Archive for
February 22nd, 2008
Stories
Serbia: Bloggers Discuss Rally and Rioting in Belgrade
· 22:36
Yesterday, Kosovo is Serbia rally was held in Belgrade. According to unofficial sources, 150,000-200,000 people attended it to protest against unilateral proclamation of independence of Kosovo. The rally went peacefully, but was followed by rioting. Buildings of the American, Croatian and Turkish embassies were set on fire. Many people were injured, at least one person was killed.
Below are a few reactions by the Serbian bloggers who blog at B92's blog portal (all but one are translated from Serbian).
Milan Lukic posted this short summary:
Let's sum it up once again: the rally in Belgrade today was party-organized, not a people's rally. […]
[…] Let's non allow losers of the last presidential election to cancel the people's will by force. Let's not allow that today's peace protest, as it is falsely named, to cancel the democratic will of the majority. Let's not allow the rats to pull us under water, into mud. Into their false country.
Dejan Stankovic provided this vivid description of yesterday's events in Belgrade:
1. Prime minister, accompanied by his friends and like-minded persons, looked like someone who is sick of everything when he addressed the people. Two hundred years ago, his speech could be perceived as modern. Today, it is a parody. […]
2. The not-to-be president of the country [Tomislav Nikolic] and prime minister's pal threatens to go into Kosovo. I immediately remember the '90s and it gets me worried.
3. Then, the naivete of the athletes was abused. Publicly, so that the whole world could see. At that moment, I was sorry more than I was ashamed.
4. Then appeared a convert disguised as Rasputin [filmmaker Emir Kusturica]. At that moment I felt nauseous.
5. Parents of Serbian young people applauded. I felt even more nauseous.
6. And their children, the future of Serbia, became wild. After the rally, they were destroying, breaking, burning and looting all over Belgrade. […] Then I was sorry and, at the same time, I was angry. […]For the end, the impression of the night:
A picture of the demolished Belgrade, victim of Serbian terror.
Apocalyptic scenes, chaos and fire, and in the middle of the disarray, young Serbian vandals walk indifferently down the street. They grew up in chaos and in the chaos they live the best.
But, in the middle of the disarray, a group of Roma was diligently clearing Belgrade's streets…
Then I recalled the words of a man who told me when I was child that the Roma were Serbia's biggest shame. […]
Ivan Marovic, wrote this in English in a blog post titled, “The end of nationalism”:
Since Kosovo declared independence Belgrade has become a warzone. Radicals are burning and looting, and ordinary people are confused - five days ago they were concerned with Kosovo, today they are concerned with the possibility that drunken hooligans may smash their heads with rocks. Kosovo is far away, radicals are just around the corner, breaking windows and setting buildings on fire.
The Belgrade riots are a symptom of a failed political movement. Nationalism has nothing to offer, no strategy, no plan, no political vision. Unlike Gazimestan in 1989, where Milosevic faced a crowd much bigger, crowd consisted of people that were calm and determined, Kostunica today faced people without a clue. Unlike Milosevic who promised war and revenge, Kostunica has nothing to promise, nothing to offer. He can only complain.
You can tell the day by the dawn. Nationalism is finished in Serbia, nationalism has nothing to offer except self destruction. We just need to wait for the mob to get tired of rioting, come out and continue the peaceful protest that started two weeks ago, protest led by Belgrade students, protest with a clear goal - European integration.
Boris Tadic was in Romania, while Kostunica was giving a speech together with Nikolic. This may prove to be a big blow to Kostunica. The message is more than clear: Serbian interests are better served with diplomacy than with speeches followed by looting. The contrast between Tadic and Kostunica is clear and will undermine Kostunica's base of support in the months to come. […]
Nebojsa Milenkovic sent an open letter to president Tadic. He warned him about vandalism in the streets of Serbian cities and the possible consequences.
Mr. President Tadic,
I am turning to you on behalf of the citizens who, despite all, still believe in the democratic heritage and who strongly want Serbia to become part of the civilized, developed and democratic society. I am asking you, a person with a huge confidence of citizens on the last voting, to turn to the public and protect all people who are exposed to danger and violence by many hooligans in Belgrade's streets at the moment when our country comes face to face with one of its biggest historical defeats and humiliations.
[…]
You should not be silent until the mass political hysteria and blindness of those people […] became wild in the streets of Serbian cities in the last days. The current situation the in country should not serve as justification for suspension of freedom of speech or even physical liquidation of each political alternative, and you had to react to this fact! On the contrary, if this madness is not be stopped, the loss of Kosovo and Metohja would be followed by a permanent loss of the even elementary European and democratic perspective for this society and would return destructive political forces on the stage of Serbia. You overcame them in the last election thanks to the votes of those citizens who exposed violence in Serbia today. […]
Jelena Milic quoted statements by two Serbian ministers who have justified violence; below is one of these quotes:
10 comments · »»“Democracy also means smashing embassy building windows.”
Velimir Ilic, Serbian minister for infrastructure.
China: Wen Jiabao's neighbors forcefully evicted
· 19:57
Since his blogging tour by bike through some of the poorest areas in China, veteran Beijing blogger Laohu “Tiger Temple” Miao has over the past two months taken on the part-time job of social worker for a group of homeless and destitute senior citizens living behind a temporary roadside wall just opposite Tiananmen Square, collecting donations and organizing clothing and food drives through his blog, 24 Hours Online, and through this inspiring similar actions [zh] in other cities.
In early January, one younger member of ‘the tribe' as he calls them, Ai Ding, mysteriously disappeared [zh] the day before Tiger Temple and several of his readers showed up one morning to deliver goods, leaving his makeshift shelter and all possessions behind, and hasn't been heard from since. If anything of Ai's was left following a series of police and chengguan raids throughout January and February [zh], including the heavy winter jacket Tiger Temple left behind despite Ai's absence at the time, hope of getting it back now is gone following yet another raid on February 20 by police and chengguan, which this time seemed intended at getting rid of the elderly dwellers for good. Tiger Temple looks into the situation, makes his second recent appeal for help to a national leader, and outlines plans for more deliveries this weekend in his Feb. 21 post, ‘Premier Wen Jiabao, you really ought to come visit your neighbors':
晨六时，乘第一班地铁我赶往前门下流民部落，看望昨日下午被公安及城管强行拆毁住宿窝棚的苦难人民群众。
昨日接到流民部落打来电话已是晚上八时后，我在电话里安慰了他们几句，之后一夜难眠，说实话，我们一点别的办法也没有，流民们在最困难的时候想起了我，是我的荣幸，可是我能是救世主吗？我想来想去也只有尽我最大能力给予他们以心灵上的抚慰。
早上的前门依然是灯火辉煌，在那堵著名的“盛世和谐墙”的后面依然是漆黑着。
At 6 this morning I took the first subway train and hurried to the drifter tribe over at Qianmen, to visit that suffering group who just yesterday afternoon had their shanty shelters forcefully demolished by police and chengguan.When I got the call yesterday from the drifter tribe it was already after 8pm; I gave them a few reassuring words over the phone, and then tossed and turned all night. To be honest, there isn't anything we can do for them; that the drifters, in their most difficult moment, thought of me, it's an honor, but I'm not The Saviour. After thinking it over and over, the most I can do is to do everything I can to give them some spiritual solace.
Qianmen in the morning is still brightly lit, but behind that well-noted wall of “prosperity and harmony” it's still pitch black.
