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Free Speech Roundup: China, UAE, Jordan, Iran and more · Global Voices
sami ben gharbia

In this roundup: Two interesting documents related to Internet censorship and circumvention were published recently: (1) “Everyone's Guide to By-Passing Internet Censorship for Citizens Worldwide“, released by The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab and (2) a “Journey to the Heart of Internet censorship” in China, released by RSF and Chinese Human Rights Defenders, and written by an anonymous Chinese technician.  (3) In Jordan sending emails and writing online poems can send you to jail. (4) Is Facebook blocked in the United Arab Emirates? (5) and much more on Global Voices Advocacy blog.
“Everyone's Guide to By-Passing Internet Censorship for Citizens Worldwide”.
This is a rich and user-friendly guide released by The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, which is meant to introduce non-technical users to Internet censorship  circumvention technologies, and help them choose which of them best suits their circumstances and needs.
The Guide provides a large range of tips, tricks and strategies on how to bypass content filters worldwide, and outlines the considerations you should take into account when choosing a circumvention tool. It also offers a list of the best circumvention tools, from both a privacy and security perspective, for users who are not technically proficient. According to Ronald Deibert, director of Citizen Lab and investigator at the OpenNet Initiative, the guide, which is currently available only in English, is in the process of being translated into multiple languages.
The Citizen Lab is also behind the development of Psiphon project, a censorship circumvention software that allows citizens in censorship-free countries to provide unfettered access to the Web through their home computers to those living in countries where the Internet is censored.
You can download the guide in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) from here: Everyone’s Guide to By-Passing Internet Censorship for Citizens Worldwide.
China: A “Journey to the Heart of Internet censorship”.
This report, released with the support of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), was written by a Chinese technician working for an Internet company and using the pen name “Mr. Tao”. The report details the mechanism of the Chinese censorship system that spans The Internet Propaganda Administrative Bureau, The Center for the Study of Public Opinion, The Internet Bureau and The Bureau of Information and Public Opinion.
This report shows how the CCP and the government have deployed colossal human  and financial resources to obstruct online free expression. Chinese news  websites and blogs have been brought under the editorial control of the  propaganda apparatus at both the national and local levels.
“Journey to the Heart of Internet censorship” reveals how The Information Office of the State Council is exercising ideological control over its employees by organizing a 25-day course on how to improve censorship and self-censorship practices. “Twenty five-day courses for 50 people at a time have already been held in Beijing. A certificate is issued to participants at the end of each course.”
The report also documents the relentless control of prominent news websites based in Beijing by the Beijing Internet Information Administrative Bureau and provides numerous examples for the three categories of instructions (bans issued before publication of a report, bans issued after publication of a report and propaganda instructions).
Download the report (also available in other languages) in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) from here: “Journey to the Heart of Internet censorship”.
Yesterday (October 9, 2007), Ahmad Oweidi al-Abbadi, the 62-year-old former parliamentarian and leader of the Jordanian National Movement, was sentenced to two years in prison for “undermining state dignity”, “sending false news through emails” and “illegally distributing leaflets.”
Ahmad Oweidi al-Abbadi was arrested on May 3, 2007, for accusing the government of corruption in an open letter emailed to US senator Harry Reid. “The jailing of Ahmad Oweidi shows that Jordan’s government hasn’t shaken off its old habits of going after critics by putting them in prison,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
According to the Jordanian Al-Ghad newspaper [Ar], another Jordanian has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for writing and publishing poems on Jihadi websites praising Al Qaeda leader Osama Ben Laden. Mohammed Al-Zohairi, who is being depicted as “Al Qaeda Poet” was arrested in August 9, 2007 and charged with offense against the royal dignity.
According to Download Squad, access to the popular social networking website Facebook has been blocked in the United Arab Emirates. Some UAE internet users are confirming that the ban was ordered by the government-owned Etisalat. The Administrator of itihad.net (UAE) called up his ISP’s call center and they stated that they are blocking Facebook.
Other Internet users, however, are reporting (here [Ar], here [En] and here [En]) they can access the website and that there is no blocking at their end.
On September 05 2007, The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) told Time Out Dubai that “At the present time we can say that we have no intention of stopping access to Facebook (…) We have heard that people think this is going to happen but that is not the case. However, we do take any complaints seriously and the situation would be reviewed should that happen.”
Apparently, it seems that Facebook is blocked to some people, but not to all. Nevertheless, UAE Facebook community has setup a petition to keep facebook from being permanently blocked. The petition has already more than 690 signatures. According to Time Out Dubai, “Facebook has over 55,000 users in the UAE with numbers rising daily.”
Almost the same thing happened last month in Iran when HAMSA’s “C.R.I.M.E” reported that Facebook was being blocked, relying on Information provided by the “Against internet censorship and filtering in Iran” Facebook group. Hamid Tehrani, Global Voices’ Persian Language Editor, was following the case through his contacts in Iran, received contradictory reports and screenshots from trusted bloggers proving that the ban was most likely on the ISP level and not an official ban.
Some of the inaccurate reporting on the Iran issue illustrated the difficulties of reporting on anti-censorship issues. As Global Voices co-founder Ethan Zuckerman has said, “one of the major challenges of documenting and decrying Internet censorship is that it can be very confusing to figure out precisely why you can’t access a particular website. Is the problem specific to your internet service provider? Is the server down? Or is a block of some sort taking place?” Zuckerman cited the reaction to the ban on Blogspot.com in India in July 2006, during which Indian bloggers were documenting and carefully updating the situation, as a good example of anti-censorship reporting.
More on Global Voices Advocacy blog:

author: sami ben gharbia


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Guyana: Global warming and the day after · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Hot weather makes Guyana-Gyal reflect on a possible day-after environmental disaster scenario: “bangbangbang thousands of foreign people banging on we doors…”

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Nicholas Laughlin


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Guyana: Guns vs iPods · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

What costs more in Guyana, a 9-mm gun or an MP3 player? Guyana Providence Stadium provides some stark figures.


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Hong Kong: Comment on the Policy Address · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Fai Mao has a very elaborated commentary on the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive's policy address.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Hungary: New Building, Old Facade · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Pestcentric posts a picture of a new building being built around the old facade.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Hungary: The 1956 Monument · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Pestiside.hu writes about the sorry state of Budapest's the 1956 Memorial, dedicated just a year ago.


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Jamaica: Talking to Fragano Ledgister · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Geoffrey Philp asks Jamaican-American writer and political scientist Fragano Ledgister a few questions about life, writing, and home.


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Jamaica: Uncertain paternity · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Jamaica and the World reacts to surprising news about paternity tests in Jamaica: a third of the men who take them discover they are not really the fathers of their supposed children.


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Japan: Can Bread · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Lee from Tokyo Times blogs about bread in can sold in vending machine in Japan.


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Japan: Dreamy concept cars at Tokyo Motor Show 2007 · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Edo from Pink Tentacle posts some pictures of fascinating car designs to be unveiled at the upcoming 2007 Tokyo Motor Show (October 26 to November 11).


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Japan: Sports with “no future” · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Why do people play sports? Is it out of a love for the game, just for a good time, or is it actually a career choice like any other? 21-year-old Japanese pro-golfer Ueda Momoko sparked a heated debate in the comment section of her blog earlier this week after she reflected on exactly this question in a TV interview. In the interview, broadcast Sunday on the TV station TBS, Ueda remarked that she could not understand young people who play sports like volleyball or basketball, sports which, according to her, have “no future”.
The comment appeared in the following exchange:
上田「自分は〜、あの〜。ははっ、意地汚いというか何なのか解らないんですけれども〜 同級生とかで〜、バレーとか…、バスケとかをしてる子が〜もう、不思議でしょうがなかったと言うか〜、先がないスポーツを何でできるんだろうと思ってて〜。」
インタビュアー　「先がないスポーツ（笑）？」
上田「プロっていうものがないじゃないですか？どうしてそこまで頑張れるのかなっと思って…。なんかずっと続けられる、それでそのスポーツが仕事になるスポーツしかしたくないと思ってたし〜。じゃないと、本気になれないと思ってたんですよ。ゴルフを始める時は、絶対稼ぐって思ってたし〜。 やるなら世界で通用できるようなプロになりたいと思ってたし〜。うん。」
After a deluge of comments flooded her blog chiding her for only caring about money, Ueda replied in the following post:
番組の途中で私が発言した「バレーやバスケットをできる人がすごいな・・・。」
といった件に関してです・・・。
正直自分で見ていてビックリしました・・・。。
私は小３のときプロゴルファーになりたいと思い小４でゴルフをやりはじめました。
それまで、サッカー、水泳、習字やピアノなどいろんなことに興味があった私は勿論、バレーやバスケも学校でよくやっていました。
友達はバレー部やバスケ部に入っていて、その頃はその世界にプロの世界があると思ってなかったので、どうして、そこまで頑張れるんだろうと不思議でした。
取材中もそんな話をしてたつもりだったんですが・・・
Not all bloggers were satisfied with this explanation. Blogger Wakkun writes:
上田桃子、「先がないスポーツ」。失言というよりこれが本音なんでしょうね。本音が口に出てしまったということなんじゃないですか。人間少し活躍して有名になると天狗になってしまう典型ですね。
Other bloggers were more sympathetic. One blogger wrote that:
バレーとかバスケとかをする人のことを先がないスポーツという風に言っていたのがブログで結構批判的なコメントがなされたみたいですけど私としては至極まっとうな意見だと思ったしプロ根性があって素晴らしいとさえ思いました。
Finally, blogger Horikawa considered the criticisms and responded this way:
で、ブログのコメントはまあ賛否両論というか、
どっち側もありましたが、
否定派で多いのが、
「お前は金目当てか！他の人は金じゃないんだ！競技が好きだから
プロとしてやってるんだよ！見習え！」
的なものが多いんですけど、なんかねー、違う気がしますねー
プロの評価て結局お金ですからねえ。
お金をモチベーションにして何が悪いんだと。
いや、上田さんがそうと言ってるわけではなくてですよ。
でもそういう風潮ってありますよね。
金じゃないよ！みたいな。
じゃあサラリーマンでもその仕事が好きなら月給１０万円だけど
やりますか、っていう話じゃないですか。同じ目線でいうと。
But there is this kind of tendency.
It's not about money! — this kind of thing.
Well look, it's like asking a salaryman, if he really likes his job, would he do it for only 100,000 yen per month? Isn't this the kind of thing we're talking about? It's the same way of looking at things.

author: Chris Salzberg


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Jordan: Jail Sentence Criticized · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jordanian The Observer criticizes the jailing of Ahmad Oweidi al-Abbadi, even though he doesn't agree with his policies.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Kuwait: Lebanon Holiday · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Lebanese blogger Fonzy, who lives in Kuwait, is travelling to Lebanon and Syria for a short break. “(T)he best part is that ALL my friends in Kuwait are spending the holidays there.  From what I know, I think maybe half the passengers on the plane tonight are people I know,” he explains.


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Lebanon: Being Nice · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Lebanese blogger Rami Zurayk writes about how a minister's adviser criticized comments he wrote on his blog as sarcastic. “Sarcasm? I was being nice,” he notes.


