Blogging the democratic revolution
After the demonstrations on May 1, 1000 journalists took it upon themselves to rally for press freedom in their country that no longer has it. About 1,000 journalists have marched in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, to demand the restoration of press freedoms following the royal takeover. Severe restrictions, including censorship, were imposed on the media…
Ahead of the September 2006 presidential elections, the United Civic Party has begun drafting a party platform that addresses all spheres of development within the country. They are hoping to pave the way for a democratic Belarus. The United Civic Party (UCP) has gotten down to developing a program that could be used by a…
London 02.05.05 ö With the purpose of continuing with the previous article I shall comment today upon the main reason for Hugo Chavez’s sustained popularity in Venezuela; his ability to win political allies throughout the region and the foundations upon which his alliances are built. To begin with the unravelling of the Chavez phenomenon one…
Instapundit links a superb items on how technology is fuelling revolution in the Middle East and Central Asia. It’s a must-read. Read it here.
The king of Nepal ended the state of emergency on April 30, two days earlier than the three month constitutional mandate. The order followed talks with India and Kofi Annan, who pressured him to restore democracy and civil liberties in the country. What followed was the emergency lifted, but the complete retainment of power and…
Natan Sharansky, author of perhaps my favorite book “The Case For Democracy,” has submitted his resignation to Ariel Sharon to protest the unilateral disengagement of the territories. JERUSALEM (AP) – Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky, a frequent critic of Israel’s peace moves with the Palestinians, submitted his resignation Monday in protest over the planned withdrawal from…
I have just posted the weekend edition of my Biweekly News Bulletin. This is a regular feature which I am beginning just this past week. This is the link: Window on the Arab World, and More!
Bolivia’s excellent Miguel Buitrago, who blogs in English, warns that big trouble may begin tomorrow in Bolivia. The Congress is set to vote on the question of taxes and royalties on Monday, May 2, and Coca King Evo Morales, fresh from being succored by Chavez and Castro in Havana this past week, is in no…
The most amusing thing about world revolutions is that there always are a pack of decadent Marie Antoinettes out there somewhere, living it up large, while the underlings seethe. In modern times, Indonesia’s Soeharto Kids are the benchmark, but Marcos, Ceaucescu and Saddam also are notables, and one day, the Saudis of Marbella will be,…
Finals week is upon me, so today I am not sure how much I will be blogging. However, I realize that I don’t pimp my advertisers quite as much as I should, so every Sunday I think there should be a post thanking them for their free market exchange. So what I ask of you…
Regime Change Iran’s week in review is up and available. Interesting developments on that side of the Middle East, as always. Here your ironic quote of the week: Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said, “human rights are a weapon in the hands of our enemies to fight Islam.” Wow.
Fidel Castro’s Big Dumb Houseboy down in Caracas will listen to any sweet talk from his hairy Havana caudillo provided he says it nicely enough. That was why it was so easy to convince the hulky fool to turnnnnnn the checkbook, uhrrrr …. precious oil resources … over … to Castro’s own loving care. Fidel,…
Randy Paul has a short item on Miguel Inzulza of Chile winning the post as OAS Secretary General. He points out differences in media coverage on this somewhat mysterious issue. Why was it so controversial? Inzulza had been Hugo Chavez’s candidate, which is in itself a minus, because Chavez is the Foremost Troublemaker in our…
Over the past two months there have been protests in Ingushetia demanding the president resign over corruption. So far, things have gone generally peacefully. But read this recent report on RFE/RL and you will see just how corrupt those authorities are, and how they put down the protests by defaming them with fake fliers before…
Whether the MSM reports it or not, Latin America has been heating up with Cuba and Venezuela seeking to destabilize and undermine democracy throughout the entire continent. At a time when the Community of Democracies is meeting in Santiago, Chile, its virtual antagonist composed of the most criminal minds in the western hemisphere converged on…
Michael Totten declared victory from the tent city earlier today, noting that the elections have been officially confirmed for May 29. Read his entire post, as it is very thought provoking. The elections are to be held a month from now in four parts, 0n May 29, June 5, June 12 and June 19. They…
Since the emergency can only constitutionally last for three months though, it’s kind of by default. KATHMANDU, April 30 (Reuters) – Nepal’s king ended a state of emergency two days early, the Palace said on Saturday, but the sudden midnight proclamation does not reduce extraordinary powers he seized in February’s royal coup. Politicians said it…
I posted the other day an interview by RFE/RL with Kyrgyz interim president Bakiev who said he wants separation of powers and a stronger presidency. I argued, in short, for a stronger legislature. The Constitutional Council, which is supposed to debate the reforms necessary before the July 10 election, convened for the first time and…
Alvaro Vargas Llosa, an author of The Complete Guide To The Perfect Latin American Idiot (it has a whole chapter on Castro worship) and now, Liberty for Latin America: How to undo 500 years of state oppression will be interviewed by Jim Lehrer of PBS. Alvaro Vargas Llosa is one of the world’s foremost experts…
The Community of Democracies are meeting right now in my favorite city, Santiago de Chile, which I think is a fine country to hold such an event in. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is leading the U.S. delegation through this three day event from April 28-30. In the company of the democratic friends, she spoke…
I’d find it hard to disagree with this. The West African Bar Association (WABA) has called for the cancellation of the results of Togo’s election and formation a government of national unity, according to a statement from its president, Femi Falana. “Any attempt to form a national government on the basis of the flawed elections…
Arthur Chrenkoff can go ahead and put this one under good news from Iraq. Almost three months after the elections in January, Iraq’s National Assembly voted overwhelmingly Thursday to approve a Shiite-led cabinet, establishing the first elected government in Iraqi history. The assembly chamber burst into wild applause after a show of hands revealed that…
Ever wonder how Chavista-dom is changing the face of Venezuelan society? Blogger Daniel walked into a Caracas restaurant now frequented by the nouveau elite of the newly wealthy Chavista class and encountered a plethora of hoggishness. He dubs this new Marie Antoinette class of communist thugs the Boliburguesa, or, Bolivarian Bourgeois. Believe it or not,…
Instapundit alerts us to a Babes of Cairo sighting, see it here.
After hundreds of thousands protested in Mexico this weekend in defense of Obrador, Fox announced the resignation of the attorney general. MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s attorney general has stepped down, in an apparent attempt to free President Vicente Fox’s government from a controversial legal battle with a popular leftist mayor. Rafael Macedo de la Concha…