Global Voices Online » 2007 » December

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Russia: Putin's Year

Veronica Khokhlova · 23:43

lingua → es

Vladimir Putin has been in the news a lot lately. If it's not the overwhelmingly overwhelming majority of Russians voting for his party, then it's Time Magazine naming him as its Person of the Year.

Below are some initial reactions to today's piece of Putin news from Anglophone Russia bloggers.

Robert Amsterdam:

[…] in general I think that it is a good thing for Americans to start focusing attention on Russia (however I am surprised that no mention was made of Mikhail Khodorkovsky or other similar figures). […]

Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow:

[…] Brace yourselves for a wave of commentary and opinion pieces with this selection as a “hook,” all of which will no doubt note that the honor - once known as “Man of the Year” - has in years past been bestowed on people like Stalin (twice!) and Hitler…

In the comments section to this post, Lyndon and W. Shedd of The Accidental Russophile discuss Putin's Time cover photo and his looks in general:

Lyndon:

[…] I actually think he usually does a fine job of looking sinister (when he's not busy looking borderline goofy doing his “ganksta lean”/”pimp limp” swagger), and that it may be an intentional part of his image, although this particular photo would appear to be editorially selected for maximum sinister-ness.

On the other hand, I think Time used a tightly cropped head shot (and not this “throne” angle) for the cover, which is the more important photo. And I have to give the “throne” shot its due, since it is a great encapsulation of the “tsar”/”gangster” vibe that surrounds Putin these days (again, a vibe that is not entirely invented by the media but is in part self-created), so I'm sure the photog was delighted to capture it.

W. Shedd:

I remember some youtube or rutube clip (likely on some blog, of course) that showed a comic comparison of Yeltsin vs. Putin. Yeltsin of course was shown as a stumbling drunk, the the Putin portrayal showed him as something of a vain fashion horse, walking, posing, and turning like a model, vogue-ing for the camera.

That image of him has stuck with me, as sort of a vain guy and usually trying to appear serious.

Do you think he plays on a sinister look? […]

Lyndon:

There's actually going to be a talk in DC in Jan. titled “Presentation of Self in Russian Culture: The Case of Vladimir Putin.” Should be interesting. […]

W. Shedd of The Accidental Russophile:

[…] There is always something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Putin deserves the most credit for simply having clear ideas on asserting Russia's influence on the international stage, now that the nation has resurgent economic prowess.

To commemerate the occasion, I'm sharing the following Putin cut-out figure. Now you too can have a little Putin, Man of the Year, watching over your desk!

[…]

Inside Krasnodar:

Congratulations to Mr. Putin and to the country of Russia for being named “The Man of the Year.” While Time is correct to recognize the growing influence and importance of Russia in today’s world, it still fell back on old cliches and tired stereotypes in its cover story. Fortunately, Time magazine also printed the full transcript from its interview with President Putin. I often find that when one actually reads Putin’s words and has direct access to his thoughts and opinions one is surprised at how bright, logical, and insightful he can be. Sure you say but he’s still scary. Really? Read the transcript below and decide for yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised. […]

Andy Young of Siberian Light:

[…] By dragging Russia kicking and screaming from the post-Soviet anarchy of the Yeltsin era, Putin has single handedly made ‘managed democracy’ a semi-respectable form of government. His success will encourage others to believe that, provided they secure stability and steady economic development for their people, they can rule indefinitely.

Whether this is a positive, or a negative development, I’ll leave you to decide. After all, you were last year’s Time Magazine Person of the Year…

0 comments · »»

In my last post, I shared the thoughts of foreigners on Christmas (or a lack thereof) in Morocco. This week, we'll change focus to the celebration of Eid Al-Adha, the holiday which Muslims celebrate as a commemoration of Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah (God).

Braveheart-does-the-Maghreb has noticed her neighbors getting ready for the feast:

Yesterday I noticed the young women who are my neighbors were out whitewashing the sidewalks of our street. There are fresh bales of hay giving off the smell of a country sunrise stacked throughout the Medina, and I passed several sheep being carted to an unknown fate on my way home. Later in the day Abdul Latif, my landlord, arrived at my door to tell me I must get to the hannout and stock up because all the shops will be closed for three days. I think it starts tomorrow but it might be today. I'm going out later to check. I will keep you updated.

