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Brazilian Blogs on Chávez, Lula and the Mercosur Summit · Global Voices
Jose Murilo

Presidents from most South American countries are gathered in Rio de Janeiro for a meeting of the Mercosur trading group, and Hugo Chavez is again the attention drawer. Local bloggers have been substantially posting about the Venezuelan president since he announced the move to cancel the broadcasting license to (TV channel) RCTV and also to nationalize telecom and energy companies. The event in Rio seems like the perfect stage where these issues are brought to light as Latin American leaders meet face-to-face, and bloggers are able to follow their exchange through media reports. The enigmas about Lula-Chavez relationship is one of the threads containing diverse perspectives.
E no Brasil? Como o governo Lula reage às investidas de Chávez contra contratos, liberalidade econômica e liberdade política? Lavando as mãos. Do ponto de vista político, há uma questão ideológica. Por mais que façam um governo “comportado”, Lula e os seus torcem para que os avanços socialistas de Chávez dêem certo e se alastrem por Bolívia, Equador ou mesmo Argentina, onde Néstor Kirchner tem se mostrado um bom aliado da Venezuela. Desde que… isso não prejudique os interesses brasileiros nem embace a liderança natural do Brasil no continente. Do ponto de vista econômico, Chávez é o parceiro que o Brasil pediu a Deus. Hoje, o Brasil exporta US$ 1 bilhão a mais para a Venezuela do que para a França e também para o Reino Unido, dois dos principais parceiros comerciais do país. De janeiro a novembro de 2006, foram US$ 3,3 bilhões. Não é pouco. A Venezuela com Chávez virou uma espécie de paraíso para produtos, serviços e empreiteiras brasileiras.
ENQUANTO ISSO…  – Comentando a Noticia
Por aqui, dizem alguns setores que o petista se mostra um tanto incomodado com a saliência do colega bolivariano. Os mais pessimistas afirmam mesmo que ele está sendo engolido pela propaganda do outro. O governo americano, por sua vez, também vê uma contradição, mas acredita num Lula virtuoso em contraste com um Chávez vicioso. Tudo conversa mole. Chávez é um dado da equação do petismo na política externa. Por mais porralouca, falastrão e irresponsável que seja — e ainda que isso atrapalhe um pouco o petista —, ele terá sempre valor instrumental para Lula, e não o contrário. E a razão é simples: o tamanho das duas economias. A Venezuela não lideraria a América Latina ainda que fosse governada pela Razão encarnada.
As patacoadas do Mercosul – ou “Lula é chefe de Chávez, não o contrário” – Reinaldo Azevedo (Veja)
Lula, Amorim, petistas do governo e diplomatas em geral não admitem a competição entre Brasil e Venezuela -ou melhor, entre Lula e Chávez- pela liderança na América do Sul. Mas é evidente que ela existe. Uma competição que passa pelos petrodólares e também pela personalidade de Chávez e por suas investidas na direção que o velho PT e o velho Lula defenderam um dia. As disputas entre Brasil e Argentina fizeram história, mas hoje se resumem a questões muito pontuais, como reclamação na OMC por tarifas das embalagens de refrigerantes e a entrada ou não da Bolívia no bloco. Mas são “peanuts”, como dizem os americanos. O jogo de poder está centrado na Venezuela. A cúpula, pois, está sendo uma espécie de mercado, em que os menores (Paraguai, Uruguai e a promessa Bolívia) oferecem suas condições, Brasil e Argentina discutem se compram ou não, e Chávez se diverte. Porque ele avança, e Lula corre atrás. Até nos discursos.
Na Folha, Lula corre atrás de Chávez – Blog do Ribeiro
Chavez's recent bend to the left, which was boldly displayed in his speeches during the first weeks after reelection, did not go unnoticed by the lusosphere. The nationalization of CA Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (CANTV), the country's largest telecommunications company partially owned by U.S.-based Verizon Communications Inc., was detected as a possible threat to free Internet access in the country. In addition to that, when Brazilians hear about canceling the license of a TV network because of its stance against the government, they can't help but compare the situation with the tense relationship between Lula and the powerful Globo network in Brazil, considered by many to be explicitly biased against the president. In response to that, some commentators present useful distinctions between what really happens in Venezuela and the present case in Brazil, where it would be mind-boggling to even consider the canceling of Globo's broadcasting license in the country.
O anúncio de estatização das companhias de energia e de telefonia (CANTV) feito por Chávez nesse seu início de segundo mandato traz em si uma possibilidade preocupante: o controle ideológico da comunicação no país. Controlar a telefonia representa, na Venezuela, também um grande controle sobre a internet, o que ocorre, por exemplo, na China, onde o governo restringe o acesso da população à web. Chávez já deu mostras que não tolera a liberdade de expressão ao não renovar a licença da emissora RCTV, crítica do governo. Agora, ao anunciar a estatização da CANTV, que domina o setor de internet no país, parece querer deixar sob seus auspícios também o fluxo de informação na Venezuela.
Ameaça a liberdade de expressão – Claudia Belfort
É justo informar ao público que o noticiário da RCTV, as entrevistas que realiza e o tom de seus comentários envolvem um grau de liberdade e mesmo agressividade que nunca se viu, por exemplo, nas emissoras brasileiras, em qualquer época, para criticar qualquer governo… A RCTV tem um histórico de jornalismo forte, agressivo até. Para quem chega do Brasil, é como se Diogo Mainardi e Arnaldo Jabor apresentassem todos os telejornais, fizessem todas as entrevistas e comentários, e depois só chamassem os amigos para dar opinião. Os funcionários da TV dizem que essa é uma tradição da emissora, que ajudou a construir um histórico profissional honroso de conflitos com diversos governos. Muitos observadores dizem que isso até é verdade, mas a RCTV nunca foi tão crítica como agora – e é por isso, conforme visão unânime em Caracas, que o governo Chávez decidiu tirá-la do ar.
No pais de Hugo Chavez – Paulo Moreira leite
Lula's intentions for this edition of the Mercosur summit were clearly directed to tighten the relationship among the trade bloc's members and associated countries. Although quoted as having recently criticized Chavez's second term announcements as dangerous anti-democratic moves, the Brazilian president tried to stick to his plans by hindering the ideological debate during the event. The latest reports about the summit shows that things did not occurred according to the Brazilian agenda, but some commentators still see relevant progress for continental integration as a result of the meeting in Rio.
“Lula compara o desafio do Mercosul à trajetória da União Européia. No velho continente, os países ricos injetaram recursos e concederam benefícios às economias dos parceiros mais pobres –Espanha, Portugal e Grécia. A tese de Lula não é despropositada. O problema é que o presidente Néstor Kirchner, da Argentina, não parece tão disposto à generosidade… Para complicar, o venezuelano Hugo Chávez injeta na atmosfera um componente ideológico tão incômodo quanto desnecessário. Cristão novo no Mercosul, Chávez tenta transpor o seu “socialismo do Século 21”, seja lá o que isso signifique, para o coração do Mercosul. Ele declarou, ao chegar para o encontro, que veio ao Rio com o objetivo de “descontaminar” o Mercosul de seus pendores liberais. Roubou a cena. Espera-se que não roube também a harmonia do encontro, tão necessária à sobrevivência parceria econômica. O chanceler Celso Amorim menospreza aqueles que enxergam problemas na ação venezuelana. Quem bom!” Por Josias de Souza
Países do Mercosul tentam ‘estreitar inimizades’ – Conversaria Política
Um dia depois de Hugo Chávez ter anunciado o propósito de “descontaminar” o Mercosul do “liberalismo”, a reunião da Cúpula do Mercosul, no Rio, converteu-se em ringue de um inusitado boxe ideológico. Ao discursar, o companheiro-índio Evo Morales, presidente da Bolívia, desferiu um direto de direita no colega colombiano Álvaro Uribe. Morales contrapôs o crescimento econômico de Cuba, Argentina e Venezuela –países que, no dizer dele, são “soberanos— ao déficit comercial e fiscal da Colômbia, nação em que os EUA despejam dinheiro, a pretexto de combater o narcotráfico. Abespinhado, Uribe defendeu-se como pôde. Disse que a política de combate ao narcotráfico de seu país é séria. Afirmou que mantém relações com Washington, mas não se priva de relacionar-se com Havana e Caracas. De resto, Uribe realçou que conversara com Morales na noite da véspera. E o presidente boliviano não se dignara a fazer, em privado, as críticas que despejou no tablado do Mercosul, em público. Cordato, Uribe desculpou-se com o anfitrião pela altercação verbal: “Perdão, presidente Lula, mas tive que responder ao senhor Morales.”
Reunião do Mercosul vira luta de boxe ideológico – Josias de Souza
“Aos 57 anos, pela primeira vez ouço discursos e declarações de cooperação entre nossos vizinhos que, acredito, vão além dos simples palavreados. No entanto, os impérios jornalísticos destas bandas estão sempre a postos, menosprezando as intenções e tratando tudo isso como se fossem anacrônicos movimentos. Para essa gente, Chávez é apenas um “inconseqüente agitador”. Eles só entendem a linguagem do obediente colonizado, para quem tudo aquilo que vai de encontro aos interesses dos imperialistas é perigoso para os interesses da região (“o quintal”).” Por Fernando Soares Campos.
Cúpula do Mercosul – Amigos do Zé Dirceu
Lula and Chavez can't complain about the results of the Mercosur summit in Rio. In a lunch yesterday in Copacapana Palace Hotel the two presidents signed important deals, which will result in a joint venture between Petrobras and PDVSA for the construction of two refineries, one in each country, to process Venezuelan crude and Brazilian petroleum. There were agreements also to the development of industrial plants in Venezuela, which include technological transference and other cooperation projects to minimize the country's dependence on oil. Political differences apart, it seems they are both starting their second terms with a clearer notion of what to do, and how they can help each other. Brazilians keep commenting…
Um dos problemas na cobertura brasileira sobre os eventos na Venezuela é que há pouca reportagem de primeira mão sobre o país. Eu mesmo, que sou bastante crítico de Chávez e não gosto da forma como ele se comporta, entendo agora que sua existência é consequência direta da forma negligente com que as elites venezuelanas trataram sua população nas décadas antecedentes à chegada de Chávez ao poder. Trata-se, no fundo, de um braço de ferro sobre como redistribuir as rendas dos recursos auferidos com o petróleo _ e o que Chávez fez foi abrir o cofre para a maioria pobre da população. Nessas circunstâncias, não admira que ele esteja cavalgando tamanha popularidade.
Ainda o affair Chavez vs RCTV – O Hermeneuta

author: Jose Murilo


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Chile: A Ride for the Climate · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Eco-trans-hemispheric cyclist Dave of A Ride for the Climate has arrived to Santiago, Chile where he was featured in the English daily The Santiago Times as well as La Nacion.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: David Sasaki


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China and South Korea: textbook · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Jacky finds some discussions at Chinese BBS forum concerning South Korean textbook. Chinese's netizens were outraging about the distortion in the territorial map. However, are those books really Korean textbook?

