Archive for
November 7th, 2008
Stories
Frontera Filmmakers: Video stories from both sides of the border
Frontera Filmmakers is a website that unites video producers from both sides of the Mexico-USA border. We'll view the story of the 389 miles along the Arizona-Sonora border, teens in Tijuana speaking about reducing contamination and a park which has united Mexicans, US citizens, Chinese and Russian workers to build a monument for unity.
389 Miles is a documentary about life on either side of the USA-Mexico border. In the 4 minute trailer, the director Luis Carlos Romero-Davis invites us to watch the documentary on those who brave the border crossing across the desert, those who are out there searching for them in order to provide aid, and others who are there to protect their country from the Illegal immigrants. He also shows the partial interview with a smuggler who tells all about the human trade in that region of the world.
In Contaminacion 202 [es] a group of youth from Tijuana, Mexico explain why it is important to control pollution and contamination, with examples of ground, water and air pollution.
The third video is titled “Entre Corazón y Mar [en]” (Between the heart and the sea), and shows the building process of the Pacific Rim Park in Baja California, Mexico, where Mexicans, US Citizens, Russian and Chinese have gathered together in spite of language differences to build a monument that honors diversity.
There are many other videos on the Frontera Filmmakers site including animations, tv show pilots and cultural excursions into the lives of characters who live their lives at the edge of two worlds.
Paraguay: Breaking the World Record for Barbecue
With 26,176 kilograms of grilled beef, Paraguay entered into the Guinness record books for the biggest open-air barbecue ever, in an event dubbed, “Todo Bicho Que Camina Va Al Asador” (Anything that Can Walk Goes to the Barbecue). However, they didn't get there without paying a high price for it. Due to the poor organization of the huge event, many people waited in unhappy and long lines under the hot sun. Crying kids became dehydrated, and many people asked for refunds because apparently there was not enough beef for everybody that purchased pre-paid tickets to enter into the event. The organization was so bad that even the police had to intervene to minimize the chaos generated by the situation.
Many Paraguayan bloggers reacted to this situation and expressed their opinions. Daniel Ortiz in his blog, El Peaton [es] says that Paraguay not only deserved the record for beef consumption, but also for the worst organization:
Todo bicho que camina…” no solo se merecía el récord Guinness por consumo de carne, sino también por la desorganización. Los que asistieron a este evento solidario sabrán de lo que hablo, y los que no fueron, no saben de lo que se salvaron.
“Todo bicho que camin…” (the bbq) not only deserves the Guinness record for consumption of meat, but also for disorganization. Those that attended the solidarity event knows what I am talking about, and for those that didn't go, you don't know what you were fortunate to have missed.
Rescatar [es] in his blog refers to the event with more objectivity and points out the positives and also the pitfalls of the organization saying that:
Se conquistó un record con todas las de la ley con un total de 26.175 kilos de carne. Sin embargo, la hazaña ha generado una ola de criticas a la desorganización debido que con más de 40 mil comensales, probablemente los recursos humanos y técnicos aportados al esfuerzo daban para atender con eficiencia a la mitad de los comensales.
The record was broken with a total of 26,175 kg of meat. However, the feat drew a wave of criticism for the disorganization with more than 40,000 attendees, probably with the human resources and assistants working the event, it was more suited to efficiently serve half that number.
Jorge Torres Romero says that instead of criticizing all the noble initiatives, we should emphasize the positive side and the success of the event [es]:
No basta maldecir en las tinieblas sino encender una luz”. Claro, nunca vamos a poder construir el Paraguay desde lo negativo. La experiencia vivida el domingo en la Rural fue positiva desde todo punto de vista y vale la pena resaltar: El mérito del éxito no es sólo de Humberto Rubín -si bien fue el artífice de la iniciativa-, sino de las 50 mil personas que acudieron movidos por un espíritu de solidaridad fenomenal.
It is not enough to curse the darkness, rather turn on the light. Of course, we are never going to be able to build Paraguay from being negative. Sunday's experience in the Rural (location of the event) was positive from all points of view, and it is worth mentioning: The success was not only of Humberto Rubín, who was the architect of the event, but also the 50,000 people that joined motivated by a phenomenal spirit of solidarity.
