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Posts Tagged ‘Politics’

16 Jun 2009

The world is turned on it’s head

Unreal Blog
Physics, Philosophy and Money

These are strange times indeed. It seems the world is turning on it’s head. I guess every generation feels that way at some point. Usually this is in the form of something negative.

In the words of Mike Rutherford : Every generation blames the one before.

This is a little different… First I’m hearing positive things from Julius Malema’s mouth, and second I’m seeing interesting new DA posters.

It seems that Julius Malema is putting out positive messages these days. According to the Independent Online,  he is standing against crime, and is pushing for the youth to be responsible when it comes to HIV/AIDS :

We the youth must participate in crime fighting programmes … Engage ourselves in arresting civilians, especially those who steal from the poor.
The youth of South Africa must be careful, especially those who think that sleeping around is fashionable. They must know that doing that is like committing suicide.

I am not so sure about the “arresting civilians” part, but the message is getting better. Is Julius turning a new leaf, or has he been sufficiently grinded by the powers that be for his past antics? Whatever the reason, I am glad he is starting to push a positive agenda. Let’s hope he keeps on this path.

The next thing that really got me was this poster:

Unreal Blog
Physics, Philosophy and Money

Warwick Chapman / DA poster
Warwick Chapman / DA poster

Now I know the world is turning on it’s head. Why you ask? Simple. I have met Warwick. In fact I have known him on and off for a few years through friends and shared interests.

He is a nice guy. He is hard working, reliable, and above all honest. What the hell? An honest politician? How the hell did this happen?

I suppose next I will hear that Robert Mugabe is sharing power with the opposition, and that America has elected a black president… Oh wait… Damn, the world really is turning on it’s head.

Maybe these are signs that everyone should be looking towards a positive future, after all the future is what we make of it. We can choose to be either positive or negative.  Recession be damned, here’s looking forward!

Unreal Blog
Physics, Philosophy and Money
16 June, 2009 at 22:13 by hexdream

Tags: Barrack Obama, DA, HIV/AIDS, honest politician, Julius Malema, Politics, recession, Robert Mugabe, The future, Warwick Chapman
Posted in Politics | 2 Comments »

21 May 2009

Saying what you mean and meaning what you say

Yet again the ANC Youth League has opened its mouth, and yet again it is only to change feet.

Personally I think the ANCYL are just trying to piss off  Helen Zille to the point where she says or does something that will give them leverage to get her out or parliament. Then again, who knows what is rattling around their heads. Nothing that their puppet masters don’t want anyway. Either Floyd Shivambu is an absolute genius, or a complete retard. If nothing else, he is definitely the comic relief :-)

Anyway, enjoy!

[ http://www.pod702.co.za/podcast/bestofredi/20052009REDI.mp3 ]

Transcript:

Floyd: Good morning, Redi, and good morning to the listeners of your radio station.

Redi: Mmmm. Can I just ask, let’s start here: You, according to the newspapers, you’ve promised “to take militant action against the fake racist girl.” What does that mean?

Floyd: Look, let’s clarify something first before we go into those questions. I think it is very unfortunate and actually childish of you as a radio presenter to make conclusive remarks without having consulted us to explain the context of what we mean by Helen Zille being racist. I think really you’re being childish.

Redi: What does ‘racist’ mean? What’s the context –

Floyd: Look, racist is about people who undermine black people.

Redi: So –

Floyd: White people who undermine African leadership. And we think that Helen Zille undermines African leadership and the majority of African people.

Redi: OK.

Floyd: Remember after the elections she said that majority of the people who voted for the ANC, of whom majority are African; she said are voting with their hearts not with their, with their minds. It means to Zille we cannot think. That is according to the – That is undermining black people.

