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Philippines: ‘Desperate Housewives’ Uproar Continues · Global Voices
Tonyo Cruz

SFist reports on Saturday that the Desperate Housewives scandal involving purported racist remarks against Philippine medical school continues.
For several weeks now, the Filipino-American online petition has not stopped drawing support, with signatures now reaching 121,793 and counting.
Atheista.net is unconvinced of the arguments of those who claim that the continuing protests are “going overboard”. He lists the main arguments of those who oppose the protests and rebutts each of them:
1. Filipinos are too onion-skinned/ over-sensitive. I really don’t know how people can see this as an over reaction. Philippine-trained doctors were maligned for millions of people to see. This could have very real and palpable effects on the practice of Pinoy doctors who work in the US. People will fight when they are being aggrieved and that is what some doctors are doing. And assuming without conceding that we are OVERLY SENSITIVE, so what? I’d rather be in a group of people who would defend their pride as opposed to a group who would simply act like pushovers when they’re being ridiculed in a grand stage. It’s not about being good sports – the people being dissed didn’t sign up to be the targets of unsubstantiated comments regarding their competence.
2. Filipinos are racists too. Isn’t this a gross generalization as well? Assuming without conceding that we are racist, does this mean that we give up our right to fight back whenever we are subjected to what we consider as racial profiling? This issue has nothing to do with the entire discussion because it doesn’t prove or disprove anything. Calling the entire Filipino community is a stretch in itself, but even if it were true, it doesn’t remove our right to feel offended and ask for legal reparations .
3. There are more important issues. It is the issue NOW. Deal with it. Try pushing your other advocacies on other blogs that push for it. Profiling and discrimination are just as important as any issue. Also, not the state and society’s inability to police whatever problem you forward does not remove the right of people to be passionate in other things.
4. The Philippine Education System SUCKS. Assuming without conceding that it is true, the products of the Philippine Education System will still be subject to the regulations and requirements set by the regulatory boards in the US. They will take the same licensure examinations as the US-educated medical graduates. In short, they’ll be assessed using the same standards. Ergo, even if the school system is bad, there are existing checks in the system that could weed out those who are mediocre.
Taking a different tack from other bloggers,  filipinasoul.com asks:
Did Manny Pacquiao’s win over Marco Antonio Barrera give countless Filipinos the courage to speak up about the Desperate Housewives issue?
expressions calls for more accountability in media in light of this episode:
People behind TV shows should be more sensitive in conceptualizing each episodes that they produce. Television shows should be more responsible and discern social responsibility that is of great public interest.
According to EllenTordesillas.com:
Many middle-class Filipinos in the country and abroad find it convenient to tolerate Gloria Arroyo’s fake presidency believing that they are not affected by it. The Desperate Housewives incident proves the overwhelming extent of the disrepute that Arroyo has brought to the Filipino nation.
Fears of an anti-Filipino backlash from within Hollywood appear to be unfounded, according to a Philippine Star report. The Bayanihan Blog Network also confirms this.
LuisTeodoro.com analyzes the issue as a media critic:
Who’s going to be targeted usually depends on who’s the US’ perceived enemy of the hour, and while the latter may currently include North Koreans, the current disfavor of the month are Arabs, particularly Iranians.
US pop culture is not pro-actively sensitive. Most of the time it reflects the attitudes, biases, fears and beliefs of the majority. And why not? Its writers, directors, and producers are themselves children of the same majority culture.
Right now the majority is not so much concerned with Filipinos as with “the enemy within”—meaning the Muslims and Arabs living in the homeland. As for Filipinos, well, they’re certainly not the enemy, being from a country that’s been so supportive of US policies and so ingratiating in its mendicancy it’s way past embarrassing.
and points to what could be the real reason behind the continuing protests:
That’s what made the remark about Philippine med schools particularly painful. Like the government they thought they’ve left behind, Filipinos in the US work hard to be accepted. They keep their mouths shut when other minority groups are insulted and injured. They vote Republican in US elections to dispel any suggestion no matter how faint of “radical” views. They work at their long A’s and O’s and try to speak with a twang. They prohibit their children from speaking Filipino.
It’s a shock to discover that despite it all, despite the effort at deculturizing themselves, and despite the smiles and the patronizing, seeming acceptance of the white majority, they remain outsiders in a culture that, regarding itself as superior, disdains others.
Elsewhere, the Philippine Anti-Defamation Coalition explains why it is easy to miss the point about the outrage, and laments that other Holywood watchdogs didn't get the point either. It says the issue  gives Filipino American History Month this October in the US a fresh angle to combat racism and bigotry and to promote understanding amid diversity.


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Serbia: Google vs Goran Davidovic · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

East Ethnia reports on Google's decision to shut down the blog of a Serbian Nazi.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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South Africa: Bring the Brits on! · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Following South Africa's victory against Argentina in Rugby World Cup 2007, Lux Mantambo writes: “It was not pretty, it was not the type of game we wanted to see, but the Sprinboks scrambled through and booked their place in the rugby world cup final.
Now, bring the English on!”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Special Coverage: Burmese protests 2007 · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

It's not often that bloggers become a primary source in a global news story. Recent protests in Myanmar simply would not have been as big a story if there weren't brave people on the inside (and outside) willing to risk everything to spread news, photos and videos via the internet.
Burmese bloggers have even become a news story in their own right, attracting headlines from across mainstream media, and outrage when the internet was blocked by the junta in an attempt to silence them.
At the peak of the protests, Global Voices’ South-East Asia editor Preetam Rai posted daily reports, links, and translations with the dedicated help of our Burmese authors. We have collected these posts on a Special Coverage page that includes links to articles written about Burmese bloggers in mainstream media, and further links to citizen media campaigns in support of the protesters.
As MSNBC's tech blogger, Will Fernia reports:
For international news of this nature Global Voices should be your first click, not just for news but for further links and translations. It's certainly better than randomly clicking through blog directories for worthwhile blog content.

author: Solana Larsen


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St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Serving the People? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Will politicians wise up and realise they are servants of the people?” wonders Abeni, as she recounts two incidents in which a public official abused his power.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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The Balkans: A News Roundup · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A roundup of October news from the Balkans – over at Balkan Anarchist.


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The Balkans: Football · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Balkan Baby writes about his favorite team, Dinamo Zagreb, and other regional football matters.


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Togo: Elections went well · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Arjen Westra's observations about elections in Togo: “For now, everybody still seems to have some tension about the results that are expected later this week. Last night it was extremely quiet everywhere in town. As a local explained it to me: `…people are still afraid of what might happen.` More than hundred people were killed in the 2005 elections, that were won by the current president Faure Gnassingbe.”


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Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica: Blog Action Day · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Haveworld and Living Dominica share their ideas for helping the environment in honour of Blog Action Day.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Shrill Thrills · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I worry about Patrick,” writes Jeremy Taylor, observing the over-zealous behaviour of Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister as election day draws closer.


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Trinidad & Tobago: The Stigma of HIV-AIDS · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Now is Wow meets with an HIV-positive woman in South Trinidad and comes away humbled by the experience.


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Afghanistan:Video films from war front · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Vaughan Smith has published several video films about war in Afghanistan in From the Frontline.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Algeria: Language Learning Site · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Algerian blogger Lameen Souag introduces us to a new language learning site.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Anguilla: Heath Authority Ailing?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Corruption-free Anguilla is concerned about the recent goings-on at the island's Health Authority.


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Arabeyes: Eid Al Fitr Celebrations (Part 3) · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Holy month of Ramadan culminated with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations throughout the Muslim world. Here's what bloggers are saying about the occasion in the last of a three-part series. Today's tour takes us to Iraq, Libya, Jordan, Iran and Palestine.
Iraq:
Our first stop is in Iraq, where Yasmine takes us on a trip down memory lane, to a happy pre-war Baghdad, where her mother and sisters gathered to prepare Eid desserts in their hot kitchen.
The day of Klecha (a dessert) was a special day.. though I now remember it with nostalgia, I used to see it as a day of work, work and more work back then in Baghdadna,..
Of course, she would announce the Day of Klecha about a week earlier, as we approach the last week of Ramadan, or the last week before Eid el Adha, and though we all looked forward to taste the delicious specialty of Happy events, we (me and my sisters) all had on our minds the loooong hours of working in the hot kitchen, checking the oven and checking on the Sewanee (trays), I don’t know why I cant forget the stifling heat of the kitchen..
On Klecha day, my mom would be up early (as always), we come down from our rooms to find her already into the Ajeen (dough) process..
Yasmine, who has left Iraq with her family, adds:
Its strange, mom now never makes Klecha.. the Eid feels different..its not about missing Klecha, its about missing a whole era.. another time , another life.. mom now Does buy Jahez men el Sough (ready-made from the shops).. any kind of cake or pastry would do.. to serve when Khottar (visitors) visit (if any ever shows up) ..i myself never was interested in making Klecha.. but its just a reminder of Eid in Baghdad.. a Must..
But Klecha in Baghdad is till made, as my friend ‘s text tells.. perhaps I should take this a s a sign , maybe one day the good days Will return, and I Would make Klecha in Bghadad..
just for the sake of Eid, lets be optimistic for once..
Ayyamkom Saeeda..(May your days be happy)
Libya:
In Libya, Soad El-Rgaig, also travels to her childhood, giving us a day-by-day breakdown of how Eid was celebrated when she was growing up.
When I was a little girl growing up in Cyrenaica, Berqa, Eid was Magical. The preparations for the special days would start from the 24th or 25th of Ramadan. For around three or four nights my mum and some of her close neighbours would gather in our house after Iftar and the feverish marathon of Libyan sweets making would commence. K’ak, Ghreiba, Maqroud, Imsammana, etc. The gatherings are marked with the occasional outbursts of singing, hand clapping, and Sherqawi Bedouin dance, known as tahjeel :). We the girls would be helping with small and easy chores: washing dishes, handing stuff, tying scarves, bringing water, while the boys would be responsible for taking the huge trays of freshly made K’ak, Ghreiba, etc, to the local bakery, El-Kosha and bring them when they are done without major damages.
Jordan:
Meanwhile, Jordanian blogger Naseem Al Tarawnah wasn't amused with visitors who knocked on their door during Eid, where families visit each other to exchange greetings.
I have these relatives who love to talk about themselves. They’re not wealthy; probably as middle as middle class can get in Jordan. Nevertheless they enjoy nothing more than to speak of their accomplishments. Their kids are tremendous. They’re not big achievers or anything, mediocre at best, but nonetheless, anything small they do is a huge thing. One of them went to Canada for about a year and his mother now talks about that as if he went to work for NASA or something.
Iran:
From Iran, Tribooneh Azad (means free tribune) says  [Fa] that a couple of political activists have been arrested while they wanted to celebrate Eid Al Fitr ceremony and perform prayers. The blogger says even before Islamic Revolution, such a thing did not happen. He says it is amazing that even prayer can be considered as a “way to overthrow the regime.”
Palestine:
Our last stop is in Palestine, where A Blogger from Gaza takes us on a photography tour, showing us some of the tastes and sights of Eid. She also laments how Eid is marked on different days in different Muslim countries.
Today is the second day of Eid here in the Arab and Muslim countries.. most of them at least!! i really can't understand how some countries see the new month's crescent while other countries don't… don't we all have the same moon or what?!!
As i was saying, today is the second day of Eid, and we got the chance to get out. according to Arab and Islamic customs, going out in the first day is a little bit hard, because men have to get out and visit all the sisters, aunts, relatives… etc in the first day, which makes it more like a visiting day.. while in the second day you can go out, that's if you don't have a big family, because if you do, visits may extend to the next day ;)
Part One of the series is found here and Part Two here.


