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February 20, 2008.
* Fidel Castro calls it a day!
Fidel, the symbol of socialism and American resistance, has led his Cuban's for almost 5 decades. The land of free food, education, health and housing, which was initially modelled on the Soviet and East German system, has long been the thorn in America's thigh. Through the unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion, to the even more so unsuccessful blockade and assassination attempts, communism still lives and breathes in Havana.
America now, of cause, are hoping for a democratic transition, but with Fidel's brother, Raul (72) as official leader of the Communist Party, there won't be much chance of that occurring anytime soon.
Forget the rhetoric, there is constitutional civil rights in Cuba. Citizens have the constitutional right to employment, food, free education, free health care, housing, political participation, freedom of expression, personal property and freedom of religion. The Cuban state is constitutionally bound to guarantee these rights.
But it isn't all so wonderful either. As is the case in so many South American countries', there is a gigantic distinction between the top and the bottom. Forget the theories of socialist equality, the rich are rich, and the poor are poor. Poor, living in fear of the unknown. The unknown in this case, is living without a Castro as leader. This will continue for some time come. But, as 90 per cent of Cubans vote in elections, they are clearly quite contend with this situation.
* Meanwhile, a Rwandan former government minister, wanted for his alleged role in Rwanda's 1994 genocide, has been arrested in Tanzania. Surprising how long this has taken, as the civil war a long time ago now. Still, better late than never, I suppose.
The genocide was the systematic murder of members of Rwanda's Tutsi ethnic minority and moderate Hutu sympathizers; resulting in between 800,000 and 1,000,000 deaths.
* And finally, gangs of angry Serbs destroyed two checkpoints on the Kosovo-Serbia border in arson attacks overnight, prompting NATO peacekeepers to intervene for the first time since Kosovo's independence. Yes, a whole three days!
February 19, 2008.
* At long, long last, Kosovo has declared independence from Serbia, ending a long chapter in the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia. Not even Milosevic's hearty followers could stop the inevitable force for independence. That was Sunday night - a long time ago now.
Kosovo, a small area in Sothern Serbia, with a 90 per-cent ethnic Albanian majority, mostly Muslim, have copped the ‘raw end of the stick’ for many, many years. Even still, Belgrade claim Kosovo to be a vital part of its countries' past and future, and vows to never give up the territory. In fact, even today, Serbia's police have filed criminal charges against three Kosovo Albanian leaders for "organising the proclamation of a phoney state on Serbian territory." Belgrade claim that by proclaiming the independence of Kosovo, the three had "committed a serious criminal act against the constitutional order and security of Serbia."
Russia and China are among the other neighbours who bitterly oppose the secession. China are worried about the possible negative impact that Kosovo's unilateral declaration would have on the region. But if one merely took the time to read, or view any footage of the atrocities that have taken place in the region over the last 15 years, then that would surely result in having the upmost pity for the Albanian (and Muslim) population of Kosovo. Let the poor people live without fear and oppression.
* Meanwhile, with a strong-hold of up to 80,000 troops, backing up police and authorities, Pakistani's took to the polling booths for their general election. The same election that was initially postponed following the assassination of democratic hopeful, Benazir Bhutto.
There is no doubt at all that the death of Bhutto, the most progressive and Western-friendly politician, in a Muslim nation rife with anti-American sentiment, raised concerns about the countries' future, but also about the stability of its nuclear-arms. The election, which is expected to be filled with bloodshed, is being keenly watched by allies and neighbours. Hopefully the right result will take place, and that means President Musharraf, who has ruled since coming to power in a 1999 military coup, leaves the political scene forever.
February 18, 2008.
I'm sure by now you have all heard or read, at least to some extent, the controversy sparked up by the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments about how some parts of Sharia law should be implemented into the English legal system.
Even some of the most leftist intellectuals’ disagree with his comments, as images of Sharia law spread around the world via media scare mongering. You know the images that depict Sharia law and those that follow it, as being a brutal, harsh and inhumane legal system.
To fill in the gaps for those that missed his comments, the Archbishop considered the idea of accommodating Sharia law into some areas of the dispute resolution, in particular in the context of family law. This was obviously received with animosity both in the U.K., and here in Australia. I for one agree, at least to some extent, with the Archbishop, and my reasons for doing so are quite simple.
Firstly, as Ghena Krayen and Harsam Farache from the Sydney Morning Herald, alluded to in today's paper, Sharia law, in the context of family law, is already being used in the U.K and indeed here in Australia. In the family context, two people can use the law of Christianity, Judaism or any religion, and it is both legally binding and a valid contract. One can enter into a contract to abide by Sharia law if they so much wanted to, and many do just that. How many of us knew that? I for one surely didn't before reading their opinion piece.
Secondly, without the media shoving ideas and pictures down our throats, lets get one thing straight - there are a host of similarities’ between Sharia law and the Australian (and U.K./U.S.) legal system. Both courts share the same plaintiff and defendant system. Both systems have identical laws on child custody, and in fact, follow the same guidelines as the Family Law Act. The difference, at least in the Archbishop's comments, lies with the time a couple have to wait (1 year ) to officially file for a divorce. Yes, women who follow Sharia law can divorce their husband.
To truly exercise democracy, one must be able to exercise the Australian value of mutual respect first and ensure equity and justice is attainable for all. Krayen and Farache also point out that in terms of mistreating woman, it is not so much an issue of Islam, but more so a cultural issue. I can understand why some people can find the Archbishops comments offensive, but don't think for a minute that I agree in banning the Three Little Piggies from State libraries. No, this is not about political correctness, but more about choice and freedom, regardless of where a family might subside.
February 15, 2008.
* A Palestinian woman was allegedly refused access to an ambulance at an Israeli military checkpoint, and consequently died in her village soon after. The woman, named Fawziya Qabb and who subsided in the occupied West Bank, is a cruel casualty of the uncivilised region
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February 15, 2008.
The historically peaceful nation of Denmark is experiencing a rare case of social upheaval
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February 2, 2008.
- The death toll from a powerful explosion at an unlicensed fireworks manufacturer in Istanbul has climbed to 21 as another body was recovered
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January 31, 2008.
* In a pivotal moment in Indigenous appeasement, the highly respected Reconciliation Australia co-chairman, Mick Dodson, has welcomed the decision adopted the other day by the Rudd government to issue an apology to the Stolen Generation. Dodson claimed the decision to say sorry was "monumental", and a huge step in Indigenous affairs
[ Click here to read more ]
January 28, 2008.
The coffin carrying the body of Indonesia's former president Suharto has been driven through the streets of Jakarta ahead of the state funeral today on the main island of Java. Suharto represents a bad history for Indonesia, and to be honest, I am finding it hard to feel any sorrow for his death. He was branded a dictator, murderer and a thief, but hopefully now, his passing can force a 'turning over of the page' and let a new chapter in Indonesia begin
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Comments (5)
Comment by Simon Ellis-Jones
on What do people think are the major issues in politics today?
It's interesting though, because it doesn’t seem like climate change is a HUGE election issue over in the States! I'm sure it gets a mention, but I tend to hear more talk about the recession in coming and Iraq.