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September 27th, 2008
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Pakistani Bloggers on the McCain-Obama Debate
Pakistani bloggers found much to analyze in last night's televised debate between United States presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.
What the US approach to Pakistan should be was a core part of discussion, since Pakistan has come under greater scrutiny in recent times and is considered a hot-spot.
In roughly 37 days, the United States of America will be electing its 44th President. Though the elections are limited only to the US, the outcome of the election will have a far greater global impact.
Riaz Haq writes on Haq's Musings blog:
There is a significant concentration of Muslim vote in Florida and Michigan. If, as the anecdotal evidence suggests, Obama gets the lion's share of the Muslim American vote, then he could win the presidency by a thin margin of Muslim votes. Is an Obama win good for Muslim-Americans or Pakistani-Americans?
He summarizes the result of the debate in favor of McCain:
it is clear that Sen McCain is far more knowledgeable about Pakistan than Senator Obama. Mr. McCain has also repeatedly stressed diplomacy and close working relationship with Pakistan and demonstrated his commitment by his actions such as several visits and phone conversations with Pakistani leadership recently and in the past. On the other hand, Mr. Obama has made aggressive statements about Pakistan without making serious effort to understand the issues faced by Pakistanis in FATA.
Pakistan Policy Blog argues extensively for and against both sides:
OBAMA GOOD FOR CIVILIANS, BAD FOR MILITARY Obama’s support for Pakistan’s fledgling democracy and appropriation of the Biden plan, which calls for vastly increasing development aid, is excellent. It is an integral part of a transition toward a full-fledged Pakistan policy. But Obama seems unaware of the clear and present economic danger in Pakistan
MCCAIN GOOD FOR MILITARY, BAD FOR CIVILIANS McCain has yet to really come to terms with the existence of a civil, democratic government in Pakistan. He fails to include Pakistan in his proposed League of Democracies. He seems in denial — or his talking points have yet to be updated — so much that he is confused as to what the president’s name is. “Kardari.” …. it also demonstrates the greatest flaw in McCain’s Pakistan policy: he has failed to adapt it to a post-Musharraf Pakistan
Interestingly Pakistan Policy Blog coins a keyword “McBama” which could potentially be a mash-up of both policies:
MCBAMA GOOD FOR COMPREHENSIVE U.S-PAKISTAN RELATIONS neither the candidates, nor most in the U.S. policy community, truly understands the comprehensive failure that is Afghanistan. In respect to a Pakistan policy, Obama’s is more promising. McCain offers strengths vis-a-vis relations with Pakistan’s military and respect for its sovereignty that Obama fares miserably on.
Temporal at Baithak shares his frustration at McCain mispronouncing names:
John McCain, the “expert” in foreign policy mispronounced Ahmadinejad's name four times in a row and screwed up Zardari's name to boot.
On my own blog Teeth Maestro I also commented on the mispronunciation puzzle:
Probably the most interesting surprise was when McCain could not properly pronounce the name of our President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to utter a mumbling Kirdari (sic), its not a crime by any standard to fumble with a difficult pronunciation, but when dealing with foreign dignitaries you try your damnedest to ensure that you pronounce their name correctly, lest they be offended. If this was just the start then the Iranian would have a field day ripping him apart since a few minutes later McCain made minced meat out of pronouncing Ahmedinejad’s name to utter something like Ahmadinenene (sic) – Definitely a diplomatic PR disaster awaiting to happen.
Desi in DC writes:
Who would have thought that I would say this but after yesterday’s US presidential debate it seems maybe McCain may be better for Pakistan. I disagree with most of his policies except his foreign policy, In Obama’s case his domestic policies make sense but his foreign policy shows his lack of experience.
Changing up Pakistan discusses the debate extensively to say:
It was a victory, albeit a narrow one, for Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama. Regardless of political posturing, the U.S. will always act according to its national security interests. If Coalition forces are being killed by militants in cross-border attacks, it inherently threatens U.S. security; that would be true for any country. The difference in this presidential election is that Obama openly acknowleges this reality, while McCain merely chooses to equate it to an attack on Pakistani sovereignty. Ultimately, however, there isn’t an easy answer to this issue, and the next president will be forced to respond to the realities on the ground. Therefore, it may come down to how they tend to respond to major issues rather than their current political stances.
