Global Voices Online » 2008 » May

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Morocco, Israel, and Palestine: A Unique History

Jillian York · 20:09

lingua → ar · bn · es

Since the Nakba and Israel's claim of independence 60 years ago, Israel and Morocco have had an interesting relationship. Prior to the creation of an Israeli state, Morocco had a large, if not thriving, Jewish population. Within a decade of Israeli independence, however, a large percentage of Morocco's Jews emigrated to Israel. Today, Morocco officially has one of the best relationships with Israel of any predominantly Muslim nation, in part due to King Hassan II's efforts to promote peace in the region. Yet, under the surface of diplomatic relations, much of the population staunchly supports Palestine. Here's what a few Moroccan bloggers have to say on this, the 60th anniversary of Israeli independence.

Hisham of Al Miraat/The Moroccan Mirror laments the Palestinian situation but sees hope:

Sixty years after the Nakba the picture in Palestine is depressing, to say the least. But over the last decade or so, we've witnessed a dynamic of renaissance and awakening amongst the justice and peace camp, and the breaking down of some important taboos which served so far, helping Israel get away with its crimes against not only the Palestinian people but also against justice and History.

Many signs of hope are appearing. The shield of omerta and intellectual terrorism is cracking. More and more people are speaking out, and the cosy protection offered by the Israel lobby is fading away little by little.

He later adds:

The general thrust these days is: “Oh, come on, it's all in the past, nobody's interested any more, it didn't work, everyone knows what the Americans and Israelis are like, but stop being naive, this is the world, there's nothing to be done about it and anyway **** it, who cares?” But let me put it this way-the dead are still looking at us, waiting for us to make justice.

You better keep hope and smile for Palestine!

The interior of a synagogue in Sefrou, Morocco

Abdelilah Boukili of Regular Comments Based on Issues Raised by BBC World Haveyoursay just wants Israel to behave fairly:

The Middle East needs the birth of a really peaceful policy for everyone to live in peace. While Israel is counting the years since it was born, others are counting the deaths it has inflicted on the Palestinians, making the two sides look like Tom and Jerry. They can’t feel at ease without playing cat and mouse, just for the fun of it or by being serious about it.

One thing is sure. Israel is now a fact. It’s a fait accompli whether its enemies like it or not. But still it has to show more resilience towards the Palestinians as it is now in a strong position. Capitalizing on their weaknesses to go ahead with its intransigent policies will just perpetuate the current conflict.

So let’s hope that in its next birthday, Israel will have grown into a state with internationally recognised borders and the Palestinians have their free state instead of continuing to feel as Israel’s collective prisoners.

In related news, A Moro in America comments on a tourism initiative between Morocco, Israel, and Spain:

A new joint tourist project by Israel, Morocco and Spain will trace the footsteps of the Rambam (Maimonedes), the 12th-century Torah scholar and philosopher.

Tzemach invited Moroccan Tourism Minister Muhammad Bushid on Monday to visit Israel to discuss cooperation and to examine the initiative to launch a regional tour based on the Rambam.

The initiative was first presented to the Moroccan Tourism Ministry during the Euromed, a convention of the tourism ministries of Europe and Mediterranean countries that was held in Paris in March. The ministries have expressed their willingness to assist in the project.

Creative Commons-licensed photo by Omer Simkha

6 comments · »»

Malawi: Several arrested over allegations to remove president

Victor Kaonga · 18:32

lingua → bn · mg · es · pt

It has been reported that several senior security and opposition political officials have been arrested in Malawi on allegations of coup plot. Malawian journalist and blogger Kondwani Munthali says that the politics in Malawi is undergoing interesting developments and political temperatures have reached a boiling point. Writing from Lilongwe where he is based, he says:

Finally arresting people like Retired General Joseph Chimbayo, Joseph Aironi, John Chikakwiya, Humphrey's Mvula and Kennedy Makwangwala will not solve the current political impasse. I am hesistant to add the military officials also in the cooler for Treason. Some of us saw the signs of times, long time ago, but we chose to ignore it.

Political temperatures have reached boiling point, but it is the man in Karonga who has no food. I was in Lilongwe Kumachenga, when the MCP legislator was screaming that he cannot go to Parliament. I was happy when Bingu called for the talks only to be dejected later when he went on a political rally to reveal what was going on secretly.
I don't know where Malawi is going to as of today, arrests and intimidation seem to be much more like Kamuzu era not a democratic regime people opted for 15 years ago. I hope my country will wake up to realisation that leadership is more
of a gift from God. Restraint and patience develop good leaders and not tempers. I hope in the next few years, posterity will prove many of us right in our decisions and be remembered as “great leaders” who brought impact
on our people than sheer politicking.

