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ICT4D: When mobile phones link with computers · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

In a previous post, we investigated the future of ICT4D from a pretty high level. In this post, I am going to look at some of the new tools that individuals, groups, companies and governments can use to develop new projects around information and communication technologies.
Our underlying theme is investigating how ICTs affect human development. There are many who argue that connection to the internet and/or mobile phone technologies will increase people’s participation in government, in economies, in education and thus increase their standard of living.
Technology and access to internet has advanced so much in the past years, that some will argue that there is no longer a question of whether people in remote areas will soon communicate online. Rather, we should talk about what forms of communication will take place.
The UK-based blog Mainstreaming ICT, says the time to integrate the mobile phone and the computer is now.
The Internet and mobile phones are both communication and information technologies so it makes sense to try to integrate them. We’ve been trying to intergrate them for a number of years with limited success but finally the Internet is becoming widely available and usable on a large number of mobile devices and at a reasonably low cost in many countries.
Of course the mobile browser based Internet is a different experience. You have to think in a different way – for instance: -
•	Instead of Email – Think SMS
•	Instead of computer sized screen – Think Mobile Phone screen
•	Instead of huge functionality – Think MOST IMPORTANT functionality and simplicity
•	Instead of flashy stuff and high bandwidth – think SIMPLE design and low bandwidth
…It makes sense to initially look at linking in with the big social networks  such as Facebook/My Space & Ning – they all have Mobile Internet Interfaces but .. the sites weren’t originally designed with mobile in mind and IMHO it really shows.
Low bandwidth? No problem
One major problem facing internet users in the developing world is the combination of slow connectivity (or, interrupted connections) and graphic-intensive websites. News websites and social networking sites are often the worst offenders. (Here’s a nice rundown on the popularity of various social networking sites in Africa and Asia.)
Christian Kreutz at the blog Crisscrossed has a theory that many of the world’s languages have not been widely translated for applications, because so many people can’t read popular websites. The reason? Page load times are too long for people with questionable connections.
Here's a few examples:
•	Checking up a profile on Facebook or at least access the log in page, which has alone almost 800kb! In a cybercafe, where you have to pay fees per minute, it may take up to 3 minutes with a dial up modem connection.
•	Video or audio upload is almost impossible with a low bandwidth connection and can cost you a lot when your tariff is measured in volume instead of time.
•	This blog is based on WordPress, which is a great open source tool, but unfortunately not made for a dial up connections. If you want to publish a new post on WordPress (2.7.1), you have to download over 750kb first.
Unfortunately even the free and open source community has little activity around low bandwidth solutions.
The blog Aid Worker Daily, based out of the US, has found a solution to viewing these slow-loading websites:
I am not sure how many of you are familiar with Loband but it is one of the best options for viewing websites over low bandwidth connections.  It strips out all images, formatting, etc and leaves you with a text only rendering of the page which is still quite legible.  You can view Aid Worker Daily over Loband HERE.  Loband is the offspring of the geniuses over at Aptivate.  (Of course, if you are using Firefox you can always go to Tools -> Options -> Content and deselect ‘Load images automatically’.)
Here is the home page for Global Voices Online via Loband.
Crisscrossed lists other products for low-bandwidth connections.
One really great initiative is Maneno, which not only tries to provide a low bandwidth blogging solution in Africa, but also focuses on offering multilingual options emphasising on various African languages such as Bamanankan and Swahili, beside French, English, Arabic and Portuguese. I got in contact with Maneno recently and their team ensured me that their system is designed as low as 13 kb without images and 33 kb including images…
Twitter can make a difference as it lets you send and receive messages via mobile phone. But, unfortunately, Twitter gave up its free SMS service a while ago. I asked one of the Twitter founders, Jack Dorsey, at the e-stats conference when the free service is coming back, to which he replied ‘on mid year.’ This leaves the question, ‘what can be said in 140 characters?’ Quite a lot when you look at the Mobile Voices project just featured by the Netsquared N2Y2 challenge.
But one thing is for sure, just because you only have low bandwidth connection, does not mean you want to see dull, text based websites. There are various ways to make websites look appealing and still reduce the data size considerable. Aptivate has excellent Web Design Guidelines for Low Bandwidth.
Full disclosure: Maneno, the multi-lingual, low-bandwidth blogging platform, is in part run by three Global Voices authors. Here is a GV post about it.
Micro-blogging for fun and profit
People like micro-blogging, popularized through sites like Twitter and the business-oriented Yammer, because it is fast and relatively low-bandwidth. It’s quicker and easier than email and often even more informal. Micro-blogging has changed the way groups conduct crisis management, event coverage and issue advocacy.
But not everyone wants to attempt to micro-blog on the big sites because of the lack of privacy. There are a number of technologies that allow organizations to put micro-blogging to their own use to facilitate community building online.
Louis Gray, a US-based blogger, explains the federated platform of Laconi.ca, which he describes as a “group Twitter” – speaking to a distinct community rather than to the whole world.
Well, actually, it's more of a small community concept I'm refering to – your business can actually build communities off of this protocol, starting with the software that Identi.ca has provided. Identi.ca and Twitter are both very broad communities. People of all types and tastes are on those services. Those services are good for that – it's a great way to build relationships, meet new people, and find information. However, there is no way currently for me to associate only with those of like tastes and culture. For instance, if I am into college football and you are not, you aren't going to be interested in the details of the games I'm watching….
Now, what if [the US-based sports network] ESPN were to launch a version of Laconi.ca just for sports lovers? It would just take a simple install of Laconi.ca and a little cobranding of their logo, look, and feel and soon an entire community of sports lovers would be sharing their love for sports, communicating back and forth, and showing their other sports-loving friends what they're doing in their sports-loving life. At the same time, they could still follow all of those same friends they follow over on Identi.ca and even other interest communities, all while still on the ESPN sports community, remaining on the ESPN site. Imagine if this same technique was launched for Moms, Dads, religions, or even just your local city or town?
Here is a write-up on another open source micro-blogging platform: OpenMicroblogger.org
My mobile phone, my friend
The last post in this series began with the argument that we need to update the old story of the fisherman using his mobile phone to find the highest prices for his product. Back to the blog Crisscrossed, here is an update on what makes the mobile phone so important.
It is so special because it combines all former media, such as telephone, Internet, and even radio and television, and because one can:
1.	Communicate and receive information (radio, television and Internet)
2.	Document and collect information
3.	Publish information in text, audio and video
4.	Can network in different ways on a peer-to-peer basis
He also noted the mobile phone will help shape the public sphere by allowing citizen journalists to take photos. Phones allow people to participate in radio programs and through SMS-based campaigns. And they allow people to monitor elections.
Patrick Meier, from the group DigiActive, argues that people can now become activists simply by using a mobile phone. Portable telephones have been employed to organize and coordinate protests – specifically in the Philippines, Spain and Pakistan. Mobile phones have also been used to document human rights abuses, in Egypt, Tibet and Morocco.
But problems do exist. The cost of SMS communication is very high, especially in Africa. Mobile networks can be controlled by the government, Kreutz says. And, mobile providers are in businses to make money, not facilitate protest marches.
Sending hundreds of SMS texts
FrontlineSMS distributes a program allowing users to send and receive SMS messages in large groups without having to hook up to the internet.
Here is a write up in the blog Pulse + Signal about a FrontlineSMS project in Malawi, where they distributed mobile phones so doctors in hospitals can communicate with health workers in remote villages.
Despite all of the technological advancement surrounding these portable command centers of communication – all the bells and whistles that come equipped – we are at a point in the public/global health world hardly any of it matters.
A large amount of [moble technology for health] mHealth’s impact is being focused into developing, low-resource countries where there are numerous health issues needing to be addressed. The helpful technology that comes into play is SMS (Short Messaging Service). Fondly referred to as texting, SMS is one of the most basic aspects of the cell phone where data entered can be sent back and forth between phones. This service has been wildly useful in the implementation of more effective health initiatives around the world.
Finally, a video of FrontlineSMS staff training community health workers using SMS technology.

author: John Liebhardt


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India: Factual Error In Lonely Planet Guide About Chennai · Global Voices
Rezwan

Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan at Selective Amnesia points out that the Chennai city proper is 172 square km large, not 70 square km as claimed by Lonely planet.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Rezwan


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Iran: The rising cost of bread · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Jomhour , an Iranian blogger, says [fa] that the price of some breads has increased 5 fold in one year in Iran.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Jamaica: Publishing in the Internet Age · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp gets thinking “about publishing, the Internet, and Caribbean writers.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Maldives: Abolish Capital Punishment? · Global Voices
Rezwan

Maldives president Mohammed Nasheed suggested a moratorium on capital punishment in a recent radio speech which has sparked a debate in the country. His namesake blogger Mohammed Nasheed has details on this issue.


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Pakistan: Routable GPS Map Available For Free · Global Voices
Rezwan

Teeth Maestro informs that “independent efforts by a group of volunteers have finally paid off to present a fully routable GPS map for Karachi (& Pakistan) available FREE to the general public.”


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Pakistan: The South Waziristan Operation · Global Voices
Rezwan

Kalsoom at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan updates on the status of the day 3 of the Pakistan army's South Waziristan offensive against the Talibans.


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Paraguay: The Kidnapping of Cattle Rancher · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The recent kidnapping of cattle rancher Fidel Santiago Zavala in Paraguay [es] has attracted criticism to President Fernando Lugo for his lack of courage to combat crime, as well as proposals for laws allowing citizens to be armed writes José Angel López Barrios.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Peru: Mamainé, Afro-Peruvian Cooking Queen · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Barb of American in Lima introduces Mamainé, the “Afro-Peruvian Cooking Queen,” who made a special appearance by cooking for Lima residents.


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Puerto Rico: Money & People   · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Gil the Jenius blogs about money and self image as it relates to Puerto Rico.


