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September 1st, 2008
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Arabeyes: Ramadan TV - for and against
The month of Ramadan has just started, and many across the Arab world have been looking forward to the special Ramadan television series that are always shown. Bloggers from Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia give us their opinion of the popularity of Ramadan TV in this post.
In Bahrain, Sami highlights the effort people make to keep up with the Ramadan TV schedules - and asks if anyone pays as much attention to the timetable of Ramadan sermons:
أعتقد أنه من حسنات التكنولوجيا أنها اخترعت لنا جهاز الدي في دي المزود بهارد دسك بحيث يستطيع الفرد أن يقوم بتسجيل البرنامج الذي يريده في الدي في دي بدون الحاجة لتخسير أقراص. كما بالإمكان أن يبرمج الشخص الجهاز ليقوم بالتسجيل في حال وجوده خارجا.
لا أدري كم واحدا منا قد بدأ إعداد جداول الخطباء في شهر رمضان و أماكنهم و مواضيعهم، كذلك لا أدري كم واحد منا قد أعد جداول أوقات قراءة الأدعية هنا و هناك
فقط لا أدري
I believe that among the benefits of technology is the invention of the the DVD with a hard disk which enables users to record the programmes they want without having to waste discs. People are also able to programme the device to record programmes while they are outside their homes.
I don't know how many among us have have set up a schedule for the Ramadan sermons, and where they will be held and the topics they will tackle. I also don't know how many have decided on the times they will be reading the Du'a [prayer of supplication]. I just don't know.
Bakkouz from Jordan has some advice:
Aaanyway, one thing that cannot be disputed is that TV channels air some good TV shows in Ramadan, which makes people become obsessed with watching their favorite show, much like a cult following, Me for example, I might watch Bab El-Hara [Syrian drama] since I’m not too much into historical and Bedouin shows (not that I have anything against Bedouin and/or historical shows, I really don’t, seriously) and what not. I guess you can watch whatever you want to, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT WATCH JORDANIAN TELEVISION COMEDY AND GAME SHOWS, especially the ones right after the “athan” [call to prayer], unless you suddenly felt the need to get a stroke. I am being 100% sincere here, don’t!
However, not all bloggers are looking forward to the TV series – or even Ramadan itself. In Bahrain, The Girl With No Face complains:
Ramadan Ramadan Ramadan Ramadan.. I hate Ramadan…and whenever I say that I hate Ramadan in front of anyone, everyone says “astaghfer Allah” [I ask God's forgiveness] as if I said something Blasphemous. I hate the hypocrisy of Ramadan. I hate how people totally miss the point of it. I hate that it’s not a choice. I hate how all people ever talk about in Ramadan is the Ramadan shows on TV.
In Saudi Arabia, Bassem Kurdi says:
(T)he list for this year’s TV shows are far more extensive than last year’s. However, Tash Ma Tash, the most famous Saudi TV show, will not be airing this Ramadan. It finally came to an end after 15 successful seasons. I personally wasn’t one of the show's enthusiasts but I have to acknowledge that it did touch on many important topics and shed some light on multiple issues that we suffer from in our country. … I personally hardly ever watch TV in Ramadan because I believe there is more to do in this month than be glued to a TV screen.
Another Saudi blogger, deja vu, has started a campaign against watching TV at all in Ramadan, so as not to be distracted from the real meaning of the month:
دعم الإعلام تعميم سلوكيات ومفاهيم غير صحيحة عن رمضان وجعله أهم موسماً “ترويجياً” مربِحاً من كثافة المشاهدين الذين وُجِهَت ثقافتهم إلى اعتبار رمضان “متعة” تلفزيونية كل عام
رمضان يحمل عروضاً مغرية بين صوم الجسد ، العقل ، الروح ، و السلوك والخُلُق ..
The media helps to spread inappropriate behaviour and concepts concerning Ramadan, and make it the most lucrative marketing season because of the large concentration of television viewers, who have been trained to view Ramadan as the month of television entertainment every year.
Ramadan does carry ‘attractive offers' - fasting of the body, mind, spirit, behaviour and character.
