THE ROGUE STATE

From a point of ignorance I always viewed the Palestinians as a trigger happy, rocket propelling lot. A people obsessed with destruction as much as with radical ideologies. But as it turns out this seemingly radical behavior is not without a root cause.

The history of the Israel-Palestine conflict makes for an interesting read.  Not only does it give a new dimension to the story but it paints a totally different image of Israel. At least it did for me as I arrived to the conclusion that Israel is the rogue state per excellence in the world order- forget the United States. Israel has possibly broken all the rules of international law that there are to break-this might be an exaggeration but it is not one so far removed from the truth.

                                       

She is the mother of pre-emptive strikes, again forget the United States. First it was Egypt in the 1967 six-day war. Although Egypt did behave in a manner that could be interpreted as aggression, evidence points to the fact that the Israelis in fact knew and believed that Egypt did not want to go to war with them. In spite of this knowledge they went ahead and launched a pre-emptive strike that saw them acquire territories from three states. They acquired the Sinai Desert from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan and the Golan Heights from Syria. All this was done in a bid to expand the Israeli territory. They defiantly hold on to all the territories except the Sinai which they only gave up because the United States twisted them into doing.

Then came Iraq. This was done under the guise of a ‘threat of a nuclear attack’. Although condemned unanimously by the international community, Israel escaped any repercussions under Big –Brothers watchful eye-the United States, after launching a pre-emptive strike against Iraq’s nuclear plants. No evidence was ever adduced by Israel to support the attack.

The most recent incident though is in relation to Iran. Israel suspects that Iran is well on its way to acquiring nuclear weapons something that does not sit well with her. It is common knowledge that Israel is itself in possession of nuclear weapons, something that the United States has decided to turn a blind eye to as it goes around condemning other countries for amassing such weapons. This notwithstanding, Israel is building up for an offensive against Iran. A pre-emptive strike once again.  God help us all if they actually follow up on this threat as it might very well lead us down a nasty road. The interesting thing in all this is that Israel has taken it upon herself to ensure that states in the Middle East do not acquire nuclear weapons in spite of the fact that in an age where states are moving towards disarmament Israel has refused to even declare the strength of its nuclear arsenal.

Pre-emptive strikes aside Israel had been busy building settlements on land forcefully acquired from designated Palestinian territory. Modern day relations between states dictate that no state can acquire territory through the use of force. This seems to apply to all states of the World except for Israel which is comfortably transferring its population to Palestinian territory. The United Nations has passed several resolutions to condemn this. Numerous peace agreements have been signed but nothing will stop Israel from asserting its presence on the ‘promised land’.

The human rights record of Israel as far as the ‘Occupied Territories’ are concerned is appalling. Israel’s standard response from attacks by Muslim extremist in the occupied territories is the classic example of fighting a mosquito with a mallet. For the death of a handful of Israelis, Israel will respond by killing over a thousand Palestinians. Not that I support extremist actions. This does not even come near to summarizing the number of human rights abuses and contraventions of international treaties of which Israel is liable for. It does however help to paint an image, albeit simplistic of the rogue state that is Israel.

Behind Israel’s arrogance is the belief that they are the chosen ‘people’ hence the constant persecution and alienation by the rest of the world. The humiliation at the hands of other ‘peoples’ in the world from the times of the Old Testament  up until well past World War Two has served to embed this belief amongst the majority Israelis, or at least those in the ruling class. It is this arrogance and refusal to accommodate the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination that has seen frustrated Palestinians sometimes turn to radical means o try and liberate themselves from the suffocating hold of the Israelis.

As the Palestinians pursue their quest for statehood,  I continue grappling with the question as to whether by the mere fact of being the ‘chosen people’ the Israelis are entitled to deny the people of Palestine a dignified life in which they can for once since 1967 live in peace and determine their destiny as a people.

~Currently reading, ‘THE CASE FOR PALESTINE’, by John Quigley. ~

A girl and her football

“Any member of the female species who professes to enjoy football only does so to impress a man.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard these sentiments, I would be well on my way from the start to the half a million bucks mark. There was a time I felt the need to defend and explain myself. Thankfully those days are long gone. Now, whenever someone expresses these sentiments, I give them a knowing smile and urge them to keep it down lest he that I am trying to impress gets wind of my intentions. Then I turn back the screen.

I love football (keep it down) but I am no fanatic. I am simply a girl who finds more drama in 22 grown men chasing a leather bag of air than in Mexican soaps. Say like Arsenal drawing three bans from just two matches. I have occasional dreams about football but still I am no fanatic.

