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The article states there is a palace, but he has repurposed it as a shelter for the homeless. This is is a deliberate decision, not becasue of a lack of resour
by tcdent 13y ago
The article states there is a palace, but he has repurposed it as a shelter for the homeless.
This is is a deliberate decision, not becasue of a lack of resources.
- macspoofing 13y agoSuch a meaningless populist gesture. I suppose the symbolism is...something.
- deletes 13y agoHe is showing what kind of person he is. The gesture is probably unprecedented in the world.
- mikeash 13y agoA homeless shelter is "meaningless"? Wow. I could understand downplaying its significance (e.g. the leader of a country could do more good with policy that improves his country's economy) but giving people shelter is not "meaningless" no matter how you slice it.
- macspoofing 13y agoNothing wrong with a shelter. However the the act of designating the presidential palace as a homeless shelter is meaningless because it a) doesn't actually fix anything (one shelter does not a social policy make and has no wider impact - and that's what national governments concern themselves with) b) there is no good reason to re-purpose that particular building, as opposed to another building or spending a few extra bucks and building another. I may be showing my cynical side, but it seems the only reason this was done was to score some cheap PR points with the voters.
- SamReidHughes 13y agoIt sets the tone.
- mikeash 13y agoI see the problem. You meant "meaningless" as in "it doesn't tell us anything about whether this person is a great guy or not". I interpreted "meaningless" as in "this act has no consequences and does not actually help people as it intends to do".
- malandrew 13y agoThe man spent two years in solitary confinement at the bottom of a well. He has a much greater appreciation for simple living than the typical head of state and how even small gestures can mean a lot to people. Using the palace for himself and his family provides far less marginal utility than using it to house many homeless people.
- notanidiot5 13y agoOr...maybe a political decision? Who would have thunk!