ME AND OPHELIA
Thursday, September 30, 2004
AT THE REQUEST OF THE UNITED NATIONS -
China send riot police for a peacekeeping mission in Haiti
Photo here below shows a boy kissing his father, a member of Chinese peacekeeping police, at the International Airport in Beijing, September 17, 2004.
The advance troops of riot police composed of 30 members including four policewomen left for Haiti on Friday, September 17.
At the request of the United Nations, China will send 125 police officers to form a contingent of riot police for a peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
One can't help wondering why the UN Security Council did not ask China to send riot police for peacekeeping mission in Darfur.
China's oil companies are adjacent to Darfur. China gets a lot out of Sudan. What does China do for the Sudanese, in return for exploitation of their land and natural resources?
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QUOTATIONS
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
- - -
"If we'd been born where they were born and taught what they were taught, we would believe what they believe"
A sign inside a church in Northern Ireland, explaining the origin of intolerance and hate.
- - -
Note new posts on Japan and China - and the interview with Japanese Rank Xerox boss - in my Asia Oil Watch file: click into sidebar here on right of your screen.
China send riot police for a peacekeeping mission in Haiti
Photo here below shows a boy kissing his father, a member of Chinese peacekeeping police, at the International Airport in Beijing, September 17, 2004.
The advance troops of riot police composed of 30 members including four policewomen left for Haiti on Friday, September 17.
At the request of the United Nations, China will send 125 police officers to form a contingent of riot police for a peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
One can't help wondering why the UN Security Council did not ask China to send riot police for peacekeeping mission in Darfur.
China's oil companies are adjacent to Darfur. China gets a lot out of Sudan. What does China do for the Sudanese, in return for exploitation of their land and natural resources?
- - -
QUOTATIONS
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
- - -
"If we'd been born where they were born and taught what they were taught, we would believe what they believe"
A sign inside a church in Northern Ireland, explaining the origin of intolerance and hate.
- - -
Note new posts on Japan and China - and the interview with Japanese Rank Xerox boss - in my Asia Oil Watch file: click into sidebar here on right of your screen.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/30/2004
- - -
WHAT'S BEHIND THE HORROR IN SUDAN?
The UN and Darfur
The UN and politicians are not really listening. Even when they do, the whole business of politics just boils down to empire building, for the benefit of those inside the empire. Public servants seem to forget they work for us, not vice versa.
The below copied letter, authored by Shashi Tharoor, under secretary general for (of all things) communications and public information, goes to show how bureaucrats think, talk and act. The letter states: "the United Nations, at its best and its worst, is a mirror of the world". Utter tosh. The UN Security Council is, in a nutshell, corrupt.
The UN does not even have the moral fibre to name and shame countries that are not paying for aid. Instead they tip toe around the subject by sneaking it in emotive press releases capitalising on humanitarian crises. What are they afraid of?
Within the past five months Kofi Annan admitted the UN were too slow in responding to the needs of Darfur. Now the UN says it's donors fault that UN was unable respond properly in time to what they termed as the world's worst humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Rubbish. The war in Darfur started 19 months ago. The UN only started providing aid in earnest five months ago, 14 months into the war, just as the world's media started shining its light on Darfur.
If the UN is not a political body, why do they not name and shame the countries that are not paying contributions? Why tip toe around, sneaking in cowardly little digs at donors in press releases. Why not shout from the rooftops? The UN needs to be shaken up, and not by the UN either. Kofi Annan needs to retire. And so too does the person in charge of the UN World Food Programme and the UN refugee programme. If they don't retire, they ought to be fired. A new broom needs to be brought in to do a big sweep.
My knowledge of how politics and power works is zero. I really don't care to look into how it works, I just feel it does not work. The people who are in charge of running this world are so far out of touch with what ordinary people really want.
We see how our world is being ruined and the priorities messed up and never sorted. Surely, this must be what is causing the surge in extremism and fundamentalism. When you can't get politicians to help stop the world from being ruined, what hope is there, where do you go and what do you do?
Putting it simplistically, the world is run by a handful of men in multi-nationals, politics and media. They take the world as their stage and treat us like serfs of the land, their audience. We have to beg and grovel until we are blue in the face, pleading and tugging at their coat tails: to please help stop millions of people from being massacred and suffering the most miserable existence on earth.
Psycho dictators like Saddam Hussein and others around the world spend their careers stealing peoples money to pay for palaces and monuments for their name to live on. They're all meglomaniacs. Even Margaret Thatcher bought the Channel Tunnel for her name to be carved in stone. Interesting to note how US President George W Bush gave the OK for the native North American Indians to have their new museum at the foot of Capitol Hill. I wonder what the Klu Klux Klan are up to these days and how good race relations are across America.
It's not that long ago when the singer Sammy Davis Jnr starred at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas but was forced to enter by the back door. Because he was black, he was not allowed to enter the front of the building where the marquee billed him as star of the show with his name in lights. Australia talks about helping those in Darfur while it marginalises the native aborignes. Who knows how many years or centuries it will take for a non-white Prime Minister to take office at 10 Downing Street.
A few weeks ago, I started work on a post that questions what is behind the horror in Sudan. Yesterday, I completed it well enough for posting. It is quite long, and is just a collection of notes to myself, a brain dump really, to help myself work out the reason for the unease I feel over the news that is coming out of Sudan. See Sudan Watch post: What’s behind the horror in Sudan?
Here is the letter by Shashi Tharoor, New York, UN under secretary general for communications and public information, that found online at IHT. Looks like it was published September 30, 2004, in a letters page, presumably in answer to an opinion piece or letter by David Brooks. Compare its tone, pitch and message to that of Gandhi's (see next post here below).
The UN and Darfur
"David Brooks ("Another triumph for the UN," Views, Sept. 27) spins an elegant web of sarcasm about the United Nations' failure to act as he would wish in Darfur. But the United Nations, at its best and its worst, is a mirror of the world, reflecting its agreements and disagreements.
Where the world - as represented in the Security Council - agrees, the United Nations does intervene decisively, as it is currently doing in 18 hot spots, from Congo to Haiti and from Liberia to East Timor.
Where there are disagreements, the United Nations provides the mechanism for discussion to resolve them, and compromises have to be found. But that doesn't mean the organization is sitting around wringing its hands; our humanitarian workers are on the ground, bringing food, shelter and nourishment to the displaced in Darfur and Chad, as are our political representatives, putting pressure on the authorities to end the atrocities and working to promote the efforts of the African Union's monitors in the area.
Brooks's concern for the victims in Darfur would be better used to demand that the world's outrage be matched with real contributions to the United Nations' continuing lifesaving efforts, which are severely underfinanced."
WHAT'S BEHIND THE HORROR IN SUDAN?
The UN and Darfur
The UN and politicians are not really listening. Even when they do, the whole business of politics just boils down to empire building, for the benefit of those inside the empire. Public servants seem to forget they work for us, not vice versa.
The below copied letter, authored by Shashi Tharoor, under secretary general for (of all things) communications and public information, goes to show how bureaucrats think, talk and act. The letter states: "the United Nations, at its best and its worst, is a mirror of the world". Utter tosh. The UN Security Council is, in a nutshell, corrupt.
The UN does not even have the moral fibre to name and shame countries that are not paying for aid. Instead they tip toe around the subject by sneaking it in emotive press releases capitalising on humanitarian crises. What are they afraid of?
Within the past five months Kofi Annan admitted the UN were too slow in responding to the needs of Darfur. Now the UN says it's donors fault that UN was unable respond properly in time to what they termed as the world's worst humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Rubbish. The war in Darfur started 19 months ago. The UN only started providing aid in earnest five months ago, 14 months into the war, just as the world's media started shining its light on Darfur.
If the UN is not a political body, why do they not name and shame the countries that are not paying contributions? Why tip toe around, sneaking in cowardly little digs at donors in press releases. Why not shout from the rooftops? The UN needs to be shaken up, and not by the UN either. Kofi Annan needs to retire. And so too does the person in charge of the UN World Food Programme and the UN refugee programme. If they don't retire, they ought to be fired. A new broom needs to be brought in to do a big sweep.
My knowledge of how politics and power works is zero. I really don't care to look into how it works, I just feel it does not work. The people who are in charge of running this world are so far out of touch with what ordinary people really want.
We see how our world is being ruined and the priorities messed up and never sorted. Surely, this must be what is causing the surge in extremism and fundamentalism. When you can't get politicians to help stop the world from being ruined, what hope is there, where do you go and what do you do?
Putting it simplistically, the world is run by a handful of men in multi-nationals, politics and media. They take the world as their stage and treat us like serfs of the land, their audience. We have to beg and grovel until we are blue in the face, pleading and tugging at their coat tails: to please help stop millions of people from being massacred and suffering the most miserable existence on earth.
Psycho dictators like Saddam Hussein and others around the world spend their careers stealing peoples money to pay for palaces and monuments for their name to live on. They're all meglomaniacs. Even Margaret Thatcher bought the Channel Tunnel for her name to be carved in stone. Interesting to note how US President George W Bush gave the OK for the native North American Indians to have their new museum at the foot of Capitol Hill. I wonder what the Klu Klux Klan are up to these days and how good race relations are across America.
It's not that long ago when the singer Sammy Davis Jnr starred at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas but was forced to enter by the back door. Because he was black, he was not allowed to enter the front of the building where the marquee billed him as star of the show with his name in lights. Australia talks about helping those in Darfur while it marginalises the native aborignes. Who knows how many years or centuries it will take for a non-white Prime Minister to take office at 10 Downing Street.
A few weeks ago, I started work on a post that questions what is behind the horror in Sudan. Yesterday, I completed it well enough for posting. It is quite long, and is just a collection of notes to myself, a brain dump really, to help myself work out the reason for the unease I feel over the news that is coming out of Sudan. See Sudan Watch post: What’s behind the horror in Sudan?
Here is the letter by Shashi Tharoor, New York, UN under secretary general for communications and public information, that found online at IHT. Looks like it was published September 30, 2004, in a letters page, presumably in answer to an opinion piece or letter by David Brooks. Compare its tone, pitch and message to that of Gandhi's (see next post here below).
The UN and Darfur
"David Brooks ("Another triumph for the UN," Views, Sept. 27) spins an elegant web of sarcasm about the United Nations' failure to act as he would wish in Darfur. But the United Nations, at its best and its worst, is a mirror of the world, reflecting its agreements and disagreements.
Where the world - as represented in the Security Council - agrees, the United Nations does intervene decisively, as it is currently doing in 18 hot spots, from Congo to Haiti and from Liberia to East Timor.
Where there are disagreements, the United Nations provides the mechanism for discussion to resolve them, and compromises have to be found. But that doesn't mean the organization is sitting around wringing its hands; our humanitarian workers are on the ground, bringing food, shelter and nourishment to the displaced in Darfur and Chad, as are our political representatives, putting pressure on the authorities to end the atrocities and working to promote the efforts of the African Union's monitors in the area.
Brooks's concern for the victims in Darfur would be better used to demand that the world's outrage be matched with real contributions to the United Nations' continuing lifesaving efforts, which are severely underfinanced."
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/30/2004
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M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence -
First Annual Gandhian Nonviolence Conference October 8-9, 2004
"My life is my message" - M.K.Gandhi
Gandhi quotes:
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"
"If my faith burns bright, as I hope it will even if I stand alone, I shall be alive in the grave, and what is more, speaking from it"
- - -
First Annual Gandhian Nonviolence Conference
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence event information.
Further reading:
The Official Mahatma Gandhi eArchive & Reference Library
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Mahatma Gandhi
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence -
First Annual Gandhian Nonviolence Conference October 8-9, 2004
"My life is my message" - M.K.Gandhi
Gandhi quotes:
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"
"If my faith burns bright, as I hope it will even if I stand alone, I shall be alive in the grave, and what is more, speaking from it"
- - -
First Annual Gandhian Nonviolence Conference
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence event information.
Further reading:
The Official Mahatma Gandhi eArchive & Reference Library
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Mahatma Gandhi
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/30/2004
Monday, September 27, 2004
UK CANCELLING POOR NATIONS' DEBTS
Labour Party Conference in Brighton, England
Good news today. The UK announced it will write off its share of debts owed by the world's poorest countries to the World Bank. The move will put pressure on other major creditors such as the US, Japan and Germany to follow suit at meetings of the IMF and World Bank later this week.
France and Canada are already understood to be planning similar announcements.
This afternoon I caught the last hour of the conference on television. Wanted to watch the whole thing but I was busy posting over at Passion of the Present. Sorry I missed Gordon Brown's speech. Tony Blair's is tomorrow. Don't know if Bono's speech is to be televised. Hope so, and that I have not missed it.
Labour Party Conference in Brighton, England
Good news today. The UK announced it will write off its share of debts owed by the world's poorest countries to the World Bank. The move will put pressure on other major creditors such as the US, Japan and Germany to follow suit at meetings of the IMF and World Bank later this week.
France and Canada are already understood to be planning similar announcements.
This afternoon I caught the last hour of the conference on television. Wanted to watch the whole thing but I was busy posting over at Passion of the Present. Sorry I missed Gordon Brown's speech. Tony Blair's is tomorrow. Don't know if Bono's speech is to be televised. Hope so, and that I have not missed it.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/27/2004
Sunday, September 26, 2004
THE OIL AGE COULD END BEFORE WORLD RUNS OUT OF OIL:
Increase our energy security by reducing demand
Going by some of the reports I've read - to find out when we will run out of oil - it looks like we are relying on new technology to be invented to enable the oil age to end long before the world runs out of oil.
Seems the surest way to increase energy security is to reduce demand and for governments to start controlling usage.
Cost of oil and petrol is bound to go up. Which can't be a bad thing. People neeed to wake up and think and act more eco friendly. It would not be a bad thing if people slowed down. They are moving too fast. What I see and hear outside of my window to do with car obsessed people is barmy.
Car makers and their ad agencies brainwash gullible people into thinking when they are choosing a vehicle they are buying into a lifestyle. Gas guzzling cars look silly on the roads. Go to America and see pick up trucks and Cadillacs transporting one person (the driver). Heavily congested roads and traffic looks gross. Cars don't need to be large.
I've banged on for 30 years that the best solution to many environmental problems is to invest in first class transportation systems. Governments ought to tax fuel users more highly and use the revenue to invest in super efficient public transport systems to reduce wasteful fuel guzzling ways.
Wish someone would start a campaign that men who buy large cars have tiny little weenies. Heh. Men won't want to advertise their itsy bitsy little weenies. Taint the image of cars. Make 24/7 public transport smart, fast, efficient, convenient, comfortable, fashionable, friendly - and free. Make cars less desirable to women too - and as unfashionable as fur coats.
Further reading:
BBC asks "Is the world's oil running out fast?" "Many reserve figures are highly questionable,' says Dr Campbell.
New Scientist says oil supplies will peak as soon as 2010, and gas soon after.
Economist: "Will the oil run out? Eventually, yes; but by then it might no longer matter ... The stone age did not end because the world ran out of stones, and the oil age will end long before the world runs out of oil.”
Increase our energy security by reducing demand
Going by some of the reports I've read - to find out when we will run out of oil - it looks like we are relying on new technology to be invented to enable the oil age to end long before the world runs out of oil.
Seems the surest way to increase energy security is to reduce demand and for governments to start controlling usage.
Cost of oil and petrol is bound to go up. Which can't be a bad thing. People neeed to wake up and think and act more eco friendly. It would not be a bad thing if people slowed down. They are moving too fast. What I see and hear outside of my window to do with car obsessed people is barmy.
Car makers and their ad agencies brainwash gullible people into thinking when they are choosing a vehicle they are buying into a lifestyle. Gas guzzling cars look silly on the roads. Go to America and see pick up trucks and Cadillacs transporting one person (the driver). Heavily congested roads and traffic looks gross. Cars don't need to be large.
I've banged on for 30 years that the best solution to many environmental problems is to invest in first class transportation systems. Governments ought to tax fuel users more highly and use the revenue to invest in super efficient public transport systems to reduce wasteful fuel guzzling ways.
