The problem of genocide

Just finished Samantha Power's A Problem from Hell - America and the Age of Genocide. The book is a detailed analysis of the last century of American Foreign Policy - from President Wilson through to George Bush (Junior).  The book highlights American (and perhaps - the worlds) indifference and courage in the face of genocide. The book clearly establishes, how much was known and when, and how difficult it was of people to believe the stories they have heard.  (Read more about Samantha here)

Power writes that 'no US president has suffered politically for his indifference ... it is thus no coincidence that genocide rages on'.  She talks from the Armenian Genocide of 1915 through to Rwanda and the Balkans. It would be interesting to read her thoughts about Sudan.

I noted down a coupe of thoughts I had flowing from her conclusion.

• Knowledge: we are more aware of what is occurring, as it happens
• Influence: we possibly have more means of influence than ever; (and politician do listen, if enough noise is made (but as per my previous post, politicians should be seeking to lead, or drive public opinion)
• Will: this is perhaps the key - we and our governments lack the will to act (perhaps, at least in part, because we understand the cost of action. 
• Accountability: Given the awareness we have, we are accountable for how we respond. 

In summary, the book is well worth reading, and after reading we are witnesses of history and must be changed. After reading this book, its worth having a look at the material surrounding the 'responsibility to protect'. )

"Westerners on white horses..."

Fascinating article by Nick Kristof from the NYT's about how he, and I guess at lot of western journalists, report about Africa.

weekend reading ...

While reading the Spectrum last weekend during I noticed an interesting article on evil by Terry Eagleton. Here's a couple of links to look over; I think, the fascination of evil was reprinted in the SMH.

:: The Fascination of Evil
:: Of men and monsters

Last week I also went to a lecture at UNSW on refugees - (here's the audio). It was quite sad to realise that just after I starting working at UNSW (in 2001), I sat in the same room listening to Ruddock outline the government's policy on border protection. During the lecture last week, I heard the Director of the Centre for Refugee Research, Eileen Pittaway, tell a different story from her experience in refugee camps. It was quite disheartening to realise how little has changed, and perhaps the obligation we have to do more to protect those who have displaced; and move away from the dialogue based in fear, and the language of queue jumpers, and 'illegal immigrants'. Perhaps the only resolution is the unachievable 'peace', but that doesn't mean we shouldn't advocate for change now.

The Truce

Over the last week I've read If this is a Man // The Truce and The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi; a survivor of Auschwitz. Hasn't been the most pleseant reading ... The Drowned and the Saved talks of memory and how the will and spirit of prisoners was broken; I found how he writes of himself as a witness rather than a judge intriguing. If this is a Man / The Truce was more autobiographical, as he wrote more about his time in the camp; and his journey home from the camp. Its intriguing to read how he answers the questions about how he feels towards the Germans; and whether or not they knew.

He also writes of what he witnessed and seeks to understand what enabled him to survive. The books are a reminder of the nature of evil - and as Levi says - that we can not understand it, as to understand is to contain; and "almost to justify", and to keep reminding our conscience, that this could happen again.

Lest we forget..

On this day, with sorrow and thankfulness, we remember before God all those who in time of war offered their service for the protection ofour land and liberty, and especially those who gave their lives that we might live in freedom.

And we pray to Almighty God for those who have given all, that we may so follow their example of faith, that both in life and death, we may live forever with Him, whom to know is life eternal.

Lest we forget

While we were watching the Dawn service from Gaollopli a few things struck me. The first was the difference between the Kiwi's and Aussies who attend the service, as the camera panned across the crowd the Australian's were quite easy to pick, and perhaps flowing from that I wondered about the difference in how the ANZAC legacy is seen in New Zealand and Australia. I think if I recall correctly the message when Howard spoke was about patriotism and nationalism while yesterday the theme was more around the links forged between the Turks, Kiwi's and Australians.

I've been working my way through Top Price, which is a collection of articles written by the late Matt Price (a journalist from the The Australian, who passed away in 2007). One of the pieces was a included a story about General Gerard Muirhead-Gould, who ordered that Japanese be creamated with full military honours, and in explaining why he came up with the following:

I have been criticized for having accorded these men military honours at their cremation, such honours as we hope may be accorded to our own comrades who have died in enemy hands; but, I ask you, should we not accord full honours to such brave men as these? It must take courage of the very highest order to go out in a thing like that steel coffin. . . . Theirs was a courage which is not the property or the tradition or the heritage of any one nation. It is the courage shared by the brave men of our own countries as well as of the enemy and, however horrible war and its results may be, it is courage which is recognized and universally admired. These men were patriots of the highest order. How many of us are really prepared to make one thousandth of the sacrifices that these men made?