The View From Fez reports on sheep prices in Fez:

If you want a really nice sheep, pop off to the tents in the carparks at Acima or Marjane (the supermarkets) where there's a wide choice. You'll need to know how to check its teeth and prod it about a bit to make sure it's good quality. This year a live sheep will cost you Dh41 per kilo, which just goes to prove that inflation isn't very high in Morocco. Three years ago, it was Dh35 per kilo. Mind you, a sheep must weigh at least 40kg, so that's a minimum of Dh1640; rather more than the average Christmas turkey, and very expensive for many families. But in this culture of helping your neighbour, no-one will go hungry, every family will get their sheep, even if they share with relatives. And some wealthy people will buy a hundred or two sheep and give them away.

Sheep in Carossa

Myrtus simply wishes friends happy holidays:

May your hearts and homes be blessed with PEACE, LOVE and LAUGHTER.

Blogger SunnyRaindrops, a new “face” in the Blogoma, has posted a recipe for the holiday, explaining:

Some people think that steamed lamb looks unattractive (though no one denies that it is incredibly good). If you feel this way you may brown the eat quickly in butter or oil at the end, or roast it at high heat until it browns.

The trick to this and other lamb dishes from Morocco is to cook the lamb beyond the point of stringiness to the stage where the meat is butter-tender and very moist.

Steamed food should be eaten the moment it is ready, when it is at it's peak: if left too long, it will dry out.

This is what my family eats on the first day of the Festival of the Sacrifice.

To Morocco and Beyond, another new face and a Peace Corps blogger, has come face to face with his host family's Eid dinner already:

My host father informed me that we will be eating lamb and proceeded to show me a room behind his hanut (a small convenient store he owns that is below our house) where the lamb was being fed very well. As I looked at the lamb I tried not to make eye contact because I knew it would making eating him later more difficult. I'm sure I will have much more to write about this later on… beacuse if I understood my host father correctly someone is going to learn how to be a butcher…

Whatever you celebrate, be it Eid al-Adha, Christmas, Hannukah, or otherwise, have a wonderful holiday and happy new year.

Photo by Tom Fakler

1 comment · »»

Bolivia: Two Regions, Two Documents

Eduardo Avila · 18:03

lingua → es

December 15 marked a pivotal day in Bolivia, when two regions celebrated their newly created documents. In the city of La Paz, members of the ruling party Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) formally presented the Constitution that was approved by the Constituent Assembly delegates present in Oruro. The Assembly was moved to that city after an outbreak of street clashes in the original site of Sucre. Opposition delegates were not present for the final votes, which drew an outpouring of criticisms that the new Constitution does not represent the entire country, for its content and for the process in which it was approved.

As a result, individuals and groups in Santa Cruz protest this move through hunger strikes. However, more importantly, a provisional assembly drafted and presented an Autonomic Statute, which outlines the administrative structure of a more autonomous Santa Cruz. Three other departments are in the process of following the steps of Santa Cruz.

Blogger Renzo Colanzi of Mientras Estás Aquí [es] was one of the members on the hunger strike and blogged about his experience He also reflects on an incident that took place near the site where the strikers had congregated. A man had approached the strikes to take pictures, which had been cordoned off with yellow tape by members of a militant youth group, Unión Juvenil Cruceñista (UJC). As a result, members of the UJC chased and beat the man. Colanzi writes about the incident and other incidents of intimidation.

En otro episodio triste mi amiga Maria Escandalo paso por mi carpa un día a la 1:00 am y por lo que me comentaron (estaba durmiendo) al día siguiente los tarados de la UJC las obligaron a borrar las fotos de su cámara. Una noche hablaba al respecto con uno que era supervisor o algo así y me decía mas o menos lo siguiente… “es que a nosotros nos acusan de debilitar el proyecto, de hacer quedar mal a los cruceños pero cuando hay que ponerle el pecho a las balas nos mandan a nosotros…” Me pareció una suplica de simpatía, no le respondí nada, mi posición es clara, la UJC y los Ponchos Rojos me parecen sacados de la misma bolsa.

In another sad episode, my friend Maria Escandalo passed by my tent one day at 1:00 a.m. and from what they told me the next day (I was asleep), the idiots of the UJC made her erase the photos from her camera. One night I was talking to one of their supervisors about the incident and he or more or less told me…”they accuse us of weakening the project, of making the Cruceño (people from the city of Santa Cruz) people look bad, but when they need someone to go to the front lines to face the bullets, then they send us…” It seemed to be a plea for sympathy, but I didn't respond. My position is clear, the UJC and the Ponchos Rojos (militant supporters of the government) are cut from the same cloth.