Wish someone would start a campaign that men who buy large cars have tiny little weenies. Heh. Men won't want to advertise their itsy bitsy little weenies. Taint the image of cars. Make 24/7 public transport smart, fast, efficient, convenient, comfortable, fashionable, friendly - and free. Make cars less desirable to women too - and as unfashionable as fur coats.
Further reading:
BBC asks "Is the world's oil running out fast?" "Many reserve figures are highly questionable,' says Dr Campbell.
New Scientist says oil supplies will peak as soon as 2010, and gas soon after.
Economist: "Will the oil run out? Eventually, yes; but by then it might no longer matter ... The stone age did not end because the world ran out of stones, and the oil age will end long before the world runs out of oil.”
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/26/2004
Saturday, September 25, 2004
OCEANS OF NOISE:
The deafening sound of the seas
What man is doing to muck up this world is mind boggling. Ever since I saw this report a few days ago, it keeps popping up into my mind. It is so sad. What will this planet be like for those who are to carry on life in 150 years time?
Some days, well most days really, I think the world is going mad. Instead of moaning about it, I've decided to do something. I have started a revolution. Not that anyone would notice though. I've been busy setting up new blogs for it at Zone of Peace and working on a post to explain. It's all low key. No hype or fanfare. A quiet revolution. More later. Here is a copy of the sad report:
The world's oceans are now so saturated with noise that whales and other marine mammals are dying, biologists say.
The UK's Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society is launching a campaign, Oceans of Noise, to tackle what it says is the increasing problem of noise pollution.
It says key sources of undersea noise are the search for oil and gas, and the use of low-frequency military sonars.
The WDCS is proposing an action plan to regulate submarine noise pollution, and says a worldwide treaty may be needed.
Long-distance effects
It says there is evidence that noise is causing hearing loss in cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), injuring them and causing them to strand themselves, and is sometimes killing them.
It also believes excessive noise is seriously interfering with cetaceans' ability to communicate with each other.
The WDCS says the frequency ranges of some noise sources of human origin may be blotting out other, biologically important sounds, preventing mothers and calves from staying in touch and masking sound cues for predators and their prey.
It says: "Flight, avoidance or other changes in behaviour have been observed in cetaceans from tens to hundreds of kilometres from the noise sources.
"It has even been suggested that the abilities of the great whales to communicate with each other across entire ocean basins has now been reduced by orders of magnitude."
The International Whaling Commission said in July there was "compelling evidence" that entire populations of marine mammals were at potential risk from increasingly intense man-made underwater noise.
Its scientific committee said low-frequency ambient marine noise levels had increased in the northern hemisphere by two orders of magnitude over the last 60 years.
The WDCS says one problem is the expansion of oil and gas exploration into the deep seas and the resulting growth in seismic testing to find fossil fuel deposits.
Out of sight
Shipping is another cause of concern. The society says: "Large vessels are typically loud vessels and the increase in traffic has actually fundamentally changed the noise profile of the world's oceans."
And the use of powerful sonar systems by some of the world's navies, it says, is raising noise levels still further.
The WDCS action plan includes a proposal for an international treaty to regulate marine noise pollution, and for an independent body to undertake research.
Mark Simmonds of the WDCS told BBC News Online: "It's a problem that doesn't have much noticeable effect on us, unlike chemical pollution, and we can't see it either.
"And that means it's hard for us to realise the problem exists, let alone its extent."
Bowhead whales: Mothers and calves may lose touch
Image courtesy and copyright of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The deafening sound of the seas
What man is doing to muck up this world is mind boggling. Ever since I saw this report a few days ago, it keeps popping up into my mind. It is so sad. What will this planet be like for those who are to carry on life in 150 years time?
Some days, well most days really, I think the world is going mad. Instead of moaning about it, I've decided to do something. I have started a revolution. Not that anyone would notice though. I've been busy setting up new blogs for it at Zone of Peace and working on a post to explain. It's all low key. No hype or fanfare. A quiet revolution. More later. Here is a copy of the sad report:
The world's oceans are now so saturated with noise that whales and other marine mammals are dying, biologists say.
The UK's Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society is launching a campaign, Oceans of Noise, to tackle what it says is the increasing problem of noise pollution.
It says key sources of undersea noise are the search for oil and gas, and the use of low-frequency military sonars.
The WDCS is proposing an action plan to regulate submarine noise pollution, and says a worldwide treaty may be needed.
Long-distance effects
It says there is evidence that noise is causing hearing loss in cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), injuring them and causing them to strand themselves, and is sometimes killing them.
It also believes excessive noise is seriously interfering with cetaceans' ability to communicate with each other.
The WDCS says the frequency ranges of some noise sources of human origin may be blotting out other, biologically important sounds, preventing mothers and calves from staying in touch and masking sound cues for predators and their prey.
It says: "Flight, avoidance or other changes in behaviour have been observed in cetaceans from tens to hundreds of kilometres from the noise sources.
"It has even been suggested that the abilities of the great whales to communicate with each other across entire ocean basins has now been reduced by orders of magnitude."
The International Whaling Commission said in July there was "compelling evidence" that entire populations of marine mammals were at potential risk from increasingly intense man-made underwater noise.
Its scientific committee said low-frequency ambient marine noise levels had increased in the northern hemisphere by two orders of magnitude over the last 60 years.
The WDCS says one problem is the expansion of oil and gas exploration into the deep seas and the resulting growth in seismic testing to find fossil fuel deposits.
Out of sight
Shipping is another cause of concern. The society says: "Large vessels are typically loud vessels and the increase in traffic has actually fundamentally changed the noise profile of the world's oceans."
And the use of powerful sonar systems by some of the world's navies, it says, is raising noise levels still further.
The WDCS action plan includes a proposal for an international treaty to regulate marine noise pollution, and for an independent body to undertake research.
Mark Simmonds of the WDCS told BBC News Online: "It's a problem that doesn't have much noticeable effect on us, unlike chemical pollution, and we can't see it either.
"And that means it's hard for us to realise the problem exists, let alone its extent."
Bowhead whales: Mothers and calves may lose touch
Image courtesy and copyright of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/25/2004
Friday, September 24, 2004
BLOGGERSPACE
The fenceless and doorless world
Browse profiles of Blogger users by location.
And those in China.
- - -
AMERICAN SAMIZDAT
Blogging all over the world
Browse neat posts at American Samizdat that features more than one hundred bloggers from all over the world.
- - -
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Opens at the foot of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Great photo and post at American Samizdat about the Architect who helped create a place for American Indians to share their stories.
The post links to a news report that explains that Seattle architect Johnpaul Jones, one of maybe 100 American Indian architects in America, was the lead design consultant on the National Museum of the American Indian, which opened this week in Washington, D.C.
The 400,000-square-foot museum, on 4.25 acres at the foot of the U.S. Capitol, "doesn't have a straight line in it," Jones says of the place he calls "The Rock." It is meant to look as though wind and water carved its curves.
"It's not based on an architectural style or a Native heritage," Jones said. "It centers around something very organic, that which is common to Indian communities around the nation.
"It centers around the four worlds: the natural world, the animal world, the human world and the spirit world," he continued. "Within each one of those worlds is something that helped us in the design of this building, the site [and] the interiors."
The report went on to say Indian people were involved in every aspect of the museum's creation and will comprise 75 percent of the museum staff - and that on Tuesday, Jones and his family walked with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in a procession of more than 400 Indian nations across the Mall to mark the opening. "For Indian people, the museum is a celebration of the Americas' diverse tribes, their cultures and traditions, and represents an acknowledgement of the vast contributions they've made to American history and society — contributions they say have long been overlooked."
- - -
Note, a reader posted the following comment: "A nasty turn to this story. Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal claims the design was stolen from him and he threatens to sue. Have a look at a picture of the Canadian Museum of civilization that he designed. It makes clear the American Indian museum is copied from his idea."
How sad. Surely, it can't be true? Such a high profile building -- at the foot of Capitol Hill? See the architecture of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. There is a similarity in the organic-ness of the design, ie all curved and no straight lines, but (seems to me) that's all. How unfair of the Canadian architect to rain on the parade of the American Indian architect - the project took him 12 years! Maybe the Canadian was just stoking up publicity for himself, after all he did have 12 years in which to speak up.
The fenceless and doorless world
Browse profiles of Blogger users by location.
And those in China.
- - -
AMERICAN SAMIZDAT
Blogging all over the world
Browse neat posts at American Samizdat that features more than one hundred bloggers from all over the world.
- - -
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Opens at the foot of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Great photo and post at American Samizdat about the Architect who helped create a place for American Indians to share their stories.
The post links to a news report that explains that Seattle architect Johnpaul Jones, one of maybe 100 American Indian architects in America, was the lead design consultant on the National Museum of the American Indian, which opened this week in Washington, D.C.
The 400,000-square-foot museum, on 4.25 acres at the foot of the U.S. Capitol, "doesn't have a straight line in it," Jones says of the place he calls "The Rock." It is meant to look as though wind and water carved its curves.
"It's not based on an architectural style or a Native heritage," Jones said. "It centers around something very organic, that which is common to Indian communities around the nation.
"It centers around the four worlds: the natural world, the animal world, the human world and the spirit world," he continued. "Within each one of those worlds is something that helped us in the design of this building, the site [and] the interiors."
The report went on to say Indian people were involved in every aspect of the museum's creation and will comprise 75 percent of the museum staff - and that on Tuesday, Jones and his family walked with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in a procession of more than 400 Indian nations across the Mall to mark the opening. "For Indian people, the museum is a celebration of the Americas' diverse tribes, their cultures and traditions, and represents an acknowledgement of the vast contributions they've made to American history and society — contributions they say have long been overlooked."
- - -
Note, a reader posted the following comment: "A nasty turn to this story. Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal claims the design was stolen from him and he threatens to sue. Have a look at a picture of the Canadian Museum of civilization that he designed. It makes clear the American Indian museum is copied from his idea."
How sad. Surely, it can't be true? Such a high profile building -- at the foot of Capitol Hill? See the architecture of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. There is a similarity in the organic-ness of the design, ie all curved and no straight lines, but (seems to me) that's all. How unfair of the Canadian architect to rain on the parade of the American Indian architect - the project took him 12 years! Maybe the Canadian was just stoking up publicity for himself, after all he did have 12 years in which to speak up.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/24/2004
- - -
IRISH BLOGGER AND JOURNALIST GAVIN SHERIDAN REPORTS
On the Beheading Video Of American Hostage Eugene Armstrong
If you read Gavin's post on the Beheading Video Of American Hostage Eugene Armstrong, please give some thought to the overall message in my new blog Zone of Peace.
Gavin Sheridan is a professional journalist who covers news of the horrors of terrorism responsibly. In the past I have linked to Gavin's blog on previous posts that provide links to images of killings by terrorists.
Although I have not viewed any images myself, and have no curiosity to do so, I agree with Gavin's reasons for publishing and would prefer readers go to his blog rather than visit sites that may not be as skilled in handling such sensitive and disturbing news.
God bless + + + RIP Eugene Armstrong + + + Condolences to family and friends.
IRISH BLOGGER AND JOURNALIST GAVIN SHERIDAN REPORTS
On the Beheading Video Of American Hostage Eugene Armstrong
If you read Gavin's post on the Beheading Video Of American Hostage Eugene Armstrong, please give some thought to the overall message in my new blog Zone of Peace.
Gavin Sheridan is a professional journalist who covers news of the horrors of terrorism responsibly. In the past I have linked to Gavin's blog on previous posts that provide links to images of killings by terrorists.
Although I have not viewed any images myself, and have no curiosity to do so, I agree with Gavin's reasons for publishing and would prefer readers go to his blog rather than visit sites that may not be as skilled in handling such sensitive and disturbing news.
God bless + + + RIP Eugene Armstrong + + + Condolences to family and friends.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/24/2004
Thursday, September 23, 2004
R-EVOLUTIONARY THINKING
Zone of Peace
Sorry, I could not find a Quick Time mp3 for the Beatles' Revolution.
Wanted to link it here with the lyrics, to announce my latest new blog:
Zone of Peace
THE BEATLES
Revolution
(Lennon/McCartney)
You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
Zone of Peace
Sorry, I could not find a Quick Time mp3 for the Beatles' Revolution.
Wanted to link it here with the lyrics, to announce my latest new blog:
Zone of Peace
THE BEATLES
Revolution
(Lennon/McCartney)
You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/23/2004
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
MICROWAVING YOUR FOOD ISN'T SAFE
What to do for the best, does anybody know?
Yesterday, a friend emailed me a report, copied here below, that says microwaving your food is not safe. She didn't want to worry me, wasn't sure if she should pass it on, but thought I'd find it interesting.
Well, I did find it interesting because I've never felt comfortable using a microwave. As there is no treatment or medicine for my illness, I believe good food is my only hope. Maybe it will help heal something at cellular level. I've heard that certain fish oils can help heal the brains of Alzheimer sufferers. I go to a lot of trouble and effort to eat only fresh food and organic where possible, nothing processed or in tins except for chick peas (for hummus) kidney beans (for chili con carne), tuna, sardines and crabmeat.
My mother always cooked fresh meals daily and I've kept the tradition. Before I became ill five years ago, I'd never used a freezer and am not keen on having to freeze food.
These days though, because I am unable to go grocery shopping, I manage by phoning fortnightly orders to my local green grocer and wholefood store and butcher who happily pack up and deliver right to my kitchen counter.
It has taken me a few years to get used to the idea of freezing fresh meat, defrosting and cooking it, and freezing the cooked portions. And it took even longer to warm to the idea of using a microwave to heat the frozen portions. Who knows how many nutrients get lost in the process?
Some food experts say frozen fish is better than fresh because it's frozen within hours of being caught whereas fresh fish spends time in boxes being traded, carted around, transported, handled and displayed. Many frozen vegetables such as loose corn and petit pois tend to be as nutritious as fresh because they are frozen upon being picked.
This summer, it has been handy to be able to store ice cream tubs and lollies - along with oven ready chips (no need for cooking in oil) - as standbys incase my young niece and nephew pay a surprise visit on a day when I am unable to serve something special.
Fresh parsley and coriander, washed and stored in plastic bags or boxes and frozen, seem easier to chop while frozen. Grated cheese (in bulk using the food processor) stored into small freezer boxes, sliced bread in bags and home made soups in 2 portion containers freeze well. Cooked rice, frozen in portions, also turns out well (especially if slightly undercooked) when heated in a microwave. Most foods can be frozen which saves energy shopping, preparation and washing up.
Because of the freezing and microwaving of some foods and probable loss of nutrients, I still try and eat five vegetables and four fruits each day. Sounds a lot but there is such a variety that it's quite easy to get used to. Even a handful of cress, watercress, chopped green and red peppers, spring onions, lettuce, cucumber, beetroot, coriander, parsley and onion, is easy to serve on the side of most meals. Some fruits are easy too: sliced banana or berries (they freeze well) mixed into yoghurt with fresh nuts and honey, seedless grapes and olives sprinkled into salads, pears and apples are simple to prepare and eat with rye biscuits and cheese, hummus or whatever. Recently, I made a simple pate by mashing tinned sardines (best are from Portugal) into a chunk of soft goats cheese with a squeeze of lemon and some crushed garlic.
It's taken me the past few years to organise and streamline the timely delivery of ingredients along with someone to cook bulk dishes like fish and meat pies, lasagne, soups etc., and store into freezer boxes for me to reheat in the microwave, and add to rice or pasta and salad. If I take heed of this report, I'd need to reheat frozen food in the oven and buy foil or metal boxes for days when I cannot deal with pots and pans. Or should I just ignore this report? I've not googled for more information as I imagine there'd be quite a lot to plough through on the subject of microwaves. What to do for the best, does anybody know?
MICROWAVING YOUR FOOD ISN'T SAFE
by Larry Cook
If you have ever wondered whether or not microwaved food is safe, here's an experiment you can do at home. Plant seeds in two pots. Water one pot with water that has been microwaved, the other with regular tap. The seeds that received microwaved water won't sprout. If microwaved water can stop plants from growing, think of what microwaved food can do to your health!
