This kind of debate is seriously not required. At a time when there is intense xenophobia and paranoia, this thing puts us back in time. Geert Wilders, a dutch MP, has directed a film called Fitna, which means strife. It showcases the negativity of Islamization, and how Islam is a threat to freedom.
Now, putting it in a lay man's outlook, it could be intriguing. The protests over the Prophet Mohammad cartoons may force people to think that Muslims are against freedom of expression. The backdrop of terrorism and the conservative outlook of the muslims may make people suppress any moderate views that they may have. The problem with 'Fitna' is that this ensures the stereotype more concretely.
One has to only look at the film to realize that the whole scenario is placed out of context. This is a clear sign of Xenophobia, and the misconception of freedom of expression. Fundamental freedom of expression states that demonizing a particular religion or a group of people is illegal. But, unfortunately, this exposes the loophole called Freedom of expression.
The west has always fallen into the trap of xenophobia. The problem is that the verses in the Koran are easily placed out of context. The multiple interpretations of religious texts leads to conflict within societies. Jihad is one of the most misinterpreted terms, and it will continue to be misinterpreted by nationalists and xenophobists as long as the war on terror remains.
The Muslim community must stand up, so that this film can be commonly disagreed on. The community is facing isolation and misunderstanding on an everyday basis. If they have to usher in a new era, then they can begin by rejecting not only this film, but all the Jihadists and people like Bin-Laden, who are bringing constant damage to the Koran.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
5 years and 24 years
The heading is a symbol for the search of justice. Injustice to a nation and injustice to a group of people are represented by the magnitude of these numbers. It is now 5 years since the US embarked upon the disaster in Iraq. It is 24 years since a state turned against its own people and set about the worst killings ever since its independence in 1947. The anti-sikh riots of 1984 are in danger of being wiped out from public memory, and justice is still not coming for the victims.
The main difference between the two is time and technology. The anti-sikh riots occured at a time when media was not developed enough. The media in India was monopolized by the state, with few alternative voices. The world was still in the infancy of digital technology. The disaster in Iraq has been covered on a daily basis, mainly due to the super advancements in technology. The scenario of global events influencing any part of the globe is very real.
The other difference is that the riots in 1984 was the state against the people. Iraq is a case of a sovereign nation like the US, taking the wrong moral ground and destroying the fabric of another country. While one suffers from overkill both physically and media wise, the other is facing obliteration from public memory. This is quiet reflective of the times we live in. The extremities of life are being witnessed in real life as well as in politics, war and morality. All this will be governed by the dynamics of time, one which people have no control over it.
The main difference between the two is time and technology. The anti-sikh riots occured at a time when media was not developed enough. The media in India was monopolized by the state, with few alternative voices. The world was still in the infancy of digital technology. The disaster in Iraq has been covered on a daily basis, mainly due to the super advancements in technology. The scenario of global events influencing any part of the globe is very real.
The other difference is that the riots in 1984 was the state against the people. Iraq is a case of a sovereign nation like the US, taking the wrong moral ground and destroying the fabric of another country. While one suffers from overkill both physically and media wise, the other is facing obliteration from public memory. This is quiet reflective of the times we live in. The extremities of life are being witnessed in real life as well as in politics, war and morality. All this will be governed by the dynamics of time, one which people have no control over it.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Independence and Dependence
The situation in Tibet is quiet reflective of the times that we live in. Aspirations of independence are now tempered with economic interests. Independence is suppressed due to the economic clout of a nation. China is the world's fastest growing economy, and the olympics will now be held in Beijing. The protesters have chosen an apt moment to focus their regions's plight, and also to highlight the 'Cultural Genocide' initiated by the Chinese. The problem, therefore, arises, that inspite of the crackdown, China will emerge unscathed, because all nations in the world are ao timid in issuing a strong opposition.
The timidity is simply explained by the 'E' word. Economics and business are the only two things, upon which foreign policy is based on. Human rights abuses are a simple irritant, one which can be suppressed even under piles of paper and footage in the media. There has been no country that has based their philosophy of diplomacy and foreign relations on humanistic principles. The rationale for this is due to the fact that this can be interpreted as a threat to sovereignity, and also careless meddling in internal affairs. These scenarios were witnessed in Burma last year, and now Tibet is the next in line.
