So while the Desi Blogosphere went mad over Indian government’s ban on blogger, and then afterwards its post analysis of freedom expression, censorship and all, this is what has been happening in other parts of the world this past week.
Israel steps up its offensive against Lebanon – more and more civilians killed: I initially thought Israel’s step was a right one, but the more I think about it, I think its just another excuse for Israel to start a war and kill innocent people in the name of defending themselves. Israel’s war on a Middle East country works well with Bush as this fits perfectly with his grand scheme of Middle East domination, no wonder then as he says “Israel has right to defend herself†(he perhaps missed saying – so does India). What next US puppy… oops Israel? Syria? Jordan? Egypt?
But that doesnt stop Bush from protecting his other Puppy: Mush. Hence, he allows his crow Richard Boucher to hint that India is kidding about Pakistani hand in Mumbai Blasts
I know there’s a lot of speculation out there now. That happens in these cases. But I think we need to be led by the evidence before we start trying to draw conclusions and make policy pronouncements on it,"US assistant secretary of state Richard Boucher said on Monday.
And exactly what evidence was given when your own president invaded Iraq, Mr. Boucher?
So - On one had Bush thinks Israel’s war with Lebanon is justified, he chides India at the same time for suspecting Pakistan in Mumbai Blasts - Tch! We are so naive. Pakistan is holier than thou - what would we know?
I am sad that Pakistan doesnt have OIL. Then things would be different.
In other stories, there was a massive earthquake and a Tsunami in Indoneasia of magnitude 7.7, resulting in a Tsumani of 6 feet, killing more than 600 people (officially). As if this were not enough, birds are causing havoc there, giving this country a dubious distinction of reporting the highest Bird Flu related deaths : 42.
But their inward problems doesnt seem to stop them from sending troops to Middle East
“In the current emergency situation, there has been readiness from Indonesia (to send troops). We expect the resolution to be issued in less than three months” said Percaya.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a letter to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, requesting the Security Council to result a resolution that allows the launch of peacekeeping operation in the Middle East.
Mr. President, there are more problems in your own country than you can handle - how about solving solving them first before heading into the Israel-Lebanon mess?
Which brings me back again to Israel - Lebanon mess and the civilians.
While we jump the gun to ridicule our Government and our Airlines, how about a simple gesture of thanks to Air India and Operation Sukoon to save 12000 Indian nationals in Beirut. Nah, Government against Blogspot is more important news. In the same vein, who will save the 80000 Sri Lankans stranded in Lebanon? A "Special flight, courtesy Air Lanka?" - its a pity, most of these people including Sri Lankans and Indians are there either on labor work or maids and cooks. With a war raging on, I am sure they have been left by their employers to the sea.
Where do they go? What do they do? Those 12000 and 80000 people left their country to struggle and provide for their family back home. It is heartening to see India offering their helping hand to Sri Lanka and Nepalese for evacuation.
So MUCH happened in the world this week, yet, we are only concerned about Government’s nefarious plans against Bloggers, and inane discussions on censorship, should government ban sites or not and such.
Exactly my thought with the way every Indian news channel was obsessed with a child trapped 60 feet under 24 hrs for a good 3 days which was more nauseating than bloggers losing sleep over not able to access blogspot.
I guess any problem that befalls on you, becomes ur biggest concern, no matter how insignificant it is in the bigger scheme of things lol
Keep writing,
Karan.
Suyog,
Completely agree with your views. Bush is one opportunistic person with double standards. But why do India have t listen to US for any action against Pakistan. This is not how you become a future super power. Yesterday I was watching the Karan Thapar interviewing the Pakistani Foriegn minister on CNN IBN channel. And what an interview. This Karan Thapar surely has the ability to pin down any guest with his smart queries. The Pakistani Foreign minister was at loss of words in the whole interview.
Our news channels were so obsessed with the Prince of Haryana that every other important news took a back seat. There was nothing else to watch on TV. The news channels were hell bent on showing the prince, the movie channels were running the same old movies, the Hindi serials suck, English serials are re-runs. Nothing is happening in the sports world either. I have to be satisfied with old episodes of Friends before hitting the bed at 12.
Amjad
Thou art tagged !
Visit my blog and see your assignment [:-P]
-PeAcE
–WiTh
—GuNs
“how about solving solving them first before heading into the Israel-Lebanon mess?”
You seem to have mistaken US’s attempts as trying to solve the problem :). If there is peace everywhere, why do you need US? This morons make sure the fires are burning in Middle East, around Israel, between India-Pak, so that US can sell more arms and play big brother.
If a 200 mile wide meator hits US, it will still be the second worst thing to happen to US after Mr. Bush.
Its not easy to know what approach is the best. Getting killed, shot at or bombed by terrorists everyday and then making outrageously stupid comments like “Mumabi is back on its feet and the spirit of its people is great” or getting up and doing something about it!
I agree that disproportionate response is not the solution either but I’d like to see other people with more practical solutions. One mustn’t forget that it was military action which gave Israel 6 years of peace with Lebanon and this time they are probably hoping to achieve another 6 years. Cruel but effective!
jedi
Israel’s action is justified. No country can give terrorists a free run and not pay for it. Hezbollah may be few, but without Lebanese support including participation in government, they wouldn’t have been emboldened enough to attack Israel.
Ditto for Pakistan. If tommorrow India attacks Pak thousands of innocents will die there too. But let’s not forget that those ‘innocents’ were the one who let terrorism flourish, the very same who went on with their lives not caring two-hoots when countless innocents died on the other side in terrorist attacks.
It’s a worser sin than the actual sin itself to bear the sin and pretend nothing has happened. The worst is to actually support the commission of such heinous acts of mass murder as witnessed in Mumbai.
Crime is a crime and deserves punishment. Be it a community or a whole country.
I have already blogged about this. Its HIGH TIME our government stopped acting like a sissy and DID something. Its very clear that this vote bank politic is not going to do anything unless they are FORCED to.
I’ve put up one suggestion on my post. How about everyone putting up theirs too?
-PeAcE
–WiTh
—GuNs