Mugabe, chairman of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development ...

Abdul Alhazred · 27th October 2007, 10:34 AM

How sustainable is it?

‘Miracle’ fuel that made a mockery of Mugabe [ The Times (UK) ]

Quote:

When Nomatter Tagarira, a spirit medium, claimed that she could conjure refined diesel out of a rock by striking it with her staff, ministers in Robert Mugabe’s Government believed that they might have found the solution to Zimbabwe’s perennial fuel shortage.

After witnessing her apparently miraculous gift they gave her five billion Zimbabwean dollars in cash (worth £1.7 million at the start of the year but now worth one seven-hundredth of that) in return for the fuel. Ms Tagarira was also given a farm, said to have been seized from its white owner during Mr Mugabe’s lawless land grab, as well as food and services that included a round-the-clock armed guard on the rock in the district of Chinhoyi 60 miles (100km) from Harare, the capital.

More than a year later officials realised they had been duped. Ms Tagarira is now in custody, awaiting trial on charges of fraud or, alternatively, of being “a criminal nuisance”. Details from court papers published this week said that over 15 months, until July this year, Ms Tagarira convinced Cabinet ministers, ruling party heavy-weights and top army and police officers that by striking the rock with her staff she could produce enough fuel to supply the country for 100 years.

...

Emphasis added.

Additional material (Google News search)

Whack01 · 27th October 2007, 11:34 AM

Wow that's just sad.

7000-1000% inflation is sadder. 37 years of life expectancy even more sad. I guess this is what happens when people actually do listen to demagogues.

corplinx · 27th October 2007, 11:47 AM

Much like when Syria was put on the human rights commission, there isn't something malicious about these assignments. Its "working as intended" in blizzard-speak.

TragicMonkey · 27th October 2007, 12:00 PM

It's amazing to watch, in this day and age, an entire country destroy itself for no good reason.

Oliver · 27th October 2007, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey

It's amazing to watch, in this day and age, an entire country destroy itself for no good reason.

Mhmm .... What does that remind me of?

Dr Adequate · 27th October 2007, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Oliver

Mhmm .... What does that remind me of?

Don't be fatuous.

Zimbabwe was once a prosperous nation. Now they have enough grain for six weeks, an inflation rate of 7900%, opposition leaders routinely jailed and tortured ... and, apparently, no toilet paper, though the way things are going they'll soon be able to use $1,000,000 bills for that purpose.

If you want to see what a country destroying itself looks like, see here.

Ziggurat · 27th October 2007, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Oliver

Mhmm .... What does that remind me of?

I don't know, Germany?

Oliver · 27th October 2007, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Ziggurat

I don't know, Germany?

That was my first thought as well - but I was referring to
this part of his message (bolding mine) :

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey

It's amazing to watch, in this day and age, an entire country destroy itself for no good reason.

Ziggurat · 27th October 2007, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Oliver

That was my first thought as well - but I was referring to
this part of his message (bolding mine) :

Oh, so you meant Russia?

Dr Adequate · 27th October 2007, 06:52 PM

North Korea?

Tell us when we're getting warm.

Oliver · 27th October 2007, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Ziggurat

Oh, so you meant Russia?

Originally Posted by Dr Adequate

North Korea?

Tell us when we're getting warm.

Nope, in contrast to Zimbabwe, North Korea and Russia - which both
have a lot of trouble in their countries economies, I was referring to
a country that starts trouble out of luxury instead out of reason.

No matter what.

But all in all - it shows that Mugabe isn't a less ignorant Idiot than
other leaders all around the world.

PixyMisa · 27th October 2007, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Oliver

Nope, in contrast to Zimbabwe, North Korea and Russia - which both
have a lot of trouble in their countries economies, I was referring to
a country that starts trouble out of luxury instead out of reason.

Iran?

Ziggurat · 27th October 2007, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Oliver

Nope, in contrast to Zimbabwe, North Korea and Russia - which both
have a lot of trouble in their countries economies, I was referring to
a country that starts trouble out of luxury instead out of reason.

Venezuela?

Zep · 27th October 2007, 08:22 PM

Fiji?

a_unique_person · 27th October 2007, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by corplinx

Much like when Syria was put on the human rights commission, there isn't something malicious about these assignments. Its "working as intended" in blizzard-speak.

Who is this mysterious person you are quoting?

NoZed Avenger · 28th October 2007, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by Zep

Fiji?

Ethiopia?

Moldova??

WildCat · 28th October 2007, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dr Adequate

Don't be fatuous.

