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Cuba: Freedom and Environment  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Babalu Blog disagrees with a New York Times article that suggests the ending of the US embargo could mean the end of environmental preservation in Cuba.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Cuba, Pakistan: Bhutto Reportedly Killed in Bombing  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Babalu Blog reports that the Pakistan Opposition Leader, Benazir Bhutto, has been killed in a bombing attack.

source: news-globalvoices

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


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Ecuador: Online Radio Station Manabi · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Luigi Salas [es] writes about the launching of Radio Manabi, an online radio station in Ecuador.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Guatemala: Changes in Adoption Laws · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Guatemala Adoption Blog provides an update regarding the changes in Guatemalan law regarding adoptions.


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Guatemala: The Media’s Shortcomings · Global Voices
Renata Avila

In Guatemala, coverage outside of the capital city is said to be not as important for national newspapers, and because of that many stories are left uncovered.  In spite of its national circulation, some newspapers choose to devote more coverage to other countries in the region. Blogger Charakotel [es] makes a detailed analysis of media, strongly criticizing   the media and their coverage of rural areas:
La importancia de lo que sucede en la provincia es tal para Prensa Libre que en una misma página (la 25), arrincona acontecimientos intracendentes de cuatro distintos departamentos. Llama poderosamente la atención los contrastes que se dan al presentar las noticias departamentales de Guatemala (el diario Prensa Libre es de circulación nacional en Guatemala) y las páginas enteras a las noticias de Venezuela, a la que le dedican además el editorial del día; Bolivia y Ecuador.
The importance of what is going on in rural areas for Prensa Libre (newspaper of the capital) is such that on the same page (p.25) it compiles all the events not so relevant of four different departments. It is important to notice the contrast between the news in rural areas (Prensa Libre circulates in the whole country), and a lot of pages devoted to cover Venezuela, even the day's editorial, furthermore, more coverage is also given to Bolivia and Ecuador.
Venezuela has a special place in Guatemalan media, and is more relevant, sadly, than the things happening in rural areas, todays headlines of a newspaper, derivated on a post by Guate360 [es] titled “The head of Chavez has a price in Guate“
No sabremos exactamente los detalles del plan de complot que ha llegado a las manos del gobierno de Hugo Chavez, lo que agrega incertidumbre de la visita a Guatemala en Enero próximo. ¿Un complot donde el gobierno de Estados Unidos estaría implicado? Me recuerda mucho al documental de War on Democracy.
We do not know precisely the details of the plan known by Hugo Chavez government, and now his visit to Guatemala next January is uncertain.  Would this be a plan where the U.S. government might be involved? It brings to my mind the documentary War on Democracy.
But is not only the lack of news and info of the rural areas or the extra emphasis on Venezuela that concerns some bloggers, but rather the reduced spaces to spread ideas, where one must look for alternate venues. Now that many newspaper's sites enable comments from readers, there are some criticisms to how these are used. Mario Cordero of Diario Paranoico [es] on his post Freedom of Speech? [es] tells how the director of one of the most important newspapers argued with the comment left by Mario, when he stated he did not share the opinion of “the best book of the year”, and that the reaction of the director was condescending:
..En el blog “abierto” de El Periódico, envié de nuevo mi comentario a lo expresado por el señor Font, pues no me pareció justa su calificación hacia mí diciendo que, como opino distinto a él, yo ni siquiera “había leído la novela”. Lamentablemente, los censores de elPeriódico ni siquiera dejaron pasar ese comentario. En Guatemala, casi nunca nos animamos a opinar, mucho menos cuando queremos contrariar una opinión de una persona “respetable”….
On the “open” blog of El Periodico, I commented on the opinion of Mr Font, because some of his comments were not fair arguing just because we do not share opinions, that I has not read the book. Sadly, I had to add that they did not published my comment. In Guatemala we do not dare to express our opinions, especially when is contrary to the point of view of someone “respectable.”
The relationship by these “respectable” persons and individuals in government also draws scrutiny from bloggers. Some believe that politicians receive special attention from the mainstream media. Blogger Quicheleño [es] also added:
Recientemente, Prensa Libre criticó al presidente electo Alvaro Colom por haber tenido la temeridad de decir que iba a gobernar para los pobres. Ni siquiera ha llegado Colom al poder y ya le están haciendo la vida imposible. El editorial en cuestión no habría sido motivo de crítica si no fuera porque cuando en marzo del 2004 Berger dijo que el suyo era un  “gobierno de empresarios” Prensa Libre no dijo nada.
Recently, Prensa Libre criticized President-elected Alvaro Colom, for daring to declare that his government was for the poor people. He had not even assumed power, and the press is giving him a hard time.  The editorial would not be subject to scrutiny, but in comparison, when in March 2004, the President Berger said that his government was for businessmen, Prensa Libre did not say anything at all.
In addition, Cordero adds:
Lo verdaderamente molesto es que se creen defensores de la libertad de expresión, siempre y cuando esa expresión no vaya en contra de sus propias opiniones.
What bothers me is that the media are the guardians of freedom of expression, but only if the expressed ideas are not against their own opinions.
Bloggers are relieved to know that there are other ways to spread news and information.

author: Renata Avila


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Hungary: Things to Love & Hate in Budapest · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Pestcentric shares 10 things to hate and 10 things to love about Budapest.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Iran:Islamist students want action against corruption · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Madreseh Ma (means our school) informs[Fa] us that several Basij (Islamist) Student Associations criticized Iranian judiciary's inaction regarding corruption.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Japan: 2007 Politics · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Japan Observer has a roundup on Japan's politics in 2007.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Japan: Christmas Cards · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

James blogs his collection of Christmas Cards in Japan Probe.


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Japan: Learning from the failure of Second Life · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Second Life in Japan is virtually dead. While three-dimensional environments such as “meet me” [ja] and Hatena World have seen their popularity rise, the most famous virtual environment in the world has seen its virtual space steadily depopulate in Japan. When a reporter from J-Cast went to check out [ja] some of the Second Life “virtual shops” and “virtual companies” earlier this month, the buildings were apparently still there but the inhabitants were nowhere to be found.
In his December 24th post entitled “A few things one should learn from the failure of Second Life,” blogger shi3z reviews the reasons why Second Life failed to catch on in Japan:
半年くらい前、国内でのセカンドライフは完全にバブル状態だったのですが、誰もがこれがバブルだと認識しつつ敢えて踊らされる側に回った、というのがとても印象的でした。知人のセカンドライフビジネス関係者で本気でセカンドライフをやっていこうとしているのは1割もいませんでしたし、みんな心のどこかで「まあこんなの今だけだし」と思っていた点は否めません。
セカンドライフはCTOが解雇されるなど、完璧にグダグダなモードに入っています。それにしても、あまりにも早い幕引きだったなと思います。Web2.0はまだ成長途上にあるともいえますが、その先にあると期待されていたメタヴァース(セカンドライフ的なシステムすべて) があっさりと失速してしまったのは印象的です。
既にさまざまなところでセカンドライフの「失敗」について議論がなされていますが、僕が個人的に前々から思っていたことをまとめ、「ではセカンドライフ的なものはどうすれば成功するのか」考える糸口にしたいと思います。
1と3はいいとして、まず問題なのはビジネスモデルだったのではないかと思います。
ユーザがお金を払って、ユーザ同士が架空世界でお金をやりとりする。
このアイデアそのものはすばらしいものですし、セカンドライフ以後も、同様または同等のビジネス形態は発展していってほしいと思わせるだけの魅力のあるプランです。
しかし、ユーザが価値(この場合リンデンドルという仮想貨幣)を交換するということは、セカンドライフそのものがお金を生むためには、ユーザにどんどんリンデンドルを買わせなければいけません。
Users paid money, and then could exchange money with other users in the imaginary world.
This idea itself is great; it is an attractive plan which only makes me think that, even after Second Life, I would like to develop an identical or similar business structure.
However, the fact that users can exchange value (in this case an imaginary currency called Linden dollars) means that in order for Second Life to make money, you have to make users keep buying more Linden dollars.
売り手のユーザは自分専用の土地を維持したり、テクスチャをアップロードしたりするたびにお金がかかりますが、それ以外の価値はユーザ自ら価値創造して提供します。
ここにいくつかいびつな点があったことは否めません。
When vendor users maintain plots of land for their exclusive use, and upload textures, this costs money, but all other value is value that is created and offered by the user themself.
That there are a few awkward points here cannot be denied.
当初セカンドライフは家を持ったり、店を開いたりといったことでユーザが現実の収益を上げるようなイメージだったと思うのですが、だんだんとサービス業のような職種が生まれたり、発展していくにつれて、物販そのものでは実はなかなか(リンデンラボが)お金は取れないという現実に直面します。
そこで土地代として、サーバホスティング料を作り手のユーザから徴収するのです。このモデルはASPとして考えるとうまくいきそうな気がします。しかし絶対的にサーバの処理性能が低すぎるので、一日に売れるアイテムの数も限度があります。
さらに、LSLという独自スクリプト言語です。
この言語に関して言いたいことは山ほどありますが、とにかくできることが少ないということに尽きます。
たとえば車や飛行機を簡単に作れるのはいいのですが、車のようなものをゼロからプログラムしようとすると、とてつもなく大変になるし、おそらく現実的な実行時間で動作させるのはきわめて困難です。
物理シミュレーションと変形を実に巧みに使って多足ロボットのようなものを動かしている人がいらっしゃいましたが、逆にいえばそれが限界です。
どこまでがんばっても車の性能は一定です。カローラの形をしていてフェラーリと同じスピードの車が誰でも簡単に作れてしまいます。
For example it's good that you can easily build a car or a plane, but to try to program something like a car out of nothing is unbelievably hard, and realistically operating it in real-time is perhaps extremely difficult.
While there are some people who can indeed skillfully use physics simulations and transformations, and who can operate things like multi-legged robots, if one looks at it the other way around, then this is actually a limitation.
However much someone might try, the performance of a car is fixed. Anybody can easily make a car in the shape of a Corolla with the speed of a Ferrari.
誰でも簡単にその環境で最高性能のものが作れるということは、競争ができないということです。
「作ってみたぜ。わーい」
というレベルでは楽しいでしょうが、そもそもセカンドライフの収益源はユーザによる価値創造にあるはずで、この価値創造の糊しろがあまりに少ないと、あっという間に飽和してしまいます。
The fact that, in that environment, anybody can easily make high-performance [machines], means that they cannot compete.
“I went and made it. Yay!”
At this level it's fun, but to begin with the profit-making source in Second Life is value created by users, and if there is no space for glue in this value creation, then very quickly it will become saturated.
[…]
セカンドライフに関していえば「やってない人」と「やったけどやめた人」、「やってる人」という三種類のユーザ状態があり、「やったけどやめた人」はよほどのことがない限り二度と「やってる人」にはならないのだろうということをもっと意識する必要があったのだと思います。
[…]
話が散逸してしまいましたが、まとめると、僕がセカンドライフ(やそれに関連して思い出したこと)を見て、教訓にせねばと思ったのは以下のことです。

author: Chris Salzberg


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Japan: Three easy steps to a regulated Internet · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Government moves in Japan to regulate web content, filter mobile phone access for users under the age of 18, and revise file transfer-related copyright legislation are outlined in a report posted at gyaku.


