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Francophone Morocco Roundup: Algeria’s response to the UN, anti-French sentiment and more · Global Voices
Lydia Beyoud

This week in the Moroccan blogosphere, Algeria fails in its duties, anti-French sentiment still strong in Morocco, DJ Awards and rose petals galore.
Maroc Multiple et Pluriel writes about the Algerian government's reaction the United Nations’ decision to classify the country as a high risk security zone following a double bombing in the nation’s capital in which 41 people died, 17 of which were U.N. personnel.
In a post entitled “Algeria’s Nervous Diplomacy,” Maroc Multiple et Pluriel cites the aggressive comments of Algerian politicians who claim that the U.N. is using a double standard in declaring Algeria a high-risk zone when it regularly intervenes in other dangerous regions throughout the world.
Mais les responsables algériens ne sont pas de cet avis, ils passent même à l'attaque avec un discours ordurier et vulgaire, digne de voyous. Zerhouni, ministre de l'intérieur qualifie l'ONU de se comporter comme «une fausse vierge “effarouchée”».
Voila une phrase qui doit intéresser les sémiologues ; les linguistes, les psychiatres et aussi les feministes pour l'analyser et dresser un profil psychologique et comportemental de ce ministre qui fustige l'ONU en la qualifiant ainsi.
De quel devoir, il fait allusion?
Est-ce le devoir de minimiser hypocritement le mal qui ronge l'Algéroe et laisser la population sans défense dans un situation de peur quotidienne?
Est-ce le refus de coopération avec les Etats de la région en matière de terrorism et de sécurité? Est-ce le devoir de s'immiscer dans les affaires internes des états voisins en fomentant des conflits artificiels à la frontière marocaine et en abritant une bande armée polisarienne sur son propre sol?
Est-ce le devoir de parrainer les rebelles touaregs en les dirigeant contre le Mali et le Niger?
Abdelaziz Belhadem, head of the Algerian government, also refused to bow to a U.N. inquiry into this double attack in an insolent tone, showing that the leaders of the country are nervous and bothered that the international community, by the voice of the U.N., is looking into the terrorism [there], one of the wounds eating into Algeria for many years.
They haven't been able to come up with the least solution to deliver the Algerian people from this daily nightmare. The head of the government goes even further, declaring that this decision “cannot be favorably welcomed because Algeria has done its duty.”
What duty is he alluding to?
Is it the duty to hypocritically minimize the evil that's eating Algeria up from the inside or the duty to leave the population defenseless in a situation of daily fear?
Is it the refusal to cooperate with the other states in the region on the issues of terrorism and security?  Is it the duty to involve itself with the internal affairs of neighboring states by fomenting artificial conflicts on the Moroccan border and hosting an armed group of Polisario militants on its own territory?
Is it the duty to sponsor the Touareg rebels by directing them against Mali and Niger?
French expat Laurent Bervas responds to a comment regarding anti-French resentment in Morocco left on his blog.
The comment:
La lecture des commentaires de ce blog me confirme à chaque fois que le ressentiment anti-occidental est un sentiment toujours bien présent et très répandu au Maroc notammment.
Each time I read the comments on this blog, they confirm to me that anti-Western resentment is still present and widespread, especially in Morocco.
The response:
Comme français vivant au Maroc, je confirme la présence ce ressentiment (ce n’est pas mon voisin de Marrakech qui me dira le contraire). On peut alors se poser la question du pourquoi ?
La France, contrairement à l’Angleterre n’a pas très bien réussi sa décolonisation (je citais en exemple Singapour, ou l’ancien gouverneur anglais, équivalent de Lyautey, est célébré par les singapouriens).
La faute probablement à une élite politique qui continue encore aujourd’hui, dans certains discours et certains actes, a stigmatiser l’étranger comme une source de problèmes ( “le mouton dans la baignoire”, les tests ADN, …). On retrouve malheureusement cette “arogance” française dans les bureaux des administrations françaises à l’étranger ou dans certains cercles de français au Maroc (ou dans les discours récents comme “L’homme africain qui n’est pas entré dans l’histoire” ou la “politique de civilisation” de Nicolas Sarkozy).
Marie-Aude a, je pense, fait un commentaire qui résume bien celà :La colonisation à la française était beaucoup plus interventionniste que la colonisation anglaise, qui était surtout là pour assurer le commerce en “laissant vivre” les structures locales. La France voulait civiliser, l’Angleterre voulait faire de l’argent.
En filigrane, la France considérait la culture de ses colonies comme inférieure, l’Angleterre n’avait pas cette considération (et si elle l’avait, ce n’était pas essentiel). Ce qui n’allait pas non plus sans un certain mépris, à l’égard des “natives” dont la signification est beaucoup plus lourde de morgue que n’importe quel ‘bougnoule” ou “bicot”.
Et il n’y a jamais eu en France les pakis banshing organisés en Angleterre dans les années 80.Les structures politiques étaient autres, et malgré un racisme assez fort, les colonisés avaient plus la possibilité d’évoluer économiquement, que dans les colonies françaises.
Maintenant, si tu vas en Angleterre, le revirement par rapport à un modèle que je qualifierais d’intégration “côte à côte, chacun chez soi” est violent, et sera peut être difficile.
Il est beaucoup plus difficile d’interdire le voile, comme certains commencent à le demander, quand on oblige les écoliers tous les matins à assister aux prières anglicanes!
France, unlike England did not do such a good job with its decolonization (I was citing Singapore as an example, where the former English governor, the equivalent of Lyautey, is celebrated by Singaporians).
A political elite which still continues today, in certain speeches and certain acts, to stigmatize foreigners as a source of problems (“sheep slaughtered in the bathtub [referring to a statement about immigrants’ customs made by French President Sarkozy during the last French elections that he no longer wanted to see ‘girls undergo genital mutilation, girls forcibly married, [and] no more sheep slaughtered in the bathtub’],” DNA tests,…) are to probably to blame. Unfortunately this French “arrogance” can be found in the offices of French administrations abroad or in certain French circles in Morocco (or in recent speeches by Nicolas Sarkozy such as “The African man who has not entered into history” or the “politics of civilization”).
Marie-Aude made, I thought, a comment that sums all this up quite well:  French-style colonization was much less interventionist than English colonization, which was mostly there to assure commerce by “letting live” the local structures. France wanted to civilize, England wanted to make money.
Implicitly, France considered the culture of its colonies as inferior to its own, England did not share this belief (and if it did, it wasn’t essential [to its colonization]).
Another sticky subject was a certain scorn towards the “natives,” a word whose significance is much more loaded with smugness than any ‘bougnoule [a derogatory French term for Arabs]’ or ‘bicot [another slang term used to refer to North-Africans]’. France never saw the paki-bashings organized in England during the 1980s.
The political structures were different, and despite a fairly strong racism, the colonized had more possibility of evolving economically than in the French colonies.
Now, if you go to England, the about face from a model of integration that I would characterize as “living side by side, everyone does as he sees fit in his own home” is violent, and may be difficult.
It is much more difficult to prohibit the veil, as some have begun to call for, when you make school children participate in Anglican prayers every morning!
The neighbor that Bervas refers to in his post is another European expatriot living in Morocco who writes more strongly but along similar lines:
Ne venez pas au Maroc.
Vous n'êtes pas les bienvenus.
Vous devriez avoir honte en tant que Français, vu le traitement que vous réservez au Marocains, qui vous reçoivent, dès lors qu'ils sont en France.
Vous devriez avoir honte d'appartenir à une nation assimilationniste, négationniste qui a élu un erzatz fasciste pour Président, de venir profiter du peuple marocain et de ses ressources, dans un cadre qui a été voulu et préparépar votre Etat.
Tant que vous serez chez nous, l'absolutisme alaouite aura de beaux jours devant lui.
Jamais une démocratie n'accorderait les privilèges que vous avez chez nous.
Ne venez pas pleurer à la faveur d'un fait divers dramatique comme celui qui s'est produit en Mauritanie.
Vous pensez que vous pouvez empêcher nos peuples de vivre sur leur territoireen soutenant corps et armes des régimes qui vous nourrissent, que vous pouvez interdire aux notresle droit élémentaire d'émigrer, et que vous méritez de vivre sur nos terres?
Vous êtes bien cons.
Comme ceux qu'on a liquidé avant vous.
Vive le peuple Marocain opprimé!
Blogger Maroculture writes about the latest in Moroccan awards (after the Maroc Blog Awards, Film Festival Awards, Music Awards, etc…): Maroc Party DJ Awards.
Décidémment, on n'arrête plus les concours/awards/remise de prix au Maroc. Pourvu que l'on ne tombe pas dans une saturation amère de ce type d'événement.
Mais bon, là c'est plutôt sympa. Tout dépend des Djs sélectionnés car il y a djs et djs. Bref.
Voyez plutôt par vous même le communiqué des organisateurs.
“Le concept Maroc Party DJ Awards vient avec l’idée de rassembler et en même temps faire connaître les différents DJ nationaux sur la scène, et bien sur découvrir de nouveaux talents faiseurs de tendance, le tout dans un cadre musical digne des grandes compétitions internationales.
Cette soirée placée sous le signe du Mix, du Live et de l’image se tiendra à la ville rouge.
Les nommés seront élus par un jury composé de professionnels de la musique et du clubbing. Le publique aura aussi sa parole en votant sur le site www.marocparty.com qui sera mis en place préalablement afin de déterminer les finalistes. Il y aura des catégories dans la compétition, ainsi chaque Dj pourra prouver son talent à travers son style préféré.
- Best DJ house
– Best DJ trance
– Best DJ R&b hip hop
– Best DJ electro
– Best DJ reggae ragga
– Autres
Après la cérémonie, les finalistes vont jouer dans l’un des plus grands clubs de Marrakech.”
Ce qui me fait peur, c'est que ce soit les visiteurs du site qui votent. Si DJ X à plus de potes que DJ Y, on peut déjà imaginer les résultats.
Bref, bonne initiative tout de même ( ça se passe à Marrakech en plus, ça c'est chouette!!) et bon courage à l'organisation.
Certainly, the competitions/awards/prize giving aren’t letting up in Morocco. Let’s hope that we don’t fall into a bitter saturation with this type of event. But anyway, this one is pretty cool.  It all depends on the DJs chosen because there are DJs and then there are DJs. Anyway.
See for yourself the organizers’ press release:
“The concept “The Maroc Party DJ Awards” comes with the idea of getting together and at the same time making the different national DJs on the scene better known, and of course discovering new trend-setting talents, all in the musical framework worthy of the large international competitions.
This evening placed under the sign Mixing, Live and Image will take place in the Red City [Marrakech]. The nominees will be selected by a jury composed of music and clubbing professions.
The public will also have a voice by voting on the site www.marocparty.com which will be set up beforehand in order to determine the finalists.
There will be categories in the competition, so that each DJ will be able to show off his talent through his preferred style.
– Best DJ house
– Best DJ trance
– Best DJ R&b hip hop
– Best DJ electro
– Best DJ reggae ragga
-Others.
After the ceremony, the finalists will play in one of Marrakech’s biggest clubs.”
What makes me worried is that the visitors to the site will be able to vote. If DJ X has more buddies than DJ Y, you can already imagine the results.
At any rate, good initiative all the same (and plus it’s happening in Marrakesh, that’s cool!!) and good luck to the organization.
Baroude, blogging out of Marrakech, offers up his indignation regarding the excess of refined tastes on a plate surrounded by rose petals in the following post which could also be entitled “too much of a good thing”:
Le nom de notre pays peut bien signifier en arabe « pays de l’occident extrême » (Al Maghrib Al Aqsa), nous ne demeurons pas moins des orientaux, dotés (au moins en partie) d’un certain sens du raffinement.
Les invasions abbassides (Avant de devenir la ville la plus dangereuse du monde, Bagdad fut le phare de la culture mondiale), les invasions omeyyades (avant de devenir un musée à ciel ouvert de statuts des Assad père et fils, Damas fut la capitale florissante d’un immense empire), l’émigration des andalous après la reconquista (autant les musulmans que les juifs, dans leurs différentes vagues successives d’exode), des siècles de monarchie et de vie de cours (avec la propension universelle de la bourgeoise à imiter dans son intérieur les traditions de la cours), etc…
Tout cela a laissé des traces dans notre pays. On asperge nos invités d’eau de rose, on brûle de l’encens à la moindre occasion, on disperse des pétales de roses à tout va, etc… on m’a même raconté cette belle histoire : il fut un temps où, la veille du retour du Sultan dans la ville de Fès, sa suite semait des pétales de roses dans les sources d’eau qui alimentaient la ville en eau. De cette façon, les fassis apprenaient l’arrivée imminente du sultan en découvrant, à l’aube, des milliers de pétales de roses dans les fontaines de la vielle ville.
Quand on dispose d’une tradition pareille, et qu’on ambitionne de recevoir 10 millions de touristes en 2010, on en profite sans retenue pour flatter les rêves d’Orient du voyageur, au risque de frôler l’indigestion.
Pendant le dernier Festival de cinéma de Marrakech, j’ai dû me rendre pour un rendez-vous dans un tout nouvel hôtel inauguré à l’occasion : Le Saadi Palace. C’est un hôtel magnifique, somptueusement meublé, admirablement conçu… un joyau de l’hôtellerie marocaine (c’est là où était logé Leonardo Di Caprio, et pendant ma visite, j’y ai aperçu Matt Dillon).
Mon rendez-vous ayant été copieusement arrosé de café et de Sidi Ali, j’eu donc également l’occasion, avant de partir, de visiter les petits coins de l’endroit. Et là, quel ne fut mon effroi : quelqu’un avait jugé que le comble du raffinement serait de placer des pétales de roses au fonds de la cuvette. Des pétales de rose autour de l’évier, sur les serviettes…ça fait joli et raffiné. Au fonds de la cuvette, c’est clairement une faute de goût et un crime contre les pauvres roses. A vous couper l’envie…
L’illustration parfaite de la maxime : trop de raffinement tue le raffinement.
En cette année qui commence avec autant de drames, de catastrophes et d’angoisses pour l’avenir du monde, les sujets bien plus graves ne manquent pas.
Mais j’avais envie d’exprimer mon indignation sur ce sujet précis. Il faut savoir se montrer courageux parfois.
The name of our country can mean in Arabic “country of the extreme West” (Al Maghrib Al Aqsa), we remain never the less orientals, gifted (at least partially) with a certain sense of refinement. We sprinkle our guests with rose water, we burn incense for the slightest occasion, we toss rose petals all over the place, etc…I’ve even been told this lovely story: it used to be that the day before the Sultan’s return to the city of Fes, his [royal] suite cast rose petals into all the springs that nourished the city with water. This way, the Fassis [people of Fez] learned of the sultan’s imminent arrival when they discovered, at dawn, thousands of rose petals in the old city’s fountains.
When you can call upon such a tradition, and when you set your heart on receiving 10 million tourists in 2010, you can take advantage of it without restraint in order to satisfy the traveler’s Oriental dreams, at the risk of barely evading indigestion.
During the last Marrakech Film Festival, I had to go to a meeting in a brand-new hotel inaugurated for the occasion: The Saadi Palace. It’s a magnificent hotel, sumptuously furnished, admirably conceived…a jewel of Moroccan hotel industry (that’s where Leonardo Di Caprio was staying, and during my visit, I caught a glimpse of Matt Dillon).
My meeting, having been copiously watered by coffee and Sidi Ali [a brand of Moroccan mineral water, like Evian or Perrier], I also had the opportunity before leaving to visit the “little corners” of the place.
And there, what a scare I had: someone had decided that the epitome of refinement would be to place rose petals in the bottom of the toilet. Rose petals around the sink, on the napkins…it looks pretty and refined.
In the toilet, it’s clearly a lack of taste and a crime against the poor roses. Enough to make you not want to…
The perfect illustration of the maxim: “too much refinement kills refinement.”
In this year starting with so many dramas, catastrophes and fears for the world’s future, there is no shortage of more serious subjects.
But I wanted to express my indignation regarding this particular subject.  Sometimes you have to be a little gutsy.