Procastination summarized his LiveBlogging coverage to say that, “I would rate it a draw. Obama didn’t land any knockout punches” and later pipes in with a CBS poll swinging in favor of Obama to say, “That sounds good for Obama & CNN Polling is even better.”
On Teeth Maestro, my analysis is in favor of an Obama-Biden victory:
Pakistan stands at a fork, if the same old policies are followed, the same blind sighted relationship maintained with crooks and dictators running our country the menacing war on terror will only get worse surely something both America and Pakistan wish not to happen. Obama on the other hand represents a fresh change, as per my neutral review of the debate, it is my understanding that if they both support the approximately the same line of action for Pakistan, I would carefully put my eggs into Obama’s basket, he talks with more commitment to the challenges ahead while simultaneously suggesting and a tough guy approach on Pakistan. He wants to solve the issue of War on Terror and not let it linger on longer then necessary. With Senator Biden as his side who has been the only American bureaucrat to fully understand the problem in Pakistan, I feel that an Obama-Biden presidency will be a brighter future for Pakistan.
Photo above, of a television screen showing the presidential debate is by Captain Alcoholica.
Syria: Chilling Eyewitness Blogger Account on Damascus Explosion
With very little information coming out on today's massive explosion in Damascus, Syria, one blogger was on the site and rushed back to his computer to describe to the world the scene of devastation and chaos he has witnessed.
Syrian Medad was minutes away from the explosion and gives us an eyewitness account of what happened:
صباح هذا اليوم 27/09/2008 هز انفجار شديد العاصمة سورية دمشق على بعد مئتين متر من سيارتي التي كنت استقلها من منطقة السيدة زينب صباح هذا اليوم باتجاه دمشق عبر مفصل (المتحلق الجنوبي) أي قبل حوالي عشرين دقيقة من الآن تماماً..
الانفجار لم يكن مسموعاً بقدر ما كان محسوساً فقد قفزت السيارة التي كنت استقلها الى الهواء لمسافة نصف متر تقريباً ثم جلست على الأرض في حالة ذهول مني.. ناهيك عن صوت الانفجار الضخم الذي يجب ان يكون مسموعاً الى مسافة بعيدة جداً.. وعند المرور عند موقع الحادث الذي كان قرب الثكنة العسكرية التي تُدعى على حسب قول السائق (قسم الدوريات) كانت أشلاء تتطاير في المكان عددت منها قطع لأربع اشخاص إضافة الى جثة مرمية على طرف الشارع وجرحى لا يحصى عددهم..
The explosion was not audiable as much as it was felt and my car leaped for half a metre in the air. I then sat on the ground in a state of complete shock.. added to that the sound of the explosion which must have been heard over a long distance. While passing by the incident site, which was near a military point, which the driver described as the Patrols Department, I saw body parts belonging to four different people, in addition to the bodies on either sides of the streets and countless injured people…
الانفجار كبير جداً وما زالت سيارة تحترق في الجوار وحائط كبير قد سقط من الثكنة العسكرية اضافة الى اشجار كاملة قد هبطت على كلا الطرفين وقطع بشرية متناثرة في الجوار وسيارات الاسعاف تنطلق بسرعة جنونية وقد اخلت بالفعل عدداً منهم..
الحقيقة لم اشعر بالخوف بقدر ما شعرت بالاسف لما حدث والحمد لله انني كنت بعيداً عن تلك النقطة حتى ولو على بعد مئتي متر، وكما آمنت دائماً لكل إنسان وقته وأظن أن وقتي لم يحن بعد..
