Politics 15 - Annexation

A recent media article described a meeting of Russia’s Duma (Parliament) where a senior minister lectured those present (Not too many) that the West’s accusation of Crimea being described as ‘annexation’, could be compared to the annexation of East Germany by West Germany.  He went on to explain that 97% of the Crimean people were permitted to vote on becoming a satellite state of Russia ... something not awarded to East Germany.

Please bear in mind that I am just a bystander of this story.

This made me study the word ‘annexation’ together with the word ‘colonization’.  Basically, to annex, means to add to one’s own territory by appropriation, but comprises brutal words such as;  seizure, occupation, invasion, conquest, and takeover.  Whereas, to colonize, means to send a group of settlers and establish political control over an area.

Thus, this becomes, literally, an interesting debate.  I would argue that the Crimean scenario is truly an annexation based on the use of various sections of the Russian military, and the absence of an agreement of the vote by the Ukraine government.  One could also say (Perhaps tongue-in-cheek) that most of the pro-Russian Crimeans were, originally, Soviet (Russian) colonizers.  Having said that, sadly, it is a fait accompli.

It is too early to describe the situation in eastern Ukraine but, certainly, there is an attempt at annexation taking place, by Russia.  I feel that, in fact, Mr. Putin was testing the strength of Ukraine’s national will and, in that, failed miserably.  The king is alone with his bishop and pawns while, although the opposite side may have lost a castle, they still have their king, queen, and a few additional knights.

Perhaps, in summary, regarding word definitions;  it seems that annexation describes a brutal action of seizure and conquest, whereas, colonization (although unpleasant) describes necessary occupation and control.

Finally, this asks if Tibet and Mongolia have been annexed or colonized by China, and is is it too extreme to describe Guantanamo (Cuba) as an annexation.  

I am sure that there are a few other examples.  Please click Comments below if you agree ... or not.

Politics 7 - Occupation

You are about to learn my opinion of the Occupation Movement.

Winter has arrived, and the occasionally occupied tents have been collected by municipal workers, and when the snow melts next year the parks will reveal patches of mud in place of grass.  One wonders if, next year, more tents will be set up on the mud patches or on new grass.

Is this comment deserved, or even relative?  I believe so, because we can be sure that new grass will be damaged again and, that, is my first point ... carelessness.

Thus, this is not surprising, when they say that there is no ‘leader’ because they do not ‘need’ a leader.  Therefore, do we assume that the person leading the parade through town should be arrested because he, or she, is leading an illegal parade that has no official permission to disrupt traffic?  Do we arrest the occasional member of parliament seen in the parade, after all, is he not a kind of professional leader.  No, sensibly, we let them go, after all, there is not a sign of any professional rioters ... absorbed in there plans for next year’s G20 Summit, no doubt.

So, what is it all about?  It seems to be about the rich 1%, which is understandable when, today, it is revealed by the OECD that the income gap in Canada continues to grow placing it the worst of 34 analyzed countries except for the U.S.  Now, this attracts my attention, wages being one of my pet peeves.  If it is noticeable for Warren Buffet to express concern of the increasing income gap, then, I know that I am in good company.

Therefore, what must be done?  We live in a democratic society, even though some believe that it is a Harper dictatorship in Canada.  Nevertheless, there is a justification, the leadership question aside, for the ‘Movement’ to become a political party, before it is divided by the existing parties and their false promises.

The income gap would become their platform and, in my opinion, very successful.  Of course, those in the 1% division, will complain about an increase in the minimum wage, and increased income taxes, crying;  “Don’t you know that people earning $120,000 annually are in that group!”  As if one can hardly afford to live on that figure.  The party theme song would become, “Don’t cry for me ....”

Could it, should it, and would it happen?  Certainly, the next few years are going to be politically interesting.

Politics 4A — An Addendum

Open Note To The Prime Minister

Sir, as you know, the Canadian biassed system of government elections gave your party a majority of representation in the House of Commons.  Nevertheless, you should never forget that the majority of Canadians did not vote for you.

Therefore, your recent pro-Zionist stance at the U.N., something that was not evident in your election manifesto, although not surprising considering your record, comes as a huge annoyance to those pro-Palestine voters among us who believe that we are in the majority.

Many of us belief that the Israeli occupation of Palestine constitutes a huge international problem that will only worsen if Israel continues to build on occupied land and ignore the U.N. General Assembly resolutions against it.  For example, would you be prepared to send the Canadian Forces to assist in the future defense of Israel, or accept their use of nuclear weapons?

Therefore, considering the global consequences of your action, I demand that you institute a Canadian Referendum on the subject for or against Israel’s unacceptable behavior ... or even an abstention.

P.S., I realize that you are unlikely to read this, but I feel much better for having written it.

Comments please.