It is strange that I am inspired by The West Wing for this post. It occurred to me, as I lazied around the computer monitor enjoying my favorite show, that no one would want peace in the in this region. I mean, the media, the US, the world...would assume that Israel wants peace. They would also assume that the Palestinians are okay with Hamas- both not really true.
Lets see, this crisis has what I would like to call-- a conflict of interest!. Really! Israel wants THE land, and Palestinians want THEIR land. As I said, conflict of interests. This is even enhannced when Israel shows no mercy, and Palestine wants no bargaining. (which makes for a pretty good, hearty discussion rounds in the UN summits)
It would also seem that there is a big assumption, that International Community (IC) wants peace and peace only- which is also a farce
Really what fun is that? That means that Iranians would have no one to want to blow up (if indeed they want to blow them up) The US will have no Palestinians to feel sorry for, and Israel to baby around. and all around the IC will have nothing to blast about when it came to the Middle East. This conflict is the soul of most of ME policies held by different countries. Policies which translate into "you are either for Israel, or you are not"
Lets face it, Israel is a war state that is fed by the endless conflict, paranoia and grandiose dilusions(megalomonia). Don't agree with me? Read your Bibles and History books lately? if not...go back and then tell me I am wrong.
There is also a factor that is downplayed, and cannot be ignored. Israel is a regional superpower. They have for what it counts the fourth Army in the world and enjoys the patronage (for a lack of better word) of the world's Superpower and mostly Europe. ( talk about Major guilt here) Lets contrast it with Hamas, ( who we talk of, shuddering and doing the cross sign as if it is a dirty word). Hamas has, hmmm...has no tank, no apaches, no fighter jets and have the littlest of support Iran and the Hezbollah. So, why would Israel be considered to be so frail?
Given, they have a land, that is just as small as my country (Burundi) if not bigger. They also have the disadvantage that were they to lose a war, that would be it for them...they definately owe the US for the Yom Kippur War....
all that said, do they really want to have peace, where they won't be babied anymore by the IC? don't think so. They depend on PROPAGANDA! bet you haven't heard that word before...I mean its only used rarely.
Some have suggested that for peace to reign here, there has to be a repeat of Oslo, and to them I ask..."Do you want another Antifada?"
Some suggest a 1967 border...eh, yea not gonna happen if Israel has anything to say to that.
so whats left? Peacemakers? if Elias chacour has anything to say to this, it is that peacemakers are the hope for both sides..... but I have feeling that if US and Israel has anything to say to this, peacemakers will not prevail.
So who wants peace then?
-the US? Nope, they would rather portray their might with the guns and tanks, and fighter jets
-The Irab nations? nope, then they wont have a reason to hate Israel and any IC supporters.
-Palestine?- not really, they want to play victim...even though it might be unfair because they are among all these groups mentioned, the ones who want the peace much more.
I hardly doubt that anyone will live to see the end of this war. generations before are feeding hate and revenge to the generations after, and it might be the unending circle after all.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
AFRICAN MEN!!!!
Sometimes I am simply given to ranting, because it simply makes me feel better.
Well, today, I became just a little bit offed by a comment that was made.
What is it about African men, that the idea of women being independent threatens them?
I am working on a research project that would be in efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, women will have to be empowered. They will have to be given a right to ownership, and the right to say NO.
What is that? I think that is called progress.
Anyways, I told this to a friend of mine, who happens to be African. He is very educated, but sometimes I forget that he is very African, and believes that we should go back to stomping and using spears...seriously, sometimes the way he speaks, I wonder if he is not just a chauvinist, using his African genes, to prove even much more so unbearable to the women.
So I told him of the idea that I am researching, and he was like, "THAT IS SO AMERICAN" and I was first shocked, then I realized he was serious. Apparently, thinking of progress has become an American thing. Thinking that women can actually go beyond being second-clad citizens is not American, it is a will to progress.
Anyways, my rant is done for now. I am sure this will come up again
Well, today, I became just a little bit offed by a comment that was made.
What is it about African men, that the idea of women being independent threatens them?
I am working on a research project that would be in efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, women will have to be empowered. They will have to be given a right to ownership, and the right to say NO.
What is that? I think that is called progress.
Anyways, I told this to a friend of mine, who happens to be African. He is very educated, but sometimes I forget that he is very African, and believes that we should go back to stomping and using spears...seriously, sometimes the way he speaks, I wonder if he is not just a chauvinist, using his African genes, to prove even much more so unbearable to the women.
So I told him of the idea that I am researching, and he was like, "THAT IS SO AMERICAN" and I was first shocked, then I realized he was serious. Apparently, thinking of progress has become an American thing. Thinking that women can actually go beyond being second-clad citizens is not American, it is a will to progress.
Anyways, my rant is done for now. I am sure this will come up again
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rebranding Africa
if I am not careful, I wont have any entries for july.
Anyways, did anyone read the article by Bono, about having a new face of Africa? Hopefully you did not miss the great campaign by ONE, for the YES AFRICA CAN promo.
It has not been a secret that Obama Chose Ghana because of its apparent democracy.
Excuse me if I am not so easily taken in by the so called democracy.
Lets be fair, Ghana is safe, and moderately speaking, peaceful. Democracy has been coming to them for years. And their government (which by the ways has a similar governmental structure as the US) has already gone through 4 republics....but are they wanting us to believe that corruption is dead? hardly. I am not so optimistic about that.
However, the message was clear. Ghana was getting the special treatment and the previlege to honor Obama, because they were doing well, and working hard to do so. Think of it as a "scooby snack". You know, present for good behavior.
but I do agree with Bono:
Africa is not just Barack Obama’s homeland. It’s ours, too. The birthplace of humanity. Wherever our journeys have taken us, they all began there. The word Desmond Tutu uses is “ubuntu”: I am because we are. As he says, until we accept and appreciate this we cannot be fully whole.
Anyways, I am waiting...waiting...lets see what happens. Africa might be inspired!
Anyways, did anyone read the article by Bono, about having a new face of Africa? Hopefully you did not miss the great campaign by ONE, for the YES AFRICA CAN promo.
It has not been a secret that Obama Chose Ghana because of its apparent democracy.
Excuse me if I am not so easily taken in by the so called democracy.
Lets be fair, Ghana is safe, and moderately speaking, peaceful. Democracy has been coming to them for years. And their government (which by the ways has a similar governmental structure as the US) has already gone through 4 republics....but are they wanting us to believe that corruption is dead? hardly. I am not so optimistic about that.
However, the message was clear. Ghana was getting the special treatment and the previlege to honor Obama, because they were doing well, and working hard to do so. Think of it as a "scooby snack". You know, present for good behavior.
but I do agree with Bono:
Africa is not just Barack Obama’s homeland. It’s ours, too. The birthplace of humanity. Wherever our journeys have taken us, they all began there. The word Desmond Tutu uses is “ubuntu”: I am because we are. As he says, until we accept and appreciate this we cannot be fully whole.
Anyways, I am waiting...waiting...lets see what happens. Africa might be inspired!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Caught in a Gay Pride Parade
What started as a nice day, turned berserk when I decided to go shopping after going to church. I should have known to go out then.
Nowadays, everybody wants to have a parade....
Anyways, this past sunday was the gay pride parade...Joy oh joy...yes. But being that I have alienated myself from news in the last MJ-hysteria days, I did not know. So here I go, calmly navigating through 34th St, I reach 5th ave, and I end up being caught in the most amazing parade ever. Gay pride parade! I mean, its all good, I gues. They are allowed to celebrate especially since they have 'come out of the closet'. Interesting though because there are a lot male bodies that are really really not supposed to be in mini skirts of boom boom shorts...or for that matter in bikinis., this goes for the females too actually. Now if this was not an inconvenience to my day , I might have just crossed the street and went on to my shopping (which I happen to not like very much)
Now its one thing to have a thanksgiving parade, or a Mets parade, because really they are showing off something, fruits of their labor, or whatever new products are in...but having a gay parade is a whole different thing. By the way, this goes in the same category as having a PR or Irish parade, or any kind of cultural parade.
