The circle of...

March 12, 2009 8:08 PM

Huffington post runs article that denounces rape in South Africa.

When a few days ago Huffington post ran an article where Ed and Deb Shapiro gushed about the piety and humility of Jacob Zuma..

Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma was acquitted of rape after a rather strange trial. In brief, Zuma admitted to having unprotected sex with an HIV+ women who later brought charges. Zuma's defense argued that the woman provoked him to have sex with her by her dress.

Zuma is also embroiled in corruption charges.


Unfortunately, the cycle of violence in South Africa risks going on for a long time..

posted by pwedza (27 comments total)

disclaimer: if some of you find that this post does not have an underlying logic or coherence, I will say that I chose to post due to the proximity of the articles [a week difference] and the fact that Huffington would not post any response of mine to Ed and Deb's article - although none were in violation of Huffington Post's Comments and Moderation policy:

• are abusive, off-topic, use excessive foul language
• include ad hominem attacks including comments that celebrate the death or illness of any person, public figure or otherwise
• contain racist, sexist, homophobic and other slurs
• are solicitations and/or advertising for personal blogs and websites
• thread spamming (you've posted this same comment elsewhere on the site
• are posted with the explicit intention of provoking other commenters or the staff at Huffington Post.

Instead, all Huffington comments were basically a love-fest between Ed and Deb and all the wonderful posters.

Thanks for your understanding and..

You are a jewel in the heart of a lotus,

Enjoy this gift of life,

Life is a mystery constantly unfolding,

Enjoy the journey,

In the dharma,

May you be always free, healthy and happy,

Treasure yourself,

Joyfully,


Pwedza




btw - to Ed and Deb edit the comments on their own articles on Huffington?
posted by pwedza at 8:15 PM on March 12, 2009

I will say that I chose to post due to the proximity of the articles [a week difference] and the fact that Huffington would not post any response of mine to Ed and Deb's article

that's not what metafilter is for
posted by pyramid termite at 8:18 PM on March 12, 2009

nevertheless, pt - what a powerful collection of testimonies. This post might get deleted, but this stuff is going to haunt me for a while. What the hell can we do?
posted by Baby_Balrog at 8:20 PM on March 12, 2009

Eh, it still has 5 more links than most FPPs.
posted by kid ichorous at 8:24 PM on March 12, 2009

Baby_Balrog,

Part of my outrage is that we don't know the issues.

Thousands of people read Ed and Deb's article and had no clue who Zuma is.
Instead, they said - "oh, what a great guy - he is going to give Ed's book to Mandela."

On the rape issue, we read articles about horrible things - say "geez, that is awful".
But I almost feel the spotlight on rape in Africa articles are run in a shock and awe context.

Support for rule of law projects and womens' rights across Africa is a good place to start to make a difference.
posted by pwedza at 8:27 PM on March 12, 2009

Geez, that's awful.
posted by Balisong at 8:30 PM on March 12, 2009

Metafilter isn't a grindstone.
posted by boo_radley at 8:34 PM on March 12, 2009

disclaimer: if some of you find that this post does not have an underlying logic or coherence, I will say that I chose to post due to the proximity of the articles [a week difference] and the fact that Huffington would not post any response of mine to Ed and Deb's article - although none were in violation of Huffington Post's Comments and Moderation policy

Then you undermined your post by using Metafilter to publicize a beef you have with the HuffPo.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 8:39 PM on March 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

And honestly, if you listen to NPR on a passing basis, you've heard about Zuma's character and his trial. The BBC reports on African issues, and it's come up repeatedly.
posted by boo_radley at 8:39 PM on March 12, 2009

So is this post about rape? Or Zuma? Or Huff Post? Or Ed and Deb? Or? Or? Or?

(ouch, my head hurts)
posted by photoslob at 8:41 PM on March 12, 2009

I hope you didn't pay $5 so you could complain about the moderation at The Huffington Post. You could have done it at Kos for free.
posted by Joe Beese at 8:42 PM on March 12, 2009

Boo and Foxy,

I don't really have the intention to use Metafilter as a grindstone. Nor would I say that I have a beef per se.

