Two issues today separated by geography and a multitude of other things. Lebanon seems completely fucked, the government has toppled and the western powers have offered $250 million dollars toward relief as an aid package. This of course on the proviso there are fundamental changes made within the country. This was demanded prior to the government collapsing and during protests so perhaps these changes have begun to be made. That is a lot of money but when the estimated bill for damages is currently at an estimated $12 billion, the sum offered seems like a spare change and it’ll be interesting to see whether the country is that desperate that they’ll accept them. Most likely help will come from Iran but they’re not exactly swimming with cash themselves so how this unfolds is anyone’s guess. Instinctively whenever I see an ‘event’ in the Middle East followed by protests and potential government/structural/regime change my life’s conditioning is that it is the the west meddling in and ruining another country.
Lebanon has serious issues in the immediate and medium term to deal with, having to endure someone else’s take on freedom is probably not required right now. Saying all of that these protests could be completely organic and those involved may be fighting for something completely independent of anything offered by outside forces be they western and Israeli, or Iranian. The country has a finely balanced sectarian structure, although it also has led to high levels of corruption, which has so far prevented another civil war for thirty years. If the country does become the latest battle ground in the Middle East Hezbollah will certainly not go down without a fight and it could become as bloody and destructive as what has happened and is continuing to happen in Syria. Or it won’t and they will get the desired support from the IMF without too many self-destructive conditions and they’ll rebuild. Really though I’m someone who has never been to Lebanon, despite really wanting to for a few years now, and who knows little beyond reasonably unsubstantiated conjecture. So let’s see.
What I do know though is that Scotland’s education system has struggled in the years the SNP have been in power. This is the second point, and it’ll be quick. They have undeniably done a lot for Scotland as a party but education seems to be one sorry mess after another. Inexplicably they have moved closer to the English education system and it’s higher levels of exam assessments despite evidence suggesting that not be the best approach. Standards have dropped as a result. Then there is this debacle over lowering students grades because of concerns they were too high across the board, but not lowering them evenly, seemingly doing so more in disadvantaged areas. To lower them is political. To lower them disproportionately is probably down to the knowledge of the pressure from those with influence in wealthy schools and potentially political too but that is less clear. Either way it is a stupid own goal in an already beleaguered part of government. Nicola Sturgeon has stood up, accepted the mistake and reversed it which is a refreshing move from a politician but it should never have got to that. The Tory propaganda machine will be going into overdrive as English results are released on Thursday and assuming they don’t go and make the same mistake. Surely that would be beyond incomprehension if they did. Which means it is safe to say they most likely will.
Observations and Misunderstandings 