Legal practice in Aceh

According to Sharia law, a woman is given the lash, in Aceh this morning. A judge found her guilty of adultery (she cheated on her husband), which is a crime in this part of Indonesia.
un.nl. Picture: ANP/AFP

Death penalty for a beer or four

A court in the Iranian capital Tehran has sentenced a 22-year-old man to death for violating the Islamic Republic's ban on drinking alcohol several times, CNN reports on its website.

Under Iran's Islamic sharia law, a person who is caught drinking for a fourth time and confesses faces possible capital punishment, even though legal experts say executions for this offence are very rare. "My client had been drinking at home for a fourth time and he made some disturbance in the street and police arrested him," his lawyer, Aziz Nokandei, told the ISNA news agency. Nokandei said his client, identified only with his first name Mohsen, had confessed and expressed remorse. He can appeal against the verdict within 20 days under Iranian law and the head of the judiciary can also intervene. First-time violators of Iran's strict alcohol laws face possible lashes, fines or jail.

Iran has stepped up the number of executions in the country since the authorities launched a clampdown on "immoral behaviour" in July, arresting scores of accused drug smugglers, murderers, rapists and other criminals. European governments and Western rights groups have criticised Iran for the executions, usually carried out by hanging. Iran has dismissed the criticism and accused the West of double standards.

Last week, Iran's judiciary chief ordered a halt to public executions in Iran unless they have his approval. While those sentenced to death would still be hanged behind prison walls, the move by Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi appeared designed to lower the public profile of Iran's increasing number of executions. Murder, adultery, rape, armed robbery, apostasy and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Iran's sharia law, practised since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. London based rights group Amnesty International says Iran has one of the highest rates of executions in the world (cnn.com/news24/bbc.co.uk, pic: http://www.triton.studver.uu.nl/)

Natalee Holloway breakthrough

One of the most impressive pieces of crime reporting I have ever seen was produced last week in the Netherlands. Dutch SBS journalist Peter R de Vries (peterrdevries.nl) showed the viewers a confession on camera by Joran van der Sloot, the main suspect in the notorious Natalee Holloway missing case. Peter R de Vries used a low profile criminal who is known in the gamble circuit in the east of Holland (where Joran currently lives) to befriend the Holloway-suspect and after weeks and weeks of partying, smoking lots of marihuana and one gamble night after the other de Vries' undercoverman brought up the topic and Joran made his remarkable comments in a car, payed and rent by de Vries and full of camera's and bugs.

Dumped at sea He claims Natalee passed out when he was having sex with her on the beach. He was not sure if she was still alive so he called a friend who came over and together they concluded she was death. Joran's friend used his tourist boat to drop the body somewhere at sea. When his 'friend' asked him 'but she is morta, death, isn't she?' Joran answers 'of course'. Probably most remarkable, and at the same time scary, is Joran's lack of emotions. He literally says on camera 'I decided to continue my life normally, I don't feel guilty for a second'.

Alabama schoolgirl Natalee Holloway disappeared in 2005 at the island of Aruba, in the Carribean. Joran van der Sloot was the last person who had seen her alive and was arrested three times by the police but charges were dropped when judges ruled there was not enough evidence.

See for yourself how Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway, came to the Netherlands and watched the latest developments with De Vries and millions of Dutch viewers (English subtitles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYjZwop0Y94&feature=related

The news in America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ZzHHdX87k

Overthink your Bali sins on top of Mount Bromo

Ever been to Club Med? Welcome to its cheaper sibling: Bali. Arriving at this middle sized island in central Indonesia is experiencing how neo-colonialism works. Why show interest in their culture if we just want to lie on the beach the whole day? Trying local dishes or drinks? No way, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Coca-Cola is what we want! And what is that weird local language? I bet they gossip about us all the time. Hello, speak English please! Be happy we still find our way to your little island after the 2002 and 2005 bombings: the Balinese should be happy we still want to spend our well earned pounds here. They should be honoured if they can serve us, drive us around, massage us, guide us. Oh please, we don’t wanna visit that 300 years old temple anyway, crush it and replace it by a Holiday Inn or a Burger King!

