http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8413007.stm
I thought Simon Cowell's interview was interesting. It is quite a philosophical take and answer to the questions and reactions amongst the public and media. Yet I think his opinions are quite rational and calculating- a good insight into the person too. It also helps to explain his view and motives. I also enjoyed the interviewer's questions. I thought they were quite well thought out and phrased.
Maybe, I'll write more next time. For now, enjoy the clip off BBC!
P.S. BBC should give better coverage of the Iranian demostrations. I think it is a blatant reproach to those students who have risked their lives!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday, November 19, 2009
1989, 4th June
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40bI6wzCTck
Some rights are not given by governments or laws, they are not protected by armies or constitutions, they are not right or wrong. They are just ours.
Liberty is such.
Some rights are not given by governments or laws, they are not protected by armies or constitutions, they are not right or wrong. They are just ours.
Liberty is such.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
My reply to Paul Kagame
I was reading an article written by Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda. Rwanda, we remember, as the country in which genocide was committed not too long ago spurring deep reflection from the international committee, in general, and leading world powers, in particular, to reconsider theri ways. It was also the inspiration for many films in media culture such as Hotel Rwanda and Shooting Dogs. Rwanda, today, while still trying to shake off such a gory, bloody image, has developed itself into a "success story- one that many nations in the dark continent of Africa will seek to emulate and be inspired by.
Paul Kagame's essay was on why Africa is welcoming investment from China. It is no new thing that China has sought to expand its influence (however, you want to see it) into different regions in the world. But as Mr Kagame himself pointed out, China's expansion into this part of the world in particular has raised many a question and many a suspicion and that for many a reason. He explains two objections to China's to economic engagement in Africa. Firstly, many opponents feel that this would be "exploitative and undermines the development of democracy and human rights". The other reason is that some feel China is taking over the hold that the West once had on African resources. Kagame feels that this does not tackle the issue as it should. And that, also for two reasons: currently, Africans are not treated as equal partners in economic relations so far and to add to that, African leaders have not played their part in pushing for fair engagement.
With respect to the objections raise, the first objection is valid just as the second is not. The only one entitled to African resources are Africans. This is a matter of sovereignty and ownership. However, I disagree with Mr Kagame as I feel that the first objection raised should be considered fairly. China has not have a good human rights record. Only recently has she started to prosper and clean up her act internationally. As Mr Kagame suggests, Africa needs to be engaged fairly. And African leaders have shown little ability to act fairly on her behalf. Most of them, besides the few good, have acted on self interest and tribal interest. Africa is still riddled not just with problems but with corrupted leaders. While some may argue that the West may have not acted responsibly, as shown by history, towards Africa - exploiting them for their goods and their people - it has over recent years been kept accountable for more and more of its actions. America has poured in billions to Africa that goes more than investing but to aid its feeblest citizens. I am not propagating that aid be a substitute for investment. Of course, it should never be. However, I think that unlike its relations with the West which comes under the microscope of western media, the public and the international community at large, its relations with China is often quiet. Not only does China need scrutiny and to be kept accountable for its actions but so does African leaders. It is hard for Africans to hold their leaders accountable, so the international community should assist.
It would be blind for Mr Kagame to suggest that majority of African nations and their citizens are up to the task of handling human rights and democracy. While they are entitled to liberty ad justice, they are still fighting to achieve it and they need all the help they can get. There is no environment yet in most of Africa for liberty and justice. Many are still waiting for hand outs from western governments and many leaders are still manipulating their country's resources. Kagame suggests that Africans want self-determination and dignity by having jobs and opportunities. I agree that in order to have dignity and stand on its own two feet Africa needs jobs and opportunities. Above all, ordinary Africans need badly to learn that dignity and self determination is important. As yet, many have shown little appreciation of that. And when anything goes wrong, Western governments are petitioned to intervene and the West in general is blindly blamed. Mr Kagame of all people should realize that. Rwanda seems to be doing slightly better once and then it skydived into genocide. Basically, this is because the old mentality had not been routed. Whatever prosperity gained was lost when tribal hatred and ethnic problems prove only solvable through genocide, bloodshed and tribal antics.
Africa needs a culture of democracy and human rights to sustain any material benefits it reaps. It needs development to sustain its investment not as Mr Kagame suggests "investment to sustain development". It needs a mentality among its people and a political culture that instills values of democracy. It also needs reliable institutions to keep its governments accountable. Until then, Africa is a fledging continent. It should be careful of strangers who have little credentials.