In his long post “Cry the Beloved Country,” he bemoans the political developments which he says do not help the rural poor in
Malawi. A week ago Munthali was arrested by the police on allegations that he was behind stories that speak ill of the president in online publications.

2 comments · »»

China: “Strolling” for the Environment

Kelly Proctor · 13:03

lingua → mg · bn · es

Earlier this month, before an earthquake killed thousands, about 400 to 500 people in Chengdu, China took to the streets to protest the construction of a proposed petrochemical plant, calling their outing a “stroll” to get around applying for a permit to protest. The event was organized through cell phones, text messages and blogs, and mimics earlier events in Xiamen and Beijing. The New York Times had a story about environmental protests last week. Six people were arrested (Danwei provides more links).

Beijing-based lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan praised the “strolling” method of voicing opinions on his blog:

“散步”不是集会、游行、示威，“散步”是具有中國特色的维权方式，但愿有关部门能给市民一个表达意见的“散步”空间，更愿政府能够重视市民“散步”表达出来的意见。

“Stroll” is not an assembly or demonstration. It’s a unique way of practicing civil rights in China. I wish related government departments could allow the citizens a space for “strolling” and expressing their opinion, and more importantly, the government could respect citizens’ opinions expressed through the “strolls”.

China Digital Times has the full translation. They also report Liu's blog has encountered some censorship.

Many in southwestern China are reeling from Monday's earthquake. A new up-and-coming website called Fractor bills itself as a “simple, groundbreaking web application” that promises to connect well-meaning people with ways to help people affected by disasters world-wide.

Rich Brubaker on the blog Crossroads, which looks at corporate social responsibility in China, posts video links to the PBS series “Shifting Nature“, telling us about the casualties of lightning-speed economic growth in China. It has some pretty high-level interviews, including ones with Pan Yue, China's outspoken environmental leader with the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

And, lastly, a million and a half Chinese children have taken part in a painting contest, held by the United Nations Environment Programme. The painting by last year's grand prize winner, Charlie Sullivan from the UK, is below.

UNEP children's painting winner 2007

2 comments · »»

Kyrgyzstan: A Slow Time

Elena Skochilo · 09:56

lingua → es

The May month traditionally comes to Kyrgyzstan with the holiday days. 1st May is the Labor Day, 5th May is the Constitution’s Day and on 9th May Kyrgyzstan celebrates Victory’s day. These day the life of Kyrgyzstan is rather quiet and slow.

On 1st May, the Communist’s party held the short meeting at the Old Square in Bishkek. There were a lot of people who held the portraits of Lenin and the old soviet flags. It was really strange demonstration, because the communists also hung the scarecrow of the president of USA George Bush during the meeting.

Lj-user Lvenks even called [ru] this demonstration as “a parade of the insane”.

(more…)

0 comments · »»

Korea: Youth hold Candlelight Vigils against US Beef Imports

Hyejin Kim · 06:16

Since the beef trade between South Korea and the U.S. was recently negotiated after the new President Lee Myung Bak’s visit to the U.S., and the concern of mad cow disease from imported meats upset Korean society, those issues have caused complaints against the new President to balloon and mingle with other new policies. A portal site that started a signature-seeking campaign to impeach the president has received 1.2 million signatures on the 6th of May and the number has been rapidly increasing. In addition, candlelight vigils in downtown Seoul have been starting for two weeks. A noticeable part of the vigils this time is that the majority of people attending are teenagers and their active participation seems to shock the older generation.

The candlelight vigil this weekend is like a festival with entertainers’ participation and teenagers’ performances.

A netizen demonstrates in detail why people are mad and can’t help but to be against the government.

연일 광우병 때문에 시끄럽다. 정부는 과학적 근거없는 괴담이 떠돌고 있다며 믿을 수 없는 인터넷 소통과 그 배후에 반미 좌파가 있다며 이를 집중 공격하고 있고 조중동을 비롯한 거대 일간지는
대중들이 인터넷이라는 감성의 도구를 활용하여 마구잡이식 괴담을 퍼뜨리고 있다고 일침을 놓고 있다. 마치 무지몽매한 중생을 계몽하듯이. 그러나 분명 밝히고 싶은 것은 우리가 집중하고 울분하는 문제는 출처를 알 수 없는 괴담이 유발하는 공포가 아니라는 점이다. 가슴 깊은 곳에서 우러나는 분노와 한숨의 근원을 왜 좌파의 책동이라는 정략과 과학이란 명분을 내세워 덮어버리려 하는가? 정부는 우리가 무엇 때문에 분노하는지 직시하고 우리의 분노를 괴담으로 호도하지 말라.

