THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT IS NOW THE PRESENT VICE PRESIDENT!
Hmmmmmm, I smell a rat. Jacob Zuma, the banished, former vice president of South Africa, got off the hook two days ago. Or perhaps more appropriately, should I say he wiggled out of the mousetrap set by the prosecution? Not Guilty! It was a stunning victory for the defense! Now they are comparing Zuma's attorney to the famed Johnny Cochrane, of O.J. Simpson's defense team. Simpson is walking free and Zuma is walking free--and talking free, now.
Jacob "The Rat" Zuma, vehemently defended his bizarre remarks about taking a shower after he bedded down with the 31-year-old accuser--alleged saying it was a "cure for HIV-AIDS." The remark, if he said it, points to the innate intelligence of the man who once headed a national organization pertaining to fighting the dreaded disease. Oh, before you get all bent out of shape by my referring to Big Jake as "The Rat", the moniker is only given by me in jest. It's an American thing...giving politicians nicknames. I'm sure the only folks around here that would refer to him as a rat would be the accuser and her family. And maybe several ANC stooges who suffered from political envy.
Now the public has to endure his latest words of profound wisdom (The Star, Wednesday, May 10, 2006): "But if you've been in the kitchen, my dear, peeling onions, you wash your hands, not so? What was funny about washing my hands after doing something? What's the problem?," he asked. The remarks by Zuma came after being asked by a TV reporter about his taking a shower following sex with the HIV-AIDS positive woman accuser. Zuma protested that the press had misquoted him regarding his saying something about a shower helping to prevent the disease. Here we go with the political blame-game. I was naive enough to think only American politicians used that tactic to hold the press at bay. Not so.
The onion reference is yet another embarrassment for the young "victim." Can you imagine having your body (what, odor?), being compared to a lowly onion. Surely she used a fragrance that would not have conjured up an onion? Oh well, Zuma could have said something about peeling a clove of garlic, right? Nah, let's stick with the onion. Perhaps it was a sweet Vidalia onion (known in America for it's supreme sweetness and non-onion-like smell).
Enough of that. I told my students there is nothing more boring than talking about/arguing about, the outcome of a trial. In other words, the judgement has been made. The judge, Willem van der Merwe's demeanor and professionalism made it clear to the world that Zuma's fate would be based on the facts presented. He did an exemplary job of holding things together and making sure everyone followed the letter of the law.
One learner raised his hand and asked if the same goes for a sports contest (regarding it being boring discussing the outcome the following day). I answered in the affirmative. He then stated, "Does that mean that Zuma "scored", so he won the game?" Hmmmmmh, are we talking logic here? That's One for Zuma...Zero for womens' rights.
So it is over, huh? Not really. Mr. Zuma couldn't keep his big mouth shut when he was asked about the compainant--with whom he conceded it was a "mistake" to sleep with. He went on to state he had no problem with the woman accuser. Okay, here comes the "open mouth, insert foot statement" by the soon-to-be reinstated vice president: he said he would have no problem with contacting the accuser, but would worry about how such contact would be perceived.
Remember my reference to "The Rat?" Well, if it smells like a rat, feels like a rat (aaarrff; don't forget the baby oil!), and looks like a rat, then it must be a rat. "Rats to you" if you disagree with my assessment of one, Jacob Zuma!
Jacob "The Rat" Zuma, vehemently defended his bizarre remarks about taking a shower after he bedded down with the 31-year-old accuser--alleged saying it was a "cure for HIV-AIDS." The remark, if he said it, points to the innate intelligence of the man who once headed a national organization pertaining to fighting the dreaded disease. Oh, before you get all bent out of shape by my referring to Big Jake as "The Rat", the moniker is only given by me in jest. It's an American thing...giving politicians nicknames. I'm sure the only folks around here that would refer to him as a rat would be the accuser and her family. And maybe several ANC stooges who suffered from political envy.
Now the public has to endure his latest words of profound wisdom (The Star, Wednesday, May 10, 2006): "But if you've been in the kitchen, my dear, peeling onions, you wash your hands, not so? What was funny about washing my hands after doing something? What's the problem?," he asked. The remarks by Zuma came after being asked by a TV reporter about his taking a shower following sex with the HIV-AIDS positive woman accuser. Zuma protested that the press had misquoted him regarding his saying something about a shower helping to prevent the disease. Here we go with the political blame-game. I was naive enough to think only American politicians used that tactic to hold the press at bay. Not so.
The onion reference is yet another embarrassment for the young "victim." Can you imagine having your body (what, odor?), being compared to a lowly onion. Surely she used a fragrance that would not have conjured up an onion? Oh well, Zuma could have said something about peeling a clove of garlic, right? Nah, let's stick with the onion. Perhaps it was a sweet Vidalia onion (known in America for it's supreme sweetness and non-onion-like smell).
Enough of that. I told my students there is nothing more boring than talking about/arguing about, the outcome of a trial. In other words, the judgement has been made. The judge, Willem van der Merwe's demeanor and professionalism made it clear to the world that Zuma's fate would be based on the facts presented. He did an exemplary job of holding things together and making sure everyone followed the letter of the law.
One learner raised his hand and asked if the same goes for a sports contest (regarding it being boring discussing the outcome the following day). I answered in the affirmative. He then stated, "Does that mean that Zuma "scored", so he won the game?" Hmmmmmh, are we talking logic here? That's One for Zuma...Zero for womens' rights.
So it is over, huh? Not really. Mr. Zuma couldn't keep his big mouth shut when he was asked about the compainant--with whom he conceded it was a "mistake" to sleep with. He went on to state he had no problem with the woman accuser. Okay, here comes the "open mouth, insert foot statement" by the soon-to-be reinstated vice president: he said he would have no problem with contacting the accuser, but would worry about how such contact would be perceived.
Remember my reference to "The Rat?" Well, if it smells like a rat, feels like a rat (aaarrff; don't forget the baby oil!), and looks like a rat, then it must be a rat. "Rats to you" if you disagree with my assessment of one, Jacob Zuma!
posted by JOBURG JOURNAL at 4:07 AM
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