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Argentina: Rosario Blog Day  · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Rosario Blog Day [ES] is scheduled for November 9th at the Centro de Expresiones Contemporáneas in Rosario, Argentina and whose aim is to “generate spaces for exchange and conversations regarding knowledge, ideas and initiatives related to the social internet or web 2.0.”

author: Eduardo Avila


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Bahamas: Political Gamesmanship · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I want a Bahamas that I can be proud of, but at the present time I can’t say that this is the case”: Craig Butler at Bahama Pundit thinks the behaviour of the island's two major political parties is counter-productive.


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Barbados, Trinidad & Toabgo: RIP Alleyne  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

West Indies Cricket Blog mourns the sudden passing of cricket stalwart Stephen Alleyne.


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Blog Action Day: Voices out of Africa and the Diaspora  · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

Today many bloggers around the world united to write about one single theme, the environment. The blogs from Africa and Diaspora that participated did so with much variety in style and content. What follows are links and tidbits from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and other global citizens.
Kenya
Afrigadget posts ‘Where others see junk, Africa Recycles’. Pictures of Simon the blacksmith who recycles scrap metal into animal sculptures.
Phil of Kenya environment news contributes two posts, one on ‘Environmental change and infectious disease’ and another on  ‘poverty and the environment’
Because poor people have limited financial resources, they depend on the environment for their basic needs, such as water, food, shelter. When environmental degradation occurs, the capacity of poor people to make decisions that contribute to their well-being is undermined. Until the high degree of dependency of poor people on the environment is addressed, poverty alleviation will not be achieved.
Rob writes from Nairobi, Kenya: ‘A convenient excuse’ looking at the oft cited link between climate change and conflict in Darfur. He sees a similar (misplaced) allocation of blame to global warming affecting the lives of nomadic tribes in northern Kenya.
Mzungu Chick posts about ecotourism in Kenya, noting…
Statistics show that spending by tourists makes up 12% of our economy and about half a million Kenyans depend on the travel industry for a living so it is absolutely vital that we take care of it.
Kenyans are generally well aware of this fact and are most definitely making more of an effort with regards to sustainable tourism development and promoting practices that will conserve Kenya’s natural environment and improve livelihoods of associated communities.
Kikuyumoja posts on things he'd like to see more often, from waterless urinals to q-tips made out of rolled paper as opposed to non-biodegradable plastic.
South Africa
Rory of Carbon Copy will have a series of posts from the 15th of October to the 19th. The first in the series is ‘Shades of green’
If I were to identify a single issue that I consider to be critical for environmental sustainability, it would be that there is rarely one clear solution to any particular challenge: there are almost always shades of green.
There is no single correct choice, no state-of-the-art solution to be pulled off the shelf, no world best practice to be taken from one country and applied in another. To be sure, there are benchmarks against which we can judge potential responses to individual challenges, but as knowledge grows and technologies evolve, so do the benchmarks.
Eish asks ‘Blog Action day – Why bother?’  and discusses the importance of environmental issues to each person, giving a rationale for caring about this on a personal level.
Turbosprout contributes with a wrap up of green news.
Flint.za posts tips for ‘efficient electricity use in the home’.
Nic of SA Rocks is incredibly proud of his country and the natural abundance it is blessed with, including some facts about sites, flora and fauna in South Africa;urging others to continue keeping South Africa beautiful.
Notes from the underground posts some links on Orthodox Environmentalism
Worksucks posts tips on how to reduce paper waste at work.
Sarah Manners of Quirk e-marketing posts on ‘saving the world, one blog post at a time’.
Szavanna introduces Ben Saunders, a polar explorer.
Jenty posts a picture showing air pollution from a petrol and oil processing plant (sasol), and also includes a conversation with 4 year old son Bradley who gives her a different perspective on air pollution.
Nigeria
Omodudu writes of the Niger Delta  stating
So here is my one voice of thousands: We demand that the Oil companies in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria treat our land and people with respect.
Thank You.
On the Hill shares thoughts on caring for the environment through sustainable design, including design features that have a positive effect on the environment.
Giamarro speaks adds a solemn pledge that reads  in part…
Let's be kind to each other and be kind to this land. Let's take a stand. If we loose the land, what do we have left?
Global Citizens
Dan of Migrations blog looks at the possible link between environmental damage and declining numbers of migratory birds.
Crisscrossed examines the problem of e-waste around the world, with facts relating to India, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and China.
Bluedreamer writes about illegal logging in the worlds’ forests.
Bazungubucks says ‘Everybody's cryin’ mercy’ sharing his thoughts and providing links on sustainable initiatives.
Last but not least is Nobaddays’ top priority for the next home they buy…an outdoor washing line to hang their laundry.
Special thanks to Erik of WhiteAfrican for some of the links on this post, and to all the bloggers who participated in Blog Action day.

author: Juliana Rotich


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Botswana: Daily life in Nata village · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nata village blog describes daily life in Nata village, Botswana: “While most people in the developed world buy their beef wrapped in plastic at the local supermarket, many Nata residents still have to rely on their skills of slaughtering animals to put beef on the table. The two men pictured above are cleaning the stomache and intestines of a slaughtered cow. Many people enjoy the intestines cooked in a nice gravy served over maize meal porridge.”


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Burkina Faso: The Tale of Two Anniversaries · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Africa Flak discusses the tale of two anniversaries in Burkina Faso: “No matter how Compaore celebrated, the 20th anniversary was always going to sensitive and emotional. Compaore came to power through a coup that struck down and killed his brother-in-arm Tomas Sankara, a populist politician who towards the end of his mandate had become increasingly distant and paranoid, not even speaking to his inner cabinet.”


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China: 40 Million Stock Investors · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Zhou Mingshing blogs about the implication of 40 million stock investors in China (zh). It is obviously that China economy is undergoing rapid transformation. The new economy required rational investors and good legal system, both are not yet well-developed.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China and Hong Kong: Democracy is not Anarchy · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Imagethief comments on the recent talk made by the Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang on cultural revolution and democracy.


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China: Hua Guofeng · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Granite Studio writes about the role of Chairman Hua Guofeng in Chinese History.


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China: National Party Congress · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Joel Martinsen from DANWEI translated a blogpost from Zhai Hua to discuss about people's opinion of the 17th Party Congress.


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China: Record Sale of Contemporary Painting · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Kenneth Tan from Shanghaiist reports on the record sale of contemporary Chinese painting in London. One of the painting is titled as Execution. The Beijing based artist, Yue Minjun,  insists his painting should not be seen as depicting that unspeakable event of 1989.


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China: Right to Express · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Liu Xiao yuan noticed that a new term “right to express” appeared in the 17th party congress (zh). He pointed out the existing Chinese constitution has ensured freedom of speech, yet in reality, it is a sensitive issue. The blogger suggested that in order to protect the “right to express” and “freedom of speech”, the legislation body needs to pass very concrete law to protect citizen's rights.


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China: Tough blogging the Communist Congress · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Day One of the Seventeenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China has wrapped up, China's image of a sterile dictatorship remains secure, a delegate has been kicked out, an investigative reporter's career has turned into pulverized coal dust, and while Chinese media, desperate, might have hope of covering these nation-changing conventions one day, they're playing Spot the Difference with newspaper front pages from across the country on their blogs and mocking all the sloganeering via their MSN Messenger handles.
The blogging class, nonetheless, is watching closely, and while the concrete significance of what comes from the Congress (十七大 or 大大大大大大大大大大大大大大大大大 for blogability) might not even be known for a few more years, there's toilet humour for the meantime.
On that note, independent aggregator Bullog blogger Song Shinan caught the official press conference the day before the Seventeenth Congress opened, and then wrote this:
史上最胸有成竹的新闻发布会
刚看了15+2新闻现场会的直播，有一些小发现和小祝福，如下：
1、剧本感很强，之前的排练很下功夫。
2、新闻发言人朗诵讲稿的水平大约与某县税务局局长操高潮同志相当。（操高潮同志演讲模板点此进入）
3、国内记者疑似托儿，国外记者疑似钦点。
4、国外记者常常作不耐烦状，抓耳挠腮、咳嗽，找中国同行说悄悄话遭遇冷脸蛋。
5、国内记者一见镜头摇过来就赶紧做记录状，速度高达1字/10秒。
6、没有特写镜头时，绝大多数记者都不作记录状，因为晓得有通稿。
7、新闻发布会有通稿，就像世界杯决赛的现场直播变成实况录像一样。
8、同声交替传译之女译员尤其从容。
9、热烈祝贺15+2胜利闭幕。
And then the comments:
由此可见，新闻发言人可能是某个不得志的跑龙套演员，但终于在党的爱抚下，休成正果。
都是演员,就看谁能获奖了!
四一哥，你答应给我安排的跑龙套的角色，不是那种没得台词，躺在地上装死尸的吧？
如果四一哥给我安排的是《色，戒》里面易先生那种，可以用不同体位操王佳芝的角色，我就会认为四一哥是世上最聪明最绝顶最才华最横溢最幽默最风趣最悲天最悯人的短篇小说之王。
我可以考虑给你一个易中天先生那样的角色，跟不同的市委书记用不同的体位写书。
我靠，那就不叫易先生了，叫毛先生。
没有什么变化
“操高潮”这名起得真有水准
“国内记者疑似托儿，国外记者疑似钦点。”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
就算新闻记者是无冕之王，但天朝还是锤镰听政。
各大门户网站在讨论惩治腐败这么无聊的话题！！！！
人民网北京10月13日电（记者 王倩）党的十七大召开在即，人民网网友“对党说句心里话” 和“强国论坛”的讨论红红火火，不断升温。网友在留言中热情洋溢地预祝十七大圆满召开，字里行间透露出对党和祖国的无限热爱。
惩治腐败，重拳出击
最令网友深恶痛绝的是党员干部的腐败问题，很多网友提出“希望党的十七大能够带来反腐倡廉的气象！”
张家口市网友“山水人家”说：“我希望在这次会议上，对有关党员干部的廉政监督制度得到进一步的切实加强，从制度上加强对党员领导干部的廉政监督，增强党员干部防腐拒变的制度约束，让那些想贪污的家伙没有可乘之机。”
…[series of similar netizen slogans redacted]…
截至10月13日8时，人民网“对党说句心里话”栏目的留言已经达到8443条。网友们踊跃地畅谈新生活，诉说新期待，围绕党的建设和国家发展建言献策，数量不断刷新。
不得不拜阿,操高潮同志
“没有特写镜头时，绝大多数记者都不作记录状，因为晓得有通稿。”
该句有误。实际情况上是——地球人都知道——通稿只能用新华社，一版版面安排全部由人日总编室传真。
李东生啊，李东生！
“没有特写镜头时，绝大多数记者都不作记录状，因为晓得有通稿。”
该句有误。实际情况上是——地球人都知道——通稿只能用新华社，一版版面安排全部由人日总编室传真。
__________________________________-
还有国外记者呢，国外记者还假装提问了呢，四一没错。
听说五毛党长工资啦
Siyi哥哥，那个操高潮同志可是你客串的？
否，乃是真人也。
中国地大物博，尤盛产各类公仆。中国当今之政府，乃史上规模最大之政府，出个把操高潮，很轻松，很愉快。
也只有 罗伯特·罗德里格斯 的《恐怖星球》恐怖星球 的对白 能够招抚他了！
人渣！
无语了！
拜读了“操高潮”同志的大作，确实是我党工作报告的典范。希望同志们得以大力推广。
操高潮同志的报告居然和我单位的报告几乎一样。
这么多年了，一点进步都没有。
Hu Jia, still blogging away at MSN Live Spaces as he goes through life, day 150 of his ongoing holiday spent held captive in his home in Beijing's Bobo Freedom City—now with twenty state agents stationed outside his door, he notes, and several hundred more days until next year's Olympics will close—one of the few bloggers in the country to write anything critical of the Congress [zh], has seen enough certain improvement to compile a list of several Guinness world records he has now applied for, from the CCP‘s incredible enrollment figures to Hu's estimated 492 government officers, agents, guards, drivers, workers and wait staff serving each Congress delegate this week as well as the associated costs and GDP stimuli—and those unaccounted for, the numbers of unruly citizens recently “harmonized” through words and violence, the numbers of foreigners recently repatriated; others like him on extended, state-enforced home stays, those in detention, prison or psychiatric wards; the highest number of television channels live broadcasting the opening ceremony for a political gathering, the most times the word democracy has ever been mentioned in a single speech given by a state leader (50-60 by Hu's count), the highest concentration (photos) of police, armed police, special police, undercover police, soldiers, other assorted security personnel and their weapons in a tourist destination and with that, the highest number of troublemakers detained in a single day.

author: John Kennedy


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Colombia: Hiperbarrio Update · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

From Medellin, Colombia, the Rising Voices project Hiperbarrio [ES] provides its latest update.