我从外围及至内部一一对现场做以查看，直到走近老葛原先窝棚的位置。赶巧，黑暗里老葛正从窝棚里爬出来。我打了声招呼，老葛立刻高兴地应承着向我走来。当我问起“他们呢？”老葛顺手往我脚下一指，“老张还睡着呢。”我疑惑地往我脚下一看，果然见有一人形倦缩在我脚下，外面裹着的是商店里拣来的一块脏灰色化纤地毯，从露头的地方我看见了老张的那一顶标志性的深红色毛线帽。我不禁惊呼一声“这样露天怎么能睡！”
老张、老王、老刘听到了动静一一起身和我打招呼。黑暗里，我见他们就都只穿件薄衣，那些前几天看起来还像模像样的小地窝子今天却都空空如也。还是那样的一格一格，每一格外头用破包装纸箱、塑料片子，甚至有用报纸的代替遮寒的门帘。
流民们七嘴八舌地对我倾诉起他们昨天的遭遇。
From the periphery to the inside, I did a thorough inspection of the site, right up to the spot where Old Ge's shanty used to be. By chance, Old Ge was just crawling out from his shanty in the dark. I called out, and Old Ge happily said he'd be right over. When I asked, ‘and them?,' Old Ge just pointed towards my feet, ‘Old Zhang's still sleeping.' Confused, I looked down at my feet, and sure enough I saw the shape of a person curled up at my feet, wrapped in a dirty gray synthetic carpet no doubt picked up from some shop. From the part of him that stuck out I could see Old Zhang's trademark crimson wool hat and I couldn't help but should, “how can you sleep in the open air?!”Old Zhang, Old Wang and Old Liu heard the commotion and one-by-one got up to say hi. In the dark, I could see that they were all only wearing light clothing, and those little nests which just a few days ago still looked presentable enough were now as empty as could be. They're still there in between the concrete barriers, covered with tattered cardboard and sheets of plastic, with newspaper ‘door screens' to keep out the cold.
The drifters all started talking over each other to tell me all about what they'd been put through the day before.
20下午，公安和城管利用流民们不在家的机会，倾巢出动。他们拆掉了部落里凡是能够拆掉的东西，只留下那个拆不掉的，著名的为迎接市长给前门东路剪彩而临时搭建的“盛世和谐墙”，墙下垒起一座水泥台子，为的是让花儿们露出墙头去给领导们看，后来这个台子下就成了流民们窝居之地。老葛叙述着，几番哽咽，说到自己为保命，多年积蓄下不敢轻易动弹的七百元钱也在昨天的拆迁中被盗。他为此翻了一夜，差点要抛坑去找，几次怀疑是自己眼花，却最终没有能找到。说到此，老葛神情流露着恍惚……老王在此次拆毁行动中也丢失二百元钱，同时丢失了一架复读机，顺便说一下，老王这个残疾人虽是在流浪中，但是始终在学习英语，这架机器的丢失对他来说简直就是要命。北京知青老张（60岁）在此次拆毁行动中丢失了前篇文章中所附视频中大家看到过的那口近乎豪华的硬壳衣箱，在那段录音里，大家还可以听到这个北京人到死也要面子的一句“别看我这样了，我还有一套千元的西服在箱子里呢，你们记者要照相的话，我有行头……”
On the afternoon of the 20th, police and chengguan waited until there would be no drifters in their homes, then moved out in full force. The tore down everything of the tribe's that they could, leaving only the thing they couldn't tear down, this temporary construction, this famous “wall of prosperity and harmony” delivered to Qianmen Rd. East by the mayor with a ribbon-cutting, with a concrete table as base in behind, meant to seat flowers that would poke up from behind the wall, for the leaders to see. Only later the space beneath this table became the nesting place for these drifters. Old Ge tells what happened, between his choked sobs, and how the 700 RMB in emergency money he'd been collecting for years and seldom touched, was stolen yesterday during the demolition. He spent the night searching for it, stopping just short of digging the ground up; he thought several times that it might be his eyes playing tricks on him, but in the end he wasn't able to find it. Having said that, Old Ge gets a faraway look in his eyes……Old Wang also lost 200 RMB in the demolition, as well as a tape recorder. On that, although Old Wang, who is disabled, is here among the drifters, he's been studying English for years, and the loss of this tape recorder is devastating for him. Old Zhang the Beijing ‘zhiqing' [intellectual youth] (age 60) lost the near-luxury hardcase suitcase we saw in the video attached to the post prior to this. In the recording, we hear this Beijinger who would rather die than lose face say “don't look at me like that, I still have a thousand-RMB suit in my suitcase; if you journalists want to take any pictures, I have an outfit…”
我问到“他们来拆，难道没有留下什么话？比如要求去哪里报到，或者是前往登记处理？”他们回答我说“没有，没有任何留话。直到我们回来才听旁的目击者说起事情经过。”
当夜，这些可怜人儿就聚坐一起，后夜里就只好躲进遮风的地方，一夜未眠。尤其是缺乏照顾自己能力的老张干脆就躺在露天的土地上，身上裹着破地毯睡了一宿。北京的天气虽然逐渐在回升，但是在夜里也仅在零上1、2度左右，我真不知道他们今夜该如何渡过。
因为我还要去上班，临走时留给流民们一百元钱（是网民善款其中部分）叮嘱先解决早餐，周末我会再来送些军用被子或者大衣。没有想到的是，当年已七十的河北葛大爷收到款子时，竟然号啕大哭，老泪纵横，令现场所有人唏嘘不止……
I asked, “when they came to tear [your dwellings] down, did they really just leave without saying anything? Like telling you to go somewhere to report in, or where to register to resolve this?” “No, they didn't say anything. It was only when we came back that we overheard eyewitnesses say what had happened.”That night, these poor people sat with each other, later ducking into a sheltered spot, unable to sleep throughout the night. In particular was Old Zhang, who is unable to care for himself, who just went and laid down on the ground in the open, spending the night wrapped in his ratty carpet. Although Beijing's weather is gradually picking up, it's still only 1 or 2 degrees out at night; I really don't know how they'll get through tonight.
Because I still had to go to work, before I left I gave the drifters a hundred RMB (part of the money netizens have donated), and told them to go get some breakfast first, that I'd be back on the weekend with some army blankets or heavy clothing. What I didn't expect was for 70-year-old Hubei-born Uncle Ge to burst out crying loudly when I gave him the money, tears running across his face, leaving everyone there unable to stop sobbing….
我想再次重申，任何人也没有权利赋予任何人以剥夺他人生活权利的权利！这与市容整顿全然无关，更与奥运无关。倘若打着奥运的旗帜做着这样令人发指的反人类、反同胞的行经，那么全中国人民就是你们的敌人。
温家宝真的该微服私访一下您的邻居了，我可以告诉您地址：出了中南海，左拐，右拐，再左拐，再右拐，20米开外，左手花墙后头便是。我们正在把您03年亲自签署的国家法规印发给流民们，叫他们尽量学习和配合国家，规范自己的活动范围，下面就看公安和城管是否也忠实配合啦！
另讯：今早由前门采访归还，收到天津阎女士昨天快递而来的洗涤用品、柠檬卜夹心饼干、方便面、法式小面包等。其中洗涤用品为原计划流民们集体沐浴所备。另外如有爱心支援者可以直接去送衣服和被褥。目前前门最缺的就是这些。
I'd like to reiterate again, that nobody has the right to give anyone the right to deprive others of the right to live! This has absolutely nothing to do with urban renewal, and even less to do with the Olympics. If you're doing these loathsome, inhumane and anti-compatriot things in the name of the Olympics, then all the people in China are your enemies.Wen Jiabao, you really ought to pay an incognito visit to your neighbors; I can even tell you the address: come out of Zhongnanhai, turn left, then right, then left again, then right again, go down 20 meters, and the lattice wall will be on your left. We are currently distributing to the drifters copies of the law that you yourself signed in 2003, telling them to learn it and fit in with country as best they can, to establish boundaries to their lives, and hope from here on in to see if police and chengguan can also stay true to the law!
