The Ethiopian dictatorship has sueeded to transform an ordinary teacher and journalist into an international symbol of press freedom, resistance to tyranny and courage under fire. Reeyot’s story of commitment to truth, sacrifice, virtuousness, honesty, decency and humanity should inspire all young people in Ethiopia and Africa to stand up for their beliefs.

Does Ethiopia really need resorts for relaxation and entertainment of the corruptly rich and foreign sex fiends when over 80 percent of the population lives in tattered thatched-roof tukuls?

He has locked horns with the IMF and the other international poverty pimps for their role in maintaining dictatorial regimes in the developing countries. He has opposed both Iraq wars. He has embraced immigrants. He does not believe in building walls. He believes in tearing down walls of racism, sexism and sectarianism to bring human beings together.

No sensible American would want the world to judge all Americans by the hateful actions of the Ku Klux Klan, a hate organization that has committed its share of atrocities and terrorism over numerous decades. Yet many are ready to use their positions, status and wealth to demonize, dehumanize, criminalize, anathematize and generalize about a group of people because of a few evil individuals who commit violence in the name of Islam.

Prof. Mesfin has been the foremost Ethiopian public intellectual for at least the past four decades. His a book reveals his personal thoughts of an Ethiopia with a glorious past, an Ethiopia in political, social and economic turmoil today and the rise over the horizon of an Ethiopia whose best days are yet to come.

Last week, President Obama declared that Ethiopia has a “democratically elected government”. That is the country where in May elections, the ruling party won all the 547 seats in parliament, thrashing all the 78 other parties. If there ever has been an election won by one party by 100 percent that is democratic, then there is indeed the famous purple cow that nobody has ever seen or the pink elephant that people like Obama see often.

The cause of Africa’s underdevelopment is well known: Imperialism. Yet heads of state, ministers and representatives have been strutting on the world stage promising to beat the old horse of poverty to death in Africa. Loaners and donors get on their high horses and with great fanfare issue the same old empty promises, sweep up their old broken promises under the rug and recycle the same old pledges about sustainable development and the rest of their meaningless litany.

Thousands of political prisoners, journalists, activists and other citizens languish in Ethiopia's official and secret dungeons. The violently repressive regime has thrown a pall of paralyzing fear over the entire nation. Will President Obama ignore this crying shame when Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn hosts him next week? Will he continue with his policy of parroting high ideals but embracing ruthless and corrupt African strongmen?

Last week, the Addis Ababa dictatorship suddenly released jailed prominent journalist Reeyot Alemu and four bloggers without explanation. Reyoot has vowed to continue her struggle for democracy in her country, where many other journalists, bloggers and political leaders remain in jail.

Without the support of America's top women Smith, Sherman and Rice, many African dictators would not remain in power for a single day. Smith's appointment to head USAID is a boon to the despots.