عذراً أحب أن أقول بأن الانفجار غير ناتج عن (جرة غاز) أو (انفجار سيارة) بحادث أو أي كذبة أخرى قد تخرج بها الحكومة.. الانفجار كبير اسقط حائطا كاملاً من الثكنة العسكرية والانفجار خارج الثكنة على الشارع تماماً وليس داخلها، وهناك سيارات محترقة وجثث وأموات والعديد من الجرحى.. والوقت كان حوالي الثامنة إلا ربعاً من صباح اليوم أي قبل نصف ساعة من الآن تماما..
سأوافيكم بالتفاصيل فيما بعد..
عذرا لان التدوين غير محبوكة النص بسبب السرعة..
حفظ الله هذا الوطن من كل شر..
Dania, from Syria, has a post entitled 17. She writes:
17 people are killed… and no one knows any thing, no news agency knows any thing, no further details but … 17 people are killed.
200kg of explosive… who, how, and why…
17 people are killed…I can't think right now, my brother was on his way to the airport.They say it might be an assassination, and they say it might be only a threat to the national security.
17 people are killed
Sasa, meanwhile, posts catches up with the rumour mill and brings us the latest:
So, it's been a few minutes since the bomb, and already people are spending their time wishing up conspiracy theories based on their filthy politics, instead of thinking about the fact that seventeen lives have been lost.
Here's what I've heard already:
- The bomb was near the Sidi Kadad Intelligence Headquarters, responsible for monitoring Palestinians in Damascus - it must be Palestinians taking revenge
- The bomb was on the airport road - it must be Israelis trying to hurt a symbol of national significance
- The bomb was in Sayida Zeinab - it must be the Iraqi problem being exported
- The bomb was trying to undermine the stability of the Syrian government - it must be the Americans
- The bomb was revenge for the killing of a top government official last month - it must be the Syrians
- The bomb was revenge for the killing of Hizbollah official Imad Mughniya - it must be the Lebanese
- The bomb follows other attacks across Syria by religious extremists - it must be Al Qaeda
Just think about the dead - instead of how the attack supports your filthy view of the world.
And Syria affairs expert Joshua Landis links to a Telegraph article for the news. Commentators on his post were quick to respond.
Offended said:
Very disturbing news. What kind of a sick ideology or agenda is behind such attacks?
And IDAF responded:
Luckily it is a weekend and no children were in the damaged elementary school in the location.
Syrian TV was the only source of information and footage so far. Some images here:
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=83046
From neighbouring Egypt, Zeinobia explains:
This is the first terrorist act that targets the Syrian civilians since a long time. Also it comes after a serious of mysterious
assignationsassassinations took place across the country. Not to mention it comes at the same time the Syria seems to regain power in the region.Till now the message behind this blast is not obvious , it is for sure sent to the Syrian regime but for what ?? For its Relations with Iran or the regime itself !!??
Bangladesh: Bangla blogs are keeping Rahela alive
On 19th August 2004, a nineteen year old garment factory worker in Savar, Dhaka Bangladesh was mugged, gang raped, viciously slashed and then left to die in the thickety Jahangir Nagar University campus. She was Rahela Lima Akhtar. There she lay amidst the thick foliage, undetected for three days. Her perpetrators returned, and finding her alive, splashed acid over her face and set her hair on fire, so that when her body was found, she would be unrecognizable. However, the same day, on August 22nd of 2004, a gardener heard her faint cry,”I am not dead, please save me”. Thus, Rahela, the woman who refused to die, was found and shifted to the Dhaka Medical College and hospital, where she battled for her life. She lost the battle on September 24th, 2004, but before she died, she named the main culprits.
Dead body of Rahela: Image credit Faysal Noi
One would have thought, in such a case, justice would be swift but that was not to be. While there was an initial outcry in the mainstream media it was followed by deafening silence. The case came up for hearing in 2006 only to reveal that important documents pertaining to the case had gone missing. In the meantime, the main accused had fled and others roamed free. Rahela's husband had remarried. Almost two more years went by. The case would perhaps have vanished from public memory but for some women's rights activists and Bangla bloggers. Rahela's case was first highlighted in leading Bangla blog platform Somewherein, by Manobi. Very soon, like-minded bloggers such as Faisal Noi, Shubho, Pothik, Jiner Badshah (from Sachalayatan, another Bangla blogging platform) and many others joined in, and the cry - Justice for Rahela grew louder. An online campaign was launched, which included blog , Facebook group, an i-petition etc. Offline, there were protests and human chains organised to raise the public's awareness of the case.