Our society is so noisy due to mad cow disease. The government says it is an unscientific rumor, criticizes that there is an anti-American group at the rear, and blames the untrustworthy internet. Conservative newspapers complain that someone is spreading ghost stories utilizing emotional equipment, the Internet. But what we have to realize this time is not about fear from ghost stories. Why does the government try to cover our anger and sigh under the pretext of anti-American groups or unscientific rumor? The government should face the reasons why we’re mad and shouldn’t ignore our anger.

1. 우리의 검역주권은 어디로 갔는가?
이번 협상으로 인해 미국에서 광우병이 발생해도 한국은 자의적으로 수입을 중단할 수 없게 되었다.
만보 양보해서 미국에서 문건 상 광우병 발병 회수가 단 세 건뿐이었으니 안심해도 좋다고 치자.
그렇다 하더라도 아직 그 정도와 심각성이 완전히 알려지지 않은 병에 대해서는 ‘만약'이라는 가정과 그런 일이 생길 수 있다는 ‘개연성' 만으로도 자국민의 건강을 우선적으로 고려한 검역과 협상의 가이드라인을 정하는 것이 현재 대부분 나라들에서 하는 식품에 관한 협정 및 검역 권한이다.'미국 내 소에서 단 세 마리'라는 드러난 수치는 과학이고,국제 협정 상에서 다른 나라들이 누리는 식품에 관한 협정 및 검역 권한은 비과학이란 말인가.검역주권을 포기하고 나서 내세우는 변명치곤 너무 치졸하지 아니한가?

1. Where is our right for quarantine?
After this agreement, Korea can’t stop importing American beef even though mad cow disease might start in the U.S. According to the American documents, there have been three mad cow disease cases and so we might disregard it. But how serious the disease is has not been publicized yet. Therefore, with this hypothesis, ‘if,’ and ‘probability,’ the country should make guidelines of the criteria of quarantine and agreement on behalf of their own people. This is the right of quarantine and agreement about foods that most countries do. But they say the number of three cases is scientific, but the right of making agreements of quarantine in the behalf of their own countries is unscientific. Isn’t it crude as an excuse after giving up the right of quarantine?

2. 미국인은 미국산 소고기를 먹으면서 두려워하지 않는데 왜 한국인만 호들갑스런 공포에 휩싸이는가? 오! 정말 좋으신 의견이시다.그러나 중요한 점은 미국내에서 식탁용으로 도축되는 소고기들은 20개월 이하의 소라는 점이다. 광우병 발병 소는 90%이상 30개월 이상의 소이다. 육류를 주식으로 하는 미국인들이 그나마 광우병에서 안전한 20개월 이하의 소를 먹으면서 굳이 공포에 떨 이유는 무엇인가?
이런 이유 때문에 작년까지의 한국 정부는30개월 이하의 원칙을 고수했던 것이다. 광우병으로부터 보호할 수 있는 최소한의 안전장치였기 때문에.

2. Why are Koreans frivolous even though Americans aren’t afraid of eating American beef? Wow! That’s a good opinion. But an important thing is that beef that Americans have on their tables are cows less than 20 months. Ninety percent of cows being attacked by mad cow disease are older than 30 months. So why do Americans have to be afraid of eating cows younger than 20 months? That’s why the Korean government insisted on importing cows younger than 30 months. Because is was a safe way to protect ourselves from mad cow disease at least.

3. 미국에서 월령 표시를 하니까 30개월 이상 소고기는 안 사먹으면 된다?
오호~~ 미국의 월령표시방법이 이번 협상 과정에서 어떻게 바뀌셨는지는 왜 말씀 안 하시는가?
5월 6일 손석희의 시선집중(관심있으신 분은 꼭 다시듣기 해보시길 바란다)을 듣다 거품 물고 쓰러지는 줄 알았다. 그간의 미국 월령표시는 미국내 검역을 통해 이루어졌다. 다시 말하면 미국 공무원이 월령 표시를 했고 공무원의 월령표시는 미국이 법적으로 인정하는 것이므로 거짓으로 월령표시를 하거나 월령표시를 잘못했을 경우 그에 대한 책임을 미국측에 물을 수 있다. 그러나 새롭게 타결한 조항에서는 소의 월령표시를 민간 도축업자에게 맡긴다. 민간 도축업자이기 때문에 그가 개인적 이득을 취하기 위해 월령을 속여 수출해도 그것을 확인할 방법도, 확인한다 하더라도 미국측에 공적인 책임을 물을 방법이 없다. 오직 미국 도축업자가 상도덕을 지닌 윤리적 사업가이길 기도해야 한다.