An event like that needs to be very well planned well in advance, and I'm pretty sure that after this experience that next year the event will be better organized. Hopefully that way, we will be able to break our own record for the Guinness book. Even in spite of some complaints, there was an additional positive aspect, as the money collected went to two big Paraguayan foundations Kuña Aty and Asoleu.
Trinidad & Tobago: Media Meltdown?
Making headlines in Trinidad and Tobago today is the controversy surrounding the Prime Minister's alleged “storming” of a radio station to complain about critical comments made against him during a newscast - a move which some maintain is dangerously close to infringing upon freedom of the press. The subsequent suspension of the announcers involved has added fuel to the flame, despite station management's insistence that “the company's action to suspend two members of staff was not taken because of a visit by Prime Minister Patrick Manning to the station.” Only a handful of local bloggers has latched on to the story, but those who have registered the whole affair on their radar are being quite vocal about their views.
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog, which collates stories from local mainstream media, has not surprisingly put the story front and centre, in light of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago's statement on the issue:
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago notes the unprecedented action of the Prime Minister with surprise and some concern. The Association deems the Prime Minister’s visit to the station as inappropriate in light of the fact that it can be perceived as an attempt to intimidate or to stifle freedom of the press.
The Association feels the Prime Minister has available to him many avenues of redress and should have perhaps considered the perception of his actions.
MATT values above all an independent media operating without interference or fear, however the Association as well notes that standards of journalism must be adhered to at all times.
Blogger Media Watch has been following developments closely, posting regular updates on different angles of the story. He called MATT's statement “conservative” and asked:
Is MATT or anyone else doing anything about this Manning/radio station incident? We are walking a dangerous line when politicians can block off a street, and demand apologies.
The post also observed that…
Several journalists tried to grill the PM on the Power 102 issue at today's post-cabinet press briefing, but he (as usual) coolly side-stepped them, saying he had a right to protect his name, or something to that effect.
Mr Manning told them he did not ask the station's management to suspend anyone, as he told them what they did there was their business. Interestingly he asked if any citizen of this country had the right to visit a radio station, and when he was told yes, he said that right extended to him as well.
Comments by “PW” to the Media Watch blog also got posted:
Please tell Patrick he is a public official and is not entitled to conduct himself in the same manner as any other citizen, otherwise ah want a ride on de private jet and he must pick me up in the State's car when he see me on the street.
In any case, I think the present laws do allow the same rights to politicians and the public, so maybe you were legally right Mr. Manning but you were morally wrong.
Watch out T&T the Broadcast Code is coming and this country will be just like Guyana when it arrives.
The National Broadcasting Code, which is currently in development, added another dimension to the controversy when the Prime Minister stated that in the future, he might pursue other avenues to lodge his dissatisfaction, including going to the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. But TATT told the media that should such a complaint be formally lodged, “they could not do anything because of the absence of a broadcast code.”
Finally, diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch put in his two cents' worth:
I find it ironical that a man who thumbs his nose so frequently at the rule of law, now finds it convenient to use the law to his own ends. Another tool of dictators, mind you.
I have one question. In his lawsuits to come, will he be footing the legal bills? Somehow, I think not. He will use state money to wipe out all criticism of his government and his policies.
Of course, I could be sued for thinking out aloud.
Saudi Arabia: Hunger Strike Draws Attention to Jailed Reformers Plight
Saudi Arabia's human rights activists started a two-day hunger strike to draw attention to the plight of 11 reformers and activists languishing in Saudi jails without trial - or access to a lawyer.
The strike, on November 6 and 7, was announced on a Facebook group (Ar), entitled The Largest Strike in Saudi Arabia to Free Opinion Prisoners and Campaigners for Justice. A similar group can be found here, in English.
The Arabic group has so far attracted 529 members, the English a little over 300, and their actions have drawn the attention of mainstream media around the world.
Like in neighbouring countries, activists are resorting to the Internet and social networking sites such as Facebook to keep the world abreast with their struggles back home.
Witness' The Hub posts the following video, featuring Saudi journalist Ebtihal Mubarak who speaks about the campaign and the plight of the activists:
Chris Michael has more here.
According to Saudi Jeans:
The defense team declared their observance of a hunger strike in solidarity with following jailed human right activists from the constitutional movement and civil society in Saudi Arabia:
1. Professor Matrook H. Al-Faleh, political science professor at King Saud University in Riyadh, detained by security forces in May 19, 2008.
2. Attorney Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi, former judge and human-right advocate, detained in February 2, 2007.
