Sometimes I don't know if I should cry or laugh when I think of Chilean politics. In the last months the morning- after pill has been a much debated issue in the circles around la Moneda, the presidential palace and in the Congress. Not surprisingly are the traditional and conservative parties against it, claiming it is the same as abortion and killing innocent lives, and the center and left- wing have a more positive attitude towards it. Nothing shocking really. Of course this debate is important as we are heading towards elections and we have 3 presidential candidates urging to make statements and collect votes. I am really eager to get rid of our old- fashioned monarchy but the race towards being a president is seldom a nice view. It is like a live political soap-opera. Our right- wing candidate Piñera did for example a few months ago help to freshen up the campaign by stating he was pro- pill. This caused an earthquake among the right-wing Chileans. They were furious and he was attacked and accused of being flirting with progressive thoughts just to win votes. That is something! Flirt with progressiveness…!
However, I do find it incredible that a so-called modern country can have serious discussions about something that I find so obvious. For me, the right to chose over my own body and whether I want to have a child or not, is something I take for granted. The Chilean political elite has a different opinion and would rather that I just have that baby, even though I can't feed it, nor clothe it, and even though the father of the baby is just another sinvergüenza who surely isn’t interested in being my baby's father. Who cares about me as long as we don’t kill anyone. Nice and thanks for thinking of me.
Anyway. Besides thinking that this discussion is ridiculous and provoking, I also find it intriguing. A few weeks ago a small girl was kidnapped, raped and killed in a grotesque way in the neighboring and picturesque city of Valparaiso. So much talking about the wonders of life, how it is immoral to take lives, that God created us for some reason and that we, humans can’t take away Gods creature; Chile’s conservative clan again showed us how ridiculous and double-standard they are.
The logic and discourse of the wonders of life obviously only applies whenever it is suited. It is a flexible logic, but maybe not very trustworthy. I am not saying that this pedophile deserves good treatment or anything like that. I just find it amazing how these people against abortion and against the morning-after pill now want to see this man dead and demand a death sentence for him. That’s how easy it can be. It reminds me of Animal Farm… some animals are more equal than others.
Have a nice day!
11/8/09
Thanks to Torunn
Hi,
I am taking English lessons. Twice a week, when I visit my Argentinean English teacher, I praise my self that I wasn't born in Chile. Or in Spain for that sake's. Luckily, I was born in Norway. In Norway they know how to pronounce an H and of course that makes it easier to say Hello. It is definitely better to say Hello that Jello, or kjello.
However, I am in Chile now. I could have been born in Chile btw. I am not that glad I wasn't born here though. Or maybe I am? Well, the fact is that I left Norway over a year ago and find myself living in Santiago- Chile. 30 years after. This is my parents' Santiago. And my Santiago now. And it is my Chile. After 30 years I realized it is also my Chile and that gives me comfort. It makes me feel more whole. As if something was missing before.
I left Norway shortly after finishing my Master's degree. My idea was to get some air, think, try to figure out where I am heading, or where I should be heading. I had no plan. No real plan for life. Now, I find my self planned. Almost over -planned I would say. Today I know what will be my job in the next 3 years. That is something. I am surprised.
I will soon be heading back to Norway. I am happy for that, but also sad. Now as departure day is getting closer I find myself caught in the middel of a quagmire of manic depression, feeling one day very happy and one day very sad. I will leave my beloved Chile and return to my other home and most of my life. Well, at least what I've always thought was my life, but after spending some months in Chile I understand that part of my life is also here. That's what makes this difficult.
Santiago is sunny today. It is August 11 and the worst wintermonth. It is also the month of my birthday, even tough I was born in summer in Oslo. I miss Oslo. I miss the simple things of life and simplicity in general. I understand what is going on here but sometimes it is so difficult. People make the smallest and easiest things difficult. That's what makes Chile hard sometimes. Despite of this I love Chile. I love the warmth of the people, the food and the mountains. I also feel sad when I think of Chile. There are som many things that are wrong here. Crime, poverty, political apathy, political elitism, individualism..
It is difficult to resume one year in one paragraph. Nevertheless, my intention was not that, but rather send my thoughts to my beloved friend Torunn Berg which is now in India and has shared numerous of funny stories and warmth through her blog. You made my day Torunn. Thanks. I love and miss you. I will try to be as funny, sweet and intelligent as you.
...and I will try to give this blog some continuity.
Peace and love (as Torunn would say),
D
I am taking English lessons. Twice a week, when I visit my Argentinean English teacher, I praise my self that I wasn't born in Chile. Or in Spain for that sake's. Luckily, I was born in Norway. In Norway they know how to pronounce an H and of course that makes it easier to say Hello. It is definitely better to say Hello that Jello, or kjello.
However, I am in Chile now. I could have been born in Chile btw. I am not that glad I wasn't born here though. Or maybe I am? Well, the fact is that I left Norway over a year ago and find myself living in Santiago- Chile. 30 years after. This is my parents' Santiago. And my Santiago now. And it is my Chile. After 30 years I realized it is also my Chile and that gives me comfort. It makes me feel more whole. As if something was missing before.
I left Norway shortly after finishing my Master's degree. My idea was to get some air, think, try to figure out where I am heading, or where I should be heading. I had no plan. No real plan for life. Now, I find my self planned. Almost over -planned I would say. Today I know what will be my job in the next 3 years. That is something. I am surprised.
I will soon be heading back to Norway. I am happy for that, but also sad. Now as departure day is getting closer I find myself caught in the middel of a quagmire of manic depression, feeling one day very happy and one day very sad. I will leave my beloved Chile and return to my other home and most of my life. Well, at least what I've always thought was my life, but after spending some months in Chile I understand that part of my life is also here. That's what makes this difficult.
Santiago is sunny today. It is August 11 and the worst wintermonth. It is also the month of my birthday, even tough I was born in summer in Oslo. I miss Oslo. I miss the simple things of life and simplicity in general. I understand what is going on here but sometimes it is so difficult. People make the smallest and easiest things difficult. That's what makes Chile hard sometimes. Despite of this I love Chile. I love the warmth of the people, the food and the mountains. I also feel sad when I think of Chile. There are som many things that are wrong here. Crime, poverty, political apathy, political elitism, individualism..
It is difficult to resume one year in one paragraph. Nevertheless, my intention was not that, but rather send my thoughts to my beloved friend Torunn Berg which is now in India and has shared numerous of funny stories and warmth through her blog. You made my day Torunn. Thanks. I love and miss you. I will try to be as funny, sweet and intelligent as you.
...and I will try to give this blog some continuity.
Peace and love (as Torunn would say),
D
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