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Saudi Arabia: Where Plagiarism is a Crime  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Saudi bloggers are rallying to the support of a fellow blogger who claims that a newspaper had lifted photographs and copy from his blog without permission.
Saudi Jeans‘ Ahmed Al Omran has little praise for the paper being accused of plagiarism:
Although al-Yaum newspaper has enjoyed a monopoly in the Eastern Province (EP) for a very long time, it remains one of the weakest publications in the country. I was born and raised in the EP, and I used to read Ashraq al-Awsat, al-Hayat and al-Watan but not al-Yaum.
Al Omran's distaste was further fueled after Saudi Aggie, a student named Nathan at the newly opened King Abdulla University of Science and Technology (KAUST) raised the alarm that the paper had used his photographs and coverage of the recent students elections. He posts a copy of the clipping from the paper and asks his readers:
I can't believe this! Look at this article that was published recently in the major Saudi Arabian newspaper, Al Yaum. Do those pictures look familiar? How about the words? If you can't read Arabic, this was taken almost verbatim from my blog post “Elections” published October 7th, 2009. This can't be legal, not even in Saudi Arabia!
The American student further adds:
If I was in the USA I would file an intellectual property rights case against Al Yaum. If it was the New York Times that plagiarized my blog I would be rich right now. Do intellectual rights to published thoughts and photos have any value here?
Al Omran notes:
Nathan is thinking about suing them, which would be awesome, but probably they have already embarrassed themselves enough.
Commentators on Nathan's blog are sympathetic to the blogger's plight.
Mazoo writes:
I'm sorry to see that happening to you ..
however , it's a common thing here in KSA :D ..
I heard about many many cases in which my friends content ( blog entries , pictures and ideas ) have been stolen by some lazy journalists. They complained about it and some wrote to the chief editor – some of them post an apology and some of them fired the person who stole the content
Al Hanouf, who describes herself as a law student,  is seeking justice:
If this action considered under a computer-related crimes , then he – the journalist – should be in jail for more than 6 months and he should pay to you not less than 250,000 SR .
You should go to a lawyer , and please don't end this by emailing the newspaper!
there is a law , and it wouldn't be able to correct the mistakes if we end the issues in our lazy way !
And Chiara advises:
I share in the revulsion for plagiarism, and the common tactic of translating and plariagizing is no better. You can copyright your whole blog as other bloggers have done, and have your name embedded on the photos.
In a follow up post, Nathan writes:
In Saudi Arabia, gossip spreads like the plague. This blog has received tens of thousands of new visitors in one week alone.
[…]
I came to Saudi Arabia to build bridges, not to make enemies. I came to study and research at a university which is striving with all of its might to be one of the best research universities in the world, not to get money from people or organizations.
I do want accountability. What Al Yaum did was wrong, but the tone of the discussion is also wrong.
And his final words to his readers are:
If you want to borrow something from my blog, please ask first. Nobody, myself included, enjoys misunderstandings.
Using a translation tool, the journalist concerned writes to Nathan stating his case.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Trinidad & Tobago: Line Up · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Trinidadians and queuing? what is that?” Know TnT.com explains.


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Uganda: Bloggers discuss anti-gay bill · Global Voices
Haute Haiku

The Ugandan anti gay bill has been tabled in parliament and now it awaits the president Yoweri Museveni to sign and make homosexuality officially illegal. The previous code was not clear but now the bill called “The anti homosexuality Bill 2009” tabled by a member of parliament David Bahati which states that any homosexuality act or tendencies might face the death penalty or face life imprisonment. The Ugandan writes:
The multiple laws that I will be breaking as soon as the president signs this law. Well, our detractors had already said that we would be stiffed with a tougher law, but this goes way beyond that. If I attempt to commit the offense… (god, the number of times that I have made passes and they have been rejected!) Each of those times was worth 7 years in jail. Good heavens!!!! Before, we could be liable to life imprisonment. gug hereby declares that, when the President of the Republic signs this law, gug will be liable to the death penalty… because I and my lover are serial offenders, breaking this law.
The bill further prohibits adoption by gay couples; any person who aids, promotes counsels any acts of homosexuality in any way will face up to seven years imprisonment, or risk a fine of sh100m. It states the ill effects of homosexuality as:
Research indicates that the  homosexuality has a variety of negative consequences including higher incidences of violence, sexually transmitted diseases, and use of drugs.  The higher incidence of separation and break-up in homosexual relationships also creates a highly unstable environment for children raised by homosexuals through adoption or otherwise, and can have profound psychological consequences on those children.  In addition, the promotion of homosexual behavior undermines our traditional family values.
Given Uganda’s historical, legal, cultural and religious values which maintain that the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman is the basic unit of society. This Bill aims at strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family.  These threats include: redefining human rights to elevate homosexual and transgender behavior as legally protected categories of people.
There is also need to protect our children and youths who are made vulnerable to sexual abuse and deviation as a result of cultural changes, uncensored information technologies, parentless child developmental settings and increasing attempts by homosexuals to raise children in homosexual relationships through adoption, foster care, or otherwise.
Producers, publishers and distributors of material containing homosexuality especially if a business, an NGO will have its certificate or registration canceled and the director will face seven years in prison. That includes gay blogs in Uganda:
Poor sympathizers. You are not left to love us. No, all lovers of gays, and gays in Uganda will suffer, and be punished by this law. Any press conferences? Not by gay Ugandans. You see, we are a pariah people that will never be like all other Ugandans. Ha ha ha ha ha!
Oh, the gayuganda blog is one of the things which are illegal, as per that bill. I am furiously promoting homosexuality on this blog, complaining about a law like this. So, 5 years in prison, and my (non existent) bank balance will be set back by 100M Uganda shillings…! And the people who dare to give us condoms and lubricant for sex… Or, if you dare to have an HIV prevention program for homosexuals in Uganda… or even try to teach safer sex. Well, the penalties are stiff. Very stiff. Jail, and jail and other things.
Here are the objective of the bill.
3.1. The objectives of the Bill
The objectives of the Bill are:
(a) To protect marriage as that only between a man and a woman in Uganda;
(b) To prohibit homosexual behavior and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family;
(c) To safeguard the health of Ugandan citizens from the negative effects of homosexuality and related practices;
(d) To establish progressive legislation protective of the traditional family that can serve as a model for other countries;
(e) To prohibit ratification of any international treaties, conventions, protocols and declarations which are contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act;
(f) To ensure that no international instruments to which Uganda is already a party can be interpreted or applied in Uganda in a way that was never intended at the time the document was created;
(e) To withdraw from any international agreements to which Uganda already is a party, or file reservations to them, which are re-interpreted to include protection for homosexual behavior, or that promote same-sex marriage, or that call for the promotion or teaching about homosexuality as being healthy, normal, or an acceptable lifestyle choice, or that seek to establish sexual behavior, sexual orientation, or gender identity, or sexual minorities as legally protected categories of people; and
(f) To prohibit Uganda from becoming a party to any new international instruments that expressly include protection for homosexual behavior; promote same-sex marriage; call for the promotion or teaching about homosexuality or homosexual relations as being healthy, normal, or an acceptable lifestyle choice; and/or seek to establish sexual behavior, sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual minorities as legally protected categories of people
Gay Ugandan is urging you to take this cause with him and asks you if he deserves to die because of this:
If you are outside the country, why, that is very good. Your congregation can be made aware of all the good things that some Christians in Uganda wish some sinners called gay Ugandans. I am sure your outrage will help. A letter, a protest match, questions to leaders of Uganda, religious and otherwise traveling outside the country. This is a moral question, how can they justify killing me because I am gay, living in a gay relationship with another gay man?
# Ok, what of gay people in other countries. You are our friends. Yes, we dare to ask our gay brothers and sisters for help, especially when our countrymates believe we should be patriotic enough to ‘die’ in the name of their moral uprightness, for god and country.
Tell your local gay group about it.
Organise protests, big and small. Educate any who doesnt know about it.
Write letters of protest. Be courteous, (the framer of the bill says that we homosexuals want to kill him. He says we have already written him ‘threatening’ letters.)
Afrogay another Ugandan blogger compares the Ugandan to the government to the Nazis, he says the time to flag down the bill is now:
Again, as I have argued here and elsewhere, we are best advised to keep our powder dry for the real battle if the bill is ever passed and signed into law. So, I for one don't plan on saying too much about the nuts and bolts of what is wrong with it. And the reason is simple: if we point out what is wrong with it now, our detractors will use what we say to clean up the bill. Best then to shout foul as loud as we can on the discriminatory elements of the bill without guiding them around the glaring technical, legal, constitutional and human rights minefield they are sleep-walking towards with this bill.
A Nigerian blogger Anengiyefa thinks the bill is flawed and the panel who made the bill are ignorant about homosexuality, He says homosexuality cannot be an offense, you cannot punish someone for having sexual feelings for another person:
Mr Bahati goes on to demand the death penalty for what he calls “aggravated homosexuality”. I read this and I wondered if the said Mr Bahati has ever had the opportunity to sit inside a classroom in his life, given that unless he is starkly illiterate, he ought to know that there are no law books in any Common Law jurisdiction, (including Uganda), that refer to an offense known as ‘homosexuality’. Homosexuality cannot be an offense! You cannot make it an offense and punish a person for having feelings of sexual and emotional attraction towards others of the same gender. You cannot prove ‘homosexuality’ in a court of law to the standard of proof that is required in a criminal court.
Anengiyefa sees that Uganda has just seen hypocrisy of MPs who have unified and are ready to pass a law victimizing homosexuality in the name of morality: this beats the purpose why the system is so anxious to criminalize consensual sex amongst two adults of the same gender and omitting important issues like ethnic violence, tribalism, AIDS, child rape etc:
This outbreak of frenzied homophobia is the epitome of the hypocrisy that pervades political life in Africa. At a time when expensive legislative time should be judiciously expended on the issues that really matter to the people of the country; when Ugandan lawmakers and the Ugandan government should be concerned about the welfare of vulnerable Ugandans, (including those same-gender loving men and women in their society, who are susceptible to wanton physical abuse and discrimination); when the Ugandan authorities should be looking to protect those of the country's citizens whose welfare is their responsibility; when the challenges that face our continent in this 21st Century are enormous; what we hear of instead is an Anti-Homosexuality Bill being introduced to Parliament. This bill is deemed necessary according to the MP David Bahati who introduced it. He claims that the purpose of the bill is to protect children and the “traditional family”.

author: Haute Haiku


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Barbados: New Hospital? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Barbados needs a new hospital, but Barbados Free Press wonders whether people understand “how much commitment and effort this will require.”


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Bermuda: Economic Pinch  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The critical mass of tourism facilities continues its tailspin of decline.  The Government may spin all it wants, but the facts are dismal”: Vexed Bermoothes says Bermuda is feeling the economic squeeze.


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Bhutan: End Tobacco Ban · Global Voices
Rezwan

I am Drukpa brings to our notice “the rising insane and inhuman prices” of freely available smuggled cigarettes in Bhutan because of a outright tobacco ban in the country. The blogger advocates for “ban-free legalized tobacco that is reasonably taxed and regulated”.