At the Indonesian island of Bali, the differences in wealth, spending and lifestyles couldn’t be bigger. Since many tour operators in Europe and especially Australia offer cheap ‘relax and do nothing but eating, drinking and swimming holidays’ most tourists are not interested in the local temples, rich culture, diverse kitchen or wonderful scenery the island has to offer. I was shocked by the way many (older) tourists handle locals: with suspicion, arrogance and screaming English, German, Dutch or Italian at them (like they do understand what you see if you speak louder), not to mention the unhealthy sex industry. Bali villages such as Seminyak and Legian are known for older visitors, mainly from Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the UK, looking for a young summer love. I still feel a bit ashamed of being a European if I see a huge, white, old, hairy creature grapping the hand of a thirty years younger, tented, skinny, smaller local boy, mainly interested in the expensive hotel room, some hard cash or a meal at McDonalds. Because that is what it is: many young, poor, Hindu Balinese (so not welcome in the rest of Indonesia, which is mainly Muslim) idealise and romanticise the lifestyle of the tourists. The younger generation of visitors does not differ to much either: although they obviously not come to mingle with locals, for many it is just another party resort. The idea that it is in Asia (not in Thailand, for a change) and an old hippie resort dating back to the 1960´s give it some extra special. Many backpackers make Bali their first or second stop on a trip or during a gap year, mostly when travelling between the ‘safe zones’ Australia, Thailand or Europe.

The druggies days of the sixties are over
The Balinese parties are infamous and not to miss, especially the ‘full moon fiestas’: on the beach, with your feet in the sand, strong cocktails and a crowd with a vibe. Surfing, swimming, watching and be watched, crashing and sleeping are the main activities in the city of Kuta, on the south side of the island, where as good as good as all backpackers occupy the cheap hostels (2-10 pounds per night), many restaurants (50p-4 pounds for a large main course) and the funky clubs (no entrance fees, drinks from 80p for a beer to 3 pounds for a long island ice tea). Most backpackers or older hippie’s who decide to stay for a while rent a motorbike, and why shouldn’t you, for less than 4-8 pounds a day? It is a great way to explore the island and after all, Kuta seems a place you do not want to leave: once you have accepted the way Bali and Kuta work, it is very tempting to mingle in the party scene and be part of what it is all about: sun, beach, sex, booze and rock and roll. No drugs though, trying to get them is not worth the risk, since the Indonesian government has adopted the policies on drugs as for example practiced in Thailand and Singapore. Although in general bribing is the first door on your way out in Indonesia, this does definitely not count for drugs. Only some old hippies, most of them arrived in the late 60´s, who own dive centres or a bar, are secretly allowed to keep gardening, although their position is not longer safe either. In recent years, several tourists, mainly Australian, were locked up for ten to fifteen years because they were in the possession of weed, LSD or Ecstasy. Most notoriously, the case of Australian model Schapelle Corby who is still fighting in appeal to her 15 years verdict for 4.1 gram of marihuana. Just remember some basic rules: only carry cash with you (rent a small safe in your ho(s)tel for your passport, ticket, credit card), don’t accept drinks from strangers, especially from locals (drugging does occur) and if you like someone more than just a friend, do not even think of unprotected sex, since HIV is on the rise in Bali. Done partying and don’t want to drink away your hangover again? Perhaps the time has come to explore the rest of Bali. Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Recent tragic events have scared away many of those who simply saw Bali as a place for cheap beer. Travellers are advised to check with their local embassy or travel advisory for up-to-date information regarding travel to Bali. A terrorist attack, by a group called Jemaah Islamiyah, took place in 2002 killing 202 people (including 164 foreigners, 88 Australians). A smaller scene was repeated in 2005. Although it is normally safe, the island could be a target in the future. Nevertheless, the beautiful beaches with the warm ocean waves crashing up on to the white sand and the friendly locals with their unique smile make this an island many return to. Bali is one of the 13,000 islands making up the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8-9 degrees south of the equator between Java to the west, and Lombok to the East. The volcanoes which dominate the island are surrounded by the vast variety of tropical plants and terraces of rice crops, making a picturesque setting that takes your breath away. The variety and number of temples seem endless demonstrating the depth of Bali's history. But if you want to visit a really impressive volcano, travel to Java by bus and boat (20-30 hours). Do not fall asleep though, some fellow travellers would not mind to help you get rid of some extra luggage). A diverse, intense and interesting journey. Right through central Indonesia’s rural countryside, straight to the biggest island of Indonesia: welcome to Java.