 This afternoon I enjoyed reading this piece in which Alexander McCall-Smith writes about his characters and books, and readers reactions to the characters lives.

Ancient Art..

Really liked this piece by Phillip Adams in the Australian today, about perserving art and ancient artifacts, and a suggestion so that they could be seen by a maximum number of people and well preserved. A snippet below.

Let the Cairo Museum, the Uffizi and others rent their spare treasures to the world’s museums. Egypt, for example, has multiples of major pieces and no room to display them. And make it a condition that rented works are given necessary restoration by the host museum. The world shares its history and heritage. Everyone – except the looters and the profiteers – wins.

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ANZAC Day

A few more links on ANZAC Day. 

:: The SMH Editorial: on Australia's military heritage; its meaning and how best to remember it, sentiments echoed in the editorial from The Age.

:: The Prime Minister’s ANZAC Day address (also one of my shared items).

:: This piece, which argues that ANZAC day sends the wrong message in glorifying war. A piece that is worth a read, even though I am not sure I agree entirely with its sentiments, I didn’t see this, when I read the Prime Minister’s address, or when I watched the service from ANZAC Cove. What resonates to me the cost of war, and its impact, but with that I also recalled Bob Hawke saying that sometimes tragically we need to fight for peace; perhaps echoed in Rudd’s speech ‘that freedom is almost always bought by sacrifice’.

:: Online Opinion also has an interesting piece about ANZAC Day as a ‘faith event’.

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ANZAC Day

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon (1869–1943)

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I actually may have linked to this before, but this is a great speech, delivered by the then Prime Minister the Hon. Paul Keating.

Unforgettable Speeches..

I was glancing at the SMH page today, and noticed that Paul Keating's 1992 address on Aboriginal injustice is Australia's most unforgettable speech, behind "I have a Dream" (MLK) and the "Sermon on the Mount" (Jesus Christ).

This speech (also given by Paul Keating) at the funeral service of the Unknown Australian Soldier, 11 November 1993 is one of my favourites.

Update, The Age in an article on the survey laments that the art of oratory has transmuted into the routine of speechmaking.

Links …

Did he really say …

“Gossip is not a trivial pastime”

Sounds like …

Random acts of kindness; and senseless acts of beauty..

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The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy; no its not the World Cup, but wow. NZ win by 10 wickets, 5 wickets (chasing 336), and 1 wicket (chasing 346).

Heroes

Hero is an word that I've seen most often on the sports pages, or in the letters page complaining about its place, and usage on the sports pages. I saw this article in today's Sydney Morning Herald after the death of Rosa Park, who came to attention through refusing to give up her seat on the bus.

I thought the article raised interesting questions about who our hero's should be.

After watching Hotel Rwanda recently, a hero not on their list perhaps could be Paul Rusesabagina.

Any thoughts?

Couple of short points…

It was disturbing to read that the US seeks to send a man to walk on the moon by (or in) 2018. To me, we need to bring our gaze back to earth. What does it really matter if we walk on the moon, once we see the profound misery on earth?

Last Thursday was Police Remembrance Day, to commemorate police officers killed in the line of duty. In light of this I do wonder if it is worth making the murder of a police officer carry a stiffer penalty. In part I feel that is any one life is not worth more or less than another, but at the same time, these are men and women, who put themselves at risk day by day, surely we need to send stern messages to those who would willfully injure or kill those who perform in this valuable line of work.

We should regardless all pause to reflect on this day, and pray for those who are employed in these professions. Last year’s speech.

Two things from the newspaper: Found the Tribal Mind in today’s Herald interesting. David Dale mentioned movies that prepare ‘students for life’. For the record, David listed The Fellowship of the Ring, Rabbit-proof Fence, Contact, Billy Elliott, Memento and more. What films should be on the curriculum? What do you, my dear readers think?

Emily Maguire wrote an interesting article declaring the belief that a moral society depends on holy guidance has been contradicted.

In Brief:

Over the past week I’ve not really done a whole lot – I borrowed the latest Harry Potter novel from my family, and on Thursday I went and saw an amazing Icelandic band called Sigur Ros.

Spoiler free review: I found the new Harry Potter book to be disappointingly predictable.

