Blogging the democratic revolution
Presidential elections are due in Belarus come September 2006, which may see a popular velvet revolution as a result. In 2004, Lukashenko falsified a referendum to give himself the ability to run for president as many times as he wants, effectively making him president for life since all elections are rigged. The following is a…
The monster at our door is keeping hurricane aid out from devastated Cuba, as protest grow. The only aid he’s taking is politicized aid, the kind that his agents pick and choose to deliver. Where is the outrage? Read it here.
The following is a translated letter from Akbar Ganji, courtesy of the Free Ganji blog. It is an interesting read, from a man who is becoming the largest rallying cause for human rights inside Iran.
Now, let’s be all dramatic like most of the headlines which say, “Middle East Ceasefire Shattered.” Because honestly, the truce was a big lie anyway. Now the possibility exists that the Palestinian government will have to succumb to more terrorist leadership or kill it outright. Policeman of the PA and Hamas terrorists are fighting now…
I seem to have a fetish with separatist conflicts this week, but it’s not coincidence that plans for peaceful settlement are popping up all around the same time. This is because the GUAM alliance countries are working together to reunite their respective countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union left a little fragmented. Today,…
I got this note from a reporter in Caracas: Hoy hubo una protesta de los estudiantes de la USM, por el aumento de matriculas. Fue en la entrada, en el mismo sitio que la semana pasada manifestaron por los compa?????eros asesinados. Hoy hubo mas estudiantes…. Translation: Today there was a student protest at University of…
Eurasianet reports on a leaked memo (perhaps deliberately) that shows Russian policy makers worried about the situation in Dagestan, which has seen increased separatis sentiments and terrorist attacks of late. The increasing rebel attacks in Dagestan (see EDM, July 7) have finally forced Russian authorities to focus on the problems of the republic. Officials in…
Usually this wouldn’t be a story to me as I’m sure this happens at least a hundred million times a day somewhere in the world. But I’ve never heard of someone calling our president the equivalent of Hitler for supporting democracy movements. About 20 youths have gathered in front of the U.S. Consulate in St….
Besides democratization, and all that it implies, the government of Georgia must deal with separatist governments in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. While the former will likely prove much more difficult in general, Saakashvili’s governmet has just released a comprehensive plan to reconcile with South Ossetia. Most striking about the plan is how it deals two-fold…
Hugo Chavez and the communist thugs and barefoot Neanderthals one step removed from white sheets who oppose CAFTA are all about to be dealt a stinging defeat. The House leader reports that CAFTA is likely to be approved before the end of July. This is the scent of victory, because defeat is unthinkable. This is…
Think I’m kidding? Read what respected Miami Herald columnist Andres Oppenheimer, in a well researched article, has to say. It’s disturbing. Read it here. UPDATE: Link fixed.
Kirk let me know about this a couple of days ago. It’s interesting, because you see several groups ranging from the Muslim Brotherhood to Kifaya coming together to put a crack in the current system. This is a trend in all authoritarian countries with emerging oppositions, but nonetheless, these are some unlikely temporary bedfellows. In…
Daniel, a man of real culture, gives us the lowdown on Hugo Chavez’s vast new hideous culture scheme. It’s enough to repel the lowliest Britney Spears fan, it’s that gross. It’s also expensive, vulgar, downlifting, ugly and communist. Read it here.
..and the chicks are free. Hugo Chavez is flinging money in multi-billions all over the place, like a drunk with coins burning holes in his pockets. He’s the world’s biggest spendthrift and he’s driving Venezuela straight into the ground. Miguel Octavio has the whole sordid story here. Read and weep.
I knew this would happen. Hugo Chavez’s incessant meddling with the market would lead to what it always leads to: shortages, just like Cuba. And ration cards as well. More and more, Venezuela is looking like a communist regime. The thug of Caracas is bringing hunger to Venezuela. He’s got to go.
Not much time to post on this, but I woke up to a great news roundup by Gateway Pundit with pictures and video. Check it out.
I just wanted to point this out because I laughed out loud when I read it: President Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in an interview with Russia’s TV-Tsentr on 11 July that he has no friends, Belapan reported. Responding to a remark by the interviewer that “the presidency is a colossal solitude,” Lukashenka said this description touches…
Al-Hayat has reported that an Egyptian court has legalized a moderate Islamist political movement (“Egypt: Judge Qubtay Grants Islamist Party a License by Decree“). Under Egyptian law, political organizations have to have a license to operate, and the country’s largest Islamist organization, the Muslim Brotherhood, is still denied one. This decree means that the New…
I’m thinking of redesigning the site. You know, making it sleeker, more organized, sexier in general. So I need you all to leave suggestions. General design? Colors? What cool features should it have? Leave your comments!
I’ve heard about this for two weeks and have been awaiting its release. Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Co-chairman of the Helsinki Commission has introduced legislation into the House entitled the Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Act. Under CADHRA, all non-humanitarian assistance to each government covered under the legislation would be conditioned on the…
Students at Tehran University launched a protest against the regime to release all political prisoners. Of all people, a Reuters journalist was on the scene and wrote about it with pictures. TEHRAN, July 12 (Reuters) – Iranian police beat dozens of protesters with batons on Tuesday at a demonstration to call for the release of…
Reality Check Time on the Israeli/Palestinian Front – Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, now scheduled for next month, is leading the Israeli-Palestinian peace process – if such a thing exists – toward disaster. Ironically, the withdrawal, known in Israel as the “Disengagement Plan,” has wide support everywhere in the world outside Gaza itself –…
Another car bomb has gone off in Beirut, but this time with a twist. This politician, Elias Murr, is considered pro-Syria. Lebanon’s caretaker Vice Premier and Defense Minister Elias Murr survived an assassination bombing ambush with minor and medium burns in Beirut’s suburban district of Naccache Tuesday. Local media reports spoke of one to four…
Welcome to this week’s carnival of revolutions hosted by yours truly; the one, the only, the sexy. The purpose of this carnival is to highlight democracy movements, tyrannous acts, human rights, and election fiascos over the past week. And to promote myself, of course. Hey, look over there! General: Will Franklin looks at foreign aid…
I almost forgot, but I’m hosting tomorrow’s carnival of revolutions. Make sure to email me your blog posts regarding democracy, human rights, tyranny, etc. by sometime tomorrow morning. It’ll be a good one!