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Recently our Ethiopian cousins have taken it upon themselves to invade their neighbours, the Somalis, in a large-scale and dynamic war. They didn't wait for months to get U.N. approval that would have meant limiting terms of engagement to meaninglessness, didn't wait for Russian and Chinese vetos, and didn't bring along CNN to monitor each and every outrage committed by national soldiers. The Ethiopian government had and interest in local affairs and took military action to correct what they saw as a threat to their nation and its people. In their case I applaud their decision. I wish I were there to cover the action as a first-hand reporter, in spite of my limited abilities as an objective reporter and my opaque writing style. As bloggers and private citizens we have unique opportunites to present to the larger world our views as untainted by conformities as they might be.
We might not compete as ably with major news producers who give us such brilliance as the copy on a South African mercenary in the early 1970s who was eating a piece of beef jerky when a reporter asked him what it was, to which the mercenary replied: "It's a baby's arm." Yes, the reporter panicked and wretched. We might not be able as bloggers to compete with that kind of reportorial genius. But we might do something else, almost as worthy: we might be able to report the facts as they are without ideological white-washes and flights of morally outraged dramatic fancy. But only if we are there, wherever 'there" is next time.
Therefore, allow me to humbly suggest that we start a travel fund for intrepid bloggers who are willing and able to write clear and unironic prose that anyone can understand at a glance. As a pool of contributors we could perhaps support one blogger's efforts in a place of our mutual choosing. Next year we could send someone immediately to a hot-spot to get what we would like: more or less what we might consider the truth as known to our own trusted colleagues. That might be worth $10.00 from each of us.
We likely pay as much for our local papers, only to be outraged rightly by them. personally I would love to see Pastorius's copy appearing hourly from the heated front. With some co-ordinated effort on the part of many of us if not all, we should easily be able to send someone somewhere to cover our own interests, even if it is without the approval of the U.N. and the French elite.
11 comments:
You seem pleased that Ethiopia has decided to invade Somalia and displace the Islamic Courts, possibley in order to restart the lucrative quaat and weapons trade - review historical moment when the British invaded China for the purpose of reinstating the opium trade.
It looks like the Islamic Courts were able to effect a peaceful law and order in Mogadishu, displacing the US backed government and warlord gangs which was hard to distinquish from total anarchy.
Now we are reading that the Islamic forces have vacated Mogadishu because of the overwhelming firepower of the Ethiopian forces and anarchy has returned, grudge fights and rapes the order of the day. Oh, and the return of the Ethiopian quaat and weapons trade.
I am wondering which point of view you would take if you were to visit Mogadishu? Would you take the morally bankrupt side of the invading Ethiopians who return the Mog to anarchy, murder and corruption.
Random Dude
Or "possibley" no probably, to destabalize a rapid radicalizing neighbor that allies itself not only to an already hostile Eritrea but internationally with even more foreign jihadists.
Or "possibley" no factually, at the invitation of the internationally recognised government of Somalia.
Many lovers of public stonings have similarly denounced democracies as being "hard to distinguish from total anarchy."
"Now we are reading..." is entirelly the point of Dag's musings of sending eyes, ears, and a pen we more trust. Current media outlets have often squandered such trust.
I would take the side of an Ethiopia that acts in its own self interest at the invitation of the internationally recognized goverment of Somolia against those that have invited the most bloodthirsty adhereants of the most murderous religion to intervene in what might have been an internal conflict. Do take note that the islamic courts did invite foreign jihadists before Ethiopia crossed the border in force.
Write up the constitution by which we decide who gets to go, and I'll send in my check. Whether its Random Dude, or Dag, it'll still be better than what we get from the CBC with Neil "fuck you" Mcdonald snickering about how the Americans are telling the Ethiopians, "ok, just use some restraint".
RD,
It's interesting that "the Mog" seems to be reverting to "anarchy" without much pressure from Ethiopia - seems as if the Islamic Courts don't have much of a hold on people's loyalty: people are returning to their clan identities instead of fighting to defend the Courts.
Anyway, you write as if Ethiopia has no reason to fear an Islamist movement on its doorstep that is calling on Jihadists worldwide to come over and take a shot at destabilizing the infidel regime in Ethiopia. The world over, Islamic "order" is bought at the price of redirecting internal resentments at external infidel scapegoats. Why should we give a damn about this kind of "order", especially since it involves all kinds of internal oppressions?
I might add that Ethiopia has a long and horrific history with Muslims in the country trying to destroy the Christian culture, one of the world's oldest nations after Israel (will the left now react accordingly). Who can seriously question their pre-emptive action in this light?
truepeers: "Who can seriously question their pre-emptive action in this light?"
An interesting point - are you suggesting that the Ethiopians are going to introduce Christian reform into Somalia society? Because if the are, they are about 300 years too late. I believe the last census alloted .01% of Somalia to be Christian or about 850 people.
So yes, I do question their pre-emptive action in this light. Way too little, way too late.
I believe it has much more to do with the trade in weapons and drugs that drives their Christian righteousness to invasion.
Ockham's razor - the simplest explanation is usually the best. An interesting theory all the same.
Random Dude
RD,
I'll play by Ockham's razor, indeed positively insist on it. But what's my theory? I sure don't expect Ethiopia to try and convert Somalia. All I wanted to imply was that it is in Ethiopia's interest to get rid of the hard-core Jihadists recently in power there, in favor of Somalia's version of the "moderate Muslim", and this interest is worth defending because the Jihad is bad for all of us, including the world's Muslims I dare say.
