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A declaration of love to the Portuguese language, in all its variations · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

This post is part of our special coverage Languages and the Internet.
The  Portuguese language, spoken by more than 200 million people around the world, has often been described as the “fatherland” or “motherland” of the Portuguese-speaking world. On February 21 we commemorated International Mother Language Day, established by UNESCO in 1999. In a tribute to the Portuguese language in all its linguistic and cultural diversity, we invite you in this article to navigate through reflections from Portuguese-speaking bloggers, prompted by their reading of the first novel dedicated to the Portuguese language [pt], Milagrário Pessoal – the most recent work by the Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa.
The title of this article was taken [pt] from the blog Mértola, in which Carlos Viegas writes that Milagrário Pessoal is:
uma declaração de amor à língua portuguesa, na sua multiplicidade de falares (…) uma viagem pela história da nossa língua, pelos locais e culturas que alimentaram a sua enorme riqueza.
Photo: Manu Magalhães. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Portuguese is the official language of eight countries – Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor  – in four continents – Africa, America, Asia and Europe. Thus, the language covers a vast area of the Earth's surface (7.2% of the planet [pt]), encompassing an extraordinary diversity of lives which is reflected in the variety of dialects. It is also the fifth most spoken language on the Internet, according to Internet World Stats, with around 82.5 million internet users. Deceased in June 2010, José Saramago – the only Portuguese-speaking winner of the Nobel prize for Literature – said that “there is no Portuguese language, but rather languages in Portuguese ” [pt]. The writer Agualusa, in an interview [pt] with the blog Porta-Livros, states that:
O português é uma construção conjunta de toda a gente que fala português e isso é que faz dele uma língua tão interessante, com tanta elegância, elasticidade e plasticidade.
The novel – or the “essay on the Portuguese language disguised as a novel”, as the journalist Pedro Mexia describes it in a critique entitled Politics of Language [pt] – simultaneously tells a love story and explores the processes of construction of the Portuguese language. Agualusa, again in the afore-mentioned interview, confesses to “greatly regretting the disappearance of certain beautiful words which fall out of usage” and shares the necessity and “obligation to prevent the death of these words”.
Poem by Fernando Pessoa: He who cannot fully perceive a word, can never fully perceive a soul. Photo: Lu Freitas on Flickr. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Rui Azeredo, from the blog Porta-Livros, explains [pt] that the “[love] story serves solely as a pretext for the author to pay homage to the Portuguese language” :
através de uma busca, por parte das suas principais personagens, dos neologismos do português. E bem encaixados no meio da história (…) surgem os neologismos, como uma aula na qual nem se repara, mas onde tudo se aprende. De Portugal a Angola, passando pelo Brasil e outros, corremos os olhos por jogos de palavras (novas e velhas, dependendo por vezes da geografia) bem lançados por Agualusa.
In a summary [pt] of Milagrário Pessoal, Bruno Vieira Amaral, from the blog Circo da Lama, considers that  “words have power, words are power”. Amaral comments on excerpts from Milagrário Pessoal - in quotes as fanciful as they are representative of the countries to which they refer – in which the Portuguese language serves as a vehicule for refractory, subversive and nationalist political practices:
Palavras também são poder, política no sentido mais lato. Podem significar insubmissão, como no caso do timorense que declamava sonetos de Camões. Podem significar afirmação nacionalista, como no caso das elites brasileiras que passaram a utilizar apelidos de origem tupi. Podem significar subversão, como o colonizado que pretende colonizar a língua do colonizador para assim o dominar.
José Leitão, in the blog Inclusão e Cidadania, supports this view [pt]:
O romance contém pistas preciosas para uma política da língua, que merecem a atenção dos cientistas sociais, dos linguistas e dos responsáveis pela política da língua portuguesa.
Poem by Manuel Bandeira: Life did not come to me through newspapers nor through books/It came from the mouth of the people in the incorrect language of the people/Correct language of the people/Because it is the people who delight in speaking the Portuguese of Brazil/While in the meantime/What we are doing/Is mimic/The Portuguese syntax. Photo by Capitu on Flickr. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
The reflections of Milagrário Pessoal‘s readers in the blogosphere at times broach the subject of the controversial Spelling Reform of the Portuguese language, which aims to unify and converge the different spellings used in each Portuguese-speaking country. In his interview with the blog Porta-Livros, Agualusa states:
Nunca como agora houve tanto movimento de pessoas e ideias entre todos os países de língua portuguesa. (…) E isso faz com que a língua se aproxime.
Pedro Teixeira Neves, of PNETLiteratura, quotes [pt] a passage from the book and asks:
«Escreve Moisés da Conceição que a língua portuguesa, sendo já africana na sua matriz, pelo demorado convívio pelo árabe, que muito a contaminou, necessita de enegrecer ainda mais, afeiçoando-se à geografia dos lugares onde estão os seus abundosos falantes. O nosso destino é o de nos engolirmos uns aos outros…» Resumindo, é pois, de algum modo, esta a temática-tese de fundo onde se inscreve a tinta ficcional deste romance. Crítica velada ao acordo ortográfico? Porque não entreler desse modo?…
Offering no response to his question, Teixeira Neves states that “language is a treasure” [pt] and concludes:
Um tesouro guardado não numa arca estanque dos povos que dele fazem uso (portanto, que falam essa Língua, o português), antes um tesouro que na sua diversidade geográfica e crescimento contínuo mais se enriquece e inflaciona. Em suma: a identidade da língua é múltipla, e tal facto não representa senão um acrescento, jamais uma subtracção. A língua é elástica, corpo vivo que se alimenta do tempo e dos tempos. A língua é uma contínua viagem de navegação por mares a cada dia nunca antes vistos ou adentrados.
Poem by Antonio Risério: “our raw material is the word. The word as a sound, as a sense, as a practice, as a password, as a cultural indicator, as cultural cement, as history, as an object, as a changing and changeable entity
This post is part of our special coverage Languages and the Internet.

author: Sara Moreira


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Africa: Africa Visual Media Blog · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Africa Visual Media blog keeps track of African and Africa-related culture in the media (film, photography, television, and print).

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Africa: Gaddafi, Mandela and “African Mercenaries” · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Woyingi reflects on Gaddafi, Mandela and “African mercenaries”: “Nelson Mandela was instrumental in helping Gaddafi resolve the Lockerbie Affair and regain easy relations with countries like Britain and the United States. Mandela shrugged off criticisms within South Africa and internationally, particularly from the United States, when he reached out to Gaddafi.”


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Africa/Middle East: Where does Africa end and the Middle East begin? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Sophia Azeb asks, “Where does Africa end and the Middle East begin?”: “Yes – this so-called ‘Arab world’ has its own sets of racial hierarchies. Absolutely. Many in North Africa would bristle at being called African, much less black. And certainly–the treatment of migrant laborers in North Africa and Southwest Asia (from all parts of Asia and Africa) is just as dire as in Europe and North America.”


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Bahrain: Jailed Blogger Ali Abdulemam Free  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
Jailed Bahraini blogger Ali Abdulemam is finally free. The news was welcomed by netizens from around the world, as tweeps posted pictures of a smiling Ali being greeted by family and friends.
Ali, the administrator of a popular online forum Bahrain Online (blocked in Bahrain) was arrested at the beginning of September, during a crackdown on opposition figures, which saw up to 250 people arrested, starting from August. Charges against them kept changing as the government tried to pin them down for crimes ranging from terrorism to plotting to overthrow the regime. Finally, a group of 25, including political and human rights activists, were rounded up as the main cell and put on trial – a saga which continued to be discussed everywhere, except local newspapers, which were banned from reporting the court proceedings.
Yesterday, Bahrain King Hamad ordered the release of around 100 prisoners, including political prisoners, among them Ali. Here is a selection of tweets celebrating Ali's release:
@weddady: ALI #ABDULEMAM IS FREE I AM TALKING TO HIM #BAHRAIN
@OnlineBahrain: BAHRAINONLINE WELCOMES HOME ITS FOUNDER, ALI ABDULEMAM. THE TASTE OF VICTORY IS SWEETER BY THE DAY. #feb14 #bahrain
@Bahrain: #bahrain Ali Abdulemam of #bahrainonline is released #blog #blogger
@SAIDYOUSIF: #Bahrain ali abdulemam is out#Feb14 http://yfrog.com/h26fdphj
@iDiplomacy: In great #Bahrain news, blogger & @globalvoices contributor Ali #Abdulemam was freed today. http://bit.ly/dV5avx via @wedaddy @monaeltahawy
@iDiplomacy: Ali Abdulemam, #Bahrain blogger, was arrested last September for allegedly spreading “false news” on BahrainOnline.org. http://bit.ly/awbmP6
@TruthWitness: ALI #ABDULEMAM, finally FREE. #Feb14 Youth have nominated him to lead the youth movement #Bahrain #Lulu http://twitpic.com/42rz8w
@MhamadHasan: @JustAmira @weddady http://yfrog.com/h32dt5j Ali #abdulemam coming out of Jail ! #bahrain http://yfrog.com/h32b1nj
@MhamadHasan: Ali #abdulemam coming out of Jail ! #bahrain http://yfrog.com/h32dt5j
@EthanZ: Thrilled to see Ali Abdulemam released from prison in Bahrain. Mabrouk to him, his family, everyone who's worked for his release.
@monaeltahawy: I salute my friend @weddady for his tireless advocacy for release of #Bahrain blogger Ali #Abdulemam who wa finally freed today. Mabrouk!
@NadineToukan: :) “@weddady HE IS FREE!! “@AfriNomad Pic of now free #Bahrain blogger Ali @Abdulemam http://yfrog.com/h6eghoj v @maryamalkhawaja
@elsaheb: Bahrain one step in the right direction. Reports that Ali Abdulemam has been freed.
@JonGarfunkel: 5 months ago I spent <$100 to run some Google Ads to free Ali #Abdulemam http://bit.ly/9pOWUM. Bahrainis paid in blood. Welcome home, Ali!
@jamal_alyousif: My warmest congratulations to Ali Abdulemam, his family and to all just bloggers out there! #bahrain #feb14
@mehrza: (wishing the same for all of the imprisoned bloggers of the world) #Bahraini blogger Ali Abdulemam is free! #OR318 /@March18Movement
@lheron: Ali Abdulemam, who worked w me at @WashingtonPost, free after months as political detainee in #Bahrain (via @weddady @bahrain)
@JoelleJackson: Very happy to hear that Ali #abdulemam is finally free! Mabrook to him and his family.
@habibh: Great to hear that Ali #Abdulemam has finally been freed! #Bahrain #UniteBH cc @khalidalkhalifa
@BaghdadBrian: Ali #Abdulemam has been released. Its a start, but whats next #Bahrain ? Will this satisfy the opposition as a sign of good faith?
Meanwhile, protests calling for reforms, which started in Bahrain on February 14, continue.
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Bhutan: In His Majesty’s Service · Global Voices
Rezwan

Dorji Wangchuk describes what is it like to be in the service of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.

author: Rezwan


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Chad: Contested Parliamentary Elections, Protesters in the Streets · Global Voices
Abdoulaye Bah

On February 16th 2011, Makaila  published [Fr]: “many opposition militants gathered in multiple districts around the  city of Moundou to protest against the results of the parliamentary elections [on February 13th].”

author: Abdoulaye Bah


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China: Exportation of value to Libya · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Siweiluozi translated prominent blogger Yang Hengjun's tweet “celebrating” the successful exportation of political value to Libya.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Open letter from Jasmine organizers · Global Voices
Andy Yee