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Japan: Top Ten News · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Morgan Pitelka picks his top ten Japan News in the Japan History Group Blog.


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Jordan: Pictures from Amman  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Laith posts pictures from Amman, Jordan, in this post.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Kazakhstan: Dualities in Kashagan Oilfield Dispute · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Bboyd reacts on the new article by John Daly about duality of Caspian oil negotiations, currently focused on the Kazakhstan's supergiant Kashagan oilfield.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Kenya: Blogging the election · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenyan blogger, Kenyan Pundit, writes her observations of the election day: ‘Ballot papers were not on site like they are supposed to be. They only got delivered at 8:00 am, leading to lots of agitation among the crowd that had turned up early to vote. The crowd finally broke the gate into the school and rushed in (me included otherwise I’d still be in the line) after getting tired of waiting.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Kenya: Kenya’s maturing democracy · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mental Acrobatics on Kenya Election 2007: “Despite the political heat there are many signs that we are a rapidly maturing democracy. I have seen people from across the political divide sit and debate the merits and demerits of their candidates vigorously but without the traditional violence.”


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Kenya: Problems at polling stations · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

You Missed This writes about problems at polling stations in Kenya: “Shock as Thousands of Names, including that of Raila Odinga, are found missing on ECK Register! There was heightened tension this morning when thousands of voters were turned away at various polling stations in Langata constituency after their names were found missing on the voters register.”


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Kenya: Using new technology to cover elections · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

White African looks at the use of technology in Kenya Election 2007: “I’ve been particularly impressed with the AfricaNews.com media group. They use technology in innovative ways, creating real usable systems to report and connect with Africans on multiple platforms.”


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Kyrgyzstan: Election Results Still Unknown · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

The Azamat Report says that 10 days after the election day nobody has seen the results. The Central Election Commission has not published the official results of the parliamentary vote in Kyrgyzstan, although it already distributed all the seats.


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Lusosphere: On Benazir Bhutto’s death · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Denise Arcoverde [pt] was shocked to learn about Benazir Bhutto's death. “Bonazir was such a brilliant and courageous women who knew very well the risk she run, and who was anything but stupid. However, to leave your mark, there is a price to pay”. She has also compiled a short biography of Bhutto in Portuguese.

author: Paula Góes


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Mexico: Elvira Arellano on Al Jazeera · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Mexico Monitor provides information that Mexican immigration activist Elvira Arellano will appear on Al-Jazeera English television.


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Mexico: Graffiti Contest at Azteca Stadium · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

A contest for graffiti artists is scheduled for the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.  Vivir México [es] has more information.


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Nigeria: Oil’s Dirty Business · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Timbuktu Chronicles writes about the documentary, Delta, Oil's Dirty Business: “Directed by Yorgos Avgeropoulos, “DELTA – Oil's Dirty Business” “…portrays the image of “development”, the way giant multinational petroleum companies would define it.”


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Pakistan: Bhutto’s Death and Impending Elections · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Still reeling with the shock, The Emergency Times, which has kept a very close eye on the unfolding political situation in Pakistan, writes
At this tragic moment in the history of Pakistan, we at the Emergency Times are shocked beyond words at this intolerable and brutal act of the murder, along with others, of possibly the most popular leader of our country. No words can adequately condemn this barbaric act, which can only lead to more death and destruction for this tortured land. Her death will leave a gaping chasm in our country's leadership. One can only hope, beyond hope, that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
May God help us all.
Pickled Politics links to the news and a commenter writes “Assassination of leading political figures is a very bad sign for a society, for it shows a clear and direct lack of trust and respect for the institutions of the state and society. One can only hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Some other perspectives have also emerged, looking at Bhutto both as a possible leader and a mover in international politics. Counter Terrorism Blog says
She was someone who the U.S. could actually work with to seek a way forward for Pakistan in light of the profound challenges posed by religious intolerance and political extremism, the drug trade, governmental institutions that do not provide essential services in many areas of the country, and Pakistan's troubled relationships with of its immediate neighbors — Afghanistan, India, and Iran.
Her faults were also profound, as the well-documented grand corruption cases brought against her and her husband attest. She did indeed treat her country like it was a family-owned business, with corrosive results. These includied her removal from power in 1990 and again in 1996 as the corruption both weakened her politically and played a significant role in her inability to deliver the reforms needed to make Pakistan's government responsive to the needs of its people
The Moderate Voice has a bio on Benazir Bhutto, including information on her father who was also the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and was sentenced to death in the 70s for charges similar to the ones Benazir faced much later.
From across the border, Indian Muslims comment on the assassination, and debate various conspiracy theories.
The hands of Nawaz Sharif cannot be completely ignored as he too had his reason for her removal: He now is the only national level leader who has experience as a Prime Minister. He is now sure to take over as PM of Pakistan. The chances of this conspiracy are rare but you never know with these opportunistic and individualistic politicians.
Meanwhile, Sepia Mutiny‘s post on Bhutto's death already has over a hundred comments. One commenter says
One wonders if she truly felt she would be safe in Pakistan. Love of country and desire to contribute aside, is there some shred of a risk-taking thrill inherent in this endeavor she had embarked upon? Some level of martyrlike delusion, however deeply buried? Can any of us imagine being devoted enough to any political cause to risk our life so boldly? Was it worth it, Benazir?
Truly sad. Whither Pakistan?

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Pakistan: Reactions to Bhutto’s death · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Benazir Bhutto's death has come as a shock to many of the bloggers writing from and about Pakistan. While Bhutto's politics may be controversial, her assasinaton comes at a time when it was hoped that Pakistan could overcome the years of lapse of democracy.
At Metroblogging Islamabad, the post provokes some comments – from disbelief, to worry about the impending elections.
This is a sad day for Pakistan. Bhutto was not perfect, but at least she was for a democratic process. Democracy once again dies with her. Our condolences to the people of Pakistan from Metroblogging Mumbai.
Abu Muqawam states that while it is one thing to mourn the death of Benazir Bhutto, it is important to keep in mind the nature of her politics.
The folks on NBC, though, are making it sound as if Bhutto was some brave liberal alternative to the Musharraf regime, swallowing hook, line, and sinker this narrative that Benazir Bhutto was some kind of Pakistani Aung San Suu Kyi. Okay, folks, we all know she was eloquent, went to Harvard and Oxford and was a darling of the English-language media. But she was arguably the most corrupt woman in the history of South Asia.
While some bloggers expressing reservations about Benazir Bhutto being good for Pakistan, at All Things Pakistan, Adil Nijam writes that at this moment, the event is tragic at a very human level.
At a human level this is a tragedy like no other. Only a few days ago I was mentioning to someone that the single most tragic person in all of Pakistan – maybe all the world – is Nusrat Bhutto. Benazir’s mother. Think about it. Her husband, killed. One son poisoned. Another son assasinated. One daughter dead possibly of drug overdose. Another daughter rises to be Prime Minister twice, but jailed, exiled, and finally gunned down.
Today, in shock, I can think only of Benazir Bhutto the human being. Tomorrow, maybe, I will think of politics.
Chapati Mystery writes
In the nation whose history is dotted by military coups, assassinations and hangings of public figures, this is surely the bloodiest stain. She titled her autobiography, the Daughter of Destiny – but surely she deserved a fate other than the destiny of her father and Liaqut Ali Khan. It is truly a tragedy and a revelation of the chaos gripping the nation.
Pakistan Policy Blog provides details of how Bhutto was assassinated and some details on others who are critically injured. “The chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party was leaving Liaquat Park in Rawalpindi, where she was addressing a party rally, when an assassin fired 3-5 shots at her, one of which struck her in the neck. The assassin then blew himself up. Rehman Malik, Bhutto’s chief security adviser and Naheed Khan, a close Bhutto friend are critically injured. Over thirty others have been killed.”
As bloggers reflect on this tragedy, there are those who express worry that this could lead to violence and protests on the streets. Metroblogging Karachi reports that offices are being closed and people are rushing back home. A commenter states that gunfire can be heard outside. The Pakistani Spectator writes “In other areas of Rawalpindi like Faizabad, Saddar and Murree Road, angry crowd is burning shops and vehicles and shouting slogans against the terrorists.”


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Philippines: Philippine Nationals in Pakistan · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

In the aftermath of the assassination  of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Tonyo hopes that the  diplomats from Philippines will look after the thousands of Filipino overseas works currently in Pakistan.

author: Preetam Rai


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Poland: Christmas · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

the beatroot cites an opinion poll that shows that Christmas in Poland “is a time where family and traditions take precedence over the religious nature.”


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Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Pakistan: RIP Bhutto  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Benazir Bhutto was for me an inspiration. She was fierce. She was bold. She was beautiful and smart and fearless”: Puerto Rican born blogger Liza Sabater recognizes Bhutto as a “sheroe”, while Coffeewallah, blogging from Trinidad, says: “Whatever Ms Bhutto may have been, she was seemingly trying to change Pakistan for the better.”