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Lebanon: Bittersweet Blogging · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Louis-Noel Harfouche has returned to blogging about Lebanon in a new post about the Arabic language. “And bitter[sweet] and disheartening as it (and its people) are at times, Lebanon remains an infectious, delicious, long-savored and addictive torment,” he explains.


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Lebanon: Looking for a Savior · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Lebanese blogger Shirin is looking for a savior. “The search for a savior – one who'll literally save Lebanon, won't be in vain. I trust the brave members of the parliament, they'll vote for the best man,” she writes.


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Myanmar: A Journalist’s Debrief · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Karen Coates blogs about an event at the Foreign Correspondents club in Thailand where a photojournalist presented pictures of recent events in Myanmar.

author: Preetam Rai


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Myanmar: Activist’s Death · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

As the news of death of a democracy activist (allegedly after torture under detention) came out bloggers are wondering what happening to ones who are still under detention.


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Myanmar: Questioning Yamaguchi’s Claims · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Jotmain questions a Japanese diplomat's defense of Myanmar junta.


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Nigeria: an illegitimate government · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Adeola calls the Nigerian governmet “a disastrous illegitimate government”: How can the Attorney General of Nigeria write a letter to the British Police or Judiciary to let go of one of the several thieves that have looted our treasury. Is that not madness? How can such a nonentity be the attorney general in Nigeria?

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Oman: Visa Issues · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Devilish from Oman shows us some of the tactics used by the US Embassy to grant visas to Omanis travelling to the US in this post.


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Oman: Wearing Glasses · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Omani blogger Muscati is back to wearing glasses, after the effects of his Lasek operation wore off!


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Palestine: New Baby on the Way · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Palestinian blogger and journalist Leila Haddad says she's expecting a new baby. “Yousuf has already taken to his new role as older sibling like a fish to water, and has promised to help me change diapers (a proposition I'm not likely to take him up on, unless perhaps I am in a state of sleep-deprivation induced delerium),” he notes.


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Philippines: Racist Remarks · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Mukamo Philippines is carrying a post on a retired Filipino nurse who encountered racist insults at her workplace in the U.S. and is now trying to seek justice.


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Slovakia, Hungary: Unfriendly Relationship · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Pestcentric writes about the not-too-friendly Slovak-Hungarian relations.


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Taiwan: Freeway Project · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Michael Turton blogs about a 89 km freeway project between Suao and Hualien. The project has been opposed by environmental groups but back to agenda after the recent typhoon attack.


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Thailand: Chantaburi Delights · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

The realthai blog samples the culinary delights of Chantaburi in Eastern Thailand.


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Trinidad and Tobago, Canada: Profiling Kwame Ryan · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

AfriClassical offers a short profile of the Trinidadian classical conductor Kwame Ryan (who was born in Canada).


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Bangladesh: On Corruption · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Mukti on the all pervasive corruption and how it affects Bangladesh at all levels.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago: Caribbean scientists · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Barbadian Titilayo discovers a Trinidadian website on Caribbean Icons in Science, Technology and Innovation.


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China: Fragile Morality · Global Voices
Bob Chen

The lonely Samaritan
Guangzhou, Guangdong (Southern Metropolis Daily – September 5, 2007)
In a bus crammed with over 60 passengers, 2 men pressed down a lady onto the floor and snatched her cell phone. Zheng shanbing (郑善彬), a 26-year-old  man that had been a soldier for two years, at once dashed up and kicked away the robbers. However, at the moment another 6 cahoots rushed onto the bus and surrounded Zheng, the 8 men together gave him a 7-minute hard buffet. During the 7 minutes, the 60 passengers stayed aside without anyone coming up to help him. During the chaos, when the lady was pushed to the crowd, they just eschewed her as if she was a plague.
When the 8 robbers got off in struts, Zheng’s shirt had been torn messy, footprints covered. His cell phone was robbed away. The numb passengers and the driver looked at them silently. The grieved lady glowered at them, crying out, “Where are your consciences! You won’t sleep at good rest tonight!”
The report and the lady’s penetrating charge soon led to fury in the Internet towards the passengers. It’s not the first case of its kind. Chinese call it “Seeing a Dying Man Without Saving Him”. Worn out by such apathy and numbness, some netizens, other than casting fury and condemnation, reconsidered it a reflection of the lack of Samaritan and the degeneration of morality of the contemporary mainland Chinese society.
San Jieyaoxian complaint the morality standard today has backslide:
三界妖仙
我还是学生的时候,在火车站抓个一个小偷,幸亏跑的快,20多个人追,现在我是不敢随便管了,除非身边有朋友,有绝对优势!!!
我们现在的社会就是这个样子!!黑白颠倒,真TM搞笑
When I was just a student I have joined with over 20 people chasing a thief. He was so lucky to escape. But now I dare not meddle in such things, unless I have enough friends with me and have absolute advantage over thieves.
A netizen from Zhongshan, a city near Guangzhou discussed in the point of law;
网易广东中山网友：
事主上了中巴后,己经合法受权中巴公司,中巴公司必须保障他的人生安全及财产安全,现在中巴公司的司机如此不作为,等于己经毁约,建议受害人把中巴公司告上法庭,取回公道和合理的赔偿!
After getting on the bus, clients have authorized the bus company. Therefore the bus company has to guarantee the safety of their life and possessions. However, as even the bus driver didn’t stand out, the company has reneged on the contract. I suggest victims suing the company to gain the justice and compensation they deserve!
Gzz614 from Dalian just quotes Martin’s aphorism:
网易辽宁大连网友 [gzz614]：
“当初他们杀共产党，我没有作声，因为我不是共产党;后来他们杀犹太人，我没有作声，因为我不是犹太人;再接下来他们杀天主教徒，我仍然保持沉默，因为我不是天主教徒;最后，当他们开始对付我时，已经没有人为我讲话了……”
They came first for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one left to speak up
Another netizen from Pingdingshan introspects himself:
平顶山网友
我曾经亲眼看见过一个新疆的小女孩在大庭广众之下偷窃一位女士的钱包，可是当时的我不知道居然没有站出来去阻止，现在想起来就惭愧，如果被盗的是我该有何感想呢，事后觉得自己好懦弱，也许会内疚一生，以后如果再遇到此类的事情，我相信自己会勇敢起来的！我们都要弘扬那种正气！
I used to see a Xinjiang girl picking a lady’s pocket but I blenched. I feel ashamed for this. I reckoned what if I had been thieved? I feel myself such a coward. I might be rueful with this for lifetime, and I believe I will perk up if I meet this again! We have to bolster the justice!
Another netizen Laoyingshimeile considers it in a practical way:
老鹰石没了:我碰到过,没人上去,只有我和另一个人冲上去,结果被他们一伙的人赌住了.其实大家不冲上去也有原因,社会没有良好的保障系统,见义勇为把命达上去可以成个烈士,但是要是受伤了医药费住院费谁出啊!!
I have met that, but no one go up except me and another person. But we were blocked by the gang. Actually people have reasons not to go up. We don’t have a nice social security system; Samaritan can be a martyr with the cost of his life. But who would pay for you the cost in hospital?
It is upsetting to know how apathetic people around are. Besides the bus incident above, anther thing pertaining to morality was recorded by a netizen in Nanjing. After reviewing the post, some netizen grumbled: ” Our morality was undermined by our law!”
Aftershock of Pengyu Case
Not long after Pengyu Case did author Shi Hanbing(时寒冰) predict the judgement would lead people to evil and apathy. On 3, Oct, a post with several pictures attached recorded exactly a street incident in Nanjing that testified to his foreshadowing.
The title is: an old man bleeding on sidewalk lied on the ground but no one dared help!
Here is a rough narration of the original post.
I was on my way back company after lunch. I saw an old man over 70 hobbling head-on and suddenly tripped over in front of me 2 meters away. I was stunned, stopping and feeling lucky he didn’t fell down just beside me. Five men around him including me ossified there, no one daring going up.…… I called out that he was bleeding! A 40-year-old woman passing by kept babbling “Don’t meddle, don’t help him up, go, hurry up”, and hustling away.……
A girl bought napkins and helped rub blood stain away from the old man’s forehead, asking people around whether to send him to hospital. Some people immediately told her to go away and never take care of such things. ……She finally went and left the old man on the stair. She might be thinking why she shouldn’t help. The old man couldn’t hold and joggled and then lied down again……
It happend exactly in Nanjing, where months ago Pengyu was sentenced to be guilty. Is this an ironic story or a tragedy of modern society? I don't mean to blacken or make stunt- we have lots of good deeds and Samaritans to tell we are in a society of hopes, but from the two cases happened recently I have to say our morality is so fragile. We can do better, and we should.

author: Bob Chen


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Dominica: Dengue fever · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Living Dominica describes “life under a mosquito net” as the island copes with an outbreak of dengue fever.


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Egypt: Wikimania 2008 | Alexandria · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

Mido, the lead coordinator for wikimania 2008 and a constant contributer in Arabic Wikipedia, wrote:
“After months of preparation, Alexandria was finally chosen as the winning bid for the Wikimedia Foundation’s fourth annual international conference, Wikimania 2008. Chosen by the Wikimania jury as the winner over two other exceptional bids, Atlanta and Cape Town, Alexandria will be hosting the event in the summer of 2008 at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), the newly reconstructed library of Alexandria.”
Meanwhile Zero Effect commented on his blog:
“As a member of Alexandria team i assure every body that we will make our best in order to make this even a remarkable and spectacular experience to the entire Wikipedian Universe.”
For more updates you can check the main website covering the event.

author: Eman AbdElRahman


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Guyana: No to Buju Banton · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Guyana's Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination condemns an upcoming performance by Jamaican dancehall performer Buju Banton.


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Haiti, USA: Identity check · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

An encounter with a fellow Haitian-American at a Florida airport prompts Peggy Brunache to muse over questions of identity and “the realisation of reality”.