China: Yang Jia given death penalty in problematic trial
After going to court last week, cop killer Yang Jia's (杨佳) first trial concluded today with the handing down of the death sentence. Yang has ten days to appeal for a second trial, which if he does will be followed by a review at the People's Supreme Court of his having been given the death penalty, to then be commuted or carried out.
Lawyer-blogger Liu Xiaoyuan (刘晓原) has written eleven [zh] (not including those that have already been harmonized) posts about this case over the past week, looking at all aspects of the case. His post today [zh], however, deals not so much with the social factors that would see a brutal cop-killer receive so much support and sympathy both online and off, but the logistics of Yang's case as it moves forward from here, as well as problems he perceives in the non-transparent way it has been handled so far:
一审判决后，杨佳日子已不多了
从7月1日袭警案发，到今日宣判，整整两个月时间。奥运会的召开，让杨佳多活了一些日子。
杨佳袭警案会如何判决，不要说是律师，就是普通民众也能预料到结果。
我们关注杨佳袭警案，并不是支持他“以暴制暴”，而是关注案件的作案动机、司法机关办案程序，以及发生案件的深层次原因。
Since the police attack incident on July 1, until the verdict today, two whole months have gone by. Because of the holding of the Olympic Games, Yang Jia was able to live a few days longer.
As for how Yang Jia will be judged in the cop-killing case, you don't need a lawyer to tell you, even average citizens can predict what the outcome will be.
As we pay attention to the Yang Jia cop-killing case, it's not because we support his ‘fighting violence with violence', but rather that we're interested in his motive for committing this crime, in judicial procedure in handling cases, as well as the deeper reasons which led to this crime taking place.
杨佳袭警案，仅从表面上来看，案情并不复杂，也不特殊，以前也有类似的案件发生，只不过没有杀死杀伤这么多警察。
杨佳袭警案，是一起全国有重大影响的案件，司法机关在办理案件中一些遮遮掩掩的做法，引起了社会的广泛质疑。
杨佳杀人了，本应受到社会的谴责。出乎预料的是，他竟然得到了很多人的同情。难道民众都好坏不分了吗？到底是什么原因，使民众的社会价值观如此颠倒了呢？
我想，除了社会深层次原因外，可能是司法机关办案中一些不透明做法。
The Yang Jia cop-killing case is one that has had huge impact across the country, and the behind-the-curtains way that the judiciary have handled this case has given rise to widespread suspicion throughout society.
Yang Jia killed people, and this should have been condemned by society. What comes unexpectedly, though, is that he actually earned many people's sympathy. Can't people tell right from wrong? What possible reason could there be, for public and social values to get as screwed up as this?
I think, deeply-rooted social reasons aside, that it's possible that the reason is due to certain practices of the judiciary that, in processing cases, just aren't transparent.
在这起袭警案中，令人不可思议的是，杨佳母亲竟然莫明其妙的“失踪”了。她“失踪”后，当杨佳父亲委托的北京律师，来上海要求会见杨佳时，检察院又拿出了杨佳的笔录，说其只接受母亲委托的律师。有了这份笔录后，上海谢有明律师就在北京找到了杨佳母亲，并办理了授权委托书。这事有点离奇吧？
如果谢有明律师的授权委托有问题，则要影响到审判程序和判决的合法性。因为按照《刑事诉讼法》及司法解释规定，对可能判处死刑的案件，被告人一定要有辩护人进行辩护，当然，这个辩护人必须是依法委托或法院指定的。谢律师不是法院指定的辩护人，而是由杨佳母亲委托的辩护人。假设这个委托不真实，一审判决是不是程序违法呢？
这个案件中，不可思议的还有，杨佳的精神病鉴定，是无司法鉴定主体资格的机构所做。我不知，检察院或法院有没有对杨佳重新做司法鉴定。如果没有重新做过，而是以司法部司法鉴定科学技术研究所的鉴定，作为认定杨佳具有刑事责任能力的证据，那么，上海市第二中级人民法院的一审判决就存在严重问题。
If there were a problem in how lawyer Xie Youming came to be entrusted, this would affect both the proceedings of the trial, as well as the legality of the verdict. Because, according to the “Criminal Action Law” as well as rules for judicial interpretation, with regards to cases which bear a possible death sentence, the accused are guaranteed counsel as means to provide a defense, so of course, said counsel must be either entrusted legally or else be appointed by the court. Lawyer Xie is not court-appointed counsel, he is the counsel entrusted upon by Yang Jia's mother. Suppose this entrustment were invalid, wouldn't the initial sentence be in violation of procedure?
