2012 Political Predictions

• I think that the totalitarian government in Korea will continue as it was, especially since the new leader essentially trained under his father for the last three years.  I think any attempts to unify the two states will be largely unsuccessful, due to political differences and their new leader trying to remain strong and patriotic
• I think the economy in Europe will continue to go downhill, and the EU will be dissolved
• I think 2012 will be the highest grossing year in film ever, and citizens spending more over the summer may help improve the American, and therefore Canadian, economy
• Oh and the world won't end (trust me, I'm a psychic)

World Issues - Lyric Analysis

What You Don't Know (Theme from Dollhouse) by Jonatha Brooke

What you don't know won't hurt you,

Maybe the lies are true,

Try to remember, try to forget,

Those yesterdays bleeding through

I believe this verse says a lot about ignorance and human nature.

The first line, "What you don't know won't hurt you," shows how individuals turn away from issues that do not affect them.  They likely don't want to hear about all the horrible things happening in the world; but it also shows that people will not take action against something that doesn't immediately affect them.  Why risk judgment, pain or punishment if it wouldn't affect you anyways?  This is why man seems reactive, as compared to proactive: if there's nothing affecting you, ignore it until it does.  This is why we choose to remain ignorant to important issues.  We believe our lives will be simpler.  "Ignorance is bliss," as they say, and it definitely rings true.

The second line, "Maybe the lies are true," shows how passive we can be, as well as commenting on corruption.  Whether those in power are corrupt and lying to us doesn't matter, as long as we don't have to deal with the issues our selves.  We choose to be passive and accept a corrupt society to remain ignorant and, therefore, seemingly happier.

The last two lines, "Try to remember, try to forget,/ Those yesterdays bleeding through," can be interpreted as a comment on loss of innocence.  Once one becomes aware of the injustices and corruption in our world, they cannot forget it.  They cannot move past it, and may feel guilt over their inaction upon gaining awareness.  No one wants to live with this, and instead, we, as a society, choose to remain ignorant, only acting when necessary.

Belarus' Corrupt Democracy

What does the situation in Belarus say about democracy and its flaws?

Although democracy functions very well in theory, human nature is to do anything in order to gain an advantage in life.  Lies.  Corruption.  Violence.  These are all inevitable in politics.  However, in a democracy, these issues are often brushed aside, scoffed at.  Behind the smoke are manipulative, scared individuals, who can easily create any persona they want just to be admired by their people.  No one knows their true nature.  Alternatively, when one's true psyche is known, they employ the other old magician's trick: mirrors.  It's so easy to a politician to say, "This is all your fault, you voted for this.  This is what you wanted," and we are expected to live with it, because our only alternate is to be accused of disrupting the state, causing political unrest, etc., etc.

Occasionally, if the individual is corrupt enough and society wants change enough, politicians will employ both smoke and mirrors, and blatantly lie.  Lukashenko did not win 80% of the vote, and his opposition didn't win less than 3%.  These are fabrications, poorly spun tales.  And when someone tries to untangle them; reveal the truth?  Arrest.  Torture.  Being forced to flee.  You don't even have to be aggressive.  Michalevic was arrested after the election, prior to, he hadn't even been inappropriately accusatory or insulting.  This is mankind at some of its worst.  They are manipulating and torturing and doing horrible things to ensure one man stays in power, therefore ensuring economic unrest for all his people.  That is not right at all.  That's not democracy, however it is possible because of it.  It's all just smoke and mirrors.

"Think Twice, Canada, Before Attacking Tehran" Response

On November 22, 2011, the Globe and Mail published an article, written by Paul Heinbecker, entitled "Think Twice, Canada, Before Attacking Tehran."  The article discusses the controversy over Iran's rumoured nuclear development, and wether Canada should take military action or not.

Definitions:
Cassus Belli: A justification of war, an amoral or obscene act that instigates and give grounds for violent offense

Impunity: Freedom given in place of punishment for a malicious, violent or harmful action

Unilateral: An act provoked by a single country

Questions:
Many have the mentality that the 'needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.'  Does this justify an attack on Iran, as entire nations could be saved if there are nuclear weapons in development, even though many soldiers and even citizens are likely to be killed?


Would Canada's decision to militarise actually improve our relationship with Israel and, consequentially, the United States?


Is there a way to investigate the situation, and find out if there even are nuclear systems in development before attacking?