Most people are hyped about turning eighteen from the instant that they realize that, as five-year-olds, they're the size of lawn gnomes and eighteen-year-olds are significantly taller — stories taller, perhaps, and reeking of a well-earned independence. While I'm still holding out for my metamorphosis into a pink winged elephant by the time I turn eighteen, I'd rather keep an eye on politics. Ugh, you might say, politics doesn't have a thing on licenses or clubs. Well that's true, but neither does Paris Hilton, whom I sincerely blame for the elections of 2000 and 2004. Unfortunately, my candidate, Thomas Jefferson, was found dead prior to the Republican National Convention. I might just have to blame Ayn Rand for that one... it seems rather objective...
No, let's branch off here completely. It's what our dead presidents would have wanted. Now, when I finally get to vote, I will have several things on my mind — cheese, for example, or more practical issues such as Darfur, Iran, and the end of the "War in Iraq". For those of you with the political IQ of a drought-ridden cactus, an explanation will mercifully follow. Grab your jetpacks — this just might give you vertigo.
Human rights violations
I want to see someone do something about Darfur — and not in an intrusive American way. Someone needs to rout the Janjaweed and the corrupt officials responsible for keeping them in power over the people of Sudan. Although the United Nations initially wanted to send a peacekeeping force into the region, (original plans would use the numbers provided by such an implementation to supplement existing — but weakened — police forces already in the area), the Sudanese government has refused, claiming that it will recognize any foreign force as "invaders". I was troubled to learn that coverage of Darfur — the only way to publicize the terrible situation properly — was overshadowed by instances of popular stupidity, like the custody battle over Anna Nicole Smith's daughter. Even Google has assisted, offering a powerful map of Darfur, showing refugee camps and the extent of the damage. If it takes a tech company like Google to expose the problems of the world, so be it, as long as it can make people act.
The other prevailing issue is censorship — as much as China is the epitome of this violation, it doesn't get as much coverage as Islamic countries, such as the case of an imprisoned blogger in Egypt. Why aren't we focusing on the primary offender? The answer is economics — and deep-rooted stigma. China is our primary trading partner; the money that comes that relationship hides the country's authoritarian actions under a blanket of "trust" and "friendship". But September 11th changed everything. So many of us saw the entire Middle East as an enemy — this stereotype has not been corrected. Right after September 11th, my brother was inspected by police at a competition; I, personally, was called a "suicide bomber" by two teenagers in my neighborhood just a few days ago. We claim to be tolerant and understanding, but there are still pockets of injustice; it's as if "brown", the color of my skin and of so many others, is the same as "black" was during the days of segregation. There should be no "master race"; but no one seems to want to enforce that ideal any longer. It's a losing battle.
In both of these situations, America can be viewed as anti-Islam or anti-Middle East because the nation does not portray anything else (thanks a lot, Bush). No other countries but those in the Middle East are part of the "Axis of Evil". And yet, simultaneously, no other countries choose to reinforce that infamy. Terrorism is almost directly related to publicity; as long as there is some crude ideology to promote, there will be terrorism — if we continue to provoke it.
The fate of the Middle East
Iraq is in absolute turmoil — that's what we learn from the news. But there's always a telling slant in publications; the news reports from the side of soldiers stationed in Iraq or politicians visiting Baghdad. It is only through efforts such as Hometown Baghdad, a home-made video series made by Iraqi college students, that we learn about what the people are going through. Who else can tell that story?
The problem with sectarian violence — the Iraqi "civil war" — is that the radicals of any sect will automatically take control — a small majority of radicals can subjugate an entire population, and our armed presence there is nothing more than a threat to the "cause". For this reason, we can't take our troops out of Iraq — troops who are provoking a good deal of the sectarian violence, and dying as a result — and we can't put more troops into Iraq — the reasons here are obvious... what are we to do?