Celebrate culture, celebrate your identity, but not doing so in a manner of "we are here, look at us, celebrate us"
soon restaurants will have to carry not only free-trade coffee, but homophobic-free coffee, or wine that is gay appropriate. This will actually be an occasion because these days, everyone wants to be recognized, and wants the whole world to know, in the words of Movado, "I am so special"
Well at the moment, I am waiting for the Atheist parade...lol
Nowadays, everybody wants to have a parade....
Anyways, this past sunday was the gay pride parade...Joy oh joy...yes. But being that I have alienated myself from news in the last MJ-hysteria days, I did not know. So here I go, calmly navigating through 34th St, I reach 5th ave, and I end up being caught in the most amazing parade ever. Gay pride parade! I mean, its all good, I gues. They are allowed to celebrate especially since they have 'come out of the closet'. Interesting though because there are a lot male bodies that are really really not supposed to be in mini skirts of boom boom shorts...or for that matter in bikinis., this goes for the females too actually. Now if this was not an inconvenience to my day , I might have just crossed the street and went on to my shopping (which I happen to not like very much)
Now its one thing to have a thanksgiving parade, or a Mets parade, because really they are showing off something, fruits of their labor, or whatever new products are in...but having a gay parade is a whole different thing. By the way, this goes in the same category as having a PR or Irish parade, or any kind of cultural parade.
Celebrate culture, celebrate your identity, but not doing so in a manner of "we are here, look at us, celebrate us"
soon restaurants will have to carry not only free-trade coffee, but homophobic-free coffee, or wine that is gay appropriate. This will actually be an occasion because these days, everyone wants to be recognized, and wants the whole world to know, in the words of Movado, "I am so special"
Well at the moment, I am waiting for the Atheist parade...lol
Friday, June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson-
Original postings from this blog were of media, thanks to Dr. Rudd. So I am going to honor or speak of MJ as he is a media icon, and some friends point out...humanitarian.
Okay, so I was really upset yesterday. I come home from a whole long day and reports are flying high that he is dead. And I was thinking...okay, he is dead. But i did not know that I was going to be called a witch or compared to an uncaring human being because I really thought it was funny how people were going into hysterics about his death. But I guess being a witch couldn't be the worst thing in the world.Yes, he died. So will everyone. Each one will have their day to die.
However, I understand the magnitude that is MJ, but treating him like a god of sorts was a little disturbing. He was a great musician...a greater star because the songs he wrote could touch the coldest of hearts. You only have to listen to songs like "heal the world", "Earth Song" Human Nature or my favorite "you are not alone"-to understand where I am coming from.
But all in all, MJ was flesh and blood. I mean, he deserves to be mourned, but mourn him without judging others that are not doing so.
Stupidity like wishing u died instead of him is foolishness beyond compare. He had his life to live, he made choices that brought him to this point. He made his bed, and laid in it, so why wish that u were the one who was dead?
Well I can pretty much say that Paul McArtney is not so upset, even though he might be sad that the one man who cheated him out of money is dead.
But it is not fair for me to judge him, and cast stones at the great MJ. so I will leave the rantings to that.
He was a great man. He even received a humanitarian award-albeit still on trial-but nevertheless, well respected. He gave millions to different charities, and the world will appreciate him for that.
Okay, so I was really upset yesterday. I come home from a whole long day and reports are flying high that he is dead. And I was thinking...okay, he is dead. But i did not know that I was going to be called a witch or compared to an uncaring human being because I really thought it was funny how people were going into hysterics about his death. But I guess being a witch couldn't be the worst thing in the world.Yes, he died. So will everyone. Each one will have their day to die.
However, I understand the magnitude that is MJ, but treating him like a god of sorts was a little disturbing. He was a great musician...a greater star because the songs he wrote could touch the coldest of hearts. You only have to listen to songs like "heal the world", "Earth Song" Human Nature or my favorite "you are not alone"-to understand where I am coming from.
But all in all, MJ was flesh and blood. I mean, he deserves to be mourned, but mourn him without judging others that are not doing so.
Stupidity like wishing u died instead of him is foolishness beyond compare. He had his life to live, he made choices that brought him to this point. He made his bed, and laid in it, so why wish that u were the one who was dead?
Well I can pretty much say that Paul McArtney is not so upset, even though he might be sad that the one man who cheated him out of money is dead.
But it is not fair for me to judge him, and cast stones at the great MJ. so I will leave the rantings to that.
He was a great man. He even received a humanitarian award-albeit still on trial-but nevertheless, well respected. He gave millions to different charities, and the world will appreciate him for that.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Kite Runner/Thousand Splendid Suns
Two books...same author...both splendid.
I had made a promise that when i had my head all about, I would write more on these two books. Well the Kite runner is now a movie too...(but I cant bring myself to finish the movie, not matter how hard i try. it is very rare for books to move me to tears...but these two could move the toughest to tears. The movie...makes it even hard to watch it because you cry, you laugh, and become angry, joyful all at the same time...
To think of a culture so distinctly different from the one here(US), you have to wonder if there is knob missing somewhere.
Both books explore a theme of adultery, and how such an offense is dealt with, in both cases-execution. Their moral codes are( or maybe used to be) of the highest order, yet, in the eyes of the american society, oppressive to women. For the women looking from the outside in, we see women who have no freedom, those who are living with double standards, and education is a privilege.(something that is slowly changing...thankfully)
To slowly move into a tangent here...but double standards are found everywhere, por ejemplo...women, so delicate(or expect to be treated so...but want the same rights as men)....or the whores are women, but men are just men when they sleep around...double standards...they are everywhere.
okay, back to the books.
So the thought is then, what is society's influence on individual choices? I mean this to imply to the fact that these women have no way out of that cultural boundary they have been put in...or do they? Can they possibly escape? or would women do what Mariam(A thousand splendid suns) did by sacrificing her own life so that her co-wife(for lack of a better word) would have a better life?
Here is another question, are we all then victims of our own cultures or benefactors? I was almost at loggerheads with my brother over this issue a couple of weeks ago. I admit...being raised in an african society has given me some prejudices that are hard to get over. So it is not surprise that I find it surprising that men can cook as well as women, if not better. Shocking! lol
I love these books, and I've read them more than I should, and I will probably read them again. There is a lot of history, and for a history lover, i cant get enough of that.
Hosseini is probably one of the most talented authors i've come across.
So definately, if you ever have the chance, grab the books and they are worth every penny
I had made a promise that when i had my head all about, I would write more on these two books. Well the Kite runner is now a movie too...(but I cant bring myself to finish the movie, not matter how hard i try. it is very rare for books to move me to tears...but these two could move the toughest to tears. The movie...makes it even hard to watch it because you cry, you laugh, and become angry, joyful all at the same time...
To think of a culture so distinctly different from the one here(US), you have to wonder if there is knob missing somewhere.
Both books explore a theme of adultery, and how such an offense is dealt with, in both cases-execution. Their moral codes are( or maybe used to be) of the highest order, yet, in the eyes of the american society, oppressive to women. For the women looking from the outside in, we see women who have no freedom, those who are living with double standards, and education is a privilege.(something that is slowly changing...thankfully)
To slowly move into a tangent here...but double standards are found everywhere, por ejemplo...women, so delicate(or expect to be treated so...but want the same rights as men)....or the whores are women, but men are just men when they sleep around...double standards...they are everywhere.
okay, back to the books.
So the thought is then, what is society's influence on individual choices? I mean this to imply to the fact that these women have no way out of that cultural boundary they have been put in...or do they? Can they possibly escape? or would women do what Mariam(A thousand splendid suns) did by sacrificing her own life so that her co-wife(for lack of a better word) would have a better life?
