April 2011 - Centre for Civil Society - University of KwaZulu-Natal

conceived of and implemented by non-Haitians – cannot reconstruct Haiti.
It is the solemn obligation of all Haitians to join in the reconstruction and
to have a voice in the direction of the nation.
As I have not ceased to say since 29 February 2004, from exile in Central
Africa, Jamaica and now South Africa, I will return to Haiti to the field I
know best and love: education. We can only agree with the words of the
great Nelson Mandela, that indeed education is a powerful weapon for
changing the world.
www.zcommunications.org
Obama and imperialist messianism
Miguel Urbano Rodrigues Translation Lisa Karpova 4 February 2011
Obama's speech on the State of the Union in Europe has triggered a torrent
of praise. On television, radio and newspapers analysts of the bourgeoisie
reacted enthusiastically to the U.S. president's speech. They virtually
identified him as the providential statesman, Barack Obama, at the helm
of the White House who will save humanity.
It is on record that his speech was interrupted by applause 75 times by the
congressmen as the outline of his new strategy favorably impressed the
opposition.
The satisfaction of the Republicans is understandable now that they have a
majority in the House of Representatives. He also praised the Wall Street
tycoons and large corporations.
Barack Obama's speech was marked by a sharp turn to the right of his
previously stated policies. The balance of the speech was the swinging of
the president's promises which justify the fear that in the second half of
his mandate, not only will he abandon the humanist social projects that
generated hope for millions of Americans as he ostensibly will favor more
financial capital and radicalize a foreign policy marked by aggressiveness
and ambition for global hegemony.
Stripped of his populist rhetoric, what is left of the presidential address -
an exercise in hypocrisy - an hour's State of the Union?
Quoting a few important items:
* He intends to maintain the "leadership that made the U.S. not only a
point on the map, but the light of the world."
* Euphoria because "the stock market has rebounded with fervour and the
profits of large companies are higher."
* The desire to "make the U.S. the world's best place for business."
* Much concern that China had built "the fastest computer in the world"
and is manufacturing "trains faster" than the Americans.
* Fear of the economic development of India and China.
* Intention to reduce the taxes paid by large companies.
Escalation of aggression in the world