Iran Regime Change, Invasion, Occupation & Re-colonization Is Imminent
Written by Paul I. Adujie
War drums are beating louder and louder in America against Iran. The din and decibel are rising and getting louder.
Preparatory steps are being taken irreversibly as the onset of invasion and occupation of Iran is becoming more and more apparent and its imminence glaringly clear. It is rather unmistakable.
Public pronouncements by political and military leaders in the United States have been elevated to a-no-going-back sorts of, no retreat, no surrender. A blockade in the name of continuing sanctions against Iran, is about to occur, and Iranian political and military leaders are declaring any such contemplated action, as an act of war, and, such a blockade by America against Iran, Is Act of War, under International Law
The current high tempo and stridency on all sides, is just like history repeating itself, if past is prologue, I beseech everyone to harken back to the days of yore, with particular reference to the back and forth verbal altercations between America and Saddam Hussein in the lead-up to the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
It will be recalled that in the lead up and before the onset of the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, the sorts of words and body language, which we are witnessing today, were similarly employed and it escalated to a crescendo or point of no-return... the shock and awe invasion and occupation of Iraq, based on sexed-up, embellished and flowered tall tales about Saddam and Weapons of Mass Destruction which Saddam Hussein supposedly possessed with which he would create mushroom clouds.
There were airs of immediacy, portentous ominous nuclear catastrophes, holocaust and Armageddon, but, the world has since learned that the only WMD weapon, was Weapons for Mass Deceptions by those who wanted to effect Regime-Change in Iraq, and the Weapons for Mass Deception was possessed by the invaders and occupation force of the United States and few North Atlantic Treaty Organization members who participated in Regime-Change and usurpation of political power in Iraq.
In recent times, the frequency and spate of public spat between America, Britain on the one hand, and Iran on the other have been increasing in their occurrences and intransigence. There has been recalcitrance. There have been bitingly pointed offensive pronouncements and bullying arrogance in high resolution displays.
Here is a sample of the current public pronouncements. First, America proposes more sanctions, including a naval blockade to enforce the increased global sanctions against Iran
Secondly and in response, Iran declares that any such action by America its allies or by western nations, would be considered a declaration of war or hostilities against Iran
Thirdly, and importantly, all these are coming up, during America’s high octane political season. It is the case that 2012 is America’s general election and a contest for the American presidency. In contention, is the occupation of the White House post general elections in November, 2012.
The Republican Party have vowed, and they are singularly dedicated to dislodging the Democrats and President Obama from the presidency in the 2012 presidential and general elections. And currently, it is elimination series in the Republican Party Presidential Primaries. Republican posturers for the presidency have been jostling for superior position, as the hustle for suzerainty and pride of place above the Republican presidential hopeful, all of whom are bustling boisterously to clinch the nomination, and the chance to facedown President Obama, in contest for the American presidency.
It is against this background of cut-throat competition for Republican Presidential Primary or Nominating process, which has thrown the Iran issue front and center, as a key foreign policy issue.
Republican Party candidates across the board, but for Ron Paul, are unanimous on how they would militarily invade and occupy Iran, as a demonstration of Republican Party zero tolerance for nuclear capable Iran.
Some presidential contenders or hopeful in the Republican Party, are even full of more outrageous and quite outlandish blusters and rhetoric of escalations ... It is as if there are deliberate attempts to distract the American populace for the dire economic circumstance at home in America, by engaging in yet, another foreign war, this time, against Iran. And this, naturally, bring the film or movie, "Wag-The-Dog" to mind. All these, wrapped in "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran" song by Republican Senator John McCain during the last election season. An intended coy reference by Senator McCain to a-would-be Republican Party policy war policy against Iran, albeit, a gaffe, no doubt, for which Senator McCain became subsequently contrite.
There seems to be pandering to Jewish voters and supporters of Israel, who in fact propelling presidential contenders to be effusive in their demonstration of support for Israel, a core American foreign policy position in the Middle East.
The dictates of local American political situation, the Jewish factor, and the desire by Republicans versus Democrats to be seen as be more pro-Israel than Jewish in competing for the Jewish votes and support in 2012, has become a major driver and motivation for senseless stampedes in support for the invasion and occupation of Iran, in the name of supporting, protecting and preserving the nation of Israel.
The Republicans as the "national security hawks" and Democrats not willing to be seen as wimps... President Obama recently, angrily rejected being tagged with the "Appeasement" appellation
There are actually some commentators who are of the view that the war against Iran has already begun in earnest. One such commentator, simply known as Obugi stated as much in his comments which follows; “The war is already on. Iranian scientists assassinated, computer viruses [Stuxnet Weapon] inserted into their nuclear plants, isolating the Iranian Central Bank, cutting of refined fuel imports, cutting off many essential public goods, multiple cases of groups of US citizens accidentally crossing into Iran, US drones violating Iranian airspace, the US funding for Jundullah terrorists inside Iran.....”
He further argues, rather adamantly, that “Obama has already started his phase of the war for Iranian oil that was launched in 1953 with the CIA and MI6 overthrow of Iranian democracy. Obama's promise of change didn't apply to foreign policy; he's no different from G W Bush.” Obugi concluded.
Two other commentators reached similar conclusions, one known simply as Superego, wrote that “An … attack Iran and divert attention as is always done. They have no other method to quell dissent and unrest in Europe and the US other than engaging us in a serious war and conscription of the jobless youth. The youth jobless, mad with loans and no jobs” In plain English, the invasion and occupation of Iran would be used by American political leaders as a diversion and distractions from local debacles.
Yet another commentator, DeepThought, concluded that American foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East in Persia and Arabia, are constant and never shifting or changing when he wrote that “What changes are the faces and the names of the individuals; The policy remains the same. The system remains the same. The goals and objectives remain the same.”
Added to all this, may also add the loss of American predator drones or unmanned spy plane to Iran recently. Even though the Americans have assiduously denied any spying activities or reconnaissance flights over Iran’s airspace and territorial wars, Iran now have a physical proof of Iran’s dated spying charges against her by the United States.
There rapid escalation of war of words and beating of war drums is have not been helped by the oft-repeated, but unconfirmed plans by Israel to bomb to smithereens, Iran's Nuclear facilities through military intervention as Israel had flagrantly done against Iraq and Syria respectively as a matter of recent history. If Israel was to engage in these sorts of outrageously dangerous behavior, the Americans will have to be directly involved or indirectly implicated, either as an actor, or rescuer or buffer for Israel, before or after the fact of any Israeli military action against Iran. America may provide the coordinates or protection in the aftermath of such an Israeli repeat bravado for the third time in my lifetime.
Third World War is starting in slow-motion? I do think that a direct invasion and occupation of Iran will lead to a large conflagration and the inferno will spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz and beyond Persia and Arabia. Many unintended consequences and unforeseen events will ensue
Too many citizens seem to think wars are video-games! And video games war is not. Wars are devastating undertakings, which causes depravity, deprivation, deaths and dislocations.
The time is now for citizens of the world to oppose and speak out against the impending Regime-Change in Iran. The time is now to rally against the imminent invasion and occupation of Iran. I am not so sure about, nor do trust the collective memory or even the attention span of too many citizens, who seems to be more adept at detailing the minutiae of Kim Kardashian's 72 days marriage to Chris Humphreys than the clear and present danger of a Third World War. There is short attention span and voluntarily amnesia
Just when you thought that some lessons in loss, were learnt in Iraq, the over trillion dollars in squandered money, the thousands of lives lost, maimed and displaced, including continuing trauma and post-traumatic stress syndrome etc, a stressed and overextended American military, a million Iraq deaths.
