Blogging the democratic revolution
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…
The unprintable cartoon directed at Condi Rice, in Spanish. Feel free to not open it, it is filthy and disgusting.
An outspoken reporter in Venezuela has just had her home raided by dictator Chavez’s communist goons. This brave woman, Patricia Poleo, has been instrumental in exposing government involvement in the carbomb murder of Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson. She has the goods on them. And now the communist barbarians are moving in on her. This is very bad news and worse is going to follow. SOUND THE ALARM! VCrisis has the first report and now a string of updates – Scott and Thomas also have items. If you can read Spanish, here is some of Patricia Poleo’s most powerful published work.
This item on Larry Summers, Condi Rice, Hugo Chavez, and Venezuela, outlining a string of media double standards about sexism is getting a high hit count at American Thinker.
Thank you brave Vaclav Havel! Christian Science Monitor has a story worth reading, it shows just how much tyrannical Castro has cost Cuba in lost growth over these years. They do a superb job.
Ever wondered how the Chavez regime works? A glimpse at the huge power voids in the prosecutorial system and the attorney general’s’ inability to understand what his job is is contributing to the chaotic maelstrom in Venezuela. The government seems obsessed with accusing one another. See a new item (it’s a real good explanatory read) at Devil’s Excrement for details.
Dan McMinn has posted an article that has Tymoshenko detailing her agenda as prime minister.
Alek Boyd at VCrisis has a good take about Venezuela’s new spate of ignorant political hacks who have their hands on what eventually ends up as one-sixth of America’s oil. They are rapidly making a hash of things.
That would be the EU, easily and cheaply allowing itself to be bought off by Castro’s thugs, who, in exchange for a few political prisoners, now have full diplomatic relations with the EU. Castro’s now free to beat about the country now. Val at Babalu tells you all you need to know….
Miguel also reports that tinpot General Acosta, a man who once confiscated a Coca Cola plant, swigged its liquored products and burped into a TV camera, is now confiscating farms and redistributing them to his cronies. I don’t want to think about what he does with the fertilizer for the TV cameras. Meanwhile, Miguel also reports the first bloodshed over these Marxist communist land confiscations so dear to the heart of Chavez and his mentor, Fidel Castro. It’s going to get violent. Read the whole thing.
Miguel Octavio reports that the chavistas are getting emboldened in their racist sexual attacks on Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Their new cartoons are unprintable. Chavez is going off the deep end.
My essay on why the US news media ignored Chavez’s filthy speech directed against Dr. Condoleezza Rice. I called a bunch of US news editors to find out why. It’s sad.
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…