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: equality in education · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Xue yong quotes from a recent research to show the inequality in education: “researcher analyszed the examination result of year 2003 student from a high school in Beijing and discovered that lower class family's entrance examin result is higher than upper class. The average marks from high to low are: peasant, unemployment workers, small individual business, workers, white collar, management and technical… the lowest average mark, 571.3, are from management and technical background family, which is 38.8 marks lower than the average mark, 610.1, from rural background family…” (zh)


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China: The Mass Incident in Dazhu County · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN puts together and translates a rape and murder case of a 16 years old girl who worked in a hotel in Dazhu County. The case later developed into a riot or mass incident in official term. The incident is now banned in the Chinese internet.


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China: we just want your real name · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Joel Martinsen from DANWEI notes the shift of terms from “real name system” to “we just want your real name” in regulating online game internet user.


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Colombia: Paramilitary and Politics · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Forum on Democracy has translated an Op-Ed by anthropologist Aldo Civico which “compares the collusion between politicians and paramilitaries in Colombia, to the Mafia-controlled government of Palermo in the 1970s.”


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Croatia, Serbia: Vets vs Bora Dordevic · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Croatian war veterans group protests an upcoming talk show appearance by a Serbian rock singer Bora Dordevic, reports Illyrian Gazette.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Cuba: Sexual diversity · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Zenia presents a portrait (ES) of two same-sex couples living lives of relative tranquility in Cuba, and concludes that the climate in the country has become more tolerant of homosexuals since the days of the film “Strawberry and Chocolate”.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Africa: Dancing to soccer moves, Maasai Hip Hop and laughing at wealthy Americans · Global Voices
Ntwiga

My name is Steve Ntwiga and this is my first post at Global Voices Online. I will be trying to fill a small part of Obi's huge shoes as I post on bloggers and sites that cover African music.
From soccer moves to a dancing sytle
Lets start with Teju Cole at Modal Minority who looks at drogbacité. This is a new dancing style coming out of Abidjan based on the football moves of Didier Drogba, an Ivorian soccer player who recently won Africa's Footballer of the Year award  (that's soccer for those of your who may be in North America).
Teju writes:
The first real explosion of this was in the months leading up to the World Cup, when Drogba’s brilliance steered the Elephants to an unlikely first-ever berth in the tournament. Around that time, the dance style known as Drogbacité emerged in Abidjan, nominally based on Drogba’s moves, and it was soon followed by dance tracks specifically dedicated to it.
The post includes a track, Boucantier, that is representative of the new type of music emerging around the dancing style which is taking clubs in the Ivory Coast and West Africa by storm.
Remembering the Godfather of Soul
Matsuli has a video of James Brown's 1971 performance in Kinshasa to mark his passing in late December.
As a tribute to the recent death of James Brown, matsuli music brings you his legendary 1974 Kinshasa performance. This was part of the “African Woodstock” musical build up to the Rumble in the Jungle fight between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman.
The death of this music legend was also noted by Ray at AfroBeat Trainspotter with a link to James Brown's page on Myspace.
I go chop your dollar!
In the meantime, Dibusse Tande at Scribbles from the den examines 419 cyber scams. He writes about a popular song, I Go Chop Your Dollar, which ridicules wealthy Americans and Europeans who fall far these scams.
About a year ago, Nigerian artist, Nkem Owoh (aka Osuofia) released a song titled “I go chop your dollar” which ridicules Europeans and Americans who fall for these scams. Although the song is a satirical happy-go-lucky number, it immediately became the unofficial 419 anthem – and its provocative lyrics virtually started a race war on the Internet:
Oyinbo* man I go chop your dollar,
I go take your money disappear
419 is just a game,
you are the loser I am the winner.
(Onyibo* means a white person)
Musical journey
Finally, a (belated) link to some bloggers who posted end-of-year rounds-up covering music from some African perspective.
Soundroots.org, a site that never fails to educate and entertain has a fantastic world music mp3 collection to bid 2006 adieu. It includes some hiphop by X Plastaz, a group from Tanzania, which fuses Maasai traditional music and urban hip hop and Konono #1 of Congo whom I have blogged about in the past.
Matt also has an end of year recap post – 2006 Rewound podcast – that contains the African tracks that listeners liked best in 2006 on Matsuli. But hurry as it will disappear soon. I also carried an end-of-year round up reviewing the most popular tracks on ntwiga.net for 2006.
The 3rd Annual Kenya Music Week was this last December in Nairobi with the theme “Music Piracy = Poverty”. The event featured an exhibition, talent show and performances from some of Kenya’ top musical artists and was a huge success. Kenya Music Week is an annual event organized by PHAT! Music & Entertainment Limited and Triple P Kenya Publicists who are working together with the aim of “developing the Kenya Music Industry into a professional, transparent and profitable business”.
Count Reeshard at no condition is permanent, has a post on Pamelo Mounk'a from Congo Brazaville, which focuses on his release “No.1 Africain”. Pamelo Mounk'a is an African musical legend who performed with such greats as TP OK Jazz and Les Bantous de la Capitale, a Congolese national institution before breaking out on his own.
Best Ambiance has a link to Jon Kertzer's January 1st Best Ambiance session at at KEXP radio  featuring music from a host of African countries (including Zimbabwe, Madagascar, South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, Algeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Congo in just this one session) for you to listen to online or download. The session includes some great highlife – a musical genre characterized by the use of multiple horns and guitars that came to popularity in Ghana in the 70s and 80s, which is experiencing a popularity revival around Africa.
Radio Palmwine
We are closing with Radio palmwine. Emeka Okafor's Timbuktu Chronicles links to Radio Palmwine, a new online radio station service that aims to to increase the establishment of Nigeria and African Diaspora music worldwide.
RadioPalmwine's vision “…is to increase the establishment of Nigeria and African Diaspora music worldwide, and also to provide financial support for talented struggling artists and industry professionals representing such countries. We are developing strategies to help emerging musicians from Africa, cross over the barriers of the conventional music, arts and entertainment industry and take advantage of the emerging digital marketplace for global entertainment…”
The RadioPalmWine website also carries 4 feature stations that are profiled on the front page and also allows users to download tracks.

author: Ntwiga


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El Salvador: Assessment of the Peace Accords 15 Years Later · Global Voices
David Sasaki

January 16 marked the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accords which ended the 12 year long civil war in El Salvador. Tim Muth offers his own assessment of their effectiveness a decade and a half later.


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Hungary: Political Joke · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A Hungarian political joke from Pestcentric: “Q: If communism had not fallen in 1990, who would be prime minister today? A: [Socialist Ferenc Gyurcsany, who's the prime minister anyway].” More on the country's politics here and here.


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Hungary: Punishment for War Criminal · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar suggests a better way to punish an elderly war criminal about to stand trial in Hungary: “Much better, that the media, schools and various NGOs give as much publicity as possible about Kepiro and his ilk and how horrendously they treated their fellow Hungarians. He would thus spend his last few years in shame, shunned by all decent people.”


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Jamaica: Saved by The Cure · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

In the summer of 1987, Jamaican writer Marlon James is saved by The Cure: “I don’t remember 1987 by any sequence of days and dates; I remember it by breaths I lost, gasping at “Just Like Heaven.” I can’t recall any major events but I do remember the sad drum clatter of “Like Cockatoos,” fighting against the thunder strings and the titanic, looping bass. . . .  I remember that being the exact point when loving something everybody else hates became the greatest pleasure in the world. . . “


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Japan: Kawaii signs · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Overoften from Japundit presents a selection of the very special signage.


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Kazakhstan: Doctors on Trial · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Mira Bakhytova reports that the trial of health care professionals said to be responsible for a wave of HIV infections in southern Kazakhstan has gotten underway.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Kenya: blogging the World Social Forum · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The PANOS Institute West Africa and Fahamu, the publishers of the award-winning online forum for social justice in Africa – Pambazuka News, have jointly established a blog to bring daily news and commentary from the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya: “Journalists and activists will be posting articles, commentaries and other useful pieces of information about what is going on.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Latvia: “Eastern or Western?” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Some Latvians are “tired of being lumped in with, and referred to, as Eastern European,” writes All About Latvia.


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Latvia: Monuments · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Marginalia posts a very interesting entry on Latvia's monuments – and its “almost antiseptically politics-free” currency.


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Madagascar: Forest = Pharmacy · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Says Harinjaka (Fr): “Malagasy forests are like medicine cabinets. You can find 75% of medicinal plants used in Madagascar. A vital ressource for those who, by and large, live tens of kilometers from the closest clinic.”

author: Alice Backer


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Mexico: Manuel Andrade Díaz: Hefty Spending · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Mark in Mexico shows how ex-governor Manuel Andrade Díaz “fattened up” at Tabasco's expense including a costly highway monument to himself.


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Nigeria: Nigerian pidgin 101 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mama Junkyard's blogs about how people greet each other in Nigeria: How you body de? Pidgin English; often used when addressing someone who has been unwell. The first time I heard it was during my first week in Abuja. I was staying in a hotel and had just developed a cold. The guest relations manager knowing that my Pidgin English was not my strong point, opted to greet me in what can only be termed as the literal translation of the phrase. I can not even begin to describe my shock when I heard her utter the words “How is your body?”


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Puerto Rico: Learning English · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Studies show that although English is a compulsory subject in Puerto Rican schools from elementary level upwards, only 20% of the country's population has a mastery of the language. Eugenio Martínez Rodríguez thinks he knows why.