Human Rights in China translated an open letter, first posted on Boxun's temporary website, from the organizers of the Chinese Jasmine rallies held on 20 February 2011. The letter calls for people to gather every Sunday to continue to push for political reforms in China.

author: Andy Yee


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China: Playing Revolution on Twitter · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Have the Chinese caught the freedom flu, or is China's Jasmine Revolution a bunch of amplified wishful thinking spread almost exclusively on Twitter? Why was everything posted on Twitter? Why is there no leadership? Numerous arrests have been made, computers and cellphones seized and, already, charges of [correction: inciting] state subversion have been laid.
Other questions floating around: Was the original anonymous Boxun post part of an elaborate sting operation aimed at silencing those who Beijing authorities feel might give growth to a movement in the months or years to come? Or, as well-known Beijing-based liberal commentators and heavy Twitter users Mo Zhixu and Stainless Steel Mouse (along with many others) feel, and with a second round of protests coming this weekend, did authorities, through their heavy-handed response, take what looked like something of a joke at their (and taxpayers’) expense and give it inertia?
Thoughts on these and more from Mo and Mouse over the past few days are aggregated below, but first, a sample of the myriad things that have been tweeted since this started:
https://twitter.com/isaac/status/39522419773284352
昨天中文推特发推量达到227K，达到有史以来的最高纪录 #twittercn
11:10 AM Feb 21st
https://twitter.com/rui7905/status/39506006220218368
早上一来，收邮件发现有一封来自某IDC机房的紧急通知，看后才知道，原来在周末发布的关键字屏蔽列表里，居然还有“梅花革命 牡丹花革命 映山红(金达莱)革命 葵花子政变”……
https://twitter.com/Alice7vong/status/39146369537150976
收到班长的短信：接教育厅紧急通知，今天（20日）所有返校学生须在校园内，不得外出.(各位請勿問我為什麼,因為我也不知原因.）//难道是因为“茉莉花”？囧…昨晚同学还叫我回去吃特产，既然要被软禁那我不回去了…
10:16 AM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/zokio/status/38943191403069440
茉莉花行动，就是一恶作剧，认真你就输了。当年苏联就是被里根搞的虚拟现实主义艺术方案——星球大战计划给拖垮的，葛优说的好：谁动感情谁完蛋。
8:49 PM Feb 19th
https://twitter.com/Utopian1989/status/39298137197785088
刚一起吃饭的朋友看港台报道中国茉莉花革命，随后又报巴林利比亚等地革命，感叹这世道变得太快。我却觉得世道已经很久不变了，改变的希望还在，就在我们这一代。
8:19 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/Utopian1989/status/39309147044450304
多想还在北京，和他一起上街，买瓶茉莉花茶，分享生命的喜悦。一起散步，一起回家，和正在改变的中国一起迎来茉莉花开。
9:03 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/samuelincn/status/39340669977903104
真正的弱势群体没有加入到这次活动中来，比如地下教友、复原军人、失地农民、下岗职工、城市贫民、法轮功等等。。。所以说，今天只是开始。。。 #cn220 #freechina
11:08 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/jajia/status/39245700856283136
这次集合基本就是个玩笑，但是他们当真了。有点作茧自缚的意思。群众的聚合，很大程度上来自警方的阵势过于庞大。但是说实话，他们摆出的阵仗，具备震慑作用。很多带着小孩的家长迅速离开，担心发生什么事情。大家都预感到有什么大事，并认为不可思议。
4:51 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/jajia/status/39252426686996480
总而言之，以后还是寄望于准确信息的快速传播与响应。否则以今天看来，无目的无诉求无明确行为的聚集，很容易被以维持治安的名义将之分化及驱离。这是一个玩笑，就当今天大家检阅纳税人养的装备精良的警察队伍了，没事儿都洗洗睡吧。
5:18 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/jajia/status/39255978004328449
最好玩的还于，他们和外部世界都以为是真的。于是一坨屎盆子自己倒在自己头上。。。RT@_ym: “爸爸讲个故事吧喵～”“很久很久以前，有个宅男吃着泡面费着纸，在秘密树洞发了个推，让世界上¼的警察走上街头，让我的api挂了喵…”
5:32 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/tdtw/status/39257716811767808
虽说今天的事情完全是个恶作剧，但众警察国保回头还不好跟上面说情报有误，而是汇报说抓到了危险分子X人云云，战果颇丰。上面听到后一阵庆幸，洋洋自得道：幸好俺们英明，这才将革命彻底扼杀在了摇篮之中。
5:39 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/BaiqiaoCh/status/39225977653428224
中共真的快完了，就看今天晚上那些新五毛的拙劣表演，就知道他们玩不了多久了。个个都是一副狗急跳墙的样子。就算过去看不明白的人都会看明白了：只有被逼到墙角的狗才会“狗急跳墙”呀。
3:32 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/BaiqiaoCh/status/39229396288020480
各位晚安。茉莉花革命欲演结束了。明天开始写总结报告。大家估计今天全国动用了多少警力，出动了多少国宝，吓着了多少当权者？还有那些可怜的五毛们，咱们今生无缘，但你们尽情抹黑中共让更多人知道中共的丑恶嘴脸，没有功劳也有苦劳。不过干这种没出息的五毛勾当应该适可而止。
3:46 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/no_Z_turn/status/39279500021858304
今天是TG在进行应对网络革命的演习呢吧？敏感词得敏感词的时候也没有这么大的声势啊！看来那几个“中国人民的老朋友”的下场把丫们给下着了。
7:05 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/yinxingongzi/status/39202427265613824
现在看来这次国内所谓的鲜花革命是一场由网民倡导，由党中央响应和领导，由各级维稳部门倾力参与，由民主人士全力配合，由人民群众围观鉴赏的后现代民主主义革命。 #cn220
1:59 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/Hexilou/status/38876502766387200
辛亥革命的爆发，这是告诉我们，当时的中国，由政治领导改进社会之希望已断绝，不得不转由社会领导来改进政治。
4:24 PM Feb 19th
See more photos from the Beijing branch of the Jasmine Revolution here. Also building on the idea that China's Twitter users intended Sunday's gatherings as a joke but went out of curiosity were tweets like these:
https://twitter.com/aizong/status/38970317518938112
明天礼拜天，这个礼拜，20日，外面真有活动吗？我去教会
10:37 PM Feb 19th
https://twitter.com/langzichn/status/39186037255184384
我去北京路逛书店。
12:54 PM Feb 20th
https://twitter.com/litiantian/status/38647276175888384
周日人民广场附近的上海书城是必须去一趟的，好久没有去书城了。有去书城的吗？
1:13 AM Feb 19th
https://twitter.com/litiantian/status/38648271438086144
我想周日下午2点去人民广场给人提供免费指路服务.
1:17 AM Feb 19th
https://twitter.com/litiantian/status/38658076475133952
上海人民广场附近很多酱油。@leqing77: @litiantian 那附近哪里能打酱油？
1:56 AM Feb 19th
Mo Zhixu's Jasmine tweets from Saturday through to Monday:
12:24 PM Feb 19th https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/38816184220520448
靠, 啥中国茉莉花，整个就是闪客行动嘛，作为老一辈闪客行为艺术家，我感到压力很大；
12:39 PM Feb 19th https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/38819933118795777
我觉得吧，这个中国茉莉花行动是一挺好的行为艺术策划，国际、流行、时尚，无论是民间还是官方，当真了就输了；革命不会因为艺术策划而点燃，只会因为中南海的错误决定而点燃。。。。
Sun Feb 20 2011 00:29:12 https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/38998545893691392
成都警方这次肯定犯错误了，以冉匪的脾气，今夜无端不能回家，令小女受惊，以后必然会搞出点事情来的！
Sun Feb 20 2011 10:41:41 https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/39152681301839872
不思扩大政治参与，逐步开放体制，而是试图运用整个体制资源，管理社会，我觉得这样也不错，省得再谈什么政改了
Sun Feb 20 2011 14:41:14 https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/39212966255525888
刚才片警同志郑重地问我到底怎么回事情，估计他也是一头雾水，我解释了几句不必担心、行为艺术、推特翻墙云云，估计他还是一头雾水；
Sun Feb 20 2011 16:08:45 https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/39234989941854208
茉莉花没有开成，该放人了吧?
Sun Feb 20 2011 17:35:22 https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/39256787408396288
话说这次的茉莉花行为艺术还是有破绽的，二月间哪里去找茉莉花嘛，唉，现在的都市青年看来都没养过花嘛。
Mon Feb 21 2011 02:42:07 https://twitter.com/mozhixu/status/39394381496582144
“茉莉花革命”这么个行为艺术，谁认真谁输，结果是当局认真了，也就是当局输了；在这方面伍皓部长就要高明些，懂的配合行为艺术，所以还捞回来不少。。。强烈建议重用伍部长！
And Stainless Steel Mouse's tweets through to today. Stainless Steel Mouse, it should be pointed out, is both a close associate of Liu Xiaobo's as well as vocal holder of the belief that he and others sympathetic to the causes of freedom and human rights should be in prison, if Beijing authorities are so willing to incarcerate people based on their writings alone. She is also known for her translation of works such as A Force More Powerful.
Sat Feb 19 2011 01:39:20 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38653805956562944
王府井有不止一个麦当劳
Sat Feb 19 2011 12:17:12 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38814330845667328
问题是明天我党遇到购物的怎么办？
Sat Feb 19 2011 12:22:10 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38815580974751745
在麦当劳门口喊我们要吃饭，搞笑啊
Sat Feb 19 2011 12:28:31 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38817179558223873
这鬼主意真不是我出的
Sat Feb 19 2011 15:13:46 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38858766686355456
批发点茉莉花明天上街卖是不是个好主意呢
Sat Feb 19 2011 15:14:42 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38859002653708289
还是批发点茶叶更能赚？
Sat Feb 19 2011 15:17:44 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38859763387203585
这两天喝茶的，喝的都是茉莉花茶
Sat Feb 19 2011 18:12:00 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38903619730284544
明天开心网菜园里是不是连茉莉花都不能种了
Sat Feb 19 2011 22:42:42 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38971743531958272
明天茉莉花行动的主力是警察，大家可以注意到，预定的游行地点会有大批警察集合
Sat Feb 19 2011 23:11:41 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38979036764057600
支持革命，借机高价卖花；支持自焚，借机高价卖打火机；支持拍砖，借机高价卖砖头……
Sat Feb 19 2011 23:33:04 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/38984418349555712
革命要跟三味书屋讲座一样，每周来一次，地点临时通知
Sun Feb 20 2011 14:38:17 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39212224455258112
今天这事到底是怎么造成的，其实谁也不知道，我党抓狂了，哇哈哈哈
Sun Feb 20 2011 14:42:54 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39213384939343873
今天麦当劳的生意大概不错
Sun Feb 20 2011 18:02:05 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39263512769335296
公开策略，迫使对方适应你的策略
Sun Feb 20 2011 21:36:15 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39317411282948096
所谓革命，就是A围观B，B围观C，C围观D，D围观A，最后革命就成了
Sun Feb 20 2011 21:37:25 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39317703063769088
所谓革命，就是党觉得会有革命，派大量警力镇压，最后革命就成了
Sun Feb 20 2011 23:06:47 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39340192695463936
不管是08宪章还是这次的茉莉花革命，要不是我党反应那么强烈，可能都不会有多大动静，所以说革命都是他们自己制造的。
Sun Feb 20 2011 23:11:36 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39341404224233472
所以说，只要我党认为某事有威胁，那就一定有威胁；我党认为革命要来，那就一定要来。
Mon Feb 21 2011 05:59:34 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39444071764205569
这次之前大家都不知道能聚起来，下次应该考虑考虑聚集之后干点啥，怎样跟围观群众解释。
Mon Feb 21 2011 06:10:33 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39446835923779584
革命要充分利用生态环境
Mon Feb 21 2011 08:11:44 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39477332318097409
现在是共谋的时代，不是密谋的时代。我党还是找幕后黑手那套思路，但其实可能没什么幕后黑手，树洞和博讯的帖子随便哪个不知名的小人物都能发，大家上街也都是自愿去的不需要谁来组织。
Mon Feb 21 2011 08:20:30 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39479538119352320
好多事就是大家互相影响的结果，而不是有什么幕后黑手在组织。
Mon Feb 21 2011 08:29:41 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39481853144465408
没人指挥我们的行动，我们都是根据外界信息来调整自己的行动。这就好比市场交易中没人指挥买家和卖家进行合作，双方都是通过价格信号来调整自己的行为的。
Mon Feb 21 2011 08:34:01 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39482943214714880
我们决定自己行动的信息就是他人行动的结果，我们甚至都不需要直接与他人沟通就可以实现与他人的合作。
Mon Feb 21 2011 08:37:32 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39483827181207552
所以，我们不必为了运动而组织群众，而可以通过运动本身来发动群众。
Mon Feb 21 2011 08:43:57 https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/39485443523223552
暴力革命喜欢密谋，人民起义不需要密谋，罗马尼亚就是一瞬间的事
And today:
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40083873895292928
自首这件事，一个人自首挺没劲，要自首就找一堆人集体自首；要搞行为艺术，就要找一堆完全无关的人来自首。
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40084205752811520
大家抢着认领革命，也挺行为艺术的。
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40084564634243072
要不然就干脆没人认领，我觉得这事说不定是哪个AI策划的
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40085077820051456
要不然本周日大家集体自首算了
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40095722120413184
其实没有领导人的革命真的可以搞成，比如，大家可以根据纳斯达克指数来决定集会地点
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40328632861720576
现在茉莉花革命就是一行为艺术嘛，怎么就有人谈到人头落地了，太夸张了
https://twitter.com/liudimouse/status/40329119350652928
现在抓的都是跟茉莉花没关系的人，老革命也都没怎么参加，参加的全是新人，我党很难办的

