The Daily Gist: With Ben Istiphan

Other than the fact that an African American was elected President, what other story  in 2008 is worthy of recognition? It seems like every year we tend to focus our attention on the events that fuel optimism, while overlooking the stories that are eerie and pessimistic, yet just as important. I would say that the economic downturn and the wall street bailout fit the description of the ladder very well.

To see a black President is astonishing, but to also hear the word depression, whether America is in one or not, is a rarity. However, to judge these two events seperate from one another in the coming years will be nearly impossible. Obama’s legacy will be defined by how he manages the economy, and the recovery or the collapse of the market will depend upon his economic decisions. Simply put, Obama and the economy will be synonymous with each other. If Obama in the White House isn’t enough optimism, let me add that 2008 also marked the last full year of Bush in Office. At least we have something to look forward to as we ring in the new year.  

Innocent Child or Hamas Militant?
Source: yahoo news

Gaza has been under attack for 4 days now by Israeli military forces. This is supposedly a war against Hamas, the apparent aggressors and initiators of this conflict. If you try to interpret what has transpired by looking through a political lens, then everything might not look so black and white. Hamas has been accused of disregarding the constitution when it unilaterally seized control of Gaza, more importantly, Hamas has failed to recognize Israel as their neighbour. However, the recent events lack any political or national security merits that would in any way justify the attacks on Gaza.

Israel claims that they are specifically targeting members of Hamas, yet the images on the ground represent the antithesis of this assertion. Israeli fighter planes have attacked mosques, as well as a university and a hospital. Even the homes of the innocent have been desecrated, including a refugee camp where 5 sisters were killed in an air strike. Let’s give Israel the benefit of the doubt and label Hamas a terrorist organization. Regardless, why must the innocent and starving people be punished any further? They can’t run because there is no safe haven in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. They can’t escape because external forces in Israel and Egypt will coerce them back. They can’t even be treated after an injury due to the lack of medical supplies, as a result of Israel’s land and sea blockade.

These attacks may not necessarily be systematic, but they are absolutely indiscriminate. Palestinians on numerous occasions have echoed the word “holocaust”, a term that I hope will continue to be concealed in the pages of history and not revealed in tomorrow’s front page.

Even some Americans are now condoning the actions of the shoe thrower. American activists have urged Baghdad  authorities to release Iraq journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi, as a minor protest was held outside the Iraqi consulate in Washington. Many see the incident as an act of insult and not of violence, which makes sense considering that a shoe can hardly suffice as a dangerous weapon. More importantly, Bush didn’t necessary express displeasure or condemnation. As usual, dubya had that lighthearted smirk on his face, yet al-Zaidi could spend up to 15 years in prison. I guess there is a moral to this story… stick to the pie in the face, westerners love it.

Yes, gas is cheap again. Gas prices have reached a 4 year low across Canada, but this has done little to rejuvenate the consumers. I can’t even remember the last time when the price of gas was below 70 cents a litre in Ontario. Nonetheless, you would figure that nothing has really changed according to the drives of this country. Gas prices can continue to drop, but most of the damage has already been done.

A year ago, a large number of us were convinced that lowering the cost of gas was the solution, but now with the economy in greater peril, it’s become merely a petty concern. When times are rough, placing a bandage to stop the bleeding will no longer suffice. It is time for a new approach that focuses on reconstructing the economy, thus preventing the bleeding, as opposed to stopping or stabilizing it. When you’re at the clothing store, you’ll normally see a clearence table where the items that were once the popular trend are sold at a very cheap price. Like the blouse from the other day, gas is fad of yesterday.

Even with the constant traveling and endless meetings, Barack Obama has managed to keep his body in decent shape. Obama is currently spending his holiday vacation in Hawaii with his family at a beach side compound. With the paparazzi lurking around, the 47 year old did not hesitate to expose his middle aged body. It’s just another reason to envy the president-elect, especially if you’re the 1/3 of American adults who are obese. Obama is definitely leading by example, but let’s see if he can keep it up as the job becomes a little more strenuous in the coming months. Seeing that he’s an avid fan of basketball, I would suggest renovating the White House with some hardwood, which can become a great escape when he’s cooped up in the oval office.

Today is Boxing Day, Canada’s version of Black Friday. The economy is heading towards a downturn, yet that hasn’t stopped a myriad of shoppers who were waiting in the frigid weather this morning, counting down the seconds till their favourite retail store opened their doors.

Even the typical suburban school girl was giddy as usual, as over 300 people were lined up outside the Abercrombie & Fitch in downtown Toronto. Wal-Mart  is expecting a large turnout this weekend, but let’s hope the company implements a few safety precautions so that another employee is not trampled to death. Many were expecting a very poor turnout this year, but the consumers maintained a high level of resilience. That is because Boxing Day is more than just another shopping day, it’s a tradition, a western capitalist tradition which epitomizes our consumer culture.

Christmas is a crazy time of year when we tend to act with little rationality and prudence. Even Santa Claus has acted inappropriately at times. For example, last night in Los Angeles, a disgruntled Santa spoiled a Christmas party, when he unexpectedly walked into a house with a handgun. Six were found dead, while Santa proceeded to burn the house down, only to be found dead as well the next morning at another location. I stated previously that the old guy was personally feeling the brunt of the economic recession, but i couldn’t predict that he would become completely senile. The least he could have done was go down the chimney, you know, for old time sake.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, or should I say, a time to politicize. Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated that if Jesus was alive today he would stand up against the bullying powers around the world. Depending on how one interprets the core values of Jesus, he might have a point. Jesus advocated peace and despised the rich and greedy, so you can possibly see why he wouldn’t be fond of the U.S. However, I definitely can’t see Jesus taking sides on this one. Ahmadinejad is no benevolent angel himself; a statement that many human rights organizations would concur with. Just one glimpse into this war mongering world would even convince Jesus that the second coming is futile.   

Michael Connell, the chief IT Consultant to Karl Rove, recently died in a plane crash. Connell was a top Republican internet strategist who apparently played a pivotal role in tampering the votes in Ohio during the 2004 election. What’s even more interesting, is that Connell was preparing to testify at a time when government insiders were growing weary that he would disclose vital information. Could the White House have possibly sabotaged Connell’s plane in order to conceal their participation in electoral fraud? I wouldn’t label myself as a conspiracy theorists, but this is another one of those cases where it’s hard to fathom the idea that it’s just a big coincidence. Try explaining that to the 911 truth movement.

Not everyone was satisfied with Obama’s cabinet appointments, but one group has made their frustration apparent. Women organizations have expressed their disappointment with Obama’s selections, with only 5 of the 20 cabinet positions awarded to females. On the other hand, many feel that Obama is performing appropriately by searching for the most qualified individuals instead of pandering to special interest groups.

Both sides have their merits, but nothing significant has really transpired, which can allow us to make an accurate judgment on the status of women. We need to look more closely at the critical issues that affect a woman, such as violence and poverty. Having a larger female representation in a high government level helps, but more importantly, their policy making needs to reflect the aspirations of their gender. Just because you’re a female doesn’t necessarily mean a greater voice for women. In fact, I would argue that Ralph Nader would do a better job in addressing gender inequality than Hillary Clinton. Who said a man can’t be a feminist.