David Sasaki

Global Voices Online - May 19, 2006

Podcast: An interview with Eduardo Avila

Kamla Bhatt sat down with Global Voices Bolivia contributor, Eduardo Ávila at the WeMedia conference in London where they discussed the Bolivian blogosphere, Evo Morales’ nationalization of hydrocarbons, and Eduardo’s time in Bolivia, Oklahoma, and Washington D.C. Here’s a chance to get to know one of Global Voices’ regular contributors while listening to the podcast as you sit in traffic, jog in the park, or type away at your computer.

Nigeria’s Failed Constitutional Amendment

Chippla Vandu describes a controversial constitutional amendment which would have lengthened the presidential time in office from two to three four-year-terms. “Few issues in Nigeria have generated as much debate in the blogosphere as that of amending the constitution to allow the incumbent president contest an election that may have seen him serve an extra term in office.” Though the majority of bloggers argued aggressively against the proposal, Vandu links to some interesting arguments in favor of a potential third term by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mexico: Violence and Backlash in San Salvador Atenco

On May 3rd, in a small town just an hour and a half from Mexico City, violent riots broke out resulting in 200 arrests, 50 injured police officers, and one dead 14-year-old boy. But the obvious questions remain: what started the confrontation? What were federal police doing in the town to begin with? Why did the English-language press barely mention the story? This post hopes to expand on these as-of-yet unanswered questions by linking to the various and conflicting explanations of journalists, bloggers, and government officials.

Advocacy: Help protect global bloggers

For three months now we have been writing with increasing despair about the detention of East Asia Regional Editor Hao Wu by Chinese authorities. More recently, Egyptian blogger Alaa Abd El Fatah was also imprisoned during a peaceful protest in Cairo. As Rachel Rawlins reminds many of us who take our freedom to blog for granted, others are at risk of running into trouble with their governments for what they write. With the aim of greater advocacy for bloggers - current and future - who are unjustly detained while promoting freedom of speech, Global Voices has created a new page dedicated to tracking current cases and a wiki to brainstorm new projects. Please help spread the message by putting our new advocacy badge on your own blog.

Blogspot blogs blocked in Ethiopia, an erupting volcano in Indonesia, remembering Zimbabwe’s devastating Murambatsvina, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.

Global Voices Online - May 18, 2006

Banned White-Red-White Flag of Belarus Travels Abroad

It is probably only global trivia for the majority of us, but for Belorussians, an 11-year-old referendum to reintroduce a variation of the Soviet era flag was the start of a controversy that continues today. The prolific Veronica Khokhlova has translated a post by a Belorussian LiveJournal user who proudly donned his country’s “other flag” while traveling in Ukraine. Check out the post to see how Ukrainians reacted.

China: No lawyer for Hao Wu

“After pushing for so long, it seems that any efforts to seek the law’s help have been stifled.” Those are the defeated words of Nina, sister of Hao Wu, a documentary filmmaker and Global Voices Regional Editor who is being held by Chinese authorities without charge and without access to a lawyer. John Kennedy has the full translation of Nina’s post, which ends with determined hope: “Even though I don’t have a clear plan, if everyone could understand each other, couldn’t we all work together? We must be able to find a way.”

Kurdistance: Finding Rebirth in Grief

Our condolences to contributor Deborah Ann Dilley who recently lost her uncle to cancer of the esophagus. As chance would have it, a Kurdish blogger and his colleague also wrote online about the recent loss of their uncles; men who worked for, but never saw the realization of a Kurdish state. Here is a post that reaffirms the universality of death and the hope that lies in dialogue and working together.

The Week That Was - Bolivian Blogs

Bolivian students, journalists, and musicians have been much more quick to adopt the benefits of blogging than their governmental institutions. The one exception would be the Constitutional Tribunal, which has been posting its decisions and general press releases on a Wordpress-based blog since September, 2005. And most notably, those posts allow comments by readers. Ávila explains the extraordinary case ruled against government intervention in the bankrupt Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB) airline and how user comments prompted a clarification by the nation’s highest court.

Ghanaian chocolate, a horrific video of Egyptian police abuse, a not-so-horrific video of sheep in Georgia, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.