In 1989, Swiss biologist and food scientist Dr. Hans Hertel studied the effects of microwaved food. Eight people participated in the study. For eight weeks, they lived in a controlled environment and intermittently ate raw foods, conventionally cooked foods and microwaved foods. Blood samples were tested after each meal. They discovered that eating microwaved food over time, causes significant changes in blood chemistry: a decrease in hemoglobin and cholesterol values, in the HDL (good cholesterol) versus LDL (bad cholesterol) ratio and in white blood cells, weakening the immune system, and an increase in leukocyte levels, which tends to indicate poisoning and cell damage.
Overall, the study suggested that eating microwaved foods can cause degenerative diseases and/or cancer. "The measurable effects on man through the ingestion of microwaved food, unlike untreated food, are blood alterations, that can also be found at the beginning of a pathological condition, also indicative of a beginning cancerous process," wrote Dr. Bernard Blanc, who assisted in the study.
Microwave ovens "cook" food by forcing the atoms, molecules and cells within the food to reverse polarity billions of times per second, causing friction-the more the friction, the more the heat. This oscillation tears and deforms the molecular structure of food. New compounds are formed, called radiolytic compounds, which are not found in nature.
Interestingly, microwaves are actually used in gene-altering technology to deliberately break cells and neutralize their "life-force" so they can be manipulated. Microwaves destroy the life-force that gives food its vitality and nourishment. When this life-force dissipates, microorganisms start breaking food down and it begins to rot.
In early 1991, a lawsuit was filed against an Oklahoma hospital because a patient died form receiving a microwaved blood transfusion. Hospitals routinely heat blood for transfusion, but not in a microwave.
The effects of microwaving breast milk have also been researched.
John Kerner, M.D. and Richard Quin, M.D. from Stanford University said that "Microwaving human milk, even at a low setting, can destroy some of its important disease-fighting capabilities." After more research, Kerner wrote in the April 1992 issue of Pediatrics that "Microwaving itself may in fact cause some injury to the milk above and beyond the heating."
And a radio announcement at the University of Minnesota said that "Microwaves are not recommended for heating a baby's bottle. Heating the bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes in the milk. In infant formulas there may be a loss of some vitamins. In expressed milk, some protective properties may be destroyed."
Another study in Vienna warned that microwaving breast milk "can lead to structural, functional and immunological changes," and that microwaves transform the amino acid L-proline into D-proline, a proven toxin to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
In Russia, microwave ovens were banned in 1976 because of their negative health consequences and many studies were conducted on their use. Here are some of their findings on microwaving food:
- Microwaved foods lose 60 ~ 90% of the vital-energy field and microwaving accelerates the structural disintegration of foods.
- Microwaving creates cancer-causing agents within milk and cereals.
- Microwaving alters elemental food-substances, causing digestive disorders.
- Microwaving alters food chemistry which can lead to malfunctions in the lymphatic system and degeneration of the body's ability to protect itself against cancerous growths.
- Microwaved foods lead to a higher percentage of cancerous cells in the bloodstream.
- Microwaving altered the breakdown of elemental substances when raw, cooked, or frozen vegetables were exposed for even a very short time and free radicals were formed.
- Microwaved foods caused stomach and intestinal cancerous growths, a general degeneration of peripheral cellular tissues, and a gradual breakdown of the digestive and excretive systems in a statistically high percentage of people.
- Microwaved foods lowered the body's ability of the body to utilize B-complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotropics.
The microwave field next to a microwave oven caused a slew of health problems as well.
Aside form these studies, many people find that microwaving their food doesn't help them feel good.
Stephanie Relfe, Kinesiologist, found herself feeling "grey and rather low" one day and discovered that she had inadvertently eaten microwaved food at a restaurant. In her practice, she found that all of her patients gave body signals of having allergic reactions to microwaved foods.
Another Kinesiologist, David Bridgeman, said, "Of all the people I test for allergies, 99.9% so far show severe sensitivity to any microwaved food."
In conclusion then, the safest way to heat your food is to use your stove top and throw away your microwave! [end of report]
What to do for the best, does anybody know?
Yesterday, a friend emailed me a report, copied here below, that says microwaving your food is not safe. She didn't want to worry me, wasn't sure if she should pass it on, but thought I'd find it interesting.
Well, I did find it interesting because I've never felt comfortable using a microwave. As there is no treatment or medicine for my illness, I believe good food is my only hope. Maybe it will help heal something at cellular level. I've heard that certain fish oils can help heal the brains of Alzheimer sufferers. I go to a lot of trouble and effort to eat only fresh food and organic where possible, nothing processed or in tins except for chick peas (for hummus) kidney beans (for chili con carne), tuna, sardines and crabmeat.
My mother always cooked fresh meals daily and I've kept the tradition. Before I became ill five years ago, I'd never used a freezer and am not keen on having to freeze food.
These days though, because I am unable to go grocery shopping, I manage by phoning fortnightly orders to my local green grocer and wholefood store and butcher who happily pack up and deliver right to my kitchen counter.
It has taken me a few years to get used to the idea of freezing fresh meat, defrosting and cooking it, and freezing the cooked portions. And it took even longer to warm to the idea of using a microwave to heat the frozen portions. Who knows how many nutrients get lost in the process?
Some food experts say frozen fish is better than fresh because it's frozen within hours of being caught whereas fresh fish spends time in boxes being traded, carted around, transported, handled and displayed. Many frozen vegetables such as loose corn and petit pois tend to be as nutritious as fresh because they are frozen upon being picked.
This summer, it has been handy to be able to store ice cream tubs and lollies - along with oven ready chips (no need for cooking in oil) - as standbys incase my young niece and nephew pay a surprise visit on a day when I am unable to serve something special.
Fresh parsley and coriander, washed and stored in plastic bags or boxes and frozen, seem easier to chop while frozen. Grated cheese (in bulk using the food processor) stored into small freezer boxes, sliced bread in bags and home made soups in 2 portion containers freeze well. Cooked rice, frozen in portions, also turns out well (especially if slightly undercooked) when heated in a microwave. Most foods can be frozen which saves energy shopping, preparation and washing up.
Because of the freezing and microwaving of some foods and probable loss of nutrients, I still try and eat five vegetables and four fruits each day. Sounds a lot but there is such a variety that it's quite easy to get used to. Even a handful of cress, watercress, chopped green and red peppers, spring onions, lettuce, cucumber, beetroot, coriander, parsley and onion, is easy to serve on the side of most meals. Some fruits are easy too: sliced banana or berries (they freeze well) mixed into yoghurt with fresh nuts and honey, seedless grapes and olives sprinkled into salads, pears and apples are simple to prepare and eat with rye biscuits and cheese, hummus or whatever. Recently, I made a simple pate by mashing tinned sardines (best are from Portugal) into a chunk of soft goats cheese with a squeeze of lemon and some crushed garlic.
It's taken me the past few years to organise and streamline the timely delivery of ingredients along with someone to cook bulk dishes like fish and meat pies, lasagne, soups etc., and store into freezer boxes for me to reheat in the microwave, and add to rice or pasta and salad. If I take heed of this report, I'd need to reheat frozen food in the oven and buy foil or metal boxes for days when I cannot deal with pots and pans. Or should I just ignore this report? I've not googled for more information as I imagine there'd be quite a lot to plough through on the subject of microwaves. What to do for the best, does anybody know?
MICROWAVING YOUR FOOD ISN'T SAFE
by Larry Cook
If you have ever wondered whether or not microwaved food is safe, here's an experiment you can do at home. Plant seeds in two pots. Water one pot with water that has been microwaved, the other with regular tap. The seeds that received microwaved water won't sprout. If microwaved water can stop plants from growing, think of what microwaved food can do to your health!
In 1989, Swiss biologist and food scientist Dr. Hans Hertel studied the effects of microwaved food. Eight people participated in the study. For eight weeks, they lived in a controlled environment and intermittently ate raw foods, conventionally cooked foods and microwaved foods. Blood samples were tested after each meal. They discovered that eating microwaved food over time, causes significant changes in blood chemistry: a decrease in hemoglobin and cholesterol values, in the HDL (good cholesterol) versus LDL (bad cholesterol) ratio and in white blood cells, weakening the immune system, and an increase in leukocyte levels, which tends to indicate poisoning and cell damage.
Overall, the study suggested that eating microwaved foods can cause degenerative diseases and/or cancer. "The measurable effects on man through the ingestion of microwaved food, unlike untreated food, are blood alterations, that can also be found at the beginning of a pathological condition, also indicative of a beginning cancerous process," wrote Dr. Bernard Blanc, who assisted in the study.
Microwave ovens "cook" food by forcing the atoms, molecules and cells within the food to reverse polarity billions of times per second, causing friction-the more the friction, the more the heat. This oscillation tears and deforms the molecular structure of food. New compounds are formed, called radiolytic compounds, which are not found in nature.
Interestingly, microwaves are actually used in gene-altering technology to deliberately break cells and neutralize their "life-force" so they can be manipulated. Microwaves destroy the life-force that gives food its vitality and nourishment. When this life-force dissipates, microorganisms start breaking food down and it begins to rot.
In early 1991, a lawsuit was filed against an Oklahoma hospital because a patient died form receiving a microwaved blood transfusion. Hospitals routinely heat blood for transfusion, but not in a microwave.
The effects of microwaving breast milk have also been researched.
John Kerner, M.D. and Richard Quin, M.D. from Stanford University said that "Microwaving human milk, even at a low setting, can destroy some of its important disease-fighting capabilities." After more research, Kerner wrote in the April 1992 issue of Pediatrics that "Microwaving itself may in fact cause some injury to the milk above and beyond the heating."
And a radio announcement at the University of Minnesota said that "Microwaves are not recommended for heating a baby's bottle. Heating the bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes in the milk. In infant formulas there may be a loss of some vitamins. In expressed milk, some protective properties may be destroyed."
Another study in Vienna warned that microwaving breast milk "can lead to structural, functional and immunological changes," and that microwaves transform the amino acid L-proline into D-proline, a proven toxin to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
In Russia, microwave ovens were banned in 1976 because of their negative health consequences and many studies were conducted on their use. Here are some of their findings on microwaving food:
- Microwaved foods lose 60 ~ 90% of the vital-energy field and microwaving accelerates the structural disintegration of foods.
- Microwaving creates cancer-causing agents within milk and cereals.
- Microwaving alters elemental food-substances, causing digestive disorders.
- Microwaving alters food chemistry which can lead to malfunctions in the lymphatic system and degeneration of the body's ability to protect itself against cancerous growths.
- Microwaved foods lead to a higher percentage of cancerous cells in the bloodstream.
- Microwaving altered the breakdown of elemental substances when raw, cooked, or frozen vegetables were exposed for even a very short time and free radicals were formed.
- Microwaved foods caused stomach and intestinal cancerous growths, a general degeneration of peripheral cellular tissues, and a gradual breakdown of the digestive and excretive systems in a statistically high percentage of people.
- Microwaved foods lowered the body's ability of the body to utilize B-complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotropics.
The microwave field next to a microwave oven caused a slew of health problems as well.
Aside form these studies, many people find that microwaving their food doesn't help them feel good.
Stephanie Relfe, Kinesiologist, found herself feeling "grey and rather low" one day and discovered that she had inadvertently eaten microwaved food at a restaurant. In her practice, she found that all of her patients gave body signals of having allergic reactions to microwaved foods.
Another Kinesiologist, David Bridgeman, said, "Of all the people I test for allergies, 99.9% so far show severe sensitivity to any microwaved food."
In conclusion then, the safest way to heat your food is to use your stove top and throw away your microwave! [end of report]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/22/2004
Sunday, September 19, 2004
HOW DO YOU SAVE/PRESERVE A BLOG?
Modern Manners
Thanks to Madhu for finding another jewel: Eversohumble's post and interesting comments on saving/preserving a blog - and this photo, called bootflowers.
- - -
Sorry, light blogging here may continue.
Catching up and working on posts.
Rough week and maybe another yet to come.
Started up some new blogs.
Published one post over at Sudan Watch yesterday.
But pulled it today because it wasn't what I wanted to say.
Not getting enough rest.
Or biting off more than I can chew.
This is a bit embarrassing to admit:
I now have eleven blogs.
Heh
Can't even keep up with this one :-)
Sudan Watch
China Tibet Watch
Asia Oil Watch
Syria Watch
North Korea Watch
Tehran Watch
Congo Watch
Uganda Watch
Africa Aid Watch
Please forgive my delay in replying to emails and comments recently received. I aim to catch up in next few weeks. Been busy resting, thinking and working on ideas. Ophelia's perfect as usual and asleep on her chair right now.
Note, to PP who emailed me from Khartoum: sorry reply I sent was returned to me marked undeliverable. Hope you will email again with another address. It would be great to have an e-pal in Khartoum.
- - -
MODERN MANNERS
Philip Howard on etiquette
This morning, whilst searching at Times Online for a report I'd read in today's Sunday Times, I saw a column on etiquette called "Modern Manners" by Philip Howard.
It came as a stark reminder of what some people worry about. My thoughts were into "Africa's descent into nightmare" - "The Rise of China" (see graphic) - and my latest post at China Tibet Watch (a favourite of mine, from this blog, entitled Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.
Here are Philip Howard's Q&A's. I'm not endorsing any of the answers. I find it hard to believe even the questions are for real! Wonder how Ms Teabag and Mr Red Pen cope with real problems. As for mailboxes in Washington, instead of moving house, Philip Howard could have suggested they pay to have the mail boxes moved elsewhere.
- - -
Question: I am organising our annual company sales meeting. I have invited several corporate managers to make presentations to the team before dinner. A senior manager has informed me that he will not attend the dinner if I serve alcohol; he’s a Muslim. He is insisting that cocktails not be served until he has had a chance to deliver his presentation and leave, an hour or more into the event. While I appreciate his beliefs, I cannot very well cancel the happy-hour bar for 200 associates. In this time of religious sensitivities, I don't want to offend, but I can't keep 200 sales people "beverage free" for that long. Any suggestions? A. Parker, New York
Answer: There is nothing in the Koran that forbids Muslims to associate with non-believers who drink alcohol. Indeed one surah admits the possibility that believers are known to drink: "Believers, do not approach your prayers when you are drunk, but wait till you can grasp the meaning of your words." I do not think that this is a profitable line to pursue with your senior manager. It is, of course, bad manners to bully and browbeat others into your belief, as some born-again Christians and all such zealots do. I should try to have a calm discussion face to face or by e-mail with your man. Would he not come to the dinner if you arranged an alcohol-free table or side room for him? Would he consider speaking right at the beginning of the presentations? He could then leave with honour, to let alcohol be unconfined. If he persists in being impossible, you must explain to him, politely, that you cannot run a conference to suit the dietary and religious preferences of a single person. Without irritating his religious mania. Tricky. You may, in the long run, have to withdraw the invitation to speak. A sales conference in New York without booze is a relay race without a baton.
- - -
Question: I am extremely shy and find it very difficult to mingle even at pleasant events, such as parties given by friends. It is even worse when it comes to events related to my job, such as training or meetings with colleagues or clients. I don't lack subjects that I could talk about, but I still don't know "the trick", and I try to avoid those situations completely. I don't want hurt other people's feelings by declining their invitations. Astrid Loos, Cologne, Germany
Answer: Well, I know the feeling. I tend to avoid book launches, on the grounds that if I attend one, why don't I attend them all? And who wants to spend an evening with professional liggers and freeloaders drinking warm Bulgarian chardonnay out of plastic cups, while listening to puffery and promotional speeches? But this attitude is a bit surly and churlish, Hein? I think that we shrinking violets have to make the effort out of politeness and professionalism. Sensible people value you for your presence and your ideas. You will find that committeewomanship improves with practice. When you hear the rubbish that the others talk, you will become less diffident about your own offerings. Good luck. There. I have talked myself into going to a ghastly meeting today.
- - -
Question: In restaurants in the US and Canada, tea is often served with the teabag in a pot of water. When should the teabag be removed to avoid a strong and bitter tea? Where should the soggy teabag be placed? Rarely is there a special dish for it, and the saucer is too small. Susan Johnston, Seattle, Washington
Answer: Serious UK tea-drinkers regard the tea bag as Low Life, and a restaurant that provides no slop basin, saucer or ashtray for the detritus of the tea ceremony as hopeless. I should ask the waiter for a saucer. But do not let sloppy service put you off the drink that cheers but does not inebriate.
