Raquel Gan

Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989 - a year after I was born; hence I was unable to feel the joy and anticipation of both citizens of east and west germany. It had been such a emotional torture for families who were separated or the many individuals who lost their freedom under Soviet Union control;  it’s unquestionable to see the big celebration in Berlin today. Cold War which ended Soviet Union empire and bring the collapse of Berlin War does not only represent the end of communist power but also the rise of US imperalism. With the mainstream media feeding us information on how wonderful it is to see the fall of Berlin Wall, who would realize that twenty years down the road, more countries had become ‘slave’ to US empire.

I’m not supporting any of these ambitious nations but I guess we need to realize this fact and stop living on the expenses of others; just because the biggest state in world created such system of capitalism does not necessary mean we need to follow. If humans need to create different sizes of clothes to fit different body shapes, what makes US think that their model of economy is able to fit every single nations or even tribes.  Tribes’ way of living is also our ancestors’ way of living. If our ancestors had managed to survive and reproduce to the next generation, it means that way of living is viable. Finally, if the current tribes (who are still surviving) in the world are contented with their way of living, what makes US think that a factory would do them good? Besides, what rights did US own to take their natural resources of the tribes for the mass production of Nike or so forth. In the paperwork, it all looks legal (or maybe even reasonable) for US to extract the natural resources from else lands that is because their government was fooled into getting loans that they are never ever able to repay and resorted in giving up their natural resources or simply they are too corrupted. If any was to think that US did not point gun right at our heads to make us to do, think again; when US is unable to get what they need ‘legally’, they go into WAR! The current unrest and poverty problems are all the products of US imperalism. I’m not making things out of nowhere, look at Ecuador, Panama, Bougainville and many many more (which I would discuss in future post after further research).

Is the fall of Berlin Wall really worth celebrating when the number of people who lost their freedom these 20 years had increased dramatically?

I do not like the idea of taking innocent lives. However, in our current context, it is happening and will not end any time soon. Hence, isn’t it better investigate the root cause and motivation for such action rather to condemn these murderers? Maj Nidal Malik Hasan lost control, killed 13 of his comrades and injuring more. Obama said he didnt understand what can lead a man to do such a thing. Again, the news will focus on the victims’ families and their struggles to achieve justice for the lost sons, husband, father. Somehow, it appeared like a react of 9/11 attack which US citizens were protrayed as innocent and Muslim as ridiculous. Thats how US media works, i guess and UK stands along with them this time again.

Funny thing is Maj Nidal Malik Hasan got deployed to Iraq despite communicating to his superior that he would not like to go for a war which he do not believe in. I really wouldn’t blame him for such intention; imagine during japanese occupation in Chinese territories, there’s some cowards who became the Japanese’s spies to assist in capturing oppositions. These Japanese’s spies are our traitors! Hence, how could anybody expect Hasan to go to a war and kill his own religion followers. O well, he IS a US citizen, but so what? I grew up in Singapore and consider myself very much a Singaporean at heart, but if ever there’s a war between Malaysia and Singapore, I won’t do any harm to Malaysia in any way. Thats my roots, thats his roots! Do those capitalist guys understand? Humans are not robots, we have feelings and attachments. It is indeed very unfortunate for the victims and families, but US media (or government) should stop using them to continue advertise your (no reason) war at iraq. Obama got his nobel peace prize, but why are there still soldiers deployed almost everyday?

Hasan should be punished for killing; however, he could have do better to communicate his voices to the US citizens. Furthermore, he is lucky to be born in US and has the opportunity to do more than those dying from US soldiers’ bullets everyday.