Americans and Iranians are ratcheting up their war language in countervailing public pronouncements in Washington and Teheran respectively.
This is looking as if events are rapidly spinning and spiraling out of control ...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Nigerian Civil War Should Be Debated, Discussed & Taught
Nigerian Civil War Should Be Debated, Discussed & Taught
Written by Paul I. Adujie
So much have been said, written and documented about the Nigerian catastrophe also known as the Nigerian Civil War which took place between 1966 and 1970. And so much more needs to be documented.
All Nigerians and Nigeria were and are still victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
Nigerians and Nigeria suffered colossally, including the loss of blood and treasure; and having to endure extreme physical and emotional traumas, and the loss of innocence as a nation. Millions of citizens were killed, starved to death and countless others were maimed for life.
The recent death of secessionist General Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu has reawakened the need, alas the urgency for a Nigerian national debate about this very cataclysmic part of our national history. Since the death of General Ojukwu, there has been an opening of sorts, as some notable Nigerians have been discussing the Nigerian Civil War, and the Dim Ojukwu they knew.
Some notable Nigerians are worth a mention here, first is former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then, the renowned iconic academic Professor Sam Aluko in “What Ojukwu told me before, during and after the war” as reported in an interview by Duro Adeseko in the Sun Newspapers. And then, there have also been public comments and interviews of other eminent Nigerians such as a former Chief of Defense Staff, Lt.-Gen. Domkat Bali, as well as another high profile military henchman, General Oluwole Rotimi and many others.
Clearly, viewpoints which have been expressed by these aforementioned individuals and others will necessarily reflect where they sit or stand or fall, on the war and the issues and personalities who played active roles on behalf of the Nigerian nation state or the now defunct Biafra.
Nevertheless, it is clear to any cursory observer that the wounds from the Civil War is still very raw and fresh and it so, on all sides.
The events which precipitated and led to the Nigerian Civil War, the war itself and its aftermath have shaped and continue to shape the economic and political development of Nigeria. These events and the lingering ill-will, have poisoned relationships between various regions, religions and ethnic groups in Nigeria. These events have extraordinary adverse effects which have and continue to stunt and stymy Nigeria
Nigerian Civil War is also the reason why true federation is not robustly and vigorously practiced in Nigeria. It is the case that many recent conflicts and future conflicts in Nigeria are predicated in the mutual suspicions which arose from the events which led to the war and the war itself has left an ever simmering mutual distrust and deep rooted internecine low warfare of undeclared myriad hostilities
An honest discussion, debate and teaching of the events which led to our civil war are prerequisite national growth and development. All Nigerians should know what led to the war and how the war was fought and what the consequences have been. Honest, sincere and factual debate and teachings.
Nigeria has never been the same nation since the events which culminated in the civil and the very civil war itself.
It is therefore of crucial importance that these events and the civil war and its aftermath are discussed, so that healing and true reconciliation can takes place. Nigeria lost her innocence as a consequence of the Nigerian Civil War.
Nigeria in the past couple of years has been afflicted with recurring ethno, religious and internecine conflict. There is a slow simmering anarchy, insecurity and a state of undeclared war with the epicenter being Jos, Plateau state but with flashes in Kaduna, Damaturu and Maiduguri etc.
There are gratuitous predictions and forecast for the death and disintegration of Nigeria as a nation, scheduled for 2015 on many calendars. Recent spate of violence, post April 2010 General Elections in Nigeria, particularly in Bauchi state, then followed by the Boko Haram insurgency illustrated by bombings and incinerating infernos on October 1, 2010, then Christmas Day two months later, and then, the bombing of Nigeria Police Headquarters, and United Nations Headquarters in Abuja Nigeria and Christmas Day bombing in Abuja and Jos December 25, 2011 lend credence to suggestions that Nigerians and Nigeria may be sleep-walking towards a national precipice-cliff-hanger
Recent repeated violence in Abuja, Bauchi, Damaturu Jos and Maiduguri has assumed regional, ethnic and religious colorations. Those engaged in these mayhems, sought out some Nigerians as victims for their senseless murders, using bigotry, hatred and prejudice as sole motivation and their heinous selections based on region of origin and religious adherence.
Recent and current events in Nigeria would lead anyone to conclude that Nigeria is at the cusps of a national upheaval of the most violent type. General Danjuma I think it was, who once pronounced Nigeria incapable of surviving as one nation in the event of another civil war.
The aftermath of the Nigerian civil war, the lingering raw feelings on all sides illustrates why civil wars should be avoided at any and all costs, because, civil wars are never won and that is the reason civil wars should be avoided in the first place. Many Nigerians on both sides of the aisle are still very bitter and deeply suspicious because of the 1966 coup and counter coup, and the carnage, pogrom and the insanity which preceded the bitter civil war itself.
The Nigerian civil war is foundation and predicate for the shrill-shouting in all our national debate. The Nigerian civil war is the basis for our national pastime of mutual suspicion and mutual disdain and mutual contempt for fellow Nigerians. Nigerians too often, talk over the heads of other Nigerians based on the real or imagined perceptions of the other Nigerians’ otherness, by reason of being born by parents from across the Niger and Benue Rivers.
Perfectly logical, reasonable and legitimate argument, discussions or debates about national issues, priorities and national challenges are derailed every minute and every day, 365-366 days of the year!
Meanwhile, our nation with abundance of human and material resources is stymied and stunted in development. Meanwhile, Nigeria is bedeviled with almost 30 years of devalued national currency, the Naira. Meanwhile, Nigeria is confronted with high rate of unemployment, paucity of public infrastructures and now, national insecurity or even anarchy.
Nigeria is a nation where there is extreme poverty, extreme suffering and extreme hardship for a majority of citizens; this, despite our abundance and resourcefulness. Meanwhile, the fixation and singular focus on our benign differences, instead of accentuating the positive with focus on our unity in diversity, and the benefits imbued in our multiculturalism and pluralism as a nation, we continue to be distracted by the scourge of mutual suspicion and disdain and contempt.
It is of course recognized that competitiveness is expected in a multicultural and plural nation such as Nigeria is. Even so, well-meaning Nigerians ought to insist on having a healthy competition between the states and the regions of Nigeria. Nigerians should refrain from encouraging acrimonies and antagonisms of fellow Nigerians based on the state and region of birth or religion to which a Nigerian choses.
In the past, I have written opinions about the Biafra-Nigeria war, in which I recounted my personal, painful and sordid recollections from that era. There are many Nigerians like myself, whose experiences remain indelible traumas and therefore a national baggage which continues to bedraggle us all.
It is the case that some accounts of the issues and events which led to the Nigerian civil war, the war itself and its aftermath have been rendered. It is my belief that much more needs to be written, debated and record and taught at every, and at all levels in Nigeria.
A majority of Nigerians seem to pretend that the civil war and the pains it inflicted on millions, physically, emotionally and psychically, will wilt and wither and die, and just fade away, if we ignore it enough. The moral equivalents of ignoring a gaping sore, leaving the sore to fester and hoping the sore heals without treatments.