Can an angle to boycott the Olympics in Beijing be even considered? Not a chance. The financial losses would be so high that countries would not even think of that option, only a few individuals in a million would consider it, but it would never be implemented seriously. This olympics will go ahead, and it will be a victory for all capitalists. Quiet ironic, considering that China is the People's Republic.
The timidity is simply explained by the 'E' word. Economics and business are the only two things, upon which foreign policy is based on. Human rights abuses are a simple irritant, one which can be suppressed even under piles of paper and footage in the media. There has been no country that has based their philosophy of diplomacy and foreign relations on humanistic principles. The rationale for this is due to the fact that this can be interpreted as a threat to sovereignity, and also careless meddling in internal affairs. These scenarios were witnessed in Burma last year, and now Tibet is the next in line.
Can an angle to boycott the Olympics in Beijing be even considered? Not a chance. The financial losses would be so high that countries would not even think of that option, only a few individuals in a million would consider it, but it would never be implemented seriously. This olympics will go ahead, and it will be a victory for all capitalists. Quiet ironic, considering that China is the People's Republic.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Money vs Academics
I just could not help but ask my friend for some advice. It was regarding a particular situation. It was concerning whether should I work part time and at the same time study as well. My other friends, most of them are pursuing their final year graduation or their Ph.D's and some Masters, are pursuing jobs and studying as well. My friend, who is currently working full time, told me, it not only depends upon you, but study should be more important. Only after studying should you work.
The culture here in the west is such that you can earn money and at the same time study, with equally good effect. But, this individual is such that he can only focus on one thing at one time. He is quiet weak at Multi-tasking, and he is unable to get a job anywhere. But,he is pursuing his studies quiet well. I guess, if i look at this individual, i could be quiet glad that some people do it others don't. There have been lots of cases where people have suffered in their academics.
I would like to point out that this culture of earning and studying comes with its own catch 22 situation. Some people want to keep on earning, while at the same time unable to cope with their studies. But, the author is perplexed because he is seeing a lot of people bucking the trend, including some of his friends.
But, if someone gets rejected for a job, then mostly there could be a silver lining somewhere else. Maybe, he can devote himself to a lot of other activities. Maybe, he and money earning were just not meant to be. But, it would be tempting to try out this balance. I have to be very careful, because one wrong act of management can lead to disaster in academic life.
The culture here in the west is such that you can earn money and at the same time study, with equally good effect. But, this individual is such that he can only focus on one thing at one time. He is quiet weak at Multi-tasking, and he is unable to get a job anywhere. But,he is pursuing his studies quiet well. I guess, if i look at this individual, i could be quiet glad that some people do it others don't. There have been lots of cases where people have suffered in their academics.
I would like to point out that this culture of earning and studying comes with its own catch 22 situation. Some people want to keep on earning, while at the same time unable to cope with their studies. But, the author is perplexed because he is seeing a lot of people bucking the trend, including some of his friends.
But, if someone gets rejected for a job, then mostly there could be a silver lining somewhere else. Maybe, he can devote himself to a lot of other activities. Maybe, he and money earning were just not meant to be. But, it would be tempting to try out this balance. I have to be very careful, because one wrong act of management can lead to disaster in academic life.
Friday, March 14, 2008
China's Year???
I had mentioned some posts ago that 2008 would be China's year. It hosts the Beijing Olympics, and it promises to be a sporting gala unlike anything before. The olympic facilities are ultra-modern than ever before, architecturally more appealing and the economic growth is the talk of the world. However, cracks are starting to appear, and this time, it could be difficult for the chinese to hide dissent and other problems. This is the flip side of hosting the olympics, especially if it is a superpower nation.
The spark was set in Africa, but it has now spread to Tibet. China's econocratic involvement in Africa, where economic issues are something else and human rights are something else, make it a very volatile situation indeed. When atrocities are being committed in Darfur, the chinese prop up the government by giving aid. The same scenario is true in Zimbabwe, where Robert Mugabe is only surviving because of chinese help. The chinese need for minerals and other resources props up corrupt and brutal regimes in Africa, all for their economic growth.