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India: Rowling and Durga Puja · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

GreatBong on JK Rowling suing a “Durga Puja committee” in India for using characters from her Harry Potter series. b


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Iran:Problems of Women Activists · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Mohmmad Ali Abtahi,former vice president and blogger,writes“women [activists] should not be alone on the way of obtaining their rights.In our society which is dominated by men, women cannot gain this goal without support of men”.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Korea: How much does beauty affect people’s personalities?  · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

How much does beauty affect people’s personalities? What about the personalities of people who gain their beauty with the assistance of medical procedures?
Here is a netizen’s story from today’s panel in a major Korean portal.
저 에게는 아주 예쁜 친구가 한명 있습니다. 여러 친구가 있지만 그 중에서도 제일 예쁜, 다른 친구들의 외모를 다 합쳐도 아마 그 친구를 따라오지 못할 거에요. 근데, 그 친구가 성형미인 이에요. 성형 수술 하기에 적당한 나이는 아닌 것 같은데, 그렇게 어린 나이도 아닙니다. 어쨌든 잘 됬더라고요. 원래 그 친구가 좀 뚱뚱했는데, 살이 많아서 그렇지… 그리 못생긴 얼굴은 아니었습니다. 그 친구가 수술한 지 거의 1년 다 된 것 같네요. 작년 겨울 방학 이었는데, 방학 내내 한번도 안 보였습니다. 지방 흡입을 했는지는 모르지만 살도 엄청 많이 빠졌드라고요. 이 친구네 집이 엄청 부자 거든요…처음에는 너무 예뻐서 못 알아 볼 정도 였습니다. 어쨌든 전 그 친구랑 친했고, 성격도 좋고 착한 친구고 뭘 했든 예뻐지니깐 저도 좋더라구요. 근데, 이 친구가 예뻐진 다음 한 한달 두달 뒤 부터 였나…? 얼굴과 몸이 변하더니 성격까지 변해버렸습니다. 원래는 착하구 웬만한 부탁은 거절하지 못하고, 동정심 많고 예의 바르고 성격도 정말 좋았습니다. 그런데 지금은, 남을 깔보는 경향이 강하고 좀 건방져 졌다고 해야하나? 개구리 올챙이적 생각 안 한다더니 옛날 생각은 안하고, 못생긴 사람 보면 깔보고 무시 하고 그 친구가 지금은 아주 예뻐서 헌팅도 당하고 그러는데 한번은 상대방한테 대하는게 좀 심하더라구요. 처음 보는 사람한테 좀 예의 없어 보였습니다. 성격이 많이 변했는데도, 지금은 착하지 않아도, 그래도 사람들은 이 친구를 좋아합니다. 예쁘고 몸매도 좋으니까요. 저도 소중한 친구가 예뻐지고 하니깐 참 좋죠…예전엔 정말 착했어요. 이젠 저한테도 예전처럼 대하지 않습니다. 정말 둘도 없는 친구였는데, 이젠 저를 친구로 생각하지도 않는 것 같아요…
누군가 자신을 싫어하면 무조건, 자기가 예쁘거나 똑똑하거나 돈이 많다고 해서 열등감을 느낀다고 생각하고 상대방을 벌레 보듯이 합니다. 불과 1년 전만 해도 이 친구, 사교적 이지도 않고 처음보는 사람한테 건방지게 군다는 건 상상하지도 못 했습니다. 고리타분 하고, 뚱뚱하고 예쁘지도 않으니깐 본인도 외모에 신경 쓴다거나 그런게 없고 공부도 열심히 했습니다. 예전엔 도서관에서 거의 살다시피 할 때도 있었는데 요즘은 도서관에도 한달에 한 두번 정도 밖에 안 가는 것 같아요. 저도 처음엔, 이 친구가 예뻐진 후 자신감도 갖고 활발해 져서 참 좋았는데 지금은 이런 생각이 듭니다. 만약, 이 친구가 살도 안 빠지고 예뻐지지도 않고 예전 모습 그대로 였다면 이렇게 까지 변하지는 않았을 거라고 말입니다. 조금 뚱뚱하고, 예쁘지는 않아도 그 외엔 거의 다 장점 이었어요. 착하고 똑똑하고 예의 바르고… 하지만, 예전엔 사람들이 그 친구의 내면은 모르고 겉모습만 보고 판단해서 깔보구 무시 하곤 했습니다.
특히 처음 보는 사람들이 수근 대면 어쩔 수 없이 신경 쓰이긴 하죠. 지금도 사람들이 그 친구의 내면은 모르고 겉모습만 판단 하는건 바뀌지 않았습니다. 단지 그 친구의 외모와 성격이 바뀐 것 뿐이죠. 예전엔 성격이 어떤지 모르면서 뚱뚱하다는 이유로 깔 봤는데, 지금은 성격은 안 좋아도, 예쁘니깐 처음 보는 사람들도 쳐다 보고 호감 갖고 좋아라 합니다.
저는 그 친구가 변한 뒤로, 그 친구와 싸울 때도 있었고 요즘은 연락도 잘 안하는데, 그 친구 생각만 하면 왜 이렇게 변했나 싶어요. 몇년도 아닌 몇개월 사이에 이렇게 변했습니다. 어쩔 땐 그 친구의 너무 변해버린 모습 때문에 혐오감이 들기도 합니다. 과연, 이게 내가 아는 그 친구가 맞는지… 그 친구는 마치 자기가 예전에 당했던 것에 대한 보복이라도 하듯이, 무서울 정도로 변해 버렸고, 까탈스러운 데다 누구도 감당하기 힘들 정도로 자기 중심적 이고 사람을 질리게 만듭니다. 하지만…
그 친구가 이렇게 된 건…
그 친구 잘못이 아니라, 겉 모습만 보고 판단하는 사람들 때문입니다.
But since she got pretty after one or two months, her personality has been changing as much as her face and body changed. She was nice and didn’t turn down others’ favors. She was sympathetic and polite. But now she tends to look down on others. Shall I say arrogant? Like frogs don’t think about the time of being tadpoles, she doesn’t think about her past. She looks down on ugly people. She is asked dates often on the street now. One day she was very arrogant to a person who asked her to go out. Even though her personality is not good now, people like her because she is pretty and fit. I like that my friend gets pretty….But she was really nice before. She even doesn’t treat me the same as she did before. We were best friends. But she even doesn’t think of me as a friend.
If someone doesn’t like her, she thinks they’re jealous of her and treats others like bugs. It was impossible to imagine her one year before. She didn’t care about her appearance so much and concentrated on studying. She almost lived in a library, but now she goes to the library one or two times per month. At first I liked her change because she gained self-confidence and was happy, but now I think her personality wouldn’t change so much if she didn’t lose weight and have plastic surgery.
Even though she was not pretty, she had so many merits, such as she was nice, smart, and polite. But people didn’t know about her, judged her from her appearance, and looked down on her. But now people’s attitudes have not changed. They still judge her by her appearance. People looked down on her because she was fat and didn’t know about her personality before. Now people look at her and pay attention to her because she is pretty.
Since she changed, I have had fights with her and I don’t contact her a lot. Whenever I think about her, I wonder why she changed so much like that. Not even several years, but just several months. I feel hatred to her change. Whether she is my friend or not… As she gets revenge for her past, she changed so suddenly, so picky and selfish. But…
How she turns out to be now is not her mistake, but that of people who judged her by her appearance.
Another opinion:
그 친구도 역시 피해자군요..
Others share their own experiences.
먼저..저 역시 10kg 감량한 경험이 있기에 답글 올려요..10키로 빼니까 정말 몸도 예전이랑 달라졌고(날씬하면서마른..) 얼굴도 예뻐졌다는 소리 많이들었어요. 그래서 저도..님 친구처럼 자만하는 마음이 생기더라고요..친하게 지내던 친구들도 얼굴의 단점만 보이고..왜이렇게 못생겨보이는지 나랑 안어울리는 애들같고…이런말하면 너무 나쁘지만 얼굴만 보고도 썡까고싶다는 생각이 들더라고요…
자기 자신감을 찾는건좋은데… 이런 안좋은 자만심까지 생기더라고요.그 친구가 지금은 잘나가고 좋을지 몰라도 후에 과거가 들춰지고 자기가 잘못했다는걸 꺠달았을떄(좋은 친구들이 하나둘떠나고..)
그떄는 정말 뉘우칠꺼예요.
It’s good to have confidence, but arrogance came to me. Even though your friend has a nice time now, I hope that she recognizes her mistake (after she loses her friends one by one).
Then she will regret it.
Here is another one.
예전에 티비를 보다가 저희 어머니 왈…-_-
성형수술로 이뻐진 애들은 계속 자기 자신을 시험해 보고 싶은 욕구가 든다고 하데요….
물로 다는 아니지만 ………….
예전에는 전혀 못듣고 살았던 “예쁘다.”란 소리에 자기 자신이 정말 어디까지 이쁜지, 사람들에게 얼마나 어필이 되는지 알고 싶어 한대요….그리고 얼핏 듣고 보니 맞는 말 같기도 해요.
저같은 경우도 대학와서 이뻐졌다는 소리 좀 들었는데,(그렇다고 제가 이쁘다는건 아니구요.. 시비걸지 마셈ㅋㅋ) 성형수술을 한건 아니고, 안경벗고, 렌즈끼고 화장하고 머리하고…그런 소리를 듣다 보니 확실히 성격이 변하더군요. 저같은 경우는 좀 소심하고 예민한 성격이었는데, 지금은 적극적이고 대범해지고 낙천적으로 변했어요… 심적으로 여유도 많이 생기고…
저나 제친구는 님 친구처럼 부정적인 방향으로 바뀌진 않았지만 확실히 외모의 변화가 성격에 영향을 주더라구요…
I heard I became pretty after I entered college, not by plastic surgery, but through using contact lenses instead of glasses, starting make-up, and changing my hairstyle… my personality has changed indeed. I was sensitive and had an introverted personality, but now I’m more positive and active….
My friend as well as I didn’t change in a negative direction like your friend, but I think that the change of appearance affects personality.
Not a few netizens discuss the positive parts of the change of appearance.
제 여자친구(그냥친구)중 하나도 고등학교때는 정말 보수적이고 범생이던 애가 대학가서 얼굴 몇군데 고치더니 완전 못말리는 날라리로 변하더라구요… 근데 그애를 보면서 느낀건데… 예전의 그모습보다는 현재 저렇게 즐겁게 살아가는것이 더 나을지도 모른다는 생각이 들더군요…
How about other changes?
사람들이 그 친구를 평범하게 대해줬다면, 그 친구도 이렇게 까지는 안 했을 거에요.  과거에 안 좋은 기억이 많지 않았다면 만약 수술을 한다고 해도 이렇게 변하지도 않았을 거고요.  다른 사람들의 의견을 보니, 알게 모르게 이런 일이 참 많은 것 같습니다. 꼭, 성형수술이 아니더라도 이런 사례가 참 많죠. 졸부가 되었다든지…   좋은 학교에 진학하거나 좋은 직장에 취직했다든지… 이러저러 해서 성공 했다든지…
원래부터 미인 이었다거나 부자 였다거나 엘리트 였다거나 하는 사람들은 겸손할 줄을 알죠. 하지만, 그런 사람들이 어쩔 수 없이 그렇게 되는 빌미를 제공하는 건 이 세상 사람들인 것 같습니다. 대체로, 그런 사람들은 과거에 좋지 않은 기억이 많을 테니까요.
People who are originally beautiful, rich, and intellectual know to be polite. But the reason why people like her change like that is due to other peoples’ judgmental attitudes. They usually don’t have nice memories of the past.

author: Hyejin Kim


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More Reactions to Al Gore/IPCC Nobel Peace Prize win · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