author: Lydia Beyoud


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MENA: Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr…It’s Freezing · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Brrrr… It's freezing in the Middle East is the message that has been popping up on blogs recently. Here's a round up of what some of the region's bloggers had to say about the cold spell, in the otherwise warm and sometimes explosive hotspot of the world.
Qatar:
Our first stop is in Qatar, where Marjorie in Qatar describes how cold it could be in a country where using heaters is not the norm. She writes:
(S)even degrees is pretty dang cold in a country with no heaters. Right now I'm huddled under a blanket with my cat. At least I'm not in Riyadh, which is getting below freezing at night, or in mountainous parts of the UAE, where it's *snowing*.
Dan is also experiencing rain for the first time after nine ‘dry’ months.
“Doha, this crazy, desert town was besieged by rain. It is oddly refreshing and comforting to feel raindrops on your face after 9 dry months in Qatar. The last rain that I remember here was way back in April.. Its a good thing that it was so long ago too – I had forgotten the mania of Doha in the wet. Yesterday alone I saw 5 car accidents (normally its 1)..
Doha is not built for rain. Streets get flooded, drivers get enraged (or petrified depending on their disposition), buildings leak water (and wind) and even the mice try to venture in for shelter..” he explains.
Click here to see some of Dan's pictures.
Writing in Qatar Living, Ajnas points out how catastrophic those rain drops could be and the toll they have on drivers and road users. He reports:
A total of 153 traffic accidents have been reported in and around Doha during the first day of rains, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported.
There were 35 accidents in Khalifa Town. An Asian young man suffered injuries when he was knocked down by a car while crossing Al Sadd Street.
Al Rayan saw 30 accidents, including 10 severe ones. Al Mamoura had 88 accidents, without injuries.
And Mohamed chimes in and writes:
The worst thing about rain in the desert….
…is that the streets turn to mud….
Kuwait:
From the muddy streets of Doha, we move to Kuwait, where bloggers are also complaining about the cold.
In addition to making him lazy, ZDistrict says the cold is harsh on his car's gears. He explains:
What the hell is this cold! Where the hell did it come from, I like the cold more then I do the heat but not when I have work, going to work early the morning in this cold makes it difficult to get up, getting the car moving is another issue. 4C is damn cold early in the morning and I want to warm the car right up by putting it in gear and launching so that I warm up the car forcefully but sometimes its so cold the car has a hard time getting in gear since it hasn’t really warmed up.
Still in Kuwait, Fonzy shares with us pictures he received on email of frozen puddles on the sea front in Wafra.
“The sea water froze!! I won’t be surpirised if it were actually true,” he exclaims.
Libya:
Bad weather dampened Khadija Teri's mood over the weekend. She writes:
My weekend plans collapsed under the buckets of rain that fell from the skies. Thursday we hung around the house mostly but decided to go out to Cinnabon in the evening to get a change in scenery.
Friday's plan was to go to the mountains – more rain.
Iraq:
For the first time in living memory, it snowed in Baghdad. Marshmallow26 writes more about the flakes which warmed up the hearts of Baghdad's residents. She explains:
So Snow finally has arrived in Iraq, and its not only in the North but it kicked in Baghdad's atmosphere… What a lovely thing to know that the snow, which is one of the miracles of God to the nature had drawn a smile on many Iraqis faces that day when the weather center subjected snow in Baghdad and some other cities!! Is it weird to know that London is still waiting for the snow while Baghdad; the Bride of the middle east had it? HUH!!
Ever the adventurer, Marshmallow26 succeeds in convincing her father to take a two hour drive to Sullymania and shares with us more snow pictures here.
SnowVarks:
And last but not least, Middle East commentator Marc Lynch or Abu Aardvark, shares with us this picture of a snowvark – a fitting conclusion to this post!
Related GV posts:
Iraq: Snow in Baghdad
Videos of Snow in Baghdad

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Namibia: Spatial Analysis Blog · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Hipondoka sets up blog focused on GIS at the University of Namibia: “At the end of the second semester, we are expected to produce a research paper specifically making use of RS or GIS or both as a tool. For this year, topics will be centred around the City of Windhoek.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Nigeria: The Super Eagles may not qualify · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Emmanuel discusses the Nigerian national soccer team, the Super Eagles: “Berti Vogts has finally brought some pride to many a Nigerian coach who has perpetually been looked down upon by the NFA. Ever since I grew up to know what football is, ever since I started watching the super Eagles on TV, this is the first time the Super Eagles may not get through the group stages.”


