Blogging the democratic revolution
Chrenkoff gives his impressions of the election so far, and his thoughts on the defeatist Left. But what made me strike a thinking pose the most was the following: Every revolution has its symbol or gesture – the democratic revolution in Iraq, and hopefully throughout the broader Middle East, will have its own, too: a finger stained with ink. This event will leave more than a stain on their fingers though. Husayn Uthman at Democracy For Iraq says: It will be a day forever remembered. My voting was only a simple act, I went, I identified myself, got my finger…
BLOG ROUNDUPS: -Jeff Jarvis has a huge roundup. Even cooler, he found an RSS feed that automatically shows the updates from all the links he posted. Also, Iraqi blogger reactions gethered up. More reactions from military bloggers –More from the Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies. LIVEBLOGGERS: -Roger Simon is liveblogging the TV news coverage. -Manchester is also
I’m about to begin doing my series of Iraq roundups, but I thought I would start off with some satire. You heard me right. Dear Diary, Today started out as a amazing day! I was going to be a part of history and nothing was going to stop me! To my amazement, luck was on my side… there was a polling center right near me! When I got there, I was happy to see lots of other people ready to do their civic duty as Americans! I was a little bit confused by the apparent lack of ethnic diversity, but…
The elections in Iraq are due to be held on Sunday — or late night Saturday if you’re State side. This is looking to be the event of the century, even though it has just barely started. I have neglected to post much about Iraq in the past week, on the run up, because I myself have been reading extensively about the situation. However, during Saturday, I will dedicate all of my blogging time to Iraq. I’m going to do news and blog roundups, post commentary, the whole nine yards. This is a huge deal, and I cannot stress that…
This article from AZ Central details, albeit at times somewhat wrongly or speculatively, that no matter the results of the election, they are scared of the consequences. Apparently, the Shiite majority that is going to arise in Iraq will create problems for just about everybody, despite some benefits. Here is the introduction: DAMASCUS, Syria – With suspicion, uncertainty and dread, governments across the Middle East are waiting for Sunday’s landmark parliamentary election in Iraq. To many, the vote is a deeply worrisome exercise that could produce one of a handful of bad options. Shiite Muslim alliances from Iraq’s majority sect…
I just found this great blog called Stop Censoring Us, only to find out it is done by Hossein Derakhshan, creator of Editor: Myself and Blogs by Iranians. He definitely keep himself busy, so make sure to check out his blogs and support him.
Andrew Sullivan has some preliminary thoughts about standards for the elections in Iraq: Here are my criteria: over 50 percent turnout among the Shia and Kurds, and over 30 percent turnout for the Sunnis. No massive disruption of voting places; no theft of ballots. Fewer than 500 murdered. Any other suggestions for relevant criteria? My question is: If these people are killed, will they be considered grave voters and have their ballots disqualified? I jest. But I would like to know more about the ballot counting and verification process for the Iraq election if anyone has the information.
Nathan posts about the “not-so-veiled threats against NGOs” in Uzbekistan. I guess that is because they do engage in some pro-democracy, er, activities; but I’m obviously against blocking them out for that very reason. But it always makes me come to the conclusion that doing this will only further speed up the current regime’s downfall. Also posted is an interview with “President” Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan
Andy has also posted his weekly Russia news update. I love things like this. But I find it interesting how authoritarian governments handle welfare. He is giving out 20% pay increases to troops and adding to pensions because of the recent protests. How is this even economically feasible for Russia? I guess he’s just delaying his own gravedigging.
Andy just posted some really good commentary about the European Union’s desire to promote stability in Russia over democracy. Here is part of it: The EU fears this day because, unlike revolutions in Ukraine or Georgia, the instability that comes with any regime transition may not be so easily contained in Russia. Russia is simply too large. The EU also knows that those currently in the Kremlin have no powerful outsiders to back them up in a crisis. Leonid Kuchma, the outgoing Ukrainian President, at least has the security of knowing that his powerful protectors in Russia will (probably) not…
Discoshaman has posted his Ukraine update for 01/29. Looks like Yulia has good odds of being confirmed!
Neeka totally dessimates this article by the Financial Times about Ukraine and weariness for investment.
John at Crossroads Arabia posts an interesting editorial with some interesting commentary about how Hamas, while sponsoring terrorism, is also one of Gaza’s biggest sponsors of social caretaking. I’ve never heard of this, but it could definitely be due to the western media not presenting the information. Either way, it will take some research on my part. Here is what he excerpted: While the overwhelming victory of Hamas candidates in the Gaza local elections may have disappointed Mahmoud Abbas, it must not be taken as a vote overturning his triumph in the election for the Palestinian leadership or his efforts…
David McDuff has an awesome series of posts called Going Back: 1, 2, 3, 4. It is incredibly interesting… he details his family’s experience, and his own, with the Soviet Union. It’s like reading a good book, check it out.
The school hijack that took place this past September in Beslan was helped out by government officials! Alexander Torshin, the head of the commission investigating the fatal hostage taking, told Russian media that two accomplices already have been detained, three are being sought and authorities are preparing the legal work to detain two more. Torshin said the suspects included officials ranking “higher than major.” Another Senator who is a member of the commission, Vladimir Kulakov, added that the people who aided the terrorists are not only in Beslan but “at the federal level” and “these people are still at their…
Dan McMinn has posted an article that has Tymoshenko detailing her agenda as prime minister.
Chrenkoff has a new roundup of good things going on in the Muslim world. I wonder how these oppressive theocracies let these stories get out? They must be slacking.
Straight from Discoshama the Ukraine update for 01/27.
Commies are so bizarre. Hu is saying that communism is still the ‘correct road’ for China, but honestly. when is communism ever the right way to go? “Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the logical and correct choice for China to further realize national rejuvenation, prosperity of the country and happy lives for the people,” he said. The Chinese leader also said “socialism is in a constant development process.” “As practices of socialism with Chinese characteristics keeps growing, so will our understanding of the laws of socialist construction,” said Hu. “We should apply these laws creatively to guide the study and…
It’s not so often that we see such optimism from Israel. But I guess if even Sharon is confident that the Palestinians are doing their part, then we might actually be seeing something good here. Speaking at a convention of building contractors in Tel Aviv, Sharon said, “I believe that the conditions are now ripe to allow us and the Palestinians to reach a historic breakthrough in the relations between us.” Sharon’s remarks followed a series of steps by the new Palestinian regime headed by Mahmoud Abbas, including efforts for a halt to militant attacks against Israelis and deployment of…
Zed over at INBB has posted several recently published reports about companies that do business with Burma’s military dictatorship. There are a lot of travel agencies on there. I can just see the slogan: “Come one, come all! Tour the abject poverty and learn how they keep it that way!”
Aussiegirl has posted a very moving post talking about her family’s trials with totalitarianism in Russie and Germany, and her feelings with the Orange Revolution. It’s a really good read. So when I heard and watched these events unfold in Ukraine, and I realized that Ukrainians had finally gotten up off their knees and reclaimed their rightful heritage as a free and democratic and cultural people, I wept with joy — because it felt like a liberation to me as well, that my own Ukrainian song which had been planted in me by my parents, and which I had cherished…
I find myself agreeing with all of this. Hat tip: Pejmanesque.
Andy from Siberian Light is discussing the recent legal proposals in Russia to outlaw Jewish groups as “extremist.”