Second, she does not believe in African leadership. Even in her own party. Whenever black people, African people, are given the opportunity to lead she does not agree on that role or posibility. Like… she thinks in a similar way that she thinks… the women of the Western Cape, the entire Western Cape cannot lead, do not have the capabilities. The same station that represent who Helen Zille is, but do not give us that space to explain this and to make conclusive remarks to say that we are childish and everything, and I think you’re the one who’s being childish in terms of these issues. Now, in terms of what was … we … we’re disgusted by the manner in which Helen Zille has handled certain issues. She must justify … that unjustifiable appointment of an all male cabinet in a huge province like the Western Cape.

Redi: Uh mmm?

Floyd: It’s just not justifiable. We’re coming from very far. We’re coming from a system that institutionalised both racism and sexism which thought that women cannot do things, which thought that African people cannot do things; and that ideological framework and sentiments continues to guide Helen Zille. And that is what we are speaking about, and there is nothing untoward about all the statements we’ve made. We stand by everything we’ve said as the ANC Youth League; and I think it is very unfortunate for 702, and for yourself as well as radio presenter to behave in the manner in which you’ve been behaving for the entire show today.

Redi: Mm-hmm. OK. Floyd, I’ll respond to you in just a moment. I think you don’t understand the meaning of the word childish. My not calling you before making my statements is certainly not childish; and I don’t have to call you every time I open my mouth. I heard you on television. I read what you’ve said. I don’t need to call you. Racist means racist and I think anybody with a brain knows what that means. But anyway, let’s just move on. I think you need to look at the meaning of childish, but let’s –

Floyd: …Our definition of racist –

Redi: That’s fine. You have your own definitions of everything when the whole world has a different definition of things, but anyway, that’s not what I’m talking about.

Floyd: It’s not the whole world. It is a common definition that people who thinks that African people cannot…

Redi: Ok

Floyd: …white people who think that Africa people cannot do anything…

Redi: All right, Floyd. That’s not the issue here. Let’s move on. Let’s move on. You’ve said your say. I’ve said mine. Let’s just move on.

Floyd: Yes.

Redi: On the question of Zille, and her boyfriends, and concubines: what did you mean? Because as you’ve rightly pointed out, there are certain dictionary meanings of words, but the ANC Youth League has its own definition. What’s your definition?

Floyd: We are saying, we are saying that Helen Zille must prove us wrong that these people are not her comcombines and boyfriends because these are useless people. One of the education –

Redi: Hold on, hold on. Floyd, slowly. The fact that they are useless means they’re here boyfriends and concubines?

Floyd: No. Listen to what I’m saying.

Redi: I am listening. You’re not making sense. That’s the point.

Floyd: If I’d completed my statement, you’re going to understand properly what we mean by what we’re saying; and please be patient. We’ve been patient. We’ve been listening to you for the whole day.

Redi: [Laughs.] It is my show, but anyway, carry on.

Floyd: Yes, the people who have been appointed there, she claims are capable people and have a lot of other things. One of the education MECs that was appointed there she says is going for a crash course about the education [methods]. What is capability about that? There’s no other explanation you can give except to say that the reality and the truth; that these are her boyfriends that she continues to sleep around with and we stand by that particular statement.

Redi: Hold on Floyd. What do you mean by sleeping around?

Floyd: We mean exactly that. We say what we mean. We say that she’s sleeping around and we mean that she is sleeping around.

Redi: Hold on. Uh, Floyd. There’s a reason I’m asking you that, because in one interview you denied that sleeping around meant having sex with more than one person. You said… hold on let me finish. You’ve been telling me I must let you finish. You let me finish.

Floyd: OK.

Redi: You said: “No, we never said that she is going to have sex with them. We are saying that she’s sleeping around with them.” What does that mean?

Floyd: It means sleeping around. Our interpretation of sleeping around is sleeping around. We mean what we say and –

Redi: You are being ridiculous Floyd. You’re interpretation of sleeping around is sleeping around. What does that mean? Answer the question.

Floyd: It means exactly that, it means exactly –

Redi: Is she having sex with them?