Side note: This morning after returning from Qianmen, I received cleaning products, lemon wafers, instant noodles and French buns and other things couriered here by one woman in Tianjin. The cleaning products were sent to allow the drifters to take a collective bath. Others with that much caring support can go themselves to hand out clothes and bedding. At present it's these they lack most down at Qianmen.
Included in the post is an audio recording of Tiger Temple's interview with those behind the Qianmen wall from the morning of February 21:
Sixty year-old Beijing ‘zhiqing' Old Zhang was forced to sleep out in the cold last night…..
When I left behind the netizen donation, 70 year-old Lao Ge from Shandong started crying on the spot…..
The food Ms. Yan from Tianjin sent arrived in Beijing this morning, among which are cleaning products meant so the drifters can all bathe.
Brazil: While traditional media deals with lawsuits, blogs report
· 17:29
Two of the biggest media companies in Brazil are currently involved is court cases that similarly raise the issue of freedom of speech and press even though the media finds itself on opposite sides of the issue in the two cases. The influential newspaper ‘Folha de SP' is facing a series of lawsuits filed by followers of an evangelical church, while Veja, the top weekly magazine, and some of its main editors are going after a blogger through another series of lawsuits. Taking the larger view, the Brazilian blogosphere is uniquely pointing out the similarity and contradictions revealed by the connectedness of both situations.
Folha's problems started a week ago when Elvira Lobato, a reporter who is now facing about 50 individual suits, published an article about the finances of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God - IURD, and its connections with tax havens. The piece lists the TV network (2nd national audience), 23 TV and 40 radio stations, besides the other 19 companies — 2 newspapers included — that forms the church's ‘empire', but the suits actually complain about IURD being portrayed as a 'sect'.
The issue has called RSF's attention, and the ABI [Brazilian Press Association] has released a note [pt] describing IURD's reaction as an ‘unprecedented coercive campaign in Brazilian media history'. While the suits against Folha has generated such compelling response from traditional media and its backers, a very different approach is being adopted towards the legal dispute between Veja magazine and the journalist-turned-into-blogger Luis Nassif. As expected, the blogosphere has much to say about that.
A blogosfera está fervilhando sobre a disputa político-ideológica(?) do jornalista Luis Nassif com a revista Veja. É a primeira vez que vejo um assunto gerar tanto debate na blogosfera. O fato curioso é que não apenas os blogs de política estão acompanhando o tema. Nassif começou a publicar no blog Projeto Brasil, no início deste ano, uma série de textos sobre o papel de revista Veja em episódios políticos recentes na história do país, especialmente durante os governos FHC e Lula.
Luis Nassif X revista Veja: blogosfera está fervilhando - GJol
The blogosphere is sizzling about Luis Nassif's political-idoeological(?) dispute with Veja magazine. This is the first time I see an issue generating so much debate in the blogosphere. The curious thing about it is that not only the political blogs are following the theme. Earlier this year, Nassif has started to publish a series of articles about the role of Veja magazine in political affairs of the country's recent story, specially during FHC and Lula's government.
Luis Nassif X Veja Magazine: the blogosphere is sizzling - GJol
Já escrevi aqui e repito: não vejo diferença de caráter entre a Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus e a grande mídia. Moralmente, são todos farinha do mesmo saco. Um leitor me pergunta, então, se sou a favor das ações em série que os fiéis da IURD movem contra a “Folha”. Claro que não, mas é um direito deles, ora. Numa democracia, as desavenças (físicas e jurídicas) são resolvidas num tribunal e não a pauladas como na época da caverna (se o leitor sente saudade dessa época, vá morar no Timor-Leste). A “Veja” decidiu processar Luís Nassif usando o mesmo procedimento e até agora não vi nenhum movimento nacional liderado pela OAB, ABL e ABI em defesa do jornalista. Hipocrisia é a homenagem que a virtude presta ao vício. Estou fora.
José, o Bispo, Nassif e a Hipocrisia - Blog do Ailton
I've already written about that here, and I'll repeat: I see no difference between IURD and big media in terms of character. Morally speaking, they are made of the same stuff. A reader asks me if I am in favor of the series of suits that IURD followers filed against ‘Folha'. Obviously not, but they are within their rights. In a democracy disputes are resolved in courts, and not through fights as it were in the age of the caves. Veja has decided to sue Luis Nassif using the same procedure, and until now I've not seen any national movement led by the OAB [the Brazilian equivalent of the American Bar Association], or the ABI [Brazilian Press Association] in defense of the journalist. Hypocrisy is a tribute that virtue pays to vice [sic]. Leave me out of that.
José, the Bishop, Nassif and Hypocrisy - Blog do Ailton
Em reação às denúncias de Nassif, a revista Veja entrou com ações na Justiça contra o jornalista. A revista não refutou nenhuma denúncia sequer. Apenas quer usar a Justiça como instrumento para retardar ou dificultar a publicação das denúncias. É um direito da revista procurar a Justiça por sentir prejudicada. Porém, sempre que a imprensa faz uma denúncia vazia e alguém entra na Justiça, é logo acusado por toda ela, sem defecções, de querer calar a imprensa ou de ato contra a sua liberdade. Dessa vez, nenhum veículo de comunicação ou grande jornal em circulação saiu em defesa da liberdade jornalística do Nassif. Dois pesos e duas medidas. Sempre assim. O curioso é que a grande imprensa silenciou sobre as denúncias. É o assunto do momento, em todas as redações, nas páginas da web, mas não saiu uma linha sequer nos grandes jornais.
Batalha Nassif / Veja: A grande imprensa na defensiva - Blog do Desemprego Zero
In response to Nassif's denouncements, Veja magazine has filed legal suits against the journalist. The magazine has not refuted any of Nassif's allegations, and has been using legal technicalities in order to delay or hamper the publication of the series of articles. The magazine has the right to go to the courts to seek reparation for possible damages. BUT, everytime the press publishes empty charges and somebody seeks for reparation, he/she is promptly accused of trying to silence the press, or acting against freedom. This time, no media outlet or big newspaper has come in defense of Nassif's journalistic freedoms. Two weights, two measures. It is always like this. The curious thing is that the big media has been silent about Nassif's charges. It is the big case of the moment in all newsrooms, on the web pages, but not even a line about the issue can be found in any big newspaper.
The battle Nassif vs. Veja: Big media in defensive mode - Blog do Desemprego Zero
Como a internet inteira já sabe, Luiz Nassif está fazendo uma série de acusações contra a Veja. Não sei o que a motiva; afinal, como ele mesmo diz a meu respeito, esses “são temas intrincados, e ela não domina essa área”… Ele há de ter suas razões, imperceptíveis à minha ingenuidade. De modo geral, discordo da sua posição política, o que não há de ser surpresa para quem lê o que eu escrevo e lê o que ele escreve, se é que há quem se inclua em categorias tão díspares. Mas isso é secundário, como é secundário o fato de, pessoalmente, nós termos respeito e simpatia um pelo outro. O que importa, aqui, é que a Veja decidiu processá-lo. Péssima decisão! A imprensa está vivendo um momento delicado, com processos de sobra movidos por terceiros. Para ficar apenas no exemplo mais recente, aí está a igreja universal do reino de deus disparando uma série de processos sobre a Elvira Lobato, através dos seus fiéis, no nítido intuito de silenciá-la.