Links:
When the Premier thinks it's cool to cringe, it's time to get parochial
Beware the child glued to his handheld [via F]
I must preach holy war

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6 August 1945
9 August 1945
Lest we forget

Der Untergang (Downfall)

Tuesday night F. and I went out and saw the new German film Downfall. In many ways this is the film I love – it makes you a fly on the wall of history. The film thrusts you into the last days of the Third Reich, witnessing the regimes military, psychological and spiritual collapse. The film uses the books Inside Hitler’s Bunker: The Last Ten Days of the Third Reich [Joachim Fest] and Until the Last Hour [Traudl Junge and Melissa Muller] as its source material.

It is all to easy to look at Hitler and see a monster, a madman, or the face of evil, but Hitler in reality is a complex personality, and though he was incredibly brutal, at the same time he was also capable of kindness. To me there is a certain arrogance that we seem to have as we look at the Nazi’s; the unspoken view that it couldn’t happen here; we are different. The naïve idealism that the German’s felt in the 1920s would easily transfer across cultures and history; renewal, and rebirth are themes that appeal universally.

Bruno Ganz (from Wings of Desire, another of my favourite films), was phenomenal as Adolf Hitler, he clearly got into his role, capturing the voice and mannerisms of Hitler. The other characters in the drama were also played beautifully. The film was like my high school Modern History textbook coming to life, albeit with both a touch of humanity, and more chillingly. Chilling as we became witnesses, as Magda Goebells drugged and poisoned her five children, because they were “too good to grow up in a world without National Socialism”; and the “loyalty” of officers who would shoot themselves before being captured, or would burn the bodies of their Fuhrer (and his wife – Eva Braun).

I found it quite interesting as entwined with the military collapse of the German Army, was the collapse of the moral virtue prized by the Nazi state – those in the bunker plunged in decadence as military defeat became inevitable. The decadence and decay of the German society made me think of the fall of the Roman Empire wondering if there were similarities and if the United States is likely to suffer a similar fate.

While it does present Hitler in a slightly different light; the lasting image is not of the kindness or humanity of Hitler, but rather of how Hitler saw himself and the German people, to which Hitler responded – "there are no civilians in war". The film is bookended by a voice-over from Traudl Junge, who speaks of in the beginning of her naivety and curiosity getting the better of her as she accepted the position of Hitler’s secretary, the film then closes with her saying the she was not naïve, she was not an unwilling participant nor could she claim innocence.

In summary, the best film of 2005 to date. (And being honest, I can’t see this changing in the short term at least). It’s filled with what I love about film: I was challenged, it brought history to life, and was filled with great dialogue and in Bruno Ganz one of the more masterful performances from a leading actor. It is a tragedy that this film only has a limited release.

The Motorcycle Diaries

went to the Dendy Monday night, and saw this film. Quite enjoyed it. But was left with a few questions.

I am not very familiar with Che Guerava. Never studied him in History, and haven’t read about him in leisure. The film gives a relatively sympathetic, positive view of his character. This is idealism? The film provides glimpses of the journey that would create a revolutionary. In particular, a resonating line for me was is it possible to feel nostalgia for a world you never knew.

Did Che betray his youth? What happened to the revolution he sought to create? Why are people passionate about him today?

Lest We Forget

In Flanders Feilds the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The story of the poem is recorded here. Also a link to the Australian War Memorial page with a transcript of Paul Keating's speech from 1993.

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The First Two Minute Silence in London (11th November 1919) as reported in the Manchester Guardian, 12th November 1919.

'The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect.

The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition.

Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all.'

Back on D-Day

Read a bit on D-day over the week. Wanted to post an excerpt from Chirac's speech at the Franco-American Ceremony at Normandy.[Chirac's speech in Full]

But there is no end to this struggle of man against himself, in a dangerous world where violence and hatred too often stir up men, and even peoples. The message of these heroes, the heroes of the "longest day," the flame that our forefathers bore so proudly and have now bequeathed onto us are our common heritage, which implies a corresponding duty of remembrance for us -- a duty of remembrance, a duty to recall this still recent past when fanaticism, the rejection of those who are different from us, the rejection of others, cast men, women and children into the night, the fog of the death camps.

We must never forget that without a compass, without remaining faithful to the lessons of history, there can be no future. We have also a duty of vigilance, also a duty to fight ruthlessly all these upsurges and seedbeds of hatred that feed on ignorance on obscurantism and on intolerance. And we have a duty of remaining faithful to our values so that our generation may build and pass on to our children a world of progress and freedom, as is indeed their birthright -- to build that society which bears the hallmark of respect and dialogue, of tolerance and solidarity that was the very quintessence of the struggle we are commemorating today, to keep alive for all time the spirit of hope.