3. America marks the months and we don’t have to buy over 30 month marked beef? Wow… Why don’t they mention that the way to mark the months has changed after this agreement? So far, the mark was made from the quarantine on the side of the U.S. In other words, American government officials marked the month and that means the responsibility is legally on America. Therefore, if there is a mistake of the mark or cheating on it, we can ask the American side to take responsibility. But the new provision says civil butchers will take care of it. If they would like to obtain individual profits, they can deceive the mark and there is no way to check who did it. In addition, we can’t ask the US to take responsibility at all. We just have to pray to meet ethical butchers and merchants.

4. 광우병 위험부위는 제거하고 먹으면 된다?
작년까지 정부는 30개월 이하 소라 하더라도 갈비뼈에서는 광우병 위험물질이 검출될 가능성이 있다는 개연성만으로３０개월 이하는 갈비뼈도 안 된다며 무조건 갈비뼈가 포함되면 수입 중단을 시켰다.
그러나 이제 갈비뼈 뿐만 아니라, 그동안 절대 안 된다고 했던 척수나 내장 같은 위험한 부위들이 다 들어오게 되었다. ２８개월 이하의 소의 척수，즉 척수신경에선 프리온이라는 광우병을 유발하는 물질이 발견됐다고 정부 보고서에도 정확하게 나와 있다. 그래서 그간의 정부는 3０개월 이하라도 등뼈나 내장 같은 위험부위는 절대 수입을 해서는 안 된다라고 주장을 했던 것이다. 그러나 이젠 등뼈가 포함된 T본 스테이크 수입을 눈앞에 두고 있다. 등뼈가 포한된 T본 스테이크마저 수입개시 180일 간만 월령표기를 하게 협상을 했단다. 더군다나 미국에서는 소의 사료로 쓰이는 내장까지 다 수입하기로 했단다.

4. We can eat except dangerous parts that cause mad cow disease?
Until last year, the government said that there would be possibility to have dangerous elements from ribs even though the cows are younger than 30 months and stopped importing ribs at all. But now besides the ribs, the very dangerous parts, spinal cords and internal organs, will be imported. The government report clearly said that they found an element that causes mad cow disease, Prion, from spinal nerves from cows younger than 28 months. Therefore, the government insisted on not importing ribs and internal organs no matter the cows are under 30 months. But now we are importing T bone stakes including ribs. And then they agreed to make marks of the month for 180 days after starting importing. And we will import internal spines that are used for cows’ food in America.

다시 한번 말한다. 우리는 미국산 쇠고기 = 광우병 고기라는 등식을 세우고 미친소를 수입하려 한다고 분노하는 것이 아니다. 제발 그 똑똑한 머리와 찬란한 글발로 우리 분노의 본질을 호도하지 말라!!! 미국에서 광우병이 발병했던 게 현실이고, 미국에서 소를 사육할 때 동물성 사료를 사용하고 있는 것 또한 현실이다. 그렇다면 광우병 발병의 개연성을 미리 상정하고 이에 대해 국민을 보호할 수 있는 최소한의 장치는 마련하고 수입을 재개해야 할 것이 아닌가? 우리가 분노하는 것이 쇠고기 수입 자체가 아닌,
수입 협상에 임한 자세와 협상 조건에 대한 문제라는 것을 왜 모르는 척 하는가?[…]

I am saying again. We’re not angry because we’re importing crazy cows in the perspective that all American beef has mad cow disease. Don’t brush over the reason why we’re angry with such a smart brain and such dazzling writing!!! It is the reality that there has been mad cow disease in America and they use animal forage in order to raise cows. Then under the condition that there could be the possibility to cause mad cow disease, didn’t they have to find a way to protect their own people and to reopen the trade? Why are they disregarding that the reason why we’re mad is not the beef trade itself, but their attitude in negotiating and setting conditions they made after the agreement with the U.S.?

A father talks about his daughter’s participation in the candlelight vigils and their connection.

