Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Yeah He's Crazy. But You're Exaggerating.

Today I woke up to some peculiar news. A known Evangelical figure in the US, one of those who has his own TV show and extensive contacts in the current US government and the Republican Party, proposed that the White House assassinate the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. According to Pat Robertson, the deeds perpetrated by Chavez that make him "worthy" of such an end are:

  1. Destroying the Venezuelan economy and middle class thus creating more poverty in his nation

  2. Having socialist/communist links and ideals that he wish to share with the rest of Latin America

  3. Creating in Venezuela, an environment for radical Islam and therefore terrorism
Ok... not only is his proposition absurd but what's up with that last reason??? We might not like Chavez or consider him crazy. We might not agree with his "Bolivarian" ideals that have given rise to social discontent in Venezuela and the increase in poverty. We might not agree with his love affair with the past or his admiration of Fidel Castro. But taking leftist Chavez and then suggesting he has connections with Al Qaeda... where is the logic in that?

Almost immediately, Venezuela answered and called Robertson a criminal and demanded that the US denounce his declarations. The White House heeded to these demands and separated themselves quickly from Mr. Robertson's opinions.

That, apparently, was the end of that. In this fasshion, Hugo Chavez can add one more absurd story to his presidency that has been plagued by his crazy paranoia and the reduction of human rights and economic health of his country. We should try and help out Venezuela and let Chavez see his mistakes but never in the way Pat Robertson suggested.

You can read the full story (in Spanish) here: http://estadis.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/301044.html

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

They Are Almost Out: Israel Close to Leaving the Gaza Strip

According to me, today was the first day after the 48 hour deadline that Israel gave its citizens in Gaza to evacaute their homes and take their belongings. And as many people expected, the world watched as many families and young people still remained within their settlements. With that, the Israeli army was called to go in and remove them, if necessary, by force. All of this created even more tension in an already tense day as everyone expected the worse - violence between the Jews of Israel. Fortunately, up until now the worst has been the shouting of insults and other hurtful remakrs as the people protest and attempt to resist their removal. No one has been hurt or killed.

I must admit I did not know a lot about Israel or about the problems between Israelis and Palestinians besides the obvious clash between their religions and their fight for Jerusalem. Fortunately, about six months ago I got a chance to read a little bit more about what has happened in that troubled area that helped me understand the situation a bit more.

Since its independence, Israel has characterized itself as being a strong nation perhaps at times even seeming aggressive to their Arab neighbours. In two wars, Israel managed to occupy the whole Sinai penninsula and areas of the neighbouring countries. Both Gaza and the "West Bank" are part of those territories that Israel occupied even after those wars ended (this is agreed to by the ). These territories are supposedly (then) going to be part of a Palestinian state which, of course, is another issue that has had decades long negotiations without much progress.

In the latest years, Israel, under the command of Ariel Sharon, has begun an unilateral program that seeks to comply with some of the conditions for peace set out in negotations. One of these conditions was to evacuate the "occupied" areas and leave them to the Palestinians. Sharon was highly criticized for this for two reasons. The first one was that the Palestinians had not given their approval or support to this initiative nor had they said how they would "pay the Israelis back". The second one was that, as many things in government and politics, there was concern about who was going to bear the brunt of the payment for this move and for the housing and support the Jewish settlers would receive after the move.

Beyond that context, today what was clearly evident was the high emotion on the side of the Jews and the sadness that they all demonstrated while leaving their homes. It's understandable. All of us grow fond of our home, our neighbourhood and our routine. Makes it also understandable that they would find the strength to fight for this.

But what surprised me the most in these last few days was that some of the people opposed to the move and also to Sharon, firmly believe that this land they are being forced to leave is actually a gift directly from their God. In other words, they believe it is their destiny and divine right to live in this land. Wow. It makes even more sense that they would not want to leave and the extreme refusal can be understood. Luckily, as I said in the beginning, there have been no people hurt or killed.

I really admire Sharon for this move, for searching for peace and also because he accepts the blame, the tears and the rage of his people who have come to the unfortunate point of resorting to call him Nazi.

Lets hope it is worth it and that this is the true beginning for peace for this land. Peace for the Jews. Peace for Palestine.

Monday, August 08, 2005

Random News While Away

Well, I find myself without Internet for a little while but I didn't want to leave you readers without a post. So here are some news (in Spanish):

Air France Plane Goes on Fire After Landing in Toronto:
http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia_busqueda.html?id_nota=36507&tabla=INTERNACIONAL_h

First Dog Cloned
http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia_busqueda.html?id_nota=37871&tabla=GRAFICO_h