Floyd: – that she is a political prostitute who does not have co-ordinated views –

Redi: What’s a political prostitute?

Floyd: It’s, it’s act– it’s people who sleep around in the –

Redi: Having sex? Getting naked and having sex?

Floyd: No look. Don’t –

Redi: I’m asking. I don’t understand. I’m asking. It’s not statement that I’m making, it’s –

Floyd: That is your own, that is your own…

Redi: No. Floyd, I’m not interpreting this. I’m asking you to explain what you mean. What do you mean she’s sleeping around?

Floyd: There’s no other explanation we’re going to give except that she is sleeping around.

Redi: Floyd, you… I need to understand before… You said, when you came on the radio, rightly so. I need to understand what you are saying before I respond to it. You and I agree on that.

Floyd: Yes.

Redi: I’m saying I don’t understand what you mean. Explain to me…

Floyd: Unfortunately… If there possibly is a problem with yourself if you don’t understand what sleeping around is –

Redi: But explain. It is your role as a spokesperson. Explain. What is it?

Floyd: Our explanation of sleeping around is that she is sleeping around. There’s no other explanation that we can give except that explanation. If you don’t understand then, then there’s a problem with yourself –

Redi: Can you help me understand then?

Floyd: Helping you to understand is to explain that sleeping around is sleeping around. You must go check, I don’t know where. Sleeping around is sleeping around, and we are going to consistently say that she is sleeping around. We’re not going to change from that particular –

Redi: You actually don’t know what you mean?

Floyd: We know what we mean. We mean… We say what we mean and we mean what we say. We –

Redi: Oh for goodness sake, answer the question. You’re playing around with words. “We mean what we mean, we say what…” What do you mean she’s sleeping around?

Floyd: You want me to answer the question in the manner in which –

Redi: No! I want you to answer the question, full stop.

Floyd: – I, I, no –

Redi: Just answer the question full stop, in whatever way. What does sleeping around mean?

Floyd: Sleeping around means sleeping around. There’s no other explanation that we can give except that she is sleeping around. Unfortunately, you can ask me a million times. We’re not going to change that explanation. We mean what we say and we say what we mean. Exactly that.

Redi: You don’t think it’s important for people to understand what you mean? Because Floyd, hold on. Hold on Floyd –

Floyd: Look we don’t… we don’t. Millions other people agree with us in terms of…

Redi: Which millions other people? Stop lying. Which millions of other people?

Floyd: People who’ve been calling us, have been sending us e-mails –

Redi: Well we don’t know about that. It’s your people. We don’t know anything about that.

Floyd: You do not know anything about –

Redi: But you are talking on a public platform. Don’t tell us about private phone calls that go on to you –

Floyd: [Argues.]

Redi: Tell us something that is in the public domain. Something that you’ve said in the public domain. I’m giving you an opportunity to explain –

Floyd: Listen to what I’m –

Redi: Hold on Floyd. Floyd?

Floyd: Listen to what I’m saying.

Redi: But I can’t because you’re not saying anything. You’re saying “We mean what we say, we say what we mean”. What does that mean? I’m sure you were chosen as a spokesperson because you’ve got a brain and you can express yourself. I’m saying there’s a problem. You’ve said something that is not being understood. What did you mean she’s sleeping around? That’s the question.

Floyd: We are saying that she is sleeping around, and our meaning… Our interpretation of sleeping around is sleeping around. There’s nothing else you can explain beyond that.

Redi: OK. Alright. Can I ask you something, Floyd? Can I ask you something? I said when I started the show that Helen Zille should have answered the question which I think is legitimate. A question about the composition of a provincial cabinet. And I think you and I agree on that.

Floyd: Yes.

Redi: She should have answered the question and I still insist that her comments on president Zuma were irrelevant in that particular context. But I’m concerned that when a woman is at the top and appoints men, you reach the conclusion, in this sexist society called South Africa, that she must be sleeping with those men. What happens when the ANC appoints women? I would like to believe you’re not appointing women because they’ve slept their way to the top. Why is that relevant when it’s a woman appointing men?