Once saddled with a reputation as a poverty-ridden hell hole, Java mutated into an Asian boom island in not much more than a decade. It is one the most densely populated parts of the planet and the cities are incredibly crowded (128 million people on the size of England), but there are vast stretches of open country in between. An island of smoking volcanoes and incredible fertility, an island of exceptional history, culture and contrasts. No one fails to be impressed by this remarkable island. However, an earthquake struck Java on 27 May 2006, causing widespread destruction and thousands of fatalities in and south of Yogyakarta city, in central Java. Another natural disaster happened two months later: on 17 July 2006 a tsunami hit the southern coast of Java. The town of Pangandaran was devastated, causing many fatalities and leaving several thousand more people missing or displaced. Relief and aid work are ongoing and there are many volunteering options for travellers who want to stay for a while. And only last month, in February, the Jakarta region was hit with devastating floods causing extensive damage and displacement.

Breathtaking views from Mount Bromo

Probolinggo, on the north coast of Java, is a small, poor, forgotten town where you end up if you arrive by boat and a bus trip from Bali. Not many English speaking people can be found here: the tourists are only found high in the sky, preferring the airwaves when going to the capital Jakarta or the 2nd largest city Surabaya. It's about two hours to Ngadisari, and here I decided to go to the active volcano Broom, which entailed all night travel: first by vehicle, then by horseback until we eventually reached the crater area before dawn. It's a fairly easy 4-mile hike to the foot of Mount Bromo. Alternatively, you can hire a pony to do the drudge work for you. Private cars are not allowed inside the caldera. You can join the pony package at R50.000 per person (3 pounds) but, of course like in any third world country, prices are negotiable. Bromo is set amidst a large caldera. To see the crater itself you must ascend numerous hewn steps until you finally make it up to the level where you can view inside. At the time I was there (June 2006), a red lava glow could be seen in several places near the bottom. Hiking around a volcano is often very slow going. At one point I noticed what appeared to be a distant smoke column. Every few minutes, a new burst of dark smoke would appear in the distant horizon. It was an eruption from the nearby volcano Semeru. Indonesia is loaded with volcanoes! Mount Bromo really is a live volcano that erupts with disturbing regularity: in 2004, two tourists were killed and five injured when the mountain spit out molten rock as far as 300 feet from the crater. And eruptions are not uncommon, the volcano woke up in 2000, 1995, 1984, 1983 and 1980, as well.

Yeah, it is Pakjesavond! ('Pakjes-what?!')

Today, it is the 5th of December, which means it is ‘Pakjesavond’ in my home country Holland! Sinterklaas (also called Sint-Nicolaas in Dutch and Saint Nicolas in French) is a holiday tradition in the Netherlands and Belgium, celebrated every year on Saint Nicholas' eve (December 5).

Traditionally, in The Netherlands adults started to give each other presents on the evening of the 5th; then older children were included and today in my country sometimes even the youngest get presents on the evening of December 5 (Saint Nicholas' eve), known as Sinterklaasavond or Pakjesavond (present evening). After the singing of traditional Sinterklaas songs, there will be a loud knock on the door, and a sack full of presents is found on the doorstep. Alternatively - some improvisation is often called for - the parents 'hear a sound coming from the attic' and then the bag with presents is "found" there. Some parents manage to "convince" Sinterklaas to come to their home personally.