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RIP: Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan · Global Voices
Kamla Bhatt

Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto (54) was assassinated in Rawalpindi earlier today at a political rally.  Ironically according to media reports Rawalpindi is one of the most secure cities in Pakistan and teeming with security folks. In another irony according to a report on the BBC Benazir was assassinated in almost the same place as Pakistan's first Prime Minister.
Her assassination puts the future of Pakistan's political future in turmoil and there are questions being raised if Pakistan will plunge into a civil war.
Benazir was the first woman to be elected  twice as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
What a tragic end for a leader, who was fighting for democracy in Pakistan. Her return to Pakistan earlier this year started off on a wrong foot when an attempt was made to bomb her cavalcade that was traveling from the airport to her ancestral home. With this sudden death the political future of Pakistan is once again on an uncertain footing. The question is whether elections will be held next month.
A controversial leader, Benazir's political views were shaped by her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan. A seasoned orator and writer Benazir studied in UK and the USA before returning to Pakistan and joining her father's political party Pakistan's People's Party (PPP) and was was the Prime Minister of Pakistan. At Metroblogging Lahore, a blogger states that despite not supporting Bhutto's politics, the sudden death of the political leader is a tragic event.
I personally have never supported Ms Benazir and her party (the PPP). But this, by all means, goes beyond the immediate politics of pretty much everything. It goes without saying that no one, and I mean no one — even for a moment — deserves to go this way, to die in such an unnatural manner and for such obnoxiously stupid reasons. Fate, as we already should know, is not without a sense of irony; Benazir has died (primarily) due to gunfire wounds while leaving a political gathering at Liaquat Gardens; Liaquat Gardens is not only named after, but is also the same place where the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Khan Liaquat Ali Khan was murdered with a bullet.

author: Kamla Bhatt


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Russia: Ded Moroz Ad Banned; Yolki in Moscow · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

James of Robert Amsterdam's blog writes about the government's ad on “a TV ad from an electronics retailer which poked fun at the existence of this mythical gift giver on the grounds that it broke a rule discrediting parents and teachers.” Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow posts his 2005 pictures of Christmas trees and other decorations in Moscow.


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Singapore: Remembering Bhutto · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Dsng.net remembers attending a lecture by Benazir Bhutto. “Assassination news is always shocking, and for some reason even more so when you've seen the person in question.”


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Singapore: Teachers and Their Qualification · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Does the qualification of a teacher determines how good or bad the teacher is. Aaron initiates a discussion.


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Slovenia: Dimitrij Rupel · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Sleeping With Pengovsky writes about Slovenian foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel and the stuff he's written for Sinfo, a PR magazine issued monthly by the governmental Communications office”: “(great choice of name, BTW. Fire your chief marketing officer toot-suite!)”


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Special Coverage: The assassination of Benazir Bhutto · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Given the volume of commentary from bloggers throughout the world about the assassination of ex-prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, we have set up a Special Coverage page aggregating some of the reactions from Pakistan and other parts of South Asia, as well as our own coverage here on Global Voices. Visit the special coverage page for regular updates.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Tajikistan: Fire at the Medical University  · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Vadim reports that — due a metal fence — firefighters could not put out the fire that has ruined the major medical university in Tajikistan.


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Thailand: Mapping Election Results · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Chris Baker at the New Mandala blog has a graphic that shows the distribution of results from the recent Thai elections.


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Thailand: Mini Bats · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Thumb sized bats discovered in Thailand.


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Thailand: Miniature Candy · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Thai-blog.com introduces the colorful miniature candy from Thailand.


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The Balkans: B92 and Milošević · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

In a somewhat roundabout way, Alan Jakšić of Balkan Anarchist tells of how B92 radio, site and blogs have helped him to change his mind about Slobodan Milošević.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Chutney Christmas · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The thought of Christmas gift buying practically brings me out in hives, because I can’t bear pre-Christmas crowds and the over-commercialisation of Christmas.”: Can Cook, Must Cook is giving homemade Christmas presents to her friends.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Lara’s Return?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

West Indies Cricket Blog wonders whether there is more than meets the eye regarding Brian Lara's “intention to make himself available to play first class cricket for Trinidad & Tobago in January.”


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Trinidad & Tobago: Remembering Bhutto · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“While she was far from perfect, and her government was plagued by corruption, I will always remember her as she was when she first came to power in the late 1980s, as a symbol of hope and democracy”: Further Thoughts pays tribute to Benazir Bhutto.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Slang  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jumbie's Watch responds to a Letter to the Editor that he finds “doltish”.


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Ukraine: House on Anthrax · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana writes about a house being built on the mass burial site for victims of a 19th-century anthrax epidemics in Kyiv.


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Venezuela: Lesson to Be Learned from Bhutto · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Daniel from Venezuela News and Views says that there is a lesson in leadership to be learned from Benzir Bhutto.


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Venezuela: Where to Eat Pan de Jamón in Caracas · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Caracas Café [es] recommends places on where to eat the dish Pan de Jamón.


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Vietnam: Blogging in Vietnam · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Saigon Nezumi wonders if Vietnam's planned regulations on blogging would affect the local and expat bloggers.


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Americas: Open Source and Free Software in Latin America · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Free Software in Latin America is a blog devoted to open source and free software movement in Latin America.


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Angola: Looking forward to 2008 elections · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Orlando Castro [pt] comments on the announcement of elections for the Angolan parliament taking place in September 2008. “Angola has (almost) everything to show and to prove that it can be, indeed, an example to Africa and hence to the world”.


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Argentina: Maradona Hopes to Meet Ahmadinejad · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Argentine football star Diego Maradona expresses an interest to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad writes El Rejunte.il [es]


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Barbados: Issues with LIAT · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Considering the massive investment the Barbadian taxpayer has made in LIAT, its difficult to understand why our Minister of Tourism does not represent ‘our’ interests on the board”: A reader writes in to Barbados Underground, drawing attention to the inefficiencies with one of the major regional carriers.


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Barbados, Pakistan: What Now? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I wonder what implications this tragic act will have for upcoming elections in Pakistan, as well as for the relations between the United States and the nuclear-armed nation”: Cheese-on-bread! speculates on the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.


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Bolivia: Interview With Pedro Montes · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Mario Duran of Palabras Libres [es] interviews Pedro Montes, Executive Secretary of the Bolivian Worker's Union.  Montes has enclosed himself inside the union's headquarters in protest of the government's lack of progress in investigating the bombing attack of the union's offices.


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Bolivia: Just Say Yes to the New Constitution · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The political crisis pitting two sides in Bolivia has taken a break for the year-end holidays.  While there is some indication that dialogue could take place right after the new year, things are rather calm.  Bolivian blogs have also taken a break of their own, as many are providing well wishes to their readers.
Discussion regarding departmental autonomies, the new Constitution, and forthcoming referendum will also start back up after the first of the year.  One site where this discussion may take place is the collective blog site that has already received quite a few comments and attention is  El Taparaku [es].  As its manifesto states:
Vamos a exigir (sí, exigir) que Bolivia tenga una nueva Constitución Política del Estado. Que Bolivia logre un nuevo Pacto Social…Lo hacemos como ciudadanos sin militancia partidaria. Lo hacemos como bolivianos y bolivianas…Que el proyecto de Constitución aprobado en grande se discuta en detalle bajo el escrutinio público. Que se difunda, se conozca, se analice. Que la Nación toda, sin vetos-bloqueos ni exclusiones, diga su palabra.
We are going to demand (yes, demand) that Bolivia receives a new Constitution.  That Bolivia achieves a new Social Pact…We do so as citizens without belong to any political party.  We do so as Bolivians…That the Constitutional proposal approved as a whole is debated under public scrutiny.  That it is distributed, read, and analyzed.  That the entire Nation, without vetoes, blockades or exclusions, say what's on its mind.
The movement has called itself Los Montoneros, which as one commenter already has mentioned is not a favorable name perhaps to the group that shares the name.  However, Vero explains how she interprets the name:
Un montonero es, por definición, un bicho raro. Es un bicho raro (como un taparaku) porque pretende lo imposible. No se cansa de soñar y porque vive acosado por la memoria. Es alguien que no olvida.
Por defecto, un montonero es un rebelde con causa. A diferencia de lo que se piensa no es uno más del montón, no es su origen pero si su objetivo. Ser montones.
A montonero is, by definition, a strange creature.  It is a strange creature (like a taparaku) because it attempts the impossible.  It does not tire of dreaming and because it lives from its memories.  It is someone that does not forget.
By fault, a montonero is a rebel with a cause.  The difference is that it not just one of the bunch, it is not its origin but its objective.  To be a bunch.
According to one of the site's founders, Ciudadano K, the group was created during a meeting at a local coffee shop in La Paz and pledged itself to support the new Constitution and to bring the debate online:
7. La idea es lanzar una campaña ciudadana (con especial cuidado de no tener NINGÚN vínculo ni con el gobierno ni el MÁS ni nada que se les aproxime).
8. La campaña consiste en: a) Impulsar el conocimiento y debate de los contenidos de la nueva Constitución. b) Impulsar el siguiente paso democrático: referéndum constitucional. c) Impulsar el SÍ a la nueva Constitución.
7. The idea is to launch a citizen's campaign (with special care to have no link with the government or with MAS or anything that comes close).
8.  The campaign consists of: a) Promoting the awareness and content debate of the new Constitution.  b) Promoting the next democratic step: constitutional referendum c) Promote the YES vote for the new Constitution.
Part of this original team includes Al-Aznar, who also contributes with the illustrations for the site, La Vero Vero [es]  Marco from Pandemónium [es], and Exeni from FadoCracia [es].
Marco explains why he joined this movement [es]:
Asumo una posición y tomo partido. Esto no me quita claridad ni me convierte en partidario de agrupación política alguna. Asumo posición por lo que creo y por lo que soy: Un demócrata, un ciudadano… que no pidan, los tibios, “objetividad”, por que no soy objeto.
Visión de país, acuerdo, objetivo…todo eso será nuestra constitución, constitución que deberá rendir examen en un instrumento de participación ciudadana llamada referéndum…allí, el único soberano, decidirá.
Yo votaré por el Sí.
I take a position, and take sides.  This neither takes away clarity, nor makes me a partisan for any political group.  I take a position for what I believe in and for what I am: A democrat, a citizen…who does not ask the lukewarm for “objectivity”, because I am not an object.
Vision for the country, agreement, objective…all of that will be our new constitution, constitution that should pass the test as an instrument of citizen's participation called a referendum…there, the sovereign ones will decide.
I will vote YES.
Since then, many other bloggers have joined the ranks and many of their RSS feeds can be found on the page's Feevy site.  The posts that follow are mainly a series of one-liners and play on words in support of the current government and in opposition to autonomy movements of the east.


