The seventy-five percenters

It's that magical time of the year again, when tyrants make a show of "democracy" to the world at large. Today's turn: Robert Mugabe
Vote count under way in Zimbabwe

Vote counting is under way in Zimbabwe, with the main opposition MDC claiming it is winning the battle to oust President Robert Mugabe.

The MDC said it was ahead in most constituencies but continues to fear the vote will be rigged.

Results may not be finalised for some days and the government warned the MDC not to declare an early victory.

Forgive me if I sound cynical, but what are the chances of anyone defeating a megalomaniacal murderous thug through an election?

The BBC is also not helping: Look how they make it sound as if it was Mugabe who was battling the odds, instead of the other way around:

Mr Mugabe is battling the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai and independent Simba Makoni for president.

I hope I'm wrong and that the MDC can win, but from here it looks very unlikely indeed (h/t Instapundit).

Nowadays fashionable tyrants win by 75% of the vote. It's only the old-style, crassly out of fashion tyrants like the Chinese Communist Party who still win by 98%.

The modern fashionable tyrant soothes what passes for conscience at the UN by holding an election, calling in international observers (a dozen observers to stay at carefully-selected, scrupulously-guarded locations in countries at least as large as California, because you know that a dozen people staying for a day or two really can get a good idea of what's going on in a country) IF they decide to call observers in the first place, making a show of the polling process, and then winning with a 3:1 margin over the opposition. If they really want to make a point, then they win 4:1.

Then Jimmy Carter flies back to Georgia to celebrate Rosalyn's birthday, the UN goes back to condemning Israel, and we all tune in to E! for the latest in celebrity gossip.

In Caracas, the honeymoon is over with the media: Chavez 'stifles Venezuelan media'

Private media companies from across the Americas have accused Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of stifling press freedom in his country.

Delegates at a meeting of the Inter- American Press Association in Caracas said Mr Chavez was using intimidation to curb criticism of his government.

I expect that Jimmy will be whispering sweet nothings in Hugo's ear to calm down Hugo's frazzled nerves.

But not to worry, there's free healthcare in Venezuela.

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This morning's old movie at TCM is Boom Town, about oil wildcatters. In spite of a burning oil rig, it has absolutely nothing in common with There Will Be Blood, especially when it showcases Clark Gable's impeccably attired profile holding the impossibly glamorous Claudette Colbert or Heddy Lammar in his arms.

They don't make them the way the used to, and I'd like to know who would wear a sequined negligee outside of a Hollywood movie.

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Today's WSJ's Five-Best books about the search of Eden, selected by Jonathan Rosen:




Paradise Lost is also available on line

Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view
Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause
Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,
Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off [ 30 ]
From thir Creator, and transgress his Will
For one restraint, Lords of the World besides?

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Today's shoes, John Fluevog's Renata, with a moderate heel and casual/dressy style.

You all know I love red shoes, and these are lovely. The Manolo has another Fluevog style.

You can never have enough red shoes.

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Pat has the Carnival of the Insanities.

In the meantime, mark your calendars, pay your reservation, and come to Saturday's party!





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