May 15, 2008
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Human rights? Don’t ask me
For openers, talk to a very ugly fellow known as Ramprasad. He is one of India’s 160+ million Untouchables. He is ugly because some of his “superiors” threw acid in his face after he dared to fish in a pond reserved for the upper-caste.Or talk to one of the scores of men, past and present, who ended up on Death Row in America, convicted of crimes they did not commit. (By an odd coincidence, these men are all poor and black.)
Or talk to one of the thousands of eastern European women who were kidnapped and sold to work as prostitutes. Or one of the many children in Thailand who serve as sexual toys for rich tourists. BTW, there are more slaves in the world now than there were in 1850.
Here’s a real tough one–find one of the many people thrown into the secret CIA jails because some grey faceless government man thought they were a terrorist. (In case you hadn’t noticed, the Patriot Act has rendered the Bill of Rights null and void. If you doubt this, read the act–and be appalled.)
In point of fact, there are NO inalienable human rights. To paraphrase Robert Anton Wilson, freedom is what you can get away with.
That said, it should be pointed out that we are endowed by our creator with two great gifts–life and free will. In a truely civilized society, these gifts would not be taken away by any means or for any purpose. They would be held sacred. This is not so because-at least in our contry–our fearless leaders are men and women who claim to worship God, but really worship money and power.
And because most of us–yes, you and me, gentle reader–are complacent, ignorant, and fearful.
Comments (11)
Thanks for giving your take on this one, Darlin’. You nailed it.
Wow. (more slaves now than in 1850!?!) Great post!
I know these things and feel helpless to do anything about them.
Is that the same as complacent? I know that crying about it doesn’t help anyone.
Yes and yes. Read the Patriot Act when it first was enacted and was appalled.
Now, how do we solve any of these problems besides throwing money at it?
And I don’t want to go to jail and become part of the problem either.
Any ideas?
Yup, you nailed it, right in the arse, you did.
@quiltnmomi -
No, I don’t think you’re being complacent. You just have to *feel* like you can do something first, before you can actually go out and do it. If you can’t trust your own ability, you’re pretty screwed.
It’s one thing to willfully ignore things, and it’s something else to realize things and feel powerless.
You have to be able to take care of yourself first before you can take care of others. At least that’s what I’ve found out.
I don’t really see how going to jail is being part of the problem.
I’m definitely willing to do that, because doing things in the United States, even if it does mean being thrown in jail, means that people care, because at least in the U.S., there’s a lot of prison support and legal support among activist communities. Where in other countries, you’ll get physically tortured or just ‘disappear’.
I’m not saying the United States is not as authoritarian or repressive as other countries. It’s just easier to get away with pretty much anything, whether you’re CEO or a jailed activist.
“Life and free will” I value mine . I will continue to and will also continue questioning those who think they should decide how I do just that.
Great post!
The Patriot Act is disgusting. I especially hate the propaganda they’ve created just by giving it that name. Basically, the gov’t is saying that if you don’t agree with it, you’re not a Patriot, and you hate the country. But you know what, I’m getting tired of the idea that if you’re not in love with the US, then you’re evil. Because, as you know, the United States is perfect in every way. How could anyone have any criticism of such a great, infallible country? ( <= Sarcasm)
*shakes head* The world is despicable.
This is a wonderful post.