Floyd: Look… There’s no justification on the position of Helen Zille, eh…

Redi: But what I saying is why do you reach the conclusion that is has something to do with sex? Is it because she’s a woman? When the ANC appoints women it has nothing to do with sex, it’s about empowerment…

Floyd: So it appears that you’ve got the answer of what you mean by sleeping around and that is your own interpretation.

Redi: But you’re not giving the interpretation.

Floyd: You can live with that possible explanation yourself. It correctly suits you –

Redi: Floyd, I don’t know which planet you come from, but when someone’s sleeping around…

Floyd: Don’t be angry. Don’t –

Redi. Floyd, Floyd, I’m not angry. I’m not angry. I’m not angry at all. I am so not angry, but anyway, we’re not talking about me. And you now deflecting the attention from the fact that you’ve come on the radio and given us the most ridiculous answers to very simple questions. Anybody with a brain knows that sleeping around means having sex and sleeping with more than one person. I was giving you an opportunity to explain what you meant by it and you can’t answer the question so you’ve wasted time.

Floyd: Our explanation is that it’s sleeping around, and we’re not going to change from that particular explanation.

Redi: Because you can’t think. That is the problem here.

Floyd. No! You are being angry. You are being angry. You are being typical of yourself. Please, can you grow up a bit…

Redi: I don’t think you know anything about me, but let’s leave it there. I don’t think we’re talking about me. The point is, you are a representative…

Floyd: You are! You are part of DA views there –

Redi: That’s fine. If that’s what you think, that’s fine. No, I don’t need to justify myself –

Floyd: …Must be able to address these issues: concrete in terms of what we mean…

Redi: Alright, Floyd. Floyd?

Floyd: [We] are explaining this thing that, at least in the future, when you want to speak about us, consult us –

Redi: I don’t have to. Floyd, Floyd? I don’t have to.

Floyd: It’s not about you as a person. It’s about 702. That station does not belong to you, it belongs to people –

Redi: Floyd?

Floyd: – who own it, I do not know who those people are so please –

Redi: Floyd, I hear you. I hear you Floyd, I hear you, and thanks for saying that, but I’m saying to you, I’m saying to you: you had every right to come on the radio this morning and explain. And I’m saying you haven’t achieved that. All you have done is come on the radio to say –

Floyd: We have…

Redi: Hold on! I’ve listened to you. I’ve just listened to you.

Floyd: …Why we think Helen Zille is racist…

Redi: Floyd, I’ve just listened to you, you listen to me. I’m saying to you: you are saying I’m not doing my job in terms of asking you questions and giving you a chance to explain. And I’m saying, I’ve just done that and all you’ve done is come on the radio and said you can have whatever interpretation. I’m not interested in my interpretation or anybody else’s. I want to hear what you meant. You can’t answer that.

Floyd: Our interpretation! You can say that you are not happy with our interpretation, but we’re not going to change the interpretation.

Redi: But I don’t know what your interpretation is because you haven’t explained it.

Floyd: The interpretation of sleeping around in our world, in our explanation is sleeping around. There’s no other language to explain sleeping around except that particular statement. That is what we’re saying.

Redi: [Laughs.] OK, look Floyd. You and I agree, Helen Zille should have answered questions about the cabinet composition and I don’t think there was enough focus on that. And I think that people who are asking question about it are justified given what we want to achieve in South Africa. You and I agree on that one, but I’m not… I don’t believe that as the ANC Youth League, you’ve answered the question that has been asked. I think it is very dangerous in the society such as ours, to call women names. It’s one thing to criticise her decisions, and I think you have every right to do that, but to accuse her of sleeping around because she’s appointed males; I think that is problematic. It’s the same thing, if we were to turn around and say the appointment of women in the ANC, it means those women have slept their way to the top. I think that those are things that should be left out and we should be looking at the issue. And the issue is there are no females in the Western Cape cabinet. Why? And Helen Zille must answer that one. Anyway Floyd, thank you very much for calling us.