Nassif vs. Veja - internETC
As the whole Internet already knows, Luiz Nassif is publishing a series of accusations against Veja. I don't know what motivates him; after all, as he says about me, these ‘are complicated themes, and she does not master the field' … He must have his reasons, imperceptible to my naivety. I disagree with his political positions in general, which is not a surprise for anybody who reads what I write, and reads what he writes, in case there is someone included in such contrasting categories. But this is secondary, as it is secondary that, personally, we have built respect and appreciation one for the other. What matters, here, is that Veja has decided to sue him. Terrible decision! The press is going through a delicate moment, with lawsuits abounding everywhere. Just to mention the latest example, here we have the IURD casting a series of lawsuits over Elvira Lobato [Folha's reporter] through its followers, with the clear intention to silence her.
Nassif vs. Veja - internETC
A IURD está preocupada com os efeitos que as denúncias da Folha, bem como dois outros jornais - um do Rio e outro da Bahia -, possam ter nas parcerias corporativas necessárias para a expansão do império econômico fundado pelo bispo Macedo. Por seu lado, a Folha e os demais jornais temem que a onda de processos judiciais contra a jornalista Elvira Lobato e os repórteres Bruno Thys (jornal Extra, RJ) e Walmar Hupsel Filho (A Tarde, BA), autores de três reportagens diferentes, acabe saindo muito caro em indenizaçőes e custos judiciais. A estratégia de ambos os lados é esgrimir o conceito de liberdade: a religiosa e a de imprensa. São dois argumentos de peso em matéria de estratégia de marketing político, mas frágeis em termos de conteúdo. As reportagens não ameaçam a liberdade religiosa no país, no máximo os negócios do bispo Macedo, da mesma forma que as açőes judiciais interpostas por fiéis da IURD não ameaçam as liberdades da imprensa e de informação. Enquanto isto, os leitores (pelo menos os do Observatório) fazem uma leitura diferente da questão. Não mostram simpatias com a Igreja Universal, mas também não poupam a imprensa. Isto mostra que um segmento do público leitor brasileiro começa a dar sinais de maturidade para experimentar fórmulas colaborativas de produção de informaçőes, uma das grandes inovaçőes introduzidas pela Web.
Outra polêmica envolvendo a imprensa - Código Aberto (Observatório da Imprensa)
IURD is worried about the effects that Folha's articles, and also the ones from the two others newspapers — one from Rio and one from Bahia — may have had in the corporate partnerships needed to guarantee the expasion of the empire founded by Bishop Macedo [IURD's religious leader]. On the other side, Folha and the other newspapers are afraid that the wave of lawsuits against the journalist Elvira Lobato, and the reporters Bruno Thys ('Extra', from Rio de Janeiro) e Walmar Hupsel Filho ('A Tarde', from Bahia), authors of three different reports, will end up in an expensive bill of legal costs. The strategy, from both sides, is to contend over the concept of freedom: religious freedom and press freedom. These are two heavy arguments in terms of political marketing strategy, but fragile ones in terms of content. The reports do not threaten religious freedom, maybe only Bishop Macedo's businesses, in the same way that the lawsuits filed by IURD's followers do not threaten freedoms related to press and information. Meanwhile, the readers (at least the ones here at the Observatory) are showing a different approach to the issue. They do not show any sympathy for the Universal Church, but they do not sympathize with the press either… [At least] a segment of the universe of Brazilian readers is starting to show signs of maturity to experiment colaborative forms of information production, which is one of the big inovations brought by the web.
Another polemic around the media - Código Aberto (Observatório da Imprensa)
This feature of collaborative production of information is one of the most interesting aspects of Nassif's series of articles. In the lastest chapters many readers of Nassif's blog — should we say, community of readers? — are helping in the analysis of elements, links and evidence related to the intricate collection of facts that forms the ‘Veja Case'. This novelty, along with the perception that the quest for quality of information in the blogosphere is starting to rise above the usual left / right bickering, maybe a sign of the blossoming maturity of Brazilian blogs.
Chamo a atenção de vocês para um resultado genuíno do trabalho em rede. O trecho abaixo fecha o capítulo ‘Lula é meu álibi', no dossiê Veja. Foi um trabalho minucioso de pesquisa feito por vocês (clique aqui para ler o capítulo). Quando pedi a ajuda de vocês, houve quem risse do pedido. Esse povo não sabe o que é o trabalho cooperativo em rede.
A rede e os g00db0ys - Luis Nassif Online
I call your attention to a genuine result of networking. The piece below closes the chapter ‘Lula is my alibi', in the Veja dossier. It was a meticulous research job made by you (click here to read the chapter). When I asked for help from you, there were some people who laughed at my request. This crowd does not know anything about networked collaborative work.
The network and the g00db0ys - Luis Nassif Online
Algo de muito importante está acontecendo na blogosfera brasileira desde que Luis Nassif começou a publicar suas reportagens a respeito da revista Veja: a conversa mudou de patamar. Das picuinhas habituais entre blogs de esquerda e de direita, entrou no bate-boca algo novo. Informação. Nassif recorreu a um instrumento tradicional, o da reportagem, para levar a seus leitores a informação que coletou, certamente, após muitas entrevistas. (Dá trabalho informar.) Mas como foi via blog que divulgou, a blogosfera melhora. Temos uma blogosfera que não costuma informar muito, quanto mais produzir informação do zero. A esperança, agora, é que seguindo ele, sem histeria, alguém pegue as atividades da Secretaria de Comunicação do atual governo – ou mesmo do governo passado – e mostre seus hábitos. Quem é favorecido, quais seus critérios de distribuição de propaganda, qual a linha editorial habitual dos agraciados, quanto circulam. Costumamos, jornalistas, cobrar das estruturas do governo e das grandes empresas que sejam transparentes. A imprensa – e, sim, isto inclui blogs – tem uma das tarefas mais delicadas da democracia. É a ela que cabe informar. É através dela que o público toma conhecimento do que acontece. Sem uma imprensa livre não é possível formar opinião. A mesma transparência que a imprensa cobra de governo e empresas deve ser cobrada de volta. Provavelmente vai ter briga e vai ter polêmica. É do tipo saudável.
Luis Nassif, Veja e a blogosfera - Pedro Dória Weblog
Something very important is happening in the Brazilian blogosphere since Luis Nassif has started to publish his reports about Veja magazine: the conversation has experienced an upgrade. From the habitual altercation between blogs from the left and blogs from the right, something new has emerged in the debate: information. Nassif is using a traditional tool, the report, to present to his readers the information he has collected, I am certain, after many interviews. (It takes work to inform). But as he used a blog to publish the stuff, the blogosphere gets better. Our blogosphere has not ben committed to to inform, even less to produce information from zero. Our hope now is that, following him, without hysteria, someone will take on the activities of the Secretary of Communication of the present government — or even from the last government — and show its habits. Who is favored, what are the standards for distributing advertisement, what is the editorial line of the ones awarded, and is it always the same ones? We journalists are accustomed to demand tranparency from governments and big companies. The media — and yes, it includes the blogs — holds one of the most delicate tasks of democracy: the role to inform. It is through the media that the audience takes notice of what is going on. Without a free media it is not possible to form an opinion. The same transparency that the media demands from governments and companies should be applied to us. We will probably have fights and polemics — of the healthy kind.
Luis Nassif, Veja and the blogosphere - Pedro Dória Weblog
Thus there are signs, as the blogosphere grows in significance, that it has begun to ask for itself the deeper questions of what produces both free and good information.
4 comments · »»Bahrain: Lost causes?
· 16:16
Recently a number of bloggers have complained about a lack of real education, a lack of critical thinking, and a lack of political engagement in Bahrain.