Sinterklaas traditionally arrives each year in November by steamboat from Spain, and is then paraded through the streets, welcomed by cheering and singing children. Invariably, this event is broadcast live on national television in the Netherlands and Belgium. His 'Zwarte piet' helpers throw candy and small, round ginger bread-like cookies, 'kruidnoten' or 'pepernoten', into the crowd. The children welcome him by singing traditional Sinterklaas songs. Sinterklaas also visits schools, hospitals and shopping centres. After this arrival all towns with a dock have their own intocht van Sinterklaas (arrival of Sinterklaas)
Another aspect of "pakjesavond" are the small poems people make. When children become too old to believe in Sinterklaas, they will be introduced to a different form of entertainment during this night. People will write small personal poems for friends and family usually accompanied by a small gift or candy. This way it is also entertaining for parents and other adults. Students usually write teasing and embarrassing stories for each other. But this is expected and is received in good spirit, so it is usually good fun!

Sinterklaas is the basis for the North American figure of Santa who later was 're-designed' to match a cola company's needs in the 20th Century. It was during the American War of Independence, that the Roman-Catholic inhabitants of New York, a former Dutch colonial town (‘New ) which had been swapped by the Dutch for other territories, reinvented their Sinterklaas tradition, who was regarded as an alternative for the "Irish Catholic" Saint Patrikc. The name Santa Claus is derived from older Dutch Sinte Klaas.

(www.wikipedia.org - www.sinterklaas.nl - www.sint.nl)

India calling

Last week I started a new chapter in my life, I have moved to the Indian city of Mumbai (the former Bombay) and started working at CNN IBN, a 24/7 English news channel with (inter)national news, current affairs, sports, politics, and lots of investigative pieces. My first impressions? Big, noisy and busy. I discovered it is not too easy to describe the financial heart of India, the country’s biggest city (and one of the fastest growing in the world) and the home of the famous Gateway of India (left). I think Lonely Planet’s recipe for the Mumbai main course is one of the best I ever read:

‘Measure out: one part Hollywood; six parts traffic; a bunch of rich power-moguls; stir in half a dozen colonial relics (use big ones); pour in six heaped cups of poverty; add a smattering of swish bars and restaurants (don’t skimp on quality here for best results); equal parts of mayhem and order; as many ancient bazaars as you have lying around; a handful of Hinduism; a dash of Islam; fold in your mixture with equal parts of India; throw it all in a blender on high (adding generous helpings of pollution to taste) and presto: Mumbai.’

CNN IBN's Mumbai newsroom and Marine Drive Beach (r)

Dolce & Gabbana’s controversial advertising: follow up

In one of my earlier pieces I discussed whether fashion institute Dolce and Gabbana’s pictures are too radical and controversial to be used for an advertising campaign. A picture published earlier this year could suggest ‘gang rape’. A further investigation into D&G history of advertising and PR pictures tells us they produce wonderful quality pictures with great poses, fantastic models, impressive choice of color, clothes (!) and themes, but once again it is hard to look at these pictures and wonder ‘crossing a line, is this (too) shocking’? Due to copyright laws I can not publish them here, but did you get curious? Take a look for yourself and visit http://jozworld.club.fr/Dolce_Gabbana.html

A medieval sport - in the modern world

The contenders lower their visors, square their shoulders inside their armour and charge down the field. With a shattering impact they clash, as spectators roar. One man is down, lying motionless in the mud. He might be unconscious – even dead – but his opponent doesn’t care, racing to the other end of the field. Victory is sweet, never mind a broken rib or wrist. Tonight he’ll get roaring drunk, relive each moment of blood, sweat and tears with his friends, and claim his reward between the legs of a girl who cheered him on that day… American Football? No – think again!

Jousting is a medieval sport that’s alive in the modern world. Freestyle Fighting (combining kickboxing and other martial arts) may be a more dangerous contact sport, but it doesn’t pit men and horses against each other, nor have such rich historical associations. In medieval Europe, jousting was as popular and prestigious as football is today. It began in the ninth entury
as a way of training armoured cavalry – the equivalent of tanks in medieval warfare. The first recorded tournament was in 1066, supposedly devised by a French knight, Geoffory de Pruelli.
From France it spread to the German principalities, England, and finally southern and eastern Europe by the mid-thirteenth century. For over three hundred years, European nobles and
knights competed using a variety of weapons, charging each other on horseback.