Floyd: Thank you very much Redi, and please grow up in the future when I speak about this, please…

Redi: Thank you Floyd, I will grow up. Thank you. That’s Floyd Shivambu who is the ANC Youth League’s spokesperson. He wanted the right to reply. He wanted to tell us what the ANC Youth League meant when they said Helen Zille is sleeping around. If you understand what it meant, then congratulations to you. Let’s take a break.

———————-

Come on, you giggled didn’t you :-)

If you are interested, you can read an excerpt from Floyd’s blog here.

During the Talk 702 radio interview, Redi Direko failed in her lame attempt to make me say that Zille is having sex with her men only executive council, and typical of her angry self labelled me mindless. I refused to say that because we are aware that it plays into a wrong perception parroted by reactionary feminists, who blindly defend females in leadership position, even the most regressive of female leaders like Helen Zille. Not even once did Direko acknowledge that what Zille said about the Republic’s President is devious and undermining to Africans cultural practices and traditions, she instead emphasised that Zille was just irrelevant in the failed attempt to justify the racist and sexist decision she took on the cabinet of the Western Cape. That is sad.

Oh, and the ANCYL defends their position, saying that Helen Zille’s actions are symptomatic of somebody who was dropped on their head as a child. I guess the ANCYL must have lots of experience with that:

****SNIP****

*ANC YL STANDS BY ITS VIEWS ON HELEN ZILLE AMIDST DISAPPOINTMENTS, INTIMIDATIONS AND THREATS*

* *

*14 May 2009*

* *

The African National Congress Youth League stands by its views on Helen
Zille. The threats and intimidations of racist Helen Zille and DA supporters
will not stop us from articulating what we decide to articulate. We
understand the concerns and disappointment of the ANC leadership and will
soon meet with them to discuss and defend our position on all the statements
and remarks we made about Helen Zille.

Helen is a racist girl who does not respect women, African people, cultures and traditions. Her 100% male and predominantly white cabinet is never
justifiable. We further believe that her behaviour and sentiments are
symptomatic of someone who was dropped on her head when she was a child.

Released by the African National Congress Youth League

Contact Floyd Shivambu, ANC YL NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON

0828199474

NB: The contact numbers are solely for media enquiries, not for publishing on Newspapers.

**END SNIP**

21 May, 2009 at 21:33 by hexdream

Tags: ANCYL, Floyd Shivambu, funny, helen zille, humour, idiot, interview, Politics, puppet masters, radio 702, Redi Direko
Posted in Politics, humour | 1 Comment »

22 Apr 2009

Julius Malema and his puppetmaster

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Aq042KPSg

OK, this was too good not to share: Julius Malema and his puppet master who is  silent in the background.

Kudos to Nandos for not giving in to political pressure.

I don’t know why Malema is so pissed though. Nandos did not portray him in a bad light,and it’s not like he fell off his chair on national TV or anything:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHQcCREWuBc

The dangers of too much gravy with your gravy train

Personally I Think Julius was just trying to cash in on the free advertising for the ANC, just like the SA Guide Dogs Association for the Blind a few years back.

22 April, 2009 at 22:13 by hexdream

Tags: blind, gravy train, guide dog, Julius Malema, Nandos, Politics, puppet master
Posted in Politics, TV, humour | No Comments »

22 Apr 2009

Earth Day

Earth Day Flag

Earth Day Flag

Now that everyone has finished voting (YOU did vote didn’t you?) it is time to think about Earth day. Yes, I know it has been completely overshadowed by elections, but it is still important.

Of course there will be the loons like PETA (No, not People Eating Tasty Animals) and Greenpeace who cloud peoples judgement by making everything an issue. This is inevitable. There are real issues though. First thing that comes to mind is power, and as South Africans, we know first hand about not having sufficient power. (So much for “Power to the people”).