author: John Kennedy


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China: What a Beautiful Sensitive Word · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

China Digital Times translated technology blogger Jason Ng's post on “What a beautiful sensitive word” describing how the security police had helped promote the Jasmine Revolution by arresting a large number of dissidents and opinion leaders over an anonymous tweet.


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Colombia: Interview with Director of NGO “Forjando Futuros” (Shaping Futures) · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Albeiro Rodas interviewed Nora Isabel Saldarriaga, the director of “Forjando Futuros” (Shaping Futures), “a Colombian NGO with different projects, but only one ideal: to stay at the side of vulnerable people like the victims of the armed conflict.”

author: Silvia Viñas


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Cote d’Ivoire: Crisis Update · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Martin discusses the impact of the political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire on his business: “The spreadsheet where I keep track of cashflows in the real estate business has unfortunately, but unsurprisingly gotten a little bit more interesting lately. Things were fine and dull until November, but then the crisis hit and not everybody managed to pay their rents.”


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Côte d’Ivoire: Violent Repression of Street Protests  · Global Voices
Julie Owono

This post is part of our special coverage Côte d'Ivoire Unrest 2011.
After a little rest in coverage, the international media is once again looking to Côte d'Ivoire. The last five days have seen the country experience further violence and increased radicalisation of Ivorian netizens’ speeches.
On February 19, 2011, a peaceful “revolution” [fr], so-called by Guillaume Soro – prime minister of internationally recognised President Alassane Ouattara – was organised at several locations in the country. Ouattara claims to have won the 2010 election against Laurent Gbagbo, president since 2000, and as such has declared himself to be the legitimate president of Côte d'Ivoire.
Demonstrators Killed
The protests were violently repressed in Abobo, a pro-Ouattara district of Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, leaving at least 3 people killed [fr].
The following video shows tanks belonging to the United Nations Organisation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) protecting Ouattara supporters protesting against Gbagbo:
Tchélé Kobres shot and posted the following video on the Facebook group ‘Observatoire démocratique en Côte d'Ivoire‘ [fr]; the group is described as a free forum to exchange on democratic progess in Côte d'Ivoire and counts more than 2,000 members.
The video shows a darkly dressed man shooting on unarmed demonstrators on Saturday February 19, 2011:
On February 21, 2011, the day that the protests were referred to as an “Egyptian-like Revolution” by Guillame Soro, seven people [fr] were reportedly killed among Ouattara's supporters.
Ivorian netizens shared videos showing dead demonstrators. This video (WARNING: GRAPHIC) posted by mdosso4002 on Youtube, shows the dead bodies of pro-Ouattara protestors killed in Koumassi, Abidjan, by rockets fired by Gbagbo's Force of Defense and Security (FDS).
The citizen shooting the video comments:
Le sang n'est pas versé pour rien Gbagbo
The Twitter hashtag #civ2010 has become increasingly radicalised in the wake of the protests, with tweets becoming more and more violent:
Other Twitter users tried to temper the situation:
Another Twitter user encourages people living in Abobo, a pro-Ouattara district of Abidjan, to continue the struggle:
A rumour that has not been confirmed says that pro-Ouattara citizens living in Abobo organised a vendetta against the FDS:
In the meantime, the hashtag #civ2010 was a top trending topic for Twitter France, according to Twirus:
This post is part of our special coverage Côte d'Ivoire Unrest 2011.

author: Julie Owono


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Cuba: Psychiatric Hospital Trial Over  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Laritza's Laws is still haunted by the trial for the deaths at the Psychiatric Hospital, describing the proceedings as “a bad theater set painted by the official press.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Cuba: The Memory of Zapata  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Sometimes the end of person cements his name in history forever”: Generation Y blogs about Orlando Zapata Tamayo on the first anniversary of his death.


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Egypt: Flag Unites Mosque and Church · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

Wael Ghonim shared this video through Twitter:  “Thats the real face of Egypt. Young Egyptians connect a mosque and a church with the Egyptian flag.”

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Europe: EU and Social Media · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Kosmopolito writes on the ways in which the “EU institutions [should] engage with bloggers” and on the need to have a bigger “euroblogosphere.”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Guinea: The First Blogcamp in Conakry · Global Voices
Abdoulaye Bah

The first Guinean blogcamp took place on February 2nd at the Press House in Coléah, a suburb of Conakry. In a nation striving for a national dialogue after tumultuous years of political strife, ICT might play an important role in building consensus.
“Les choses avancent très bien du côté de la Maison de la Presse. Le mercredi 02 février, comme prévu, c’était la première journée de l’Initiation au blogging pour l’émergence de médias citoyens en Guinée avec pour slogan : «  Bloguons Ensemble ». Les dix personnes qui forment le premier groupe étaient présentes, très curieuses et hyper motivées.”
It's in those words that @guinee50 expressed his joy for this first Guinean blog camp on February 2nd.
Blogcamp Conakry via Guinee50
Mr. Fode Sanikayi Kouyaté is the student who originated the initiative. Kouyaté had to leave his country when the military used violence on a crowd protesting against Kaki's power on 28 September 2009 in Conakry. He was in Mali where he met the blogger and online translator for GV, Boukary Konaté. Konaté is also the founder of the blog Fakosan. Driven by the love of cyber-activism, Fode had tried many times in vain to create a Guinean blogging community. On 1 March 2010 he had expressed [Fr] his disappointment with the lack of success of his efforts:
“On ne peut ignorer ou sous-estimer aujourd’hui, le rôle que les blogs peuvent jouer dans le développement socio-politique de notre pays… “
He continued his efforts by establishing a significant network of 1160 friends on his personal blog guinee50.blogspot.com [Fr] and 1159 on Facebook. Kouyaté is an “observer” of  France24 [Fr] and created the blog nonloin.mondoblog.org  [Fr] on a blog platform invented by Philippe Couve, Cédric Kalonji and Ziad Maalouf from Radio France Internationale.
Equipped with all these tools to share with the blogosphere, Kouyaté actively participated in detailing Guinean's daily life. During the presidential elections in June and November 2010, he created a system through which the voters could ask the candidates questions. He explains the program, named “voters testers” [Fr]:
« Ce sont ces milliers d’internautes guinéens qui veulent que lors de l’élection présidentielle, leur voix serve l’instauration d’une véritable démocratie dans notre pays et qui, avant tout, veulent savoir pour quel candidat voter et pourquoi. »
In Guinea, the lack of infrastructure and the inability for youth to express themselves in a written form is slowing down the blogosphere's development. The active blogs are usually created by Guineans living abroad and look more like online newspapers than personal blogs.
At the end of this first blogcamp, ten bloggers started their own blog. See the list below the interview.
Before the beginning of the next workshop planned for February 18th, I asked him [Kouyaté] a few questions online:
The first blogcamp has just finished, and here you are already planning the second. What are your plans?
First of all, I would like to say that I am very satisfied with the outcome of these first few days of the workshop. My plan is to continue such initiatives that teach young people the use of blogs in order to be heard in Guinea and beyond our borders.
What is the situation like in Guinea as far as internet access? What are the difficulties encountered in the cities that you have visited?
As I said in my posts [Fr], internet access is almost impossible in many cities of the country mainly because of the lack of electricity even though that is not the only reason. Where there is electricity, as in Siguiri, it's the internet provider that is failing. However, in other cities such as Dabola you can get the same bandwidth as Conakry and that's because either there is a steady supply of electricity or there are generators.
The youths of Conakry are then favored compared to those in other cities?
Of course, it is easier for the young people in Conakry to go to internet cafes than those living in other cities. It is now a matter of means for us to organize these blogcamps throughout all the country. By targeting the cities with electricity and internet access, we could start a dynamic blogosphere in all four regions of Guinea. We shouldn't wait any longer.
What are the problems you have encountered during the formation cycle?
The majority of new bloggers don't use the internet except for checking their email. We only have five computers for ten people and the Press House couldn't give us anymore so as not to deprive the journalists who come here to work.
Do you have anything else to add for our readers?
To conclude, I would like to encourage all the new bloggers to continue with the same motivation and curiosity. I also advise them to be active by regularly publishing articles in all the subjects that interest them.
To the readers and to you, I thank you for your interest in the Guinean blogosphere.
Here the list of the new bloggers [Fr- all links]:
Let us be conscious http://guineereveil.blogspot.com
Wishes of a rallying child http://rassembleuractif.blogspot.com
Gnakry’s Spirit http://gnakryspirit.blogspot.com
Open Guinea http://guineeouverte.blogspot.com
Guinea's culture, a new walk http://tameywo.blogspot.com
The impact of an enclave http://sanahka.blogspot.com
It needs to change in Guinea http://dialloboulli.blogspot.com
The half fulfilled dream http://j-actifs.blogspot.com
A space to say it all http://rienechappe.blogspot.com
My Guinea cries http://boncitoyen.blogspot.com
They have all published at least one post.


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Guyana: Journalist Sharief Khan Dies  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Guyanese bloggers acknowledge the passing of veteran journalist, Sharief Khan.


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Haiti: Can News Ever Be Impartial?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“We have to remember that news – that holy, sacred source of information – is biased”: Throwing Down the Water reminds us to ask a few pertinent questions – “Whose story is being told? Through which eyes? For whose benefit?” – when sifting through the news.


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India: Discovering International Mother Language Day · Global Voices
Rezwan

Sunshine discovers the International Mother Language Day and she has finally learnt to take pride in her roots and her mother language.