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Brazil: A visit to Pakistan · Global Voices
Paula Góes

On Benazir Bhutto's death, Leonardo Sakamoto [pt] leaves the factual news to the newspapers and publishes links to his personal accounts of Pakistan, a country which he visited  to see projects that fight against slavery. In his travel blog, he talks about people, politics and religion. “You will see how distant and how close they are to us, Brazilians.”


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Burkina Faso and the Hajj · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

QuophyBlogeur writes about the perils of Burkinabe muslims [FR] making the pilgrimage to Mecca: “Fortunately Allah is merciful enough to tolerate the late arrival of poor pilgrims at the mercy of an organization practically on the verge of chaos.”

author: Jennifer Brea


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Burkina Faso Soon a Biofuel Producer · Global Voices
Ramata Sore

Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydropower, and Marine Resources and the French company AgroEd signed a framework agreement for developing a biofuels industry in Burkina Faso.
All entire process will take place in Burkina, from the cultivation of plants (cotton, Jatropha, etc.) to the production of fuel.
This idea has been greeted with enthusiasm by more than one person.  Biofuel experts believe that, “Africa has a real chance to enter this industry, which is profitable now especially with the price of oil, rising day by day,” [FR] writes journalist Alban Kini.
However, many netizens have expressed skepticism about whether Burkina Faso can become a competitive producer of biofuels, and whether ordinary people, in particular the farmers, will benefit.
While Burkina is rich in primary materials like mangos, cotton, and cassava, and already has once factory producing ethanol, the country has limited infrastructure at its disposal. In light of this, when I wrote about biofuels [FR] on my blog earlier this month, one reader was skeptical about the project's prospects:
Les coûts de production feront que ce carburant serait hors de porté des Burkinabè. Je vie en France actuellement et ici le biocarburant est juste produit par certains agriculteurs disposant de matériels assez mécanisés pour le labour, l'irrigation et les récoltes. Notons qu'ici les fermiers repensent 3% de la pop, ils sont les riches, aussi ils sont subventionnés à l'hectare. Je trouve que souvent il faut bien réfléchir pour parapher certains accords. Si les Burkinabè n'ont pas les moyens pour payer ce carburant parce que trop chers, on ira le vendre ailleurs!!!!
In addition to this fear of biofuel products being sold abroad, many have expressed concern about the deterioration of land under cultivation.
Another reader wrote:
Pendant qu’on est en train de voir comment subventionner les pays qui gardent intact la nature, chez nous, on signe des protocoles visant a endommager cette dernière . Et le comble, c’est qu’à 100% cela ne profitera qu’a une certaine couche…
One reader believes that Burkina Faso's investment in biofuel production while there are still so many problems related to the cultivation and sale of cotton.  He also questions the logic underlying this initiative:
Nous sommes (ou étions) gros producteur de coton, et d'or. On a gagné quoi? Que gagnent les pays africains producteurs de pétrole, d'uranium, etc. ? Comme d'habitude et comme de par le passé, seuls les dirigeants au sommet de l'Etat et leurs parrains d'Occident, les impérialistes et leurs suppôts donc, vont se sucrer sur le dos de tous.
In order to mobilize public support, meetings were held in Ouagadougou.  The most important was the one organized on November 27-29th with the theme, “issues and perspectives on biofuel for Africa.”
The meeting brought together 370 people from 35 countries, as well as multinational firms like Total France, their research centers, and the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD) in Ouagadougou.  Only the farmers, those who will producing the primary materials for the biofuels, were absent.
Blogger Father Lacour criticizes this oversight:
Une fois encore, les représentants des organisations paysannes n’ont pas été invités, une fois encore, les paysans n’ont pas été invités, eux qui sont les premiers concernés par ce qu’on devrait normalement appeler les agrocarburants, plutôt que les biocarburants parce que c’est l’agriculture qui les produit.
These farmers are excluded from these meetings even though they are the ones who will have to adapt to these new conditions and techniques of production.  As Father Lacour writes:
“learning by doing” (apprendre en faisant) tout en espérant que les risques pour les paysans ne dépassent par trop le bénéfice escompté.
Translated from French by Jennifer Brea

author: Ramata Sore


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China: 1Bao Blocked · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

In Dec 26, 1bao was blocked again, Zhai Minglei said he would continue to write and wait for the blog to be unblocked again (zh).


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China: Hospital Sues Local Governments · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Last month a rural migrant worker set fire on himself after he failed to collect 1000 yuan wage from the boss. He was sent to the hospital with promise from Yunnan and Shenzhen government for the hospital fee. After one month 700,000 yuan has been spent, the hospital is at the verge of bankruptcy and decided to sue the two local governments. Lui Xiaoyuan comments that the governments have moral responsibility to pay the hospital (zh).


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China: Scientist’s Wage · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

China Scientist's wage is the lowest among 38 countries according to a EU report. Gezhi points out that, the real income maybe higher as many of the scientists in China is not depending on wage, but other side income (zh).


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Colombia: Blogs from Semana.com · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Machete [es] wonders about the fate of the blogs from Colombian magazine Semana.com.


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Colombia: Letter to Emmanuel · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Bogotá Subterranea [es] writes an open letter to four-year old Emmanuel, the son of FARC captive Clara Rojas, who is reportedly due to be set free soon.


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Congratulations New, Rising Voices · Global Voices
David Sasaki

The inaugural group of Rising Voices citizen media outreach projects have given us new and powerful voices from communities that previously were rarely seen participating online. Last month we put out a call for new citizen media outreach proposals, of which five would be selected to join our current projects based in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, India, and Sierra Leone.
In total we received 63 project proposals from over 35 different countries. Although the quantity of applications was less than the 142 we received in July, the quality and innovation that stood out throughout all of this round's proposals made the selection process far more difficult. The overwhelming response to the latest Rising Voices grant competition is, once again, a testament to the global enthusiasm for citizen media from rural Uganda to Orthodox communities in Israel, from the mountains of Guatemala to the working class neighborhoods of Serbia.
The five grant winners are representative of the innovation, purpose and good will that Rising Voices aims to support.
Youth Media Consultative Forum in Nakuru, Kenya
Dennis Kimambo, Collins Oudour, and the rest of the REPACTED team will train residents living on the outskirts of Nakuru, Kenya to collect local news and stories and share them with an international audience through the use of photography, blogging, video, and a local print magazine. REPACTED will continue its use of Magnet Theater to encourage participants to openly discuss taboo topics like HIV transmission. You can read REPACTED's full proposal on the wiki.
Iran Inside Out: A Videoblogging Initiative
Shaghayegh Azimi and fellow veteran Iranian videobloggers will partner with the Tehran-based Young Cinema Society to identify aspiring young filmmakers and teach them the skills to both produce compelling short videos and publish them online. In her proposal Shaghayegh writes, “the two most important goals we hope to accomplish are 1) to introduce and inspire Iranian youth of underrepresented communities to engage in interaction with the global online community and especially the videoblogging community and 2) to educate and inspire tolerance of Iran through human stories.” You can see examples of Shaghayegh's previous work on PBS's Frontline/World website.
Bloggers Desde la Infancia (Bloggers Since Infancy) – Uruguay
The One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project created by faculty members of the MIT Media Lab has received an enormous amount of international media attention as it tries to realize the goal of equipping every student across the world with a laptop computer. But, for the most part, we still have yet to see how young students in Uruguay, Peru, Nigeria, and beyond will use the small, neon-green laptops. Pablo Flores of Ceibal, the governmental organization in charge of distributing OLPC laptops in Uruguay, will organize a series of workshops which will gather national and international bloggers with the young laptop-toting students to show them how to set up a blog and take advantage of other social media tools. Later on, award ceremonies will provide incentives to the new bloggers to share their community stories both locally and internationally. Pablo's full proposal is available (in Spanish) on the wiki.
Bringing Malagasy Forumists to the World of Citizen Journalism – Madagascar
Serasera is a popular Malagasy-language discussion forum based in Antananarivo, Madagascar with over 400 active members. Mialy Andriamananjara, Lova Rakotomalala, Harijanka and other members of the Foko Madagascar team will outreach to this active community of internet forumists and teach them how to participate in the global community of blogs, podcasts, and online video. In their proposal, they emphasize that the project will give the participants “a voice and a digital imprint in the world … Also it is a way for the world to have a glimpse of Malagasy ideas, work and perspective on the world.”
Diary of an Inmate – Jamaica
As project founder Kevin Wallen points out, “over the last two years, Jamaica with a population of 2.6 million, has been branded internationally as the ‘murder capital of the world.’ Already, 2007 has racked up a murder rate of over 1,400 individuals.” Much of Jamaica's culture of crime has been blamed on the popular veneration of gang leaders. The Diary of an Inmate project will attempt to confront this ‘badboy veneration” by training current prison inmates to blog and podcast. As Kevin describes the goals of project: “Through blogging, inmates will be able to tell their stories. They will be able to paint a realistic picture of life behind bars and the consequences of crime. Currently, Jamaica’s music and media idolize the ‘badman’ or ‘shotta’ and portray as role models those who have been incarcerated. Many of our youths now think that prison is a ‘cool’ place to be, until they themselves are faced with the harsh truth. The Diary of an Inmate blog will allow all Jamaicans to learn about the realities of Jamaica’s overcrowded prison system with the hope that this will counteract the false ideas implanted by the media.”
We are thrilled to welcome these five new projects to the ever-expanding and maturing community of Rising Voices citizen media activists.

