POWER OF LOVE VS LOVE OF POWER: THE ROAD TO PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

I was nearly killed. In a state of panic and utter fear, I hide behind the rock, hoping so dearly that I wasn't seen. I could see others at the other end who were running, hiding and swimming to dodge the bullets. Bombs kept exploding one after the other and I had this eerie feeling that my ears had also exploded. After a while, the town looked empty and was filled with the stench of gun powder. Two days ago this place was filled with life and joy, but immediately after the elections, things turned haywire. The incumbent president would not step down due to his sheer hardheadedness to clinch power for what seemed like eternity. That had triggered innumerable protests, violence, conflict and bloodshed. " Thank God!",I exclaimed and sprung up. "It was just a nightmare."

Jemi Hendrix once said, "when the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world would know peace". In this day and age, one can not speak of peace without stressing on the role of politics. Nevertheless, it seems we are gradually losing the true  definition of politics.

Politics is about commitment and devotion not unto one's self but to the service of others.  When I hear the word politics I picture an institution that  gives, empowers and enriches its members. Politics has always been beautiful, nonetheless, it is the lies, greed, deception and selfish ambition of some politicians that has tinted its image. Sometimes we, both supporters and politicians alike, are too over zealous to prove a point that we become oblivious of the maturity and diplomacy that should characterise our democracy and leadership.

Over the years,  our politics has become associated with hopelessness. But Marcus Garvey has taught us that "Chance has never satisfied the hope of a suffering people..." Thus, I believe that it is critical for the sake of peace for us to plan and strategise our elections making sure that they are credible and unbiased. Elections should not be reduced to commodities available on sale to the highest bidder. As politicians we should not only think about the next elections but also about the next generations and ways of raising the standard of living of the masses.

 Above all let's be respectful of the voice of the people, their votes.  One thing I've learned from Abraham Lincoln is that elections belong to the people.  It's their decision.  If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.

That nightmare was a reflection of a possibility, yet a call on us to tighten our reins on peace building. Some people before us have been killed for their unrelenting commitment to peace. Thus, it is our perogative to continually fight for it. For peace is not just a feeling, it's a catalyst for development. During this election period let's ring the bells of hope and if we must fight others,  let's do it through peace, dialogue and education.

Still smiling in the dream world...

POLITICAL HOMICIDE: WHO IS BEHIND IT ALL?

Photocredit: Andrew Ferez

Dr. Candace cleaned his cubital fossa with alcohol and gingerly inserted the needle. President Harry' s heart condition was getting worse with the passing of each day. Today,  she had prescribed to him a new experimental drug in phase 4 of clinical trials.

Candace has been the president's physician for three years now. The job was so demanding yet risky at the same time. In those three years,  she has had several random requests by anonymous persons telling her to kill the president. Not surprising, the money they name is so hefty that she had one or two occasions felt the urge to do so.

She began packing her stethoscope,  among other things into her medical toolkit.  Today was one of the few days that she did not accompany the president to his office.

" Good morning, Mr. President", Harry' s vice greeted.
"You see, I have these documents that you have to sign. It is pertains to the water project in Higgin town and road construction ongoing at circle- mart"
Little known fact about the vice is that he is overly corrupt. The president knowing this, double checked whatever document he sent to him. As usual, his vice had inflated the amount for the project by million folds.
"I want all the sectors involved in this project to give me an in-depth breakdown of the cost  of their work", he said, then left the office without pending his approval.

His vice, Mike was filled with so much rage that he wanted to skinned that 6feet one inch man that calls himself president alive. " Your end is close", he murmured to himself.
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Mike squeezed himself into fetal position when he heard the gunshots.

Harry received two bullets, one to the upper right quadrant of his abdomen and the other to his left atrium. He was losing gallons of blood. It was surely going to be one hell of a hectic day for Dr. Candace. She tried her possible best to save the president but to no avail. His already weakened heart would never survive another day.

Immediate investigations were made and it was concluded that it was a grave breech of security. Accordingly,  the head of security,  Richard Simpson was arrested.  How can two unidentified men enter the presidential gold house without recognition? Unbelievably, all the Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras went off during the shooting.

Mike was sworn into office as the new president. Believe you me, he was surely going to put the country into debt during his reign.

"I am not going to tell anyone our secret.  But on one condition, that you provide every single need of my family and for 500million dollars to be delivered to my account this very day. Lastly, make your lawyers get me out of this hellhole quickly", Richard informed Mike about his demands.
"Consider them all done"
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After 10years in prison and with a possible death sentence around the corner,  Richard decided to finally tell the world the truth about who really was the mastermind behind the death of former president Harry. After all, his health was declining and this deceptive Mike had not been faithful to the bargain.

When Mike heard of this, he paid one of the prison guards to kill him.

But Richard had a backup plan. Before his passing,  he had made countless recordings of every single conversation he had had with Mike. The kind that would get him right on the road to jail. These he had given to a friend at the bureau of national investigation as well as a copy to his wife.

When Mike realized that the police were going to arrest him, he went to his room and shot a bullet right into his skull. He would rather die than to spend a day in a jail.

"For how long can a dreadful deed be hidden..."
THE END

Still smiling in the dream world....
Love always,
Liz.

5 THINGS I LEARNED FROM HILLARY CLINTON

The question of why there are so few women leaders is still being asked. Perhaps the perfect answer is yet to be found. Today, I speak of female leader who has defy limitations and has become an example and inspiration to millions of people around the globe. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is her name. Over the years, I have learned a number of things from her and here are a few that I'm sharing with you:

 Translating passion into action

Our passion lead us to our mission in life. For hillary clinton, her passion translates into action. On a trip to Chicago with her youth ministry, Hillary got to see Martin Luther King Jr. speak—this sparked her lifelong passion for social justice. The doting grandmother as she calls herself, has continually showed passion and commitment to the welfare of women and children. Another endearing trait of hers is her ability to combine passion with logic.

Pacesetting

To be unforgettable, you have to do things differently,  you have to set the pace, you have to be a trailblazer.  That exactly is what hiliary clinton is. She is the first female senator from new York City and the only first lady ever to have sought elective office. Furthermore, in 1979, Rodham became the first woman to be made a full partner of Rose Law Firm.

Ignoring the haters

 Innumerable tittle- tattle have been said about her, the rumours seem never to end, but through it all she remains standing, focused with her goal in mind. Her strength of character speaks volumes of what an exceptional woman she is.

Reaching back and giving

More often than not,  we do not succeed just on our own, we succeed because of opportunities presented to us as well as support by our loved ones. Thus, it is imperative that we present to others similar opportunities. Like hillary Clinton said: " I feel very lucky because of my parents and then my education,  the opportunities that I've had,  so I would like to continue working to improve lives for others".

 Tenacity

She has been in politics for a long time,  she has seen it all, the cut and thrust of the game. And has endured it all gracefully.  Additionally, she doesn't wait for things to happen, she acts and her works speak for themselves.

Hillary Clinton,  the woman who inspires generations!