Paul Kagame's essay was on why Africa is welcoming investment from China. It is no new thing that China has sought to expand its influence (however, you want to see it) into different regions in the world. But as Mr Kagame himself pointed out, China's expansion into this part of the world in particular has raised many a question and many a suspicion and that for many a reason. He explains two objections to China's to economic engagement in Africa. Firstly, many opponents feel that this would be "exploitative and undermines the development of democracy and human rights". The other reason is that some feel China is taking over the hold that the West once had on African resources. Kagame feels that this does not tackle the issue as it should. And that, also for two reasons: currently, Africans are not treated as equal partners in economic relations so far and to add to that, African leaders have not played their part in pushing for fair engagement.
With respect to the objections raise, the first objection is valid just as the second is not. The only one entitled to African resources are Africans. This is a matter of sovereignty and ownership. However, I disagree with Mr Kagame as I feel that the first objection raised should be considered fairly. China has not have a good human rights record. Only recently has she started to prosper and clean up her act internationally. As Mr Kagame suggests, Africa needs to be engaged fairly. And African leaders have shown little ability to act fairly on her behalf. Most of them, besides the few good, have acted on self interest and tribal interest. Africa is still riddled not just with problems but with corrupted leaders. While some may argue that the West may have not acted responsibly, as shown by history, towards Africa - exploiting them for their goods and their people - it has over recent years been kept accountable for more and more of its actions. America has poured in billions to Africa that goes more than investing but to aid its feeblest citizens. I am not propagating that aid be a substitute for investment. Of course, it should never be. However, I think that unlike its relations with the West which comes under the microscope of western media, the public and the international community at large, its relations with China is often quiet. Not only does China need scrutiny and to be kept accountable for its actions but so does African leaders. It is hard for Africans to hold their leaders accountable, so the international community should assist.
It would be blind for Mr Kagame to suggest that majority of African nations and their citizens are up to the task of handling human rights and democracy. While they are entitled to liberty ad justice, they are still fighting to achieve it and they need all the help they can get. There is no environment yet in most of Africa for liberty and justice. Many are still waiting for hand outs from western governments and many leaders are still manipulating their country's resources. Kagame suggests that Africans want self-determination and dignity by having jobs and opportunities. I agree that in order to have dignity and stand on its own two feet Africa needs jobs and opportunities. Above all, ordinary Africans need badly to learn that dignity and self determination is important. As yet, many have shown little appreciation of that. And when anything goes wrong, Western governments are petitioned to intervene and the West in general is blindly blamed. Mr Kagame of all people should realize that. Rwanda seems to be doing slightly better once and then it skydived into genocide. Basically, this is because the old mentality had not been routed. Whatever prosperity gained was lost when tribal hatred and ethnic problems prove only solvable through genocide, bloodshed and tribal antics.
Africa needs a culture of democracy and human rights to sustain any material benefits it reaps. It needs development to sustain its investment not as Mr Kagame suggests "investment to sustain development". It needs a mentality among its people and a political culture that instills values of democracy. It also needs reliable institutions to keep its governments accountable. Until then, Africa is a fledging continent. It should be careful of strangers who have little credentials.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Kingdom of Heaven
as the title reads, so i write about. this was the second time i watched the movie but only today did i enjoy it. i thought it was an interesting take on the city of Jerusalem and its long bloody history. it will be hard to ignore that the movie did come with a political and philosophical slant. i think that at the end the director of the picture wanted to show that the religious aura that Jerusalem still carries with it is so contrary to all the animosity it leads to. his solution is peace by realizing that religion is within the heart. i suppose that if everybody could be as the main character in the movie, the conflict would have been solved long time ago. the director presents the conflict as a conflict driven by raw hatred, blind religious fervour led by extremist with a passion for blood.