Here's a second exert from the International Ceremony.[Speech in Full]

On 6 June 1944, when the sun set on "the longest day" and night cloaked Bloody Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword and Gold Beaches, when darkness descended over battered Caen, when night fell on France, maimed by years of war and occupation, they held on. They held on to a few acres of sand and soil. But hope was alive again, at last.

Today on the sixth of June 2004, it is that same hope, that same ideal that we owe to those men whom we shall never forget.

Faced with the dangers of a changing world, let us strive to remain loyal to the legacy, the sacrifice and the message of our fathers. Let us strive to give substance to the humanistic values of respect, justice, dialogue and tolerance, for which they gave their lives. Let us strive together to build a world of freedom and progress for our children, a world that respects the diversity of individuals and ideas, cultures and peoples.

It is that legacy, that duty, which we are commemorating today, for we are its custodians and tributaries. It is incumbent upon us to entrust it to new generations.

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I finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde) over the last week, and will post some thoughts over the weekend. In general though it was an interesting read, if in parts disturbing. I'm still thinking through what about it disturbed me, but these are reflections for another entry :)

Went to a trivia night last night, which was great fun. I have to admit that I'm quite keen on trivia nights. Trivia nights are great, a great way to mix with people, and great fun too.

June 6 2004 - 60 Years on from D-Day.

Sixty years on, we commemorate today the landing at Normandy, as the Allies began Operation Overlord, to reclaim Europe from the Nazis. The war would last another year, but D-Day was the beginning of the end.

... the anniversary being celebrated on the coast of Normandy today [is] a special one. It is not only that this 60th anniversary of D-Day has a sentimental significance because it will be the last to include many veterans of the invasion - the greatest in the history of the world - in its ceremonies.

It is also, and even more importantly, because the liberation of Europe began a great movement to create an international order based on respect for what President Franklin Roosevelt called the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech and expression; freedom to worship God in one's own way; freedom from want; and freedom from fear.

After D-Day, the Allies began calling themselves the United Nations, and the ideals set out in the Four Freedoms remain the foundations of the UN Charter and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[The Age - Editorial]

Dwight Eisenhower gives the order:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

ANZAC Day

I thought following Deb's Anzac Day post; I'd post a couple of my own thoughts.

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Each year as we come to ANZAC Day; there is a feeling that it is ANZAC Day more than Australia Day, or Federation that is our national day; or symbolises what we value as Australian. We see this in the growing numbers of Australian’s who make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli and the Dawn Service.

Hugh Mackay in his book Turning Point: Australian’s Choosing Their Future puts it like this:

Anzac Day .. captures the essence of how Australia began, and how we have built on from a shaky start to make something worthwhile of ourselves...
...ANZAC Day may turn out to be the festival we are looking for; the one that acknowledges the importance of our past as a resource for evaluating present and creating the future. Anzac Day says with a voice that grows louder every year, that we expect something good to happen; that we are still capable of becoming the society that would justify the sacrifice of those who thought we were worth fighting for...
...The question that Anzac Day asks is ‘what have we done with the peace that was won for us?’...

The other trend for Anzac Day over the last few years is to the scheduling of ‘Anzac Day’ test matches (Australia v New Zealand) and the traditional AFL game between Collingwood and Essendon. As these sportsman play on this day, and more generally; we hear of their hero status. It is another point in how we have in this Country glorified our sportsmen and women. They are not heroes; to borrow a quote from Bono – in describing himself – and how he and other entertainers are referred to as heroes. He says – [we are] not heroes, we are selfish people who enjoy what we do. And sportsman I would think generally are similar, they enjoy what they do.

Heroes; to borrow Hugh Mackay again; stir in us an expanded sense of Human potential; they heighten our sense of what we can do, and who we can be. Today’s Heroes he goes on to say may be the old style – the explorer for example who sacrifices his life that the party could go on; but may now be unsung; and possibly fighting private battles against, ignorance, prejudice, intolerance and apathy.

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Wanted to finish with a prayer from the APB – We on Anzac Day, remembered the fallen from the previous wars, but we ought also remember our servicemen and women on assignment, be it Iraq; or elsewhere.

Eternal God, the only source of peace; we pray for all who serve us in the defence forces of this land; Give them courage, and comfort in all dangers; comfort also their families; their wives; their husbands; and their children in their absence; And help us we pray, to seek for all people; the freedom to serve you and each other in peace and justice; we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.