Today saw the release of Mordechai Vanunu after 18 years in an Israeli jail. His crime? He blew the lid on Israel's secret nuclear stockpile. A stockpile that they had long refused to confirm.
Now as a free man he was able to speak about the brutal treatment he received in prison, which included a 12 year stint in solitary confinement. "You didn't succeed to break me, you didn't succeed to make me crazy," he said.
Vilified by some as a traitor, his plight is yet another example of the hypocrisy of the state of Israel. Let us imagine another nation, in breach of UN resolutions for many years. Let us imagine that a scientist from this nation escapes to spill the beans on a nuclear weapons program. What would the international community do? What would the United States and Britain do?
The sad truth is, that it depends on the nation. In a world which has just seen lie upon lie thrown at us regarding a non-existent nuclear weapons program in Iraq, why is it that Israel, long in breach of UN resolutions can be permitted to hold a man in brutal conditions while such men who come forward from other nations (like Iraq, Iran and Syria) are considered brave heroes?
The world is changing, and many of us will no longer stay quiet about the disgrace that is Israel. I am not anti-Jewish. I am well aware that the Jews have suffered perhaps more than any other community in history. But to throw this in my face and call me anti-Semitic every time I criticise Israel, does nothing more than cast a great shadow over the memory of the 6 million Jews who died under Hitler.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Long time, no blog.
It's been a busy few weeks so there has been a distinct lack of news from me.
However with the arrival of Kill Bill 2, my laziness is sure to be a thing of the past!
Quick summary of the world at large:
1) Dozens have been killed in the peaceful city of Basra. "It's outside terrorists" whines Emperor Bremer. This from the same man who said all the trouble in the last year has been caused by Saddams henchmen. There must be an election coming up... the war on terror is important again.
2) Tony Blair has announced there is to be a referendum on an EU constitution. This from the same man who said he had no reverse gear and there would be no referendum. The ladies sure not for turning... or so we thought.
3) British anti-terror forces have arrested more suspected terrorists. Apparently they had tickets to a Man Utd game and some bombs. With powers of deduction like that, we are sure to all be safe forever.
4) The asylum seeker debate still rages. Apparently, people are afraid to go outside. They're not racist, they just don't like strangers.
5) George Bush has solved the problems in the Middle East. He found that getting Israel to agree with itself was for easier than getting them to talk to the "evil" Palestinians. Tony went to stay at the White House. He nodded a lot.
So as you can see... all is normal with the World!
However with the arrival of Kill Bill 2, my laziness is sure to be a thing of the past!
Quick summary of the world at large:
1) Dozens have been killed in the peaceful city of Basra. "It's outside terrorists" whines Emperor Bremer. This from the same man who said all the trouble in the last year has been caused by Saddams henchmen. There must be an election coming up... the war on terror is important again.
2) Tony Blair has announced there is to be a referendum on an EU constitution. This from the same man who said he had no reverse gear and there would be no referendum. The ladies sure not for turning... or so we thought.
3) British anti-terror forces have arrested more suspected terrorists. Apparently they had tickets to a Man Utd game and some bombs. With powers of deduction like that, we are sure to all be safe forever.
4) The asylum seeker debate still rages. Apparently, people are afraid to go outside. They're not racist, they just don't like strangers.
5) George Bush has solved the problems in the Middle East. He found that getting Israel to agree with itself was for easier than getting them to talk to the "evil" Palestinians. Tony went to stay at the White House. He nodded a lot.
So as you can see... all is normal with the World!
Monday, March 29, 2004
The wind of political change...
After the shock of the Spanish general election which saw a centre-right government ousted by a left wing socialist party, Europe woke today to the news that another major government was on the brink of being ousted.
Jacques Chirac, the French President, is facing calls to hold a general election after the combined might of the Socialists, Communists and Greens destroyed his right wing Union for a Popular Movement party in regional elections. They took 20 out of the 22 mainland regions, and sent a clear message to Chirac that his time may be running out.
Chirac may have been against war in Iraq, but his recent domestic policies have been immensely unpopular. Whether this success will turn into similar gains in a general election remains to be seen, but there can be no doubt that this result will send shockwaves through the leading governments of Europe.
Whether it's unity brought about by unpopular invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan or anger at increasingly oppressive domestic policies, one thing is certain. The political left is undergoing a unified resurgance unseen in my lifetime. I can only hope that this one voice does not fragment into petty squabbles in the coming months. I can only hope that the traditionally apathetic people of Britain will take a lead from our European partners and oust Tony Blair, while simultaneously destroying Michael Howards Tories in the general election. It may only be a dream... but at least it keeps me happy!
