I'm sure that if you pay attention to any kind of print or television media you've seen the violence and bloodshed in Burma/Myanmar.
Pro-Democratic monks are marching against a military Junta (Spanish for committee) and in doing so are being gunned down by soldiers. This happened before, 19 years ago on August 8th 1988 (known as the 8888 revolution) resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, but almost no one had heard of the country let alone the march.
Things changed this year. Monks marched again and were gunned down again but there was something different. People heard. People saw. People reacted.
It turns out that some of the marchers had cameras and internet connections and that can be more deadly than any gun.
Images and videos of the protests and the accompanying violence spread around the world and the internet population recoiled in horror.
To date, a single internet social site, Facebook has over 400 different groups with one of them reaching as high as 135,000 (it should be noted that only several hours ago when i first checked it was numbered at 133,000)
This explosion of care could only have come from the increasingly small world and the impact of technology and globalization.
Just several days ago George Bush in his address to the United Nations cited the violence in issues that needed to be solved. The government of Myanmar went so far as to shut off internet access in the whole country for over a day.
We've seen the power of the internet, lets see what happens when it's combined with the power of the human heart.
UPDATE: It appears that the Burmese/Myanmar military Junta has shut off the internet once again. It's now been disconnected for at least 3 days.
UPDATE #2: As of now (2:20pm 3rd October) the facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24957770200&ref=nf) numbers more than 290,000
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Hmmmm
Well, once again, a crazy person has addressed the United Nations. Last year it was Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, today it was Mahmoud Ahmidinejad. He made claimed that the Iranian nuclear program was peaceful whilst at the same time stating that 'calamities will befall the world...of those that did not submit to the will of God' and that American and Europe will soon be free from Zionist oppression. Wow...this sounds like the kind of tough talk from someone that wants a nuclear weapon.
This small, petty dictator has led his country down a dangerous path. There's every chance that America or Israel will launch an attack against Iranian facilities because saber rattling with Israel is just not an action that is supported by your life insurance contract.
Countries of the world must be united in stopping an nuclear Iran. Help stop the bloodshed by stopping Iran.
This small, petty dictator has led his country down a dangerous path. There's every chance that America or Israel will launch an attack against Iranian facilities because saber rattling with Israel is just not an action that is supported by your life insurance contract.
Countries of the world must be united in stopping an nuclear Iran. Help stop the bloodshed by stopping Iran.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Something's goin down in Syria.
Almost 2 weeks ago an Israeli plane flew into Syria and dropped munitions. Due to my obsession compulsion with the knowing everything first and the fact that i have Drudge Report on my favorites I was the first of my friends and family to know about this and despite the fact that I consider myself very knowledgeable about Middle East issues I had no idea what was going on.
There was a complete media blackout in Israel, which would be strange in any country, but Israel is a haven of free press and there's 10 different opinions for every 2 citizens. It wasn't for a few days then things became clear. This wasn't a mistake or some screw-up by a cocky pilot rather it seems that (as of 24 Sept. 2007) Israel was making sure that Syria didn't get the bomb.
Only a few days ago i commented on the danger of Iran becoming a nuclear state, Syria would be just as dangerous.
The raid itself appears to be one of daring and audacity. From what i've pieced together from various news reports it seems that Israeli commandos, dressed as Syrian soldiers, infiltrated the target building and escaped undetected with fissionable material and then targeted the building for an air-strike. WOW!
If that was indeed true then it's a pretty amazing operation. The Syrian's appear to have been in bed with the North Koreans as several Syrian officials visited North Korea after the attack.
What's amazing isn't the reaction from the Western World. Rather the reaction, or lack thereof, from the Arab world. If Syria was indeed building a nuclear weapon it seems that no one, not even their Arab neighbors, wanted them to have it. There's been the typical condemnations from North Korea, Russia and Iran but that's it.
I'll hopefully have more over the coming days when things become clearer.
It seems that this is one of those operations for the record books
There was a complete media blackout in Israel, which would be strange in any country, but Israel is a haven of free press and there's 10 different opinions for every 2 citizens. It wasn't for a few days then things became clear. This wasn't a mistake or some screw-up by a cocky pilot rather it seems that (as of 24 Sept. 2007) Israel was making sure that Syria didn't get the bomb.
Only a few days ago i commented on the danger of Iran becoming a nuclear state, Syria would be just as dangerous.
The raid itself appears to be one of daring and audacity. From what i've pieced together from various news reports it seems that Israeli commandos, dressed as Syrian soldiers, infiltrated the target building and escaped undetected with fissionable material and then targeted the building for an air-strike. WOW!
If that was indeed true then it's a pretty amazing operation. The Syrian's appear to have been in bed with the North Koreans as several Syrian officials visited North Korea after the attack.
What's amazing isn't the reaction from the Western World. Rather the reaction, or lack thereof, from the Arab world. If Syria was indeed building a nuclear weapon it seems that no one, not even their Arab neighbors, wanted them to have it. There's been the typical condemnations from North Korea, Russia and Iran but that's it.
I'll hopefully have more over the coming days when things become clearer.
It seems that this is one of those operations for the record books
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Dangers of Academic Boycotts
With all the hubbub regarding the British boycott of Israeli academics by the University and College Union you've got to take a step back and just look at all the facts.
The UCU in May 2007 voted to 'consider the moral implications of existing and proposed links with Israeli academic institutions'.
So basically any Israeli academic should be refused invitations on the grounds that they are members of the state of Israel. Essentially this is a collective punishment against the Israeli Professors due to the government of Israel; so even those that did not vote for Kadima (the current Israeli government) are being caught in this net of anti-Israel sentiment.
