"The Struggle"

When Occupy Wall Street was happening, I was definitely caught up in the romantic notion of people's power.  I went down to Zucotti Park with the best of them to see for myself and I even sent pizzas to the park through the internet.  (I actually thought that was a pretty neat way to support the cause.  The pizza shop around the corner did it and would donate a pie for each one bought, if I remember correctly.)

I was getting swept up in the whole idea of it, but tried to remain questioning and critical of ideas brought up.  When I went there, we walked through the park, and I slowly realized that I was not stepping over empty sleeping bags.  There were people sleeping in them.  This was around noon.  One guy poked his head out of his sleeping bag, lit a joint, looked at me and said, "Man, can you give me a job?"  Instantly, the bubble was burst and I hurried out of the park.

Namibia is experiencing its own little Occupy Wall Street right now, except the people are occupying a seemingly empty field in front of the ruling party's headquarters in Windhoek.  The ruling party is located in the former Black Township on the outskirts of town and they are proving to be very interesting in their handlings of this 'occupation.'  Here is an article from the government newspaper.

'Struggle Kids' Saga Continues

These struggle kids were all born to parents outside of Namibia - mainly in the refugee camps of Angola - who fought in the liberation struggle.  They have come from all over Namibia, mostly walking, to hold the government to task on their promises.  Now, they have addressed the ruling party with their grievances, but they say they are a political party and not the government.  Rightly so, if you ask me.  The government has addressed the struggle kids and says that they should go home and put their energies to better use in their home communities - my  thoughts exactly.

Have a read of the article and let me know what you think.


More soon

"I Shall Be Saved!"

Hi, my name is Ian and I am not a religious nut job! I'm happy, healthy (swine flu free!) and perfectly content to go to Hell if people like the good folk of the Stephen Bennett Ministries are going to be in Heaven. Today I went to the Equality Forum in Philadelphia. The highlight was obviously getting to see Gavin Newsom talk. He's the STRAIGHT gay friendly Mayor of San Francisco that started the avalanche in 2004. His speech was inspirational and he's my new hero. He supports the "everyone knows one" practice. So as I've mentioned before, every one of you reading this knows a gay person. There are more pressing issues in 2009. Our economy is in tatters, the wars are going on longer than any war in American history and yet we try to control the natural force of love?

People outside were definitely defenders of "marriage." I'm not going to take any more time talking about them (it's just a waste of space) but I have to mention that a good interview with me will be available on www.citypaper.net some time this week. READ!!!


PS. I thought today that if I were a newcomer to this country (some may say I am!) I would think that Americans are some of the most hate filled people in the world. Is that what it means to be a Christian?

A Blasphemus Tutu?

Polygamist
Rapist
Racketeering Phony
Corrupt Bastard
Down right idiot

No I'm not talking about dance costumes and George Bush. I'm talking about "the future president of South Africa" Jacob Zuma. He is going to follow in the footsteps of people like Nelson Mandela. April 22nd will be the fourth general election in South Africa since the fall of Apartheid in 1994. Zuma (or JZ as he is sometimes known) is in the lead. He has multiple wives, at least 18 children and who knows how many mistresses. He's the hope for such a beautiful country as South Africa? My issues are two fold. His campaign song is Umshini Wami. Bring Me My Machine GUN?!?!?! Second, as his rape charges were unfolding, I was in South Africa. He apparently slept with an HIV positive prostitute but wasn't worried... because he took a shower. What saddens me is that people in the locations will be taking showers and eating beetroot now to cure AIDS. I can hear the questions to future PCVs "Teacher, if I bath, will I still get HIV?" It's scary.

This article caught my attention. Here we have Desmond Tutu. A Noble Lauriete, a man of peace, an educated man. He is saying that he will not be voting for the ANC come April 22nd because he doesn't believe it is the right direction for the country. Suddenly the ANC is calling him sacriligious. I hope anyone out there who reads this article laughs. It has to be the only way of coping in a country that looks like it will be reverting back to a one party state like with the National Party under Apartheid.

The Wind of Change

I firmly believe the winds of change are blowing. After the wonderful victory in Iowa and Vermont, good old New York announced this. I guess liberal minded New York doesn't want to be out done by the hicks of Iowa. Let's have it change and finally be proud to say

Liberty and justice for all...

Silver Linings?

In this time of economic hardship, things are tough. I'm breathing deeply every night before I go to bed and praying hard that I find a job. But, you know this bigotry and racism of my last post is changing slowly too. America is in trouble, she elects a black man - who likes to talk to people! What a novel idea! Iceland collapses and she elects a lesbian. Change is coming...

How many years for America to elect a woman or an openly gay person? Ideas?


Food for thought

Female Heads of Government

Female Heads of State

Obamamania in Mozambique

It’s been a hard pressed issue for me to say that I’m truly happy to be American. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always liked the IDEA of America and greatly appreciated the benefits that come with its passport, but I’ve never liked our approach to the rest of the world that “we know best so listen to us.” Cause it’s becoming more and more apparent that we do NOT know best. I’m getting totally off topic though.

Witnessing this past election from abroad was a mixed blessing. On the positive side, I didn’t have to suffer the 2 year long campaign cycle. I hear there’s already talk about Palin starting up a campaign for 2012!?!?!?!?! Please NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the negative side of me being over here, I didn’t get to vote. I tried. I really tried. My ballot came on the day of the election to add some insult to injury. But on top of that, I didn’t get to take part in any sort of rallies et al. I would have loved to work for the greater good and hopefully will get a chance at some point in my life. The biggest positive in the campaign for me though is seeing that the world is ready to forgive us. I’ve always found it very amazing how the world supposedly “hates” America yet anywhere I’ve been there is always some part of Americana to be found. Even here in Mozambique, they may not have a McDonald’s, but they’ve got 4 KFC’s and they venerate Snoop Doggy Dogg like he is some kind of deity. The news the Tupac is dead hasn’t really hit hear yet. J Meeting new people has been so much fun recently. Without even mentioning politics, this new person inevitably will say PARA BENS when he or she learns I am American. Mozambique is in the middle of Provincial elections right now and the governing Party FRELIMO (who is the richer of the two parties) is out in force. It’s still the political atmosphere where anybody who wants to get anywhere in Mozambique joins FRELIMO…I guess old habits die hard. Anyway, when party caravans are going on the street, someone will usually recognize me who is in them and their will be some shouts of VIVA OBAMA interspersed with the other shouts. I just smile and walk on and say I’m for peace because I’m in the PEACE CORPS.

However, even the most racist South Africans I’ve seen here are genuinely happy about the Obama win. These are the kind of people that bitch about Apartheid being gone from their “Vaderland.” Yet they think Obama is the right direction that America has to go in. “Because he’s coloured. It’s a good first step.” I’m not joking, these are some comments I’ve heard around here!

I think I’ve strayed from the topic I wanted to write, but I’ve got a pretty preoccupied mind. I only have 21 days left in Maxixe – an area I’ve called home for 3 years. Then it’s off to Maputo for 5 days to exit out of the Peace Corps with which I’m officially done on the 11^th of December! Here’s the plan to get my African self home.

December 11^th I go to Joburg to pick up Jessica. We’ll travel around Joburg until the 14^th of December when we go to Windhoek in Namibia. We’ll travel around the Windhoek area until the 19^th when we go to Soususvlei (the tallest Sand Dune in the world) for 3 days. After which we’ve got 3 more days in Namibia, travel back to South Africa and then she’ll fly back to NYC on the 27^th of December. I’m going to be staying one extra night. Gotta say goodbye to Mama Africa on my terms. J Then I fly to Berlin. Going to visit family and friends in the Berlin area until the 9^th of January when I fly to London. I’ll be in London for 4 days just to say hi to important people. Then the grand entrance back to the land of Obama will be mid afternoon at Newark airport on January 14^th.

Anyone want to pick me up????

VIVA AMERICA.... I hope

It’s not just Election Day in America, there are some political happenings here too, things that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the streets of East Berlin in the 1980’s. Mozambique has been under the control of FRELIMO since the day of independence, first because all other options were outlawed and then finally now because they own so much of the country, no one would be stupid enough to vote them out of power. But I’m not going to preach my views on them. I’ll do that when I’m NOT in the country anymore. I just want to give “ya’ll” a taste of what it is looking like around here.

I went for a quick errand run right before I’m sending this – just a walk to the central market to by some credit for my phone. I took a wide arc around the main square of town, trying to avoid the fist pumping VIVA FRELIMO! cries and went to get my weekly $4 of credit. The town is COVERED in red pamphlets, flyers, posters, bunting, you name it of FRELIMO and I saw 2 opposition posters, one of which was partially torn off the lamp post. You see, Mozambique has never really had anything but a presidential election before and they’ve only had 3 of those. 33 years of independence, one election about every 11 years! We’re on the right track! This year, people are voting for the mayors of towns, the provincial governors, the provincial assemblies right on down to comptroller. I’m joking about that last part, I don’t even really now what a comptroller does. But everyone is very excited about it – or very excited to get the free ruby red FRELIMO PARTIDO DO PAZ tees, I really can’t tell. The eerie thing is that people are in the back of pickups, going around town yelling different slogans and waving banners and flags around… something I want to avoid.

However, talk to me tomorrow, because if O wins tonight, I may just shout AMERICA OYE!!!!

Sorry about yesterday.

I’m sorry I ranted and raved yesterday. I’m going to be pretty glad when this election is over. It seems to just get me so fired up that all I do is complain about something or someone. I feel sorry for all of my family and friends who are in the States right now. I can’t imagine what it must be like to see this campaign smearing everywhere you go.

This whole thing with McCain and RENAMO really got me angry though. July 18^th 1987 was the worst massacre that happened in the Mozambican civil war. I’ve been to 2 memorial service for it and people are still talking about it as if it were yesterday. RENAMO was able to kill “officially” kill 436 people. Truthfully the number is closer to 1,000. Here are some pictures from the 20^th anniversary of the attacks.

