Mr. Bush Goes to The Continent

February 16, 2008 at 11:09 pm (My Africa, Political Junkie)
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Remember Bush’s little drumming/dancing episode with the African dance group last year? I guess they sparked something because this week, “your boy” is hopscotching across Africa. He hasn’t been there since 2003, but I guess the time has come for another trip.

About this latest trip, George says…

“We’re going to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. Each of these countries is blessed with natural beauty, vibrant culture, and an unmistakable spirit of energy and optimism. Africa in the 21st century is a continent of potential. That’s how we view it. I hope that’s how our fellow citizens view Africa. It’s a place where democracy is advancing, where economies are growing, and leaders are meeting challenges with purpose and determination.
Our visit will give me a chance to meet with people who are making the transformation on the continent possible. I’m going to witness the generosity of the American people firsthand. It will give me a chance to remind our fellow citizens about what a compassionate people we are. And I will assure our partners in Africa that the United States is committed to them today, tomorrow, and long into their continent’s bright future.”

Thanks, George. That sounds great.

Of course not everyone thinks his intentions are so honorable. Why is he really going???

because China has an interest in the continent?
to distract us from the economic and FISA crisis at home?
to find new sources of oil for the US?

I don’t really know. Some say that his visit is ‘too little too late”. As much as I love Ghana, I do wonder why he’s not visiting Kenya, or Sudan or Chad or anywhere that could REALLY use the visit of a US president. I guess he sends Condi to those places.

Well, we will see how this trip goes. Stay tuned …

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Black Stars Shine, eagles collapse

February 3, 2008 at 2:55 pm (My Africa, Sports)
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Even though most Americans are all about the Pats and Giants today…

gha-mor.jpgthe rest of the world …at least the soccer world, the African world has had its eyes on Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations. The ACN is essentially a bi-annual soccer tournament of 16 teams in Africa. (Now of course there are more than 16 countries in Africa… so they have a long drawn out process for determining which teams/countries qualify for the tournament) Anyway, this year’s tournament has been hosted by Ghana – which has meant high expectations for Ghana’s team – the Black Stars.

Today, in their quarter-final match, the Black Stars faced their arch-rivals the Super Eagles of Nigeria. I can’t even begin to tell you about the animosity between these two teams, and these 2 countries. (Me myself, I have no problem with super eagles, but I do understand why they irritate my countrymen).

The Super Eagles are very proud mandingo men who definitely believe that they are the best at EVERYTHING. ERRRRRTHING!!! They have no respect for the Black Stars and came out to thrash them. Man, it did look like Nigeria was going to dominate the game, but Ghana came back to tie the game and then with about 10 minutes left in the game, Ghana scored again. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! 2-1. Black Stars win! There is going to be a big party in Ghana tonight!!

Man. I love this. I absolutely love when Ghana wins anything. I love it even more when the win comes at the expense of Nigeria. Now, Ghana will face Cameroon or Tunisia in the semi-finals. The Cameroonians scare me, but don’t sleep on Ghana they have won this tournament 4 times in the past!

 

No matter who wins the superbowl today, I am already very satisfied with the results of the day.

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My Doubting African People

February 1, 2008 at 6:36 pm (My Africa, Political Junkie, TV, Movies, Music)
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Every morning I catch about 15 minutes of a show on CSPAN called Washington Journal, where people call in to share their opinion of the political news of the day. I love the show even though I have issues with some of the callers. (Yes, I have tried to call in, I have never gotten through though).

… Over the last 3 weeks I’ve heard many more calls from Africans (mostly men) calling in to tell us what they think (mostly about Barack). How do I know they’re Africans? Com’on now.. I know my peoples… LOL…and the accents are a dead give away. ;-) So they call, they talk and talk and talk and inevitably what comes out of their mouth is ‘I like Barack O-BA-MA, but I don’t think he can win because blah blah blah‘. Oh my word! I am getting so tired of this.