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Colombia: Mayoral Campaign Promises · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Velvet from PISO TR3S [ES] discusses a mayoral candidate in Medellín that has promised free internet and a computer for every child if he is elected.


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Colombia: Uribe vs. Supreme Court · Global Voices
Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez

On Monday,  October 8, President Álvaro Uribe Vélez appeared on national television claiming that he was being accused of ordering the murder of a paramilitary warlord known as René. According to Reuters,
The court, which is probing dozens of Uribe's political allies on charges they supported paramilitary death squads, accuses the president of obstructing those investigations while Uribe says it is plotting against him. In several radio interviews, Uribe said on Tuesday the court offered benefits including a reduced sentence to jailed paramilitary chief Jose Moncada in exchange for testifying that the president ordered the killing of another militia boss in 2003. He made the charge in private questioning last week and news of his testimony has just begun circulating.
Xinhua complements:
“The country needs to know if the president is an assassin or if the lawyer and Mr. alias Tasmania are liars. All we Colombians can be investigated, starting from the president, but it is necessary that the means be legal and decent,” Uribe told a press conference. […] Velazquez has received the unanimous support of the supreme court's 23 judges through a communique.Uribe said, “I believe that it is bad to obtain a deceitful confession through torture or through gifts.” High peace commissioner, Luis Carlos Restrepo, said in 2004 that “Rene” confessed to him that he feared to be a victim of assassination attempts ordered by Uribe or by the government forces, and that is why he had refused to leave the concentration region.
On Sunday, it was learnt that the letter from the paramilitary chief Moncada, alias Tasmania (or perhaps Taz-Mania, since the animated television show is better known in Colombia than the Australian island), was delivered to the president by his older brother Santiago Uribe, according to national newspaper El Tiempo [ES]. As usual, this incident sparked outrage in the Colombian blogosphere and a huge controversy between president Uribe's supporters and those ones who side with the Supreme Court, especially when justice Iván Velásquez, the one accused by the president, “carries [ES] the burden of investigations of over 30 politicians for their links with former chiefs of the Self-United Forces of Colombia (AUC)”, most of them from the ruling coalition, including Mr. Uribe's own cousin, senator Mario Uribe Escobar.
Carlos Cuentero [ES] writes at El desván:
Gritos e insultos a la Corte Suprema de Justicia… ¿dictadura democrática?
Shouts and insults to the Supreme Court of Justice… a democratic dictatorship?
On the blog Atrabilioso [ES], journalist Miguel Yances makes a summary of the case and attacks some of the Colombian media:
Lo extraño de este suceso es que la opinión especializada que difunden los medios masivos, de forma casi generalizada se dedicó a descalificar, no a Tasmania ni al magistrado, sino al presidente; mientras que en la Urna Virtual de Caracol, más del 70% de quienes participaron, estuvieron de acuerdo con el proceder presidencial. ¿Por qué algunos políticos, periodistas y medios masivos -me consta que El Universal no- le cargan tanta bronca al presidente? ¿Solo por qué es buen negocio; o por venganza? La venganza la sanciona la opinión pública, y el dinero es bueno y necesario, pero hay que medir bien las formas que se usan para conseguirlo.
The strange thing about this event is that the specialized opinion spread by the mass media, in a generalized way, spent their time to discredit not Tasmania or the justice [Velásquez] but the president, whereas a virtual poll in Caracol TV shows that more than 70% of the participants agreed with the president's actions.
Why do some politicians, journalists and mass media -I can say El Universal [the daily Yances works for] have so much anger towards the president? Just because it's good for business or for revenge? Revenge is sanctioned by the public opinion, and the money is good and necessary, but the ways used to get it should be measured.
Valentina Díaz from Realidades Colombianas [ES] says:
¿Qué interés oculto tiene el presidente para seguir en la misma tónica echarle leña a la fogata contra el poder judicial y presionar para orientar las investigaciones de la Fiscalía? ¿Por qué el Comisionado de Paz asegura que “alias ‘René’ no se desmovilizaba porque tenía miedo que el presidente y su amigo Ernesto Garcés lo mataran”? Por eso y mucho más hay quienes creen que estamos al borde del desplome institucional.
What hidden interest has the president to continue in the same attitude of adding fuel to the fire against the judiciary and putting pressure in order to guide the Attorney General office's investigations? Why does the Peace Commissioner claim that alias René wasn't going to demobilize because he was afraid the president and his friend Ernesto Garcés were going to kill him? Because of that and a lot more thare are some who believe we're on the brink of an institutional collapse.
At equinoXio [ES], Carlos Uribe slams the way this incident broke into the media with such intensity:
Es necesario concluir también en que alguien –persona o grupo– desconocido aún, ha sido el promotor de todo este lamentable enredo para quizás poner el debate nacional en otra parte y desviar la atención de todo el mundo, incluidos por supuesto los medios de comunicación que corren desbocados y sin criterio detrás del escándalo.Persiste, finalmente, la confirmación de que la Corte Suprema de Justicia –como le ha tocado otras veces a la Corte Constitucional– anda enfrentada a la Presidencia, porque aquí hay que incluir a todos los turiferarios. Y que el Presidente de la República no pierde oportunidad para revolver la opinión, para hacer uso y abuso de los medios de comunicación, más allá de la mesura deseable, y que sobre todo, le encanta el poder concentrado en una sola figura, la suya, que ahora comienza a ser promovida como candidata a un tercer periodo presidencial. Que Dios nos ayude, si es que ya no ha firmado un acuerdo con nuestro piadoso soberano.
It's necessary to conclude, too, that someone -a person or a group- yet unknown has promoted this regrettable mess in order to perhaps put it into the national debate elsewhere and divert everyone's attention, including of course the mainstream media which run unstoppable and without any criteria behind the scandal. It persists, finally, the confirmation that the Supreme Court of Justice -as in other times has been the Constitutional Court- is confronted with the Presidency, because here we must include all the sycophants. And that the President of the Republic misses no chance to agitate the opinion to use and abuse the mass media, beyond the desirable restraint, and that above all, he loves the power concentrated in one person, his own, which is now being promoted as a candidate for a third presidential term. God help us, if there's already no signed pact with our devout sovereign.
Tienen Huevo [ES] takes it humorously by depicting alias Tasmania as Taz and alias René as Kermit the Frog, known in Latin America as the Rana René.

author: Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez


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Dominica: Celebrating Independence · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Steve's Dominica posts a Flickr photoset of some of the island's Independence celebrations.


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Haiti: Celebrity Philanthropy · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

In light of the attention being given to former Playboy Playmate Susie Scott Krabacher's philanthropic work, Haiti Innovation writes, “Haiti needs all the friends it can get…at the same time, though, I am frustrated that the need for such celebrity philanthropy exists.”


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Hong Kong: Feng Shui Masters Rap · Global Voices
Ip Iam-chong

Kevin Li posts two music videos of rap about feng shui and two feng shui masters, Mak Ling Ling and So Man Fung (zh). Feng shui is a discipline with guidelines and techniques of site planning, internal furniture arrangements and fortune-telling.  Feng Shui masters used to dress in traditional costume and looked serious. Yet, in Hong Kong, feng Shui masters have presented themselves as celebrity, talk show guests, comedians and stars over the past ten years. But this is the first time they appear in Cantonpop music video.

author: Ip Iam-chong


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India: Football Stories · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Pickled Politics on football in India, traditional rivalries between clubs and the current state of the sport.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Iran:Mehrnoush Solouki in trouble · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According [Fr]to freeSolouki, French-Iranian film director,Mehrnoush Solouki, is accused of making propaganda against Iranian government.Solouki came to Iran after receiving permission to make a documentary.She was arrested without being accused of any wrongdoing.


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Iran:Zoo in Photos · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Nika has published several photos of a Zoo in Tehran.The blogger regrets that these animals are kept in small cages.


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Israel: OneVoice Israel Summit Postponed · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Israeli blogger Daniel Lubetzky announced on his blog that the OneVoice Israel summit has been postponed. For more news click here.


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Jordan: Women’s Quota · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jordanian blogger Khalaf discusses the women's quota in the upcoming Jordanian parliamentary elections.


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Korea: Pressroom and Freedom of Media · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