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Jamaica: Bloggers React to Banton Verdict · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Despite bloggers’ impassioned calls to “set the captive free”, the jury in the Buju Banton drug trial yesterday returned a guilty verdict on three of the four charges against him.  The recent Grammy winner could be facing a sentence of as much as fifteen years behind bars.  For many bloggers, the long-awaited verdict is an uncomfortable case of life imitating art – the critically acclaimed Before the Dawn, which won Banton the Grammy award for Best Reggae Album, includes “a song in which Banton proclaims he is wrongly convicted though God knows he is innocent.”
Still, the verdict left Jamaica Salt “kind of surprised”:
I thought things may have gone the other way after the last trial, but the audio and video evidence could not be overcome.
Girl With a Purpose adds:
It is said that he could get a minimum of 5 years for the firearm possession charge to a maximum of 40 years for all three charges.
Tallawah, meanwhile, was monitoring Twitter and re-posts the reactions of “several members of the Jamaican music industry”.  Twitter (under the hashtags #bujubanton, #buju and #jamaica) was also the platform on which ordinary Tweeple and fans of Buju's music posted their post-verdict thoughts, including several tweets to “free Buju Banton”:
@kingharvest99: Buju Banton convicted in cocaine distribution case  http://t.co/4n15DaB
@blazon11: Damn I am still in shock about the news about the voice of Jamaica Mr Buju Banton
@imDJB: After hearing that news about Buju Banton its only right that i play one of his songs
@tonya1908: Prayers for Buju Banton.
Unsurprisingly, speculation over a gay conspiracy longing for retribution over Banton's now infamous anti-gay song Boom Bye Bye found its way into the commentary, but the most candid reactions came from Jamaicans themselves.  @JamaicaGleaner posted this series of tweets:
Buju verdict goes viral http://tinyurl.com/4msu628
#Online response to #Buju Banton verdict #Jamaica http://tinyurl.com/65yq64k
Disbelief in downtown http://tinyurl.com/4vtxyle
Supporters stunned http://tinyurl.com/4pxleem
Two of blogger @anniepaul‘s comments got retweeted:
Proof that prayer doesn't work: Buju found guilty…
National depression. #Jamaica #Buju
…to which @Selectajerry responded:
International depression #reggae @anniepaul RT National depression. #Jamaica #Buju
A date for sentencing is still to be announced.


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Jordan: Demands for Response to Libya Answered · Global Voices
Betsy Fisher

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
During the mass demonstrations in Tunisia and then in Egypt, Jordanians held demonstrations in solidarity, and posted numerous blogs and innumerable tweets about these events.  The uprising in Libya has been no exception to this pattern; Jordanians have pro-actively re-tweeted information on the Libyan uprising and expressed their support for the Libyan people.  By February 22nd, as the violence in Libya grew, Jordanians began to wonder why their government had not issued a response condemning Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi.
Ahmad Omari wrote:
#ReformJo The silence of all arab gov's and the world on the massacre happening in libya by the lunatic Gadhafi and his son is a DiSCRACE
Diana Arja worked to distance herself from the government's silence:
Samih Toukan addressed his question to the Foreign Minister of Jordan, Nasser Judeh:
FM of Jordan @nasserjudeh why are you silent about the genocide in #Libya ? #reformjo
Ruba Abu-Laban was among those to add her agreement to Toukan's question:
We've been asking the same Q since morning with no reply RT @samihtoukan @nasserjudeh why r u silent about the genocide in #Libya? #reformjo
Razan Khatib complained:
Social media is the only space available to show our solidarity with the free people of the world as our govs stand silent. #Libya #ReformJo
Suleiman Bakhit provided a possible explanation for the government's silence:
Our govt primary concern is 10k #Jo citizens in #Libya, condemning #Qaddafi now would put their safety at risk #reformjo
And, their questions received a response, from Foreign Minister Judeh's twitter account.  He replied:
our position on tragic events in Libya very clear. Prioirty is ensuring safety and safe return of our Jordanians there #jo #reformjo
Soon, Jordan did indeed issue a statement rejecting Libyan violence.
Ali Abu-Nimah was among the first to tweet the news:
Jordan strongly condemns Libya's attacks on civilians, says they violate international law (AR) http://t.co/foMgaKX #JO #ReformJO
Jordanians continue to tweet in solidarity with Libyans under the hashtags #feb17, #libya and their own pro-reform hashtag, #reformjo.
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.

author: Betsy Fisher


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Jordan: Show of Solidarity at Libyan Embassy · Global Voices
Betsy Fisher

Cultural website 7iber.com shares multimedia from demonstrations in support of the Libyan people outside Libya's embassy in Amman, Jordan


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Lebanon: 128 Dictators or More to Revolt Against? · Global Voices
Layal Al Khatib

While the Arab world has been and is still revolting against its dictators, the situation in Lebanon is a bit different and more complex. According to activists Imad Bazzi and Ali Fakhry, the Lebanese people are suffering from 128 dictators, who make up the Lebanese Parliament, and a sectarian regime. They both decided on the 16 of February to practice their right as Lebanese citizens and speak out loud against this situation.  Here's how it went and how the Lebanese on line community reacted to this move.
The Lebanese parliament building in downtown Beirut. Image by Flickr user nathanm (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).
Before announcing what the two activists intended to do, Imad posted a statement where he talked about the Lebanese situation and his dreams of change since Lebanon is not different from its neighbours, Egypt or Tunisia. He explained it by stating the problems in the country like corruption and the lack of freedom of speech, fair elections, social justice and medical insurance, among other grievances. He blamed the politicians for all of those issues saying:
سؤال بديهي، من هو المسبب؟ وهل هناك حاجة الى تحليل السبب والمسبب؟ اليس الأمر واضحاً؟ اليست الطبقة السياسية اللبنانية من اغنياء الحرب وامراءها والمتاجرين بالموتى مسؤولة عما عصف بالبلاد منذ ما قبل 1975 الى اليوم؟ اليسوا هم ذاتهم من قضم حقوقنا وباعها، وإن لم يفعلوا ذلك بالمال فعلوه بتعطيل اي اساس لأي حراك ديمقراطي في البلاد بالتهديد بالويل والثبور وعظائم الأمور؟
On the 16 of February, Imad, who describes himself as a full time blogger, and his activist friend Ali Fakhry decided to announce their rejection to the sectarian regime by sneaking into the Parliament building in down town Beirut and holding two banners which read: “Egypt had one dictator, we have 128″ and “The people want the sectarian regime down” in Arabic. In no time they were faced by the police who threatened them, ripped their banners off and deleted the images on a digital camera they had with them.
The Lebanese twitosphere's reaction was torn between supporting and making fun of what they called a foolish stunt that was more entertaining than useful.
Below are some of the supporting tweets:
@Emiliehasrouty:@TrellaLB wut u did was fab, most of us were behind their laptops with a cup of coffee, warm & safe… Respect… & #Saba7o :)
@maheriskandar: #feb16 its not foolish! if you cant find a job, buy a house, think that electricity must be 24/24, and against secterianism: REVOLT
@LebaneseVoices: #feb16 didn't need to be a big-bang but it showed the metal of many. those that rant about change but really never care enough to try.
Other tweeps had different opinions:
@footnem: I guess #Feb16 is just an attempt by @TrellaLB to be the new @ghonim
@FadyRoumieh: For all those considering burning themselves in Martyr Square today – Think again. It's Raining, u will NOT, I repeat, will NOT catch fire!
@footnem: it's a no man revolution since howe mich 3erif RT @sam_lb: It appears to be a one man revolution… As in only one man knows about it #Feb16
The following day, Imad wrote a post[Ar] at his blog Trella about what happened, which he concluded saying:
كلمة اخيرة ، ردود الفعل حول الموضوع لا تهم ، تأييدكم ام إعتراضكم ليس المغزى، واشكركم جزيل الشكر لانكم انتم من حقق هدف التحرك، إن اطلقتم النكات الغبية او ابديتم التأييد، لا يهم، فالمهم انكم حاورتم وناقشتم، وهذا هو المطلوب، Mission Accomplished
What would it take for the Lebanese people to revolt? You can check the hashtag #UniteLB on Twitter for examples of what today's Lebanese people want.

author: Layal Al Khatib


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Liberia: Revive Liberia · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Revive Liberia is a blog by Revive Liberia Missions, Inc., a wholly volunteer, non-denominational Christian group committed to improving the physical and spiritual lives of the people who live in post-war Liberia.


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Libya: Feeling the Iron Fist in Tripoli (Videos) · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
What is happening in Tripoli?  Libyans outside the capital — and the rest of the world — wonder, shuddering to think of the levels of depravity Muammar Al Gaddafi will stoop to keep control on the country. During his speech Tuesday, February 22, Gaddafi vowed to go door-to-door to crush opponents, using terms one former ally claims is an invitation to genocide for Libya's remaining loyal troops and mercenaries.
As protesters, and defecting members of the military, claim to control the eastern part of the country — the Gaddafi regime's hold on Libya appears to be tenuous.
But information from the capital city is nearly impossible to come by. Tripoli is closed off to foreign media. Libya's government did tell people to return to work — via text message — and some were seen shopping for food. Reports of two Libyan naval gunships are reportedly facing the city.
One report said the days in Tripoli are eerily quiet while death squads and gangs roam the city at night, spreading violence. From LiveWord? Libya
A source from Tripoli has confirmed to us that Al Zawiya Street hospital seen many rape victim admittances last night. Such deplorable and sickening actions were committed after Gaddafi’s speech in which he called for door-to-door cleansing of the city from those who are against his regime.
Warning: Here are graphic photos from the Libyan Youth Movement Facebook page claiming to be taken from a Tripoli hospital.
This equally fascinating and disturbing video, uploaded by ibnomar2005 on Monday, February 21, shows the high presence of military and mercenaries in Libya's capital.
This video, uploaded by feb17libyans on February 22, says it captures demonstrators in the Dahra district of Tripoli. From the Feb. 17 Libyans webpage, the chant is translated as “Right here! Right here! The Libyans are right here!”
Those on Twitter also have problems finding information coming from the city.
@shablibi: Can't call anyone in #Tripoli can anyone else? #Libya #Gaddafi #feb17
Ali Tweel reports another problem.
@AliTweel: Still trying to find ways to tweet, Twitter is blocked in Tripoli
Here is the latest from Twitter:
@SaloumehZ: In Tajour, Libyans being shot at if they step outside their homes, spread the word, people being massacred! #Libya #Tripoli
@Gheblawi: government cleaned the streets and painted on anti-regime graffiti and replaced #Gaddafi burned billboards with new ones #Tripoli #Libya
@ShababLibya: Caller on BBC: in Tripoli too many people are injured and not getting treated #Libya #Feb17
@AliTweel:@piggypotamus no snipers im still alive!
@ShababLibya: Caller on BBC says: its a lot more serious than people are saying, they are bombing peoples houses #Libya #Feb17
@ShababLibya: The people of Tripoli are putting on a heroic effort this city is littered with mercenaries roaming streets with snipers #Libya #Feb17
@Libyan4life#Tripoli continues to feel the iron fist of #Gaddafi. Injured are being turned away from hospitals and youth continue to die. We still fight
@ChangeInLibya:Im really nervous now.. All we need is tripoli and we'll be free (sabha is too far away and isolated to matter).. ya rab 3aggel biha!! (translation: Please God, make it fast)
@ShababLibya:what we did not know, is the barrier of fear would fall after 1 day of protests, but he has proven 2 be worse than anticipated #Libya #Feb17

author: John Liebhardt


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Macedonia: Global Voices Featured on a TV Show · Global Voices
Elena Ignatova

GV author Filip Stojanovski was interviewed [MKD] for the TV show Nie (“We”) on the topic of “Kale, Internet, political parties, Facebook!? Whose fault is it?”, where he spoke about the importance of citizen media and Global Voices. The show also included a segment of Ethan Zuckerman's TED talk.

author: Elena Ignatova


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Mexico: Achievements and Challenges for Artisan Women · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Adele Hammond writes about artisan women in a village outside Oaxaca: “[…] the women we work with are committed to creating better lives for themselves and their children, despite the challenges of sometimes not having enough to eat or sufficient money to pay for their children’s needs. The BEST part is to watch these amazing women in action […] The HARD part is the work has only begun.”