That's not all the unbelievable there is in this case, Yang Jia's mental illness evaluation was performed by a body which lacks judicial testimony qualifications. I don't know if the Procuratorate or the court have re-sought expert testimony on Yang Jia or not. If they haven't redone this, and instead have relied on the Ministry of Justice's Science and Technology Research Institute's own expert testimony as evidence in determining Yang Jia's criminal responsibility, then serious problems exist with the Shanghai #2 Intermediate People's Court's first trial verdict.
一审判决后，杨佳还有十天的上诉期限。如果上诉了，还有二审程序，由上海市高级人民法院审判。二审判决后，还有最高人民法院死刑复核程序。如杨佳不上诉，只直接进入死刑复核程序。
按照《刑事诉讼法》第196条规定，第二审人民法院受理上诉案件，应当在一个月以内审结。至迟不得超过一个半月。有本法126条之规定情形的，还可以再延长一个月。
杨佳袭警案，不符合《刑事诉讼法》第126条规定的情形。也就是说，这个案件的最长审限是一个半月。
According to article #196 of “Criminal Action Law”, second-trial appeal cases in the People's Court should be concluded within one month. At the latest they are not allowed to run longer than a month and a half. Under circumstances found in article #126 of this Law, the deadline can be extended by one month.
Yang Jia's cop-killing case does not fall under the circumstances stipulated in article #126 of “Criminal Action Law”. In other words, the longest this case will last is a month and a half.
7月1日案发，7月10日侦查完毕，上海警方将案件移送上海市人民检察院第二分院审查起诉。7月17日，检察院二分院向上海市第二中级人民法院提起公诉。如果不是因为奥运临近，7月28日就要开庭审理。从中可以看出，公检法对此案是速侦、速审、速判。
二审判决后，死刑复核期限没有明确时限规定，也就是说，可快可慢。
原山东省济南市人大常委会段义和炸死情妇一案，2007年8月23日二审当庭作出判决驳回上诉，案件进入死刑复核，仅用十天就复核完毕，9月4日执行了死刑。段义和一案，7月9日案发，到执行死刑，只用了五十八天时间。我担任律师的廖思齐死刑复核案，案件在六月初就到了最高人民法院复核，至今三个月了还没有复核完毕。
如果不是奥运会，杨佳一案也会象段义和案那么快。
如快的话，也许在九月底之前，杨佳一案会走完全部程序，最迟不会超过十月底。
Following a second trial, there is no clearly-stipulated time limit for death penalty review; in other words, it could go fast, or it could go slow.
Former Shangdong Province Jinan City National People's Congress Standing Committee member Duan Yihe's (段义和) sentence for blowing up his mistress, when his appeal was rejected in second trial on August 23, 2007, the case went into death penalty review, with the review process concluding in just ten days, and the execution carried out on September 4. Duan Yihe's case, from the time the crime took place on July 9 to the carrying out of the death sentence, only 58 days had passed. As lawyer in the Liao Siqi (廖思齐) death penalty review case, the case reached the Supreme Court for review at the beginning of June, and today, three months later, has still yet to see the review conclude.
If it weren't for the Olympic Games, Yang Jia's case would have proceeded as quickly as Duan Yihe's.
If it had gone that quickly, it's possible Yang Jia's case would have run its complete course by the end of September, and early October at the latest.
Venezuela: Youth Orchestra Transforms Lives
In 1975, José Antonio Abreu started working on his dream of creating an orchestra in Venezuela. Abreu and other 8 students, started the Old Music School José Ángel Lamas, which created a program based on new ways of learning and adapting different teaching methodologies that fit with the country's reality. The new system brought together young musicians from around the country, especially from the cities of Maracay and Barquisimeto (two cities widely known for its great music.). The orchestra took the stage for the first time on April 30, 1975. Thirty-three years later, hundreds of children, especially from very poor neighborhoods, have taken part in the orchestra.