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South Africa: 2008 South Africa Blog Awards · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Cherryflava announces the 2008 South Africa Blog Awards: “This year's SA Blog Awards site is now live – with initial nominations opening up on the site on Monday 11 February [put that in your diary now]. All last year's categories are still up for grabs, as well as a few new ones.”


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Uganda: 2007 Uganda Best of Blogs awards · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

2007 uganda Best of Blogs awards: “Over at The Kampalan, Dee has just announced the 2007 Uganda Best of Blogs awards. Check out her post for the nomination specifics…”


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Uganda: Bloggers Happy Hour · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Darlyne shares her experience at the first 2008 Uganda Bloggers Happy Hour: “And so it was, BHH I mean and it rocked. I was the first one there as I usually am only because I work so close to Mateos and finish work at 4 so I am basically idle till 6. I wasn't there long and who comes along but the blushing bride-to-be Be Silent herself.”


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Afghanisatn:AfghanPress, a new digital media · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Afghan Press is a new media about Afghanistan.Afghan Press is about digital media, documentaries, podcasts, online TV, journalism, women blogging, youth empowerment via the internet and beyond.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Afghanistan: Balkhi Returns To Balkh · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Mohammad Fahim reports on the ceremony of 800th Anniversary of Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi, the Afghanistan's philosopher and mystical poet known as Rumi in west.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Afghanistan: Iranian Weapons in Farah? · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Joshua Foust is skeptikal about another declaration made by a mid-level official that Iran is allegedly sending weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan.


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Argentina: Playing Pro Basketball · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Andrew Jackson of Argentina's Travel Guide interviews Chris Jeffries, a US citizen playing professional basketball in Argentina.  Jeffries says, “I’ve had the chance to travel the world, get paid for it, and learn two (Spanish, French) new languages. To me that’s amazing.”

author: Eduardo Avila


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Armenia: Army Day · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

January 28 is a national holiday in Armenia and marks the foundation of the Armenian Army. Nazarian posts his thanks for the creation of the country's post-independence non-Soviet army.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Armenia: On The Campaign Trail · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

In another post on my Armenia Election Monitor 2008 there is coverage and photographs of the campaign of another presidential candidate, Vahan Hovannisian, ahead of next month's vote.


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Bahamas: Moving On… · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Rick Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com is fed-up of the two political parties’ bickering about the election results: “It is time for the rhetoric to stop on both sides of the political divide so the country can move forward.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Bahrain: Highbrow to Eyebrow  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“Before moving to Bahrain I had never touched my eyebrows,” writes Bint Battuta, who has since caved in to pressure and religiously follows threaders around.


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Bangladesh: Cinema, politics, health, photography and history · Global Voices
Rezwan

Cinema:
The Bangladeshi film industry nicknamed Dhallywood used to produce decent films for the Bangladeshi society. But with the competition of superior quality pictures from Hollywood and Bollywood, which conquered Bangladesh market and the people with the help of cheap bootleg VCD/DVDs,  Dhallywood was in trouble in the last decade. Keeping the strict censorship rule in a predominantly Muslim society in mind, the Dhallywood producers invented new ways to attract viewers with saucier and violent scenes as well as stories and using colorful explicit posters.
Shafiur of imperfect world 2008 shares 8 posters from his collection of almost 500 posters to let us have an idea of what Dhallywood offers now- a- days.
Politics
“The rule of law is essential for society to live without fear. For it to apply, it must start at the top.”
World renowned photojournalist Shahidul Alam comments the above in a photo essay on the existing rule of law (or the absence of it) in Bangladesh. Click here for the photo essay.
Health
Recently an email about maltreatment and death of a patient in a Dhaka clinic was widely circulated among the Bangladeshis. Life in Eskaton posts it to portray the sorry state of the private clinics who are just cash mongers and negligent in service.
The blogger shares another story about his father’s MRI investigation in a diagnostic center in Dhaka. Being a heart patient he had to take some cautions.  His mother detected that from a display in a board and rushed to alert doctors before they proceeded with the investigation.
He asks:
Lucky for us, my mother is a sensible woman. And a person who could read English instructions being used as decorative items inside the hospital. What if it was some innocent man from a rural area who can’t read? How can one accept negligence of this magnitude from doctors who appear so smart and intelligent?
Photography
Russell John posts in BP Blog (Official Blog of Bangladeshi Photographers) a collage of 110 photos which are on display in the Sidr Aid Photography Exhibition 2008 being held in Dhaka.
History
There is a controversy in Bangladesh brewed by the dynastical political descendents of two architects of Bangladesh’s liberation – the father of the nation and ex-prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and ex-president General Ziaur Rahman, on the issue of who declared the independence of Bangladesh. We have seen text books have been rewritten during the tenure of BNP (headed by Zia’s wife Khaleda Zia) and Awamy League (headed by Shiekh Mujib’s daughter Sheikh Hasina) claiming their versions of the history.
Blogger Mashuqur Rahman and freedom fighter and liberation war historian M. M. Rahman Jalal did an extensive research on this and posts the revealing facts. Please read the post to find out the truth.

author: Rezwan


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Bangladesh: Dowry and Women · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Bangladesh from our view writes on the issue of dowry system in the country.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Belize: Palacio Laid to Rest  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Belizean was there when musical icon Andy Palacio was laid to rest.


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Brazil: 48 murders at the weekend in Pernambuco · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Despite the fact that there is no official information from the relevant governmental body, PE Body Count [pt] carries on its independent count of the murder rates in Pernambuco, Brazil. The blogger found out that 46 people were murdered this weekend, although the PR team in charge of feeding the press informed they knew of only four homicides on Sunday.

author: Paula Góes


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Caucasus: Polarized Politics · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

This being the year of elections in the South Caucasus, Marilisa Lorusso's Blog says that reasoned political debate has given way to aggression and a polarized environment that will be difficult to reconcile later. The post also rounds up the latest election-related news from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.


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China: Auditing Device for Censorship · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

CNbeta has an anonymous post about new censorship method. It is an auditing device for tracking down uploading and downloading content at schools, hotels, internet cafe, etc.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Train Jam · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Because of the heavy snow in Hunan, the spring train traffic has been seriously affected. The situation in Guangzhou Railway station can be viewed at 56.com (zh). Inmediahk.net has an article written by a mainland reporter, pointing out that the traffic problem at the eve of spring festival has been recurring for the past 20 years. The natural disaster just made the situation worse.


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China: Where’s the Xiamen PX Project in Overseas Democracy Movement? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated a post from Observe China by Zhang Heci which tried to explain why overseas democracy movement missed the Xiamen PX Project.


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Costa Rica: Continued Problems with the Bank · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The blogger at Costa Rica en el Presente [es] continues to have problems dealing with the National Bank and wonders if this is a sign of the arrival of the “mega-banks.”


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Costa Rica: Environmental Rankings · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Costa Rica ranked 5th in the world and 1st in the Americas according to an environmental index released by Yale and Columbia universities.  The study, which looked at each country's policies in preserving the environment is celebrated by the blog Out of Costa Rica [es]


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East Timor: On Suharto’s death · Global Voices
Paula Góes

In late 1975, East Timor declared its independence from Portugal after 400 years of domination. But the freedom only lasted a little while, as the country was later that year invaded and occupied by Indonesia, which led to a 24 year rule. It is estimated that up to 200,000 people, one-third of the local population, died as a result of it.
This invasion was commanded by General Suharto, then Indonesia's dictator, with Australian encouragement and United States approval. Here is how a few bloggers connected to East Timor reacted to the news of his  death at the age of 86 this Sunday January, 27.
José Prereira [pt] introduces Suharto for those who didn't know him:
Este é o Homem que a Democracia Americana sempre apoiou.
A lança americana na Ásia.
Na chacina dos 500.000 comunistas.
Na invasão de Timor Leste.
Chamava-se Suharto.
This is a man who has always been supported by the American Democracy.
The American's spear in Asia.
In the slaughter of 500,000 communists.
In the invasion of East Timor.
His name was Suharto.
Pedro Fontela [pt] list his legacy and says he is among the ones celebrating the news:
Suharto, ex-ditador Indonésio, morreu, finalmente. Falta-me a hipocrisia para sugerir que possa sentir qualquer sensação de pena. Menos um tirano genocida no mundo, ainda bem para nós! Haja uma celebração!
Suharto, the former Indonesian dictator, died at last. I lack the hypocrisy to suggest that I can feel any pity for him. It is one less tyrant genocidal in the world, good for us! May there be a celebration!
Timor Lorosae Nação [pt] also publishes the ex-dictator's biography and states that Suharto, who he says is ‘the biggest criminal of Contemporary History after the World War II’, does not deserve respect in his death:
Enfim, entrou, por favor, no Inferno e lá ficará a consumir-se nas chamas alimentadas por tanta mortandade, carnificina e terror que espalhou por todo o sudeste asiático.
Não lhe desejo mal. Somente que sofra uma vez por dia por cada vítima do seu consulado de sangue e cadáveres. São só uns milhões.
Está muito bem onde está. O Inferno para quem o merece.
At last, he has gone no Hell and there he will be to be consumed in flames fed by so much killing, bloodshed and terror that he spread around the South-East Asia.
I don't wish him any harm. Only that he suffers once a day for every victim of his blood and bodies consulate. These are only a few million.
He is very well where he is. Inferno is for those who deserve it.
Isabel Faria [pt] criticizes Ramos Horta, the actual President of East Timor, for stating that people should not harbour resentment towards the deceased general:
Desculpem lá, um ditador deixa de ser um ditador depois de morto? Um assassíno que não é julgado pelos seus crimes não tem que se preocupar porque depois de morto (…)
Nota final: No dicionário rancor, significa : ódio profundo e oculto; ressentimento.
Até posso entender que Ramos Horta refira o primeiro significado da palavra…porque se referir o segundo, está a trair a luta do seu povo e do povo indonésio contra a repressão e pela liberdade. E a memória dos que por elas morreram.
Excuse me there, is a dictator no longer a dictator after they die? Should  we not be concerned by a dead murderer who was  not judged for his crimes? (…)
Final note: In the dictionary, rancor [the Portuguese word used by Horta] means: deep and hidden hatred; resentment.
I do understand it if Ramos Horta has meant the first meaning of the word … because if he refers to the second, he is betraying the struggle of his people and the Indonesian people against repression and freedom. And the memory of those who died for these.
Timor Online [pt] has been collecting blogs and media reactions to the news, both in English and in Portuguese.
Only in May 20, 2002 East Timor became free. It was the first new sovereign state of the twenty-first century.