The archetypal weapon was the lance, used to knock an opponent off his horse, a form of combat known as “tilting”. Two or three metres long, it could be lethal if a knight’s shield or armour didn’t deflect the blow: Henry II of France was killed when a lance penetrated his visor in
1559. Battleaxes, swords, daggers or spiked balls on chains were also used, particularly when both riders were “unhorsed” and continued fighting on foot. Huge sums were wagered on tournaments; poor or unknown knights dreamt of winning fame and fortune, while even the ighest-born might lose their money or their lives. The arena for tournaments was called a list or list field, and consisted of a long rectagular enclosure, sometimes purpose-built within a castle or palace. Knights had their own tents and squires, to care for their horses and help them don their armour. To distinguish one knight from another, their shields bore heraldic signs, as did the flowing cloths or ‘caparisons’ worn by the horses, whose heads were protected by an armoured ‘chanfron’. Jousting gradually became less of a life-and-death struggle and more regulated by rules and codes of honour. Romantics credit this to King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, promoting the ideal of chivalry, but it was a much later English king, James I, who prohibited certain weapons, prompted by the death of Henry II and the spread of firearms in European warfare. James I also introduced ‘running at the Rings’, whereby knights charged at a metal-and-leather ring hanging from a miniature gallows and tried to carry it off on their lance – which was far less risky than ‘tilting’ and lent itself to practice sessions. During the seventeenth century jousting gradually declined in Europe – becoming irrelevant to warfare in the following century – even as it established itself in North America.

There, Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, introduced jousting to the colony of Maryland that he founded in 1634, where it flourished until and long after the Declaration of Independence. In 1950 supporters founded the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association, which codified rules for the sport. In 1962 a bill was passed, making jousting the official sport of Maryland and establishing an annual Jousting Day, preceded by a parade of costumed Knights and Ladies. However, the only form of jousting recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports is ‘tent pegging’, where contestants use a lance to strike and carry away a small wooden target set in the ground.

'In medieval Europe, jousting was as popular and prestigious as football is today. It began in the ninth century as a way of training armoured cavalry – the equivalent of tanks in medieval warfare.'

While jousting is popular at ‘Renaissance fairs’ where people wear medieval dress and ride horses, there’s also a version involving bicycles, whose riders try to unseat each other with padded PVC lances resembling giant Q-Tips – which is hardly macho. Lessons are available from the American Jousting Alliance at Frazier Park, California; contact James Zoppe at redknight@jameszoppe.com.

Published in Avantoure Magazine, http://www.avantoure.com/, October-November issue 2007

Myanmar’s D-Day has finally come?

For years you do not hear a thing about the country. A page 6 comment from time to time, about the cruelties of the military regime, the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest, the continuation of suppression or the brutal violation of human rights. And then suddenly, last week, the Day is there!

Finally a revolt has broken out; the people stand up, speak with one voice and show the world, but especially themselves, the guts they have to openly challenge their military rulers. Under the leadership of some organized monks, thousands of protesters are hitting the streets for over a week now. Perhaps last week is the beginning of the end. Will this be Myanmar’s D-Day?

Their timing could not be better, the annual meeting of world leaders at the UN headquarters in New York started on Mon and the Security council has demanded the military regime to ‘respond mild’. The world press is watching and the people from Myanmar (aka Burma) feel encouraged by the ‘unofficial’ officials from the US, British and French embassies who strongly support this coup attempt. But, how unexpected, it is not more than a handful of advice and recommendations coming from New York. It is now up to the Burmese people: if they will be able to destabilize the country in such a way and for a decent amount of time, then they can just hope for enlightening within the country’s elite or a military response which must be so unreasonable and internationally seen as ‘disproportionate’ will they get established regional superpower China withdraws its support and will make the long awaited changes possible.

If that is not going to happen, and the current leaders of Myanmar will continue to feel strengthened by the backing of Beijing, then the events of last and this week will go down in history as courageous, intense and important, but also nothing more than another (like in 1988) failed attempt to oust this regime and a confirmation that this government is unstoppable unless (military) aid comes from the outside world. If that is how the Burmese people will start be feeling in a few weeks, they better prepare for a disappointment, since it is crystal clear not any of the mayor superpowers which support the protesters is waiting, or capable, to sent their ‘boys’ to Myanmar.
(pic: New York Times)

Die hard media pro's

Swedish hostess Eva Nazemson accidentally vomiting in the middle of the live-tv game show 'Nattliv' on national television.