We, at Global Voices too have tried to amplify Rahela's case. Rezwan, in this post had mentioned Rahela's case while writing about violence against women in Bangladesh. Narijibon, the fantastic Bangladesh team who are part of the Rising Voices project, have also been writing on the issue.
The ongoing effort by the Bangla bloggers to put pressure on the courts to move the case forward was noticed by the media and gradually articles and TV reports began to reappear. The case was finally re-started in January 2008, and by April 2008 the ‘missing' documents miraculously re-surfaced, thanks to the growing pressure from bloggers, MSM, activists and leading intelligentsia. The investigating officers, however, claimed that the documents ‘were always there'. Nevertheless, even now the battle for justice seems a long drawn struggle as there are rumors of non-cooperation from officials and key witnesses to the case. Watch the media report [bn] querying the resurfacing of the evidences.
And the bloggers are not giving up.The efforts are on to keep Rahela alive in public memory so that the guilty are brought to book and justice, though delayed, is not denied to Rahela Lima Akhtar. In a recent TV interview, Somewherein's Arild Klokkerhaug and Prof. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal , a respected Bangladeshi academician and writer, have reiterated the very point [bn]:
China: One Trillion US Bonds and Debt Scandal
According to a New York Times report in early September, the Chinese Central Bank has invested over USD $1 trillion on U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and debt securities. Among the one trillion dollar bill, $376.3 billion have been put into the mortgage backed securities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which constitutes 21% of the Chinese government foreign currency reserve.
Who's mistake?
Back in mid August, Lew Mon-hung, a representative of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference wrote in several mainstream newspapers in Hong Kong to criticize the investment decision. His opinion has been censored by mainland Chinese mainstream media, but distributed widely on the internet. Chenjian is among one of the mainland bloggers distributing Lew's viewpoint:
筆者謹以全國政協委員和金融界人士身份質問中央財金當局有關拍板人：你們這班敗家子哪裏來這麽大的膽子拿國家人民的錢，來買天文數字的「兩房」股票！現在「兩房」基本上已破產，你們如何向全國人民交代？
一個國家的外匯儲備，並非這個國家的淨資產，當外資熱錢流走之時，外匯儲備就會下降。所以外匯儲備公認的投資原則是安全第一，分散爲宜。由此觀之，中國財金當局將外儲的百分之二十以上浪擲於美國「兩房」,是極其嚴重的錯誤
As a member of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and with my experience in the finance sector, I am here to question the decision makers at the central government finance sector: you guys are the family's failure, where do you get the balls to take people's money to buy such a huge amount of fannie and freddie's securities. Now they are bankrupted, how are you to take the responsibility?
A nation's foreign currency reserve is not the net income of the country, when hot money flows out of the country, the reserve will be reduced. That's why it is important to have safe investment, and it is necessary to diversify the risk. To put more than 20% of our foreign currency reserve on Fannie and Freddie, is a serious mistake.
中國光是 向「兩房」已投下相當於海内外給四川地震捐款一百多倍的外儲，如此側重美元資產，依據何在？眼光何在？如此離譜決策有沒有黑幕，人大常委會應立即組織特別 調查組應予徹查，追究責任！
Conspiracy theory
Another article consisted of conspiracy theory that has also been circulated in forums and blogs, One World One Dream reposts the article in full.
中国经济学家都在干什么，受那些所谓主流经济学家提出的高论影响而实行的政策，最后使谁最终受益，使谁陷入深深窘境了呢？那些“主张对内狂引境外战略投资者、让其大赚贱卖的银行原始股；对外大力推出中国优质大型企业或国有垄断企业境外上市，向海外慷慨派送十倍于融资的分红” 的经济专家到底在干什么，他们的底细和真实身份到底是谁？
The writer urges netizens to re-post this article in official websites in order to warn the leader against such financial decision.