However, the outpouring of support for those on the hunger strike caught Colanzi's attention. He continues:

Es impresionante la cantidad de gente que venia a dar su apoyo a los huelguistas y regalar palabras de agradecimiento. Gente que nunca vi, amigos, no tan amigos, en fin… un cantidad increíble de gente desfilaba por la plaza 24 de septiembre todas los días, tardes y noches. También es increíble la cantidad de personajes interesantes que uno se encuentra. Muchos generales, estrategas, guerrilleros y un largo etcétera se presentaban con lo que se debía o no hacer para salvar Santa Cruz y el país.

It is impressive to see the amount of people that came by to give their support to the strikers and give them words of thanks. There were people that I have never seen before, friends, acquaintances, and in the end, there were a large amount of people that walked by the plaza 24 de septiembre during the day, evening and nights. It is also incredible to see the amount of interesting people that you see. Many generals, strategists, warriors, etc. who came by to give their opinion on what we should or should not do to save Santa Cruz and the country.

On the other end of the country, Cristina Quisbert of Bolivia Indigena [es] was in the Plaza Murillo to witness the celebration and reflecs back when the sight was not commonly seen:

Inclusive en la decada de los 40 del siglo pasado, el indigena, estaba prohibido de ingresar a la Plaza Murillo, y la gente de la sociedad de entonces manifestaba su descontento cuando algunos indigenas se sentaban en las escalinatas del Palacio Legislativo. La gente de entonces decia que la presencia del indigena constrastaba con la modernidad que, segun esas personas, el pais debia alcanzar. Hoy, desfilaron por el Palacio, delegaciones de multiplicidad de pueblos originarios ataviados de ponchos blancos, rojos, color alpaca, verdes, celestes, etc. Rostros indigenas aymaras, quechuas, guaranies, etc. mostraban la esperanza de constar con una nueva Constitucion en la que por primera vez se toma en cuenta a los discriminados de siempre.

In the 1940s, the indigenous were prohibited from entering the Plaza Murillo and the people from the higher society expressed their discontent when some indigenous would sit in the staircases of the Congress. The people would say that the indigenous presence contrasted with the modernity, according to these people, that the country should strive for. Today, they paraded by the Palace, multiple delegations of indigenous peoples, with their white, red, wool, green and blue ponchos. Aymara, quechua, guaraní faces displayed hope of a new Constitution, which for the first time, takes into account those who have always been discriminated against.

Mario Duran of Palabras Libres [es] was also present on the other side of the country to witness the marches and intent on covering the activities. He posts photos and videos of the march. Since he is not a member of the traditional press, he had a little trouble to gain access.

Bolivia Asamblea Constituyente Marcha de los Pueblos (dos)
Uploaded by mrduranch

Un oficial de la policía me detiene cuando trato de ingresar a la Plaza Murillo, en frente mío el palco oficial, el regimiento Escolta Presidencial Colorados, de nada sirven mis explicaciones, empiezo a tomar fotografías… aprovecho un descuido de la seguridad, unos pasos sin mirar atrás y me ubico en una posición inmejorable, rodeado de los medios de prensa oficiales.

Ingresa el presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, por la sorpresa reacciono con lentitud y no alcanzo a tomar fotos, otro día será. Rodeado por los ministros, toma asiento en el palco oficial, la multitud lo ovaciona, vivas y jallallas se escuchan, suenan las notas del Himno Nacional de Bolivia, se canta y se escucha “morir antes que esclavos vivir”. Empieza la marcha de los pueblos.

A police offer stops me, when I try to enter the Plaza Murillo and in front of me is the official stage. Even with my explications, the Presidential Guard “Colorados” do not allow me to enter. I begin take photographs. I take advantage of a lapse in security, and after a few steps I do not look back. I couldn't be in a better spot, surrounded by members of the official press.

President Evo Morales enters, and due to the surprise, I was unable to take photographs. Surrounded by his cabinet, he takes a seat on the official stage. The crowd applauds, with cries of “long live”, and the National Hymn of Bolivia begins to play. Everyone sings and you can hear, “prefer to die than to live as slaves” (a line from the anthem). The march of the indigenous peoples begins.

Now comes the holiday season, where both sides appear to enter into a “truce,” but the argument about the validity of the two documents and the course that each takes from here continues. Miguel Centellas of Pronto* writes about this:

Technically, of course, none of the autonomic statutes are “legal” (in the sense that the state empowered people to draft them). Then again, very little of the process by which the CPE was approved was “legal” (in the sense that it followed established procedures set by law), either. So if the measure of validity is “popular” legitimacy (as if a Rousseauian “popular will” can ever be divined), then it’s going to be a very prickly business to determine which is more legitimate—or if they both are

Andrés Pucci has his own opinion on this question [es]:

Este estatuto tiene la misma legalidad que el documento presentado por la Asamblea Constituyente, es decir, ambos están fuera de la ley,

This statute has the same legality as the document presented by the Constituent Assembly, meaning, both are outside the law.