Their inactivity in human rights abuses in Africa has led to many voices speaking out against Chinese policy. Steven Speilberg, and other activists from several human rights organizations and aid organizations, have openly condemned the chinese policy. They have boycotted the olympics, and are trying their best to spread awareness to the people.
If Africa is the spark, then the flames are felt in Tibet. In the website of the BBC today (14/03/2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7296837.stm), some deaths were reported in the demostrations by tibetian monks. This comes at a very uneasy time for the chinese, as Tibet is an issue, and it is this issue which the chinese want it under the wraps the most. The demonstrations have proceeded in such a way that it has the makings of another Tiannamen square, with less coverage.
My professor here says that the real challenge for China will be how they will handle 20,000 reporters who will cover the Olympics. His rationale is that the reporters will not only want to cover the olympics, but also events that the government might have hidden. Already, Reporters Sans Frontier(Reporters without Borders) have shown the olympic logo with handcuffs. They argue that the chinese authorities will try and curn any information damaging to the authorities.
China will face a real problem in managing this scenario, but at the same time, activist focus will shift to the Tibetian demonstrations, already on the boil. But, the world is so obssessed with China's rapid growth that they may tend to bypass these problems. It is afterall, the economic interests that the world is interested in, not in human rights. The olympics was designed to represent competition, but nowadays, it is becoming a mask to hide human rights abuses and economic inequality.
The spark was set in Africa, but it has now spread to Tibet. China's econocratic involvement in Africa, where economic issues are something else and human rights are something else, make it a very volatile situation indeed. When atrocities are being committed in Darfur, the chinese prop up the government by giving aid. The same scenario is true in Zimbabwe, where Robert Mugabe is only surviving because of chinese help. The chinese need for minerals and other resources props up corrupt and brutal regimes in Africa, all for their economic growth.
Their inactivity in human rights abuses in Africa has led to many voices speaking out against Chinese policy. Steven Speilberg, and other activists from several human rights organizations and aid organizations, have openly condemned the chinese policy. They have boycotted the olympics, and are trying their best to spread awareness to the people.
If Africa is the spark, then the flames are felt in Tibet. In the website of the BBC today (14/03/2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7296837.stm), some deaths were reported in the demostrations by tibetian monks. This comes at a very uneasy time for the chinese, as Tibet is an issue, and it is this issue which the chinese want it under the wraps the most. The demonstrations have proceeded in such a way that it has the makings of another Tiannamen square, with less coverage.
My professor here says that the real challenge for China will be how they will handle 20,000 reporters who will cover the Olympics. His rationale is that the reporters will not only want to cover the olympics, but also events that the government might have hidden. Already, Reporters Sans Frontier(Reporters without Borders) have shown the olympic logo with handcuffs. They argue that the chinese authorities will try and curn any information damaging to the authorities.
China will face a real problem in managing this scenario, but at the same time, activist focus will shift to the Tibetian demonstrations, already on the boil. But, the world is so obssessed with China's rapid growth that they may tend to bypass these problems. It is afterall, the economic interests that the world is interested in, not in human rights. The olympics was designed to represent competition, but nowadays, it is becoming a mask to hide human rights abuses and economic inequality.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Minority report
Over the past couple of decades, there is a sense of identity crisis among certain sections of the population. This kind of identity nationalism is what breaks states, what ushers in civil wars and possibly sow the seeds of discontent for many generations probably. The case of the Sikh community in the past and now the present sectarian tensions in Iraq are probably two precedents as to how an identity crisis and the thirst for power can lead to the non-existence of law.
The Sikh community were at odds with the Indian government from the period since partition. The Sikhs were scared of what would happen to their identity, because the hindus got India and the muslims got Pakistan as states to reassert their independence. The Sikhs were left nowhere, and their state was partitioned. This fostered hatred from the 60's and it left a permanently bitter taste with Operation Bluestar in 1984.
It was this military operation that left the Sikhs alienated from the mainstream for a long time. Although, there has been reconciliation, there is an underground movement to keep the hatred alive. The dream of radicals, who aspire to an independent state of Khalistan, now are not active to a great extent, but there are remnants. Since the community will never forget the storming of the golden temple in Amritsar, the hatred will probably last permanently. But, fortunately, educated Sikhs have made a name for themselves and have reasserted their identity.