제 딸은 고3입니다. 지난 번에는 친구들과 몰래 청계천에 갔었는데, 오늘은 떳떳하게 청계천에 간다고 두통의 문자가 왔습니다.[…] 더 이상 애기하지 않기로 했습니다.요즘 이런 문제로 집집이 아빠와 갈등을 겪는 자녀들이 많은가 봅니다.자녀들이 불을 지폈으니 해결되지 않으면 손에 공부도 잘 잡히지 않은가 봅니다.

자랑스럽기도 하고 안쓰럽기도 합니다.저역시 예전에 옳다 생각하고 선생님이나 누가 말려도 길이 길이 뛰어 다녔던 모습을 생각해 보니…….역사의 큰 진보 뒤에는 어린 젊은 학생들이 있었음을 새삼 느낍니다.저도 오늘 청계천 갑니다.딸하고 만나 같이 들어오려고 합니다.

My daughter is in the third grade of high school. Last time she went with her friends to Cheongyecheon without any knowledge, but this time she sent SMS to me.[…] I decided not to talk about it… It seems that there are conflicts between father and children because of this. Those youngsters started and it seems that they can’t focus on studying until the problem is solved.

I feel proud of them, but also feel sorry for them. I thought of my time when I also did what I thought right no matter what my teachers said…. I recognize that there have been always young students at the rear of the big progress of history. I am going to Cheongyecheon today and will come back with my daughter together.

It is quite interesting to observe that not a few netizens who participated demonstrations in the 1980s and 1990s talk about how they feel about active participations of teenagers this time.

촛불문화제를 언론을 통해서보고 직접가서 보면서 86년 민주화 항쟁때 생각이 계속 오버랩되네요~~! 저는 당시 고1, 제 형님은 고3이었습니다. 부산에서 학교를 다녔고 부모님은 부산진시장에서 작은 잡화점을 운영했어요~~! 당시 가장 격렬한 집회의 중심엔 늘 부산이 있었고 그중에도 오바브릿지(당시 부산사람들은 그렇게 불렀습니다. 지금 부산국제신문사 앞)는 정말 치열의 극치를 달렸습니다. 부산 서면쪽에서 운집한 신민들이 부산시청과 미국문화원이 있는 남포동과 대규모 광장이 있는 부산역으로 진출하는것을 막는 최후의 보루 역할을 했기 때문이지요~~!

처음에는 대학생들과 일부 시민들이 주축이 되어서 집회가 진행되었습니다. 늘 그 오버브릿지를 넘지 못하고 좌절되었습니다. 경찰들의 엄청난 최루탄 공격에 번번히 물러나고 시위 참가자들은 잔인하게 끌려가면서 집회가 끝나는 반복의 스토리였습니다. 그러던 집회가 단 하루만에 역적되었습니다. 당시 고등학생을 주축으로 하는 핵생 부대의 등장이었습니다. 당시는 교복 자율화 세대라 짧은 머리에 가방을 뒤로 묶은 학생들이 대거 오버브릿지로 몰려들었습니다. 그들의 순수한 열정이 그리고 뜨거운 가슴이 수업거부와 민주화를 외치며 오버브릿지로 행하게 했습니다. 그속엔 저도 저의 형님고 있었습니다. 당시엔 촛불대신 태극기와 돌맹이가 들여있었습니다.(지금 여러분이 들고 계신 촛불이 더욱 아름다운거 아시저..??) […]

한살 한살 나이를 먹어가면 가슴속의 열정도 머릿속의 이상과 꿈도 점점 차갑게 식어 가는것을 느낌니다. 그렇게 차갑게 식어버린 가슴과 머리를 다시 뜨겁게 만들수 있는것은 아직은 순수하고 뜨거운 여러분인거 같습니다. 86년 여러분들의 선배가 여러분들의 미래를 위해 당시 닫혀버린 어른들의 가슴에 문을 두드렸듯 오늘 여러분들이 이시대에 살고 있는 그때는 뜨거웠지만 식어 버린 선배들 일깨워 주세요~~! 그리고 그것이 20년뒤 여러분의 후배가 보다좋은 대한민국에서 살수 있는 토대를 만들어 줄껍니다. 학생 여러분 감사합니다. ^^;;

Watching the candlelight vigils through media and on my foot, I thought about demonstrations for democratization in 1986. At that time, I was in the first grade of high school and my brother was in the third grade. We were at Busan and our parents had a grocery store at Busan Jin Market. At that time, the most aggressive demonstration happened in Busan and on the Overbridge (we called) it was the most aggressive demonstration. It was an obstacle preventing us from going to Busan City Hall and the American Consulate.

