Persecution as distraction

A "Kill the Gays" bill has been floating around the Ugandan Parliament since early 2009. But it appears they mean business this time. The Speaker has promised it to Christian leaders as a "Christmas Gift." It has been through committee (though no one will produce evidence whether the death penalty has been removed) and is listed next on the agenda.

Box Turtle Bulletin has been reporting on the bill since it first appeared. It has done an extensive analysis of the bill's many nasty clauses -- including one that says a person can be imprisoned for suggesting the bill should be repealed.

Jim Burroway of BTB has noticed something -- every time the Ugandan Parliament needs to deal with the nation's oil wealth, the anti-gay bill suddenly gets a lot of attention. Including this time. Uganda has the reputation for the most corrupt country in eastern Africa (and there is stiff competition for the title) and the Oil Bills are all about how the ruling elite can skim the profits from oil exports, leaving the people just as poor. To hide that theft what is needed is a distraction. And in a highly homophobic country they found a beaut. Burroway concludes with:

Which means that Uganda’s oil policy can be summed up this way: yes, we’re going to steal your oil wealth — but look over there! Homosexuals!!!

Burroway wonders why the only American Christian leaders who have said anything about the Ugandan bill are the ones who are delighted it is about to pass. The rest of them are missing in action.