Global Voices Online - May 17, 2006

China: Cultural Revolution turns forty

“The ten years of the Cultural Revolution not only led Chinese society into chaos, but also brought China’s economy to the brink of collapse; sporting the banner of ‘culture’, the movement led to the deep destruction of traditional Chinese culture, struck a fatal blow against humanity and heavily twisted people’s psyches into something not seen since ancient times. Today, thirty years since the end of the Cultural Revolution, its presence and pain can still be felt at any time, in any place, sometimes hidden, sometimes showing.” We can read such reflections on the 40th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution thanks to John Kennedy’s excellent translations of Chinese blog posts. Past and present collide head on in this must-read post.

This week in the African women’s blogsphere

African women continue to blog up a storm with posts as varied as ever. Battling with 21st century information overload and some comment-evoking thoughts on polygamous marriages are just two such examples.

Indian Bloggers are talking education, politics and marriage

Kamla Bhatt also touches on marriage in her summary of the Indian blogosphere; not polygamy, but the “marriagonomics” of arranged marriages. Also, a fascinating debate (which Global Voices readers have already read about regarding Brazil and South Africa) on a new quota policy in India’s education system.

Bangladesh Blog Buzz

With elections later this year, it seems that Bangladeshi bloggers are tired of political stagnation, whether it’s the stalemate between parties, dynasty leadership, or lack of electoral reform. Far removed from politics is a podcast of an English translation of Bangladeshi Nobel Prize-winning author Rabindranath Tagore’s short story “Once there was a King”.

Ahmadinejad’s Letter & Tehran Book Fair

Much has been made of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s letter to his US counterpart, George W. Bush, including comparisons to Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1989 letter to then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. But the anglophone press was not able to dissect the letter’s hidden implications as well as the trained eyes of Iran’s bloggers. What is the underlying significance of writing “Israel”? What inspired the letter? Who was the letter really intended to reach? Farid Pouya handles each of these questions in a thorough review of the Iranian blogosphere’s reaction.

Bloggers Opinions About a Proposed Euthanasia Law

Finally, Rosario Lizana rounds out the day with a report on Chileans’ response to a newly proposed euthanasia law. Chile remains one of only two Latin American countries (El Salvador is the other) in which all forms of abortion are illegal, but some observers expect a change in social policy with the election of socialist president, Michelle Bachelet. Will this new controversial proposal be the testing ground? Lizana sums up Chilean bloggers’ feelings on the matter.

Daniel Moi’s legacy and influence in Kenya, Evo versus Lula in Vienna, Pakistan’s new censorship-resistant blog aggregator, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.

Global Voices Online - May 16, 2006

France & Francophonia Commemorate Slavery Amidst Curriculum Controversy

May 10th was the fifth anniversary of France’s adoption of the Taubira Law, which first officially recognized slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity. The commemoration has sparked an interesting debate in French society and among Francophone bloggers from around the world about slavery’s place in school text books and its legacy for ethnic relations today. As one blogger comments on the post, “I just want to say that I’m tired to be considered by my skin color. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because I’m ashamed of it but just that I’m a human being period.”

Oil Pipeline Blast in Nigeria as Nigerian bloggers see it

200 people were killed last week when an oil pipeline blew up on an island 30 miles off the coast of Lagos. David Ajao has collected the reactions of Nigerian bloggers including a critique of derogatory language found in international press coverage.

Voices From Zimbabwe and the Great Lakes

A blog divide has emerged in Zimbabwe’s online community between supporters and foes of robotics-professor-turned-opposition-politician Arthur Mutambara. Zim Pundit explains why Mutambara’s second rally in the UK was so closely scrutinized after conflicting reports of the first. Also, the ninth anniversary of Burundi’s Buta Massacre, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s upcoming elections, the Village Phone project in Rwanda and much more in this week’s Great Lakes roundup.

This Week In Palestinian Blogs: Al-Nakba Continues

“Al-Nakba” is an Arabic term, which translates roughly to “the catastrophe.” It also refers to the day that Israel first declared its independence: May 14th, 1948. Naseem Tarawnah writes that “for many Palestinian bloggers Al-Nakba means remembering this important moment in history, which set the stage for an ongoing struggle and tragedy; where both past and present are commemorated side by side.” Here’s your chance to read what Palestinians have to say about the historical turning point including one blogger’s account of more “non-violent resistance for the media to ignore.”

