Filed under: daily inkless | Tags: daily inkless, democracy, Musharraf, Pakistan, terrorism
[From CNN]
A few weeks ago, I was hopeful for unofficial military dictatorship that is Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto’s return signaled a new hope for Pakistan; one that held democratic changes. However, once the bombings happened and her “coincidental” trip back to the UAE, I knew something bad was a’brewing.
Musharaf’s recent political moves have been grossly authoritarian. I open up today’s NYT (online) and read “Pakistan Rounds Up Musharraf’s Political Foes.” I am genuinely saddened by this news. Pakistan has been a precarious democracy since its inception. Democratic terms have been cut short by military strength. Musharaf’s announcement of a “state of emergency” marks the beginning of his attempt at complete autocratic rule backed by the military. He will suspend and delay national elections scheduled for January and the Constitution is already useless in a such an environment.
The Pakistani media is being suppressed by force. Protesters, political dissenters, and disapproving judges are being taken away in police vans. This is a political tragedy that may not have been unseen, but is still terrible nonetheless. The usual rhetoric is being spewed from Musharraf’s camp:
A government spokesman, Tariq Azim Khan, when asked Sunday why 500 people had been arrested, said the arrests were “preventive measures” because the people presented “a threat to future law and order.”
It seems that Musharraf will go very far in order to maintain power. There is no way he can sustain this type of government in a country where people are used to (relative) freedom. The man will become more desperate and more tyrannical. This is quickly becoming a dangerous police state sustained through physical violence as a means of control. There will continue to be democratic resistance but the backlash from Musarraf’s forces will only become more severe.
For the United States, this is much more than an issue with another rogue Muslim nation. We are all aware of Pakistan’s support of the Taliban when they were looking to stabilize the northern border with Afghanistan. If anything, we need Pakistan support to flush out the remaining Taliban/Al-Qaeda forces in the area. Hell, it is probably where Osama is eating breakfast everyday. (Don’t quote me on that).
So now, the US faces a country going under military dictatorship. The administration then has a choice to make. Do we cooperate with this new, authoritarian regime in order to “win” the “War on Terror,” or do we support democracy as it is being threatened?
If I were a gambling man, I would say the administration dishes out harsh words but nothing more. Maybe a meaningless economic sanction here and there.
We’ll see. In the meantime, let us all recognize and remember those in Pakistan who are brave enough to stand up against overwhelming oppression.
Update: 11/5
The Gumball3000 has always been over the top. It’s a 3000-mile rally around the world held each year for the rich and speedy to get their jollies. The rally features enough horsepower to probably power the developing world. Their international journey has usually kept close to Western shores with a jump here to two to an “exotic” land like Morocco.
The rally itself is a no-holds-barred run to different checkpoints where massive parties ensue. This cycle continues until the end. There’s a pretty penny to be paid. £24000, or about $48,000 for a nice little countryside drive. There have been insanity in the past with multiple crashes and one fatality that ended a Gumball run short.
That fatality was of a civilian driver and it really put a dark shadow over Gumball. For me, it called for the end of it as the drivers of the Gumball car tried to flee. Just disgusting.
From that point on, Gumball3000 had always treaded a fine line between what is sound and the celebration of the “free spirit of driving.”
2008 Gumball? They’ve crossed that line – big time.
Both ideas are possible, but both are so against the current path that they might as well be impossible. Unless I get a lobotomy from a blind, rabid ape, its not going to happen, just as China can not commit to these changes unless there is tremendous social upheaval.
Here’s China’s priority list:
- 1. “Mao’s generation” government’s legitimacy
- 2. Economic development (see above)
- 3. Deny that China invented fortune cookies
- 4. Scare Taiwan with random missile tests over their island.
- 5. Finally, they would also like economic development. Oh, my bad.
More nationalist propaganda after the jump. (Source)
WWII is history’s history now. The 1940’s must seem as ancient to today’s younger children as the “gilded-age” to me. We beat the Axis powers (No, not the Axis of Evil) and effectively assumed world-wide dominance.. blah blah blah.
Japan and China/Korea have had a long-standing grudge over the Japanese tactics used during their invasions and occupations. Generations have passed and it seems that this hatred and denial is now genetically passed down, or something. Perhaps this is perpetrated by the incredibly graphic memories of the cruelty exhibited at the time by the invading forces. My grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s, still has a vivid memory of fleeing Shanghai with her family one night. She will remember that night long after she forgets my name and even the names of her children. It is that deeply ingrained. As her grandson, I can only listen and wonder what in God’s name can the Japanese possibly say to defend these actions?
Now, let me be really CLEAR. I have no animosity towards the Japanese people or culture. In fact, I would cut off my left pinky for a life-time supply of toro-sushi. (I will probably post about food soon.) Anyhow, the bitterness comes from the history and the Japanese government’s denial of the situation. They change textbooks, pray to war criminals and overall apologize like a little boy being forced to by his mother.
Enter Shinzo Abe.
(Anger-filled) Full story after the jump. (Source)
Now, like a good student, I took my Physics … for Presidents. (awesome class, just awesome). When it comes to things like nuclear capability, I have at least a baseline understanding. There is a big difference between a nuclear power plant and a nuclear weapon. Unlike the cartoons, a nuclear plant cannot explode. Nope, sorry. The uranium enrichment in a bomb has to be a lot higher and the technology needed is like comparing a abacus to a computer. This is because the nuclear reaction can only occur after a certain amount of U-235 is obtained. This is the popular “critical mass.” Only with such a mass or more can the U-235 really set off the chain reactions. In a nuclear power plant, radioactive rods (yes, like in the Simpsons) are used to absorb some of these atoms and therefore the core is FAR from critical mass. In addition, the Uranium in a plant is also not as enriched. Nuclear power plants have a controlled reaction.
The only real danger from nuclear plants is that plutonium can be produced in which then can be used to create plutonium bombs. Plutonium bombs are even harder to create though, requiring PRECISE smaller explosions to start it off an implosion. (I believe). Plutonium bombs can be likened to quantum computers in our nice little analogy.
Now, let me apologize for my massacre of physics, but that is what I remember from my class. Please take this with a grain of salt.
So, now we’re here at the Iran situation.
Full story after the jump
I have an assignment in one of my classes (IAS 45) to be aware of the news using the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. Even though I do read the NYT, this Daily Inkless comes from TIME magazine. I will do a news article a day just to make sure I am keeping up and to inform all of you other peoples out there.
Today will be a brief article about the two warring sects in Iraq, the Sunnis and the Shi’ites. The information thereafter is directly from the article.
Full story after the jump.
