People need to care about the stories of Russia and Bangladesh even if they
seem too foreign, removed or if you simply don’t understand the inner political
workings to opine. There’s no sin in asking questions. It would also help if
bloggers didn’t focus on this
drivel instead of things that matter. (Amen,
Scott!) Because what happens around the world hits us over here eventually. Why anyone cares about a haircut is beyond me. (Why anyone believes it’s important to write about is as well.)
Bangladesh’s democracy is collapsing, while Putin’s Russia is turning back to
the bad old days, witnessed by an overt attack on chess player gone political
Garri Kasparov who was recently
arrested: But Kasparov has, through his celebrity-status
and enormous will, managed to stir the water in Russian politics. As the situation
evolves, Kasparov seems to move steadily towards an image of himself as Putin’s
personal nemesis, and the goal of his political involvement seems to go from
the more moderate ‘free press’ to a black/white ultimatum: Change
of regime.
Meanwhile…
Via Mash, who keeps us in touch
with reality
in Bangladesh: This is the latest sign that the army in Bangladesh is
systematically dismantling democracy and the major political parties in the
country. Still, there is radio silence from Washington and words of encouragement
to the army from the American Embassy in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been prevented from
boarding a flight home from London after the Dhaka government barred her return.The military-backed interim government has asked all international
airlines not to carry her.It says she will be arrested over the deaths of four protesters during a
riot last October if she returns home.Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to Bangladesh to clear her name and participate
in elections.Speaking on leaving Heathrow airport in London, Sheikh Hasina said the Bangladeshi
authorities had sent a letter to British Airways, telling them not to carry
her or they would not be allowed to land in Dhaka.“I am ready to go to jail if necessary but I want to go back to my country,”
she said, adding that she would now consider her next moves.Sheikh Hasina, who leads the opposition Awami League, left Bangladesh in
late March, a few weeks after the interim government declared a state of emergency.
…
No one expects Americans to be experts in foreign policy, but we all should
care about what’s going on beyond our own “over there” issues, especially
since Mr. Bush can’t seem to be bothered. So much for seeing into Putin’s soul.
Ignorance is not bliss. It usually foreshadows trouble, which is likely why
Bangladesh’s democracy is being dismantled, to use Mash’s terminology, while Russia goes 20th century all over again. If it’s
happening to a deafening silence is it really happening at all?
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