Turks Fear the Rising Religious Class
Secular Turks took to the streets Sunday to voice their growing opposition to the lifestyles of their religious counterparts. The hundreds of thousands of protesters fear that the emergence of a more distinguished religious class in Turkey will mean an attack on their newly liberating way of life, as reported by the New York Times. (full article)
Stating that Islamic Turks make them feel uncomfortable and judged, many Turkish people want to ensure that these people do not gain any influence in policy making. However, current Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan can threaten that. The pro-Islamic leader is making a bid for presidency. Many secularist fear that if he gains more power, their rights will be in jeopardy.
Although it is somewhat understandable for Turkish secularists to fear their rights and freedoms as more and more of an Islamic influence is hitting the major cities, however, the protests and complete distaste for these people is only aiding to prejudices.
In the past 20 years, Turkey has seen an economic boom, women have gained numerous rights and freedoms, and the people have become more educated. And with this new class of secular people, an uncomfortable sentiment has only emerged toward the religious class. Many Turks feel that Islamic people are ignorant and poor.
It seems that the secularist are fighting the wrong battle. They shouldn’t being protesting the religious class, but rather promoting tolerance. After all, the Islamic Turks don’t seem to be going anywhere, and unless the people start to understand that, they will only set their country’s progress back in time.
Protesting the emergence of a possible Islamic rule in a secular government is one thing, but protesting and promoting a fear of a entire class of people is another.
Check out this video from the protest (not the best quality):
Thousands Protest Darfur Crisis
Thousands of people protested outside Prime Minister Tony Blair’s residence to demand immediate action on the Darfur crisis. Protests were also held in the U.S. and Israel, as reported by the L.A. Times. (full article)
As Sudan leaders continue to refuse help from U.N. peacekeepers, people all over the world are urging leaders, like Blair, to use their influence to sway the international community for action. Protesters in London expressed their concern by going as far as holding up a 7-foot hourglass filled with fake blood.
Since the four-year struggle in Darfur began, 200,000 people have been killed, and more than 2 million have been displaced. And although U.N. officials have offered to help Sudan leaders control the mass genocide, the leaders are preferring to deal with the matter with the help of the African Union, a choice that is not proving to be successful.
The global day of action, as it was called, hopefully ignited a much needed wake up call to leaders that this crisis in Darfur needs a great deal of attention and support from the international community. The idea that we, as a global entity, are sitting by while mass genocide is going on in 2007 is disgusting and appalling.
Although no new legislation or master plans have yet to come from these around the world protest, hopefully the pressure from the people will quickly force leaders into immediate action.
To find out how you can help, visit savedarfur.org.
Check out this video on Darfur:
Western Style Banned in Iran
Iranian police have warned barbers against giving men Western hairstyles, which is known as bad hijab, or un-Islamic clothing. Among western hairstyles, barbers are also banned from plucking eyebrows and putting make-up on clients, as reported by the BBC. (full article)
These are just some of the heavily enforced ‘western style’ crackdown in Iran right now,which also includes banning western music and dress. Newspapers have reported that within the last week, 16,000 women and 500 men have been cautioned by over their improper dress. It has even been suggested that who violate dress regulations should be exiled from the capital city, Tehran, and sent to remote areas of the country.
It is well known that Iranian officials view the West negatively and reject all characteristics that are associated with the West. And as the influence of the West spreads more and more, many countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia are working hard at ensuring its people stay true to Islamic traditions.
However, this seems like a fight the Iranian youth are not taking lightly. As government control becomes increasingly intolerable, the young people of the country are becoming even more united. And since 60% of Iranians are under 30, this is definitely not a crowd that will be easily quieted.
Check out a previous BBC article on a western music ban in Iran here.
Check out a video on a December 2006 Iranian student anti-regime demonstration:
Governor Lives on Food Stamps
In a unique, yet eye-opening experience, Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski of Oregon is trying the “food stamp challenge,” in which he and his wife will only spend $42 on food for the entire week- the same amount food stamp recipients receive. The program, sponsored by religious groups and community activists, hopes to show what is like to live off of such a tight budget, as reported by the New York Times. (full article)
The Governor said he found it challenging to live with such limited funding, and found himself having to give up fresh produce and vegetables. Another elected official who participated in the challenge commented on how his outlook on eating changed. State Senator Jonathan Harris of Connecticut, who just finished three weeks on food stamp funds said,”On the spiritual side, when I did eat, I was more present. Usually I’m watching TV, shoveling things in, not thinking that I am blessed.”
