While I love my country, I have never been so ashamed of it.
The United States was made great, in part, by constantly questioning its government. President Theodore Roosevelt said: “To announce that there must be no criticism of the president … is not only unpatriotic and servile, but morally treasonable to the American public.”
In today’s climate of fear, scapegoating and distraction from our domestic problems, the sheep mentality of many Americans has taken hold. Most Americans are guided by fear and apathy, rather than the truth.
We spend far more energy following sports or the sex lives of celebrities than thinking about politics and how our actions affect the world!
We are guided by corporate America, and while claiming people should account for their actions, rarely take responsibility for our own consumer mentality. The American dream of “a chicken in every pot” has become “a gas-guzzling SUV in every garage, the latest electronic gear in every energy-wasting home, and violence or prisons in response our problems”.
We refuse to take responsibility for damaging the environment and, in spite of September 11, continue to create a violent society in our movies, TV programmes, video games and in the raising of our children.
So-called “compassionate conservatives” still refuse to deal with the price of health care, homelessness, corporate malfeasance, poverty, violence and environmental destruction.
Wealthy conservatives know they can spin the media and use religion to brainwash the average American to worry more about what Britney Spears is wearing than why Vice-President Dick Cheney’s corporation sold Iraq millions of dollars of equipment until the late 1990s, or why 8% of US oil is coming from Iraq. Or to question why President George W Bush’s administration is overflowing with executives from corporate interests. The sheep respond: “Well, he seems like a nice, down-to-earth guy.”
After we invade Iraq in an unprovoked attack and murder hundreds or thousands of people, including children, please be aware that not all Americans are like Bush and his warmongers. Most Americans who voted voted for his opponent, and most of us still believe in the American dream of peace, justice and negotiation. –Paul Harris, San Diego, United States
I find it difficult to read the Mail & Guardian (October 18 and all other issues!), with its anti-American bias, although I consider it a source of reliable and responsible journalism.
I am not an American citizen and have never been to the US, but I stand strongly by the US in its war on terrorism. The murderous attacks in Bali should serve as a reminder of the need to fight terrorism. The US is leading this fight, yet the media seems bent on twisting the truth to virulently attack it.
The extent of anti-Americanism in South Africa is repulsive. As a university student I hear lecturers raise the “theory” that the US orchestrated the September 11 attacks — rather like claiming the Jews carried out the Holocaust.
On September 11 this year some South Africans saw fit to protest against the US, showing an utter lack of sensitivity to the families and friends of those who died.
For much of the media the fact that the US chooses to fight against terrorism indicates that it has learned nothing from September 11. In other words, the Twin Towers attack should have taught the US to bow to the terrorists’ demands and accept their world view.
Terrorism is not a legitimate reaction to any policy of any government.
It would benefit everyone if Islamic leaders worldwide came out with strong statements condemning terrorism in all its forms, emphasising that no cause justifies terrorism. They should not blame the US, but the radicals that carry out these evil acts.
The US saved me and the world from Nazism and communism, and I, for one, am not fooled by attempts to portray it as a bully. It is the world’s freest country, with the highest ideals. — Gabriel Horn, Johannesburg
Bush’s statements on Iraq must be on a par with the European colonial powers’ carving up of Africa.
Not a single black person representing Africa was in attendance at the drawing of Africa’s colonial map, which is the root cause of almost all inter-African territorial disputes and wars.
As in Africa’s case, no account is taken of the views of local Iraqis and their brethren in the street of the neighbouring Arab countries on what they feel should be the administrative system post-Saddam Hussein.
The ruling elites in the Arab world, leading a myriad nominally sovereign independent states (vassals of the West, and especially the US) have entrenched themselves and their dynasties with no regard for the rights of their citizens to share power and have a say in the running of their countries on either Western, communist or Islamic shura (consultative) lines.
Bush has pledged support for democratic rule, something successive US presidents and secretaries of state have done. Why does the US consider itself entitled to interfere in Iraq if its policies are not to its liking — and is this the Arab variant of the Western-style democratic process? –AK Mia, Johannesburg
Ass-about-face facts?
I would like some clarification from your reporter Piet van Niekerk ona couple of astonishing claims in his article on “donkey bonking” (“Valli acts on donkey bonking”, October 11).
He quotes conservation officials confirming that donkeys and zebras mate in the wild if there is no control.Nothing like this has been reported before, and it is very difficult to get donkeys to interbreed with other species. Names of the observers, frequency of observation and some indication of the number of donkeys involved would be of thegreatest scientific interest. Photographs of any offspring would also be important.
Van Niekerk also says that when donkeys are kept in camps, their hooves soften within three weeks. Throughout history and across the world, working donkeys have been kept confined for years without such a result.
What is meant by “soften”? If hoof-rot is the cause, it is a pathological condition caused by soft, damp and fungus-infected flooring. It is easily controlled by ordinary hygiene and much less work than rounding up donkeys from the wild.
If the hooves are growing too long, it is because the donkeys are not being used enough. If the community is under-using its donkeys, maybe they should not have so many.
Perhaps this information should be passed on to Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mohammed Valli Moosa and the Eastern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs before the wrong decisions are made.
Incidentally, the term “bonking” also has unfortunate overtones — should it be used as a headline? — Peta A Jones, MSc, PhD (author of Donkeys for Development), Donkey Power CC, member of Animal Traction Network of Eastern and Southern Africa, Tshitandani/Makhado
The M&G’s story about conservation andthe inhabitantsofthe Baviaanskloof wasunprofessional.
