What happens after freedom?
In light of the continuing political uprising throughout the Middle East, American leaders are reported to be recalculating their approach to Muslim world.
Politico's Ben Smith wrote this week that the Obama administration "clearly sees an opportunity," signaling "that they're hoping the changes in Tunisia and Egypt spread, and that they're going to align themselves far more clearly with the young, relatively secular masses" in countries like Iran, Algeria and Lebanon.
Is this a new moment for American relations with Muslim countries? Is freedom a religious or secular idea?
We are all rejoicing that the Egyptian youth succeeded in winning freedom from an oppressive regime.
We now hope that the youth in other Middle Eastern countries will also rise and overthrow the dictators who have oppressed them for so long. Yet, we have not given much thought to the question: What does freedom really mean? Is it really enough to overthrow a dictator and have no viable replacement? There is a political void in Egypt that is going to take a great deal of effort to fill. The political structure in any country is built on the foundation of economic, social, religious and other forms of exploitation. This, unfortunately, is an outcome of the materialistic societies that we have built over the past few centuries. Materialism breeds selfishness and selfishness breeds all the evils that beset modern societies everywhere, including the United States. So, one must ask: Is it enough to win the right to vote and be able to elect a government? What about the exploitative foundation on which so many political systems rest? We have experienced this in the United States where we have powerful lobbies that influence elections and elected representatives. Can we elect people to the House or the Senate who will truly represent their constituencies rather than the powerful and rich lobbyists?
In short, the depth of political disaffection depends on the extent of oppression. We in the United States have comparatively milder disaffection because the oppression we suffer is contained and we have the freedom to make money.
In the Middle Eastern political imbroglio the only point for us to rejoice over is that for the first time we supported the people's aspirations instead of supporting dictators as in the past. Significantly, many of the youth leaders of the Egyptian uprising frankly said that the western countries should keep out of this fight. They see the West as having supported the dictators all these years and bringing them to a state of despair.
Some commentators have recently made a very important statement that has not received the publicity it deserves. Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists were able to emerge as ideological leaders as result of the political oppression in the Middle East. If there was political freedom where people had not only the right to vote but the right to a better life, terrorism may not have flourished as it has. For our own selfish reasons we made bad choices of friends in many parts of the world. We paid lip-service to democracy while encouraging dictators. Whether we like it or not we now must shoulder the blame for living in fear of terrorist attacks.
So, to come back to the question: Is freedom a secular concept? Freedom is a universal concept which will only be meaningful when citizens are empowered are not exploited by anyone -- politicians, religious leaders, economic giants or cultural demagogues!
By
Arun Gandhi
|
February 14, 2011; 5:45 PM ET
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Posted by: underboss | February 17, 2011 6:58 PM
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Freedom has many definitions. In some ways, freedom is a myth. Responsibility trumps freedom in every case, even in America. Freedom to do what, outside of that, one might ask? America is, in that senses, no mo free than anywhere else. If you think differently, consider our drug laws.
Political freedom, however, is not a myth and is real. Oppression is not the opposite of freedom, and has nothing to do with it. Be it state control, religious control, or corporate control over our lives.
Does political freedom for one group always mean less political freedom for another?
I must say I consider the whole question to be an open one.
Posted by: samsara15 | February 16, 2011 9:40 PM
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"Freedom is a universal concept which will only be meaningful when citizens are empowered are not exploited by anyone -- politicians, religious leaders, economic giants or cultural demagogues!"
Very true, but ultimately, citizens must empower themselves through knowledge and informed participation. This is not what we are seeing in most of the world's democracies. The actual fraction of voters is usually a minority, with those being informed and involved representing a tiny fraction.
Perhaps this is normal and to be expected. However, there is an enormous amount of disinformation in a free society that ends up promoting the interests of a very few, and feeds on ignorance and uneducation. It is also interesting that the for-profit media that dominate our public information landscape have been complete politicized. Since it takes initiative and effort to become truly informed, the vast majority do not do it. This appears quite a dangerous trend and a real threat to freedom and democracy.