Senator Hillary Clinton, my first pick for the presidency which I'll explain in a later post, proposed a reduction of the number of forces stationed in Iraq; Britain's Tony Blair seeks to do this as well. A smaller force will be less threatening, but considering the the casualties thus far — around 3,600 — I'm not sure that this is the best move. Is there really a "perfect" way to go when lives are being lost every day?
Pakistan: hopes for moderation
Pakistan has shifted back and forth across the line of civic happiness; it's not as if Americans pay the nation much attention anyway. Pakistan, after all, is not a member of the "Axis of Evil" which relegates it to the same category as China: blissful ignorance. Recently, members of "Red Mosque", a radical clerical association, have condemned Minister of Tourism Nilofar Bakhtiar for the "sinful" act of hugging. Even with talk of former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, returning, I'm unsure about Pakistan. First, there was the Kashmir debacle; now, Pakistan is being pervaded by more powerful radical forces than before (because it bases some of its social code constructs on difficult Islamic doctrine, Pakistan is not a particularly liberal country).
Of course, an insider view is always best...
Iran: a second standoff?
I don't understand Iran, and for that reason, I'm somewhat afraid of the country. With its 1984-esque policing and nuclear facilities, it is a frightening mix of absolutist doctrine and strange politics. I don't know what Ahmedinijad is trying enforce in Iran, or worldwide. It feels like we've descended into a new Cold War, with the same witch-hunting that epitomized those decades in America; it's as if Krushchev has returned, mutated, and there's not much left to look forward to.
In all, the international front looks very bleak. We need talented leadership, visionaries, and philanthropists to change the face of the world, but I don't know if we can find the right people — as 2008 looms on the horizon, I'm not sure if I can bring myself to vote, based on what I have seen happen in the past. But we have to vote. It's not only our civic duty, but our moral duty. If we don't take a stand try to change the world, nothing will ever happen. Nothing will change. The last thing we need is a global vacuum of happenstance, but the first thing we need is the chance. Without even one singular motion, we will be left hopelessly in the dark of a political winter.
Read 4 comments (Leave a comment?)
Elyse said:
Good assessment of the issues that are important to you.
You’ve inspired me to jump back into politics again. I was so politically energized my freshmen through the first half of my junior years. When the college process entered the picture i lost my political steam.
It’s time to jump back in again and research the issues that emblazon me the most.
Thanks for the encouragement.
But also I just wanted to tell you that your passion is clear…don’t lose it and don’t stop writing about it.
Posted on April 15, 2007 4:10 PM; Permalink
stabani said:
you mean to say “Laal Masjid” meaning Red Mosque. It’s quite hilarious really. Pakistan has a couple of sides to it. In the modern areas, you will be amazed to find how “westernized” it really is. In the rural areas, it’s still the 15th century. And the funny thing is, they’re only two hours away from each other.
Pakistan has to curb extremism, it’s the only way to actually do anything in this country. It’s funny really. One political party (MQM) claims that if you don’t support their rally (regarding extremism) you are not muslim. The other political party (MMA) claims that if you are already muslim you will not support the MQM. Complete stupidity.
But then again, what would you expect from people who are neglected by the government, starving for clean water, reliable electricity and constant food even in major city centers,
Anyways, thanks for linking to my site, though I am seperating my pakistani posts to another site… and so on.
Posted on April 15, 2007 6:03 PM; Permalink
James said:
I’d love to get interested in politics - only trouble is, I see it as a ‘best of a bad bunch’ situation over here in England…
Posted on April 19, 2007 1:42 PM; Permalink
Ranjani said:
Elyse: Thanks so much! It doesn’t take much for me to want to act nowadays. So much inspiration… I secretly wish I didn’t have a motive though.
Stabani: Yeah, you can’t really blame the people; I just wish government leaders were more responsible with their power, and that religion didn’t take hold of countries like that… :(
James: The lesser of a few evils, eh? I actually don’t see what people don’t like about Tony Blair, but I guess you have to be British to feel the vibes :/
Posted on April 21, 2007 3:50 PM; Permalink