A Cry for Resolve…and Some Free Radios.
July 31st, 2006 by MilipunditAmong successful democratic civil societies a variety of venues exist in order for dispute resolution to take its course. Whether it is through formal adjudication or coming to a rational consensus among individuals, those that want a viable solution take the available steps to achieve it.
The last couple of days have seen several protests and riots in the cities of Gaza, Tehran, and Lebanon. Allegedly this latest unrest is in response to the deaths of civilian innocents in Qana, Lebanon. Being that the governments of these communities do not provide rule of law nor the institutions necessary for due process, civil unrest has become the knee jerk reaction for self expression within these areas.
Knowing the UN has neither the will nor aspiration to protect its own offices, much less innocent civilians, a mob of angry protestors made up of Islamic Jihad stormed the offices of the UN in Gaza. After breaking the windows of automobiles and offices, the incensed crowd decided to steal the radios, cd-players, and televisions of the great peacekeepers. Of course none of the UN staff was injured inasmuch they had preemptively left their post.
So what is the real catalyst of such outrage? The plight of the Palestinians. The lack of a representative democracy. Lack of job opportunity and social mobility. Probably all of the above. But to say so would represent an act of political dissent, something strictly prohibited in many Middle Eastern Societies.
The practices of autocracy, rentierism, and theocratic subjugation have caused a disaffected populous to turn matters of discourse into violent aggression. This allows rulers of such countries to point the finger at the international community rather than at themselves.
We in the United States love to point the finger at our elected representatives when social ills come to light. We have a government that is both transparent and accountable for its actions. We have due process, rule of law, and a Constitutional guaranteed Bill of Rights.
This next month as your Representative takes to the district, not only should you let your problems be known, but maybe take some time to be thankful you live in a country that allows you to do so.
-milipundit