Coolred38, an American living in Bahrain, recounts some of the bad experiences her children have had at government schools, and lists all the faults of the government system as she sees them. She concludes:
I wish I could send my children to private school….I wish I could surround them with people who cared about their futures…even if they are non Bahrainis…because I sincerely believe the average Bahraini doesn't really care what the future holds for their children…as they are allowing these substandard teachers and school staff to care for their children day after day and year after year. You might say “we don't have a choice…that's the govt's doing”…the govt works for you doesn't it….silence means acceptance…if you accept your children being taught…or not taught…in this fashion…then good for you…keep quiet and don't complain later when your child can't graduate or get a good job cause they are suffering from basic education. Even those that do graduate from high school find college a whole other world…a world where people have to read in order to achieve good results…where they need to know not only where the library is but how to utilize it…a world where memorizing just doesn't cut it….my daughter just started college this year…and has had to learn the hard way….in fact…she has had to relearn how to educate herself in order to figure out college life and the standards she must maintain…even though she has been an A student all her life. At any rate….I told them I will be making a formal complaint to the Ministry of Education…[…] I just wish more parents were serious and concerned enough to complain in order to affect some change. Silence means acceptance….right?
Nido asks a similar question; he is wondering why his generation is not as politically active as his parents':
No one can seriously say that we are as politically involved as they were. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that Bahrain is less politically active nowadays when compared to the past. Bahrain is obviously one of the most politically vibrant countries in the region. I am comparing the affluent, supposedly highly educated youth back then and now. Back then getting involved in politics was the norm. Today we dare not, nor are we interested, to even speak of the subject. […] Why are we so disengaged, so uninterested?……. Why is that? Why is that in a region which is so obviously going through one of the most turbulent and important periods in its history, where lives, ideas, norms, economies, futures and even geographic boundaries are being reshaped and redefined? Where no one really has so much more at stake in what happens, and where nobody else stands to gain or lose more from the consequences? Indeed where no one else has any reason to be more concerned as to what happens? […] Why is it that so few of us bother, and if they do bother they seldom act? Why is it that for so many of us this is a pointless and boring topic that is best avoided? Why is it that we have only the courage to resort to anonymous blogs, while if the identity is public then you have to severely curtail what you dare say?
The Soft wonders at the divisions that people holding essentially the same beliefs can create between themselves:
تصفحتُ أفكار الآخرين وكنتُ أكثر إنفتاحاً وقبولاً لآراء الغير ..!
ولكن ترى فئة من المجتمع ذات أفكار مُتعصِبة لا تقبل رأي الآخرين تكفر بعض الأمور والمعتقدات
[…]
عندما كنت في المدرسة وبالتحديد في المرحلة الثانوية ( ثالث ثانوي ) كنتُ أزود أصدقائي والبعض من الزملاْ كُتبي , فذات مرة أعطيت أحداهم كتاباً للسيد الشيرازي وأخرى ..بعد فتره سألتها ما رأيكِ بالكتب ؟ ..أخبرتني أنها لم تقرأ هذا الكتاب بالتحديد لأن أمها منعتها من ذلك فطرحت اسألتي مذهولة ً لِما ؟ فراودتني بالإجابة لِأنه شيرازي , فسألتها وما بهؤلاء ؟ فقالت وهي مترددة بالإجابة أنهم لا يحبون الإمام علي (ع) فأنا لا إرادياً بدأتُ بالضحك وأخبرت الفتيات الجالسين معنا .. بدأنا بالضحك كأنها أحدثت نكتةً
[…]
When I was in school, to be specific in the third grade of secondary school, I used to lend my books to my friends and some others. One time I gave one of them a book by Al Sayyed Al Shirazi (a revered Iranian cleric), and other ones… After some time I asked her what she thought of the books. She told me that she hadn’t read that book specifically because her mother had forbidden her to do so. I asked in astonishment, ‘Why?' She answered, ‘Because it is Shirazi.' I asked what about the others, and she said hesitantly replied that they didn't love Imam Ali. I couldn't stop myself from laughing, and I told the girls sitting with us. We started laughing as if she had told a joke…
Cookie is also disappointed with the education she is being given:
1 comment · »»when I’ve chosen science speciality I thought that I will invent , discover something or at least spend time in labs working with real things!
But when I got there my dreams/expectations did not happen! I was in shock cause we had to imagine what we learn. we have to imagine physical actions, creatures, chemical reactions and other - must to see - things.
I thought that I’m going to think my way but I discovered that I have to think like a copying machine!
I thought that I’m going to be a little scientist but I became a broken memory card.
I believe that school make you stupid. unless you are stupid !
Kuwait: A Dusty but Profitable Week
· 16:10
Dust storms are wreaking havoc in Kuwait. But amid the dust, there is a silver lining, with a Cabinet decision to grant an extra KD120 (US $435) monthly bonus for Kuwaitis employed in the public and private sectors.
Let's start with the weather. Fonzy over at Fonzation talks about that and says:
The sky during the past two days was orange cos of all the dust flying around. With all the dust is a slight cold breeze. Personally, I haven’t stopped sneezing.
As I was walking out today, the amount of dust on the floor was so thick, footprints were all over my building entrance. According to the weather forecast, the dust is supposed to settle within the next day or two, and will be replaced with low temperatures. Lets just hope that it rains soon and cleans out the skies from all the dust or else we are looking at a very dusty summer.
Intlxpatr also speaks about the dust storms and paints the following picture:
This is what it looks like in a dust storm. Imagine fog, but fog that cakes on your face and makes it grainy, that gets in your eyes and up your nostrils. Dust that gets in your ears, dust you can taste. Your skin dries out like an alligator and there is a coating of slick grit on the road.
It’s a driving challenge. Visibility is low. But people are driving more slowly, at least along the roads I drive, so I am actually enjoying the experience. It’s kind of an adventure.
Now to the salary increments. Mishary over at somecontrast writes about the wage increase in Kuwait and says:
The cabinet approved Thursday a monthly bonus of KD 120 for Kuwaitis employed in the public and private sectors
On the other hand, Raybay, an expatriate living in Kuwait, speaks of the implication of it on him and other expats not working in the government
Hmmmm,,, i dont think this is a fair deal. While the locals get a raise, we expats face the music from local traders and price increase.Im a Trader too. Well PEOPLE & COMPANIES.. now pls dont cry, when i increase my prices for my IT services!. im facing inflation, i need to survive here!
In other interesting posts, Saint on a bench speaks of his experience of eating Nepali food - not in a fancy restaurant but in a small cheap one.
My favourite places to eat are places where the common folk like to go. Who the hell are the common folk? Maids, drivers, construction workers, sweepers and other people that don't give two ***** about dolce
Thouq asks a question about the traditional Arab dress for men in Kuwait and the Gulf - the Dishdasha - on his blog. He writes:
Dishdasha is a fundamental everyday wear to many young and old men living in the Gulf. And it has always been limited to locals.
Abdulhaleem wore it 40 years ago, and today we’re seeing more celebrities of non-Gulf nationals wear it as well, whereas some local celebrities here have abandoned it.
Is it time to see dishdasha embraced as a clothing option to others throughout the Middle East?
Kismat over at The 9th Tribe talks about a common problem with Kuwaiti bureaucracy.
Why the hell does it take more than 13 days to get your passport renewed
And last but not least, Mr_CHoCoLaTe discovers that a local daily newspaper used his registered logo for an advertisement in one of their issues and after a lot of searching he found out why.
