Well, the world continues to deliver plenty of contrast and paradox. We have the pursuit of excellence at the Olympics in Beijing, to ‘Who Started this?’ debacle in Georgia, to another lost leader resigning this time in Pakistan to our own Prime Minister Helen Clarke showing a real taste of humanity through the sad loss of her trusted guide whilst hiking and skiing in the Southern Alps near Tekapo in the South Island of New Zealand.
Firstly the Olympics. Mahe Drysdale has demonstrated true Olympic spirit with his gutsy performance in the single sculls final. Despite severe illness he competed to the point of collapse – he secured a bronze medal – at full fitness maybe that would have been gold. However it is his gritty performance in the face of real adversity that epitomises what it’s all about. No excuses in the end. He accepts responsibility.
Georgia. Seems to me a classic lack of acceptance of responsibility [ backed up in this case by the US?]. From some accounts the Georgian leader chose to take on an ally of Russia whilst counting on the support of the West with whom he had been cultivating alliances. Well Russia did not muck around and the result has become one of more spin than an out of control top from the West. Get over it, move on, build bridges not escalate conflict!
Pakistan. What seemed to be a way forward out of the messy politics of the past, Musharaff seems to have lost his way, become unpopular and has now resigned. At least he has listened to his opposition and not denied reality like Mugabe in Zimbabwe – what a disaster – I still have yet to figure out how we can commit such atrocities against our fellow citizens.
New Zealand. Helen Clarke as head of Government for three terms has become somewhat unpopular and looks to be voted out at the forthcoming general elections. This past week I, among many, have seen a more human side through the tragedy that occurred as mentioned earlier. So bravo!
Which leads me to my passion – the internet is borderless and many disenfranchised people have found some form of solace from this mere fact. Sure, there’s plenty of suppression as to access for certain folks and yes, there are some dodgey buggers lurking around, but at the same time we have the greatest repository of information available to us – mostly for free. Hurrah for that! In time this method of communicating will overcome mad governments, allow people to become financially independent, educated and more knowledgeable.
A way forward to a greater community.
Tags: Georgia, internet, New Zealand, Olympics, Politics
