abaya

Okay, I guess I don't watch TV news much either (in Iceland we only have two channels anyway, neither of which are international news ones), but since we're in a hotel in Oslo with cable, I've had it on more than usual... and I'm just astounded by the images. This is one time when I've been glad to be watching TV news, because it's phenomenal what coverage they've been able to "smuggle" out of the country via the internet. Although today, apparently the gov't has cut the internet lines, so there won't be much more coming out (and just as the violent crackdown has gotten underway, too). Uggh.

You know, just once, I'd like to see a Western country DO something about decent people suffering (especially for "democracy," if that's what we're supposed to care so much about) in a country that lacks our economic interest. Instead, they just get seen/portrayed as "brown people killing themselves in fucked up countries," at least from my extremely cynical viewpoint on the matter. I'd like to think that something like the killing fields (Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, 1970s) would never happen again in this day and age, but nope. No one gives a fuck. Darfur, anyone?

Here it is again, from Hotel Rwanda... it was my signature at one point, last year when Israel was bombing the shit out of Lebanon and once again, all that the powers could be said was: "Uhh, use extreme restraint. That's all."

Paul Rusesabagina: I am glad that you have shot this footage and that the world will see it. It is the only way we have a chance that people might intervene.

Jack: Yeah and if no one intervenes, is it still a good thing to show?

Paul Rusesabagina: How can they not intervene when they witness such atrocities?

Jack: I think if people see this footage they'll say, "oh my God that's horrible," and then go on eating their dinners.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran