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.