1 comment · »»تصل عليي شخص يصيرلي و يسئلني اذا كان الشعار مال موقعي انا مسوي
قتله اي أنا مسويه ليش ؟قالي إن جريدة الشاهد مستخدمينه بعدد اليوم 19 فبراير 2008
A relative of mine called me and ask if the logo I use on my blog is designed by me.
I told him yeah, why ?He told Alshahid newspaper used it on the issue of 19th of February 2008
استغربت و قتله الشعار موثق بإسمي و من حقي اطالبهم بتعويض
قالي كلمهم و شوف شصيرطبعاً مريت الجمعيه و خذيتلي نسخه من العدد
I was shocked and I told him that the logo is registered in my name and I'm entitled to compensation.
He told me to talk to them and see what happens.
So I passed by the Co-op and pick a copy of the issue.و لقيتهم حاطين الشعار في بيان نازل من وزارة التجاره و الصناعهللي يتحدث عن تحديد كميات التموين و ضبط غلاء الاسعار و جذي
كان نازل بكل الجرايد يومها
و بس الشاهد مستخدمين شعاريبس الظاهر في موظف في الجريده كاتب بالجوجل : وزارة التجاره و الصناعه
وطالع له شعار موقعي لأني تكلمت عن الوزاره في موضوع سابقI found that they have inserted in a public service advertisement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which talks about price control and which appeared on all newspapers but only that newspaper had my logo on that ad. It seems that a worker there searched using Google for a picture about the Ministry of Trade and Industry and found my logo and used it because I wrote about them when I posted about registering my logo.
Hindi: No smoking and Cricket Auctions
· 12:48
TodayKhabar reports that results of a survey done by a non-governmental organisation say that majority of women stay away from men who smoke. According to the surveyed women, 75% don't want to marry men who smoke while 67% wouldn't go on a date with a smoker. The tolerance level seems to be high in men though with only 47% of them saying that they wouldn't want to hang around with smokers. The survey further reveals that out of the smokers surveyed, 46.4% say that they acquire the smoking habit under the influence of their smoker friends and coworkers etc. while 30% smoke to relieve themselves of mental tension.
BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India) sometime back brought out its plans for its domestic Twenty20 tournament Indian Premier League(IPL) and recently auctioned different teams which were bought by multi-billionaires like Mukesh Ambani, beer king Vijay Mallya and movie stars like Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Preity Zinta and other business houses. Now a couple of days back both Indian & international cricketers were auctioned and were bought by different teams in the run up to the first IPL (Indian Premier League) season kickstarting in mid April this year.
TodayKhabar reports that the Hyderabad team seems to come off as the strongest as its captain & star player VVS Laxman denied the status of icon player thus making it possible for his team to get star players like Andrew Symonds & Adam Gilchrist from Australia, Shahid Afridi from Pakistan and Herschelle Gibbs from South Africa as all teams were allowed to spend only 5 million USD at most in the auction to keep the buying field even for all. All these four players are explosive batsmen who can rip apart any bowling attack in the world and are thus very good choices for the shortest version of the game. Similarly Chennai team also have managed to come off good; even though it got the Indian One Day team's captain M.S.Dhoni for 1.5 million dollars, they managed to get all rounder Jacob Oram and ex-skipper Stephen Fleming both from New Zealand, star batsman Matthew Hayden from Australia and master off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan from Sri Lanka. Sharukh Khan and Juhi Chawla's team Kolkata doesn't seem to be that good with only ex-Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, New Zealander Brendon McCullum, West Indies star batsmen Chris Gayle and one of world's fastest bowlers Shoaib Akhtar from Pakistan. Similarly Mr.Mukesh Ambani's team didn't manage to lay its hands on many good players and have to be content with master blaster indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, explosive Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya and ex-South African skipper and opening bowler Shaun Pollock. Preity Zinta's team Mohali managed to have only one biggie in the aussie ripping fast bowler Brett Lee besides the sixer king Yuvraj Singh and Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardene both from Sri Lanka. Other teams were left sort of deprived and only the outcome of the tournament will show how their less famous lineups fare against the heavyweights.
Dilip Mandal at RejectMaal is reporting that some US$2.9 billion will be spent over the period of next five years in India by the Indian government as well as other international organisations towards AIDS prevention program to ensure people don't get the disease. Highlighting the names of organisations contributing big amounts, he reports that about US$356 million will be contributed by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation while about US$447 million will be coming from The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and approximately US$281 million will be put forth by World Bank, among others. All projected accounts etc. are available here at the website of National Advisory Council of India. Dilip further writes that US$2.9 billion in five years means more than half a billion dollars per year will be spent on a disease because of which less than 2000 people die in a year, a count which is in no ways increasing. However only US$10 million(approx.) were spent on the National Cancer Control Program in 2006-2007 and this amount has been increased to about US$35.5 million. The problem is that about 440,000 people die every year because of cancer. On the other hand, Tuberculosis accounts for about 370,000 deaths per year while approximately US$56.5 million were spent to fight this spreading disease!! So he wonders if really the aim is to spend this huge AIDS bounty to curb the disease and are the hearts in right places; somehow he seems to doubt that himself.
0 comments · »»Korea: Increase in Living Expenses and Freedom of Speech
· 04:00
While Koreans are waiting for the new administration after the presidential election, the ambitious policies of the new administration and the burning of Namdaemun (South Gate) in Seoul seem to cause Koreans to build up uncertain trust toward the administration.
Some netizens are afraid of the possible control of freedom of speech and compare it with the past history of Korea. Washinsangdam’s post has been responded to by many other netizens.
독재와공포정치를 경험해보지 않은 젊은 네티즌에게!!! 인터넷공간에서의 이명박 비판 앞으론 정말 조심하셔야 합니다. 과거처럼 인터넷공간이 정권과 국가원수를 대놓고 씹어대는 일은 없을겁니다. 정권바뀌면 제일먼저 인터넷 언론통제에 들어갑니다.두고보세요!
박정희식 개발독재의 성격상 불가피한 언론통제이죠!벌써 수백명의 네티즌이 이명박을 비판한죄로 선거법위반에 엮여 줄초상을 치르고 있습니다.저도 선거기간중 정치기사 댓글에 이명박 비판한 글(대부분이 퍼온글)이 선거법상 특정인을 낙선시킬 목적으로 허위사실을 유포하고 비방했다는 혐의를 뒤집어 쒸어 검찰에 불려가 조사받고 재판 기다리고 있습니다.
검사의 신문을 당하면서 독재의 검은 먹구름이 밀려오고 있다는 느낌을 지울수 없었습니다.!앞으론 정치에 관심을 끊고 죽은듯이 납작 엎드려 지내는게 상책입니다.민주주의는 분명 퇴보하고 있다고 봅니다.언론자유가 탄압받으면 그것은 매우 중대한 민주주의 가치의 훼손입니다. 신 공안정국이 다가옵니다. 네티즌 여러분도 자중을 하십시요![…]
It will be control of speech like in the time of the Park Jung Hee dictatorship. Several hundreds of netizens are already under the name of the breach of the election law as criticizing Lee Myung Bak. I’m also waiting for trial because I put a post criticizing Lee Myung Bak (most of the writings are from others) on the internet. The accusation toward me is that I spread fallacies about a specific candidate with a political purpose. While I was investigated by the prosecutor, I couldn’t help but predict the cloud of the dictatorship.
From now on, the best tactic is to disregard interest in politics. Democracy goes backward. If freedom of speech is suppressed, it is the damage of the most important value of democracy. New security government is coming. You netizens, be careful![…]
Look at how other netizen responded.
