Posts Tagged ‘Free Speech’

Frankly, I don’t know how this guy can sleep at night.

Now, hey… Most of you know that I’m no fan of the far right or the far left for that matter… (I’m like morally on the right, culturally & foreign policy on the left, and probably financially radical… so no party represents how I feel or think… but I digress)

Chicago protesters voiced concerns over bailouts and how the financial situation is being addressed. It was completely ignored by mainstream media.

Anyway, although I am no fan of the far right, that a protest of this magnitude in downtown Chicago was ignored by the media is an injustice. There were some other parts of the political spectrum in there as well (since most people were never told why bailouts are viewed as necessary… most of us oppose them)

Here’s the link: Chicago Protests

Instead of ignoring the protest, engage it… address it… answer peoples’ concerns. It’s impossible to please all of the people all of the time, but at least listen to and honestly consider their concerns. If you still think your stance is correct, well, at least you reflected on it.

Ignoring the concerns either depresses or radicalizes people. It certainly doesn’t win their trust.

Here’s the link: Chicago Protests

Let me just say this… Obama inherited a horrible situation. I wouldn’t want his job, because I’d never sleep at night (I’d probably be awake vomiting between prayers… the responsibility is immense… I hope he feels it. And I wish he would read and reflect on the inaugural address of Abu Bakr (the first khaleefah after the death of the Prophet, alayhis-salaam)… I’ll find the translation & post it in a day or two, insha’Allah.

** Footnote: BTW – Just so you don’t think I’m some whacko that will take matters into his own hands… I said “financially radical” because I think interest is included in the usury of the Old Testament and riba mentioned in Qur’an. Interest-based economies are what I take issue with.

I find this story interesting on several levels…

• 1 – It highlights one individual. Usually our media highlights one individual when that individual is Israeli. It’s bittersweet to see someone with individual coverage when they are protesting Israeli apartheid and aggression. I look forward to the day when our media cover one individual Palestinian or one Palestinian family.
• 2 – Crowd control measures and anti-protest measures are not benign. I am tired of media coverage that mentions “rubber bullets” and “tear gas” as afterthoughts.
• 3 – The reason for the protest was actually mentioned… although probably not enough. “They traveled to the West Bank to rally against the Israeli-erected barrier that could cut off Palestinian villages from valuable farmland.” No mention of starvation, inequality, military occupation, etc. No mention that the land belongs to families that depend on it for food.
• 4 – There were no quotes from people that would inflame the situation even more. Usually there’s what appears to be a deliberate attempt to get emotion reactions from both sides of any conflict… to give the appearance of objectivity… but we know better. Conflict sells. And finding the most emotional, irrational, non-articulate person to speak is par for the course. It’s nice to see an article (despite tragic news) that is not hitting par.
• 5 – The comments that follow the article are disgusting… from both ends of the spectrum.

Here’s the link:

Carleton University and the University of Ottawa have banned the posting of Israeli Apartheid Week Posters. You can read more here: Second Canadian University Suppresses Free Speech Rights and Bans Israeli Apartheid Posters

Here’s a quote from the above link on what you can do about it:

We call on student organizations, social justice groups and concerned
individuals around the world to support students at the University of Ottawa
and the broader fight for freedom of expression.

Please take the following actions:

Email/Fax/Call the President of the University of Ottawa, Allan Rock,
demanding that he immediately restore the Charter rights of students and
send a copy of your message of support to the Director of the Communications
Office, Andree Dumulon. Please send a copy of your letter to
sphr.uofo@gmail.com

Allan Rock: email president@uOttawa.ca, fax (613)562-5103, phone
(613)562-5809

Director of communications: email adumulon@uOttawa.ca, phone (613)562-5800
ext. 315