The dreariest month has passed, leaving us waiting for the conclusion of five stories...
Hold `er Newt! Perry self-destructed. Cain's campaign imploded under pressure of allegations about illicit "love affairs". Imagine a politician having skeletons in his closet! Which brings us to Newt Gingrich, the ABR folks' current white-haired boy (literally).
Although Newton is more articulate than previous front-runners, he carries a lot of baggage. Democrats ought to be starting small conflagrations in their shirt-cuffs, rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of his candidacy. Walt's still for Ron Paul.
The Kingston (Canada) honour killing trial spent most of this week hearing from coroners, pathologists, a boyfriend of one of the murdered daughters, and relatives of the family. The last described the family as horrifically dysfunctional, which wasn't really a startling revelation.
A doctor concluded that the women in the car were definitely drowned, but not necessarily in the canal in which the car was found. That seems to open up a defence that someone else must have drowned the women somewhere else.
Next week (Agent 3 says) we're to hear from an expert on Muslim culture. Perhaps the professor will tell us why any degree of tolerance or sympathy should be shown to Muslims who kill their own wives and children.
Laurent Gbagbo, former Dear Leader of Côte d'Ivoire, has been extradited to the International Criminal Court in Hague, where he will be tried for cannabalism. [Is this right? Ed.]
Further north in Africa, the Egyptians have stopped demonstrating long enough to hold an election. Results are expected in a few weeks, or maybe months, Inshallah. Look for a win for the party sponsored by the Muslim Brotherhood. Lifetime pct .977.
Lastly... Toronto lamestream media were gratified yesterday by the arrest of a second non-white teenage girl in the Yonge Street stomping massacree. That gave them an excuse to show the video again. More charges and more repeats of the vid are expected. Film at 6.
Showing posts with label Ivory Coast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ivory Coast. Show all posts
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Just dessert?
It's been an up and down weekend for the duly diselected president of Côte d'Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, pictured. [Seems we had the wrong picture last week. Apologies. Ed.]
On Saturday there were reports from the usual unreliable sources that he and his presidential guard had broken out of their basement bunker in one of Abidjan's two presidential palaces, and were counter-attaching forces loyal to president-elect-but-not-installed Alassane Ouattara. Now Reuters has breaking news. The French, having tired already of their little foray into Libya, have turned their attention to their former colony.
French forces "detained" M. Gbagbo in his residence, according to Hervé Cohx, an "advisor" to Ouattara, and are now taking him to the Golf Hotel where he will be served for dinner. [Is this right? Perhaps just "served dinner"? Ed.]
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Still more democracy in dark countries
It's been about 9 weeks since we looked in on Côte d'Ivoire -- Ivory Coast to monolingual anglophones, if you'll forgive the redundancy.When Walt last checked the election results, on January 30th, a chap named Alessane Ouattara had won the presidential election, in spite of the customary violence and fraud. However, the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo (pictured) refused to hand over power. He had been advised, it seemed, by Zimbabwe's first and only president, Comrade Bob Mugabe, that just because you lose an election doesn't mean you have to go.
Fighting ensued, and at the end of January Ouattara's ragtag forces occupied the north (more Muslim) part of the country, including the shiny new capital which was being reclaimed by the jungle following the death of the previous president-for-life. Gabbo's army held the (more Christian) south, including the old capital, Abidjan.
Since then, the forces for democracy (African style) have pushed slowly but relentlessly southward, and this weekend had occupied the greater part of Abidjan. They are being supported by French and "UN forces", since the UN recognizes M. Ouattara. ("Allo, Ouattara! Ça va? Qu'avez-vous fait avec Gbagbo?!")
As of yesterday Gabbo was supposedly holed up in either the old presidential palace or possibly what's left of a 5-star hotel. Even the BBC refers to him as being "in the bunker". He is said to have prepared a special meal for his mistress and to be loading his Luger. Stay tuned.
Note to Ed.: I'm in a bit of a hurry this morning. Can you please check the loser's name? Also try to find a more recent picture.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Why the Japanese aren't rioting and looting
In "Tale of two earthquakes", Walt made a brief comparison of the reactions of the Japanese and the Haitians to disaster in their respective countries. Today "Japanese resilience shines in light of tragedy", by journalist Kieron Lang fleshes out the bare bones of the argument and adds into the comparison the chaos following Hurricane Katrina.
