Prisoners in the Pentagon.

All this shock and horror at the ghastly war crimes committed against Iraq prisoners (until yesterday the media described them as 'alleged crimes'. I don't even think the notorious Lebanese Muslim gang rapists of south-west Sydney were called 'alleged rapists' before they were convicted.). I heard a woman on 'Australia Talks Back' (funnily enough, a talk back radio show on one of Australia's public broadcasting radio stations) ask how people, our people, could possibly do such terrible things.

"The message we need to send out" she explained "that this sort of thing isn't tolerated by decent people." Indeed. On the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's '7:30 Report', a respected American international relations expert, and mentor of the current Secretary of State Colin Powell, explained how damaging the pictures were for the American war effort. Like the picture from the Vietnam War of the naked little girl, screaming in pain as her skin burnt off from napalm, the photos of inmates at Abu Ghraib would probably be the catalyst that turns the American public against the occupation of Iraq.

Perhaps we need to explain to the erstwhile woman on talkback radio that the message we need to send is that our primary concern is with our own. How could they do such a thing? Oh and, perhaps as an ancillary matter, what is to happen to all those Iraqi detainees? Not to mention those at Guantanamao Bay. Or the ones in Israel's secret's torture complex. Not to mention all those disappeared Chechens, Colombians, Acehnese. That is not an exhaustive list.

Of course, the occupation forces in general are law-abiding, professional people. Or so the US government has been telling us. The media is still a bit indecisive on this issue. Should it distance itself from this particular administration, place the blame on them? So far it's hard to say whether it will decisively do this. Up until now, the media has been tacitly supporting the contention that we're dealing with only an exception. Hence the explanation that what has happened was down to 'rogue element... a few individuals'. Like the female soldier constantly flashed on the television screens pointing her fingers at detainee's genitals, holding a leash on another, and smiling over a pyramid of naked bodies. To be sure, shocking acts worthy of a full criminal trial. But what of the rest of them? What of the command structure that allowed for such acts? What of the fact that this only became an issue AFTER the US was forced to make it an issue due to the public outcry? In other words, would the Americans be jumping up and down so carefully if these photos never went public? Would Donald Rumsfeld be apologising to the families of the victims if all he had received was an internal report (which, incidentally, neither he nor the head of the US occupation force in Iraq, had actually read until after it became a news story. There are conflicting reports of this. Originally it was reported that Rumsfeld new, but had never told the President, who was forced to discover these 'awful' photos first hand when he was watching television. However, the heard of US forces in Iraq, Major-General Kimmet, was forced to admit at a press conference that he was not aware of the report until after it had been leaked. This begs the question - if Gen Kimmet was unaware of it, how do we know Rumsfeld was? I personally doubt it, as conjecture ridden as that assessment is. For no other reason than the assumption that people like Rumsfeld aren't particularly interested in how Iraqi detainees are treated as an issue in itself. They only care if it becomes a media issue. Which makes sense really. Global domination isn't a humanitarian exercise. But to the extent that it can channel the middle classes' moral hypocrisy, public relations is.).

Note in all of this, the victims are like uncomfortable truths, to be tolerated at very best. And not because they are victims, warranting sympathy and meriting recompense. But because they force our leaders, our military, our media to accept that they may have committed or covered up criminal mistakes. For them, the problem isn't that human beings have been victimised, humiliated, and, in some instances, killed. The ultimate problem is the fact that the victim is a victim. Criminality does not fit well with those who are used to pointing fingers at the crimes of others. At least when the fingers are pointing at them.
- posted by syed-m @ 6:27 AM

 
Grass is always brown in Canberra.

So I was offered this new job, in one of the international areas of work, so I told them I'd think about it over the weekend. I'm a bit shitty though, because it won't amount to any pay increase what so ever. The person whose job I am going to do earnt 3 times as much as I, so it's not like they don't have the funds. No. It's just your typical, garden-variety mean spiritedness. They said I don't have enough experience. I currently do the same job as my peers but get paid around 20 grand less (!). So my argument was I deserve recognition for the level of skill I have demonstrated. There was a bit of toing and froing but in the end there was no budge on the salary.

My manager is happy for me to leave in 1-2 weeks. I'm a bit surprised that he wants me to leave so suddenly - not because I want him to think I'm a valuable asset. More because I would've thought that it would be useful to ensure that all things are taken care of before I leave. Clearly he can't wait to see the back of me. Over the past year I have learnt not only that he is incompetent. He is also a rather mean spirited, single 40+ year old. I guess his current attitude just reflects that.

On Monday, I gave them an ultimatum. Up my pay 20 grand or I won't accept the offer. They STILL didn't budge. And for once, middle-management is not to blame. No. The person most culpable for this ridiculous situation is yet another single 40+ year old (complete with two cats and no husband... I know, my sentiments entirely!). My would-be manager is a really nice guy actually. He's this amiable Sri Lanka dude in an otherwise totally Anglo agency. He also loves his cricket :-) If nothing else productive occurred out of the entire thing, I got a new friendship!

I informed them that 'regretfully' I would have to reject their offer. Considering I've received 30 rejected job application letters already, at the tender age of 25, I must say it felt good to tell them that. So, for the time being, this current chapter of my professional life continues. At least for the time being.

I've also learnt that I'm not an idiot. I happen to have a good, balanced head on me. Despite the lack of a pay rise, I know for certain now that I am too good for this place. Slowly, oh so slowly, I'm working up a sweat, building a platform, improving my confidence and self-belief. I still don't know where it's going to take me. That's half the fun I suppose.

And yes, despite being privileged, and very lucky in other ways too, there's no shame in expecting a lot from life!
- posted by syed-m @ 3:23 AM

 
As if there was no dusk

All grapes do wither,
Or so I hear.
No chance to speak,
Or so I fear.
But when we meet,
The memories drain.
Of thoughts and moments
Long since curbed.
Too much to bear.
Too little too late.

- posted by syed-m @ 3:39 AM

 
DANCE PARTEE 29 MAY AT MY PLACE

For details, give me an e-mail at syed-m@excite.com

Several blogging personalities are expected to attend!
- posted by syed-m @ 2:16 AM