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I could not dig: I dared not rob:
Therefore I lied to please the mob.
Epitaphs of the War 1914-18. 'A Dead Statesman.' Rudyard Kipling
| Hmm. An inevitable question for a South African. According to the last government I was a filthy communist kaffir-boetie (derogatory - black brother). Their security police had a little file on me. According to the new regime I am a filthy fascist racist pig. Given that my e-mails seem to develop mysterious problems when I make nasty comments about them, I suppose they're probably still wasting their time reading my post. The only thing the last the last regime and this one agree on is my need for a bath. They're wrong about that too. I had one only last year, even though I didn't really need it. For the record, I am an egalitarian who believes in the equality of all people before the law. I regard myself as a patriot who loves this country. I think it could be vastly improved if all politicians dropped dead, along with their sycophants. I am sure I am not alone in wondering if anyone would notice, and that the only difference would be that things might run better, at half the cost. However the sales of luxury German sedans would be severely impacted. Democracy -- still at embryonic stages in Africa -- is a vast improvement on prior alternatives. It still has a long way to go here, before we realize we're electing the best person to represent our considered decisions and not someone to abrogate our responsibility, by 'looking after us'. Personally, I cannot fit into any political party my country has to offer, as on certain issues I am further right and on others further left. It's called 'thinking for yourself' and I believe most politicians -- regardless of persuasion -- think this is very unpatriotic. How odd. I'm damned if I'll offer comment on the politics of other countries except in the broadest of terms, because I don't understand 'em. We don't use the same vocabulary for starters: Here a 'Liberal' is someone who stands for non-racial democracy, free markets and property rights and minimal government interference. I believe 'Liberal' doesn't mean that in the US. I guess it depends on the context. |
Southern Africa, viewed from space. |
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