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Brazil: The challenge of hosting a worthwhile Olympic Games · Global Voices
Thiana Biondo

For the very first time, in 2016 a South American country will be a host city for the Olympic Games. With a mix of satisfaction and concerns, Brazilian people have been celebrating and speaking out about the worries and joys that come with such responsibility. On one hand, it is going to be a fantastic opportunity for Rio de Janeiro and Brazil as whole: there will be an increase in investment in the city and it will do a lot in terms of confidence building  - in fact, Brazilians have already experienced a confidence boost after the country outbid more developed nations to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
On the other hand, there are arguments against the event being hosted in Rio, side by side with the very old discussion about whether sport events are good or not for society. Many bloggers have pointed out Brazilian social problems, such as violence, social inequality and corruption, as obstacles to the success of the games. Regardless of the dimension of the task, the Brazilian reaction is very peculiar, always with a wry touch of humor.
See, it hasn't even started yet and I got three golds in triple assault. Frank/Published with permission
The Pombo sem Asa [pt] blog shows this particular atmosphere, making a list of some cartoons vividly depicting how Brazilians reacted to the victory:
A poeira da festa carioca em Copenhague ainda nem tinha baixado quando a internet foi invadida: aros olímpicos em forma de algemas, Cristo Redentor de mãos ao alto, Mussum tripudiando em cima de Obama, na esteira da vitória do Rio, que vai sediar os Jogos de 2016, euforia e ironia crescem na mesma velocidade.
Na maioria dos casos, as piadas usam do bom humor para criticar as mazelas sociais da capital carioca. Mas sobrou espaço também para tirar onda com o maior rival da campanha, a Chicago de Barack Obama.
Na hora de escolher o mascote para os Jogos de 2016, a criatividade atirou para todos os lados. Blanka, personagem brasileiro do jogo Street Fighter, virou figurinha fácil na internet acompanhando o logo da candidatura. Mas o humor ácido também apareceu: uma sorridente bala de revólver com os dizeres “perdida por você” logo apareceu como candidata a mascote.
In most cases, the funny jokes criticize the social ills of the ‘carioca‘ city. But there are also a lot of jokes mocking the main Rio rival in the bid: Barack Obama's Chicago.
When it comes to choosing a mascot for the 2016 Games, creativity abounds. Blanka, the Brazilian character of the Street Fighter game, has been everywhere on the Internet alongside the bid slogan. Nevertheless, the wry sense of humor is also around: a smiling stray bullet with the phrase “missing you” soon appeared as a mascot candidate.
Captured from blog Pombo sem Asa
On the top, the stray bullet cartoon with the phrase "missing you". On the left hand side, the late and beloved Brazilian comedian Mussum mocks Obama's slogan, and on the right hand side the International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge with the same phrase "Yes, we créu!" that has been doing the rounds on the Internet and has even gained an entry on Wikipedia. Below, the character Blanka also as as mascot. Captured from blog Pombo sem Asa
Art by @eviljovemnerd
Check the meaning of “Yes We Créu” in a previous Global Voices post.
Despite being worried about all of that, Josselene Marques [pt] hopes that the country and the city manage to organize a great games in 2016 and that Rio overcomes most of its problem in the forthcoming years.
Particularmente, vejo como principais pontos positivos, desta conquista, a geração de novos postos de trabalho, melhorias na parte urbana da Cidade Maravilhosa, aumento do interesse pelo esporte e mais investimentos na segurança. Será muito bom também para os nossos países-irmãos, pois a atenção do mundo estará voltada para a América do Sul.
No entanto, surge uma preocupação: grande parte dos meus compatriotas, indubitavelmente, se distrairá com o megaevento. Sem querer estereotipar e já estereotipando, o brasileiro se envolve de maneira apaixonada em tudo quanto faz. Uma vez entretidos, por todo esse período, muitos se esquecerão de refletir, questionar e continuar reivindicando melhores condições de vida. Cientes disto, precisamos ficar atentos a fim de evitarmos que o emprego de recursos financeiros em setores essenciais seja relegado em virtude das reformas que deverão ser feitas na cidade.
Pergunto: como estará o nosso país daqui a sete anos? Infelizmente, não posso responder a esta indagação. Espero e desejo que esteja bem melhor que hoje. (…)
Uma coisa é certa: no que depender dos brasileiros, atletas, oficiais, jornalistas e espectadores serão recebidos de braços abertos não só pelo nosso povo hospitaleiro, mas também pelo próprio Cristo.
Sejam todos bem-vindos ao Brasil!
Nevertheless, there is cause for concern: many of my compatriots will, doubtless, be distracted by the huge event. I don't want to stereotype them, but Brazilian people do get involved so deeply and passionately in everything they do. Amused for all this time, many of them will forget to think, raise questions and keep asking for improved living conditions. Aware of this, we need to pay attention to avoid the use of financial resources in essential areas being dismissed in the face of the redevelopment that the city will undergo.
I ask: how will our country be in 7 years from now? Unfortunately, I cannot answer this question. I hope and wish that it will be much better than today. […]
But I know one thing: if it is up to Brazilians, all athletes, officers, journalists and spectators will have a warm welcome, not only from our hospitable people, but also from Christ the Redeemer himself.
Welcome all to Brazil!
To curb corruption and public administration mismanagement in the run up to Rio 2016, sectors from the government and civil society have already created online forums for the population to follow closely the public spending on the games. Among them, there is the Twitter account @FiscalizaRJ2016 (Rio de Janeiro 2016 Supervision, in English), which has been updating about the games project. There is also the website Transparência Olímpica [pt] (Olympic Transparency, in English) created by the Olympic Committee in charge of organizing the 2016 Olympics.
Nevertheless, the main worries making some specialists pay double the attention to the way that Rio 2016 is going to be organized are the memories of the Pan-American Games which took place in Rio in 2007. To begin with, the initial budget for Rio 2007 of almost R$ 600 million (approximately $ 350 million) ended up as bill of R$ 4 billion (approximately $ 2.4 billion) in the pockets of taxpayers.  José Roberto Paraíso [pt] explains to Hugo, a reader of his blog, that despite the risks of mismanagement, the Games is worthwhile and that the problem is not the sporting event itself, but the way that the government and citizens behave:
O número representa, mais ou menos, 800 % a mais do previsto. Quer dizer, houve um erro muito grosseiro no calculo, o que deixa – e com muita razão – brasileiros, como o Hugo, desconfiados, desanimados e indignados.
Desconfiados por achar que os bilhões a mais não foram para a realização do evento e sim para o bolso de alguns ratos. Desanimado ao imaginar que a roubalheira pode acontecer em dose pior nas Olimpíadas de 2016. E indignados por não ver ninguém atrás das grades.
Como se pode ver, meu caro Hugo, o Pan 2007 não é exemplo para ser seguido nas Olimpíadas no que diz respeito a transparência, e no gasto, do dinheiro público.
Agora, o superfaturamento do Pan, contudo, não pode ser motivo para ser contra as Olimpíadas. Se a ganância de alguns não atrapalhar, a competição pode trazer muitos benefícios para o país, como empregos, turistas e respeito internacional.
Os brasileiros, portanto, devem ser contra a corrupção. Cobrar punição dos ladrões do colarinho branco e, em 2010, não eleger os sugadores do dinheiro público.
They are suspicious because they think that the extra billions didn't go to the event organization itself, but they ended up in the pockets of some ‘rats’. Discouraged because they imagine that the robbery can happen again on a much worse scale during the 2016 games. And, outraged at not seeing anybody behind bars.
As you can see, my dear Hugo, concerning  respect, transparency and public spending, the Pan 2007 is not an example to be followed by the Olympic Games.
However, the Pan going over budget cannot be a reason for us to oppose hosting the Olympic Games. If the greed of some people doesn't get in the way, the Games may bring many benefits to the country, such as employment, tourism and international respect.
Brazilians have to be against corruption though. By demanding that white-collar thieves be punished and not electing public-money leeches in 2010.
Benhur-Rava [pt] agrees with this point of view, adding that the best way to avoid corruption is applying precaution and supervision:
Por isso a lembrança da precaução, já que estarão em jogo – juro que não é ironia – quantias consideráveis de recursos públicos e a incerteza sobre a sua correta aplicação pelos órgãos públicos. Corre-se o risco da malversação e desvio se não houver controles rígidos para evitar o desperdício, a fraude e a corrupção. Invariavelmente, o valor orçado de obras e compras termina custando o dobro ou o triplo. Quem conhece a Administração Pública sabe que isso não é fato isolado; é triste regra que afronta os princípios constitucionais da legalidade, da moralidade, da publicidade, da impessoalidade e da eficiência.
Uma força-tarefa com Ministério Público, Tribunais de Contas e Poder Legislativo pode detectar eventuais problemas, acompanhando e controlando investimentos e gastos. Precaução e fiscalização. O antes e o depois. Sete anos é tempo razoável para antecipar e precaver problemas. A lição de gastos superfaturados no Pan 2007 e o planejamento da Copa das Confederações, em 2013 e a Copa da Fifa, em 2014, ajudarão.
Agradece o esporte, fortalece-se a cidadania.
A taskforce made up by Public Ministry,       Accountancy Courts and the Legislative power may spot possible problems, follow up and supervise investment and spending. Precaution and supervision. Before and after. Seven years is enough time to foresee and to avoid problems. The lessons learned with overpriced bills during Pan 2007 and the planning for Confederation Cup in 2013 and the World Cup in 2014 will give some support.
Sports thank all for that, and citizenship is strengthened.
The other worry it is about the destiny of the sporting facilities that, to start with, the public should have free access to, once the games have finished. The Pediatrist Daniel Becker, in an interview to Terra Magazine [pt], explained this. He said that most of the facilities built and refurbished for the Pan 2007 have been sold to the private sectors or shut. One of the arenas was acquired by HSBC bank and turned out to be now a stage for concerts and the Maria Lenke Aquatic Park, where the  swimming, diving and other competitions took place during the Games in 2007, has been shut down. For him, the Olympic Games hosted in Barcelona in 1992 should be an example followed by Rio 2016.
As the History teacher Guilherme Scalzilli concludes on his blog, exaggerated patriotism on one side and political pessimism on the other are not the best ways to behave before the Brazilian Olympic reality:
Os debates sobre a escolha do Rio de Janeiro para sediar as Olimpíadas de 2016 começaram empobrecidos por radicalismos apaixonados. Entre a cegueira patriótica e o rancor político-partidário, há pouco espaço ao meio-termo responsável.
Podemos dividir as objeções equivocadas em três enunciados simplificadores, que assumem formatos variáveis segundo as circunstâncias, inclusive nas discussões sobre a próxima Copa do Mundo: a) os brasileiros são indignos do privilégio; b) o país não está preparado para tanto; c) possuímos outras prioridades ou urgências. […]
O terceiro preceito utiliza retórica bem-intencionada, mas ignora os ganhos potenciais para a saúde, a educação e a cidadania proporcionados pelo esporte. Mesmo que discutamos investimento público (o privado virá apenas por causa dos Jogos), como distinguir os gastos obrigatórios dos supérfluos? Alguém pode propor a suspensão dos campeonatos de futebol para bancar a alfabetização, ou que hospitais sejam construídos com as fortunas “torradas” em exposições e festivais de cinema, teatro e dança.(…)
Acima de tudo, evitemos os perigos da condescendência. Para empreendimento dessa importância é fundamental promover um amplo choque de civilidade, a começar pelo cidadão comum. Por exemplo, os imbecis que vaiaram Lula na abertura do Pan-americano (e depois cinicamente comemoraram sua vitória olímpica) retornarão às arquibancadas. E os motoristas cariocas precisam entender que europeus acreditam em faixas de pedestres. Porém, enquanto os governantes se contentarem com favelas muradas, ônibus disfarçados de “metrô de superfície”, lagoas e praias infectas e banditismo policial, o padrão de qualidade continuará baseado no improviso, no paliativo, na malandragem “ishpérrta”.
The third point makes use of a well-intentioned rhetoric, but it ignores potential gains for health, education and citizenship offered by sports. Even if we discuss investments (private investment will come just because of the games), how can we differentiate between essential and non-essential spending? Can anybody propose a ban on football championships in order to subsidize literacy, or that hospitals be built with those fortunes “burned” in exhibitions and film, theater and dance festivals? (…)
Above all, we have to avoid the danger of being condescending. It is essential that a huge “civilization shock” is promoted in order to undertake such enterprise, starting with the common citizen. For example, the idiots that booed Brazilian President Lula during the Pan 2007 opening ceremony (and then, afterwards, cynically celebrated his Olympic victory) will be back in the stands. And the ‘carioca’ drivers must understand that Europeans believe in zebra-crossings for pedestrians. Even though, while politicians feel satisfied with walled favelas, buses disguised as “overground” transport, polluted lakes and beaches and police banditry, the quality standard will remain based on improvisation, palliative solutions and  street-smart malandragem [with Rio's accent].