This a follow up to Georgia's post on reactions to Al Gore and the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Nobel peace prize win. Reactions from America, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa will be included.
We start in America with the reaction by Alex Steffen of world changing who wrote…
Al Gore and the IPCC winning the Nobel Peace Prize symbolizes more than just a head-nod towards some eco-fad — it shows that sustainability has finally moved from the outskirts of activism to the most central halls of authority. Concern for the planetary future is now as credible as it is possible to get. The beginning of the struggle to save ourselves from ecological catastrophe has come to an end and we can begin to see the outlines of the next stage of the struggle.
The idea that receiving a Nobel peace prize means that the person has transcended the local (and sometimes petty) politics of their geographical region is mentioned by two bloggers in two locales, one in America and one in Kenya. In the post ‘For whom the Nobel tolls’ David Roberts discussed the Nobel win and the question of whether Al-Gore should run for president. He points out that
Over the past week, all the U.S. media could talk about was how winning might affect Gore's chances in the U.S. presidential race. To me this demonstrates just how badly our media is misjudging the race, Gore's significance, and our current historical moment.
He lays out why he thinks Al Gore should not run for president, stating (in part)
…it would be a disaster for Gore to enter the race at this point — not because he might lose, but because he has transcended U.S. partisan politics. He has become a figure of global stature, one of a tiny fraternity of private individuals in the world capable of driving historical change from outside the confines of any institution. What many Americans don't realize is that the rest of the world is not distracted by the serial, lurid distractions that compose our political dialogue. Our national conversation is dominated by the resentful bile of a core of nationalist, reactionary, authoritarian ding-dongs, but it's not like that when Gore goes overseas. In other countries, they don't care about his electrical bills or his waist size or his clothing choices or his lack of that most important qualification for leader of the free world, the ability to act like a regular guy.
Gore can't act like a regular guy. He's smart, and he talks like a smart person. He's earnest and committed. He cares. He wants to help save the world.
A discussion in the Kenyan blog ‘Kumekucha‘ about the age of this years’ Nobel peace prize recipients, invariably led to mention of a Kenyan Nobel Laureate who was awarded for her work with the environment, Wangari Maathai. A comment by Taabu stands out…
…Prof Wangari Muta Maathai is a 1940 born making her averagely younger than these years’ Laureates. In my estimation she is one GREAT Kenyan whom we have failed to use to our motherland’s advantage. She is a global citizen still embroiled in sectarian politics. She belongs to all of us. Just here her opening acceptance speech during the Prize’s presentation in 2004:
“I stand before you and the world humbled by this recognition and uplifted by the honour of being the 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate. As the first African woman to receive this prize, I accept it on behalf of the people of Kenya and Africa, and indeed the world.”
And we still shamelessly bottle her in our small and petty village politics?
From Ethiopia: Addis Journal asks ‘”What has Al Gore done for world peace?”
In South Africa, congratulations to Al Gore and IPCC are offered by Carl of Greencars.
Ivo, a magazine columnist/journalist does not see how the Al Gore and IPCC win fits with Alfred Nobel's will in starting the prize, saying
For all their entertainment value, how either Al Gore or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change created fraternity between the nations, abolished or reduced standing armies, or held and promoted peace congresses, is beyond me.

author: Juliana Rotich


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Nepal: Eating in Kathmandu · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

the superheavy on where to eat in Kathmandu, providing a rather wonderful account of eateries.


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Nepal: Film Festival · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Dinesh Wagle on the documentary festival on in Kathmandu. “Four dozen South Asian documentaries “for the people of South Asia, by the people of South Asia, to the people of South Asia” will be screened in four days.”


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Suriname: Photographing Fort Zeelandia · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

A visit to Fort Zeelandia in Suriname makes Trinidadian Taran Rampersad realise that “not all culture is as free as on the web”. He also posts photos of the fort at Flickr.


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Syria: more victims of Internet repression · Global Voices
sami ben gharbia

A new report released by Human Rights Watch reveals that two persons are being held in incommunicado detention at an undisclosed location in Syria. Karim ‘Arbaji (29) and Tarek Biasi (22) were arrested in June 2007 by Syrian Military Intelligence for expressing online views critical of the Syrian government. A third person, Ali Zein al-’Abideen Mej’an, arrested for posting online comments attacking Saudi Arabia, was sentenced by the Supreme State Security Court to two years in prison.


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Touring Libyan Blogs: Eid el Fitr 2008 · Global Voices
Fozia Mohamed

Apologies to those readers  who like to hear about news from the Libyan blogs.. I am back with a lot of news. While the majority of Libyan bloggers are  busy with Eid greetings there are so many posts out there that I would love to share and highlight.
Ghazi has finally arrived from London and is getting re-acquainted with Libya and it's various aspects. He is nostalgically touring  the “writers’ club” which he used to attend between 2000-2003.
Aladdin has spent an extraordinary time in the US where he was invited on a cultural State Department-sponsored programme. He has promised to report on the event in detail soon.
Libyano recently brought up a very important topic in Libyan medical profession – namely that of medical ethics.
“I already knew the same as most of the Libyans that our hospitals filled with unethical doctors and health care staff and how in our hospitals the way the patient treated is less than a prisoner anywhere else in this world ,but it was shocking to live this fact and to see all the violation of the patients privacy and the way the doctors treat the patients , I don't know if all this because the medical ethics wasn't introduced as a studying material in Medical school until recently or is it because all the hospital staff doctors and nurses feel like they are above the law and no one will judge them when things go wrong .”
While I always wondered what is the Libyan physicians’ stance on the Hippocratic Oath or even the Declaration of Geneva (last upated in 2006), I always assumed that being Muslim would immediately guarantee a certain code of conduct and moral ethics above bickering over salary and other things one misses in life. So it is disappointing to see the situation on the ground.
Hopefully the new graduates, young men and women, will learn a few things if this subject is introduced in the syllabus and if they are held responsible later on in life.
Dunia wrote a lovely blog last night about the ‘walis’ which are  Libyan ‘Saints’ or intercessors, and how someone may unusually become a Saint, marabout or walii.
“The one constant feature, from East to West and even the desert in between, are the Maqams.
White domed buildings, built over the tomb of Wali, and all marked as such by a profusion of green banners, are just everywhere. Perched half-way up a hill in the J'bal Al-akhdar, surrounded by a rippling sea of wheat, golden in the sun light; in the middle of an almond orchard, where goats prefer it's cool shade to the trees’ more patchy shadow… or on the right hand side of a much used desert highway alongside petrol stations, truckers restaurants and the occasional sheepherders’ village. “
Happy Eid to you all!

author: Fozia Mohamed


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Afghanistan:Father of Saffron · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Safrang writes about a man who used to be a opium poppy growing farmer and then he shifted to grow saffron.The blogger says this man who is called “father of saffron” by government, helps other farmers to do the same thing.Safrang has published a photo of this saffron farmer.


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Afghanistan:Four years old bride · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Nasim Fekrat writes[Fa] about the story of a girl who was forced to get married at the age of four with a thirty years old man. The blogger adds that according to Hasht Sobh journal,this girl,after several years of being beaten up and tortured,could escape and now she lives in an orphanage.


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Arabeyes: Eid Al Fitr Celebrations (Part 1) · 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 first of a three-part series. Today's tour takes us to Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Morocco and Iraq.
Lebanon:
With the Presidential elections coming up around the corner, the mood on the Lebanese blogosphere is sombre. But Dodi  comes back to life, after a year's break, with this post which describes some scenes from Ramadan:
“Among other things, Ramadan includes fasting from dawn (around 5:00 AM at this part of the world) till sunset (around 6:30 PM). Along with the assumed spiritual experience, I think this would help us remember the poor people who cannot afford a decent meal; unfortunately, in the age of consumerism and entertainment, Ramadan is given a brand new meaning.
How would a day in Ramadan pass for the common person here?
If possible, people will try to sleep till noon during Ramadan to help avoid the hunger while being awake. So, I shall directly jump to the afternoon period.
Throughout the afternoon, all TV stations abuse the expected hunger of the viewers to dedicate a couple of hours daily for cooking programs and to teach people to cook new fatty dishes,” he explains.
For more on Ramadan in Lebanon, Dodi's post is a must read.
Libya:
From Libya, Khadeja Teri wishes her readers a happy Eid.
“We're ready for it. The clothes and shoes have been bought and are waiting to be worn. All that's left is a stop at the pharmacy to pick up Tylenol Extra Strength to help me cope with the headache I am sure to get from all the noise the kids will make. Maybe I should see about getting something stronger…” she notes.
Israel:
From Jerusalem, Desert Peace,  laments the conditions of Palestinians, who cannot celebrate Eid because of the continued Israeli occupation.
“The Glorious Holy Month of Ramadan is coming to an end… ushering in the wonderful feast days of Eid-el-Fitr. A time for joyous celebrations with families, a time to feel completely renewed and refreshed.
That's how it's spelled out in the books…
Unfortunately in Palestine the book is written differently… families are divided, family members are denied entry to join in the celebrations, families are mourning their loved ones killed by Israeli forces,” he writes.
Morocco:
Moroccan blogger Laila Lalami brings us another aspect of the celebration, this time from the Big Apple. She writes:
Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim readers! This year, the Empire State Building will be lit up in green in honor of the holiday, and the illumination will continue through the end of the weekend.
Maytha, from Kabobfest also refers to the Empire State Building in her Eid greetings post and writes:
Okay, perhaps a more genuine proclamation of Muslim support-New York will be lighting the Empire State building green in honor of the Islamic holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan (literally translated, Eid al-Fitr means, celebration of the break!). Incidentally, the green illumination coincides with the upcoming release of “The Incredible Hulk.” Coincidence? I think not! Sublimial corporate tie-in masquerading as a altruistic act of religious toleration? I think yes…
Iraq:
Our last stop in this round up is in Iraq, where Mixmax discusses the dilemma of having Eid fall on different days, depending on the sighting of the new moon by different Islamic sects:
As its always the case on every year, not all Muslim countries announced today as the first day of the Eid. Some countries are celebrating that today, though, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya, and Muslims in non-Arab countries such as those in China, Afghanistan and Philippine followed along. While Egypt, Syria and Oman announced that Saturday is the first day of the Eid! It has been the case for years, and every year I see on TV the endless discussions about how to put an end to such a dilemma. However, there is none and it seems that even if one muslim climb the roof of his house in the middle of the night and see the sign in the sky (a crescent), he will not be able to celebrate the joyful days because the country did not announce through its official religious channels!


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Iran:Britannica blog has launched “target Iran?” forum · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Britannica blog has invited several American scholars,writers and journalists to comment on Iran and USA relations.Ervand Abrahamian,historian, says a war with Iran is possible and disastrous.


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Iran:”Where is Iran in Yahoo?” · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kourosh Ziabari,an Iran based blogger, says[Fa] that he wanted to sign up as new user in Yahoo but he could not find the name of Iran to choose.The blogger does not understand why all countries are mentioned except Iran.


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Lebanon: Dark Days Ahead of Presidential Elections · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

Only dark days are coming to this forsaken nation when the presidential elections arrive, unless we have a strange “divine” miracle to get both camps reconcile for the future of the people who will suffer from another potential civil war, notes MFL from Lebanon.

author: Moussa Bashir


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Lebanon: Headed on a Spiralling Path · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

It has been relatively clear that Lebanon is headed on a spiralling path – back to revisit its own tragic past. The new generation destined to repeat the tragedies of their fathers and forefathers albeit with a new twist or two… posts R on Voices on the Wind from Lebanon.


