I must admit… it is under the influence of Vinz that I started picking up politics news. He can be pragmatic and overly-critical about the political happenings which, at times, I will research on the subjects just to find a hint of positivism. A debate of Optimism in the Humankind will commence with the intention to brainwash him that- Goodwill and Hopes will still prevail, in the end. The debates usually ended with my defeats, which are mostly signified with my pretenses of disinterest and silence….
As I read up on Taliban, the alarming knowledge of their operations once again reinforce in my lack of faith in Religion. Religion is used as a weapon to gain control by inflicting fear and pain on people. Their treatment of women is outrageous. The rules they enforce on Afghans are senseless.
Massacres like the below excerpt from Wikipedia, made one doubt the existence of God.
‘The worst attack on civilians came in summer of 1998 when the Taliban swept north from Herat to the predominantly Hazara and Uzbek city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the largest city in the north. Entering at 10 am on 8 August 1998, for the next two days the Taliban drove their pickup trucks "up and down the narrow streets of Mazar-i-Sharif shooting to the left and right and killing everything that moved -- shop owners, cart pullers, women and children shoppers and even goats and donkeys."More than 8000 noncombatants were reported killed in Mazar-i-Sharif and later in Bamiyan. Contrary to the injunctions of Islam, which demands immediate burial, the Taliban forbade anyone to bury the corpses for the first six days while they rotted in the summer heat and were eaten by dogs. In addition to this indiscriminate slaughter, the Taliban sought out and massacred members of the Hazara, a mostly Shia ethnic group, while in control of Mazar.’
And..... for what godforsaken reasons do they have, to torture and kill animals?
‘At the Kabul zoo most animals were killed or left to starve. When the Taliban first entered the city zoo after taking over Kabul, one Taliban soldier "jumped into a bear's cage and cut off his nose, reputedly because the animal's beard was not long enough." At the lion's den another fighter leapt inside and proclaimed, `I am the lion now!` The lion killed him, but another Taliban soldier "threw a grenade into the den, blinding the animal." The noseless bear, blind lion, and two wolves, "were the only [zoo] animals that survived the Taliban rule.’
Good on you~ Mighty ol’ Lion!
Somewhere much closer to Home, Myanmar is also creating tension with its tyranny. As I followed closely to the updates, there were a couple of things that I disagree.
‘Meanwhile protests in support of the Myanmar demonstrators were picking up pace in several nations. Around 2,000 people held a protest in Malaysia (MSN.news).’
Protest in Malaysia? What kind of positive outcome do they hope to accomplish out of that action? Will Myanmar government goes: ‘Awwww…. 2000 Malaysians are protesting too! Let’s stop this nonsense right now!’
Come on…. Besides creating disturbance and inconvenience for the Malaysian police and citizens, the protest did nothing else much. Something more constructive like money donations or worldwide petitions to raise awareness and unite the World to quell the dictatorship, will be better?
Msnews.com report:
‘Japan, one of Myanmar's main donors, said Tuesday it was cancelling grants of about 4.7 million dollars over the fatal shooting of a Japanese journalist when security forces put down last month's huge protests.’
‘On Monday, European Union foreign ministers approved a new set of sanctions against the junta including an embargo on the export of wood, gems and metals, and threatened further penalties.’
I am unsure about these moves as appropriate remedies; as it appeared that Myanmar is pushing its head ahead, claiming everything is under control.
‘But Myanmar’s military leaders have rebuffed calls for reforms, saying the only way to bring change is to follow the junta’s seven-step “road map” to democracy, which is supposed to culminate with elections at an unspecified date.
So far, only the plan’s first stage — drawing up guidelines for a new constitution — has been completed, and that took more than a decade. Critics say the road map is a ruse to allow the military to stay in power (MSNBC.com).’
I personally feel that the international sanctions on Myanmar might snowball into a catastrophe that one can imagine. With no revenue, the Military might resort to robbing its own people to fund the war… or even taking them as hostages to negotiate. Goodness.... Myanmar can be the worst nightmarish living hell to survive in.
On the other hand, one of the UN tactics remains to be uncertain….
‘The United Nations sent Ibrahim Gambari, a top trouble-shooter, to Myanmar after the crackdown to meet junta chief Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi, who is held in detention at her Yangon home. (MSN.news).’
In response:
‘The success, if any, of his visit was not immediately apparent. One female activist was quoted saying, “We hoped for so much and what we feel is that he achieved nothing... He should have visited the places of the demonstrations – like Pakkoku and the Shwedagon Pagoda. He should have visited the infamous Insein Prison, then he would have seen the truth.(The Times)’
In midst of these disturbing news, I found myself a heroine- an renowned Prisoner Of Conscience, Aung San Suu Kyi. Her steadfast loyalty to her people, to her beliefs and visions held my admiration… She commands respect for enduring decades of loneliness without her family by her side yet remain strong and determined to stand against all odds.
Perhaps, there are still hopes for humanity....