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Nepal’s stalled revolution · Global Voices
Bhumika Ghimire

Thom Brooks,  Reader in Political and Legal Philosophy at Newcastle University, comments on Nepal's interesting embrace of communism while the rest of the world increasingly views the ideology as failed.

author: Bhumika Ghimire


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Pakistan: Facebook And Fundamentalism · Global Voices
Rezwan

Feisal Naqvi at Monsoon Frog writes how Fundamentalism is faring at the age of Facebook.


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Poland: Prosecuted Blogger Hopes For a Different Verdict · Global Voices
Jakub Górnicki

Two weeks ago, Global Voices reported about a Polish blogger, Łukasz Kasprowicz, who had been sued for criticising a local mayor and, after losing in court, was banned from blogging (and writing). The case was well reported by the mainstream media in Poland and, for a few days, the amount of news was amazing: never did one blogger in Poland draw so much attention. The case is no longer in the public spotlight, but Łukasz continues his fight for a new verdict in a court of a higher instance.
Łukasz Kasprowicz
Background
Łukasz Kasprowicz lives in Mosina, a rather small town in western Poland. He works for a local paper called Faktów Mosińsko-Puszczykowskich, runs a blog mosina.blox.pl (the one which put him in trouble), and is also a member of the local council, representing citizens of Mosina. It should be noted here that he was representing the opposite committee than the Mayor in the last elections.
Łukasz's blog
Below are some of the blog posts that pushed Mayor Zofia Springer into going to court against the blogger.
>> The Mayor's decisions:
Can we risk a thesis that slow actions of our officials, including those of Zofia Springer, may have three reasons: maliciousness of the officials, waiting for bribes for positive decisions or speeding up some cases, and, the third, a lack of knowledge and ignorance of the law? It's also strange that in some cases Zofia Springer is very understanding, and decides on localizations for local investors on terrains where there is no local plan of usage.
>> Silence about the swimming pool:
We will have a swimming pool. A good joke. And maybe two ice parks, and a radio and TV station in Mosina? Zofia Springer sold the land (apparently for the Aquapark construction) for, as professionals say, silly money. OK. The goal is noble – a swimming pool – a nice thing to have, and no one is denying its need to exist in Mosina. Unfortunately, the case of its construction is fairly strange. Zofia Springer said that the investor would present an investment plan by mid-July. July has passed – and there's nothing. In autumn, Zofia Springer informed that she would present the plan by mid-December. It's mid-January now – and there's nothing. I was told that Springer was forcing the company to do something, so at least construction equipment would show up on the site and she could tell that the process has started. The local council is starting a new infrastructure plan for the region. And it may happen that the investor will be able to change the purpose of the acquired land. Instead of the Aquapark, we will have apartments. There are only old houses around. Someone might decide that the Aquapark does not fit in well with the surrounding family buildings. Are there any reasons for us to doubt that the swimming pool will appear? Comment.
>> Is the county sponsoring a bank?
From the 12 million PLN planned last year, 4 million was not spent on any investments. The money was deposited in one of Mosina's banks on a special account, and the bank is making other loans on this, investing and earning profit. It's interesting whether the offer of [this local bank] is so attractive that our money is located there?
Conviction
Kasprowicz was prosecuted, and the judge gave him the following punishment in the verdict:
and so the buzz started…
Mainstream media pick up the story
Newsweek: Blogger convicted because he criticised Mrs Mayor
Polska The Times: Court ruling for criticising Mayor of Mosina.
TVN24: Journalist prosecuted for criticising local Mayor
Gazeta Wyborcza: Silenced for making officials nervous
Wprost: Banned to write for making local mayor look bad
Others
The National Broadcasting Council issued a special statement:
NBC is not going into the details of the private conflict between a local politician and a journalist, but we are very worried about the issued verdict.
[…]
We remind that, according to the Constitutional Tribunal, freedom of the press is one of the key guarantees of a democratic system. Its duty is to provide the free society with the news and ideas, without interference by the government or officials.
NBC statement
The blogosphere
Global Voices reported on the initial reactions to this case. Since then, many others have commented on it, including Paweł Lipiec, who wrote:
I am interested how such a ban (to write as a journalist and to blog) can be executed? I am omitting all the problems mentioned by [Piotr Vagla Waglowski, on his blog about Internet and law] that there's no legal definition of a blog. But who is to keep this guy from writing on some international platform?
A short video interview with the blogger (in Polish):
Also, Piotr Wajszczak, who is helping Łukasz with promoting his case in the social media and who was one of the first bloggers to pay close attention to it, has an interesting point in one of the Facebook notes:
Why the media went all crazy, is it about the fault or the verdict?
There is a huge chaos in the media about Łukasz's case. Some of you are probably wondering if it's all about him being guilty or the verdict itself. […]
The Helsinki Foundation is not talking about whether Łukasz is guilty or not, but that the ruling is very harsh. In other words, no one is saying that Mrs Mayor is not allowed to defend her good name, because everyone can feel and fight for his/her good name. The [media] storm is all about the sanctions, especially since the public prosecutor did not see any crime in the Mayor's accusation and did not even open the case.
The demand for 10,000 PLN and a 5-year-ban on doing one's primary job + psychological consultancy – is it all about restoring the good name of Mrs Mayor or is it only about silencing the blogger who made her nervous?
[…]
Everyone has to judge whether those demands are adequate or not.
If Mrs Mayor only wanted apologies and some financial restitution, no one would say a word. Those sanctions exist in any normally functioning states! This is why there is no storm about whether Łukasz is innocent or not – the storm is about the verdict, which is more about silencing the blogger than restoring someone's good name. Even the Helsinki Foundation is not denying that the verdict could have been in the Mayor's favor, as she might have felt insulted – but the blogger is about to be silenced.
What's next?
Łukasz Kasprowicz now has a lawyer (previously, he only had a public defender), who is helping with such cases for the Helsinki Foundation. The case has gone to the second-instance district court. The blogger hopes that at least parts of the first verdict will be overturned, but he has no hopes for a full dismissal of the case.
The best way to follow this story is via a special Facebook Page.
For now, Łukasz continues to blog.

author: Jakub Górnicki


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Puerto Rico: A Student’s Life Broadcast Through Youtube · Global Voices
Alfredo Richner

Christan Ortega. Photo used with permission.
Thousands have followed the impulse to be seen online through video based social networks – expressing their feelings, showing off their talents, and filming every aspect of their lives (including goofs and gaffs). Fewer, however, have been able to establish themselves as an online presence with a popular video channel on Youtube.
Christian Ortega published the first episode of his regular web series “La Cabeza de Christian” (“Christian's Head”) back in the summer of 2009. Through LCC [es], as it is known for short, Christian generally speaks his mind about Puerto Rican politics, headline news, and his life on the island for seven to nine minutes at a time each week. It's Puerto Rican life filtered through the mind of an energetic and media-savvy twenty-one year old. To this date, his Youtube video channel has amassed over 1.3 million views – and counting.
We asked Christian a few questions about his success online, Puerto Rico's blogosphere, and the student strike at the University of Puerto Rico, among other topics.
Global Voices (GV): What was your first video camera and what did you record with it?
Christian Ortega (CO): I've only had one video camera – the same one I currently use, a Sony HDR-SR12. The first footage I recorded with it took place around my home. I recorded birds singing in the morning and my dog playing around.  I then started acquiring the necessary editing skills using software like Sony Vegas and Adobe After Effects. I'd watch tutorials online through Youtube – so you could say I make videos thanks to the site. Without having a user account yet from which to upload my own content, I was already being influenced by Youtube.
GV: How did the idea for your project, “La Cabeza de Christian”, come about?
CO: Three years ago I did not pay attention to any type of news. It was then that I first listened to @JayFonsecaPR [Jay Fonseca; a local young radio and TV personality that comments on news] and developed an interest for what was happening in my country and the rest of the world. Without having listened to 180 grados [es] (“180 degrees”, Fonseca's program) every Monday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm, La Cabeza de Christian would not exist today.
The station I'd tune in for news, RED96FM, was closed down and replaced with Ritmo 96, its programming  dedicated to merengue and bachata music. A news program that appealed to the youth was taken off the air by those beloved “market forces.” All the indignation I'd built up in my head needed a place for release. But it wasn't all indignation – I wanted to have a space where I could have some fun as well.
After a couple of months of studying tutorials in Youtube, it was inevitable that I'd start watching videos by Shane Dawson, Smosh, Nigahiga, Philip DeFranco, among others – all of them american vloggers with different focuses and recording methods. The idea of having my say through Youtube came from watching all of these programs and the delivery comes from the way I naturally act, what I read and who I am.
GV: Did you think your videos would find an audience like the one you have today?
CO: I never imagined it. I always thought that they would be enjoyed only by family and friends. It has been a very emotional experience, full of human warmth.
GV: What topics interest you the most?
CO: I'm passionate about history, philosophy, politics, and colonialism – this last one interests me a lot, how it has impacted the world, as of course, how to eradicate it. Social sciences, technology, and in six months I'll have more topics to add if I am asked the same question again. I'm very nosey and prone to have several interests at the same time.
GV: The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is going through a critical time in its history. Through “La Cabeza de Christian” your viewers have been able to follow your participation in the student strike. What is most surprising about the on-going conflict afflicting the institution?
CO: What's most surprising to me is the wave of repression coming from the state, who has decided to invade all of the university's campuses that show any type of commitment to fighting against the imposition of an $800 fee for this semester and $400 for all subsequent semesters through use of police force.
GV: What do you think is (or should be) the role of Puerto Rico's blogosphere? Is it a substitute for traditional media?
CO: I think the principal role of our blogosphere should be tackling topics in a more in-depth manner so that people that consume the information can receive other points of view about the same problem that was mentioned in traditional media. It also serves as a dissenting voice amidst an oppressive reality against the individual and against a collective that wishes to maintain every citizen obedient and subservient.
To be honest, our blogosphere does not yet have the resources necessary in order to substitute traditional media but it does have the talent in order to serve as an example to them. But since we don't have the considerable resources needed to establish our own information networks, at least personally, I depend on traditional media in order to inform and form my opinions, that I'll then be able to transmit through alternative media.
GV: Many people in the blogosphere would love to live off their online projects, but we don't hear a lot of stories about local blogs successfully monetizing their blogs. Can bloggers live off their blogs?
CO: My own efforts have been pretty effective. I first invested money in a hundred pin-back buttons to sell and little by little I was able to buy two machines so I can make them myself – not only for my vlog but now I offer the service to others with similar projects.
My products have traveled to parts of Latin America, the United States, and Spain. And although the fact gives me great pleasure, it has not produced sufficient money to live off the vlog. I think that for that to happen we need more companies assigning funds for online marketing efforts. But that method doesn't make me entirely comfortable, since I think that it would make me have to respond to other interests other than my program.
GV: What is the biggest challenge facing Puerto Rico's youth?
CO: Puerto Rico's youth in general should be prouder of their roots and more conscious of the historical events that have taken place on our island. This historical conscience and defense of our roots should lead Puerto Rico's youth to visualize themselves inside a colony of the United States that should be repudiated and protested against.
Besides fomenting this nationalism of the oppressed, I believe we must also look to an economic nationalism, in order to reinforce our local economy. If we are going to be consumers, at least we should consume what we produce most of the time. Puerto Rico's youth has to assume the responsibility imposed by our status as a colony and to stop living in a vacuum free of all worry.
GV: Are you “preaching to the converted” or do you reach a broader audience with “La Cabeza de Christian”?
CO: I spend a great part of my day reading messages and compiling information in my mind about the people who watch LCC and I can say I am not preaching to the converted. I've spoken to people who don't share my views and say they enjoy the videos, as well as there are people who share ideas with me but hate the way I execute them.
The capacity to reach a young audience – 13, 14, 15-year olds – allows me to speak to a depoliticized group that has yet to assume postures; and perhaps by mentioning historical events or important figures in Puerto Rico's history I can help foment different views to those they would have without knowing of said facts.
I also recommend from time to time books and places I've visited – I record these experiences and share them through my vlog. Its gratifying to know that someone is reading a book I recommended through social networks.
GV: Is there any topic you are not willing to speak about in front of a camera and share with your followers?
CO: The relationship I have with my viewers has reached such an extreme – and this might sound absurd – that I feel I must share every topic that affects my personal life. A few months ago my dog passed away and I wanted to say it on Youtube so that people would understand my mental state in those weeks. I was criticized a lot but I know those people don't know the relationship you can establish with others through social networking.
.
An extended version of this interview first appeared in PuertoRicoIndie.com in Spanish.
Learn more about La Cabeza de Christian: Youtube / Official Website / Facebook / Twitter