ASM is also on the side the conspiracy theory and maps out the steps on how the US government seized away fortunes from the rest of the World (zh).
China becomes a loser
Shi Hanbin, a local finance expert was interviewed by CCTV on the impact of US financial crisis on China on September 22. He further elaborates his viewpoint in his blog:
三个方面的影响。其一，次债危机导致美、欧消费需求下降，将降低中国产品的出口。无论是高附加值产品还是低附加值产品，出口的下降趋势都难以避免，当务之急是鼓励内需。其二，次债危机发生后，美元将继续贬值，目前的大宗商品都是以美元计价的，美元贬值意味着大宗商品价格上涨。同时，大批热钱在美元贬值或有贬值预期的影响下，会热炒大宗商品，推高石油、铁矿石等大宗商品价格，增加中国原材料的进口成本。其三，会对中国的资本市场和金融业带来影响，我国金融机构的损失会继续增加。同时，大批盘踞在中国楼市的热钱，会撤离。因此，绝不可以出台政策救楼市，救楼市的结果只能是让热钱高位逃跑，将对中国经济带来毁灭性打击。
Shi Hanbin also questions how the investment decision was made:
这些决策是怎么出台的？为什么许多决策对中国不利对外国反而是有利的。决策的不透明使人民丧失了基本的知情权和监督权，使得一些可怕的暗箱操作大行其道。
在次债危机中，中国的损失极其惨烈，因此，即使有机会，中国也只能眼睁睁地看着它流走，因为，我们的巨额资金被套或打水漂，我们已经不再是能够找寻并抓住机会的人，而是一个巨大的可怜虫！——在把数千亿美元的财富败了之后，最多也只能做个遭人唾弃的可怜虫了！
Zhanghui noticed that after the first outbreak of sub-prime crisis in Europe back in August 2007, Chinese banks haven't reduced their investment in asset backed securities. On the other hand, there is a net increase of US$59 billion between August 2007 and May 2008. Now, European countries can say no to the US$700 billion “bail-out” proposal, but China cannot.
作为美国的机构债最大的持有人，中国现在不可能清空手中的债券，因为大幅抛售必然造成价格大跌，同时也没有人接盘，更会被美国人认为落井下石，损人不利己。中美两国其实在金融危机中的利益是一致的。某种意义上说，中国政府的支持是美国政府必须的，比西方七国更重要。
Even though the Chinese and American government share the same interest in the crisis, many netizens feel it is a painful lesson for the Chinese. Here is another widely circulated opinion article quoted from Hong Kong newspapers (via dmxianfeng):
勤劳勇敢的中国人，固守千年古训，省吃俭用，多生产、少进口，多积累、少消费，多攒美元、少花美元，结果到头来却要为美国的金融危机埋单。而且，一边谦和地堆起笑脸纳贡，一边还要承受对方的傲慢和谩骂！这就是中国今天所面对的世界经济体系：谁执掌了金融的牛耳，谁就执掌了世界。这悲壮的一课，将给国人留下刻骨铭心的记忆。
There are votes and comments at the China Daily forums on: Should the U.S. Congress pass the $700b bailout plan? Although it might not reflect popular opinion, it's still worth a look.
Russophone Bloggers Discuss the U.S. Presidential Candidates
Last week, Israel-based LJ user avva asked (RUS) his Russophone readers - some of whom are eligible to vote in the upcoming U.S. election - whether they supported Barack Obama or John McCain, and for what reasons. The post generated over 300 comments from bloggers based in the United States, Israel, Canada and Russia.
Below are some of the responses, translated from Russian.
Russia-based LJ user ohtori:
“Both are worse” (a quote)
U.S.-based LJ user igorre25:
For Obama. Because I'm for the Democrats. Because I'm against the Republicans. Because they've been in power for too long and have done much harm, which I don't like.
LJ user aster_x86:
The latest Daily Show episodes have basically equalized the weight of both in my view… But I'm more for Obama than McCain, because now it's the Democrats' turn.