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Philippines: A Roundup of the Week · Global Voices
Tonyo Cruz

aparador ni lisa shares some interesting news tidbits she stumbled upon while doing research on mining.
Pinoy legal urbanite Misterhubs asks a question about popular young actors Diether Ocampo and John Pratts.
“The use of abortifacients, contraceptive pills and devises, sterilization, directly willed abortion are wrong in themselves. They are against nature and God’s law,” asserts In and Out of Season.
What does a Philippine Science High School teacher do on a Sunday? Find out from Akomismo.
Pinoy Gay Blogs features another splendid blog.
For those want to get more information about AIDS in an alternative, Baklo Ako, May Reklamo has a suggestion: watch some cool videos from GI Jonny.
Perhaps one of the most eloquent ways of dealing with the loss of a loved one is through a poem. The J Spot and wife compose and dedicate a poem for baby Joseph Michael.
Cyberbaguioboy asks newbies in blogging some questions, including reminders:
Now that you have a blog, what now? Do you give in to the temptation of making it look impressive but lacks original content? Remember your blog is you. You have to be honest. So before you start typing another word, think. Think hard. Think well. Others are. You should too. Don’t get too engrossed with tricks. They’re mere illusions.
On a trip to Seoul, JessicaRulesTheUniverse.com shares funny notes about her companions. Here's a sample:
In every tour group you can easily spot two characters: the one you must never ask to take your picture lest foul consequences ensue, i.e. Me, and the one you must not make eye contact with lest he ask you to take his picture in front of every landmark, rock, and lamppost.
Taking a break from it all, Challenges and Movements jogs at the Golden Gate Bridge to reclaim fit, old self and remembers treks at the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Morofilm makes an important announcement:
I am organizing the 1st Mindanao Film Directing Workshop on October 13-14, 2007 in Davao City.
The Workshop in an intensive training focused at enhancing the directing and storytelling skills of up-and-coming filmmakers in Mindanao. Mowelfund Film Institute director Nick Deocampo will be the main speaker.
and generously raffles off two workshop slots to blog readers!
After the Pacquiao-Barrera boxing match, Peter Lavina gives the tale of the tape between the boxer's earnings and that of his whole hometown.
Empress Balita riddles readers about the identity of married actress Gretchen Barretto's recent “date”. Pictures included.
A local debit card may soon corner all Paypal withdrawals judging from Jozzua‘s experiences of easily applying for one and actually getting his Paypal money through it.
In the political front, Carol P. Araullo blogs about the PATRIA initiative of and for Filipino farmers. Ellen Tordesillas calls it “Christmas in October”, the purported “gifts” of President Arroyo who will vote to quash the “fake” impeachment complaint against her. Courtesy of Manuel L. Quezon III, here's an eyewitness report on how administration allies took steps to “inoculate” the President from a legit impeachment complaint.
And as we retire for the weekend, PinoyCentric.com offers as a fantastic essay on language and development by averyseriousblog.
Eid Mubarak to the Bangsamoro and all Muslims!

author: Tonyo Cruz


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Philippines: A theatre roundup · Global Voices
Tonyo Cruz

Gibbs Cadiz rounds up recent writeups on Philippine theatre.


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Pop!Tech Goes International and Multilingual · Global Voices
David Sasaki

It's the middle of October already and in much of the northern hemisphere sweaters are coming out of closets while yellow and red leaves spin their way down from tree tops to slick pavement. It's also that time of year in which 500 idea addicts from the science, design, and business worlds all descend upon the quintessentially quaint seaside village of Camden, Maine for Pop!Tech, an annual conference that touts itself as “a one-of-a-kind conference, a community of remarkable people, and an ongoing conversation about science, technology and the future of ideas.”
A conference to discuss the future of ideas is not entirely unique. Pop!Tech sits in good company with TED, Davos, the Aspen Ideas Festival, Louisville-based IdeaFestival, and others. But what sets this year's Pop!Tech conference apart is its focus on free, multilingual distribution of conference presentations and the organizers’ recruitment of bloggers from around the world to document the discussion in Portuguese, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Swahili. The hope is that, beyond documentation, the bloggers will serve as a bridge between the 500 conference attendees privileged enough to afford the $3,500 registration cost and the 1 billion plus users of the internet worldwide.
To help strengthen that bridge Pop!Tech partnered with dotSUB to provide an easy way for internet users to help subtitle and translate videos of conference presentations. Already eight of the videos have been subtitled in Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Swahili, Farsi, Arabic, French and Spanish. You can now watch Thomas Friedman talk about environmentalism and Bunker Roy discuss social entrepreneurism in Swahili, for example.
Among the polyglot bloggers who have been given small scholarships to attend Pop!Tech and reflect on their experiences, nearly all of them have been frequently featured here on Global Voices. Juliana Rincón (who held a successful web campaign to raise supplementary money for her costly trip from Colombia to Camden) is a veteran contributor here on Global Voices and also a leader of the Rising Voices project, HiperBarrio. She'll be covering Pop!Tech in Spanish at her personal blog, Medea Material. Blogging in Arabic will be Global Voices Middle East & North Africa Regional Editor (as well as Arabic Language Editor) Amira Al Hussaini. Though unable to attend in person, quintessential bridge-blogger Jacky Peng will be tuning in to the live webcast of the conference and reporting his reflections in Mandarin. Paris Marashi of the celebrated video blog This Iranian American Life will pen her thoughts about the conference in Farsi. Tiago Dória is official bridge-blogger for the bustling Portuguese-speaking corner of the blogosphere and Global Voices Sub-Saharan Africa Editor Ndesanjo Macha will be writing in Swahili at Jikomboe.
Given their shared penchant for all that lies between the intersections of technology, society, and business, it should come as no surprise that the once separate domains of elite, jet-setting conference-goers and always-connected bloggers are increasingly starting to look like the same crowd. Also unsurprising, both groups are learning from one another. Bloggers – stripped of their keyboards, Google-searching, and video-editing – come to realize the importance of eloquent speaking and face-to-face emotional connections. Conference organizers, meanwhile, have come to understand that the two to three day physical event is only one element of a larger process: sustained communication and collaboration. Ideas are wonderful things and have always been at the heart of slick annual summits like TED and Pop!Tech. But turning brilliant ideas into well-conceived and thoroughly committed projects is an art for which the tools of web2.0 are particularly well-suited.
The theme of this year's Pop!Tech conference is “The Human Impact” and the list of speakers promises for some innovative thinking on how human beings impact the world and how the world impacts us in return. But an innovative idea is often only as valuable as the distance it is able to spread. We'll be looking forward to the reporting and reflections of our blogging friends as they help us focus the global conversation later this week. If you would like an email reminder to tune into the livecast of the conference beginning on the 18th, you can request one here.

author: David Sasaki


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Africa: Telecommunications harmonisation · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Rebecca Wanjiku writes about the debate around harmonisation of the telecommunication sector within East Africa: “Harmonisation is crucial to this process. Harmonisation does not necessarily mean that arrangements in all three countries must be the same, but that they must work together in a way which promotes cooperation and cross-border trade, and which does not favour one country or its businesses/citizens over another.”


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Albania: Smoking Again · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Albanian Blogger writes that the non-smoking law isn't being observed in Albania anymore.


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Albania: The End of Ramadan · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Living in Shkoder, Albania provides a glimpse into the local celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.


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Arabeyes: Eid Al Fitr Celebrations (Part 2) · 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 second of a three-part series. Today's tour takes us to Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel.
Kuwait:
Our first stop is in Kuwait where Marzouq from Z District describes the chaos which happens when Eid is announced:
“This really only happens in Eid, everyone goes into a frenzy doing something. I found out it was Eid from my barber, he gave me a call telling me it was Eid tomorrow and to come by asap. It was 6:40pm, and I waited for prayer before heading out around 7:10pm on the bike over to the barber. The streets were insane, I thought it would be relatively empty like the days during Ramadan. The traffic would start usually around 8:00pm but I was mistaken and there was lots of traffic.
I was really enjoying myself during this ride with the cool weather but everyone was just insane. I could tell at least 30 – 40 cars were squeezing the middle lane on purpose so that I couldn’t get through and it was really annoying me but I was thinking let me get through this traffic calmly and then I take off from all these idiots,” he writes.
Libya:
Libyan blogger Benghazi Citizen (Ar) discusses an issue irking many Muslims –  and that is the difference in the beginning of Eid and the sighting of the new moon in different Muslim countries.
Lebanon:
For Lebanese blogger Rami Zurayk, Eid is a festival of eating. He notes:
“Beyond its religious significance, this is a celebration of eating. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, and in the Eid, they revert back to normal eating schedule. Families meet to have BIG lunches, and the street food shops operate at full capacity: sweets, savory, fruit drinks. When I was a kid, itinerant vendors used to sell small plates of pickles for a few cents of a Lira. So I'm indulging.”
Palestine:
Palestinian blogger Catholic Sunni Shia shares Zurayk‘s sentiments and announces that she will fill her stomach on Eid. But she also gives us a sneak preview of what is in store for her once family and friends gather at her house for the Eid get together!
“Today my job will be to eat. There will be tons of people over later, my mother and other assorted family members have been cooking non-stop since last night. I will do a lot of listening today. Because the overwhelming majority of those invited here tonight are totally deranged. I like to sit back and listen to crazy people talk with little or no participation from me. I have an “uncle” who is 90 and wears a Kangol. He pays teenagers to beat each other up. Then he praises strength and ostracizes the poor unsuspecting awkward teen that can't fight back. He's one sick bastard. His wife is 50 and counting the days till he keels over. My sister will make up clever names for everyone: powder, pool-table legs, wedge of cheese nose, dirty complected, fat hyena, etc. She's a real bitch but she's hilarious most of the time. My brother will just say absurd things to everyone all night long,” she explains.
For obvious reasons, Catholic Sunni Shia‘s post is a must read!
Israel:
Our last stop is with Israeli blogger Imshin, who notes the Eid Al Fitr attires Muslims wore to celebrate the event.
“how many of the Muslim girls managed to look gorgeous and sexy in their Eid el-Fiter finery, even though they were wearing the meant-to-be-modest head covering. For me it’s always strange to see them with their head covered but wearing tight jeans with sparkly bits. Mind you, the more religious women seem to don big shapeless dresses and a superior pious look. Many of the girls in the park yesterday, however, appeared to be wearing the head covering more as a fashion accessory.
I’m not judging anything here. It’s just interesting for me. The dress code of Jewish religious women, from the various groups, is just as fascinating in my mind. As is the dress code of secular young Israeli women for that matter.”
Part One of the series is found here.


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Argentina: Córdoba Blogs · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Córdoba Weblogs [ES] is a project aimed at collecting different blogs from the Argentine city.  In less than 48 hours, the site has listed 29 blogs.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Bahrain blocks Haq political movement website · Global Voices
sami ben gharbia

A Press Release issued on October 12th by the HAQ: Movement of Liberties and Democracy- Bahrain, which Global Voices Advocacy received a copy of it, reveals that Bahrain has blocked access to its electronic website.

author: sami ben gharbia


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Bangladesh: Dhaka Stock Exchange · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Unheard Voices on the recent positive press the Dhaka Stock Exchange has been getting.


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Bosnia & Herzegovina: Radovan Karadzic · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Srebrenica Genocide Blog writes about Radovan Karadzic's role and about genocide deniers. Finding Karadzic suspects that Karadzic may be hiding in Moscow, sheltered by Eduard Limonov.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Bulgaria: Sex Trade · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Natashas, an anti-trafficking blog, comments on a BBC article about sex trade in Bulgaria and the readers’ comments it has received.