The article begins thus: Looters took to the streets after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans in 2005, and again when Haiti was rocked by a powerful earthquake in 2010. So what is preventing disaster-stricken Japan from descending into a similar state of lawlessness?
Is this another rhetorical question? Lang shies away from discussing the question of race. Instead he quotes Thomas Lifson, a former professor of Asian Studies at Harvard, on "the unique qualities of the Japanese psyche".
"The sense of community is very powerful in Japan and is maintained not just on the basis of the culture, which is still very strong, but also on the basis of various social, political and geographic realities."
There can be no doubt that Japan is virtually homogeneous society. That is, it's not multicultural. Those aggressively promoting multiculturalism and "diversity" in the west might do well to think about that.
There is another factor of which there can be no doubt, but which political correctness forbids us from discussing. Except for Walt. I'll say it directly this time. The victims of last week's earthquake and tsunami were Asian. The victims of the Haitian earthquake were black.
Haiti, Katrina, Watts, Detroit, today's Ivory Coast... In black communities rioting and looting follow political demonstrations or natural disaster -- any provocation at all -- as surely as night follows day. What conclusion can be drawn, other than that looting and lawlessness are the nature of the beast. Answers on the back of a postage stamp, please.
The article begins thus: Looters took to the streets after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans in 2005, and again when Haiti was rocked by a powerful earthquake in 2010. So what is preventing disaster-stricken Japan from descending into a similar state of lawlessness?
Is this another rhetorical question? Lang shies away from discussing the question of race. Instead he quotes Thomas Lifson, a former professor of Asian Studies at Harvard, on "the unique qualities of the Japanese psyche".
"The sense of community is very powerful in Japan and is maintained not just on the basis of the culture, which is still very strong, but also on the basis of various social, political and geographic realities."
There can be no doubt that Japan is virtually homogeneous society. That is, it's not multicultural. Those aggressively promoting multiculturalism and "diversity" in the west might do well to think about that.
There is another factor of which there can be no doubt, but which political correctness forbids us from discussing. Except for Walt. I'll say it directly this time. The victims of last week's earthquake and tsunami were Asian. The victims of the Haitian earthquake were black.
Haiti, Katrina, Watts, Detroit, today's Ivory Coast... In black communities rioting and looting follow political demonstrations or natural disaster -- any provocation at all -- as surely as night follows day. What conclusion can be drawn, other than that looting and lawlessness are the nature of the beast. Answers on the back of a postage stamp, please.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Democracy in dark countries - sudden correction!
Walt is checking his calendar to make sure this is the last day of January, not the first day of April. About 12 hours ago, I posted a report that Zimbabwe's erstwhile president, Comrade Bob Mugabe, had been selected to chair the panel of mediators whose task it is to sort out the electoral stalemate in the Ivory Coast.
Now a Zimbabwean reporter covering the "African Union" meetings in Addis Abeba says that President Robert Mugabe will not -- repeat, NOT -- be heading the mission. In fact, he won't even be on the panel of intermediaries.
The AU must have realized that putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop was a bit over the top, even for Africa, so named heads of state Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Idriss Deby of Chad, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso (the Land of Upright Men -- that's what it means) and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania.
A "top Zimbabwe delegate" to the AU meeting told NewsDay's Faith Zaba that Zimbabwe could not be part of that panel because it had its own elections to organize. Actually no election has been called yet, but that's what he said. “We could not be part of that panel because we have our own elections this year and there is still a lot that needs to be done to organise our election.”
Indeed. Wouldn't do to have another misfire as in 2008. Once a chef, always a chef ... at least in Zimbabwe.
Footnote: According to Ms Zaba, Kenya's Raila Odinga was also "relieved of his duties".
Now a Zimbabwean reporter covering the "African Union" meetings in Addis Abeba says that President Robert Mugabe will not -- repeat, NOT -- be heading the mission. In fact, he won't even be on the panel of intermediaries.
The AU must have realized that putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop was a bit over the top, even for Africa, so named heads of state Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Idriss Deby of Chad, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso (the Land of Upright Men -- that's what it means) and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania.
A "top Zimbabwe delegate" to the AU meeting told NewsDay's Faith Zaba that Zimbabwe could not be part of that panel because it had its own elections to organize. Actually no election has been called yet, but that's what he said. “We could not be part of that panel because we have our own elections this year and there is still a lot that needs to be done to organise our election.”
Indeed. Wouldn't do to have another misfire as in 2008. Once a chef, always a chef ... at least in Zimbabwe.