I know very little of Ethiopian history but I have been led to understand it is one full of conflict between Muslims and Christians. Ockham suggests to me that this long historical struggle will be uppermost on Ethiopian leaders' minds. Any drug trade, while no doubt of interest to some, would seem to be a much lesser concern over all.
Ockham also suggests to me that someone who writes, not entirely coherently, that "it has much more to do with the trade in weapons and drugs that drives their Christian righteousness to invasion" is more likely to misread the situation than someone who has a positive or humble understanding of Christian righteousness. What you write has the whiff of a conspiracy theory, or at least of resentment which is always, to some degree, delusional.
tp: "I sure don't expect Ethiopia to try and convert Somalia."
I never suggested as much. Don't put words in my mouth.
tp: "I know very little of Ethiopian history but I have been led to understand it is one full of conflict between Muslims and Christians."
What an extraordinary thing to say. You are the only person I have read that has suggested such a motive. I suggest you research your subject before jumping in.
tp: "Ockham suggests to me that this long historical struggle will be uppermost on Ethiopian leaders' minds."
Only if Ockham is on drugs. Perhaps he has taken up the quatt habit. Allow me to cite:
"Ethiopia does pretty well out of qat. The seedless plant which best grows at 3-6,000 feet above sea level is grown across vast areas as a cash crop and in economic terms is the country's fourth largest export. In upland regions such as Harange, it is the backbone of the economy, employing thousands of farmers, packers, harvesters and traders. Ethiopia is thought to have earned about $60 million from qat cultivation in 2000.
It is a popular plant to grow, too. It resists drought, can be harvested throughout the year and suppresses appetite. It is also far more profitable than most traditional crops. Moreover, the trade, transport and price is - theoretically - regulated by the government with responsible producer associations, licensed exporters and traders making large, legal profits. The price is set through inter-governmental agreements, regional government is allowed to tax exports, and huge quantities are trucked to neighbouring Djibouti or flown to Yemen where more than 85% of the adults use it.
But although overuse of the drug is condemned in Ethiopia and throughout the Middle East, it is widely recognised to be as important, socially, as coffee in the west. Users say that it has no criminality associated with it, and many people insist that it helps to create a friendly environment, even to help resolve disputes. Many Muslims use it during Ramadan because it reduces fatigue and hunger."
This does not even take into consideration the equally lucrative weapons trade between Ethiopia and Somalia that ended abruptly when the Islamic Courts found other sources for their armaments.
tp: "What you write has the whiff of a conspiracy theory, or at least of resentment which is always, to some degree, delusional."
I believe it is you who tends to pull theories out of your ass and then try to present them as fact.
It is your 'Christian motive' that is delusional and totally without support. The only reason I mention the Christian angle is because YOU brought it up. It is not a factor by any reasoning other than yours.
There is nothing incoherent about my statements. The problem in understanding is almost certainly your intellectual limitations.
I see absolutely no reason to take any abuse from you. You haven't demonstrated any scholarship or understanding of either Ethiopia or Somalia. You should also learn some manners.
Random Dude
RD: I believe it is you who tends to pull theories out of your ass and then try to present them as fact... The problem in understanding is almost certainly your intellectual limitations....You should also learn some manners.
-What manners exactly?
tp: "I sure don't expect Ethiopia to try and convert Somalia."
rd: I never suggested as much. Don't put words in my mouth
I was merely referring to this: "are you suggesting that the Ethiopians are going to introduce Christian reform into Somalia society? Because if the are, they are about 300 years too late. I believe the last census alloted .01% of Somalia to be Christian or about 850 people."
There is nothing incoherent about my statements.
Well, this is, as I said, somewhat incoherent: "it has much more to do with the trade in weapons and drugs that drives their Christian righteousness to invasion"
- weapons and drugs drive Christian righteousness? Coherent? I always thought faith in Christ drove Christian righteousness, to the degree Christ is a God who calls for righteousness...
You are the only person I have read that has suggested such a motive. I suggest you research your subject before jumping in
-heh, I read the newspapers too; and they are full of talk of the Jihadist problem in Somalia being behind the Ethiopian action. As for the history of Ethiopia, here's Wikipedia from which you will get some sense of the religious wars. Or just google Ethiopian history - lots there.
I see absolutely no reason to take any abuse from you.
-you might have noticed that I said all resentment is to some degree delusional; I would also add that we all have resentment, that it is a necessary and universal part of our humanity; hence I am calling you a human, which I do not consider abusive. What is at issue is not whether you or I are resentful and deluded, but to what degree we are - hence the need for Ockham. Generally, the more resentful, the more deluded a person is.
We were talking about righteousness which I agree is usually a problem, even when I'm defending the CHristian variety. As a general proposition, it seems to me that those who spend their time harping about Christian righteousness are more righteous and problematic than the Christians. Those who believe in God at least defer to someone more omniscient. Often they recognize their limits accordingly and find some basis for humility. Unfortunately, the same often cannot be said for our secular Gnostics.
There is no significant Christian element left in Somalia. PERIOD
The rest of your comment is... well...
Let's leave this as a cautionary tale about posting comments without first doing your research.
Random Dude
There is no significant Christian element left in Somalia. PERIOD
-So what does this have to do with anything I've said? The Jihadists in SOmalia that are Ethiopia's concern are, of course, Muslim.
Now I get it... Random Dude!
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