author: Thiana Biondo


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China and U.S: Oba Mao · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A new icon combining Chairman Mao Zedong and U.S President Obama is on the rise in China. Check this out:  Serving the people T-shirt and Oba Mao bag.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Girl protester lifted away · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated a story about a girl protester being lifted away by police officers on the national day in Shanghai when she showed a banner telling the story of forced demolition that cost her mother's life.


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China: The Power of Symbolic Appropriation in Chinese Cyberspace · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The China beat has posted an adapted article of Guobin Yang's recent talk at a conference on New Media and Global Transformations early this month. The talk was about Chinese netizens’ appropriation of an online anonymous post “Jia Junpeng, your mother wants you to go home to eat”.


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Colombian film on petty theft wins National Documentary Award · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

In Square Eyes blog, a Colombian blog about TV, movies and shows,  they bring us the  trailer of Bagatelle, the winner of the National Documentary Award. Bagatelle shows the day to day happenings in the judicial system where petty criminals are brought to justice.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Ecuador: 7th Annual Gay Film Festival · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Lesmode [es] is looking forward to the 7th Annual Gay Film Festival called “The Place Without Limts” to take place in 4 cities across Ecuador from November 21-28.


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Guinea: In the aftermath of a massacre · Global Voices
Abdoulaye Bah

Amid widespread international condemnation of Guinea's military regime, the United Nations announced Friday it would launch a formal investigation into the September 28th massacre of opposition protestors in Conakry.  At least 150 people were killed by soldiers, and many more beaten or raped, for gathering in a football stadium to protest the government of Captain Dadis Camara.  Camara seized power in December after the death of Lansana Conte, president of Guinea for nearly 25 years.  Meanwhile, Guinean netizens continue trying to process and assess the meaning of the tragedy.
L'Union des forces républicaines, in an official release dated October 1st, 2009, attests to the planned nature of the brutal killings:
Comment peut-on expliquer que les forces de l’ordre aient laissé les gens entrer dans le stade sans aucune résistance, attendre que le stade soit rempli [et] des milliers se disperser tout autour du stade avant de lancer l’assaut …. Cela relève bien de la plus macabre des stratégies militaires.
On October, 15th, Kouyaté, blogging at observers.france24.com, sent a report with photographs to the site, giving evidence of the armed forces’ atrocities (warning: graphic content):
Two soldiers remained, along with the guy who was bleeding to death on the ground. One of the soldiers who stayed had a knife. He came up to the guy and stabbed him three times – once in the chest, once in the stomach, and once in the back. A car from the presidential guard was sent to pick up the two soldiers.
In the wake of the massacre, Guinean journalists have been subject to harrassment and intimidation; many have received death threats.  Guineenews.org, a popular blog opened by a Guinean living in Canada, describes the situation of journalists:
…journalistes de Guineenews  et d’autres organes de presse de Guinée continuent de recevoir des menaces de la part des autorités militaires. Leur faute c’est de rapporter les évènements minute par minute.
And cite several recent examples.
Hamidou Sow, one of their correspondents in Conakry describes what happened after he participated in a forum on a local radio station:
Après l’émission je n’ai cessé de recevoir des coups de fil anonyme me menaçant de mort « vous êtes des apatrides parce qu’au lieu de soutenir le CNND, vous soutenez les opposants…..Vous etes contre Dadis, mais toi tu vas partir avant lui, toi le traitre. On vous a dit que c’est lui ou la mort. »
Sow says that after the press conference held by Blaise Compaoré, the African Union and ECOWAS’ facilitator, a soldier threatened to kill Sow if the met on the road.
In a third case, after he wrote a post for Guineenews website ” En Guinée la vie des journalistes est en danger depuis le 28 Septembre” :
…C’est vous qui salissez l’image de la Guinée. Vous voulez saper les actions du CNDD ? On ne vous laissera pas faire. Sache que je te tiens à l’œil.
You are those who are producing a bad image of  Guinea. You want to hinder CNDD actions? We will not let you do so.  I'm watching you.
Guineenews website gives names of journalists from various media who were beaten and their work equipment as well as vehicles, mobile phone and their money stolen. The post informs that:
Selon plusieurs sources concordantes, la junte aurait établi une liste de journalistes et de personnalités politiques à abattre.
Rape: “A Weapon of War”
Tu as aidé ce malade frustré, qui a déclaré avoir été mis au monde par une femme de plus de 60 ans, à devenir plus fou et ivre de pouvoir. voici comment tes filles, tes femmes, tes sœurs, tes mamans et tantes ont été violées, souillées et tuées en pleine journée et en public par cette bande.
Elle a eu beaucoup de chance : celle d’être “simplement” violée !
Il s'agit là des preuves qui enfonceront Dadis, Pivi, Sékouba, Thieboro, Toumba, Moussa Keita, Korka et leurs nervis et complices (notamment le félon Komara) devant une juridiction internationale.
She was rather lucky, she was “only” rapedThese are evidence which will crush Dadis, Pivi, Sékouba, Thieboro, Toumba, Moussa Keita, Korka and their henchmen and accomplices in front of an international tribunal (in particular the perfidious Komara).
In his post “Rape, a new weapon of war,” [Fr] Thierno from Guineelibre.com writes:
Des photos prises à l’aide de téléphone portables circulent dans le pays. Terribles, difficiles à démentir, ces images suscitent la colère. Elles montrent que les femmes ont été spécifiquement prises pour cible par les soldats guinéens, qui, il y a deux semaines, ont réprimé une manifestation qui a eu lieu dans un stade de la capitale. Victimes et témoins parlent de viols, de passages à tabac et d’humiliations intentionnelles. « Après ce que j’ai vu, je ne peux plus dormir la nuit » reconnaît une femme d’âge moyen issue d’une famille aisée. » Elle raconte qu’elle a été frappée et violentée. « J’ai peur, j’ai vu beaucoup de femmes violées et beaucoup d’autres tuées. »
After these bloody events, Guinean Diaspora is putting pressure on the civilian ministers in order to resign from the government. They are all highly educated people; with many years of experience in democratic environment and some of them are active members of the Association des victims du Camp Boiro. By remaining in the government they caution its atrocities. So far only 3 civilian ministers and high level officials have resigned.
Abdoulaye Condé,  Advisor in Communication and NTIC in the office of the President was among the first to resign. In his resignation letter addressed to Capitaine Camara, published by online radio Radio-Kankan on October,16th, he wrote:
en acceptant ma nomination, j’étais particulièrement heureux de contribuer à vos côtés à la réalisation de certaines valeurs explicitement contenues dans l’acte de prise du pouvoir par le CNDD et souvent réitérées dans vos discours : L’instauration d’un Etat de droit, la promotion et la défense  de la démocratie, des libertés et des droits humains, la culture de la bonne gouvernance, la fin de l’impunité, la lutte contre la corruption, l’organisation d’élections transparentes et crédibles…
Hélas, les derniers événements du 28 septembre 2009, constituent, à mon humble avis, au nom du patriotisme, de l’honnêteté et de la sincérité toujours prônées dans vos déclarations, une autre raison de me démettre d’une fonction dont les apparences exposent son occupant aux fâcheuses conséquences des dégâts provoqués par l’improvisation, l’amateurisme et la fuite en avant.
Unfortunately, recent events of September 28, 2009, are, in my humble opinion, in the name of patriotism, honesty and sincerity always advocated in your statements, another reason to resign a function whose appearances expose its occupant to adverse consequences of damage caused by improvisation and amateurism headlong.
Expectations were high among Guineans after the bloodless coup that brought Camara and the CNDD to power. Contrary to his predecessors, Camara was educated in Europe, and so had been exposed to concepts of democracy and the respect of human rights abroad.  He was heralded all over the country. His promises of change convinced many that after two dictators, living conditions would improve and, in particular, that corruption would end, or at least could be reduced.  Even if he was sincere in his willingness to fight corruption and drug trafficking, in his authoritarian ways, he has shown his weakness and inability to rule the country.

author: Abdoulaye Bah


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Guyana: Here Comes The Rain Again · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Guyana-Gyal‘s garden writes a love letter to the rain.