Posted by: AgentG | February 16, 2011 11:37 AM
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Deposing a tyrant is the easy part. The revolutions in France and Russia proved this. Both Louis and Nicholas were brought down relatively easily. When the state is rotting from within, the figure at the top is easy to topple. The bloodletting comes from those vying to fill the void. In one case it was another tyrant and in the other a dedicated, clandestine, highly organized revolutionary party. Neither nation devolved into democracy at the outset.
Posted by: csintala79 | February 16, 2011 11:25 AM
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Last Time:
APOCALYPTICALLY defined, AEGYPY & AEGYPTiANS:
Original or Ancient Spelling of EGYPT & EGYPTiANS; the very place where "JEW"(s) forst arose on [Nebula-Built] Space-Ship Earth(s) along with their DRUNKIN [Racist] NOAHCH" Story et al. AND
from which the entire Bible of JUDEO-CHRiSTIANITY eventually developed on the foundation of that 'proposterosity' [Noy Only in The GEETA's, KANGYURS, QURAN's etc..] including the (Not DEsigner) I.D. of JESUS as a JEW, proclaiming, "SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS," instead-of-G_D//Ishvara/Allah/IT. Aye???
Aegypy happened to be their ORIGINAL-HOME-LAND (Not Pre-or-Post ther Sides of Euphrates lalala), Before MOSES THE (1st) JEW (& 1st Liar, oopppss LAWYER)
O-R-G-A-i-Z-E-D them From
{mixed-Multitudes of such uncircumcised or un-Branded Worshiping OSIRISian's of god like 'SETH'; not his Chumash Character adam/Eve's 3rd son, 'seth'}
Their AEGYPTIAN-SLAVERY into a PASSOVER-LINE to Escape Pharaoh-Law Enforcers (EXODUS) and thus TAKE-OVER-THE-MID-EAST via CANNANITES (todays PALi's) 'By [GREAT] TERRORISM & HORROR OF WAR" , as (making) It their Homeland!?
EGYPT & EGYPTiANS: Is the Modern spelling for Ancient Aegyptians//Aegyptlanda, homeland of the SLAVES that 1st Rabbi/Priest/Cleric.. Mr. MOSES organized into the PASSOVERLINE, in order to Escape-from-Aegypt (INDIA?), thus as the 1st JEW(s) on Earth. Note: Is'nt That What the PAKI's did to sweet sweet INDIA, under ISHLAMI Pretexts, in 1944/45/46/47/48?
iMPORTANTO: OSIRiSOLOGY was the "Belief//Faith" of These "Mixed Multitudes Suddenly Turned (self Serving) ABRAHAMICS. They Worshiped CHEMOSH, MOLECH, AMON, YHWH, YAWEH, JHVH, JEHOVA & TODAY sing,
AMEN-ra or -re or AMON. [Thank a 1/2 Man & 1/2 RAMma relic, HOLYi-COW!!]. Instead saying "OMM or "AUM, VAH" et al?
OSIRISology Apocalyptically refine is:
"Under MOSES BIRTH STORY, since the MYTHOLOGIST MOSES cunningly PLAGiARIZED (Not Only Muhammad, Smith, Vyasa, Gautama..) it to Mythologically CONvince his JEWISH's-To-Be, or already ordained & Branded as flock or Herd (like COW's, not only like MOPS) that his Jew followers that himself and they had ALL Descended from the MURDERER (SETH!) who was the Mythological ENEMY OF THE AEGYPTIANS or AEGYPT NATION from which the Original Followers of the MASS-MURDERER (i.e., the Mass 1st Born Baby Murders Story's) Moses, et al ESCAPED!"
