You can forget all about capital punishment, mandatory sentencing and longer prison terms. There’s a new means of encouraging crime prevention and I like it. A lot.
Believe it or not, authorities in Aurangabad, India have decided to paint the entire town pink. Pink buildings, pink houses, pink shops, pink everything! It’s like they crept into my brain, pulled out my thoughts and sprinkled it all over the city….
You see, there has been a recent uprising in Maoist views in the town causing clashes and violent conflict between the townsfolk. So the authorities wanted to do something to ensure that everyone would keep their cool and the colour pink is, hopefully, going to do just that.
Rather than enforcing tougher penalties on those already imprisoned to deter future criminals, the people of Aurangabad are tapping into their spiritual beings and utilizing the power of the mind.
Town officials believe that the colour pink will generate positive moods and a generally pleasant environment. To use the words of Arvind Kumar Singh, a town officer, the colour pink “symbolizes good mood, soothing sight and good feelings.”
So far, most of the city has been painted and magically transformed into a vast array of fairy floss. Only 20 % of private homes are yet to be painted, but they are expected to be completed within the week.
And you know what? I think it’s going to work. When you surround yourself with beauty and goodness, all that can come out of it is more beauty and more goodness, right?
President Katsav of Israel has been accused of rape, sexual assault, fraud and improprieties during the pardons process. A lengthy investigation has been underway over the sex scandal for months and last night, the Israeli Police finally made a recommendation that the President face the various charges.
The recommendations were made based on the evidence of 10 female employees who alleged misconduct whilst the President was in office. 5 of those complaints were dismissed because they did not fit within the statute of limitations.
So what happens now? The Attorney-General, Menachem Mazuz, must decide whether or not President Katsav should stand trial. If so, the President will still be immune from any form of prosecution, unless of course the Israeli Parliament decides to impeach him - the first stage of a two-stage process in which a government official is removed from office without that official’s agreement.
The Attorney-General is expected to make his decision within the next two weeks, but as pointed out by the President’s lawyer, the AG normally dismisses recommendations by police to put senior officials on trial.
Until then, I can do nothing but fume. About what? About people in positions of power who take advantage of their situation and think it’s ok to do whatever the hell they want. This isn’t the first time government officials have been caught up in such a mess. No, no, no. A former defence minister has been convicted of sexual harassment. Several former Prime Ministers have been accused of financial crimes.
And that’s just in Israel alone.
The sad reality is that this is a worldwide phenomenon. Just think about it. Former US President Bill Clinton. Former Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas. Former Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez. Former Paraguayan President, Raul Cubas Grau.
The list goes on…
Reckless and dangerous actions will only lead to further bloodshed and instability, inflaming an already highly volatile region. - Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, United Nations.
Under the international laws of armed conflict, States not only have an obligation to respect the principle of proportionality when responding to violent attacks, but they are also required to avoid attacks against civilians.
Yet most of the victims in this ugly conflict ARE civilians. The latest figures show that in addition to the thousands of people who have been displaced and injured, about 250 people in Lebanon and 25 in Israel have been killed so far during the intense violence between the Israelis and the Hezbollah. And whilst countries such as Australia are currently attempting to get their own citizens out of the war zone safely, there are still thousands and thousands of others who are living in this violent hell.
The United Nations Security Council recently convened an urgent meeting at the request of Lebanon, to discuss the conflict and means of diplomatic resolution, if any. Understandably, everyone will have different views on this situation. Here are just a few of those views expressed by the representative members of the Security Council at its 5489th meeting:
Lebanon
The Lebanese government declares that it was not aware of the initial Hezbollah attacks on the two Israeli soldiers, it does not approve of it and it does not take responsibility for it. They condemn Israeli aggression aimed at their civilians and are completely willing to negotiate through the UN and any initiative the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, may propose.
Israel
Israel’s actions were in direct response to the kidnapping of two of its military soldiers and the killing of several civilians. They are doing the right thing by defending themselves and helping the Lebanese people to achieve democracy. Israel believes that the Hezbollah in Lebanon was also acting for Iran and Syria.
Russian Federation
Retaliations by Israel are causing the deaths of innocent civilians. Similarly, the Hezbollah are inflicting harm on the Israelis. The Russian Federation condemns this violence but also thinks that Israel’s actions are disproportionate. They believe that the Hizbollah should release the captured soldiers and efforts should be made to achieve a ceasefire.
Argentina
All parties need to cooperate with the United Nations forces and the Lebanese Government should do all it can to control the Hezbollah in the south. Further, Israel has a right to defend itself but it has no right to target civilian infrastructure. These are disproportionate responses and they must cease immediately. Argentina also calls on all leaders of the Middle East to help prevent this situation from worsening.
Qatar
Israel is waging a barbaric war against Lebanon. They are disproportionately attacking innocent civilians and Lebanese infrastructure. Both sides must exercise restraint in violence.
China
Both sides have responsibilities: Israel must stop the military action and lift the blockade whilst the Hezbollah need to release the captured soldiers. History has taught us that violence for violence achieves nothing. Diplomacy is the best means of resolving this conflict.
United Kingdom
Blaming each other does not achieve anything. This is a situation that must be resolved through diplomatic means. The UK believes that it is necessary for the Lebanese government to exercise its full authority throughout its territory and take control of the militia.
Congo
The Congo condemns all acts of violence regardless of who committed the acts and what the motive was.
Denmark
Condemns the actions of the Hezbollah but also warns Israel that it must comply with international law in its response to the initial violence. Denmark is especially concerned about Israel’s attack on Beirut airport.
France
Although the Lebanese government dissociates itself from Hezbollah, it must restore its authority throughout the country and in accordance with Security Council Resolutions, disarm the militia. Israel’s response to the situation is destroying Lebanon’s efforts to restore the stability of its nation.
Craig Hill
KC Hill
Paladin
Oracle of Delphi
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