The Unintended Consequences of Zimbabwe

I read an article today about the number of sex workers skyrocketing in the countries around Zimbabwe. The reason why this is happening is because citizens in Zimbabwe are leaving their country and moving to the surrounding countries where they have trouble finding a job. When they have trouble finding a job, becoming a sex worker becomes one of the very few options available to them.

I wonder if the Mugabe regime understands how many men, women and children have had their lives uprooted and changed (not always for the better) by their actions. And what the ramifications of the changes in these lives will be for the next generations.

I still have hope for Zimbabwe. Call me a delusional optimist...my wife does!

Double Jeopardy?

I promise I will get back to Africa soon....

In the American legal system, you cannot try someone twice for the same crime. And on that note..

I heard last night that Hilary Clinton will be nominated for President by the Democratic Party even though Obama will accept the party's nomination.

Shouldn't we all be spared the double jeopardy?

And yes I do know that the Democratic Party is honoring her for winning over 20 primaries but if you are trying to win an election, shouldn't the focus be on your candidate?

If the Democrats want to win this election, put your attention solely on Obama and his platform. (Have we really heard that yet? From either candidate?) As we all saw in the last election, just attacking the other candidate is not good enough.

Not Exactly Africa....

Many moons ago when I was in college, I walked into one of my friend's room. Greg "Ox" Haigh and Allen Borden looked at me to continue their discussion asking: "Who do you think is the better catcher Carlton Fisk or Johnny Bench?" Anyone who knows me knows I love baseball and can argue the stats of the game for hours upon end.

I responded "Wow, I don't know which one is better." Ox looked at me and said "That is worse than choosing Johnny Bench". We know who he thought was the better catcher....

Barack Obama did exactly the same thing in his responses at Saddleback Church. For those of you who missed the news, McCain and Obama were invited to come to Saddleback Church and the pastor there, Rick Warren who is a popular author, asked them questions. The interviews were back to back, not at the same time.

One question was essentially: when does a fetus become a baby? McCain immediatey said upon conception. Obama's response was troubling to me. He said that this answer was "above his paygrade".

That answer seemed more like a dodgeball to me than an actual answer. And if Obama does become president, what else would be above his paygrade?

Granted this would not be on the same level as Bench vs. Fisk, but then what is?

For the first time in this election, I am leaning toward one side. That side is the man who answered the question not the one who was concerned that an answer to a difficult issue is above his paygrade.