Note: Unfortunately; The JUDEO-ABRAHAMIC-BEDOUINs turned JEW-ISLAMICs have/has taken over the OSIRISian Aegyptians (not originally ARAB), Let Alone the None-Arab ZOROASTRIANS PERSIANS (unlike Ishlami IRAN today) Nore MILLIONS Of Zoroastrians was Mass Murdered and Converted; Aegyptians Too but Left NO Records of Such; but the Careless OTTOMAN TURKEY via the ARMENIAN GENOCIDE gave US APOCALYPTARiANS asnap shot of How Massacrly The Ishlami Proceeded in their QUEST TO TAKE-OVER EARTH; instead of the JEWS!?
So, Thanks For The BABYLONIANS to'v STOP'd the JEWiSH Terrors BCE; ELSE Today be Different WORLD!?
Posted by: ITs-TIME | February 15, 2011 10:00 PM
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well said and true ..i think... i would only add that it seems to me that freedom when it is real and the people unite not by propaganda or violence,.. but instead to move cohesively in the direction they themselves wish to go at a particular time.. based on the absolute truth... as they understand it .. the garment of freedom that holds the group together should be the one they choose for ....themselves maybe.. as loose or as tight as is comfortable for each individual group of people perhaps people allowed their own self government will have a stake in the process they will not be likely or lightly to throw away .. because it is .. what they have asked for...themselves.. ownership is a well understood principle of human nature.. when you are one of the owners .. you care..
Posted by: artistkvip1 | February 15, 2011 9:55 PM
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Oooops, Definition:
The T E T R A -- N E E D S (TETRA_NEEDS):
Besides Keeping Busy: HAVE
1: Something To Eat else Disappear!
2 Someplace to crash & Chill!
3: Someone To Talk to and or Cuddle with!
4: Some thing To Wear!
SO, W O R L D,
IF
Ye & YO's hath These Holyi-like 4-Necessities THEN
Yo all Should BE HAPPY & Zero Worries! ELSE
IF
YE or YO's Nay Not Hath Them or lacking ANY of them; THEN
Houston (Not Muhammads G_D, Not Moses Hashem, Not Krishna Arjuna, Not Buddha Mokshasha,...) You Really have a problem!!
TRUTH (ooposite MYTH): This is the First Guarantee under GRIDARIAN DEMOCRACY; and Ye already have the E-KLAHtion's HOLYi "TEN FIATS" (+ 3) OF THE NEW SONG (philosophy) To Go along with The TETRA NEEDS to Stabilize A.G.; or APOCALYPTIC GOVERNMENT in a GRIDARIAN DEMOCRACY, not same as "GRIDARIAN-REPUBLIC of GRID & GROUP SYSTEM" FOR SPACE-SHIP EARTH.
Note: i [WE] know How Aegypt/Egypt can Create 15,000,000+ Jobs. But that is "Classified" and cannot be divulged Here. At least Not Yet.
___
1) “Let there be NO Worship of JEALOUSY as a G_D/G-d/ALLAH/iSHVARA et al!”
2) “Let there be NO Abuse of LOVE to forgive UNCORRECTED-SIN(s)!”
3) “Let there be NO Hassling over a NAME for G-d!”
4) “Let there be NO Denial of Freedom of the O.ne U.niversal R.eligion et al!”
5) “Let there be NO Dishonoring of HONORABLE Parents!”
6) “Let there be NO Unjustifiable HOMICIDE or HURTING!”
7) “Let there be NO Sex with Non-CONSENTERS or BEASTS!”
8) “Let there be NO Theft from NON-Thieves or Non-USURER’S!”
9) “Let there be NO False WITNESSING or Un-JUST Judging!”
0) “Let there be NO Envy of HU{MATES or HUMANS Who Honor These Holyi 13-Fiats!”
11 “Let there be NO Denial of the Holyi TETRA-NEEDS (Food, Shelter, Love & Clothes)!”
12 “Let there be NO Procrastination or Laziness!”
13 “Let there Be NO Denial To Self Nor Others whom Contemplate REALITY via their Own Cosmic “TRANS{FiNiTY, a Miracle, Zero Sin or Curse, in Holyi-Motion !”