Zimbabwe was once a prosperous nation. Now they have enough grain for six weeks, an inflation rate of 7900%, opposition leaders routinely jailed and tortured ... and, apparently, no toilet paper, though the way things are going they'll soon be able to use $1,000,000 bills for that purpose.

If you want to see what a country destroying itself looks like, see here.

In Oliver-land, this is exactly wht the US is doing! Our inflation rate is only 7,897% lower than Zimbabwe's and the opposition is tasered for speaking out.

Policenaut · 28th October 2007, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by a_unique_person

Who is this mysterious person you are quoting?

It's the video game company that released World of Warcraft. Whenever someone would post about a problem or imbalance in the game on their forums their response would usually be "working as intended."

DaChew · 28th October 2007, 08:17 AM

After witnessing her apparently miraculous gift they gave her five billion Zimbabwean dollars in cash (worth £1.7 million at the start of the year but now worth one seven-hundredth of that) in return for the fuel.

She blew it. Good con-persons get the money and then run like hell not start farming. I learned that watching the RFD channel. That and how to price a good milk cow.

dudalb · 29th October 2007, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by WildCat

In Oliver-land, this is exactly wht the US is doing! Our inflation rate is only 7,897% lower than Zimbabwe's and the opposition is tasered for speaking out.

That some as rabidly anti American as Oliver is supporting Ron Paul is still another reason for not supporting that wackjob.
Mugabe is a freaking madman,and that he can become the CHariman of a UN commission is another reason why the UN is a big joke.

27th October 2007, 10:34 AM	#1
Abdul Alhazred Yes, that one. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,476	Mugabe, chairman of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development ... How sustainable is it? ‘Miracle’ fuel that made a mockery of Mugabe [ The Times (UK) ] Quote: When Nomatter Tagarira, a spirit medium, claimed that she could conjure refined diesel out of a rock by striking it with her staff, ministers in Robert Mugabe’s Government believed that they might have found the solution to Zimbabwe’s perennial fuel shortage. After witnessing her apparently miraculous gift they gave her five billion Zimbabwean dollars in cash (worth £1.7 million at the start of the year but now worth one seven-hundredth of that) in return for the fuel. Ms Tagarira was also given a farm, said to have been seized from its white owner during Mr Mugabe’s lawless land grab, as well as food and services that included a round-the-clock armed guard on the rock in the district of Chinhoyi 60 miles (100km) from Harare, the capital. More than a year later officials realised they had been duped. Ms Tagarira is now in custody, awaiting trial on charges of fraud or, alternatively, of being “a criminal nuisance”. Details from court papers published this week said that over 15 months, until July this year, Ms Tagarira convinced Cabinet ministers, ruling party heavy-weights and top army and police officers that by striking the rock with her staff she could produce enough fuel to supply the country for 100 years. ... Emphasis added. Additional material (Google News search)
	__________________ The lack of a rational explanation is not evidence for an irrational explanation.

27th October 2007, 11:34 AM	#2
Whack01 Thinker Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 199	Wow that's just sad. 7000-1000% inflation is sadder. 37 years of life expectancy even more sad. I guess this is what happens when people actually do listen to demagogues.
Whack01 Thinker Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 199

27th October 2007, 11:47 AM	#3
corplinx JREF Kid Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,944	Much like when Syria was put on the human rights commission, there isn't something malicious about these assignments. Its "working as intended" in blizzard-speak.
corplinx JREF Kid Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,944	__________________ In the tradition of "Stop Silvia!" Stop Hal Bidlack: http://skepticalcommunity.com/forums...hp?f=1&t=28671

27th October 2007, 12:00 PM	#4
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,112	It's amazing to watch, in this day and age, an entire country destroy itself for no good reason.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

27th October 2007, 01:12 PM	#5
Oliver ~The Rascal~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cologne Posts: 17,369	Originally Posted by TragicMonkey It's amazing to watch, in this day and age, an entire country destroy itself for no good reason. Mhmm .... What does that remind me of?
	__________________

27th October 2007, 05:33 PM	#6
Dr Adequate Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Waiting Long Enough By The River Posts: 17,897	Originally Posted by Oliver Mhmm .... What does that remind me of? Don't be fatuous. Zimbabwe was once a prosperous nation. Now they have enough grain for six weeks, an inflation rate of 7900%, opposition leaders routinely jailed and tortured ... and, apparently, no toilet paper, though the way things are going they'll soon be able to use $1,000,000 bills for that purpose. If you want to see what a country destroying itself looks like, see here.