author: Alfredo Richner


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Puerto Rico: Best Blogs 2010 · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

The team of Esoez.com gave out the Esoez Awards to the best blogs [es] of Puerto Rico in 2010. The podcast En Profundo [es], the music blog Puerto Rico Indie [es], and the satire blog El ñame [es] are among the winners.

author: Firuzeh Shokooh Valle


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Puerto Rico: Conflictive One Day Walk-Out · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

In a general student assembly yesterday, a majority of students of the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico voted in favor of ending the strike for one month [es], but they declared a one day walk out today as part of their protest initiatives against the imposition of a $800 annual fee.   This morning tensions are high, once again, at Río Piedras with students trying to enter the campus [es] to take classes while others have barricaded the entrances.


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Russia: One-Person Rallies by the Embassy of Libya · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

LJ user notavailablenow reports (RUS) on an hour-long series of one-person pickets held across the street from the Embassy of Libya in Moscow on Tuesday by two citizen activists, who took turns holding up a poster that read “Stop state terrorism.” First, however, the activists had to educate and argue with the Russian police embassy guards about their right to protest like this without the authorities’ consent.


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Saudi Arabia: The Return of King Abdullah · Global Voices
Haifa Alrasheed

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz returned home on Wednesday 23 February, 2011, after a three month period abroad for medical treatment. His treatment started in New York-Presbyterian Hospital in the USA, followed by a recovery period in Morocco.
King Abdullah as he appeared on Saudi TV upon his arrival (by @waa3ad)
Saudis have been expecting serious political and economic reforms, and coinciding with the King stepping out of the plane, new changes were indeed announced. However, they were met with disappointment, as most were minor and did not affect a large number of the population.
It's Just Not Enough!
Below are some reactions from disappointed Saudi citizens:
Regardless… We're Happy He's Back!
On the other hand, many Saudis were happy that the king is back. To mark the occasion the streets of capital Riyadh were decorated with banners and flags, wishing the king good health and welcoming him back. Moreover, many Saudis went to the airport to cheer and welcome him back in person.
Celebrations went on all over Riyadh and in the sky army jets performed for the crowd. Television presenters wore special scarves in the colours of the Saudi flag in a special coverage programme entitled  “The Joy of a Nation” to mark the king's return. Below are some reactions of the Saudis on Twitter:
@BeeTaz
#kingabdullah #saudiarabia aaalffff 7amdellah 3al salama ♡ http://plixi.com/p/79417396
Welcome back!
@waa3ad
ADORE Him :”( #KINGABDULLAH http://yfrog.com/hsofncyj
@SaudiiAmerican
7mdelilah 3slaama ya #KingAbdullah, and thank you for everything. N7bk :)
Welcome back King Abdullah, and Thank you for everything, we love you!
In this video, oeziiL shares pictures of the king's arrival and celebrations around Riyadh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c9-BRkkyy0
@Sarah_AlAyed
#KingAbdullah return energized ppl across KSA Bless him looking 4ward 2much awaited developments alf hamdlilah 3ala salamt (thank God for the safety of the) Father of Nation
@NouraAgeel
الشعوب تحرق انفسها لرحيل رئيسها نحن احترقت قلوبنا شوقاً لعودة مليكنا الله يحفظك لنا #kingabdullah
Nations burn themselves for the demise of their presidents, however we had our hearts burned because you were away for too long. May Allah keep you well.
Here's another clip of King Abdullah's return from YouTube user iJihadTv:

author: Haifa Alrasheed


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South Africa: JamiiX set to be the next Ushahidi · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

South Africa’s JamiiX looks set to be the next Ushahidi to emerge onto a global stage from the African continent. While Ushahidi uses social media and mobile communications very cleverly to collect information from the people at the scene of significant events, JamiiX uses the channels to share vital information and advice with people on the ground.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Sudan: South Sudan as teaching moment · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Lessons to be learned from the birth Africa's newest nation: “Failure to satisfy sub-national demands is inevitable. Not all grievances merit an institutional remedy. But the center of African politics risks unleashing a parade of secessionist demands — and stream of new nations — if the case for the superiority of national unity is not made through improvements in the lives of people. National unity is not a religious article of faith, but rather is an existential condition.”


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Tunisia: Sit-In Continues Against Interim Government · Global Voices
Afef Abrougui

This post is part of our special coverage of Tunisia Revolution 2011.
Following Tunisia's recent revolution the country's political situation remains fragile and critical, as a sit-in of protestors at Kasbah square near the main government building in capital Tunis, enters its fourth successive day. Demonstrators have shown no sign of backing down and are determined to carry on until all of their demands, which are mainly political, have been responded to.
Their main target is the interim government, which the protestors consider to be illegitimate and non-representative of the people, and only an extension of the regime of toppled former President Ben Ali.
The list of the sit-in protestors' 'Popular Demands' written on the Tunisian flag. Photo by Winston Smith.
Amongst the sit-in protestors’ list of ‘Popular Demands’ are: the dissolution of both chambers of deputies and advisers, the resignation of interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi and his government, the dissolution of former ruling party the RCD (Le Rassemblement constitutionnel démocratique), and the setting up a constituent assembly.
A Tunisian blogger for Kissa Online writes:
رجعنا عشية يوم 20 فيفري 2011 للإ عتصام ببطحاء القصبة بتونس حيث مقر الحكومة…مطالبين برحيل محمد الغنوشي و جماعته…حاولت الشرطة إخراجنا من البطحاء ليلة 20 لكنها لم تفلح…
Protestors at Al-Kasbah square in Tunis during the night. Image taken from blog Kissa Online.
Tunisien Libre argues that the sit-in has already started to bring good results:
Depuis le début du sit-in à la Quasba, le gouvernement commence à bouger, hier, une demande d'extradition de l'ex-président Ben Ali, aujourd'hui une demande d'extradition de sa femme, et une demande de dissolution du RCD présentée par le ministre de l'intérieur  au Tribunal de première instance de Tunis.
Heny (@dr_heny) tweets:
انفروا الى القصبة يا شباب تونس! الثورة تحتاجنا ! حرروا تونس من بقايا النظام الفاسد.الانجاز لم يكتمل بعد.
Takriz Network, a cyber Tunisian think tank and resistance group tweets:
يا توانسه ثورتكم في خطر موت و القصبه العزه و في نصرتها الآن يكمن القضاء على حكومه العار و الدمار
Liliopatra (@liliopatra) shows her support for the protestors  at the Kasbah square:
Manifestants à la Kasba,on est avec vous. Nous sommes unis plus que jamais.Honorables martyrs,vous ne serez pas morts pour rien
However, a small portion of young Tunisians are not very enthusiastic about the sit-in and are suspicious of the protestors whom they consider to be anarchists.
Amira Yahyaoui (@Mira404), a Tunisian militant for freedom of speech tweets:
Les manifestants de la Kasbah sont manipulés, s'ils ne le sont pas ce sont des anarchistes. Le lavage de cerveau : ça marche!
Aliboulila (@aliboulila) asks this question:
??????? j'y comprend rien moi! C'est quoi l'objectif du sit-in d'El Kasbah cette fois?
Sami Mzoughi (@learningwithsam) tweets:
Sit-in à la Kasbah: le peuple tunisien veut tout et tout de suite… mais c'est pas en une semaine qu'on va rattraper 23ans de connerie…
This post is part of our special coverage of Tunisia Revolution 2011.

author: Afef Abrougui


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Ukraine: “Reasons For Not Believing Today’s Authorities” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Foreign Notes provides a loose translation – here and here – of the “30 reasons why it is difficult to believe today's authorities,” which were published in the Feb. 11 issue of the Ukrainian weekly news magazine Korrespondent.


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Ukraine: Trip to Bakhchisaray, Crimea · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Kalpak writes about his trip to Bakhchisaray – “the hub of Crimean Tatar culture.”


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Ukraine: “Undressing… With an Excuse” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Good Girl Gone Ukrainian explains her disappointment with what FEMEN, a Ukrainian “female protest group known for its provocative bare-breasted acts,” has evolved into over the years.


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Venezuela: False rumor of Gaddafi flying to Venezuela calls attention to relationship with Chávez · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Greg at Two Weeks Notice reports that “Twitter has been loaded with rumors the past two days about Libya, and there was no juicier rumor than Moammar Gaddafi flying to Venezuela. It also turned out to be completely false, but,” he argues, “it underlined the very public and strong bond between him and Hugo Chávez.”


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Africa: Revolutions in Middle East and North Africa from an African perspective · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A list of blogs, blog posts and newspaper articles discussing revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa from an African perspective.


