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Audio/Visual Assignment - Delhi Haat
Group Members - Ashim Sunam, Saira Aslam and Samir Alam
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The Palin Effect: The Political Reshaping of Sarah Palin
A year ago no one anywhere (expect maybe Alaska) would have known who is Sarah Louise Palin. But today with the tag of a Vice-Presidential Candidate she has quickly become the face of the new spirit of the Republican Party.
Significantly credited with the re-election of Senator Saxby Chambliss (R) of Georgia in December 2008 there is no denying the mighty force of the “Palin effect”. The seemingly innocuous ability to not only be considered as the everyday American but also capable of projecting herself as the standard bearer for Republican values. Almost magical at energizing the base of the party her aspirations for the future remain hopeful but unknown.
The spin doctors and political consultants over at the GOP have created a she-Frankenstein monster of sorts, a being too amazingly unique to take down yet unnervingly unpredictable in her intent. The former image of Palin as the Governor from Wassila who thinks that proximity to a foreign nation is tantamount to foreign relations experience and is floored by stunning questions such as “what do you read?” has quickly fallen wayside in her journey towards courting mainstream America. The new and improved Palin version 2.0 is subtly becoming somthing akin to a more human Ann Coutler with a dash of Dick Cheney.
With a autobiography on the best-sellers charts that quaintly explains her folksy charm and personal beliefs (“if God didn't want us to eat animals why did he make them out of mean?”) her reinvention of herself might not be considered an entire success. But that hasn't stopped the public from embracing her anyway. Surprising many with 21% approval rating as a viable candidate for the 2012 elections (Gallup Poll) her time in the big leagues of American politics has just begun.
Her heartfelt appearance of Oprah drew over 40 million views for the show (highest since 2007)
where she promoted her book and discussed her family and in particular her daughter and grandson. With a stoic stance of understanding and apparent compassion towards her grandson's father – Levi Johnston – there are many who were so mesmerized that they see-sawed from dislike to ambivalence.
Not only did her her book make her millions she has also cashed in on broadcast news with a two
year contract with FOX News. Appearing as a political commentator she handsomely promotes her book and defends herself against competing claims. What must be recognized here is that regardless of her politcal foibles she has secured for herself a mighty pulpit from which to influence women voters, the independents and leftist Republicans for the next two years. A dangerous weapon in the hands of the Republican Party especially in the run up to the 2010 mid-term elections.
Sarah Palin has done a lot of things that might be considered in-congruent with the image of the
aspiring long term politico. Many contemporaries of Palin believe that her quitting as the Governor of Alaska was a political suicide. Congressman Steve King (R) of Iowa in an issue of The Hill newspaper said that, “I don't know of anyone who has successfully and voluntarily pulled themselves out of political office and been able to leverage that into more political success.”
So is that it for Barracuda Palin? Unlikely.
With time and a peculiar gravitas in her corner the next three years promise a host of surprises from the former Alaskan beauty queen. It is entirely possible that with the freedom of holding no political office she is open to fund raising and popularising brand Palin in the Lower 48 states that just didn't seem to connect with her last November.
Some might argue that the high road to her political future should have been different. She should have finished her term as Governor, educated herself on policy points and formed for herself a coherent and articulate position with which to re-enter American politics. But as any good politician knows the problem with taking the high road is - “what if you fall off?”.
The question still remains that does this reshaping have any real organisation behind it or are we
just witnessing the method in this madness? Does the GOP have any real control on Hurricane
Sarah or are they all just along for the ride, hoping that whatever 2012 brings (Mayan apocalypse or not) the White House, the Senate and Congress will once again shift sides due to the “Palin effect”.
Only FOX News will tell.
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The Red River of India
An Editorial
The spread of Naxal-Maosim along the eastern corridor indicates that violence is only a symptom of the great red plague that could leave thousands dead.
In 1967 with the split in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the creation of Communist
Party of India (Maoist-Leninist), “Naxalism” originated as a political/colloquial term that has
spawned itself into not only a national but a cultural icon. As inspiration to songs, movies and
novels it has exposed us to the ugly side of political rebellion.
Admittedly preying on the hopes of those least fortunate, the Naxal ideology has found root in
hundreds of districts across the impoverished “Red Corridor” of India. With 231 out of 626 districts under Maoist influence and 40% of the area painted red, states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal in the east to Chhattisgarh, and the Gadchiroli region of Maharashtra, as well as Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka are all gradually submitting to violent upheavals.
The blood stained hands of martyr like ideologues makes for fascinating story telling but as we
analyse the blood we are forced to concede that the violence is only a symptom of a much larger,
wider and systemic ailment that has gripped our nation. The chronic negligence over time of the
backward regions of India by the rest of the country has fueled the very fire which threaten to burn it down.
Naxal leaders like Koteswar Rao (Kishenji) confidently and publicly speak of over throwing the
government and trampling over Kolkata. With the February 2009 surge by Indian paramilitary and police forces to contain and eradicate the red threat still under way, the rebels are ready with an equally formidable response. With factions spread out beyond the borders and support from Nepal and perhaps even China, there is no doubt that the Indian assault will have its share of set backs in its quest for an uncertain victory.
With an annually rising death toll on both sides, with figures reaching upwards of 6,000 (BBC),
what is certain is that one way or the other, the Red Corridor is the main setting for the Red River of India that will result from the bloody face off that is surely on its way.
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PLEAS SUPPORT TIBET: Justice for Tibet and Dhondup Wangchen
Kodaikanal: The new year has not brought much joy for the exiled Tibetan community in Kodaikanal this year. The sudden arrest and conviction of Tibetan Filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen on 28th December of last year has left the community incensed.
Dhondup a prominent film maker was arrested on 26th March for ""inciting separatism and stealing, secretly gathering, purchasing, and illegally providing intelligence for an organisation, institution, or personnel outside the country" according to the government prosecution.
"The circumstances of his arrest and trial are entirely fabricated," said Ritesh Kumar, 29, in Kodaikanal of the Tibetan Youth Congress, "He wasn't doing anything illegal."
Kodaikanal and nearby areas have a large exiled Tibetan population that currently subsists on trade and retail thanks to the Indian government and in coming tourists. "There is a clear violation of law and civil rights," says Ishat Dalai, 39, advocate affiliated with The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, "Mr. Wangchen was denied his choice of defence attorney which is in against China's Criminal Procedure Law and its duties towards international human rights conventions."
As numerous youth oriented grass roots movements begin organizing in Kodaikanal to confront the People's Republic of China against the injustice against Dhondup Wangchen, many fear it is already too late. With reports of poor health (suffering from Hepatitis B) and lack of medical facilities shadowing Dhondup in jail his survival seems unlikely.
"The world has failed Tibet," says Lokesh Dorje, 68, shop keeper at Kodai Lake, "There are too many atrocities to count. We only have slogans left. Please Save Tibet."
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