to a certain extent, i can see his point of view. it is true that often men driven by religiosity find a need to shed blood. religion dost caused blood. but by villaining this men, he cast them into a certain figurine and cartoonish character. instead, it is of my opinion, that he should tried to figure out why were this men so driven by their religion. what was it that cause them to be so stedfast (if i may, for a lack of words)? i think a good beginning would be when the main character decides to follow his father to Jerusalem in search for forgiveness. by simplifying the characters in the plot to evil and good, the director subtracts from the plot the intriguing convergence of 3 major religions in Jerusalem and the dynamics that has ensued and survived years and years and years. in the silence of God, Ballian finds his forgiveness in simply doing good and following his conscience. his conscience leads him to sleep with another man's wife while at the same time refusing to marry her and consign her evil husband to death. if he could have save Jerusalem by marrying her, why did he have to waste life and blood? conscience or political miscalculation? the director leads Ballian the character to a religion that simplifies life as something within the heart- the heart that breaks when his first wife dies. maybe Ballian dost grow up a little coming to Jerusalem by the answers to life are far from over in the face of death and other challengers.
it was good food for thought at how we look philosophically and politically at diplomacy, foreign policy and some of the problems in this century. lessons from history and lessons from the movie theater can be very interesting and insightful at the same time.
to a certain extent, i can see his point of view. it is true that often men driven by religiosity find a need to shed blood. religion dost caused blood. but by villaining this men, he cast them into a certain figurine and cartoonish character. instead, it is of my opinion, that he should tried to figure out why were this men so driven by their religion. what was it that cause them to be so stedfast (if i may, for a lack of words)? i think a good beginning would be when the main character decides to follow his father to Jerusalem in search for forgiveness. by simplifying the characters in the plot to evil and good, the director subtracts from the plot the intriguing convergence of 3 major religions in Jerusalem and the dynamics that has ensued and survived years and years and years. in the silence of God, Ballian finds his forgiveness in simply doing good and following his conscience. his conscience leads him to sleep with another man's wife while at the same time refusing to marry her and consign her evil husband to death. if he could have save Jerusalem by marrying her, why did he have to waste life and blood? conscience or political miscalculation? the director leads Ballian the character to a religion that simplifies life as something within the heart- the heart that breaks when his first wife dies. maybe Ballian dost grow up a little coming to Jerusalem by the answers to life are far from over in the face of death and other challengers.
it was good food for thought at how we look philosophically and politically at diplomacy, foreign policy and some of the problems in this century. lessons from history and lessons from the movie theater can be very interesting and insightful at the same time.
Friday, October 09, 2009
It's me again
It's cold here
Under the sun
The leaves wither
And soon the-
Branches break up
Nothing is left
But dead trunks
Music goes off
Long before I-
Fall into sleep
The dream turns
Me over again
I wake up
And it's night
I want sleep
Away from dreams
Into cracks of
Time; no more
Silhouettes- darkness awaits
As empty shells
they'll open windows
to silent room
Under the sun
The leaves wither
And soon the-
Branches break up
Nothing is left
But dead trunks
Music goes off
Long before I-
Fall into sleep
The dream turns
Me over again
I wake up
And it's night
I want sleep
Away from dreams
Into cracks of
Time; no more
Silhouettes- darkness awaits
As empty shells
they'll open windows
to silent room
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Blue (Da ba dee)
What an exhausting week! It started off rainy and cold and ended in a blast of sunshine. There are so many little things that make up the weeks as they go by and draw to a close. It it those little things that make or break the week. Anyway, interesting facts too that I pick up here and there.
I have been thinking of going camera plotting again. I don't know why: because I feel bored or just sentimental. But anyway, the idea is to describe something. I feel sick and tired of watching movies and reading the news though never tired of football. Man Utd made it through though it was a harrowing win by a goal against Porto who had never lost to an English side on home soil before. Chelsea-Liverpool match was the big game. Stole the show, I admit. It was a goal fest. One after another, intense right to the end. So I am predicting a Man Utd vs Chelsea final again.
I have been thinking of going camera plotting again. I don't know why: because I feel bored or just sentimental. But anyway, the idea is to describe something. I feel sick and tired of watching movies and reading the news though never tired of football. Man Utd made it through though it was a harrowing win by a goal against Porto who had never lost to an English side on home soil before. Chelsea-Liverpool match was the big game. Stole the show, I admit. It was a goal fest. One after another, intense right to the end. So I am predicting a Man Utd vs Chelsea final again.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Springs mild descend
It's stealthy and quiet
But it could not be more timely
As it burst through the roots
And from the heavens
Grips you at the toes
And lifts your head upwards
There, where the streams gently flow
Birds chirp, Flowers bud, Leaves sprinkle branches
I love the smell, the rain drops
The anxiety, and yet quiet confidence
Coupled with impatience and laziness
The days get brighter and longer
They find their meaning
Night holds no one refugee
And I breathe the careless spring!
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