I'm paying close attention to the national elections in South Africa because the candidate who is expected to win, Jacob Zuma, has some very erroneous ideas on a number of fronts. These ideas may make matters worse in South Africa, a nation that has HIV/AIDS as a main threat, and Zimbabwe (where genocide is taking place) as a neighbor. With the international community so quick to point out how "stupid" former President George W. Bush was, I can't seem to find anyone saying how "stupid" Zuma's beliefs and, worse, his actions are:
In 2005, he was charged with rape. Zuma admitted to having sex with the woman, and he admitted to knowing that she was HIV-positive. But it's okay, according to him. He stated that he took a shower after having sex with the woman in order to "minimize the risk of contracting [HIV]". You'd think this was probably a common misconception for an uninformed person. Maybe. But he was the head of South Africa's national AIDS council when he said this!!! Zuma was acquitted of the charges in 2006. The woman who accused him of the rape is now under political asylum in Holland.
Perhaps it's because of the powerful, antiviral-laden showers that Mr. Zuma takes that he has decided it's okay not only to have unprotected sex but to do so with multiple women. See, Mr. Zuma is a polygamist. He married his fourth wife last year. This by itself is not, per se, a "stupid" thing. Many cultures follow this lifestyle, and, as long as none of his wives are underage, it's okay. However, can you see how his thoughts on HIV transmission might make things worse if he's polygamous?
I must admit that I am a little hesitant about writing all this about the man. He has sued numerous media outlets for reporting on him. He has even sued humorists for making fun of him. If he reads this, I might get a friendly letter telling me to shut up. Oh, well. If he hasn't sued Jackie May for her remarks on Mr. Zuma's education plans (which include forced education), I might be okay.
At the end of the day, it is up to the South African people to elect their leader. I just wish that the international media and the international community were more objective in their assessments of world leaders. Who is scarier, George W. Bush with the nuclear launch codes or Jacob Zuma with his thoughts on HIV and AIDS?
In 2005, he was charged with rape. Zuma admitted to having sex with the woman, and he admitted to knowing that she was HIV-positive. But it's okay, according to him. He stated that he took a shower after having sex with the woman in order to "minimize the risk of contracting [HIV]". You'd think this was probably a common misconception for an uninformed person. Maybe. But he was the head of South Africa's national AIDS council when he said this!!! Zuma was acquitted of the charges in 2006. The woman who accused him of the rape is now under political asylum in Holland.
Perhaps it's because of the powerful, antiviral-laden showers that Mr. Zuma takes that he has decided it's okay not only to have unprotected sex but to do so with multiple women. See, Mr. Zuma is a polygamist. He married his fourth wife last year. This by itself is not, per se, a "stupid" thing. Many cultures follow this lifestyle, and, as long as none of his wives are underage, it's okay. However, can you see how his thoughts on HIV transmission might make things worse if he's polygamous?
I must admit that I am a little hesitant about writing all this about the man. He has sued numerous media outlets for reporting on him. He has even sued humorists for making fun of him. If he reads this, I might get a friendly letter telling me to shut up. Oh, well. If he hasn't sued Jackie May for her remarks on Mr. Zuma's education plans (which include forced education), I might be okay.
At the end of the day, it is up to the South African people to elect their leader. I just wish that the international media and the international community were more objective in their assessments of world leaders. Who is scarier, George W. Bush with the nuclear launch codes or Jacob Zuma with his thoughts on HIV and AIDS?
1 COMMENTS:
Seems to me that Mr. Zuma would benefit from some REAL HIV education, there! He could force it on everyone (himself included). As a matter of fact, as long as he's going to force education, maybe he can qualify the requirement by saying that Everyone Must Be As Smart As I AM. That ought to do away with learning about anything more that having lots of unprotected sex, talking out of one's rear end, and rising to the level of his or her own incompetence!!! You are right, son, this is a scary man! And by making this comment, I am probably next in line for one of his lawsuits. (Let him go at me, gimme all he has. If he took everything I had, it still would pay the cost of his contacting an attorney! HA!)
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