- - -
Question: My secretary claims that amending draft letters, reviews, etc, in red ink is extremely bad manners. I use red so that the corrections stand out. Should all red pens, at least in the UK, be consigned to the waste paper basket? Marcella Shone, Newcastle upon Tyne
Answer: No. They serve a purpose for teachers marking work, subs, me making notes that I want to stand out. The point about corrections is that they SHOULD stand out. Otherwise, how do we remember or make them? Your secretary may be hypersensitive at her errors being highlighted. But the way to cure that is for her to stop making so many errors. If she is otherwise a good secretary, flatter her petulance by making your corrections in blue or black (not green). But if she is just a useless prima donna, you must find a way of employing a better, less hysterical secretary.
- - -
Question: A work colleague is getting married and, rather than have a wedding gift list, she and her fiancé would prefer contributions toward their honeymoon. How should they word this correctly on the invitation so as not to cause offence? Janina Diggins, High Wycombe, Bucks
Answer: Dashed tricky. Any suggestion of money passing hands, at any rate in southern English weddings, is deemed Charlie and mercenary. Not so in many other parts of the world, where notes are stuffed down the bride's belt. If your friends are convinced that this is what they want, they could put at the bottom of the invitation: "Wedding present list --- vouchers to Ripoff and Seasick Inc", or whatever is the name of the travel agent. But I cannot see myself having the cheek to do so. Perhaps it would be better to say nothing on the invitation, but explain by word of mouth when asked. Good luck.
- - -
Question: My husband and I live an apartment building where our living room window faces on to the mailboxes. Other tenants come to check their mail with their mobile phones and cigarettes without paying attention to the fact that our living room window is open and we, as non-smokers, inhale their smoke. My husband has had an angioplasty procedure and it is not good for him to breathe this air. I don't feel well breathing it either. We have to use an additional fan to air the room. I explained the situation to one of the tenants who was smoking while checking his mail, but although he listened to me, he never took the cigarette out of his mouth. Our neighbor next door smokes constantly and her boyfriend, when he visits her, smokes cigars. Lucy Benson, Washington
Answer: They sound selfish neighbours. But range warfare with one's neighbours is as bad for one's health as passive smoking. I cannot imagine responding to your request as your cigarette-smoking neighbour did. All that you can do is to persevere with patience and good humour. I suppose you cannot change your living room for one that looks away from the mailboxes? Could your doctor give you a note about your husband's condition? Could you not write to the local paper, more likely to have an effect than even The Times of London. Good luck, anyway. Courage. Not rage, but courage, and humour, and maybe a couple of masks for mail-collection time.
- - -
Question: Is it all right for the woman to take the lead in asking a man on a date? I like the look of a nice young man at the office. But he never seems to get any farther than an occasional drink after work. Angela Greenfield, Birmingham
Answer: Yes, of course it's OK. There always has been a bit of Boy Scouting but Girl Guiding in dating relationships. Women are generally more sensitive and sensible than young men. But the trick is not to let him realise that you are leading, or to embarrass or frighten your shy prey. Next time you go for an after-work drink say, casually: "Hey, there is this film coming to the local Rialto that I really want to see. Fancy coming, if I can get tickets?" Casually. Carefully. Not making a big deal of it. Your instincts will lead you.
- - -
Question: We have been invited to a charity dinner. The invitation says "Black Tie Optional". Does that mean "compulsory"? Martyn Miller, Middlesborough
Answer: No. It is simpler to read all such invitations literally. I think that it means that the top table will be in black ties and evening and cocktail frocks. And hoi polloi lower down the hall will be mixed, depending on whether they have come straight from work or possess a DJ. Dress as well as you can, whether in DJ or lounge, to honour the charity. But the most sincere way to honour the charity is to go with a cheerful countenance, a humorous heart and an open purse. The kit you wear in a display parade is a minor and trivial consideration.
Modern Manners
Thanks to Madhu for finding another jewel: Eversohumble's post and interesting comments on saving/preserving a blog - and this photo, called bootflowers.
- - -
Sorry, light blogging here may continue.
Catching up and working on posts.
Rough week and maybe another yet to come.
Started up some new blogs.
Published one post over at Sudan Watch yesterday.
But pulled it today because it wasn't what I wanted to say.
Not getting enough rest.
Or biting off more than I can chew.
This is a bit embarrassing to admit:
I now have eleven blogs.
Heh
Can't even keep up with this one :-)
Sudan Watch
China Tibet Watch
Asia Oil Watch
Syria Watch
North Korea Watch
Tehran Watch
Congo Watch
Uganda Watch
Africa Aid Watch
Please forgive my delay in replying to emails and comments recently received. I aim to catch up in next few weeks. Been busy resting, thinking and working on ideas. Ophelia's perfect as usual and asleep on her chair right now.
Note, to PP who emailed me from Khartoum: sorry reply I sent was returned to me marked undeliverable. Hope you will email again with another address. It would be great to have an e-pal in Khartoum.
- - -
MODERN MANNERS
Philip Howard on etiquette
This morning, whilst searching at Times Online for a report I'd read in today's Sunday Times, I saw a column on etiquette called "Modern Manners" by Philip Howard.
It came as a stark reminder of what some people worry about. My thoughts were into "Africa's descent into nightmare" - "The Rise of China" (see graphic) - and my latest post at China Tibet Watch (a favourite of mine, from this blog, entitled Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.
Here are Philip Howard's Q&A's. I'm not endorsing any of the answers. I find it hard to believe even the questions are for real! Wonder how Ms Teabag and Mr Red Pen cope with real problems. As for mailboxes in Washington, instead of moving house, Philip Howard could have suggested they pay to have the mail boxes moved elsewhere.
- - -
Question: I am organising our annual company sales meeting. I have invited several corporate managers to make presentations to the team before dinner. A senior manager has informed me that he will not attend the dinner if I serve alcohol; he’s a Muslim. He is insisting that cocktails not be served until he has had a chance to deliver his presentation and leave, an hour or more into the event. While I appreciate his beliefs, I cannot very well cancel the happy-hour bar for 200 associates. In this time of religious sensitivities, I don't want to offend, but I can't keep 200 sales people "beverage free" for that long. Any suggestions? A. Parker, New York
Answer: There is nothing in the Koran that forbids Muslims to associate with non-believers who drink alcohol. Indeed one surah admits the possibility that believers are known to drink: "Believers, do not approach your prayers when you are drunk, but wait till you can grasp the meaning of your words." I do not think that this is a profitable line to pursue with your senior manager. It is, of course, bad manners to bully and browbeat others into your belief, as some born-again Christians and all such zealots do. I should try to have a calm discussion face to face or by e-mail with your man. Would he not come to the dinner if you arranged an alcohol-free table or side room for him? Would he consider speaking right at the beginning of the presentations? He could then leave with honour, to let alcohol be unconfined. If he persists in being impossible, you must explain to him, politely, that you cannot run a conference to suit the dietary and religious preferences of a single person. Without irritating his religious mania. Tricky. You may, in the long run, have to withdraw the invitation to speak. A sales conference in New York without booze is a relay race without a baton.
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Question: I am extremely shy and find it very difficult to mingle even at pleasant events, such as parties given by friends. It is even worse when it comes to events related to my job, such as training or meetings with colleagues or clients. I don't lack subjects that I could talk about, but I still don't know "the trick", and I try to avoid those situations completely. I don't want hurt other people's feelings by declining their invitations. Astrid Loos, Cologne, Germany
Answer: Well, I know the feeling. I tend to avoid book launches, on the grounds that if I attend one, why don't I attend them all? And who wants to spend an evening with professional liggers and freeloaders drinking warm Bulgarian chardonnay out of plastic cups, while listening to puffery and promotional speeches? But this attitude is a bit surly and churlish, Hein? I think that we shrinking violets have to make the effort out of politeness and professionalism. Sensible people value you for your presence and your ideas. You will find that committeewomanship improves with practice. When you hear the rubbish that the others talk, you will become less diffident about your own offerings. Good luck. There. I have talked myself into going to a ghastly meeting today.
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Question: In restaurants in the US and Canada, tea is often served with the teabag in a pot of water. When should the teabag be removed to avoid a strong and bitter tea? Where should the soggy teabag be placed? Rarely is there a special dish for it, and the saucer is too small. Susan Johnston, Seattle, Washington
Answer: Serious UK tea-drinkers regard the tea bag as Low Life, and a restaurant that provides no slop basin, saucer or ashtray for the detritus of the tea ceremony as hopeless. I should ask the waiter for a saucer. But do not let sloppy service put you off the drink that cheers but does not inebriate.
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Question: My secretary claims that amending draft letters, reviews, etc, in red ink is extremely bad manners. I use red so that the corrections stand out. Should all red pens, at least in the UK, be consigned to the waste paper basket? Marcella Shone, Newcastle upon Tyne
Answer: No. They serve a purpose for teachers marking work, subs, me making notes that I want to stand out. The point about corrections is that they SHOULD stand out. Otherwise, how do we remember or make them? Your secretary may be hypersensitive at her errors being highlighted. But the way to cure that is for her to stop making so many errors. If she is otherwise a good secretary, flatter her petulance by making your corrections in blue or black (not green). But if she is just a useless prima donna, you must find a way of employing a better, less hysterical secretary.
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Question: A work colleague is getting married and, rather than have a wedding gift list, she and her fiancé would prefer contributions toward their honeymoon. How should they word this correctly on the invitation so as not to cause offence? Janina Diggins, High Wycombe, Bucks
Answer: Dashed tricky. Any suggestion of money passing hands, at any rate in southern English weddings, is deemed Charlie and mercenary. Not so in many other parts of the world, where notes are stuffed down the bride's belt. If your friends are convinced that this is what they want, they could put at the bottom of the invitation: "Wedding present list --- vouchers to Ripoff and Seasick Inc", or whatever is the name of the travel agent. But I cannot see myself having the cheek to do so. Perhaps it would be better to say nothing on the invitation, but explain by word of mouth when asked. Good luck.
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Question: My husband and I live an apartment building where our living room window faces on to the mailboxes. Other tenants come to check their mail with their mobile phones and cigarettes without paying attention to the fact that our living room window is open and we, as non-smokers, inhale their smoke. My husband has had an angioplasty procedure and it is not good for him to breathe this air. I don't feel well breathing it either. We have to use an additional fan to air the room. I explained the situation to one of the tenants who was smoking while checking his mail, but although he listened to me, he never took the cigarette out of his mouth. Our neighbor next door smokes constantly and her boyfriend, when he visits her, smokes cigars. Lucy Benson, Washington
Answer: They sound selfish neighbours. But range warfare with one's neighbours is as bad for one's health as passive smoking. I cannot imagine responding to your request as your cigarette-smoking neighbour did. All that you can do is to persevere with patience and good humour. I suppose you cannot change your living room for one that looks away from the mailboxes? Could your doctor give you a note about your husband's condition? Could you not write to the local paper, more likely to have an effect than even The Times of London. Good luck, anyway. Courage. Not rage, but courage, and humour, and maybe a couple of masks for mail-collection time.
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Question: Is it all right for the woman to take the lead in asking a man on a date? I like the look of a nice young man at the office. But he never seems to get any farther than an occasional drink after work. Angela Greenfield, Birmingham
Answer: Yes, of course it's OK. There always has been a bit of Boy Scouting but Girl Guiding in dating relationships. Women are generally more sensitive and sensible than young men. But the trick is not to let him realise that you are leading, or to embarrass or frighten your shy prey. Next time you go for an after-work drink say, casually: "Hey, there is this film coming to the local Rialto that I really want to see. Fancy coming, if I can get tickets?" Casually. Carefully. Not making a big deal of it. Your instincts will lead you.
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Question: We have been invited to a charity dinner. The invitation says "Black Tie Optional". Does that mean "compulsory"? Martyn Miller, Middlesborough
Answer: No. It is simpler to read all such invitations literally. I think that it means that the top table will be in black ties and evening and cocktail frocks. And hoi polloi lower down the hall will be mixed, depending on whether they have come straight from work or possess a DJ. Dress as well as you can, whether in DJ or lounge, to honour the charity. But the most sincere way to honour the charity is to go with a cheerful countenance, a humorous heart and an open purse. The kit you wear in a display parade is a minor and trivial consideration.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/19/2004
Sunday, September 12, 2004
CHIEF WIGGLES
Blogging to save a baby girl in Iraq
Blogging Chief Wiggles is a member of the Utah National Guard stationed in Iraq. While on duty in Baghdad, he noticed a little girl crying on the other side of a barbed wire fence at the location where he works. "She was obviously very poor, in her tattered old dress, totally worn out plastic flip-flops, her hair matted against her head indicating she hadn't had a bath in a long time and her skin blistered from the dirt and weather."
He remembered that he had some toys in his office, so he hurried and brought the girl a toothbrush, a whistle, and a toy monkey. "Her eyes lit up with such joy as I put the monkey arms over her head. She was so excited to receive everything, being somewhat shy though, not having dealt with an American before."
After posting this experience on his blog, thousands of people enthusiastically emailed Scott Evenson, who maintains Chief Wiggles' blog, asking where they could send gifts. After organising a small group of volunteers, Operation Give was born and thousands of boxes have been delivered to children in Iraq. [Read more]
[Photo of Chief Wiggles courtesy Operation Give]
Blogging to save a baby girl in Iraq
On Saturday September 4, Chief Wiggles blogged about trying to save a baby girl. Tabarak, a nine month old Iraqi baby, has a tumour since birth that is growing rapidly. She will soon die if something isn’t done. She needs a life saving operation to remove the tumour and requires a combination of steroids, laser therapy, surgical resection, and plastics reconstruction, which can be performed in the United States.
Tabarak’s family lives in the vicinity of the Abu Ghuraib prison; initially bringing their suffering baby to the guards at the gate in the hope of finding someone who cared. So far, nothing but negative reports have come out of the Abu Ghuraib prison and surrounding area. Now we have a chance to give something positive back to the people there. Little Tabarak needs our help, right now or else it will be too late.
Today, just one week later, blogging pathologist Chai Tea Latte and ER doc Blogborygmi report that a specialist doctor has come forward to take care of the baby.
Funds for baby Tabarak's flight etc., are being raised through Operation Give . I have donated, and hope you can too - every cent counts and every donor signals a message of hope (sorry Madhu, that word again!) and encouragement to the baby's parents and family.
Blogging to save a baby girl in Iraq
Blogging Chief Wiggles is a member of the Utah National Guard stationed in Iraq. While on duty in Baghdad, he noticed a little girl crying on the other side of a barbed wire fence at the location where he works. "She was obviously very poor, in her tattered old dress, totally worn out plastic flip-flops, her hair matted against her head indicating she hadn't had a bath in a long time and her skin blistered from the dirt and weather."
He remembered that he had some toys in his office, so he hurried and brought the girl a toothbrush, a whistle, and a toy monkey. "Her eyes lit up with such joy as I put the monkey arms over her head. She was so excited to receive everything, being somewhat shy though, not having dealt with an American before."
After posting this experience on his blog, thousands of people enthusiastically emailed Scott Evenson, who maintains Chief Wiggles' blog, asking where they could send gifts. After organising a small group of volunteers, Operation Give was born and thousands of boxes have been delivered to children in Iraq. [Read more]
[Photo of Chief Wiggles courtesy Operation Give]
Blogging to save a baby girl in Iraq
On Saturday September 4, Chief Wiggles blogged about trying to save a baby girl. Tabarak, a nine month old Iraqi baby, has a tumour since birth that is growing rapidly. She will soon die if something isn’t done. She needs a life saving operation to remove the tumour and requires a combination of steroids, laser therapy, surgical resection, and plastics reconstruction, which can be performed in the United States.
Tabarak’s family lives in the vicinity of the Abu Ghuraib prison; initially bringing their suffering baby to the guards at the gate in the hope of finding someone who cared. So far, nothing but negative reports have come out of the Abu Ghuraib prison and surrounding area. Now we have a chance to give something positive back to the people there. Little Tabarak needs our help, right now or else it will be too late.
Today, just one week later, blogging pathologist Chai Tea Latte and ER doc Blogborygmi report that a specialist doctor has come forward to take care of the baby.