On the 12th of October, the South Korean government announced that they would close the pressroom as they announced before. Journalists have been strongly against it and international media have conveyed this news as concern about the freedom of media in Korea.
How have netizens reacted it? Not a few netizens have different opinions.
…현재, 기자실의 폐지에 대한 논쟁은 3가지가 있다.
1. 정치권 : 기자실을 폐지하자는 것은 국민의 알권리를 맞는 행위다 그러니 다시 원상 복귀해라.
2. 언론사 : 기자실 폐지는 국민의 알권리를 막는 것이다. 위헌적 요소고 있다.
3. 블로그 ; 기자실? 그게 뭐죠? 그만의 링블에서는 본인의 경험담을 통해 기자실의 실상을 말하고 있다. 기자들이여 발로 취재하라는 것
…국민의 알권리를 주장하기 전에 기자들은 자신의 입장을 한번쯤 돌이켜보는 것이 필요하다는 것이다. 굳이 기자실을 폐지하지 않더라도 충분히 기존 취재 관행 즉, 기자와 공무원과는 무분별한 밀월 관계를 청산할 수도 있었을 것 같다….
이러한 면을 고려한다면, 응당 기자실이라는 것은 취재를 위한 편의 시설이 아니라, 기자와 해당 기관 사이의 둘 간의 관계를 위한 모임 장소로 작용할 뿐이다. 공보담당자는 기자와 언제든지 말하고 논의할 수 있고, 선배 후배하면서 해당기관의 안 좋은 기사를 올렸다 내렸다 한다.
기자실을 담당하는 부서, 공보 등의 부서들은 기자를 접대하는 듯하다. 그들의 손가락 하나가 자신의 목줄을 잡고 있으니 당연한 일이다.
언론사와 정치권은 왜 기자실 폐지를 국민의 알권리 주장하면서 위헌이라고 할까? 그 많은 기자들은 기자실이 없으면 기사를 못쓰나? 그들만의 쉴 공간을 만들어 달라는 것인지 등등이 고민스럽다. 흔히들 기자는 발로 뛴다고 하는데 요즘은 발로 뛰는 기자들은 몇 없다. 또, 기자실에서 나오는 기사는 대부분은 해당 기관에서 제공하는 보도자료에 준해 쓰는 경우가 많다고 본다.
혹시, 기자실의 폐지를 놓고 자신들의 처지가 애처롭게 될까봐 그러는 것은 아닌지 고민해봤으면 좋겠다.
물론 기자들의 취재를 활성화시키기 위한 편의 시설로 기자실을 제공하는 취지 자체는 좋은 것이다. 또한, 기자와 해당부서 담당자가 자유롭게 커뮤니케이션 할 수 있게 하는 것도 필요하다.
세번째, 네티즌들은 기자나 또, 그렇게 결단을 내린 청와대나 둘다 문제를 지적하고 나서고 있다.
시실 기자와 기자실, 어울리지 않는 모습이다. 본인들 스스로 일찌감치 정리를 하는 것이 좋은 모습이었을 것 같다. …
청와대는 너무 성급했다…..
Before talking about the peoples’ right to know, it’s necessary that reporters look back on their own situations. Before criticizing the closure of the pressroom, the journalists should have abolished close relations with government officials.
The pressroom has been used for a convenient place for reporting and a meeting place for reporters and related government officers. Public-relations officers can talk with reporters anytime and articles depend on their relations.
It seems that public relations officers serve those reporters. Maybe it’s natural because those journalists’ fingers affect their jobs. Why do media and politicians insist that the abolition of the pressroom is unconventional? Are those reporters not able to write articles if there is no pressroom? Do they want a rest area? Usually we have the perception that reporters use their own feet in order to get news, but it seems not lately. In addition, articles from the pressroom are based on press releases from the related government offices.
I feel that the reason why those journalists are so against this abolition is from the fear that their circumstances would be sympathetic.
Of course, it is good that the pressroom has a function to invigorate the collection of news. It is necessary that journalists and officials are able to have communications as well.
Netiznes point out at problems from both sides, reporters and Blue House. As a matter of fact, reporters and press rooms don’t look good. The reporters should have left first…
The Blue House is also way too hasty….
Other countries and history give reason to question the existence of the press room.
기자실 폐쇄에 대해서는 그 동안 많은 시도가 있었다. 김대중 정부 때도 언론개혁’을 언급한 이후 기자실 폐쇄에 대한 논쟁이 있어 왔으며 해결책을 쉽게 찾지 못한채 흐지부지 되었던 난제였다.
미국만 보더라도 우리처럼 기자단이 기자실을 상주하는 공간의 개념은 아니다. 백악관이나 국무성 등 큰 기관에는 기사작성이나 송고를 위한 작업장으로 기자실이 있을 뿐이다.
영국 역시 기자실, 기자단이 없음은 물론이고 기자들이 앉아 일을 할 수 있는 공간이 의회와 런던 경시청을 제외하고는 찾기 힘들다.
우리의 기자실 운영 형태는 일본을 답습한 것으로 일본의 기자단은 1910년 이후 각
정부기관에 생기기 시작, 태평양전쟁이 시작되자 정부가 신문을 통제하기 위한 수단의 하나로 ‘신문연맹’을 만들어 정부기관의 발표를 기자단을 통해서만 일률적으로 하도록 함으로써 개별적인 기자활동에 제약을 가하기 위함이었다.
그 동안 기자실은 ‘관•언 유착의 고리'의 통로로, 폐쇄적인 운영과 정보독점, 보도자료에 의존한 기사 쓰기 방식, 기자실 운영비로 인한 혈세 낭비, 촌지 수수 등의 의혹을 떨칠 수 없었다.
In America, the pressroom is not a space where reporters stay. In White House and the Ministry of National Affairs, its function is to write reports and deliver them to their media centers.
In England, there is no pressroom and no space where reporters can sit and work except the Parliament of England and New Scotland Yard.
Our pressroom system follows Japan. After 1910, each Japanese government office made its own press association. After they started the Pacific War, the government made the ‘newspaper alliance’ as the means of controlling newspapers and individual reporters’ activities.
The pressroom has been suspected as a path of ‘close relationship between government and media,’ exclusive management and monopoly of information, articles based on press release, waste of tax for the management of the pressroom, and bribes.
Bloggers mostly question the necessity of the pressroom.
…신문사도 영리단체 아닙니까 ? 신문팔고 광고팔아 수익을 올리고 있지않습니까 ?
그렇다면 취재할때 당연히 취재료 줘야하고 기자실이 필요하다면 언론사에서 운영해야지 그걸 왜 기관에서 운영하도록 합니까 ?
그리고 지금은 모바일 시대로 언제어디서나 장소에 구애받지 않고 기사송고를 할 수 있습니다. 왜 60년대 식 기자실이 있어야 합니까 ?
막막로 기자실이라는게 해당기관에서 주는 보도자료 받고 좀 심하게 이야기하면 커피마시고 좀 쉬다가 오는곳 아닙니까 ?…
모바일시대에 걸맞는 언론인이되십시요. 그리고 기관의 보도자료도 이제 기자실에서 받지말고 이메일로 받으세요. …60년대에 교통과 통신이 불편해서 멀리 온거 고려해서 기자실이 있다구 하지만
지금은 교통편리, 통신편리 .. 무슨 기자실이 필요해요.
In addition, it is the mobile time at present. They can deliver their articles anywhere and anytime. Why do they need the pressroom like the 1960s?
Frankly speaking, isn’t the pressroom a place where those reporters can get press release, drink coffee, and take a rest?…
Be journalists suitable in a mobile time! Get the press release from emails, not from the press room…. In the 1960s, transportation and communication were not good, so that there was the pressroom, but why do they need it now?…
Kaonic makes clear the meaning of the closure of the pressroom in the Blue House through a TV panel on this topic.
…간만에 즐거운 100분 토론이다. 그래서 결론은 100분 토론을 통해 기자실 문제에 대해 확실히 알게 되었다는 것. 현재 송고실이라고 쓰고 기자실이라고 읽는 장소가 조금 줄었을 뿐이며, 전부 일거에 사라진 것은 아니라는 것을 알았다. 모든 언론사에 똑같은 정부의 자료가 제공되며, 똑같은 브리핑을 받을 수 있단다. 여기서 더 알고 싶으면 발로 뛰어야 하지 않을까? 기자실이 돌아다니며 취재하는 것과 무슨 상관이 있단 말인가. 빠른 소식의 전달? 한 두 시간 늦어도 상관없으니 PC방에 가서 송고해도 되잖은가. 기자실 통폐합은 정부의 취재요청 거부나 차별만 효과적으로 없앨 수 있다면, 점진적으로 유익해 질 것 같다. 기자들은 이제 발로 좀 뛰어 다니고, 몸 좀 굴려야 겠다… 뛰어라!
However, there are opinions that it would be way too early.
…그러면서 한가지 느꼈던 것들은 지금 정부기관 기자실에 대해서 메어저 언론사에 주어진 독점적인 구조나 기득권에 대하여 우리사회에 메이저, 마이너 관계없이 다양한 기자들이 들어와 취재를 할 수 있는 ‘취재의 자유’가 주어져야 한다는 생각이 들었습니다.
제가 알기론 기자실이나 송고실 같은 곳에서 언론사별 등급처럼 여겨지는 것들도 사실 문제라고 생각합니다. 이 같은 문제의 중심에는 정부기관도 한몫 거들고 있기는 한가지입니다. 만약 저 같은 활동가가 들어가 취재를 한다는 것 사실 쉽지 않은 문제이거든요….
…필자의 관점에서 이번 기자실 통폐합은 인식의 전환이 필요한 것 같습니다. 특히나 청와대는 언론과의 많은 싸움을 벌여왔습니다. 위에서도 지적했지만 이번 기자실 통폐합도 정부나 청와대가 더 큰 권력을 가지고자 한다는 생각을 떨칠 수 없습니다. 이는 언론의 역할을 제약하는 행위가 분명합니다.(보수 언론의 개혁과는 별개 사안임을 강조합니다) 다른말로 국민을 속이는 ‘정치적 쇼'에 불과하다는 이야기입니다.
필자는 이번 정부의 기자실 통폐합은 나중에 해도 늦지 않을 내용이라 생각합니다. 중요한 부분은 먼저 선행되어야 할 문제들이 더 많다는 이야기와 다르지 않습니다. 해서, 정부와 청와대 스스로 무엇을 성찰해야 하는지 것인지 그리고 정부와 청와대 스스로 무엇을 혁신해야 하는지 돌아보아야 할 것입니다.
As far as I know, it is problematic that the pressroom has levels based on the kinds of media. I think that the government encourages this kind of problem. People like me (blogger news reporter) have a hard time to report….
…In my opinion, we need to change our perspectives about the abolition of the pressroom. Especially, the Blue House has had fights against media. It is hard not to think that the government would like to get bigger authority. It controls roles of media (I would like to emphasize conservative media is not included). It’s like ‘political show’ to deceive peoples in other words.
I think that the government could abolish the pressroom later. The important part is there are so many things to solve beforehand. The government and the Blue House should recognize what they have to accomplish first and what they have to reform.

author: Hyejin Kim


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Myanmar: Support Rally in London · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

New Mandala has pictures from a Free Burma rally in London.

author: Preetam Rai


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Nepal: Politics of Music Videos · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

A fascinating insight into the workings of the Music Video industry in Nepal at the Wagle Street Journal.


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Nigeria: Nigeria’s broken moral barometer · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Grandiose Parlor argues that Nigeria's moral barometer is broken:”There is ample evidence that the moral and ethical threshold for Nigeria’s political appointees and elected officials is just few notches above zero, if not an outright zero.”


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Pakistan: No Dating · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The Pakistani Spectator doesn't approve of the dating scene in Pakistan.


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Pakistan: Showtime in India · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Stand up comedy and music talent shows in India have had some Pakistani participants and they've met with great success. All Things Pakistan on the trend, with some interesting insights in the comments space.


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Russia: Birch Bark Letters To Be Translated · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis reports that the online collection of ancient Russian birch bark letters will be translated into English.


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Russia: Racism · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

MoscowThroughBrownEyes writes about the`a “fear of a black Russia.”


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Russia: Sokolov vs Kissing Policemen · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Siberian Light reports on the Kissing Policemen and Russia's “prudish Culture Minister Alexander Sokolov.”