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Russia, Estonia: The Monument · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Estonia‘s parliament voted last week to relocate from the center of the capital Tallinn the Soviet-era monument to the Red Army soldiers who died in World War II. The bronze statue of a soldier was erected in 1947 and is considered by many as a symbol of Soviet occupation. The parliament's decision sparked protests by the country's ethnic Russians (25.6 percent of Estonia's total population of 1,324,333), as well as some officials and lawmakers in Russia, who see the monument as a symbol of liberation from the Nazis.
Giustino of Itching for Eestimaa (who is relocating from New York City to Tartu this month) mentions some other symbols and realities of the conflict:
[…] You see, Estonian men, to Russia, should be grateful eunuchs, kneeling before the “Soldier Liberator” of Tallinn with his tough expression, flowing cape, and leather boots. Any attempt by Estonian manhood to assess their fathers’ actions by themselves, without dictation by Moscow, is akin to “glamorization of Nazism” or “glorification of fascism.” […] For those who are scratching their heads over Estonia's latest row with Russia, I would suggest to remember that Russians are not used to being told off by a bunch of roly-poly guys with names like Mart, Andrus, and Urmas. […]
An emotional posting (RUS) by LJ user tukmakov (Denis Tukmakov, journalist for Aleksandr Prokhanov‘s ultra-nationalist Russian newspaper Zavtra) – titled “Yes, the occupiers we are” – basically confirms Giustino's observations:
The “Judge for Yourself” show has just been on on [the Russian] Channel 1. They were arguing about the Estonian government's decision to liquidate the monument to the Soviet soldiers who liberated [Tallinn] from the fascists.
For a long time, the group that was there to defend the monument – let's call them the Russian patriots (Prokhanov was among them) – was forced to make excuses and come up with a pile of arguments, trying to prove that the Soviet Union didn't really occupy Estonia, and even if it did, then Russia was occupied by it and was its victim as well […], etc. Naturally, their opponents, some incoherent Jews, were rubbing salt into this favorite wound of theirs in all kinds of way, demanding that Russia repent for the occupation of the [Baltic states]. Estonians who participated in the show – the ambassador and a lawmaker – were happy.
I don't understand it. Why none of the patriots got up and said calmly: yes, we did occupy Estonia. And we'll occupy it again, if need be. Because we are a great country, capable of slicing Europe up whenever we feel like it. And Estonia is a piece of [expletive omitted] that keeps [sucking up to] those who are on a horse [superior]. No one said this. [Oscar-winning Russian filmmaker and actor Nikita Mikhalkov] seemed to have an urge to insert something like this, but he didn't.
It is that difficult – to be an imperialist? […]
For a while, tukmakov‘s post was in the top 30 of the most popular texts of the Russian blogosphere (according to the Yandex Blogs portal). Among the diverse responses it has drawn (and continues to draw), there's even a video of the humiliating army practice known as dedovshchina, with older Russian soldiers treating their younger fellow-servicemen cruelly in the middle of the night.
Below is a selection of comments, translated from Russian:
origen_72: I think [the Russian parliament] has to develop a law (Russian, for now) that would ban changing the results of World War II. The Jews’ example should be used – when they ban discussion of the Holocause, and who does it, goes either to jail or to Interpol. Criminal prosecution. And catch a few jerks and jail them for five years or so for denying Russia's liberating role in World War II.
[…]
radiotv_lover: I feel sorry for the remains of our soldiers that no one in Russia is willing to bury. While lawmakers-[expletive omitted] and LJ users, who've never seen anything in their lives except a computer, are attacking Estonia, there are HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS UNBURIED SOLDIERS that no one needs in Russia. […] And such [a mess] is taking place all over the country of the fake patriots. They see a straw in Estonia's eye, but don't notice a log, or even a baobab, in their own.
[…]
rimona: This isn't your first post after which I feel like deleting you from my [LJ] friends list. Each time I was stopped by the thought that I'm not picking personal friends in LJ, that it's important to know different points of view, as long as I'm writing on politics. But my patience is up, and I've decided to delete you, after all. Of course, I cou;d've done it quietly, without any declarations. But I do feel like writing this, somehow. Keep up what you're doing, but from now on I won't shudder from reading your thoughts. And I'm glad about it.
[…]
lipkovich: And I feel like adding him [to LJ friends list]. It's a normal reaction of the dying-out nation.
[…]
sceptique_lj: If “we are the occupiers” – then they are right to demolish monuments to occupiers-“liberators.” Nothing to be offended by. Why would the capital of a state have monuments to its former oppressors? I've never seen monuments to Napoleon or [Batu Khan]… […]
[…]
poison_fan: It's not a big deal to fight with monuments. Why does it bother them? As for “We'll occupy again, if need be” – we should restore order in our own country and then [pose proudly as] a great state. Are these guys going to do the occupation? [A 17-minute, 33.2 MB video of Russian soldiers serving in the army unit #3419, so far viewed 2,150 times by RuTube.ru users].
Kontrafakt: Dedovshchina (33.19Mb)
[…]
roman_shapiro: Russians in Estonia live better than [Russians] in Russia. They aren't really willing to leave. […]
[…]
tukmakov: It's not about how Russians live in Estonia now. It's about Estonia holding SS marches and tearing down monuments to the Russian soldiers, with Europe staying completely silent about it. Actually, let them march and let them be silent. I want only one thing – I want Russians to stop being silent about it, I want them to react and I want to people to “regain subjectivity,” to stop being [indifferent toward everything]. […]
[…]
cyril_spb: Tell me honestly… if at Tallinn's main square they erect a monument to the Liberator Warrior ten times bigger [than the current one] – are the lives of Russians going to improve?
If not, then what [the hell]?..


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Russia: What Was Litvinenko? · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Russia in the Media argues that “referring to Litvinenko as an “ex-spy” basically misrepresents the work that he did in the Russian special services.”


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Taiwan: whether or not social news reporter is happy · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Chao from China Times discusses the role of social news reporters in media. His judgement is that newspapers’ bosses like but don't give enough value to social news reporters compared with political news reporters. (zh)


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Tajikistan: Blogosphere Roundup · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Vadim takes a look at some of the latest topics being discussed in the Tajik blogosphere.


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Tajikistan: Closer to China · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Alexander of neweurasia Tajikistan reports that Tajikistan is set to step up economic cooperation with China.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Blog love · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

The IZATRINI.com blog reviews shortdrop.com, a web site for Trinidadian car enthusiasts, and TrinidGourmet.com interviews fellow food blogger Chenette.


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Trinidad & Tobago: School porn ring and cell phone cameras · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Keith Francis on the recent discovery of a school porn ring in Trinidad involving videos recorded on cell phone cameras: “The fact is that despite our wilful efforts to ignore the fact, children have been screwing children – indeed adults both male and female have been screwing children – from time immemorial. . . . Perhaps having things like under-aged sex caught on camera and thrust in our faces will make us think more about responsible sex education, and doing more than telling our children, “don't bring home no baby for mih to mind!”


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Turkey/Armenia: Hrant Dink Murdered · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian has multiple posts on the murder of Hrant Dink, a journalist who was an ethnic Armenian Turkish citizen who had been given a six month suspended sentence in 2005 for writing on the Armenian Genocide. Be sure to check out his roundup of discussion of the murder in the Turkish blogosphere.


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Bangladesh: Proud to be Muslim · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying on being Muslim and being proud of it. “This image of Muslims claiming their “moderate”ness and the incessant Muslim bashing that comes from the wingnuts is poisoning the well. It has led to the notion that unless Muslims jump every time some Muslim has done something horrible, they are not being patriotic or they are supporting the terrorists.”

author: Neha Viswanathan


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India: Motherhood and Technology · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The Mad Momma on mommy blogging, technology and communication and its contribution to making motherhood a slightly different experience. “Yet here we are, tech savvy women, changing templates (!), mailing other bloggers from our blackberrys while in the labour room (yes, I know someone who was doing that), more concerned about our children learning the alphabet than forcefeeding them spinach …”


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India: On Pottery · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Swajana posts videos on their blog of snippets of life in India. A video on pottery. “As in many other parts of the world – this art has developed a long way in India too. But simultaneously – its also maintained its roots by being done pretty much in the “classical” way.”


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India: The Big Book and Reviews · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Amardeep Singh writes on a rather long book that has reviewers writing the review without finishing it. “There seems to be something about Vikram Chandra's heavily-hyped, 900 page Bombay gangster novel, Sacred Games, that has led reviewers to publish evaluations before they've finished reading the book.”


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Iran:Journalist banned from leaving Iran to collect prize · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Kosoof, a freelance journalist,Taghi Rahmani, was banned from leaving Iran as he prepared to travel to Denmark on 13 January 2007, to receive a prize awarded by the local section of the freedom of expression organisation, PEN International.The journalist, who is a leading press freedom activist, has worked for several Iranian publications, which has brought him into frequent conflict with the regime.Between 1981 and 2005, he was sentenced to a total of 5,000 days in prison for articles he had written.

author: Fred Petrossian


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MySpace.com Headquarters in Mexico · Global Voices
David Sasaki

It started with a simple post titled “The Offices of MySpace.com in Mexico” on the weblog of Marco Islas Cruz from Veracruz, Mexico.
Bling bling blogger “P Cero” commented, “LOL, now I know why MySpace blogs are so sucky.”
The photo of the cybercafe-turned-MySpace-billboard in Huauchinango, Puebla was then picked up [ES] by Enchilame, a newish Digg-like aggregator by Spanish free software advocate and programmer Ricardo Galli [ES]. Enchilame user “Darkbop” added [ES], “haha, a friend of mine told me that the “in” is now for business names to end in “.com”.
Alejandro Ojeda of the popular tech blog Blogueando then jumped on the bandwagon [ES]:
Muchos conocemos MySpace y muchos tenemos una pagina por ahi. Muchos otros también visitamos algunas o varias páginas en MySpace. Casi a diario se habla de MySpace y muchas cosas son MySpace. Pues en México hay unas “oficinas” de MySpace. ¿Dónde? En el estado de Puebla, en un lugar llamado Huauchinango, y esta es una imagen de sus instalaciones. Espero algún día tomarme una fotografía ahí.


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Nepal: Blogging in Nepal · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Deepak Adhikari talks about blogging in Nepal – the changes over the last few years, the challenges and the presence of journalists who blog. “In the past few years, some of us in Nepal have made some visible strides in blogging thanks to King Gyanendra's clampdown on mainstream media in 2005, and thanks, in part, to the zeal of young journalists who managed to defy the official censorship by adopting and embracing alternative media like blogs.


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Nepal: Racism and India as a bully · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Looking beyond the Indian blogs, Wagle Street Journal from Nepal comments on the racism and Shilpa Shetty in the Big Brother show issue with the insight of living next door to a country that maybe seen as a bully – India. “When an Indian goes to an English television channel and receives insult from the formerly gora saheb, the Indian pride of being free from the imperialism gets injured deeply.