Funds for baby Tabarak's flight etc., are being raised through Operation Give . I have donated, and hope you can too - every cent counts and every donor signals a message of hope (sorry Madhu, that word again!) and encouragement to the baby's parents and family.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/12/2004
- - -
WILL GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN BE OVERTHROWN OR ARRESTED?
If not, what assurances do they have that this will not happen?
Happy to see Dan back posting at Passion of the Present. He has been away from his studies at Cambridge University and spent part of summer in Paris. It sure is comforting to have another person in the UK interested in blogging the Sudan.
Dan, in the comments at his post on Sudan's response to Colin Powell declaring genocide in Darfur, replied to a comment from a reader and non-blogger called Wikus. Here is a snippet from Dan's comment, followed by a copy of the comment I posted in response:
" ... My view - and, I think, that of Jim, Ingrid and the rest - is that the AU - backed by Western, and ideally Arab, money and logistical support, should lead the way. So we agree with Eric insofar as we want "African Union troops to bring law and order". If Khartoum let the AU run free in Darfur, and the rest of the world gave them the practical help they needed, we'd be a lot happier. But (despite occasional half-hearted comments from Khartoum, which are intended to deflect criticism rather than to actually deal with the problem) IT ISN'T HAPPENING. ..."
Copy of my comment:
Yes, I agree the AU, backed by Western (AU couldn't afford it otherwise), and ideally Arab, money and logistical support, should lead the way to bring law and order. Here is one of my main questions that I think also helps throw light on why *IT ISN'T HAPPENING*
The question has bothered for me for months now because I've still not found any clues to answers, from anywhere.
What will happen to the government of Sudan (GOS) when foreign troops set foot in Sudan: will there be an attempt to overpower Sudanese forces and overthrow the present regime in Khartoum?
And, if not -- (which I think is the case because if anything, present regime is experienced and useful in counter terrrorism - I don't think we'd touch their oil with a ten foot barge pole for a long time - it's too expensive anyway - nor do I believe the US or UK or any other Western country are out to destablise Sudan, overthrow present regime - steal things - colonise them - turn them into Christians - or have motives that are anti Islam) -- what assurances do GOS have that this will not happen?
From what I can gather, the West is interested in peace for a united Sudan and wants to help because (apart from being useful on counter terrrorism) a stable Sudan will help Africa become less of a tinderbox and will benefit everyone all round. I believe their main interest is in a secure and stable, independent, prosperous Sudan that may even eventually lead to democracy - and grow into a country that everyone can do deals and business with.
I've said this before somewhere in the comments here, it seems (to me) GOS are resisting offers to help with security and disarmament to bring law and order -- out of fear that they (GOS) will lose what control they have left and be overpowered and overthrown.
How can such assurances be given to Khartoum while accusations of genocide are being directed at them and who can give the assurances?
If the latest US draft resolution calling for an investigation in genocide is approved by the UNSC, it would mean GOS face the next few years with fear and uncertainty as to whether they will be jailed and brought to international court.
And, even if GOS were given assurances that they'd remain safely in power (as long as they proved fit to govern), they could fear retribution from Arab tribes and militia who may attempt to eliminate GOS in retaliation for names of perpetrators being handed to UN investigators or AU missions.
Seems (to me anyway) GOS is cornered and in between a rock and a hard place. They probably fear being damned if they do (allow in peacekeepers with Chapter 7 mandate) and damned if they don't (they know they can't control the violence or rein in the Arab tribal leaders, militia and bandits or close down the so-called Janjaweed camps). From what I've read, the Arab tribal leaders don't feel the need to take orders from Khartoum - they do what they will, as each of them lord it over their own areas of the Sudan and rule the villagers and nomads by fear and benevolance.
It would appear the safest bet for Khartoum would be to allow only AU observers (that they know they can have some control over) but no-one else -- ever.
So my question is, does anyone know what the international community are doing to address GOS fears, if they are unfounded?
If two gangs are fighting to the death then someone (usually police) has to intervene. But if that fails -- then mediators are brought in. Perhaps this is the role that the President of the AU is taking, but how can GOS know he is to be trusted (he has 52 other nations plus UN etc on his side - who does Khartoum have on its side that it can trust?)
Seems Khartoum need to be given assurances through a mediator they trust - that if GOS can prove itself as fit to govern, it won't be overthrown or face trial -- plus reassurances on how the situation is to be handled after the Peace Accords are signed so that Arab tribal leaders, janjaweed, bandits, outlaws or whatever don't start another war.
Personally, I cannot see how the so-called Janjaweed can be disarmed. I've read they are like the Klu Klux Klan -- they are civilians that wear a sort of uniform, and when they take if off they disappear into the background and meld into society, mingling and living amongst ordinary folk.
At any time the perpetrators of atrocities could (and may already have done so) disappear into countries bordering Sudan and sneak back in when the time is right. Seems the outlaws and bandits don't have paid jobs. They make their living by banditry, stealing and looting. I've read that their culture makes them too proud to accept any form of help or aid; their macho upbringing forces them provide for their own, even if it means stealing from others, at any cost. These fit young men ought to be brought into the fold of the New Sudan and be given opportunities to become gainfully employed - ie trained as proper police, soldiers, or help build infrastructure etc.
Sudan has so much to look forward to once the Peace Accords are signed. Massive contracts have been signed to lay new oil pipes, build roads and railways to help food and aid flow, banks are opening, New Sudan Pound is being minted, flags and license plates produced... huge tranches of development funding are waiting to be released by the international community - as soon as Peace Accords are signed - to help the united and New Sudan develop basic infrastructure and enable it to take its natural resources and goods to market.
Seems it's better the devil you know - than the devil you don't know. Surely the present regime in Khartoum needs to be made to feel less insecure and more at ease and comfortable with the Darfur peace talks and agreements on power sharing, security issues etc for the newly united Sudan. GOS must be paranoid by now -- it surprises me they've not yet cracked up under the pressure.
Having said all of that: I don't believe a case for genocide against them will go to court, for the reasons I have just given. I think it is being used as part of a carrot and stick strategy. If my hunch is anywhere near correct, then GOS may as well (if they haven't already received it) be given cast iron assurances -- as quickly as possible -- so the violence stops immediately -- and the Peace Accords can be negotiated thoroughly and properly -- and once they are signed -- for thousands of peacekeepers to be allowed in to monitor ceasefire agreements by both sides to give every chance of lasting peace.
PS As to Wikus' question re why the Darfur conflict started so close to the finalisation of the north-south peace deal -- I am still curious as to why GOS saw fit all along to exclude western Sudan from the peace deal, which is why, it would seem the rebels took up arms in protest for their voices to be heard and for Darfur not to be marginalised, neglected but properly taken into account.
WILL GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN BE OVERTHROWN OR ARRESTED?
If not, what assurances do they have that this will not happen?
Happy to see Dan back posting at Passion of the Present. He has been away from his studies at Cambridge University and spent part of summer in Paris. It sure is comforting to have another person in the UK interested in blogging the Sudan.
Dan, in the comments at his post on Sudan's response to Colin Powell declaring genocide in Darfur, replied to a comment from a reader and non-blogger called Wikus. Here is a snippet from Dan's comment, followed by a copy of the comment I posted in response:
" ... My view - and, I think, that of Jim, Ingrid and the rest - is that the AU - backed by Western, and ideally Arab, money and logistical support, should lead the way. So we agree with Eric insofar as we want "African Union troops to bring law and order". If Khartoum let the AU run free in Darfur, and the rest of the world gave them the practical help they needed, we'd be a lot happier. But (despite occasional half-hearted comments from Khartoum, which are intended to deflect criticism rather than to actually deal with the problem) IT ISN'T HAPPENING. ..."
Copy of my comment:
Yes, I agree the AU, backed by Western (AU couldn't afford it otherwise), and ideally Arab, money and logistical support, should lead the way to bring law and order. Here is one of my main questions that I think also helps throw light on why *IT ISN'T HAPPENING*
The question has bothered for me for months now because I've still not found any clues to answers, from anywhere.
What will happen to the government of Sudan (GOS) when foreign troops set foot in Sudan: will there be an attempt to overpower Sudanese forces and overthrow the present regime in Khartoum?
And, if not -- (which I think is the case because if anything, present regime is experienced and useful in counter terrrorism - I don't think we'd touch their oil with a ten foot barge pole for a long time - it's too expensive anyway - nor do I believe the US or UK or any other Western country are out to destablise Sudan, overthrow present regime - steal things - colonise them - turn them into Christians - or have motives that are anti Islam) -- what assurances do GOS have that this will not happen?
From what I can gather, the West is interested in peace for a united Sudan and wants to help because (apart from being useful on counter terrrorism) a stable Sudan will help Africa become less of a tinderbox and will benefit everyone all round. I believe their main interest is in a secure and stable, independent, prosperous Sudan that may even eventually lead to democracy - and grow into a country that everyone can do deals and business with.
I've said this before somewhere in the comments here, it seems (to me) GOS are resisting offers to help with security and disarmament to bring law and order -- out of fear that they (GOS) will lose what control they have left and be overpowered and overthrown.
How can such assurances be given to Khartoum while accusations of genocide are being directed at them and who can give the assurances?
If the latest US draft resolution calling for an investigation in genocide is approved by the UNSC, it would mean GOS face the next few years with fear and uncertainty as to whether they will be jailed and brought to international court.
And, even if GOS were given assurances that they'd remain safely in power (as long as they proved fit to govern), they could fear retribution from Arab tribes and militia who may attempt to eliminate GOS in retaliation for names of perpetrators being handed to UN investigators or AU missions.
Seems (to me anyway) GOS is cornered and in between a rock and a hard place. They probably fear being damned if they do (allow in peacekeepers with Chapter 7 mandate) and damned if they don't (they know they can't control the violence or rein in the Arab tribal leaders, militia and bandits or close down the so-called Janjaweed camps). From what I've read, the Arab tribal leaders don't feel the need to take orders from Khartoum - they do what they will, as each of them lord it over their own areas of the Sudan and rule the villagers and nomads by fear and benevolance.
It would appear the safest bet for Khartoum would be to allow only AU observers (that they know they can have some control over) but no-one else -- ever.
So my question is, does anyone know what the international community are doing to address GOS fears, if they are unfounded?
If two gangs are fighting to the death then someone (usually police) has to intervene. But if that fails -- then mediators are brought in. Perhaps this is the role that the President of the AU is taking, but how can GOS know he is to be trusted (he has 52 other nations plus UN etc on his side - who does Khartoum have on its side that it can trust?)
Seems Khartoum need to be given assurances through a mediator they trust - that if GOS can prove itself as fit to govern, it won't be overthrown or face trial -- plus reassurances on how the situation is to be handled after the Peace Accords are signed so that Arab tribal leaders, janjaweed, bandits, outlaws or whatever don't start another war.
Personally, I cannot see how the so-called Janjaweed can be disarmed. I've read they are like the Klu Klux Klan -- they are civilians that wear a sort of uniform, and when they take if off they disappear into the background and meld into society, mingling and living amongst ordinary folk.
At any time the perpetrators of atrocities could (and may already have done so) disappear into countries bordering Sudan and sneak back in when the time is right. Seems the outlaws and bandits don't have paid jobs. They make their living by banditry, stealing and looting. I've read that their culture makes them too proud to accept any form of help or aid; their macho upbringing forces them provide for their own, even if it means stealing from others, at any cost. These fit young men ought to be brought into the fold of the New Sudan and be given opportunities to become gainfully employed - ie trained as proper police, soldiers, or help build infrastructure etc.
Sudan has so much to look forward to once the Peace Accords are signed. Massive contracts have been signed to lay new oil pipes, build roads and railways to help food and aid flow, banks are opening, New Sudan Pound is being minted, flags and license plates produced... huge tranches of development funding are waiting to be released by the international community - as soon as Peace Accords are signed - to help the united and New Sudan develop basic infrastructure and enable it to take its natural resources and goods to market.
Seems it's better the devil you know - than the devil you don't know. Surely the present regime in Khartoum needs to be made to feel less insecure and more at ease and comfortable with the Darfur peace talks and agreements on power sharing, security issues etc for the newly united Sudan. GOS must be paranoid by now -- it surprises me they've not yet cracked up under the pressure.
Having said all of that: I don't believe a case for genocide against them will go to court, for the reasons I have just given. I think it is being used as part of a carrot and stick strategy. If my hunch is anywhere near correct, then GOS may as well (if they haven't already received it) be given cast iron assurances -- as quickly as possible -- so the violence stops immediately -- and the Peace Accords can be negotiated thoroughly and properly -- and once they are signed -- for thousands of peacekeepers to be allowed in to monitor ceasefire agreements by both sides to give every chance of lasting peace.
PS As to Wikus' question re why the Darfur conflict started so close to the finalisation of the north-south peace deal -- I am still curious as to why GOS saw fit all along to exclude western Sudan from the peace deal, which is why, it would seem the rebels took up arms in protest for their voices to be heard and for Darfur not to be marginalised, neglected but properly taken into account.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/12/2004
Thursday, September 09, 2004
POWELL DECLARES GENOCIDE IN DARFUR:
Killings in Darfur constitute genocide
Breaking news from the BBC: "US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said the killings in Sudan's Darfur region constitute genocide. Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Powell said the conclusion was based on interviews with Sudanese refugees.
He was speaking as the UN Security Council prepared to debate a US resolution that threatens oil sanctions if Sudan does not stop the abuses. His use of the term genocide is likely to influence the diplomatic debate. The draft resolution presented by Washington is due to be discussed later on Thursday.
Mr Powell blamed the government of Sudan and pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias for the killings. "We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility and genocide may still be occurring," Mr Powell said.
The Sudanese government says it believes Sudan's allies within the UN will not agree to sanctions."
Update - More via Reuters: "U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan"
- - -
SECRETARY OF STATE POWELL'S TESTIMONY
On the genocide in Sudan
In a comment at Passion of the Present today, re news of declaration by US on genocide in Sudan, Jim Moore writes:
"The facts are speaking for themselves. This conclusion that the government of Sudan is guilty of genocide, backed up by data that meets high standards, has already been long ago reached by many other independent observers, including independent human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International(who are not slow to condemn others, by the way. Amnesty International has a major campaign in the United States against violence in prisons and the use of electrical stun guns). In any case, the next step is a referral to the International Court, which will over the next few years examine the evidence carefully, and in the end will prosecute those who it deems guilty. This declaration by the United States is a major victory for people who are oppressed by authoritarian regimes.
Jim posts a key excerpt from Colin Powell's testimony that Sudan is responsible for genocide in Darfur - and links to a copy of Mr Powell's testimony.
- - -
EMAIL OF THANKS
To US Secretary of State Colin Powell
Jim suggests we take action and thank Colin Powell for taking this important and courageous action with one click here and a quick email message ...
So I did. It was easy. And quick. Here's what I sent this afternoon:
Thank you to the Bush Administration, and in particular Secretary of State Colin Powell, for everything they have done to help the Sudanese in Darfur and Chad - and for having the courage to declare that the killings in Darfur constitute genocide.
God bless America, and thank you - from Ingrid Jones, Dorset, England, UK.
http://meandophelia.blogspot.com
http://passionofthepresent.org
- - -
Note, the reply I received states that messages congratulating the Secretary are carefully recorded.
Today, a friend sent me a quote by the philospher Bertrand Russell:
"Most men would rather die than think, and many do."
This afternoon, I was minded of the quote when I saw the BBC's breaking news on Powell finding genocide in Darfur. It made me hope the regime in Khartoum would start doing some real thinking.
Killings in Darfur constitute genocide
Breaking news from the BBC: "US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said the killings in Sudan's Darfur region constitute genocide. Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Powell said the conclusion was based on interviews with Sudanese refugees.
He was speaking as the UN Security Council prepared to debate a US resolution that threatens oil sanctions if Sudan does not stop the abuses. His use of the term genocide is likely to influence the diplomatic debate. The draft resolution presented by Washington is due to be discussed later on Thursday.
Mr Powell blamed the government of Sudan and pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias for the killings. "We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility and genocide may still be occurring," Mr Powell said.
The Sudanese government says it believes Sudan's allies within the UN will not agree to sanctions."