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East Timor: Suharto is dead · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Many East Timor blogs are reacting to Suharto's death. Here is what Pedro Fontela [pt] says: “Suharto, the former Indonesian dictator, died at last. I lack the hypocrisy to suggest that it can feel any pitty. It is one less tyrant genocidal in the world, good for us! May there be a celebration!”. Timor Online [pt] has been collecting blog reactions to the news.


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Ecuador: Marches in Guayaquil · Global Voices
Milton Ramirez

Ecuador is much more than just a country with beautiful scenery and delicious food and drink.  It also has its share of problems, and unfortunately the image of the country is falling the eyes of some.   There is still hope, and as blogger Pedro Freile of Dentro de Tus Llagas [es] points out, Ecuadorans dream of a different country:
Entonces, discúlpenme si soy tan… digamos, negativo. Pero quisiera un país como el que soñaron Maldonado, Espejo, García Moreno. No este puñado de vulgaridades y peleas intestinas. Un país católico, un país de hermanos.
So excuse me if I am so … let's say, negative. But I want a country like that dreamed of by Maldonado, Espejo, García Moreno. Not this handful of vulgarities and intestinal fights . A Catholic country, a country of brotherhood .
These thoughts followed the events that took place in the city of Guayaquil this past week when the Mayor of Guayaquil called for all people living in his province to come out and protest against the new tax reform recently approved by the National Constituent Assembly. Critics called the reform a marvel of 21st century socialism. Juan José Malo, is the Chief of the  Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Miami and writes about this confusing situation involving the tax reform [es]:
Esta Asamblea ahora redacta leyes, como la anteriormente expuesta, y se apresta a redactar otras, que inevitablemente surgirán de un proceso viciado que tarde o temprano podrá anular lo actuado, ya que son leyes emitidas sin estudio previo a su efecto en la sociedad, generando más caos y profundizando el limbo jurídico en el que ahora se desenvuelve nuestra patria.
This Assembly is now drafting laws, as set forth herein, and is preparing to write another, which inevitably arise from a flawed process that sooner or later may cancel the proceedings, because these laws are issued without prior study of its effect on the society, generating more chaos and deepening the legal limbo in which it operates right now our home country.
On January 24th, along the Avenue 9th of October in the principal port of Guayaquil, Ecuador, nearly 100 thousand people congregated to asking for an Autonomous Guayaquil [es]. Many attended because they wanted to be there, but others were asked to come because they worked for businesses associated with Guayaquil's Mayor Jaime Nebot and therefore, were required to be there.  Rafael Mendez Meneses [es], who is a blogger living close to Guayaquil, in a small city called Naranjal, writes:
…No olvide ir a la marcha socialcristiana en la que empieza la lucha contra la autonomía (la otra marcha fue finalmente usada para otros fines, y no se sorprenda si esta también) favor llevar banderas grandes para que en las fotos aéreas no se vea vacía la calle.
…Do not forget to go to the Social Christian march, which begins the fight against autonomy (the other march was eventually used for other purposes, and don't be surprised if this will be, as well) Please,  carry large flags for the aerial pictures so that the streets do not look empty.
Ecuadorans are divided along three well-marked cultural territories. One is the coasts for people living next to beaches and with temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, the Sierra with people living away from the Ecuadoran coast and containing very cold climate and finally, the Orient dedicated mainly for those in jungle region.  Most presidents in Ecuador have been elected from Guayaquil or Quito, and very few from other provinces.  What's going on now is that  Guayaquil's mayor and Ecuador's President are from the very same city and have a lot in common.  The  government's counter-march contained approximately the same quantitiy of people present. Humberto Cholango [es] from the Ecuarunari organization,  calls to support the Constituent Assembly and on behalf of his fellows indigenousm he writes and says:
La oligarquía ecuatoriana con ayuda internacional ha iniciado el ataque y agresión al proceso de cambio social y amenaza a la Asamblea Constituyente con la marcha de hoy en la ciudad de Guayaquil. Detrás del discurso “prudente” del Alcalde Nebot,… se esconden los represores y torturadores del gobierno de León Febres Cordero, los responsables de la crisis bancaria de 1999 que se robaron más de 7 mil millones de dólares de los ahorristas, los que se aprovecharon y siguen aprovechando de las privatizaciones petroleras, agua y de las concesiones mineras…
The Ecuadorian oligarchy with international assistance has initiated the attack and aggression on the process of social change and threatens the Constituent Assembly with the march today in the city of Guayaquil. Behind the “prudent” speech of  Mayor Nebot, … the oppressors and torturers of the government of Leon Febres Cordero hide, who are responsible of the banking crisis of 1999,  when they stole more than 7 billion dollars from the savings accounts of many, they exploited and continue taking advantage of oil privatization, water and mining concessions…
Galo Lara [es] is an Assemblyman for the Constituent representing the province of Los Rios.  In his blog, he also mentions the progression of events in Guayaquil:
Si el bloque oficialista, y el mismo Gobierno se imaginaron, que Ecuador entero los respalda, la Marcha de Guayaquil les dice a todos ellos, que los actos que estàn cometiendo no van a quedar en la impunidad
If the official block, and the Government believe that they have the support of the entire country, then the march of Guayaquil said that the acts they are committing are not going to remain with impunity
One of the bloggers who happend to live near the site of the march, the Avenue 9 of October, tells his very own story about the manifestations.   He concedes, all people living over this avenue will have to get accustomed to these kind of events.  Guillermo Sornoza of El Ecuador de Hoy [es] writes:
Muchos que estuvieron tampoco están de acuerdo con las fundaciones oscuras. Un tanto más no les cae bien Nebot, pero peor les cae Correa. Sea cual fuere la convicción, el hecho es que hay que notar que todavía el presidente, y sobre todo, su carácter y comportamiento, genera rechazo.
Many of who were at the march were not in agreement with the dark forces.  Even if they do not like Nebot, they like Correa even less.  So whatever their beliefs, the fact remains is that it must be noted that even the President, and above all his character and behavior generates rejection.
But not everyone supports the Mayor and his political party “List Six” or supports President Correa. There are people who prefer neither side, and declare themselves in favor or against any of these two politicians:  Trying to get her off course, Fatima Ifegenia [es] for example, in her personal blog says she's not against the goverment but neither against the List 6, political party of Jaime Nebot.  She admits the ‘reasons’ why she was present at the demonstration:
No soy anticorreista consumada, de hecho, considero que el gobierno ha tomado algunas medidas correctas. Tampoco soy pro Social Cristiana (¿existe todavía ese partido?). Sin embargo, estuve ayer en la marcha de apoyo a Nebot y de oposición a Correa. ¿Por qué? Porque me ofrecieron un puesto en el Municipio.
Totalmente falso, fui porque quise ir, sin ninguna presión de ninguna clase, solo la de mi indignación.
I am not consummately Anti-Correa, in fact, I believe that the government has taken some correct steps . Nor am for the Social Cristians  (Does that party still exist?). However, I was at the march yesterday in support of Nebot and in opposition to Correa. Why? Because I was offered a job in the municipality.
Totally fake.  I went because I wanted to, not press at all, the only press was  my anger.
From northeastern part of Ecuador, Phantom pokes fun at and laughs about what's going on in the political arena [es] and asks:
Y hablando de panzones con aires de grandeza ¿no les cabrea la “medición de fuerzas” entre Nebot y Correa?. A la mayoría sí, nos cabrea, pero también hay harta, hartísima gente (de acuerdo a las multitudinarias marchas de lado y lado) que apoya a uno o al otro.
And speaking of fat cats with their arrogance:  Don't you get angry with “the testing of might” between Nebot and Correa? The majority yes, we're angry, but there are also too, a lot of people (according to the countless demonstrations side-by-side), which supports one or the other.
We are going to conclude this round up, with the thoughts of an intellectual working for the SUNY at New York who has a great blog and doesn't miss a single event related to his country. Fernando Iturburu [es], says that not all politicians fight as the lords in the UK Congress. The Ecuadorians are thoughtful and love to show off with their language. He extensively explains:
Nosotros, tan acostumbrados a creernos superiores, seguramente pensamos que nuestros ex-abruptos corresponden a las finezas verbales de los lores ingleses, que discuten en el Parlamento en medio de risas y hábil manejo retórico en forma de punteo-contrapunteo verbal. Pues no, lo siento: NO somos así. Lo nuestro es más brutal, más ciego, más autoritario, más vulgar e ignorante. Y eso es un problema que los líderes hacen cada día mayor.
We are so used to think of ourselves as superiors, certainly we think that our behaviour corresponds to the finest of England's Lords, who discuss in Parliament amid laughter and skillful management in the form of rhetorical verbal pointing and counterpointing. Well, no, I am sorry: we are NOT like thatl. Ours is more brutal, more blind, more authoritarian, more vulgar and ignorant. And this is a problem that the leaders become worse and worse.

author: Milton Ramirez


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Egypt: Abu Tarika · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

As usual, Zeinobia never misses an opportunity to highlight the highs and lows of Egyptian society. Now she turns her attention to sports and writes about latest the Egyptian match at the African Cup of Nations in Ghana 2008 against Sudan. Her post wasn't about Egypt's victory of 3-0 on Sudan but about Abu Tarika, a young Ahli Club football player, who has lately captured the hearts of almost all Egyptians –  whether they are in favor of his club or not!
Zeinobia explains:
Abu Tarika our favourite football player had scored two goals ,after scoring the first he showed his inner shirt on which there were some words on it, that had cost him a yellow card
What were these words ??
Sympathize with  Gaza
This is not the first time Abu Tarika's does it, in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo 2006 during the infamous Danish Cartoon crisis, Abu Tarika surprised us all when he wore an inner shirt written on it words that meant we are all for Prophet Mohammed “PBUH”
It is not about whether he is religious or not but it is about how he cares to express his views . He will not be able again , but at least he managed to deliver very important message in both incidents.

author: Eman AbdElRahman


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El Salvador: Death Threats for Radio Cadena Mi Gente · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Tim Muth writes about the death threats received by the journalists of the radio station Cadena Mi Gente.