27th October 2007, 06:24 PM	#7
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,220	Originally Posted by Oliver Mhmm .... What does that remind me of? I don't know, Germany?
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

27th October 2007, 06:27 PM	#8
Oliver ~The Rascal~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cologne Posts: 17,369	Originally Posted by Ziggurat I don't know, Germany? That was my first thought as well - but I was referring to this part of his message (bolding mine) : Originally Posted by TragicMonkey It's amazing to watch, in this day and age, an entire country destroy itself for no good reason.
	__________________

27th October 2007, 06:43 PM	#9
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,220	Originally Posted by Oliver That was my first thought as well - but I was referring to this part of his message (bolding mine) : Oh, so you meant Russia?
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

27th October 2007, 06:52 PM	#10
Dr Adequate Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Waiting Long Enough By The River Posts: 17,897	North Korea? Tell us when we're getting warm.

27th October 2007, 06:57 PM	#11
Oliver ~The Rascal~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cologne Posts: 17,369	Originally Posted by Ziggurat Oh, so you meant Russia? Originally Posted by Dr Adequate North Korea? Tell us when we're getting warm. Nope, in contrast to Zimbabwe, North Korea and Russia - which both have a lot of trouble in their countries economies, I was referring to a country that starts trouble out of luxury instead out of reason. No matter what. But all in all - it shows that Mugabe isn't a less ignorant Idiot than other leaders all around the world.
	__________________

27th October 2007, 07:10 PM	#12
PixyMisa Persnickety Insect Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sunny Munuvia Posts: 14,914	Originally Posted by Oliver Nope, in contrast to Zimbabwe, North Korea and Russia - which both have a lot of trouble in their countries economies, I was referring to a country that starts trouble out of luxury instead out of reason. Iran?
	__________________ Free blogs for skeptics... And everyone else. mee.nu What, in the Holy Name of Gzortch, are you people doing?!?!!? - TGHO

27th October 2007, 07:13 PM	#13
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,220	Originally Posted by Oliver Nope, in contrast to Zimbabwe, North Korea and Russia - which both have a lot of trouble in their countries economies, I was referring to a country that starts trouble out of luxury instead out of reason. Venezuela?
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

27th October 2007, 08:22 PM	#14
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	Fiji?
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985

27th October 2007, 08:41 PM	#15
a_unique_person Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mt Disappointment Posts: 33,333	Originally Posted by corplinx Much like when Syria was put on the human rights commission, there isn't something malicious about these assignments. Its "working as intended" in blizzard-speak. Who is this mysterious person you are quoting?
	__________________ *Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity.* Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. For if a man pretend to me that God hath spoken to him supernaturally, and immediately, and I make doubt of it, I cannot easily perceive what argument he can produce to oblige me to believe it. Hobbes

28th October 2007, 12:00 AM	#16
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 11,313	Originally Posted by Zep Fiji? Ethiopia? Moldova??

28th October 2007, 07:36 AM	#17
WildCat NWO Master Conspirator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 49,111	Originally Posted by Dr Adequate Don't be fatuous. Zimbabwe was once a prosperous nation. Now they have enough grain for six weeks, an inflation rate of 7900%, opposition leaders routinely jailed and tortured ... and, apparently, no toilet paper, though the way things are going they'll soon be able to use $1,000,000 bills for that purpose. If you want to see what a country destroying itself looks like, see here. In Oliver-land, this is exactly wht the US is doing! Our inflation rate is only 7,897% lower than Zimbabwe's and the opposition is tasered for speaking out.

28th October 2007, 07:55 AM	#18
Policenaut Infidel Defiler Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Shadow Moses Island Posts: 2,193	Originally Posted by a_unique_person Who is this mysterious person you are quoting? It's the video game company that released World of Warcraft. Whenever someone would post about a problem or imbalance in the game on their forums their response would usually be "working as intended."

28th October 2007, 08:17 AM	#19
DaChew Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,043	After witnessing her apparently miraculous gift they gave her five billion Zimbabwean dollars in cash (worth £1.7 million at the start of the year but now worth one seven-hundredth of that) in return for the fuel. She blew it. Good con-persons get the money and then run like hell not start farming. I learned that watching the RFD channel. That and how to price a good milk cow.
DaChew Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,043	__________________ I'm not as smart as I think I am. Most people aren't. Except me. Because I know I'm not.

29th October 2007, 10:47 AM	#20
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,848	Originally Posted by WildCat In Oliver-land, this is exactly wht the US is doing! Our inflation rate is only 7,897% lower than Zimbabwe's and the opposition is tasered for speaking out. That some as rabidly anti American as Oliver is supporting Ron Paul is still another reason for not supporting that wackjob. Mugabe is a freaking madman,and that he can become the CHariman of a UN commission is another reason why the UN is a big joke.