Here is another question, are we all then victims of our own cultures or benefactors? I was almost at loggerheads with my brother over this issue a couple of weeks ago. I admit...being raised in an african society has given me some prejudices that are hard to get over. So it is not surprise that I find it surprising that men can cook as well as women, if not better. Shocking! lol
I love these books, and I've read them more than I should, and I will probably read them again. There is a lot of history, and for a history lover, i cant get enough of that.
Hosseini is probably one of the most talented authors i've come across.
So definately, if you ever have the chance, grab the books and they are worth every penny
Friday, June 19, 2009
Feeding the Hungry
Feeding the hungry, like taking care of of the OVC falls to "them". and sometimes u have to wonder who is Them?
I am a christian, so for this issue, I am going to tackle it from a faith standpoint.
You see I strongly believe that God gave us a sacred responsibility to the hungry. We are called to steward the earth and this does not give us the license to abuse the creation, which we are participants of. Yes...that includes and very much so,- the human race.
Faith does not dictate whether u should be feeding the hungry or seating at home and watching TV- or caring not for what happens to those who are around you.
Yunus the founder of the Grameen bank stated once, "If I could be useful to another human being, even for a day, that would be a great thing...it would be greater than all the big thoughts I could have at the University." If you are familiar with him, he is a Hindu. Then there is Choi of South Korea who has put the idea of "loving your enemies" into practice by provide means for those in North Korea to receive food. Maybe some of you are familiar with the Union for Reform Judaism, and the work that they do.
All this to say, feeding the hungry is not a christian thind, or a judaism thing or even a political thing. it is an "US" thing, without looking at color, age, or religious affiliaiton.
I am a christian, so for this issue, I am going to tackle it from a faith standpoint.
You see I strongly believe that God gave us a sacred responsibility to the hungry. We are called to steward the earth and this does not give us the license to abuse the creation, which we are participants of. Yes...that includes and very much so,- the human race.
Faith does not dictate whether u should be feeding the hungry or seating at home and watching TV- or caring not for what happens to those who are around you.
Yunus the founder of the Grameen bank stated once, "If I could be useful to another human being, even for a day, that would be a great thing...it would be greater than all the big thoughts I could have at the University." If you are familiar with him, he is a Hindu. Then there is Choi of South Korea who has put the idea of "loving your enemies" into practice by provide means for those in North Korea to receive food. Maybe some of you are familiar with the Union for Reform Judaism, and the work that they do.
All this to say, feeding the hungry is not a christian thind, or a judaism thing or even a political thing. it is an "US" thing, without looking at color, age, or religious affiliaiton.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
That touch of Mink
I seriously love this speech...and all from a movie.
LOL I love it because it is so simple and so true
The wealth of a nation
is in the wellbeing of its people,
both spiritually and materialistically.
It's not a question of lowering our standards
but of helping others to raise theirs.
If all people everywhere could be content
and their living standards even
and compatible with ours,
there would be no envy in the world
and, therefore, less provocation of war.
When you encourage and help people
to develop their own natural resources
you do more than put bread in their mouths
you put dignity in their hearts.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Paling running for presidency already
It sounds appaling but well, with her recent activities, she is definately ticketing in her presidency....
and to think the presidency is merely warming up...
this is going to be very interesting
and to think the presidency is merely warming up...
this is going to be very interesting
Strength of Africa
"The strength of Africa lies in its people" - my mother
At first I brushed it off...especially looking around. Failed infrastructures.. Poverty, diseases, death by the masses, civil wars...crooks (governments especially)...yea, i could really see the strengh..(NOT)...but I was 15 then..and I thought I knew everything...(part of me still has that all-knowing thought once in a while)...
So am finishing the pep on HIV/AIDS, and am seeing my mother's wisdom. Should have listened to her...with all her degrees...dat should be worth something.
I find that the top ten states with the highest AIDS prevalence rates are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Only Angola is of exception to the fact that states in this region have prevalence of 10% and above. 10% of the world lives here but 60% of the world's population with HIV is in this region. Of the top ten countries with the highest prevalence, nine of them are found in the Southern region. With the population of southern Africa, this means that half of them are infected with Aids.
With this population dying, about 15 million children are orphaned. UNAIDS reports that, by 2006 about 40% were living with AIDS, 4 million of those were new infections and there were about 3 million deaths due to AIDS worldwide. More than two-thirds of this population with HIV and about 80% of the deaths were in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Obviously, this has become more than a social issue and has transformed into an economic and a political issue with this amount of people dying per year. In his article, HIV Epidemic Reconstructing Africa's Population, Lester Brown "[2000] Began with 24 million African infected with the virus. In the Absence of a medical miracle, nearly all will die before 2010. Each day, 6,000 African dies from AIDS. Each day, an additional 11,000 are infected." If there is no continual and serious battle against this disease, the African population will decrease gradually with some countries more affected than others.
after being robbed of their land and resources, the Africans discovered that they can only rely on each other...not even the international community could save them...because they do not understand them...
So they figured that they can only rely on themselves. No theories, no expensive equipments...no programs could teach them to care. To take care of their own.
The stigma has got to go, because it has become an invisible tool to the dying population. After all, AIDS is neither a curse from God nor a punishment...and no one really deserves to be afflicted by the disease.
At first I brushed it off...especially looking around. Failed infrastructures.. Poverty, diseases, death by the masses, civil wars...crooks (governments especially)...yea, i could really see the strengh..(NOT)...but I was 15 then..and I thought I knew everything...(part of me still has that all-knowing thought once in a while)...
So am finishing the pep on HIV/AIDS, and am seeing my mother's wisdom. Should have listened to her...with all her degrees...dat should be worth something.
I find that the top ten states with the highest AIDS prevalence rates are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Only Angola is of exception to the fact that states in this region have prevalence of 10% and above. 10% of the world lives here but 60% of the world's population with HIV is in this region. Of the top ten countries with the highest prevalence, nine of them are found in the Southern region. With the population of southern Africa, this means that half of them are infected with Aids.
With this population dying, about 15 million children are orphaned. UNAIDS reports that, by 2006 about 40% were living with AIDS, 4 million of those were new infections and there were about 3 million deaths due to AIDS worldwide. More than two-thirds of this population with HIV and about 80% of the deaths were in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Obviously, this has become more than a social issue and has transformed into an economic and a political issue with this amount of people dying per year. In his article, HIV Epidemic Reconstructing Africa's Population, Lester Brown "[2000] Began with 24 million African infected with the virus. In the Absence of a medical miracle, nearly all will die before 2010. Each day, 6,000 African dies from AIDS. Each day, an additional 11,000 are infected." If there is no continual and serious battle against this disease, the African population will decrease gradually with some countries more affected than others.
after being robbed of their land and resources, the Africans discovered that they can only rely on each other...not even the international community could save them...because they do not understand them...
So they figured that they can only rely on themselves. No theories, no expensive equipments...no programs could teach them to care. To take care of their own.
The stigma has got to go, because it has become an invisible tool to the dying population. After all, AIDS is neither a curse from God nor a punishment...and no one really deserves to be afflicted by the disease.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Ticking Bomb
Forget the 1979 revolution, the recent events in Iran are brewing for a situation similar to Kenya, if not worse. Well, I am probably doing an awful job at comparison since there was no outside force compelling the Kenyan election results.
But the 1979 revolution took place because the likes of Ayatollah Khomeini thought that Shah Reza was a tool for the west, and was not working for the best interests of Iranians. What came out of that is the present ruling government that embodies Islamic principles and have done their best to eliminate any sort of "western Influence" from the Iranian people/culture. So far so good...the people seem compliant, and things are going well.
by the way, one of the most interesting things that I found out is that a lot of people or leaders throw stones at the Ahmadinejad and think that he is the all in all when it comes to leading...but there is a lack of understanding that in reality he is only second in command. He is merely an elected official who in the end has to bow to the Supreme Leader who at the moment is Ali Khamenei.