As a true example of Venezuela's social, intercultural and musical talent, Fesnojiv (Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela) or “The System” is a real pride for Venezuelans, since it demonstrates how people from mixed origins (some of them come from very poor and violent areas of the country) can be able to understand and perform wonderfully the works of authors from faraway lands. These young musicians add something to the Venezuelan soul, always looking for something to call its own, and to add to their own identity. The performances are breathtaking, the stories are touching, and the mixtures and styles are impressive.
Domingo says:
Los integrantes que conforman hoy día esta orquesta comenzaron con orquestas de barrio, a lo que le siguen orquestas departamentales y regionales, algunos de sus integrantes llevan consigo historias de delincuencia juvenil, problemas de drogas, robos, vida en la calle, y para todos ellos “El sistema” ha significado la transformación de sus vidas en plena adolescencia y juventud. Los integrantes más jóvenes pueden tener dos años de edad y el promedio no supera los 22 años. El Sistema ha sobrevivido a todos los eventos políticos, sociales y económicos que han ocurrido en Venezuela durante los últimos 30 años, recibiendo siempre el apoyo de los Gobiernos de turno.
The members that currently make up the orchestra started with orchestras in their neighborhoods, which were followed by departmental and regional orchestras, and some of the members have pasts of juvenile delinquency, drug problems, robberies, life on the streets, and for all, “The System” means a transformation of their lives during their adolescence and youth. The youngest musicians can be as young as two years old, and the average age is no more than 22 years old. The System has survived all kinds of social, economical, and political problems that have taken place in Venezuela during the past 30 years, and it has always received support from every government.
Nicodemo celebrates the 2008 Principe de Asturias Arts Prize awarded to the orchestra.
El fundador de las Orquestas Juveniles de Venezuela, Jose Antonio Abreu, fue designado recientemente miembro honorario de la “Royal Philharmonic Society” del Reino Unido, y uno de sus ex alumnos, Gustavo Dudamel, recibió el premio al mejor artista joven del año.Son premios a la esperanza, al papel restaurador de humanidad que puede tener el arte.
The founder, Jose Antonio Abreu, was recently designated as a honorary member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in Great Britain and one of his ex pupils, Gustavo Dudamel received the prize of best young artist of the year.
The documentary Tocar y luchar (To Play and to Fight) tells the story of the system and part of his members.
Thailand: Protesters misunderstood by Western media?
Good news: Airports have been re-opened in Thailand.
Bad news: The political crisis is far from over.
Protesters are still camped inside Thailand’s Government House. They have been demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The leader is accused of being a puppet of ousted Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Members of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are the frontrunners of the protest rallies in Thailand. The group is accused of fomenting chaos and military adventurism. In fact, some have branded it as People Against Democracy because of its proposal for a Parliament in which most of the lawmakers are appointed and only 30 percent elected.
Most of the online commentaries and news reports about PAD are not positive. SilapaJarun.com wonders whether the statements of PAD, and their English translations, are delivered to the global audience correctly.
“There is something wrong with Dan Rivers and CNN. Many details in the articles online contain erroneous info and I've found phrases in English which clearly show they have poor translators working for them. In one very clear example I think it was Dan R. who cut up a quote by Sondhi Limthongkul (leader of PAD) to suggest Sondhi and the movement wants a democracy which would disenfranchise the rural poor—when the full quote is that we need an interim government for a period before holding elections.”
The writer clarifies that PAD is not against democracy; what it opposes is western-style capitalism and its excesses:
“Many news outlets portray PAD as being “not happy” with democracy. PAD is not happy with western style capitalism in Thailand which has grown like a cancer. This kind of capitalism is obviously deeply connected with the debased form of democracy pandered by Thaksin Shinawatra.
“PAD's slogan is ‘toon niyom samarn’ which is like ‘filthy capitalism’ in which you can buy everything and most importantly sell everything including national assets and bring in foreign investors to do what Thai people can do on their own.