LJ user whichferdinand:
For Obama, because it's less likely that he'll start another war somewhere, and because the money not spent on yet another war will be invested in something wise, like medical insurance for the poor or prevention of global warming. And also because he isn't going to try to make it so that women find it harder to have an abortion.
U.S.-based LJ user madeinmoscow (ENG):
obama
because i do not want ignorantly malicious idiots running this country anymore.
U.S.-based LJ user cema:
For McCain. First, he's much closer to the center. Second, he is not afraid to act the way he feels necessary, not just useful, rare for a politician. Third, he's not as [full of crap] as Obama. Unfortunately, I'm not a citizen here yet.
Russia-based LJ user fedor_s:
For Obama.
1. The war in Iraq and the crisis have started under Bush. Let the other team rule. Isn't that the point of a two-party system?
2. Last time the Republicans won in a somewhat [dishonest] way.
3. It's just that having a [black] president is fun.
Russia-based LJ user svilar:
For Obama. I don't follow the U.S. politics regularly and perhaps I've missed something, but every time I tune in, I get an impression that the Democrats are serving the rational demands of the electorate, while the Republicans serve as a channel for irrational outbursts. I've no opinion on comparative advantages of specific candidates.
Russia-based LJ user illyn:
McCain-Palin.
Since I'm not going to be directly affected by America's internal affairs - I'm first of all for what's “our own.” For the intended right-wing foreign policy. A tough position of the right-wing couple on the Putins-Medvedevs - this is already clearly defined (the way I see it, but I may be wrong, of course). […]
U.S.-based LJ user kblcbka:
Turns out Avva's audience is full of Democrats! Well, here's one more. For the same reasons, more or less:
1. Let the other team rule
2. Don't want them to regulate my private life
3. Let them take and divide, I'm not greedy
4. Obama is fun[…]
I didn't make myself clear: in item 2, I meant personal liberties, and in item 3, taxes. Exactly how much they'll be taking from me personally doesn't matter, because they won't take away all of it (in this case).
Israel-based LJ user toyvo:
If I were American, I'd be for McCain. I'm not familiar with his personal qualities, but a conservative economic platform is a lot closer to me, and their international [platform] will be the same, IMHO. But abortions and same-sex marriage don't allow me to decide for sure… Though it seems as if McCain is liberal enough in this respect… But this [woman] from Alaska… It's good that we aren't Americans, no? We've got a cute premier [Tzipi Livni] since Sunday, [a woman] :)
U.S.-based LJ user yuly:
For McCain!
He fits basically all the parameters: the economy, security, international terrorism, relations with Russia, energy independence. Social/medical insurance program seems somewhat weak to me, but at least it's achievable. And of course, his undeniable honesty.
Drawbacks:
1. His age, unfortunately.
2. His choice of Sarah Palin as VP, but in my opinion, she is better than Obama/Biden/Obama - too much lies and empty promises. […]
U.S.-based LJ user yenissey:
A fantastically lousy selection to choose from. Alas, the only thing left in such conditions is to [unite against].
Obama. Why? On the one hand, much of the Republicans' program is better. But “if Yevtushenko is against collective farms, I am for them” (c) [Joseph Brodsky on Yevgeny Yevtushenko, quoted by Sergei Dovlatov] - an old warrior and a redneck in a skirt, a bunch that under no circumstances should be allowed to run anything more complex than a bike.
U.S.-based LJ user nagunak:
For Obama. For many reasons. Because I don't want to send taxes to Iraq anymore, when roads and bridges are collapsing in the United States, because “drill, baby, drill” is a slogan of idiots, because there is a slight hope that they'll cancel all the unconstitutional changes adopted by the “imperial presidents” Cheney and Bush.
Canada-based LJ user dragon_ru:
For Obama. I'm not expecting anything good from him, but under McCain we'd miss Bush as a very intellectual and thoughtful politician.
