AND WHAT PRICE A PERSON'S LIFE?

The last couple of weeks have seen an unbelievable upsurge in protests against Governments across the world.  Just a few months ago we would never in our wildest dreams have thought that this would happen.  Two Presidents -Egypt and Tunisia - have already been deposed but in other countries the protests continue.  King Abdullah of Jordan promptly instituted reforms and dismissed his then Government as soon as the protests started.  Since then reforms have continued and although not all of the people's problems there have been resolved - stability seems to be in sight.

In Morocco a few protests were reported, but what wasn't reported is the fact that protests are allowed in Morocco and have happened continually over the years and none have been destructive.  King Mohammad VI who has been on the throne since 1999 and was educated in Belgium  is known as a progressive monarch who has given rights to women.  His wife, H.R.H. Princess Lalla Salma is the first wife of a Moroccan king to be given an official title and position and represents the King at many overseas functions.  His mother - who was never seen before the death of his father, was immediately elevated to the rank of H.R.H. The Princess Mother when the present King ascended the throne.  He has also instituted many reforms to benefit his people in the areas of health and education over the years, yet in spite of these facts, the western media lumps the country with all the other uprisings calling it "another unsettled Arab country".   Generalization and profiling is never good.

Bahrain - while maybe not in league with Morocco - is also trying.  King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa may have been an autocratic ruler but in the last week he has listened to the people, freed prisoners of conscience as requested, withdrawn the army and police from the streets and asked the Crown Prince to start dialogue with all parties.  This is big progress. The King is not a stupid man and hopefully matters will get resolved soon.

But then there is Libya, which is a totally different story to all the others.  It has been a despotic regime for decades having been party to more than one horrific act of terrorism over the years.  However, it also happens to be one of the largest producers of oil in the world.  That is very important in the eyes of western leaders.  Nevertheless as I write this, people are being massacred by President Gaddafi's thugs.  It is thought some 500-plus have died already and President Gaddafi said on state television yesterday he would use all force possible to stop the protests, and then execute anyone who did protest.  An important fact is that these words were never heard from any of the leaders of the other troubled states, but nevertheless western leaders called for the respective Presidents to stand down from office.  Interesting, because there is not much oil coming from those countries

In a speech yesterday at the White House, President Obama - who, incidentally was one of those who telephoned Mr. Mubarak of Egypt and told him he should step down from the Presidency - called the atrocities being committed in Libya as "outrageous and unacceptable".  Nothing did he say about calling for President Gaddafi to step down.   From comments I have seen on TV this morning, most people in the Arab world and elsewhere thought his speech was "wishy-washy".  He did not go far enough.  The British leaders have not done any better.  Why are they afraid to show their strength?  Why are they afraid to use stronger terminology in the Libyan case where people are being slaughtered left right and center, when in less serious cases they were calling for the immediate departure of the Presidents?

The answer to those questins is simply one word - OIL!

Commentators on all the American and British radio and TV stations have been emphasizing how the price of oil could go up, how the world's supply of oil could be cut, how some businesses would lose millions if not billions, how the DOW stock index has fallen - etcetera, etcetera, etcerera.  But hundreds of innocent people who only want freedom and a chance to live with dignity are dying while the already extra rich moguls of Wall Street and the financial district of London can only think of their own pockets.  Only two big leaders - President Sarkozy of France and Mrs. Angela Merkel of Germany - spoke out and said something stronger must happen immediately to end this massacre.  They have now been joined by Mr. Ban Ki Moon of the United Nations, but not a word further from the other western leaders.

America regards itself as the example of concern and democracy and a leader.  Britain also puts itself in that role, China also has spoken out on occasions such as this, but where are they all now?  Why are they being so cautious and scared?  Is oil more important than people?  Let's hear your voices and see your actions.  Are people's lives not worth anything any more?  What would they be doing if the same things were happening in the U.S.A. or Britain or any other western country?  Not just sitting comfortably and only saying things were "outrageous and unacceptable" I am sure.  And why haven't we heard even from the leaders of our churches either?  Is it not politically correct for them?  After all, the churches preach justice and equality for all - so why don't they speak up?

I know I will get flack from some people for writing what I have here, but I get it all the time, so it doesn't matter.  I got it yesterday from some people (ex-pats) with whom I was talking on this very subject.  What does matter and what is of importance are the lives of innocent people whomever they are and wherever they are.  You cannot put a price on the lives of people - or compare a person to a barrel of oil.   So leaders, church people whomever - do whatever you can and stop these horrific happenings now.

WHAT WILL 2011 BRING FOR THE WORLD?