She throws up and comes back seconds later, cheering the whole situation and Eva tells the guy and the viewers that she is in her period right now: 'It's live television so anything can happen'.
This is what I call a professional!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tXzKpmRrFs

Tehran's PR machine

President Bush visiting Tehran anytime soon? Unthinkable. But apparently it is possible the other way around: this morning the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in New York City, the financial heart of the states, to attend the annual meeting of the United Nations. The Iranian head of state made sure his visit stayed not unnoticed: he gave an interview to CBS’ ’60 Minutes’ and managed to impress the viewer with moderate comments, mild language and socially wanted answers. To the question ‘why do you want to visit the WTC site?’ he replied: ‘I want to show respect to the American nation’ Excuse me? Did I miss something? Do miracles really exist? The whole interview is one hour and 22 minutes, but this was without any doubt the most remarkable thing he said:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWO_izbnpA

I think this interview and his presence at the annual meeting of the United Nations in Manhattan are two perfect examples how to practice a sublime public relations policy, not to mention the fact he will hold a speech early this week at the prestigious Columbia University. And don't forget, last August the father of three gave filmmaker Oliver Stone permission to make a biopic film on him

Although the US had no other choice than to grant him a visa (refusing the head of a state which is a full member of the UN was hard to explain), they did prevent him from visiting the WTC site, due to ‘logistical and security matters’, as the official explanation stated. The real reason is thought to be the fear of the Americans Ahmadinejad would create a forum on a place where (Muslim) terrorist killed thousands of (innocent) Americans.

Nevertheless, millions of Americans will see Ahmadinejad on the evening news tonight and they will hear what he has to say: he does not want to make a nuclear bomb, he wants to pay respect to the American nation, etc.etc. Whether his motives are genuine or sinister, nobody seems to know, but for sure his PR is perfect and without any doubt he has some of the best advisers in that field. Do you think we will ever see President Bush granting an interview to an Iranian channel (or even Al-Jazeera), pictured with Iranian students and ‘paying respect to the great Iranian nation’? Or giving approval to an Iranian director to make a documentary about his life? I do not think so. In that sense, it is 1-0 for the Ahmadinejad administration, even before the UN annual meeting has started. And it is just the beginning of the week…

Oops I did it again!

Some fans can be carried away a bit too much, I guess: not everyone can be 'a star named lucky'. What the ..., get a life!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc

Remember where you were?

Six years ago the world was shocked and horrified by television images which showed some buildings on fire in New York. Not the fact two skyscrapers were destroyed and the Pentagon was partly damaged: it was the symbolic value of the event which sent out shock waves through the world. How could this happen in the free world? In the economic heart of America? In the land of the brave and the free?

Everything focused on one man: Osama bin Laden. ‘We will smoke them out of their holes and bring them to justice’ seemed to be America’s first political top priority.

Who could have thought six years ago the Taliban was going to be destroyed, Saddam brought to Justice, Ali Chemical-I the death penalty, Iraq would get a multi-party government for the first time in its history with Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites united, Iran’s position was going to be stronger than ever and bomb attacks in London and Madrid would follow.

I did not, that is for sure. But what I am amazed about is that although the political landscape in the world has changed, governments were brought down and UN resolutions ignored, Osama is still on the run. Today, on September 11, Al Qaida realised a video with a statement of Osama bin Laden, who last appeared on TV in the summer of 2003, just before the US presidential elections. How is it possible that the most powerful nation in the world has still not captured him? Dead or alive. How come the CIA, MI5 or the Mossad really have no idea where he might be? And if they do, why do they not do everything they can so they will be able to show the American people - sooner than later - that they ‘got him’? Perhaps because Osama does not have any oil… That sounds too easy for me, but it raises questions, and makes you wonder, might there be an agreement, a ‘plan’? If you like conspiracy theories do not hesitate and watch an impressively edited documentary: ‘Loose Change’, which was very controversial in the States and was banned by several US, British and European television stations. Forget Michael Moore: this is real propaganda.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7E3oIbO0AWE

If you believe in the theory, it probably will not ever happen again. After all, the ‘Pearl Harbour’ effect has already been created, so could this never happen again? Perhaps Osama will not be able to cause such a disaster again personally, but here is a remarkable detail of a recent political summit, to illustrate security is never a thing which can be fully controlled by big armies or well trained bodyguards.