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India: Campaign To End Homophobia · Global Voices
Rezwan

“The Campaign for Open Minds is one of the many efforts to end homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in India and was created in response to the alarming surge in attempts at conversion therapy and other negative reactions to increased visibility of LGBT people, following Delhi High Court’s historic July 2 2009 decision decriminalizing homosexuality,” informs L. Ramakrishnan from Chennai.


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Indonesia: The President’s second term · Global Voices
Juke Carolina

By Allah I swear I will adhere to the constitution as faithfully as possible, and will commit myself to the country and the people.
On Tuesday, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took his presidential oath marking his second term as head of state of the world's most populous Muslim country.
Boediono was also sworned in as Vice President in the same event. He is Indonesia's first non-politician Vice President.
Twitterers and plurkers comment and welcome the new chapter of Yudhoyono's administration:
Riefky_kp: Today, October 20, was the president and vice president inauguration in Indonesia. Congrats to SBY and Boediono!
lydia_zein: TODAY is Indonesia's Presidential Inauguration! Shouldn't today be a national holiday?
brunei1234: HM arrived in Jakarta yesterday evening to attend the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.
czachrie: Today's inauguration..hope all goes smoothly..big step for Indonesia, let's hope we can redeem ourselves to the world!
misstashalov: Congratulations to Pak SBY and the whole team. Hopefully the new team can bring Indonesia to a better, advanced development. Ameeen!
meisyasiregar: Saw re run pelantikan SBY+Boediono I think it was alright,simple. But feel α shame for d miss spoken incident by Taufik K! He's so unfocus!
neethonk: And the inauguration has ended. Hopefully this new government will lead Indonesia into the better future.
G_liciousS: couldn't watch the inauguration of the president bcoz of this long BLACKOUT.. uuurgh, mmg katu Indonesia.. ckc…
jacksonkumaat: @presidensby @Boediono Congrats for the inauguration. pray Indonesia is run with the same level of excellence, visionary & good character
President Yudhoyono has been through a series of ultimate lows in his previous administration term, ranging from natural disasters like the 2004 Aceh tsunami and 2006 Central Java earthquake, to separatism threats coming from the country's easternmost provinces.
The former Army general also managed to reach agreement between the central government with GAM (Free Aceh Movement), a separatist group which has been aiming to establish Aceh as an independent Muslim state.
Corruption remains a big issue in Indonesia. Corruption is a known factor that chased away investors, both domestic and foreign. Because of its prevalence in the country, Indonesian development plans remain in status quo.
Back in 2004, President Yudhoyono  made corruption eradication one of his top priority on his first 100 days, since then prosecutions have been made including one of Yudhoyono's in laws but no real change among public servants  – bribery, cronyism, and nepotism are still considered as popular highways to success.
In this year's inaugural speech, the president said that the spirit of perseverance and the spirit of not giving up are important to uphold good governance and eradicate corruption, however he didn't highlight corruption eradication as his administration priority.
Despite so, according to one report the people see the president's effort in combating corruption as positive [id].
Indonesian bloggers have high hopes on Yudhoyono's new administration.
Even though the new cabinet is not yet formed, some Indonesian bloggers have already written their opinions.
Lila wrote an article on Politikana, a 2.0  platform popular among Indonesian political commentators, saying that the successor of the minister of communication might jeapordize freedom of expression and eventually, online freedom:
Dipilihnya Tifatul Sembiring dari PKS untuk memimpin Departemen komunikasi dan Informatika memberikan kesan bahwa duet SBY dan Boediono kurang menaruh perhatian yang serius pada departemen strategis.
[…]
ketakutan akan kecendrungan PKS sebagai garda depan pengusung UU Anti Pornografi untuk melakukan pensensoran internet besar besaran. Bagi pengelola situs  yang memuat Miyabi atau forum macam Kaskus (BB17) harus sudah siap siap dibredel atau tidak dapat diakses dari Indonesia.
[…]
What we should be afraid of is that PKS,  which is the front defenders of the Anti Pornographic Law, will conduct internet censorship in massive scale. Administrators of websites that include Miyabi as contents  or adult forums such as one belonging to Kaskus, should prepare themselves of being banned or at least inaccessible from Indonesian territory.
Lila also questions the ability of the future communication minister, who comes from a hardline party, to take stern action against website admins who incite hate towards other religions, sects, or even democracy.
While Lila felt that appointing the wrong minister could end up preserving  “the enveloppe below the table” practices, Wahyudi, who also wrote a post on Politikana, states the importance of embracing the 2.0 platform to obtain the  good governance goal.
Indonesia juga sedang di tengah – tengah pesta peluncuran sistem operasi terbaru dengan dipilih dan disahkannya pemerintahan SBY 2.0. Versi 2.0 yang saya tambahkan di SBY sayangnya belum terbukti dapat menyamai paradigma internet 2.0 yang menawarkan penggunanya untuk saling menciptakan berbagai hal baru yang dapat berguna.
[…]
Sejauh ini, saya belum melihat adanya keinginan pemerintah ataupun wakil rakyat untuk mengikutsertakan elemen terpenting dalam negara demokrasi: rakyat, untuk bersama sama menciptakan lingkungan bernegara yang produktif atas dasar partisipasi elemen-elemen sebuah negara: rakyat, wakil rakyat dan pemerintah. Platform yang saya lihat kembali yang sudah kita lihat dari versi-versi sebelumnya, yaitu platform yang lebih mengutamakan elite politik. Ciri khasnya tetap sama: tidak ada transpransi, tidak ada spesifikasi yang jelas untuk dijadikan bahan acuan dan mengukur qualitas, tidak mempromosikan keikutsertaan rakyat dengan tidak diberadakannya platform yang terbuka bagi rakyat untuk mengolah data dan informasi demi kepentingan umum.
Sepertinya halnya sistem operasi, kita akan disodorkan update atau patches untuk diinstal agar dapat menutupi kekurangan-kekurangan sistem operasi tersebut saat diluncurkan ke pasaran. Mudah-mudahan kita juga aka dapat update atau patches untuk beberapa tahun kedepan demi kebaikan bangsa dan negara.
So far, I haven't seen any government's or parliament members’ initiative to include the most important element in a democratic country: its people, to establish a productive state environment together, upon the foundation of participation of various elements of a country: the people, the people's representatives and the government. The platform I'm seeing now is identical to the previous versions that we've all seen, which is a platform that prioritize political elites. Its nature remains the same: untransparent, no obvious reference to measure quality (of their work), does not promote people's participation by not providing an open platform for the people to assess data and information which could benefit the public.
Just as an operating system before it reaches the market, we will be given an update or patches to install in order to camouflage the defects of that operating system. Hopefully, us too, will receive new update or patches in years to come for the betterment of the country and the state.
Indonesia held its first presidential election as a democratic country in 1999, after being ruled by General Soeharto for more than 30 years, making it one of the youngest democratic countries in the world. The country's president is only allowed to have a maximum of two consecutive terms.

author: Juke Carolina


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Inheritance tax and children in limbo: adoption in Japan. · Global Voices
Matt Holland