At first, college students and civilians led the demonstration. But we couldn’t cross the Overbridge all the time. We had to retreat because of aggressive tear bombs from the police. And demonstration participants were brutally arrested. But one day, there was a rebellion. Short hair cut students carrying their bags on the back dashed off to the Overbridge. Their pure passion and heart led them to refuse to attend classes and cry out for democratization and they headed to the Overbridge. My brother and I were there too. At that time, instead of candles, we had to carry the national flag and stones (but do you know the candles you carry now are much more beautiful?)[…]

As I’m getting older, passion in my heart and ideals and dreams in my mind got cooler. But it makes my cold heart and mind hotter again seeing you still have pure and hot hearts. Like we in 1986 knocked down the doors of adults who closed their minds, you guys do for us who already have cold minds in this period~~! And then I am sure that will be better Korea for younger people twenty years later. You students, thanks^^;;

It’s easy to find netizens with both fresh impressions and concerns about the young participants.

이번 촛불 집회를 보면서 많은 청소년들을 보게 됐습니다. 솔직히 첨에는 학생들이 뭘 알아서 나왔을까 하는게 저의 첫느낌이었습니다. 인터넷만 알고 남의 문제는 무시하고 즉흥적이면서, 부족한 인내심. 철저한 자기위주, 요즘 어른들이 만든 대중음악 컨텐츠의 희생량, 등등 (화내지 말구여.ㅡ,ㅡ)….

혹시 정부에서 여러분들을 저 같이 생각하지 않을까? 하는게 저 걱정입니다.

여러분에겐 인터넷이란 최고의 무기가 있습니다. 이번 미친소 파장을 단지 한번 지나가느 이슈라 생각마시고 이번 기회를 통해 못 접해봤던 여러가지 역사적사실.왜곡. 등을 당신에게 도움될수 있는 방향으로 많은 지식의 습득이 있었슴 좋겠습니다. 그래야 승부할만 하지 않겠습니까.? 여러분들의 노고에 감사할따름,,

I look at youngsters in candlelight vigils this time. Honestly speaking, my first feeling was how much those students would know about it. They are just interested in the Internet, disregard other peoples’ issues, are spontaneous, are impatient, are completely selfish, and are the victims of the content of popular music that adults made… (Don’t be angry)…

What I’m worried is that the government might have the same feeling I had the first time.

You guys have the best weapon, the Internet. I hope that you can get a lot of knowledge that will help you, such as historical issues and distortion. I hope that you don’t take this issue of cow mad disease as a temporary one. Then we can challenge… I appreciate your efforts.

Photo From Pressian

A teenager netizen elaborates well on how youngsters feel about this issue and about the adults who chose the current government.

저는 부산의 고3학생입니다. 최근 중앙일보 1면 기사들을 보면 참..어이가 없더군요. 불시위에 가담한 것은 주로 중 고등학생이라며 치 철없는 아이들의 잠깐의 분노 따위로 취급하는 뉘앙스를 풍기더군요. 정부도 역시 중고등학생들이 아무것도 모르면서 그저 군중심리로 여론에 이끌려서 이유없는 반대를 하고 있다고 치부하고 있는데… 물론 저희는 아직 어리고 광우병에 대한 깊은 과학적 지식을 가진것도 아닙니다. 하지만 지금 뭔가 잘못 되가고 있다는 것은 알고 있습니다. 저는 정치시간에 대의정치란 국민이 선출한 대표가 국민의 뜻을 대변하여, 국민을 대신하여 정치하는 것이라 배웠습니다. 국민은 선거를 했고, 2MB를 선출했습니다. 그런데 지금 2MB가 국민의 의견을 대표하고 있습니까? 이게 바로 된 정치입니까? 제가 배우고 있는 정치가 맞냐는 말입니다. 저희는 정치가 이딴거라고 배우지 않았습니다. 이명박 대통령님. 당신은 당신 ‘소신'대로 행동해선 안됩니다. 국민의 ‘소신'대로 행동하셔야 합니다. 왜 학생들을 무시하는 건가요. 대한민국의 민주화 운동 역시 학생이 주가 되었습니다. 80년대의 학생들이 한것은 민주화 운동이고 우리가 하는 것을 한 때 장난입니까?