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Sudan: When Death Becomes Normal · Global Voices
SudaneseDrima

For most of us, witnessing someone’s death can be a traumatizing experience. However, when you’ve been surrounded by it for a long period of time, it’s just “one of those days” and no big deal. This is what SudaneseReturnee discovered after spending years abroad in Europe and upon returning to Juba, Southern Sudan, a place that witnessed two decades of bloody war:
For ages, I never knew the reason why I always thought I’d die young. In Juba, people talk about tragedy and death may be more often than Europeans talk about the weather.
… Just after 2 days in Juba, something happened that stunned me. I was seated with some friends at home under the night sky.
… then an loud screams of what sounded like pain, confusion or freight.
… It was an accident… His head was totally deformed… it looked like he died instantly when he was hit by whatever hit him. Then I heard someone say there was another fatality.
… He clearly looked dead, but some people would still kneel down to feel his pulse and without any emotion announce “aaah, de intaaha!” (this one is finished!)
… They were brothers from the same mother!
… The crowd slowly dissolved into the night… for most of them, it was just another day in Juba. For the mother and me, this day we shall never forget.
SudaneseReturnee was also feeling ill. He tried looking for Dr. Konyokonyo but couldn’t find him in his clinic. Maybe that’s because Dr. Konyokonyo was busy blogging a post on prioritizing health issues in Southern Sudan:
How do you chose which problems to tackle first? When the GOSS [Government of South Sudan] came on, they promise quick fixes for lots of things like building hospitals, clinics and health centers where none existed before. Old hospitals will be rehabilitated. Health surveys were done in all the states. What happend next?
It is unfortunate that many of the promises have fallen down the drain… We need priorities in health.
Drima, The Sudanese Thinker blogged about how a child was used for a failed assassination attempt:
Eyewitnesses said that an unknown man in the audience handed an explosive device to a child and asked to proceed to the podium where Kodi was present. However the device exploded before the child made it to the podium
He also posted this picture of Omar al-Bashir's recent visit to Italy in which he met the Pope!!
Little.Miss.Dalu expressed her thoughts on FGM as sexual violence:
I titled this entry “FGM as Sexual Violence” because I believe female genital mutilation is an act of violence against a woman's sexuality. The act objectifies her, her body is defiled and her sexuality is violated (silenced, removed, seen as unimportant). Her body an object set up for the pleasures of another (her husband). It's about control, put under the guise of “protection of purity.”
Wholeheartedly-Sudaniya asked the question “Darfur: who wants peace?”
… A rebel attack that killed at least 10 peacekeepers at an African Union army base in Sudan's Darfur region has sparked international condemnation.
(source)
I wonder what Darfurians have to say about this ” here we go again….the selfish idiots want to stop the peace at any cost..”
The Sudanese American commented on Khartoum’s recent crackdown on the SPLM:
This is the kind of things that makes efforts to keep Sudan a unified country more difficult. It sends the wrong message, not only to Southern Sudanese, but also to the Northerners. With national parliamentary elections coming up in two years, hopes that the “unity government” would pave the way for democratic change, and the ruling National Congress party would accept election results, are now in doubt.
Last but not least, allow me to end this round up of the Sudanese blogosphere in a symbolic manner by bringing you Path2hope’s post entitled “New beginnings”:
I’ve arrived in England and I’m happy to say that the weather did not disappoint, it was grey and windy with a bit of showers just like I expected.
… Tomorrow I take a train and head off to the university, Lord knows what I expect to find but I’m hoping for the best:) wish me luck!
While there are certainly positive things happening in Sudan, there are far too many negatives taking place. We Sudanese need a new beginning.

author: SudaneseDrima


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China: Gamer flag controversy · Global Voices
Meng Zhang

Liu You-chen, a Taiwanese E-sport player, suddenly displayed a Republic of China flag while he accepted a bronze medal at the award ceremony of World Cyber Games (WCG) 2007, which took place in Seattle USA. The actions immediately infuriated the players like Sha Junchun (aka PJ) and Li Xiaofeng (aka SKY) and members of media from China. The Taiwan media United Daily News reported two Chinese gamers insulted and badgered Taiwan competitors until police and event organizers quickly separated them.
Li Xiaofeng, one of the most famous gamer in mainland, explains his compulsion at the WCG finals in his personal blog at star sports:
WE.SKY看WCG国旗门事件:事情的真相如此而已
ECP电竞中文门户  2007-10-12 10:28:00
关于之前在WCG赛场颁奖时的三两事看到论坛里有些人在议论的比较多。出来随便说下吧，当时的那种情况，确实很难让人接受。
做为一个中国人，在从小就接受教育的同时，在我心里也一直认为台湾的同胞就是和我们一起的。
当然后来慢慢的长大后也懂的了很多，和朋友之间也经常聊起这种事情，有亢奋的，有无奈的，总之都是中国人的现实，在我与朋友的内心里从未改变过。
当时在那里我们已经向WCG组委会提出了交涉，只是后来由于台湾那边的领队措辞过于激人，所以引发了冲突。
当然，我从不会因为这种事情而改变自己对台湾那边的朋友的看法，只是在有些时候，有些场合下，作为一个中国人，我们都会为之尽到国人的义务。
至于什么所谓的围剿什么什么的，媒体的说法，他们想怎么说就怎么说吧，人人都有一张嘴。
公道自在人心。
总之此事，中国WCG组委会已经因为台湾队伍里的少数那几个人的小动作，已经向WCG组委会提出了。
来自宝岛的WAR3朋友，希望我们彼此以后能够有更多的交流！(和台湾的WAR3朋友一起交流也并不是一两天了，我相信彼此之间我们是熟悉的，不要因为一两个人的不愉快而影响到我们彼此之间的友情）
PS：（我并不是一个记者，详细的事情经过我相信会有人出来说明的，作为一个中国人，我完全有必要在我们的团队在外面为我们的国家争取自己的利益，贡献出我自己的力量）
I see a lot of people are talking about the things happened at the WCG award ceremony. Telling at will, the situation at that time did make me too sad to accept what had happened.
As a Chinese, educated from the very beginning, I always believe the compatriots in Taiwan are standing with us.
Of course, when I gradually grew up I had learned more about it. Talking such kind of issues with my friends, some of them felt stimulated while some of them felt there’s no alternative. Anyway, it’s the reality of Chinese and the belief in our mind has never changed.
At that time, we had made representations with WCG Committee. Subsequently, It’s the Taiwan team leader’s sharp words that caused the conflicts.
Of course, Such kind of things have never changed my views to the friends in Taiwan. However, at some time, under some occasions, being a Chinese, we all have the duty to do something.
As to the attack from all sides or whatever, it’s the media’s spin. Just let it go because everyone has the rights to speak.
Justice will always prevail.
Anyway, China WCG Committee has reported someone’s petty actions in Taiwan team to the WCG Committee.
WAR3 friends from Taiwan, I wish more mutual understanding between us from now on! (It’s not for one or two days that we have communicated with WAR3 friends of Taiwan. I believe we actually know each other and don’t let one or two people affect our friendship)
P.S. (I’m not a reporter and I believe someone will introduce the concrete process of this event. Being a Chinese, It’s absolutely necessary for me to strive interests of our country and devote my own efforts while our team compete abroad.)
Although Li Xiaofeng displayed a mild tune in his blog, lots of netizens in mainland strongly supported Sha Junchun and Li Xiaofeng’s behavior in this event and they did believe what they had done was patriotic and responsible.
Here are two comments from Li's blog:
Ygod 发表于 2007-10-14 16:56:29
公道自在人心 爱国是做人的根本
Kyo.陈 发表于 2007-10-12 13:15:55
支持中国选手的做法!!!!
少数的极端份子,是不能得逞的!!
我也看到结果了,WCG组委会对台湾WCG代表队提出了谴责,
而台湾代表队也道歉了!!
中国人民永远是团结一心的!
SKY,好样的 ,
还有FLY,PJ
你们都是中国人的骄傲!!
永远支持你们!!
An anonymous netizen at Sohu’s blog community has a more impetuous attitude to Taiwan:
发布者 搜狐网友 2007-10-12 21:03
坚决支持！ 扎反！
什么台湾民众！ 都是大陆子民，还在上面舞国旗，什么概念？
如果打台湾，我们学校所有人同学都会参战！！
A netizen named Feng Guangsile (means very famous) gives his opinion on Taiwan’s report at club.china.com:
作者:风光死了 发表于:2007-10-09 12:52:04
事件是真，确有冲突，照片为证。
人物也没错，照片拍得很清楚，好几个中国的小伙子，挺帅。
漫骂也许有，年轻人火气大，特别是李晓峰刚刚输了比赛，心情不会好。
打人则未必，看照片上当时在场人数众多，众目睽睽下发生的事情事后否认得了吗？
但我想不通中国人怎么会骂别人“中国猪”，那不是连自己一块骂了么？不可能有这样的事情，想必是现场有人大声朗诵这个词，媒体找不到朗诵者于是想当然的把屎盆子扣在了中国人的身上，很没有技术含量。
新闻自由了！也不见得都说真话.
Even though, there were still a few of netizens in mainland who were against the Chinese players’ impetuous behavior to the Taiwanese.
Some anonymous netizens show their different opinions at Sina’s blog community:
[匿名] 新浪网友
2007-10-10 13:30:51
不支持SKY和PJ的这种形为.一点也没有风度.台湾是不是国家不是你\我\他都能说的算的.这不是一个电竞选手和电竞爱好者能分清的事实.政治的东西应该交给政治.而不是交给向征和平友谊的电竞选手.
[匿名] 新浪网友
2007-10-10 13:33:21
看看以上这些所为的爱国青年的留言吧.我现在终于知道为什么台湾要独立了.真是可悲.我真的希望国人能真正的把台湾当做自己的领土.但现在好像事实正好相反.如果我们永远用这种态度.我想台湾永远不会回来.

author: Meng Zhang


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Trinidad & Tobago: Reviewing Naipaul · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I never thought I’d see the word ‘feeling’ appear in the title of a V.S. Naipaul book. Has Sir Vidia gone fluffy on us?” asks Andre Daniel Bagoo, as he reviews the author's latest offering.


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Uganda: Is Uganda the land of plenty? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Basawad asks whether Uganda is the land of plenty: “Uganda is indeed the land of plenty of food and water. I write this, with Uganda that was in the 60s and 70s – in mind. Growing up in Uganda then, I never knew what hunger was, till the age of about 12, when – as a Muslim – I started fasting during the month of Ramadhan.”


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Ukraine: Charitable Tennis Tournament · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Scenes From the Sidewalk posts info on how to register for the charitable tennis tournament to be held in Kyiv Oct. 27-28.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Ukraine: Coalition-Building · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

“A week is a long time in politics,” according to one “former British PM” and LEvko of Foreign Notes, who is considering the future of the “democratic” coalition in Ukraine.


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Ukraine: Is Victimhood Profitable? · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

MoldovAnn takes a critical look at programs for “the so-called ‘children of Chornobyl'” and other Chernobyl-related aid efforts: “I do believe aid organizations want to help people have better lives. But when I hear them talking about ‘we’re going to support this community because it’s not too far from Kyiv and we can easily visit it in a day during our short visit to Ukraine’, it’s hard for me to take them seriously. If they really want to help the most needy, the most affected, the most at-risk people, then they should go to the far away, isolated, hard-to-get-to places – precisely because no one goes there.”


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Ukraine: Leninesque Bandera Monument · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Foreign Notes reports: “Last weekend a statue of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera was unveiled in Lviv. Rather embarrassingly, some observers say the statue resembles those of Lenin, erected in many Ukrainian cities in the latter half of the last century.”