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Bahrain: Official Day of Mourning Declared · Global Voices
Yacoub Al-Slaise

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
Today marks the 10th day of the ongoing Day of Wrath protests in Bahrain. Since last Saturday, protesters at Lulu Roundabout have been protesting peacefully without any riot police present.
22-year-old Bahraini student Ali Ahmed Al-Muamin killed in a police raid during ongoing protests. Image by Flickr user Al Jazeera English.
Today, the Royal Court officially announced that Friday 25th February will be a day of mourning to the martyrs who had fallen since February 14th. It was announced on Twitter via the Information Affairs Authority official Twitter page.
@IAA_Bahrain BREAKING STATEMENT FROM #BAHRAIN ROYAL COURT: Friday 25 Feb 2011 has been declared an Official Day of Mourning.
Some welcomed the gesture as it followed the Crown Prince's promise of holding a day of mourning and as a gesture of goodwill and serious intention towards dialogue, others were not satisfied.
@chanadbh Welcome gesture: RT @IAA_Bahrain: BREAKING STATEMENT FROM #BAHRAIN ROYAL COURT: 25 Feb 2011 has been declared an Official Day of Mourning.
@NoorAlHaji Thank you! RT @IAA_Bahrain: BREAKING STATEMENT FROM #BAHRAIN ROYAL COURT: Friday 25 Feb 2011 has been declared an Official Day of Mourning.
@aalman81 Tomorrow, Feb 25, has been declared an official day of mourning in #Bahrain following the events of the past 10 days.
@alhejairy الديوان الملكي يعلن غداً يوم حداد على أرواح ضحايا البحرين – صدق من قال يقتل القتيل ويمشي في جنازته #Bahrain
Blogger Mohammed Al-Maskati (@emoodz) wonders if this announcement will mean that the protests and acknowledgement of the fallen martyrs will be broadcast on Bahrain's national TV, which has failed to air any of the Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout protests and focused on the recent pro government rally held at Al-Fateh Islamic Centre.
@emoodz Will we see pictures of our martyrs on BTV tomorrow? #iwonder #bahrain #lulu
@emoodz Will BTV run stories, interviews and admit the legitimacy of the uprising the martyrs were killed in? #iwonder #bahrain #lulu
Previously arranged marches for the martyrs in ‘A Day of Mourning’ will continue as planned..
@RedhaHaji Demos declared Friday 25th as a ‘Day of Mourning’. Rally for martyrs wl start frm Salmaniya traffic lights to #lulu #bahrain 330pm.
..and tweep @SamehFoulad wonders if the official day of mourning can bring Bahrainis together by marching united from Pearl Roundabout to Al-Fateh Mosque, the focal points for both pro democracy and pro government protests respectively.
@SamehFoulad هل نتوقع غداً مسيرة موحدة حدادية على ارواح ابناء البحرين من دوار اللؤلؤ لمسجد الفاتح ؟
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.

author: Yacoub Al-Slaise


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Bhutan: Tax Or No Tax For Development · Global Voices
Sonam Ongmo

In the first ever Constitutional Case – two members of Opposition party vs. the Government – since it became the world's youngest democracy in 2008, Bhutan's Supreme Court delivered its final verdict yesterday in favor of the Opposition.
Bhutan is introducing more and more taxes to its people. Image by Morgan Ommer, copyright Demotix (15/02/09).
On 18 November 2010, Damcho Dorji, one of the only two members of the Opposition, filed the case claiming that the ruling government did not comply with the provisions of the Constitution when it decided to impose a vehicle tax under “rationalization and the broadening of the existing tax structure.” According to the complaint the government, it claimed, had gone ahead with the tax measure without the approval of Parliament violating Section 9 and 14(b) of the Public Finance Act and Article 13 and 14(1) of Bhutan's Constitution.
The Opposition asked that the taxes collected by the Government without the authorization of Parliament be returned with interest to the affected parties, and hold the Government liable for violation of their rights under Article 7(10) of the Constitution; and hold it liable for contempt of Court for suspending the import of all light vehicles without obtaining the permission of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.  It also asked that the Supreme Court order the Government to revoke its circular suspending the import of all light vehicles and pay appropriate compensation to the affected parties with immediate effect.
The initial ruling in November last year favored the Opposition but on 29 November 2010, the Government appealed the case stating “Inadmissibility of the Opposition Leader to submit petition against the Royal Government.” The appeal stressed that there was an error in the interpretation of the Jabmi Act; and Constitutionality of judicial consideration of a matter under legislative process.
It also stated that there was erroneous interpretation of the Constitution and relevant laws by the Opposition, and that the case should have been dismissed by the High Court for want of legal standing. The High Court, according to the government, should also not have interfered in a matter that is already a concern of the National Assembly and as such, is under legislative consideration to be deliberated upon in the 6th Session of Parliament. It also stated that the High Court had erred in ruling that the Government has carried out taxation measures in breach of provision of laws in revising the indirect taxes, assuming (but not yielding) that the respondent has legal standing to challenge the act of the Government and that the consideration of the case by the Court is deemed not to be an act of judicial interference in the legislative process.
The Bhutanese twitter-sphere broke the news of the verdict. The Twitter account of one of the mainstream newspapers Business Bhutan said:
@business_bhutan:
Historic day for Bhutan as country's 2-member opposition wins case against the ruling government #BhutanSupremeCourt
Many seem to see this as a case in which the Supreme Court has proved its integrity, because while the tax rule was made with good intentions out of environmental concerns and to reduce pollution (taxes on plastic items, junk food, imported printed material, and alcohol, among others, were also increased the same time), it seemed to have been made in violation of the Constitutional procedures.
And although the same “mainstream” newspaper went on to call this a “Political Victory” for the Opposition Leader and detailed in rather biased tweets – the reactions of some officials of the government by saying this:
@business_bhutan
Our reporter @satkenguy informed PM that govt lost case. Lyonpo Kandu Wangchuk's face turned red. FinMin Wangdi Norbu looked cool
One exasperated response at both the Prime Minister's and the publics reaction to the verdict said:
@kuengawangmo:
Many including the PM r missing the point on the tax case-‘tax’ isn't the issue- it is the unilateral decision made by the gov.
She went on also to add that:
@kuengawangmo: Most Bhutanese will agree with the PM- about time Bhutan didn't beg and people contributed more in tax .
While the Bhutanese are pretty self sufficient in many ways, the country's development projects are largely dependent on external aid, which have been used with little or no corruption unlike many developing countries. This even earned Bhutan the name “Darling of the Donors” as many rushed to give as they saw good results and return on their money. However, the idea of citizens contributing towards this in the form of taxes is still a new/alien concept in Bhutan. The first tax (income) was introduced in 1999 and even though it was the lowest in South Asia (although some officials earn higher incomes than their counterparts in neighboring countries) this created quite a stir with people selling of shares and withdrawing their money from the banks.
It appears then that Bhutanese still have a long way to go in terms of getting used to being taxed but in this case the overriding factor was not so much the tax itself – of course people didn't want it – than the process of how the decision was made in implementing it, that was disputed.
Now that the verdict is out, Sangay Khandu, a Representative to the National Council from Gasa Dzongkhag and Member of Parliament, said:
@Sangay Khandu
The #BhutanSupremeCourt has done it's job, now it's implications remain to be felt and seen
And meanwhile Bhutanese taxpayers like Sonam Dema have something to look forward to:
@SonamDema
meanwhile recent car tax payers (including myself) are excited and looking forward to being refunded.
Whatever the case, hopefully the government will learn its lesson to follow the Constitution, and the people?  That along with taxes also comes the right to demand efficiency and accountability and that really nothing comes for free, including the environment. It is just that some governments take upon that responsibility more seriously than others.

author: Sonam Ongmo


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Cameroon: Video: Police Brutality · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A video showing police brutality in Cameroon following nation-wide anti-government protests calling for President Paul Biya to step down.


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Caucasus: Peace Village · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Tamada Tales, a EurasiaNet blog, comments on plans by an Armenian peace activist to establish a peace building center in a village situated close to the intersection of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Noting that Armenians and Azerbaijanis are “implacable foes,” the blog notes that Georgia has often proven itself to be the one location where both can co-exist or communicate with the other.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Chile: Electronic Textbooks for Schoolchildren? · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

The school year is starting in Chile, and Enzo Abbagliati in Cadaunadas wonders, “why aren't textbooks in Chile digital?” after he spent almost $300 USD in textbooks for his son. He presents possible advantages to giving schoolchildren electronic textbooks they could read on a tablet or e-reader.

author: Silvia Viñas


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China: Chinese TV praised Gaddafi as thinker, revolutionist · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

KDnet's netizen have dug out the TV interview of Gaddafi broadcast on Phoenix TV on July 18, 2010 in which the TV anchor praised Gaddafi as thinker and revolutionist. The Ministry of Tofu has translated the post and netizens’ comment on the interview.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Hooliganism · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

China Hush translated a news story about China's last Hooliganism convict. The controversy is on whether the convict should continue serving his sentence for a repealed law.


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China: Ran Yunfei charged with inciting subversion · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Five days after he was detained, the family of Sichuan writer, scholar and blogger Ran Yunfei was notified today that Ran has officially been charged with inciting subversion of state power. Dark f**ing days indeed. [Note: People are now saying Ran has in fact been charged with the more serious crime of subversion]

author: John Kennedy


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China: The fable of donkey island and piggy island · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Why the hardworking donkey island keeps serving the wealthy piggy island? Utopia Net has a fable [zh] telling the relation between China and the U.S.. Mary Ann O'Donnell from Shenzhen Noted retells the fable in English.


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China: The Risk of Shutting Up Sina Weibo is Zero!? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The reaction of the Chinese government towards the anonymous “Jasmine Revolution” message circulated around overseas dissident websites and Twitter has alerted investment banks’ analysts to cut the rating of Sina's stock value. Some banks apparently anticipate an increase in the risk of the Chinese government tightening regulations on social media, in particular on “Twitter-like” service such as Sina Weibo.
Today, (February 24 2010), Sina Tech News highlighted a newly-released report from Piper Jaffray which estimates the risk of Sina Weibo being shut down within the next month as less than 20%. The report also states optimistically that Sina could ultimately monetize Weibo users at potentially $1-2 dollars per users within the next 3-5 years through sponsored posts and a daily deal service.
However, the issue at stake is probably not whether Sina Weibo will be able to survive, but on Sina Weibo users’ toleration of its censorship practice. Sina blogger Fan Wenxin points out that the space for free speech relies on government's confidence:
很难说这种信心是否发生了变化。有关微博的限制正在成为越来越多人的话题。上
周末，香港歌星黄耀明用英文写到他的一个帖子也被删除了。更多用户对此早已司
空见惯。正在普及开来的是其他的控制技术。
In addition to deleting posts, Sina Weibo also screens users’ updates from their followers and the public timeline. Regarding this, the following comments were solicited by Fan from other Weibo users:
上海用户 @夏商 给了我一个听上去合理的答案。他说新浪试图隐蔽
河蟹是不愿意得罪用户。微博“需要我们这样的捣蛋鬼，靠风花雪月是没有吸引力的。
但不控制，微博又无法生存。”
Predictably, censorship measures have resulted in a tense relationship between the company and its users. When the government tightens it control over online speech, and Weibo as a result has to suffer in order to survive under the censorship system, the conflict intensifies.
Which helps explain why Sina deputy director Chen Tong (under the username Lao Chen 老沉) popped up in the Sina Tech News’ Weibo thread this morning, claiming that the chance of Sina Weibo being shut down within next 20 years is 0%. Many Weibo users reacted strongly to his assertion, and criticized the current self-censorship practices.
Here is a selection of comments, starting with Lao Chen's statement:
老沉 既然说到这个问题了，兄弟我认为：20年内新浪围脖被关闭的可能性是零。(今天 09:11)
韩羽 您这边这么严格要求自己，当然不可能被关闭。(今天 09:13)
乱了感觉围脖 只会阉，不会死。(今天 09:13)
还有啥昵称能用 不关，可能出问题，；关了，一定出问题。(今天 09:13)
璇的简约生活 是的。删帖关人就是了，为什么要关围脖(今天 09:15)
Hawk-yin 老沉盲目乐观了，一旦发微博的不知节制，管制之锤就必定落下，不信赌一局如何？(今天 09:15)
五味寿司 一扇门打开了，想关上就不那么容易了。如果微博被关闭，我指的是被关闭，有没有人愿意去散步的？(今天 09:16)
中国日报徐扬 能够预测20年后，不是靠人力，而是神力了！！(今天 09:16)
山上没有神仙 新浪在党的领导下是不会被关闭的.(今天 09:17)
孙卡拉 被叫停风险还是有的，被公众抛弃的风险也是有的。(今天 09:20)
钟启华_cola 只会阉，不会关。外国投行真是扯蛋，对中国缺乏基本常识。就这理解能力，中国网络股在美国怎么跌怎么涨都正常。叫停风险0.2%都不到，别说两成了。与其担心政策风险，担心盈利模式更实在。(今天 09:20)
丹青兰 被关闭的概率很小，不超过10%，但被监控，被整改的可能性是实实在在存在滴 (今天 09:21)
子曰可说不可说 要蛋定。SINA围脖关闭不关闭，不取决于你我，取决于天朝相关管理部门。就算有朝一日，犯了太岁，被迫关闭，也没啥，人总要活下去，以前没有围脖不是一样过得挺好？全世界银民都有FACETIME，天朝没有，不是一样过？一切都是浮云啊，浮云。(今天 09:22)
刘兴亮 既然说到这个问题了，兄弟我认为：2天内新浪围脖被关闭的可能性是零。 (今天 09:24)
胡胡山山 老沉真牛！在中国，企业只能看清未来3-5年的发展道路。您一下就看到20年，厉害！20年后我们还用微博吗？可能3年后我们就不用了(今天 09:26)
iscoder 会不会变成国企 被人民网收购！？(今天 09:37)
竹子的城市 不会被关，但有可能会在不同时期不断的被暂停使用(今天 09:41)
老新闻民工 天朝的事情很难说 ，说不定下一秒就关了(今天 09:51)
砚枫的勃勃 在我看来新浪已经是一个半官方的互联网媒体，再加上他在媒体运营上的经验积累，只要敏感话题控制到位，ZG不会做冒天下之大不韪的浑事！(今天 09:58)
白云出岫读书 死是不会死，问题是怎么个活法。(今天 10:25)
胜祥之道 关就关吧。思想在我脑子里。这代领导人不让写，就等着大陆跟台湾合并之后再写。酒越陈越香。总不能把我的脑子割下来吧？(今天 11:24)