But here is the thing, as the pressure of the US/Iran relationship keeps being squeezed into non-existence, so is the unrest in the country. The present elections are not helping very much because While Ahmadinejad is loved in the country, there is an outcry of unfair elections. The power of the Guardian Council is being felt, and there is potential of this getting out of hand.
How will things turn out?
As a personal opinion, much depends on the opposition party. Whether the protests and violence stops will depend on former centrist president Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a founding father of the Islamic republic, and Moussavi. At the moment they feel the election was stolen from them and that the majority of public support is on their side. it is my guess that they are probably planning more public protests. in 30 years of the Islamic Republic of Iran there has never been such division of the ruling elite, and is seems that this time, the public might be used to bring about "favorable" results.
The Supreme leader, will more than likely do nothing because his position is not at stake, and until that time that he feels he be be outlasted, then and then will he act...but at the moment, even though the opposition leaders have appealed to him, they might just go to the streets without his moving a muscle....(and who knows, he might as well be part of the election steal)
how about the rest of the world?
If indeed Ahmadinejad keeps his presidency, then there is probably not much change to be expected in Iran...especially regarding its relationship to the west. Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert seems to think that things might not change for the worst, but without him, things might not change for the better either. He states that while Ahmadinejad " presses the worst buttons in the context of domestic U.S. politics with his denial of the Holocaust and belligerence towards Israel." he might be the ticking bomb needed for the UN/US to carry out tougher sanctions on the country. I think that it would be in the best interest for the countries abroad to have him as president. Domestically in Iran he has profoundly mismanaged the economy with one of the highest inflation rates in the world and high unemployment.... which would definately frustrate the Iranians.
but all in all, lets not forget: Despite the attention paid to the office of the Iranian presidency, every policy, including the much debated nuclear policy is set by the country's religious leaders led by the one and only Supreme Leader, and at the moment they appear to be determined to amass enriched uranium whether or not a hard-liner or a moderate is president.
But the 1979 revolution took place because the likes of Ayatollah Khomeini thought that Shah Reza was a tool for the west, and was not working for the best interests of Iranians. What came out of that is the present ruling government that embodies Islamic principles and have done their best to eliminate any sort of "western Influence" from the Iranian people/culture. So far so good...the people seem compliant, and things are going well.
by the way, one of the most interesting things that I found out is that a lot of people or leaders throw stones at the Ahmadinejad and think that he is the all in all when it comes to leading...but there is a lack of understanding that in reality he is only second in command. He is merely an elected official who in the end has to bow to the Supreme Leader who at the moment is Ali Khamenei.
But here is the thing, as the pressure of the US/Iran relationship keeps being squeezed into non-existence, so is the unrest in the country. The present elections are not helping very much because While Ahmadinejad is loved in the country, there is an outcry of unfair elections. The power of the Guardian Council is being felt, and there is potential of this getting out of hand.
How will things turn out?
As a personal opinion, much depends on the opposition party. Whether the protests and violence stops will depend on former centrist president Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a founding father of the Islamic republic, and Moussavi. At the moment they feel the election was stolen from them and that the majority of public support is on their side. it is my guess that they are probably planning more public protests. in 30 years of the Islamic Republic of Iran there has never been such division of the ruling elite, and is seems that this time, the public might be used to bring about "favorable" results.
The Supreme leader, will more than likely do nothing because his position is not at stake, and until that time that he feels he be be outlasted, then and then will he act...but at the moment, even though the opposition leaders have appealed to him, they might just go to the streets without his moving a muscle....(and who knows, he might as well be part of the election steal)
how about the rest of the world?
If indeed Ahmadinejad keeps his presidency, then there is probably not much change to be expected in Iran...especially regarding its relationship to the west. Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert seems to think that things might not change for the worst, but without him, things might not change for the better either. He states that while Ahmadinejad " presses the worst buttons in the context of domestic U.S. politics with his denial of the Holocaust and belligerence towards Israel." he might be the ticking bomb needed for the UN/US to carry out tougher sanctions on the country. I think that it would be in the best interest for the countries abroad to have him as president. Domestically in Iran he has profoundly mismanaged the economy with one of the highest inflation rates in the world and high unemployment.... which would definately frustrate the Iranians.
but all in all, lets not forget: Despite the attention paid to the office of the Iranian presidency, every policy, including the much debated nuclear policy is set by the country's religious leaders led by the one and only Supreme Leader, and at the moment they appear to be determined to amass enriched uranium whether or not a hard-liner or a moderate is president.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Taking Care of the OVC- Everyone's responsibility.
Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) are slowly become an emerging population. Approximately 2.5 million children are orphaned or have HIV/AIDS. Not surprisingly is that 90% of these live in Africa.....did I mention that this yearly?
Presently, there are 15 million children under the age of 18 who are classified as OVC due to some dire situations. There is an expectancy of approximately 40 million OVCs by 2010....well that is what like a year away...The obvious reasons are that they lost both parents, but this goes further. These children are child soldiers, slaves, those who have HIV/AIDS or are sole caretakers of their parents who have contracted this disease. Statistics show that for every child that is affected by war and natural disasters, there are 7 children who are orphaned....
It is amazing how society seems to ignore these children. Maybe the more is the pathetic excuse of why they are not being taken care of- indifference. Everyone wants to claim that its not their responsibility, especially since most of society has put the responsibility on the parents. But we are affected by the conditions of these children and their futures or potential futures affect our overall being. This is probably why the UN has put much emphasis on taking care of these children.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the main human rights instrument that is relevant to the OVC crisis. According to them, they have outlined the best way to tackle this situation....
• The best interest of the child: In each decision affecting the child, the best interest of the child must be a primary consideration. This principle is of direct relevance to OVC where decisions are being made regarding their caretakers, property and future. The principle also extends to other matters that concern children, including development policies and the allocation of public resources.
• Non-discrimination: All children should be given the chance to enjoy the rights recognised by the CRC and the ACRWC. States must identify the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children within their borders and respect, protect and promote the rights of these children.
• The right to survival, well-being and development: This principle emphasizes the need to ensure the full development of the child at the spiritual, moral, psychological and social levels.
• Respect for the views of the child: Children have the right to participate in all matters affecting them and their views must be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity.
Obviously, this is not the case in many places. Without an education, they have little or no chance of ever escaping destitution. The sense of hopelessness, as well as the existence of economic pressures to provide sex in exchange for food or poor health care increases the chance of the children not only contractng diseases like HIV/AIDS, but also having little or no hope for a future.
If we keep throwing the responsibility of the children to someone else-more or less tossing back and forth, then who is to take care of them? How are we going to have a bright future, when the future is not being taken care of? Whether we like it or not, these children are the future, and if we do not start seriously taking care of them, we are going to be spectators of society falling apart.
Presently, there are 15 million children under the age of 18 who are classified as OVC due to some dire situations. There is an expectancy of approximately 40 million OVCs by 2010....well that is what like a year away...The obvious reasons are that they lost both parents, but this goes further. These children are child soldiers, slaves, those who have HIV/AIDS or are sole caretakers of their parents who have contracted this disease. Statistics show that for every child that is affected by war and natural disasters, there are 7 children who are orphaned....
It is amazing how society seems to ignore these children. Maybe the more is the pathetic excuse of why they are not being taken care of- indifference. Everyone wants to claim that its not their responsibility, especially since most of society has put the responsibility on the parents. But we are affected by the conditions of these children and their futures or potential futures affect our overall being. This is probably why the UN has put much emphasis on taking care of these children.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the main human rights instrument that is relevant to the OVC crisis. According to them, they have outlined the best way to tackle this situation....