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Americas: The Kick Off for World Cup Qualifiers · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

Note from the Editor: Juan Arellano teamed up with Global Voices authors and editors from across South America to write this latest article about the road to the 2010 World Cup.
The South American World Cup qualifiers for the World Cup South Africa 2010 began this past weekend with matches that come around every four years and that gathers a multitude of people and passion from football fans.  The following are opinions and reactions from around the continent and collected with the help of Global Voices authors.
On Saturday the 13th, the first round of matches were played.  Uruguay and Bolivia started things off with a result that favored the home side, Uruguay.  Bolivian bloggers wrote before and after the game.  Rolando Lopez of Rocko Weblog [ES] wrote:
empezar una eliminatoria siempre es renovarse de esperanza y como tal, la confianza de buen fútbol, resultados y clasificación –como en el 94- están puestas en la joven selección Boliviana en estas tierras. Y como en Bolivia, en el resto de países de Sur América vivirán durante 2 años las mas grandes alegrías y las mas horribles tristezas que puede regalar el fútbol, al ver a su selección y su bandera en una metáfora de guerra danzada en el rectángulo verde que hará las veces de campo de batalla donde nacerán ídolos y caerán héroes.
Beginning the qualifiers always renews hopes and confidence in that the young team will play well, will achieve results and qualify as we did in 1994.  In Bolivia, as in the rest of the South American countries, they will experience over the course of the next two years the biggest joys and the worst sadness that the game of football can provide to see its national team and flag in a metaphor of war that takes place on a square rectangle that resembles a battlefield where heroes are born and where heroes fall.
After the game, which ended up being a different story altogether, Hugo Miranda of Angel Caido [ES] provided his thoughts:
Como lo dije luego de la Copa America en un Podcast, esto no pintaba bien, pero igual la ILUSION ESTA y CONTINUA POR SI ACASO. Pero luego de lo sucedido estos dias Jueves y Viernes, en los que los Jugadores se PUSIERON A EXIGIR PLATA, por presentacion, por victoria de local (IMAGINANSE SEMEJANTE TONTERIA, PREMIO POR GANAR EN LA PAZ), por empate de visitante (seria milagro), por victoria de visitante (esto seria como ganar la LOTERIA), bueno cuando primero te ocupas de LA PLATA Y TE VALE LA PLANIFICACION (la poca que habia), cosas como estas suceden. Y asi nos fue, acaba de terminar el partido y Uruguay repitio la dosis de la anterior Eliminatoria nos clavo 5.
As I mentioned in a podcast about the Copa America, but this doesn't bode well, however THE HOPE REMAINS AND CONTINUES.  After after what happened on Thursday and Friday, in which the players DEMANDED MONEY for each appearance and for a victory at home (IMAGINE THIS ABSURDNESS, PRIZE FOR WINNING IN LA PAZ), for a tie as visitor (it would be a miracle), for victory as visitor (this would be like winning the LOTTERY), when first you worry about money (THE PREPARATION DOES NOT MATTER MUCH TO YOU).  That is how it goes, the game just ended and Uruguay repeated the dosage from the last qualifiers and marked 5 goals.
On the Uruguayan side, as they did not hope for anything less, Juan 1989 of Charruaha Hasta Los Huevos [ES] calmly comments as they await the next game:
La celeste “aplastó” al seleccionado de Bolivia por 5-0, con goles de todos los  delanteros que jugaro; Forlán, Abreu, Suárez, V. Sánchez y Bueno. Uruguay  jugó muy bien contra un seleccionado que no mostró mucho, y jugó mas de medio  tiempo con un jugador menos por la expulsión de Ronald García. Dominamos el  juego de inicio a fín, y podrían haber llegado más goles.
The blue “plastered” the Bolivian National Team 5-0, with goals from all the strikers that played: Forlan, Abreu, Suarez, V. Sanchez and Bueno.  Uruguay played very well against a team that did not show much and played almost half the time with one player down due to the expulsion of Ronald Garcia.  We dominated the game from the beginning to the end, and there could have been more goals.
Venezuela-Ecuador did not have a lopsided score as the previous match, but Venezuela won with the minimal difference, but in certain manner it was a surprise the fact that they beat Ecuador in Quito, a city of 2,850 meters above sea level, which means a certain tactical advantage when the play at home, at least it was.  Cronista [ES] writes about the initial conclusions regarding Ecuador's defeat.
El mito de Quito déjenlo para las fábulas de don Luis Chiriboga y otros que crearon en torno a la ciudad, una especie de muralla invencible, por la dichosa altura. Estas eliminatorias son distintas. En los dos procesos anteriores, empezamos ganando a Venezuela. Hoy perdimos. Dejen de llorar por la ausencia del TIN. Si don Chucho Benítez, insigne goleador del torneo mexicano, hubiese concretado una de las tres oportunidades que tuvo, creánlo que el marcador hubiese sido distinto.
Leave the myth of Quito for the fables of Don Luis Chiriboga and others that created this myth for the city: a kind of invincible wall, for this supposed altitude.  These qualifiers are different.  In the two qualifying cycles before, we began by beating Venezuela.  Today we lost.  Stop crying over the absence of “Tin”  (striker Augustin Delgado).  If Chucho Benitez, the top goal scorer in the Mexican league, would have taken advantage of the three opportunities that he had, the score would have been different.
On the Venezuelan side, Luis Carlos Diaz of Periodismo de Paz [ES] tells us about some particular characteristics of these qualifiers in Venezuela, which among other things do not arouse many emotions:
La “vinotinto” que ha sido una cenicienta en el fútbol, se ha subido en carrozas de calabaza en algunos partidos de los últimos años. Tras la gran venta mercadotécnica que le hizo creer a medio país que íbamos a clasificar para el Alemania 2006, y tras una Copa América con visos faraónicos en nuestra república petrolera, este inicio de eliminatorias empezó como con poca visibilidad pero nuevas esperanzas. Quizás teníamos que ligar para Sudáfrica 2010 desde un principio, pero aquí somos inmediatistas y apasionados de media hora, así que esta victoria de Venezuela sobre Ecuador es algo que sólo los fanáticos han sabido reconocer, ya veremos el despegue de marketing más adelante. Les dejo tres enlaces: Previo: el despliegue de seguridad del evento, Un parecer del partido, con encuestas de usuarios incluida y un fanático de esos que postea con adrenalina y promete “para después”, pero deja el video del golazo solitario. Lo dice bien este último… aquí consideramos milagros estas victorias. Suerte al resto de los hermanos latinoamericanos… aquí nos va mejor el béisbol.
The “burgundy,” which had been a cinderella story in football, it had climbed aboard a pumpkin carriage during some matches over the past couple of years.   Grand marketing made half the country think that we were going to qualify for Germany 2006, and after a Copa America that showcased the petroleum state, this cycle of qualifiers started with little fanfare, but with a new hope.  Maybe we should have hoped for South Africa 2010 from the beginning, but here we want everything now and have short attentions spans, so Venezuela's victory over Ecuador is only something that the fanatics can recognize, we'll see the marketing from here on out.  I leave you with three links: about the security for the event, about thoughts on the game, which includes a survey, and a video of the lone goal.  As the last blogger writes….we consider these victories to be miraculous.  Good luck to the rest of the Latin American brothers and sisters … here we do better in baseball.
The third game between Peru and Paraguay ended with no score.  The result did convince anyone, and the Peruvian sport bloggers, such as De Media Cancha [ES] writes:
Lamentarse a estas alturas, buscar culpables, cuestionarnos que nos falto Paolo Guerrero, no cabe ahora, simplemente no se pudo, queda solo pensar en el próximo partido ante Chile, ya pasó el debut, se empato a cero goles ante el cuadro guarani, de locales se debe ganar, porque no se gana un punto se pierden dos y eso cuesta en las sumatorias finales. Solo diremos COMO CUESTA GANAR DE LOCAL. Podemos seguir hablando y analizando este empate pero es seguir en lo mismo, la falta de definición como siempre, pasemos la pagina que esto recién empieza.
At this stage, to feel sorry for ourselves, look for the guilty parties, question whether we missed Paolo Guerrero, is not worth it right now.  Simply, we could not win, and all that remains is to think abou the next game against Chile.  Our debut is over, we tied against the Paraguayan side.  As the home side, we should win.  We didn't win one point, we lost two points and those add up.  We simply say, HOW IT IS DIFFICULT TO WIN AS THE HOME SIDE. We can continue to talk and analyze this tie, but to do so, would be the same.  It was the lack of finishing, but let's turn the page so that we can finally start.
The fourth match was Argentina – Chile, which finished 2-0 in favor of the blue and white (Argentina). It was a victory that the entire world expected of course, including the Chileans.  As Charla Tecnica [ES] commented:
Lamentable pero esperable derrota, yo tenia las esperanzas de que se podía  obtener algo más pero bueno, no se pudo y se ve que hay bastante trabajo por  hacer. Puedo destacar algunas cosas como la intención de atacar con harta gente,  o pese a estar perdiendo y con 10 hombres, se intentaba atacar y no defender el  2 a 0 como ocurria en procesos pasados. Los rendimientos  individuales fueron bajos, especialmente de mediocampo hacia adelante.  Fue un equipo largo, que cometio mucha fallas, que no presionó la salida  Argentina, que perdio el balón en la salida o en situaciones complicadas en  donde no se puede perder. La expulsión fue una “huevada”, y agradezco por un  lado la suspensión de “Limitado”.
The loss was unfortunate, but was expected.  I had the hope that we could have accomplished something better, but we couldn't and it appears that we have a lot of work to do.  I can point out certain things like the intention to attack with a lot of people, and in spite of losing with 10 men, we tried to attack and not defend the 2-0 as had happened in other cycles.  The individual performances were low, especially in the midfield and the attack. It was a long team, which committed many fouls and did not pressure the other team and we lost the ball during the attack or in complicated situations where we shouldn't give up the ball.  The expulsion was “unfortunate” and on one hand, I am grateful for the suspension of the player.
Jorge Gobbi of Blog de Viajes [ES] writes about the reaction from Argentina.
La primera fecha de las eliminatorias fue muy buena para Argentina, que derrotó a Chile 2 a 0, con goles convertidos por Román Riquelme de tiro libre. Ambos goles fueron muy similares, tal como comentan en Vale Chumbar: “Parecen los mismos videos, pero no es así. Juan Román Riquelme concretó 2 golazos (26 y 45´)  de tiro libre casi idénticos  para darle el triunfo a la Argentina por 2-0 ante Chile”. Y agregan: “Más allá de ciertos “chistes”, el partido se terminó a los 27´cuando Riquelme clavó el primer tiro libre. Hasta ahí, el equipo de Bielsa -recordemos que es Chile- intentó fiel a su estilo ser protagonista, siendo Suazo su arma más peligrosa. Habrá que ver si cuenta con los valores necesarios para plasmar su idea futbolística”.En Futblogs también destacan la actuación del 10 de Argentina: “Riquelme venía de una inactividad bastante prolongada; actualmente se encuentra en el Villarreal de España, donde su técnico, el chileno Manuel Pellegrini, no lo tiene en cuenta y ni siquiera lo incluye en el banco. Con poca delicadeza, dicen al respecto en Pasión Redonda: “¿Habrá visto el partido Manuel Pellegrini?  ¿Se habrá dado cuenta de que su pollo Matías Fernández fue un verdadero desastre y se cagó en las patas? (perdón por las palabras)”.
The first matchday in the qualifiers went very well for Argentina, who defeated Chile 2 to 0, with goals by Román Riquelme on free kicks.  Both goals were similar, as commented by Vale Chumbar [ES]: “They appear to be the same video, but they are not.  Juan Román Riquelme marked two great goals (26 and 45′) on nearly identical free kicks to give a victory to Argentina by the score of 2-0 over Chile.” And they add” “Beyond certain “jokes” the game ended when Riquelme scored on the first free kick.  From then on, Bielsa's team – remember this is Chile – tried to remain true to their style of being a protagonist, with Suazo as his most dangerous weapon.  We must see if he has the necessary tools to make his idea of good football a reality.  In Futblogs [ES], they also celebrate the play of the #10 of Argentina: “Riquelme is playing after a prolonged inactivity; he currently belongs to Villarreal of Spain, where his coach Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, has not considered playing him, not even including him on the bench, which leads Pasión Redonda [ES] to say with a little bit of delicateness, “I wonder of Manuel Pellegrini watched the game?  He would have noticed that Matías Fernández (a Chilean and Villarreal player) was a real disaster and he played horribly (pardon the words.)”
El último partido de ésta fecha se jugó el domingo14 y correspondió al Brasil – Colombia y concluyó 0 a 0. Leamos lo que nos cuenta los amigos colochos de Futblog en el post Editorial: volvió la fe:
The last match on this date was played on Sunday the 14th where Brasil and Colombia faced off to a 0-0 draw.  Los Amigos Colochos de Futblog [ES] writes:
La selección Colombia empató sin goles con Brasil en el primer partido de eliminatorias sudamericanas, pero pudo ganar. El resultado es bueno teniendo en cuenta que los puntos conseguidos frente a equipos como Brasil o Argentina pueden ser determinantes en el momento de definir los clasificados al mundial, porque son unidades con los que casi nadie cuenta. Este fue el mejor partido desde que Jorge Luis Pinto asumió su cargo como técnico de la selección mayor, el equipo salió motivado por comenzar bien la eliminatoria, con un rival de la talla de Brasil enfrente y no decepcionó.
The Colombian National Team played to a scoreless draw against Brasil in the first match of the South American qualifiers, but they could have won.  The result is favorable considering the points achieved against teams like Brazil or Argentina can be determining factor at the moment of qualifying for the World Cup, because they are points that almost no one counts on.  This was the best game since Jorge Luis Pinto took over as coach of the National Team, as the team emerged with motivation to begin the process well with a rival with the stature of Brazil and did not disappoint.
And finally, it can be said that no one has more confidence in the Brazilian team than the Brazilians themselves.  GV Portuguese Editor José Murilo writes:
Começam domingo as eliminatórias. O Brasil nunca deixou de ir, e não vai ser agora. E ainda que acontecesse, dariam um jeitinho pra gente participar. A Seleção Brasileira estréia contra a Colômbia, que já não bota medo em mais ninguém. Acho que ganhamos fácil. O segundo jogo contra o Equador, quem diria, é que vai ser mais complicado apesar de ser em casa. Mas ganharemos também.Eliminatórias sulamericanas para 2010 – Blog Extralibris
The qualifiers will start on Sunday. Brazil has never missed a World Cup, and it would not be now. Even if it happen to occur, they would find a way to put us in. The Brazilian team will debut against Colômbia, which is not a threat to anyone anymore. I think it will be an easy win. The second game is against Ecuador, and who would guess it, I think this will be a tough one although we will play at home. But we will win it also.South American Qualifiers for 2010 – Blog Extralibris.
Y este es un comentario sobre los resultados:
Com 45 minutos de atraso por causa da forte chuva que caiu sobre Bogotá, Colômbia e Brasil começaram a partida com perspectivas opostas: os colombianos em busca de jogo, os brasileiros para fazer o tempo passar. Porque 2640 metros de altitude são 2640 metros de altitude… Enfim, num jogo nota 4, com 10 só para a altitude, a grande vilã que a Fifa ameaçou matar mas não teve peito para cumprir, parece justo dar 5 para cada brasileiro em campo, com 6 para Júlio César, e 7 para Dunga que, afinal, conseguiu o que queria. A arbitragem merece 7 e o gramado, quase perfeito depois daquela borrasca, fica com 9. Em La Paz será pior, em Quito será igual, mas bom mesmo será em Lima, em Montevidéu, em Buenos Aires, Assunção, enfim, onde dá para jogar bola, como no Rio, em São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre… Em tempo: que os blogueiros me poupem com comentários do tipo “altitude é frescura”.Faltaram ar e futebol – Blog do Juca
In a game which started 45 min. late because of a rainstorm in Bogotá, Colombia and Brazil displayed opposing perspectives: the Colombians running after the game, and the Brazilians rolling the ball to pass the time. Because 2,640 mts high [Bogota's elevation] still mean 2,640 mts  high. Wrapping it up, the game scored a 4 grade, and the only ‘player’ deserving 10 is the local altitude, the big villain that FIFA menaced to kill [by announcing the ban of all matches at elevations  above 2,500 meters, or 8,202 feet, which was then relented after  protests] but did not have the guts to accomplish. It seems fair to give a 5 to every Brazilian in the field, a 6 to Julio Cesar [Brazilian goal keeper], and a 7 to Dunga [Brazilian coach] who finally achieved what he wanted. The referees deserve 7, and the pitch, which was almost perfect after that storm, deserves a 9. In La Paz it will be worse, in Quito it will be the same, but the good ones will happen in Lima, Montevideo, Asuncion, where after all it is possible to play the game, like in Rio, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre… In time: I ask you bloggers to save me from comments such as “altitude is girly talk”.Missing air and football – Blog do Juca
The next round of qualifiers begins on Tuesday and Wednesday.