Update - More via Reuters: "U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan"
- - -
SECRETARY OF STATE POWELL'S TESTIMONY
On the genocide in Sudan
In a comment at Passion of the Present today, re news of declaration by US on genocide in Sudan, Jim Moore writes:
"The facts are speaking for themselves. This conclusion that the government of Sudan is guilty of genocide, backed up by data that meets high standards, has already been long ago reached by many other independent observers, including independent human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International(who are not slow to condemn others, by the way. Amnesty International has a major campaign in the United States against violence in prisons and the use of electrical stun guns). In any case, the next step is a referral to the International Court, which will over the next few years examine the evidence carefully, and in the end will prosecute those who it deems guilty. This declaration by the United States is a major victory for people who are oppressed by authoritarian regimes.
Jim posts a key excerpt from Colin Powell's testimony that Sudan is responsible for genocide in Darfur - and links to a copy of Mr Powell's testimony.
- - -
EMAIL OF THANKS
To US Secretary of State Colin Powell
Jim suggests we take action and thank Colin Powell for taking this important and courageous action with one click here and a quick email message ...
So I did. It was easy. And quick. Here's what I sent this afternoon:
Thank you to the Bush Administration, and in particular Secretary of State Colin Powell, for everything they have done to help the Sudanese in Darfur and Chad - and for having the courage to declare that the killings in Darfur constitute genocide.
God bless America, and thank you - from Ingrid Jones, Dorset, England, UK.
http://meandophelia.blogspot.com
http://passionofthepresent.org
- - -
Note, the reply I received states that messages congratulating the Secretary are carefully recorded.
Today, a friend sent me a quote by the philospher Bertrand Russell:
"Most men would rather die than think, and many do."
This afternoon, I was minded of the quote when I saw the BBC's breaking news on Powell finding genocide in Darfur. It made me hope the regime in Khartoum would start doing some real thinking.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/09/2004
- - -
UNUSUAL HIGH FLYING JOBS
What is the person in yellow doing - and why?
This photo below caught my eye but I can't work out what the person in the yellow jacket is doing. The buildings in the distance don't appear like they are on an aircraft carrier. The legs of the bystanders are not blurred. Looks like the jet is coming in or taking off - at great speed - making photo blurred.
Where is the person in yellow pointing to? Straight on - or up - left - right? Can the pilot, at that speed, notice? Maybe they are talking to each other. I'd imagine the sound of the jet's engines would drown out any words. There sure are some unusual jobs around.
[Photo via Cave Woman, courtesy of http://www.news.navy.mil/management]
This post is to mark the occasion of my niece joining the Royal Navy next month. She is sixteen years old and will undergo the most fantastic training working with the latest technology. What a great experience. It will set her up for life, and I am very proud of her. It's not something I'd ever have considered at her age, the hat would have put me off for a start. But I reckon she will do well, see a lot of life and something of the world - and go deep sea diving which she loves (and is qualified) in some interesting locations.
UNUSUAL HIGH FLYING JOBS
What is the person in yellow doing - and why?
This photo below caught my eye but I can't work out what the person in the yellow jacket is doing. The buildings in the distance don't appear like they are on an aircraft carrier. The legs of the bystanders are not blurred. Looks like the jet is coming in or taking off - at great speed - making photo blurred.
Where is the person in yellow pointing to? Straight on - or up - left - right? Can the pilot, at that speed, notice? Maybe they are talking to each other. I'd imagine the sound of the jet's engines would drown out any words. There sure are some unusual jobs around.
[Photo via Cave Woman, courtesy of http://www.news.navy.mil/management]
This post is to mark the occasion of my niece joining the Royal Navy next month. She is sixteen years old and will undergo the most fantastic training working with the latest technology. What a great experience. It will set her up for life, and I am very proud of her. It's not something I'd ever have considered at her age, the hat would have put me off for a start. But I reckon she will do well, see a lot of life and something of the world - and go deep sea diving which she loves (and is qualified) in some interesting locations.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/09/2004
- - -
SKYPE: Free Internet telephony that works - Audio posts and Mac compatibility? Internet radio listening
Skype says: "Make free phone calls all over the world. Talk with up to five friends at the same time. Better sound quality than your regular phone. Download now (it's free) Skype: 21,888,820 downloads and counting ...."
Yesterday, I received an email from a non-blogging friend. I am posting a copy here for future reference, and request that any readers who have knowledge or experience of Skype to please comment here or email on what they think of Skype. I haven't yet spent any time at Skype's site and have no idea of compatibility, if it works Mac to PC or just PC to PC, if it works on narrowband dial-up, and what I'd be letting myself in for if I volunteered as a guinea pig in my friend's experiment.
Tomorrow, my friend may visit PC World to look at headsets. I have asked him to look into an all-in-one hands free headset for myself (which I hope might work for listening to things on the Internet, like radio news interviews).
If Skype is so great, why aren't we all using it? Why aren't more of us bloggers communicating by voice? Maybe they do, but are not writing about it. Or maybe they are using Instant Messaging. (I've never tried that either, only because my energy has been taken up with learning blogging and using two different laptops within space of 12 months). I enjoy listening to short audio posts and hearing the sound of people's voices and accents. Seems it would be neat once in a while to interact with few words.
I've toyed with the idea of creating audio posts but not yet found a facility for creating them (not that I've been doing much about it lately). Last time I looked, Blogger's audio post service was for those located within the US only. Apart from Harold's audio post (see note below) I've not yet heard any by my regular reads (hint, hint, nudge, nudge). Here is a copy of an excerpt from the email:
"Recent technical reviews assert that the VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) facility obtainable through www.skype.com is thoroughly reliable and economical. Calls are completely free to Skype users worldwide who are online PC to PC at the same time.
As I currently understand it from their excellent website, the software is quickly downloadable and is also free of charge. In addition one needs audio equipment. The top Plantronics headset (USB connection only, it seems) recommended by Skype is made by Plantronics, obtainable from PC World for (special offer) £44.99. I assume that the usual L/S built into most computers will cater for incoming signals, so all one really needs is a mike, head or other.
For a rather small charge, this basic service can be upgraded through a SkypeOut download, which provides chargeable access to 'normal' telephone apparatus and mobiles in many countries, but not to emergency services.
Have any of you any knowledge or experience? If new to you, please have a look at the site and comment back. Subject to your inputs, I suggest that two of us carry out a joint experiment to test for a few days and then report to the others. I'm willing to be one guinea-pig."
- - -
AUDIO POSTS AND MAC COMPATIBILITY
And Internet radio listening
A few weeks ago, I listened to Harold's first audio post and emailed him to ask what he used. He said he simply dialed up Blogger's Audioblogger and left the post (though he did re-record it a few times). Like I say, last time I checked, Audio blogger was only avail for those inside the US.
Seems Harold's first audio post has been replaced by another that I've downloaded -- but I can't get it to open on my Mac. Does this mean not all audio posts can be listened to by Mac users? Harold says he edited the post using the Audacity software program, recording equipment (a phone and a gizmo from Radio Shack which allows phonecall recording) and a minimal amount of professionalism.
Harold is a talented and creative young American living in California, USA. He's read just about every book that has been written on blogging and does lots of neat work on the Internet - like establishing and running (on a shoestring too, which to my mind, makes it really neat) his own radio station called VoyagerRadio. Look in Harold's sidebar and you will see this:
Want some background music? Please consider tuning in to my Internet radio station VoyagerRadio while you're reading this blog.
Want more blogging fun? You may also be interested in reading my other blog, Transmitting to Earth.
Here's wishing Harold all the very best and hoping everything is going as well as can be, under the circumstances (his mother has not been at all well for quite a long time which has caused a great deal of worry and stress).
SKYPE: Free Internet telephony that works - Audio posts and Mac compatibility? Internet radio listening
Skype says: "Make free phone calls all over the world. Talk with up to five friends at the same time. Better sound quality than your regular phone. Download now (it's free) Skype: 21,888,820 downloads and counting ...."
Yesterday, I received an email from a non-blogging friend. I am posting a copy here for future reference, and request that any readers who have knowledge or experience of Skype to please comment here or email on what they think of Skype. I haven't yet spent any time at Skype's site and have no idea of compatibility, if it works Mac to PC or just PC to PC, if it works on narrowband dial-up, and what I'd be letting myself in for if I volunteered as a guinea pig in my friend's experiment.
Tomorrow, my friend may visit PC World to look at headsets. I have asked him to look into an all-in-one hands free headset for myself (which I hope might work for listening to things on the Internet, like radio news interviews).
If Skype is so great, why aren't we all using it? Why aren't more of us bloggers communicating by voice? Maybe they do, but are not writing about it. Or maybe they are using Instant Messaging. (I've never tried that either, only because my energy has been taken up with learning blogging and using two different laptops within space of 12 months). I enjoy listening to short audio posts and hearing the sound of people's voices and accents. Seems it would be neat once in a while to interact with few words.
I've toyed with the idea of creating audio posts but not yet found a facility for creating them (not that I've been doing much about it lately). Last time I looked, Blogger's audio post service was for those located within the US only. Apart from Harold's audio post (see note below) I've not yet heard any by my regular reads (hint, hint, nudge, nudge). Here is a copy of an excerpt from the email:
"Recent technical reviews assert that the VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) facility obtainable through www.skype.com is thoroughly reliable and economical. Calls are completely free to Skype users worldwide who are online PC to PC at the same time.
As I currently understand it from their excellent website, the software is quickly downloadable and is also free of charge. In addition one needs audio equipment. The top Plantronics headset (USB connection only, it seems) recommended by Skype is made by Plantronics, obtainable from PC World for (special offer) £44.99. I assume that the usual L/S built into most computers will cater for incoming signals, so all one really needs is a mike, head or other.
For a rather small charge, this basic service can be upgraded through a SkypeOut download, which provides chargeable access to 'normal' telephone apparatus and mobiles in many countries, but not to emergency services.
Have any of you any knowledge or experience? If new to you, please have a look at the site and comment back. Subject to your inputs, I suggest that two of us carry out a joint experiment to test for a few days and then report to the others. I'm willing to be one guinea-pig."
- - -
AUDIO POSTS AND MAC COMPATIBILITY
And Internet radio listening
A few weeks ago, I listened to Harold's first audio post and emailed him to ask what he used. He said he simply dialed up Blogger's Audioblogger and left the post (though he did re-record it a few times). Like I say, last time I checked, Audio blogger was only avail for those inside the US.
Seems Harold's first audio post has been replaced by another that I've downloaded -- but I can't get it to open on my Mac. Does this mean not all audio posts can be listened to by Mac users? Harold says he edited the post using the Audacity software program, recording equipment (a phone and a gizmo from Radio Shack which allows phonecall recording) and a minimal amount of professionalism.
Harold is a talented and creative young American living in California, USA. He's read just about every book that has been written on blogging and does lots of neat work on the Internet - like establishing and running (on a shoestring too, which to my mind, makes it really neat) his own radio station called VoyagerRadio. Look in Harold's sidebar and you will see this:
Want some background music? Please consider tuning in to my Internet radio station VoyagerRadio while you're reading this blog.
Want more blogging fun? You may also be interested in reading my other blog, Transmitting to Earth.
Here's wishing Harold all the very best and hoping everything is going as well as can be, under the circumstances (his mother has not been at all well for quite a long time which has caused a great deal of worry and stress).
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/09/2004
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
AUTHOR OF SUDAN POSTS AT WAVEFLUX BLOG
Is the best sousaphone player in South Carolina
Hello and thank you to the author of Waveflux in St Louis, USA for his neat posts on the Sudan that include Who will save the people of Darfur? - and:
- contact info on officials who may have influence
- copy of a reply received from Sen. Jim Talent's office
- great post for the Day of Conscience
- and Passion of the Present's poster.
In his "about" section, Waveflux writes that a band director once called him the best sousaphone player in the state of South Carolina - and says "that's saying something, because those things are heavy" (but, to be fair he admits, the ones he played way back when were mostly made of fiberglass).
Sousaphone (SOO-zah-fone) is a brass instrument invented by John Philip Sousa which was adapted from the tuba. The Sousaphone has a forward bell which coils around to rest upon the player's shoulder thus allowing the instrument to be carried with greater ease while marching.
[Photo - with thanks to Waveflux - courtesy of G. Leblanc Corporation]
Is the best sousaphone player in South Carolina
Hello and thank you to the author of Waveflux in St Louis, USA for his neat posts on the Sudan that include Who will save the people of Darfur? - and:
- contact info on officials who may have influence
- copy of a reply received from Sen. Jim Talent's office
- great post for the Day of Conscience
- and Passion of the Present's poster.
In his "about" section, Waveflux writes that a band director once called him the best sousaphone player in the state of South Carolina - and says "that's saying something, because those things are heavy" (but, to be fair he admits, the ones he played way back when were mostly made of fiberglass).
Sousaphone (SOO-zah-fone) is a brass instrument invented by John Philip Sousa which was adapted from the tuba. The Sousaphone has a forward bell which coils around to rest upon the player's shoulder thus allowing the instrument to be carried with greater ease while marching.
[Photo - with thanks to Waveflux - courtesy of G. Leblanc Corporation]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/08/2004
- - -
ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY
Hello to founder Cameron Sinclair
Hello to Cameron and thank you for commenting at the Passion's 'virtual meet up' post.
Cameron is the the founder of Architecture for Humanity and was trained as an architect at the University of Westminster and at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London.
During his studies, he developed an interest in social, cultural and humanitarian design. His postgraduate thesis focused on providing shelter to New York's homeless population through sustainable, transitional housing.
After completing his studies, he moved to New York where he has worked as a designer and project architect. Since 1996, Cameron has worked on projects in more than 20 countries including England, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the United States. [read more ...]
ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY
Hello to founder Cameron Sinclair
Hello to Cameron and thank you for commenting at the Passion's 'virtual meet up' post.
Cameron is the the founder of Architecture for Humanity and was trained as an architect at the University of Westminster and at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London.
During his studies, he developed an interest in social, cultural and humanitarian design. His postgraduate thesis focused on providing shelter to New York's homeless population through sustainable, transitional housing.
After completing his studies, he moved to New York where he has worked as a designer and project architect. Since 1996, Cameron has worked on projects in more than 20 countries including England, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the United States. [read more ...]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/08/2004
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
AU OBSERVERS' FINDINGS -
need to be publicised for the world to know:
Sudan hinders African mission to protect Darfur
Jim has picked up on my post about the continuing duplicity of the government of Sudan toward the African Union observers and why the African Union observers' findings need to be publicised for the world to know that Sudan is hindering the African mission to protect Darfur.
need to be publicised for the world to know:
Sudan hinders African mission to protect Darfur
Jim has picked up on my post about the continuing duplicity of the government of Sudan toward the African Union observers and why the African Union observers' findings need to be publicised for the world to know that Sudan is hindering the African mission to protect Darfur.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/07/2004
- - -
SUDAN'S FORCES HAVE SEALED OFF AN AREA TO STARVE 20,000 TO DEATH?
UN staff members evacuated from camp on July 29?
The following is a copy of a comment I have just left at Jim's Sept 6 post entitled "Crimes of the Sudenese government, oil boycotts and sanctions" (sorry my browser's still not direct linking to individual posts at Passion of the Present):
Jim, the report "The government of Sudan doesn't hide its atrocities", that you've linked to here, I found alarming. Authored by Kelly D. Askin, it was published yesterday, and again at IHT today, entitled "Sudan's government does not hide its atrocities". Kelly Askin is senior legal officer at the Open Society Justice Initiative - where the report also appears. Note these two paragraph excerpts, in particular the second:
" ... I met with survivors from nine different villages that had been attacked, although exactly how many villages were involved is unclear. I spoke with one survivor after another who told a strikingly similar story of the most recent attacks: Government planes flew overhead to view the villages, and then government vehicles attacked from the hillsides while thousands of janjaweed simultaneously set in on horseback. Most of the villages had been attacked before, and survivors had sought safety in the nearby mountains. But Sudanese policemen had gone to the mountains and used microphones to lure the civilians back to the villages, saying it was safe and offering protection.
