Stories from 28 October 2006
Venezuelan Bloggers: A Lot More Than Politics
Regular readers of the Global Voices “daily links” coming out of Venezuela are probably left with the impression that – just a month from presidential elections – the entire country, or at least its bloggers, are single-mindedly focused on politics. And while that may be understandably true of Venezuela's anglophone...
Russia: LJ and Politics
On October 25, International Herald Tribune published Evgeny Morozov's opinion piece on the recent developments in the Russian blogosphere. On his blog – Sharp & Sound: Perspectives On Modern Politics – Morozov wrote: […] I’ve been surprised how little coverage the story has received in the Western media…Hm, virtually none…...
Jamaica, UK: Bob lived here
JT at the Caribbean Beat weblog notes the addition of a plaque honouring reggae superstar Bob Marley to London's list of blue plaques designating landmarks associated with well-known figures: “It's been an interesting week for reggae in London, as officialdom takes a sudden new interest in the music. On Wednesday,...
Bermuda: PLP Election
GS at Pondblog offers an assessment of the results of last night's Progressive Labour Party election in Bermuda, in which Premier Alex Scott was beaten by Ewart Brown: “It wasn't a surprising outcome – Scott is an odd, dithering sort of man who ruled the roost, according to party insiders,...
Bermuda: Cold front
As a cold front passes Bermuda, Shawn and Sue comment on Bermudians’ and their own attitudes towards cold weather: “Every year you are here I think you get “wussier” with respect to the cold.“
Barbados: Sensationalism
Eemanee criticises Barbados Free Press for demonstrating a “knack for sensationalism” in calling the Chairman of the Barbados Family Planning Association an “abortions provider”: “Let's not forget that the BFPA provides a range of needed services, such as pap smears, men's health services as well as Room 246, a drop-in...
The Week That Was in Bahrain
Bahrain's bloggers celebrated Eid this week, with many posting greetings on their sites or simply musing about the tradition. While Mahmood Al Yousif thinks that “Eid this time seems to be spread through the whole week, rather than a single day where the whole nation celebrates!”, Silly Bahraini Girl took...
Madagascar: Local Lit Classics Available Online
New blog Actualite Culturelle Malgache [Malagasy Cultural News] plans (Fr) to make malagasy historical texts available online and will email the first such offering — Charles Renel's La Race Inconnue [The Unknown Race] — to anyone who asks. La Race Inconnue is a collection of short stories written during colonial...
DRC Elections: Candidate Billboards
After carefully breaking down the billboards of presidential runoff candidates, Sanaga Peregrinations concludes that Joseph Kabila stands for peace and reconstruction and sends a message that he ‘belongs’ (he has long been accused of being a foreigner). By contrast, Jean-Pierre Bemba stands for security, justice and development while trying very...
Kenya: blogger's work used by Kenyan paper without his knowledge
This is what Kikuyumoja's Realm had to say to the Kenyan newspaper, Kenya Times, for using his work without notifying him, “Next time you are re-publishing my words, pls let me know. I know I can’t be mad with you kwani no one I know actually reads the Kenya Times….ama?”...
India: Right to Information
Balancing Life on the right to information and meeting a campaigner for the same. “I was surprised to learn that the Right to Information was declared a fundamental right in 1976 by the Supreme Court, as embedded within the right to freedom of speech. That was 30 years ago. But...
India: Godesses drink wine
Mumbai Girl on Goddesses drinking wine, and custodians of religion. “Or is too much for their prudish, forever “insulted” minds to understand that their professed religion is actually far more liberated and unorthodox than they are? Not only does Durga drink wine, she drinks blood. As does Kaali. As does...
Pakistan: Beards, Islam and Cricket
A very interesting post and discussion at Pakistaniat discussing facial hair and cricket. “Given all the discussion about cricket and Islam (here), sooner or later we will come to beards and cricket and whether beards of a certain length or style are ‘religiously intimidating’ for some (related story here).”
Sri Lanka: Pay less if you're a local
London, Lanka and Drums reflects on the practice in Sri Lanka of charging higher fees from tourists. “The Sri Lankan economy gains more revenue, many of the poorer local people are able to see sights and do things that they would never be able to if they had to pay...
Bangladesh: In the elections
Drishtipat takes a look at the forthcoming elections and makes some predictions. One of the more grimp scenarios – “There will be no check and balance. And in government there will be same atrocity, corruption and nepotism. Because there will be nothing but the same old wine in a new...
Bangladesh: A change in Government
Rezwan on Bangladesh caught in the routine of changing governments. “The Bangladesh government led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the four party alliance ends their five year tenure today. Tomorrow the power would be handed over to the Caretaker Government. Controversial Chief Justice KM Hasan is scheduled to take...
India: Post-Colonial Historians
Shashwati on Post Colonial Historians, crossing boundaries and “going native”. “Apparently crossing boundaries, including political ones is a different story for different people.”