author: Juan Arellano


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Bahamas: Engaging the Americans · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Engaging the Americans, our most important trading partner and neighbour is a good thing,” writes Rick Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com, on learning that the island's Prime Minister will address The Caribbean-Central American Action organisation at their Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin in December.


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Bahrain: Iraqi Refugees Shedding Off Sectarian Violence · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Dawood writes that Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan are ‘shedding off’ sectarian violence.


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Bangladesh: No Exhibition · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Unheard Voices on a rather murky matter of an exhibition of Bangladeshi artifacts that were to be shown in Paris.


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Barbados: Arresting the Spread of HIV-AIDS · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Barbados Underground thinks that the powers-that-be have failed the country with regard to stemming the spread of HIV-AIDS.


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Bolivia: Bars Burning · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Mario Duran of Palabras Libres [ES] provides firsthand photos of bars and nightclubs in El Alto, Bolivia that were burned by neighbors, who accused the establishments of selling alcohol to minors and being centers of crime.


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Bolivia: Modes of Transport in El Alto · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Cristina Quisbert of Bolivia Indigena [ES] writes about different modes of transportation in the city of El Alto.


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Brazil: Reality Film · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Randy Paul of Beautiful Horizons provides his thought on the latest Brazilian film “Elite Squad”


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Bulgaria: More on “Abandoned Children” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Warehouses of Neglect writes on the fate of Bulgaria's “abandoned children” – here and here.


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China: Depoliticalization  · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Rensj669 from Tianya (via 1510) commented that depoliticalization is the governing politics of the present day China: When people have given up politics, they don't concern about social environment and humanitarian issue anymore. We work for the present, without dreaming for a more ideal future (zh).


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China: Reporting 17 Party Congress · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Rose Liu compared reporters’ concern on the 17th Party Congress (zh): western media's concern is more substantial than Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau's media. The former pay attention to economic and political reform, while the latter concerned about Hong Kong and Macau policy… as for me, I felt that the part on income distribution is very important…


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China: Why Focus on Clapping? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Liu Xiao-yuan wondered while mainstream media in China was interested in how many times people clapped during Hu Jintao's speech in 17th Party Congress (zh). The blogger criticized such kind of formalism in China politics. His original post was deleted in sina (zh) while there is no problem in posting at sohu.


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Colombia: My Neighborhood · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Muestra Artistica [ES] describes his own neighborhood of Santo Domingo in Medellin, Colombia.


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Cuba: Press Freedom Index Ranking  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Referring to the Reporters Without Borders annual index rating of the level of press freedom around the world, Uncommon Sense says: “Cuba's specific rating almost is irrelevant. What counts is the company it keeps at the bottom of RSF's rankings each year.”


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Czech Rebublic: Redubbing the Old Dubs · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Czech Daily Word reports on the need to re-dub English-language shows dubbed for the Czech TV back in the early 1990s.


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Dubai: Floating Bridge · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“One of the biggest criticisms of Dubai has always been the traffic congestion, ask me about it as I lived there for six years. In an effort to reduce the traffic, Dubai, opened a floating bridge which connect the two sides of the creek – Deira and Bur Dubai,” writes Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah.


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Dubai: Impressing US TV Viewers · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“I was impressed with the interview that CBS 60 Minutes reporter Steve Croft did with Dubai Emir Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. The interview and tour of Dubai aired Sunday on CBS TV’s 60 Minutes program which received huge viewership ratings,” writes Ray Hanania, who provides a link to the story.


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Egypt: Blame the Parents · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Egyptian blogger Hatshepsut discusses the ‘blame the parents’ theme in many soap operas presented on television screens this Ramadan.


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Egypt: MB Bars Women from Becoming President · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“The MB (Muslim Brotherhood) has for the first time laid what they called their political platform. The platform would bar Christians and women from becoming president,” writes the Big Pharaoh from Egypt.


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Egypt: Water Hyacinth · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Maryanne Stroud Gabbani, from Egypt, writes a post on water hyacinth, which clog up canal, removes heavy metal from water and is food for goats.


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Former Soviet Union: Pyotr Grigorenko’s Centenary · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Eurasia writes about the “neglected centenary” of General Pyotr Grigorenko: “People like the late general are a rarity. Anyone who met him – and I was fortunate enough to do so – counts himself privileged. But even more, all those living in the post-Soviet states now are his beneficiaries, even if few of them are taking the time today to remember that fact.”


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Guatemala: Runoff Election Poll Numbers · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Bloggings by Boz provides the latest poll numbers for the Guatmela runoff election scheduled for November 4.


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Haiti: Quelling the Floods · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Haiti Innovation thinks that some of the severe flooding that is plaguing the island can be reduced in the long-term through reforestation efforts.


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India: Women in Films · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Ultra Violet on a recent Bollywood film that relies on stereotypes of women and notions of sexual purity.


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Iran:”Ahmadinejad,an exporter of Islamic Revolution · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

In Khomeinism blog, we read[Fa] that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the most important exporter of Islamic Revolution,after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini,the political leader of Islamic Revolution and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,the Leader of Iran.The blogger says Ahmadinejad reminds us the words of Ayatollah Khomeini who said “I ask God to give us the power that even in churches, we listen to down with USA and down with USSR slogans”.


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Iranian bloggers say Russia is offering Iran unfair deal · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Several Iranian bloggers shared their concerns that Russia wants to allow Iran only a very small share in the wealth of the Caspian Sea. Iran used to exploit 50 per cent of Caspian Sea resources before the collapse of Soviet Union.
The heads of state of all five Caspian littoral states – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Russia, and Turkmenistan — met at the Caspian Summit, in Tehran, on Tuesday, October 16th. The five countries failed to agree on differences over how to share the wealth from the sea, which is rich in fish such as the valuable caviar-producing sturgeon, gas and especially oil.
*
Mohammad Moeeni has published [Fa] a cartoon that compares Vladimir Putin to the authoritarian former Soviet Union leader, Joseph Stalin. The blogger has chosen “Get Lost Putin” for the title of his post. He talks about conflicts between Iran and the former Soviet Union and Russian Empire. The blogger says Iran has lost parts of its territories in the last 200 years because of these conflicts.
About the current situation, he writes:
Russia finds different excuses to delay the construction of Busher nuclear reactor or get new advantages. Russia does not say that she is in or out of this business. Concerning the legal status of Caspian sea, Russia has taken a position against Iranian interests. As an Iranian, I then have a right to say, even with a weak voice, get lost Putin.
Yek Yaghyi  (means rebel) says that 179 years ago Russia imposed the Turkmenchay Treaty  [Fa] and Iranians lost territories and the right to sail ships in Caspian Sea. The blogger asks whether another Turkmenchay Treaty is awaiting us? The blogger says Putin does not believe in the Iranian nation and does not support the Iranian government, although he smiles at Ahmadinejad in front of the cameras. Who can explain the wolf and sheep friendship?
Kaghz Pareh (means piece of Paper) says [Fa] that in order to get Russia's support on the nuclear issue, the Iranian government has put Iran for sale. The blogger says the next generation will suffer for what happens today.
Razeno says [Fa] that Russia only wants to allow 11 per cent of Caspian Sea shares to Iran. The blogger argues that the Iranian government is giving too many advantages to Russia in exchange of this country's “weak” support regarding Iranian nuclear policy.
* Cartoon above is from Badban blog.


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Iran:Sugar cane workers were paid,finally! · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Salam Democrat informs[Fa] that Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers who started a strike on 27 September,finally received their unpaid salaries.


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Iraq: Teens Work to Help Families · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Alive in Baghdad brings us the latest from a war torn Iraq, where at least 50 per cent of the population are under the age of 18. “Despite the ongoing impact of violence and terrorism that affects all Iraqis, children must even risk their lives to get to school, and many have been forced to leave their friends and country when their families fled Iraq. Unemployment and desperation are leading many Iraqi children and teenagers to work to help feed their families,” it adds.


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Iraq: Women Artists · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Iraqi blogger Emad Khadduri sheds light on women artists from his country in this post.


