Zimbabwe.

Von Smallhausen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:30

I watch footage of the cholera epidemic there. I watch rubbish and raw sewerage in the streets. I watch people pulling dirty water out of the ground to stay alive. I watch the death toll rise for what is an entirely preventable disease and I watch Robert Mugabe say that it is under control.

I tend to switch off to bad things in the world where I can but I don't half get wound up on this one. Iraq is invaded to promote freedom and democracy ( not oil then ) while democratic leanings are stamped on by one of the most corrupt and morally bankrupt regimes in modern times.

If there was ever a case for military intervention then surely this is it ?

Thoughts ?

Le_Petit_Lapin · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:32

Von Smallhausen said:
Thoughts ?

What does Zimbabwe have that America might want? Iraq had oil.

Von Smallhausen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:35

Look beyond oil.

Is there a case for intervention ?

Dazzy_G · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:37

Do they have any nice diamonds? Maybe you could go to a gentleman's club in london and get yourself some backers for a military coup.

Chimerical · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:37

Von Smallhausen said:
Look beyond oil.

Is there a case for intervention ?

No. Our world police days are over.

daz · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:38

Zimbabwe used to be the bread basket of africa. Rich in natural resources (apparently coal), beautiful wildlife, green fields full of food.

Le_Petit_Lapin · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:38

Von Smallhausen said:
Look beyond oil.

Is there a case for intervention ?

Its not going to happen unless its worthwhile, sorry.

Von Smallhausen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:38

Chimerical said:
No. Our world police days are over.

Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Sierra Leone .... are they ?

Azagoth · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:38

It's an African problem, and if they can't stand on their own two feet and sort it out themselves then screw 'em!

Chimerical · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:39

Von Smallhausen said:
Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Sierra Leone .... are they ?

I think they are now.

Iraq's been too much of a public disaster, too expensive and too unpopular.

Plus, we're overstretched as it is at the moment and don't need a third major conflict.

cheets64 · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:39

Its crazy, a reported sumed it up, the man would rather blame other countries and people rather than sort the problem, beating and trying to scare people never works, you will always have an uprising and most of the footage coming out of Zimbabwe is taken by local people thats have had enough.

I dont think any country will be willing to start sending troops in, not with every country struggling to fight off a recession. Not only that Mugabe would probably order his troops to fight the "invading evil white man"

Von Smallhausen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:39

Azagoth said:
It's an African problem, and if they can't stand on their own two feet and sort it out themselves then screw 'em!

Screw a country where people are dying from one of the most preventable diseases there is ?

Chimerical · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:40

Azagoth said:
It's an African problem, and if they can't stand on their own two feet and sort it out themselves then screw 'em!

Didn't we put them in this mess in the first place though?

Wasn't Britain involved with Mugabe coming to power?

(I don't know of the details, someone please fill in).

^TANK^ · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:40

Azagoth said:
It's an African problem, and if they can't stand on their own two feet and sort it out themselves then screw 'em!

Jesus thats a bad attitude

.

dangerstat · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:40

The SADC should have gone in themselves after the beatings dished out to the MDC party supporters during the "elections", saidly Zimbabwe is paying the price for the SADC allowing Mugabe to remain in power.

Von Smallhausen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:41

At Chimerical.

Britain gave independence to Zimbabwe in 1980 when it was in a very healthy position.

cheets64 · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:41

daz said:
Zimbabwe used to be the bread basket of africa. Rich in natural resources (apparently coal), beautiful wildlife, green fields full of food.

It was but it was when the white man was in power, as soon as the black man got in power everything went to ****.

Azagoth · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:41

Von Smallhausen said:
Screw a country where people are dying from one of the most preventable diseases there is ?

No, screw the entire Continent.

Gackt · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:42

Azagoth said:
It's an African problem, and if they can't stand on their own two feet and sort it out themselves then screw 'em!

I hate this outlook. The whole "it's not our problem" when it really is our problem. If we, as humans, can stand by and watch as people suffer, then we are just as bad as those who cause the suffering.

Now, I don't think we should go in guns blazing, we should do the best that we can to help them sort out the problems and then sustain themselves. We are, at the end of the day, all humans, we all have to share this Earth - and let's say there are Aliens out there, then we need to be united in some real sense in order to move forward.

Von Smallhausen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:42

Azagoth said:
No, screw the entire Continent.

Very constructive argument there.