Jacques Chirac, the French President, is facing calls to hold a general election after the combined might of the Socialists, Communists and Greens destroyed his right wing Union for a Popular Movement party in regional elections. They took 20 out of the 22 mainland regions, and sent a clear message to Chirac that his time may be running out.
Chirac may have been against war in Iraq, but his recent domestic policies have been immensely unpopular. Whether this success will turn into similar gains in a general election remains to be seen, but there can be no doubt that this result will send shockwaves through the leading governments of Europe.
Whether it's unity brought about by unpopular invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan or anger at increasingly oppressive domestic policies, one thing is certain. The political left is undergoing a unified resurgance unseen in my lifetime. I can only hope that this one voice does not fragment into petty squabbles in the coming months. I can only hope that the traditionally apathetic people of Britain will take a lead from our European partners and oust Tony Blair, while simultaneously destroying Michael Howards Tories in the general election. It may only be a dream... but at least it keeps me happy!
Monday, March 15, 2004
Battlestar Galactica 2003
When I heard the news that cult Sci-Fi Battlestar Galactica was being remade it sent a shiver down my spine. Here was a show, which despite it's aging through the years still invokes happy memories of childhood in me. It was the show that first got me hooked on science fiction and the television industry in general.
Then as the first pieces of information began to leak out my shiver turned into fear and in the end anger. How could they make Starbuck a woman? How could they have some Seven-of-nine look-alike as one of the main villains? A move clearly designed to appeal to the 14 year old boys out there.
Of course, all this was based on not actually seeing the 3 hour pilot and more importantly, ignoring the most vital piece of information, who was making it. Ron Moore is one of the best popular science fiction tv writers of our time. He was one of the main reasons for The Next Generations brilliance and Deep Space Nine's diversity.
And so after watching the pilot I should have not been surprised to find how good it is. Intelligent, well written, well acted (by most, not all) and well executed.
The original story was always supposed to be dark, but due to 1970s storytelling and popular culture it was far hammier and nicer than it ever should have been. This modern version is very dark.
Like all remakes, there is going to be contention about the changes. The biggest talking point which surrounds the origin of the cylons is understandable, but makes for very good storytelling. The master/creator story has been done many times before, but it still feels fresh.
The struggle between reluctant president (Roslin) and aging warhorse (Adama) is well played out and this relationship I'm certain will be of great importance as the show develops.
The relationships between the characters seem to have taken the primary role in the story, and this is long overdue. If there is a criticism of the original show, it's that the main characters were too happy and friendly. Not in this Galactica. Apollo is arrogant and self righteous (although clearly he has a soft side). Adama is stubborn and reckless, but loyal. Tigh (I'm still angry about them changing his skin colour to white) is weak and full of pain, but this adds depth to a character that deserved more focus in the original.
The introduction of human looking cylons is a nice touch and certainly saves on special effects! I was somewhat disappointed with the decision to have a sexy woman to appeal to the boys, although I was impressed with the dark sides to her character.
And finally to Baltar... his characters motives are clearly still open and the depth of his personality is far greater than that of the original. But again, the jury is still out. It's a smart angle that Ron Moore has taken with this character, and it's a risky one. Most people (myself NOT included) demand a single villain to hate. This is why the borg queen was created for First Contact. There is no single villain with the cylons, yet. And I applaud this move. Of course, I look forward to seeing the direction in which Baltar goes.
The direction of Galactica is another success. It's raw, with an almost student like intelligence. The space battles have some excellent camera movements, and this combined with the simple but gripping soundtrack is mesmerising.
Anyway... I really enjoyed this. Galactica had it's flaws, but for once I am not going to dwell on them, because it deserves recognition for taking such stick over the months during production and emerging with a well-rounded sci-fi story.
How could I have doubted Ron Moore...
Then as the first pieces of information began to leak out my shiver turned into fear and in the end anger. How could they make Starbuck a woman? How could they have some Seven-of-nine look-alike as one of the main villains? A move clearly designed to appeal to the 14 year old boys out there.
Of course, all this was based on not actually seeing the 3 hour pilot and more importantly, ignoring the most vital piece of information, who was making it. Ron Moore is one of the best popular science fiction tv writers of our time. He was one of the main reasons for The Next Generations brilliance and Deep Space Nine's diversity.
