LGBT News Gambian Dictator On LGBT People: ‘If You Do It Here, I Will Slit Your Throat’

I am not surprised, but I am still shocked nonetheless.

 

It shocks me what some people say about us.

 

I like him.

 

Such an asshat.

 

Well at least he's direct about it.

 

What a terrible thing to say.

 

My beloved, gorgeous Africa....stop letting pieces of human trash be your spokespeople.

 

He has a long history of making such statements. Oh...and what is this:



It is nice to see Obama taking LGBT rights seriously. I doubt he'd pose in a similar manner next to say, a KKK leader. But hey, its only gay people so its not that bad, eh?

 

I don't really find that jab at President Obama appropriate. He has helped the US and lobbied other countries cut financial aid to Gambia over their repeated human rights abuses. It's also his duty as the United States' main foreign policy negotiator to meet with and be cordial with leaders from every country, even those he does not like.

 

Agreed. When your a leader of country you have the unfortunate mandatory task of meeting with leaders whose polices you may disagree with. Politics is a complex thing you gotta be careful with what you and every step you make can cause a huge impact on everyone else. We may not like some of these leaders but sometimes it is more about the people in those countries we need to care about and sometimes that means associated ourselves with ruthless leaders. I am sure Obama is standing his ground no matter who he comes into contact with.

 

You are right he has to meet with leaders, he is not obligated to shake hands with a dictator (i.e. someone who's leadership legitimacy is questionable) whilst grinning like a Cheshire cat or invite them to dinner parties. Let alone one with so much blood on his hands.

That is inappropriate. These people are monsters and posing in such a manner is an insult to all the people they have hurt. Obama (or his administration) most certainly should be making formal statements either preceding or following such meetings to reinforce that they do not condone their behaviour.

Now other Presidents and world leaders are equally guilty of granting too much civility to people who really don't deserve it (look at Blair with Gaddafi). But I think Obama is especially hypocritical due to the fact that he claims to be fully behind the push for gay rights.

Plus he is giving people respect who clearly are not reciprocating: Mugabe says of Obama’s gay rights push, ‘We ask, was he born out of homosexuality?’ - The Washington Post He should take a leaf out of Putin's book in his style of address by treating them cold and neutrally at best. He really needs to grow some balls on this.

---------- Post added 15th May 2015 at 12:03 PM ----------

My question on that though would be how would the people in those countries feel seeing their dictator having the red carpet rolled out for him, and being treated identical to any legitimate, democratically elected, head of state. How would they feel about having their suffering completely whitewashed over.

Treating these people civilly is wise (to avoid war and violence), but sucking up to them is absolutely disgusting.

 

The Gambian Dictator is a dick.

 

The president is a very busy man and he doe not have the time for every little thing. I sure he had his honest reasons for what he has done and I would do more research before jumping on him. I trust his ability to lead, his intentions and his integrity even though we have slight disagreements on some things.

 

He puts the dick in dictator.

 

So he has the time for photo-ops and dinner parties with a known ruthless dictator but not to make a simple statement speaking out against massive violations of human rights?

As mentioned these things can have real negative effect on the people actually living in these countries, read here:

Obama response to Gambian human rights abuses criticized

This particular dictator has even used this relationship with Obama to legitimise his rule, stating Obama actually "celebrated his work". Now obviously that wasn't the case but when you have pictures like this being taken it is exceptionally easy for these dictators to use them as propaganda in support of such claims - particularly if they have large control of the media or have internet is not easy for the public to access.

 

Ugh, that guy. He's one of my least favourite dictators.

It's sad that these African nations think that they're somehow rebelling against the West and colonialism by being super anti-gay. Although it's also interesting that conservative Christian groups like the Family Research Council have supported African anti-gay laws in the past.

 

Well posing for photographs with him is a "pointless symbolic gesture" and yet it has had the power to garner a lot of media attention.

A simple statement by the President or his administration would help clarify the US' position on human rights abuse and act as hope to all those affected that this isn't being condoned.

Obviously conflict is not a good option, but other options are available in these cases. We have already seen countries threatening to cease aid to or speaking out against countries like Uganda who have the death penalty for homosexuality in place. Now whether that helps or not is a matter of debate, but at least it is positive action and at least it is better than taking chummy photos with the leaders.

I wonder with a lot of these dictators also whether they suffer from delusions of grandeur - particularly when you look at the flamboyance of past dictators like Gadaffi and Kim Jong Il. I'm guessing a lot of these men have a very skewed view of the world, and so probably do feel legitimised by being treated like royalty. Its almost like the Emperor's New Clothes - if they are treated well enough times and never criticised they must feel justified in their actions.