author: David Sasaki


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Morocco: Shock at Benazir Bhutto’s Death · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27 sparked reactions from around the world, Morocco being no exception.  Moroccan bloggers were, on the whole, shocked and enraged at the killing of Pakistan's former prime minister.  Here is a sampling of reactions from the blogoma:
Vagabondeuse of The Magic of My Universe summed up Moroccans’ feelings most bluntly exclaiming:
Yes. Bhutto is DEAD. She was KILLED. LOOK AT THE WORLD FALLING!!! NO JUSTICE AND NO FREEDOM
Big World Learner finds that the world just keeps getting uglier:
All my mind thinks now is that Benazir Bhutto was a brave woman, and her assassination is the manifestation of utter cowardice.
The world where we are living is becoming ugly… extremely ugly.
May Bhutto’s soul and those of the other victims rest in peace.
Al Miraat/The Moroccan Mirror remembers Bhutto as a woman of courage:
Ms. Bhutto has been accused of incompetence and corruption in the past, nevertheless, she was never convicted nor any evidence has ever been brought against her. One thing is for sure: she was a hell of a courageous, beautiful and charismatic woman. A Muslim woman who undeniably loved her country and refused to hand it over to arbitrary rulers or to absolutist fanatics.
Lydia Beyoud discovered that the Francophone blogoma was just as vocal in their reactions:
With the headline “Benazir Bhutto Assassinated!” and a tone of dismay Kamal writes:
Comme s'il ne fallait pas s'y attendre après les récents événements au Pakistan, et surtout après le retour de Benazir Bhutto à son pays!!!
Benazir Bhutto, première musulmane à présider un pays, a été victime d'un attentat à Islamadad… Quelle violence, quelle violence…
Benazir Bhutto, the first female Muslim to lead a country, was the victim of an assassination in Islamadad [sic]…What violence, what violence…
By the same posting title, blogger Amina Talhimet writes:
Benazir Bhutto, ancien premier ministre pakistanais, vient d’être tuée dans un attentat au Pakistan. Elle était candidate aux législatives pakistanaises qui doivent se tenir début 2008. Elle avait été la première femme à occuper un poste de premier ministre dans un pays musulman. C’était déjà en 1988. En 1993, Benazir Bhutto sera premier ministre pour la seconde fois. Accusée de corruption, elle avait choisi l’exil en 1999. Elle était rentrée dans son pays le 18 octobre dernier suite à une amnistie [sic] du président pakistanais Pervez Musharaf. Elle y avait été accueillie par un double attentat kamikaze sanglant qui avait coûté la vie à de 139 personnes.
Cette femme je l'aimais bien. L'année se termine très mal pour le Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto, former Pakistani Prime Minister, has just been killed in an attack in Pakistan. She was a candidate in the Pakistani legislative elections, to be held at the beginning of 2008. She was the first woman to occupy the position of prime minister in a Muslim country. That was back in 1988. In 1993, Benazir Bhutto became Prime Minister for the second time. Accused of corruption, she chose exile in 1999. She returned to her country last October 18 following an amnesty from Pakistani President Pervez Musharaf. She was welcomed by a bloody double kamikaze attack which cost the lives of 139 people.
I really liked this woman. The year is ending very badly for Pakistan.
Biding farewell to the Pakistani politician, blogger Manal wrote entitled “Adieu Benazir” about Bhutto's influence upon her childhood:
Du temps où la RTM démarrait ses programmes à 18h, je garde le souvenir de plusieurs femmes qui ont marqué mon enfance et mon adolescence…
Aujourd’hui l’une d’entre elles s’est éteinte. Non. On l’a assassiné !
Je ne la connaissais pas, mais je me rappelle avoir imité son look plusieurs fois devant mon miroir. Pour moi elle était la présidente du Pakistan, elle était une dame forte, déterminée, belle et influente…
J’avais 10 ou 11 ans, et je la regardais quotidiennement aux news…
Aujourd’hui, ils ont décidé de la tuer parce qu’elle était une dame d’exception, parce qu’elle était différente et parce qu’elle aimait son pays.
Benazir Bhutto n’est plus, mais au fond de ma mémoire, je garderai les expressions de son visage déterminé et je l’admirerai toujours pour son courage.
J’ai envie de la pleurer mais je me retiens, comme une enfant qui aura honte de voir ses larmes couler…
Today one of them has been extinguished. No. She was assassinated!
I didn't know her, but I remember having imitated her style several times in front of my mirror. For me, she was the president of Pakistan, she was a strong woman, determined, beautiful and influential…
I was 10 or 11 years old, and I watched her everyday on the news…
Today, they decided to kill her because she was an exceptional lady, because she was different and because she loved her country.
Benazir Bhutto is no more, but in the depths of my memory, I will keep the expressions of her determined face and I will always admire her for her courage.
I feel like crying for her, but I'm holding myself back, like a child ashamed to see tears fall from its eyes…
Blogger R. Naim views this date of the death of “The Rose of Pakistan” as one that will live on as a dark day in Pakistan's history:
Benazir Bhutto n'est plus. Journée maussade, celle où on assasine sauvagement l'un des espoirs de tout un pays. Jour triste, celui où l'intégrisme totalitaire montre son visage le plus noir. Date funèbre, celle où on enterre une dame coupable d'être capable. Capable de remuer une montagne d'idées archaïques et vieillotes et qui, malgré quelques erreurs de parcours, restera l'une des figures emblématiques d'une démocratisation ratée.
Kenza, on her blog “Murmurs” writes that she was shocked enough by the news as to pull herself out of a nasty cold in order to post her reaction to the event:
Je me souviens avoir lancé sans vraiment y croire : ”ils finiront par la tuer” en cette journée d’octobre qui l’a vus revenir au Pakistan. De penser que cette phrase lancée par désespoir de voir les choses un jour changer dans cette partie du monde, de penser que cette phrase qu’au fond de moi j’espérais contredire un jour, de penser qu’elle est désormais réalité me glace le sang.
Benazir n’est plus, le courage ne paye pas toujours dans ce monde de brute…
On that day in October which saw her return to Pakistan, I remember having uttered “they'll end up killing her,” without really believing it. To think that this sentence, thrown out in despair of seeing things change one day in this part of the world, to think that this sentence which I hoped deep inside would one day be proven wrong, to think that it has now become reality chills my blood.
Benazir is no more, courage doesn't always pay in this brutal world.
Blogger Agharass quotes some of Bhutto's own statements regarding any fears for her life:
Aujourd’hui, alors qu’elle quittait une réunion électorale à Rawalpindi, la ravissante Benazir Bhutto a été lâchement assassinée par une hourde !!! sanguinaire.
Elle avait dit un jour :
“En ce moment, je ne pense pas à la mort, je rentre pour le peuple du Pakistan”
Mais aussi: “J’ai préparé ma famille et mes proches à toute éventualité”
Today, as she was leaving an electoral meeting in Rawalpindi, the ravishing Benazir Bhutto was cowardly assassinated by a  bloodthirsty horde!!!
She said one day: “At this time, I do not think of death, I am returning for the people of Pakistan.”
But also: “I have prepared my family and friends for any eventuality.”
This post was edited from its original version to incorporate excerpts from English language blogs.

author: Jillian C. York


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Ghana: Akuffo Addo and the ruling party · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Novisi writes about the recent nomination of the presidential candidate for the ruling party in Ghana: “self-so-called stalwarts of democracy of our country Ghana, the NPP, have just obtained or found or taken or norminated or acclaimed or chosen or whatever it is that they have done, to have Nana Akuffo-Addo as their presidential candidate.”


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Ghana: Christmas with Ofori Amponsah · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ghana Music blog on Christmas celebration in Ghana: The mother of all the events took place at the National Theatre on Monday December 24, where thousands of Ghanaian and foreign music lovers came to take part in perhaps the biggest show in town, dubbed “Ghana Rocks With Ofori Amponsah and Friends”.


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Ghana: The Opposition and Election 2008 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Sarpong writes about Ghana election 2008: “Prez Kufuor faces his last term in office which expires next year.The CPP elected their presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, along other executives. Now, Dr. Nduom made some remarkable statements when he was declared winner ahead of Prof. Badu Akosah.”


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Hong Kong: No More Delay For Universal Suffrage · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Charles Mok posts the position statement of professional commons on the universal suffrage plan: Delay after Delay; Enough is Enough! in his blog.


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Hong Kong: Wedding Card Street  · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Lee Tung Street, more known as the wedding card street, located at Wanchai downtown is demolishing under the urban renewal project. A local resident May, age 59, had hunger strike for 4 days to save the street, yesterday she fainted and was sent to the emergency ward – more from inmediahk.net (zh)


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Iran:Extremist forces and the assassination of Bhutto · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Pouya says[Fa] that extremist and fundamentalist forces are the real “winners” of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.Iranian blogger adds the fundamentalists need chaos in society to push their agenda.