3. Attorney Dr. Mousa Mohammed Al-Qarni, former university professor and human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
4. Professor Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Shomari, former professor of education and human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
5. Dr. Abdulaziz Suliman Al-Khereiji, human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
6. Saifaldeen Faisal Al-Sherif, human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
7. Fahd Alskaree Al-Qurashi, human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
8. Abdulrahman Bin Sadiq, Human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
9. Dr. Saud Mohammed Al-Hashemi, human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
10. Ali Khosifan Al-Qarni, human-right activist, detained in February 2, 2007.
11. Mansour Salim Al-Otha, human-right activist, detained in December 12, 2007.
The blogger further adds:
This act of peaceful protest is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and I believe this is the least we can do for those people. Please join the call and spread the word.
In another post, Saudi Jeans writes about the reactions he received when he announced the strike:
When I posted about the hunger strike last week, I did not expect that anyone would try to talk me out of it. But some people actually did. Some think it is not a worthy cause; some think it is pointless and would have no effect; and some told me they have been intimidated by what they described as “aggressive campaigning” online. To those I say: forget the hoopla; forget the banners; and forget all the coverage.
You think I’m doing this to get media attention? I don’t need media attention. I already have the media attention. I see the hunger strike as my little personal gesture to the detainees. I don’t know what it would mean to them or if they even know about it, but it certainly means something to me. It means that I do not accept injustice. I means that as much as I’m proud of this country, I’m disappointed by how it repeatedly fails to live up to its highest standards. It means that I believe we are better than this and we deserve better than this.
While he agrees there are other deserving causes which need attention, such as Saudi Arabia's 75 detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Saudi Jeans notes:
If you think this hunger strike will achieve nothing and therefor don’t want to participate that’s okay, but please don’t try to make of it what it is simply not. If you decided to participate, then think why you are doing it; don’t just follow the crowd blindly, and be sure that you can make the case for this. It will be more meaningful and far more rewarding.
Crossroads Arabia links to international media coverage on the story here.
Poland: Reactions to Obama's Victory
Reactions to the results of the U.S. election dominate the Polish blogosphere today. Blogging politicians, journalists, microbloggers and bloggers interested in the U.S. elections are sharing their joy when referring to Obama, as well as their skeptical opinions towards the current Polish president and the government in general.
Obama's victory was predicted and popularized in the social media, like in this YouTube interview (POL) with journalist Bartosz Węglarczyk, who shortly after the end of the campaign was strongly convinced about Obama's success. However, the enthusiastic welcome given to the winner has actually impressed Polish bloggers.
Marcin Gadzinski, the author of Biały Domek ('White House') blog on the U.S.-related issues, published a post titled ‘Thank you America,' reflecting the American happiness of the day (POL):
[…] And did you see those people in Grant Park in Chicago today?
And did you see the Black American guy with baby face and big ears, who was standing on the stage?
His father was from Kenya. His mother came from a village in Kansas. Today their son is the president of the most powerful country in the world.The whole world watched it. And every one felt the unique American energy. Like the euphoria and pride after the landing on the moon. Like the grief after the Kennedy assassination. Like the fear and later the solidarity after 9/11. Big American emotions, like tsunami, flooding the world. […]
Because America chose Obama for their president today and they are proud of themselves. They should be. The whole world was keeping an eye on them all the way. Again.
Marcin is right stating that the Polish media was watching the elections. A leading radio station RMF FM created a portal. News station TVN24, famous for promoting news coverage with wide range of opinions, is still posting on the topic, including videos from Chicago. 10,386 people from Poland (based on IP addresses, not nationality) voted on ‘If the world could vote?‘ international website. Gazeta posted today more details of the voting, reporting that mainly younger generations and minorities contributed to the victory.
Blogger Paweł Adamiec, author of USA 2008 blog devoted to the U.S. elections, flagged up the importance of Obama's victory in the context of the American fight for equality. He praised Obama for his enigmatic personality, wise system of his campaign funding and his ability to appeal to the multicultural electorate. He concluded (POL):
Let me also congratulate the American citizens, who with the high percentage of votes proved how developed the American democracy is.
Simultaneously, Polish politicians started questioning Obama's competency. President Kaczyński, in an interview posted here, was seeking more information on the actual changes planned by the new president. Lech Wałęsa questioned the next steps of US presidency as well (POL):
I am worried, because winning is one thing, and actually achieving something with the victory is a different matter.