Between Eskom, and our wonderful government (who are STILL blaming apartheid after all these years) managed to mismanage our electrical supply, despite knowing that they were heading towards a disaster.

Essentially the reason for the failure comes down to mismanagement:  In 2000, When Thulani Gcabashe took over as CEO of Eskom, he decided to save money by selling of large amounts of our coal reserves.Selling the reserves made money, and the storage cost savings made him look like he was doing his job properly. Eskom then initiated BEE (Black Enrichment and Exploitation) policies that said BEE providers should supply coal as and when Eskom needed it, as opposed to using the long term contract providers they had been using successfully.

The use of lower quality coal led to problems with equipment, and delays as the coal would often become wet from the rain, and be unusable until it dried.

The result: Unplanned power cuts, more expensive electricity, and damage to the economy.

So what does this have to do with Earth Day? Well, remember the mismanagement we were talking about? Yes, the coal. Burning coal in power stations is a major source of CO2, the most well know greenhouse gas.

Instead of swiftly moving towards alternative power sources such as nuclear power, mismanagement now led us to become more dependant on coal for the next five years at least.

The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (hopefully our saving grace) has been beset with major cost overruns, and delays, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. We need the extra power perhaps a little more than some other nations, so hopefully the government does not screw it up more than it already has.

Why nuclear power? It is safe, clean, and proven. Even Patrick Moore, the co-founder of Greenpeace has changed his mind, and advocates nuclear power.

In the early 1970s when I helped found Greenpeace, I believed that nuclear energy was synonymous with nuclear holocaust, as did most of my compatriots. That’s the conviction that inspired Greenpeace’s first voyage up the spectacular rocky northwest coast to protest the testing of U.S. hydrogen bombs in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Thirty years on, my views have changed, and the rest of the environmental movement needs to update its views, too, because nuclear energy may just be the energy source that can save our planet from another possible disaster: catastrophic climate change.

Look at it this way: More than 600 coal-fired electric plants in the United States produce 36 percent of U.S. emissions — or nearly 10 percent of global emissions — of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Nuclear energy is the only large-scale, cost-effective energy source that can reduce these emissions while continuing to satisfy a growing demand for power. And these days it can do so safely.

- Patrick Moore ( Co-Founder of Greenpeace)

All you tree huggers out there, get some focus, and maybe you really can make a difference. Times are changing. The evils of the past are not looking so bad as things get tough. It is not too late to make a difference.

22 April, 2009 at 21:18 by hexdream

Tags: apartheid, BEE, coal, earth day, Environment, eskom, greenpeace, nuclear, patrick moore, PETA, Politics, power cuts
Posted in Environment, Politics, technology | No Comments »

21 Apr 2009

Moses Mabhida Stadium

Moses Mabhida Stadium as seen from Durban beachfront

Moses Mabhida Stadium as seen from Durban beach front

Despite all the naysayers, the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban is nearing completion. Granted it looks a little like like a confused harp, but It won’t be long before it is the shining star of Durban.

It has not been without controversy,  but then anything with this much political input is bound to have issues.

My concern is of course what about the man on the street?

Moses Mabhida Stadium sandcastle and FIFA logo

Moses Mabhida Stadium sandcastle and FIFA logo

While the politicians ride the gravy train with all their kickbacks, the average man in the street is unlikely to be any better off after the world cup, unless he happens to be a talented non-violent pickpocket.

The government has been saying that the world cup would bring in tourists, and be a great advert for the country. Couldn’t that money have been spent on directly helping the country. Maybe pay the police and nurses a bit more, improve spending on  education. Hell, for Durban you can buy a  hell of a lot of advertising for R2.6 Billion.

Speaking of money, it goes without saying that FIFA  and company have banned the use of certain words in combination (especially if you intend to make money from the use of their ‘special words and logos’). We can’t have Joe Public making money off this.