So yesterday I had one of those football dreams. It was an Arsenal- Man- U game. It was really weird. Bendtner had the ball tucked under his shirt and was trying to break free from other players chasing him (more like a rugby tackle situation). After a few tugs here and shoves there, he managed to break free from the mob. A few paces from the mob, with the ball still under his shirt, a ball- boy came from nowhere and grab at his ankle. At this point someone got tired of all the drama and threw another ball into the pitch. A United player, I have no idea which one, scored within minutes of the other ball being throw onto the pitch. Funny thing is the united goal post was positioned 90 degrees to the left of the Arsenal goal post. Again, I have no idea why. Within seconds of the United goal Bendtner managed to score for Arsenal. I got distracted by the United goal so I didn’t see how he managed to shake the ball-boy off or how he scored.

This is what happens when your club of choice is in for a free fall of a season. Where would I even come up with the idea for a goal post that is at a 90 degree angle from the other one? The horror of watching matches for an entire season in silence.

                                      

It is two weeks to the close of the transfer window and Mr. Economist is busy economizing all that money that the club has in the bank. He probably locks himself up in a vault and makes it rain when he’s not in for training sessions. Why else would he be so adamant to spend it.

Fabregas is gone, Eboue is on his way out and Nasri is itching to hit the high road. Wilshere, Diaby, Gibbs and Djourou are all out on injury. Song and the new sign-up are stuck with a three-match ban. In short the club has no mid-field in place. There have been rumours of signing up someone to play in the mid-field but that is just that, rumours.

             

                               

Wenger still insists it’s not about spending big bucks but building talent. That line flew a few seasons ago when he went boy hunting but I guess I speak for at least a few fans when I saw, that crap doesn’t fly anymore. Its time he stops being a miser and spends the damn money on some star players. Otherwise some of us will have had record-breaking weird dreams by the time this season is over.

PS# At least now every time I cheer on Barcelona (my secret football love affair) I will do so with more gusto knowing they have a fresh piece of Arsenal. Only a lass can think like that. 

Who is fooling who?

I have always wondered whether a blonde actually knows she’s blonde. I am not talking about the features that get her constant attention and drooling. No, I mean is she alive to the fact that she’s literally blonde and I’m not talking about the colour of her hair. In my musings, I also wonder whether a monkey knows it’s a monkey. Our politicians constantly drive me to such thoughts. But if a blonde knows she’s blonde and a monkey knows it’s a monkey, does that mean Kenyan politicians know what they really are?

When he spoke out on the issue of taxation, the Speaker assured us that his charges were not going to pay any taxes. His authority on the subject drew from the fact that they (of the blonde, monkey analogy) had signed an MOU with Mr. President. The MOU was to the effect that the provisions of the Constitution relating to taxation were not to apply to the current Parliament. Anyone who has been around this country long enough knows the history of the President and honouring of MOUs. It’s akin to hope for peace and stability in Somalia. Non existent. The man has not even uttered a word on the subject as they engage in their shenanigans.  If the speaker had appeared in public in the nude, it would have been less damaging to his character than having him latch on to such an agreement.

 

As they go to and fro on whether they will pay their taxes or not though, some have gone ahead and settled their debt. Kind of reminds me of the one student who never saw the need to be in school, there’s always one of those in every school. This malingerer went around recruiting others into his ranks. He convinced them that there was no need to pay attention in class or study. As the exams approached, his followers dwindled but the foolish ones stuck by his side. Unfortunately when the exams came each fool died his own death and needless to say most failed miserably. As they shout from the rooftops these clowns had better be advised that no ones property will be auctioned for the groups benefit.  

Here are a few truths; this lot seem not to be aware of:

1. The Constitution is a worse dictator than Gaddafi, Ben Ali and Mubarak combined. It gives no room for competition or detraction. They should tear up that little MOU they are touting about town because it stands no chance.
2. The Constitution clearly provides that all Kenyans who draw a taxable income shall subject themselves humbly to the whims of Mr Waweru. No one shall be exempted by virtue of the office they hold.
3. Mercifully, the Constitution establishes a Commission to determine the salaries to be paid out to this miserable lot. They should be begging for Kenyans forgiveness for blackmailing them that the only way they will pay taxes is if they implement the Akiwumi report. The damn report can sit in the archives and collect dust for all we care unless the Salaries and Remuneration Commission dictates otherwise.
4. Should they live up to their threat to go slow on the enactment of the Constitution, the self-destructive being that is the Constitution will have them shuttling their overstuffed stomachs back to the electorate. Who I may add are a hungry and immensely dissatisfied lot.

The clowns seem to be totally oblivious to the fact that next year is an election year and Kenyans are tired of their perpetual bullshit. If paying taxes were a choice, no one would ever do it. Like one Charity Ngilu, the Mwananchi too has mortgages to service. They should all queue up at Times Towers or take the advice of Arap Samoie and send their messengers to pay their taxes.  Alternatively they can go back to the people for a verdict. Like the clown on duty pointed out, “the people of Makadara have the votes”. I guess that applies to Kenyans elsewhere too. 

No, not a medicine man with an earring!

Somewhere on the Eastern coast of Africa, is a small collage of tribes. A small community called Kenya. For the better part of the day the natives of this community sit out in the sun warming and tuning their drums. Not that they have nothing better to do, just that they live for moments of controversy.