[…]저는 박정희,전두환 시대를 겪어보지 않았습니다. 다만 TV에서 그때 겪어본 분들의 이야기를 듣고 제 주위에도 그때를 겪어보신 분들이 많습니다. 대포집 같은데서 술먹다 술에 취해 대통령을 비판하면 바로 잡혀가는 시대였다고 그러더군요. 그리고 황당한 이유로 대중가요를 금지곡으로 만들었구요..
그 정도는 아니겠지만 지금 말대가리단추구멍 하는것을 보면 전혀 엉뚱한 이야기가 아닙니다.[…]
경찰이 한 영화 포스터를 압수하는 헤프닝이 일어났습니다. 문구인 ‘대통령 저격'이 문제였습니다. 말대가리단추구멍과 아무런 관련도 없는 이 영화 포스터를 경찰이 허둥지둥 압수하는 것은 표현의자유를 침해한 사건이고 누가 들어도 황당한 사건입니다.[…]와신상담님의 글을 읽으며 ‘민주주의'라는 것의 소중함을 다시 깨우쳤습니다. 나는 그냥 당연한듯 살아왔고 이런 세상을 만들어주신 분들을 잠시 잊었습니다. 숭례문이 불타면서 문화재의 소중함을 비로소 깨우친것처럼,, 와신상담님의 글을 읽으며 또한 많은 것을 느꼈고 배웠습니다.
네티즌 여러분, 우리가 사는 이 시대는 그냥 만들어진것이 아닙니다. 일제때 잔인한 일본으로부터 항거했던 많은 독립열사들, 6.25 전쟁때 불법 남침했던 북한으로부터 조국을 수호하고자 목숨 버린 호국열사들, 독재정권과 맞서 국민이 주인되는 세상을 만들고자 거리에서 불의한 권력과 맞서 싸웠던 민주열사들.. 이분들이 피를 흘려 만들어주신 시대에 살고 있습니다.
늘 감사하며 살아가야 하겠습니다.[…]
I don’t think it will be like that. But when I saw what he does, it might not be fantastic.[…]The police seized a movie poster because of a phrase, ‘assassinate the president.’ Even though it is not relevant at all, the police hurriedly confiscated it and it is against the freedom of speech.[…]
After reading Washinsangdam’s post, I recognized the importance of ‘democracy.’ I have taken it all for granted and forgotten people who made this. After the burning of Namdaemun, I recognized the value of cultural assets. I learned a lot after reading his post.
Netizens! The period that we live is not just simply made. We live in a place where independent activists against Japanese imperialism, warriors of the Korea War, and democracy patriots against the dictatorship, fought.
I should live with appreciation.[…]
Other netizens take seriously the decreasing popularity of the presidential candidate even before he starts the real job.
어쩌다 이 지경이 되었을까? 레임덕의 초기현상이다. 취임초부터 레임덕이라? 보통 1년 동안 점진적 하락하다가 2년째부터 고꾸라지기 시작하는데, 그리고 통당선후에서 취임후 6개월까지는 웬만하면 밀어주는 경향이 강해서 지지율이 견고한데,
이건 취임전부터 민심이 이반되고 있으니…
이명박 당선인 지지율이 < 국민일보> 여론조사에서 50%대로 급락한 가운데, 역대 대통령 당선인 가운데 취임전 지지율이 하락한 것은 이 당선인이 처음으로 4월 총선에도 변수로 작용할 수 있다는 지적이 나왔다.[…]
He loses popularity even before the inauguration.
The popularity of Lee Myung Bak goes down to 50 percent according to the poll from Kookmin Daily. It is the first time since the winning president candidates of many generations and it will affect the general election of April.[…]
Regardless of many issues, the increase in living expenses produces the most anguish among netizens.
어제 마트의 풍경
퇴근길에 좀 살게 있어서 마트를 들럿지요..사람들의 카트 마다 최소 2박스의 라면들이 실려 있더군요. 전 이명박이라는 사람이 당선되던 그날 라면 2박스를 마트에서 구매 했지요. 사재기보다 저 홀로 상징적인 의미 둔 행동 이였지요. 외부적인 요소로 인해 각종 식료품의 가격이 눈에 띄게 올라 가고 있습니다. 아직 내부적 요소는 시작도 하지 않았는데..
한은 총재도 인플레심리가 염려된다라는 말을 짧게 비추었습니다. 또한 차기정부의 금리인하 방침을 그대로는 수용하지 않겠다고도 했습니다. 그러나 온국민이 본 동영상의 증거도 무마 시켜버리는 막강한 권력이 탄생했습니다. 그런 정부에 굴복하지 않고 소신대로 통화 정책을 구사할 수 있을까요?
차기 정부의 경기부양정책은 6,70년대 개발경제시대에나 걸 맞는 정책들로 일관 하고 있습니다.
우리는 앞으로 저들이 말하는 잃어버린 10년이 아니라 3,40년을 잃어 버릴 것 같습니다.퇴근길에 오늘은 마트에서 어떤 풍경이 일어나고 있는지 구경이나 한번 가볼까 합니다..
I dropped by a grocery store to buy something after my work… every person tucked two boxes of ramen at least into each cart. On the date we elected the new president, I purchased two boxes of ramen. It was symbolic behavior for myself. Due to external elements, the price of groceries goes up fast. We haven’t even started the change of the internal elements….
A chairman of Bank of Korea briefly implied that he is worried about inflation mood. In addition, he said that he is not going to accept the new policy about the fall in the rate of interest from the next administration. But strong authority was born, so they can delete the evidence of a video clip that all people saw. Without submitting to the government, would it be possible to retain the monetary policy according to his belief?
The expansionary policy that the next administration is pursuing is similar with policies in the 1960s-1970s. We might lose 30-40 years, not losing 10 years that they insisted we already lost with the current administration.
On the way back home after work, I might drop by a grocery store in order to see what scene I can see today.
There are many netizens who elaborate on how their daily lives will change.
달콤한 소주
LPG값-이건 참여정부때도 오른거라 치고…콜라값 - 30%정도 인상
라면값 - 20%정도
밀가루값 - 50%정도 올랐는데 추가로 오를가능성이 많음
아이스크림 = 두달안에 500원 짜리가 700원으로 모두 오른다고 함
빵값 - 시중 500원짜리 600원으로 인상
과자값 - 수퍼에가면 500원으로 사먹을게 없음,500원짜리는 초등학교 문구점에나 가야 있음. 더 서글픈것은 붕어빵이 4개 천원에서 3개 천원으로 올랐다는것.전부다 서민들이 즐겨 먹는거라니깐..
LPG price: let’s say these prices went up with the current government…
Cola: 30 percent increase
Ramen: 20% increase
Flour: 50% increase (possibly more increasing)
Ice cream: 500 won to 700 won in two months
Bread: 500 won to 600 won
Snack: nothing you can buy with 500 won, maybe in stationary stores for primary school students.
What makes me sad the most is “carp bread” (bung-eo-bbang) will be 1,000 won for three, up from 1,000 won for four.
They all are things common citizens enjoy eating…
Morocco: Hijab as a Choice
· 03:11
Much has been said about “the veil,” or hijab. Perhaps too much - mention it, and suddenly everyone - Muslim or not - is an expert. While in the West, hijab is often used to simply refer to the headscarf (veil), a more correct definition is any Islamically mandated dress for either gender, which for women includes, but is not limited to, covering the hair.
In Morocco, hijab is certainly a choice. Young and old alike don the headscarf, and in big cities, seeing it is as common as not seeing it. Although in rural areas it is more prevalent, all women have (legal) freedom of choice whether or not to wear it. Everything Morocco explains Moroccan dress accurately:
Veiling in Morocco is not a law, but a choice. Some women may wear it in submission to their husbands, but many women wear it as a sign of faith in and respect for the Islamic code. On the street, veiled women walk openly with their unveiled sisters and friends. Women in the same family may or may not choose to veil and it's nobody else's concern. Older women still wear the full veil, revealing only their eyes. I have even seen the occasional burqa like the Afghan women wear.