• The best interest of the child: In each decision affecting the child, the best interest of the child must be a primary consideration. This principle is of direct relevance to OVC where decisions are being made regarding their caretakers, property and future. The principle also extends to other matters that concern children, including development policies and the allocation of public resources.
• Non-discrimination: All children should be given the chance to enjoy the rights recognised by the CRC and the ACRWC. States must identify the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children within their borders and respect, protect and promote the rights of these children.
• The right to survival, well-being and development: This principle emphasizes the need to ensure the full development of the child at the spiritual, moral, psychological and social levels.
• Respect for the views of the child: Children have the right to participate in all matters affecting them and their views must be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity.
Obviously, this is not the case in many places. Without an education, they have little or no chance of ever escaping destitution. The sense of hopelessness, as well as the existence of economic pressures to provide sex in exchange for food or poor health care increases the chance of the children not only contractng diseases like HIV/AIDS, but also having little or no hope for a future.
If we keep throwing the responsibility of the children to someone else-more or less tossing back and forth, then who is to take care of them? How are we going to have a bright future, when the future is not being taken care of? Whether we like it or not, these children are the future, and if we do not start seriously taking care of them, we are going to be spectators of society falling apart.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Humility of accepting Responsibility (Part 2)
Here is the second part.
Now I have friends who call me optimistic, and some call me pessimistic, and yet, there are those who think me to be very much a cynic. Well, I am all those things and yet none of them.
Should I explain that? well, I am optimistic that things can change, I am pessimistic about the way that things are being done in the present; I am very much a cynic when it comes to African leaders wanting what is best for their people. ( for instance...Gadaffi and his recent interest in Italy) People are hopeful that this visit... might bring some kind of good news to what is if not the laughing stock of Africa, but the world.
Anyways, how about a better solution, and living with a dream, and not being a dreamer?
It is good that people want to do so much in Africa; But get read for a heartache. Which I come to refer to as the heartache of Africa. The pain is felt everywhere, and the economy bares the brutal brunt of market places that fail to measure on the world stage.
So here is the message for all the do gooders, or as we like to call ourselves; humanitarians. Africa is complicated land. It is the land of the extremes. I mean you are either hot or cold, mean or nice, happy or miserable, rich or poor....I mean, it is a end of the stick kind of deal. Therefore, if you are going to step out of your posh cars, and surburbia lifestyle, and then expect to change the world, then you are mistaken.
Change in Africa...and like many other places will take time...and a lot of effort.
Alot of heartbreak, and a lot of tears, for those of us whose tearducts are so nearly available.
But here is the other part that we forget, there is a lot of bargage that is carried by African people. In reality, psychologically speaking, the white man's burden did not lie. Imperialism gave way to a lot of problems that are being felt by the present generation. You just have to listen to the African people who vote for a leader based on how much resistance they gave to the white man's rule, or speeches made by presidents who refuse to follow "the ways of the white man"...
Harsh reality, but true. If change is going to take place, there is also a lot of healing of hearts that needs to take place...but lets not kid ourselves, this could take years.
so humility in accepting our responsibility has to go both ways. Africans have a responsibility to Africans, and ironically so does the world...(because, and I will say this once now, the world is taking from Africa, and maybe its time to give back in full measure- and not the hit and run kind of giving)
Now I have friends who call me optimistic, and some call me pessimistic, and yet, there are those who think me to be very much a cynic. Well, I am all those things and yet none of them.
Should I explain that? well, I am optimistic that things can change, I am pessimistic about the way that things are being done in the present; I am very much a cynic when it comes to African leaders wanting what is best for their people. ( for instance...Gadaffi and his recent interest in Italy) People are hopeful that this visit... might bring some kind of good news to what is if not the laughing stock of Africa, but the world.
Anyways, how about a better solution, and living with a dream, and not being a dreamer?
It is good that people want to do so much in Africa; But get read for a heartache. Which I come to refer to as the heartache of Africa. The pain is felt everywhere, and the economy bares the brutal brunt of market places that fail to measure on the world stage.
So here is the message for all the do gooders, or as we like to call ourselves; humanitarians. Africa is complicated land. It is the land of the extremes. I mean you are either hot or cold, mean or nice, happy or miserable, rich or poor....I mean, it is a end of the stick kind of deal. Therefore, if you are going to step out of your posh cars, and surburbia lifestyle, and then expect to change the world, then you are mistaken.
Change in Africa...and like many other places will take time...and a lot of effort.
Alot of heartbreak, and a lot of tears, for those of us whose tearducts are so nearly available.
But here is the other part that we forget, there is a lot of bargage that is carried by African people. In reality, psychologically speaking, the white man's burden did not lie. Imperialism gave way to a lot of problems that are being felt by the present generation. You just have to listen to the African people who vote for a leader based on how much resistance they gave to the white man's rule, or speeches made by presidents who refuse to follow "the ways of the white man"...
Harsh reality, but true. If change is going to take place, there is also a lot of healing of hearts that needs to take place...but lets not kid ourselves, this could take years.
so humility in accepting our responsibility has to go both ways. Africans have a responsibility to Africans, and ironically so does the world...(because, and I will say this once now, the world is taking from Africa, and maybe its time to give back in full measure- and not the hit and run kind of giving)
Why Remember the Holocaust?
Who ever thought that White supremacist died with the 21st century was wrong...even more so, those who believed that Obama brought a new age of equality in America, was obviously wrong too.
On June 10, James W. von Brunn at 88 years old proved to be one of the most pathitic white supremecist that I know. The man went to the holocaust museum and started shooting...and alas a guard lost his life.
telling this to a young Jewish friend, he posed a question; "why do we have the Holocaust museum?"
in his opinion, this is too painful and too horrible of an event for people to want to have a building dedicated to its remembrance.Off course being that he is 15, i just let that comment go, but I had to wonder, really...why have the Holocaust Museum, or the Black History museum? after all, they pretty much point to periods in history that were really horrible, and should probably be left alone.
But then truly those who ignore past mistakes are bound to repeat the same mistakes. So the simple answer I can give, lets remember those people, lets remember that period, so that hopefully, hopefully, we can learn from those mistakes.
Now, wouldn't that be nice.
On June 10, James W. von Brunn at 88 years old proved to be one of the most pathitic white supremecist that I know. The man went to the holocaust museum and started shooting...and alas a guard lost his life.
telling this to a young Jewish friend, he posed a question; "why do we have the Holocaust museum?"
in his opinion, this is too painful and too horrible of an event for people to want to have a building dedicated to its remembrance.Off course being that he is 15, i just let that comment go, but I had to wonder, really...why have the Holocaust Museum, or the Black History museum? after all, they pretty much point to periods in history that were really horrible, and should probably be left alone.
But then truly those who ignore past mistakes are bound to repeat the same mistakes. So the simple answer I can give, lets remember those people, lets remember that period, so that hopefully, hopefully, we can learn from those mistakes.
Now, wouldn't that be nice.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Humility of accepting Responsibility
In a recent article in the Huffington Post about the Somalian Pirates, John Prendergast points out that what seemed like an innocent attack was really a vicious circle of policies taken by the West, especially the US, in Somalia, that has led to extreme actions by these pirates.
This off course led me to explore the meaning of being a dreamer who has a dream, or a dreamer aka dreaminger, who lives in a dream. As you would imagine, these two are much different, and in the end result in two different outcomes.
So now, lets face the poverty and Injustice of the world with this mindset at hand.
The poor will always be among us....I didn't say it. If you don't believe me, read your Bibles.
so then what should we do? Seat still and let the poor become poorer?....but then there is a mandate to take care of the "least of these" which moves to become a more complicated issue that we would like it to be.
But there is hope. the hope of living for a better day, but not being disillusioned that the poor will have their better days.