LJ user _rowan_tree_:
For Obama. He's a good organizer (to defeat [Hillary Clinton] isn't an easy task), and the Democrats' program is closer to me, especially in its centrist version :-) McCain is also okay, but if something happens to him, Palin would become president, and [everyone would regret it]. Biden, by the way, is also a rather dangerous character, but at least there fewer chances that he would become president.
U.S.-based LJ user marusja:
I'm not a citizens, but McCain isn't an option. He and [Sarah Palin] are kind of jumpy - may go to war with Russia all of a sudden.
U.S.-based LJ user yucca:
For Obama. He's got the brains and education, and he knows how to negotiate an agreement with people from different parties, and this is important for a president. The medicine part of his program is much better developed, McCain's medical program is no good. In education, I like it that he emphasized the importance of pre-school education. Also, they say he's picked a good team for himself.
I used to like McCain, but he has moved to the right significantly before the election, and a real enough perspective of having Sarah Palin as president makes me shudder.
Russia-based LJ user valery_pavlov:
If you look at the whole process from Russia, I think there's no difference whatsoever. It's like choosing between [United Russia and Fair Russia parties] […].
Russia-based LJ user imfromjasenevo:
great work :)
this is, by the way, the main goal of our propaganda machine - to convince [everyone] that in other countries the election is also a fiction.
LJ user dzz:
If I lived in the States, I'd vote for Obama. Neocons are too convinced that they are right and this has already created many problems. Besides, McCain is terribly predictable, and [with Obama], it's interesting to see what'll come out of it ;)
Russia-based LJ user amarao_san:
We are for a [color revolution] in the United States. We'd like for McCain to win and for Obama to start a [Maidan] over there for them, with [roses], oranges and other colors of life.
Israel-based LJ user emdin:
If I lived in the States, I'd be for Obama, but for Israel and Europe McCain is way better.
Israel-based LJ user pilpilon:
For McCain. Normally, Republicans don't interfere with Israeli affairs that often. And when they do, it's at least understandable what they want and why, often.
U.S.-based LJ user azbukivedi:
I'm actually for McCain, but I want to say something else here. Everyone is writing that we should choose the lesser evil, while I think that America hasn't had such an interesting choice in a long time. This is a new page in history, and it's not about race/sex. They are both bright, talented, love their country and want to change something in it. Their worldviews are different, and McCain's view is closer to mine, but I think America has nothing to be ashamed of in this election. Both are decent candidates, very little dirt in this election, almost everything is to the point and respectful.
Russia-based LJ user awas1952:
McCain - it's a worldwide economic crisis.
That's why I'd prefer McCain: a horrible end is better than a neverending horror.
The crisis is inevitable because too many economic contradictions have accumulated in the world. But Obama can postpone it and thus contribute to the accumulation of additional contradictions, making the crisis even tougher.
Russia-based LJ user very_thin_train:
Of course, for McCain. Because the worse it is for America, the better it is for Russia!
LJ user qaraabayna:
A plague on both your houses.
U.S.-based LJ user syarzhuk:
I'm for Ralph Nader.
Anonymous:
undecided voter
Environment: Maps, Online Communities & Carbon Footprint Calculators
Earlier this year, GV Environment listed the web2.0 tools for environment activism. Since then many more tools have been developed. This post will highlight some mashups, online communities, carbon footprint calculators and one online game.
Mashups
Rory of Carbon Smart Blog announced the Greening Africa Map by outlining the goal of the google map mashup and asking others to send in information about projects to be included.
My point is to highlight positive things that are being done in Africa. There are a lot of projects out there, but many are just not visible. The first projects on the map are mostly around Cape Town, just because I live here and have some firsthand knowledge of the area; but I don't want this to be a South African map.
Clean Up The World is an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme. It is a global campaign to clean, fix up and conserve the environment and they have created a mashup to show the communities involved around the world. The activities mapped relate to water, recycling, tree planting, education and climate change mitigation. To visit the site please click on the graphic below.
