nigel posted earlier is strikingly powerful in illustrating the extent and level of violence perpetrated by representatives of the government against its own citizens since the elections: "Over 1,000 cases of political violence and intimidation, carried out after the March 29th elections, are represented on this map." A further example of efforts using ICT to enable quantitative/semi-quantitative documentation of mass violence/humans rights abuses. The US Ambassador, James McGee has repeatedly spoken out and is being criticized by Mugabe's government in response. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,148 #6 June 25, 2008 QuoteAnybody have any thoughts on Robert Mugabe's latest re-election campaign. His opponent has had to take refuge in the Dutch embassy. Aside from my fellow American dot commers, I know there are a bunch of South African and even some Zimbabwean skydivers on this website. So what's up down there ? Speaking for myself, I don't think there's anything wrong with Mugabe that two shots to the chest and one to the head won't clear up. Clearly the US and Britain should invade (wait, do they have any oil?)... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #7 June 25, 2008 QuoteQuoteAnybody have any thoughts on Robert Mugabe's latest re-election campaign. His opponent has had to take refuge in the Dutch embassy. Aside from my fellow American dot commers, I know there are a bunch of South African and even some Zimbabwean skydivers on this website. So what's up down there ? Speaking for myself, I don't think there's anything wrong with Mugabe that two shots to the chest and one to the head won't clear up. Clearly the US and Britain should invade (wait, do they have any oil?) No, but precious metals are their primary export...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #8 June 25, 2008 I've been reading a bit about this in on of my weekly subscriptions. Honestly, I'm in amazement that power can be consolidated so completely and even the opposition will not/can not step up. 80% unemployment, 100,000% inflation... A failed state. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #9 June 26, 2008 I hate that SOB Mugabe. He's slime and has caused more pain and suffering than I'd care to imagine. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #10 June 26, 2008 Nelson Mandela has just condemned him: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7474561.stm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #11 June 26, 2008 Quote Clearly the US and Britain should invade (wait, do they have any oil?) billvon is trying to start a silly social thread somewhere. Have you looked for it?We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 617 #12 June 26, 2008 There are a number of problems with sanctions: 1) Propoganda - Mugabe has very effectively portrayed the suffering on British and US driven sanctions. As most people don't look into the detail the accusations stick. 2) They aren't really effective. Look at the recent world food summit in Rome. Why was Mugabe's wife allowed in - ok so she was restricted to 40km of their hotel! A more effective measure would be to lift travel sanctions completely and use counter-terrorism laws to freeze assets of individuals. Secondly it would be effective to arrest and try key individuals surrounding Mugabe when they come to west. On a final note it always frustrates me that nobody challenges Mugabe and his stooges when they rally against the "sanctions" with the fact that their entire campaign strategy is 100% empowerment and "de-colonisation". they say they don't need the west so why complain about sanctions?Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #13 June 26, 2008 QuoteA more effective measure would be to lift travel sanctions completely... I disagree with this 1st half of the sentence, simply because history shows that it can be effective, eventually, when the bulk of the world community treats a certain country as a pariah state. Strict travel restrictions is one good weapon in that particular arsenal. Pile it all on, I say. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #14 June 26, 2008 QuoteClearly the US and Britain should invade (wait, do they have any oil?) Another stupid childish response ..."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 617 #15 June 26, 2008 Hi Andy, You missed my point. Instead of having travel restrictions in place - let those key "leaders" freely enter the UK/EU/US, just don't let them leave. Surely the legislation that was used to arrest Pinoche can be applied to non heads of state. If it can't be applied then yes strict travel restrictions with NO exceptions are useful.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,148 #16 June 26, 2008 QuoteQuoteClearly the US and Britain should invade (wait, do they have any oil?) Another stupid childish response ... Touched another nerve, eh.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
