President of the World?

A couple of friends were wondering whether there was anything special about the victory of Obama, beyond the colour of his skin. Of course, when America votes, the world waits. But they thought people's excitement levels have been going un-checked. So in order to do justice to both sides of the argument, I thought it wise to mention the other side of the story as well. And I've found just the piece to elaborate that thought:

Calm Down! He's not the President of the World

Copyright (c) 2008 Saadia Malik

Relevant link spotted [November 21, 2008]: Let Obama be Obama

Obama's Victory Speech

It was a well-written, well-delivered speech. Here are the links for those who missed it:

Full Video and Text

In Pictures

Copyright (c) 2008 Saadia Malik

Barack Hussein Obama

Everybody who writes anything, anywhere, is at this moment, commenting on the newly elected president of the United States of America. When America votes, the world watches with keen interest and (now) fear, thanks to one Texan warlord. (Err...his congratulatory note to his successor: "What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters. You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself.'' The entertainment just doesn't end, does it!).

In the wee hours of his campaigning, I, along with so many other Pakistanis, was not too keen on endorsing Obama (never McCain - he is Republican!) given his tough rhetoric against Pakistan: against our territorial integrity. One would wonder if he too would be chanting the Bush mantra.

Thankfully, however, in his celebratory speech in Chicago (minutes ago), he did not for once utter the word "terrorism". Bush has said it all too much; it has become painfully irritating now.

I'm happy to have witnessed history being made. A black president in the White House. Please don't ask me to say 'African-American', because this is the time to say 'black'. It is beautiful that Obama doesn't use the race card, but this is the time to congratulate our dark-skinned brothers and sisters. Historically, they've seen hell on earth: in the US, in Britain, in South Africa, in Australia...hell, every which way you tread! Now to have one of them elected as the most powerful leader on earth is an achievement. Not too long ago, in 2005, a poem - nominated a winner, was circulated on the web, said to have been written by an African kid - mimicked the collective pain of the 'black'. I leave you with it:

When I born, I Black,

When I grow up, I Black,

When I go in Sun, I Black,

When I scared, I Black,

When I sick, I Black,

And when I die, I still Black…

And

you White fellow,

When you born, you Pink,

When you grow up, you White,

When you go in Sun, you Red,

When you cold, you Blue,

When you scared, you Yellow,

When you sick, you Green,

And when you die, you Gray…

And you call me colored?

Copyright (c) 2008 Saadia Malik

Socialism for the Rich

For all my life, I've heard the West plead the case of capitalism. Everybody was riding high on tides and claiming superiority of philosophy and culture. Success was measured in terms of the moola in one's bank accounts. Ruthlessness towards the poor (offering them "generous" loans on exorbitant interest rates, to help them drown in dependency till eternity) was considered a part of the system. If they had the brains and the ability, they'd rise deservedly. Too bad, if not. And if the rich were getting richer, it was because of their potential and taxation couldn't be further from unfairness.

My thoughts: what an ego-centric and selfish world to live in. Unfortunately for us all, we are learning this lesson the hard way now. And how convenient of everybody who is anybody today, to suggest regulation in the economy, when all major institutions and functionaries are in seriously muddy waters. Here's an illustration of that. Andrew Graham, an Oxford Economist suggests:

...financial regulation has to be approached with a completely different mindset

from that for the rest of the economy. Elsewhere, competition can be a

substitute for regulation. In banking, the opposite applies: the greater the

competition, the greater the need for regulation and/or supervision. (Guardian, UK)

Okay!!! So long as socialism is for the rich, it is the best system. But God forbid, more goes to the welfare of the poor, it becomes treacherous!

Copyright (c) 2008 Saadia Malik

Recommended readings:

1. Socialism for the Rich: Bailing Out the Bankers and Builders
2. The U.S. Economy Is Socialism for the Rich