[이명박 정부가 미국산 쇠고기 수입을 반대하며 연일 수만명의 시민이 자발적으로 참여하고 있는 촛불문화제를 ‘불순한 세력의 정치적 의도에 따른 것'으로 폄훼해 논란이 예상된다. 특히 이명박 정부는 촛불문화제에 중고생들이 대거 참석한 것에 대해 “놀이문화가 부족해서”라는 ‘엉뚱한' 해석을 내놔, 비판을 자초하고 있다는 지적이다.]
지금 저희가 시위하는 게 ‘놀이'로 보이십니까.어른들이 너무 원망스럽습니다. 2mb뽑은 어른들도 원망스럽지만 뽑을 사람 없다며 선거 안한 어른들도 원망스럽습니다.탄핵? 협상 무효화? 솔직히 가능성 정말 희박하다는 거, 알고 있긴 합니다.그래도 시위해야 합니다. 조금이라도 바꿔야 합니다.문화제라는 말 따윈 집어치워 버립시다. 우린 시위하는 겁니다.사법 처리 하신다구요. 정말 5공 다시 들어 서는 건가요? 전국민이 시위하면 전재산 29만원이신 그 분을 본받아 똑같이 행동하실 건가요. 우린 시위해야 합니다. 국민 의사 왜곡이 더 이상을 일어나지 않아야 합니다.대운하, 의료보험 민영화, 인터넷 종량제….여러분 아직 싸워야 할 것이 이렇게 많습니다. 이번만큼은 냄비근성, 버립시다.어른들이 뽑았잖습니까. 지금 이게 무슨 꼴입니까. 중고등학생들이 더 열심히 시위하고 운동하는게 맞는 형국입니까. 부끄럽지도 않으세요? “어짜피 안되는데.” “말세로다” 하면서 한숨만 푹푹 쉬고 계시지 마시라구요. 더 나서주세요. 시위해 주세요. 포기하지 말아주세요. 이명박 대통령님. 하루에 3시간 주무신다면서요. 그러지마세요. 충분히 숙면을 취해주세요. ‘두 달만에 전국민시위' 이런 신기록 말고 좀 좋은 신기록 좀 세워주세요.

I’m in the third grade of high school in Busan. I didn’t know what to say after reading an article from Joongang Newspaper. They said the participants in the candlelight vigils are all middle and high school students and regard it as temporary anger from immature children. The government also takes that ignorant middle and high school students are dragged by media with mob psychology. Of course we’re young and don’t have enough scientific knowledge of mad cow disease. But we know something is going in the wrong direction. I learned in my politics class, the meaning of the representative government is that the government represents what people want and think and take actions for the peoples. So, we went through the election and elected 2MB. But does 2MB represent peoples’ opinions? Is this politics? I mean what I learn is the real politics? I learned that politics shouldn’t be like this. President Lee Myung Bak, you shouldn’t behave in accordance with what you think. You should behave following peoples’ opinions. Why do you ignore students? The democratization of the Republic of Korea was possible by demonstrations that students led. What students did in the 1980s was the democratization movements and what we do is just a joke?

[‘The Lee Myung Bak government criticized the candlelight vigils that several hundred thousands of people attend, for being from ‘the bad intention by impure groups.’ In particular, the government interpreted that the reason why middle and high school students attend these vigils so much is because they don’t have enough playing culture. These comments are expected to cause more criticisms.’]
Do you think the demonstrations we do now are just ‘play’? I feel bitter against adults. I not only feel the grudge against adults who selected 2MB, but also who didn’t participate in the election. Impeachment? Invalidation of the negotiation? I know it could be rare. But we should demonstrate. We should try to change something. Don’t call our candlelight vigils cultural activities. We’re doing strikes. You said that you will treat us according to the law. Was the fifth republic restored? If we keep doing this, are you going to treat us like a man who insists on having 290,000 won (US 300 dollars) as his whole property (the president of the fifth republic regime: editor)? We should let them misinterpret people’s opinions. Great canal, privatization of medical insurance, the meter-rate system of the internet… We still have so many things to fight. Please don’t forget so fast. Didn’t adults select him? What’s going on right now? Now middle and high school students have demonstrations. Aren’t you adults shamed? Please speak out. Don’t give up. President Lee Myung Bak, you said that you’re sleeping just three hours per day. Please don’t do that. Sleep enough. Please make good records, not like a new record, ‘demonstrations all over the country within two months of the new administration.’

