I can not believe some of the comments I have been reading in the Libya related articles on the timesofmalta.
The only way I can justify religious people and their harsh mentalities is by assuming that they do not understand what is going on in the Maghreb.
Comments made early yesterday on the timesofmalta
More Comments made today on TimesofMalta
So, today my post is an explanation of the Libya situation in a nutshell.
Imagine a government that:
- Is rich and flaunts its riches
- is well aware of the poverty around it
- Distributes the country’s wealth to a ruling class comprised primarily of the family of senior government figures.
- Instructs the army to shoot and kill their own populace
- Tells its air force to bomb its people
Imagine a people:
- who see their government and its chosen people flaunting the country’s riches
- who can’t afford a loaf of bread
- who want a voice.
- who get shot for protesting against the unfairness of such a regime
- whose family members have disappeared or been tortured for speaking out
- who have nothing to lose
Image by Ammar w/ Al Jazeera
Malta! Before making racist, arrogant, pig headed comments take a step back and see how you would fit into such a society. A society of basically good people, forced to revolt for basic human rights and an accountable government.
Imagine you are in the army and that you have just found out that the government has just taken a lot of money and pocketed it. Imagine that your son or nephew has gone in front of a public building to protest about it and was shot and then imagine receiving an order from your authorities to shoot any protesters. Would your loyalty to your country be untouched? Would you still pledge allegiance to the country’s rulers, who are responsible for the brutal killings of your countrymen? Would you still think that defectors are cowards or criminals of war? Didn’t think so.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Ok. Jet fighters landed at MIA after 40+ years of oppression, the words finally don’t even being to describe it. Where were you all during those years? Worrying about racism?
Well said (and written)
To be honest with you I wasn’t born yet… but thank god I’m around now to worry and blog about racism and local editorial.
The issue I have is how could someone like that take power for such a long period. I have never known a time without Gaddafi, but I do know that this is getting really crazy. It is true that I cannot believe the close mindness of these Maltese people contributing such rubbish, but military aircraft landing in our country does not make me feel comfortable. Reason being that if Gaddafi somehow manages to contain the revolution, he is going to want them back.
If you want to bring home what is going through the Libyan soldiers mind at the moment, soldiers have been burned for allegedly refusing to shoot protesters.
@ Maltese Falcons:
“If you want to bring home what is going through the Libyan soldiers mind at the moment, soldiers have been burned for allegedly refusing to shoot protesters.”
All the more reason to defect and head to Malta, instead of (illegally) bombing civilians. Do you think it was an easy choice to make for the two pilots? Do you think their families will be forgiven and forgotten if Gaddafi “somehow manages to contain the revolution” as you put it?
I can’t imagine what it feels like for these people. Lose/Lose situation. I am sincerely happy that Maltese nationals who are in Libya are managing to get back to Malta safely that is for sure.
I don’t think anyone is comfortable with the planes being here, or the boats that are said to be floating around the med. I guess our proximity puts us in a certain position that cannot be controlled. If only malta could float.
But in relation to my post, I was really hurt to see comments by Maltese citizens… it made me feel ashamed to be Maltese.
It’s unfortunate that Malta gets involved – physical proximity you know… Muammar al Gadaffi – the guy has been in power since 1969, when he was only 27 years old. By now he is totally convinced that, as he said yesterday: “This is my country”. He (possibly only subconsciously) knows that it’s the end of the line for him and his regime, but is incapable of accepting it. As for Libya – we’ll have to wait and see. Will it go from autocracy to democracy or to theocracy? Time only will tell. But PLEASE let the West stay out of it…