Every day they turn to their gods and beseech them to send their way a situation that will cause them to take out their drums, raise their voices and kick up clouds of dust in frenzy. Like hawks over a party they hover over anything that has a touch of controversy and swoop in on it with unmatched gusto. Watching them in play, you would have no doubt their lives depended on it.

A few months ago, a number of their elders crossed the sea for an orientation ceremony for six in their rank in a white man’s court. In their absence and subsequent to their return, the community became consumed to a point of obsession with the issue. They forgot about their stomachs and their bare backs constantly beaten down by the cold, all that mattered was the chance to fill the empty space with anarchy and chaos. Then things went quiet and it was back to sitting out in the sun waiting.

Today, their gods, ever so faithful, have smiled down upon them again. They went out in search of a medicine man to mediate in their disputes and came back with one adorning a woman’s ornament on his ear. What could be more tragic?

Just imagine, what if a splinter of the thorn they used to make the piercing made its way into his ear? It could have lodged itself somewhere inside his head slowly blowing out the air from his brain! Of what good will he be running such risks?

Even worse, the gods may decide to strike him with lightning to measure his worth and that little piece of metal could have him fried. The gods would then turn to the people in anger for offering up to them a medicine man who could not stand a test of character.

Yes, it is time for the people of Kenya to take out their drums. It is time for them to raise their voices from the rooftops and make it known that they will not have as the chief medicine man, a man who adorns a woman’s ornament on his ear. They cannot afford to anger the gods nor will they pay someone who risks having impaired judgment to be their chief medicine man.

Facing Mount Kenya.

 

Dear Jomo,

I am writing this in the hope that they deliver mail in the after life. I’m really sorry to disturb you whilst you are in retirement but I would not be doing it unless it’s urgent.

The colonialist is back! Yes, the white man who you fought so hard to evict has once again set root in your beloved country. Mama Ngina can confirm this. This time round they have come purporting to import their justice into our great nation, your land. To make matters worse they are baying for Muigai’s blood. Oh Jomo, we are in so much trouble. This white man will just not let us be.

They say Muigai worked with Mungiki to retaliate the death of our people. I am not saying he did, but even if he did, was that not the manly thing to do? When the white man came in the first place you fought fiercely to liberate us from him. Why then did they expect Muigai to sit and watch as they finished us? Whose son do they think he is?

Now they have carried him to their land. I am not sure what they will do with him. However I suspect they want to block his bid to finally take up his birth right. The young man has truly come of age and he was finally ready to follow in your footsteps. He was finally ready to succeed you albeit, two people down the road.  I suspect this whole thing is a conspiracy between the white man and Jaramogi’s son. Did you ever meet him? He is a real trouble maker this one. I think he got it from his father. He is determined to turn his father’s dream into reality. He will therefore stop at nothing to thwart Muigai’s rise to the throne. He went and sold us all to the white man now they have taken Muigai away. Soon they will be coming for the rest of us. I wish you had thought of doing with the remnants of the white man what Mugabe did.

However it has not been all gloomy in the young man’s life. He has recently shown the strength of his character through the friends he keeps. Most notable is his blooming friendship with a son of the Rift. What loyalty the two have towards each other. There have been rumours that the son of the Rift is only using him to achieve his ends but I know better. In 2007, the son of the Rift walked out on Muigai and called him names. He walked out of your party. But it was all a show, it was a calculated move to hoodwink Jaramogi’s son. It was calculated to make him vulnerable so that when the time comes for Muigai to rise to the throne, he will be too weak to pose any threat. If anything the son of the Rift has helped a lot in bringing out the tiger in Muigai. Before Muigai started keeping his company, he did not have the fierceness that we so dearly miss about you (You know like whipping grown men like children), but now he does not let even the slightest provocation go without a retort. He tells off people with a fierceness that is enviable. He is not even afraid of the white man and his justice.

Anyway, I really hope you can find a way to thwart Jaramogi’s son’s plan. You have to save our Muigai. We do not want to be sold over to the white man again. We also want Muigai to come back home and lord over us. I forgot to mention they have crowned him Muthamaki. We are so happy that soon your son will be our king; it will be just like the good old days. I will keep you updated on any new developments.

PS# Pass my regards to Bokasa and Nkurumah.

Regards,

Njeri wa Nyagathanga. 

All I have for You is me.

How glorious you are…

that you gave form to dust,

breathed life into nothing

and turned a vacuum into splendid beauty.

How powerful you are…

that nothing is beyond you,

that you glued a lion’s mouth shut,

turned a river into blood.

You are everything I am,

the essence of my being,

the very air that I breath,

You hold my life in your hands.

You are the guiding light upon my feet,

And I yearn for you with every waking moment,

I have nothing to call my own,

All I can do is give you praise for your love and kindness towards me.