Many people have usually been critical of major human right abuses, starvation, constant political instability, and the complete economic collapse in Zimbabwe. What makes me laugh is just that fact that one man accurately predicted these events. That man was a man few in the US and most likely the rest of the world have never heard of but could now be considered the savior of him home country. That man was Ian Douglas Smith; a very bland sounding name for an extraordinary man.
Ian Douglas Smith was Prime Minister of Rhodesia, the country we now call Zimbabwe. He refused to allow majority rule in Rhodesia until all Africans in the country merited it. And what were the accomplishments of his white-minority government:
Rhodesia was the bread basket of Africa.
Rhodesia had the one of the most advanced economies on the African continent.
Rhodesia was the second most industrialized country in Africa.
Rhodesia had the highest literacy rates in all of Africa.
Rhodesia had a higher standard of living then the United States.
Considering that at the time and even today no other country on the African continent has come close to any of those accomplishments, I say it's pretty impressive. Yet the world ridiculed Mr. Smith, actively supporting Robert Mugabe and his terrorist acts. Even when Mr. Smith stepped down in order for a black, Methodist bishop to become the Prime Minister, Mugabe still ordered acts of terror against innocent civilians.
Zimbabwe is a failure. Robert Mugabe, the terrorist, is its President and has run one of the Africa's most prosperous countries down the toilet. I write this article to prove a point:
Just because we view something as unfair and there are self-proclaimed "freedom fighters" fighting the system, doesn't always mean things will get better and wrongs will be righted.
Obama claims to be fighting for change and claims to be fighting for the average American. Let this be an ominous sign that perhaps, just perhaps we should keep a closer eye on him. We may follow the same path that Zimbabwe is on. I hope I am wrong, but God forgive me if I am right.
©2008 Joe W., all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Sunday, December 28, 2008
Last modified: Sunday, December 28, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Joe W. only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Joe W. is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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