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Peru: Video of Lima in the 50’s · Global Voices
David Sasaki

PosPost has posted some black and white videos of Lima from the 1950's which were found on Archive.org.


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China: Independent directors funded · Global Voices
John Kennedy

With the news of Chinese broadcasting regulation body SARFT‘s decision to heavily invest in future films from sixteen of China's hottest young independent directors, one might jump to the conclusion that official regulators are just as tired of the same few big-name directors as many Chinese netizens are. LiLiang, for example, commenting at the Kaiju Shakedown blog:
“As for Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige, the larger the budgets they get for making movies, the worse their directing gets. Maybe somebody should impose a US$64,267 budget LIMITATION on any scripts those three decide to direct in the next few years. This might just even up Chinese cinema all around.”
Or does the five hundred thousand RMB per film per director come at a price? Nominee Xu Jinglei, for example, the world's most linked-to blogger and director of the film version of a novel once banned in China. It does, according to an official press statement reposted on Bullog blogger Jajia's space [zh], which quotes a SARFT representative as saying that these independent directors’ resulting films will be encouraged to follow the theme of ‘Harmonious Society‘, as well as required to obtain prior permission from both SARFT and China's Central Propaganda Department.
Here's what most of Jajia's readers at independent blog aggregator Bullog had to say:
据说
鲁迅是拿了苏联卢布的
天黑了
黄金甲投资360000000，可以资助720部电影，很容易取舍
天天上愁的牛
无孔不入啊，真狠
韦小宝
就他妈的不说影片需要赢得观众首肯
东北风转西南风
‘党代表'又回来了
5151
要争取既赢得广电总局的首肯，又赢得中宣部的首肯。
—————————————-
无耻
我操
在资助形式上，除了为这些导演新创作的优秀剧本给予50万元的资金资助外，还将在剧本论证、影片发行等多方面给予政策支持。
拿这么点钱拍主旋律，打发谁呢？
zmyroy
所谓从良
罗纷纷
广电总局准备把这几个导演毁了
[Eight people voted to support the above comment, a significantly higher number than all other comments received]
Merlin
本来就是一群retard,毁什么？
三套
针对近年来主旋律影片无人喝彩的情况，这位负责人指出，忽视和谐社会建设和三个代表重要思想，是这种现象的症结所在。
———————————————–
什么逻辑丫
怎么听不懂滴~~
dontoaskwhoiam
完了。
钱不是那么好拿滴。
乱葬岗出版总社
取得过初步成绩的
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
这叫什么政策，已经有初步的成绩的正好交给市场嘛；应该挖掘那些更需要资金的啊
凸凸
拿了人家的手短！看来要吃人家的饭，就该给人家说话了．
牛犊子
又见主旋律～！
123
这位负责人指出，忽视和谐社会建设和三个代表重要思想
————————
两个core都不得罪
jiaona
恶心
jiaona
老子要当选村长
五页长
将新舆论企图用金钱和权力扼杀在摇篮之中.这一招 ,狠!!
cccp
针对近年来主旋律影片无人喝彩的情况，这位负责人指出，忽视和谐社会建设和三个代表重要思想，是这种现象的症结所在。国产影片决不能单纯追求投资和制作规模的宏大，要努力提高政治觉悟，提升作品的政治内涵和思想品格。要争取既赢得广电总局的首肯，又赢得中宣部的首肯。
估计以后不会再有疯狂的石头这类的作品，全要去歌颂三个代表，8r8c去了，不然不给资助
李大爷
既赢得广电总局的首肯，又赢得中宣部的首肯
_______________________________________
那还是电影么？
正常人
资助，可以不接受吗…
三套
靠。看来是被贾葭忽悠了。
但我想”心花社”是出于愤怒而恶搞吧。
我不认为广电总局的资助有利于艺术创作，导演要是拿了这笔钱的话，就等着被阉割吧。
要是广电总局主动把钱送上门，有导演敢不要么?不要的话，片子审查会不会碰到麻烦?
我操！我也有点愤怒了。
neo633
文艺招安。
X file
what a fucking shit director, why does nobody refuse?
乱马
可以啊。把主旋律电影拍的好看老百姓一样捧场。可惜一向只能当催吐药。国家又拿纳税人的钱制往里砸，制造一堆垃圾。
kamo
不要资助……..别老禁播就可以了
全球都看…中国就不能看…………
深蓝213
要努力提高政治觉悟，提升作品的政治内涵和思想品格。要争取既赢得广电总局的首肯，又赢得中宣部的首肯。
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我呸~
拿人手短，吃人嘴软。
同上！
罗逼小浩浩
没资助，喊不受重视，受打压。
有资助，喊被收买，被控制。
原来，他们不是他们，是人们嘴里的他们。
逼。
guoguo
只是想把艺术家变成革命家，再把把革命家变为歌颂家。
Rick
自己编个新闻乐乐就被当成论据，有比这个更无聊的么？捕风捉影，上纲上线，整个搞得跟文化大革命似的。
满城尽是走资派……
yefu
皇上赐酒，谁敢不喝？
小天天
资助，可以不接受吗…
—————————
可以，但估计小鞋可以穿到死==；
yy
资助接受了,就被控制管理了
真是无耻,拿别人的才华,做自己的嫁妆
江东牛人
谢主隆恩，吾皇万岁万岁万万岁
ppp
据悉，广电总局将派专人指导影片的剧本讨论，主题设定。
——–
真的吗？
JJ是自己的你管操谁？
本人愿意出钱资助青年导演有16人，包括陆川、王小帅、徐静蕾、贾樟柯、宁浩、宁才、乌兰塔娜、张扬等出国到海外拍摄中国的电影，任何狗逼重要思想都不能左右一个有理想的艺术家的创作和作品，任何服务于政D的艺术都不是艺术，在国外是政D选举的广告，在国内是垃圾。
贪污上亿元的官员也没有回头是岸的想法，一个50万就能改变一个艺术家的追求？就能收买一个正义人士?去死吧！
charley
“广电总局将派专人指导影片的剧本讨论，主题设定。这一资助计划将成为一种制度，并会不断改进，以保证每年主旋律影片投拍。”
“要争取既赢得广电总局的首肯，又赢得中宣部的首肯。”
在这样的资助下，还能拍出好电影吗？？？！！！

author: John Kennedy


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Hong Kong: doraemons fans’ websites forced to closed down · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Animation International issued legal document and demanded the closed down of non-profitable cartoon fans’ website in Hong Kong. All of them are run by Japanese cartoon figure doraemons’ fans: doraemons.dorafans.com, search.dorafans.com, keithyuen.dorafans.com,


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Hong Kong: warning against homosexual program · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The Television and Entertainment licensing authority issued a warning to Radio and Television Broadcast Hong Kong regarding a TV program on homosexual love and marriage. The chief of Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau immediately demanded to meet with the head of RTHK. Many citizens and netizens, including Mo at inmediahk.net (who had working experience in commerical radio company), believed that such act was to give pressure to RTHK and violated the freedom of speech principle (zh).


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Kenya: another torch is possible · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kikuyumoja's Realm writes about an environmental-friendly torch in Kenya, “Instead of informing the public about a proper waste management, I can only repeat my usual prayers: what we need are eco-effective products. But until then, let’s start using more environment-friendly products such as this dynamo torch that just eliminates the use of batteries.”


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Kenya: the Dalai Lama not welcome in Kenya · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Gathara's World responds to the news that the Dalai Lama has once again being denied Kenyan visa: The Dalai Lama doesn't need to come to the Maasai Mara to see Kenyan animals. Just watching the antics of the government over the his proposed visit should suffice. Moody Awori's monkey business simply provides more evidence that Kenya under Kibaki is a banana republic.


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Kenya: the revolution will not be televised · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Black Looks writes from Nairobi, Kenya where she is attending the World Social Forum, “Maybe individual issues can be dealt with country by country and networking across the globe is positive – but another world – as Gil Scot Heron Said “The Revolution will not be televised” in this case it will not be starting in Nairobi Kenya…. The struggle continues – some of us are ready but we need to be more coherent and well it will not happen without some serious sacrifice and risk taking and people are just not yet prepared to SEIZE THE TIME!”


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Malawi/USA: legacies of peace and justice · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

afrika-aphukira reflects on the legacies of peace and justice through the works of John Chilembwe and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ” In Malawi, January 15th is celebrated as Chilembwe Day, in honor of the Reverend John Chilembwe who in 1915 led the first ever uprising against white racism and colonialism in what was then known as Nyasaland. In the United States, January 15th is celebrated as Martin Luther King Jr.”


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Martinique: Homophobia and Segolene Royal’s Socialist Party · Global Voices
Alice Backer

The French Socialist Party's  presidential candidate Segolene Royal. Photo by Manuel MC.
Le Blog de [Moi], the blog of an out Martiniquan lesbian, tackled a budding controversy in local Martiniquan politics last week.  Martinique, though in the Americas, is a French Overseas Department (what the French call a D.O.M.) and Martiniquans are French citizens. Mainland French politicians therefore have to court Martiniquan voters and French Presidential candidate Segolene Royal is no exception. The candidate of the French Socialist Party (which I'll call SP for short), she would be the first French woman president if elected and as part of her campaign she is planning a visit to Martinique soon. However, she has a brewing controversy in her hands because apparently officials  of her party in Martinique are holding a discourse about homosexuality and gay marriage that is very different from the one held by officials of the very same party in France.
Le Blog de [Moi] opened up an interesting debate about this very issue in the following words:
Les dates de la venue de la candidate du Parti Socialiste dans l’île, attendue fin janvier, font l’objet de nombre de spéculations. Reportée une première fois, cette visite est attendue à plus d’un titre : … pour une clarification nécessaire de [la] position [de Segolene Royal] vis-à-vis d’un certain nombre de propos homophobes tenus par des élus so cialistes de premier plan, dont Marlène Lanoix (première secrétaire fédérale) et Raymond Occolier (délégué national du PS à l’éducation et à la mémoire), sous couvert de la religion (tous deux sont de confession chrétienne).
The blogger continues:
Pour ces élus PS, le PaCS est une “dérive de société décadente” et ses partisan(e)s sont accusés de “galvauder” le mot de “liberté”. L’homosexualité est assimilé l’inceste et ils s’opposent finalement à l’ouverture du mariage et de l’adoption aux couples de même sexe au nom, de la “tradition chrétienne”. Raymond Occolier, conseiller régional PS de Martinique et maire du Vauclin, a notamment déclaré en pleine université de rentrée de la fédération PS de Martinique : “Je ne veux pas de mariage homosexuel ! S’ils veulent être homosexuels, c’est leur droit ! Et puis dans la Bible, Dieu dit que c’est une abomination !“. Nous parlons bien d’élus de la République française dite laïque.
An Nou Allé … s’est saisie très tôt des éléments les plus récents de l’affaire … en demandant clairement à la direction du PS d’une part la condamnation de propos contraires à la laïcité et d’autre part que des sanctions soient envisagées et appliquées. A ce jour, le PS et Victorin Lurel (secrétaire national du PS à l’Outre-Mer) notamment à certes condamné les propos tenus mais au niveau des sanctions c’est une autre paire de manche. Contrairement à ce qui a été dit en novembre 2006, Marlène Lanoix n’a toujours pas été traduite devant la commission nationale des conflits du PS et Raymond Occolier, lui, n’ayant pas de mandat national, n’a pas non plus été traduit devant la commission locale du PS ! Vous avez dit impunité ?
But what about the SP candidate in all this? Still according to [Moi]:
Ségolène Royal n’a à ce jour pas fait de commentaires sur cette affaire (qui concerne également un élu guadeloupéen en la personne de Jules Otto) alors que le projet socialiste adopté en mai 2006 est clair: “Le mariage et l’adoption seront ouverts aux couples de même sexe”. Que fera donc ce cher Monsieur Occolier en cas de victoire PS aux prochaines élections si tant est que les promesses soient tenues ? La question mérite d’être posée…
Blog readers weighed in and Kat had this to say :
Oui c’est ça l’ennui : savoir si le PS tiendra parole ou non… Car on nous promet toujours bien des choses mais c’est très rare que les politiques les mettent en application.