The issue of adoption in Japan is a dynamic one. There is a social mentality which places massive importance on blood relations, and a legal system which largely reinforces it; on the other hand, Japanese citizens are increasingly choosing lifestyles incongruent to traditionally accepted norms (visible in trends in marriage age, family size, adoption as a viable choice in family planning). The actual volume of adoptions that go through in Japan are indeed low: in 2008, citizens from the United States adopted just 35 [en] Japanese citizens. Beyond the numbers, however, are a number of important issues and serious problems being faced by families in and outside of Japan, as well as the private agencies and government groups facilitating the children living in a situation that is generally looked down upon domestically.
At a high level, there are national policy issues. The Child Welfare law has seen little change in post-war Japan, and modern concerns with agencies turning a substantial profit from organizing adoptions have been growing steadily. The law states that adoption agencies may only charge what they need to cover costs; costs are identified as falling into ten categories, such as transportation, consultation charges, and the like. Problems arise with the relatively ubiquitous “donation” system many of these agencies utilize. Naturally, a non-profit group is bound to seek donations to provide the capital needed to keep the organization financially stable, however this is a system easily abused.
An international adoption blogger notes a past case:
In one instance, a Tokyo adoption agency that featured “free adoption services” asked one of their clients–a Japanese couple living in the Netherlands–for a 5.5 million yen donation in advance. Believing the fee to be too high, the couple declined to pay. However, the agency then told them it would stop looking for candidate children, according to the ministry.
This is a cloudy area to monitor, as discerning legitimate donations from profit-seeking extortion can in many cases be a difficult judgment to make.
In the last three years, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has attempted to encourage municipal and prefectural governments to tighten the local regulation of independent agencies. Many orphanages and foster care organizations are quite small and independent, making local authorities the necessary leader in stimulating change. That said, some challenge that the entire adoption process would benefit from being government-regulated; that agencies should require licensing and be made to adhere to federally-applied screenings. Reasons for seeking federal responsibility stem from concerns of the end result of international adoption, namely human rights violations and exploitation such as child pornography.
Hiroto Suzuki, a professor at Chuo University is quoted on this matter:
“The existing simple registration system should be replaced by a system under which adoption agencies are not allowed to operate without government screening or a license. The current framework is inadequate for bringing the real state of affairs to light.”
at the court of TMG (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) by Flickr user midorisyu
Turning the focus to adoptions entirely within Japan, there are a number of trends which are observable.
For very practical purposes, that is to say, not for emotional satisfaction, there are actually a very large number of people in Japan who want to adopt, though not necessarily young children. When elderly people are nearing death and are setting their final affairs in order, naturally the passage of their estate is among the more time-critical concerns. In order to avoid the taxes placed on direct parent-to-child inheritances, they adopt a grandchild, and will their estate to the adopted grandchild.
Beyond the tax-dodging, the continuation of family names is important to many people, and often, couples with no male heir will adopt an adult male, and will their possessions to him in exchange for the name change. Domestic statistics are not well-tracked, but it is likely that adult adoptions for the purpose of preserving the family name make up the lion's share of legal adoptions conducted in Japan.
This latter trend points us to one of the critical issues facing abandoned and orphaned children in Japan: the importance and strict nature of family records has established a mindset through which adopting a child is an option looked down upon by many. The family koseki (戸籍), official documentation recording family progression (marriage, birth, death, etc.)  over the years remains influential to this day, and while with many younger individuals it has no influence on forging new relationships, there are still cases in which business/employment opportunities, marriages, and other such situations are negatively impacted by an abnormality in the family records, which could include adoption. Furthermore, older relatives may vocally disapprove of the adoption of a child, creating a distinct point of tension.
To get a better look at the complexity and intra-familial issues that can arise along with or as a result of seeking an adoption, let's take a look at a case blogged about recently by sakaidesu45, relating his personal situation.
そんな曾祖父に、幼い頃から「ウチの会社の跡取りだ」と言われていました。（祖母の話によると、会社の会議でも言っていたそうです。）
曾祖父も亡くなり、跡取りの話も無くなったかと思っていたら、今度は祖母が「○○家(祖母の家）を継いで欲しい」と言われました。
言われた、理由は僕が考える限り２つあります。
１つ
祖母には弟（大叔父）がおり、大叔父は２人の子供もいます。
祖母は、大叔父の嫁とその２人の子供を憎んでおり、曾祖父が残してくれた遺産も墓も、渡さまいと、すでに大叔父に遺言も書かせています。
２つ
祖母は僕の父親も、嫌いなのです。（僕の本当の父親でもありません。（義父））
義父を祖母は、死んでも許しはしません。
ですので、遺産を大叔父達にも渡さず、僕の両親にも渡したくないので、僕を養子縁組する事で、曾祖父から受け継いだ全ての物を守ろうと考えているようです。
Since I was very young, I was told by my great-grandfather that I was the heir to the family business. (According to my grandmother's stories, he would even say this at company meetings). With my great-grandfather's passing, I thought the discussion of my inheriting anything was gone as well. That is, until my grandmother asked me to carry on her family name.
For this, there are two reasons which I can come up with.
1. My grandmother has a younger brother (my great uncle), and he has two children. My grandmother bears a great deal of ill will towards this younger brother's wife and kids, and has already made him write his will so that his wife and children cannot receive the family inheritance.
2. She also is resentful of my father, whom she will under no circumstances approve of (He is actually my step-father).
As a result of all this, my grandmother does not wish to pass the inheritance on to my parents, nor to my great-uncle, and by adopting me, it seems she feels that she can protect and safely pass on all the things she succeeded from her father.
There are presently a number of conflicting forces at play: a disapproval of adoption from those valuing past norms, yet many of these people are the ones adopting heirs into their family near the end of their lives. This negative viewpoint also clashes with the many younger families who are seeking to adopt, rejecting past ideals and placing the importance on their present family. Legally, progress has been slow. In the late 1980s, the law was changed to allow adopted children to remove their biological family name from their koseki, which makes concealing an adoption easier on their end… pragmatically, this is a useful change, but it reflects clearly the remaining national discomfort with such familial “abnormalities.”
On a support thread created by someone dealing with issues of realizing their adopted status later in life, user alice0614 relates her own experiences.
私も０歳で養子に出され、３年程前に戸籍謄本を出した際に気づきました。我が家では両親との仲がとても良かった為、打ち明けるかどうか１週間程悩みましたが知ってしまった事を隠し続ける事も辛くなり、正直に話しました。
両親も私が結婚する際に話そうと思っていたようなので、御両親様もいつかは話さなければと胸にひっかかるものを持ちながら過ごしておられるのでしょう。あなた様のほうから打ち明け、安心させてあげてはいかがですか？
I also was adopted when I was less than a year old, and I first learned this three years ago, when I received a copy of my family registry. Because I had a very close relationship with my parents, I spent a week or so worrying whether I should talk to them or not. Continuing to hide this knowledge became increasingly difficult however, and in the end I conversed with them honestly.
Apparently, my parents intended to speak with me about it when I was to get married. Perhaps your parents are also living with the knowledge that they must tell you the truth sooner or later. How do you feel about bringing this up to them and relieving them of this anxiety yourself?
The widespread assumption that children being raised by foster families are living unsatisfactory lives plays a large role in the laws governing child custody in Japan. The Japan Times explores the ways in which child foster care is conducted shines light on the practical implications of ideological issues.
Sakamoto explained that the “ie seido” traditional social system, which places family ties above children's individual rights, forms the basis for parental custody rights granting even abusive mothers and fathers powerful influence over the lives of their children.
When those children are moved into the protective care of the state, such traditional values, plus jealousy toward potential foster parents, often prompt biological parents to bar their children from foster care or yank them away from a foster family after the children have settled in.
It is the tension between traditional (some might say antiquated) and modern family values which is keeping the children living in state-run facilities from entering into adoptive families (be it permanently, or at all), and both sides lose as a result.
User ofukubird comments on the estimated length of his adoption experience:
自分たちの意志を確かめるため、まずある中絶防止団体に相談しました。
しかし、待っている夫婦がたくさんいるということだったので、“まあ１年後までに連絡があればラッキーだね〜”なんてゆったり構えていました。
We first consulted with an anti-abortion group in order to affirm our own volition. We learned that there are many couples waiting to adopt and prepared for a long wait, thinking “if we're contacted within a year, we'll consider ourselves lucky!”.
How do the attitudes in Japan influence opinion on adoptions made abroad, particularly those of high-profile individuals adopting out developing nations? User yakusoku-movie created a poll surveying opinions on the matter.
最近では、マドンナやアンジェリーナ・ジョリーで有名な養子縁組。貧しい国の子供を養子にすることをどう思う？(択一)
（結果）
ー良いと思う (10%)
ーどうかと思う (47%)
ー親が生きているから止めた方が良い (19%)
ー親が生きていても、仕方ない場合もある (24%)
Recently, there have been a number of high-profile adoptions by people such as Madonna and Angelina Jolie. How do you feel about adopting children from poor countries? (select one)
(Results)
– I think it is a good thing. (10%)
– Ambivalent (47%)
– Because [in case] the birth parents are still alive, this should not continue. (19%)
– Even if the birth parents are alive, there are situations in which it is the only viable option. (24%)
The strong presence of ambivalent opinions effectively reflects the conflicting cultural attitudes towards adoption, illustrating how such conflict can leave many people without a strong single opinion, which leads to stagnation and stalls the progress of change.
A writer for ABCDane's story regarding Jessica Simpson's adoption interests includes some personal commentary:
養子を受け入れてたシングルマザーとして有名なアンジェリーナ・ジョリーのことをジェシカは「アンジェリーナ・ジョリーはすばらしいことをしたと思う。彼女のおかげで国際的な養子の受け入れ率が飛躍的に伸びたのよ。すばらしいわ」と話していた。
離婚の理由のひとつに、ニックは自分の子どもが欲しかった…なんていう話もありますが、子どもに「シーチキン」はチキンだ、といったことを教えるようなママにはならないで頂きたいですが。
Regarding famous single mother Angelina Jolie's adoption, Jessica Simpson commented, “I think [she] really did something great. Thanks to her, the number of children adopted across borders has grown rapidly. It's wonderful.”
One of the speculated reasons for their divorce was that Nick [Lachey] wanted to have his own children rather than adopting, however, explaining to the children their mother's “Chicken of the Sea is chicken” comment leads me to wish that she does not become a mother!
The comical nature of some celebrity adoptions assuredly lightens up the issue a bit, but applied to Japan, reinforces that the current state of loosely-defined standards and regulations on adoptions need to be tightened up, to reconcile unfulfilled desires on the part of children and parents, but also to ensure that children in any culture are receiving a proper marine biology education!

author: Matt Holland


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Malaysia: State government introduces ‘1Toilet’ policy · Global Voices
Syafique Shuib

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak introduced the One Malaysia concept, popularly referred as 1Malaysia,  when he took office. Being a multi-racial country, the main aim of 1Malaysia is to promote national unity and to strengthen the ties between various ethnic groups.
1Toilet policy is based on the 1Malaysia concept
Borrowing the branding of 1Malaysia, the state government of Terengganu recently introduces the ‘1Toilet’ policy as a move for both teachers and students (of the same gender) to share toilets to promote a sense of oneness.
“When students share the toilets with the teacher, they (students) will believe that they are on par with academicians and this automatically invokes a sense of being important to an organisation, which, in this case, is the school,” says State Education, Higher Learning, Human Resource, Science and Technology Committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman in local daily The Star.
The policy will also extend beyond the loo as teachers are also encouraged to eat at the school’s cafeteria with the students. It is a way for both parties to mingle during recess.
There were mixed reactions from the blogosphere regarding this topic. Some took it as a joke, while others thought it was a positive initiative.
Jeff Ooi, who is a prominent blogger and now a Member of Parliament says:
This time, 1Malaysia's product extension is where you pee.
Life And Ti(m)es Of Liang Seng could not believe that the state government is actually introducing the 1Toilet concept:
I would understand the sharing of canteen part. But to share toilet to instill a sense of belonging and create excellence? Come on. We can do better.
Journalist, blogger and Global Voices author Niki Cheong writes in his personal blog:
Which nutcase came up with this brilliant idea […]  I think sharing a toilet with the teacher won’t help a student excel in his or her studies, proper teaching will!
What’s the heck is going on? Are we going to have to start eating 1ton mee after this? Or only listen to 1Buck Short? Or are we going to get people registering names like 1Sharina for birth certificates?
Thots Here And There believes that leaders should walk the talk before implementing any policies:
Why don't we start with the elite groups first before going to the majority? In my school, the upper crust get a special key to their own special toilet […] I know in certain companies in the private sectors there is such a privilege too. I remember a friend being all excited because he had reached that privileged level of having his own key to that special place! Now, if we want to implement such a thing as 1toilet in school – imagine queueing up with the students to use the toilet – let us start with the upper level of administrators first. Leaders talk about 1Malaysia…come on, walk the talk. Show us, leaders of Malaysia that we are one in all ways inclusive in the use of toilet!!!!
Voices Inside My Head explains the positive aspect of the 1Toilet policy:
When I was in school I did wonder the same thing, how come teachers get to pee in seperate toilets. Do they pee differently? Do they have something else we don’t have? I think it should be done across the board, even at work places top management sharing the same toilets! Perhaps even ministers should share the same toilets as other government staff and that’s when I would really say our politicians are walking the talk!
This author, via his personal blog, says:
Teachers should also lead by example and getting the best from their students. If a student is already having an inferiority complex feeling in the classroom, how can he/she invoke a sense of importance with the 1Toilet policy?
Do we have to share the toilet to have a feeling of oneness between students and teachers? Should this solidarity start in the classroom itself?