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Guatemala: The First Day of School · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The first day of school has arrived in Guatemala and Julio Serrano of Guate 360 [es] writes about the opinions from parents and from students.


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Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago: Lusignan Massacre  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I've never felt so utterly hopeless about Guyana as I do today, and it weighs all the heavier in this prolonged season of hopelessness about my own country, my own society”: As news spreads about the horrific massacre in the town of Lusignan, Nicholas Laughlin‘s heart bleeds for Guyana.


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Honduras: Victims and Witnesses of Crime · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Crime continues to be a topic in Honduras, as a couple of local bloggers were a victim of a mugging and a witness to a extreme robbery.  Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve [es] had his wallet and laptop stolen on one of the safest parts on his daily route to his house.  Fabo Balsech of Diario de un Joven en Medio de la Nada [es] was caught off guard when he saw men with machine guns rob a woman in her car in front of the local university.


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India: Arun Gandhi and Anti-Semiticism · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

SAJA Forum on the controversy surrounding Arun Gandhi for making remarks seen as anti-semitic.


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India: Defending arranged marriages · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Hip Hop Grandmom writes a post defending the idea of arranged marriages.


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India: Madrasa Reforms and Education · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Madrasa Reforms in India highlights the work of Delhi-based Islamic Fiqh Academy (IFA).


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Indonesia: Must Read Article on Suharto · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Unspun recommends an article “that captures the complexity of Suharto the man who came to lead a nation in waiting”

author: Preetam Rai


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Iran:”Women Magazine” was banned · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Razeno informs [Fa] us that “Women Magazine” after being published for 16 years,was banned by Iranian government today,on 28th of January.The blogger says that this magazine published an article about “martyrdom seekers”. Article's title was “they go to be killed in order to kill”.You can see the cover of the last issue of this magazine.


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Israel: First Anniversary · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Rahel, from Israel, brings us the touching tale of a cat which was rescued in this post.


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Israel: Gaza’s Electricity Consumption · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Jerusalem, Gideon Lichfield writes about how much electricity Gaza consumes.”Assuming 1.4m people live in Gaza (some say 1.5m), and that its peak wintertime electricity consumption — ie, when Israel isn’t cutting off the fuel — is 250MW (UN figures, though 240MW has also been reported), then that’s 180W per person, or a couple of light bulbs. If they used all their electricity on standard 2kW electric heaters, there would be one heater per 11 people. Israel’s peak demand, which it has been hitting (Hebrew) thanks to the cold snap in recent days, is around 10,000MW, or 1.5kW per person, over eight times as much as Gaza’s,” he explains.


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Israel: Read At Your Own Risk  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Shira, from Israel, posts a picture of a Bible with a warning.


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Israel: Relations with the Germans and Poles · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Imshin, from Israel, discusses the relationship between Israelis and Germans and Poles in this post.


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Jamaica: Safe Sex?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Stunner's Afflictions blogs about the controversial issue of distributing condoms in Jamaican schools.


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Kazakhstan: More Turkish-Kazakh Violence · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

KZBlog reports that according to Turkish news sources, a group of 30 masked men in Almaty, Kazakhstan, attacked 40 Turkish workers Thursday night.


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Kyrgyzstan: Revolution Committee Established · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Asel writes that the newly-established Revolution Committee is demanding President Bakiev’s resignation as he failed to keep his promises.


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Lebanon: Demonstrations, Deaths and Specter of Civil War · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“Beirut dusts off 1975 lexicon” is how Friday Lunch Club summarized the media reporting of yesterday’s demonstrations and clashes. The demonstrations resulted in nine civilian casualties and more than 30 injuries.
During the Lebanese civil war which began 1975 and ended 1990, certain terms and phrases were used to describe the security situation on the ground. Suddenly, the same phrases, like “cautious calm”, “snipers”, “axis” and “demarcation line,” which have long been forgotten, popped up in the news again, bringing with them a specter of the Lebanese worst nightmare: a civil war.
Here is a random selection of bloggers’ reflections on yesterday’s incidents which started as demonstrations against electricity shortages and against hikes in prices but ended in riots, shootings and deaths.
EDB at Anecdotes from a Banana Republic described yesterday’s incidents in a post that started with:
At around 4pm this afternoon, dozens of men–mostly followers of Nabih Berri's Amal Movement– gathered near the Mar Mikhael Church in Chiyah (in Beirut's southern suburbs) to protest electricity shortages. Riots over living conditions have been an almost daily occurrence in recent weeks; some neighborhoods outside central Beirut receive only 2 hours of electricity per day.
When the impromptu rioting broke out, the army routinely moved in to clear the burning tires from the road and disperse the angry crowd. They were met with a barrage of rocks. A scuffle between soldiers and protesters ensued; and then– sniper gunfire from an unknown location. A local Amal leader shot dead. On TV later, continuous rounds of gunfire could be heard; panicked soldiers ducked and elbowed their way along the ground as protesters tried to flee the scene.
EDB concludes her narration of the incidents by writing:
Prime Minister Saniora just declared tomorrow–Monday– a “national day of mourning”. All schools and universities will remain closed. Yesterday was also a national day of mourning, in honor of the 10 victims who perished in a car bombing the previous day.
Lebanon Reporter compares the situation today with the situation right before the ensuing of the civil war in 1975, and sees some similarities:
It made me think about the unrest before the civil war in 1975. (I happened to be studying for an exam about the history of politics in Lebanon at the time I heard.) The circumstances back then were a bit the same: dispute over powersharing arrangements, protests about work environment, cost of living, etc. (in short: unfair treatment towards the lower classes, Shia in particular).
I am not saying we're about to get pulled in a civil war (who can predict that? + there were more reasons for the civil war to start… though I'd like to know who te killers were). It just made me think.. Why is it that after 30 yrs these problems still exist to a degree that people feel forced to show ‘civil disobedience’ (and then this happens)?
Marxist From Lebanon draws many lessons from yesterday's bloody incidents, among these are:
Yesterday’s Scenario: Main Lessons
There are different scenarios to be learnt from yesterday’s events:
1) A civil war can break out any moment from now on
2) The leaders are losing their grip on their followers, they have been too much involved in mobilizing their followers against the “traitors” to the extent they are losing their grips on them
3) Government/Opposition leaders haven’t realized that their “escalation” tactics are not paying off on the negotiation tables (well through the mediators) rather it is reflecting on the people
4) The media needs to be controlled, the political party affiliates should impose on all media (including Al-Mannar) to report information as it happened, and not to build up a situation towards a potential civil war.
The Inner Circle groups sees a professional murderer behind all the disturbances, bombing and killing going on in Lebanon during the past few years:
An unknown murderer, who’s been sweeping Lebanon since Feb 14, 2004; has struck again. I’d like to bundle all the killings and public murdering of a professional hit man (or group – no idea) will get in the way of Lebanese dividing and confronting the other. Reality is, the rascals are the minority people, and the citizens of Lebanon, are the far majority. This time a 21 year boy, making a political statement. Not by economic strain, but mostly to collapse the government in which he views the Prime Minister Seniora heads. I stay neutral on the situtation, as my standards of drawing the line, has completely different game-rules.
Beirut Spring sees a third party, other than the demonstrators and the army, acting as “agents porvocateurs” to stir unrest and strife:
The nature of the first victim says it all. Ahmad Hamza was the man appointed by the opposition’s AMAL movement to coordinate the demonstrations with the army, so that things remain in check. He was the first to be taken down. It is obvious that those pulling the trigger knew what they were doing. But who are they?
The puzzle has a missing piece. It seems that a third party wants to stir things up by breaking the balance of restraint between the Lebanese parties. As political analyst Ossama Safa puts it: “This is the work of agents provocateurs — someone is in there stirring trouble [..] I really think they want to get a hold of the situation. But someone, somewhere is doing this.”
Beirut to the Beltway's take on the matter involves some questions:
Needless to say, we are tired of it all. If this is war, then could someone involve the dying public in the details of the fight? This public cannot subsist on the same old indirect accusations. Instead of declaring a day of mourning, how about a day of truth?  How about teaching the interior minister how to speak? How about the army commander, instead of phoning the dictator next door, be asked to report to the defense minister and to the public? Is the enemy so powerful that we are afraid to at least give it the media treatment we have given Israelis when they were doing the killing?…
If the Siniora government wants to earn the trust of people from all sides, then transparency must be put on the agenda. There is no shame in admitting mistakes or failure. But there is shame in accepting causalities as a “price” for a war that the public was never asked to prepare for.
In the Middle of the East posts about the reports of snipers on roof tops who shot on the demonstrators killing some of them to stir troubles:
The final balance of yesterday’s riots is 7 dead (protesters) and 40 wounded. Siniora declared a day of mourning with schools and universities closed today. It is still not clear who killed the protesters. Shots were fired from the crowd into the troops, the army fired back, but there are also reports of snipers shooting from rooftops
Jeha's Nail sees a new dynamics of power which became evident as a result of the demonstrations:
Once again, Ain El-Remmaneh flares up… Well, almost.
Yesterday, when some fine lads decided to block the street with burning tires, a few persons died. It was not the fumes who got them, just some stray bullets that were fired in the air…
As in, like… horizontally… Either way, a few things were clear; Hezb does not have exclusivity anymore.
Bob's Blog warns of the genie of the civil war casting its shadow over Beirut for a few hours:
Yesterday was another day when the genie of “civil war” escaped from its fragile prison and roamed free for hours, in the streets of Beirut and its suburbs. It seems that this genie really likes the month of January.
Lebanon Update also mentions how the area where the demonstrations and deaths occurred yesterday is the same area where the civil war of 1975 began:
On April 13, 1975 unidentified people killed 4 Maronites at a church in Ain el Remaneh, an event that many see as the start of the Lebanese Civil War. That same church featured prominently as the décor of yesterday’s riots. Is history going to be repeated?
And many Lebanese now fear that history may repeat itself.

author: Moussa Bashir


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Macedonia: Nikola Gruevski · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A Fistful of Euros writes about “the Balkans’ most popular head of government” – Nikola Gruevski of Macedonia.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Mexico: Conditions for Plan Merida · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Enigmatario [es] wonders how much more access the US will request for its Drug Enforcement Agency in Mexico under Plan Merida to fight organized crime especially associated with drug trafficking.


