A fight is a fight is not a rose

Whether you're interested in the Middle East conflict or to your own domestic fights, you should read "He Who Cast the First Stone Probably Didn't" from Daniel Gilbert, an Op-Ed in the New York Times of today.

"Research teaches us that our reasons and our pains are more palpable, more obvious and real, than are the reasons and pains of others. This leads to the escalation of mutual harm, to the illusion that others are solely responsible for it and to the belief that our actions are justifiable responses to theirs."

I was glad to read this, but I would have gone a step further. In my own life, I try (and too often fail) not to consider an aggression as a justification for a retaliation. All aggression is forbidden and unjustified. All too often, what we really want is for the other not to attack us in the first place. There are much better ways to achieve this than to attack in return.

I believe this is how I was raised. My parents would say "I don't care who did what first - this fight has to stop." As usual, there was more wisdom in there than I thought back then.

This is no Confucius material

Brace yourself.

"It must not be forgotten that in the end ODA [official development assistance - international aid] is implemented for Japan's own sake. In other words, ODA is implemented to enhance the happiness and to raise the profile of Japan and its people in the world (...). ODA is essentially about having other countries first use the precious money of the Japanese people for the benefit of the Japanese people later on. "

Those proud words were said (in a public statement!) by the Japanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs in January 2006.

Let's reflect for a second.

GDP per capita
- Japan: $27,967
- Least developed countries: $1,328

Life expectancy
- Japan: 82
- LDCs: 52.2

Adult literacy rate
- Japan 99%
- LDCs: 54.2%

Infant mortality rate (per 1000)
- Japan: 3
- LDCs: 99

And it goes on and on.

This sickening comment by the minister of one of the richest countries in the world illustrates the fundamental problem of aid: people from developing countries do not vote for politicians in rich countries. Thus, there's no incentive for politicians to care for the fate of developing countries.

All that's left to be done is for voters in rich countries to tell their politicians that they care and that only those who care about international aid will receive their votes. One day (and I can't believe it's not today), politicians will be covered in shame for making comments such as those above.

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Update: According to Wikipedia, Taro Aso is in the race to be the next prime minister of Japan. Have a look at his controversial statements...

Will democracy lose in Mexico?

As I've said in the past, "In a well-functioning democracy, those who deserve the congratulations are not the winners, but the losers who give up power." That's why I'm so worried about Mauel Lopez Obrador refusing to give up in the Mexican election. He refuses to concede victory to Felipe Calderon who beat him by 0,57%. He wants to contest the irregularities. Sure, it's tight. But in a country where democracy hasn't quite settled, every politician should contribute to its reinforcement. Much worst than 6 years of your opponent in power is the loss of democracy. International observers have said that the election was fair. Let's move on.

Obrador says that the "country's stability is at stake". He should hear his own words and accept defeat.