But there is a difference between being poor and being impoverished, or living in absolute poverty. Therefore, we can and we have the ability to eliminate poverty, but we live as dreamingers that we end up botching up those dreams we live in.
for example, you will find that a lot of people in the west, for eg the US will go to Africa and start this great project....now, with all the instant gratification, they expect to have the results instantly. Unfortunately, Africa and some other parts of the world are really on CPT ( Colored People's Time) therefore, the change will take time. This is where the botched projects come in. After two months of preparing for the project, and then an expected two to three months of expected results, these people who had gone down to help with 'good" intentions end up frustrated,, dillusioned and back to the States...leaving behind a mess, that is cleaned up by the people that this project was intended to help.
yea, that is a lot of wording....but lets walk down a street or for familiarity's sake. a village in Africa. You will find buildings that are not in use, or if they are, they have become houses for two to three families, and more or less, goats. This is good, depending on how you look at it. For one, these buildings were once orphanages, schools and testing centers. But after the money ran out, or the project did not "seem" to work, these buildings were abandoned.
There is something seemingly wrong with this picture.....
(to be continued)
This off course led me to explore the meaning of being a dreamer who has a dream, or a dreamer aka dreaminger, who lives in a dream. As you would imagine, these two are much different, and in the end result in two different outcomes.
So now, lets face the poverty and Injustice of the world with this mindset at hand.
The poor will always be among us....I didn't say it. If you don't believe me, read your Bibles.
so then what should we do? Seat still and let the poor become poorer?....but then there is a mandate to take care of the "least of these" which moves to become a more complicated issue that we would like it to be.
But there is hope. the hope of living for a better day, but not being disillusioned that the poor will have their better days.
But there is a difference between being poor and being impoverished, or living in absolute poverty. Therefore, we can and we have the ability to eliminate poverty, but we live as dreamingers that we end up botching up those dreams we live in.
for example, you will find that a lot of people in the west, for eg the US will go to Africa and start this great project....now, with all the instant gratification, they expect to have the results instantly. Unfortunately, Africa and some other parts of the world are really on CPT ( Colored People's Time) therefore, the change will take time. This is where the botched projects come in. After two months of preparing for the project, and then an expected two to three months of expected results, these people who had gone down to help with 'good" intentions end up frustrated,, dillusioned and back to the States...leaving behind a mess, that is cleaned up by the people that this project was intended to help.
yea, that is a lot of wording....but lets walk down a street or for familiarity's sake. a village in Africa. You will find buildings that are not in use, or if they are, they have become houses for two to three families, and more or less, goats. This is good, depending on how you look at it. For one, these buildings were once orphanages, schools and testing centers. But after the money ran out, or the project did not "seem" to work, these buildings were abandoned.
There is something seemingly wrong with this picture.....
(to be continued)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Swine flu, Gypsies, Atheists and grape jelly....the world we live in
I was on my way to work, and like a habit gone ritualistic (thanks do Dr. Waalkes), reading the first section of the New York times. Really interesting topics.
let me summarize for you: THE WORLD IS GOING CRAZY!
First there is like who knows how many different topics on the Swine flu. Some say PANIC...and the others are like CHILL. or rather in very diplomatic words: there is cause for worry, but do not panic, because CDC has got it under control....Now Only if I was not in the most populated city, i would feel maybe a little bit better. Therefore, it was the cause of my almost panic in the subway today when I started sneezing and wheezing after seating beside a woman who was doing the same thing. yea, I would say panic is the right word there. Soon, there might be ban on traveling, then who knows what else....forget looking cute, we might all be spotting those very not-appealing masks that we are beginning to see everywhere. let us not imagine the worst...but let us not be stupid either. If this gets serious, and it is a mutating strand, then the world might be going to hell faster than the roller coaster.
and here is a question needing of asking, when 80 people die, it is called a pandemic...but when hundreds were dying of AIDS, i wonder why it took forever for the world to panic....(for the sake of normalcy, or sanity...lets not answer that question now).
On to the Romani...commonly known as Gypsies. Seriously, you would think that these particular group of people have faced enough of troubles. Look from the beginning of time, they have been persecuted, and have been outcasts of society. like any act of racism...(which by the way is stupid by any definition of race), the Roma have had enough. Misinformation, misconception and erroneous stereotype about them and their nature is as rampant today as ever. This has led prejudice, persecution, oppression, and ostracization that, if the NY times is any indication, is on the rise. Historically, they have faced forced assimilation, enslavement, and during Nazi Germany they were among the ones who were massively murdered. I believe that is called Genocide.
anyways, this morning, the topic was of Hungary, and how the Roma were being taunted and even killed. All because Hungary's own political party was basically slandering them. You would think that racism would be of the past. Or even in Hungary of all places...you would think that they had faced enough trouble without oppressing a group of people who made a significant contribution to their society. Do you smell a Nazi Germany rendition? maybe.
Now to my most ridiculous or event interesting topic. Atheists. well, here is the thing...I have nothing against them...secular humanists, scientologists...and the lot of them...but when they decided that they are ostracized by society and need to come out of the closet...that is when it becomes ridiculous. They are calling for a separation of church and state, which by the way, is the law. the constitution already has that inclusion...so why are they bumming to get more people in trouble. They are having banners, meetings and marching movements...public hearings and all that. So you have to wonder, do people not have enough things to do with their time, or lives that they are ways to cause trouble. Okay, this is what I mean by trouble...they are gearing to compare themselves to the gay rights movements.
Lets get this straight...they have a right to not believe, I don't know if they are fearful, or if they just need something to make them feel better about not being religious, but whatever it is, they need to get off their high horses and stop being schizo. No one is after them, they are not being persecuted...so what is their deal...someone please help me understand this.
okay...not to my last topic. Grape jelly! This i got while seating on my desk at work. The mail came in, and there was a letter from the planned parenthood. Let me tell you that I was laughing so hard that it is a wonder that I am not packing my desk right now.
Apparently, Jelly is used to prevent pregnancy. So when a girl got pregnant, after using Grape Jelly, she was mystified as to how things could have gone wrong. So here is a lesson...do not use Jelly...it does nothing for you.
All this to say, we live in a crazy world.
let me summarize for you: THE WORLD IS GOING CRAZY!
First there is like who knows how many different topics on the Swine flu. Some say PANIC...and the others are like CHILL. or rather in very diplomatic words: there is cause for worry, but do not panic, because CDC has got it under control....Now Only if I was not in the most populated city, i would feel maybe a little bit better. Therefore, it was the cause of my almost panic in the subway today when I started sneezing and wheezing after seating beside a woman who was doing the same thing. yea, I would say panic is the right word there. Soon, there might be ban on traveling, then who knows what else....forget looking cute, we might all be spotting those very not-appealing masks that we are beginning to see everywhere. let us not imagine the worst...but let us not be stupid either. If this gets serious, and it is a mutating strand, then the world might be going to hell faster than the roller coaster.
and here is a question needing of asking, when 80 people die, it is called a pandemic...but when hundreds were dying of AIDS, i wonder why it took forever for the world to panic....(for the sake of normalcy, or sanity...lets not answer that question now).
On to the Romani...commonly known as Gypsies. Seriously, you would think that these particular group of people have faced enough of troubles. Look from the beginning of time, they have been persecuted, and have been outcasts of society. like any act of racism...(which by the way is stupid by any definition of race), the Roma have had enough. Misinformation, misconception and erroneous stereotype about them and their nature is as rampant today as ever. This has led prejudice, persecution, oppression, and ostracization that, if the NY times is any indication, is on the rise. Historically, they have faced forced assimilation, enslavement, and during Nazi Germany they were among the ones who were massively murdered. I believe that is called Genocide.
anyways, this morning, the topic was of Hungary, and how the Roma were being taunted and even killed. All because Hungary's own political party was basically slandering them. You would think that racism would be of the past. Or even in Hungary of all places...you would think that they had faced enough trouble without oppressing a group of people who made a significant contribution to their society. Do you smell a Nazi Germany rendition? maybe.