The divisions between the country seem to be increasing, with rhetoric amplified from both sides. Some other bloggers are talking about possibilities for genuine dialog between all involved and the campaign. Ciuadano K [es] writes:

Esta iniciativa de reunir a instituciones, organizaciones y personalidades representativas con el fin de convocar a un diálogo nacional fue asumida por el Defensor del Pueblo, Waldo Albarracín, a causa que el 95 por ciento de los ciudadanos no participa en la pelea que hay entre el gobierno y la oposición y los comités cívicos de cinco departamentos.

This initiative to gather institutions, organizations, and representatives with the aim to convoke a national dialogue was started by the Defensor del Pueblo (public ombudsman), Waldo Albarracín, because 95 percent of the citizens do not participate in the battle between the government and the opposition and the civic committees of the five departments.

Finally, Willy Andres from Santa Cruz tries to maintain an optimistic attitude among this divisive state [es]:

No había visto a Bolivia más separada que ahora y no quiero buscar culpables y tampoco es oportuno hacer debate de todo esto, solo que antes era por encima nada más; ahora el abismo es más grande y nada parece ser suficiente para construir un puente de unión; pero tampoco me animo a decir que no hay oportunidad de unidad nuevamente… solo espero que no sea demasiado tarde.

I have not seen Bolivia so divided than it is now and I don't want to look for the guilty parties and it is also not the time to debate all of this. Before it was only at the surface, but not the abyss is large and nothing seems to be sufficient enough to bridge this divide. However, I also don't want to say that there is no more opportunity for unity..I just hope it is not too late.

3 comments · »»

China: Sobbing without tears

Bob Chen · 13:31

On 15th December, a post named “the investigation of drought in Northwestern, Lanzhou region” appeared in Skyline (Tianya.cn, 天涯). The writer Manbaqi(满八旗) recorded his five-day research in Lanzhou district, Gansu province, part of the Yellow River drainage area. Over 40 pictures and his sincere appeal for people’s concern put the post under focus.

The Yellow River area, especially the “central plain”(中原) has long been honored as the cradle of Chinese. However, Gansu province, which used to be a grassy, lush land, also a part of midland, has been gradually drained over history due to the climatic change and overgraze. Today, the land ,especially the mountainous region is tightly associated with drought.

The writer told:

这里年平均降雨量只有300毫米左右，而蒸发量却高达1500-2000毫米以上。严重缺水，导致当地农民生活贫困，教育落后，妇女儿童的生存健康状况亟待改善。笔者了解到，即使有的村落仅有的一点水源，也是高氟水，水的含氟量达到7.8毫克／升，而国家规定安全饮用水的最高界限是1.0毫克／升。因长期饮用高氟水，村民普遍的特点是大骨节病和黄斑牙。一般男子到50多岁就丧失劳动能力，妇女有的二十五六岁生育完就弯腰驼背、脊椎变形，丧失劳动能力，甚至生活不能自理。

The average rainfall here is only 300mm/year. But the evaporation is over 1500 to 2000mm. The lack of water brings farmers poor life and underdeveloped education. The living condition of women and children urgently requires an improvement. I got to know that the only water source in some villages contain all but High-Fluoride water (over 7.8mg /L). But the limit should be 1 mg/L. Long drinking High-Fluoride water, the villagers there typically have Kashin-Beck disease and mottled enamel. Men might lose working ability at age of 50 and women might hunch and have distorted backbone soon after procreation, with their working ability lost. Some people even felt hard to take care of themselves.

Though they are not out of methods on fighting the drought, the villagers often can’t really build the wells needed due to the lack of fund. The writer made a calculation:

实践证明，修建一口容量36立方米的水窖，一年可蓄集雨水50—80立方米左右，能保证一个3—5口人的家庭一年的人、畜饮水；拥有2口水窖，就能发展一亩庭院经济作物，因而可以陆续解决一系列的生存发展问题。有关专家评价，在严重缺水地区修建集雨水窖，是有效利用雨水资源以解决缺水之忧的最简便、最经济、最实用的办法。投入1000－1500元，就可以建一眼集雨水窖，等于一家人就有了生存和发展的希望。

A water well of 36-CBM capacity can store 50 to 80 CBM water each year and therefore guarantees the supply to a family of 3 to 5 people and all its herds. With 2 wells like this, 1 acre of crops cultivated in the yard can be developed, so that a series of problems can be solved. Experts estimate in areas thirsty for water, building rainwater wells helps a lot. It’s the quickest, most convenient and practical way. With a investment of 1000 to 1500 RMB, a well can be built and a hope can be earned.

