Your Wednesday Enlightenment 08.01.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 08.01.2007
A true military figure to look up to - not Sgt. Slaughter, who lost to Randy Orton...
*The camera fades in to find the end of these camera fade-in deals. They're too hard and/or boring and/or monotonous and/or repetitive to write. You may email your outrage at this decision later.*
*The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
Well it's true folks, the popularity of YWE is rising faster than somethings-or-others of US Senators at the sight of Hillary Clinton's plunging neckline!
What cleavage?
I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Perhaps the thought of Ted Kennedy getting a Viagra inspired…
I should really stop, I'm still finishing dinner.
Better now?
Good.
The NEWS.
Japanese PM's Party Suffers Defeat
Tokyo, Sunday, July 29: In a devastating blow to his own political worth and capital, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal-Democratic Party suffered enormous defeats in elections to the Japanese upper house, the House of Councillors. Half of the 242 seat chamber was up for grabs in Sunday's election, and the Prime Minister's party and coalition partners lost almost 35 seats from their pre-election total. The defeat, as with any in any election, was seen as a severe chastisement to the Prime Minister and his policies, showing the discontent of voters over a series of scandals and supposed gaffes that have affected his standing. One such gaffe occurred in March, when the Prime Minister seemed to question proof of the Japanese army's use of sex slaves during the Second World War, a remark which outraged victims and Japan's neighbours alike. Despite the setbacks in the polls, Mr. Abe has refused to resign despite calls to do so from the press, instead promising to go ahead with reforms and a cabinet reshuffle.
Not a happy Sunday for Mr. Abe.
Peacekeeping Force to Head to Darfur
New York, Tuesday, July 31: The ravaged Sudanese area of Darfur has been given a new light of hope after a unanimous vote in the Security Council that will see a joint African Union and United Nations mission created and sent to the tumultuous area. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the vote "historic and unprecedented," and will allow up to 26 000 military and police personnel to enter Sudan (with obtained Sudanese permission). The Darfur area has suffered over 200 000 deaths and over 2 million displaced individuals since 2003, when clashes began between supposed government backed militias and other ethnic inhabitants. Despite the unanimous nature of the vote and the creation of the force (on paper), countries such as the United Kingdom have still threatened sanctions against the regime in Khartoum, if actions are not taken to improve the situation in the region.
Hope may finally arrive.
By all accounts, the bloodshed and suffering in Darfur has been on a Biblical scale. Terms such as "genocide" have been used to describe the ongoing onslaught between warring ethnic and rebel and government factions. Unlike the travesties of 1994 in Rwanda, where hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsi were slaughtered during the genocide of the Rwandan Civil War, the world has finally awoken to the reality that something must be done to prevent a similar cataclysm from happening again. The collective world has blood on its hands from the inaction of 1994 and onwards, and it looks like the collective world has learned its lesson. One would have thought the Holocaust would have been enough lesson, but I suppose one could be wrong. Thank God something will be done.
Army to End Operation in Northern Ireland
Belfast, Tuesday, July 31: After a mission that lasted over three decades - when at first it was expected to last a few weeks - the British army has ended its operational support for the police in Northern Ireland. The mission, which involved over 300 000 personnel over the duration of its existence, was set up in 1969 after disastrous clashes between Protestants and Catholics in the tense sectarian region. Despite losses of over 700 military officials, a peace agreement was finally reached in 1998 and ratified by people from both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. The troops became a symbol to nationalists as one of British tyranny, whereas unionists - those who support unity with Britain - saw it as a symbol to fight paramilitary terrorism from the South.
From everyday reality to a thing of the past.
Northern Ireland may be able to teach the world a thing or two when it comes to what to expect from the War in Iraq. It took decades for peace to arrive between factions that have been opposed to each other for centuries - much like Sunni and Shia are today. This is not to say that all tensions between Protestants and Catholics have ended, but the vast majority have come to desire peace over bloodshed. I am well aware the situation in Iraq is perhaps far more complex than Northern Ireland ever was - but it displays, if anything, that the Iraq situation will not be ended any time soon, and that America, with troops in or not, will have decades of responsibility and hundreds of billions of dollars to spend in hopes of simmering down the conflict.
As most of you may know by now, I use the BBC News' website for the majority of my piece, and I came across this story a few days ago, and I thought it'd be perfect for this week's "Moment."
"A Moment of Respect."
The picture of a veteran dear readers, is above you. His name is Harry Patch, and he is from England. He fought valiantly after being called up at the young age of 18, and had three of his friends blown away on one horrible September day in Belgium, during the war. He returned to the area in Belgium just recently to view the place where he fought, on the anniversary of the start of the battle, and recalled with graciousness that the Germans he fought suffered just as much as he and his comrades. The battle he fought in was at Passchendaele. In 1917. During the Great War - World War I. Mr. Patch is 109 years old, and is the last remaining UK veteran to have fought in the trenches. For all that you did, we respect you.
Strap yourselves in now people, after that touching moment, it's time for drivel! Well the concept is drivel, the news it relates, is not - usually. It's…"This Just In."
*spins the globe*
Congratulations CANADA, it's your turn to shine!
Well bless my soul, look what we got! And no, we're not called The Dominion of Canada, not anymore in any case. So sit back and relax, as I scour deep into the obscure annals of the web to try and find some news about this small frozen country!
The top story at this hour is a horrible one, unfortunately (as is most news, I guess). Residents in a small town in eastern Ontario were rightfully nervous after a truck connected to the grizzly murders of two seniors was found in their community. Wanted was Jesse Imeson, 22, who was also wanted in connection with the murder of a bartender. The thug was busted just a few hours prior to this post...
Police investigated prior to nabbing their man. Great job.
Reference: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/
Okay, time for you to shoo for another week. Come on back now, ya hear? And be sure to listen to the radio news. Or TV news. Or pick up a newspaper. Or read the news online (as you are now)! Be cool. And stay informed. Damn you.
STAY CURRENT