Britannia Radio

Self-Occupation, Self-Isolation, Self-Demolition

From the desk of George Handlery on Fri, 2010-10-01 09:04

1. Ahmadinedjad had an opportunity to perform during the yearly circus operated by the UN’s GA. He used the occasion to insult the USA. This is part of a ritual – so yawn. Iran insults and the US are not provoked to act. That makes Iran’s posturing into a safe act of heroism. Akin to jumping out a ground floor window. One wonders why some European delegations have not walked out when most did. Only the Swiss had a reason to stay. Being neutral since 1648 or 1814 –depending how you like to count- Bern represents Iran and the US as these powers do not have direct diplomatic relations. Iran’s claim that alleges that America organized the 9/11 attack on herself can also be seen as a compliment. The Leader’s repeated provocations reveal that Iran trusts the self-chosen foe. Depending on the point of view, the restraint of America’s institutions and her executive, or the paralysis rooted in delusions, is trusted sufficiently to make the survival of Iran dependent on the “hegemon’s” continued self-control. The theory is correct. At least till the next election or so.

2. Again, Iran demonstrated intransigence. This time it was through Ahmedinedjad's appearance before UN's GA. Nonsense is verbose. So it took a speech that lasted twice the time allotted to other speakers. Iran has long passed the point at which driving a hard bargain could secure it a better deal. As a genuine negotiating tactic, the hard-line-positioning has ceased to be suited to generate political capital. This makes the explanation rest on a remaining argument. Iran has the possibility of a conflict included in her anticipated scenario. Meanwhile she plays for time. The hope is that by the time the reluctant appeasers admit their bankruptcy, Iran’s weapons will prevent the action they now avoid as they seek peace.

3. To punish South Korea for its own transgressions, North Korea has ended the negotiations to allow limited family encounters across the line of demarcation. Presumably, next the communist state will ask for a reward for its willingness for even talking. Alas, Seoul will be inclined to deliver something for nothing.

4. A British female soccer team has paid a visit to Kim’s barbed wired paradise. At the border, the ladies’ cell phones were confiscated. Pyongyang is right. Everything about the reality there is compromising so it must be covered up by lies. That makes conditions in the People’s Republic into a secret that a good state security service must protect. To be consequent, the visitors -having become potential witnesses- should be retained. After all, under some pressure they could be induced to ask for political asylum.

5. One more notable item from “Kimland”. A source claims that the Kim’s do not need to use the toilet. Officially. The allegation extends the subject of state secrets into a hitherto unexplored depth of the Communist political cesspool. To show yourself progressive, strike from your vocabulary the phrase “s**t happens”. Not in North Korea. If this claim is true, then the allegation underlines the dear Leader’s inherited godlike nature. The assertion reminds one of the doctrine of Immaculate Conception. To be free of bodily functions, including the finality of death, is what separates Gods and men. Kim The First, as holder of the title “The Eternal President” has been resurrected, respectively allotted eternal life, by his devoted son. This theory is a sign that clearly raises such objects of cults above us mortals that wallow in our own exhaust.

6. By the time this is posted, the gang that rules the Northern Self-Occupation Zone of Korea will have had the “Corleones” of the ruling “families” met. They will be likely to have given the country a new leader to replace Baby Kim, the great little flabby dwarf. Obviously, the settlement of the estate is the easy part. The harder task is to determine how the population is to be fed by a system that is committed to policies, which, locally and globally had resulted in starvation. The way out would be to eliminate the Party. Thereafter one would need to GDR the artificial country to assure the survival of its people. Meanwhile, rejoice. A genius has been discovered. Un became a General and rose to top state and party positions within a day. Who needs parents when such able sons are around?

7. On the 21st of September, young Islamists attacked an art exhibit in Istanbul, which is officially Europe’s cultural capital this year. The attackers –call their storm direct democracy in action- apparently do not like non-Muslim art. Those who appreciate that kinds of stuff are even less in favor. The police took its time to respond. Reflecting Turkey’s slow shift back to orthodoxy, the delay might not have been accidental. The protectors of public order managed to arrive only once the destructive action was completed.

8. Recent elections in Sweden have done more than to only return the non-Socialists to power. The “Swedish Democrats” have entered parliament. The party is, according to some xenophobic, and to others just wary of inassimilable immigrants, welfare abuse, militancy and crime. The success reflects the Atlantic area’s growing grassroots dissatisfaction with the ruling establishment and its politics as usual. The success grows in magnitude if one knows that the SD got no publicity, they were excluded of debates, and could not place ads in papers. Their candidates were also exposed to pressure, attacks and intimidation.

The success of the SD party confirms a discernible trend. The old way of doing things is losing its credibility that the rulers cater to the serfs’ needs. The traditional parties might have the endorsement of the preachers of respectability. Ignoring that, uppity voters are abandoning them. Old slogans that limited the ability of society to react to its problems –or even to admit of having perceiving them- are losing traction. New politics, new parties, new media and new programs emerge. Hesitantly, a cultural revolution in public affairs and governance is unfolding. Ignoring the trend with a stiff upper lip –“what should not be cannot be”- is a force in its favor.

9. Even in the USA, there are people who, after decades or residency there, do not yet speak English. This self-isolation is not an entirely a private matter. The result is lacking skills and limited employment opportunities. This practice often creates a second generation with an inherited handicap. The choice of this form of self-demolition becomes a public matter once the costs of the resulting unemployment are projected into the picture.

The matching piece comes from an article. It reports that the Swiss Federal Technical University –rated to be in the global top tier- is using English as the language of instruction. To get around in the world you must be able to communicate what you have to say so that all can access it. This can only be done in English. Draw your own conclusions.

If you do not wish to abandon “the old way” then you should not emigrate from it. If you like it, you should stay in the location where it fits. Do not take it along in your luggage. If you do, you should not blame the indigenous for not accepting you. Remember, that even by being able to claim to belong to a protected minority, you do not have an automatic right to force your hosts to conform to your way of life by abandoning their own.