We live in a world of denial: The Burmese deny the
Rohingya; they call them Bengali even though they have lived in Burma
for centuries -- some say as early as the 11th century. Even the Pope,
afraid of the consequences to a small Christian minority, shied away during his visit,
confining himself to the all-encompassing phrase, the rights of minorities.
In
Israel, right-wing Israelis deny any Palestinian claim on Jerusalem
falling back on its governance by the British and Ottomans. No matter
that East Jerusalem (where the holy sites mostly are) is inhabited by Muslim and Christian Palestinians,
they don't count. This disenfranchised group is denied permission to
build housing for expanding families because successive Israeli
governments have sought to alter the demographics. If they build
without a permit, the housing is demolished. Should anyone need to be
reminded, Rachel Corrie lost her life while protesting a house
demolition; she was run over by a bulldozer.
Extremist
Christians in the U.S. deny evolution despite the data collected over
nearly two centuries furnishing undeniable proof of Darwin's theory.
No, they prefer to believe in a seven-day creation, where light arrived
before the stars including our sun, and where we humans frolicked with
dinosaurs.
In India, Mr. Modi is
advancing a new Hinduism. He wants to sideline the contributions of
Muslim culture on the arts, poetry, architecture. If one thinks of
India, the architectural vision appearing instantly in one's mind is of
the sublime Taj Mahal. Yet, the Taj Mahal has been taken off the list
of government recommended tourist sites -- replaced by a couple of
temples in Gorakhpur. Mr. Modi needs a close look in the mirror, his
clothing is either Muslim-influenced or European. The same applied to
India's founder and his eponymous Nehru coat and tight pants (churidars
as they are known).
The modus operandi remains consistent. Just as Harvey Weinstein preferred the open bathrobe and a blatant request, Mr. Trump appears to favor a sudden octopus like attack of kissing, groping and hand up the skirt -- in keeping with his claimed 'locker room talk' ... 'I like to grab 'em by the p---y' that was inadvertently recorded.
The denials continue and Congress continues with the infinitely more important task of tax cuts for the rich. It's a party where everyone is enjoying himself -- the rich 'everyone' that is. So who wants to spit in the punch. Yes, Mr. Trump will be with us for a while yet.
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