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Morocco: The Big Cities · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Morocco is well-known for lots of things: mint tea, couscous, a film mostly unrelated to the country…And of course, its big cities, several of which were the topic of posts in the blogoma this week.
Fez took top position as a topic this week.  Dar Mystere, a blog written by two Brits renovating a home in the ancient city of Fez, had a new post about the trials of getting back and forth to the bloggers’ adopted city:
Since our house has been properly habitable, cover over the halqa (hole in the roof), curtains, kitchen, cushions, all that – there's no direct flights to Fez from the UK. GB Airways are still flying until 29 March although nobody seems to be able to make a booking, and when Easyjet take over the route is to be axed.
The bloggers also shared photos of their ongoing renovation project:
The View From Fez shared a post originally written by a student at the American Language Center (Fez) blog detailing the pollution experienced by Fassi residents:
In addition to theis, there are many factories surrounding Fez. Some are in Sidi Brahim, other are in Bensouda, Bab Ftouh… etc. As a result, these factories emit a lot of fumes whcih pollute the air and in turn harm people’s health especially children.
Moreover, all means of transportation add to the problem of air pollution particularly taxis and buses.
Since my city is known for handcraftk [sic], those who work in the Medina to produce goods such as pottery, mosaic, silver products, use substance, chemical products, wheels to make their products dry in short time. I n doing so, they send out black smoke having a terrible smell and consequently make people suffocate.
Worst of all, is sewage which runs a long every small river in Fez and when it pours into Sbou River, it contaminates and makes it filthy.
A comment on the post reads:
Wow, that's seriously offputting! Is it really as bad as that? The writer makes it sound like Dickensian London.
Everything Morocco remembers what it was like living in Fez several years ago, before the supermarkets arrived:
I remember when I first came to Fez and I would stop at the corner hanout (grocery shop) on my way home each evening to pick up something to eat. We didn't have Acima or Marjane back then, so daily trips to the hanout were pretty standard. What really used to annoy me was asking for some specific item on the shelf and being handed something else “just the same”. For instance, there is the Nutella chocolate spread and some very good similarities to it and there is this horrible chocolate and white imitation-something from Spain that is usually hard and dry. No comparison – not even close. Any random brand of coffee will do – you ask for Nescafe and they hand you Samar. Same with shampoo. It was usually two kinds of Pantene. If you tried another hanout, you were likely faced with the same selection. I believed, at first, there was limited product availability in Morocco.
On to Tangier, a city best known for its lurid history as a former international zone, where blogger Move it or Lose It has this to say about the sounds of her adopted city:
Depending on where you are standing the sounds of the city are always changing and being carried. The communal cheering for evening football is pretty standard and can be heard from anywhere. Quranic recitation is maintained from DVD vendors on some streets, while Jojo plays out on others. Cars don’t honk as much as in the summer months, but more boys think it’s funny to almost run me over as a way of getting my attention. The weather is changing in funny ways, as though it’s not sure which would make it more well-liked. It goes both ways at once, weaving into ribbons of strokes of warm air moving through a cold front. Like the murals of ships and sky lining the walls on the walk up the boulevard.
Marrakesh is the next city up for discussion; The House in Marrakech writes:
All the walls in Marrakech, ‘the pink city’, are painted some sort of red or pink or coral. Very occasionally there is some sort of yellow.
However, with time. some of the paint starts peeling and the next lot doesn't match exactly – which has a sort of charm.
The blogger also shares photos of the phenomenon:
A final photo wraps up this week's post.  Born into This, a blogging traveler to Meknes snapped this photo:

author: Jillian C. York


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Morocco: Who is Responsible for the Gaza Crisis? · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Morocco, Abdelilah Boukili asks who is responsible for the current situation in Gaza.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Mozambique: Back to school, only for some · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Júlio Mutisse [pt] comments on the beginning of the school year in Mozambique today and the problems that education faces in the country, where many children have not found places to attend to school. “I'm not even talking about the quality of education. I am just talking about access to education for thousand of children and thousand of young people from this country.”


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Pakistan: Interview with Dr Ayesha Siddiqa Agha · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The Pakistani Spectator interviews Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, an independent security analyst and strategic affairs expert and the author of a controversial book on Pakistan's military.


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Palestine: Bloggies 2008 Skip Middle East Blogs  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah accuses Bloggies 2008 of not including Middle East blogs in their categories for this year's awards.


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Palestine: Qassams, Gas or Hamas? · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Is it the Qassams, gas or Hamas that brought on the latest crisis in Gaza. Palestinian Haitham Sabbah spells out his thoughts in this post.


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Philippines: Friendster Fan · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Mike Abundo is urging fellow netizens to support Friendster social networking platform.


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Philippines: Issues for the next Elections · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Janette Torai wants fellow voters to start thinking about the issues that they want to see in the agendas of the political parties.


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Poland, Ukraine: Border Crisis · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Leopolis writes about the crisis at Poland's eastern border: “Traffic has come to a standstill on the Polish-Ukrainian border. Polish customs officers are on strike for the sixth day, demanding pay increases.”


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Qatar: Strange Lights Over Doha  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Qatar's bloggers are having a ball discussing what these strange lights over Doha's skies were all about.
Writing in Qatar Living, LifeIsBeautiful opens Pandora's Box:
I hope I'm not the only one who has witnessed the two strange lights over Doha yesterday. It was around 9.30 pm when I was standing in front of my house at Matar Kadeem (Old Airport). I looked up randomly and saw a bright flame in the sky.It was appearing to be the size of a tennis ball with very bright flames like light flickering almost about 2 mile high.It was moving at a very slow pace and had it not been for the hight at which it was,I would have ignored it as a balloon.
All of us were amazed and were joined by a lot of other onlookers.All of us were guessing as to what it could be. The light kept moving from South to North for about 10 mins. It was moving in a straight line and then started wobbling at it place.After about 3-4 more mins, it vanished in to the clouds. This was not it. After about another 5 mins a similar light appeared in the South horizon and followed a similar pattern. Did anyone on QL notice it? What could it be?
Readers were quick to respond, with reactions ranging from the cynical aircraft lights to the imaginative UFO sightings. Here's a sample of some of the responses:
Mariam-mar explains:
It might be a kind of meteor, that's one looks like, though i haven't seen a real one in my eyes at my age.
Femme adds:
Must be aircraft's navigation lights. That time of the night that portion of airspace is opened (for a limited time) to air traffic coming from the west. Or it could be one of the aircraft from al udeid, they have all types of aircraft over there.
Absolutejaguar is not happy with these explanations and ventures further:
It is interesting how everyone assumes Aircraft lights, whilst it is true that the simplest explanation is often the right one, does nobody entertain the idea of extraterrestrial life. I'm not talking little green men, but we live in a huge galaxy in a huge universe. It would be very arrogant to assume we are the only life in existence.
Eby1975 chimes in, giving a first-witness account:
Even I saw it while driving down to the Airport road. Intially it looked like a large balloon to me and I said to myself thats strange ..moon cant be that big and as I drove closer to the airport to have a better look, it was diminishing and thought to myself ..must be the cloud that could be over shadowing it.. UFO sounds bit scare .. not that I havent seen strange ppls around !!!!!
Dweller brings us back to reality and says it was Spiderman, while Dreamz believes it was a firecracker.
Meanwhile, the discussion continues at QatarLiving.


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Russia: Cost of Living · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Sean's Russia Blog writes about different people's ideas of what the cost of living in Moscow is.


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Russia: Kasyanov and Invalid Signatures · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Mark MacKinnon writes about Mikhail Kasyanov's failed attempt to run for president and provides “an incomplete list of the invalid signatures phenomenon in post-Soviet elections.”


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Russia: “Top 5 Russia Blogs” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Siberian Light highlights “the most influential, the most interesting and sometimes the most controversial Russia blogs out there” – “in no particular order.”


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Russia: Vladimir Vysotsky · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Leopolis posts a YouTube video of Vladimir Vysotsky and links to his songs’ translations.


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Saudi’s Women Drivers  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

El Naar links to an article which discusses Saudi Arabia's plan to allow female drivers.


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Tajikistan: Energy crisis aggravates · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Vadim reports that Uzbekistan is limiting supplies of natural gas to the already freezing Tajikistan because of big debt.


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Thailand: Book on Coup Banned · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Bangkok Pundit and New Mandala comment on a book that is now banned in Thailand.


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Trinidad & Tobago: “La Fantasie” & Reality  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“For most Trinidadians, giving the name ‘La Fantasie’ to a house is a bitter joke, rousing memories of the hundreds of millions spent to construct the new prime ministerial palace…it also pokes sardonic fun at the fantasy of social and economic progress peddled by the current Trinidad and Tobago government”: Antilles visits an “ambitious project” by three young artists.


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Turkmenistan: Internet and Blogosphere · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Maciula writes about various aspects of Turkmenistan’s isolation on the Internet and presents the the only known English-language blog written by a Turkmen.


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UK: Armenian Genocide Memorial Vandalized · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Blogian and Unzipped report on the desecration of a monument erected to honor the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the Welsh city of Cardiff. The vandalism occurred on the eve of an event to remember slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Seta's Armenian blog posts a press release stating that the organizers expected an attempt to disrupt yesterday's ceremony.


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UK: Disgrace · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Blogrel comments on yesterday's desecration of a stone cross erected in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Welsh city of Cardiff. The blogger says that as the vandalism was a disgrace and marked a new low coming as it did on Holocaust Memorial Day he hopes that Turks weren't involved.


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UK: Genocide Memorial Vandalism Update · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Blogian posts a photograph of the monument erected in the Welsh city of Cardiff that was vandalized yesterday. The desecration of the Armenian stone cross came on the eve of a special event to mark Holocaust Day as well as to pay respects to the memory of Turkish-Armenian editor and journalist Hrant Dink who was murdered a year in Istanbul a year ago this month.


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Ukraine: Charity · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

MoldovAnn writes about charity work done by missionaries and volunteers in Kyiv.


