Thursday, July 07, 2005

Don’t let terrorists dictate the agenda

Bombs don’t only blow up buses or trains, bombs raise questions. Who is the enemy? Is it a religious war? What is the ultimate goal? What is the reason for the bloodshed? Is it our own fault? Is it a result of the countless inequalities or are the terrorists just murderers?
The Madrid attack had an immediate effect on the elections. Is this another politically motivated attack? Is there a way out of this nightmare?

I don’t know any of the answers, but I’m sure that attacks like these can’t be prevented, no matter how high the security standards are. Focusing on terrorism has proven to be effective to win votes but attacks have not been prevented. So instead of turning the world into a Big Brother house it might be a good idea to start asking questions and looking for solutions. Elevating people from poverty (which isn’t only an issue in Africa) isn’t an altruistic dream, dreamt by alternative treehuggers. Neither is the preservation of water resources or the fight to prevent climate change. The reasons are so damn rational that it’s scary. Politicians have ignored these issues far too long.

This is not an excuse. Terrorists and violent demonstrators make me sick. That’s exactly why we shouldn’t give them the pleasure to dictate our political agenda. Poverty and climate change are being discussed right now at the G8 summit. These issues affect billions of people. Whoever believes the world could be freed of terrorists is a dreamer. It is not worth devoting all these resources to fight terrorists. It’s even counterproductive. They will feel like heroes if they get all this attention. Let’s talk about what’s important. Let’s ask questions and find solutions. Let’s not wait for bombs to open our eyes.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

White Band & Live 8

I'm sure all the cynics who don't wear white bands or haven't watched Live 8 are the ones who are going to solve the worlds problems. Because they're the only ones who really know, that pop-stars don't care and that everyone in the Western world is a hypocrite who believes, that something about poverty should be done. I'm also sure, that they're the only ones who will think about poverty and other global problems once the concerts are over.
Pop-stars do everything for their ego as well as those who volunteer, those who support charity or those who bother to inform themselves about the subject.
But what's the real story here? Is it possible that by critisizing everyone and everything the cynics justify their own behaviour? There will always be more reasons to despair than to hope. But just sitting around making cynical comments doesn't really help anybody. Even if the only thing you do is wearing the white band you show the politicians that they can't just keep going on if the want to win any elections again. Which is more than doing nothing.
We have to be realistic. There will always be rich and poor people and even nations. Like not everyone is born to become a rocket scientist, not everyone will be able to handle financial affairs as well as others.
We can't make history by doubling the aid. We can make history by being educated democrats who vote for the people willing to find solutions.