The 350 people buried there are the bodies that were deemed "whole enough" to merrit burial under traditional beliefs and could be identified. They mention the hospital in the articles where RENAMO started killing bed ridden patients and pregnant mothers. I’ve gotten treated for malaria at the hospital. There is a little shrine in the hospital with NEVER AGAIN written over it. Hopefully it will never happen again. McCain stood up in congress and said that RENAMO was a wonderful organization that was fighting “godless communists” FRELIMO. I’m not condoning FRELIMO by any means. But they were most definitely the lesser of two evils. I mean Regan, the biggest ANTI-communist of them all even had Samora Machel at the White House. Let’s not even talk about the Bush connections to the Saudis.

Please, let’s show the world that America can change and we won’t be the school yard bully. This is the first time I have seen first hand and felt personally the effects of some blunder of the idiots in congress who think patriotism is about killing anyone who gets in the way of the American way. My best friend in Homoine lost his father in that massacre and even though I was 5 at the time (so was he) I feel ashamed that a possible future president of my country had supported the people that killed his father…

Selective Senses

There's this woman in my life that tends to teach me more than she ever thinks imaginable. One thing I always remember though that used to drive me crazy was her selective senses. She used to say that she had selective hearing if I asked for something that I couldn't have as a child. I've noticed that John McCain may be suffering from selective memory and I idolize the HuffingtonPost for pointing that out to us all. That website is so gloriously left wing I love it. Anyway, it's pretty general knowledge that America went around the world and funded the anti-communist movements in various countries. I've personally met some of the former "communists" and former "rebels" here in Mozambique and during University when I traveled to Nicaragua. Personally I couldn't be happier that Daniel Ortega is currently the president of Nicaragua. But I'm diverting what I wanted to write here. Read this article in the Huffpost about RENAMO and our dear friend John McCain. He really should think about his selective memory if he wants to accuse Obama of being a terrorist when he was 8. After all, he was in his 50's when most likely financially supported a group that raped, pillaged, and killed for 16 LONG years - the effects of which are still felt here today in Maxixe. So I beg all the Americans reading this... let's practice OUR selective memory and forget that the Republican Party even exists right now. They've screwed us over so hard let's send them into the shadows next week!

You best be believing that I will be up watching the debates. I've done it before and I'm going to buy the bottle of champagne that's offered here in Moz to make sure I can either celebrate a historic change or drown my fears in cheap alcohol. I truely hope it's the former.

51st State

Okay, there are many jokes about Canada, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel etc... being the 51st state of America. But I just found an article that says otherwise. I've been doing some research and the voting population of America is roughly 215 million people. However, that the amount of Americans who are over 18. 75 % are actually registered to vote. That's 161 million people. But people who actually vote (because in our wonderfully enigmatic governing practices, voting is on a TUESDAY!) is about 57% of that number. So the grand total of 92 million people actually decide who "the leader of free world" Scary thought huh? But maybe an extra 4 million can make a difference.

Really?

This is just too good. I've been following things through a variety of news sources about the elections of super stars. Obama v. Palin. I'm sorry but McCain is just an accessory at this point. You gotta hand it to him. It's like Obama is running against Hillary again and it's kind of scary because people may vote for the republicans just because they have a woman on the ticket and not because of her track record... oh wait she doesn't have much of the latter. :) Take that Obama-bashers. But I found something interesting on the BBC website which made me laugh so hard.

It's called SARAH PALIN: 10 Things We've learnt
A couple of the points about things we've learned have shown me her "true" character. I know that's an oxymoron, you can never learn the true character of any politician. Number one caught my attention. It has to do with the names of her gaggle of children. The woman likes to live in Alaska. Why invite her to Washington? She's so tied down to Alaska that her children are burdened with geographic coordinates as names... thanks Mom. Number 4 quotes actor/presidential candidate (why do actors always go for the Republican party?) Fred Thompson as saying that Palin is "the only nominee in the history of either party who knows how to properly field-dress a moose" And that's an important trait for the leader of the senate why? I guess there could be lots of moose in DC some day. Number 8 just tickled my funny bone to no end. I'm still laughing about it now. I want to know WHY HAS RELIGION BECOME PART OF POLITICS? What ever happen to separation of church and state? Being "religious" doesn't automatically make you a wholesome or good person. I remember this family of religious nutters that lived down the road from me growing up. They were some of the most stereotypically religious people yet some of the most hateful, ugly, and down right mean people I've ever met. So having a leader of the senate (remember the VP does have a constitutional job to do) who belongs to a non-denominational fundamentalist church that believes they can convert gays through the "power of prayer" just makes me want to go for the job myself. I guess the most basic thing for me is we don't need to burden a 44 year old mother of 5 (and soon to be grandma) with a son in Iraq, a pregnant out of wed lock (like that really matters in the 21st century) daughter and a child with down's syndrome, with all of our problems. She's got enough of her own!!!

But if she puts on some more lipstick, we may just have the Alaskan Evita. Oooo can't wait for THAT musical!!