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Ukraine: More on Lutsenko vs Chernovetsky · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana writes about what looks like an escalation of the conflict between Ukraine's interior minister and Kyiv's mayor.


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Ukraine: NATO · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Foreign Notes writes about Ukraine's parliamentary mess caused by NATO's Membership Action Plan.


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Uruguay: Photography from Around the Country · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Martin Balao of introduces a site comprised of pictures from 15 Uruguayan photographers [es].


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Using Web2.0 tools for Environmental Activism  · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

To borrow a leaf from the Global voices Sub Saharan Editor's post on cyber-activism in the aftermath of the elections in Kenya; we take a look at how environmental bloggers and activists are using web 2.0 tools to bring attention to issues ranging from deforestation, conservation and global warming, and the Web 2.0 tools being used to share information, photos, videos and raise funds.
Mashups
From Ghacks, we are directed to two environmental mashups. The first is Terrapass, which helps calculate CO2 emissions from airplane travel.
TerraPass helps you calculate your carbon footprint, learn how to reduce it, and balance it out through the purchase of verified carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are a means of funding clean energy and carbon reduction projects that help to fight global warming.
The second is Floodmaps
With talk about sea level rising it is important to get a visual idea of what would happen if the sea level would rise for a certain amount of meters. Floodmaps simulates this by dynamically changing the map.
Via Googlemapsmania blog, is a pointer to another mashup called MapEcos.
MapEcos is a collaborative website designed to provide an evenhanded view of industrial environmental performance. It combines information on industrial pollution with information from facility managers about their environmental improvement efforts. In other words, MapEcos is the first public website to tell both sides of the story
Mashups are being used to hyperlocalize useful information such as recycling locations. An example of this comes from Ideum, a company that created the google maps mashup for finding recycling centers in Torrance California.
Where to Recycle in Torrance, California, helps city residents to easily find recycling centers based on the items they wish to recycle. The concept is simple: the easier it is to recycle, the more recycling will happen.
Another mashup to take a note of is Explore our planet. It uses layers over google maps to show information about the planet, such as annual CO2 emissions by region/country and tropical storms.
An advanced map interface with near realtime extensions, satellite photos and thousands of other maps illustrate hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes when they happen.
Blogs and Video
The wildlife direct blogs are a strong example of how to use video, audio and pictures for the environmental causes of conservation, wildlife protection and scientific research on endangered species. Richard Leakey, a pre-eminent conservationist records video clips discussing matters of climate change and whaling, then posts them on his blog, making his environmental commentary accessible to all on the internet.
The education of the younger generation about conservation and the environment is exemplified by the postings on the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya blog (also part of wildlife direct.) The mobile education unit goes out to the schools in Kenya, showing video and conversing with children about the need for conservation and appreciation of the natural environment. The blog posts video of one such visit, and continues to chronicle its work in Kenya.
The Gorilla protection blog has used the internet to reach out the world with information and updates from war torn DRC. They have also used their blog toraise funds specifically for purchasing wood fuel for displaced people in DRC. The success of their appeal is shown by a post on the 18th indicating that the fuel wood campaign they initiated a month ago surpassed its $20K goal.
Twitter
The wildlife direct group of blogs also use the popular ‘micro blogging’ tool twitter to send updates about wildlife protection and conservation efforts in Africa.
Twitter channel: Wildlife Direct
DRC: Uplifting blog post about the women in Lomami, living independently in a man's world. http://tinyurl.com/ynv7xl    12:33 PM January 22, 2008
DRC: Wanza the 2 yr old chimp recovers from flu; read more about his bar hopping, beer drinking youth here http://tinyurl.com/2bf26f 09:02 AM January 22, 2008
DRC: Elephant suffers agonizing death from “Jaw Trap”. It only takes a few dollars of support to help stop this… http://tinyurl.com/2f33gc 08:51 PM January 21, 2008
Kenya: We hardly know anything about Whale Sharks. Almost nothing. Donate a few bucks to help get the ball rolling http://tinyurl.com/28e4sr 12:35 PM January 21, 2008
Kenya: Maasai elder remembers days when murran warriors, at nighttime, would pry lions off cattle with bare hands http://tinyurl.com/38eba5 09:22 AM January 21, 2008
Cameroon: 1220 African grey parrots arrive in one day, the job now is to pull out damaged feathers. Lots of them. http://tinyurl.com/2yejb4 08:47 PM January 20, 2008
Kenya: Imagine..you're bored and you're an elephant; to help pass the time you imitate the sound of trucks. http://tinyurl.com/2k2huc 03:50 PM January 19, 2008
Global Voices Environment used its twitter channel last year to micro-blog live from the United Nations Climate change conference, and endeavors to use the twitter tool in future when attending environment related conferences and events. Please do comment if you know of other environmental tweeters so we can follow them online.
Flickr
The environment flickr group pools photos from over 960 members, creating a visual treasure trove of pictures ranging from flowers, animals, windmills and more.
Foko- Madagascar's flickr stream includes photos from rural madagascar and the organizations’ efforts in the area to plant trees and encourage a sustainable way of life.
Facebook
There are many organizations on facebook that are dedicated to the environment, clicking on the selected images below will take you a sampling of facebook groups.
The Green Belt Movement
Billion Tree Campaign (UNEP)
Misc
From South Africa, Mike Stopforth who is a speaker, blogger and web entrepreneur asked on his site if someone could create a badge to show readers that he cares about the environment. The designer heeded the call and created a badge that you can download and use on your site.

author: Juliana Rotich


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Uzbekistan: Military Chief Goes to Tashkent · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Nathan reacts to the fact that a top U.S. military commander made a stop in Tashkent and met with President Karimov and Uzbek defense officials.


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Vietnam: Cao Dai Temple · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Antidote to Burnout takes us to visit the colorful Cao Dai Temple in Southern Vietnam.


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Yemen: Historical Monuments  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Yemen, Omar Barsawad introduces us to two historical monuments from his country.


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Afghanistan: Elections could be problematic · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Bipasha Ray says that while president Karzai attempts to project his authority to prepare for a possible re-election bid, a U.S. Army report finds cause for worry about security in the national elections in Afghanistan.


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Afghanistan: Lord Ashdown Steps Down  · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Afghanistan Watch reports that Lord Paddy Ashdown has withdrawn his name from consideration as the UN envoy to Afghanistan, after President Hamid Karzai and other officials expressed opposition last week, concerned about the extent of his power.


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Albania, Italy: Adrian Paci · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Living in Shkoder writes about the work of Adrian Paci, an Albania-born, Italy-based artist.


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Armenia: Opposition Rally Beating  · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Following the beating of a heckler at a pre-election campaign meeting by Levon Ter-Petrossian, one of the former president's supporters, Nazarian, instead attacks Armenian Public TV H1 for covering the unfortunate incident.


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Armenia: Tattoos · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs documenting a tattoo artist in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. Although the country can be quite conservative, interest in tattoos has grown over the years and the blog says that both artist and client takes the matter seriously.


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Bahamas: Secret Ballot?   · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Craig Butler at Bahama Pundit thinks that “the voting process in the Bahamas is not secret”.


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Bahrain: Are Gulf Arabs Lazy? · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Earlier this week the Bahraini Labour Minister Majid Al Alawi was interviewed in the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, and in the interview he said that the Gulf was facing an ‘Asian tsunami’ because Gulf nationals are ‘lazy’ and ‘spoilt’ and depend on imported labour to do even simple tasks. He said that that the nearly 17 million foreign workers in the Gulf, mostly Asian, represented ‘a danger worse than the atomic bomb or an Israeli attack’. What do Bahraini bloggers think?
A Commonwealth of India?
Mahmood is looking at the broader political ramifications of the so-called ‘tsunami':
There you have it. It’s official. We – the Arabs – are lazy, greedy and incompetent. Said by the sitting Minister of Labour. The same minister who had his plans to limit the expatriate entry-level worker’s presence in the Gulf to a maximum of 6 years thwarted…is now passionately warning of another ‘Asian Tsunami’ which will result in a complete demographic change in these countries. … Mansour Al-Jamri, the editor of Al-Wasat in Bahrain agrees with him. … Al-Jamri suggests that foreign labour we customarily have and as their visas suggest, should not be classified as temporary due to their semi-permanence in our communities. He contends that what we really have is full-scale emigration. And this, denotes the possibility of them soon demanding their human and political rights. Whether we like it or not, international conventions give them those rights. After all, quite a lot of them have already surpassed the requirements to gain the citizenship in the country they chose to work in even by using local constitutions and laws. […] Without a real intrinsic structural and courageous change, the situation might spin completely out of control and the Gulf Arab will be completely marginalised. As Al-Jamri suggests, it is not too far fetched to have India exerting its major power in our countries by proxy. It will apply inordinate political and cultural influence by virtue of the millions of its citizens gaining citizenships, or even just continuing to live and work in our countries without any measure of control and without investing in the local population’s education and rehabilitation. Al-Jamri suggests that India’s political influence might well develop into making our countries a part of a “Commonwealth of India” soon, as its former citizens will gain positions of responsibility in both private and public sectors, even rising to ministerial positions within the Cabinet.
Commenting on the post, Eyad says:
the most important part of the solution is to be honest with our self, we have to admit our weaknesses and why do we need so many people working for us … we lack so many professionals in a lot of areas specially the technical side of anything, there are many ways to fix this issue and none of them come fast, cheap, or easy, we have to fix our educational system once and for all, there must be a law forcing every company to train QUALIFIED Bahrainis and replace the foreigners in a set period of time.
Johnster comments:
If GCC Arabs are “lazy” and thirdworlders are industrious, then that is the reason to hand out as many passports as possible and the GCC nationals will become, on average, semi-industrious.
Photo credit: Manal
Leave behind the lazy life
In a post on the same subject, Ammar points a finger at the easy life many people have got used to:
Although I don't always see eye to eye with our Minister of Labour, Majeed Al Alawi, I have to admit that on occasion he does speak a lot of sense. … Yesterday Dr Majeed spoke about our laziness as a people, as a country, as a region. … It's true though. We have become accustomed to the lazy life; we have maids hired to get us a glass of water because we can't be bothered to walk to the kitchen, or to tidy our beds because, well, it's too much work for us to do. We have workers at supermarkets and cafeterias who walk to our vehicle to take our order, just because opening the car door and walking in to get what we want sounds like too much effort. We have people hired to carry out the simplest tasks from making our tea, washing our cars, cooking our food, to ironing our clothes, just because we are the elite who have no reason in life to lift a finger. […] But sooner or later you're going to need to know how to do something. This lifestyle isn't going to last for ever; one day all of this is going to go away, as the Asian countries start regaining economic strength, and the workers find it much more attractive to head back home. One day when this lifestyle becomes too expensive to maintain, and your superior self won't be able to afford it. One day when you head to a different country where this sort of thing isn't the norm, and you're going to have to do things yourself. One day when this over-the-top lifestyle fades away, and you're left in a mess, not knowing what to do, or how to act. One day.
In a comment, Evil Odd says:
When you lot stop relying on everyone else to do your work for you, I'll pack my bags and head home. Until then, I'm happy putting my own curtains up, changing the shower-head, cleaning my car, polishing my shoes, fixing the buttons on my shirts, installing a video card on my computer, making tea, cleaning the toilet, cooking, making my bed, and many other little things I've come to enjoy and would dearly miss should they be taken away from me. Oh, I also happen have a full-time job…
And Redbelt says:
I'd rather spend on technology than exploit poor souls with a monthly wage that equals two dinners.
Thank you.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Belarus, Latvia: “Ploshcha” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Marginalia watches Ploshcha (“The Square”), a film about the March 2006 mass protests in Minsk – “and watching it is a good way to mark Ceauşescu's birthday and Suharto's death” – and muses on freedom in Latvia and the lack of it in Belarus.


