Ruling tensions etc was Re: Behind Turkey's opposition to war

[Gary MacLennan <g.maclennan@xxxxxxxxxx>]

What a great photo.  When being anti-war is good for business, then we are
very close to a total rejection of all that Bush & Co stand for.

I may be getting overly excited but the news from Turkey and the Arab
Summit is beginning to make me think that things are spinning out of the
White House's control. Of course it is the people on the street who really
matter.  And the people of Turkey have been magnificent in their courage. I
salute them.

But what does interest me as well is the effect that the movement from
below is having on the filth above.  Thus the reports from the Arab summit
were sketchy but they did refer to an open clash between Saudi Arabia's
Prince Abdullah and Muhamar Ghadaffi. Abdullah it seems, in response to
criticism from Ghaddaffi, denied he was an agent of colonialism and told
Ghadaffi the grave was waiting for him.  This according to reports went out
live and then there was a break in transmission.  Cracks were pasted over,
but tensions must be very high throughout the region.

What I think is happening is that we are seeing large sections of an
outmoded ruling class losing their grip on power. This is still primarily
those thugs who came to power during the Cold War and who have been
rendered obsolete by the collapse of the USSR.


Here in Oz these divisions, uncertainties and tensions are beginning to
disperse the dense cloud of apathy and cynicism that ordinary Australians
defend themselves with. For instance I am beginning to feel in my teaching
that the students are actually listening.  Not quite used to that feeling.

In my first year lecture on Wednesday I used the torture sequence from
David O. Russell's _Three Kings_ to bring up the present situation.  The
film is confused liberal at best, but it does attempt to tackle some of the
contradictions of US Foreign Policy and besides at the present time it
gives one an opportunity to cut into the hype, lies and propaganda
surrounding the coming war.

The class was responsive and quite clued in about what the real issues were.

What is especially remarkable and useful about the film is that it allows
"It's the oil, stupid" position a very clear voice.  Of course this is
carefully contextualised in that the character who speaks the truth is the
torturer. Nevertheless the film does not set out to deny the truth that oil
is the main reason why the US military is fighting Iraq.


Interesting times indeed.

regards

Gary


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