The Shia-Sunni sectarian violence has graver implications,since there are about a billion muslims all over the world. Such differences, at a time when the community is under increased scrutiny because of terrorism, does not help in a stable social order. The divisions now have gotten so concrete, if the violence in Iraq has to be believed, that no one knows what to do.
The Shia-Sunni conflict, along with occasional communal tensions between hindus and muslims creates huge problems in the country's social fabric. Due to power politics as well as appeasement techniques, people are turned against people. Educated people are too scared to speak out the truth, and if the truth is spoken, it gets suppressed under the irrationality of nationalist pride.
Sikhs and Muslims have had a violent past couple of decades. The Sikhs carry the pain of the past in their hearts, but have moved on. The Muslims are caught in a very vicious web, one which will put them under the scanner and create prejudice for generations. The classification of people into minorities and majorities exposes the fragility of a social fabric sometimes. But, there may be no other alternative, because it involves identity and roots.
The Sikh community were at odds with the Indian government from the period since partition. The Sikhs were scared of what would happen to their identity, because the hindus got India and the muslims got Pakistan as states to reassert their independence. The Sikhs were left nowhere, and their state was partitioned. This fostered hatred from the 60's and it left a permanently bitter taste with Operation Bluestar in 1984.
It was this military operation that left the Sikhs alienated from the mainstream for a long time. Although, there has been reconciliation, there is an underground movement to keep the hatred alive. The dream of radicals, who aspire to an independent state of Khalistan, now are not active to a great extent, but there are remnants. Since the community will never forget the storming of the golden temple in Amritsar, the hatred will probably last permanently. But, fortunately, educated Sikhs have made a name for themselves and have reasserted their identity.
The Shia-Sunni sectarian violence has graver implications,since there are about a billion muslims all over the world. Such differences, at a time when the community is under increased scrutiny because of terrorism, does not help in a stable social order. The divisions now have gotten so concrete, if the violence in Iraq has to be believed, that no one knows what to do.
The Shia-Sunni conflict, along with occasional communal tensions between hindus and muslims creates huge problems in the country's social fabric. Due to power politics as well as appeasement techniques, people are turned against people. Educated people are too scared to speak out the truth, and if the truth is spoken, it gets suppressed under the irrationality of nationalist pride.
Sikhs and Muslims have had a violent past couple of decades. The Sikhs carry the pain of the past in their hearts, but have moved on. The Muslims are caught in a very vicious web, one which will put them under the scanner and create prejudice for generations. The classification of people into minorities and majorities exposes the fragility of a social fabric sometimes. But, there may be no other alternative, because it involves identity and roots.
The death of Indian Hockey
Many times, I have said that India focuses too much on just one sport only. Today, that has resulted in the death of one sport in the nation. This sport has got us maximum glory abroad, one which made us the wizards of that game, where legends have made their mark and has inspired a film. But, today, its in shambles, and no one cares, as they have cricket to fall back on.
Hockey just died today in India. The team failed to qualify for the Olympics, for the first time ever since they made their debut in 1928. The team was knocked out by Great Britain, and now the resurgence of Cricket, to already go along with faulty and destructive management has resulted in the game being in danger of dying out, if not already in the grave.
KPS Gill, the head of the Indian Hockey federation (IHF) still continues to head this crumbling institution. He has refused to give up his hold, and the bureaucracy is such that he will stay until he drags himself to the grave and along with it Indian hockey. The players, who are already neglected, will now feel further alienated. Those players who depend solely on Hockey as their means for earning will now be in trouble.
Lots has been written, and I don't want to add to that list. This is the classic case of shouting out loud when the horse has already bolted. It is a sad day, summed up by the fact that people care more for Cricketers activities and looks, than for Hockey legends who are forgotten in their own backyards. Dhyan Chand, the wizard of Indian hockey, is a forgotten figure, because he has been eclipsed (literally) by other cricketers. It is a sad day for Indian Hockey, because it is no longer 'Chak De India' but 'Chucked de India' for the Olympics.
P:S: MORE ON THIS STUFF CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.IBNLIVE.COM, THE 11TH MARCH EDITION OF THE WEB PAGE. PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS, BECAUSE WE CANNOT BEAR ANOTHER HUMILIATION FOR THE HOCKEY TEAM.