Now to my most ridiculous or event interesting topic. Atheists. well, here is the thing...I have nothing against them...secular humanists, scientologists...and the lot of them...but when they decided that they are ostracized by society and need to come out of the closet...that is when it becomes ridiculous. They are calling for a separation of church and state, which by the way, is the law. the constitution already has that inclusion...so why are they bumming to get more people in trouble. They are having banners, meetings and marching movements...public hearings and all that. So you have to wonder, do people not have enough things to do with their time, or lives that they are ways to cause trouble. Okay, this is what I mean by trouble...they are gearing to compare themselves to the gay rights movements.
Lets get this straight...they have a right to not believe, I don't know if they are fearful, or if they just need something to make them feel better about not being religious, but whatever it is, they need to get off their high horses and stop being schizo. No one is after them, they are not being persecuted...so what is their deal...someone please help me understand this.
okay...not to my last topic. Grape jelly! This i got while seating on my desk at work. The mail came in, and there was a letter from the planned parenthood. Let me tell you that I was laughing so hard that it is a wonder that I am not packing my desk right now.
Apparently, Jelly is used to prevent pregnancy. So when a girl got pregnant, after using Grape Jelly, she was mystified as to how things could have gone wrong. So here is a lesson...do not use Jelly...it does nothing for you.
All this to say, we live in a crazy world.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Back to Coulter!
Her new book,Guilty: Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America Coulter has gotten me a little bit riled, if not concerned for what she represents. The thing is, people actually buy that crap and think its the gospel.
She claims to be a christian, but I wonder what extent she is willing to be a WASP when it suits her.
Please tell me though, what makes her better than the non-believers liberals? you see, you believe that no democrat can be a good christian, and yet, Coulter is pressing to me that no conservative can be a good christian (that is, if i was to just base my conservative judgments on her)....
The message might be good, but I am having a hard time listening to that, when it comes out from her, and her professions seem to contradict themselves. (btw, I am not being prejudiced here, because I don't like Micheal Moore's style either.) Actually, I probably would like Moore, so let me compare her to Bill press, because they seem to have the same agenda.
If she stood to be a person of integrity in all that, then I would respect her, but at the moment, I have more respect for Krugman than I do her, because while she has some good points,eg welfare, and biased messages....I still don't see her to be any different than any other columnist or commentator, who throws punches, without thinking of their effectiveness.
well how about it....no name calling. Isn't that what most people want. Look at the message, and not have it sidetracked by name calling. But I wonder if Ann can do that...( well atleast as the christian she believes to be) Coulter's biggest problem is that she basically puts all people who disagree with her in the category of "liberal" without defining it or qualifying it, which is why I have trouble understanding how you justifying her contents without prejudices.
Now before you starting blowing steam through your ears...let me specifically say that Conservatives have been defined and well established, but please, could you define the term liberal...from well lets say, moore's liberalism, to Krugmans liberalism...or even better, the labeled liberal McCain and Moore(or Obama) =(at the moment, those are the ones that I can think of who are far fetched)
I think there is a great deal of spin, this case to be true to everywriter from Beck, Nader, maher, hmmmm. and some that I mentioned above.
She mentions about Obama's security? do you truly believe that he has nothing to fear? At the moment, I can think of three strong reasons he should be protected, and people should be concerned about his safety. Forgive me for this next statement....but for a rich blonde, blue-eyed claiming christian to comment on the fact that it is stupid to worry, or rather it is pretentious of the "liberals" to comment on his safety, well...honestly, its almost as bad as New Yorkers, who ridicule the appalachian mountains, the extremes of suburbanites commenting on the poverty of the Appalachian people.
Oh and she talks about "liberals" whining, what about the team at FOX...( I assume you would be a great fan so you know who am speaking of)
and in her writing this book, isn't coulter doing that same thing...."Oh cons..we are oppressed, they only see one side,etc..." last time I checked, that was whining. (but then again, don't ask me what it means to whine, cause that is an art lost to me)
She seems to have a good message, "don't get pregnant, don't get the mortgage you can't afford, be careful if you have to have sex not to expose yourself to Aids and stds, don't believe everything you read in the media, don't go find someone who seems better than the spouse you already have"....if this happens, then by golly America will be fixed.
and Single mums are responsible for the state of the country?hmm...okay, lets just say I buy the BS; HOW?
She has a strong voice, but if she is going to present arguments, she can't be a satirist, and a person who claims to bring truth....
She claims to be a christian, but I wonder what extent she is willing to be a WASP when it suits her.
Please tell me though, what makes her better than the non-believers liberals? you see, you believe that no democrat can be a good christian, and yet, Coulter is pressing to me that no conservative can be a good christian (that is, if i was to just base my conservative judgments on her)....
The message might be good, but I am having a hard time listening to that, when it comes out from her, and her professions seem to contradict themselves. (btw, I am not being prejudiced here, because I don't like Micheal Moore's style either.) Actually, I probably would like Moore, so let me compare her to Bill press, because they seem to have the same agenda.
If she stood to be a person of integrity in all that, then I would respect her, but at the moment, I have more respect for Krugman than I do her, because while she has some good points,eg welfare, and biased messages....I still don't see her to be any different than any other columnist or commentator, who throws punches, without thinking of their effectiveness.
well how about it....no name calling. Isn't that what most people want. Look at the message, and not have it sidetracked by name calling. But I wonder if Ann can do that...( well atleast as the christian she believes to be) Coulter's biggest problem is that she basically puts all people who disagree with her in the category of "liberal" without defining it or qualifying it, which is why I have trouble understanding how you justifying her contents without prejudices.
Now before you starting blowing steam through your ears...let me specifically say that Conservatives have been defined and well established, but please, could you define the term liberal...from well lets say, moore's liberalism, to Krugmans liberalism...or even better, the labeled liberal McCain and Moore(or Obama) =(at the moment, those are the ones that I can think of who are far fetched)
I think there is a great deal of spin, this case to be true to everywriter from Beck, Nader, maher, hmmmm. and some that I mentioned above.
She mentions about Obama's security? do you truly believe that he has nothing to fear? At the moment, I can think of three strong reasons he should be protected, and people should be concerned about his safety. Forgive me for this next statement....but for a rich blonde, blue-eyed claiming christian to comment on the fact that it is stupid to worry, or rather it is pretentious of the "liberals" to comment on his safety, well...honestly, its almost as bad as New Yorkers, who ridicule the appalachian mountains, the extremes of suburbanites commenting on the poverty of the Appalachian people.
Oh and she talks about "liberals" whining, what about the team at FOX...( I assume you would be a great fan so you know who am speaking of)
and in her writing this book, isn't coulter doing that same thing...."Oh cons..we are oppressed, they only see one side,etc..." last time I checked, that was whining. (but then again, don't ask me what it means to whine, cause that is an art lost to me)
She seems to have a good message, "don't get pregnant, don't get the mortgage you can't afford, be careful if you have to have sex not to expose yourself to Aids and stds, don't believe everything you read in the media, don't go find someone who seems better than the spouse you already have"....if this happens, then by golly America will be fixed.
and Single mums are responsible for the state of the country?hmm...okay, lets just say I buy the BS; HOW?
She has a strong voice, but if she is going to present arguments, she can't be a satirist, and a person who claims to bring truth....
Monday, April 06, 2009
There's a Place for us....somewhere...
if you are familiar with those words....then you have watched West Side story.
A riveting story that can be spun into tales of division, misunderstanding, and strongest of them all, the power of love over hate. or maybe the other way round.
Let us take a good lesson from this production, "Love has power to conquer hate"
easy eh? no so much.
You see, throughout our lives, we as human beings have a bad habit of holding on to anger, or hate. it is not easier, its just much more satisfying to 'stick it" to the other person who has wronged you. Or think has wronged you. Proven is the fact that One uses more energy to be angry than to smile, and be happy.
There is so much hate in the world. So much anger. So much misunderstandings that have caused so many deaths and so much pain and suffering.
