TRAVEL LIGHT

The recent New York Times Editorial reads:

Filipinos thought they had put an end to electoral chicanery and governmental intimidation when they overthrew the Marcos dictatorship two decades ago. Unfortunately, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has completely lost touch with the ideals that inspired that 1986 “people power” movement.

Yes Virginia, it’s the New York Times. And yes, Sec. Gonzales couldn’t cite them for inciting to sedition…harharhar…

If anything, this editorial clearly states the fact that the US or some of its influential institutions are not happy the way GMA is running the show for Uncle Sam. Although the editorial says that “Mrs. Arroyo is no Ferdinand Marcos”, but it adds, “at least not yet”. Its succeeding statement however, shows that GMA has a strong tendency of becoming one.

Not only that, the editorial also called the attention of Dubya to warn GMA that she is undermining a hard-won democracy thus making Philippines a country far more vulnerable to terrorist pressures. When the US uses the keyword “terrorism” in the context of the Philippines, for them it also means the communist insurgency.

This NY Times editorial is not only a slight dissing, it is a serious warning for GMA. Everyone knows that Philippine politics is very much tied to US interests. Somehow, the US acting very much like a Pinoy’s Big Brother, decides on who’s in or out. Marcos received Uncle Sam’s eviction notice after he became the number one recruiter for the NPA. This time, Uncle Sam has an inkling to believe that GMA is just doing the same. Although the NY Times editorial comes only as the sharpest criticism against GMA but it is not the first time that the US expressed its doubts and criticism on GMA. Preceding this editorial was the statement released by the US giving GMA a polite caution when she delared PP 1017.

Now if other US institutions will follow suit soon, then its a sure signal for GMA to start packing up.The skies are now getting cloudy for GMA and Company.

In an unprecedented turn of events, Hamas, acronym of Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (in Arabic literally translated as “Islamic Resistance Movement” and Arabic for ‘zeal’) won a landslide victory in the recently concluded Palestinian Legislative Council elections. Hamas won 42,9 % of the vote, which gave them a parliamentary majority with 76 of the 132 seats. The result came as a shock to the world. A party that has been branded by the US, the European Union and certainly Israel as a terrorist organization has translated its widespread popularity among Palestinians into a dramatic win in the Parliamentary elections.

Their rise to power through a democratic electoral exercise is unexpected and has set the rest of the world in a dilema. Hamas’ electoral victory is a most unwelcome development and has brought discomfort and apprehensions to Israel and its allies particularly the United States. As expected US and Israel had immediately expressed their consternation over the election result and has threatened not to relate with the new ruling party. The US even threatened to withdraw its Aid and assistance from Palestine.

In the eyes of much of the world, Hamas is a terrorist organization as it is held responsible to devastating suicide bombing attacks on Israel.

But The movement’s success at the polls does not mean that more than half the Palestinians necessarily approve of suicide bombings against civilians – but they do not seem to have done Hamas any harm.

That is not perhaps surprising, given that more than three Palestinians have died – many of them civilians too – for every one Israeli, and life in general for the Palestinians is probably now as grim as it has ever been.

Hamas had doubled its volume of support because 10 years under the ruling Fatah organization gave most people nothing except corruption, cronyism and gangsterism. That is why it comes as no surprise that even some Fatah card-carrying members voted for Hamas.

Israel had also indirectly contributed to Hamas’ popularity growth. Israel’s attempts to stifle Hamas by decapitating its leadership have been in vain. It had just reinforced the cult of “martyrdom” and “sacrifice” that is part of the movement’s appeal to the embattled Palestinians.

Hamas is particularly popular among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, though it also has a following in the West Bank, and, to a lesser extent, in other Middle Eastern countries and throughout the Palestinian diaspora. The movement’s popularity stems from its provision of welfare and social services to the Palestinian poor, comprising over 80% of its budget (such as its involvement in building schools and hospitals), and for its efficiency and perceived lack of corruption.

As the saying goes “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. The Palestinians have chosen Hamas and therefore the democratic choice has to be accepted. If anything, the US should be the first to uphold it. After all, the US proudly proclaims that it invaded Iraq for the “noble mission of spreading democracy in the Greater Middle East”.

==========

News Source: BBC

57 years ago today the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was signed as a covenant among nations to uphold, promote and protect human rights. The UDHR became the main international instrumentality where nations are measured in their standing towards human rights. The world commemorates the signing of the UDHR by observing the 10th day of December as the International Human rights Day.

Today, on Human Rights Day, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Let us re-echo the 30 articles of the UDHR.

Let us strive to advocate, promote and protect Human Rights.

As the late Sen. Jose “Pepe” Diokno said:

“Human Rights are more than legal concepts. They are the essence of man/woman. Deny them their rights and you deny them their humanity”.

“There is no cause greater than the cause of human rights.”

______________

Poster taken from Project 1210

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwaa (to cleanse or purify the heart and the soul).” Surah al-Baqarah 2:183

Tomorrow begins the Holy Month of Ramadan for the Islamic year Hijrah 1426. The Islamic world will observe this religious obligation by cleansing and purifying the heart and soul through fasting from sunrise to sunset and the exercise of strict control over ones tongue, eyes, ears, thoughts and deeds. Fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam prescribed and obligatory to all Muslims.

To all my Brothers and Sisters in Islam, Ramadan Mubarak!!

What do you think, Is this real or fake?

This is Real!

This is a real screen shot taken from Sky News (Ireland) broadcast. The text in the caption is supposed to be a declaration of President Bush on Hurricane Katrina to be “one of the worst disasters to hit the US”. Seemingly the quotation marks were inadvertently missed.

This may be a funny picture, but even without the quotation marks, the caption would still convey the same message apt for the person in picture. A message that conveys yet another reality – with or without the hurricane.

____________
Source: snopes.com

I just got this white campaign band from the www.makepovertyhistory.org. This is a campaign by UK based organizations and individuals with the following goals:

I’m counting myself in to this campaign. I hope you do too. With our solidarity a new and better world is possible. YA BASTA!