But, recognizing there is a challenge, then discussing or analyzing such challenge, and fathoming or proffering solutions, is the smarter thing all Nigerians should advocate regarding our collective national history, albeit, most painful. Ignoring our past is foolhardy, pretentious and portentous. It bodes ill.
The issues and events which led to the Nigerian civil war, the war itself and its aftermath should be taught in schools, from Primary Schools to University or tertiary levels. Americans fought a civil war about 150 years ago, the Americans are still divided and strident about their civil war, but, the Americans openly discuss their civil war. The Americans teach versions of their civil war, versions reflecting the Union’s side and versions, conversely, reflecting the Confederate side or worldview etc
Past and current events in Nigeria are have, had their roots in the issues and events which led to the Nigerian civil war. Nigerians from both sides of the great-divide are apparently observing false détente, false peace, false truce, and false stability.
When it comes to anything, everything and all things Nigerian, mutual suspicions is the bogeyman, and the civil war is sorts of an unfinished business and an albatross. The Nigerian civil war is the thing around our neck, apologies to Ngozi Chimamanda Adichie. The civil war grudge, the mutual suspicions which is the enduring legacy in the most negative sense, remains the elephant in the room, regarding Nigeria’s development, progress and advancement.
The Nigerian civil war is indeed the unseen evil hand, the larger than life impediment and obstacle which continues to keep Nigeria at her knees.
The passing of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu presents another opening, another window for Nigerians and Nigeria revisit the issues and events which led to our civil war, and the war itself and its aftermath.
Unfettered, honest, sincere and truthful discussions and debates about the issues and events which led to the civil war are necessary preconditions and precursors to true reconciliations and national healing.
Written by Paul I. Adujie
So much have been said, written and documented about the Nigerian catastrophe also known as the Nigerian Civil War which took place between 1966 and 1970. And so much more needs to be documented.
All Nigerians and Nigeria were and are still victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
Nigerians and Nigeria suffered colossally, including the loss of blood and treasure; and having to endure extreme physical and emotional traumas, and the loss of innocence as a nation. Millions of citizens were killed, starved to death and countless others were maimed for life.
The recent death of secessionist General Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu has reawakened the need, alas the urgency for a Nigerian national debate about this very cataclysmic part of our national history. Since the death of General Ojukwu, there has been an opening of sorts, as some notable Nigerians have been discussing the Nigerian Civil War, and the Dim Ojukwu they knew.
Some notable Nigerians are worth a mention here, first is former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then, the renowned iconic academic Professor Sam Aluko in “What Ojukwu told me before, during and after the war” as reported in an interview by Duro Adeseko in the Sun Newspapers. And then, there have also been public comments and interviews of other eminent Nigerians such as a former Chief of Defense Staff, Lt.-Gen. Domkat Bali, as well as another high profile military henchman, General Oluwole Rotimi and many others.
Clearly, viewpoints which have been expressed by these aforementioned individuals and others will necessarily reflect where they sit or stand or fall, on the war and the issues and personalities who played active roles on behalf of the Nigerian nation state or the now defunct Biafra.
Nevertheless, it is clear to any cursory observer that the wounds from the Civil War is still very raw and fresh and it so, on all sides.
The events which precipitated and led to the Nigerian Civil War, the war itself and its aftermath have shaped and continue to shape the economic and political development of Nigeria. These events and the lingering ill-will, have poisoned relationships between various regions, religions and ethnic groups in Nigeria. These events have extraordinary adverse effects which have and continue to stunt and stymy Nigeria
Nigerian Civil War is also the reason why true federation is not robustly and vigorously practiced in Nigeria. It is the case that many recent conflicts and future conflicts in Nigeria are predicated in the mutual suspicions which arose from the events which led to the war and the war itself has left an ever simmering mutual distrust and deep rooted internecine low warfare of undeclared myriad hostilities
An honest discussion, debate and teaching of the events which led to our civil war are prerequisite national growth and development. All Nigerians should know what led to the war and how the war was fought and what the consequences have been. Honest, sincere and factual debate and teachings.
Nigeria has never been the same nation since the events which culminated in the civil and the very civil war itself.
It is therefore of crucial importance that these events and the civil war and its aftermath are discussed, so that healing and true reconciliation can takes place. Nigeria lost her innocence as a consequence of the Nigerian Civil War.
Nigeria in the past couple of years has been afflicted with recurring ethno, religious and internecine conflict. There is a slow simmering anarchy, insecurity and a state of undeclared war with the epicenter being Jos, Plateau state but with flashes in Kaduna, Damaturu and Maiduguri etc.
There are gratuitous predictions and forecast for the death and disintegration of Nigeria as a nation, scheduled for 2015 on many calendars. Recent spate of violence, post April 2010 General Elections in Nigeria, particularly in Bauchi state, then followed by the Boko Haram insurgency illustrated by bombings and incinerating infernos on October 1, 2010, then Christmas Day two months later, and then, the bombing of Nigeria Police Headquarters, and United Nations Headquarters in Abuja Nigeria and Christmas Day bombing in Abuja and Jos December 25, 2011 lend credence to suggestions that Nigerians and Nigeria may be sleep-walking towards a national precipice-cliff-hanger
Recent repeated violence in Abuja, Bauchi, Damaturu Jos and Maiduguri has assumed regional, ethnic and religious colorations. Those engaged in these mayhems, sought out some Nigerians as victims for their senseless murders, using bigotry, hatred and prejudice as sole motivation and their heinous selections based on region of origin and religious adherence.
Recent and current events in Nigeria would lead anyone to conclude that Nigeria is at the cusps of a national upheaval of the most violent type. General Danjuma I think it was, who once pronounced Nigeria incapable of surviving as one nation in the event of another civil war.
The aftermath of the Nigerian civil war, the lingering raw feelings on all sides illustrates why civil wars should be avoided at any and all costs, because, civil wars are never won and that is the reason civil wars should be avoided in the first place. Many Nigerians on both sides of the aisle are still very bitter and deeply suspicious because of the 1966 coup and counter coup, and the carnage, pogrom and the insanity which preceded the bitter civil war itself.
The Nigerian civil war is foundation and predicate for the shrill-shouting in all our national debate. The Nigerian civil war is the basis for our national pastime of mutual suspicion and mutual disdain and mutual contempt for fellow Nigerians. Nigerians too often, talk over the heads of other Nigerians based on the real or imagined perceptions of the other Nigerians’ otherness, by reason of being born by parents from across the Niger and Benue Rivers.
Perfectly logical, reasonable and legitimate argument, discussions or debates about national issues, priorities and national challenges are derailed every minute and every day, 365-366 days of the year!
Meanwhile, our nation with abundance of human and material resources is stymied and stunted in development. Meanwhile, Nigeria is bedeviled with almost 30 years of devalued national currency, the Naira. Meanwhile, Nigeria is confronted with high rate of unemployment, paucity of public infrastructures and now, national insecurity or even anarchy.
Nigeria is a nation where there is extreme poverty, extreme suffering and extreme hardship for a majority of citizens; this, despite our abundance and resourcefulness. Meanwhile, the fixation and singular focus on our benign differences, instead of accentuating the positive with focus on our unity in diversity, and the benefits imbued in our multiculturalism and pluralism as a nation, we continue to be distracted by the scourge of mutual suspicion and disdain and contempt.
It is of course recognized that competitiveness is expected in a multicultural and plural nation such as Nigeria is. Even so, well-meaning Nigerians ought to insist on having a healthy competition between the states and the regions of Nigeria. Nigerians should refrain from encouraging acrimonies and antagonisms of fellow Nigerians based on the state and region of birth or religion to which a Nigerian choses.
