A tale of two democracies, India and USA
Dear Friend,
This was one of the most eventful and traumatic days in recent history in two of the most powerful democracies in the world. The president of the 'democratic' USA called Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations as “shitholes countries”. This is the lowest a democracy can get.
In India, the most populous 'democracy' in the world, four Supreme Court judges publicly spoke against the Chief Justice of India and his way of functioning. It is unprecedented in India. Perhaps, things like this never happened any other democratic country. Unlike the Trump 'shithole' it gives an iota of hope. It gives us hope that at least there are some responsible persons in India who are ready to stand up for real democracy. They publicly said "democracy in India is at stake". It really is. It is the responsibility of all democratic minded persons to stand up for justice.
People yearn for alternatives to industrial agriculture, but they are worried. They see large-scale operations relying on corporate-supplied chemical inputs as the only high-productivity farming model. Another approach might be kinder to the environment and less risky for consumers, but, they assume, it would not be up to the task of providing all the food needed by our still-growing global population. Contrary to such assumptions, there is ample evidence that an alternative approach—organic agriculture, or more broadly “agroecology”—is actually the only way to ensure that all people have access to sufficient, healthful food.
Moin Qazi draws a wonderful picture of the "The First Lady Of Islam" Khadijah bint al-Khuwaylid. He writes, "The Prophet’s undying love for Khadijah, his refusal to marry any other woman until her death despite the conventions of the age, and her pivotal role in the early development of Islam are emblematic markers used by Muslim feminists to argue that Islam is woman-friendly and that, if Muhammad were here today, he would have been the strongest champion of women’s rights, with Khadijah as the most powerful symbol of it."
Also more stories from around the world.
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In Solidarity
Binu Mathew
Editor
Countercurrents.org
#ShitHoleDon Captures Disgust After Trump’s Racist “Shithole Countries” Remark
by Jon Queally
First reported by the Washington Post, and then confirmed by various other outlets, President Donald Trump’s racism sparked renewed outrage on Thursday—and the #ShitHoleDon hashtag—after it was learned he referred to Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations as “shitholes countries” during a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers.
Unprecedented! Supreme Court Judges Go Public Against Chief Justice Of India
In an unprecdented move four judges of the Supreme Court of India went public with their grievances against the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra by holding a press conference. They said democracy in India is at stake.
How Can Chief Justice Of India Dipak Misra Be Impeached
by Anandi Sharan
The only reason there can be for CJI Misra to ignore the crisis in the Supreme Court is that he enjoys the protection of the present Government that may not initiate impeachment proceedings in Parliament against CJI – , unless pressured much more than it is at present by active citizens.
Farming For A Small Planet
by Frances Moore Lappé
People yearn for alternatives to industrial agriculture, but they are worried. They see large-scale operations relying on corporate-supplied chemical inputs as the only high-productivity farming model. Another approach might be kinder to the environment and less risky for consumers, but, they assume, it would not be up to the task of providing all the food needed by our still-growing global population. Contrary to such assumptions, there is ample evidence that an alternative approach—organic agriculture, or more broadly “agroecology”—is actually the only way to ensure that all people have access to sufficient, healthful food.
Stephen Hawking – Struggle Against Disability And Superstition
by Sheshu Babu
It is rare that handicapped persons promote science and progress. They are usually involved in religion and preaching. But there are exceptions like Stephen Hawking who are not only pioneers in scientific contribution to society but also speak vehemently against religious dogmatism. In his discussion with Dianne Sawyer/ ABC news 2010, Hawking said , ” There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, ( and) science, which is based on observance and reason. Science will win because it works” .
Go Talking “Too Loud”… You’ll Cause A Landslide
by Valleria Ruselli
The mudslides in Montecito and elsewhere throughout southern California are far more horrifying than anything being reported in the press. The devastation is simply one of those things that not only goes beyond words but exceeds what is possible to project through pictures.
If Anything….
by Rachel Oxman
Proposals respecting reform of the “Universal Church” which are embedded in a recent article, can be voiced to honor the spirit of democracy, but those offering up suggestions (and their readers and listeners) are obliged, I fancy, to transform themselves simultaneously.
Fire And Fury. Inside The Trump White House
by Dr Ludwig Watzal
Wolff’s book lacks substance. It’s a compilation of gossip and story-telling. It won’t change one iota of the people’s opinion of Trump. No one is more responsible for his chaotic image than the US President himself.
How The First Lady Of Islam Set An Example For The Generations To Come
by Moin Qazi
The Prophet’s undying love for Khadijah, his refusal to marry any other woman until her death despite the conventions of the age, and her pivotal role in the early development of Islam are emblematic markers used by Muslim feminists to argue that Islam is woman-friendly and that, if Muhammad were here today, he would have been the strongest champion of women’s rights, with Khadijah as the most powerful symbol of it.
A Neoliberal Earthquake
by Suraj Kumar Thube
As the BJP dipped below hundred seats in the recently concluded election in Gujarat, it was nervousness and not a sense of triumph that absorbed the party supporters at large. The word ‘vikas’ was wilfully abandoned during the campaigns and ‘Gujarat model’ was convincingly voted out in rural Gujarat. A lot has been rightly said about the glaring limitations of this ‘successful’ model. Perhaps, what hasn’t been spoken more about is the period from which this narrative has boomed to its current monstrosity of hype.
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