author: Syafique Shuib


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Namibia: Introducing Namibia election bloggers  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Namibia will hold presidential and national assembly elections on 27 and 28 Novermber, 2009. A number of Namibian journalists will use blogs to report and monitor the elections. The journalists attended a two-day ICT workshop organised by African Elections Project in collaboration with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in Windhoek, Namibia. We are introducing these new bloggers to you.
Martha Matongo's blog goes by her name, Marth Matongo. She notes that members of the main opposition, RDP, want Namibia to learn some lessons from Zimbabwe:
Most of the SWAPO members who stays in Ovambo Location and Oshandumbala of Katutura (Windhoek) expect that RDP loose and not get even a seat in Parliament. Approached by Mrs Emilia Tuhadeleni the heard person of Oshandumbala convienced me to get a ticket of SWAPO and encouraged me to go to her house to fill inn the forms.
Being not in the mood, i said i would come any time. Rally for Democracy supporters who are mostly not Oshiwambo speaking expect that their party gets some seats and they will totally support it as they want what happened to Mr Mugabe of Zimbabwe come to their country also.
“We have been in SWAPO for such a long time but but no change come to our region” they say.
Mulolani discusses the controversy surrounding the tender to print ballot papers. The tender was awarded to Namprint, a company owned by the ruling party, Swapo:
The withdrawal of the NamPrint tender  by the Electoral Commission of Nambia(ECN) is a welcome move.
Th fact that the tender has been withdrawn after pressure from various political parties that are contesting the elections is a sure sign that the credibility of elections was going to be questioned.
The other important aspect to consider is that the political parties did well in threatening to boycott the elections because obviously they were expressing their democratic right and it was definitely an irregularity to award Namprint the tender given that its a SWAPO owned company.The award was simply going to jeopardise the whole electoral process which ws not going to be a good thing for the country's democracy,even Namibia is still a growing democracy.
Ndahafa reports that two opposition parties, DTA and MAG, plan to take legal actions against the Electoral Commission in Namibia because the tender that was given to Namprint:
The opposition DTA and MAG will take lagal actions against the Electoral commision in Namibia because of the tender that was awarded to the SWAPO party company “NAMPRINT” to print ballot papers for the upcoming elections in November. The two oppositions has refused to accept the awarding of the tender and want it to be awarded to a company that is not linked to the ruling party. They have given the commission until 17h00 yesterday to rescind the decision. The opposition will meet today to consult a way forward if they do not  receive any reaction by 17h00.
Pedro discusses the political environment in Namibia:
The Republic of Namibia is known as one of the most peaceful and democratic countries in Africa but the recent happenings has proven how dangerous politics can be when diagnosed with election fever.
Election is the key element or ingredient of a democratic country, therefore, as a Journalism student, living and studying in Namibia for almost three years, I could not let the general elections passby without expressing my humble opinion in the matter as an international observer.
Just like in many African countries, the pre-election stage was marked by a lack of effectiveness from the Electoral Commission when it comes to the delivery of voters registration materials. Unfortunate or fortunately there is always someone to be blamed for mistakes, and this time the Electoral Commision allegedly blamed the Government for not making the vehicles available on time.
There is also a critical element that became a culture, especially in SADC region, where the ruling political parties always have more broadcasting airtime and coverage compared to other parties, and Namibia is no exception.
Consequently, the other political parties criticised the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for unfair election campaign coverage towards the other political parties
Vikitoria writes about hate speech in political campaigns in the country:
As the country leads up to its National and Presidential elections in November this year, political parties campaigning to get ‘the vote’ have left nothing unearthed, blame and derogatory comments about each other has become the order of the day.
At a recent Swapo Party rally in the Omungwelume constituency in Northern Namibia, Secretary General of Swapo, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana in what can only be regarded as promoting xenophobic behaviour amongst the Namibian population, referred to the Editor of the Namibian daily newspaper, Gwen Lister as a ‘big snake in Namibia.’
Iivula -Itana further warned lister that if she is not careful about what she writes about when it comes to Swapo leaders and other Namibians, she will be taken to task for the wrong doings committed by her white ancestors.
Some politica parties are conducting campaigns at the University of Namibia contrary to university regulations, writes Etuna:
Some political parties  in Namibia conducted campaign at the University of Namibia (UNAM)'s hostels. The UNAM's SRC president Job Amupada told local media on Tuesday  that the Rally for Democratic Party (RDP) members are campaigning door to door at the insititution on Monday.
Amupada said this is prohibited at the institution and it disturbed students as they are preparing for November examinations.
“Political parties are not allowed to conduct campaigns or rallies in the institutions,” he said.
One blogger reports that the Electoran Commission has started the exercise of entering statistical data from voters’ roll:
The Electoral Commssion of was during the past days busy with entering the statistical data and information gained from the registration of voters activity which ended last week. The Electoral Commission therefore hired additional staff in order to carry this excercise, the activity is expected to be completed in the next two weeks.
The data will help the Commission in recording the number of registered voters per region and constitituency, and thus will make the voting processs at the end of the year much easier.
You can also follow updates of elections in Namibia on twitter and African Elections site.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Pakistan: Abuse Of Religion · Global Voices
Rezwan

“The trend of moulding religion to suit one’s needs instead of amending ones own behavior to suit the needs of religion is a symptom prevalent even amongst the so called liberal and educated classes of our country,” comments Pakistani blogger Tayyab at Deadpan Thoughts.


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Russia: Kindle · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Profy reports on Amazon Kindle's “international expansion”: “This decision is obviously good at least because I personally don’t like any limitations and opening yet another window to the huge Russian market is hopefully a wise decision for Amazon. […] At the same time I myself suspect that the vast majority of the population of Russia has no idea what Kindle is at all and have never heard the name. What’s even worse, I have strong doubts that there are enough people here who would want to read their books or magazines electronically – let alone English-language titles.”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Russia: More on the Recent Election · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A discussion of last Sunday's local elections in Russia – at Sean's Russia Blog.


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Russia: Polina Zherebtsova’s 1999 Chechen Diary · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Jost A Mon translates the intro and excerpts from Polina Zherebtsova’s 1999 Chechen Diary that were published in Bolshoi Gorod (RUS) in Sept. 2009.


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Russia: Stalin’s Grandson vs Novaya Gazeta · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Foreign Policy's Passport reports on a lawsuit brought against Novaya Gazeta by Josef Stalin's grandson, Yevgeny Dzhugashvili.


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Russia, Ukraine: A Georgian Politician’s View · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Eurasia highlights a Georgian politician's view on the relations between Russia and Ukraine.


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Serbia: Preparations for Medvedev’s Visit · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Belatedly, a mock review of the preparations for president Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Belgrade – at Belgraded: “He already was in Serbia once last year, but this time there’s a lot more fuss about his visit, presumably because we need to suck up to the East at least as much as we did to the West.”


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Social divide in Singapore · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Liau Chuan Yi and Norvin Cha write how and why social divide in Singapore seems inevitable.

author: Mong Palatino


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Trinidad & Tobago: Truth or Dare · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“We are a society that publicly cries corruption but privately upload mega-project photos on Flickr with misguided pride”: This Beach Called Life uncovers “the hidden truth” about Trinidad and Tobago.


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UK: Russian Film Festival · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Siberian Light writes about the 3rd Russian Film Festival, which begins on Oct. 30 in London.


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Ukraine: Child Rape and Politics · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana reports on a controversial child molestation case, the details of which were leaked right before the official start of the presidential election campaign: “How much of this accounts for a smear campaign and how much portrays a shocking case of sexual child abuse remains to be seen.”


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USA: Interracial couple denied marriage license · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Last week, in Hammond, Louisiana, Beth Humphrey (who is white) and Terence McKay (who is black) applied for a marriage license and were refused on the basis of their races.  The justice of the peace, Keith Bardwell, claimed that in his experience, “interracial marriages do not last long” and stated that he was “doing it for the children.”
“Jim Crow laws” which required separate facilities for black and white Americans ended in 1965, and anti-miscegenation laws that forbade interracial marriage or sex ended in all states by 1967.
But racism still exists. Although much of the time it lies beneath the surface, occasionally racism rears its ugly head in a way that is impossible to miss; this story made headlines across the United States, prompting blog posts from the local community and beyond.
In response to Bardwell's “defense” that he marries black couples all the time, the anti-racist blog Stuff White People Do expressed outrage, saying:
Well, how thoroughly magnanimous of you, Justice Bardwell. Not to mention, intrusively paternalistic.
Speaking of Bardwell's house, which I'm sure is just overrun with joyous hordes of black and white children carousing together, he also had this to say:
I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else.
Ah yes, black friends too, piles of them. Right there, in his bathroom!
A commenter on the blog, Siditty (who also wrote her own post here), touched on the irony of Bardwell's anger:
I always wonder about a man who comes from Louisiana, who has a strong history of race mixing, through the system of placage as well as creole culture, is now all the sudden concerned about the children. They weren't concerned in the 1700s, he shouldn't be now.
The blog Racism Review countered Bardwell's “concern for the children” with evidence on children of interracial relationships:
And, to further review the evidence, children of interracial marriages do not suffer in when compared to other children provided that they grow up in an environment that’s accepting of diversity and children of interracial marriages.   If children of interracial marriages encounter racism (and other structural disadvantages), then they’re more likely to experience stress, and health-related risks due to that increased stress, such as smoking and drinking. That’s a result of racism,  and yet another reason to work to end racism.  It should not be used – turning logic on its head – as a reason to perpetuate racism.
And Black Girl in Maine touched on the “what about the kids?” question as well, noting the experiences of her own biracial son:
As for the kids, what about the kids? Yes, biracial kids sometimes catch flack from others but not always and I think among the youth today its almost considered cool to be biracial. As a buddy mentioned to me my son most certainly doesn’t suffer from a lack of friends male or female. I think the only time biracial kids have real issues is when they have no one to talk to them about their roots. I think when kids are connected to their historical roots as well as community, it creates a safe space for them.
In the United States, anti-miscegenation laws in many states banned the marriage of white Americans to black Americans (and Americans of some other ethnicities) in a number of states.  While in some states, these laws were repealed as early as 1780, in sixteen states the laws were not repealed until a 1967 case, Loving vs. Virginia, in which an interracial couple who had married in Washington, D.C. were arrested in their own bedroom.  Their legal battle made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, at which point the laws were overturned.
A number of bloggers touched on the legal aspects of the case. One blogger, Jay Says, writes:
As a Justice of the Peace, he should be aware that interracial marriage is not illegal anymore – having been deemed unconstitutional 40 years ago.  This particular instance hits home after this weekends National Equality March wherein I briefly interviewed an straight, interracial couple, the Newmans (pictured) about why they are marching.
Racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance and other biases  can and do exist in our society, but they must not exist under the law.  To allow an employee of the government who is paid by the taxes of the “free” people of the United States (or in this case, a state in the United States) to use his/her own personal beliefs to decide matters governed by civil law is abhorrent.  If he doesn’t agree with interracial marriage, he needs to find a new job – perhaps Grand Master of the Ku Klux Klan?
Finally, one blogger has taken the opportunity to turn this incident into a moment of learning.  The blogger, whose blog is called What Do I Know?, begs readers to think about their own feelings on the subject:
If you doubt that racism still lives inside us all, consider your reaction to the idea of marrying outside your race, particularly if you are white and the other race is black. Yeah, it's ok for other people, but wouldn't you find some good, rational reasons why your daughter would be making her life far more difficult when she brings home her black fiance? Be honest. Even if you said, “No problem” didn't you hesitate just a little? If you didn't you're unusual.
With Bardwell now saying that he won't resign over the matter, one thing is certain: there is surely more news to come.

author: Jillian C. York


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Vietnam: Flooding pictures · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

The Fish Egg Tree uploads pictures of the recent flooding in Kon Tum, Vietnam. The flooding was caused by Typhoon Ketsana.