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Nigeria: falling in love with makossa and soukous · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nigerian blogger, Olawunmi, on why he loves makossa/soukous, “i love makossa. i just do. i think its one of the most beautiful forms of musical expression out there. on one hand, it can be so extravagant and colourful, showcasing everything that's beautiful about the people of sub-saharan africa, and on the other hand it can be mellow and soulful; just like we are, even when we're not trying to be the centre of attention, or when we're trying to express how deeply feeling runs in our beings.”


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Nigeria/UK: wishing Big Brother was about racism · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“I wish Big Brother was about racism,” writes Akin, “I have convinced myself that I do need to wade into this Big Brother saga because I have not seen much that addresses the fundamental problem that has been blanketed by racism and in doing so absolved us from identifying what is really wrong.”


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South Africa: African Digerati · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

White Africa interviews Neville Newey, the man behind Muti, a South African Digg like site, “Neville Newey is the second in the African Digerati series of interviews. What he wouldn’t say here, because he is too humble, is that he takes his own initiative to create change. Anyone who has worked with him knows how open he is to discussing ideas and features – this is a rare trait to have in our profession, where everyone seems to get their egos tied up in their work.”


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South Korea: more on textbook · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Jacky's post about Chinese BBS's discussion of Korean textbook has some follow up discussion at Marmot's Hole by R. Elgin. There is a long comment thread with some more background about the issue.


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Turkey is Typing…the Death of Hrant Dink · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

While normally this column focuses on what only Turkish bloggers are saying, sometimes events happen that warrant the voices of not only Turkish points-of-views but others as well.  The Death of Hrant Dink is one of those moments.
As a bit of background- Hrant Dink was a Turkish-Armenian journalist and editor of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos.  Convicted in 2005 of “insulting Turkishness”, Dink has been seen as the champion of the Armenian cause in Turkey.  He was gunned down in Istanbul, in broad daylight on January 19th.  According to news reports, a suspect in the shooting have been detained, but speculation on who is really to blame for this political assassination continues.
“We are all Armenians, We are all Hrant Dink.”
To much surprise (which I will show in a few more paragraphs) citizens of Turkey took to the streets chanting “We are all Armenians, We are all Hrant Dink”.  Erkan's Field Diary reports of widespread Turkish condemnation of the murder and also points out that Dink is the 62nd Turkish journalist that has been assassinated since the founding of the Republic of Turkey.  Metroblogging Istanbul has photos of the protests.
The Infidel writes:
Hrant Dink was murdered in a heinous and cowardly way, most likely, by some brainless and lost ultra-nationalist Turkish young man, who I hope will be brought to justice as soon as possible. I am deeply saddened by Hrant's death because I believe that he had good intentions for Turkey and the Turkish people. Although I don't agree with everything he said and wrote, it is clear that he was a peaceful activist voicing his norm-opposing views to raise awareness, which is the bread and butter of any democracy. No human being should be persecuted for his/her opinions in any country, but especially in Turkey.
James in Turkey expresses surprise and anger over the shooting:
I am angry. I am angry because there are people out there who seem to think it is perfectly justified to kill a man who speaks contrary views. I have a perfectly clear idea of who I think is responsible, but there is little use in churning out conspiracy theories now. Suffice to point out that it was in a crowded street, on a busy morning. This was no impulsive killing.
Spooky Sense by Garfucious writes a letter to Dink stating: “sorry, hrant dink. not only have they killed you, they've also choked your voice.”
Talk Turkey urges Turkey to use this assassination as a beginning point for real discussion to take place about the Armenian Genocide to better Turkey's chances of getting in the EU:
I am sick and tired of the ‘business as usual’ attitude shown by Turks and the Turkish government up to now and extending even beyond this latest assassination to silence the voices of reason. Wake up Turks in Turkey and abroad! And prepare to not only ‘debate’ this issue (but act on it as well,) of Turkey's greatest taboo, unilaterally if need be. But settle this once and for all.
Most Turkish blogs choose to show they shock and remorse by placing simple messages of solidarity and obituaries on their sites, such as Mavi Boncuk, the White Path, and Amerikan Turk.
Who Does This Belong To?
The death of Hrant Dink is not just a Turkish issue, but one of concern to many.  Michael Levy writing for the Brittanica.com blog sprouts an excellent comment discussion between Turkish and Armenian bloggers with his post:
Though it’s probably asking too much, hopefully Dink’s death will cause a reexamination of the Turkish constitution’s Article 301, which makes it illegal to “denigrate Turkishness,” and the treatment of individuals who hold views that run counter to those of the majority of Turks, and lead to a real debate whereby people who hold such contrarian views–not only in Turkey but elsewhere–can make their claims without fear of prison time or death threats.
Robert Fisk from the Independent called Dink the 1,500,001st victim of the Armenian genocide. iArarat, an Armenian blog, described the situation thus:
The murder of Hrant Dink has shocked many. It did not come however as a surprise to many of us who have been closely following political and social developments in Turkey. To many of us the hand that pulled the trigger ending Hrant’s precious life is the same hand that signed the orders to put Armenians of the Ottoman Empire to death en masse. It is a metaphysical continuity, a logical outcome of an ideology that resists tolerance and bona fide towards the other, the outsider, the gavur, the Armenian. And never mind the that the murdered is an Armenian, the political opportunists in Turkey and their hired pens in the Turkish media were quick to capitalize on the tragedy of Hrant’s murder and proclaim that the murder was aimed at the identity of the Turks, their international image and prestige.
The Blogian writes about how Turkey is solely to blame for the assassination while Blogrel (another pro-Armenian blog) only speculates:
It would be interesting to find out if this teen acted alone or had ties to a group. I doubt we will ever know the authentic truth.
It’s been a very difficult news event for me to follow and reflect upon. From what I can gather, this man was very much loved and respected by not only community ethnic Armenians but by the activist/progressive Turkish community.
Blogrel further speculates:
Whilst this is a tragedy, and a great, great loss. I wonder if there are some people who may seek to use this event as both publicity for the Armenian Genocide ( lets face it, it has been on major news screens today) , and also a chance to insult Turkey. I worry that statements like that of Tigran Torosyan do nothing but agitate an already tense situation. It is naieve to consider that the assassination of Hrant Dink should make Turkey not “even dream” of European Union entry. It is also a bad reflection on the Armenian official position – and I am waiting to hear a comment that suggests this is some kind of Armenian perpertration. It is really time for our Armenian politicians to think carefully about the way they react to this murder.
The best source for information on vigils and reactions to the death of Hrant Dink in Armenia is provided by OneWorld Multimedia.  The most hopeful post about the shooting and what it's future implications could be comes from Neweurasia “Hrant Dink- Bringing Armenians and Turks together?”  It is an excellent question, one which I hope will be answered sooner rather than later.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


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Uganda: bloggers meetup · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Jackfruity writes about the Ugandan Bloggers Happy Hour, “The topics of conversation at Thursday night's Inaugural Uganda Bloggers Happy Hour ranged from cell phones to Alice Lakwena to the transvestitical possibilities of Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Jabberwocky was recited, blogging addictions were confessed, heaven was declared to be just like North Korea, and the Ugandan blogosphere gained a fanboy. Also, we unanimously agreed that Inktus is hot.”


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Zimbabwe: Questioning the judiciary and the abortive opposition · Global Voices
Zimpundit

Morgan Tsvangirai, and not Robert Mugabe, has become the most poignant effigy symbolizing the tragedy that is Zimbabwe.  Much like the young nation that stood replete with promise and seemingly unlimited potential in the early 90's, Tsvangirai emerged as the most potent threat to Mugabe's tyranny at the turn of the century.  Just like the country, once known as “Africa's breadbasket” has become Africa's basket case, Tsvangirai has turned into a tragic case of a could've been, should've been.
The increasingly isolated leader of the main opposition held a publicized press confrence announcing that Mugabe's efforts to hang on to power would be rebuffed.  Unsurprisingly, this event, which early 1998 galvanized the nation's workers to a work stoppage that ground the nation to standstill was hardly noticed by ordinary Zimbwabeans. People are not happy with state of the nation, neither are they happy with Tsvangirai.
Bev Clark at Kubatanablogs epitomizes the deep frustration felt by many Zimbabweans at the arbotive opposition:
Tsvangirai believes that elections are the way to go, either in 2008 or whenever. Never mind that we’ve had the last several elections stolen from under our noses. Yes of course we agree that the conditions need to be rectified in order to hold accountable and transparent elections but we also know that this is the very last thing that Mugabe will allow because it would be shooting himself in his own small foot.
So therefore we have the two dominant political parties in Zimbabwe playing the same old games. Zanu PF is bound to win, and the MDC is bound to lose – unless the MDC stops ploughing the same old barren fields of thought and action.
Using the judiciary as a political weapon
Meanwhile David Coltart, the MDC's shadow Justice minister penned a sharp rebuke of the government's priorities after a prominent judge publicly denounced government's poor regard of the judiciary on his blog:
However the reason why this deleterious situation has been allowed to arise is because the Zanu PF regime does not care about justice and only tolerates the Judiciary in so far as it serves its purposes. Since 2000 law, and the justice system in general, has been used as a weapon against legitimate democratic opposition. Spurious charges have been brought against opposition leaders, activists and supporters; equally spurious trials have been held. Judges have delayed politically sensitive matters such as electoral petitions and applications for the release of activists, including MPs, causing serious miscarriages of justice. Many Judges have seriously compromised their independence by taking and occupying farms often unlawfully seized from commercial farmers.
Still on the judiciary, The Bearded Man has a report about some white farmers who are making a last ditch effort at keeping their land by opposing impending redistribution of their land in court.  He fatalistically opines, “Rest assured, Mugabe will make sure that even if the courts were to order the government to back down, they will ignore it, taking the farm by force if necessary.”
New blogger on the block
Be sure to check the newest Zimbabwean Blog: Zimbabwe:Outpost of Tyranny.

author: Zimpundit


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Argentina: Comet McNaught · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Both Robert Wright and Jeff Barry were able to photograph Comet McNaught as it passed over Buenos Aires’ Sunday night sky and provide some valuable links for more info on the comet.