Not quite sure how that applies to the artist below… It must be simply a case of  “Don’t bother suing me, I have no money anyway”.

Moses Mabhida Stadium a different point of view

Moses Mabhida Stadium a different point of view

Oh, if you want to see the mascot for the FIFA 2010 world cup, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zakumi.jpg .

I am not showing it on my page because despite me not having money for when they try sue me, the whole process would be an absolute pain in the ass.

21 April, 2009 at 7:15 by hexdream

Tags: 2010 FIFA world cup, artist, beggar, gravy train, I have no money so dont bother suing me, kickbacks, lawsuit, logo, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Politics, sandcastle, sports, Zakumi
Posted in FIFA 2010 world cup, Politics | No Comments »

19 Apr 2009

Need another Timmy

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwVA698Hx2g

A blast from the past… How many of you remember the show Dinosaurs from the early nineties?

There was show within the show called “Ask Mr Lizard”, with a character called Timmy.

Anyway, Timmy had a horrible habit of getting himself blown up, or otherwise getting removed from the gene pool thanks to his ever trusting attitude towards Mr Lizard (Sort of an early version of  Kenny from Southpark).

Anyway, I was thinking that that Timmy is a reflection  in many ways of  abuse that happens everyday, all over the world.

The blind following of  leaders, whether political, religious, business or community is a bad idea, and I don’t care who the leader is.

We see it everyday. Priests abusing boys (while taking their parents money through tithing or collection) , Politicians becoming corrupt, businessman screwing the economy (and getting rewarded for it). It is all over, and very common.

Read the rest of this entry »

19 April, 2009 at 22:30 by hexdream

Tags: abuse of power, blast from the past, community, dinosaurs, economy, education, funny, humour, joke, need another timmy, oh my god they killed kenny, Politics, religion, scientology, southpark, trust, TV, volunteer, voting
Posted in Politics, TV, humour, religion | No Comments »

17 Apr 2009

Blogger dies in Tehran prison

Reporters Without Borders is deeply shocked at the death, in a Tehran prison, of blogger Omidreza Mirsayafi and calls for the immediate opening of an investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy.

The blogger was first arrested on 22 April 2008 and then released after 41 days in custody on payment of bail of 100 million tomans (approx. 72,000 euros). He was tried on 2 November 2008 under Articles 500 and 514 of the criminal code under which “anyone who insults the Supreme Guide Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the country’s leaders, is liable to six months to two years in prison (Art 514) and “anyone making propaganda against the state is liable to three months to one year in prison (Art. 500).

Read more at the International Freedom of Expression Exchange.

17 April, 2009 at 22:20 by hexdream

Tags: Blogging, Politics, prison
Posted in Blogging, Politics, Writing | No Comments »

17 Apr 2009

Zumatello strikes back

Zumatello strikes back

Zumatello strikes back

First the dropped charges, next the constitution…

Go out on 22 April and vote.  If you do not vote, you deserve what you get. The problem is the rest of us will get it as well.

No Excuses.


17 April, 2009 at 21:44 by hexdream

Tags: funny, humour, Jacob Zuma, joke, Politics, voting, zumatello
Posted in Politics, humour | No Comments »

16 Apr 2009

In the voting years – Bigger, longer, uncut

OK, so I’m still looking for somebody to help produce this thing…. Any takers?*


Anyway, as promised here it is:

Twisted tune of Mike Rutherfords “In the living years”.

Multiple viewpoint version (Bigger, longer, uncut)
Written by : Hexdream
Assisted by : Cynicman

All:
Every politician blames the one before
Despite all our frustrations
Don’t go beating down their door
They’re lining all their pockets
Doing little for the poor
In the voting years

Nelson Mandela:
I know that I’m a prisoner
To all my country holds so dear
Don’t they know that I’m a hostage
To all our hopes and fears

Deborah Patter:
I wish I could have swayed them
Sensation and despair
Crumpling the newspaper
Needing some fresh air
Callous generations
Do they really care?
In the voting years

Julius Malema:
When I speak they don’t believe it
They say I have no sense
If we lose elections
Can’t we just deceive it?
(or)
When I speak they don’t believe it
They say I have no sense
We will never lose elections
We just cannot conceive it!

