We have all noticed the vitriol between those advocating for the Rights of the LGBT Community and their Socially Conservative Opponents. In the US most of the conflict has occurred as there have been several attempts to have same-sex marriages be acknowledged as well as those between heterosexual couples.
We have all noticed the vitriol between those advocating for the Rights of the LGBT Community and their Socially Conservative Opponents. In the US most of the conflict has occurred as there have been several attempts to have same-sex marriages be acknowledged as well as those between heterosexual couples.
Another area which has not received the due diligence that it rightfully deserves just happens to be the US Policy towards Central Africa. Both sides have legitimate reasons to be concerned. They should be as it appears that the extremists are calling the shots in the effort to move forward their agendas.
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The concerns once again resurfaced during the recently concluded Ames Straw Poll in Iowa. It appears that Michele Bachmann a Republican Congresswoman from Minnesota used a controversial individual to run her efforts in Iowa. Sadly it seems that like many others that get involved in American Politics this person has some serious skeletons in the closet.
This person Peter Waldron has what can be considered to be a sordid history in Central Africa. It seems that in 2006 he was arrested in Uganda for Weapons Smuggling and Espionage. He was held in custody for 30 Days and he has alleged that he was a victim of torture. What has not been made clear was who was going to receive the Assault Weapons he was caught with. The region is rife with Militia Forces and at the time there was a bounty on the head of Joseph Kabila as well.
Another reason for concern regarding Pastor Waldron is that He has ties to Martin Ssempa. This is the Pastor who has been the driving force behind the Bahati Bill or as it is also known as the “Kill the Gays” Bill. This draconian measure has the potential of imposing Capital Punishment on those who are convicted of Homosexuality. The Evangelical Movement in the United States has had close ties to both President Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame in Rwanda.
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An attempt to introduce a similar bill in the DRC failed last year. However this has not prevented both leaders from backing various Militias in the Eastern DRC or deploying their Military Forces into the Country either. This legislation has created a tit-for-tat war of words as the Evangelicals seem to be driving US Policy in Central Africa.
Mr. Waldron is just the latest name to be a lightning rod in this brouhaha. He joins a list that includes Rick Warren, Pastor Ssempa and other religious leaders. They are accused of imposing their beliefs on the region as a whole. While here in the US the roles are reversed as the LGBT Community are accused by the Religious Right of trying to impose their will here domestically.
This is an issue that will not go away anytime soon. Mr. Waldron will be leading the Faith Based Outreach for Congresswoman Bachmann in South Carolina. Elections will be held in the DRC in November and the Bahati Bill is rumored to be coming back. What an interesting argument this will make……
The author, Scott Morgan, comments on US Policy towards Africa and Publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet. Confused Eagle can be found confusedeagle.livejournal.com
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