This comes at a time when the Bush Administration just proposed cutting 185,000 people’s food stamps because they already receive some kind of government assistance. This is among many proposed cuts to the welfare system.
I find it refreshing that a governor is so concerned with the welfare of his people that he went as far to see how they live. It doesn’t seem like people in Washington, with their Yale education and vacations on exclusive islands, understand the struggling America. Although there are some major problems and abuse in the Welfare system currently, many people rightfully need a little help to get back on track. The money the government will be cutting back will be a child’s breakfast or dinner.
We need to have more leaders that are working for the working people. Maybe if the affluent people of America lived like those at rock bottom for a week, this country would be run very differently.
Check out this look at poverty in America:
Supreme Court Rules Against Abortion Procedure
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court Justices upheld a law, signed by President Bush in 2003, that banned partial birth abortions, as reported by CNN. (full article)
A major part of the commotion with the ruling is the fact that a “health exception” clause was left out of the law, which allows the procedure to be done in instances when the mother’s or baby’s health is in jeopardy.
This is a monumental Supreme Court ruling. It shows the direction our court system is heading, as well as asserts just how close the Roe v. Wade ruling is to being overturned.
Personally, I think this ruling is just another way to erode a woman’s right to an abortion. A woman’s right to choose is a personal issue, not one to be displayed and exploited on the political arena. And although I am wary of the idea of late term abortion, it should be a woman’s choice to make that decision. This is a procedure done to save the life of the mother, or end the life of a baby who, medically, will be unable to survive outside the womb. It is not something, (I would hope) pregnant women want to do. However, taking away that choice in an already horrific time in the mother’s life is just another way for the court to work its way into our personal rights and freedoms.
I also find it somewhat upsetting that we are seeing strict Catholic nations and cities like Mexico City and Portugal working to broaden women’s rights, when here in the land of the free, we our having the most trouble keeping our rights.
The decision of abortion is such a personal and complicated issue, especially when it is a late term abortion. I am sure no woman makes the life altering decision lightly, and without a heavy heart. It should not be the right for a governmental system to question the choices a woman makes with her body, nor should it use the issue as a pawn in some kind of political game of chess.
Check out the Pro-Life stance on abortion here.
Check out the Pro-Choice stance on abortion here.
Sudan Accepts U.N. Help
In a letter, Sudan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem, said the country will accept a “heavy support package” from the U.N. in an effort to end the Darfur crisis, as reported by the New York Times. (full article)
Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, has previously denied U.N. help in the conflict, saying it would disrupt the country’s national sovereignty. However, now doors have openned to get U.N. reinforcements, along with Afrian Union forces, to help promote peace in the area and work to end the mass genocide.
The heavy support package calls for the creation of a 21,000 AU and UN troops to replace the 7,000 soldier AU forces there now.
This is major step for Sudan toward a resolution to a crisis that has claimed 200,000 lives and displace 2.5 million people since 2003. Hopefully with the cooperation of the leaders of Sudan, the U.N. and the A.U. can finally begin to protect the people of Darfur. This struggle may take a great deal of effort and work to restore peace, but its all got to start somewhere.
Learn more about the Darfur crisis and find out ways to help here.
Watch a poweful video on Darfur:
Turks Protest Islamic Prime Minister
More than 200,000 Turks protested against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his plans to run for president. Protesters complained that Turkey has always had a secular government, and the Islamic PM cannot change that, as reported by CNN. (full article)
Erdogan, however, has strong support in Parliament, and maybe be unable to be stopped if he decides to run for president. Protesters fear that with his already strong government ties, and with 99% of Turks being Muslim, an Islamist agenda will be easy to implement if Erdogan gains power.
This protest and the possibility of Erdogan running for president has the potential of being very influential. Turkey is currently working on admittance in the EU. However, with its countless human rights violations and strong ties to the Middle East (among other problems), the country is already having trouble convincing EU leaders that it is a worthy European country.
If an Islamic leader takes power and manages to influence the government to move away from secular leadership, Turkey can pretty much forget about admittance in the EU. EU member states represent secular governments, evolving human rights reforms, and powerful democratic processes.
I am not saying it is in the best interest for Turkey to work to become a EU member state. That is decision the people need to evaluate, as there are pros and cons on both sides. Nor am I saying that having a secular president is in the country’s best interest. However, the appeared split between the Turks on whether Islam values should be in the government seems to be of great concern. And it will be one more obstacle the country will have to face on its long road to the European Union.