“The movement is therefore condemned as being ‘nationalistic’ when in fact it's trying to stop the snowball effect of neocolonialism (economic colonialism). Hyper-nationalism or nationalism (which) leans more towards thinking one's nationality is superior to another—this is not what PAD has ever said”
Then the writer highlights a point missed by mainstream media:
“It's interesting to note, that the Thai idea of democracy at the grassroots level has shades of socialism. In fact many of the key PAD leaders are union leaders which allowed them to shut down the railways and now ports.
“Media in the West has left out the key detail that Thai Muslims are backing this protest as well. Maybe it's a good thing they haven't picked up on it though—before you know it they'll think PAD is a bunch of terrorists.
“Only in Thailand…a movement is 100% supported by the people. PAD gets free food, mobile bathrooms, clothing…everything even ice from volunteers. If they announce on the stage “we need flashlights, batteries, water”—it'll be there soon!”
There are two ways to explain the ability of protesters to sustain their campaign for almost a week already. One, it has genuine support from citizens and organized sectors. It is impressive that railway and airline employees supported the protesters. Second, PAD has financial and political ties to other factions of the elite and military.
How are ordinary Thais and foreign residents coping with the protest activities? Will Yaryan is a bit excited:
“I'll take my binoculars up to the 22nd floor of our apartment building to scan the skyline for signs of action. And I watch news videos of the crisis on one of the local TV stations which provide a bit of information and insight, even if I can't understand the commentary. I've never been in a revolution, coup or putsch before. It's a bit exciting.”
Stuart's Life in Thailand is somewhat clueless:
“The political atmosphere is a huge mess, but away from the protests downtown in the government quarter, life is going on as normal in the rest of Bangkok.
“I have been trying to keep up with what is going on. But as an outsider, this has been a very difficult task. What are the protesters really aiming for? Who is supporting them? Who are the big groups that are struggling for power here? That is basically what this is all about — a power struggle over who will control the country, and the type of government that will have that power.”
A reader of Jamie's Phuket comments about the closure of the Phuket airport:
“Before Friday's action, the PAD had the support of the vast majority of people on Phuket. And now? Well, anyone who depends on the tourism industry for a living would have to wonder. Tourists don't play politics, so it's best not to play politics with tourists.”
Phuket is Thailand’s major tourism destination.
Gnarly Kitty is not amused:
“With the PAD going all crazy and s&#!t, who's going to side them now? And I was thinking, what's going to happen if the PAD doesn't stop this government? I mean, what's the big deal? You did it last time they came back anyway. And look, the more you're fighting, the more people are going to hate you. Just chill man. You're hurting the traffic. And I don't like waking up at 6 in the morning to hear you sing on TV.”
It is good that apology statements are circulating in emails about the inconvenience caused by PAD.
PAD has been criticized for invading a TV station. The attack was viewed as an assault on press freedom:
“Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and the Confederation of Thai Journalists, said: The mob action is one of the gravest and most blatant assaults on media freedom to date. The media was threatened, intimidated and kept from performing their duty.”
But a commenter thinks the government-run TV network deserved it:
“That darn TV station only broadcast government one side talk anyway… it's basically a government public relation channel. If it's fair, both sides should be in a talk show long time ago debating not one way. So the TV news is not a fair play, and deserved the break down like this.”
Prachatai uploads an article written by Pokpong Lawansiri which discusses why PAD is not as popular as before:
“This movement is no longer a broad-based alliance as it was during the anti-Thaksin days in 2006. Civil society groups in the PAD now only comprise a few individuals, not of broad-based networks.
“This is because the PAD no longer mentions issues relating to the welfare of the people. Issues such as the government's policies towards trade liberalisation which are affecting the people; human rights violations such as the case of Tak Bai, or the menacing war against drugs under the Thaksin administration; or issues relating to an attempt to push policy towards the creation of an economic system similar to that of a welfare state.
“The PAD's focus is now on superficial issues, which would not benefit members of the poor or marginalised group”
Real Life Thailand on why the protests backfired:
1) It has not achieved its stated objective;
2) Its fascist behaviour is losing it support.
3) It is actually increasing the popularity and perceived independence of Samak Suntarajev. Samak's calmness and patience during this fiasco is exactly what the PAD did not want. They wanted him to react angrily and threaten force, or start talking about Thaksin. His restraint has won him support.
