A sad story from Zimbabwe…

Zimbabweans attempt to eat giraffe.

While it may have been righteous for the Zimbabweans to reclaim their country back in 1980, the more recent expulsion of white landowners in Zimbabwe (in combination with other factors, mostly government oriented) continues to have adverse effects on the indigenous people.

A quote about the current state, and attempts at governing by Mugabe…

“A government order to slash prices of all goods and services by about half in June has left stores across the country empty of meat, cornmeal, bread and other staples and crippled transportation services.”

These days it is popular for Westerners to intervene under the guise of the UN, but not out of any desire for profit. I doubt in the long run one is better than the other. I’m certain that European and US businesses would love to invest in African economies and ultimately lift them out of poverty. A basic respect for private property and law, and some semblance of an organized economy must be established first, and as long as guys like Mugabe are in charge, that will not happen.

Here you go…an example of how right-wing, capitalists can have a measured impact on fighting a serious disease in Africa.

For example, on one of the spice islands of Zanzibar, where the United States helped distribute mosquito nets to cover every slumbering pregnant woman and child younger than 5 years old, the number of malaria cases has plummeted almost 90 percent since last year.

“So we’re acting and we’re leading,” Mr. Bush said. “And with partners across the world we are helping the people of Africa turn the tide against malaria.”

Noone is more of a fan than me of having confirmed and measured success 18 months into a 5 year program. And this goes to show you that the most creative way to use the Federal Government is not only using our tax dollars, but calling on others to use their resources to tackle the problem:

The big money, however, has come from big donors. The Global Fund has so far committed $2.6 billion to malaria. The Gates Foundation has promised to spend $766 million. The World Bank has approved $357 million in loans.

Bush Celebrates Early Victories in Campaign Against Malaria - New York Times

Posted at 10:13 am by Johnny B

“South Africa acts for the first time to expropriate a white-owned farm under a redistribution plan.”

Posted at 09:21 pm by Johnny B

	Posted by BP @ 10/16/2005 01:06 PM PDT
	Darfur: “The AU mission is trying to monitor the many violations of a truce in Sudan’s western region.” I’m sorry, but that’s so sad it’s funny.

	Posted by BP @ 10/16/2005 01:10 PM PDT
	Germany: The parliamentary govenment has always been a little confusing to me…and this is a good illustration of it. Basically, what’s-her-name won…but not by a lot, so she (and her party) have to give up a bunch of key positions to the opposing party. It just seems a little shady to me…but I’m sure our legislature with it’s lobbyists and campaign finance fiascos coupled with an overactive judiciary is equally as confusing.