Footnote: According to Ms Zaba, Kenya's Raila Odinga was also "relieved of his duties".
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Democracy in dark countries - update
On December 9th, Walt commented on the refusal of Laurent Gbagbo, president of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to concede defeat in a presidential election held the previous November, even though he had clearly been beaten by Alassane Ouattara.
This is in keeping with African culture, particularly the cult of the "Big Man", the chief of chiefs in the tribal -- "feudal" would be a better word -- system which is still a hallmark of African politics. Once you become a Big Man -- a "chef", as they say in English-speaking Africa -- you remain so for life. Example: the late but not lamented Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who ruled the tiny state of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland) from independence until his death at the age of 100 (or more -- no-one knew for sure).
By comparison, Gbagbo is only 65, so reckons he should have at least three decades left. He clings to power in Abidjan, while Ouattara is setting up shop in Yamoussoukro. Yes, Ivory Coast has not only two presidents, but two capitals.
The former colonial power, France, and the United Nations want to recognize Ouattara, but they're not sure how to dislodge the limpet-like Gbagbo. So rather than impose a white, western concept like "the man with the most votes wins", they've asked on the so-called African Union to find an African solution.
The African Union has responded by appointing a mediating team which is supposed to have a little chat with Messrs Gbagbo and Ouattara -- in separate palaces, one hopes -- to make the peace.
And what a team it is! It includes Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, elected a couple of years ago in an election widely viewed as a fraud and a travesty. Also on the panel is Goodluck Jonathan [Are you sure that's right? Ed.], who was the president of Nigeria but isn't president yet because the election which he plans on winning has yet to be held. Good luck to him!
It gets better...or worse, depending on your point of view. The chairman of the panel is to be none other than Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe -- once, present and future President of Zimbabwe. Comrade Bob knows a thing or two about disputed elections and clinging to power, having done just that following an unexpected defeat at the polls in 2008.
The story bears repeating. Having been Zimbabwe's chief of chiefs since independence in 1980, Mugabe was compelled, by a need for a semblance of respectability, to seek a renewed mandate. The idea of declaring him "President for Life" had been mooted, but rejected because the givers of foreign aid find it politically difficult to keep throwing money at dictators.
In 2008, for the first time since independence, Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party faced a serious challenge from Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democractic Change. Tsvangirai was predicted to be the easy winner of a straight two-man fight, so a dupe named Arthur Mutambara was found to head a breakaway faction of the MDC and become the third man in the fight.
After a run-up marked by brutal intimidation of the opposition, the vote was duly held. As the first returns trickled in, Mr. T. was leading Bob by a comfortable margin, with Mutambara a distant third. Then, all of a sudden, the Electoral Commission -- Zanu-PF appointees to a man -- stopped counting the ballots!
Weeks went by. The people of Zimbabwe were understandably keen to know who had won. Finally it was announced that Tsvangirai had received something like 49% of the votes, against 47% for the incumbent. Mr. T. was on his way to State House to measure the windows for new drapes, when constitutional experts reminded everyone that under Zimbabwe's amended constitution, one had to obtain 50% +1 of the votes cast to be elected!
So there would have to be a runoff. Tsvangirai did not want to risk having any more of his supporters lose their lives, so he withdrew. Mugabe ran unopposed and, not surprisingly, won.
That is how Robert Mugabe hung onto power against the wishes of the majority of his countrymen. The experience will no doubt stand him in good stead as he fixes the flawed Ivorian election. "Set a chief to catch a chief." Africa wins again.
This is in keeping with African culture, particularly the cult of the "Big Man", the chief of chiefs in the tribal -- "feudal" would be a better word -- system which is still a hallmark of African politics. Once you become a Big Man -- a "chef", as they say in English-speaking Africa -- you remain so for life. Example: the late but not lamented Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who ruled the tiny state of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland) from independence until his death at the age of 100 (or more -- no-one knew for sure).
By comparison, Gbagbo is only 65, so reckons he should have at least three decades left. He clings to power in Abidjan, while Ouattara is setting up shop in Yamoussoukro. Yes, Ivory Coast has not only two presidents, but two capitals.
The former colonial power, France, and the United Nations want to recognize Ouattara, but they're not sure how to dislodge the limpet-like Gbagbo. So rather than impose a white, western concept like "the man with the most votes wins", they've asked on the so-called African Union to find an African solution.
