Your Wednesday Enlightenment 06.20.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 06.20.2007
Your place for confusing Asian scandal.
*The camera fades in to find the sun pounding down mercilessly on the outside world. With every passing photon that pours into the atmosphere, thirst increases for the highway worker repaving roads, for the dog that wanders about serene green park land, and for the lazy ass teenage hoodlums skulking about some beach. As for your hero, he sits protected in a nice cool basement, alcohol easily available. Yup…things aren't too bad. Photons-schmotons. The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
The third week of YWE promises to be even more enlightening and even more successful than the previous two incarnations - unlike Rocky III. Or Oceans 13. Or Shrek the 3rd.
Not that I've seen any of those movies, save for the Rocky one. I'm not one for films.
But I am one for news. Let's to it, fair readers.
Just Call me "Sir Satan"
London, Friday, June 15: Diplomatic protests from the Islamic world including Pakistan and Iran have been rife after it was announced this past Friday that controversial writer Salman Rushdie was to receive a knighthood from the Queen. Salman's name appeared on the Queen's Birthday Honours List, and he is being recognized for his work in the literary field. This work includes the infamous 1988 book, "The Satanic Verses," which was perceived to blaspheme the Prophet Muhammad, sparking uproar and placing a religious death sentence upon the author's head. British diplomats in Pakistan and Iran have been summoned to explain the decision, and both the British government and Her Majesty herself have been condemned for being insensitive, and provocative towards Islamic sensibilities. The United Kingdom has of course denied any intention to offend.
The uneasy ties between the Islamic world and the West just got a bit testier.
This new diplomatic and cultural row between East and West mirrors the hoopla (and that's putting it lightly) that erupted over the "Muhammad cartoons" from a year or so ago, and is just another example of the West being stupid when they should think before acting. There is of course a very fine line between being sensitive and bowing to the wishes and feelings of people half a world away. Many in these states have shown to be very deeply moved by such things, such as the cartoons, and the tensions that can arise from such happenings are not tenuous. Her Majesty however has every right to knight whomever she wishes, and people need to understand that she did not do so out of hatred or spite, but because the man is a good writer; Mr. Rushdie has been honoured many times (even before his 1988 book) for his literary skill. Cooler heads need to prevail here, but unfortunately they will not, and it will be some weeks before this blows over - if it does. Salman though was thrilled to get the reward.
The China Power Syndrome
Beijing, Tuesday, June 19: With the world increasingly gulping power down at an ever increasing rate (makes sense doesn't it?), China has emerged as one of the highest consumers of power. At the same time, Chinese carbon dioxide (CO2 for you chemistry types) emissions are ever increasing at a higher rate. With two new power plants being created in the largest country in the world - population wise - every week, there is no slowing down the rate of emissions either, for the time being. According to a Dutch study, China has overtaken the United States as the single highest nation emitting the greenhouse gas. However it must be noted that for each citizen, the average Chinese citizen causes more greenhouse gasses than the average American.
Clean power is hoped to be the solution to our problems. Just in case you didn't know.
Taliban Threat Targets the West
New York, Tuesday, June 19: The Taliban, who once ruled Afghanistan with an extremist grip before being ousted by the United States and its allies following the September 11, 2001 attacks, is now aiming its sights on nations outside its home territory. Tape sent to ABC News purportedly shows about 300 "graduates" from a camp along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, in black scarves, whose goal is to infiltrate the United States, the United Kingdom Germany, and Canada, and undertake suicide bombing missions. These states are being targeted specifically for their involvement in the Afghanistan campaign to end Taliban incursions, and to rebuild the war shattered state.
Ready to blow.
The fanaticism is endless with members of al Qaeda, the Taliban, and the likes. It is at such an extent that they waste the lives of children in their hellish goal to exterminate lives. During one part of the video, a child as young as perhaps 10 is seen. This makes me sick. What makes me slightly uneasy however doesn't just originate from this video, but also from our alleged Minister of Public Safety - Stockwell Day. Mr. Day was quick to declare that the video was more for propaganda purposes, and was done so because the Taliban et al. know they are losing the war in Afghanistan. Really, Mr. Day? As far as I know, incursions by the Taliban and their allies are still effective, and the group has re-organized fairly well to carry out attacks, which has seen more and more Canadian casualties. I do give Mr. Day some credit though for recognizing that Canada is not immune to attack. We are far from it. God help us.
Now to ponder this week's "Moment." Hmm….
"A Moment of Support."
Today marks the 100th day of captivity for BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped in the Gaza Strip, in the Palestinian Territories. Johnston was the only Western journalist permanently stationed in the volatile region, and calls for his safe release have been made by people from all walks of life.
Credit: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Journalistic freedom is one of the sacred values in society. I pray for Mr. Johnston's safe release, and I urge you to head to the BBC News site to sign the petition asking for his release:
But first a correction. Last week I said Suriname is in Africa. BZZT. It's in South America. I sneakily edited my article a few days after realizing my blunder and corrected it, but I suspect most of you read it as Africa. So, sorry. Kinda ironic that I made a geographical error in a segment involving a globe. Meh. Let's spin!!
*spins the globe*
Congratulations MALAYSIA, it's your turn to shine!
This story is kinda confusing, since things are little muddled, butttttt it seems some fellow named Altantuya Shaariibuu wanted half a million dollars, US, and three plane tickets to Mongolia from a political analyst named Abdul Razak Baginda, in order to not lodge a police complaint against him.
The private investigator in the case. Watch out Magnum!
It's far too confusing for me to figure this stuff out, especially after midnight. Check out the website if you want more clarity. Just don't crash their servers.
Reference: http://www.thestar.com.my
Okay shoo, that's all for your third instalment of Your Wednesday Enlightenment. Feel free to send me any feedback (which you won't, but hey!) and until next time, remember:
STAY CURRENT