The Taliban/Al Qaida's (T/AQ) attack on Malala Yousufzai just proves how afraid they are of...everyone. Their laughable claims that we should not weep for a girl they try to assassinate as if she was an arch-duke, while American drones kill innocent civilians, may have more credibility if it didn't come from the two organizations responsible for more deaths of Shia and Sunni Muslims, Arab Christians, Jews, and secular middle-easterners than any other in modern history.
If this act of barbarism and cowardice does not encourage (even a slow and steady) uprising against the terrorists and hijackers of Islam in Pakistan, then it is likely nothing else will. Hopefully, this response is a harbinger of things to come. American drone strikes are a constant source of outrage and antagonism, and understandably so. The drones, however, will go away when the terrorists do. The terrorists will go away when they become more afraid of the people, than the people are of them. Terrorists (be they citizens or governments) in Pakistan (and Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Libya, Syria and Yemen-to name a few) have much to learn, and much to fear, from little girls.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Debates American Style: Hated by Americans but Should be a Model for Other Countries
As I watched a portion of the presidential debate last night, I wondered whether there was any other county on earth (and in history) that allowed the common-folk to speak directly to their leader, within a few feet of each other. While the British House of Commons is often racuous, the rows come from members of Parliament and not the voters. Other countries certainly tout out their candidates for office for parades and rallies, even if the vote is all but certain (Russia, for starters), but no country allows this type of access (even as brief and staged as it is). Most Americans may be fed up with the contentiousness, the focus, and the men themselves. Even the candidates end up saying things they wish they hadn't. Like this for instance.
Certainly other countries' elections are contentious, hard-fought, and won by slim margins. Other countries, however, do not expect their leaders to be answerable to the people in the way Americans do. When Lincoln was president, it was customary for him to receive ordinary citizens in the White House. While that may not be the best use of the president's time any more, the opportunity for Americans to sit with the president (or president-to-be) is something other countries should consider. They may find that a president who has to literally answer to the public feels (and acts) more accountable. For better or worse, our system of election should be the shining example for the world (especially the Third World).
Certainly other countries' elections are contentious, hard-fought, and won by slim margins. Other countries, however, do not expect their leaders to be answerable to the people in the way Americans do. When Lincoln was president, it was customary for him to receive ordinary citizens in the White House. While that may not be the best use of the president's time any more, the opportunity for Americans to sit with the president (or president-to-be) is something other countries should consider. They may find that a president who has to literally answer to the public feels (and acts) more accountable. For better or worse, our system of election should be the shining example for the world (especially the Third World).
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Cross-Border Strikes Clearly Not Mistakes
Syria's firing artillery into Turkey once can be considered a mistake. Four times, however, is an attempt at engagement. Syrian rebels may be amassing near the Turkey border in the hopes that Syria may be too afraid to engage and draw in Turkey, or because they are getting arms shipments via (if not actually from) Turkey. If Syria is going to continue its barbaric unprofessional massacre against its citizens, it would do well to refrain from dragging in another country, especially Turkey. This article details the latest round bombardments.
Syria used to be able to count on Turkey as a co-ally with Iran. Lately, Turkey has been back to thinking and acting for itself and not acting as a proxy for Iran. It will not tolerate attacks on its citizens, nor will Israel when (almost inevitably) Syria will attempt to draw it into the fold as its list of options, and the world's patience weans. Already friends only with a terrorist-state (at least in governance if not in populace), and heavily reliant on irresponsible world-citizens, Syria's options decrease as its barbarism increases.
Syria used to be able to count on Turkey as a co-ally with Iran. Lately, Turkey has been back to thinking and acting for itself and not acting as a proxy for Iran. It will not tolerate attacks on its citizens, nor will Israel when (almost inevitably) Syria will attempt to draw it into the fold as its list of options, and the world's patience weans. Already friends only with a terrorist-state (at least in governance if not in populace), and heavily reliant on irresponsible world-citizens, Syria's options decrease as its barbarism increases.
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