I go to Huffington Post daily and will continue to do so. I am simply pointing out a certain naivité and censorship on the site.

Yes - I was dismayed when they would not publish the slightest criticism of Ed and Deb's article. But, I suppose that can be expected..

I imagine that Ed and Deb didn't really know the backstory on Zuma. They seem more star-struck than anything else.


I'll just think twice the next time HuffPo runs an article on internet censorship.
posted by pwedza at 8:44 PM on March 12, 2009

Is this about rape in Africa or the Huffington Post?
posted by koeselitz at 8:47 PM on March 12, 2009

Unfortunately, the facts that seem to be in the linked posts are very much of a 'she said, he said form. There doesn't seem to be that much evidence that the court case was unusually biased. And when it comes down to conflicting viewpoints stories, it's valid to talk about his character, which would include his piety & humility. I'm not sure the HuffPo is doing anything wrong here.

Well, more wrong than they are in general, at least.
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:47 PM on March 12, 2009

(you should pick one)
posted by koeselitz at 8:48 PM on March 12, 2009

No wonder his party didn't get voted back in. The "Stop With The Rape Already" demographic is a very vocal one.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:49 PM on March 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

On non-preview:
pwedza, this is most emphatically not internet censorship. Censorship, like the one you linked to, is about a government restricting the access to information of its citizens. What the HoffPo has done at worse is overmoderating. It's something that wouldn't shock me here (although experience shows that our moderators are less hamfisted than you're accusing).
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:51 PM on March 12, 2009

Point taken Lemurrhea.

And I am not saying that Zuma did or didn't commit rape. I agree that it is murky.

However - as an Africa enthusiast and somebody who has worked on rape and AIDS issues in Africa - I reacted quite strongly to Ed and Deb's article. I felt physically sick.

Zuma actually had a chance of becoming president of South Africa - despite saying that he was not at risk of contracting HIV because he took a shower after having sex with a woman who was HIV+.

Let's not forget - this is South Africa.
posted by pwedza at 8:53 PM on March 12, 2009

The Huffington Post sucks. Film at 11.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 8:53 PM on March 12, 2009

Thanks for this post. Because of it I decided to familiarize myself with Jacob Zuma. After about an hour of reading (and seeing that brutal story), I just think the men of South Africa are some damn barbarians. Those two men in the clip were morons in the scariest way. The women are right to be lesbians. I hope there's a lesbian state or country in the near future. I'd give my tax money for its protection. Is there ANYWHERE in Africa where women are treated like intelligent human beings? Or are they going to be some guys other wife no matter where they go?
posted by Flex1970 at 8:57 PM on March 12, 2009

As cathartic as the Huffington Post is at times, do you actually expect it to publish balanced editorials?

You're picking a pointless fight.
posted by Grimble at 9:00 PM on March 12, 2009

Flex,

The [mis]treatment of women is a problem all over the world.

Unfortunately, it is compounded in many parts of Africa by tradition, culture, corruption, and cronyism.

Christ!! Zuma was the head of S. Africa's National Aids Council and the Moral Regeneration Campaign..


HOWEVER : )

While not a lesbian country - there is a place in Africa where the women wear the proverbial pants.
posted by pwedza at 9:07 PM on March 12, 2009

[..add poverty and education to that list.]
posted by pwedza at 9:09 PM on March 12, 2009

I agree, HuffPo sucks.

Thanks,

Sincerely,

All my love,

Thank you,

Best Wishes,

ALongDecember.
posted by ALongDecember at 9:23 PM on March 12, 2009

if some of you find that this post does not have an underlying logic or coherence...

Why even post this? If you're knowingly putting up something that you believe you have structured in such a way that it has no underlying logic or coherence...well why even bother, and then why bother outing yourself? Just make the post and let things get added up.

You gotta come back to nefarious mastermind school where we teach you to set things up and then sit back and watch your plans unfold.
posted by cashman at 9:24 PM on March 12, 2009

Cashman,

You are right.

But I had to work the Huffington Post censorship in somehow..

; )
posted by pwedza at 9:25 PM on March 12, 2009

This is still up? Wow.
posted by crossoverman at 9:27 PM on March 12, 2009