Yesterday, an emergency session of Parliament was convened. Thailand Crisis is not impressed:
“It’s difficult to imagine how the session of Parliament could solve the political crisis. This is just PR. Nothing more.”
glossyart.com accuses PAD of promoting anarchy:
“The PAD is not even a party; it's more like a lobby consisting mainly of members of the Thai elite who are fed up with Samak's politics and who think he's just a puppet of the old (and corrupt) PM Thaksin. Taking the issue in their own hands is therefore not democratic but anarchic.”
Connecting the Dots insists political tensions in Thailand will not subside until Thaksin is punished:
“The unrest in Thailand will continue until Thaksin is out of the picture completely. If he is granted political asylum anyplace in the world, Thailand will still suffer. If Thaksin is unwilling to back down and give up, then someone must step in and do that for him. The Thai courts look to be on that track, and all that needs to be done is deliver Thaksin back to the Thais.”
Iraq: “Obama couldn't care less about us”…
… so says Iraqi Pundit.
“…” by Baghdad Connect
Apart from the usual suspects, talk of the US Presidential campaign in Iraqi blogs is pretty thin on the ground. But that silence in itself speaks volumes. Neurotic Wife gets the reason from some co-workers:
I asked a few Iraqis, many did not seem to have interest in the US politics “We have enough of the Iraqi one let alone the US” in their own words.
The selection of Joe Biden as vice presidential candidate made some bloggers suspicious of Democratic candidate Barak Obama. Iraq Pundit opines:
Barack Obama's choice for vice president can only drag the country into ugly territory. His pick simply confirms his total disregard for the Iraqi people. All along, Biden has made it clear that he sees Iraqis as nothing more than savages bent on killing one another. His solution is to divide the country to stop the beasts from murdering the other beasts. He can argue all he wants that President Bush and John McCain are not nearly as smart as Biden is, but at least they will not abandon the Iraqis.
Wasn’t Biden’s ‘intellectual’ heft supposed to be the whole point of adding him to the Obama ticket to balance out the greenhorn factor?Iraq’s political class doesn’t seem to be buying it, though. They are not reassured by the Biden pick, whose name is forever associated, in Iraqi eyes, with a hastily-thought plan to divide Iraq
However, there seems a general preference for Obama among Iraqis. Fayrouz is smitten for her own fuzzy reasons:
It's not only hope that drives us to him as his opponent claims. It's how he put us on our feet to face the reality on the ground. It's his ability to make us believe in the “good America” that we always loved. It's the power of “we” instead of the power of “I” that drives people to him.
While Iraqi Atheist compares Obama to his favorite TV show. He writes “Season 4 of LOST is much more awesome. And even more awesome is Barack Obama.” and Neurotic Wife asks Iraqis in the Green Zone to offer an opinion. She writes:
of the minority who did say they are curious, said they like Obama more. It was funny, cause one of the guys said in a very enthusiastic manner and I quote “No Macyeen, yes Bahama” Bahama? I thought to myself, is that a new candidate that I haven’t heard about, hmmm? It took me a few seconds to register he actually meant Obama, lol.
Iraq: They call this freedom
It can be hard to believe that it is approaching 2000 days since the beginning of the occupation of Iraq. After all the promises and expectations made at the start of the war maybe it is worth taking stock of the current situation for Iraqis. Bloggers have been reviewing their lot and give some slices of their daily experiences.
Made in Iraq by Bookish
“I have finally found something that was really made in Iraq.”
“They are real human skeletons. In the past, they were importing skeletons for (the college of Medicine) from India and Pakistan. But these in the photo were made in Iraq (this is what the doctor told me about them).”
Mama visited Baghdad and gives her impression of the city and its people. In a post titled “There was no Baghdad” she gives a picture of a devastated and demoralized city:
when we reached Baghdad … the very first sight that upset me and filled my eyes with tears , was the large no. of beggars in the streets, they were old women under the burning sun , with four or five years old skinny kids.… the roads are walled with concrete walls hiding from view; the stores. the only thing every one sees is concrete walls, all streets look the same. it was frustrating , to see my beloved Baghdad like that.
