So much for that then

Was anybody really surprised that the UN vetoed the proposed sanctions against Mugabe and his boys? There have been questions over the call from Mr Brown to hit the country with sanctions (hypocrisy anyone?) Others may disagree, but I think an embargo on arms sales at least has to be a step in the right direction.

Do we really think any more that the 'international community' actually gives a fuck about anything except self-interest? That arms dealers in Russia and China are more protected than innocent little children is a sobering thought indeed, but one whose parallels have been there for all to see since the shameful days of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the final total abnegation of any semblance of decency by our 'world leaders'. I'm not trying to say that these bastards were exactly beacons of moral rectitude prior to that, but it was a very high profile symbolisation of the end of any pretense towards caring for the rights of humans, which - as all good AI members should know - is the mainstay of the United Nations. How many times are we going to hear that this country will go down the pan if BAE don't sell another load of jet fighters to Saudi Arabia?

It may be a simplistic question, but it's always puzzled me. Why, if Dubya, Tone and the others were able to kick ass so mightily out in the Gulf, were they not able to let loose a bit of shock and awe on the leader of Zanu-PF? The fight from Saddam's elite guards wasn't exactly a major one, but I think even that would put to shame the efforts of Mugabe's armed forces. But of course, nothing was done, and nothing will be done. What does it matter if some little known opposition politician gets his eyes gouged out and ends up with his body dumped in a piece of scrubland? Not at all.

I have a couple of friends from Zimbabwe - one white and one black - and the pain they feel for their loved ones still living there, and for the country itself, is plain to see. As is the sense of hopelessness. Just under a year ago, I took part in a charity cycle ride to raise money for books for schoolkids in Zimbabwe. I was told that if the identity of the man who would use these books to teach kids (in an open air 'school' under a tree) was revealed, he would be in genuine danger of death. Just yesterday, after the 'world's biggest polluter' had kissed goodbye to his 7 buddies, the Home Office (finally & temporarily) backed down on a threat to return Zimbabwean refugees from whence they came. Pointless it may be, but if the ride takes place again this year, I will be taking part.

I watched a freedom demonstration pass my office yesterday afternoon, and my thoughts and wishes go with the poor people of this troubled land. What a terrible world we live in.

The G8 and the good

With the annual circus about to commence, I thought it might be interesting to discover to which religions the leaders of the G8 nations were inclined. I realised with some shame that I didn't actually know which nations comprised the G8 - off the top of my head anyway. Obviously, the US, Japan, Russia, Germany, France... the UK... but that's where I got stuck. I thought Italy was wrong, but I was mistaken, and would never have guessed at Canada. But I suppose that the size of Canadian oil stocks means that it kind of makes sense. Can it be long before China and India are included?

In any case, I have been looking at the religious affiliation for each of the leaders of these mighty nations. Interesting reading, I thought, though I'm really not sure what the point of it all is.

Canada

I don't know an awful lot about religion in Canada, which might mean that it doesn't play a great part in the country's identity, or else there's a strong possibility that it means I'm plain ignorant - especially about Canada.

The Canadian PM (I have recently discovered) is Stephen Joseph Harper and he is a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Their focus, apparently (all quotes are from Wikipedia, but I promise to read around the subjects as much as possible) is on 'missions and missionaries (especially foreign missionaries)' They also want to place a 'greater emphasis on Jesus as a physical healer' (my italics - indicating that I think this makes them nut jobs) and focus on the 'doctrine of sanctification' - whatever that specifically means, as it has different meanings in different churches and branches of churches. It appears to veer between the idea that people can actually take on divine qualities in the Orthodox Church to identification with God through our own human suffering in the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

France

Monsieur Le Président is of course Nicolas Sarkozy. He is some kind of Catholic, though his matrimonial record does shift him a little closer to Henry VIII than Cardinal Richelieu, and there are many elements of Jewishness and some Protestantism in his family background - which is quite fascinating to read about. Perhaps he just worships at the feet of Carla like the rest of us?

Germany

Due to the shallow maleness of my personality, and the fact that I only judge women on their looks, Angela Merkel reminds me a little too much of Jacqui Smith for comfort. My negative tendencies towards her are also not helped by the comparison some have made to Margaret Thatcher. She is a Lutheran, and appears (as is usually the case with this northern European, more cerebral branch of Jesus-ness) much less bothered about religion than some.

Italy

We all know about Silvio, don't we? Yet another Catholic, whose own modus vivandi can hardly be said to imitatio christi. Get my meaning?

Japan

From what I'm reading, Yasuo Fukuda may soon be 'fuked' - please excuse me, couldn't resist - with his approval rating almost as bad as Auld Clunking Fist himself. However, it's not easy (as it seems to be with Western politicians) to discover to which religion he adheres. Maybe the religion of Oriental leaders isn't important. Who knows? He could be either Shinto or Buddhist. Or both. Or Christian, possibly. Or even all three. This would be a pleasingly pragmatic approach to the whole god bothering thing, wouldn't it? If anyone knows the answer I would be grateful to hear from you.

Russia

The Plus 1 of the G7 Plus 1 is, as in many other areas of life, something of a curiosity when it comes to matters of religion. The official line, as we all know, prior to all that Glasnost and Gazprom stuff, was a lovely bit of Marxist opiate of the masses, but things have changed, and the new breed knows how powerful a tool the Good Bok (sic) can be in manipulating the peasants.

Dmitry Medvedev, quoted on the BBC:

"Mr Medvedev also describes how he worked on a building site and as a street cleaner to help fund his studies at university. At the age of 23 he was baptised into the Russian Orthodox Church, a decision he said he took himself.
"From that moment, I believe, a new life started for me," he said."

United Kingdom

Mr Broon from the manse has been written about up the wazoo. He was a Rector. Nuff said. Maybe it would be as well to look at the religious affiliations of David Cameron... Bastards both, in any case. Cameron is a descendant of King William IV, so has a fairly strong link to the Church of England, and of course makes a point of being seen going to church on Sundays. God knows why.

United States

As with GB (in both senses) above, only more so, there's little point in writing about Dubya's religiosity. Been there, seen that, got the t shirt, etc. Obama is another matter. In perhaps no other country in the world is the religion of its leader so talked about. Reliable opinion has him down as a member of the United Church of Christ. One thing's for certain - he sure as shit ain't no Muslim.