Hockey just died today in India. The team failed to qualify for the Olympics, for the first time ever since they made their debut in 1928. The team was knocked out by Great Britain, and now the resurgence of Cricket, to already go along with faulty and destructive management has resulted in the game being in danger of dying out, if not already in the grave.
KPS Gill, the head of the Indian Hockey federation (IHF) still continues to head this crumbling institution. He has refused to give up his hold, and the bureaucracy is such that he will stay until he drags himself to the grave and along with it Indian hockey. The players, who are already neglected, will now feel further alienated. Those players who depend solely on Hockey as their means for earning will now be in trouble.
Lots has been written, and I don't want to add to that list. This is the classic case of shouting out loud when the horse has already bolted. It is a sad day, summed up by the fact that people care more for Cricketers activities and looks, than for Hockey legends who are forgotten in their own backyards. Dhyan Chand, the wizard of Indian hockey, is a forgotten figure, because he has been eclipsed (literally) by other cricketers. It is a sad day for Indian Hockey, because it is no longer 'Chak De India' but 'Chucked de India' for the Olympics.
P:S: MORE ON THIS STUFF CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.IBNLIVE.COM, THE 11TH MARCH EDITION OF THE WEB PAGE. PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS, BECAUSE WE CANNOT BEAR ANOTHER HUMILIATION FOR THE HOCKEY TEAM.
Monday, March 10, 2008
No Alternative
There are moments when something is witnessed by individuals, which leave them with no hope. Some events are such that they leave no room for optimism, and this could usher in a fatalistic or defeatist attitude among people. Such is the impression I got when i watched a documentary titled "The Crude Awakening". It talked about how the world is going to run out of Oil, and we have not thought about the alternatives. We have not yet realized the implications of life without this so called Black Gold.
In Spanish, the word Oil is described as 'Los Excrimentos de Diablo', meaning the blood of the devil. The reason for this is mentioned in the documentary that Oil is a magnet for majority of the wars in the world. This point has been starkly reflected in the US War in Iraq. The Iraqi invasion has symbolized that America wants to use its Oil, because its own oil production has peaked, and so it has no more new reserves. The self-sufficiency of US oil production will be depleted in about 20-30 years.
OPEC has exaggerated the Oil production input of several nations, and no one is telling the true picture. Saudi Arabia could be a case in point. When Oil was discovered in the beginning, its GNP was $28000. Now, when it sells the oil to the west, its GNP currently has fallen to $6000. This is the major reason, according to the documentary, that the fundamentalist movement has risen and is a big threat to the west.
The main problem lies probably in our minds and attitude, as well as the economic orientation. Now, the economy has merged so much with this product that operating without it is next to impossible. People do not even think about the consequences because it satisfies their materialistic needs, and it provides them convenience beyond measure.
Cars are such a big fashion nowadays, that to think of a bicycle or walking is considered almost blasphemous. China is the largest car market in the world, and since it is associated with prosperity, it would be almost impossible to do away with it. The suburbs of a particular place have been so oriented outside of the city that to get there will be almost impossible without cars or other oil guzzlers.
The other problem lies in the fact that for our so called advancements in technology, we have not been able to utilize it for alternative energy resources. So, when the politicians in the US or other developed countries talk about creating Green Jobs and making more eco-friendly policies, they are only talking the talk but not walking the walk. This problem of lack of alternatives makes us wonder as to how humans can evolve. Slowly, but surely, we are being drained from below, and it will be too late to realize it.
The return to the Stone age is not far fetched if we run out of oil, but the optimism of man is such that some ingenuity can come out of it. But, if oil runs in our blood and if we worship petrol as a religion, our ingenuity, like the oil, may run out as well.
In Spanish, the word Oil is described as 'Los Excrimentos de Diablo', meaning the blood of the devil. The reason for this is mentioned in the documentary that Oil is a magnet for majority of the wars in the world. This point has been starkly reflected in the US War in Iraq. The Iraqi invasion has symbolized that America wants to use its Oil, because its own oil production has peaked, and so it has no more new reserves. The self-sufficiency of US oil production will be depleted in about 20-30 years.