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Israel: Journalists Face Possible Jail Time for Visits to Enemy States · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Three Israeli journalists who visited Lebanon and Syria are facing possible jail time for visiting nations that the government terms “enemy states.” Lisa Goldman, Ron Ben-Yishai, and Tsur Shezaf have been investigated and will spend a maximum of four years in jail if found guilty.
The Infiltration Prevention Law requires that all Israelis traveling to enemy states must garner permission from the government to do so. It is widely acknowledged that permission is rarely granted.
While the law was created in the 1950s to help protect Israeli citizens, it is applied inconsistently as many Israelis travel to hostile countries each year without being prosecuted. In the case of these journalists, it is important to note that all three traveled abroad on foreign passports, as many Israelis are dual citizens and find it safer to travel using the documents of their countries of origin.
“Lisa Goldman” by Ange
Lisa Goldman's own blog, On the Face, and her widespread activity in print and digital media, as well as the Israeli blogosphere are particularly useful for helping us understand the situation.
In her Ha'aretz article entitled, “Why Us– and Why Now?” Goldman defends herself saying that she did not know travel to Lebanon was illegal. She suggests that instead of upholding the old law whose application no longer seems relevant, it would make more sense to have journalists and other travelers sign a release waiver, relieving the Israeli government of its responsibility for their safety. She says:
“Before Gaza was closed to Israeli journalists, those wishing to enter that territory were required to sign a waiver releasing the Israeli government from responsibility for their welfare. I would happily sign a waiver in return for the right to endanger myself at my own risk.
Superintendent Alon Shaharbani's claim that I endangered my own life by traveling to Lebanon struck me as paternalistic, inappropriate and irrelevant to a criminal investigation. What next? Will I be forbidden to walk on London's Edgware Road, which is a hotbed of anti-Israeli sentiment?”
The Israeli blogosphere is alive with commentary on both sides of the debate. While those in support of Goldman are outspoken in her defense, a significant voice of dissent is critical of  what they see as Goldman's and the other journalists’ heedless choices.
Canadian Palestinian blogger Nizo voices his support:
“On the face of it, Lisa's visit to Lebanon did straddle the line between adventurousness and recklessness. If that's her crime, then she should be lined up and shot, along with all those independent journalists who have the audacity of reporting from dangerous locales. How dare they refreshingly complement the rather insipid mainstream media? By what temerity do they risk their lives to inform the rest of us arm-chair Marco-Polos?”
David Bogner of Treppenwitz disagrees:
“While not exactly a Hanoi Jane-worthy performance, there was absolutely no justification for breaking Israeli law to file such a story, and certainly no justification for potentially risking who-knows-how-many lives if someone had decided to disappear her.
Seriously, what if she (or one of her two colleagues) had been kidnapped?  How many bus-loads of terrorists would Israel have had to release to buy their freedom?  How many Israeli soldiers would have had to put their lives on the line simply because the Israeli Government's assessment of what is – and isn't – unreasonably dangerous (and illegal) didn't cross the minds of a few arrogant journalists trying to make a name for themselves?  How much more impotent would our government have appeared if the worst had happened and, for whatever reason, we could not gain the necessary support to act???”
Bogner refers to the many incidents we have on record of the Israeli government engaging in massive prisoner exchanges for a single Israeli individual held for ransom. Over the last 30 years, Israel has traded over 7,000 prisoners to liberate 19 citizens held captive and 8 bodies of the deceased.
YNet News announced this week that a prisoner exchange for Gilad Shalit (pictured above) may be imminent. The current terms demand that 500 prisoners be released to pay for Shalit's freedom. Shalit was abducted on June 25th, 2006 by Palestinian militants during a border raid into Israel.
Liza R. of Something Something returns us to the discussion of the investigations:
“Why is there a witch hunt, and why is it happening now, when these kinds of trips have been made for years? As an Israeli, I am worried about our country's current state of affairs, our misplaced priorities… One of [Goldman's] primary reasons for visiting Lebanon had to do with her constant desire to build bridges – to learn about her neighbors and to, in turn, share her newfound knowledge with her countrymen. Yes, a law was unknowingly broken, but the intent was neither criminal nor malicious, and if anything, it was the opposite.”
Yael K. of the Oleh Girl points out:
“Did you know that quite literally 1,000s of dual-passport holding Israelis travel to places like Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, and so forth every year for business? Why not go after these profitable business people if they are going to apply the law equally?”
She adds, “Journalists are not supposed to “report” by passing on second, third, and fourth-hand information to the public. They are not supposed to engage in armchair reporting on events far afield from the comfort of their Tel Aviv or Jerusalem living rooms. They are supposed to investigate, to verify, to go to the source… But these three journalists under investigation were not throwing themselves into the middle of a combat zone, and they were not privy to nor reporting about top-secret information. In fact, their reports were pretty darn innocuous.”
As we conclude, here are some items to note.
Goldman, Ben-Yishai, and Shezaf visited countries hostile to Israel to get an understanding of life there from the perspective of the average person. Goldman filed reports for Channel 10 televison and Time Out Tel Aviv on life in Beirut after the Second Lebanon War (see the English version here). Ben-Yishai wrote for Yediot Aharonot on Syrian reactions to the alleged Israeli air strike in September. Shezaf reported from Lebanon for the Israeli travel magazine Masa Aher (“A Different Journey”).
You can read more about Shezaf at his webpage, which details his journalistic experiences here, and Ben-Yishai on his profile for the Israel Speakers Agency.
As you continue to think about this issue, also take into consideration that there is a communication disconnect between Israelis and our Arab neighbors, even when they are living among us. Did you know that while Israeli journalists are forbidden from traveling to hostile countries, even on foreign passports, Lebanese journalists and those from many other Arab countries working in Israel are prohibited from interviewing Israelis?
Palestinian American journalist and dedicated coexistence advocate Ray Haninia tells this story. Last June while he was performing on the Arab-Israeli Comedy Tour with two Israeli comedians and a Jewish African American comic, he was approached by a journalist from a popular Lebanese paper for an interview. When he suggested that the journalist also interview his colleagues, he was told, “It is illegal for me to interview an Israeli. I would go to jail.”
Goldman relates the same phenomenon:
“All the Arab news media outlets have correspondents in Israel and the Palestinian territories. They include big names like Al Jazeera, Al Houra, and Al Arabiyya… Why, then, are Israelis barred from reporting from Lebanon? Why are Arabic-speaking television viewers allowed the privilege of live reporting from Israel, while an Israeli reporter who does a pre-recorded, human interest report from Lebanon is accused of violating ethics and endangering lives? Surely there is one word to describe this situation: hypocrisy.”
So I ask you: with governments setting tight strictures on media relations, how can journalists expect to get a real story? If they can't talk to us and we can't go and visit them, how can journalists be expected to accurately and truthfully report on the perspectives of real people living their lives?

author: Maya Norton


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Jamaica: Qualified Unemployment? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Francis Wade republishes a letter to the editor by a returning Jamaican national who can't get a job in order to make a point about why educated Jamaicans remain abroad.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Kazakhstan: Faster Internet · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Arseny reports on the prospected new requirements for ISPs in Kazakhstan and opines on the possible changes in their tariffs.


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Kenya: Kenya election update · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenya 2007 election update from Kenya Imagine: “I have a racking headache this morning. Yesterday was a tough, nay, gruelling day. Yeah, and so much so. It was Election Day; the most competitive, much anticipated issue-based election since independence. I was among the last people at the polling station having stood in the hot sun for almost half a day.”


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Kenya: Kenya elections in photos · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Afromusing posts photos from the Rift Valley of Kenya elections: “Here are some shots i took yesterday at a few polling stations around Eldoret.It was so hot, but people braved the heat and queued in order to vote. By and large it went smoothly in some stations, though in the hospital ward, it was quite inefficient with lines snaking around the corner.”


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Kenya: Parliamentary votes in 64 constituencies · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mzalendo posts results of parliamentary votes following the Kenya 2007 election yesterday: “Mzalendo now has the results for 64 Constituencies.”


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Korea: Three Singers and Military Service · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

