For the people of Zimbabwe, there seems to be one crisis after another. Among the nation's problems is a strike by doctors that is almost a month old. The doctors are demanding housing and car allowances and a monthly salary of $1,000 [U.S.] -- a sharp rise from the current $170 a month paid to all public servants. This week, nurses joined the strike saying that doctors have a genuine case that needs urgent attention.The action is threatening the country's ability to deal with H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, and to prepare for the possible resurgence of the cholera epidemic.
Six million people in Zimbabwe -- more than half the population -- have limited or no access to safe water and sanitation in rural and urban areas. It also estimates more than 5 million in the nation face starvation.
But Rueben Marumahoko, a Zimbabwe junior minister and an appointee of the country’s president, Robert Mugabe, said the country is no longer in crisis. “There is need for Zimbabwe to move from the humanitarian support stage to the recovery stage,” he said. “Zimbabwe is no longer a country in crisis but a country in recovery.”
The comment drew laughter from many journalists covering the event.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
"Life is short, but eternity is forever."
Syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, died today. Novak was famous for his columns (both in printed media as well as television) containing information from his carefully cultivated sources in Washington, DC. He was dubbed “The Prince of Darkness” by friends for his pessimistic attitude. Novak used the nickname as the title of his 2007 memoir. Those who knew him best, however, said the “dour visage masked a warm-hearted guy who cared a lot about the people who worked for him.”
Novak was born Jewish but attended Christian services sporadically until the mid-1960s. In the 1980s, he started to go to Mass regularly, but it wasn't until a few years later that he decided to convert to Catholicism.
The turning point, as he recounted in his book, happened at a lecture. Before he spoke, he was seated at a dinner table near a young woman who was wearing a necklace with a cross. Novak asked her if she was Catholic, and she posed the same question to him. Novak replied that he had been going to Mass each Sunday for the last four years, but that he had not converted. Her response – "Mr. Novak, life is short, but eternity is forever" – motivated him to start the process of becoming a Catholic through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He was baptized at St. Patrick's Church in 1998. His wife was also baptized a Catholic.
Robert Novak was a great defender of the freedom of the press -- a basic tenet of democracy and open government. In reflecting on his career, Novak once remarked: “I am proud of my journalistic philosophy to tell the world things people do not want them to hear.” Let us hope that in the absence of Mr. Novak, others will step forward to carry that same torch.
Novak was born Jewish but attended Christian services sporadically until the mid-1960s. In the 1980s, he started to go to Mass regularly, but it wasn't until a few years later that he decided to convert to Catholicism.
The turning point, as he recounted in his book, happened at a lecture. Before he spoke, he was seated at a dinner table near a young woman who was wearing a necklace with a cross. Novak asked her if she was Catholic, and she posed the same question to him. Novak replied that he had been going to Mass each Sunday for the last four years, but that he had not converted. Her response – "Mr. Novak, life is short, but eternity is forever" – motivated him to start the process of becoming a Catholic through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He was baptized at St. Patrick's Church in 1998. His wife was also baptized a Catholic.
Robert Novak was a great defender of the freedom of the press -- a basic tenet of democracy and open government. In reflecting on his career, Novak once remarked: “I am proud of my journalistic philosophy to tell the world things people do not want them to hear.” Let us hope that in the absence of Mr. Novak, others will step forward to carry that same torch.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Dialogue in Africa
At this writing, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is touring much of Africa -- starting with Kenya. “We believe in Africa's promise,” Mrs. Clinton said. “We are committed to Africa's future and we will be partners with Africa's people.”
During her speech, in front of representatives of more than 35 African nations, Clinton talked about economic initiatives that are working in Africa. She also said African countries can focus on good governance and women's rights as ways to build economic growth. But not everyone welcomed the Secretary’s remarks with open arms or minds.
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga was quoted by his country’s media as saying that Kenya does not need any more lectures on governance. Instead, the president suggested, Kenya needs more advice on how to build trade with the rest of the world.
Whatever the need is or whatever the need isn’t, dialogue is a great first step.
During her speech, in front of representatives of more than 35 African nations, Clinton talked about economic initiatives that are working in Africa. She also said African countries can focus on good governance and women's rights as ways to build economic growth. But not everyone welcomed the Secretary’s remarks with open arms or minds.
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga was quoted by his country’s media as saying that Kenya does not need any more lectures on governance. Instead, the president suggested, Kenya needs more advice on how to build trade with the rest of the world.
Whatever the need is or whatever the need isn’t, dialogue is a great first step.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Learning from our children
Last week, an 8-year-old girl was lured to a storage shed with the promise of chewing gum and candy. Upon entering the shed, she was pinned down and sexually assaulted by four boys, none of them older than 14. It is a crime that has shocked a community.
Equally as shocking, though, was the response from the girl's family. “The parents felt that they had been shamed or embarrassed by their child,” reported Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. As a result, the girl was taken into custody by Arizona's child welfare agency. The prosecutor who is charging four boys with the crime described the situation as “heartrending” and “deeply disturbing.” But to those familiar with Liberia, the west African nation where the families of all of the children are from, the crime and response are both part of a sadly familiar story.
“It's something that happens every day in every community in Liberia,” explained a researcher for a human rights group. The country was racked by a brutal civil war for most of 14 years. During that time, rape was used by fighters on all sides as a tool of war and a way to spread terror and demoralize enemies. A United Nations’ report estimated that as a result of the war, 60 to 70 percent of all women in the nation had been the victims of sexual violence.
“Because of the war, the social structure in Liberia, like any other war country, was destroyed,” one survivor explained. “Once the proper institutions have been put back into place, we will see more parents coming out and saying they are not ashamed.”
It cannot happen too soon.
Equally as shocking, though, was the response from the girl's family. “The parents felt that they had been shamed or embarrassed by their child,” reported Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. As a result, the girl was taken into custody by Arizona's child welfare agency. The prosecutor who is charging four boys with the crime described the situation as “heartrending” and “deeply disturbing.” But to those familiar with Liberia, the west African nation where the families of all of the children are from, the crime and response are both part of a sadly familiar story.
“It's something that happens every day in every community in Liberia,” explained a researcher for a human rights group. The country was racked by a brutal civil war for most of 14 years. During that time, rape was used by fighters on all sides as a tool of war and a way to spread terror and demoralize enemies. A United Nations’ report estimated that as a result of the war, 60 to 70 percent of all women in the nation had been the victims of sexual violence.
“Because of the war, the social structure in Liberia, like any other war country, was destroyed,” one survivor explained. “Once the proper institutions have been put back into place, we will see more parents coming out and saying they are not ashamed.”
It cannot happen too soon.
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