In its two months of controlling the House of Representatives, the Democrats have already managed to throw their weight around in a way that, previously, only Republicans could. Since the Iraq War and homeland security are in the limelight of American politics, the Democrats deemed it appropriate to pass a resolution calling for an apology from the Japanese government; whose imperial predecessors, were allegedly involved with enslaving "comfort women" (a.k.a. sex slaves) during World War II.
What right does the American government have to criticize another country's perspective of history? Not only is this hypocritical backwash, but it's also hurting one of the strongest allies American has. Before U.S. politicians can start pointing fingers at their neighbors, they need to take a little history lesson. The United States has had way more than its fair share of genocide and slavery, not to mention a lack of formal reparations. Native Americans have their reservations and do quite well for themselves with the casino business, but there's far too few of them to really call it a gesture of apology. It seems that the only reparations or apologies made by former oppressors are directed towards people who can't even receive them.
In October of 2006, America's old chum, France, tried to turn the same trick. Their parliament passed a bill making it illegal for its citizens to deny the Armenian Genocide. So, in turn for undeserved international standing, the parliament demolishes free speech for its citizens.
The importance of shining the shoes of dead Armenians is of higher priority in French Parliament, than actually stopping mass genocide in progress. What really rocks the ignorance boat, is that France, along with every other U.N. member, passed a resolution making every able-bodied nation responsible for protecting its neighbor's citizens from genocide.
"The Responsibility to Protect means that no state can hide behind the concept of sovereignty while it conducts-or permits- widespread harm to its population. Nor can states turn a blind eye when these events extend beyond their borders, nor because action does not suit their narrowly-defined national interests."
Somehow, even with this idealistic resolution, the U.N. has once again failed to enforce their laws. Ignorance is rampant, and hypocrisy is at an all-time high. Without the ability to suit the West's "narrowly-defined national interests", Darfur is left in the dust along with the likes of Rwanda and Armenia. How long will the U.N. stand aside and look as people are slaughtered by the thousands? Perhaps snipping their wallets will catch their attention. P-A-Y-C-U-T.
The roadblock to communication seems to be bulging with lonely termites, all talkative, and all waiting for us to join in the feast. If religious discussion continues to be a taboo subject, religious existence will also be so. Personally, I really enjoy talking to religious people, because they've usually had some sort of "doubt phase", in which, they questioned their own faith. I can relate with that, because I live that experience everyday. Questioning is something we all have to do, whether it's about religion, morality, health, or whatever. Never take the world for face value, because it takes us all for so much more.