How much can military service change your life?
There were three singers in Korea. The first singer, Yoo Seung Joon, who grew up in the U.S., but still kept the Korean citizenship, debuted in Korea in 1997. With a sweet voice and fit body, he got attention instantly and has been popular as a good dancing singer. Another strong image of his was as an honest and sincere man who emphasized his Christianity. The second singer, Psy, who has an American education background and is famous for his musical talent and having unique stage manner, has been popular with his creative and bold singing life. Even though he doesn’t have a specific handsome character, his uniqueness led to huge popularity. Contrary to these two singers, the third singer, Moon Hui Joon has a pure Korean background and is famous for having the most haters in Korea. Even though he was one of the members of a famous singing group, H.O.T., his change to a rock singer and whatever he speaks in media became major mockery. Netizens mocked him with ridiculous graphics.
However, those three men’s lives have dramatically changed recently. One reason is military service.  Even though Yoo Seung Joon stated that he would serve his military obligation for the nation in public and went through the physical examination for military service, he went back to the U.S. and obtained U.S. citizenship instead. After that, he attempted to return, but he was denied entry at Incheon International Airport upon his return to Korea, as he was on a blacklist. Incheon Airport did so by the requestof the Korean Military Manpower Administration, an organization under the Ministry of National Defense. Since 2001, he has been not allowed to return to Korea.
The second singer, Psy decided to go through military service. But his physical examination results made it so he should serve part-time military obligation and he worked as a professional technician in a company. Recently he was sentenced to go back to military service again after he neglected his duty and used authority to evade the duty.
The third singer, Moon Hui Joon just finished his military service and showed his first look in a popuar TV program. His first appearance in public after military duty has different reactions from netizens. It’s interesting to see how much his completion of military service has changed his image on the internet.
안티 10만의 문희준…이젠 미워하지 맙시다…ㅠㅠ
문희준은 구설수가 무서운 듯 털어넣은 고민은 “저는 말하는게 무서워요.”였다. 문희준은 “제대를 하다니 이게 꿈이냐 생시냐. 군대 다시 가는 꿈을 계속 꾼다”고 고백했다.
그러면서 문희준은 “군대에 다시 가는 꿈을 7번이나 꿨는데 가장 악몽은 동명이인으로 다른 사람의 군복무를 대신한 걸로 처리돼 다시 군대에 가는 꿈이었다”고 말했다.
What he confessed was “I’m afraid of speaking” because he’s scared of gossip. He also said, “I’m still confused about being dismissed from military service. I still have dreams to go back to military service.”
He continued, “I had dreams to go back to military service seven times. The most hideous nightmare was what I served before was for another guy who had the same name and therefore I had to go back to military service.”
Direct apology to him was not hard to find in the internet.
문희준 미안해요.
헌데 어느 순간 군입대 소식이 들리면서 아 군대 면제라는 루머는 말 그대로 루머였구나 싶었고 문희준에 대해 다시 새로운 눈으로 보게 됬고 제대 한 후에 무릎팍도사에 출현한 걸 본 오늘부터는 문희준 정말 괜찮은 사람이다. 이렇게 까일만한 사람이 아니다 라는걸 제대로 느꼈습니다.
Listening to the news of his entrance to military service from some moment, I realized a rumor I got about him before was just a rumor and looked at him with different opinions. After I saw him on the TV program, mooreuppak dosa, I felt that he’s a good person and he didn’t have to be criticized so much.
A netizen compares two singers’ issues and other entertainers.
문희준 유승준 – 군입대문제로 희비가 엇갈리다…
유승준 군입대문제
문희준 유승준의 군입대문제. 아니 연얘인의 총체적인 병역문제가 사회적이슈거리가 되었던 시기는 언제일까요? 시기는 약  6년전으로 거슬러 올라가봅니다. 2001년 당시 가수 유승준이 입대 3달을 앞두고 돌연 미국으로 귀국해 시민권을 획득. 국내 병역을 회피했다는 의혹을 낳기 시작했습니다. 2001년 병무청 신체검사후 4급판정을 받은 유승준이 공익판정이 억울하며 군징집에 우호적인 입장을 밝혀왔고 꾸준히 방송을 통해서도 연얘인 군입대문제에 긍정적인 입장을 가져왔기에 2003년 귀국한 유승준의 문제가 사회문제로 커지게 된 큰 이유중에 하나입니다. 또다른 사건으로는 2004년 운동선수 병역비리사건이 크게 한건 터졌습니다. 이후로부터 연얘인들에게 있어 병역은 커다란 문제로 가시화됐습니다.
당시 병무청에서 이 일을 계기로 가수 유승준의 입국을 거부하는 일이 일어나자 또 한번 큰 이슈가 됩니다. 이 문제를 가지고 TV에서는 토론도 벌어지고 미국시민권에 대한 사람들의 관심도 크게 일어났죠. 이것은 어제 오늘의 일이 아니였고 많은 특권층의 자제도 이러한 방법으로 군입대문제를 회피하는 일이 비일비재했다는 점에서 사회적 충격으로 다가오지 않았나 생각됩니다. 결국 그후로 유승준은 한국땅을 밟지 못하게 됩니다.
사건의 시간이 흘렀음에도 불구하고 2005년에 실시한 조사에 따르면 아직도 그의 귀국을 반대한다는 여론의 목소리가 크다는 것을 알 수 있습니다. 군입대문제가 아직도 사회적으로 민감한 부분이기에 당시의 방향과 현재의 방향이 비슷하다고 생각이 듭니다….
문희준 군입대문제
이러한 사건들이 다른 연예인들에게도 크게 영향을 끼쳤고 많은 가수나 연예인들이 자진해서 입대하거나 입장을 밝혔습니다. 그중에서도 가장 관심을 가지게 됐던 가수가 바로 문희준이 아니였나 생각됩니다.문희준 유승준 두명의 가수에는 앞서 얘기했던 것과 같이 일부 공통점이 존재하였고 특히 문희준은 많은 안티팬을 보유하고 있었기에 문희준 군입대문제가 조용하지 않을 수 없었습니다….
안티팬들은 문희준 군입대문제로도 많은 비난적인 공격을 쏟아냈습니다. 안티까페과 팬까페를 재미삼아 자주 구경간 저로서도 이런 점이 많이 기억에 남네요. 문희준이 병역면제라는 루머가 한동안 돌면서 많은 일들이 있었습니다.
이러한 문제를 한번에 해결하는 사건이 2005년말 육군에 입대한 문희준의 군입대사건입니다. (사건이라기에 조금 우습네요^^;) 연예사병이 입대시 특기를 처음으로 부여받는 방식이 아닌 일반병으로 6개월간 군생활을 마치기에 문희준도 운전병으로 자대배치를 받고 군생활을 시작했습니다. 이당시 저도 군대에 있어 군인들의 시선으로 문희준을 바라봤는데 따가왔던 시선이 긍정적으로 변해감을 느낄 수 있었습니다….
Military Service Issue with Yoo Seung Joon
The issue of military service of Moon Hui Joon and Yoo Seung Joon. From when has entertainers’ military service become a social issue? It might be from six years before. In 2001, waiting for starting military service for three months, Yoo Seung Joon suddenly went back to the U.S.A. and obtained American citizenship. He has been suspected that he intended to evade military service. In 2001, he finished the physical examination and received the fourth grade. He himself said that he didn’t want to serve for the public good and expressed himself that he would like to go to the regular military service in media. Therefore his final decision and return to Korea in 2003 turned into a social issue. In 2004, athletes’ scandals to evade military service shook Korean society up again. After that, military service of entertainers has become a big issue.
When the Office of Military Manpower Administration turned his entrance into Korea down, it became a big issue again. There have been panels about this topic in TV and people got to be interested in Koreans who have American citizenship. This has not been a recent topic like yesterday or today. Because not a few children from the priviledged class have avoided military service, it must have become a social shock. In the end, since the scandal, Yoo Seung Joon even couldn’t step in Korea.
Even though it was long time ago, more people are still opposed to his return according to the poll of 2005. The military service issue is still socially sensitive and therefore the opinions have not changed so much at that time and at present….
Military Service Issue with Moon Hui Joon
His scandal influenced other entertainers, and other singers and entertainers expressed that they will go to military service. Among them, the singer who got the most attention must be Moon Hui Joon.  Both Moon Hui Joon and Yoo Seung Joon had the similarities. In particular, Moon Hui Joon had so many haters and therefore whether he goes to military service or not has been a popular topic….
Haters especially criticized the delay of his military service. I remember all those because I checked his fans and haters’ webpages. There have been a lot of things going on while there has been a rumor that Moon Hui Joon was exempted from military service.
An incident that solved all these problems was his entrance to military service in late 2005… As a general soldier, not as an entertainment soldier, he started his military service as a driving soldier after tbe 6 week training course. At that time I was in the military and looked at him as a soldier. I started having a positive perspective on him.
Another netizen categorizes male entertainers by how they deal with their military service.
▶ 군대에 대처하는 남자 연예인들의 자세
① 파렴치형
병역 면제나 근무 태만 등 각종 병역 비리를 통해 복무를 회피하려는 이들을 지칭한다. 얼마 전 결과적으로 현역 생활을 통해 제대했지만, 입대 전 병역 비리를 저지른 송승헌과 장혁이 전자의 대표적인 예다. 그리고 며칠 전 재입대한 싸이는 후자의 경우다.
② 해외도피형
언급하기도 부끄럽다. 외국시민권을 통해 군입대를 면제받거나 아예 대한민국 국적을 포기하는 경우다. 대표적인 예는 현재까지 약 7년째 입국조차 금지된 유승준을 들 수 있다. 유승준은 가수 활동을 통해 팬들의 사랑을 받아왔지만, 군문제로 대한민국 국적마저 포기하면서 한국 사회에서 완전히 매장당하고 말았다.
③ 미루자형
말 그대로 무조건 미루고 보자는 연예인들이다. 입대하는 톱스타들의 연령을 보면 대부분 20대 후반에서 30세 정도. 대학원 등의 이유로 입대를 미루다가 더 이상 연기가 허용되지 않을 때 입대를 하는 연예인들을 지칭한다. 현재 30세인 연정훈이 대표적이며 대부분의 남자 연예인들이 밟는 과정이다.
④ 구청형
마포구청에는 소지섭(현재는 소집해제 상태), 광진구청에는 이정진(현재는 소집해제 상태), 용산구청에는 김종국, 강남구청에는 고수, 고양시청에는 남궁민, 구리시청에는 조성모가 있다. 또 서울고등법원에는 김종민, 강남 연금관리공단에는 장우혁이 공익근무요원으로 근무 중이다.
요즘 구청은 연예 기획사(?)로 거듭나고 있다. 언급한 이들을 살펴보면, ‘출발 드림팀’ 선수 출신이 2명(김종국, 조성모), 가요계 Top 춤꾼이 2명(김종민, 장우혁), 몸짱 스타가 절반에 이르는 4명(소지섭, 이정진, 김종국, 고수)에 이른다.
⑤ 사나이형
당당하게 현역에 입대하는 경우다. 연예인들 중에는 드문 만큼 제대하면 많은 팬들의 환영을 받는다. 대표적인 스타는 아역 출신 이민우가 있으며, 최근에는 김태우가 연예사병이 아닌 휴전선 수색대에서 복무하고 있어 팬들의 사랑을 받고 있다…
요즘 시대는 입대를 앞둔 연예인들에게 축복받은 시대임이 틀림없다. 남자 연예인들은 정정당당한 현역 입대를 통해 진정한 사내의 모습을 보여주는 것이 팬들이 바라는 바임을 잊지 말아야 할 것이다. 장기적인 측면에서 군생활은 자신을 더 단련시켜줄 뿐만 아니라, 팬들의 기억 속에 떳떳한 연예인으로 기억되게 해준다. 군복무는 인기의 보증수표라는 사실을 명심하자.
2.	Fugitive style
It’s even shameful to mention. Through foreign citizenship, they exempt military service or give up the citizenship of their mother land. The most representative example is Yoo Seung Joon who was prohibited from coming back to Korea seven years ago. Yoo Seung Joon was loved by his fans a lot, but was buried in Korea after giving up citizenship in order to evade military service.
3.	Delaying style
Literally, it indicates entertainers who delay on and on. Checking entertainers’ ages, they are the late 20s or 30s. They delay it under the pretext of graduate school or when their popularity declines, they go to military service. Youn Jung Hun who is 30 now is a representative of this style.
4. District official style
Mapo district office has So Ji Seop, Kwangjin district office has Lee Jung Jin, Yongsan district office has Kom Jong Kook, Kangnam district office has Go Soo, Koyang district office has Nam Koong Min, and Kuri district office has Cho Sung Mo. In addition, Seoul high court of justice has Kim Jong Min and Kangnam National Pension Service has Chang Woo Hyuk as part time soldiers.
5. Macho style
This is the guys who bravely go to military service on the regular track. It is a rare case for entertainers and therefore they get warm welcome after dismissal. The representatives are Lee Min Woo and Kim Taewoo who serve in the Demilitarized Zone….
These days, it is a blessed period for male entertainers who are waiting for military service. Through fair military service, they can be shown as truthful men and fans are also expecting it. In the long term, military lives will train them and will help to implant the image as honorable entertainers. Bear in mind that military service is as good as the bond to be popular.
How can male entertainers get popularity among young men in particular in Korea?
그런데 스포츠서울 조사에서도 드러나듯, H.O.T., 젝스키스, G.O.D. 등 한때 인기를 끌던 댄스그룹 남성중 현역에 입대한 사람이 12% 밖에 안됩니다. 그리도 이들 중 대부분이 문희준군이 입대한 후에 입대하였죠. 그렇게 볼 때 문희준이 솔선수범해 군대에 입대했다는 사실은 젊은 남성들에게 잔잔한 감동을 안겨줄 수 밖에 없는 일이었죠. 이제 그가 군복무를 성실하게 마치고 제대하는 모습을 본 많은 네티즌은 그가 입대하기 전에 가졌던 악감정을 버리고, 그를 “우리처럼 군생활 한 사람”으로 환영하는 분위기입니다.

author: Hyejin Kim


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Myanmar: Video Showing September Violence · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Agam's Gecko points to a new video clip that has emerged from Myanmar. “As if the world needed anymore evidence that the brutal Burmese regime has got to go now, but here is some more anyway. I've been told it's been given to CNN — but it only surfaced this week, and maybe they'll still find time for it amidst the year-end reviews and presidential campaign analyses.


