Quarter Pounder Anyone?

It is now reported that because of drought and Mugabe's land programs, Zimbabwe can only produce 1/4 of what it needs to feed its population. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091001/wl_africa_afp/zimbabwefoodagriculturefao_20091001165859)

Is there any wonder there are problems in Zimbabwe. Can you imagine what it would be like if you had only 1/4 of what you needed to eat?

Life would be very different....Mugabe needs to give up his personal fortune to feed his people who he is supposed to be serving.

Malaria still kills 1 million per year in Africa

I know it has been a long time.....to quote the fount of wisdom known as Eric B and Rakim.....

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you/Without a strong rhyme to step to
Think of how many weak shows you slept through/Time's up, I'm sorry I kept you

I have written about malaria early on in this blog but it has come up again. It looks 3 billion dollars and a new organization called the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (see article here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_re_us/un_africa_malaria_1) intend to eradicate malaria in Africa by 2015.

I encourage everyone also to give to Nothing But Nets (http://www.nothingbutnets.net/) which is also helping to fight the malaria problem in Africa.

This problem is easily solved in theory but difficult to do in reality. We have had the cure for many moons but getting it out to the impoverished areas of Africa is difficult...along with some leaders who stop care from going to people in need. I am thankful that African leaders are banding together to fight this...let's see if they can get Mugabe to actually help his people.

If that happens, I would be VERY happy....

It's about Africa kids.....

Unemployment in South Africa

I visited South Africa a few years ago and had the privilege of meeting many young people that were searching for jobs. They all had graduated and had skills that an employer could use. The only problem was that there were no jobs for them to apply to.

The article says the unemployment rate has jumped up 1.5% in the last few months to 23.5% with a loss of over 200,000 jobs. I think this rate is low. I would have estimated more like 35-40% from the people I met in Durban.

President-elect Jacob Zuma says he will work with businesses to create jobs. How exactly will he do that? That is a nice campaign promise but I have no idea how you will accomplish this in Africa right now.

And, for that matter, in the U.S. right now either.....

Even Elephants Know What Is Going On

According a report out of Zambia, a good number of elephants have crossed the Zambezi river to live in Zambia rather than Zimbabwe. I think we can read between the lines and surmise the elephants found Zimbabwe unlivable.

But of course, Mugabe blames western intervention for the problems Zimbabwe is experiencing.

It is amazing that elephants are smarter than Mugabe....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5233991/Elephants-abandon-troubled-Zimbabwe.html

It's a little too soon

One of the things that I think has made our society go crazy is the pace that we live at. It is always hurry this, go there really fast and there is NO margin for error.

Today I saw a poll asking the public about how did President Obama do in his first 30 days. 30 days. You have got to be kidding.....no one other than God himself could do anything for this economy in 30 days.

We all need to slow down....the problems didn't happen overnight and won't go away overnight. Give the man a chance to show what he can do without analyzing every little move without a good sample to judge from. A year or two from now, we would have enough of sample to start making some decisions. But not now....

Here's hoping you have a slow, wonderful night!

This blog is finally making a difference...

Okay maybe not but the New York Times syndicate and Slate has finally heeded the call for Mugabe to be scrutinized. Find the article here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2210830/
One thought....his premise is that his crimes were not as egregious until recently because they were the crimes of an elected government. Genocide is genocide elected or not...until we hold anyone who commits genocide responsible this kind of things will happen again and again and again....
I am thankful that this information is finally hitting the mainstream!

Financial Infrastructure of Africa

A group of African leaders met in Ethiopia last week to talk about how the current financial crisis will impact their countries.

According to World Bank, Angola, who is a large exporter of oil, will see its exports drop by approximately 30% according to World Bank. Obviously this will have serious ramifications on the financial stability of the whole continent.

The World Bank has a proposed solution: Robert Zoellick has called for rich countries to donate 0.7 percent of the stimulus packages they approve for their own economies to a fund for developing countries which would be managed by international lenders.

Interesting....I am not sure what the breakdown of "rich" vs. "developing" countries will be. And this borders a bit on socialism. What international lenders will manage this?

A few questions:
1. Would this plan put a unstable continent into further instability?
2. What lenders would you trust to manage the stimulus packages?
3. What happens if the "rich" countries decide not to do a stimulus package?
4. What do you do with a country like Zimbabwe were there are serious questions concerning how monies from this fund will be used?

Talk amongst yourselves......

3 Things I Want From Our New President

Dear President Obama,
I would like 3 things from you for the next 4 years:

1. A healthy economy: It doesn't have to be perfect just better than it is right now! Please find a way to infuse hope!
2. A kinder, gentler Africa: Being the first multi-racial president, I am hoping other countries will listen to you. Bring peace to a place that needs it badly.
3. A new national anthem: How many times can we hear a second rate song butchered badly?

If you do these three things, you have my vote in 2012!

All the best,
Michael

Thanks to my friend Taylor for this...

At least someone is getting some worth out of this....


http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1978/138/102/512173329/n512173329_1216157_6335.jpg

The truth is stranger than fiction....

In reading this article, you will come to the startling realization that the IL Gov. will be swearing in new state senators when their first order of business is how to proceed on the impeachment process of Hot Rod.
Abosutely freaking amazing.....

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2009/01/08/news/doc49663988d6903620290642.txt