In the past, I have written opinions about the Biafra-Nigeria war, in which I recounted my personal, painful and sordid recollections from that era. There are many Nigerians like myself, whose experiences remain indelible traumas and therefore a national baggage which continues to bedraggle us all.
It is the case that some accounts of the issues and events which led to the Nigerian civil war, the war itself and its aftermath have been rendered. It is my belief that much more needs to be written, debated and record and taught at every, and at all levels in Nigeria.
A majority of Nigerians seem to pretend that the civil war and the pains it inflicted on millions, physically, emotionally and psychically, will wilt and wither and die, and just fade away, if we ignore it enough. The moral equivalents of ignoring a gaping sore, leaving the sore to fester and hoping the sore heals without treatments.
But, recognizing there is a challenge, then discussing or analyzing such challenge, and fathoming or proffering solutions, is the smarter thing all Nigerians should advocate regarding our collective national history, albeit, most painful. Ignoring our past is foolhardy, pretentious and portentous. It bodes ill.
The issues and events which led to the Nigerian civil war, the war itself and its aftermath should be taught in schools, from Primary Schools to University or tertiary levels. Americans fought a civil war about 150 years ago, the Americans are still divided and strident about their civil war, but, the Americans openly discuss their civil war. The Americans teach versions of their civil war, versions reflecting the Union’s side and versions, conversely, reflecting the Confederate side or worldview etc
Past and current events in Nigeria are have, had their roots in the issues and events which led to the Nigerian civil war. Nigerians from both sides of the great-divide are apparently observing false détente, false peace, false truce, and false stability.
When it comes to anything, everything and all things Nigerian, mutual suspicions is the bogeyman, and the civil war is sorts of an unfinished business and an albatross. The Nigerian civil war is the thing around our neck, apologies to Ngozi Chimamanda Adichie. The civil war grudge, the mutual suspicions which is the enduring legacy in the most negative sense, remains the elephant in the room, regarding Nigeria’s development, progress and advancement.
The Nigerian civil war is indeed the unseen evil hand, the larger than life impediment and obstacle which continues to keep Nigeria at her knees.
The passing of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu presents another opening, another window for Nigerians and Nigeria revisit the issues and events which led to our civil war, and the war itself and its aftermath.
Unfettered, honest, sincere and truthful discussions and debates about the issues and events which led to the civil war are necessary preconditions and precursors to true reconciliations and national healing.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Mohamed Bouazazi As Man Of The Year, Catalyst For Global Justice & Protests
Mohamed Bouazazi As Man Of The Year, Catalyst For Global Justice & Protests
Written by Paul I. Adujie
One bright idea, one idea, sparked in the inner sanctum of one individual, and one idea acted upon by one such individual changes everything in the world.
All through human history, global development and human progress or advancement have depended on sparks of ideas by individuals, whether such an idea concerns scientific breakthrough, democracy or social justice.
One person’s idea of justice as exemplified by Mohamed Bouazazi by the selfless action he took at the beginning of 2011 resonated with millions of people worldwide.
He reacted against overwhelming injustice by a government actor.
In doing so, he defied the regional stereotype bandied about for so long. He certainly did not fit the regional stereotypical narratives of every Arab as a blood thirsty Islamic terrorist thug with anti-democratic mindsets, and lacking a keen sense of personal freedoms, democracy and liberty.
Mohamed Bouazazi demonstrated his sense of inviolate personal dignity, integrity. He resented the unmitigated affronts committed against his life and liberty by wrongful actors and agents of the government of Tunisia during the administration of Ben Ali.
Impunity by governments and agents of governments are all too routine; and too often, these acts of gross impunity in the extreme, clashes with the health, wealth and happiness of innocent citizens in Tunisia and elsewhere worldwide.
And there are those with the courage and audacity to push back, resist, or protest egregious acts by government actors and this is what Mohamed Bouazazi did
Mohamed Bouazazi expressed umbrage and personal indignation in resistance to the disgusting overreach of a government agent-actor.
A government actor is said to have repeatedly humiliated this hardscrabble fruits and vegetable vendor. A Tunisian government agent-actor was said to have seized or confisticated Mr. Bouazazi’s goods, properties or wares without just cause and without due process. He was extremely agitated and frustrated by the overbearing actions of the Tunisian government.
On January 24, 2011 the action of this one man resonated with millions of his fellow citizens in Tunisia. Mohamed Bouazazi in frustration, and in reaction to the stranglehold by agents of the Tunisian government, self-immolated to protest the wrongful and unlawful seizure of his property and robbed of his sense of human dignity, all these inflicted by an agent of the government of Tunisia under Ben Ali.
Mr. Bouazazi’s supreme sacrifice illustrated his extreme agitation, aggravation and frustration caused by the anti-people government of Tunisia at that time. He had, had enough and this sense of haven had enough reverberated across Tunisia, North Africa, the Middle East, across the region and across the world.
This has been a year of discontent, and it is still unfolding, even as I write this. Here in the United States, we have had Labor raising the din of public debate as some state governments, notably, Wisconsin and Ohio, have tried mightily to whittle down collective bargaining by Labor.
We have also witnessed the happy phenomenon known as Occupy Wall Street which has gone viral and global. OWS have since been replicated across the nation and across the world
Mr. Bouazazi, even in death, he stands tall, even taller in death than many persons who are complicit in inaction today.
2011 began with the audacious and auspicious actions by Mohamed Bouazazi against the dictatorship in Tunisia which was then headed by Ben Ali as the tyrant in-chief.
And 2011 is ending with the deaths and overthrow and killing of totalitarian government leaders in various parts of the world.
Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was eased out of power by adamant and insistent protesters at Tahirir Square in Cairo.
Moumar Gaddahaffi was expelled from power by NATO, after he had vowed to crush Libyan protesters in Benghazi and their clandestine supporters in Tripoli. Ben Ali fled Tunis and Tunisia into exile.
All of these, received their inspiration, motivation and impetus from the acts of a lowly fruits and vegetable vendor, in the streets of Tunisia, a man known as Mohamed Bouazazi and for that reason, he merits and deserves the man of the year title.
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has announced her desire to participate in parliamentary elections next year in her country, for which she has been a staunch, strident and vociferous advocate for democracy and social justice.
She is just one person, with one great idea. Lech Walesa was one individual; his action in Gdansk Poland helped to advance the cause and course of democracy in that nation.
Nelson Mandela is just and individual, he too, had a great idea about equality of the races, social justice, democracy and freedoms; he endured demeaning inhuman treatments and extreme suffering, and hardship in the prisons of Apartheid South Africa.
On the African continent, there have been a bevy of individuals with bright ideas and with the courage and boldness, and they acted in resistance to colonialism, apartheid and minority rule. A passing mention of such great persons will suffice. Kwame Nkrumah, Mariam Makeba, Steve Biko, Patrice Lumumba, Winnie Mandela, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Augustinho Neto, Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe, Abel Muzerewa etc all belong to this pantheon of heroes.
Elsewhere, Václav Havel, writer and former president of Czechoslovakia was one such individual, with a bright idea, who also dared to act when it counted and the rest is history, even as he is buried this week in Prague.
