I found myself reading this article, The Kingdom of Silence, and I couldn't help but think about all of the recent conversations I've had about global politics, particularly about the Middle East. I think I may start to write more about my politics here. I've been deliberately avoiding it, but I think it's getting to the point where it's unfair to call this place Open Matt and yet not be open about this.
Anyways, the article is a New Yorker piece about an American journalist's stay in Saudi Arabia. I found myself frustrated, sad, and angry at various points as I read it. One thought that constantly pops up when I'm reading things like this is "what can I do about it?" These people are horribly oppressed and it seems like any solution I come up with is fraught with bloodshed and horror.
I think about the high-minded ideals of some of the people I talk to. Their thinking is based on a percieved good-nature in humanity that I don't see. I particularly don't see it when I read articles like this. I wish there were some way of convincing these rulers to notch their evil down to the level of evil that the high-minded folks see in America's leadership.
I think about the sharks, and how we absolutely need them even though they are the engine of all this misery.
And I think about myself. What can I do? Why do I care? Can I do anything?
Posted by Matt at January 15, 2004 04:38 PM