… It was very obvious that the people are very tired from the situation, the lack of electricity, lack of fuel, the costliness ,and the loss of hope. the No. of people leaving Iraq is greater than ever. I had to farewell a very dear family, I felt that Baghdad is not the same and it's empty. I missed it's lineament, and missed the very large No. of friends , neighbors and relatives who either left abroad or dead.
I swear that I needed to scream from anger many times, but who will listen and care!!
as I trace my steps back and forth
in a corporate commercial building on the third floor
next to a set of white iron rails and carpet
where the stains
of last winter
still linger…
Last May
I had called her from this staircase
and she described what it meant living the way
she was
dodging bullets
while trying to keep her children sane.
I had not heard her voice in two winters
and in spring when I did
it brought all the sunshine that Iraq could endure
and Ohio could dream of…
Silence
as I press my shoes in the carpet
my toes jut out in impatience
but for someone I love like next of kin
someone I knew all my life…almost
I have been very patient.
I have waited 13 months…
At times the silence spat staggering truths about the end of waiting.
At times the lines spawned noises that clawed at my brain and my breath.
She is no longer in that local Baghdad directory…
and I am left to this silence.
The occupation had raped and killed an ‘Abeer’
and set on fire all that was left of her and her kin
and hence followed nightmares that this is an omen…
I wake up in sweat and all around there is this silence.
I wonder and anger that this world can remain this silent…
Abeer returns in dreams every May,
a smile of compassion from warm brown eyes
and a nonchalant nod at the life she knew or knows…
I don’t know…
I wonder if she even breathes anymore…
or if her body lies somewhere…
in silence.
poem by ZZ
Baghdad Connect tells of the trouble one must go through just to do business in Iraqi. He writes:
The other day we had a call from a business man to meet in his office… We drove the car in sweltering heat the distance of roughly 10 kilometers, and literally there was a military check point at every 300 to 500 meters!! In derelict, filthy roads full of cars and low-life pathetic looking people - It was sickening. By the time we got to his home-office we already forgotten the objective of our trip. Prior to talking about the tender – totaling USD 4.5 Mil our business associate began to talk about the certain gifts that we should pay the ministry employees, the bank employees, the logistic handlers and a few extra men – based on sects, that totaled more than 350 thousands US dollars and prior to bidding!!! This is an absolute mortal circus when compared with the years of Saddam. Later the business associate began to talk about the security situation and how the Iraqi resistance can turn things into flaming hell in matter of hours but the orders now is to play politics and for a few months!! How on earth one could do business if hell can be ascended in a few hours?!
And offer some advice to those Iraqis who can lead a life outside the country:
For those Iraqis who are in foreign countries and have a slight hope for a job opportunity or a vague form of decent life we recommend that you do not even think of coming back for a long, long time.
Faiza Al-Arji gives the stories of Iraqis that she helps through her charitable work in Jordan:
UUm Mohammed's father in law came from Baghdad a week ago; he has a gland in the liver that needs to be removed, the operation requires thousands of dollars, of which they do not own even one, and I don't, either. I don't know; maybe he'll die waiting for a donation.Um Ahmed's husband was kidnapped at his front door, 3 years and 3 months ago, he is possibly in an Iraqi-government's prison; I seek someone to help us locate him…
A blind old man's family went back to Baghdad and left him alone. I help him monthly to pay the house rent, but I know that his wife and daughters there in Baghdad suffer hunger and poverty; I cannot help them, I do not have super financial means to cover the expenses of all the needy…
… There is a number of Iraqi women who are alone without families; whose husbands or families were killed and they remained alone, waiting to be re-settled. They face improper advances and molestation by this and that, looking towards a life more dignified and more settled, in some spot in this world.
At work, I daily receive women who were beaten and treated cruelly by their husbands. Poverty is the reason in most cases; or the frustration that befalls the man because of poverty and unemployment; they turn him into a wild, cruel, and aggressive creature. This is what happens to some Iraqi families here; the conditions of displacement, poverty, estrangement and degradation all put pressure on the men and the women and increase the rate of family violence…
… Are these the signs for the end of time, of the dooms day? That the world has lost its mind, its ethics, its mercy, justice, and all its beautiful features?