Last year, I selected Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks as Man of The Year in view of his activities which put immeasurable and invaluable information concerning wrongdoing and governmental and corporate corrupt practices in the open and available to citizens of the world at the click of a computer mouse.
Internet and the modern world of information superhighway have made vibrant and robust Citizen Journalism or Independent Journalism grow exponentially. Nigeria, indeed Africa, now has a version of WikiLeakswhich is known as Sahara Reporters founded by Omoyele Sowore who advocates accountability, transparency and good governance in Nigeria, nay Africa. Sahara Reporters exposes corrupt practices in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
Omoyele Sowore just like Julian Assange, has done Citizen Journalism-Independent-Journalism proud. Information Is Power. Information Empowers. Sahara Reporters, through Expose' Journalism empowers citizens with immeasurable information which empowers hardscrabble citizens to take the next logical steps in espousing and entrenching justice, equality and robust regime of social justice.
In the information age, Social Media and Instant Communications, there is much more that the individual can now do, to improve his neighborhood and invariably, the entire world, through The World Wide Web’s so-called Information Superhighway etc.
There is so much more power to do so much more good for all of mankind... So much more information is now available to us all, and we must actively seek and use information at your fingertips and find more information to increase the health, wealth and happiness of all humans on earth.
To drive this important point further home, I recently received a note from Facebook friend in London, sent as a private message to me which read, "We are in the information age. Information Applied is Power"
This is absolutely true. What use is a great book you have which you have never read? AND what use is great information if you are not using the information to empower yourself and the rest of humanity? WE, the citizens should and must use available information to our advantage and for societal advancement.
Sahara Reporters regularly and frequently, provide us, empowering information concerning our "leaders" gross ineptitude and their allergy to good governance ... It is our responsibility to deploy the information at our disposal for our common-good, the public-good!
Mohamed Bouazazi was the inspiration for regional protests which started in Tunisia to condemn government action, which led Mr. Bouazazi’s self-immolation. The protests in Tunisia became a regional wildfire, or the so-called Arab Spring, which spiraled and morphed into global protests, with birthplace in Tunisia and travels through Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Britain and even here in the United States.
The world must not forget the roles played by Social Media, Citizen Journalism or Independent Journalism which enabled and facilitated information sharing in furtherance advocacy, even the shrill-shouting kinds on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube etc
In all of these, individuals were the originators and key actors in promoting and serving common-good, public-good, locally, regionally and globally.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is world renowned for his nonviolence and message of peace, equality, justice and freedoms. He was just an individual with a bright idea, an idea which he acted upon. Paul Robeson, Harry Belafonte, Rosa Park, Thurgood Marshall and even John Brown, etc were mere individuals with ideas of freedom, liberty and justice, ideas which they all acted upon.
Mohamed Bouazazi is a reminder, an inspiration, a motivation and an impetus of the crucial importance of the power of one brilliant idea and an equally brilliant act of courage and defiance by one individual. Fertile minds pollinate ideas and sprout them, then, such great ideas do resonates and reverberates, such ideas frequently, are replicated widely, regionally and globally.
A reminder to all of us humans, that there is always something that we can do to resist oppression and to advance the worthy cause and course of freedoms, democracy, the rule of law and due process globally.
Mohamed Bouazazi has given his life in protests against oppression and injustice. He serves as a reminder to all of us, even as he lend profound credence to the fact that there is always something that we humans can say, and or do against oppression and injustice.
We must think globally and act locally, and that, all through history, have always begun with an idea from an individual, you, me, everyone … saving the world, one idea, one individual…
Written by Paul I. Adujie
One bright idea, one idea, sparked in the inner sanctum of one individual, and one idea acted upon by one such individual changes everything in the world.
All through human history, global development and human progress or advancement have depended on sparks of ideas by individuals, whether such an idea concerns scientific breakthrough, democracy or social justice.
One person’s idea of justice as exemplified by Mohamed Bouazazi by the selfless action he took at the beginning of 2011 resonated with millions of people worldwide.
He reacted against overwhelming injustice by a government actor.
In doing so, he defied the regional stereotype bandied about for so long. He certainly did not fit the regional stereotypical narratives of every Arab as a blood thirsty Islamic terrorist thug with anti-democratic mindsets, and lacking a keen sense of personal freedoms, democracy and liberty.
Mohamed Bouazazi demonstrated his sense of inviolate personal dignity, integrity. He resented the unmitigated affronts committed against his life and liberty by wrongful actors and agents of the government of Tunisia during the administration of Ben Ali.
Impunity by governments and agents of governments are all too routine; and too often, these acts of gross impunity in the extreme, clashes with the health, wealth and happiness of innocent citizens in Tunisia and elsewhere worldwide.
And there are those with the courage and audacity to push back, resist, or protest egregious acts by government actors and this is what Mohamed Bouazazi did
Mohamed Bouazazi expressed umbrage and personal indignation in resistance to the disgusting overreach of a government agent-actor.
A government actor is said to have repeatedly humiliated this hardscrabble fruits and vegetable vendor. A Tunisian government agent-actor was said to have seized or confisticated Mr. Bouazazi’s goods, properties or wares without just cause and without due process. He was extremely agitated and frustrated by the overbearing actions of the Tunisian government.
On January 24, 2011 the action of this one man resonated with millions of his fellow citizens in Tunisia. Mohamed Bouazazi in frustration, and in reaction to the stranglehold by agents of the Tunisian government, self-immolated to protest the wrongful and unlawful seizure of his property and robbed of his sense of human dignity, all these inflicted by an agent of the government of Tunisia under Ben Ali.
Mr. Bouazazi’s supreme sacrifice illustrated his extreme agitation, aggravation and frustration caused by the anti-people government of Tunisia at that time. He had, had enough and this sense of haven had enough reverberated across Tunisia, North Africa, the Middle East, across the region and across the world.
This has been a year of discontent, and it is still unfolding, even as I write this. Here in the United States, we have had Labor raising the din of public debate as some state governments, notably, Wisconsin and Ohio, have tried mightily to whittle down collective bargaining by Labor.
We have also witnessed the happy phenomenon known as Occupy Wall Street which has gone viral and global. OWS have since been replicated across the nation and across the world
Mr. Bouazazi, even in death, he stands tall, even taller in death than many persons who are complicit in inaction today.
2011 began with the audacious and auspicious actions by Mohamed Bouazazi against the dictatorship in Tunisia which was then headed by Ben Ali as the tyrant in-chief.
And 2011 is ending with the deaths and overthrow and killing of totalitarian government leaders in various parts of the world.
Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was eased out of power by adamant and insistent protesters at Tahirir Square in Cairo.
Moumar Gaddahaffi was expelled from power by NATO, after he had vowed to crush Libyan protesters in Benghazi and their clandestine supporters in Tripoli. Ben Ali fled Tunis and Tunisia into exile.
All of these, received their inspiration, motivation and impetus from the acts of a lowly fruits and vegetable vendor, in the streets of Tunisia, a man known as Mohamed Bouazazi and for that reason, he merits and deserves the man of the year title.
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has announced her desire to participate in parliamentary elections next year in her country, for which she has been a staunch, strident and vociferous advocate for democracy and social justice.
She is just one person, with one great idea. Lech Walesa was one individual; his action in Gdansk Poland helped to advance the cause and course of democracy in that nation.
Nelson Mandela is just and individual, he too, had a great idea about equality of the races, social justice, democracy and freedoms; he endured demeaning inhuman treatments and extreme suffering, and hardship in the prisons of Apartheid South Africa.