While I am not trying to reduce the world's pain in one single word, look at the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, the hutus/tustis, ages and ages of Middle Eastern Politics...and the struggle with the west.
All conflicts that are fueled by hatred and anger.
It was Eric Hoffer, a great American philosopher who was quoted saying, "Passionate hatreds can give meaning and purpose to an empty life. These people haunted by the purposelessness of their lives try to find a new content not only by dedicating themselves to a holy cause but also by nursing a fanatical grievance. A mass movement offers them unlimited opportunities for battle.
Bingo!
Off course it does not help that the media has become and engine for maintained anger. When was the last time you had good news being reported? When was the last time that there was no negativity in the news?
I have a hard time believing that in a world as big as ours, that nothing good is going on. its just that, PR calls for a strategy towards news that arouse emotions of either panic or anger.
Wouldn't be so much more effective to report on the reconciliation that is going on between groups that are in strife. of how people are coming together to overcome their hardships. Telling stories of love, of peace, stories that uplifts us.
Wouldn't a little bit of love go far?
Be it that I am not a supporter of Sufism, Inayat Khan, the founder has some words that we would do well to remember,"The best thing is not to hate anyone, only to love. That is the only way out of it. As soon as you have forgiven those whom you hate, you have gotten rid of them. Then you have no reason to hate them; you just forget."
Or even Gandhi-- "Hatred ever kills, love never dies. Such is the vast difference between the two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred."
So then what brings all, the all consuming hate. What is the root of hate?
if we were created by a Loving God, how then can we hate? I believe that hate comes from our succumbing to selfishness. Hate comes when we are not willing to let go, or even want to be selfish about our "rights". When we are selfish, we want to hoard in all that we can get, whether its material or immaterial. Can we become more human, go back to the place where love comes easily, and we can care more, love more, be in communion with each other.
If you have read the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, you are familiar with the quote, "It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility."
AKA....we are born to love,unless we become selfish. If we are open, we can love and love fully, unless we keep reliving our pasts over and over again.
A riveting story that can be spun into tales of division, misunderstanding, and strongest of them all, the power of love over hate. or maybe the other way round.
Let us take a good lesson from this production, "Love has power to conquer hate"
easy eh? no so much.
You see, throughout our lives, we as human beings have a bad habit of holding on to anger, or hate. it is not easier, its just much more satisfying to 'stick it" to the other person who has wronged you. Or think has wronged you. Proven is the fact that One uses more energy to be angry than to smile, and be happy.
There is so much hate in the world. So much anger. So much misunderstandings that have caused so many deaths and so much pain and suffering.
While I am not trying to reduce the world's pain in one single word, look at the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, the hutus/tustis, ages and ages of Middle Eastern Politics...and the struggle with the west.
All conflicts that are fueled by hatred and anger.
It was Eric Hoffer, a great American philosopher who was quoted saying, "Passionate hatreds can give meaning and purpose to an empty life. These people haunted by the purposelessness of their lives try to find a new content not only by dedicating themselves to a holy cause but also by nursing a fanatical grievance. A mass movement offers them unlimited opportunities for battle.
Bingo!
Off course it does not help that the media has become and engine for maintained anger. When was the last time you had good news being reported? When was the last time that there was no negativity in the news?
I have a hard time believing that in a world as big as ours, that nothing good is going on. its just that, PR calls for a strategy towards news that arouse emotions of either panic or anger.
Wouldn't be so much more effective to report on the reconciliation that is going on between groups that are in strife. of how people are coming together to overcome their hardships. Telling stories of love, of peace, stories that uplifts us.
Wouldn't a little bit of love go far?
Be it that I am not a supporter of Sufism, Inayat Khan, the founder has some words that we would do well to remember,"The best thing is not to hate anyone, only to love. That is the only way out of it. As soon as you have forgiven those whom you hate, you have gotten rid of them. Then you have no reason to hate them; you just forget."
Or even Gandhi-- "Hatred ever kills, love never dies. Such is the vast difference between the two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred."
So then what brings all, the all consuming hate. What is the root of hate?
if we were created by a Loving God, how then can we hate? I believe that hate comes from our succumbing to selfishness. Hate comes when we are not willing to let go, or even want to be selfish about our "rights". When we are selfish, we want to hoard in all that we can get, whether its material or immaterial. Can we become more human, go back to the place where love comes easily, and we can care more, love more, be in communion with each other.
If you have read the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, you are familiar with the quote, "It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility."
AKA....we are born to love,unless we become selfish. If we are open, we can love and love fully, unless we keep reliving our pasts over and over again.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Ann Coulter: An Intelligent DID
I have made it a point not attack people's personalities, but tried my best to disengage personalities-character from the things they say. For example, I like Palin, she is a nice person, but as a VP she would have turned what good is left into some Holy War. Forget Islamic Jihad...this woman could have presented the Crusades part two. I like that she is a Christian...and am all for salvation of all, but I am not going to stand there and watch forced conversions. The list goes on and On, like McCain, and well, sometimes Obama has crazy crazy moments....then there Rush Limbaugh. But recently, after reading her recent book, Ann Coulter has come to my attention.
In her own words she says, "I'm a Christian first and a mean-spirited, bigoted conservative second"
is it just me, does everyone find fault or rather a contradiction in that statement?
Is it that she cannot make up her mind of becoming either a christian,or a bigoted conservative, who happens to be mean-spirited?
Maybe I read my Bible wrong, but doesn't that Holy book call us to be loving, and be all that is good. Being a bigot is definitely not on the "do-good" list in the Bible, and neither is mean-spirited.
I don't know, maybe calling her a DID is not so kind...how about Bi-polar?
In her own words she says, "I'm a Christian first and a mean-spirited, bigoted conservative second"
is it just me, does everyone find fault or rather a contradiction in that statement?
Is it that she cannot make up her mind of becoming either a christian,or a bigoted conservative, who happens to be mean-spirited?
Maybe I read my Bible wrong, but doesn't that Holy book call us to be loving, and be all that is good. Being a bigot is definitely not on the "do-good" list in the Bible, and neither is mean-spirited.
I don't know, maybe calling her a DID is not so kind...how about Bi-polar?
Palestinians Deaths vs Israeli Deaths
Since September 28, 2000 to February 15, 2006, these are the accounted death toll. Keep in mind, this is the ACCOUNTED for....there are still some iffy numbers out there
[Total Number of Palestinian deaths] : 4209
* Children: 892
* Women : 273
* Men : 3044
[Palestinians killed by Jewish settlers] 72
[Palestinians killed as a result of Israeli shelling] : 83
[Deaths as a result of medical prevention at Israeli checkpoints] : 117
* Of them stillbirths (born dead at checkpoints) : 31
[Number of Palestinians extrajudicially assassinated] : 561
* Of them bystanders killed during extrajudicial operations: 253
[Total Number Israeli deaths]: 1556
* Children : 113
* Women : 305
* Men : 603
* Settlers : 213
* Soldiers : 322
I know that we are not to play God....but can someone convince me that God really wishes to have these people dying...and the rest of the world looking away because they are "chosen"?
[Total Number of Palestinian deaths] : 4209
* Children: 892
* Women : 273
* Men : 3044
[Palestinians killed by Jewish settlers] 72
[Palestinians killed as a result of Israeli shelling] : 83
[Deaths as a result of medical prevention at Israeli checkpoints] : 117
* Of them stillbirths (born dead at checkpoints) : 31
[Number of Palestinians extrajudicially assassinated] : 561
* Of them bystanders killed during extrajudicial operations: 253
[Total Number Israeli deaths]: 1556
* Children : 113
* Women : 305
* Men : 603
* Settlers : 213
* Soldiers : 322
I know that we are not to play God....but can someone convince me that God really wishes to have these people dying...and the rest of the world looking away because they are "chosen"?
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