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Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Tragedy in Uzbekistan?
Wittgenstein defined tragedy as any story that could start (I'm paraphrasing) If only such and such hadn't happened...
I define tragedy as any story that could start, "If only so and so hadn't insisted..." Sad things happen, of course, but to be truly tragic they require the presence of a damn fool or two who won't give when the time is ripe to do so. I've got thoughts on what tragedy is all about over on my more speculative site, Wittgenstein's Bastard.
I think that in the main, what we're witnessing in Uzbekistan qualifies. Karimov, it is clear, is going to finish on the losing side of history. So will we, if we stand by him, at least as far as Uzbekistan is concerned. The question is how much more blood will be shed before the untenability of the old order gives way, and whether it leads to chaos or hope. How Karimov conducts himself is critical. Unfortunately, he's probably not going to do the right thing.
How to fax him a picture of Ceausescu...
posted by gbarto at 3:20 PM
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