But the promising future is again prostrated to the cold reality.

但是，因为贫困，许多家庭却无力修建一眼像样的水窖。在这里，还有成千上万的农民兄弟在与严重缺水苦苦搏斗，他们想水、盼水、哭水、梦水，向五湖四海呼唤着―――水。

But because of poverty, many families had no fund to build a well. Here, thousands of farmer brothers are wrestling with the serious lack of water. they think of, expect, cry for, and dream of one thing—— water (水)！

I personally googled the situation in Gnasu. A news in 2001 told that a campaign “121 rainwater collection project” had been launched, and with the help of government, 1.31 million people were benefited from the project. Actions have been taken, but based on this post, more are to be done.

The following pictures show us a world yelling for water, though they might actually be too thirsty to squeeze out a single word. They are shot by the writer during the trip.

The dried landsscpe

The village

An old man scooping water

Carrying water from far away

A corner of the village

An old woman

A girl from Taiwan cried for the scene

A wrinkled, dried hand

An old woman sick in the bed

Door of grade one classroom in school

People get water from pools like this

They smiled when hearing more wells could be built with the donation

Soil, but no water

The children, also the future

The home

The school

This is water

On the net forum, netizen “I am not ugly but I am not tender” replied:

以前听说有些人一生只洗三次澡，一直想像不了为什么才洗3次。看了这组图片，终于明白原来一滴水对缺水的地区来说是那么的可贵。
LZ，我们可以帮上什么忙么？

I have heard that someone has merely taken 3 baths during his lifetime. I didn’t figure out before why he did so. Watching this picture, I know how valuable one drop of water could be to a place thirsty for water.
Can we help?

“Potato” said:

上学那会，去过一次西北，比这更穷困缺水的家庭比比皆是，用“心痛”两个字根本无法表达你眼睛里看到的景象！
那个时候去，我们都是自己带的水壶，因为好像矿泉水还不“流行”，领队早早就提醒我们要节约着喝，到地方没水喝要自己忍着，不要跟人家要，结果很多同学最后还是没能忍住。。。。。
终生难忘的一段记忆！

When I was in school I used to be somewhere in northwestern region and the families thirstier for water are even more prevalent. The term “heartache” is far from being enough to depict what you have seen. We took our water jugs there. The leader reminded us of water thrift; never ask the villagers for water even though you are thirsty. But many friends could not hold on.
I won't forget that for my lifetime.

“Think and Do” said:

看到这样的景象，除了眼含泪水，我们还能做什么？

What else could we do other than bearing tears in our eyes?

A reply writed:

政府已经开始做了，只是投入太少了，对于整个缺水地区来说只是杯水车薪。解决问题只能靠全社会多渠道的力量。

The government has started its work. But the fund is still limited. The effort, up till now, remains inadequate compared to the whole serious situation. We need various power from the whole society to solve the problem.

Some rebuked:

这个是推卸责任！人们之所以结成社会，建立国家就是为了解决这种问题！我们之所以交税也是为了解决这种问题！这个国家的公务员一年可以吃掉喝掉上千亿，却没有1000-1500块钱给这些人修一口水窖，扪心自问，我们的政府到底有没有在做？为什么投入那么少？钱到哪里去了？

This is shirking the responsibility. People formed society and built nations to solve this kind of problems. We pay tax for the same goal. Public servants in this country can eat and drink up hundreds of billions, but have no 1000 to 1500 RMB to build a well for the people. Ask yourself, is our government really taking measures? Why so little fund? Where is the money?

But a netizen named “Ben-bu-gai-la-Deng (本不该拉灯)” from northwestern region tried to speak more constructively:

1. 在甘肃\宁夏\青海等省区的很多地方,缺水是常态,农民基本是靠天吃饭的,一年的收成如何,取决于降雨量的多寡.
2. 甘肃在很多年前已经在搞”121雨水集流工程”,对此楼主已经有所解释,我再说详细一点:就是在屋顶\庭院用水泥铺出集流面,有一定的倾斜角度,可让雨水流入水窖,水窖如果用水泥衬砌,则集流的雨水可以保存较长时间,供日常生活\生产用.