When talking about a potential shift in U.S. politics towards Poland, SLD party representative Jerzy Wenderlich suggested(POL):
Abolishing visa requirement for Poles would be a good start for the new administration.
On Politbiuro political news portal, user intel-e-gent raised an interesting issue for the Poles - that of the nuclear shield planned to be built on the territory of Poland (POL):
The historical victory of a Black American politician will not have a huge impact on the Poles, I believe. Maybe we will not need to build the shield.
Earlier this year, Obama, when asked about it, left the question open.
Bloggers like Jarosław Flis, Władysław Sidorowicz, Artur Zawisza and many others shared their views on the election in the Polish political context. People also shared comments on forums at Gazeta and TVN24. Goldenwoman01 wrote (POL):
In Poland, we cannot even see on the horizon a similar personality.
Regardless of what Obama chooses to do next, he is the man of the day in the Polish social media.
International Pressure Mounts to Free Jailed Egyptian Blogger
A series of demonstrations were held outside Egyptian embassies around the world today to protest the continued imprisonment of Egyptian blogger Kareem Nabil Sulaiman, jailed two years ago for insulting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Islam on his blog.
The 24-year-old blogger was sentenced to three years in prison for insulting Islam and a year for insulting Mubarak.
According to the Free Kareem site, set up by activists rallying for the blogger's release:
Protests will take place in Washington DC, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Bucharest, Stockholm, London, and a growing number of cities, in hopes of persuading Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against Mr. Soliman, who has reportedly been tortured in prison. November 6, 2008 marks the completion of Kareem’s second year in prison, and this is the fourth time that demonstrators around the world simultaneously protest in an effort to secure his immediate and unconditional release.
Based solely on his blogposts, Soliman is charged with the alleged crimes of “defaming Egypt’s President, incitement to hate Islam, and highlighting inappropriate aspects that harm the reputation of Egypt.” But members of the Free Kareem Coalition argue that imprisoning Kareem has severely harmed Egypt’s international reputation, and has made millions of people around the world question the country’s supposed commitment to free speech and human rights.
The protests were held in:
* Paris, France
* London, UK
* Brussels, Belgium
* Stockholm, Sweden
* Berlin, Germany
* Bucharest, Romania
* Washington, DC, USA
* New York, NY, USA
* Rome, Italy
* Berne, Switzerland
* Rhode Island, USA
* San Francisco, California
Here are some pictures from the protest held in Rome, Italy.
In a statement released today, Reporters without Borders joined the scores of protesters around the world, calling for the release of the 24-year-old blogger from prison.
“Two years have gone by and nothing has changed. His family have never come to visit him. Only his lawyer reports to the outside world, about his morale, which weakens day after day, and his fragile state of health. His parents, probably as a result of intimidation, have even publicly disowned their son and called for him to be sentenced to death. Wardens have prevented him from leaving his cell since 1st September. Two years, that’s enough. It is time to free him”, the worldwide press freedom organisation said.
For more information on Kareem and his case, visit www.freekareem.org
Links for Fri, 2008-11
This Beach Called Life trades experiences with a fellow Trinidadian living in the US: “My face lit up and I reminded the US resident in a short time they will have Barack Obama. His face also lit up but then I grew sad when he reminded me who we will still have.”
Havana Times reports that “Tropical Storm Paloma is on a course that could reach Cuba by Sunday or Monday.”
A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah wants to know if the criminals are running things in Jamaica.
Both Barbados Underground and pull! push! share their views on Barbados' immigration policy.
“Before the new president has taken a moment to recover from the stress of a protracted and vigorous campaign, his wake-up call has been issued, and more importantly, from America's old nemesis:” Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine says that Barack Obama “won't have much of a honeymoon.”
My The Caucasian Knot posts two entries accompanied by photographs on inclusive education in Armenia. Part of a voluntary project on child protection and disabilities, the first post details a return visit to the World Vision Child Development Center in Yerevan while the second takes a closer look and accompanies social workers on home visits.
Raf Uzar writes that the Polish president “is doing everything he can to get noticed much to the chagrin of most of Poland’s political elite, journalists and tired citizens” - and among his recent blunders is this line from a congratulatory letter to Barack Obama: “the President of the United States of Northern America.”
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