GM Solaiman
GM Solaiman writes from Silicon Valley, California. He can be reached at gm.solaiman@gmail.com
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Articles by GM Solaiman
June 02, 2009
So many times, I have heard that the joke of democracy in South Asia should be attributed to its poor uneducated constituency. What we see there is essentially monarchy in the name of democracy. I have listened to so many pundits uttering this assertion that I was almost beginning to accept it.
January 06, 2009
Caroline should be New York's junior Senator. Governor Paterson should, and I believe will, appoint her to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. She definitely has the qualification and experience needs for the challenge ahead. In a time like this, when many politicians turned out to be flawed, we need her in the Senate. I am looking forward to see her shine.
September 10, 2008
It is now clear that the chance of reform in Bangladesh is fading. Some would say there is zero chance now. The old leaders are coming back to street and very hopeful to be back in power. The reform of the political culture and cure from the corruption will not happen.
August 30, 2008
Hillary Rodham Clinton proved her class with an exceptional speech to unite the party around Barack Obama. Now the Republican attack machine is trying to steal her supporters after putting Sarah Palin as VP. They are suggesting that she got all these votes just because she is a woman. Some of those voters would vote for John McCain now. That will never happen. Hillary will fight back and help to elect Barack Obama the next president of United States of America.
August 05, 2008
This is even worse than slavery. Each of these workers is possibly one of the poorest people in world. Yet they paid as much as $3,500 to middleman in Bangladesh and agents from Kuwait to get legal papers and come here. People don't sell there home and pay that much money to get into slavery. They sold there home or whatever they had to get a job. Now they lost both the job and the home. What a cruel justice to them.
June 05, 2008
The choice to Bangladesh is clear. Corruption must be root out. Reform of political parties must go on, no more party of queen or princess, no more black money. Commitment for establishing justice for all must be intact. Commitment for establishing rules of the people must be solid. Commitment for equal opportunity must be upheld. Commitment for establishing a culture of following rules must be put forward. Commitment for establishing a culture of negotiation and compromise rather than destruction must be agreed upon. It is not surprising that crooked, corrupt and lawless dark force will never be able to bring these into table. Let these dark forces be fall behind and be forgotten. But Bangladesh must go forward.
May 29, 2008
It is only Hasina who can select the AL delegates to the talks. All other leaders are there only for "consultation". What do the people of Bangladesh do with these jokers? People can just consult with them. That's funny. Why aren't they opening a consultation firm instead of political party?
May 27, 2008
I read news and opinion piece in Bangladesh newspapers related to corruption and people's perspective toward it. I read with a great amusement how some people stay cool and not even bother by the mountain of corruption. If media reflect any percentage of views in real ground, it is almost shocking how they show tolerance toward corruption. Some people took it as part of the life very well. Now that's a compliment.
May 17, 2008
The head of the caretaker government in Bangladesh disclose the plan for general parliamentary election in December of 2008. Voting was due in January last year. It was postponed until late 2008 after months of political violence and weeks of bloodshed in the streets. The political parties ran into a deadlock and the country was headed to a civil war. I am not saying to halt the election, or not even to delay the election. I believe the election should be held by end of 2008. Two years should be enough time. But the point is, enough time for what?
May 12, 2008
Democracy is not just an election. Election is only a piece of a many piece structure called democracy. You need many more democratic institutions to exercise democracy. Otherwise, it would only be the criminals who own political party like their family property to inherit. It would only establish a government "of the criminals". The nomination would be handed out "by the criminals". And of course, if they get elected, and be sure that one of them would be, they would only work "for the criminals" themselves.
May 07, 2008
Bangladesh has been victim of devastating flood twice is last two years. A severe cyclone (Sidr) swept through Bangladesh in November 2007 which left over 10000 dead and half a billion USD damage. Yet economic data shows that Bangladesh in on track in its expected growth. Thatīs almost like a miracle.
May 06, 2008
In Bangladesh constitution, it is said that every one is equal in the eyes of the law. Bangladesh has been ruled by two democratically elected women for last 15 years. However, both of the former prime ministers have accused the other one for serious corruption. In every meeting they attended, in ev...