While on the border we could hear planes and bombing just to our north. Survivors told us that a UN camp for internally displaced persons had also been attacked that Saturday and, ominously, that UN staff members had been evacuated from the camp on July 29, a week and a half before the attack. There were also reports that some 20,000 men, women, and children were trapped in the Jabal Moon mountains near Chad. Soldiers had sealed off the area to prevent their escape and to stop aid from getting through in what was apparently an attempt to starve them to death. ..."
Has anyone read elsewhere that UN staff members had been evacuated from a camp on July 29? And what about the 20,000 men, women, and children reportedly trapped in the Jabal Moon mountains near Chad? Is it true that Sudanese soldiers recently sealed off the area to prevent their escape and to stop aid from getting through in what was apparently an attempt to starve them to death? Can anyone verify this information? If it is true, why has a big deal not been made of it by the UN and news agencies?
SUDAN'S FORCES HAVE SEALED OFF AN AREA TO STARVE 20,000 TO DEATH?
UN staff members evacuated from camp on July 29?
The following is a copy of a comment I have just left at Jim's Sept 6 post entitled "Crimes of the Sudenese government, oil boycotts and sanctions" (sorry my browser's still not direct linking to individual posts at Passion of the Present):
Jim, the report "The government of Sudan doesn't hide its atrocities", that you've linked to here, I found alarming. Authored by Kelly D. Askin, it was published yesterday, and again at IHT today, entitled "Sudan's government does not hide its atrocities". Kelly Askin is senior legal officer at the Open Society Justice Initiative - where the report also appears. Note these two paragraph excerpts, in particular the second:
" ... I met with survivors from nine different villages that had been attacked, although exactly how many villages were involved is unclear. I spoke with one survivor after another who told a strikingly similar story of the most recent attacks: Government planes flew overhead to view the villages, and then government vehicles attacked from the hillsides while thousands of janjaweed simultaneously set in on horseback. Most of the villages had been attacked before, and survivors had sought safety in the nearby mountains. But Sudanese policemen had gone to the mountains and used microphones to lure the civilians back to the villages, saying it was safe and offering protection.
While on the border we could hear planes and bombing just to our north. Survivors told us that a UN camp for internally displaced persons had also been attacked that Saturday and, ominously, that UN staff members had been evacuated from the camp on July 29, a week and a half before the attack. There were also reports that some 20,000 men, women, and children were trapped in the Jabal Moon mountains near Chad. Soldiers had sealed off the area to prevent their escape and to stop aid from getting through in what was apparently an attempt to starve them to death. ..."
Has anyone read elsewhere that UN staff members had been evacuated from a camp on July 29? And what about the 20,000 men, women, and children reportedly trapped in the Jabal Moon mountains near Chad? Is it true that Sudanese soldiers recently sealed off the area to prevent their escape and to stop aid from getting through in what was apparently an attempt to starve them to death? Can anyone verify this information? If it is true, why has a big deal not been made of it by the UN and news agencies?
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/07/2004
Monday, September 06, 2004
HERE IS A "VIRTUAL" MEETUP
Today, for Sudan, in the blogosphere
Today, Monday September 6, is monthly International Sudanese Peace Meetup Day.
Meet ups are for people interested in peace for Sudan (and other topics).
You can sign up and get together - in person - with others in your locality. And even start your own Meet up.
Because I am unable to attend a Meet up, I have created a "virtual" Meet up via this post.
Below are links to bloggers - mostly regular reads from my sidebar - who have written about the Sudan.
Here's sending you all a warm hello - and a big thank you for your posts on the Sudan.
See you at the next virtual Meet up here in October :)
Bye for now. With love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx
PS Special thanks to Nick for alerting me to the Meet up date that enabled me to complete this, and the following two posts, in time.
Today, for Sudan, in the blogosphere
Today, Monday September 6, is monthly International Sudanese Peace Meetup Day.
Meet ups are for people interested in peace for Sudan (and other topics).
You can sign up and get together - in person - with others in your locality. And even start your own Meet up.
Because I am unable to attend a Meet up, I have created a "virtual" Meet up via this post.
Below are links to bloggers - mostly regular reads from my sidebar - who have written about the Sudan.
Here's sending you all a warm hello - and a big thank you for your posts on the Sudan.
See you at the next virtual Meet up here in October :)
Bye for now. With love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx
PS Special thanks to Nick for alerting me to the Meet up date that enabled me to complete this, and the following two posts, in time.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/06/2004
- - -
POEM FOR SUDAN
By Monalisa in Portugal
This poem was composed in English by Monalisa of Sítio da Saudade,
especially for today's Meet Up.
Monalisa is a Portuguese blogger who lives in a small town in Portugal. See her beautiful locality in the photo of a bridge - in recent post here below. She kindly emailed me this poem for Sudan, in response to my previous post publicising the Sep 6 International Sudanese Peace MeetUp Day. Warm thanks to Monalisa for her poem for Sudan:
In my comfortable
And warm room I sleep
I sleep quietly
And you die
Suffering horrors that my brain
Does not obtain to imagine
Because all of us sleep tranquil
And in the same minute
The great pain of the planet
Doesn’t affect us
We pass by lifeless
Indifferent and silently
and we wake up
Thinking to be happy
But the happiness
is spotted of blood and barbarity
Because we let the heartless
Take the world
and we do nothing.
[Photo courtesy of Osterreich Hilft Darfur ORF ]
- - -
SUDAN: INTERNATIONAL MEETUP DAY
Sep 6 Labor Day - Sudan Campaign
Eugene Oregon at Demagogue received this email from Rev. Dr. Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International and the Sudan Campaign:
This Labor Day, Monday, September 6, the Sudan Campaign is inviting everyone to take a “day on” rather than a “day off” to protest the ongoing genocide in Sudan. Demonstrations have been held at the Sudan embassy everyday since June 29th, and they will continue. Over 50 persons have offered themselves for arrest by committing non-violent acts of civil disobedience to draw attention to the urgency and seriousness of the issue. Radio personality and activist, Joe Madison, has been a hunger strike for six weeks. In light of the UN findings that the Khartoum regime has not fully complied with the UN mandate issued over 30 days ago, it is time to move to a new level of pressure, economic.
The Sudan Campaign hopes to accomplish 3 goals at the Monday protest:
(1) To thank the Red Cross and other humanitarian aid organizations that have begun massive operations to feed the displaced and starving people of Darfur (celebrating the end to the fast of the Black Eagle, Joseph Madison)
(2) To decry the weakness of the response of the United Nations to the failure of the government of Sudan to comply fully with the mandate given them by the UN thirty days ago
(3) To announce and to launch a bold new strategy of our drive to bring peace to all of the people of the Sudan: Demand that U.S. citizens, their pension funds and their corporations divest themselves of all investments of money in their names in corporations doing business in the Sudan.
Please join us and/or distribute flyers available at the Sudan Campaign and Passion of the Present and encourage others to do the same.
- - -
DOWNLOAD GENOCIDE POSTER AND FACTSHEET
At www.blockstreet and building.com
Please feel free to download Sudan poster and factsheet - courtesy Passion of the Present at www.blockstreet and building.com
PARTNER UP:
Join with others to take creative action and blog about it.
REACH OUT:
Blog about contacting the media and elected officials.
GET LINKED: Join Save Darfur to moblise national action.
GIVE: For a list of aid organisations working in Sudan go to InterAction or DEC UK or download Songs for Sudan album (see link in next post here below)
COME TO: Passion of the Present for daily news and community.
SPREAD THE WORD: on the latest - Sep 12 Rally at the U.N. in New York - to Stop Sudan Genocide.
POEM FOR SUDAN
By Monalisa in Portugal
This poem was composed in English by Monalisa of Sítio da Saudade,
especially for today's Meet Up.
Monalisa is a Portuguese blogger who lives in a small town in Portugal. See her beautiful locality in the photo of a bridge - in recent post here below. She kindly emailed me this poem for Sudan, in response to my previous post publicising the Sep 6 International Sudanese Peace MeetUp Day. Warm thanks to Monalisa for her poem for Sudan:
In my comfortable
And warm room I sleep
I sleep quietly
And you die
Suffering horrors that my brain
Does not obtain to imagine
Because all of us sleep tranquil
And in the same minute
The great pain of the planet
Doesn’t affect us
We pass by lifeless
Indifferent and silently
and we wake up
Thinking to be happy
But the happiness
is spotted of blood and barbarity
Because we let the heartless
Take the world
and we do nothing.
[Photo courtesy of Osterreich Hilft Darfur ORF ]
- - -
SUDAN: INTERNATIONAL MEETUP DAY
Sep 6 Labor Day - Sudan Campaign
Eugene Oregon at Demagogue received this email from Rev. Dr. Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International and the Sudan Campaign:
This Labor Day, Monday, September 6, the Sudan Campaign is inviting everyone to take a “day on” rather than a “day off” to protest the ongoing genocide in Sudan. Demonstrations have been held at the Sudan embassy everyday since June 29th, and they will continue. Over 50 persons have offered themselves for arrest by committing non-violent acts of civil disobedience to draw attention to the urgency and seriousness of the issue. Radio personality and activist, Joe Madison, has been a hunger strike for six weeks. In light of the UN findings that the Khartoum regime has not fully complied with the UN mandate issued over 30 days ago, it is time to move to a new level of pressure, economic.
The Sudan Campaign hopes to accomplish 3 goals at the Monday protest:
(1) To thank the Red Cross and other humanitarian aid organizations that have begun massive operations to feed the displaced and starving people of Darfur (celebrating the end to the fast of the Black Eagle, Joseph Madison)
(2) To decry the weakness of the response of the United Nations to the failure of the government of Sudan to comply fully with the mandate given them by the UN thirty days ago
(3) To announce and to launch a bold new strategy of our drive to bring peace to all of the people of the Sudan: Demand that U.S. citizens, their pension funds and their corporations divest themselves of all investments of money in their names in corporations doing business in the Sudan.
Please join us and/or distribute flyers available at the Sudan Campaign and Passion of the Present and encourage others to do the same.
- - -
DOWNLOAD GENOCIDE POSTER AND FACTSHEET
At www.blockstreet and building.com
Please feel free to download Sudan poster and factsheet - courtesy Passion of the Present at www.blockstreet and building.com
PARTNER UP:
Join with others to take creative action and blog about it.
REACH OUT:
Blog about contacting the media and elected officials.
GET LINKED: Join Save Darfur to moblise national action.
GIVE: For a list of aid organisations working in Sudan go to InterAction or DEC UK or download Songs for Sudan album (see link in next post here below)
COME TO: Passion of the Present for daily news and community.
SPREAD THE WORD: on the latest - Sep 12 Rally at the U.N. in New York - to Stop Sudan Genocide.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/06/2004
- - -
THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL
For blogging the plight of Sudanese in Darfur and Chad
Sudanese women are silhouetted at Abu Shouk camp in North Darfur, Sudan, where more than 40,000 displaced people are receiving food and shelter from international aid agencies. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (September 01, 2004)
ENGLAND
Alistair Coleman (kudos to the BBC + Caversham for great coverage on Sudan)
The UK Today - thanks to Clive for the info on EDMs and how to make contact by fax and email with our MPs
Norman Geras - great weekly postings on Sudan
IRELAND
Gavin Sheridan - oil and China posts (btw great work being done in Sudan by Ireland's GOAL aid agency)
SCOTLAND
Scottish Webring members (and kudos to Scotsman.com for great reporting on Sudan)
WALES
Bob Piper - always kindly posted on Sudan
Doug Floyd lyrics of Sudan Song and list of the album's tracks
Doug at Quadrophrenia for posting the lyrics of Song for Sudan.
CANADA
Jim Elve at BlogsCanada - The Suffering Continues Unabated
Officially Unofficial - BlogsCandada - The Suffering Continues Unabated
BlogsCanada E Group Blog Multi-partisan Political Punditry
Jim Elve another awesome post on aid links courtesy BBC
E Group Blog - Multi-partisan Political Punditry - Arjun's great discussion thread on: "Should Canada Intervene?"
Boris Anthony another neat post on A failure of will
Allseasons
Lost Below the 49th: Darfur, ReDux - link to great piece on Romeo D'allaire (and his book)
Lost Below the 49th Crazy Canuck returns
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Arjun Singh Sudan Genocide: UN finds No Significant Progress
Arjun Singh has written great posts on Sudan at CanadaBlogs e-group.
Sébastien Paquet - real neat posts as usual
FRANCE
Loic Le Meur (has not posted on Sudan, as far as I am aware, but Loic has many links in his sidebar for anyone wishing to connect up with French bloggers)
AUSTRALIA
Robert Corr - Time for action (best Sudan intro in the blogosphere)
Jonathan Rowbottom hosted interesting discussion thread
PORTUGAL
Monalisa's Sítio da Saudade (see above Poem for Sudan)
Nelson
HOLLAND
Ado (who is Dutch but lives and works with Joi Ito in Tokyo)
JAPAN
Joi Ito re Images of genocide
Joi Ito's list of posts on Sudan
finalvent on China, Japan, Russia and oil
finalvent on Darfur
finalvent re Sudanese FM visit to Japan Sept 5-9 for talks on Darfur
finalvent - more on oil
MALAYSIA
Rajan's first of the great round ups on Sudan
Rajan's second great Sudan Genocide roundup
Rajan's third and, for the Sep 6 meetup, his latest Sudan Genocide roundup
Aiseh, man thoughtful post on Compassionate Infidels
USA
Jim Moore's Journal - April 22, 2004 post that started it all (here at this blog I mean!)
Jim Moore's Journal - April 23, 2004 post that I picked up on and have been blogging about ever since (*yawn*)
Sudan Day of Conscience
Ethan Zuckerman Top Ten Worst Dictators
Ethan Zuckerman Making Room for the Third World in the Second Superpower
ChaiTeaLatte Madhu kindly linked to several posts and got my blog Instalanched
Instapundit - regular posts on Sudan and esp re oil
Nicholas Genes has written some super posts on the Sudan - his doc buddy Jonathan Spector is now safely back home in the US after working with MSF in Darfur
Pauly's Side of the Truth - has just written another great post on Sudan
Jonathan Broad "Dallaire on Darfur: It is happening...again" (a must-read)
Gary Silberberg - regular postings on Sudan
Patrick Hall - exclusively Sudan posts - neat finds
Allied - one of the few great female bloggers writing about Sudan
Squirrel in DC - link to Samantha Power's great piece in New Yorker on her travels in Sudan
Cheers to The Register for publicising Oxfam's "Songs for Sudan" download album for Darfur.
[Note: sincere apologies to those I've missed out, I've not checked through four months of archives in this blog. If I have missed you, please email me or comment and I will add your link here - or write a special post later on. Thanks.]
THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL
For blogging the plight of Sudanese in Darfur and Chad
Sudanese women are silhouetted at Abu Shouk camp in North Darfur, Sudan, where more than 40,000 displaced people are receiving food and shelter from international aid agencies. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (September 01, 2004)
ENGLAND
Alistair Coleman (kudos to the BBC + Caversham for great coverage on Sudan)
The UK Today - thanks to Clive for the info on EDMs and how to make contact by fax and email with our MPs
Norman Geras - great weekly postings on Sudan
IRELAND
Gavin Sheridan - oil and China posts (btw great work being done in Sudan by Ireland's GOAL aid agency)
SCOTLAND
Scottish Webring members (and kudos to Scotsman.com for great reporting on Sudan)
WALES
Bob Piper - always kindly posted on Sudan
Doug Floyd lyrics of Sudan Song and list of the album's tracks
Doug at Quadrophrenia for posting the lyrics of Song for Sudan.
CANADA
Jim Elve at BlogsCanada - The Suffering Continues Unabated
Officially Unofficial - BlogsCandada - The Suffering Continues Unabated
BlogsCanada E Group Blog Multi-partisan Political Punditry
Jim Elve another awesome post on aid links courtesy BBC
E Group Blog - Multi-partisan Political Punditry - Arjun's great discussion thread on: "Should Canada Intervene?"
Boris Anthony another neat post on A failure of will
Allseasons
Lost Below the 49th: Darfur, ReDux - link to great piece on Romeo D'allaire (and his book)
Lost Below the 49th Crazy Canuck returns
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Arjun Singh Sudan Genocide: UN finds No Significant Progress
Arjun Singh has written great posts on Sudan at CanadaBlogs e-group.