CHORUS: CHOIR led by Desmond Tutu:

Saying it loud
Won’t make you clear
You must listen
Just as well as you cheer
It’s too late when you die
To reject eye for an eye
We re-open all our quarrels
Of our present and our past
We only sacrifice our future
It’s the silliness that lasts
Don’t yield to your misfortunes
Don’t see it as your fate
You may gain a new perspective
See things a different way
Don’t drug up
And don’t you sin
You must find a better way.

Jacob Zuma:

We just can’t get agreement
On the subject of defense
The NPA talks a different language
Judges sitting on the fence

Thabo Mbeki:

I wasn’t there that morning
With the voting underway
I didn’t get to sway them
All the things I couldn’t say

Helen Zille:

They do not vote on merit
They only vote in fear
We need to get some credit
Damn it, wheres my beer

All:

I’m sure I heard the echo
Of the gunshots and the tears
I just wish I could have swayed them
In the voting years

CHORUS: CHOIR led by Desmond Tutu:

Saying it loud
Won’t make you clear
You must listen just as well as you cheer
It’s too late when you die
To reject eye for an eye
Why re-open all our quarrels
Of our present and our past
We only sacrifice our future
It’s the silliness that lasts
Don’t yield to your misfortunes
Don’t see it as your fate
You may gain a new perspective
See things a different way
Don’t drug up
And don’t break in
You will find a better way
In the voting years

* Note: This strays from the original format a bit and would be harder to produce. Work for a producer extraordinaire perhaps?

16 April, 2009 at 23:08 by hexdream

Tags: archbishop desmond tutu, deborah patter, funny, helen zille, humour, Jacob Zuma, joke, Julius Malema, nelson mandela, parody, Politics, thabo mbeki, twisted tune, Twisted tunes, voting, zumatello
Posted in Music, Politics, Twisted tunes, Writing, humour | 2 Comments »

16 Apr 2009

The fencepost turtle

So I received this email in this morning (slightly edited for this blog) :

While stitching up the hand of an 80-year-old farmer, who got cut while fencing on his property, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to politics and presidential race.

“Well, you know,” drawled the farmer, “this (Insert favourite blood sucking parasites name here*) fella is what they call a fencepost turtle“. Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a fencepost turtle was.

The old farmer said, “When you’re driving along a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s called a ‘fencepost turtle‘.”

The old farmer saw a puzzled look on the doctor’s face, so he
continued to explain, “You know he didn’t get up there by himself, he definitely doesn’t belong up there, he doesn’t know what to do while he is up there, and you just gotta wonder what kind of fool put him up there in the first place!”

OK, so the original mail had our Ninja Turtle friend “Zumatello” that I wrote about previously as the “fella” in question, but I was thinking that Julius Malema may just be a better fit.

What do you think?

* Note:

pol·i·tics

Pronunciation:
\ˈpä-lə-ˌtiks\

Function:
noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Etymology:
1)  Greek politika, from neuter plural of politikos political
2) Poly, from the Greek word meaning many and Tic, the blood sucking parasite **

Date:
circa 1529

1 a: the art or science of government
b: the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c: the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government

2: political actions, practices, or policies3
a: political affairs or business ; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
b: political life especially as a principal activity or profession
c: political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

4: the political opinions or sympathies of a person5
a: the total complex of relations between people living in society
b: relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view <office politics> <ethnic politics>

** (Apologies to the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary)

16 April, 2009 at 22:40 by hexdream

Tags: funny, humour, Jacob Zuma, joke, Julius Malema, Politics
Posted in Politics, humour | No Comments »

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