Online Communities
Connect2Earth features environment related photos, videos and posts that are submitted by the public. The entries will be voted on by other members and the highly ranked entrants receive mobile phones from Nokia (A sponsor of the site). The winning entries will be shown at the World Conservation congress in Barcelona. Topics discussed include Global warming, waste & pollution, sustainable transport, mobile life & work, natural habitat, wildlife and clean energy.
connect2earth is a space for you to tell the world why you care about our planet
350.org is an online community of activists working to raise awareness of the target for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere.
350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet. The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth.
But solutions exist. All around the world, a movement is building to take on the climate crisis, to get humanity out of the danger zone and below 350. This movement is massive, it is diverse, and it is visionary. We are activists, scholars, and scientists. We are leaders in our businesses, our churches, our governments, and our schools. We are clean energy advocates, forward-thinking politicians, and fearless revolutionaries. And we are united around the world, driven to make our planet livable for all who come after us.
Carbon Footprint Calculators
Jaimi Heimbuch of Treehugger referred to Ecorio as a super cool app that will be available on the new Android powered G1 Google phone. Ecorio is a mobile application that runs in the background tracking trips. It adds up the miles and shows the carbon footprint and cost of offsetting it.
Dopplr - Carbon calculator for trips
Dopplr is a tool used by frequent flyers to share information about upcoming trips with friends and colleagues. The service shows coincidences and helps people connect. Dopplr added the ‘My carbon' calculator that shows travelers their carbon footprint by utilizing data from AMEE, an organization better known as the ‘The world's energy meter'.
Online Game
World without Oil
This is an alternate reality game that is interactive and whose outcome is crafted by the players and their interactions.
The premise of World Without Oil was simple and provocative: What if an oil crisis started on April 30, 2007 - what would happen? How would the lives of ordinary people change? Players were invited to imagine how their lives and communities would be different and how they would cope if the world’s oil suddenly dried up. The “plot” unfolded dynamically. First, the players read the “official news” and what other players were saying. Then, using a combination of blog posts, videos, images and even voice mails, they told their own stories of the challenges they were facing. As the crisis continued, players updated their stories with further thoughts, reactions and solutions.
Anthony Williams of Wikinomics wrote about the game, saying
There is no doubt that fighting climate change will require a massive worldwide effort that could dramatically alter much about the world as we know it today. We need more than just smart public policy. And we need more than a comprehensive retooling of industry and our infrastructure. We all need to give up our oil addictions and that, in turn, will require us to make some pretty profound changes in our daily lives. Alternate reality games like World Without Oil could play a vital role in engaging the public in making those vital changes.
Via Carbon Copy.
Links for Sat, 2008-09
Everything Indonesia blogs about a breastfeeding campaign in Indonesia
A molotov cocktail was thrown at the house of Malaysian politician Teresa Kok. She condemned the act and attributed the “despicable act to certain media groups and blogs that have deliberately demonised and portrayed (her) as chauvinistic, anti Malay and anti Islam.” She adds: “They persisted in reporting similar fictitious and false stories. This may have also stoked the contempt and hatred towards me and my family.”
Alternative Asean Network on Burma published a briefer which revealed the intensified repression in Myanmar a year after the crackdown on the monk-led Saffron Revolution.
President Jose Ramos-Horta of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste delivered a statement at the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Horta mentioned the improving economy of his country.
The book Além das Redes de Colaboração (Beyond the Collaboration Networks, pt), a compilation of texts organized by professors Nelson Pretto and Sergio Amadeu, has been published by EDUFBA (Federal University of Bahia publisher) under a Creative Commons license and is now available for free download. “The book, which tackles various aspects of networks of cooperation, cultural diversity and technology of power, anticipates the policy of free access that will be implemented at EDUFBA”, Marcos Palacious [pt] breaks the news.
Haiti Reborn reports that the country's president is calling for “more than just ‘charitable' contributions to Haiti's recovery.”
Things appear to be getting back to normal in Cuba post-Hurricane Ike, but Generation Y questions the definition of “normalcy”: “I do not believe that a month ago we had anything resembling ‘normal.' Furthermore, in the three decades that I have under my belt I do not think I have lived in anything other than what is anomalous.”
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