It took just a few minutes for a satirical skit by comedians to pierce the $250 million Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation meeting security cocoon in Sydney last week. With three black cars, a couple of motorbikes and men in black running alongside, the motorcade breezed through two police security checkpoints arriving outside the Intercontinental Hotel where US President George Bush is staying.

The security faux pas was only detected when the motorcade turned around and an Osama Bin Laden look-a-like figure climbed out of the limousine, drawing immediate police attention. Eleven people - the comedians and their support crew - were frisked, arrested, detained and charged (The Star, Malaysia)

Did you know...

The former British Prime Minister’s wife Cherie Blair was in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, with her children when she visited the designer store Globe International, where as a courtesy she was invited to help herself to a ‘few items’ as a gesture of ‘hospitality to the wife of the second most powerful man in the world’.

She responded by helping herself to 80 pieces or more. According to one witness: ‘It was an invitation to pick out a few items and they walked out with hundred’. Downing Street later stated that Mrs Blair had repaid in full the US$ 4000 value of the goods taken.

‘Come down and drown yourself’

A day or two ago I was distracted to this woman on the ITV evening news who was returning to her home in Greece after fires destroyed most of her village, a few hours north of Delphi, and her son went missing a few days earlier in the same region. Overwhelmed by emotions she screamed something which translates as ‘Six months ago we were cheering for our Mayor and now the whole place burns down, he should drown himself in the river!’ At first I thought it was an outcry of an old fool, the laughing stock of the village. But soon the rest of the people present seemed to agree and soon they made an appeal for the Mayor ‘to stop hiding, be a man and drown himself in the river’.

A few hours later BBC24 brought the news thousands of protestors in Athens, the capital, were chanting anti-government rhetoric in front of the office of the Prime Minister. Then I realized there are still third world countries in the EU. Where else in a civilized country can you see citizens chasing down the local Mayor for a natural disaster? To demand him present in the village, maybe even request for his arrest, fine. But make a (serious) appeal ‘to drown him in the river’, or even better; he should ‘come down and drown himself’?

Although the question ‘should that water not be used for something else right now’ popped up right away, I imagined the situation ‘what if there was more than enough water’.

When the flooding took place in England five weeks ago, I did not see any protestors outside Downing Street or any mayor in the Oxford area asking for a protection program. Natural disasters, whether that is a flooding, fire, earthquake or hurricane, are out of human control and can not be blamed on some politicians or local heroes. That is what happens in parts of the area we horribly call ‘the third world’; where people believe in local medicine men, voodoo and higher powers within mortal human beings. The power of the nature is sometimes too much for some us, we need to blame someone in charge to compensate our loss and sadness.

However, if Greece was showing me pictures normally shot in Africa or South-America, what to think of New Orleans after Katrina? I guess philosopher Locke would have loved it: an organized country with a (relatively) developed society is suddenly (partly) thrown back into disorder; into complete chaos. Perhaps in such a situation the ‘basic instinct’ of people appears, the ‘survivor’ within all of us. Nevertheless, how we respond to it differs from person to person, from tribe to village, from community to society: does someone really believe drowning the mayor will bring back her son or her house? How much we love to play the blame game, it is unrealistic and simplistic to blame a local policymaker (or as good as any individual) for fires and events started by others. Those are the ones who have to be blamed, who have to be brought to justice, if you want to play that game. At the end of the day there are still elements like climate change and natural powers; and I suppose that can sometimes be in conflict with common sense. At least there can be said it takes courage to run for Mayor in certain parts of Greece. Although it might be tempting to solve problems with ancient, classic methods, I do not see Ken Livingston (if not Boris Johnson) being drowned in the Thames if the whole congestion charge scheme turns out to be a massive failure or when the first teenage killing takes place in the West End.

Pic 1: Ayaki.gr Pic 2: CNN.com