Sébastien Paquet - real neat posts as usual
FRANCE
Loic Le Meur (has not posted on Sudan, as far as I am aware, but Loic has many links in his sidebar for anyone wishing to connect up with French bloggers)
AUSTRALIA
Robert Corr - Time for action (best Sudan intro in the blogosphere)
Jonathan Rowbottom hosted interesting discussion thread
PORTUGAL
Monalisa's Sítio da Saudade (see above Poem for Sudan)
Nelson
HOLLAND
Ado (who is Dutch but lives and works with Joi Ito in Tokyo)
JAPAN
Joi Ito re Images of genocide
Joi Ito's list of posts on Sudan
finalvent on China, Japan, Russia and oil
finalvent on Darfur
finalvent re Sudanese FM visit to Japan Sept 5-9 for talks on Darfur
finalvent - more on oil
MALAYSIA
Rajan's first of the great round ups on Sudan
Rajan's second great Sudan Genocide roundup
Rajan's third and, for the Sep 6 meetup, his latest Sudan Genocide roundup
Aiseh, man thoughtful post on Compassionate Infidels
USA
Jim Moore's Journal - April 22, 2004 post that started it all (here at this blog I mean!)
Jim Moore's Journal - April 23, 2004 post that I picked up on and have been blogging about ever since (*yawn*)
Sudan Day of Conscience
Ethan Zuckerman Top Ten Worst Dictators
Ethan Zuckerman Making Room for the Third World in the Second Superpower
ChaiTeaLatte Madhu kindly linked to several posts and got my blog Instalanched
Instapundit - regular posts on Sudan and esp re oil
Nicholas Genes has written some super posts on the Sudan - his doc buddy Jonathan Spector is now safely back home in the US after working with MSF in Darfur
Pauly's Side of the Truth - has just written another great post on Sudan
Jonathan Broad "Dallaire on Darfur: It is happening...again" (a must-read)
Gary Silberberg - regular postings on Sudan
Patrick Hall - exclusively Sudan posts - neat finds
Allied - one of the few great female bloggers writing about Sudan
Squirrel in DC - link to Samantha Power's great piece in New Yorker on her travels in Sudan
Cheers to The Register for publicising Oxfam's "Songs for Sudan" download album for Darfur.
[Note: sincere apologies to those I've missed out, I've not checked through four months of archives in this blog. If I have missed you, please email me or comment and I will add your link here - or write a special post later on. Thanks.]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/06/2004
Sunday, September 05, 2004
AU OBSERVERS' FINDINGS -
need to be publicised for the whole world to know:
Sudan hinders African mission to protect Darfur
At the moment in America, most people are enjoying a long weekend as tomorrow is Labour Day - a big holiday, like our Bank Holiday weekends.
Looks like Jim has been away from his computer for the past day, so I've interrupted my blogging break to post at Passion of the Present and copied my three posts over to Sudan Watch.
9/5/2004 - AU OBSERVERS' FINDINGS - need to be publicised for the whole world to know: Sudan hinders African mission to protect Darfur
9/5/2004 - EU ready to support Darfur police mission, will study sanctions
9/5/2004 - US plans new resolution on Darfur
The top report, about the African Union observer's mission, is the most telling for Sudan watchers.
- - -
Cheers go to the Aussies marching for Sudan. About 800 people marched through Sydney's CBD today to protest against the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Note, tomorrow (Monday Sep 6) is International Sudanese Peace MeetUp day - and Sep 12 is the date for protest at the UN building in New York. If anyone joins in MeetUps or sees the protest in New York on Sept 12, please email me - especially if you have photos - and I'll blog it. Thanks.
need to be publicised for the whole world to know:
Sudan hinders African mission to protect Darfur
At the moment in America, most people are enjoying a long weekend as tomorrow is Labour Day - a big holiday, like our Bank Holiday weekends.
Looks like Jim has been away from his computer for the past day, so I've interrupted my blogging break to post at Passion of the Present and copied my three posts over to Sudan Watch.
9/5/2004 - AU OBSERVERS' FINDINGS - need to be publicised for the whole world to know: Sudan hinders African mission to protect Darfur
9/5/2004 - EU ready to support Darfur police mission, will study sanctions
9/5/2004 - US plans new resolution on Darfur
The top report, about the African Union observer's mission, is the most telling for Sudan watchers.
- - -
Cheers go to the Aussies marching for Sudan. About 800 people marched through Sydney's CBD today to protest against the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Note, tomorrow (Monday Sep 6) is International Sudanese Peace MeetUp day - and Sep 12 is the date for protest at the UN building in New York. If anyone joins in MeetUps or sees the protest in New York on Sept 12, please email me - especially if you have photos - and I'll blog it. Thanks.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/05/2004
Saturday, September 04, 2004
FEELING SLEEPY?
On a blogging break
Thanks to Doug in Wales for sending me feeling sleepy? Marvelled at the Liverpudlian accent. Watched it three times to hear "one" :)
Need to take a blogging break. Have to rest (boring). And complete my draft for posting here on monthly International Sudanese MeetUp day Sep 6. Bye for now. Love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx
On a blogging break
Thanks to Doug in Wales for sending me feeling sleepy? Marvelled at the Liverpudlian accent. Watched it three times to hear "one" :)
Need to take a blogging break. Have to rest (boring). And complete my draft for posting here on monthly International Sudanese MeetUp day Sep 6. Bye for now. Love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/04/2004
Friday, September 03, 2004
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
Tranquility in Portugal
Portuguese blogger Monalisa lives in Portugal, writes poetry in Portuguese and posts wonderful pictures.
Here is an excerpt, taken from one of her posts that I've translated from Portuguese into English, using Google's translator. It sure makes Portugal sound quaint:
"... Constantly I hear our national fatalismo to complain of the lack of productivity of the Portuguese and to point this as one of the great problems of our economy. And later comes people to deny, others to accuse to this and that classroom - the circus it custom. However, every day I see the test of that our disorganization, our position is effectively little productive and all people acts as if this was normality ..."
- - -
Below is a photo from Monalisa's lovely post about a fair. Can't help wondering if Portugal's slower way of life is a good thing. Fast lane stuff doesn't seem healthy somehow - or do the environment much good.
"Life In The Fast Lane" is my most favourite Eagles mp3. Tried listening to it while imagining the two tranquil scenes here below but the contrast is too great.
Tranquility in Portugal
Portuguese blogger Monalisa lives in Portugal, writes poetry in Portuguese and posts wonderful pictures.
Here is an excerpt, taken from one of her posts that I've translated from Portuguese into English, using Google's translator. It sure makes Portugal sound quaint:
"... Constantly I hear our national fatalismo to complain of the lack of productivity of the Portuguese and to point this as one of the great problems of our economy. And later comes people to deny, others to accuse to this and that classroom - the circus it custom. However, every day I see the test of that our disorganization, our position is effectively little productive and all people acts as if this was normality ..."
- - -
Below is a photo from Monalisa's lovely post about a fair. Can't help wondering if Portugal's slower way of life is a good thing. Fast lane stuff doesn't seem healthy somehow - or do the environment much good.
"Life In The Fast Lane" is my most favourite Eagles mp3. Tried listening to it while imagining the two tranquil scenes here below but the contrast is too great.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/03/2004
- - -
I WAVE A DESIRE TO YOU
Here is another snippet from Monalisa's poems - composed in Portuguese and translated into English, using Google. Love the line, "I wave a desire to you"
I see you
In the periscope of the life
And I love you
As the star that shines of day
I wave a desire to you
You
That you are always mine
Kiss
[Photos - with thanks to Monalisa - courtesy of photographer Rui Vale de Sousa www.ruivaledesousa.com]
- - -
EARTH TODAY
Population is 2,147,483,647
See Earth Today and watch the births - and deaths - roll by.
Wow on the shocking figures for HIV -v- cancer -v- smoking.
Number of births this year:
8,826,158
Current world population:
2,147,483,647
Don't know where I got the idea it was 6 billion something. Hello. Maybe there are loads of other genocides going on in the world that we bloggers don't know about - yet.
Hold on to you your hats, if I ever find out ;)
PS I haven't got a "thing" about genocide - simply interested in how and why it occurs - and what we bloggers can do to stop it. That's all.
[Thanks to Doug for link]
I WAVE A DESIRE TO YOU
Here is another snippet from Monalisa's poems - composed in Portuguese and translated into English, using Google. Love the line, "I wave a desire to you"
I see you
In the periscope of the life
And I love you
As the star that shines of day
I wave a desire to you
You
That you are always mine
Kiss
[Photos - with thanks to Monalisa - courtesy of photographer Rui Vale de Sousa www.ruivaledesousa.com]
- - -
EARTH TODAY
Population is 2,147,483,647
See Earth Today and watch the births - and deaths - roll by.
Wow on the shocking figures for HIV -v- cancer -v- smoking.
Number of births this year:
8,826,158
Current world population:
2,147,483,647
Don't know where I got the idea it was 6 billion something. Hello. Maybe there are loads of other genocides going on in the world that we bloggers don't know about - yet.
Hold on to you your hats, if I ever find out ;)
PS I haven't got a "thing" about genocide - simply interested in how and why it occurs - and what we bloggers can do to stop it. That's all.
[Thanks to Doug for link]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/03/2004
- - -
OXFAM RELEASES "SONGS FOR SUDAN"
Download album for Darfur
Kudos to The Register for linking to Oxfam's "Songs for Sudan" download album for Darfur
It features 18 tracks from the likes of Ash, REM, Badly Drawn Boy, Jet, Faithless and David Gray, and costs £7.99, of which £5 goes directly to Oxfam.
[Thanks to Doug in Wales for posting above photo and for providing a list of the album's tracks]
OXFAM RELEASES "SONGS FOR SUDAN"
Download album for Darfur
Kudos to The Register for linking to Oxfam's "Songs for Sudan" download album for Darfur
It features 18 tracks from the likes of Ash, REM, Badly Drawn Boy, Jet, Faithless and David Gray, and costs £7.99, of which £5 goes directly to Oxfam.
[Thanks to Doug in Wales for posting above photo and for providing a list of the album's tracks]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/03/2004
Thursday, September 02, 2004
CHINA'S PANDA RIGHTS
Twins for panda shown sex videos
A panda in China who became pregnant after watching sex education videos has given birth to twins.
Hua Mei was born in the US but moved to China in February.
Officials said they had determined that one of the twins was a boy, but they could not check the other one because Hua Mei was still cuddling it. Heh.
Hua Mei needed help in knowing how to breed.
Twins for panda shown sex videos
A panda in China who became pregnant after watching sex education videos has given birth to twins.
Hua Mei was born in the US but moved to China in February.
Officials said they had determined that one of the twins was a boy, but they could not check the other one because Hua Mei was still cuddling it. Heh.
Hua Mei needed help in knowing how to breed.
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/02/2004
- - -
OIL COMPANY FACES GENOCIDE CHARGES
Over Sudan engagement
"Could we sue oil companies over their support for the genocide in Darfur Sudan?" asks Jim Moore - American blogger and author of the great thinkpiece: The Second Superpower.
[Note: "The Second Superpower" has been translated into Spanish - see Jim's sidebar]
OIL COMPANY FACES GENOCIDE CHARGES
Over Sudan engagement
"Could we sue oil companies over their support for the genocide in Darfur Sudan?" asks Jim Moore - American blogger and author of the great thinkpiece: The Second Superpower.
[Note: "The Second Superpower" has been translated into Spanish - see Jim's sidebar]
# posted by Ingrid @ 9/02/2004
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- - -
LINDSEY HILSUM
Reports from Darfur on the noisy diplomacy
International British journalist, Lindsey Hilsum reports in the New Statesman on the noisy diplomacy in Darfur. Here is an excerpt of the must-read report from Darfur, along with my personal note, below.
" ... The Janjaweed are certainly aware that they need to do a better public relations job. In al-Fasher, I met a dozen sheikhs from Arab tribes associated with the militia. We sat on chairs in a straw-built house with a sand floor, eating oily groundnut paste with bread and sweet vermicelli. On the central table perched an incongruous set of yellow and maroon woollen chickens, like tea cosies. The sheikhs wanted to tell me that all this talk of Janjaweed was lies ..."
" ... They drove me to Masri, six hours away, reputed to have a large Janjaweed camp. They had melted into the desert, leaving no trace. The Janjaweed may be as difficult to find as weapons of mass destruction, not because they were never there, but because they are no longer visible. For the moment, their work is done - we flew over mile after mile of deserted villages. All diplomacy can do now is try to turn the ceasefire into a real peace agreement and find some way of giving displaced people the confidence to return home. They, of course, are not confused by the disappearance of the Janjaweed, knowing that the moment the world stops looking, they'll be back..."
[Full Story]
- - -
Lindsey Hilsum, who started her career over 15 year ago as a reporter for the BBC in London, is currently international editor for Channel 4 News (the best channel for in-depth news on UK television) and has become one of Britain's most respected foreign correspondents.
From the outset, and throughout the height of the war in Iraq, Lindsey presented live TV reports from Baghdad. And has reported from some of the most troubled regions in the world. Her reports are always first class. It's great to see her reporting from Darfur. Millions of us in Britain have watched her recent television reports, live from Sudan, on Channel 4 News.
Sometime during the early 1990's, I had the privilege of assisting Lindsey's father on an education initiative of his that raised millions of pounds for physics equipment in schools. He is a great physicist and one of the most clever, and kind, chaps in London. It's no wonder that Lindsey and her work are so unique and first rate. It's easy to see her father in her, the way she articulates and concentrates her mind - and gets straight to the heart of matters, like a laser beam, with speed - and accuracy.
LINDSEY HILSUM
Reports from Darfur on the noisy diplomacy
International British journalist, Lindsey Hilsum reports in the New Statesman on the noisy diplomacy in Darfur. Here is an excerpt of the must-read report from Darfur, along with my personal note, below.
" ... The Janjaweed are certainly aware that they need to do a better public relations job. In al-Fasher, I met a dozen sheikhs from Arab tribes associated with the militia. We sat on chairs in a straw-built house with a sand floor, eating oily groundnut paste with bread and sweet vermicelli. On the central table perched an incongruous set of yellow and maroon woollen chickens, like tea cosies. The sheikhs wanted to tell me that all this talk of Janjaweed was lies ..."
" ... They drove me to Masri, six hours away, reputed to have a large Janjaweed camp. They had melted into the desert, leaving no trace. The Janjaweed may be as difficult to find as weapons of mass destruction, not because they were never there, but because they are no longer visible. For the moment, their work is done - we flew over mile after mile of deserted villages. All diplomacy can do now is try to turn the ceasefire into a real peace agreement and find some way of giving displaced people the confidence to return home. They, of course, are not confused by the disappearance of the Janjaweed, knowing that the moment the world stops looking, they'll be back..."
[Full Story]
- - -
Lindsey Hilsum, who started her career over 15 year ago as a reporter for the BBC in London, is currently international editor for Channel 4 News (the best channel for in-depth news on UK television) and has become one of Britain's most respected foreign correspondents.
From the outset, and throughout the height of the war in Iraq, Lindsey presented live TV reports from Baghdad. And has reported from some of the most troubled regions in the world. Her reports are always first class. It's great to see her reporting from Darfur. Millions of us in Britain have watched her recent television reports, live from Sudan, on Channel 4 News.
Sometime during the early 1990's, I had the privilege of assisting Lindsey's father on an education initiative of his that raised millions of pounds for physics equipment in schools. He is a great physicist and one of the most clever, and kind, chaps in London. It's no wonder that Lindsey and her work are so unique and first rate. It's easy to see her father in her, the way she articulates and concentrates her mind - and gets straight to the heart of matters, like a laser beam, with speed - and accuracy.
ME AND OPHELIA
This is the personal blog of Ingrid Jones.
I live by the sea in Dorset, England, United Kingdom.
Here on my PowerBook G4 I communicate to my friends.
About things in general and my life with M.E. and cat Ophelia.
Home user technology and business services.
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How it all impacts on my *lifestyle management programme*.
And my battle for more energy.
See Blogger Profile
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