China: New political campaign shows sarcasm is alive and well

Chinese blogger Frank Dai says that Chinese presidents have a long history of espousing their own memorable variations of socialist thought. Current president Hu Jintao recently rolled out his own “Eight Dos and Don’ts” to emphasize morals in contemporary Chinese society. Dai translates the eight rules for us and reveals the impact they’ve had on print publications and bloggers alike. Beware of some subtle satire.

Bruna Little Surfer: blog turns into book, call girl turns into writer

New York Times reporter Larry Rohter recently wrote about the popularity of Rachel Pacheco, a Brazilian call-girl-turned-blogger, who set off a country-wide debate about sexual mores and practices. But Jose Murilo Junior shows with his translations of Brazilian blog posts that Rohter’s article only touched the surface of what has been a multi-layered reaction to Pacheco’s blog, story, and newfound success. “While the NY Times and traditional editorial writers pontificate about culture and morality and while academics generate new socio-anthropological theses about Bruna Little Surfer and disruptive sexual behaviors, the kids are learning something else. They are learning that the Internet and communicating through writing well are opportunities for success.”

Interview with Afghan Warrior

In the first of a series of interviews with Afghan bloggers, Farid Pouya asks “Afghan Warrior” why he blogs in English, what the future of Afghanistan’s blogosphere holds, and how ethnic divisions are represented online.

Mongolia’s rising ethnic violence, the Bangla Wikipedia, the ongoing search for Chinese imprisoned blogger Wu Hao, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.

Global Voices Online - May 15, 2006

Chilean Blog Contest: The Winners

The Chilean citizen media project Atina Chile has announced this year’s winners of the Atina Blog Awards. More than 2,000 bloggers from 12 countries entered the contest, but only a few won in each category says Rosario Lizana in what turns out to be a great introduction to Chile’s current blogging scene.

Egypt: Blogging Behind Bars

The story of detained Egyptian blogger and political activist Alaa Ahmed Seif al-Islam took an unexpected turn last week when he wrote a blog post behind bars. Quite possibly the first blogger outside of the United States to ever post from prison, Alaa’s detention has inspired a diverse and yet unified reaction across the internet that is not only calling for his release, but also putting pressure on the Egyptian government to respect human rights. Elijah Zarwan has all the details.

Images from Haiti: Hinche’s New Cathedral

Hinche is a city in central Haiti near the border with the Dominican Republic. Alice Backer introduces us to the municipality (and its shiny new cathedral) via the photoblog of an NGO worker stationed there.

Southern Africa Blogosphere

South African bloggers continue to debate the significance of the acquittal of former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma who was accused of rape. Our newest contributor, Rethabile Masilo, also explains how a shortage of sanitary projects is a human rights issue for Zimbabwean women and what some activists are doing to change the situation.

Helping the Homeless in Moscow

Reading Veronica Khokhlova’s translations from Eastern Europe, it’s tough not to come away with the impression that her region’s bloggers are more pro-active than most. This week we are treated to the fascinating account of a Russian blogger who decided to join a group of volunteers handing out sandwiches to the homeless in Moscow’s subway and train stations.

The Pride of Cambodia: Young Generation

ThaRum Bun reveals that Cambodians have plenty of reason for optimism once today’s youth take the helms of tomorrow’s leadership. Find out why these teenagers are making their country proud.

Flying Over the Iraqi Blogodrome…

Weblogs are serving yet another important purpose in post-Saddam Iraq. This time a group of dedicated expatriate Iraqi scientists have come together to “stay united and rejuvenate Iraq’s scientific heritage.” In addition, they’ve also produced an eye-opening publication on the plight of Iraqi academics in the midst of all the recent assassinations and attacks. Salam Adil continues his weekly dispatch with a long list of newsworthy items that weren’t shown in the mainstream media, a roundup of daily life in today’s Iraq, and his now infamous “If you read nothing else today read this …”

Trinidad: Hanuman murti

I must admit, I’ve always been fond of the Hindu deity Hanuman; a faithful friend who flew across oceans and even got his tail burned while helping out Lord Rama and Sita. So it filled me with immense pleasure to discover that the second largest murti, or religious sculpture, of the monkey-deity actually sits in Carapichaima, Trinidad. Georgia Popplewell, who explains that 40% of Trinidad and Tobago’s populations traces its ancestry to India, has posted a photo of the bright red murti.

What Salvadoran bloggers are saying — tourism and gold mining

“Salvadoran bloggers often ponder what types of economic development can best help the country lift the overall status of its people” begins Tim Muth in his analysis of the pros and cons of tourism and gold mining according to Salvadoran bloggers. Also, a reflection on motherhood from San Salvador.

Bubble Gum Ban Video and Singapore

“If it starts with bubble gum, where will it end?” Such is the emphatic, if not somewhat comical, concluding question of a video that compares “bubble gum policy” in Singapore with Melbourne, Australia as a case study of the age-old debate between personal freedom and social utopianism. Preetam Rai says that the video has inspired a healthy conversation about the role of government in modern society.

Vegetarian or Carnivorian, it is up to you!

Our in-house chef, Melissa De Leòn Douglass, has a tasty, almost fragrant, rundown of the best food posts from around the globe. This week there is something for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. In fact, even the vegetables have found a noble defender!

Cutting edge reports from Ramadi, KGB flash mobsters in Belarus, voting in China, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.

Global Voices Online - May 12, 2006

Blogging about India: bio-fuels, mangoes, bananas, chick-lit and Bollywood

Kamla Bhatt weighs in with an assortment of topics from the Indian blogosphere including chick-lit plagiarism, Madras’ landing on Google Maps, mango mania, and vanishing bananas. Plus, one New Englander’s unlikely Bollywood aspirations.

This Week’s Synopsis of West African Weblogs

More variety, this time from West Africa where Imnakoya lets us in on conversations about Nigeria’s political impasse, cellphone scoundrels, anti-homosexual injustice in Cameroon, and an American’s observations of Senegal.

Polish Blogosphere Update

Jordan & Maria Seidel show us around Poland in a language that we all speak: beautiful photography. They also explain why students across the country will soon be dressed up in black and white.

An aid-worker’s tragedy and legacy in Bosnia, racism in Latin America, a Cantonese death metal opera, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.

Global Voices Online - May 11, 2006

Malaysian Bloggers Protest Banning of Documentary

The documentary film sounded so interesting that one ex-pat Malaysian blogger wanted to return home just to see it. But before that could ever happen, a series of newspaper articles led to a ban on the movie by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Why? Was it the overt political theme or, as the filmmaker writes on his blog, did it have to do with the protagonist’s ethnicity? Preetam Rai has the story.

The week that was, in the Moroccan blogosphere

One young woman inspires an avalanche of comments when soliciting the thoughts of her readers regarding pre-marital sex. Another is horrified to find out that a family guest refuses to eat his meal with women. And Farah Kinani concludes her wrap-up of Moroccan bloggers with a peek at a prominent Australian author, playwright, actor, journalist, broadcaster … and now, blogger who regularly pens his thoughts on one of Morocco’s most popular English-language blogs.

Image from Mauritius: Happy Bride

True to the worldwide melting pot that is Global Voices, Alice Backer posts a wedding day photo of Sebastien from metropolitan France and Annoella of Mauritius..

Nepal: Democrats, Maoists Gearing For Peace Talks

‘Slow but steady’ says Paramendra Bhagat of Nepal’s transition to democracy after the April revolution. With a roundup of post-revolutionary links (including an interview with Maoist leader Prachanda), Bhagat reveals the difficulties of forming pluralism after monarchy rule.

The Week That Was - Bolivian Blogs

Bolivia’s gas industry has been nationalized, creating headlines around the world by a press eager to show Latin America’s political sway to be this or that. But another economic crisis, also involving nationalization, has been largely forgotten despite unpaid employees, missing flights, and a pension fund at risk. Eduardo Ávila brings us the words of the workers as the future of Bolivia’s largest airline is stuck on shaky ground.

Chinese chopsticks, a Slovenian no-parking haiku, the history of a Bahamian island soon to be forever changed, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.

Get the blog buzz from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus.