A New Year...

It's a new year in Romania and it has begun with a bang.  Like so many countries in the world today, Romanians are fed up with their government and decided to shout about it.  Romanians throughout the country have taken to the streets in order to have their say about the current government.  Here is an article from The Economist which gives a good overview of the current issues:


http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/01/rioting-romania


Even here in Drobeta Turnu Severin the protests went on for the past four days.  Although I stayed away from them, I could hear the organized shouting wafting through the wind into my windows.  I watched the local television and the protests in my city were organized and peaceful.  Unfortunately, in București, they became violent and both protesters and police were injured.  


Throughout all this turmoil, I have to think about how great it is that Romanians now have the ability to get out there and have their say.  It was just more than 20 years ago that they got these rights and it's good to see them using them.  


I don't claim to be an expert AT ALL about the issues at hand...I do hope, however, that the Romanian protesters, police and government can remain peaceful and find a positive solution.


On another note, one of the volunteers over here posted a short CNN documentary about the Roma community in Romania.  It's a reminder that all countries have their share of problems.  Just like the poor and destitute in America, there are Romanians being ostracized and suffering as well. 

Let's hope that 2012 can bring some peace to our troubled world.


Happy New Year!  :)