1. In provinces such as Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, many places find drought a common situation. Farmers rely on the weather since the crop depend on the rainfall.
2. Gansu had been working on “121 rainwater collection project” for many years. Let me explain further what it is about: on the roof people can build a slanted platform so that rain water could be channeled to a water-well. If the well is made of cement, the rain water can be preserved longer for daily use or production.

He also replied to the question why people don’t emigrate out of the region.

9.对有些生态环境恶劣确实不适合人类生存的地方,移民也一直在搞,如甘肃的往河西走廊\秦王川的移民,但是进展缓慢,受故土难离的观念\资金等诸多因素影响,难度不小.
10.现在中央和当地政府对改善生态环境也抓的很紧,很多地方几年前开始退耕还林,种草种树,给农民一定的粮食和现金补贴,组织剩余劳动力外出打工,大力发展适合当地环境种植的马铃薯等农作物.

9. Actually in some bleak, arid regions unfitted for living, emigration has long been on the schedule. But it goes slowly due to farmers’ ideas that inherited lands are valuable as well as the limit of fund. It’s a hard work.
10. The government is working hard on improving the environment. Many fields have been returned to forests. Farmers might get a certain amount of allowance in crop or in cash. Also, the government has organized the excessive labor to work outside their hometowns and developed the local crops like potatoes.

Indeed, in today’s China, we have heard so much news on poor, underdeveloped villages. The long grilled nerve is under the danger of being numb. But on the day when we no more trust on others’ appeal for help and no longer commiserate on hearing injustice, we might lose our hope.

Here is what the writer of the original post stated in the ending:

恻隐之心，人皆有之，积善行德、扶危济困是中华民族的美德。在此，笔者跪求天涯各位德人帮顶此帖，让更多的人了解和帮助那里正在经历苦难的农民兄弟。再次的感谢！！！

We all have a heart of compassion. Working for goodness and helping the weak is always the virtue of Chinese. Here, I urgently appeal you to help pump the post, to let more people know the farmer brothers suffering there. Thank you again！

2 comments · »»

Korea: Election Day

Hyejin Kim · 07:49

I am writing this post in the middle of election day (2 hours left) in Korea. Not surprisingly, until now, the turnout of voters is recorded as the lowest in the history of the Republic of Korea. Bloggers and netizens in towns and provinces are busy updating the voting news of their places. The low number of young voters is one of the major issues on the internet news and among bloggers now. While some netizens honestly speak that they don’t care about voting or some of them even insist that not voting is also their right, others are actively using the Internet to encourage people to vote.

Jang Hui Yong is shocked at the low turnout of voters for this election day.

1.투표율 저조 실감!

투표율이 저조할 것이라는 보도도 있었고, 예상을 하기는 했지만 막상 투표장에 가보니 실감할 수 있었습니다.

저는 항상 출근하면서 아파트 앞 관리사무소에서 투표를 하다보니 투표를 하는 시간이 일정합니다. 지난 총선 때는 관리사무소 출입구 계단까지 서 있다가 투표를 했는데, 오늘은 그 때하고 같은 시간이었는데도 제 앞에 10분 밖에 없었습니다.

투표율이 상당히 저조할 것으로 보입니다.

그동안 정치에 대한 불신과 그에 따른 무관심이 부른 결과라고 하지만, 그렇다고 국민주권의 상징인 선거권을 포기하는 일은 없어야 할 것입니다. 최선이 아니면 차선이라도, 차선이 아니면 차차선이라도 선택해야 합니다.

투표 하지 않고서 나중에 자신이 원하지 않는 후보가 대통령에 당선된 것에 분노한다는 것은 어리석은 일이라 봅니다. 반드시 투표하시기 바랍니다.

2. 역시 젊은 유권자 없어! 아직 투표 안 했다면 지금 투표장 가세요!!

투표를 하고 난 후 잠시 투표장을 지켜 봤습니다. 역시 이번 선거에서도 어르신들만 눈에 띄였습니다. 젊은 유권자가 보이질 않았습니다. 물론 잠시 지켜본 것으로 단정지을 수는 없지만, 역대 선거를 보면 젊은 사람들의 투표율이 낮았습니다. 이번 선거 역시 젊은층의 투표율이 상당히 낮을 것이라는 예상을 하게 합니다.

미래를 위한 선택입니다. 젊은 여러분들의 미래와 직접 연결된 한표입니다. 바로 여러분 자신의 문제입니다. 반드시 투표했으면 좋겠습니다. 아직 투표 안 하셨다면 지금 바로 투표장으로 가시기 바랍니다.