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Western Sahara: Hunger Strike in Support for Separatists · Global Voices
Hisham Almiraat

Solidarité Maroc [Fr], an online forum regrouping some Moroccan human rights activist, publishes an appeal (video) by French national Jean François Debargue who's on hunger strike in solidarity with Sahrawis whom he says are living in “dire conditions” in Western Sahara – a territory administered by Morocco and contested by the separatist Polisario Front, which is supported by neighbouring Algeria.

author: Hisham Almiraat


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Algeria: Poor News Coverage  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Maghreb region is not being given prominent coverage in the Press, complains Algerian blogger The Moor Next Door.


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Bahamas: Ferguson Dies  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Repeating Islands acknowledges the passing of “Bahamian self-taught international artist Amos Ferguson”, who passed away “after a long battle with dementia.”


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Bahrain: Finding her feet  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini-German Mariam, who blogs at On Top of the Box, is finding her feet at university in England. Click here to find out how she is coping.


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Bahrain: T-shirt wanted  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini Ali Abdulemam needs a T-shirt. He doesn't know where to get to from.


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Bangladesh: Kali Puja In Shakharibazar · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bangladeshi Photoblogger Ideas R Bulletproof posts pictures of Kali Puja, a festival dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali, which were taken in Shakharibazar, Dhaka.

author: Rezwan


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Cambodia: Award honors sex slavery survivor · Global Voices
Chhunny Chhean

Sina Vann was 13 when she came to Cambodia from Vietnam on what was supposed to be a vacation.  Instead, she was sold as a sex slave and spent the next two years in a brothel.  She was freed when Somaly Mam, an anti-slavery activist and the face of the Somaly Mam Foundation, organized a raid on Vann's brothel.  Today, Vann is an activist with the Somaly Mam Foundation, helping fellow survivors of slavery as well as those still working in brothels.
For Vann's work, she was honored with the Frederick Douglass Award.  The Frederick Douglass Award “honors the tremendous resilience of the human spirit and emphasizes that many of the survivors of modern-day slavery go on to help others to freedom.”
More of Vann's story is revealed in this video:
2009 Frederick Douglass Award Winner – Sina Vann from Free the Slaves on Vimeo.
Recently, the United Nations granted a one-year extension on its mandate addressing the humans rights situation in Cambodia.   According to The Mirror, the U.N. Special Rapporteur, reporting to the Human Rights Council:
expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Cambodia.  According to his report, the rule of law in Cambodia is weak…Also, he mentioned the case of a Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian – from the biggest opposition party in Cambodia – Ms. Mu Sochua, who had been sentenced by a court, controlled by the government of the Cambodian People’s Party, to lose her case unjustly, because she had dared to protest against the powerful in Cambodia.
Others urged the Special Rapporteur not to forget about the women and children who remain victims of sexual slavery in Cambodia, noting that it must remain a human rights priority even as other human rights violations, such as freedom of expression, surface.

author: Chhunny Chhean


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China: Best and worse countries for journalists · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Joyceyland comments on the Reporter without borders‘ release on press freedom index. The blogger is surprised by the ranking of mainland China #168.


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China: Fanfou is coming back? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Fanfou is a micro-blogging tool similar to twitter which has been closed down for more than 100 days in China. However, many still have hope that it will be back. Chinageeks translated a blog post by He Caitou discussing fanfou users’ loyalty towards the platform.


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China: Nobel Dream · Global Voices
Andy Yee

This month, the Chinese press and online forums are saturated with coverage of Charles Kao’s winning of the Nobel Prize in Physics. Yet another overseas Chinese scientist has snatched the prestigious prize, this temporary moment of shared glory is quickly turned into a more profound question: when would China produce its first indigenous Nobel Prize winner?
A commentary on Xinhua describes this psychology:
每年诺奖颁布时国人总是心神难宁，一旦获奖者有华人身份，更是亢奋莫明。然而热乎不了几天，就会渐渐的冷却，乃至波澜不兴。待到来年，又如是这般，循环往复。
Every year, when the Nobel Prize winners are announced, the Chinese will become very sentimental. If a winner is of Chinese descendant, they will be very excited. But after a few days, this excitement will gradually cool down or even turn into indifference. When next year comes, this cycle will repeat.
詹晟 posted a question on an ifeng blog piece:
有人说歧视华人——诺贝尔奖的不是中国，奖的是国籍。所以华人获得诺贝尔的必要条件是“加入美国国籍”。但为何“一换国籍就获奖”?
Some people said it is a kind of discrimination against Chinese– the Nobel Prize will not be given to Chinese, it will only be given to people with a certain citizenship. Therefore, a pre-requisite for Chinese to be awarded is to become an American citizen. But why are Chinese able to get the prize once they change citizenship?
This echoes with an article on 青青草香’s sina blog:
美籍华人，美藉的“美”字是无关紧要的，关键在华人的“华”字。在媒体热情的引导下，大家觉得高锟得奖几乎就等于中国人等奖了。于是大批脆弱的心灵得以自我安慰
When we talk of an “American Chinese”, the keyword is not “American” but “Chinese”. After the fervent media reporting, we have the illusion that all Chinese are sharing the Nobel pride as well. Our fragile hearts are self-comforted.
高锟已是第八位获得诺贝尔奖的华裔了，我们在引以自豪的同时是不是也该思考这样一个尴尬的问题：为什么同是华人，在别的国家就可以培养成为诺贝尔奖获得者，在中国就不能呢？
Charles Kao is the eighth Chinese Nobel Prize winner. While we are feeling proud, should we ask the embarrassing question: why could Chinese win Nobel Prizes when they are in a foreign but not our own country?
A commentary by 丁果 on the Southern Metropolitan Weekend outlined a few structural problems of the Chinese academic environment:
中国仍然缺乏宽松自由的学术环境，这样就难以出现    的创意人才；中国缺乏进行高端研究的基础设施，或者说实验室，这使优秀的科学家，尤其是从事理论研究的华裔科学家，难以下决心回来报效祖国；中国缺乏培养创新头脑的人文环境，缺乏适合全球最优秀科学人才长期居住的社区条件，这就决定了不少优秀人才难以带领全家回来，怕耽搁了下一代的成长。
China still lacks a free academic environment, which makes it difficult to nurture innovative talents; China lacks high-end basic research facilities, which makes it hard to attract Chinese to return to their own country; China lacks the social atmosphere to nurture groundbreaking ideas and a suitable community for leading scientists to settle down for long periods.
詹晟 and 青青草香 also discussed some other disturbing realities.
詹晟 said:
看看大陆学术腐败盛行，有所谓“博导”年出书量，少则数本多则数十本。地方政府“拍脑袋”做决策，请洋智库出点子，只为“附庸风雅”。
Look at the corrupted academic environment in China. There are so-called book publication amount of PhD mentors, each ranging from a few to dozens per year. Local governments like to employ foreign consultants for advice as it is a “stylish” act.
若没有形成严谨的学术环境、科学的奖惩机制，胸前别着“人民教师”的光荣牌，照样也会耐不住寂寞纷纷投奔商海
If a rigorous academic environment and an effective reward mechanism do not exist, even with the glory of being the “People’s Teacher”, most academics will leave the circle and join the commercial world.
大可不忿地将种种学术怪现状，归为转型期中国的尴尬现实，或者商品经济大潮的强力冲击，但是否与文化和心态有关？
We can blame a transforming China or the waves of materialism as being the causes of all the irregularities. But isn't it also related to our cultures or attitudes?
青青草香 remarked:
中国是个喜欢数字、重视数字而且精于使用数字的国家。国内高校多以学术论文发表数量来评价一名教师的水平和贡献，也以发表一定数量的论文作为研究生、博士生进入毕业答辩的标准。在这种考核体系下，教师们为职称为课题为成果为奖金、学生们为答辩为毕业为今后的工作都必须大写论文。结果拼凑剽窃成风，拿来主义盛行。中国在荣登学术论文数量世界第一宝座的同时，可能还应该戴上学术泡沫和论文垃圾产量世界第一这顶桂冠
China is keen to use number. The number of published research papers is used to determine someone's academic quality, or to decide if a research student can proceed to the stage of thesis defense. Under this system, teachers and students alike have to publish a large amount of papers, with the accompanying result of widespread plagiarism. While China becomes the number one producer of academic dissertations, it may also be the number one producer of academic garbage.
在现有的教育模式和科研体制下，中国可能很难培养出真正有自由思想、有独立精神、有创新能力的科学家，因此一时半会儿要想捧回个诺贝尔奖恐非易事。
Under the current education and research system, it is difficult for China to nurture liberal, independent and innovative scientists. Producing the first indigenous Chinese Nobel Prize winner will take some time.
In the collective English blog, the Fool's Mountain, there is also a hot discussion on “What Lies between Chinese Writers and the Nobel Prize”.
[Photo taken from nobelprize.org]

author: Andy Yee


text:
Egypt: Dictators and their wives  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

After seeing pictures of Cameroon's first lady, Egyptian Zeinobia remarks: “I do not how much money she spent on her hair and her looks but I know the people of Cameroon need this money more.”

author: Amira Al Hussaini


text:
Egypt: Meet the Carpoolers  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Blogging from Egypt, Maryanne Stroud Gabbani reports: “A young friend of my daughter's recently sent me a link to a
webpage started by one of her friends to encourage carpooling in Egypt.
Cairo reputedly has 20 million inhabitants and I'm willing to bet about
10 million cars.”