Your Wednesday Enlightenment 07.25.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 07.25.2007
India elects a new WOMAN president…nudge nudge…
*The camera fades in to find someone relaxed. With coffee nonetheless. Work? What's that? Retail? What's that? YOU CAN ALL ROT YOU POOR WORKING SLOBS!! D.S. has TWO DAYS OFF, BABY.*
*Until Thursday.*
*Feck. Bloody reality.*
*The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
I must say I got a kick out of watching most of the CNN YouTube debates a few nights ago. Joe Biden was fiery and blunt: I liked that…he didn't answer like a politician; so either he's a great actor, or he is genuinely like that! Kucinich was a joke in his trying to get people to text message him during the debate, which Anderson Cooper chided him for *snicker*. Hillary seemed the winner though, but time will telllll…
That's all the American-ness you'll get from me for today (probably!) so to all you internationalholics of the news variety, let's get to work (meaning let ME get to work).
The NEWS.
Hail to the Chief-ette: India's First Female President
Delhi, Saturday, July 21: India is set to have its first female President in Pratibha Patil. Mrs. Patil, who is a spry 72 years old, won almost 66% of voting necessary to make her president of the second most populous nation on Earth. Many observers of the Indian political landscape have hailed her victory to the post of president - which is largely ceremonial - as a message to Indian women, who face largely institutionalized obstacles within society. Mrs. Patil's election did not come without controversy however, as she was once accused of setting up a bank to give out cheap loans to relatives; a bank which later closed. Mrs. Patil, who was once Governor Rajasthan, will assume office today, July 25.
Mrs. Patil's victory comes in a nation that already has had women at the top.
India, although not the most economically or technologically advanced society - though that itself is rapidly changing - has always been ahead of the loop politically. While women in some Western societies have struggled to get ahead in the political arena, women in India have had success since the 1960s, with Indira Gandi becoming Prime Minister in 1966. The irony is not lost on your reporter here, that in a country where women faced tremendous issues including dowries, that women have had great political success. Perhaps a certain Western nation could learn a lesson, and vote in a female president in, oh, 2008?
Chavez Ups the Dictatorship Factor
Caracas, Monday, July 23: In a move that will surprise nobody, President Hugo Chavez on his aptly named, "Hello President" radio/television show, has announced a crack down on foreign criticism of his regime. He announced that any foreigner within Venezuela who openly criticizes his administration or Chavez himself risks being expelled. Describing the matter as a question of "national dignity," the BBC quotes Mr. Chavez of declaring on his program: "No foreigner can come here to attack us. Anyone who does must be removed from this country." The authoritarian move by Chavez comes on the heels of a plan which would grant Mr. Chavez the ability to indefinitely run for President, ending the term limits currently in place.
Your friendly neighbourhood dictator.
Hugo, Hugo, Hugo. He claims to have the support of millions of underprivileged Venezuelans, whose hopes hinge on Chavez' socialist reinvention of Venezuelan society. But do the methods justify the ends, as the eternal question goes? Mr. Chavez will further isolate himself from Western society by his methods, and will continue to win friends on the other end of the political scale; his friendship with Iran has been documented here in YWE. Democracy seems to be on the endangered species list in many states, and it seems Venezuela has opted to abandon it for the time being. Unless an upheaval from below changes things (not that I'm advocating one), Mr. Chavez's large posterior will be glued to the presidential chair for the foreseeable future.
American Students to Graduate From Cuban Medical School
Havana, Tuesday, July 24: Cuba is still officially an enemy of the American state, the latter which has continued its economic embargo against the tiny nation since its inception in 1962. Despite this, American medical students applied for and received medical training in Cuba, and are soon to graduate. The deal which allowed the students to study the medical arts was struck between President Castro and the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, whereby students would receive 100% full funding of their studies, on condition they would return to whence they came to help those who could not afford medical coverage. The eight students - who are part of an 80 strong contingent - will return to the United States, after attending their graduation ceremony which will be attended by senior members of the Cuban government.
Propaganda victory goes to: Fidel.
What does it say when poor Americans have to go to Cuba of all places to receive medical training? I think that says enough.
Before this week's "Moment," a correction from last week. Last week I posted a picture of "Canada's Next Top Model." Which she was; but in 2006, and was not this year's winner. Who is this year's winner? I don't even care to bother researching. I still stand by my, "kudos, baby" remark, but it's a year old congratulations. But anyway. This week's "Moment."
"A Moment of Vindication."
By all accounts, Tammy Faye Messner, who died this week after a long illness, was gracious in her, if you will, defeat. She went from a disgrace in the scandal which rocked the "Praise the Lord Ministry" of the 1980s, along with then husband Jim Bakker, to a model of peace and sincerity. God bless, Tammy.
Now it's time to take a spin. No, not in a car a la supposed drunken crack head Lindsay Lohan, but rather a spin around the world…in mere SECONDS. How so?? No I have not invented warp drive, nor have I requisitioned for myself a personal Concorde. I spin a globe. Oh yes. It's time to watch the nations whirl in, "This Just In."
*spins the globe*
Congratulations DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, it's your turn to shine!
Second week in a row for Africa. I must admit, my random spinning isn't entirely random as even with my eyes closed, I'm still conscious of which hemisphere I'm going to be pointing at when I pick the nation to be picked over like a fine toothed comb…but shh…that's our secret.
In serious business though, the news making the rounds about said nation is the concern currently being expressed in the hallowed halls of the United Nations Security Council, over continued aggression in the eastern part of the country. Even more disturbing is the alleged fact that over four thousand children continue to be employed in some of the armed forces, commanded by a renegade general.
Renegade, and alleged employer of child soldiers.
Reference: http://news.yahoo.com
Well as the final few hours of this day wane away, thank you again for choosing Your Wednesday Enlightenment for your source of entertainment and information on this particular day of the week. Be sure to check out the rest of our great writers in the 411Politics Zone, because they're damn talented. Damn talented I say.
And don't send me feedback. I HATE feedback.
(That's called reverse psychology, in hoping you actually WILL write to me and either berate me or praise me over my views and/or humour…hopefully the latter.)
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