Check out an interesting video on Turkey and the EU, created by a man from Turkey:
Cheney Spits Fire at Democrats
In an aggressive Chicago speech, Vice President Dick Cheney accused congressional Democrats as being far too left, comparing them to the leftist platform advocated by George McGovern of the 1970s, as reported by the Washington Post. (full article)
In what seems like a desperate attempt to sway the American people from their growing distrust in the current administration, Cheney placed all the blame on the Democrats. In his speech, he mentioned that the Democrats proposed the largest tax increase in history, saying they had “earned a place in the big-spending hall of fame.”
However he neglected to mention the insane amount of money the current administration has spent on a war that has yet to show any substantial reason to have started. Billions and billions of American dollars have gone into the destruction of a country, money that could have gone into the school system, or towards infrastructure, or even towards social security.
Our country is in disarray and our school systems our continuing to ‘leave children behind’ and all we have to show for it is too many body bags and abandoned families.
Cheney also mentioned in his speech that congressional Democrats do not “fully appreciate the nature of the danger this country faces in the war on terror.” However, it does not seem that we have done very much with the war on terror since we started our war on Iraq, two completely different conquests. Increasing funding to Iraq has nothing to do with the war on terror.
And furthermore, it is upsetting that whenever a politician (democratic or republican) uses terrorism as a platform to get their way in politics. Exploiting horrific acts of terrorism as a means to get votes and approval ratings is inappropiate. This is a real concern for Americans, and up-playing their fears is not what our ’protectors’ should be doing. We look to our leaders to ensure that they will do protect our nation without constantly throwing around the idea of another major attack whenever they need a vote.
Read the speech in its entirety here.
Check out the other headline with Cheney concerning BYU students here.
Hamas Militants Demand Exchange for Israeli Captive
Hamas militants gave a list of Palestinian prisoners they want released in exchange for the Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who has been captive for ten months. The list exchange was between Egyptian mediators, as reported by the New York Times (full article)
The list of Palestinian soldiers had 450 names on it, for the release of only one man. However, as of last November, Israel had “9,075 Palestinians in custody, including 345 minors.” The ball is now in Israel’s court as to whether the return of Shalit will come home sooner rather than later.
For some reason, it doesn’t seem like an even exchange between the two countries. One person for the freeing of 450 people, many of whom are imprisoned for killing Israelis. This situation comes down to the idea of how important one life truly is to a country. Because this situation is in the media and highly profiled, I would imagine some agreement will be met, but it does seem that Hamas militants are exploiting the situation to receive some high rewards.
I am not an expert on the situation, but I am fully aware that this sort of cat and mouse game is consistant with both countries. There may never be a resolution, and situations like this are bound to keep reoccuring, but it is just sad that the lives of many nationalists are stuck in the middle of yet another endless game of politics.
Find out more about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict here.
Here is a (very) brief visual look at the conflict:
Thousands Protest New Immigration Plan
Thousands of people protested in LA yesterday because of a new immigration plan that could make each illegal immigrant pay up to 20,000 to become a legal citizen, as reported by the Boston Globe. (full article)
It is estimated that there are 12 million illegal immigrants in the country right now. And with a new plan proposed by President Bush, the White House “would allow illegal immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits. They would be renewable indefinitely, but would cost $3,500 each time.” In order for the immigrants to get perminent residency, “llegal immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a US embassy or consulate to reenter legally, and pay a $10,000 fine.” With all of the green card and work permit fees, it can easily cost over $20,000 for these people to become Americans.
This plan is ultraconservate compared to the previously proposed bill turned down by Republicans. In that bill, immigrants could “work, and apply to become legal residents after learning English, pay small fines and back taxes, and clear a background check.”
I find it appalling that there is even an idea to get some $20,000 out of the pockets of hardworking people. I understand the idea of paying back taxes and even charging a small fee, but proposing that they pay this much is outrageous. Many illegal immigrants work for a fraction of what American citizens earn. Imposing this much of a fine will make it impossible for immigrants to find a better life here in the states.
It does not say on the Statue of Liberty “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe……..only if they can pay several thousands of dollars to work the jobs many Americans wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole.”
It is obvious there needs to be a policy change to handle the millions of illegal immigrants. However, attempting to make a hefty profit on their pain and struggle and dreams of a better life for their children is not the way to do it.
Check out the Justice for Immigrants campaign here.
Check out what an anti-illegal immigration organization has to say here.
Watch some of the protest:
