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10/24/2002 Entry: "A different perspective"
Who knows what will happen in Moscow? A gang of murderous Muslims hold 1000 Muscovites hostage.Or a group of desperate freedom fighters take their struggle to the very capital of their enemy.Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation in Chechnya, how can anyone fail to feel compassion for those enduring a terrifying ordeal in a Moscow theatre.
Before 9-11 I seem to recall that the Russians called the Chechens terrorists, and almost everyone else called them freedom fighters. After 9-11, pespectives changed. I can't say I'm certain which is the right one, though I abhor all violence. (Here's a pre-911 perspective on the war in Chechnya)
Replies:
I see Rick is expressing the same concern I have.We are so swamped with US news, I have to go to Canadian and overseas sites to find out anything. I'm posting on the related links on theGoogle news site as an indicator. It's not new, US media has their noses in the sand, but it's still annoying. Blog on!
Posted by Bene Diction @ 10/24/2002 08:38 PM CST
Richard--Sounds like you had a pleasant break from duties. Good!I had not heard this morning of the situation in Moscow. Scanned the BBC website and there the story was, in plain view and in some depth. I checked the MSN front page (US) and saw only sniper stories. Searched a bit and clicked on a tiny "more..." link which led me to a secondary list of news items which contained the hostage story, along with the news flash "Hostage killed in Chechen Rebel theater takeover" or words to such effect.Are we Americans world-ignorant, provincial, are we smug in our geocentricity? (I just made up that word.) Yes, yes, and yes. Guilty on all counts, I fear, and we are a much poorer nation because of it. Our world view, until it is widened as well as refocused, remains our Achilles' heel.Just a (recurring) thought...Peace,Rick
Posted by Rick O'Donnell @ 10/24/2002 03:21 PM CST
