Who could fail to be inspired by the Elders? - or, to give them their full title, the Global Elders. It's like a kind of primitive society thingy, where people live in harmony with nature and where old people aren't cast aside onto the scrap heap and put away in old people's homes to end their days watching TV games shows, like they are in today's throw-away society, but given the respect their accumulated wisdom deserves. It's a lesson we must surely take more to heart if we're to have any hope of saving the planet. Here's their latest pronouncement:
President Robert Mugabe's government cannot lead Zimbabwe out of its current humanitatian crisis, the Elders group of influential statesmen has said….
The Elders include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former US President Jimmy Carter and international advocate for women and children's rights Graca Machel.
"There is bitter disappointment in the current leadership. This government has not demonstrated the ability to lead the country out of its current crisis," said former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
You see? Wise words from the former UN Secretary General. A country where life expectancy has halved under Mugabe's rule, which is currently being ravaged by a cholera outbreak, where starvation is a constant threat for the vast majority of the population, where society has, in short, completely broken down….I think we can agree that this government has indeed not demonstrated the ability to lead the country out of its current crisis. The ability to lead the country into its current crisis….yes. Out of….no.
The people of Zimbabwe will surely be comforted by the wisdom of the Elders.
Mick Hartley 
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