3. 법정 공휴일? 쉬시나요? 출근 하셨나요?

엘리베이터를 타고 오다가 이웃 한 분을 만났습니다. 출근하는 길이라고 했습니다. 투표를 하고 싶지만 바빠서 못 할 것 같다면서 회사 출근 버스타러 뛰어가더군요. 저 역시 출근했습니다. …법적으로는 오늘이 공휴일이지만, 작은 중소기업에 다니는 직장인들은 이렇게 출근하는 경우가 많습니다. 여러분들은 쉬시나요? 출근 하셨나요?

4. 여러분은 누구를 선택하셨나요?

투표를 하고 난 후 회사에 오니 역시 모든 관심사가 ‘누구 찍었어요?' ‘과연 누가 대통령이 될까?'입니다.

결국 중요한 것은 먹고 사는 문제가 아니겠냐면서 00후보를 찍었다는 사람이 있는 반면, 부도덕하고 부패한 사람이 어떻게 한 나라의 지도자가 될 수 있느냐면서, 그런 사람을 뽑으면 대한민국의 질서가 무너지고, 또한 세계의 웃음거리가 될 것이라며 비판하는 사람도 있습니다.

또한 이번 선거에서 경제보다 중요한 것은 ‘남북 평화'이고, 경제 또한 한반도 평화가 결국 진정한 경제성장의 원동력이라면서 평화를 지향하는 정당 후보에게 투표했다는 사람도 있습니다. …여러분은 어떤 기준으로, 누구를 선택하셨나요?

1. Low turnout of voters
There has been news that there would be the low turnout of voters and I also expected it a little bit. I could realize when I arrived at the polling place. I always go to the polling place right before I head to my working place and therefore my voting time is always regular. On the last election day, the voting line was all the way down to the entrance of a guard office. Even though today was exactly the same time as before, there were 10 people in front of me.

It seems like a really low turnout.

Although it is caused by distrust of politicians and indifference, people should not give up their own voting right. If there is no best candidate, we can think about alternatives or alt-alternative. Without participation, being angry with the president whom you didn’t want is stupid. Please vote.

2. No young voters! If you haven’t yet, please go right away!
After voting, I looked around. Of course, I could spot old people, but couldn’t find young voters. I should not judge with a short stay there. But since the history of the election, young people have always participated less and the election this time is not exceptional either.

It’s a choice for the future. It’s a vote for the future that is related to the young people. It’s your own problem. I hope that you vote without fail.

3. Legal holiday. Do you take a day off or go to your working place?
I ran into my neighbor in the elevator. He’s on the way to his working place. Even though he wants to vote, he said that he can’t do so because he’s afraid of being late and ran to the bus station. I am also at my company… Even though it is a legal holiday, many employees at small businesses don’t take a day off. Are you taking a day off or are you at your company?

4. Who did you choose?
When I arrived at the company, the major topic of the conversation was “who did you vote for? Who will be our next president?” While some people said that eating and living are anyway important and therefore they vote for a candidate, others criticized that if an immoral and corrupt person becomes the president, the order of our society will be destroyed and people all over the world will mock us. In addition, some people voted with the thought that the more important one than the ‘economy’ in this election is ‘peace between north and south Korea’ and it will cause a stable economy.

With what standard, who did you vote for?

Young netizens are interested in the age of voting participants. A netizen describes high participation for the election in Jeju Island and shows an interesting theory.

제주도 동쪽마을 구좌읍 월정리 중앙초등학교에 마련된 투표장에 도착한 시간은 아침 5시55분, 법정 공휴일이라고는 하지만 일찍 해야할 일이 있기에 컴컴한 새벽에 투표장으로 향했다. …사람들의 웅성거림이 들렸기 때문이다. 컴컴한 이른 아침에 사람들이 웅성거리는 소리.이렇게 빨리 나올줄을 몰랐다는 생각에 가까이 다가가다 또한번 놀란다. 길게 늘어선 줄이 학교의 건물과 건물 사이로 숨어들어 그 끝이 학교 후문으로 연결되어 있었다. 전부다 어른들이다. 젊은 사람들은 하나도 보이지 않고 전부 삼촌들이다…

…오늘따라 삼촌들께서 커다란 거인으로 보인다. 일터로 나가시기 전에 자신의 소중한 한표를 행사 하시고 가시는 모습들이 그렇게 보기 좋을수 없었다. 어쩌면 이분들께 미안한 생각이 드는건 당연한 일인지도 모른다. 나는 삼촌들 보다 하나의 세상을 더 살고 있기에 미안한 생각이 드는지도 모른다. 이분들은 온라인 세상을 모르시니 말이다.

