OFF - RE: Presidential elections

[Stephen Barrow]

Hi Tony,   Political comment on the radio today mentioned Bush's response to the elections - apparently very abrupt in dismissing the elections as fraud.  For once he is on the right track, but as you say, somewhat pious of him?  The fact that the USA is the only world superpower is a concern, as it gives people like Bush the impression that they can do what they want in this world, without regard to anybody else.  Then they wonder why 9-11 happened!   As for Mugabe (otherwise known as E-by-gum), I feel desperately sorry for the folks in Zimbabwe.  I fought in the war (at 17 and not allowed to drink alcohol!), and was very impressed when I returned 19 years later (in 1993) to attend a Permaculture course - made friends with an ex-ZANU PF terrorist - a wonderful two week experience.  What was most striking about Zimbabwe was that the rural kids were carrying school books, paper and pencils, and that is what their begging was for - not like in South Africa where it was usually for sweets - villages were neat and relatively prosperous. I remember wishing that South Africa could be that far down the road towards re-development and racial harmony.  Now, I just pray that we (in South Africa) don't go down the same political road.  Mugabe's real oppression has taken place over the last two years at least, and I just can't imagine living with that.   Best wishes   Stephen