On the African continent, there have been a bevy of individuals with bright ideas and with the courage and boldness, and they acted in resistance to colonialism, apartheid and minority rule. A passing mention of such great persons will suffice. Kwame Nkrumah, Mariam Makeba, Steve Biko, Patrice Lumumba, Winnie Mandela, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Augustinho Neto, Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe, Abel Muzerewa etc all belong to this pantheon of heroes.
Elsewhere, Václav Havel, writer and former president of Czechoslovakia was one such individual, with a bright idea, who also dared to act when it counted and the rest is history, even as he is buried this week in Prague.
Last year, I selected Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks as Man of The Year in view of his activities which put immeasurable and invaluable information concerning wrongdoing and governmental and corporate corrupt practices in the open and available to citizens of the world at the click of a computer mouse.
Internet and the modern world of information superhighway have made vibrant and robust Citizen Journalism or Independent Journalism grow exponentially. Nigeria, indeed Africa, now has a version of WikiLeakswhich is known as Sahara Reporters founded by Omoyele Sowore who advocates accountability, transparency and good governance in Nigeria, nay Africa. Sahara Reporters exposes corrupt practices in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
Omoyele Sowore just like Julian Assange, has done Citizen Journalism-Independent-Journalism proud. Information Is Power. Information Empowers. Sahara Reporters, through Expose' Journalism empowers citizens with immeasurable information which empowers hardscrabble citizens to take the next logical steps in espousing and entrenching justice, equality and robust regime of social justice.
In the information age, Social Media and Instant Communications, there is much more that the individual can now do, to improve his neighborhood and invariably, the entire world, through The World Wide Web’s so-called Information Superhighway etc.
There is so much more power to do so much more good for all of mankind... So much more information is now available to us all, and we must actively seek and use information at your fingertips and find more information to increase the health, wealth and happiness of all humans on earth.
To drive this important point further home, I recently received a note from Facebook friend in London, sent as a private message to me which read, "We are in the information age. Information Applied is Power"
This is absolutely true. What use is a great book you have which you have never read? AND what use is great information if you are not using the information to empower yourself and the rest of humanity? WE, the citizens should and must use available information to our advantage and for societal advancement.
Sahara Reporters regularly and frequently, provide us, empowering information concerning our "leaders" gross ineptitude and their allergy to good governance ... It is our responsibility to deploy the information at our disposal for our common-good, the public-good!
Mohamed Bouazazi was the inspiration for regional protests which started in Tunisia to condemn government action, which led Mr. Bouazazi’s self-immolation. The protests in Tunisia became a regional wildfire, or the so-called Arab Spring, which spiraled and morphed into global protests, with birthplace in Tunisia and travels through Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Britain and even here in the United States.
The world must not forget the roles played by Social Media, Citizen Journalism or Independent Journalism which enabled and facilitated information sharing in furtherance advocacy, even the shrill-shouting kinds on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube etc
In all of these, individuals were the originators and key actors in promoting and serving common-good, public-good, locally, regionally and globally.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is world renowned for his nonviolence and message of peace, equality, justice and freedoms. He was just an individual with a bright idea, an idea which he acted upon. Paul Robeson, Harry Belafonte, Rosa Park, Thurgood Marshall and even John Brown, etc were mere individuals with ideas of freedom, liberty and justice, ideas which they all acted upon.
Mohamed Bouazazi is a reminder, an inspiration, a motivation and an impetus of the crucial importance of the power of one brilliant idea and an equally brilliant act of courage and defiance by one individual. Fertile minds pollinate ideas and sprout them, then, such great ideas do resonates and reverberates, such ideas frequently, are replicated widely, regionally and globally.
A reminder to all of us humans, that there is always something that we can do to resist oppression and to advance the worthy cause and course of freedoms, democracy, the rule of law and due process globally.
Mohamed Bouazazi has given his life in protests against oppression and injustice. He serves as a reminder to all of us, even as he lend profound credence to the fact that there is always something that we humans can say, and or do against oppression and injustice.
We must think globally and act locally, and that, all through history, have always begun with an idea from an individual, you, me, everyone … saving the world, one idea, one individual…
Monday, December 5, 2011
Homophobia in Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi And Over-sexed South Africa
Homophobia in Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi And Over-sexed South Africa
Government at all levels in Nigeria should focus and concentrate on fighting poverty, providing steady electricity, clean water and such basic amenities and infrastructures, instead of this hyperventilation about sex or what gender is having sex with which gender
Why is it so important for Nigeria, Uganda and now, Malawi to squander public resources in the repression of homosexuals and lesbians citizens within these African nations? It is just astonishing that some African nations focus on the persecution of homosexuals, gays and lesbians, instead of the more important focus on continental development.
Why is it that political and religious leaders in these nations seem to see or interpret homosexual and lesbians sexual preferences and practices as if more of existential threats and or, inimical to the pursuits of health, wealth and happiness than say, malaria, AIDS, unemployment, unclean water, broken and decrepit public infrastructures?
I am a heterosexual male and I do not believe that my sexual preference makes me remarkable.
Besides, I also believe in the Human Rights of all persons regardless of such persons’ sexual preferences. I, We, Nigerians, Ugandans, South Africans, Malawians, Americans or anyone for that matter, do not have to have the same sexual interests or preferences as a basis or predicate for advocating the rights of others, others, who are unlike us.
I strongly believe that Nigerians, South Africans, Ugandans and Malawians and others, should be able to advocate the rights of homosexuals and lesbians citizens amongst us, even if we are decidedly heterosexuals. Just the same way in which we may be able to recognize the rights of others to practice their choice of preferred religion, even if we ourselves are of a different religious faith or are faithless, agnostic or atheists ourselves. We ought to be able to accept homosexuals, gays and lesbians without making value judgments or some sorts of dogmatic and judgmental moral condemnations of gays and lesbians, based upon or predicated on our moral certainty or religious “superiority”
I am quite at a loss when I listen the vehemence and stridency, with which some Nigerians, some South Africans, some Ugandans, some Malawians etc, talk, discuss, and in fact, attack gays and lesbians within our nations.
Why is it, that, in the midst of greater challenges, such as suffocating abject poverty, and pervasive-permeating wants in these nations, and yet, some of us, manage to squander our time and efforts, in addressing sexual choices made by grown men and women with mutuality of sexual interests and with affections, derived of knowing and informed consent, permission and mutual authorizations!
I am certainly at a total loss, as to why for instance, Uganda now notorious worldwide, for contemplating the death penalty or capital punishments for persons engaged in gay and lesbian sexual intercourse?
How about the death penalty for those public officials, who demonstrate gross incompetence and or unrivaled ineptitude?
Why would Uganda not start with prescribing the death penalty for corrupt public officials? How about it, if Uganda prescribes public execution for those public officials who mismanage the economies of these African nations? Why the unfounded fears for gays and lesbians?
Why would these African nations not focus punishing those who mismanage public resources? Why would those African nations, who hypocritically pretend to be so “morally” upright and concerned with what sorts and forms and styles of sex , and or sexual habits of the Africa citizens? The majority of the economies of the nations on the African continent are perilously close to implosion.
These African nations have no economic growth, they are in fact close to moribund, or nearly comatose and yet, these nations are wasting valuable time on debates about gays and lesbians? When in fact, there are many pressing and very desperate situations of hardships and sufferings on the African continent?