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Celebrating festivals, feasting and donating smiles · Global Voices
Mathy Kandasamy

Last Saturday Muslims all over the world celebrated Eid ul-Fitr that marks the end of Ramadan. Abul Kalam Azad a Chennai blogger shares his experiences. His children eagerly distributing festival sweets to friends and neighbours, His youngest daughter preparing a project detailing Ramadan with her non-muslim friend's help. Azad ponders that one day his daughter might work with her friend on a similar project for Deepavali.
Ketupat Rice Cakes
With festivals can food be far behind? .:Myfriend:. from Malaysia shares information about Ketupat, an integral part of Eid ul-Fitr in Malaysia.
The month of October also marks the beginning of the festival season for the Hindus. First comes Navarathri Navarathri literally means nine nights and the female deities are worshiped during this period.
Kolu
In Tamil Nadu, India special dolls are displayed in elevated steps named Kolu. Nanani from Tamil Nadu walks down the memory lane describing her experiences of setting up the display with her children. While Thulasi's pet cat Gopalakrishnan invites everybody to visit his home in New Zealand to view the Kolu.
Navarathiri in Sri Lanka
Navarathiri is celebrated differently in Sri Lanka. Selli, Australia writes in detail about how the festival is celebrated at schools predominantly. She says that there were no Kolu display in Sri Lanka but every morning would commence with prayers in schools, homes and temples. On the tenth day several special dishes would be served at school. The same ritual takes place at homes but on a smaller scale. Kana Praba takes a jaunty walk down the memory lane reminiscing about his teen-age years.
Fava beans Sundal
Ukkarai
Seeyalam
Food is an integral part of any festival especially during Navarathiri. Jayashree Govindarajan, Mumbai shares some of the traditional recipes. Lentils play a key role in all the special dishes prepared for Navarathiri. Some of the dishes she has prepared for Navarathiri include Ukkarai, a sweet and it's spicy version Seeyalam. Generally Sundal would be prepared and distributed by everybody. Jayashree served Mochchai payaru Sundal (Fava beans Sundal) today.
Navarathiri is the theme for the monthly Indian food-blog event Jihva for Ingredients (JFI). And Indira of Mahanandi, the brain behind JFI is also collaborating on a worthy project this month. She introduces Feed a Hungry Child (FAHC) fund-drive and requests bloggers to donate smiles..
Indira says,
With the help of volunteers, FAHC has begun to supply feeding kits to 14 children and their families in Palakkad district of Kerala in India, since April 2007. Now FAHC needs our help. The fundraising goal is $ 3,360. I think we can do it easily. Please click the Chip In button at the top right of the site, and contribute whatever you can. If you require additional incentive to contribute, check out the contents of feeding kit and try to remain unmoved.
And she along with fellow food-bloggers have also arranged for some raffle tickets, majority of them donated by Suvir Saran, prominent cookbook author and chef. One of the coveted prizes is a dinner for two(wine included) at Suvir Saran's restaurant “Dévi”  in New York. Detailed information can be found here.

author: Mathy Kandasamy


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China: No PC Allowed · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Several universities in Mainland China has forbidden university first year students from bringing their personal computers to the classroom in order to stop them from playing computer game in the classroom. Xuexheshidai points out (zh)that some universities in the U.S would sponsor students to have their own PC. The blogger also comments that the present university regulation in China is a most brutal way in disciplining the students.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Egypt: Additive and Subtractive Thinking · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

Additive and subtractive thinking is the topic of today's translation from Arabic. Do we pick and choose the values we like from ideologies or do we simply ‘subtract’ them from our consciousness because there are aspects in them we don't agree with?
This post written by Egyptian blogger Eyad Harfoush in his blog Lel Fagr Noghared (Singing to the Dawn), compares ‘Additive Thinking’ to ‘Subtractive Thinking’.
Eyad writes:
فكما نعرف جميعاً أن الجمع هو عملية حسابية تؤدي للنمو عن طريق التراكم، و أن مقابله الطرح هو عملية حسابية تؤدي للضمور عن طريق التناقص ، و بنفس المنطق تقوم ثقافة الجمع بمراكمة المثل العليا، حيث يمكننا أن نرى في كثير من الناس و المجتمعات و التجارب الانسانية عناصر ايجابية و مثالية ، و ليس في كل الناس لأن بعضهم يكون كالكائنات الذبابية لا خير و لا ايجابية فيه على الاطلاق ، ثقافة الجمع تتميز عن ثقافة الطرح أنها لا تحتم علينا أن نقسم الناس بتقسيمات حادة الى خير مطلق و شر مطلق، الى نور و ظلام، فالحياة خليط بطبيعته
As we all know, addition is a mathematical operation that leads to growth by the accumulation of its components. Subtraction, on the other hand, leads to decay due to becoming less. Based on this logic, additive thinking tends to add the various morals we meet in our lives to each other. We may see many positive attributes in many societies and characters – for sure not everyone has such positive attributes, as some are like flies which are totally useless. Anyway, additive thinking is the opposite of the subtractive one that tends to divide people into either absolute good, or absolute evil, and nothing in between, absolute light and absolute darkness, while life by nature is a mixture of this and that.
The point is that, when people who believe in subtractive thinking meet others with various good characteristics and morals, they may just ignore them because they find some other characteristics that they may not like. For them it's either take it as a whole or leave it, even if they are going to miss much by doing so.
Eyad further elaborates:
فمعتنق ثقافة الطرح مثلاً، سيتحتم عليه أن يرفض و يكره جمال عبد الناصر بسبب الممارسات الدكتاتورية، و يكره جيفارا لكثرة مغامراته النسائية، و يكره نصر الله لعقيدته الشيعية، و يكره محمد عبده لهجومه على الفكر السلفي، و يكره مارتن لوثر لتجاهله تعاليم الاباء الاوائل للكنيسة، و يكره غاندي لأنه فضل القومية الهندية على الانتماء الديني بما في ذلك دينه الهندوسي، و يكره محمد علي باشا لطموحاته الشخصية الامبراطورية، و يكره ماو زيدونج للمآسي التي سببتها سياسة القفزة السريعة، و هكذا نخرج في النهاية بلا حصاد من التجارب البشرية بعد أن طرحنا المثل العليا لوجود نقائص بها، و هذا خطير، و لهذا اعتنق بثبات ثقافة الجمع، و هنا أذكر للتوضيح ما أتفق فيه و أختلف مع كل من الرجال الذين أضعهم فوق رأسي، فليس معنى حبي لهم أنهم فوق النقد أبدا
People who believe in subtractive thinking will sure refuse and hate Abdel Nasser because they believe he was a dictator. They will hate Guevara because he was a womaniser and will hate Hassan Nasrullah because he is Shiite (nearly all the Egyptians are Sunnis) and will hate Muhammad Abdou because he was against Salafism, and will hate Martin Luther King because he ignored the teachings of the old church, and will hate Gandhi because he gave priority to his Indian nationality more than his religious doctrines, including his Hindu religion, and will hate Muhammad Ali – he ruled Egypt in the 19th century – for his personal ambitions to become an emperor, and will hate Mao Zedong for the side effects of his economical vision. At the end of the day, they will not get any benefits from any of the experiences that mankind has passed by, as they prefer to ignore all the ideals just because they see some negative aspects there. This is really dangerous, and that's why I believe in the additive thinking and I'll try to mention the positive sides and the negative ones I see in the characters mentioned previously. Those characters that despite my great respect to them – I still believe that I have the right to criticize them.
أحب جمال الرجل و الزعيم، أتفق معه في رؤيته للزومية الكرامة الوطنية حتى يعيش المواطن سعيدا و أتفق معه في حتمية الحل الاشتراكي لمجتمعنا، كما أتفق معه في استراتيجية التعاون و التنسيق العربي كتوجه استراتيجي اقليمي كالاتحاد الاوروبي و الولايات المتحدة و ليس كنعرة قومية، أحب فيه الشرف و نزاهة اليد عن مال الدولة و الالتزام بتمثيل الطبقة الوسطى التي انتمى اليها ، و أحب فيه العزيمة و صدق الهمة التي مكنته من تحرير الوطن و الغاء الملكية و هو أصغر مني سناً ، كما أحب فيه أنه أحب العرب فبادلوه حبا بحب ، … لكل هذا أحب جمال و أضعه دوما نموذجا للبطل و الرجل و الانسان جميعا
و أختلف معه في سياسات القمع، فقد كان مثول تجربة الدكتور مصدق في ايران امام عينيه هاجسا مخيفا ، حين استطاع الامريكان ان يجهضوا ثورته، و غاب عن جمال ان مصدق لم يكن له الرصيد الشعبي في ايران كالذي تمتع به جمال في الشارع المصري بعد حرب عام ست و خمسين ، فلم يكن جمال يحتاج للقمع للاحتفاظ بقوة الثورة و سلامتها، كما أختلف معه في تطبيقات الاشتراكية الثورية التي تهدف للحصول على تأييد طبقات بعينها بغض النظر عن الاضرار بالمجتمع ككل، و أختلف معه في تأثره العاطفي بصداقاته في اختيار القيادات و الذي تمثل في خطيئتيه، عبد الحكيم عامر و الذي
اجهض انجازات الثورة عسكريا و أنور السادات الذي أجهض باقي الانجازات في كل الميادي
I love Gamal Abdel Nasser as a person and a leader. I agree with him in his vision towards national dignity so the people can live happily. I agree with him that the ultimate solution for our society is socialism. I also believe in the importance of strategic cooperation and the coordination between the Arab nations, like that between the members of the EU and the United States, which is not based on nationalism. I like his honour and his lack of corruption when it came to the State's coffers and his insistence on representing the middle class he belonged to. I love his strength and strong will, which enabled him to liberate the nation and end Royalty when he was younger than me.  I also like the way he liked Arabs and how they liked him back. And for all this I like Gamal and always put him as an ideal hero and person … While I disagree with his policies of repression as Dr Mossadegh‘s experience in Iran unfolding in front of him was a scary obsession, when the Americans were able to foil his revolution. What Gamal didn't see what that Mossadegh did not enjoy the support of the Iranian masses like he did on the Egyptian street after the war of 56. Gamal did not need to resort to repression to maintain the strength of the revolution and safeguard it. I also disagree with the way he implemented his revolutionary socialism, which sought to ensure that he got the support of certain classes at the expense of society as a whole. I also disagree with his emotions that affected his choices and led his friends to occupy leading positions in Egypt, which represent his downfall, such as Abdel Hakim Amer, who ruined all the military achievements of the revolution, and Anwar El Sadat, who destroyed all its other achievements.
أحب جيفارا الرجل و الثائر الذي نبذ زخارف الوزارة و الحكم بعد تحرير كوبا و فضل عليها الموت مجاهدا لعدو بلاده و مدفعه في يده ،… ، أحب فيه مؤسس استراتيجية الغوريللا التي تعتبر عماد حرب الضعفاء ضد الجبابرة، و التي أخذت منها كتب التسويق استراتيجية تحمل نفس الاسم دون ان تنسب الحق لصاحبه، كما أحب فيه ميله للفقراء و توحده معهم
أختلف معه في المذهب الشيوعي الذي أراه غير مناسب للطبيعة البشرية التواقة للتميز ، و أفضل عليه مذهب الاشتراكية العلمية التي تعطي مساحة للتميز و السبق مع ضمان الحد الادنى من الحياة الانسانية غذاء و كساء و مأوى و علاجا للمواطن بمجرد كونه مواطنا
I like Guevara as a person and a revolutionist who left the ministry and the governmental position after liberating Cuba and preferred to die fighting his enemy. I like his establishment of the Guerrilla War strategy which is considered the cornerstone of the wars between the weak groups and the tyrants – a strategy that marketing books borrowed and made Marketing strategies based on it without giving credit to him. I also like his bias toward the poor.
I disagree with his communist vision, which I believe is not compatible with the human nature that is eager to excel. And I prefer practical socialism which gives people a chance to excel while guaranteeing the minimum levels necessary for human life like food, clothing, medicine and shelter to citizens to it.
Eyad then continues to point out the positive as well as negative sides that he sees in the examples mentioned above.