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Bermuda: Police-Blogger Suspended · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Bermudan Police Officer and blogger Allan Palmer reports that he is officially “on suspension” following a blog post that he wrote.


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Bosnia & Herzegovina: Against Division · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Balkanizer comes up with “an argument against the division of Bosnia-Herzegovina.”


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Brazil: 5 years of Filmes do Chico  · Global Voices
Paula Góes

“I never thought that Filmes do Chico, this plaything of mine, would get this far. I shall thank all of you who have followed me in this 5 years eternity. Those who have always been close by, those who have had a look from far away. I very much like this place”. Chico Fireman [pt] celebrates his blog's 5th anniversary with a list of the top 100 movies that have been the most important for him – some of them were important to the history of cinema, all of them had great significance to Chico's own history.


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Brazil: Is it time to become media? · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Cardoso [pt] is one of the bloggers invited to speak about  “The blogs phenomenon – is it time to become media?” on an international summit of digital communication taking place in March in Brazil. He says that this event is important because “blogs are being recognized as “something” (what this something is depends on each one), and the advertising market wants to hear us. I hope that, after this, the relationship between [advertising] agencies and blogs will be based on RESPECT, not on intimidation, as it occasionally happens to be”.


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Brazil: More on the yellow fever panic caused by the media · Global Voices
Paula Góes

“If I know well the Brazilian media, far from apologizing for having made a mistake and encouraged Brazilians – all Brazilians – to get vaccinated, there will be an attempt to blame the government ALSO for the instances where there was reaction to the vaccine. There are more people admitted today by adverse reactions than under suspicion of yellow fever.” Luiz Carlos Azenha [pt] has another post on the yellow fever panic caused by the media.


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Brazil: Police goes Wi-Fi on Carnival · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Andre Lemos [pt] reports that the police of Salvador will use wi-fi network to provide security to revelers at the Carnival. There will be 400 computers in 60 points of the city, which the police will avail to consult, in real time, information about accidents, criminal records and data from the national network that integrates all police forces in Brazil.


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Brazil: Recife is the most violent of the capitals · Global Voices
Paula Góes

The report “Map of Violence in Brazilian Municipalities 2008″, launched earlier today by the Latin American Technological Information Network, shows that Recife, capital of Pernambuco, is top of the ranking of  capitals with most homicides recorded in Brazil.  Rio de Janeiro is in the 6th position on the same ranking. See the full numbers on PE Body Count [pt].


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Cape Verde: Getting read to debate the blogosphere · Global Voices
Paula Góes

djoyamado [pt] makes a roundup of Cape Verde blogs, some of them are debating quite hot issues. This is a post preparing to a “virtual” debate on the state of the country's blogosphere.


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Chile: For Frustrated Journalists · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

“Don't Be a Frustrated Journalist!” is an information campaign launched by the Chilean College of Journalists.  Notas Al Margen [es] takes a look at some of the statistics facing journalists in Chile, such as that there are approximately 1,000 new members entering into this profession each year.


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China: Media Business · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Fang Jun comments on the development of internet media business in China and points out that the four major elements are: content, brand name, advertisement and distribution channel (zh).


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China: Mobile Surveillance Shock? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Imagethief comments on the xenophobic news report of mobile surveillance in China and suggests the Chinese side to choose their words wiser.


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Colombia: March Against the FARC · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Carlos from Liberal Colombiano [es] explains the reasons why he will attend the February 4th march in protest against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).


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D.R. of Congo: tough questions abound · Global Voices
Fred

Prompted by a new peace agreement in eastern Congo, Afriqueen returns to Congo Voices to ask,
After the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, the UN Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Why not have a similar Court (in the Congo) that would prosecute all the people involved in the conflict: rebels, rebel leaders, individuals involved in illegal mining etc? The people of Congo can never be compensated for the exploitation of their land, nor all the suffering they have endured. What they need immediately are peace and justice.
The peace agreement in D R Congo received markedly less press coverage than the ongoing crisis in Kenya. In a long article at Eye on Africa, Pascal Kambale draws some interesting comparisons between the role of the West in both countries [Fr]:
Alors que les preuves de corruption du gouvernement Kibaki s’accumulaient et que la petite coterie autour de lui amassait en trois ans plus de richesses illégales que ne l’avait fait celle autour de Moi en 24 ans de pouvoir de ce dernier, l’occident a failli à exercer sur Kibaki le même type des pressions que sur le régime précédent… Ayant survécu aux nombreux scandales de corruption qui ont émaillé son mandat, en partie grâce à la bienveillante indifférence des occidentaux, le président Kibaki doit s’être dit qu’il pouvait aussi impunément manipuler les élections…
[En RDC], à l’organisation International Crisis Group (ICG) qui recommandait au CIAT de faire pression sur le gouvernement de transition pour le pousser à mettre fin aux pratiques de corruption, des diplomates à Kinshasa répondaient que la stabilité des fragiles institutions de transition était une préoccupation plus importante et qu’il fallait surtout éviter de « secouer le bateau » avant les élections de peur de retomber dans la guerre. Une année après les élections, le bateau qu’on voulait éviter de secouer donne l’impression de chavirer dans tous les sens, son pilote incapable de lire les boutons de commande.
[In DRC], to the International Crisis Group, which recommended that the international community put pressure on the transitional government to end corruption, Kinshasa’s diplomats answered that the stability of fragile transition institutions was the priority, so at all costs ‘don’t rock the boat’ for fear of returning to war. A year after the elections, it looks like that boat looks is keeling over, its pilot unable to read the control panel.
Cedric Kalonji, who we interviewed in November, now has an English version of his blog, thanks to a volunteer translator (NB there is sometimes a delay before the English version appears – look forward to the translation of the latest post, on traffic police). Below a picture of a crumpled bus, he says [Fr En]
Il n’y a même pas à se poser des questions sur les causes de ces accidents tellement elles sont évidentes. Le bus de ce matin bien qu’étant très vieux transportait près de quarante personnes, alors qu’il a une capacité de vingt places. Il faut aussi mentionner le fait qu’au Congo le permis de conduire ne se passe pas mais se vend. Facile donc de retrouver quelqu’un ne sachant pas très bien conduire au volant d’un bus transportant plusieurs personnes.
Je n’ai personnellement jamais passé de test pour obtenir mon permis et en plus, je n’ai pas eu besoin de me déplacer pour aller le chercher. J’ai juste donné de l’argent à un ami qui est allé l’acheter pour moi.
I personally never took a test to get my driving license and I didn’t even need to go and get one. I just gave some money to a friend who went out and bought it for me.
Du Cabiau à Kinshasa [Fr] posts a dramatic picture of a jack-knifed truck. He says last week there were 20 deaths on the 250km road between Kinshasa and the river port of Matadi. Referring to a new IRC mortality study, which says that Congo’s mortality rate is nearly 60% higher than the sub-Saharan average, he comments,
Derrière ces chiffres que l'on avale chaque matin, autant de drames et de familles déchirées. Il faut parfois prendre une route pour le réaliser…
(There’s something of a pattern emerging here? It's like Theme Time Radio Hour.)
Other recent highlights from the world of Congolese blogs:
Elie catches some poachers and teaches them a lesson they’re unlikely to forget: ‘We confiscated their nets (used for catfish and tilapia), we burnt their boats and spoke with the poachers to increase their awareness regarding the environment and the park after they paid the fine.’
Brian describes fuel shortages in Kisangani:
They are selling 10 litres (about four gallons) at a time, except to their corrupt connections where the gas is being stockpiled for profiteering later on in the crisis… We only have a couple of gas stations and much of the gas in town is sold by resellers.  They keep gasoline in barrels or (mostly) small bottles on shelves at the roadside.  They’re fairly notorious for stretching their merchandise with other liquids to increase profits. A crisis like this is a boon for some of them who are well connected and can get supply to sell at double or more their cost.  The crisis of course also encourages even more secret blends that will make your motor cough, wheeze and seize.
Harper may be responsible for a spike in teenage volunteering interest as, bedridden with malaria in Goma, she gets to meet Ben Affleck. But eager volunteers should take note that last week’s meeting was with Mayi Mayi militia and a group of young soldiers with a “glazed look of submission and rebellion” who “asked for money, my bracelets, a telephone, my hand in marriage, etc.”
Finally, Kaysha unveils a new Sushiraw t-shirt featuring assassinated Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, and, CongoGirl promises to post a new photo every Friday, starting with a picture from Kinshasa’s marché des voleurs of some Kuba cloth from eastern Kasai.

author: Fred


text:
Dubai: Getting to Grips with Inflation · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“I've been banging on about the effects of inflation on business, and the economy in general, for a while, so it's good to see that important people are now going public with their concerns. And it's very good to see the media actually reporting it,” notes Seabee, who is based in Dubai, UAE.