Your Wednesday Enlightenment 07.04.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 07.04.2007
Waste your Fourth of July with a Canadian.
*The camera fades in to find your hero prepping for things. Fireworks? Check. Cases of beer? Check. More cases of beer? Check. Over-fattening greasy meats such as alleged "hot dogs" and "hamburgers"? Check. Condiments? My God he loves condiments - relish, ketchup, mustard, you name it, it's GOLD. Check. It's time to celebrate. CANADA DAY. No, not the Fourth of July, when you unceremoniously (and unwisely) dumped your British parents; why would I care about that? But let's to it folks. The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
The fifth week of YWE is upon the masses faster than a Bush pardon for one of his crooked cronies!
Yeah, yeah, I know it wasn't a pardon, but it MIGHT soon be that way!! But I digress.
That's the problem with covering international news and avoiding domestic American news/politics: fewer chances to Bush-bash; but we'll see what I can do.
Oh, and I did nothing to celebrate Canada Day. No BBQ, fireworks, et al.
Except sit at home.
SIGH.
At least the news is more depressing than my personal life!
British Anxieties High After Days of Terror
London, Friday, June 29-Saturday June 30: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was welcomed rudely into office after the discovery of two car bombs in the heart of London on Friday, followed by an attempted gasoline-car bombing of the Glasgow International Airport. The London automobiles were laden with nails and gasoline canisters, and were intended to cause maximum destruction with the nails acting as shrapnel. The Glasgow vehicle was driven by two individuals directly into the main building of the terminal, and like its counterparts in London, was loaded with propane canisters. The car became engulfed in flames, burning both attackers, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries. The other attacker remains in custody. The attackers and their conspirators - other arrests have been made in the cases - have been identified as being of Middle Eastern origin, and, distressingly, involved in the medical profession. The United Kingdom's terror alert remains at "critical."
The Glasgow attack, like in London, failed to do any serious damage.
The United Kingdom seems to be the primary target of choice for terrorists and would-be conspirators, and there are many reasons for this. First of course is the UK's major involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, seen by people such as the attackers as unjust, bloody wars, and part of the wider war on Islam. Second, the UK's proximity to the rest of Europe and the Middle East, and with the European Union's porous borders, makes travelling to - and attacking the UK - that much easier. Thirdly, the great number of immigrants in the UK makes it less difficult for hate mongers to blend into society at large. What disturbs me most personally about this story however are the emerging details of the nature of these peoples' employment, namely, the medical profession. These people likely took the Hippocratic Oath as practitioners of medicine, swearing to, "keep…from harm and injustice." It is a disgusting irony that those who allegedly swore this oath would so wantonly wish to break it through destroying innocent lives.
Chavez Has a Heart to Heart…with Ahmadinejad
Tehran, Sunday, July 1-Monday, July 2: Venezuelan firebrand, President Hugo Chavez, paid a visit to his ally and "ideological brother" Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The two are considered renegades to an extent by the Americans, and the two have consistently blasted Western (particularly American) interests as imperialistic and terroristic. The nations have sought closer ties in the past in the face of American opposition to their policies (such as Venezuela's nationalisation of their energy industry and Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear "power"). On Monday both men launched the construction of a US$700 million petrochemical plant in Iran, with Venezuela to receive the second down the road.
Bosom buddies.
Australians Labels former Gitmo Inmate "Security Risk"
Sydney, Tuesday, July 3: A former Australian Guantanamo Bay inmate, Mamdouh Habib has been labelled a "security risk" by the government of Australia. Speaking in the Australian Federal Court, a lawyer representing the state declared Mr. Habib a "risk." Mr. Habib for his part is suing the government over his captivity in Egypt and later at the US internment camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he was held without charge for three years.
Home for a lot of people, without charge.
And now for this week's "Moment." I touched upon this subject in edition three.
"A Moment of Thankfulness."
BBC Gaza reporter Alan Johnston, held captive by an elusive terrorist group, was finally released from captivity after being held for nearly four months. Looking tired and a bit frail, he said he was in good health and thanked all who worked to get his release. Mr. Johnston was escorted out by Hamas armed guards.
The sad part of this story? Hamas will point to its efforts as key to the release of Mr. Johnston - which may be true - but will attempt to score considerable political capital with the Palestinians and the West for this achievement
Now for your favourite part of the show, erm, column. Yes that's right, it's "This Just In."
So far you've "learned" about Micronesia, China, Malaysia, and Brazil. And when I say "learned" I mean "learned nothing" but what the hell, I enjoy it!
*spins the globe*
Congratulations REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, it's your turn to shine!
Asia AGAIN? Geez. I thought of spinning the globe again - but that'd be just outright BLASPHEMY. So, the top story making the rounds down yonder is that - astonishingly - politicians actually want to be kicked out of Cabinet! Apparently some Cabinet members in President Gloria Arroyo's government are tired and want to be replaced during a cabinet reshuffle. One member said: "My personal sentiment is there should be a revamp. Cabinet members like us are tired. We should be kicked out of office."
Psh, can't we get some of your kind here in Canada and in Yankeeville?
Well that's all I got for ya you bums. Now go get a broom, and clean up your local neighbourhood; it sure beats sitting here reading this crap. Until next time, remember:
STAY CURRENT