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an autocratic ruler but in the last week he has listened to the people, freed prisoners of conscience as requested, withdrawn the army and police from the streets and asked the Crown Prince to start dialogue with all parties.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.