You should report the side of the conservation official and explain how conservation initiatives are benefitingpreviously disadvantaged communities. Many derive better benefits than those offered by farm labour, a prime employment source.
Baviaanskloof is a legacy for generations to come, and attracts tourists. The reserve’s conserved water catchment is a major water source for the Nelson Mandela Metro. It has already inspired international funding.
The official concerned works with limited budgets, appalling roads and false accusations, yet has shown dedication beyond the call of duty. –Shirley Cowling, St Francis Bay
Listen to the voice of the poor
The bashing of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party by African National Congress leaders, including President Thabo Mbeki, is uncalled for and childish.
Cosatu and the SACP are raising legitimate concerns about the pace of social transformation and the hijacking of our movement, the ANC, by the agents of capital and neo-liberalism.
It is wrong to accuse Cosatu and the SACP of targeting the ANC-led government when these independent organisations execute their members’ mandates. Willy Madisha, Zwelinzima Vavi and even Jeremy Cronin do not thumb-suck actions in the fight against the privatisation of our hard-won state enterprises.
The poor, supposedly represented by the ANC, are not stupid. They see that through the government their movement is implementing the agenda of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund at their expense. They love this ANC and cannot declare it their enemy, as Mbeki opportunistically alleges. Rather, they use Cosatu and the SACP to air their frustrations.
The recent National Policy Conference of the ANC demonstrates that while our leaders have been very rhetorical and sensational, it is possible to find common ground in policy formulation.
The ANC should stop playing the man and play the ball. It is a tradition for Cosatu and the SACP to seek a platform with the ANC and the government to discuss and try to resolve issues. Oliver Tambo and Joe Slovo did not resort to personal attacks and labelling when they differed.
Comrades Smuts Ngonyama and Dumisani Makhaye should know that the ANC constitution gives all ANC members, irrespective of their leadership positions, the right to raise and debate issues in a constructive manner.
As for ANC Youth League leader Malusi Gigaba, he makes me ashamed of being a youth league member. The league must start to talk about real issues affecting youth, rather than praise-singing (the leadership) and intimidating comrades who want to stand for election at the national conference in December. They should be focusing on building branches in townships and rural areas, fighting HIV/Aids and making sure that the national youth commission has clear programmes to develop young people. They only come into the picture with bashes on June 16, which has no impact on the socio-economic status of young people.
What is happening with the Umsobomvu Youth Fund and what is the youth league saying about it? –Sizwe Shezi, Durban
Time to stand up for justice
Yesterday my parents were issued a 24-hour eviction notice at the farm in Zimbabwe they spent 15 years building. Our neighbours, an elderly woman and her daughter, were also given 24 hours to leave. Because they did not move fast enough, they were assaulted last night. How noble to acquire land by beating up women and the elderly!
Our farm was purchased in 1984, after independence, when the government issued a “Certificate of No Interest”. It is our only property, and employs 150 workers and their families.
The acquisition notice was overturned by the courts, and yet was enforced. Acquired land is given to government cronies, not those who should benefit. Our house and farmyard are to be given to a wealthy businessman who drives a luxury vehicle. The new settlers have received no seed, fertiliser or other government assistance. Farm workers are also evicted, without provision for them. The 300 people moved off our farm will be replaced by fewer than 60.
The South African government is paralysed by the dichotomies of black/ white, rich/poor, First /Third World. It throws condemnation at the Middle East and Iraq crises, but cannot take a stand on Zimbabwe.
White people in Africa are Africans — not Europeans. We are not second-class citizens, and are tired of paying for our forefathers’ sins. It is time to stand up for justice and the rule of law, regardless of colour. — Paul Carter, Cape Town
Deranged
Reading last week’s Lemmer on ThisDay, I cannot but notice your very strong negative feelings about the latest addition to the newspaper business in South Africa.
It showed a very negative mind, which I believe is demented and deranged.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Krisjan Lemmer is a white who still wallows in the years gone by and who cannot believe anything good can come out of an African country or a real African person. If you are black, the spirit of xenophobia will probably destroy you.
You are obviously underestimating Nduka Obaigbena and his partner here in South Africa, John Matisonn. –Dekunle Adebayo, Welkom
In brief
Further to your editorial “Cynical war talk” (October 18), should we not face another ticking time bomb — China’s “War on Terrorism”? China joins the bandwagon in order to suppress its Muslims in Xinkiang. In the past six years it has deployed 350 tactical guided missiles from China’s eastern coast, about 300km from Taiwan. These sophisticated weapons can hit targets on the island. More alarmingly, every year Beijing adds another 50 missiles to its arsenal. The international community should work to ensure that a tragedy does not occur in Taiwan. –Vance Chang, Taipei Liaison Office, Johannesburg
Eleven-and-a-half-million Iraqi voters turned out unanimously to vote a new seven-year term of office for President Saddam Hussein. Only the unbalanced foreign media, as in the case of Zimbabwe, could fail to hail this stupendous achievement. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will now have to admit that Iraq has even superseded Cuba, which she has described as “the most democratic country in the world”.–Jack Bloom, MPL, Democratic Alliance
Nobody will ever be able to accuse your rugby reporter of being inconsistent. Please, Mr Capostagno, whatever you do, don’t predict a Bulls victory on Saturday. Don’t even suggest they mightget close. — Simple Bulls supporter
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