author: Tarek Amr


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Egypt: Efficiency · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

Efficiency is not just a scientific term used by Mechanical Engineers. The Egyptian blogger Ahmed Tharwat (Ya Marakby) decided to apply it on society as well.
Tharwat argues that government employees are inefficient and writes:
بيقولوا إن لو عندك إتنين موظفين شغالين في مكتب في مصلحة حكومية وكل واحد منهم بيشتغل بكفاءة 90% (الشر برة وبعيد) يبقى الكفاءة العامة للمكتب كله تتحسب إزاي؟ الكفاءة العامة هي حاصل ضرب كفاءة الإتنين الموظفين
يعني “%90 × %90 = %81″ .. مفاجأة مش كدة؟
طيب لو عندنا 3 موظفين في المكتب إياه .. وكل واحد كفاءته هي %90 برضه .. يبقى الكفاءة العامة للمكتب ده كام؟ هي حاصل ضرب كفاءة التلاتة موظفين
يعني “%90 × %90  × %90 = %73″ .. شوفتوا الرقم صغر إزاي؟
It's said that if we have two employees working in a governmental agency, and the efficiency of each of them is 90% (we must be dreaming for sure), then their net efficiency will be the product of the efficiencies of each of them. Ie. “90% x 90% = 81%”.
Now let's say that we have three employees instead of two,then their net efficiency will be “90% x 90% x 90% = 73%”, see how the number is getting smaller and smaller.
وعلشان ما أطولش عليكم .. لو عندنا في مصر 70 مليون مواطن .. وخير اللهم إجعله خير كان كل واحد فيها بيشتغل بكفاءة 90% برضه .. ممكن حد يحسب ويقولي الكفاءة العامة لمصر تبقى كام؟ إضربوا كده “%90″ في “%90″ سبعين مليون مرة وشوفوا هتطلع كام .. حسبتوها؟ مصدومين مش كده؟ أيوة .. الإجابة تقريبا صفر .. أيوة صفر
And to cut it short, the Egyptian population is about 70 million. And if each of them works with 90% efficiency, can you calculate the net efficiency of the Egyptian workers? Multiply “90% x 90%” 70 million times. You are astonished now, right? Yeah, it's result is almost zero. Zerooo!!
اللي أنا عايز أقوله إننا لازم نشتغل بكفاءة أقرب ما تكون لل 100% علشان الكفاءة العامة ما تقلش قوي كده لحد ما تبقى صفر
So, what I want to say here, is that we are supposed to work with almost 100% efficiency so that the result isn't as bankrupt and we don't remain zero.


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El Salvador: Bloggers and Journalists · Global Voices
Tim Muth

The intersection points of blogging and journalism are many and varied in El Salvador.  Journalists are bloggers. Bloggers write about journalists and vice versa.  Although El Salvador is a country where most people can't spend significant amounts of time online, the ever-growing number of bloggers in El Salvador is starting to influence public debate.
Discussions about the role of blogs were sparked when the conservative El Diario de Hoy newspaper ran a piece titled Cybernetic Proselytism [ES] which warned of supposed dangers from blogs including “disinforming, disorienting and denigrating,”  all resulting in prejudice to democracy.  In particular, the writers of the article warned that blogs were going to be used inappropriately by political parties leading up to national elections.
Jorge Ávalos, a blogger who also is a journalist employed by El Diario de Hoy, responded  [ES] with with a quotation from Álvaro Rivera Larios in the digital periodical El Faro:
Pero es obvio que algunos sectores de nuestro país no ven con buenos ojos que se forme una ciudadanía crítica. Lo paradójico es que esos mismos sectores le teman a la posibilidad de que los blogs desinformen. Lo que temen esos sectores es la pérdida del monopolio informativo e ideológico que durante años han ejercido sobre la opinión pública salvadoreña, es decir, le temen a la pluralidad de informaciones y visiones que abren las nuevas tecnologías.
But it is obvious that some sectors of our country don't view happily that a critical citizenry is forming.   The paradox is that these same sectors fear the possibility that blogs will disinform.  What these sectors fear is the loss of their information and ideology monopoly that they have exercised for years over Salvadoran public opinion, that is to say, they fear a plurality of information sources and visions which new technologies open up.
Ávalos is one of several journalists in El Salvador who write their own personal blogs.   Among others are Paolo Luers, Juan Jose Dalton, and Ernesto Rivas-Gallont.  Interestingly, both Luers and Rivas started their blogs after having disagreements with the periodicals for which they were writing.
Do professional journalists bring something extra to the blogosphere?  Reflecting on this question, Ávalos quoted a comment from the forum LibreOpinion.net on the value of the personal blogs of professional journalists:
Yo veo con mucho entusiasmo el hecho de que algunos periodistas estén en la blogósfera, porque nos permiten conocer puntos de vista de la noticia que ellos persiguen sin las ataduras que les impone el medio para el que trabajan. Es una labor ya no tanto de reportar sino de opinar respecto de la noticia, y tal periodista, creo yo, sí ha pasado por la etapa de investigar, entrevistar, tabular datos, etc.
I view with much enthusiasm the event of some journalists being in the blogosphere because they permit us to know points of view that they perceive without the strictures imposed on them by the media for which they work. It is a labor not so much of reporting, but of opining, with respect to the news; such a journalist has already gone through the stages of investigating, interviewing, tabulating data, etc.
Journalist blogger Rivas-Gallont is a well known figure in El Salvador.    Among other positions, he was formerly the country's ambassador to the United States and is a columnist for the country's largest daily paper, La Prensa Grafica.   Rivas-Gallont started his blog Conversations with Neto Rivas [ES] after La Prensa Grafica reduced the space available for his regular column in the paper, and he needed more room for his writing.  Rivas-Gallont recently commemorated the one year anniversary of his blog:
Eso es lo que hace interesante y dinámico a un blog. ¡Qué aburrido y monótono sería que todos estuviéramos de acuerdo en todo! Esta publicación no es una manifestación de amor a la madre. Esta es una publicación de ustedes y para ustedes, donde todos expresamos libremente lo que pensamos, sin temor a represalia alguna. Un regalo de la libertad de expresión que, como debe ser, apreciamos en nuestro país.
That is what is interesting and dynamic about a blog.  How boring and monotonous it would be if we were all in agreement on everything.   This publication is not a show of a mother's love.  It's a publication of you and for you, where we all freely express out thoughts, without fear of any reprisals.   A gift of freedom of expression that is, as it ought to be, something we appreciate in our country.
(Journalists who write their own personal blogs are a far cry from the blogs sponsored on the website of El Salvador's largest daily newspaper, La Prensa Grafica.  That paper, now features 7 blogs on its website, including blogs dealing with sex advice, sports, music and criminal defense among other topics).
Yet the editorial position of El Diario de Hoy notwithstanding, the media in El Salvador is sometimes taking notice of bloggers as opinion leaders.  Blogger Hunnapuh wrote about being invited to participate in a radio program roundtable with other bloggers.   He describes the session in his post,  A Night on the Radio [ES].   The panel of bloggers was asked to give their take on the upcoming election campaigns and the party strategies in the country.
Salvadoran bloggers have often written about journalists.  In a tragic recent example, a young Salvadoran journalist was gunned down outside his family's home in Soyapango on September 20.  Salvador Sánchez was a radio journalist for alternative media including Radio Maya Vision, YSUCA, and Radio Cadena Mi Gente.  Sánchez reported on a variety of topics on the radio, including the protests and arrests in Suchitoto, gang activity, and political demonstrations. The killers and their motives are unknown.
The fact that this murder victim was a journalist created a question — was he killed because of what he reported on, was he just a victim of gang violence in his neighborhood, was this an attack on free speech or just an act of criminal elements acting with impunity against a young man.  Blogger Hunnapuh set out in his blog [ES] three different journalists’ accounts of the murder, and then concluded:
Por desgracia la investigación está en manos de una institución policial que ha ido perdiendo credibilidad conforme la han ido politizando mas para servir a los designios del gobierno actual que a la propia ciudadanía.  No podemos afirmar que Sánchez fuese víctima de Escuadrones de La Muerte, pero tampoco debemos descartar esa posibilidad.
Unfortunately the investigation is in the hands of a police institution that has been losing credibility as it becomes more politicized more to serve the designs of the current government than its own citizens.  We are not able to affirm that Sánchez was a victim of Squadrons of Death, but neither can we discard this possibility.
Finally, bloggers have been and will be writing about the journalist who is a presidential candidate.  Mauricio Funes, a popular journalist in El Salvador, has been selected by the left wing FMLN to head its ticket in upcoming presidential elections.   Since the elections are not until March 2009, there will be plenty of cyber-ink spilled over a passionate election.

author: Tim Muth


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Hong Kong: Indecent Article · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Roland has provided more background and translated my article (zh) on the recent development of the classification of indecency of a feature article from inmediahk.net which protested against the judgment of photo hyperlink as indecency.


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India: Ladies’ Coupe · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Metroblogging Mumbai on the need for “ladies’ coupe” in the suburban train system, and the winning of small battles.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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India: Pedophilia and Tourism · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

India Daily on child sexual harassment and the links with the tourism industry.


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India: Street Sexual Harassment · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Blank Noise comments on the anti-sexual harassment poster put by the Delhi Police, and how it reeks of the usual stereotypes.


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Iran: Students protest against Ahmadinejad at Tehran University · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Hundreds of Iranian students protested President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad‘s presence at the University of Tehran on Monday, October 8. According to Al Jazeera, students chanted “Down with the dictator!” as he delivered a speech to mark the start of the academic year. Several bloggers published photos and comments.
Voices of Freedom
Jomhour reminds us that last year, Amir Kabir University students protested Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presence there and burned his photos. The blogger adds that students at the University of Tehran chanted slogans for freedom and liberation of several jailed students. The blogger writes a message to Ahmadinejad:
What happened in Amir Kabir University, what you heard in Tehran University, are the voices of freedom that you do not hear, or you do not want to hear… after more than two years in power, you show that you have no idea about universities.
The blogger has also published a series of photos from this event:
“Invitation card please!”
Avayeh Daneshgah (means ‘voice of university’) says [Fa] that Ahmadinejad came to the university surrounded by many security agents. Hundreds of students chanted “Down with the dictator!” and raised the photos of three jailed student activists. The blogger says only students with an invitation card could attend Ahmadinejad's speech, and claims that pro-Islamist Basiji students came from other universities to support Ahmadinejad.
Ghomar Asheghaneh says [Fa] it is strange for Ahmadinejad to consider himself the president of all Iranians when he only accepts students bearing invitations. He writes:
During his speech, Ahmadinejad did not answer students’ questions from an open letter asking him such things as what happened to our oil money? Why is there gender discrimination in universities? And what about jailed students?
Mohmmad Ali Abtahi, former vice president and blogger, points out the irony [Fa] that the president of Columbia University was allowed to insult Ahmadinejad in front of the whole world, but that Iranian students had no right to ask questions from Ahmadinejad in Tehran.
“Absolute Freedom”
Tribune Azad has published several photos of the students’ protest and asks [Fa] why someone [Ahmadinejad] who says there is absolute freedom in Iran, needs to order security agents to repress Iranian students. The blogger adds that even in the heart of Tehran, Ahmadinejad needs heavy security forces to move around.


