Imran Khan is playing some real dirty politics and, has been for a while. He's got the ordinary folks on his side with 'end corruption slogans.' He's got the upper middle class from the the beginning because of his sexy, glamorous and patriotic career as a cricketer, playboy and philanthropist. Bro politics gets him the support from ignorant celebrities. The past few years, industrialists and political turncoats hopped on as his party finally started to gain muscle and seats. The common theme through out has been his born-again Muslim persona as a good Muslim and, for that he's spoken in favour of the Taliban (although he claims he was always against the brute military flattening of the north western areas). Who can forget his container politics and his thuggish occupation of Islamabad in 2014 for example? He snuck in smooth-tongued snakes like Aamir Liaqat in his batting order. Now he's throwing around #khatmenabuwat and openly practicing hate politics against a minority. (And, how do explain #khatmenabuwat to the uninitiated ?) Folks say he's "cleaned up" Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and, it's a model for good administration. Is it true? But all in all, we are, for sure, seeing first hand how bigots, sexists, and populist leaders come to power.
Since George Weah (ex-footballer and loved by the public as they relate to him, he who also came from the slums) came to power in Liberia, I've been thinking a lot about how ex-sports figures can rise up in politics. What parallels or common themes are there, if any, in George Weah's and Imran Khan's lives? I was chatting to a friend of mine, together with him, we endlessly obsess over international politics and films, and she said a good starting point to assess political figures is whether you believe they have personal dignity or not. Does Imran Khan have any dignity when he panders to hate mongering?
Since George Weah (ex-footballer and loved by the public as they relate to him, he who also came from the slums) came to power in Liberia, I've been thinking a lot about how ex-sports figures can rise up in politics. What parallels or common themes are there, if any, in George Weah's and Imran Khan's lives? I was chatting to a friend of mine, together with him, we endlessly obsess over international politics and films, and she said a good starting point to assess political figures is whether you believe they have personal dignity or not. Does Imran Khan have any dignity when he panders to hate mongering?
I think the question is one of integrity, not dignity. And I'd say the answer is a resounding no! But are there ANY leaders these days who have integrity (I am still a devotee of Michele Bachelet and Lula and I have come to deeply respect Angela Merkel). We'll see what AMLO does in Mexico. Magufuli is descending into totalitarianism in Tanzania, Trudeau is little more than a pretty face w/ good hair when it comes down to it...I could go on, but I won't.
ReplyDelete