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Nari Jibon: Women bloggers and the dowry problem in Bangladesh · Global Voices
Rezwan

Originally posted on Rising Voices
Sufia Khatun writes in the Nari Jibon Bangla Blog Amader Kotha about bride dowries which are still a menace in Bangladeshi society. Although  the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1980 made dowry a punishable offence to prevent the oppression and even murder of married women, it is still stealthily practiced throughout Bangladesh.
Sufia describes her classmate who was married to a butcher because her father could not afford the dowry for a better groom. She expresses her anger [bn]:
Poverty does not bring happiness, but rather it destroys an organized life. Dowry has become an inevitable common practice in our society. The poor fathers in our society think that fatherhood of a female child is a curse. He has to spend a lot on girls from birth; carrying out expenditures of livelihood, education and what not. It’s the same for a male child, if not more. But during marriage the males do not have to go through what females endure.
It has become a practice in our society that if the daughter is to be married with an educated bridegroom, he and his house must be properly decorated (with dresses, furniture etc.). So many educated girls like Shilpi are married with an uneducated man. She has to stay back at home without applying her education. It can only depress girls like her.
She asks [bn]:
“The dowry virus has infected every woman in Bangladesh. How to get cured of it? Will Bangladesh not be freed from poverty? Will the Bangladeshi women never be free from dowry?”
In another post Sherin Sultana writes about her friend Muna who eloped with her boyfriend in an extra-marital affair. She points out how her boyfriend was able to trick her into draining money from her and resort to mental and economical violence instead of physical. It seems love does not understand logic and self-defence.
Ruma Akhter wondered what she would do if she were the Prime Minister of Bangladesh:
I have a dream to be A Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Though it is an impossible wish, but I really wish that. If it would happen in my life, I would like to use all the opportunities to develop our country.
I would offer a terrorism and nepotism-free society for the people of Bangladesh. I would try to turn the wheel of fate of the poverty-stricken people.
Education is the precondition of development. If I were the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, I would make education compulsory for all.
For the alleviation of unemployment problem and poverty, I would take some effective steps, such as- initiative of industrializations, agricultural development etc. To develop agriculture I would try to use scientific methods in agricultural sector.
I would try to do everything to make the people happy and prosperous of my country. That’s why I wish – if I were A Prime Minister!!!
Compulsory education prevails in many developed countries and education is the catalyst for development. No nation can be developed if they cannot understand their deficiencies. I am sure she would make a successful Prime Minister and, in fact, Bangladesh has already had two women Prime Ministers.
Nari Jibon celebrated the birthday of Nari Jibon founder, Dr. Kathryn B. Ward, the person behind Nari Jibon. Mayanur Akhter wrote her gratitude referring to Professor Ward as ‘mother’ and then describing a bit of what the Nari Jibon project does.
Instructor Taslima Akhter posts a video-interview with Monwara Begum who faced domestic violence after marriage: Read the transcript here.
More Nari Jibon blogger profiles were posted recently.
In Nari Jibon’s regular fortnightly meeting on December 8, 2007 they discussed about their progress and the upcoming blogposts and trainings. Nari Jibon’s staff M.G. Rabbany Sujan decscribes how Nari Jibon is acting as an alternative skill provider to marginalized women in Dhaka.
Nari Jibon can surely boast of these successes.

author: Rezwan


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Pakistan: Why Bhutto, and what now for Pakistan? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

More reactions are pouring out in the Pakistani blogosphere and elsewhere as it settles in that a very strong and capable leader is no more. Some bloggers are concerned about the law and order situation, providing personal accounts of the violence on the streets. There is also a lot of speculation about the impending elections, and the likely postponement. Taking the issue forward, some blogs are discussing the legacy of Benazir Bhutto, the future for Pakistan and the likely suspects who ordered the assassination, even as the Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility.
Red Diary discusses why Bhutto was a target, and the resulting riots.
The strong possibility of the rise of a secularist Benazir into power made her a mortal threat for those in the State who harbored sympathy for Islamic Fundamentalists, with whom the notorious intelligence agencies, such as the ISI, were closely knitted since the Cold War and the Afghan War. Benazir Bhutto become a symbol of resistance against Islamic Extremists – both residing inside and outside the State. She stood secularism and modernity against militant retrogressive and conservative trends.
Some bloggers assert that while they did not agree with Benazir Bhutto's politics, or support her part – Pakistan Peoples Party, an attack such as this is deeply tragic and reflects the turmoil that Pakistan is likely to find itself in. Muslim Matters calls it an act of terrorism, and condemns violence as a tool of resolution.
This is pure terrorism that must be condemned by all, religious or otherwise. If anyone had a problem with her politics, then the proper route is to use one’s pen and mind to argue against her ideology, not use the coward’s strategy of shutting up who you can’t argue with. Violence is the nemesis that will sink Pakistan if people don’t wake up and recognize its evil (both in an Islamic and social sense).
Echoing a similar point of view, Ali Eteraz writes an article on the Huffington Post.
Irrespective of one's views on Bhutto — mine were mostly negative — she was the primary secular-minded democratic leader of Pakistan. She had made statements about hunting Bin Laden, eradicating the pernicious madrassa system, as well as apologizing for allowing the Taliban to acquire power during her watch in the mid 90's. Her killing is a huge blow to the anti-extremist movement in Pakistan. Frankly, as it stands now, there are no other anti-extremist democratic leaders in Pakistan.
Metroblogging Karachi has a post detailing the panic on the streets. Tabish Bhimani focuses on the consequences of this tragedy, and recommends that people take caution when venturing out of their homes.
What I am trying to say here is not that one of these individuals or organizations have committed a heinous crime, a murder, deciding the fate of not just a country, but of human beings; rather what I am trying to say is that there are an equal number of possibilities as to what happened and why and that we must reserve judgement. What happens in a country such as Pakistan, which is so famous in the international media, has global repercussions.
Teeth Maestro who is providing constant updates on the event and its aftermath, sets up an online condolence book for Benazir Bhutto.
In an attempt to provide the online community and opportunity to offer their condolences to the grieving family and literally thousands of Peoples Party supporters I would like to initiate this condolence book for Benazir Bhutto. I will make it my own responsibility to present the entire list to the offices of the Pakistan Peoples Party to be attached with the main condolence book.


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Puerto Rico: Prayer for Bhutto · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“What a great lost to the world is the assassination of this heroic woman who sought only to bring peace to her people”: The Voice of the Taino People calls for “a minute of prayer” in memory of Benazir Bhutto.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Permaculture · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Sharon Millar at My Chutney Garden interviews Johnny Stollmeyer – “a conceptual artist/deep ecologist working on issues of sustainability.”


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Trinidad & Tobago: Stop the Traffic · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“How can an island of 2 million people with an area the size of London have major traffic problems?”: Seldo.com blogs about the gridlock in Trinidad's capital city.


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Uganda: Is Uganda mentally, intellectually and creatively broke?  · Global Voices
Rebekah Heacock

An interview with a Kampala City Council official has blogger Tumwijuke wondering if Uganda is “mentally, intellectually and creatively broke”:
What else would explain the near absence of public art in the city?  Rich men and women in Kampala are opening new hotels, shopping centers, office blocks and apartments every month.  These are well traveled and widely read (I hope) people who are exposed to things like good architecture, art and culture.  So why is the city so bland?
Tumwijuke follows her account of the interview with photos and descriptions of Kampala's existing public art installations, an excellent collection of what few pieces the city has to offer.
The post also calls attention to blogren newcomer kampala.ver, Uganda's first architecture and urban planning blog.  Author Filoug's Yes Please! and Urban Sins categories chronicle, with photos, the best and worst of Kampala's architecture, and a multiple-post proposal details a central public transport terminal that would reduce congestion and provide a combined space for transportation and commercial activity:
Clearly, the downside to my previous argument for the need of an organized bus system including the construction of a Central Kampala Public Transport Terminal is this: With the stroke of a pen we have done away with one of Kampala’s prime tourist attractions, the Old Taxi Park.
So we better come up with something really nice as a replacement. Something that doesn’t exist anywhere in town. Something that improves quality of life, for everybody to enjoy.
Such as a shady, relaxing, traffic-free Public Square in the heart of the city. Again.
To achieve this, a ’spine’ of blocks is arranged along Luwum Street and Ben Kiwanuka Street, creating an urban frontage, at the same time shielding the square. Narrow alleyways cut trough the blocks, emphasizing the sense of openness and spaciousness of the square itself. Since Old Taxi Park is located right in between Nakasero and Owino Market, it is also suggested to strengthen this axis by turning Market Street into a pedestrian shopping street. It’s already got the right name for it.
Finally, writing from the United States, Uganda-CAN worries about the effect next year's 10% reduction in U.S. diplomatic posts will have on the ability of the U.S. to support peace talks like the ongoing ones between the government of Uganda and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army:
These cuts (in the midst of the massive disparity) come as U.S. policymakers are realizing the limits of military solutions to complex security problems. Yet, this institutional arrangement continues to privilege military approaches, while limiting the potential for diplomatic engagement. This is having a real impact in northern Uganda and the whole of Africa. The U.S. military, with the advent of AFRICOM, is increasingly becoming the face of U.S. policy on the continent. Though the military does often play a key role, this limits the creative space for the U.S. to support peace negotiations and promote sustainable conflict resolution.

author: Rebekah Heacock