During the last week of 2010, I wrote to a friend in America and said I was rather glad that 2010 was almost over, as it really wasn't the best of years as far as I was concerned.  Nothing really terrible had happened during the year, but from time to time several unnecessary things turned up.  We were able to deal with them all and they are now history so details aren't necessary, but both my partner and I feel we could well have done without them and the traumatic feelings that came with some, so we were/are looking forward to a better year in 2011.

In the days that followed my writing that letter, I was surprised to learn that many people thought the same way we did.  There were many reasons for these feelings I  learned. The world-wide economic situation played a big part for some, the loss of a job, a home, a family member or maybe illness.  Whatever the reason - 2010 does not seem to have been the best of years for so many.

Now that 2011 is here and firmly entrenched I wonder if it is going any better than 2010.  As far as I am concerned personally, things are fine and going well.  I have no complaints - all is good.  However, having said that I have to look at the wider picture............ the world-wide picture. In this day and age where anyone in any part of the world can see and know what is going on in any other part of the world exactly as it is happening, we cannot isolate ourselves.

As I write this we are just beginning the seventh week of the year 2011 and in that short time more things have happened than anyone could have imagined.  Some of them hopefully to bring good, some maybe not.

In what is considered by so many to be the leader of civilized countries, the decidedly uncivilized rhetoric of many of the American politicians and others against one another that continued in January, was - and is - nothing less than a tool to incite bigotry and hatred and has even been cited as a possible cause for the seemingly continuing series of shooting rampages that occur.  When will these people learn to "respect the dignity of every human being"?  Is that not similarly stated in the much-quoted Constitution?  Can that kind of talk really bring happiness and peace?  I doubt it very much.

Moving further afield - this year even within these short seven weeks - we have seen tumultuous happenings throughout the world. Demonstrations against the Government in relatively small numbers appeared in Yemen.  These were followed very closely by huge demonstrations against the Government and President in Tunisia which resulted in President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fleeing the country. Almost immediately after - and just nineteen days ago, demonstrations erupted in Egypt which resulted in the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.  Smaller demonstrations occurred in Jordan and King Abdullah II took quick steps to install a new Government and start reforms and this morning I learn demonstrations are being planned in Algeria

I have no doubt that these events will bring big changes - all for the good, I hope to these countries.  Over the past years, I have visited all of the countries I mentioned above - some of them several times - and I have found their people to be among the kindest, friendliest and most peace-loving.  All they want is not war and turmoil in their countries, but just the ability to live peacefully, have an education, a job, a home and be able to raise their families without a constant struggle fighting poverty and corruption. This is as it should be and this is how I hope 2011 will turn out for them all.

However, having said that - the success of these changes depends greatly on the powerful so-called western countries.  Many of the most powerful western countries are ruled by powerful and wealthy businessmen and politicians who are on the lookout to promote their own personal interests and are only too willing to prop up a dictator willing to give them concessions.  We have seen that all the time.  This must not be allowed to happen again in these countries that have struggled to free themselves from dictators who have milked an untold amount of money and assets from their countries.  For once let the so-called civilized western powers show that they are civilized and that they are really and truly willing and able to help these nations rebuild a society for the good of their people and not just pay lip service and then swell their own bank accounts.

Just as a final thought - I have often wondered what makes these dictators "tick". What goes on in their minds?   Are they not aware of history or if they are, do they not learn from it?   Or do they just hope bad things will not happen to them if they hold the reins tight?   Go back in living memory (and you could go back even much further) to the days of Hitler and Mussolini and you will find that almost every dictator came to what could well be described as a "very sticky end".  One of the very few who didn't was General Franco of Spain, and one reason was because the people knew he was grooming the then Crown Prince Carlos to take the throne once Franco died. That was something the people wanted and it happened.

I have only met personally one dictator in my life and that was one of the worst - President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania. I was working in London at the time and went on an official visit to Romania..  I had the somewhat dubious distinction of being invited to the Presidential Palace in Bucharest to meet President Ceausescu and his wife. On a one-to-one basis I have to say he was an extremely pleasant man and a gracious host.  His wife, on the other hand I could only describe as a "scary woman" who never smiled even as she greeted us and I felt quite uncomfortable even shaking hands with her.  The interesting thing about that day was that the President when talking to us, continually harped on the fact that he was so adored by the people and he did so much for them so they wanted him to stay for ever.  I never understood whether he was living in "La-La" land and really believed what he said, or whether he was putting on an act for us so that when we returned home we would tell all how much he was loved. (Mr.Mubarak's last speech to the people seemed to be along the same lines, strangely enough).  Whatever the reason, it wasn't too long after that before both President Ceausescu and his wife came to a very unpleasant end.
  

Is there a lesson here?  Yes!  Maybe the powerful should open their eyes and ears more often and listen to the people.