Image: "I believe in Syria"
As I come from Australia, it is difficult for me to feel anything but neutral and curious about this Damascus billboard with the President of Syria declaring, "I believe in Syria". While living in Damascus, I was given no reason to doubt that Bashar al-Assad is anything but as he appears in public: intelligent, level-headed, and well-meaning. Not unlike the occasional Australian political leader or politician.
So "I believe in Syria" can neither inspire nor offend me, but I bristle when I hear prime ministers or others in Australia use the local equivalent, the terms "Australian" or "unAustralian" and imply that qualities like courage and resilience are possessed only by Australians (or their "special friends"). Who are they referring to exactly?
Indigenous Australians?
Third or fourth generation Australians?
Anyone born in Australia?
Greek Australians? Anglo-Celtic Australians? Vietnamese Australians?
Only citizens of Australia?
Permanent residents of Australia?
Any person living at this moment in Australia?
People are people are people, aren't they?
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27.06.09 — jhollinger
Interesting political comment. You are right, Australian politics has become too divisive and I think people are getting sick of it. Interesting contrast with Syria, though I admit I know nothing about the country or its political climate.
22.07.09 — susan.dirgham
Hi! I just discovered your comment. I know next to nothing about politics here or in Syria, but I know people are complex where ever they are, and that qualities such as courage, compassion and resilience are traits that can be found in people anywhere in the world. (I have no idea at the moment if this is relevant to what I said above or to your comment!)