OPEC has exaggerated the Oil production input of several nations, and no one is telling the true picture. Saudi Arabia could be a case in point. When Oil was discovered in the beginning, its GNP was $28000. Now, when it sells the oil to the west, its GNP currently has fallen to $6000. This is the major reason, according to the documentary, that the fundamentalist movement has risen and is a big threat to the west.
The main problem lies probably in our minds and attitude, as well as the economic orientation. Now, the economy has merged so much with this product that operating without it is next to impossible. People do not even think about the consequences because it satisfies their materialistic needs, and it provides them convenience beyond measure.
Cars are such a big fashion nowadays, that to think of a bicycle or walking is considered almost blasphemous. China is the largest car market in the world, and since it is associated with prosperity, it would be almost impossible to do away with it. The suburbs of a particular place have been so oriented outside of the city that to get there will be almost impossible without cars or other oil guzzlers.
The other problem lies in the fact that for our so called advancements in technology, we have not been able to utilize it for alternative energy resources. So, when the politicians in the US or other developed countries talk about creating Green Jobs and making more eco-friendly policies, they are only talking the talk but not walking the walk. This problem of lack of alternatives makes us wonder as to how humans can evolve. Slowly, but surely, we are being drained from below, and it will be too late to realize it.
The return to the Stone age is not far fetched if we run out of oil, but the optimism of man is such that some ingenuity can come out of it. But, if oil runs in our blood and if we worship petrol as a religion, our ingenuity, like the oil, may run out as well.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Music Nationalism
Music is the only entity which is not supposed to recognize religion, caste, race and color. Anybody who can contribute to music is special, and he/she is given the respect which is deserved in society. However, the times have now changed so much that music competitions have changed people's thinking. A recent example was in India where a family created a big problem when a child was eliminated from the competition at a crucial stage. The explosion in commercial music competitions has resulted in a money oriented mindset among parents.
The latest incident occurred in a TV show on Zee TV called "Hero Honda SaReGaMa Little Champs". The contestant in question was a child called Aamir Hafeez. It was the last elimination round before the Grand finale. So, the stage at which the boy was eliminated was heart-breaking. The scene created by his family members would have indeed being embarrassing.
In the rush of competition and big money, the normal situation would be that Children are pushed to the limit. But, this case is different. The parents of the child eliminated did not even consider the result, and walked out, in front of Millions of TV viewers. All along the way, some remarks (hopefully unintended) were passed by the family stating that because they were MUSLIM, that they were eliminated.
Firstly, such kinds of action are totally uncalled for and showed the narrow mindedness of some people. In the quest for more money, they would not hesitate to immediately jump upon the victim wagon. The follow up to this incident is still unknown, but hopefully nothing foolish has been done. The Kid who was eliminated showed maturity at least, and its a good sign that children are more acceptable and more open to hurdles than the older generation. Thats why Kids are sometimes special.
What can be said about the impact of commercial shows on the mindset of parents? In the rush to acquire lot of money and fame, some actions are done by which they later regret. The unfortunate thing is the explosion of commercial shows like this does give a lot of talent, but over the long run, compromises quality perhaps. But, such actions are just the beginning. Who knows what may happen, a murder on the set? Not a far fetched thought, because such emotional outbursts are happening now.
The latest incident occurred in a TV show on Zee TV called "Hero Honda SaReGaMa Little Champs". The contestant in question was a child called Aamir Hafeez. It was the last elimination round before the Grand finale. So, the stage at which the boy was eliminated was heart-breaking. The scene created by his family members would have indeed being embarrassing.
In the rush of competition and big money, the normal situation would be that Children are pushed to the limit. But, this case is different. The parents of the child eliminated did not even consider the result, and walked out, in front of Millions of TV viewers. All along the way, some remarks (hopefully unintended) were passed by the family stating that because they were MUSLIM, that they were eliminated.
Firstly, such kinds of action are totally uncalled for and showed the narrow mindedness of some people. In the quest for more money, they would not hesitate to immediately jump upon the victim wagon. The follow up to this incident is still unknown, but hopefully nothing foolish has been done. The Kid who was eliminated showed maturity at least, and its a good sign that children are more acceptable and more open to hurdles than the older generation. Thats why Kids are sometimes special.