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Iran:Blog Action Day for Environment · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Negarakha writes[Fa]that 500 Iranian bloggers support Blog Action Day for Environment on 15th of October.On Monday, October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind – the environment.


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Iran:Emad Baghi,Human Rights activist arrested · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According[Fa] to Schrr,Emad Baghi was arrested yesterday.He was charged with “acting against national security”.Baghi was a supporter of political prisoners.His wife says that she has no news about him.


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Iraq: Allergic to the word ‘Free’ · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Iraqi blogger Layla Anwar discusses allergies and wonders whether she has become allergic to the word “Free.”

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Jamaica: Doris Lessing  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Croaking Marley admits he was “way off” in not considering Doris Lessing as a contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Jamaica, Haiti: Danicat Reading  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican Geoffrey Philp attends a reading of Edwidge Danticat's latest work, Brother, I'm Dying.


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Japan: Blog Action Day · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

James from Japan Probe joined the Blog Action Day by posting on an environmental experiment on Beijing pollution problem.


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Japan: NOVA Union Action Day · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Tomorrow (October 15), NOVA Union will organize an action day to give pressure to the President Nozomu Sahashi for filing to the court for bankruptcy protection, so that employees can retrieve 80% of their unpaid waves through government subsidies and start to receive unemployment benefits. Debito has blogged the Union's action call e-mail. NOVA is the biggest school network in Japan and is at the verge of bankruptcy.


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Lebanon: A Lebanese Jew · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“I am a Lebanese Jew [and] I was forced to change my family name because my family origins are from Wadi Abu Jmil. I still live there under a false name, my family did not emigrate during the war, we hid in a sieged town in the Shouf district …” says a message written to  The Jews of Lebanon.


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Lebanon: On Judaism and Zionism · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“…in Lebanon that there are Lebanese Jews who enjoy the full right as anyone else. The problem of Judaism is Zionism, it transformed them from a sect to a race. […] A lot of the Lebanese factions think that a Jew and a Zionist are the same. When Finkelstein, Chomsky, and others visited , things changed. […] Jews lived in perfect harmony with their Arab citizens everywhere till Zionism sent us their racial ideas from Europe, and the division began,” writes MFL.


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Lebanon: We are sinking · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“It’s like the ship is sinking, and everyone is trying to get off. Is the ship really sinking? I don’t know. When do you realize – while on a sinking ship – that the thing is sinking? When people are abandoning ship? In that case; we're sinking!” writes Sietske in Beirut about the current state of affairs in Lebanon.


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Meet Maggid Mjengwa – Tanzania’s Photoblogger · Global Voices
J. Nambiza Tungaraza

Today, we are introducing you to Maggid Mjengwa. Daniel is one of the leading photobloggers from Tanzania who has been trying to combine blogging, photography and political activism. Apart from being a very active blogger, Maggid is also a well-known columnist for a Swahili weekly in Tanzania, RAI.  He shares his time with us to talk about his love for writing and how he got involved with electronic media.
You are  best known as one of the RAI newspaper columnist. Can you talk a little bit about how you started to write?
I started writing since I was a student at Tambaza Secondary School. It is way back in the early 80’s. To be exactly, I wrote my first newspaper article when I was in Form Three.  The then CCM Youth General Secretary, Seif Khatib visited our school and talked about atrocities being committed by the then Mozambican rebel group, MNR (now known as RENAMO).  I left the meeting area with a strong feeling that “ I must write to express my feeling and other friends feeling at that time. I wrote; “ Youth Ready To Fight MNR”. The article was published by the Daily News.
Briefly, I meant that we (youth) were ready to put down our pens and take up arms to fight MNR alongside Mozambican government troops. I do also remember, that during my time at Tambaza Secondary School I took initiative to start a school newsletter. Using a pen and a piece of paper I wrote newsletter and pinned at the school notice board. Seeing many students including teachers reading what I wrote did actually encourage me to continue writing. I hope you Nambiza was one of my readers. You and I   went at the same school during the same period I now describe.
What impact does your writing – especially in print media – have on the public?
I no longer write for RAI as a columnist, I have decided to step aside to give chance to other emerging young writers. I will remain a reader and a freelance writer. I have a feeling that my writing has impact on the public. I have noticed a number of my ideas being implemented even by authorities concerned.  For instance, some weeks ago, Education Minister announced government plans to introduce sports, like football as a subject in some of our secondary schools, a sort of football schools. On top of that, the government plan to start diploma Course for Sports in one of our Teaching College. It is the theme I wrote about in the past. Surely, Government might come up with the idea from within, but I believe, authorities read what we write, and we definitely, influence to some of their decisions.
What do you think can be done to empower the people whose problems you so much talk about?
Education, education, education…. I think we need to start with providing a better education to ordinary people at the grassroots level. I have opportunity to visit, stay and  talk with the villagers. Wherever I go, I almost hear same stories. People know their problems, they can solve them, but they need tools, and this important tool is education that can help in bringing awareness. To get to  Know their rights and obligations. Knowing how to present their cases, how to make their irresponsible leaders accountable. Indeed, many do lack education and in  many cases, basic education.
Besides being a columnist you are also a blogger, how and when did you start to blog?
I started to blog in September 2006. Yes, a year has passed since I started.
What was your inspiration?
I saw other Tanzanians starting to blog. I got inspired by our blog-guru Ndesanjo Macha. But, then I saw my brother Issa Michuzi using blog to publish his photos and get people to talk about those photos. I’m very much interested in photography. I have taken photos since I was at secondary school. Then I thought, why not re-cultivate my photo interest using blog? And there I started.
Does your blog have a theme or does it focus on a particular issue?
Well, my blog has different themes. It covers social, political, and economical issues. I do also emphasise issues regarding to environmental protection. But the main focus of my blog is the common woman and man in Tanzania.  The marginalized ones. The focus should be to the ordinary Mwananchi (Citizen). In my blog, the normaly marginalized and voice-less Mwananchi should come first.   My blog should be the voice of the voiceless. Of all what we discuss in the blog, must reflect and have an impact to the common Mwananchi.
How would you describe your blog?
It is like a village, a platform for people to express their views freely. People do express their views in a civilised way. Very rarely, you can read abusive language in my blog. I do not filter peoples comments, I think it’s a good thing. I believe in a free-word, let people speak their minds. You think, you write down your opinion, you publish and there you are, others will read what you think at that particular moment. And in doing this, you are free to expose your real name or remain anonymous. And that is the great thing with the blog, if a blog is used in a good way, it is very democratic, indeed.
When you spend time online are there any particular blogs you read regularly?
Yes, a number of them, and the list can be long.
Besides being a blogger, do you belong to, or consider yourself a member of any other online community?
Yes. I belong to Jambo Forums and Tanzanet as communities.
How do you define these communities, what is the difference between those communities and the blogging communities?
They are good communities, a lot of intellectual discussions and debates are going on out there. One can learn a lot if you are a member, and the latter is the difference from the blog. You do not need to sign as member in a blog. You can get in and out whenever you need.
I have noticed that more than once you have promised your readers that you would follow up on the issues raised in your blog. Two posts are of particular interest.  Let us start with a post in Hii Ndio Mwananyamala Inatisha. You posted a photograph of a very squalid street in Dar – Es – Salaam. Immediately your readers started to scream, because they believed that the residents could do something about the neighbourhood, and they asked you to collate their opinions and follow up the issue with the ward councillor, Mama Sabrina, did you follow up?
Yes, I made some follow-ups on the issue of Mwananyamala Bwawani. I have been back to the street, there are no changes so far.
I checked with Kinondoni’s MP Mr. Idd Azzad.  I live  500 Kms away  from Dar. I t can be difficult sometimes to make follow ups with such a distance away. My plan is to meet him and together we go to the said problem area.  I hope I will manage to do that in the near future.
And another post in late august was about environment,you posted a photograph of the hills surrounding Iringa town in Southern Tanzania, very barren hills I should say, then comments started to pour in, some very constructive solutions were put forward, again you promised to take those comments to the authorities. What happened?
Yes I did. I started with ward councillor, I gave the document containing ideas from people in the blog on how to contain the situation. A councillor is a CCM member, some CCM regional election meeting came in between.  And myself have other duties to execute in the job I do. I have been away in Singida, central Tanzania I came back to Iringa recently. I will make some follow-ups and give feed-back to people in my blog.
Do you think that activism can be carried out online? What are the possibilities of such activism having a noticeable impact on the ground?
Yes, activism can be carried out online and can have impact on the ground. We on the ground have a golden opportunity to straight face people responsible when we find out that there are issues discussed or debated online that need clarification, or questions raised that need answers. Sometimes I feel we have not real realised this opportunity and fully utilised.
Whether or not you identify yourself as an activist, what does activism mean to you?
To be active in fighting to bring about radical and positive fundamental changes that serves the interest of the majority in the society.
Questions:Do you think that bloggers will be able to play a significant role in this new kind of activism?
Answer:Yes I do, but I am afraid that many bloggers do not understand that they can influence positive changes in the society through blogging. It is possible, if it is serious blogging on serious matters.
What do you do when you are not writing or blogging?
Apart from the job I do, I like reading, go out in the nature, do jogging and watching football, I ‘ m fond of football. I like dancing and listening to the music as well.
Before I go, I should congratulate you for the community development work you do, not long ago you handed over soccer jerseys and other equipment worth millions of shillings to young people. You have shown initiative, you asked people to do something about the kids and their soccer, and there you go, the kids got what they need.
Maggid thank you for your time.
It’s my pleasure.

author: J. Nambiza Tungaraza


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Mexico: Protecting the Columbus Statue · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

On October 12, a date celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States, but as Día de la Raza in parts of Latin America, Juan Carlos Romero Puga of Vivir Mexico [ES] shows a picture of a statue of Christopher Columbus in Mexico City, which had been protected from the expected protests and vandalism.


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Nepal: China and more · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Nepali Netbook on relations between China and Nepal.


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Palestine: Jericho Event Cancelled · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“The OneVoice Movement regrets that the Jericho Summit that was to be hosted by OneVoice Palestine on October 18th as part of its One Million Voices campaign is postponed due to security considerations,” announced the OneVoice Movement on its website.


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Peru: Bloggers React to Gore Announcement · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Juan Arellano of Globalizado [ES] provides the latest reaction by Peruvian bloggers regarding the announcement of Al Gore as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.


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Peru: Problems With the Census · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

With the latest Peruvian census scheduled for October 21, Jose Alejandro Godoy of Desde El Tercer Piso [ES] writes that there are still unresolved issues such as the lack of sufficient number of volunteers.