2003 / february / 13
liberation?
Calling 365 days fun to browse is not doing this great project justice. There are some true gems in there, like this rendition of Wind beneath my wings which really does it for me. I'm serious. I was touched and shed a genuine tear.
Strange days, these days, strange days.
A looming war that, well, like everyone else I've discussed it with, I'm
mmostly confused about. IMHO there is little that can justify the horrors
of war, except to overthrow a truly evil dictatorship. In some
circumstances. Only in the worst case, really.
Think Hitler. Think Kim Il Sung.
Saddam might be in this category.
However, let's suppose that the US attacks Iraq, overthrows the
regime with a limited amount of streetfighting. With just a couple
of hundred thousand of civilian casualties. It happened in WW II.
It is horrible, but it happens. Say that all went well, Saddam
didn't go out with a bang over Tel Aviv. Just suppose, cause it
might not be so relatively benign. Suppose.
Then, what is the use of a liberation is not followed up?
Europe got the Marshall plan after WW II. Even Germany.
But look at the current situation in Afghanistan, it is clear that
currently the U.S. - and actually most of the western world - is not
really interested in a humanitarian-oriented approach to international
relations.
Afghanistan is still a mess. Opium output is back to record levels due to weak central government and a lack of international commitment.
You'd think that if anything, the current US government would at least
be serious about drugs.
I would love
there to be a way for Hussein to be overthrown; he's ruthless, if not mad.
But then, even if we limit it to the region - Syria, anyone?
Or looking further around the globe, there are similar horrific
dictatorships which terrorize their people, and being so succesful at it
that regime change from within is not to be expected anytime soon.
But this US government is like a bull let loose in a china shop - and
when it's time to rebuild, it'll be long gone. And don't even get me
started on the possible economic reasons.
All this to say that I will be at the demonstration this saturday.
That is, after I put in my shift collecting money for Amnesty
in a shopping centre up North, arranged long before this date gained
its international significance as world-wide protest day.