Note: Even though these Fiats are ">i>MADE IN AMERICA" for Americans 1st, and the others 2nd that, Without These 13-Fiats (10 +3) Then There Can NEVER-BE [Genuine] PEACE On S.S. Earth (Public and in Private) let alone for G_D; or GRIDARIAN_DEMOCRACY.
___
BROTHER GANDHI: How Would YE Like To Share The "NOBEL PEACE PRIZE" and More Good Tidings With US EK-LAHtarians?
IT IS TIME!
Note: i [WE] will post [HERE] in detail the Mechanics//Rules exclusively to bring about A.G & G_D.
Hint: The APOCALYPTIC-ARCHITECTURAL PLAN for Everlasting Peace & Happiness on [Nebula-Built] Holyi Space-Ship Earth
__
OMMmmmm.
AMEENnn.
AUMmmmm.
VAHhhhh. & now
EKLAHti.
PEACE, PAZ, SHALOM, SALAAM, MIR, ZHINGYU, AHIMSA, SHANTi, ONKAR
Posted by: ITs-TIME | February 15, 2011 7:05 PM
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N O M A S T A E:
"Aegyptian/Egypt Moment?"
MAN CANNOT LIVE BY "FREEDOM" Alone, Nor Live by "TOURISM" and "OIL/GAS."
Note: Somewhere today i [WE] read, via WORLD BANK Prez, Robert Z an interesting headliner;
"FOOD PRICE are at DANGEROUS-LEVELS .. Due To 'Export-Ban's & Global Weather.. Mostly pertains to "DEVELOPING NATIONS... This Leads to "UNSTABLE-GOVERNMENTS, create more Poverty & INFLATION" (the this is same Reason Why Nazi Germany blamed the Zionist & Rose-up like SATAN; yet good thing our Parents cut-off their PETRO Supply during the WWII Campaign). But this time is effecting 1/3 Of Space-Ship Earth's 6.6.6 Billion, a Population of 2.2.2 Billion ANGRY folk.!?
Thank "E-klah-t-i" that the Jewish's (also Zionists by Islamics) Didn't Invent The INTERNET, Let alone Invent Splinting The ATOM. So "ARMAGEDDON does not fall the the JEWISH's head or Get Blamed for Mans APATHY & SUPERSTUPIDSTITIOUSNESS!
Example: SHOULD [BOKSHISH]beggar Poor NUCLEAR-Rich PAKISTANi's {China's & N.Korea & CO., Israel??} be made to
EAT URANIUM? Or Let us offer them a "FOOD FOR URANIUM Deal/Exchange; in the Imminent Future?? OR
Should WE [i] Let their SINO Brothers, + their 42 ORGANIZATION of ISHLAMI gang ORGANIZATION (OIC) take-care their Hungry&Angry (let alone Jealous) MUSLIMS/MOSLEMS Ummah/Community/SANGHA on S.S. Earth ALONE (Instead of KAFIR's Nation//Peoples?)? insludes ALL/EVERY of THE "ARAB LEAGUE!
i [WE] say YES! The WEST Should Learn to Say "NO" to RELIGIOUS RULE! NO!, NOt a YES! WHY? Then Eat Qurans if Ye Do Not have Uranium. Hint; Includes GEETAS's & CO., too!
PS: Another Head Liner, "HIllary C. said that U.S. REcognizes "INTERNET//CYBER DISSIDENTS" and will Help Them .." lalala!?
__ VOTE:
APOCALYPTIC GOVERNMENT & GRIDARIAN-DEMOCRACY!
"Something To Live For, Nay to Die For."
.
^^^
FOOD
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HOME
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L♥VE
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CLOTH
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Posted by: ITs-TIME | February 15, 2011 6:07 PM
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these people are animals and deserve none of our support
lara logan was beaten and gang raped in full view of thousands of men, most did nothing, hundreds cheered the attackers on
islam has for centuries advocated the rape of women and children as just punishment
how can we offer support for a "religion" (and that word is used loosely here) that taxes religions different than their own and subjugates half its population to virtual indentured servant status
as a liberal i can not support islam in any way, shape or form
criminalize islam