And so after watching the pilot I should have not been surprised to find how good it is. Intelligent, well written, well acted (by most, not all) and well executed.
The original story was always supposed to be dark, but due to 1970s storytelling and popular culture it was far hammier and nicer than it ever should have been. This modern version is very dark.
Like all remakes, there is going to be contention about the changes. The biggest talking point which surrounds the origin of the cylons is understandable, but makes for very good storytelling. The master/creator story has been done many times before, but it still feels fresh.
The struggle between reluctant president (Roslin) and aging warhorse (Adama) is well played out and this relationship I'm certain will be of great importance as the show develops.
The relationships between the characters seem to have taken the primary role in the story, and this is long overdue. If there is a criticism of the original show, it's that the main characters were too happy and friendly. Not in this Galactica. Apollo is arrogant and self righteous (although clearly he has a soft side). Adama is stubborn and reckless, but loyal. Tigh (I'm still angry about them changing his skin colour to white) is weak and full of pain, but this adds depth to a character that deserved more focus in the original.
The introduction of human looking cylons is a nice touch and certainly saves on special effects! I was somewhat disappointed with the decision to have a sexy woman to appeal to the boys, although I was impressed with the dark sides to her character.
And finally to Baltar... his characters motives are clearly still open and the depth of his personality is far greater than that of the original. But again, the jury is still out. It's a smart angle that Ron Moore has taken with this character, and it's a risky one. Most people (myself NOT included) demand a single villain to hate. This is why the borg queen was created for First Contact. There is no single villain with the cylons, yet. And I applaud this move. Of course, I look forward to seeing the direction in which Baltar goes.
The direction of Galactica is another success. It's raw, with an almost student like intelligence. The space battles have some excellent camera movements, and this combined with the simple but gripping soundtrack is mesmerising.
Anyway... I really enjoyed this. Galactica had it's flaws, but for once I am not going to dwell on them, because it deserves recognition for taking such stick over the months during production and emerging with a well-rounded sci-fi story.
How could I have doubted Ron Moore...
A message to right wing governments everywhere...
The shock result of the Spanish general election brings with it a day of jubilance in the midst of tragedy. The ousting of José María Aznar's People's party is a victory for the people of Spain who have been seflishly ignored by a man more concerned with his own place in history.
The long term ramifications will affect more than just the Spanish population. As early as Monday afternoon, new Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapater was promising to withdraw his troops from Iraq should the UN not take control of the situation by June 30th. The effect on the Bush alliance could be disasterous. Bush is in the middle of an election year, and the recent bombings in Madrid have brought global terrorism back to the agenda.
If Al Qaeda is responsible, then Spain was probably targeted for Aznar's strong support for the current US foreign policy. The people of Spain seem to have realised that, and have responded in the best way they could.
As with the bombings in Bali and Turkey, which targetted mainly Australians and British interests, these recent attacks have been clearly co-ordinated against one of Bush's stuanchest allies. In reality, the 'alliance' only consists of 5 major nations. The US, Australia, Britain and now Spain have been hit hard and with an election possibly only a year away in the UK, I have to wonder what the odds of a major terrorist attack on the British mainland are.
It is easy to get bogged down with fear. Unfortunately, the more attacks that take place, the more hard-line our governments become. But, as we've seen in Spain if a government remains blind to the people it will be toppled.
The long term ramifications will affect more than just the Spanish population. As early as Monday afternoon, new Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapater was promising to withdraw his troops from Iraq should the UN not take control of the situation by June 30th. The effect on the Bush alliance could be disasterous. Bush is in the middle of an election year, and the recent bombings in Madrid have brought global terrorism back to the agenda.
If Al Qaeda is responsible, then Spain was probably targeted for Aznar's strong support for the current US foreign policy. The people of Spain seem to have realised that, and have responded in the best way they could.
As with the bombings in Bali and Turkey, which targetted mainly Australians and British interests, these recent attacks have been clearly co-ordinated against one of Bush's stuanchest allies. In reality, the 'alliance' only consists of 5 major nations. The US, Australia, Britain and now Spain have been hit hard and with an election possibly only a year away in the UK, I have to wonder what the odds of a major terrorist attack on the British mainland are.
It is easy to get bogged down with fear. Unfortunately, the more attacks that take place, the more hard-line our governments become. But, as we've seen in Spain if a government remains blind to the people it will be toppled.
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