Africa-Press – Eswatini. I wrote this article in profound sadness and much anger at the appalling incident that took the life of the lovely Shirley Motsa – a cyclist, runner and hugely adored role-model in our society. RIP Shirley and deep condolences to your family.
Local political, economic and social issues are always on one’s mind but are generally well covered by other writers. Increasingly, big issues around the world – that affect us directly – are also prompting the need for coverage. I’m not going down the Israel/Gaza road and the appalling loss of life of innocent Palestinians. It’s too distressing and currently insoluble; brutal slaughter prompting brutal revenge, with politics driving the whole thing into a cul-de-sac. And the western world, duly sympathetic, but papering over the cracks, partly because of some powerful lobbies. It’s reminiscent of Libya in 2011, except in that case NATO stepped in to halt the killing and air-bombed Gaddafi’s 75-vehicle motorcade racing across the desert. But a similar NATO intervention in Gaza would not be warranted under present circumstances. The western world is essentially marking time, while Russia presses on with Putin emboldened by the phoney election continuing his ‘life’ presidency. The peace deal to stop the unceasing slaughter of innocent people now looks further into the distance.
Let’s stay with the USA. They are the Big Brother, the heavyweight fixer of the good and free democratic world; always there when the chips are down. But its current politics are weird. Admittedly the leadership of that country is not solely in the hands of the president. It relies heavily on the ability of advisers, many of whom should themselves perhaps have been in the top spot; only didn’t have the money. And the forthcoming November 2024 USA national election has become fascinating to some, but depressing to many. It defies all the principles that should dominate democracy. Even as figurehead, the political leader of the most powerful nation in the world – one that successfully united 50 completely separate states – should have a high level of integrity, oral clarity that demonstrates intellectual and inter-personal skills and work experience out in the big wide world. And be able to walk up a flight of steps without falling down. Neither has all of those virtues.
Subversive
That leader should be someone the masses can look up to and admire rather than vote blindly for their political party. In one case they idolise a person who is possibly going to be found as subversive, mendacious and an abuser of women. In the other is a guy needing multilateral support – trying not to stumble and fall, or forget which way the podium is located. What we’re now seeing is the likes of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama showing more visible support for Joe Biden, the Democrat contender for the Presidency. Are the Democrats getting desperate? I had long expected them to retire their man to the comics and pool cleaning (serious geriatric Reaganomics) and the word on the street – not sure which street – was that Michele Obama was in line for selection as a Biden-substitute. Even Hilary Clinton, who in 2016 was the closest a woman has even been to the presidency, would not be a crazy choice. With Bill and Barack becoming more visible, some might think they’re jostling for the nomination themselves.
But in 1951 the 22nd Amendment was ratified, limiting to two the number of terms served by the president. Both Bill and Barack have already served twice. That constitutional change 73 years ago ended a controversy over Franklin Roosevelt’s four elected terms to the White House. It’s interesting to reflect on the abilities of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Both were bright guys for the driving seat; no question about that. Clinton’s astute mind was never in doubt. His level of integrity and discretion, however, were questionable; and indeed, closely questioned, with additional allegations extending beyond Ms Lewinsky. I trust I’m allowed to give the reader a moment of innocent amusement when I mention the sign engraved into the concrete front wall slab on the Solihull family residence of an ex-girlfriend of mine who went out with Clinton in the late 1960s. It says (or perhaps now said), ‘Bill Clinton slept here’.
Clinton is gracious enough to mention that Biden’s achievements have been under-stated and that the USA presidency, a unique position in the world, is far more difficult than people imagine. But the fundamental issue is now that Biden is too old and spends too much time trotting to and fro before the camera to suggest a youth that left him many years ago. Both Clinton and Obama are now serving as faithful Democrats and providing valuable support, possibly to the extent of being surrogate presidents during Biden’s next tour of duty.
It may be too late. Even the now unlikely emergence of Michele Obama as the Democrat choice would find it hard to challenge Trump effectively. If Gaza and Ukraine are still in the sights it’ll be like wartime. That’s when the people want a leader who can shout convincingly. If he can send an offensive ‘digital’ signal to the authorities of his own country, he’ll have no problem with outsiders. And it must be remembered that, to most Americans, what’s outside will never be a match for their own country.
Source: TIMES
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