The African Union has responded by appointing a mediating team which is supposed to have a little chat with Messrs Gbagbo and Ouattara -- in separate palaces, one hopes -- to make the peace.
And what a team it is! It includes Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, elected a couple of years ago in an election widely viewed as a fraud and a travesty. Also on the panel is Goodluck Jonathan [Are you sure that's right? Ed.], who was the president of Nigeria but isn't president yet because the election which he plans on winning has yet to be held. Good luck to him!
It gets better...or worse, depending on your point of view. The chairman of the panel is to be none other than Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe -- once, present and future President of Zimbabwe. Comrade Bob knows a thing or two about disputed elections and clinging to power, having done just that following an unexpected defeat at the polls in 2008.
The story bears repeating. Having been Zimbabwe's chief of chiefs since independence in 1980, Mugabe was compelled, by a need for a semblance of respectability, to seek a renewed mandate. The idea of declaring him "President for Life" had been mooted, but rejected because the givers of foreign aid find it politically difficult to keep throwing money at dictators.
In 2008, for the first time since independence, Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party faced a serious challenge from Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democractic Change. Tsvangirai was predicted to be the easy winner of a straight two-man fight, so a dupe named Arthur Mutambara was found to head a breakaway faction of the MDC and become the third man in the fight.
After a run-up marked by brutal intimidation of the opposition, the vote was duly held. As the first returns trickled in, Mr. T. was leading Bob by a comfortable margin, with Mutambara a distant third. Then, all of a sudden, the Electoral Commission -- Zanu-PF appointees to a man -- stopped counting the ballots!
Weeks went by. The people of Zimbabwe were understandably keen to know who had won. Finally it was announced that Tsvangirai had received something like 49% of the votes, against 47% for the incumbent. Mr. T. was on his way to State House to measure the windows for new drapes, when constitutional experts reminded everyone that under Zimbabwe's amended constitution, one had to obtain 50% +1 of the votes cast to be elected!
So there would have to be a runoff. Tsvangirai did not want to risk having any more of his supporters lose their lives, so he withdrew. Mugabe ran unopposed and, not surprisingly, won.
That is how Robert Mugabe hung onto power against the wishes of the majority of his countrymen. The experience will no doubt stand him in good stead as he fixes the flawed Ivorian election. "Set a chief to catch a chief." Africa wins again.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Democracy in dark countries - Part II
A few days ago there was a presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire, or Ivory Coast as it's known to Anglos who refuse to learn a second language. Time was up for Laurent Gbagbo, who had been president since 2010 and presided over the collapse of the Ivorian economy.
How bad was it? So bad that the African Development Bank moved its headquarters from the old Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to Tunis, which is in the Arab part of Africa. (A previous president had decided to move the capital from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro because it was his home town.) TIA.
The Ivorian constitution allowed M. Gbagbo to succeed himself, provided of course that he was duly elected by the people. So an election was held and -- surprise, surprise -- M. Gbagbo was defeated. At least, someone else got more votes.
M. Gbagbo proved to be a sore loser, and refuses (the present tense is correct) to concede. BBC News Africa calls it "a classic case of an African incumbent refusing to stand down after losing an election".
As I write, I am listening to a report from Abidjan in which commentators are attempting to describe the confusion that arises from living in a country with two capitals and, now, two presidents.
Ivory Coast is in western Africa. All those involved in this farce are African, by which I mean black. But Zimbabwe and Ivory Coast are not the only countries to be subjected to misrule by corrupt and incompetent blacks. See next post.
How bad was it? So bad that the African Development Bank moved its headquarters from the old Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to Tunis, which is in the Arab part of Africa. (A previous president had decided to move the capital from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro because it was his home town.) TIA.
The Ivorian constitution allowed M. Gbagbo to succeed himself, provided of course that he was duly elected by the people. So an election was held and -- surprise, surprise -- M. Gbagbo was defeated. At least, someone else got more votes.
M. Gbagbo proved to be a sore loser, and refuses (the present tense is correct) to concede. BBC News Africa calls it "a classic case of an African incumbent refusing to stand down after losing an election".
As I write, I am listening to a report from Abidjan in which commentators are attempting to describe the confusion that arises from living in a country with two capitals and, now, two presidents.
Ivory Coast is in western Africa. All those involved in this farce are African, by which I mean black. But Zimbabwe and Ivory Coast are not the only countries to be subjected to misrule by corrupt and incompetent blacks. See next post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)