What can be said about the impact of commercial shows on the mindset of parents? In the rush to acquire lot of money and fame, some actions are done by which they later regret. The unfortunate thing is the explosion of commercial shows like this does give a lot of talent, but over the long run, compromises quality perhaps. But, such actions are just the beginning. Who knows what may happen, a murder on the set? Not a far fetched thought, because such emotional outbursts are happening now.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The stalemate and the escalation
The above two terms describe the world in general nowadays. For the first decade of the 21st century, events have unfolded in such a way that there seems to be no definite solution. The freezing of the Peace process by Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas against the Israelis and the escalation of regional tensions regarding FARC and Colombia are two instances. They have been in the news for some time to come, and this follows a line of disasters by which the west has to cope with.
As mentioned Ad Nauseam, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has always kept the Middle East on the boil. Any negative overturn there could affect the whole region. With Iraq still in ruins and with Iran still unpredictable, this comes as an unfortunate irritant or Deja Vu, whatever may be applicable. All the "gains" that were made in Annapolis now lie in ruins, and both sides are so distrustful,that one side just cannot compromise. The spark this time was the turmoil in Gaza, where Hamas rule has decimated the social setup of the city, already ruined by the Western and Israeli blockade.
This tension is manifested in a different form in Colombia. The FARC and the Colombian government, led by Alvaro Uribe, have intensified their Proxy war over the last 4-5 years. The recent killing of FARC members on the Colombia-Ecuador border have escalated tensions. Now, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered tanks up its borders with Colombia, thus straining the already strained relationship between Colombia and Venezuela. The US views this very carefully, for Colombia is an ally of the US, while Hugo Chavez is its biggest critique.
Now, they say that one man's terrorist is another man's revolutionary. This situation perfectly characterizes Chavez's attitude towards the FARC and the Colombian administration. He has been in negotiations with FARC to secure the release of hostages taken by the group. So far, six have been released. This latest tension may put a speed breaker on his plans, while the US may take steps to ensure that FARC is taken out as quickly as possible.
The US cannot have that attitude in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If this tension has to be resolved, then some hard tough decisions have to be taken. The world has seen that the situation will be a bloody stalemate unless Hamas is not bought to the negotiating table. It is about time that Hamas is bought into the peace talks, for they WERE DEMOCRATICALLY elected by the Palestinian people. Only if this step is taken, that tensions can be simmered down.
These two events have symbolized the trend that political relations will be based on for the following decades. Only if concrete and tough decisions are taken can there be a resolution. Otherwise, the world will be polarized even more than the Cold war years.
As mentioned Ad Nauseam, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has always kept the Middle East on the boil. Any negative overturn there could affect the whole region. With Iraq still in ruins and with Iran still unpredictable, this comes as an unfortunate irritant or Deja Vu, whatever may be applicable. All the "gains" that were made in Annapolis now lie in ruins, and both sides are so distrustful,that one side just cannot compromise. The spark this time was the turmoil in Gaza, where Hamas rule has decimated the social setup of the city, already ruined by the Western and Israeli blockade.
This tension is manifested in a different form in Colombia. The FARC and the Colombian government, led by Alvaro Uribe, have intensified their Proxy war over the last 4-5 years. The recent killing of FARC members on the Colombia-Ecuador border have escalated tensions. Now, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered tanks up its borders with Colombia, thus straining the already strained relationship between Colombia and Venezuela. The US views this very carefully, for Colombia is an ally of the US, while Hugo Chavez is its biggest critique.
Now, they say that one man's terrorist is another man's revolutionary. This situation perfectly characterizes Chavez's attitude towards the FARC and the Colombian administration. He has been in negotiations with FARC to secure the release of hostages taken by the group. So far, six have been released. This latest tension may put a speed breaker on his plans, while the US may take steps to ensure that FARC is taken out as quickly as possible.
The US cannot have that attitude in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If this tension has to be resolved, then some hard tough decisions have to be taken. The world has seen that the situation will be a bloody stalemate unless Hamas is not bought to the negotiating table. It is about time that Hamas is bought into the peace talks, for they WERE DEMOCRATICALLY elected by the Palestinian people. Only if this step is taken, that tensions can be simmered down.
These two events have symbolized the trend that political relations will be based on for the following decades. Only if concrete and tough decisions are taken can there be a resolution. Otherwise, the world will be polarized even more than the Cold war years.
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