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Argentina: Sex Meme · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Mirko of Weblog de un chico GAY is tired of the ubiquitous “5 things meme” and so rebels by taking part in the more intimate sexual meme [ES]. We learn that he prefers the lights off, wears boxers, and his musical selection? “Bossa, Chill Out.” Could this be the start to a digerati sexual revolution? Or just too much info?


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Argentina: Still searching for Julio Lopez · Global Voices
David Sasaki

“Thursday marked four months from the disappearance of Jorge Julio Lopez, an elderly witness who has been missing since testifying in the trial against a police official from the last dictatorship. Displayed sporadically throughout the city are posters and graffiti serving as reminders that he is still missing. Despite these efforts, there seems to be little progress in actually finding the man.” Jeff Barry has an update with photographs of last week's protest march in Plaza de Mayo.


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Armenia: Land of Bisexuality · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

One Armenian World writes about bisexuality in Armenia.


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Armenia: Mourning Hrant Dink · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Zarchka writes about mourning Hrant Dink and attending the vigil for him in Yerevan. Oneworld Multimedia has photos of the vigil as well as many more posts on Dink.


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Bangladesh: The racist subcontinent · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Reacting to the Big Brother Racism controversy, Mezba says “The whole subcontinent. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. We discriminate daily based on caste, skin fairness, gender, religion (or inter-religion as in Sunni/Shia so on). Yet we are always the first ones to criticize.”


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Benin: Government Cracks Down on Telecom Sector · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Says Ouestaf.com (Fr): “A study  commissioned by Benins’ government came to the “bitter conclusion” that great anarchy prevails in the country's telecom sector, inciting the goverment to announce a series of drastic measures.”


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Bolivia: A Conflict Online · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Video taken by Estotaweno of the “Youth for Democracy” crowd that broke through the police line towards an eventual confrontation with coca farmers in Cochabamba.
January 11, 2007 is already being called “Black January” for the civil conflict that left 2 dead and hundreds injured in the city of Cochabamba.  The blogger Carlos Gustavo Machiado Salas of Guccio’s [ES] asked in October of last year, “Which color for this October?” in reference to another civil conflict in the mining town of Huanuni, which left many more dead than what occurred in Cochabamba.  The label “Black October” was already taken after the disturbances in October of 2003, which saw the resignation of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and another conflict in February 2003 is also considered “Black February”. What makes the “Black January 2007” different than the other months where Bolivians died in street violence is that it took place during the boom of citizen’s media and other participatory software.  One of the few bloggers who was blogging the events of October 2003 was Miguel Centellas of Ciao!, who was spending some time on a Fulbright fellowship in La Paz.  His day by day account as someone living through the blockades that made life difficult in La Paz was an important source of information during this time.  Since then, very little coverage from non-journalist citizens ever made the light until now.
Fast forward to January 2007 and many more Bolivians utilized software such as Flickr and YouTube to upload their eyewitness accounts from their vantage points on that day.
Flickr user Miskifotitos was one of the first to upload his photos of the marches and assemblies.  However, he found out the hard way that even with explicit Creative Commons classification, the photos still ended up on other blogs without due credit.  Another photojournalist, Jimena Bautista, a Brasilian working with the local newspaper Los Tiempos also was onsite to record the aftermath, including a very graphic photo of one of the killed (warning: viewer discretion advised) and another photo of a crowd carrying the other's coffin through the city.
Very little was written by Cochabambinos on the ground, but the conflict was a large topic of discussion by Bolivians living elsewhere. One who was in Cochabamba at the time was Jim Schultz of the Democracy Center blog.  His daily accounts drew a lot of criticism in the comments section, as many said that he was biased in his reporting.
Users like Estotaweno filmed from a high rise building safe from harm and Nenamade took three different videos from the same vantage point during various points during the day.
The blogger Morir Antes Esclavos Vivir [ES] uploaded two videos [1 of a Bolivian television news report, 2] that many bloggers like Andres Pucci and Hugo Miranda have found very interesting.  It states that the 17-year-old boy, Cristian Urresti that was killed during the conflict was killed after being protected inside a house.  The residents protected the young boy, but it was determined that he needed to be taken to a hospital. However, the protestors outside the house prohibited such an action and ended up killing the boy, much to the horror of the residents.
A witness in the story stated that the cocaleros (coca growers) had filmed the entire incident on a camera.  That video could provide clues as to who was ultimately responsible for the brutal death, but it is very unlikely that video will ever find its way to sites like YouTube.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Bolivia: One year of Morales · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Jim Shultz and Boz each give their own analysis of Evo Morales’ first year in office. Mark in Mexico takes a jab at Morales following his claim that Mexican President Felipe Calderón humiliated him at the Mercosur summit.


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Cambodia: Getting Married to the Family · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Vutha writes about the tradional marriages in Cambodia and the customs associated with such a marriage including the dowry that the groom's family has to pay to to the bride's family.

author: Preetam Rai


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Cambodia: Involve People in ASEAN · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Vireak in Cambodia argues that for the regional group ASEAN(Association of South East Asian Nations) to succeed, it needs more involvement of the people living in the region rather than the politicians. “Politically, we’re divided but our people have generally been getting along well. Why not using the people power to great effect? Leave it to country leaders alone, things may never progress. People have to play a part. That’s why educating the mass about the benefit of ASEAN as a group is important. “


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Guinea: Conakry is Dying · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Pourquoi L'Afrique Claudique reflects (Fr) on the Lansana Konte dictatorship in Guinea: “This country, considered one of the 20 poorest  in the world despite its economic potential, will only be hurt by a general strike which has been going on for a week along with daily arrests. May those who are in charge on this continent of acting to prevent conflicts that might hurt our peoples do so now in the interest of Guinea and of the continent. Help! Conakry is dying!”


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India: Blogging Monkeys · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

A mainstream media newspaper publishes a cartoon that seems to hint that bloggers are nothing but typing monkeys. Marketing Practice comments on the cartoon in the context of Consumer Generated Media. “The depiction of the blogger as a monkey also reveals another side of the arrogance: do the editors feel themselves as someone above the readers?”


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Iran:A trip without any benefits · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a reformist politician, talks about Ahmadinejad's trip to Latin America.He writes:”Mr Ahmadinejad’s trip to three anti-American courtiers was among the most cost-bearing and useless events in the foreign policy of the ninth government at present. These countries are neither political allies, nor ideological ones and they do not share the same benefits with Iran. While America is preparing public opinion for attacking Iran, how can we justify preparing the ground for such excuses?”


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Iran:Don’t Nuke me  · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kamangir has created a banner with this slogan:Don't Nuke me I don't support him.The blogger used a creative way to say Iranians are not supposed to be attacked for Ahmadinejad's policy.


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Iran:FarsiTube · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

FarsiTube is based on YouTube and you can discover a lot of video clips about Iran or related stories.


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Iran:Inflation makes us forgot about war · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Roozmarigiha says Iranian people are so busy with high prices that pay no attention what is going on outside country's borders.The blogger says people just complain about inflation and do not listen to the news that USA is preparing for a war against Iran[Fa].


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Iran:Too expensive tomatoes and American warships · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

ViewfromIran talks about a hot topic in Iran:the price of tomatoes.The blogger shares with us her connversation with a couple of friends. The blogger writes:“Why is everything suddenly so expensive?” “There are American warships in the Persian Gulf,” I say. By the way,“Ahmadinejad says If tomatoes are expensive then come to my neighborhood to buy them.”


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Kazakhstan: The Innovative Mr. Vassilenko · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

At neweurasia, Arthur reports on Roman Vassilenko, the spokesman of Kazakhstan's embassy to the United States and Canada, his innovative use of the internet, and his skillful handling of the press.


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Kazakhstan: World Class Sports · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Ben Paarmann says that Kazakhstan, unlike other Central Asian states, is a home for world class sports.


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Mexico: Gay rights leader murdered · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Andres Duque describes the murder of Mexican gay rights leader José Ernesto Leal Rodriguez who was stabbed to death in his Matamoros apartment. Federal deputy David Sanchez Camacho and commenters on Duque's blog are tired of police departments describing the murders of gays as “crimes of passion.”


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Myanmar: The Joys of Rangoon · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Don Gilliland visits the Myanmarese capital city Yangoon (or Rangoon as it was formarly known) and gives us a glimpse into some of the fun things to do in Rangoon.


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Nepal: Inheritance of Loss · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Deepak Adhikari on Kiran Desai's Inheritance of Loss. “It was nice to read the story of Gorkhaland movement at a time when the demand is resurfacing. …I was in this small hill station Kalimpong in mid 1990s. A religious group called Krishna Pranami from Itahari organized a tour to Kalimpong to attend to Mangaldham.”


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Nepal: Predictions for the blogosphere · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Nepali Voices has predictions for the Nepali Blogosphere in 2007. “The biggest catalyst in the increasing number of blogs will be the traditional media. It will be difficult to leave out the buzz of blogs. They will covering blogs and blogging thus promoting the ‘blog literacy’.


