shame

Tsvangirai has pulled out of Zimbabwe's runoff election scheduled June 27, saying he cannot ask voters to put their lives at risk to go to the polls. He reports over 200,000 opposition supporters have been forced from their homes by Mugabe's forces, 86 killed in the lead-up to the election (though the time-frame is sketchy and might be an interpretation or mis-writing of the journalists).

Tsvangirai is calling for UN action to ensure a peaceful election process. Obviously, more media and 'western' attention is being paid to Zimbabwe in the lead-up to this run-off election; Tsvangirai would be silly to not make use of it and try to augment momentum towards international action.

But I am left skeptically wondering about the hundreds of thousands who have died from starvation and violence over the past few months, year, years in the country — while Tsvangirai was participating in the polls. One's he does and then does not want to be credited as legitimate (depending on the result ofered).

South Africa's Thabo Mbeki reacted by asking for more talks — shocker.

The U.S. replied with stronger words: "The government of Zimbabwe and its thugs must stop the violence now."

It is an embarrassment, as Zambia's president Levy Mwanawasa said; we should all be ashamed.

Let us hope the American arrogance leads to action with good consequence — finally. Right now I would take the most evil if it provided a chance for something good for this most beautiful part of the world. Oh, blind.