WHO IS THIS OMAR CHABAAN?
January 12, 2011 3 Comments
We thought his name was OMAR SHABAN. He is back in the AMS President’s race. All power to him. It makes things more interesting, especially since there are, once again, 3 very different candidates running for President. McElroy is the favourite but we have yet to see what Moll and Shaban can deliver.
A GOOGLE search of Omar Shaban does not give friendly results. Read THIS or THIS. What kind of Canadian says that? Shouldn’t he be happy he’s actually living in Canada instead of some wartorn country?
On the topic of the Presidential race, McElroy and Moll have very nice posters, but I’ve yet to see Shaban’s (I’ll give him a day or two to get reorganized since he was recently reinstated).
AND… on another note, the UBC Vanguard is hideous. Brian isn’t even funny. Ricardo, on the other hand, is.
~ Charlemagne
Apparently, he said it to “promote discussion”. Way to make excuses, Chabaan.
Also, I wouldn’t call Vanguard hideous. More like … boring. And the rambliness doesn’t help. =P
Also, Foxtrot, I really like this new writer of yours =]
So: OMAR CHABAAN– I can really identify with his decision actually. Allow me to explain.
I say with some mixed feelings that I probably may have said similar things about the United States on my own facebook before (a concerned United States citizen myself). I’ll play Omar here: Let’s be honest. Canada was won with war and conquest like (almost?) every other country. The country in its history has taken many things unjustly from others and to condemn that on a day when everyone else supports Canada (blindly, I might add– probably not giving attention to these issues at least) has at least one or two positive aspects to it.
Omar’s view is clearly against the modern Western norm of nationalism many in our two countries at least come to enjoy. I would just like to point out he is onto something. And, if I were to guess, I would say that he does not hate Canada. But it is difficult not to be filled with rage at the injustices of this world. UBC tries to be kind to natives and calls their land a part of Musquiem Nation, but its meaning really stops at being symbolic and, as usual, apologetic (yes, Canadians are great at saying, “We’re sorry!”).
Now I’m not sure, but given my own political desires, Omar seems like the kind of person who could POTENTIALLY (and I mean potentially) be a positive and constructive revolutionary. I doubt he was lying about trying to start a conversation. I literally have done the same thing. But it’s time for me to mention the drawback to this strategy here.
It shows potential weakness as a politician– as a people pleaser. He will probably not be the kind of guy to grease the palms of everyone he touches. And… we know that didn’t go over so well for one of our previous presidents… (letter to the United Nations ring a bell?). He could be the kind of guy who makes rash decisions.
But look on the bright side. SERIOUSLY!!! I think this could have been a one-time thing. If anything, don’t you think a man like this can learn from such a grievous mistake? (I trust this before I’d trust someone so charmingly careful and calculated like Jeremy McElroy… though I admit I care mostly about the issues and I am not aware of where anyone stands– please write about this, Foxtrot!)
I’ll finish with giving Canada the credit that it is due. Although I think you all could really benefit from veering away from socialism and allowing as much of the markets as possible to exist freely and in a liberal manner (we’re not all perfect) the country itself is wonderful and I have enjoyed living there. A little scrutiny never hurt anyone though. I just hope that if this man is a great candidate (and even if he’s not; I really have no idea) he doesn’t lose just because of *this*. The only way to tell what kind of person he is is by observing him as the campaign period continues! As a concerned citizen of the earth, not as an American or a Canadian student, and… heck also as a former UBC student who would really like to come back after I finish a semester stateside, I hope you all just give the guy a chance
. Thinking critically also means saying yes when it’s very tempting and seemingly obvious to say no!
Foxtrot, I enjoy your blog (mostly for the humor of its writers!). Please keep an eye on this and see what you think. I’d appreciate further critical analysis. Again the only way to tell is to keep looking and keep thinking. Give him a chance.