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Cuba: What do the Cables from Havana Say? (Part III) · Global Voices
Elaine Díaz

*This post is the third part of a series: You can read the first post here  and the second here.
A cable dated April 2006 gives an account of the constant monitoring of the Castro brothers’ health by the United States Interests Section in Havana. In this letter, Parmly talks about the decline in public appearances by the current Cuban President and the deteriorating health of Raúl Castro, using the Japanese ambassador as source, Iwata, who stated that “Raúl was in a worse physical condition than Fidel. “
A few months later, Fidel Castro's illness was officially announced, which caused his resignation. In this context, since March 2, 2007, the opposition began to organize cultural events. These were “encouraged by the U.S. Interests Section”, as confirmed by a cable titled “The Cuban Opposition: The (art) Show Must Go On” , dated March 5 of that year. The cable says the opposition should foster:  “the constant search for human stories or other news that would demystify the heroic narrative  of the Cuban medical system. “
With Fidel Castro out of the public arena and the increased activity from the opposition, the leader Martha Beatriz Roque [MBR in the cable] explains that “mobilization should be encouraged at the exact moment that would generate significant changes. ” Parmly, in the meantime, acknowledged that the actions of the opposition, “while useful and necessary, are insufficient to achieve regime change. From our point of view, only XXXXXXXXX [deleted in original] and Oswaldo Paya [principal author of the Varela Project] have the national recognition to mobilize a figure close to one million Cubans. “
Three years after the cable was delivered, the proposal by Martha Beatriz Roque has not yet been materialized. Apparently, contrary to Parmly's predictions, the most significant figures of the traditional opposition do not have the popular support necessary to trigger an uprising. The successor of the Interests Section, Jonhatan D. Farrar, in a cable dated  April 2009, says, “it is the new generation of nontraditional dissidents who are closer to achieving long-term impact on post-Castro Cuba. ” For this reason, in recent years, there is focus on the performance of two key figures: the Catholic Church and “alternative bloggers.”
However, in a cable dated August 2009 titled “The Catholic Church and the Transition in Cuba”, Farrar admits that “the church keeps away from any public discussion which might be considered counter-revolutionary” and even “has kept away from known opposition figures such as Oswaldo Paya and Dagoberto Valdes, devout Catholics. “
Given this state of affairs, the choice of alternative bloggers is gaining followers. But for this to work, it is of vital importance to increase Internet access and lower its costs. On April 18, 2006, the Cuban dissidents Vladimiro Roca and Elizardo Sánchez requested an interview with the representative of the diplomatic section, Michael Parmly, to discuss the withdrawal of Internet service of 10 independent journalists in 2004 for “inappropriate behavior”.
During the meeting, Parmly announced that other embassies with a presence in Havana gained access to the Internet. Among these were the Offices of Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and the Czech Republic. The Canadian embassy also planned to create a center with Internet access with about eight computers.
Four years later, in a cable classified as “secret,” Jonhatan D. Farrar acknowledged that “the old guard of dissidents was isolated and the Cuban government did not pay much attention to their articles or manifestos because they had no national or international resonance. ” At the same time he encouraged monitoring bloggers “whose ability to stay one step ahead in the use of new technologies and the growing international popularity reached was causing serious headaches for the government.”

author: Elaine Díaz


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Cuba: Zapata Vive  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The fact that Zapata’s death came about through starvation is one more piece of the hunger we have endured for over half a century”: Crossing the Barbed Wire explains why Orlando Zapata Tamayo's death “was not in vain”.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Georgia: Sex & the EU · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Social Science in the Caucasus examines the results of a 2008 survey aimed at comparing Georgian social attitudes to those in the EU. The survey, for example, found that 80 percent of Georgians with no family members in EU member states were against the idea of a  woman having sex before marriage. However, for those Georgians who did have a family member living abroad in Europe, the number of those opposed was 54 percent. The blog ponders what these results, along with others, mean for the former Soviet republic.


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Guyana: Mashramani “Huge Success”  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Check out photos of this year's Mashramani celebrations, here.


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India: A TV Channel As A Valentine’s Day Gift  · Global Voices
Rezwan

Sans Serif reports that the former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has bought the struggling 24×7 Kannada news channel, Samaya, as a “gift” for his girlfriend, the former movie actress Radhika.

author: Rezwan


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India: The Closure Of BBC Hindi Service Is A Shock To Many · Global Voices
Rezwan

Indian blogger Aarkay grew up listening regularly to BBC Hindi service. The blogger comments: “the news that the BBC is going to discontinue its radio Hindi service has come as a rude shock to me”.


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Iran: Heavy security deployment in Tehran · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Here is a short video showing very heavy security deployment in Tehran on Thursday.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Kenya: Top Earning Sports Personalities in Kenya in 2010 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Top earning sports personalities in Kenya in 2010: “Sport in Kenya has slowly become bread and butter for people fully engaged in it professionally. Fondly referred to by its peers as a ‘sporting nation’, the fact of the matter though is that much of the earnings are lop-sided with the one sport (athletics) accounting for almost 70% of total earnings.”


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Libya: Obama Speaks, Tweeps Heckle · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
United States President Barack Obama broke his silence on Libya in a speech at the White House on Wednesday, but his words did little to satisfy the listening masses on Twitter who for the most heckled the president in tweets throughout the speech.
Without mentioning Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi by name, Obama condemned the violence unleashed on Libyans since anti-government protests began on the night of February 16 (#Feb17) and offered condolences for those killed.
Obama said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would soon be meeting with the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and offered the following condemnation:
The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous, and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters and further punish the people of Libya. These actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. This violence must stop.
The United States also strongly supports the universal rights of the Libyan people. That includes the rights of peaceful assembly, free speech and the ability of the Libyan people to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. They are not negotiable.
On Tuesday, Gaddafi delivered a furious, rambling speech, calling for death to anyone who threatens his rule.
Below, is a selection of tweets made during Obama's speech.
@mafouad: Obama condemns use of Violence n Libya adding “The entire world is watching”. Isnt the “watching” piece that got us where we freekin are!
@Abdulla_AlAthba: Obama offered nothing to Libya, he is just selling nice words in silly way, and insulted us #Libya #Gaddafi #Obama #SecClinton #Tripoli
@Kim_AE: Is it a coincidence that Obama waited to condemn the violence in Libya till the UN did so on Tuesday? http://tinyurl.com/4tjxat9
@JacksonDiehl: Gaddafi was surely worried about US military intervention–instead, Obama announces a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council #Libya
@PressSecret: After 9 days of silence, commenting on Libya Obama fails to condemn or mention genocidal Gaddafi by name. Strange. || #Obama #Gaddafi #Libya
@MassimoBianchi1: I am tired to see obama speech he need to take actions in LIBYA RIGHT NOW!
@bangkolo88: It is a nice thing that Obama has finally involve in the crises in Libya. But we wish he was clearer on his plan of action.
@ranty_man: Obama finally comes out with a statement on Libya now that the outcome looks certiain
@tristamsparks: hey #Obama the world has been watching #Libya for 8 days. #hardlydecisive
@EmyDib: @seedsown the thing in times like these how soon is soon enough!? #Feb17 #Libya #Egypt #Obama #Algeria
@obamafoodorama: #Obama took no questions after he made his statement on #Libya. #Clinton made no statement.
@alienmedia: #Bahrain & #Yemen were NOT in Obama's speech on #Libya. Urged for peaceful transition to democracy in #Tunis & #Egypt. http://bit.ly/gAf2L6
@Algerian_Dude: President Obama didn't say suffering and bloodshed in #Gaza is “outrageous & unacceptable” #Libya
@Pkatt: @aldamario Lets see what Obama does… Im bettin nothing but a stern look and a tongue lashing.. YOU? #p2 #tcot #ocra #teaparty
@MagButter: One common thing between #Obama & #Gaddafi: Both speeches are useless! #Libya #Feb17
@klaus_eduard: #Obama basically said US won't irritate #Gaddafi until US citizens are out. Should have been out long time ago. Will he ever act? #Libya
@StephenMullen: Dear Obama, Gaddafi is respecting the rights of Libyans. It's a dictatorship, they have none. That what the protests are about.
@AliTweel: so, Obama has no deal with Libya, but Gaddafi says this revolution is all made by “the west” as he described! who is right and who is wrong?
@RuwaydaMustafah: #Obama didn't mention #Gaddafi by name, why? #Libya
@aishes: Maybe Obama refusing to mention #Gaddafi was his way of delegitimizing him? I'm still trying to glean something substantial from his speech.
@TheGaryRuppert: Gaddafi mentioned murdering protesters 17 times in his speech. But Obama thinks they can go to Geneva and have a peace summit? #tcot #p2
@Abdulla_AlAthba: @PhoenixRising4O I'm not after Mr. Obama speech, I wanted free fly-zone in #Libya right away, to make sure #Gaddafi wont bomb his ppl.
@Jim_Gardner: #Obama speech on #Libya didn't mention #Gaddafi by name. Not once. Is he trying to safeguard Americans living in Libya? Could be.
@Afterseven: If Gaddafi's not careful, Obama could write him a very sternly worded letter of rebuke. Framed of course, with an accompanying iPod
@shablibi: To be fair I think that @obama's statement was smart, he distant himself from #Gaddafi and talked simply about #Libya therefore no cause
@RamsayShort: Obama talks crap.He has not mentioned the word Gaddafi once.He is buying time, ignoring the reality.His nation supported Gaddafi.A joker.
@mattklewis: Obama must show leadership. Should call on Gaddafi to immediately step down. Should work with UN to set up a no-fly zone to protect citizens
@Doylech: Obama has finally decided to say something re #gaddafi. Several thousand lives too late #libya
@bengalbabydaddy: But suffering elsewhere is okay. @foxnews: #BreakingNews: Obama Calls Suffering and Bloodshed in Libya ‘Outrageous’ and ‘Unacceptable’
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.

author: Amira Al Hussaini