20 March 2010

I had the pleasure to interview a Wizengamot Elder the other day.  The Wizengamot has been fairly tight-lipped on Minister of Magic Persepolis Zephyr's performance so far, and I figured our readers wanted more insight.  Recently, the Ministry of Magic has come under heat for a number of things, and our readers are not the only ones questioning the Minister of Magic's competence.  I managed to have a long interview with Wizengamot Elder Edward Forrester, whose family has served on that council for sometime.  Without further ado, here is the transcript from the interview.

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"Mister Forrester, would you mind telling our readers your objection to the current Ministry?" I ask the old wizard.  The man has a few years on him.  The Wizengamot Elder has an air of respectability that cannot be faked. 

"The other day, I read a Daily Prophet article about a woman being unable to protect her child.  From Dementors.  She wanted a security force to address the issue.  This is a problem.  Our Minister claims to advocate personal responsibility, but then cannot take care of her own house.  However, the Minister is only the outmost symptom of the disease.  Most wizards, and muggleborns in particular, seem to think that someone else will protect them from the dangers that they cannot handle.  That is a fine sentiment for a five-year-old who wants to play as an Auror.  An adult who actually thinks some stranger will protect them?  What a grandiose, naive, foolish, and intoxicating gesture!  These fools look not to their friend and family for protection, but to random strangers.  This Minister claims to advocate personal responsibility, but all I see is mollycoddling."

"I see.  And you believe this mollycoddlying is not good for wizards?" I ask, trying to get the statesman to give me something beyond a poker face.

"It is a problem for everyone.  Most purebloods know this.  Despite an information revolution, an industrial revolution, and a population nearly 20,000 times our own have you ever wondered why a large percentage of muggleborns remain in the Wizarding World?  Why pureblood families hold on to power for so long?  If it was legal, a revolution would have been happened by now.  If it was economic, somebody would have invented something to make this status obsolete.  The fundamental cause is far simpler, and far harder to teach.  Purebloods know not to do stupid [expletive removed].  The muggleborns and half-bloods still have yet to figure out how this world works.  Unlike many muggle arts, it takes generations to actually take full advantage of what magic has to offer"

"I see.  And why else do you think this mollycoddling is a bad thing?" I ask, hoping he'll explain more.

"Rather than allowing witches and wizards to experiment freely and without consequence and let the truly brilliant shine, we have more rules, regulations, and bureaucratic nonsense.  This must stop.  The Ministry is trying to do too many things, and is only succeeding in doing many things badly.  What we need is less government, and more families,"

"You advocate for less government in general, how would you prioritize funding?" I ask, trying to get a better view of him.

"Well, I would probably significantly reduce Auror staff, and increase staff in the Department of Mysteries.  Beyond that though, I'd have to take a further look at the numbers before commenting," he replied, half answering and dodging the question. 

"I see.  You also advocate for more families.  Unfortunately, muggleborns do not have magical familial connections.  What would you suggest they do," I ask, trying to bait the statesmen.

"All wizards have attended a school of some sorts.  Whether its Hogwarts, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons or another institution, they should have formed enough connections to figure out what they need to know.  Also, they can form friendships as well.  It is far better to trust a friend than a random stranger," the politician replies slightly more guarded. 

"I see.  Well, thank you for your time," I say,  concluding the interview.