그저 눈으로 보고 듣는것 이외에 자신의 주장을 표현 하시는 일이라고는 마을의 회관에서 열리는 마을 회의때, 그러니까 오프라인 행사때가 아니면 자신의 주장을 표현하는것이 한계가 있다는 말이다. 이런 분들이 자신의 일터로 가기전에 소중한 한표를 행사하시는데 우리 젊은이들은 어떠한가? 이분들이 경험하지 못하는 또다른 세상인 온라인을 경험하며 문화의 이기를 누린다…

…어두 컴컴한 새벽에 거인처럼 다가온 그 어른들의 모습에서 우리나라의 선거 문화를 엿볼수 있다. 나이가 많은 분들일수록 투표율이 높다는 이러한 형상 하루빨리 고쳐져야할 좋지 못한 현상임에 분명하다. 이건 이래서 않하고 저건 저래서 싫다를 표현하는 젊은 세대들이 헌법으로 만들어놓은 국민의 참정권인 선거를 포기하고 국민의 주권을 행사하지 않고 그사람이 좋다 나쁘다를 평하는 것은 옳지못한 일이다….

It was 5:55 in the morning when I arrived at a polling place, Joong-ang primary school at Woljeong-li, Kujoa-eup at east village in Jeju Island. Even though it was a legal holiday, I headed to the polling place because I had to do something…. I could hear noise. People’s noise in such an early morning in the darkness. Being suspicious that people couldn’t be so early, I was surprised. Such a long line was connected between buildings of the school and it was ended at the back door of the school. All of them are the seniors. They were all uncles (in Jeju island, seniors are called uncles) without any young people….

Today, they look like giants. Before they go to their working places, it looked good that they exercise their own rights. I even felt sorry for these people. I have another world to live than these uncles because they don’t know the on-line world.

Even though they can see and listen to what’s in front of them, where they can express themselves is just at village meetings or off-line events. Even these people make use of their precious votes. But how about us young people? We take advantes of culture, experiencing the on-line world that these people can’t.

Looking at the seniors who looked like giants at dawn, I could see our election culture. The symptom that the older people have, the higher turnout of voting should change sooner or later. Young generations express that they don’t like this and that, and give up suffrage and don’t make use of their sovereignty. This is not a good symptom….

A netizen even says that he came back to Korea from Moscow for election day.

…소중한 주권을 행사하시기 바라면서 저 역시 최악이 아닌 차악을 선택하기 위해 모스크바에서 9시간동안 비행기를 타고 어제 귀국을 했습니다….

In order to make use of the precious sovereignty and to choose the alternative to the worst rather than the worst, I came back yesterday on a 9 hour flight from Moscow…

Netizens are really enthusiastically sharing their experiences and news about the election, and the internet is an important means of their expression and of updating on the anxious moments.

남은 3시간을 두고 과연 몇프로나 나올까요? 어느 분이 대통령이 되던 투표율은 좀 높았으면 하는데요. 정치적 무관심과 귀차니즘이 이렇게 깊었나요? 안타깝기 그지 없네요…..5년을 책임질분인데 말이죠. 그러면서 정치인 욕하는거 보면 참 뭐라고 해야할가요?

Three hours left. What percentage will participate? No matter who will be the president, I hope for a high turnout of voting. Was the political indifference that deep? I feel so anxious. We’re selecting a person who will be in charge of our country for five years. What can I say to people who just blame politicians?

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Kazakhstan: 2007 - Filthy Politics and Grapes of Wrath

Adil Nurmakov · 05:28

The passing year was rich in shaking news and political scandals in Kazakhstan, all of which have been finding reflection in the blogosphere’s reactions and online debates. Many of those events will find their place in the history textbooks of the future, and life may never remain the same after 2007.

POLICY MILESTONES
The poll shows that three major macro-political developments have been in the focus this year. Interestingly enough, the most discussed Kazakhstan-related topic on the West – the expected chairmanship of the first Central Asian, post-Soviet state with poor human rights record in the OSCE, the Europe’s most influential and solid pro-democracy and security institution – is less regarded by the Kazakhstanis with only 16 per cent of the vote. The Astana’s bid for this post was so aggressively advertised within the country that the citizens have simply got tired of the issue itself. (more…)

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