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Pakistan: Chinese on a Pakistani vehicle · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Chinese and Japanese languages make an appearance on transport vehicles in Pakistan. Light Within says “Over the past few years, Chinese and Japanese characters have increasingly appeared on Pakistani public transport as decorations. .. I’ve been fortunate to have a Chinese language expert at home as my wife so we enjoy reading a lot of these decorative instructuction markings, which at times do not even make sense.


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Russia: Conversation With Litvinenko’s Widow · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

David McDuff of A Step At A Time is translating parts of the conversation with Aleksandr Litvinenko's widow Marina, recorded by the Israeli journalist Natasha Mozgovaya (LJ user mozgovaya): part 1, part 2, part 3.


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Russia: Localization · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

According to The Turkish Invasion, “you have been in Russia long time, when…” – when, for example, “you get suspiscious when someone smiles at you (rightly so)” (44 more items on this list).


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Russia: Moscow Snow · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Two-Zero has photos of the long-awaited snow in Moscow – which was almost completely gone the next day.


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Russia: “The New Wave of Nazi Terror” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

“From Knives to Bombs: The New Wave of Nazi Terror in Russia“: Sean's Russia Blog publishes a text by Vlad Tupikin (LJ user tupikin) – who “frequently writes on anti-fascism, Russian anarchism and the anti-globalization movement in Russia;” translated from Russian by Thomas Campbell.


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Singapore: The First Fast Food Restaurant · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Lam Chun See and his friend Peter Tan remember the first fast food restaurant in Singapore.”I doubt many young people know that Singapore’s first fast food restaurant was not from MacDonald’s or KFC …”


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Tajikistan: Stealing Phone Cables · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Vadim reports that poverty and high prices for nonferrous metals are driving people in Tajikistan to steal telephone wires.


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Terrorism in Assam and Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, a take in Hindi! · Global Voices
Amit Gupta

These last two weeks have seen fairly good amount of activity in the Hindi Blogosphere. With the political & other elections season coming up, its hard to ignore it & the resulting activity. So while Rachna composed a poem on elections describing how the environment would be in a village and Eswami is also not far behind in expressing his thoughts on Hillary and Presidentship. And elections is not all thats in for political scene. It very much has its ugly side as well, like how terrorists in Assam shot labourers from Bihar just because they are not natives and according to them Assam belongs only to the Assamese and no outsider is allowed to come there. The point those terrorists are making is that Assam is an independent region under opression of India, its just like the age-long Kashmir situation where terrorists funded by the western neighbour plunder killing one and all who do not agree with their fanatical beliefs.
Further elaborating on the Assam problem, Jitu writes that maybe this problem is arising because of regional divide as people are putting themselves and their region before the interests of the country. And that is being seeded and fueled by the Ulfa Terrorists whose leader is in the safe Bangladeshi haven while his troops march around in Assam dictating their terms. And the political leaders are doing nothing because they are concerned more with their votebank in form of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants who illegally cross the borders and settle in Assam and neighbouring states, the local politicians(for their own gain) furnish them with false ids and papers which declare them as citizens of India and thus allowing them to cast their votes to form the government.
And as per Himanshu, India has been fighting the islamic terrorists till now and from now on it'll have to fight off Christian Terrorists as well which are starting to crawl out from under their rocks in the eastern states of India while Srijan Shilpi is also pondering on what can be the solution for this Assam issue. However, all this is sponsored terrorism, whether its funded by an enemy country or the local politicians. Else what will burning of shops and vehicles in Bangluroo(erstwhile Bangalore) will be called, an action which some followers of islam executed in supposed opposition to execution of Saddam!
Someone with some sense would be clearly able to see that all this is nothing but attempts to create anarchy by anti-social elements as opposing by burning property of fellow citizens would not bring a dead man to life. However Srijan Shilpi brought some good news in the form of the recent ruling of Supreme Court of India where the judiciary bench passed a ruling due to which the state assemblies will no longer be able to keep any of their decisions out of reach of judicial evalution, something which they did now and then as the constitution had given them the right to do so, which resulted in many unfair and unpleasant laws made and imposed on people by their state assemblies and no one was able to challenge them.
Moving on from politics, another draw for most people is investments, be it in a company's stocks or in real-estate or any other lucrative avaenue. So keeping that in mind, Jitu generously told everyone about the two lucrative real-estate deals that are in the market, the Castle Dracula in Romania and if you want, an island country called Sealand is also for sale! ;)
Another thing that I'm sure a lot of Indians(especially Hindi speaking ones) resent is why are they addressed and spoken to in English when both them and the person talking to them knows perfect Hindi. This kind of thing can be seen in a lot of upscale restaurants and hotels etc. but I was quite pleased to see the sign of “We will be happy to talk to you in Hindi” in a cafe in Connaught Place last week. Eswami told everyone about this new gadget in market which will easily convert your old music cassettes to MP3 format for easy listening on computer or MP3 players. Not far behind, Unmukt suprised everyone by blogging that Linux users are more sexy and sensitive than other operating system users. I'm sure that a lot of Windows and Mac users will refute this claim which appear to be baseless. ;)
Fresh from the recently accomplished Hindi Blogger of 2006 competition, Tarakash team is at it again, this time they are going to start the Best Hindi Blog Post competition which will select the best blog post written in Hindi every two months. These people are really pushing it in style now, and these small incentives will definitely encourage more people to blogging and push existing hindi bloggers to write more and better, hats off to Tarakash team.
GK Awadhiya's narration of Mahabharat continues as Arjun returns after getting divine weapons from heaven and eldest Pandav Yudhishtra saves his cousin(and enemy) Duryodhana's life.
Links courtsey: Narad

author: Amit Gupta


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Thailand: Bangkok Bombs · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Agamsgecko writes about the latest angle in the on-going investigation into the New Year's eve bombing in Bangkok. Investigators now suspect the involvement of a regional militant group Jemaah Islamiyah‘s hand in the terrorist act.


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The Global Voices Show #4 · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Finally — the fourth episode of The Global Voices Show has landed! In this edition we feature excerpts from the following podcasts:
- The IndiCast (India) – also see Global Voices article “The Blogospheres on Big Brother, Shilpa Shetty, Bullying and Racism“
– Pambazuka News (Zimbabwe)
– Palabras Libres (Bolivia) – also see related Global Voices articles “Cochabamba in mourning: Bolivian bloggers react” and “Bolivia: A Conflict Online“
– Pambazuka News World Social Forum Special
– Arté Radio (Senegal)
– ChinesePod (China)
Also featured on this show are the following music tracks: Various remixes of “Aven le Roma” from the Nomada – Tilos Rádió remix CD, “Kadar”, by Mariano Steimberg, from the Música Lliure 2 CD, and “SambiraBossubhe”, remixed by Richard III, from ccMixter South Africa.
This episode of The Global Voices Show is available in the following formats:
– MP3 (15:12 min; 10.5MB)
– Enhanced AAC (15:12 min; 7.7MB) – with embedded images and links. For iTunes and owners of later model iPods.
You can play both of these directly from this page by clicking on the “Audio MP3″ and “Audio M4A” buttons at the end of this post.
Or subscribe to this podcast using any of the following links:
MP3 (all Global Voices podcasts) – RSS | iTunes (podcast page) | iTunes (direct subscription link) | Odeo
AAC (Global Voices Show) – RSS | iTunes (podcast page) | iTunes (direct subscription link)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS


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Uganda: Bloggers Gathering, Best of Blogs, Ugandan Mercenaries in Iraq And Recolonization of Africa · Global Voices
Joshua Goldstein

As manic as a beat poetry gathering in New York or a circumcision ceremony in eastern Uganda, last Thursday's Ugandan Blogger Happy Hour was a mirthful gathering of creativity and wit. Poetry was recited, radical political doctrines defended, and blogging obsessions confessed. The first gathering of its kind in Uganda, the event laid the groundwork for the relationships necessary to establish a strong, meaningful and vibrant Ugandan blogging community.The event will take place monthly in Kampala, and there are plans to feature ‘Uganda Best of Blogs’ awards:
At last week's Uganda Bloggers Happy Hour, I may at one point have been so overcome with spirited enthusiasm that I declared an upcoming blogging competition without real regard to who would organize, sponsor or regulate such a competition.
Jackfruity, who has the guest list and pictures from the gathering, writes:
The topics of conversation at Thursday night's Inaugural Uganda Bloggers Happy Hour ranged from cell phones to Alice Lakwena to the transvestitical possibilities of Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Jabberwocky was recited, blogging addictions were confessed, heaven was declared to be just like North Korea, and the Ugandan blogosphere gained a fanboy. Also, we unanimously agreed that Inktus is hot.
Northern Uganda and the Horn of Africa
In Uganda, stories about foreign relations with countries from East Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and America dominate the headlines and the blogs.
As Juba peace talks between the Government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continue to stall, the LRA's colorful and enigmatic spokesman in Nairobi called for the talks to be moved from Sudan to Kenya, citing bias on the part of the Government of Southern Sudan.
While the partners in the talks squabble over location, the people of northern Uganda held their first joyous New Year's celebration in two decades, celebrating the fact that at least one million displaced persons were able to return home in 2006. However, the first weeks of the new year brought increased fear that the blundering of the peace talks would lead to a return of abductions and violence in the North.
On to the Horn of Africa, where a conversation between President Museveni and President Bush led to the Ugandan announcement that they would take a lead in a peace keeping mission in Somalia, following the routing of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) by the Ethiopians over Christmas. In an African Minute weighs in on whether Uganda is ready to send its troops to foreign lands:
So is it a good idea that Uganda, at the urging of American Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, recently pledged over 1,000 troops for stabilizing the region?
Well, it depends. Anarchy in Somali ports, a major port of entry for small arms, is one major reason that the Horn and East Africa are so destabilized. Guns from Somali ports feed the most dilapidated war zones in the world: southern Sudan, northern Uganda and eastern DRC. Also, no one in the region benefits from a Somali led by Islamists with extremists leanings, who enjoy basking in the support of Saudi Arabia and Iran instead of promoting a moderate image that assures the international community that they will not turn Somalia into a Al-Qaeda training ground.
Ugandan Mercenaries in Iraq and Re-colonization of Africa
In a lesser-known story, Sub-Saharan African Roundtable discusses why Ugandans are the prefered mercenaries for private security firms in Iraq:
According to various sources, Ugandan servicemen serving private military companies in Iraq have a good reputation. Their command of English offers an advantage over Asian and other competitors for non-combat guarding jobs. However in this billion-dollar industry, Ugandans’ share of the booty is being shared by the lack of malpractices at home- and the need for better regulatory oversight.
Also on Sub-Saharan African Roundtable, a well-written but intensely provocative and perhaps evasively satirical unsigned piece calls for the re-colonization of Africa:
I would like to recommend that instead of wasting our time and wringing our hands in helplessness while the rest of the world slowly but surely gets numb to our pain and leaves us behind even faster, we should let these good white folk come back to actually and effectively run our African countries and affairs. Yes – we know that white people control our budgets behind those curtains of donor aid and NGO’s – but they give momentary power to uninstitutionalized Africans – who can, in less than a heart beat, do more damage to a good and viable project than 1,000 barracudas can do to a ton of succulent lean beef!

author: Joshua Goldstein


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Ukraine: More on Kushnaryov’s Death · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Much more on Yevhen Kushnaryov's somewhat mysterious death and other political matters – at Foreign Notes, here and here, and at Ukrainiana, here.


