Lucia

de Vernai

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October 27, 2008

Meanwhile, Across the Globe, Chaos Rules the Day

During this exciting time for the American democracy, full of ACORN accusations and Sarah Palin make-up artist tips, it’s easy to forget the rest of the world. Any of the solutions being promised on the campaign trail to our economic woes and tarnished international reputation will not come around in a vacuum. As much as the candidates stress their commitment to the common American man, ignoring the impact of foreign events on Main Street as well as Wall Street is not doing anyone any favors. So let’s step back from analyzing Joe Biden’s colonoscopies (not that it doesn’t make for fascinating CNN headlines) and see how the world has changed since debating the future of Joe the Plumber became the alpha and omega of our news coverage.

Syria: U.S. air forces have allegedly crossed the border from Iraq on Sunday, killing eight civilians. The troops arrived in four helicopters and stormed a building under construction. U.S. officials are “investigating” the incident, although it would come as no surprise – the U.S. has strongly criticized Syria for facilitating the transfer of fighters and money for the Sunni insurgency. Good timing too – if Sarah Palin’s definition of the Bush Doctrine confused you too, this incident should answer all remaining questions.

Belgium: All proud-to-be-an-American bumper sticker enthusiasts tired of pressing “1” for English take heart. This small country that is the hub of European Union relations is divided over and possibly headed for separation because of language. While population-wise the country’s majority is Flemish, since Belgium gained independence in the first part of the 19^th Century French has been the official language. Over the past 16 months, the country’s institutions have been paralyzed over the issue partly because Flanders, the northern part of the country, is tired of having to fund the south of the country, traditionally ethnically French and less affluent. Spreading the wealth around is difficult after all, even for a welfare state.

Haiti: The four hurricanes that struck the country this year have left almost 1,000 dead and thousands of others on the muddy streets. Relief efforts have faltered since the country’s geography requires the use of expensive and scarce resources, like helicopters, to reach hard-hit areas. The lack of humanitarian aid and continued response from the international community is largely caused by the global financial crisis, since international aid funding is often among the first budget cuts. A month after the last cyclone, the country has only received about 10 percent of the aid solicited.       

Mice: It would be a shame to end on a sour note, and luckily San Francisco scientists have grown new prostate cells in mice. There is little use for a new prostate, so stem cell research opponents take a deep breath. No one is going to try grow a new one in a petrie dish. But this discovery may help find a cure for the overgrowth that often leads to cancer.     

It’s a big world out there, and unless we continue to keep your hand on the pulse in more than one area, the “What the &^$* just happened?” feeling that swept the country in the past month is bound to come back again and again. If we’re lucky, we may get some solutions instead of a James Carville-led pity party.

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