No doubt part of the choice to wear hijab is conformity to traditional customs and social rules, but even that is not necessarily so strong it prevents a woman's choice. It is much the same as when a Western woman didn't leave the house without a hat, coat and gloves. I remember when I lived in Nurnberg and a woman did not go into the city in pants or shorts. If you were inappropriately dressed, the sales clerks in the stores wouldn't even wait on you. So, most Moroccan women won't leave the house without putting on their djellaba and a scarf over their hair.
Two elderly Moroccan women tie their scarves under their chins
Another excellent article, from the Washingtonpost.com, has Pamela Windo sharing her experience with hijab in Morocco:
Although [the scarves] are made of colorful fabrics with pretty clips at the back, what most struck me was the blatant dichotomy between the hijab and their other clothes. While a few women wear it with a subdued djellaba, and others with their everyday modern suits, skirts and coats, a startling number of young Moroccan women combine the hijab with figure-revealing blue or black jeans, elaborate glittering belts, modern sexy tops and designer sunglasses. Equally striking is the glossy-magazine-style make-up, heavy on the lipstick and black kohl eye-liner.
Traveling Mama offers a slightly humorous perspective in a post entitled “Advice for Grandma”:
There is a wide variety of interpretations of “modest” dress, but one rule that most women follow here is that the *ahem* buttocks must be covered. Many of the local women choose to do that with a jilaba, but there are others such as the woman crossing the street in the picture above who choose to simply wear a long shirt or jacket. You would also want to avoid anything particularly low cut, revealing or sleeveless.
The subject of hijab has apparently become so important among foreigners as to prompt a discussion on the subject at a Fez cafe, reports The View from Fez. The discussion, entitled The Role of the Hijab, takes place on March 7 at Cafe Clock, and is presented by Subul Assalam Centre.
For more on the subject of hijab, read Abdurahman Warsame's recent article, “Somalia: Can a hijab-wearing blogger get a respectable job in the US?”
Creative Commons-licensed photo by koffiemetkoek.
15 comments · »»Middle East: Wishing Kosovo all the Best!
· 02:02
Bloggers and some politicians in the Middle East were quick to draw parallels between Kosovo's independence from Serbia and the Palestine Question. Following the news from the Balkans, here's a snapshot of more reactions from Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Israel:
From Israel, Aussie Dave finds the parallel ridiculous to say the least. He writes:
“Kosovo is not better than us. We deserve independence even before Kosovo, and we ask for the backing of the United States and the European Union for our independence.”
- Yasser Abed Rabbo, aide to PA leader Mahmoud Abbas
The sad thing is, he probably believes it.
I honestly can’t think of one reason why the so-called palestinians deserve independence. As I have argued time and time again, even if you acknowledged they were a distinct nation entitled to self-determination in the historical homeland of the Jews, they have forfeited any right to independence through their morally reprehensible behavior.
Yael, takes another stance, saying:
This little new country, like our own, is going to have rough going. I wish them the best and hope that they, as we have, will survive. I hope that both Kosovo and our own country in the future will have peace with our neighbours, even if it is a cold and not at all friendly peace, but a peace and cessation of violence nonetheless. Congratulations Kosovo. Welcome to the world of nations. Welcome, too, to the reality of that world that is not necessarily something to celebrate. I hope that you and your nation not only survive but find peace and prosperity sooner than our little nation which, after 60 years, is prospering but still attacked from nearly all sides. I do indeed wish you luck new little country and I think that you will need it.
Qatar:
Abdulrahman Warsame, who based in Qatar, also hopes the best for the people of Kosovo - but for different reasons. He explains:
The long wait is over. It's a great moment, how often do you see a new country born, and what if it's a predominantly Muslim country in the heart of Europe?
EU and US recognition is expected to come tomorrow, together with many Muslim countries. Russia and Serbia have made it clear that, though unable to stop Kosovo from becoming independent, they'll make it painful for the kosovars.
Looking at the bright side, ‘Aqoul comments on Qatar's Al Jazeera coverage, saying:
A brief note, the coverage today of the Kosovo declaration / celebrations on Al Jazeerah and on Al Jazeerah was quite interesting: the actual Sat broadcasts focused quite a lot on the Kosovo-American flag pairing and US … conditional support I suppose. Interesting imagery to be dominating the screen. The US could stand for this sort of positive imagery more often. One does not often get imagery on the Sats of hidjab wearing ladies leaning out of cars waving American flags wildly.
Saudi Arabia:
An even brighter outlook comes from Dotsson, from Saudi Arabia, who is really excited about Kosovo's declaration because of matters close to the heart. He announces:
I don't know much about Kosovo except that it recently declared independence from Serbia and a bunch of hot women came out on the streets to celebrate.
But not everyone is celebrating. Russia is upset because it regards the move as an infringement on Serbia’s territorial integrity. But **** Russia and Serbia and anyone else that has problem with Kosovo declaring independence. I don’t remember Russia protesting when Slobodan Milosevic was busy slaughtering ethnic Albanians.
In short, Dotsson supports an independent Kosovo and any cause where there are hot women on the streets. AND SO SHOULD YOU!
Egypt:
Zeinobia, from Egypt, wonders about where her country stands from the announcement. She writes:
Kosovo declared its independence and became a country the world is divided whether to recognize as independent state or not , even Europe is divided , I do not know on which team my country Egypt will be , but I think it will join the American team in the end and leave the Russian team , not because we are with the people of the Kosovo as a Muslim but because we are in the Same team of the American administration I am afraid.
And Tom Gara makes the following announcement:
4 comments · »»I am offering a cash prize…
To the first rapper who uses the line “I'm independent like Kosovo.”
Links for Roundups
Middle East & North Africa
Elijah Zarwan, from Egypt, links to a story of an Israeli MP blaming the recent earthquake on gays and comments: “Lest anyone think that we in the Muslim world have a monopoly on backwardness and comical fundamentalism.”
Eastern & Central Europe , Middle East & North Africa
One Jerusalem from Israel, discusses Kosovo's independence from Serbia in this post, as well as its implications on Palestine.
South Asia
MantraBlogs from India on the legacy of Fidel Castro - as he announced his retirement a few days back.
South Asia
groundviews on the idea of Tamil identity and nationalism in Sri Lanka.
South Asia
YouTube appears to be blocked in Pakistan, All Things Pakistan points out that this may have a political rather than a “cultural” reason - given that a number of videos of election rigging were posted.
South Asia
Metroblogging Lahore wonders why the elections results in Pakistan are confusing to the West.
Eastern & Central Europe , Middle East & North Africa
Michal Svec, a young Czeck man has published several photos of his trip to Iranian cities.
Middle East & North Africa
More than 4000 people have already signed a petition against Google Earth. The petiton that says: “dear Administrators of Google Earth, we, the undersigned, through this letter, protest your irresponsible, unscientific actions, and demand an immediate and unconditional deletion of “Arabian Gulf” from Google Earth.”
Middle East & North Africa
According to [Fa] several bloggers including Salam Democrat,three workes who had been arrested last year for participating in May Day( Workers' Day) ceremonies,were whipped in city of Sanandaj in Kurdistan.The blogger says we are all workers ,whip us all!
Central Asia & Caucasus
The Armenian Observer details his thoughts after spending a night with a few thousand Ter-Petrossian supporters camped out on Yerevan's Liberty Square following Tuesday's disputed presidential election in Armenia.