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Ukraine, Romania: The Bridge · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukraine List reports that a bridge has finally been constructed to connect two villages – one in Ukraine, the other in Romania: “The bridge was even the subject of a documentary by Romanian director, Ileana Stanculescu, called appropriately The Bridge. The short (75 min.) film came out in 2004 and documents the absurdity of a situation where friends and family have been separated for decades leaving people to literally communicate by shouting over the river.”


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Uruguay: Touring by Bicycle · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Trading in his motorcycle, The Bent Gringo explains why he has opted for a recumbent bicycle on this tour of Uruguay.

author: David Sasaki


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Uzbekistan: Presidential Term Expires · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Registan.net says that the term of Uzbekistan's president expires today, depending on how you look at it.


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Vietnam: Lantern Festival · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Backwater Views urges those visiting Saigon to drop in on the Lantern festival happening at Saigon Zoo. “Supposedly about 40 artists worked on the lanterns that are on display during January, depicting famous sights from around the world. It's only 35 000 vnd if you're in town and well worth a visit.” . The blogger has pictures of some of the exhibits.


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Abu Aardvark: Spotlight on the Sunni-Shia Question · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Abu Aardvark sheds some light on the Shia-Sunni conflict, following a visit to Egypt. His comments are timely considering the increasing human toll from the civil war in Iraq with Iran being accused of instigating sectarian strife in the Arab world.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Africa: African Journals Online · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

My Africa Today writes about African Journals Online, “African Journals OnLine (AJOL) is a service to provide access to African published research, and increase worldwide knowledge of indigenous scholarship.”


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Albania: Election Posters · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Our Man in Tirana posts pictures of election posters in Albania's capital.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Armenia: Hrant Dink Memorial  · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

AllFOLK's Blog and Oneworld Multimedia have photos from the public memorial in Yerevan for Hrant Dink.


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Aruba: National park photos · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

ArubaGirl posts some pictures of Aruba's National Park Arikok.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Bahamas: Inspired by Wangari Maathai · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Lynn Sweeting is inspired by a letter from Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel prize winner Wangari Maathai, to plant trees in her neighbourhood.


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Bahamas: Leaving the tourism plantation · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

“All of us can collectively turn our backs by remembering that tourism is a job that we do, it is not who we are. It is a necessary evil, it is not our reason for being. Serving tourists well is not the greatest achievement we can aspire to, and it is not the mandate of the cultural community at all,” writes Bahamian Lynn Sweeting, in a post outlining her evolution from artist creating “tourist-friendly” works to one making work that “inspires the collective native soul.”


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Bahrain: Arabic Blogs Translated  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Bint Battuta  has decided to translate some of the Arabic Bahraini blogs for English-language readers. This week she translates two posts from the hilarious Zarnooq Bahrani and she promises more translations soon.


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Bangladesh: End to end solution for religious events · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Salam Dhaka on glimpses of life in Bangladesh, like meeting Huzur. “You want an end to end solution for all your religious events? Hanif is your man. In 2 hours notice he will buy a goat, bring in a professional butcher and get it all done. If you want the “deluxe” version he will whisk in 17 orphans from his madrassah who are also Hafez ( memorized the Quran) and have them complete the Quran.”


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Barbados Free Press: The Great Barbados landslip of 1901 · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Barbados Free Press republishes a newspaper article from 1901 detailing the most dramatic landslip in the country's history, and expresses concerns that it took place not far from the site of a proposed dumpsite.


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Barbados: Movie stars and unwashed masses · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

An article about an exclusive Barbados holiday villa in the UK's Times Online gets Barbados Free Press‘s back up with its trumpeting of the villa's private beach and seclusion away from the “hoi polloi”.


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Belarus: Comedians’ Vlog · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Information Policy mentions the creation of the first Belarusian vlog – by a duet of comedians.


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Belarus: Eurovision Shame · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Turns out some Eurovision contenders are worse than others: according to TOL's Belarus Blog, British music critics think Belarusian entries are “dreadful.”


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Cambodia: The “Jungle Woman” of Cambodia · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Y Samphy rounds up press coverage on the Cambodian jungle girl. The girl was missing for 18 years and was captured recently while attempting to steal food. The jungle girl cannot speak any human language and communicates by using gestures.


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China: QQipTV · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

IFTF at Virtual China reports on the new move of internet T.V business in China: Tencent has partnered with Chinese electronics manufacturer TCL to develop an Internet-enabled, interactive TV with QQ-branded applications such as IM and games. It's called iTQQ.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: statement on banned book · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated Zhang Yihe's statement and position towards the list of 2006 banned books in China. “This book (Past Histories of Peking Opera Stars)is banned because of that person.” That person is Zhang Yi-he.


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Croatia: Handball Scandal · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Illyrian Gazette writes about a scandal brewing in Zagreb: “…the metropolis might soon share a less welcome characteristic with the Gazette's home town of London: losing out on hosting a world sporting championship because the venues weren't ready in time.”


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Cuba: Photo set · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Flickr user sergio_serrano has a lovely set of photos from Cuba entitled “Cuba Sí!”


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D.R. of Congo: the richness of Lingala · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Blogging from the Democratic Republic of Congo, John writes about the richness and complexity of Lingala: Then there’s the word “poto” which I think is “mpoto” in the classic Lingala (but that’s a whole other discussion…).  It means Europe, but I’ve discovered that it also means the U.S.  I haven’t probed too far into the meaning, but pretty much for the Congolese it means anywhere where the white people live.  “Malili” is related to “moi” because it means both “cool” or “cold” (as in a cold beer, which is my most frequent use of it) and also “shade.”


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Egypt: Dubai Sky-Scraper ‘Not Amusing’ · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Egyptian blogger Tom Gara isn't amused with the design of Dubai's latest skyscraper and is thanking the stars that it isn't being built in Cairo.


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Europe: Migration · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Economist‘s Edward Lucas writes about migration within the EU.


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Haiti: Port-Morgan Tourist Destination · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Collectif Haiti de Provence posts (Fr) pictures of the Port Morgan resort in Ile-a-Vache, Haiti.


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Hong Kong: monitoring blog’s background music · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industry (Hong Kong) decided to have 24 hours monitoring local blogs’ background music against copyrights infringement. The issue raised concerns from local bloggers. However, many bloggers commented that(zh) such action was a waste of resources and eventually bad for the business.


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India: In Bihar · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Feringhee: The Indian Diaries writes on going to Bihar. “Every week, the paper has an account of a prominent person's child, or even just successful middle-class person's, kidnapped and held for ransom. The headlines of the “Bihar Digest” section sometimes defy belief (“Child's fingers chopped off for stealing spinach”; “Son hacks mother to death”).”


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India: Indians in Kenya · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sepia Mutiny on the Indian community in Kenya. “Today, the community in Kenya is perceived, not without justification, as wealthy and aloof. Rajan is critical of what he sees as the community's lack of engagement with Kenya's many challenges.”


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Iran:Ahmadinejad’s Words are from Mars  · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Shekkar says Ahmadinejad's words on TV tonight, makes him/her sicker.The blogger says Iranian president pretends inflation is the result of former government's policy.The blogger adds Ahmadinejad says United Nations sanctions have had no cost for Iran.The blogger writes it seems his words are from planet Mars[Fa].


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Japan: kogal phenomenon  · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Neomarxism has an informative post about the kogal phenomenon in Japan: For foreigners looking at Japan from abroad, the kogal appeared to be empowered young women forming a revolutionary army against the patriarchal mores of traditional society…


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Japan: Strange festivals · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Ampotant introduces the culture of strange festivals, kisai, in Japan.


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Kazakhstan: Cooking Manti · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

News from the Caravan posts a recipe for manti, a dish made in not just Kazakhstan, but also in the rest of Central Asia, Mongolia, and Turkey.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Kazakhstan: Foreigners & Oil · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

The Roberts Report explains why Kazakhstan's government is taking steps to decrease the number of foreign workers in the oil sector and stop the resale of licenses to develop oil deposits.


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Kenya: drama at the World Social Forum · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mental Acrobatics writes about drama at the World Social Forum, “The poster says, “Reduce food prices in the WSF.” A demonstration organised by a youth group from Korogocho started a loud vocal protest outside the Windsor catering tent. Korogocho is the third largest slum area in Nairobi after Kibera and Mathare. The demonstarters called for a reduction in food prices and informed everyone buying from Windsor to remember what they had gathered in Nairobi for. To battle inequality. How can you have a conference where most of the participants if they could get in, would not be able to afford the food and call that same conference social?”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Kyrgyzstan: Cutting Down Corruption · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Yulia reports on a novel proposal, surely to never to come into law, for fighting corruption among state employees in Kyrgyzstan, severing of digits and hands.


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Kyrgyzstan: Foreign Policy · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Inga reports on Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy strategy at neweurasia.


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Kyrgyzstan: Government Stalemate · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Sean Roberts says that Kyrgyzstan's president may have backed the parliament into a corner again by putting it in the position of accepting his nominee for prime minister or facing dismissal.


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Latvia: Riga Folk Choir · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Dykun posts “footage of members of the folk choir Skandinieki singing this past weekend at a rock that marks one of the spots in Riga where 5 people were killed during a Soviet crackdown on January 20, 1991.”


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Lebanon: Opposition Getting Violent  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Charles Malik from Lebanon says the opposition “is restricting movement throughout the capital and is intent on destroying the environment and giving everyone lung cancer by burning tyres across the country.”