3 comments · »»

Palestine: Blogging for Palestine on May 15th

Jillian York · 03:32

lingua → ar · de · mg · es · bn

May 15, 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Nakba or commemoration of the displacement of Palestinians from what is now Israel. Of course, for Israelis the date signifies the 60th anniversary of their country's independence. And for bloggers, May 15 signifies Palestine Day.

za3tar, the organizer of the initiative, explained the purpose in a post saying:

Dear all,

May 15th of this year is the 60th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba –which marked the beginning of the modern age Palestinian plight and suffering. This date is remembered annually on local, regional, and global levels.

I am certain that many in the blogosphere will dedicate some posts to commemorate this tragic event. However, inspired by the success of the “Blog About Jordan Day” initiative, i would like to start a formal initiative to encourage everybody to dedicate one post on Thursday, May 15th, to talk about Palestine or the Palestinian Experience.

There are no restrictions on what you can write, or the language that you can use. Really, anything that talks about Palestine, or the Palestinians; in the past, present, or future; political, social, economical, or any other aspect is welcomed. The goal of this event will be to share thoughts, and raise awareness about the Palestinian situation. Hopefully, with everyone’s support, this will be such a spectacular event that it will catch the eye of the mainstream media (specially that the Palestinian situation is inadequately and incorrectly represented in most of the western media outlets).

bruised earth is encouraging fellow bloggers to take part:

With May 15th fast approaching - and with it the 60th Anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba - a wonderful initiative dubbed ‘Blog About Palestine Day’ will take place encouraging sites and bloggers to write something, anything having to do with Palestine and the Occupation. This is a great chance to get behind an online movement - and bruisedearth.org will of course be proud to take part.

Sugar Cubes will also be blogging that day, and suggests topics:

On the 15th of May, bloggers everywhere will unite through blogging to help raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and what happened (and is still happening) 60 years ago on the 15th of May, 1948.

Your post could be a picture, an article, a video, a poem or something you’d like to say

Blog for Palestine

In addition to the blogging, a Facebook group has been created to document May 15. The group informs readers:

You don't have to be a Palestinian or an Arab to participate. You could offer your views as a non-Palestinian on the issue. We just seek to get the word out and inform people about us.

17 comments · »»

Venezuela: Publishing House Provides Works Online

Laura Vidal · 01:05

lingua → mk · sq · pt

There is good news for those that are learning Spanish and for fans of literature in Spanish. Thanks to an initiative from the Venezuelan Ministry of Culture, literary works from the publishing house Ayacucho Library [es] is now available online for free. For some months now, bloggers and other literary enthusiasts have been able to access and download a wide array of Hispanic literary works available in .pdf format. Bloggers are pleased with the selection and the fact that it is available for readers.

Departamento de Lengua [es] says:

La editorial venezolana Ayacucho posee uno de los catálogos más interesantes -tanto por la calidad de las obras editadas como por el número de las mismas- de literatura hispanoamericana del mundo. Desde las primitivas tradiciones indígenas hasta las grandes novelas del siglo XX, desde los escritos del Almirante Colón hasta los Comentarios del Inca Garcilazo.

Venezuelan publishing house Ayacucho has one of the most interesting lists –both for its literary quality of published works and for the number of works available– in Hispano-American literature around the world. From ancient indigenous traditions to the greatest novels of the 20th century; from writings by Admiral Columbus to the commentary of the Inca Garcilazo.

Actualidad Literatura [es] remembers how useful the paperback versions of these works were in his education:

A lo largo de los últimos 33 años Biblioteca Ayacucho ha publicado gran parte de los clásicos de la literatura hispanoamericana, y en ediciones de justificado prestigio. Mis profesores de literatura, por ejemplo, las reverenciaban, y yo he de decir que aprendí bastante con las que consulté.

During the last 33 years that Biblioteca Ayacucho has published a large part of the justifiably prestigious classics in Hispanic-American literature. My literature teachers, for example, revered them, and I must say I learned a lot with these books.

Papelón Con Limón [es] gives a list of the Works we can find in this library:

Doctrina del Libertador, de Simón Bolívar; La Vorágine, de José Eustasio Rivera; Cien tradiciones peruanas, de Ricardo Palma; Poesía, de Rubén Darío; Nuestra América, de José Martí; María, de Jorge Isaacs; Cuentos, de Horacio Quiroga.

Simon Bolivar’s doctrine, José Eustasio Rivera’s La Vorágine, Ricardo Palma’s Cien tradiciones peruanas, Rubén Darío’s poetry, José Martí’s Nuestra America, Jorge Isaacs’s María, Horacio Quiroga’s short stories.

2 comments · »»