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March 02, 2008
No Iran for me...
...at least for now.
So many of my friends made me promise not to go to Iran with an Irish college to protest the genocide of homosexual people. They said that not only would I be dead as an American, but to take on an additional cause that everybody in the region despises I would be double-dead. While I contimplated what double-dead might mean, I thought that perhaps I would be of more use alive than dead. But nobody said anything about not going to Bahrain.
I mean, after all, they took Michael Jackson in after not one, but two of his court extravaganzas. So, I've been wondering what my options are for setting up an amnesty asylum in Bahrain for refugees of homosexual murder. Obviously I'm years away from anything like that. First off, I'm pretty much alone in my cause since everybody seems to ignore the plight of gays in the middle east. Maybe since certain middle eastern areas are such hell holes to begin with, just surviving is a priority. Beyond that people are probably on a quest for things like water, housing, stable government... well, that's understandable. All of these things have to come before there are human to take advantage of human rights... I just think that Iran, having all of those things, is about due to consider the way they are slaughtering people, young and old just for being different.
From Islam, a belief system that, believe it or not, it built around a peaceful way of life- this is pretty much contradictory.
For everybody else in the boat who doesn't get the connection between religion and state, the UAE and surrounding areas are not run by political parties they are run by religious groups that represent through political parties. As opposed to Republican or Democrat, the region would have Sunni or Shia representation through various parties.
Depending on your perspective, the separation of church and state in America (though it often blurs) is the best or worst thing to happen to our government. I tend to believe it's made us stronger as we have to look at plight or need with unbiased eyes. At any rate, I'd love to see a foreign body make a religiously powered state work. Bahrain is coming close to putting human rights at the forefront without compromising their belief system. Women have the right to vote, many different religions are represented, there are distinct classes void of prefisposed caste systems... Maybe the successes there will influence much of the Middle East. Then again, it is widely believed that Bahrain is the site of the biblical Garden of Eden, which would make their folks a bit infamous for hungering for that forbidden fruit... perhaps that is represented through their more liberal government and belief system.
Oh, and it should be noted that yes, I would sure as hell go see Michael perform. I don't care what he's been accused of, the man is still the freakin' Prince of Pop. You all can't tell me that you don't still think his earlier stuff is all that.
Posted by Decemberice at March 2, 2008 07:08 PM
Comments
I'm glad you thought better of going to Iran. Though a noble cause - I think the people who suggested it would be short lived are right.
People in Iran don't have rights - even if the government says they do on paper. Interestingly - I read some articles on how women there have learned to 'fudge' the moral code by wearing eye make-up....says a lot.
And that, in my opinion, is where you should probably start. Not with women - but by addressing the current regime's complete disregard for human rights of any person. No one in that nation is immune from the government's force. Just check out amnesty international's site on iran http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/middle-east-and-north-africa/east-gulf/iran
You could also petition your senators, etc. to fight to extend amnesty to people fearing they will be killed because of their sexual orientation.
Good luck. It's a worthy cause.
Posted by: Sarah at March 6, 2008 08:52 PM