President Joseph Zuma of South Africa angled and schemed to be president and he became one, and now, his cavorting with some women and his peculiar treatments of some other women, is quite likely ending up as his signature issue and his legacy. Meanwhile, 20 years have passed since majority rule and the “death” of formal Apartheid minority rule in South Africa and the economic and social fortunes have not changed for the majority of South African citizens! Unfortunately, in the midst of all these abject poverty, continuing racial inequalities, and lopsidedness in the distribution of land and economic power and wealth in South Africa, President Zuma is mired in the matters of sexual lusts? President Zuma irresponsibly takes additional “wife” and a woman half Mr. Zuma’s age as the president of South Africa wishes to nullify the infamous rocking of the cradle by Tony Randall?
The majority of South Africans are wallowing in poverty and dire economic depression. The majority of South Africans are left to wonder what the dividends of democracy and post Apartheid South Africa is worth to them, and yet, all that they see, is the obscene and untamed sexual appetite of the septuagenarian Mr. Zuma lustily pursuing multiple skirts? After all the efforts made nationwide by the hitherto marginalized majority of Black South African, and the hard won victory which led to Black majority government in South Africa, why is it acceptable for Mr. Zuma to be squandering and missing opportunities to do right by the long suffering South African Black majority?
Why is President Jacob Zuma so content, satiated and constipated and seemingly unaware of the suffering and hardship which remain all to common in South Africa? Why is President Zuma able to allow himself distracted with lusts and the irrelevancies of sexual pleasures? Where is the fire in his belly and the desire to do good for the majority of South Africans? Why is Mr. Zuma’s emphasis not about common good and the public good of all South Africans? Why is President Zuma engaged in the worse than useless luxury and indulgence in sexual pleasures as if he were a teenager? Where are the fiery and fierce freedom fighters of South Africa who wanted to liberate South Africa? What a waste of opportunities? Why have power for power’s sake? Why has Mr. Zuma fought for so long to procure power and then, he has forgotten power’s real purpose beyond his personal perks and sexual pleasures?
Why is sexual pleasures suddenly so important in African politics anyway? Why is the debate and brouhaha about gays and lesbians beclouding the urgent, extremely urgent needful work of economic, social and political development in many African nations? Why is democracy, the rule of law, due process, constitutionalism and all elements of continental advancement relegated to the back burners? Why is the frivolities and sexual pleasures, heterosexual, homosexual or gay and lesbian sexual pleasures now front and center, and substitutes for political and economic reforms which are sorely lacking on the continent?
I have wondered for years, why was it so important for Mr. Nelson Mandela to divorce Winnie Mandela? And why Mr. Mandela could not overlook Winnie Mandela’s sins, whatever they were, just as he was uncommonly humane and magnanimously forgiving towards those who tormented him for 27 long tortuous years?
Why if Mr. Mandela had focused on land redistribution while he was president of South Africa? After all, 27 years of imprisonment in the hands of brutal minority and illegal regime of South Africa, made South Africa Mr. Mandela’s life work and Mrs. Winnie Mandela played pivotal and prominent roles in all of that. Mr. Mandela could have made further sacrifice and let Winnie be, whatever her matrimonial transgression during the incarceration of Mr. Mandela.
Why have Mr. Mandela, Mr. Thabo Mbeki and now Mr. Jacob Zuma neglected to focus on addressing and redressing the disparities and lopsidedness of political and economic power distribution in South Africa? Why has land redistribution in South Africa dealt with? Have Black political leaders in South African been afraid of being labeled and tarnished in the same ways as President Mugabe of Zimbabwe? President Mugabe obviously fell out of favor, after his partners to the pre-independence Lancaster House Agreement neglected to follow through with promises to fund and support land redistribution, and proceeded to castigate Mr. Mugabe, who for public purpose and his personal cover as well, belatedly, pursued land redistribution in Zimbabwe, where one percent of the white minority controlled ninety five percent of the entire land of Zimbabwe.
Why are too many political leaders of African nations engaged in the frivolities of sexual pleasures and amorous distractions and orgasmic plateaus, when the general state of affairs of human condition is abysmal dismal?
In the midst of metaphorical earthquake measuring 10.6 on Richter scale , earthquake of economic, political and social devastation in many African nations, why is so much time being wasted on bodily pleasures of heterosexual sex, gay and lesbian sex or any sexual pleasures at all? Africa, our house is on fire, and why is sexual pleasures of any type the centerpiece of continental Africa’s public debate?
What reasonable person focuses on sexual pleasures in the middle of an earthquake? What reasonable person focuses on sex in the middle of the economic, political and developmental devastation in Africa?
Why is it, that any sexual pleasures, and the morality and immorality about it, have now subsumed important public policy debates regarding sustainable economic and political development of the African continent? Why is the fixation on sexual pleasures in its varieties and the varieties and forms of it and sexual preferences become a fodder and cover, for ineptitude of public officials across the African continent?
Why this seeming clueless fixation on sexual pleasures whether heterosexual or homosexual?
Perhaps all political leaders in African nations should be required to forswear off sex and be celibate, but with the sex abuse epidemic in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Germany, Italy, and the United States etc, asking African leaders to forswear off sex and become celibate is portentous of the Catholic affliction?
But we must still, what have sexual pleasures, and sexual preferences got to do with the provision of clean water, full employment, steady electric power supply, electoral and constitutional reforms and provision of reliable public infrastructures across the nations of Africa? Our continent continue to suffer image devastation. Our continent continue to be left behind the rest of the world developmentally while too many of our leaders are focused on sexual pleasures!
Why have the focus on whether citizens of Africa plateau in heterosexual, gay and lesbian orgasms become substitute for proper focus on the priorities of economic and political development, progress and advancement of the continent of Africa?
What has orgasm got to do with the grinding poverty and the urgent answer to poverty, the urgent and needful development of Africa?
Government at all levels in Nigeria should focus and concentrate on fighting poverty, providing steady electricity, clean water and such basic amenities and infrastructures, instead of this hyperventilation about sex or what gender is having sex with which gender
Why is it so important for Nigeria, Uganda and now, Malawi to squander public resources in the repression of homosexuals and lesbians citizens within these African nations? It is just astonishing that some African nations focus on the persecution of homosexuals, gays and lesbians, instead of the more important focus on continental development.
Why is it that political and religious leaders in these nations seem to see or interpret homosexual and lesbians sexual preferences and practices as if more of existential threats and or, inimical to the pursuits of health, wealth and happiness than say, malaria, AIDS, unemployment, unclean water, broken and decrepit public infrastructures?
I am a heterosexual male and I do not believe that my sexual preference makes me remarkable.
Besides, I also believe in the Human Rights of all persons regardless of such persons’ sexual preferences. I, We, Nigerians, Ugandans, South Africans, Malawians, Americans or anyone for that matter, do not have to have the same sexual interests or preferences as a basis or predicate for advocating the rights of others, others, who are unlike us.
I strongly believe that Nigerians, South Africans, Ugandans and Malawians and others, should be able to advocate the rights of homosexuals and lesbians citizens amongst us, even if we are decidedly heterosexuals. Just the same way in which we may be able to recognize the rights of others to practice their choice of preferred religion, even if we ourselves are of a different religious faith or are faithless, agnostic or atheists ourselves. We ought to be able to accept homosexuals, gays and lesbians without making value judgments or some sorts of dogmatic and judgmental moral condemnations of gays and lesbians, based upon or predicated on our moral certainty or religious “superiority”
I am quite at a loss when I listen the vehemence and stridency, with which some Nigerians, some South Africans, some Ugandans, some Malawians etc, talk, discuss, and in fact, attack gays and lesbians within our nations.
