Monday, August 25, 2003
Idols and Politics
Heard the most optimistic bit of news just now. Millions--Millions!--of people have just voted in the Arab World! Millions who have never voted before. Like the British Pop Idol and the U.S.'s American Idol, Arab countries like Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and United Arab Emirates have all had young talented personalities represent them in an interactive televised contest to search for the next Arab Idol.
To me, this is The Most Important News Item of the Day. Much more critical than any military action. And more successful. Natural evolution of a people--right before our eyes. Let's face it: no one ever changes by force or bullying. People change when they see an advantage to change. How do you think these people liked voting for the first time in their history? How do you think they felt when their vote counted? How did the ones who didn't vote feel when their favorite was voted off the show? What did they learn? How long will it take for the idea of voting for a pop singer evolve into voting for a mayor or governor?
So congratulations to Diana Karzon of Jordon who received 54% of the 4,800,000 votes (4.8 million votes!). And to the people who rioted after the third place winner was voted off the show--I know just how they feel--I was close to rioting when Kimberly Locke was voted off on our side!
Heard the most optimistic bit of news just now. Millions--Millions!--of people have just voted in the Arab World! Millions who have never voted before. Like the British Pop Idol and the U.S.'s American Idol, Arab countries like Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and United Arab Emirates have all had young talented personalities represent them in an interactive televised contest to search for the next Arab Idol.
To me, this is The Most Important News Item of the Day. Much more critical than any military action. And more successful. Natural evolution of a people--right before our eyes. Let's face it: no one ever changes by force or bullying. People change when they see an advantage to change. How do you think these people liked voting for the first time in their history? How do you think they felt when their vote counted? How did the ones who didn't vote feel when their favorite was voted off the show? What did they learn? How long will it take for the idea of voting for a pop singer evolve into voting for a mayor or governor?
So congratulations to Diana Karzon of Jordon who received 54% of the 4,800,000 votes (4.8 million votes!). And to the people who rioted after the third place winner was voted off the show--I know just how they feel--I was close to rioting when Kimberly Locke was voted off on our side!
