No nostalgia please
Freezer bags of all sizes and Tupperware containers are being filled.
Storing efforts is a tricky business. Sell-by dates are left void.
Egyptians world-wide don't know what to make of the aftermath of their popular uprising.
Google Egypt news today and the chances are you find these headings:
Egyptians outraged over 'virginity tests' on female protestor
Egypt reopens Gaza border crossing
Hosni Mubarak fined £20 million for shutting down internet
G8: Cameron defends foreign aid spending
Egypt reopens Gaza border crossing
Hosni Mubarak fined £20 million for shutting down internet
G8: Cameron defends foreign aid spending
A heading preceding all others even if only on one page; how does a mega company, moreover one that deals with communications, stand to glean best? With the globally popular, world-celebrated uprising abandoned and set aside, professing to have nothing to do with it may well seem the surer bet. Whether it did or didn't isn't even worth contemplating.
It is said that any publicity is better than none in which case they stand to gain one way or another. But are we giving this backlash a little too much airing? Surely, with the uprising so derailed no backlash to a company or other feels remotely relevant? But, that would be a misconception. Where money is involved there is no irrelevance it would seem.
The headings that follow on illustrate little more than the presence of abuse in some form or other; indicating or referring to violation of human rights, depicted from one angle or another, culminating in dispute over foreign aid spending.
Cameron's view may be criticised, perhaps more so by those whose hearts and minds are obtusely tilted to stand opposed to the concept no matter how it is clothed, but the underlying principle is clear. Humanitarian efforts may or may not be laced with some degree of altruism but whether they are or not, the message is: There is always something to be gained. The extended hand, even if totally void of all noble and moral conscience is nevertheless of value; there is often much good to follow and indeed all parties stand to benefit.
To withhold food and protection from the less fortunate may not only be cruel and greedy but from a purely practical viewpoint also very foolish.
There is a compromised but nevertheless refreshing honesty in the logical appeal.
To withhold food and protection from the less fortunate may not only be cruel and greedy but from a purely practical viewpoint also very foolish.
There is a compromised but nevertheless refreshing honesty in the logical appeal.
Morals and spiritual welfare may well be scorned by many in today's world who may still however comfortably resort to the trite motto of ‘Live and let live’, which holds no substance unless it includes 'Give of what you have been given'.
So, message received, but how and where is foreign aid targeted?
Simply at what would pay off greater dividends?
What is the selection process addressed?
Is newsworthiness the main criteria involved?
Is it only natural disasters and disease that warrant our attention?
Why do we forget about countries that aspire when their aspirations lie unfulfilled and seemingly flattened by the powers that be?
Who and what lies behind these powers?
Unresolved, unaddressed, Egypt, in as far as support can count for anything, even though money may well be extended, its plight lies out of the equation. Far more layered scenarios remain unrevealed.
What has the world to gain with a blinkered view?
What has the world to gain with a blinkered view?
But this is just one page, one site. Many more to access and perhaps the space will narrow or widen and reading between the lines will get harder or easier.
Have the efforts of so many good people with Utopia in their hearts been derailed?
Undoubtedly.
Have ideal aspirations dissipated?
Perhaps.
But none of this should threaten Egyptians as a people.
Remaining hopeful is our only option and perhaps the world will still stand to gain, from such a disposition if nothing else.
It may be time to turn it all around, to ground ambitious high-flying hopes for reform, to accept we may always find ourselves in a compromised position in so far as Utopia doesn’t actually exist anywhere; let’s at least try to make the most of the blood and sweat expended by following through negotiations for practical improvements in the framework we presently grasp.
Have the efforts of so many good people with Utopia in their hearts been derailed?
Undoubtedly.
Have ideal aspirations dissipated?
Perhaps.
But none of this should threaten Egyptians as a people.
Remaining hopeful is our only option and perhaps the world will still stand to gain, from such a disposition if nothing else.
It may be time to turn it all around, to ground ambitious high-flying hopes for reform, to accept we may always find ourselves in a compromised position in so far as Utopia doesn’t actually exist anywhere; let’s at least try to make the most of the blood and sweat expended by following through negotiations for practical improvements in the framework we presently grasp.
This, if only to curb the greedy from transgressing even further, but above all, most importantly, protect our own country with our own aid: our vividly demonstrated and proven exuberance of true spirit.
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