In tears after discussion with Bangladeshi family

[prodigal_green]

Riding the #7 train home this evening. I saw this young family wearing "NO" buttons and union buttons and started talking to them. They were returning from the RNC union protests with their two young girls. We only had about 8 minutes to talk, but both husband and wife said they were really terrified about what they are seeing. They had escaped a dictatorship in Bangladesh and saw how something like that can sneak up on a country. He said they came here for freedom and love this country, there is noplace else on Earth like it. The woman said she was very worried for her girls. This is the first time they've ever protested.

The best thing he said was,

The world NEEDS America with good leadership.

By the way, the gym where I work out has a lot of Latin Americans. A Brazilian friend has said the same thing (about seeing the signs of totalitarianism) several times. He recently bought a house in his home country. I've heard similar sentiments from Argentines and Chilean folks too.

[seventhson]

1. Have you seen "The Clay Bird"?

Bangladeshi film which won the international critics award at Cannes last year about the rightists and the Fundamentalists in Bangladesh.

It is a sad biography

[prodigal_green]

2. No, but I'll see if I can rent it.

They were such a lovely family and so sincere.

[seventhson]

3. I don't think it is available yet

I think it is getting released in a boc set with other films by the filmmakers (whom I know).

It is still in general release though at artfilm houses.

Check here (highly recommended - Elvis Mirchell said it is one of the finest films of any year!)

Mr. Masud is a wonderful man too!

http://www.matirmoina.com/

http://www.milestonefilms.com/movie.php/claybird/

[BeFree]

4. Kerry is gonna be great.

Great for America, and great for the world.
In Kerry, we have a man who cares what happens to the little guys.
The world will heave a sigh of relief when he is inaugurated as President of the United States of America. And once again, I will be proud of my President.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Wow! It's the people who know firsthand what dictatorships

are really like that we should be turning to. They know the score better than anyone else.