Thread: Just when things had been quiet for a while....

The latest bombings in Jakarta are a tragedy for Indonesia and for freedom in the world.
Just last month on the night before returning to Oz from a relaxing holiday in Java and bali, my wife, rugrat and I had dinner at the Marriot Hotel, in the same room that was bombed. It shows just how vulnerable we all are. The security on entering the hotel was first class, some of the best i have seen, however it seems to be that the terrorist had access or help from with in. There is no way that i can see explosives being brought through the front door.
I also seem to remember having an argument with Roy, regarding the travel warnings issued by the Oz govt in regards to Indonesia and Bali. Seems Roy was wrong!

Sort of brings things back home doesn't Goldminer :( Glad you weren't there.

When travelling OS these days I'm more mindful of where I go than I use to be. I tend to avoid big international hotels and popular westerner hangouts not just because I don"t like them but for the security aspect as well. Saves money too :) Governments always get criticised for their travel warnings but they aren't just issued for the fun of it.

An observation (or two).

I've been reading an old hard-copy of "The World Almanac and Book of Facts" (1988). It has an interesting section called "Nations of the World", with brief summaries on all countries. All kinds of data such as age distribution of populations, languages, religions, industries, transport (how many motor vehicles, TVs/radios, doctors,hospitals), life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, education (literacy, schools, school attendance), defence expenditure, per capta income, etc.

One thing that struck me was the education figures for predominately Moslem countries compared to non-Moslem countries. Most countries with "Islam" as their main religion seemed to be "impoverished" in most of the other indices. Even the "richest" ones.

Some examples:

Saudi Arabia (99% Moslem), scored a literacy rate of 50% for men (1986 figures), infant mortality of 100 per 1,000 live births, defense 29.6% of government budget (1983), per capita income $11,500 (1979).

Indonesia (90% Moslem): literacy 72%, infant mortality 90.3, defense 2.8% (1983), per capita income $560 (1982).

Afghanistan (80% Sunni, 20% Shi'a): literacy 10%, infant mortality ?, defense 3% (1984), per capita income $168 (1978).

Iran (93% Shi'a Moslem): literacy 48%, infant mortality 112, defense 5% (1983), per capita income $2,170 (1977).

Pakistan (97% Moslem): literacy 26% (1985), infant mortality 125 (1985), defense 5.4% (1983), per capita income $364 (1984).

Note that even though those figures are from 21 years ago, (or more), they still portray an interesting snapshot, of sorts. I don't have current statistics for an immediate comparison.

It's not my job to perform detailed statistical analyses. These are simply observations of mine to be taken as just that. I can't scientifically prove any "connections" between all the possible variables. To do so would require years of research, funding. And maybe someone already has.

Poverty and level of education go hand in hand. No money = no school. No school = a population that lacks secular "knowledge", or, poor ability to argue, judge, compare, consider, debate, question, whatever regime the population is under. Think for itself, in other words.

The question of what/who constitues a "terrorist" has a myriad of answers. George W. Bush Jr springs to mind immediately and it looks like he got away with it. Unhappily, many powerful nations and governments continue to abuse their own citizens' human rights, and those of their neighbouring countries. No shortage of examples here - China, India, Israel, Russia, etc. Add a plethora of smaller countries such as Burma, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, Fiji...many more in Africa, South America.

Job opportunities for "suicide bombers" continue to rise.
Sad but true.

8)