Complaint

The last couple of weeks have been rather important for the world from a political perspective. North Korea is threatening to do all sorts of things, we paused in silence to commemorate 20 years of the events at Tienanmen Square, Barrack Obama made his maiden address to the 'Islamic World', and Iran got ready for an election.

The various homages to Tienanmen Square, and what's happening over the last 3 days in Tehran has got me thinking. And be appreciative.

It's very easy to complain about how inept our leaders are, how bridges get delayed by years, how our national security sucks, and so on and so forth.

I indulge in the above too. How can one not, when it's expected, accepted and almost a part of life.

However, once in a while, it's necessary to step back and do some thinking as to how lucky we actually are.

How lucky we are to actually be living in a democracy. A democracy that (for the most part) works. Where protesters are not run over by tanks. Where google is not censored. Where mobile networks are not 'cut' during and after elections (like they are currently in Iran).
Where approx 450 Million people voted, and gave the finger to self serving, casteist and hate based parties and their leaders. And this mammoth exercise happened safely without any large scale violence to speak of.


Of course, we aren't Switzerland or Taiwan or Singapore or Hong Kong. But we aren't Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, or Iran either.


And while you're here, check out the following links:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/14/iran.protests.twitter/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/14/iran.eyewitness/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/15/iran.elections.protests/index.html?iref=mpstoryview