Comments on: Get Real: Global Politics 101 & Live 8

By: Elle

Elle — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

You have a best seller lurking in you somewhere. And you must know how very painful it was for me to admit that.

By: iwtlk

iwtlk — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Man I am with you all the way. You are a born narrator and I bow down to you the more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees (no pun meant). I didnt know wheather to shout out, cry, scream or laugh as I read through. What you said is so true and I realised it back in 2000 when I went to Geneva and talked to some trade guys, you know in the spirit of let there be fair trade. To cut a long story short none of these politicians are going to allow their citizens to become jobless, not now, not in a million years. As this would be the consequence of having a true Free Trade. Look even Chirac is jeopardising the EU by protecting his farmers. So who are we africans then to ask for fairness?

By: Wangari

Wangari — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

fantastic post M
I hope I was not clamped in with the Double C’s or Triple S’s (although i do like me some Akon.. hehehehe)
I agree with all your Pragma’s, some halfheartedly being the eternal optimist that I am.
I have to concede that come a week from now, most people wont remember what Live8 was for but it was a hell of a good show and all credit to Bob for atleast trying to do something.
Do I think the 8 leaders were moved to change their policies? I would want to think so but I do know its not going to happen (sad eh?)

By: Prousette

Prousette — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

As a venerable citizen of the Country of Kundu it saddens my spirit so to see that I am not important.
But then again I always knew that. Shall wait for the outcome. Maybe this time the president will be found around the axis of evil… time will tell.
BTW this is a very nice work of fiction.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Very well thought-out and written post!
Action, not words. is required... I believe we all have a stake in this and there4 a lot of responsibility. People need to do something each and every day for the benefit of Africa/their country/er Kundu...
Whatever it is you do, in your own area of strength, ask yourself:
What - must be specific and sustenable (giving fish against teaching to fish)
How - does it contribute to the long term goal
Why - questions your motive (selfish or selfless). The latter is preferred!
When - obviously today
Where - where-ever you are
Who - apart from yourself, who else will you get to do the same

Plan in the morning, execute during the day, assess results at night. If we get people doing this daily, for just a year, I bet you we'll have marked improvements.

The best answer is usually the simplest!! Let's focus on the goal, not the obstacles.

Any takers?

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

kijana you should get paid major bucks for your posts-ever thought of writin for gazeti’s

oh yuo better believe ‘secret love’
..those lines uuuuuwiiiii “..i shoulda known tha u wanted me to be …why cant we tell somebody…” let me pause for the cause

By: M

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

@ mother p – well, small steps, small steps

@iwtlk – Free trade is a pipe dream. We can wait until Roger Federer’s cow comes home for BBC (Bush, Blair & Chirac) to open up their markets

@wangari – Props to Bob – he’s given his gravy train a bit more fuel. Live 18 in 10 years anyone?

@Prousette – you are important — if enough of us make enough noise we can remove the Chris Murungarus screwing us over we will have one less problem

@Anonymous – my point exactl! Sustainable development is what will help Africa

@Nick – after embarassing our very own NMG? They’ll only hire me if they want someone to sweep

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

@ M its amazing how you write about things, you put it out there such that people read and are moved by what you write. I discovered your blog from the BBC site and since then I have been hooked. I just wanted to let you know that your writing is a powerful weapon and a few more people like you and more people would seriously listen with both ears,comprehend and do somethin about it rather than listen and then shrug it off.

I found this two links and figured since alot of people read you blog they will read this. It might interest them too as it did me.

Click HERE

Click HERE

I apologise for blogging on your blog. I am hooked to your blog and check daily to see what you have to say so keep doing what you do.

By: Ms K

Ms K — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I haven't finished reading lakini I had to throw a spanner in the works. Will there be a test?

Heh heh heh umerudi?

Back to Kundu....

By: B

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Good post M. Very thought provoking. Which is a good thing because first thing we need to understand is that global politics are very complicated. Vested interests, truths, untruths, red herrings, malice, history. The bulk of the matter is below the surface. The more open minded we are, the more we are willing to listen and share to other opinions, the better our chances of sailing these unpredictable seas.