Excluding refugees from the right to work as private security providers simply because they are refugees will inevitably foster a climate of xenophobia which will be harmful to refugees and inconsistent with the overall vision of our Constitution. As a group that is by definition vulnerable, the impact of discrimination of this sort can be damaging in a significant way. In reaching this conclusion it is important to bear in mind that it is not only the social stigma which may result from such discrimination, but also the material impact that it may have on refugees.
Given the fact that the USA is still the most powerful and meddlesome country in the world, it is rather important who becomes the next President of the United States. On Tuesday American voters in many States go to vote for their candidates in the primaries on Super Tuesday and I am rooting all the way for Barack Obama. No, its not (only) because he is sexy and black, but because he seems to have an intelligence and integrity – given the limits of American electoral politics – so sorely lacking in most elected officials (also those here at home)
So I am rooting for Obama all the way. Who wants another 8 years of the triangulating, cautious and cynical Clintons in the White House. Now, I wonder, when will we get our own Obama here at home. Sorry Jacob Zuma, you just ain’t it. Here is a video setting Obama’s speeches to music.