Sunshine is becoming frustrated::
All I want is a safe and open road so that I can go to school… like all students in the whole world, be a good citizen and rebuild the country I love, I am doing my best to make my life seems normal, and try to go to my teacher’s houses no matter how far they live and how serious the situation is, but sometimes I feel that I can’t, I just want a rest, because I can’t take it any longer ..School and studying are not so much fun for all of the students right? well add to that spending hours in order to reach!!! hearing gun-fire and explosions in your way, And seeing horrible views in your way to school such as armed men, dead people etc, sometimes I feel it is amazing how I can tolerate that..
I see on TV. and internet, talk with people abroad and wonder, we are all human beings have feelings, strength and have the same needs, why do Iraqis have to suffer that much and have that pain in side their hearts? While other people don’t get through 1% of what we are going through .. they have a good life without war and all that mess.
… Two days ago my family and I arrived home, dad was opining the garage’s door and tanks came by they started to wave and pressing horns at us to go away, I felt so angry because the car is in front of OUR OWN garage in OUR OWN neighborhood … we have an aphorism says “it is our own house and people kick us out” it is exactly what’s happening here its so hard to be an Iraqi, but no matter how it get worse I’ll always have the Sumerian blood and I refuse to belong to any other nationality.
And I will finish with a message to “the Liberators” from Mama:
So many things changed since YOU AMERICA invaded my country to liberate us from our live…my people are suffering in every life field, specially the educated citizens, the government that is supported by AMERICA, trying to spread and encourage the backwardness . many strange idolatrous rituals, appeared in my country, we didn’t know before AMERICA’S liberation ,wonder if this is the brighten future that America brought us!!!!.the government allow those who weep the thousand years gone imams, in the streets, and also stop the traffic and close the roads for them. not just that but also make curfew in the capital Baghdad for the weepers safety. ignoring all the citizens life matters, business, and the country financial losses , due to paralyzing all life issues , to weep. leaving the country reconstruction, and instead steeling and straying it’s wealth.
What shall I do, where shall I go? I want a better life for my children, they deserve to live in peace, and to get good education, they deserve to have fun , and enjoy their live, they deserve to live the recent century , and not live in the darkness without electricity ,and in the backwardness without knowledge. but leaving my country, my friends and family is not what I want. I can’t.
Links for Mon, 2008-09
A 150-car caravan paraded through the streets of Quito in support of the “Not” vote in the upcoming Constitutional referendum in Ecuador. Danny Ayala of El Federalista [es] posts a video that he took of the demonstation.
Rocío Díaz of Monaco [es] (National Movement for Community Action) writes about and posts photos of sidewalks in deplorable condition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Escuelas Uruguayas [es] is a photoblog maintained by a member of the Ceibal Project, who is responsible for installing the internet connection for the schools taking part in the One Laptop Per Child project and writes about the rural schools “that have shown a reality very different than the city dwellers are used to.”
“So, do you want to have a blog? Are you starting your first blog? Are you still inexperienced in the roads od the blogosphere? Great - this is the guide for you!”, says Nospheratt [pt] on releasing a free download guide for blogging in Portuguese with 120 tips showing the ropes to newbies, from getting started to monetization.
“The East Timor sons in other countries have fully contributed to the visibility of the atrocities that were happening in the country to our brothers. It was another kind of struggle, a much less terrible one, different of the fight of those who stayed, but it was still a fight for East Timor”, says Ana Loro Metan [pt] asking people not to fight against each other on blog comments.
Dr. Sean's Diary writes about children's playgrounds in Brno and the Polish-made ice cream featuring “Helena Vondráčková, the politically conformist 1960s pop diva turned stalwart of normalization era light entertainment.”
Leocardo [pt] reports that the 63 Chinese medal winners have arrived today in Macau, part of a tour of China that, accorging to the blogger, made they look like “monkeys in a circus”: “Couldn't they have rested a few more days before this enormous embarrassment on the news across regional and foreign press? Is this the right way to demonstrate the unity and love for the SAR?”
“Sorry. I do not want to look like a pedant. But after some time outside Brazil - and especially after a a time geting information about Brazil through the Internet - I can only lament the quality of Brazilian newspapers”, says Luiz Carlos Azenha [pt] pointing out mistakes to bias on Folha de São Paulo, the biggest Brazilian newspaper.
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