Why is it, that, in the midst of greater challenges, such as suffocating abject poverty, and pervasive-permeating wants in these nations, and yet, some of us, manage to squander our time and efforts, in addressing sexual choices made by grown men and women with mutuality of sexual interests and with affections, derived of knowing and informed consent, permission and mutual authorizations!
I am certainly at a total loss, as to why for instance, Uganda now notorious worldwide, for contemplating the death penalty or capital punishments for persons engaged in gay and lesbian sexual intercourse?
How about the death penalty for those public officials, who demonstrate gross incompetence and or unrivaled ineptitude?
Why would Uganda not start with prescribing the death penalty for corrupt public officials? How about it, if Uganda prescribes public execution for those public officials who mismanage the economies of these African nations? Why the unfounded fears for gays and lesbians?
Why would these African nations not focus punishing those who mismanage public resources? Why would those African nations, who hypocritically pretend to be so “morally” upright and concerned with what sorts and forms and styles of sex , and or sexual habits of the Africa citizens? The majority of the economies of the nations on the African continent are perilously close to implosion.
These African nations have no economic growth, they are in fact close to moribund, or nearly comatose and yet, these nations are wasting valuable time on debates about gays and lesbians? When in fact, there are many pressing and very desperate situations of hardships and sufferings on the African continent?
President Joseph Zuma of South Africa angled and schemed to be president and he became one, and now, his cavorting with some women and his peculiar treatments of some other women, is quite likely ending up as his signature issue and his legacy. Meanwhile, 20 years have passed since majority rule and the “death” of formal Apartheid minority rule in South Africa and the economic and social fortunes have not changed for the majority of South African citizens! Unfortunately, in the midst of all these abject poverty, continuing racial inequalities, and lopsidedness in the distribution of land and economic power and wealth in South Africa, President Zuma is mired in the matters of sexual lusts? President Zuma irresponsibly takes additional “wife” and a woman half Mr. Zuma’s age as the president of South Africa wishes to nullify the infamous rocking of the cradle by Tony Randall?
The majority of South Africans are wallowing in poverty and dire economic depression. The majority of South Africans are left to wonder what the dividends of democracy and post Apartheid South Africa is worth to them, and yet, all that they see, is the obscene and untamed sexual appetite of the septuagenarian Mr. Zuma lustily pursuing multiple skirts? After all the efforts made nationwide by the hitherto marginalized majority of Black South African, and the hard won victory which led to Black majority government in South Africa, why is it acceptable for Mr. Zuma to be squandering and missing opportunities to do right by the long suffering South African Black majority?
Why is President Jacob Zuma so content, satiated and constipated and seemingly unaware of the suffering and hardship which remain all to common in South Africa? Why is President Zuma able to allow himself distracted with lusts and the irrelevancies of sexual pleasures? Where is the fire in his belly and the desire to do good for the majority of South Africans? Why is Mr. Zuma’s emphasis not about common good and the public good of all South Africans? Why is President Zuma engaged in the worse than useless luxury and indulgence in sexual pleasures as if he were a teenager? Where are the fiery and fierce freedom fighters of South Africa who wanted to liberate South Africa? What a waste of opportunities? Why have power for power’s sake? Why has Mr. Zuma fought for so long to procure power and then, he has forgotten power’s real purpose beyond his personal perks and sexual pleasures?
Why is sexual pleasures suddenly so important in African politics anyway? Why is the debate and brouhaha about gays and lesbians beclouding the urgent, extremely urgent needful work of economic, social and political development in many African nations? Why is democracy, the rule of law, due process, constitutionalism and all elements of continental advancement relegated to the back burners? Why is the frivolities and sexual pleasures, heterosexual, homosexual or gay and lesbian sexual pleasures now front and center, and substitutes for political and economic reforms which are sorely lacking on the continent?
I have wondered for years, why was it so important for Mr. Nelson Mandela to divorce Winnie Mandela? And why Mr. Mandela could not overlook Winnie Mandela’s sins, whatever they were, just as he was uncommonly humane and magnanimously forgiving towards those who tormented him for 27 long tortuous years?
Why if Mr. Mandela had focused on land redistribution while he was president of South Africa? After all, 27 years of imprisonment in the hands of brutal minority and illegal regime of South Africa, made South Africa Mr. Mandela’s life work and Mrs. Winnie Mandela played pivotal and prominent roles in all of that. Mr. Mandela could have made further sacrifice and let Winnie be, whatever her matrimonial transgression during the incarceration of Mr. Mandela.
Why have Mr. Mandela, Mr. Thabo Mbeki and now Mr. Jacob Zuma neglected to focus on addressing and redressing the disparities and lopsidedness of political and economic power distribution in South Africa? Why has land redistribution in South Africa dealt with? Have Black political leaders in South African been afraid of being labeled and tarnished in the same ways as President Mugabe of Zimbabwe? President Mugabe obviously fell out of favor, after his partners to the pre-independence Lancaster House Agreement neglected to follow through with promises to fund and support land redistribution, and proceeded to castigate Mr. Mugabe, who for public purpose and his personal cover as well, belatedly, pursued land redistribution in Zimbabwe, where one percent of the white minority controlled ninety five percent of the entire land of Zimbabwe.
Why are too many political leaders of African nations engaged in the frivolities of sexual pleasures and amorous distractions and orgasmic plateaus, when the general state of affairs of human condition is abysmal dismal?
In the midst of metaphorical earthquake measuring 10.6 on Richter scale , earthquake of economic, political and social devastation in many African nations, why is so much time being wasted on bodily pleasures of heterosexual sex, gay and lesbian sex or any sexual pleasures at all? Africa, our house is on fire, and why is sexual pleasures of any type the centerpiece of continental Africa’s public debate?
What reasonable person focuses on sexual pleasures in the middle of an earthquake? What reasonable person focuses on sex in the middle of the economic, political and developmental devastation in Africa?
Why is it, that any sexual pleasures, and the morality and immorality about it, have now subsumed important public policy debates regarding sustainable economic and political development of the African continent? Why is the fixation on sexual pleasures in its varieties and the varieties and forms of it and sexual preferences become a fodder and cover, for ineptitude of public officials across the African continent?
Why this seeming clueless fixation on sexual pleasures whether heterosexual or homosexual?
Perhaps all political leaders in African nations should be required to forswear off sex and be celibate, but with the sex abuse epidemic in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Germany, Italy, and the United States etc, asking African leaders to forswear off sex and become celibate is portentous of the Catholic affliction?
But we must still, what have sexual pleasures, and sexual preferences got to do with the provision of clean water, full employment, steady electric power supply, electoral and constitutional reforms and provision of reliable public infrastructures across the nations of Africa? Our continent continue to suffer image devastation. Our continent continue to be left behind the rest of the world developmentally while too many of our leaders are focused on sexual pleasures!
Why have the focus on whether citizens of Africa plateau in heterosexual, gay and lesbian orgasms become substitute for proper focus on the priorities of economic and political development, progress and advancement of the continent of Africa?
What has orgasm got to do with the grinding poverty and the urgent answer to poverty, the urgent and needful development of Africa?
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