… so my African people…

I am going to say to you what I’ve said to my Ghanaian cousin and Nigerian ex-boyfriend – both fairly smart African men. Stop it with the disbelief! Stop it. Have you been so conditioned to doubt that the mere possibility of a President Obama is unfathomable? Why? I really wonder why. Will his ability to become president somehow signify that we have overcome? Will it require that YOU become more? Why are you paralyzed by fear and rationalizing it with doubt?

In her speeches Michelle Obama often says …

You know, there’s always that doubt in the back of the minds of people of color. People who’ve been oppressed and haven’t been given real opportunities. That you never really believe. That you believe that somehow, someone is better than you. You know, deep down inside, you doubt whether you can do it, because that’s all you’ve been told, is “no, wait.” That’s all you hear, and you hear it from people who love you. Not because they don’t care about you, but bcause they’re afraid. They’re afraid that something might happen.

I think on many levels that is true. Its some kind of subconscious self-doubt.

Haven’t you ever been passed for a job or whatever because someone wasn’t ready to give your black bleep a chance? Why are we expecting Barack to work so much harder for our vote than we required of Bill? He just said ‘I’m down’ and we said ‘welcome to the club Brotha Bill’. And yet we doubt Barack. How is it that we think we can vote for the same old establishment candidate and get different results? (And as much as I want a woman president, Hilary is establishment). The time for change -real change-is now.

… and so my African people …

to those of you who aren’t just talking talk, but who are citizens of this fine country who can actually vote (yes, I put THAT out there…) vote for Barack.

And if not .. leave me your comments on why you have gone with your candidate.

BTW – Barack isn’t just selling false hope as some would have you believe. You can read all about his positions here:

http://obamabulletin.com/

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-dem3feb02,0,3530861.story

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Power Corrupts

December 31, 2007 at 1:32 pm (My Africa, Political Junkie)
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Imagine that it’s the year 2000. After a close election, Bush is declared the winner. (Even though someone else has clearly won the popular vote) The folks in Florida say hey.. our votes didn’t count. And instead of a drawn out recount and months of waiting for the supreme court, Al Gore says “Yo! This shyt is rigged! Let’s take to the streets and take our country back.”

Now of course calm, humble Al would never say that. But, in the middle of Kenya, people don’t wait for the Supreme Court. They call it like they see it, and the way some people see it, their election last week was totally rigged.

In the final vote count, Mr. Mwai Kibaki the current President received 4,584,721 votes and the closest challenger Mr. Raila Odinga received 4, 350,993 votes. There were other challengers that also got votes, but they are not necessarily as upset as Mr. Odinga’s supporters.

The people are looting and rioting. So now, as Pakistan is burning, so too is Kenya. This is so crazy!!!

Why can’t leaders serve their term and then leave peacefully? Why do they spend their time doing nothing and then when the end comes they claim that they have done good work and need more time ( or better yet, try to adjust the election rules to allow them to serve 1 or 2 more terms in office) All over the world, time and time again this happens. In recent years I think the President of Nigeria, the Prime Minister of Russia and Mr. Chavez from Venezuela have all tried to pull that stunt. Its out of control.

I actually applaud former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for just leaving. Your boy was like.. I think I’ve done what I can (I’ve sucked up to Bush, followed him into this silly war, gotten the disrespect of my nation).. I think I’m done. Thanks, Tony. Please please take the rest of these riff raffs with you.

The funny thing is I don’t know if Mr. Kibaki is better for Kenya or if Mr. Odinga is. In some ways that doesn’t really matter. Shoot anyone elected will eventually become corrupt. They all do. Still, as the saying goes, its the principal of the matter. Why go through the charade of an election if the results are predetermined? Seriously, if you are going to be a dictator, say I’m going to be a dictator and I’m never going to die like Fidel does, and let the chips fall where they may.

By the way… where is my man Barack on this issue? I thought he was kinda Kenyan. I heard all of the candidates with their soundbites on Pakistan, but I’ve heard nothing about Kenya. WHY IS THAT?!?!?!

Dear Lord. Please help the world!

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