An Unsustainable Development [THE FRED THOMPSON REPORT]

ABC Radio Networks ^ | June 11, 2007 | Sen. Fred Dalton Thompson

[Squidpup]

June 11, 2007

An Unsustainable Development

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If there's a hell on earth, it's probably Zimbabwe. Life expectancies in the landlocked nation in the South of Africa are the world's lowest. Reports say women live an average of 35 years; men a bit longer. Four in five people are unemployed. Government printing presses run day and night to produce enough money to keep the military from rebelling, so inflation is at an annual rate of 3,700 percent and rising. Cash loses over ten percent of its value everyday.

It wasn't always that way. Before Robert Mugabe's government took power a quarter of a century ago, this land was one of the most prosperous in Africa. Known as the breadbasket of south Africa, it exported food to the rest of the continent. Then Mugabe was elected. He used his office to destroy his own market economy, silence the press, murder his opposition and persecute minority ethnic groups, black and white alike. Zimbabwe was, by any account, the most disastrously managed economy on the planet.

Two United Nations agencies have just released a report saying that 4 million people in Zimbabwe are in danger of starving. That's a third of the entire country's population. Take note that I said "two United Nations agencies" are predicting the mass starvation.

The reason I want you to take note of that is that, last month, the same United Nations elected Mugabe's Zimbabwe to lead the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. That's the organization charged with promoting sound long-term economies.

Now you might ask why a country in economic freefall would be chosen by the UN to advise the rest of the world about economic growth. But you might also ask why Iran was made vice-chair of the UN Disarmament Commission last year -- even as it ramped up its nuclear weapons program and threatened to destroy Israel. Or, for that matter, you might wonder why Libya was made chair of the Commission on Human Rights -- as Libyans don't even have basic democratic rights.

The UN never seems to have good answers, but I'll offer one. Robert Mugabe was given chairmanship of the commission because his view on sustainable development fits right in with much of the UN's.

He claims that third-world poverty is caused by free market economies like Americans’ -- and like the one that once made his country the envy of his region. He blames free and prosperous countries for the suffering that comes with tyranny and corruption. The sad thing is; Mugabe gets away with it, in part, because he has the glamour and prestige of the UN behind him.

Now we have to keep in mind that while the UN is hopeless in some respects, a Security Council vote provides political cover for some timid nations to do the right thing -- like help us in Iraq. Also, UN humanitarian assistance, like the World Food Program’s, run by Americans, do much good. But it’s a constant challenge at the UN, and the reason we must always have a strong ambassador there willing to blow the whistle when they do outrageous things.

[Squidpup]

Fresh Fred

[lexington minuteman 1775]

I have a better idea Fred, let’s just send the UN to Geneva or some like place and pull the heck out...put highrise apartments on the current property.

[rottndog]

RUN FRED RUN!

[HardStarboard]

Fred talks net net!! It's impossible to misunderstand the guy! The Democrats better not "misunderestimate" him.

I like him.

[dblshot]

John Birch was right, really right.

[Squidpup]

Fred Ping (FRing?)

[tcrlaf]

This one is going to upset the International Socialist crowd....

If the left hasn’t run out of hate-filled euphamism’s to insult president Bush with, I can’t WAIT to see what they will come up with for President Thompson!

[the anti-liberal]

FreeRepublic Fred i.e. FRed.

[Always Right]

Now you might ask why a country in economic freefall would be chosen by the UN to advise the rest of the world about economic growth. But you might also ask why Iran was made vice-chair of the UN Disarmament Commission last year -- even as it ramped up its nuclear weapons program and threatened to destroy Israel. Or, for that matter, you might wonder why Libya was made chair of the Commission on Human Rights -- as Libyans don't even have basic democratic rights.

Brilliant on the UN. Of course I have seen some on this forum call Fred a globalist.

[the anti-liberal]

My understanding is that Fred isn't terribly enamored with the UN. Sovereignty is very important to him, not just Nationally, but for the individual States within the Nation as well.

If any President could pull off what you (and many others) are suggesting, it'd be him.

Though I think it would be a tough sell even for him - just imagine the uproar in our Socialist Congress.

[brothers4thID]

They also claim he’s lazy and hasn’t accomplished anything in his life. If his resume is what passes for “slacker” then I’m in SERIOUS trouble.

[the anti-liberal]

You posted before I posted #10, but you might take a gander at it.

[samtheman]

He’s got my vote. All he has to do is ask.

[headsonpikes]

Not to quibble, but Fred’s assertion re the terrible inflation in Zimbabwe, “...inflation is at an annual rate of 3,700 percent and rising. Cash loses over ten percent of its value everyday.”, misstates the daily rate of inflation.

I’m no mathematician, but a rate of just less than 1% per day, not 10%, ought to result in something like that 3700% annual rate.

That’s part of the insidiousness of inflation.

[Always Right]

They also claim he’s lazy and hasn’t accomplished anything in his life.

They claimed Reagan was lazy too. Funny how lazy old Fred makes more TV appearances, does more radio shows and writes more articles than all the other candidates combined.

[Dick Bachert]

Roger that!!

And I have a BETTER idea:

Get us out of the UN and the UN out of the US!

Some essential history if you are to fully grasp the rot – and the plot — at the core of this thoroughly corrupt gaggle of over-educated morons:

ORIGINS OF THE UN, PART 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAzl21AfnZU

ORIGINS OF THE UN, PART 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0qV2OM8ajQ

ORIGINS OF THE UN, PART 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrkshIXYiPs

[AmericaUnited]

He used his office to destroy his own market economy, silence the press, murder his opposition and persecute minority ethnic groups, black and white alike. Zimbabwe was, by any account, the most disastrously managed economy on the planet.

Mugabe has a future as a card carrying democrat...

[Always Right]

Last Updated: Thursday, 17 May 2007, 13:45 GMT 14:45 UK

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Printable version

Huge rise in Zimbabwe inflation

Four out of five Zimbabweans live below the bread line, analysts claim

Zimbabwe's rate of inflation surged to 3,731.9%, driven by higher energy and food costs, and amplified by a drop in its currency, official figures show.

April's inflation rate jumped up from the 2,200% recorded last month, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) said.

The announcement came after Zimbabwe's government created a commission charged with finding a way to curb the country's spiralling cost of living.

There is high unemployment, and fuel and food shortages across the nation.

Price increases to 'worsen'

The surging cost of domestic electricity, food, fuel and commuter transport fares were at the heart of last month's price surges, the CSO said.

Economists believe that these price increases will continue because Zimbabwe will be forced to import maize, a basic food staple, to make up for a lack of home-grown produce.

The government has also recently warned of shortages of bread and flour, which may cause even more hardship.

The BBC's Peter Biles said that only 10% of the country's winter wheat crop had been planted due to shortages of fuel and fertilizer.

Last week, households in Zimbabwe were told they would be limited to four hours electricity supply a day in a move designed to support the country's wheat farmers, who need power to irrigate their crops.

[headsonpikes]

Re my #14 - I was right!

http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm

1% 365 times results in a gain of 3778.343%

Upon reflection, I suspect the figure 3700% probably was arrived at by forward calculating 1% per day. ;^)

[Squidpup]

“moneychimp” - is that like a trunk monkey?