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Israel: New Jewish Music · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Israeli blogger Chaim sheds light on new Jewish music in this post.


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Jamaica: Giving Up · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican Marlon James lists a few things he thinks we can confidently give up on.


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Japan: Bloggers respond to kidnapping in Iran · Global Voices
Hanako Tokita

Earlier last week, the first report was made that a Japanese male was kidnapped and in captivity in Iran. Later it was revealed that the abductee is a Japanese university student who was backpacking in southern Iran. The news has reminded many of the previous cases in which Japanese individuals were held hostage in Iraq. These incidents sparked a great deal of controversy. The ex-hostages were criticized for their lack of jikosekinin (自己責任), or self-responsibility, They were also accused of wasting tax payers’ money, and the government billed them for the costs of their flights back home after they were released.
This time again many bloggers harshly criticize the young man's “irresponsible” behaviour and write that this is the outcome that he deserves. Blogger aomanaei echoes this view:
イランで邦人学生が誘拐されました。
なぜ、危険なところに行くのでしょうか？
理解に苦しみます。
危険なことは、わかっていたはず。
なのに、なぜ？
かっこいいから？今しかできないから？ジャーナリストのつもり？
旅をすることは、すばらしいことだと思います。
でも、危険と判ってるところに行かなくても。。。
一人の軽はずみな行動で、国が動かなくてはならない。
だいたい、心配する家族がいることをもっと、考えてほしい。
Another blogger shares a similar thought and writes:
行くな！と言っているのにどうして行くのだろう
そのために総理大臣が会見したりイラン政府と折衝したり
ほんとに大変なんだよね
何を考えているんだか、ワ・カ・ン・ナ・イ
[…]
でもなるたけ余計なことで無駄に税金や時間を使いたくないよね
I really do not understand what he was thinking.
[…]
But if possible we don't want to waste our tax money and time on unnecessary things.
masaru-iwai responds to those reactions:
ともかく、マスコミが「イランは危険だ」と言おうが、外務省が「退避勧告／注意勧告」を出そうが行く人は行く。行く人によってモチベーションは違うが、基本的に「そこの現実を見たい」ということだろうと思う。その欲望を遮るだけの理由はなんだろう。国民に迷惑がかかるから？税金のムダ遣いになるから？はぁそうか。国民にどんな迷惑がかかるのだろう？税金のムダ遣いって他にも無いの？他のムダ遣いにも目くじらたててるのかな？良く分かんないや（笑）。

author: Hanako Tokita


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Jordan: A Call from Queen Rania  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jordanian blogger Naseem Al Tarawnah pays tribute to Queen Rania, who called his friend's fiance and congratulated her on an online project she had been working on. “It turns out Her Majesty Queen Rania decided to give Sara a ring and tell her that she discovered the Action Committee through the blogosphere and appreciated all the work everyone was doing, especially in the Baqa’a camp. She also said she was prepared to assist the committee in any capacity,” he explains.


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Lebanon: Amnesty on Palestinian rights · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“Amnesty International has published a damming report on the rights of  Palestinian refugees (or lack of) in Lebanon,” writes Sursock, who posted parts of the report.

author: Moussa Bashir


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Lebanon: Religion, the State and flexible politicians · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“It was not me who changed, it was the problem that changed!”, Lebanon Update quoting a Lebanese leader while showing how politicians easily change positions and how religion and the state are mixed.


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Lebanon: Row over billboard ads · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“Hands off the chair!!! … Or so it goes among many politicians, at least those concerned that this little ad…” wrote Jeha about an ad from OGERO, the state Telecom company, that  was considered demeaning to the presidency.


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Nata Blog: A Blog From An African Village · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

One of the success stories of the power and reach of citizen media in Africa is definitely The Nata Village Blog. It is a blog from Nata village in Botswana. Nata is a village of about 5000 people located on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest salt pan in the world.  The blog is a tool in the fight against the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in Nata village. It features people living with AIDS, youth groups, clinic staff and social workers and give visitors an inside look at how people live in an African village. It is also used for fundraising.
Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on the people of this small village. Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate in Africa.  The current rate of infection is 37% nationally and Nata's rate of infection is even higher.  The pandemic has left Nata with over 400 orphans.  Currently, nearly 50% of all pregnant women in Nata are HIV positive.  Thankfully, Botswana has free Anti-Retroviral Therapy available for those with low CD4 (t-cell) counts. We also have a Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission program that has reduced the rate of infection from mother to child to about 5%.  This website is dedicated to the people of Nata who despite enormous losses and challenges still have the courage and determination to fight the ravages of this pandemic.
In the beginning Nata village had no blog, until…:
The Nata Blog was born as a result of a world traveler, Jon Rawlinson, passing through Nata on the way to the Okavango Delta.  The tour books referred to Nata as nothing more than a dust hole and he had no intention of spending any time there.  But, as coincidence would have it, he met a Peace Corps Volunteer named Melody Jenkins who is working as an HIV/AIDS educator and community capacity builder.  Jon was interested in seeing more than the tourist destinations of Africa and wanted to learn more about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Botswana.  After just one night of meeting the locals and hearing first hand accounts of the struggle to control the spread of the disease, Jon was hooked and wanted to help.  He has since been back to Nata twice and has been introduced to the Kgosi (chief) and most of the professionals working to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Nata will benefit from the fact that our world traveler is also a professional producer and editor as well as a website designer.  Jon and Melody worked on a documentary about HIV/AIDS in Nata in hopes of bringing the story of Nata to the world.  Jon discovered an incredible village filled with the beautiful Mokolane Palm trees lining the Nata River.  Unlike most tourists, Jon wanted to do more than just snap a few photos of elephants and giraffes and return home.  He wanted to make a difference and offered to design and administer this website.
After much discussion and the frustration of donations going to large organizations that rarely get to those that really need it, Jon and Melody decided to try and help the people of Nata with this website
The posts on the blog are written by Melody Jenkins, a U.S. peace corps volunteer, Martha Ramaditse, a native of Nata and Mr. Seloma Tiro, the Chairman of the Nata AIDS and Orphan Trust which manages the funds generated from this website.
Mr. Tiro has played a critical role in the success on the blog:
This website would not have been possible without his generosity. Since the inception of the website, Mr. Tiro has loaned Martha and Melody his laptop computer for blogging, paid for all calls to access the internet and allowed us to use his server. He has all but turned over his own private office to us. At the birth of this website there were only 3 people in the village with internet access. Mr. Tiro became a co-founder of this website as it would not have been possible without him.  Mr. Tiro is a co-owner of the natavillage.org domain and Nata village blog.
The blog was designed and is administered by John Rawlinson.
Recently, the Nata Village blog won the Peace Corps Information and Technology Contest:
Back in January, we entered the Peace Corps Information and Technology Contest.  We learned in June that we were one of 9 finalists.  It was just announced that we are one of the top three winners named in the contest.  The three winners will be featured in the December issue of Worldview Magazine and the projects will be featured in Peace Corps internal and external publications.  We've been told that we will also be featured in the Peace Corps Times.  We want to  congratulate the other winners Heidi Joseph in Zambia and Nicholas Cabiati and Daniel Schier in Senegal.  We think it's pretty cool that all three winners are working on the African continent. It just shows that technology is available here and growing everyday.  Thanks to Anthony Bloome of Peace Corps for organizing the contest along with all the judges.  We need to once again thank Jon Rawlinson of Canada for his gift of this website to Nata village and Mr. Seloma Tiro for his continued financial support of this project.  We also want to thank our chief Kgosi Makgesi for taking a chance and allowing his village to be the first in Botswana with a website.
As a result of winning the Peace Corps ICT Contest, the Nata Village Blog got a scholarship to attend the Global Conference on ICT and Youth for Development in Geneva, Switzerland.  The conference was organized by The Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
To go from elephants in the bush near Nata to Geneva, Switzerland is a big leap. The Peace Corps Volunteers involved with the three winning projects in the Peace Corps ICT contest have been given a scholarship to attend the Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development in Geveva, Switzerland. Special thanks to Mr. Paul Jhin, Director of Special Inititatives at Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. as he is responsible for securing the scholarships from the United Nations on behalf of the volunteers who will be presenting their projects at the International Conference Center in Geneva. The conference begins on September 24th and the volunteers will present on the 26th. This is an excellent opportunity to share the strengths and needs of Nata village at an international setting. The opportunity presented itself on a VERY short notice. It is amazing at which the speed of Peace Corps and the United Nations Development Program arranged for the tickets for us to travel to Geneva. Plenty of photos will be taken so we can share the experience with all of you. A heartfelt congratulations to Jon Rawlinson and Seloma Tiro who are partners in this project. Way to go guys!! By the way, Jon compiled the previous post so it's apparent who the real technical expert is. Jon, thanks for being our technical guru. We hope this opportunity brings more resources to Nata village. This post is being sent from Jo-Berg, South Africa as I patiently wait my 5 hour layover.
During the conference, Google’s interactive presentation included the story of the Nata village blog:
Mr. Delany [from Google] is pictured above showing a part of the Nata video, a village of hope.  It's a little hard to see but on the screen is the Nata river.  You will never know what pride I felt as I saw our tiny village getting a voice in this arena.  Mr. Delany continued to encourage users to use all the technology available to them.
After the conference, Melody wrote “Back to Reality”:
What a great experience it was to represent Nata village in Geneva, Switzerland. We hope the experience will bring more attention to the website and more help to the people of Nata. There were many people from different African countries at our seminar and we hope that additional villages will start their own websites and help more people in remote areas. It's just such a contrast to go from Geneva to Nata. The woman pictured above is eeking out a living selling bananas for 20 cents at the Francistown bus rank. A cup of coffee in Geneva is equal to a days wage for many people in Nata. So, it's back to work for all of us here.
Donations from supporters are used to help people with HIV, orphans, the village clinic, Mabogo Arts and Culture Productions, etc. Currently, they sponsored an essay contest:
With your donations we are currently sponsoring and essay contest for grades 6 and 7 at Nata primary school. The essay topic is: How HIV/AIDS has affected or could affect my life. We will pay $60 for 1st place, $36 for 2nd place, $18 for 3rd place, $9 for 4th place and $5 for 5th place. Certificates will be given to those coming in 6th through 10th place. This is alot of money for a child to win so we hope this encourages them to think about the topic and do their best to avoid contracting the virus. We have nearly 100 essays to read and we will announce the winners at the Standard 7 farewell party at the end of this month. We will post the winning essay with the students photo on this website so you can read how the young people of Nata are thinking about this disease. We try to think of ways to make YOUR donations have the greatest impact. For $127 we have mobilized an entire school to focus on the issue of HIV/AIDS and in the process have rewarded students for their academic efforts. Thanks to all of our donors!! By the way, it took four days to post this!! We really miss high speed internet and a decent server.
Last year, the Nata Village Blog was featured on Typepad:
The resulting Nata Village Blog is a moving effort, with photographs, stories, and amazing videoblog entries. The blog documents both the challenges and the successes of the residents, clinic workers, and educators facing the HIV/AIDS pandemic…Please, just go visit the blog. It offers its authors and its readers alike a chance to do something profound.
The latest post on the blog is about Internet access at Nata Clinic:
Woo hoo!  After what seemed like an endless wait, we finally have internet access at Nata Clinic.  Pictured above is Nurse Midwife Charity (from Zimbabwe) looking up something on the internet.  Officially only the Sr. Nurse, Doctor, and Pharmacist have log in privileges but we hope that privilege will soon extend to other staff members.  We're told it's just a matter of registering at our sub-ditrict.  It's such a great way for staff to update themselves on medical conditions and treatments.  Key personnel are now able to email reports and requests to our sub-district which is 120 miles away in Tutume.

author: Ndesanjo Macha