Zimbabwe “Elections”

Note: Reader beware, the subject matter is disturbing. You just might want to skip to the next blog entry.

I do not talk about work here. That being said this one is really not about work but it was at work that the tale unfolded. I was at a field visit and while I was there someone was watching the movie “Blood Diamond”. I know the gist of it but I still have not seen it.

“This movie is about where I come from.” The woman told me.

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes.” She said. “It is so bad there.”

“I know that there are some real scary things happening in Zimbabwe right now.” I said.

“Yes, there are.” She said. “The movie is nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“It is nothing compared to the reality. There if you are among the opposition they will ask you a simple question.”

“Really, what’s that?” I asked.

“Long sleeves or short sleeves?”

"What does that mean?" I asked.

“That is what they ask you if you are only going to have your hands cut off or both of your arms.” She said.

Wow.

We live so sheltered here in the good old U.S. of A. Oh we might hear about some random atrocity here or there but once it’s reported we go straight back to whatever Paris Hilton is wearing or how many times Lindsey Lowhan is in rehab.

Please see: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080627/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe_157. Systematic rape and genocide are the norm here. Butchery is as random there as is finding a penny heads up here in America. Please do not kid yourself, this happens ALL the time. Man’s inhumanity to man and the depths that we will repeatedly go to in the name of power or control, never cease to amaze me. The president’s opposition during this election, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirani, had to seek sanctuary in the Dutch Embassy and, I believe, he is now out of the country. …Hey, it’s hard to loose when yours is the only name on the ballot.

Disgusting.

What can be done? Unfortunately, I really don’t know. Cross your fingers and whisper a prayer for those who deserve to be remembered.