What's most surprising is that the academics of Israel are generally those that are most opposed to military action against the Palestinian population. Traditionally academics are generally anti-war and this sentiment has expanded throughout the last 40 years to include anti-globalization, anti-imperialism and in some cases anti-Western attitudes. The academic boycotts only harm the peace process. There are plenty of ways to initiate violence but only few ways to create peace and one of those ways is through the citizens debating the actions of the government. Academics are considered some of the most well educated individuals in the country and they are being banned from speaking their mind to foreign audiences. If this continues then their voices of debate and reason will be drowned out in all the accusations by the citizens and government of anti-Westernism.
The rise of academic, economic and social boycotts against Israel is frightening. Whilst Israel can overcome economic boycotts easily (it's GDP has grown over the last several years and has rebounded nicely since the end of the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war) academic boycotts are much more dangerous.
If academics willingly single out Israel for condemnation yet turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses in other countries, such as Darfur, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the government control of television stations and soon to be dictatorship of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, then what's to stop them from teaching their biased view to their students. Academic bias against the West is also on the rise with major American universities conducting internal investigations against their own professors or in some cases promoting their staff's bias.
How are students supposed to learn both sides of the story when their tutors, the people that students are meant to trust the most, are filling their head with propaganda (on both sides of the political spectrum) and limiting their chances for debate.
The UCU in May 2007 voted to 'consider the moral implications of existing and proposed links with Israeli academic institutions'.
So basically any Israeli academic should be refused invitations on the grounds that they are members of the state of Israel. Essentially this is a collective punishment against the Israeli Professors due to the government of Israel; so even those that did not vote for Kadima (the current Israeli government) are being caught in this net of anti-Israel sentiment.
What's most surprising is that the academics of Israel are generally those that are most opposed to military action against the Palestinian population. Traditionally academics are generally anti-war and this sentiment has expanded throughout the last 40 years to include anti-globalization, anti-imperialism and in some cases anti-Western attitudes. The academic boycotts only harm the peace process. There are plenty of ways to initiate violence but only few ways to create peace and one of those ways is through the citizens debating the actions of the government. Academics are considered some of the most well educated individuals in the country and they are being banned from speaking their mind to foreign audiences. If this continues then their voices of debate and reason will be drowned out in all the accusations by the citizens and government of anti-Westernism.
“If we are to look at Israeli society, it is within the academic community that we've had the most progressive pro-peace views and views that have come out in favor of seeing us as equals....If you want to punish any sector, this is the last one to approach.”
— Al-Quds University President Sari Nusseibeh on academic boycotts of IsraelThe rise of academic, economic and social boycotts against Israel is frightening. Whilst Israel can overcome economic boycotts easily (it's GDP has grown over the last several years and has rebounded nicely since the end of the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war) academic boycotts are much more dangerous.
If academics willingly single out Israel for condemnation yet turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses in other countries, such as Darfur, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the government control of television stations and soon to be dictatorship of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, then what's to stop them from teaching their biased view to their students. Academic bias against the West is also on the rise with major American universities conducting internal investigations against their own professors or in some cases promoting their staff's bias.
How are students supposed to learn both sides of the story when their tutors, the people that students are meant to trust the most, are filling their head with propaganda (on both sides of the political spectrum) and limiting their chances for debate.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The very real danger of a nuclear Iran.
There are few more frightening prospects than a nuclear war. Nuclear weapons have only been used twice in history and both were used to end wars that had already ravaged much of the world and left a generation of young men on the fields of battle to die in a heroic way, far away from home.
Iran wants to use nuclear weaponry to start a war, not to end it. They've made claims that there technology is for peaceful purposes but these claims have been debunked by anyone with a knowledge of nuclear technology.
The program was launched in the 1950's, ironically, with the help of the United States but since the election and rise of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad it has perverted the course that the United States originally wanted it to take.
A nuclear Iran doesn't only threaten Israel but also the Europeans and the rest of the Arab world that finds itself at odds with Iran such as Turkey. Very recently the French government told the world to 'prepare for war' in regards to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The fears that people have of a nuclear Iran are very real. It's well known that Iran funds various terrorist groups throughout the world, Hezbollah for instance received weapons and support during their 2006 war with Israel, and Iran also supports the terrorists in Iraq.
What would happen when Iran creates this nuclear weapon, who will they target first? US troops in Iraq? Turkey? Israel perhaps?
This will in turn lead retaliatory attacks on Iranian facilities and towns, the death toll will be enormous and will easily reach into the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.
There are two options at our disposal.
-Diplomacy.
This could possibly work, by forcing Iran into a corner and shutting down their nuclear activities then the problem will be solved. This would only work if the United Nations can impose harsh enough measures to make sure that the Iranians understand that the only way out of the hole they've dug is to give up their ambition of a nuclear bomb.
-Surgical Air Strikes and Commando Raids.
The Iranians have made sure that their reactors aren't going down without a fight. They're extraordinarily well protected and underground. To fully destroy them Special Forces would have to enter the facilities and fight their way to the core before detonating explosives and escaping before the airforce bombs the remaining facilities. This will lead to deaths on both sides and will officially lead to international condemnation (but behind closed doors there will be thousands of sighs of relief)
-Do Nothing.
Best Case Scenario for this would be only a few thousand people dead from nuclear fall-out. More likely the bomb will be aimed at Israel which could leave up to between three to five million people dead not to mention the destruction of the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock and Church of the Nativity. This in turn could lead to religious turmoil throughout the rest of the world with retaliatory attacks against Iranian and Muslim communities.
Diplomacy is the idea solution to this problem but the radical and unstable regime of Ahmedinejad makes it less and less likely. As Iran enters the point of no return i'm quite sure that many jets will be fueled and many guns will be loaded. Another preemptive strike perhaps, ending lives to save many, many more.
Iran wants to use nuclear weaponry to start a war, not to end it. They've made claims that there technology is for peaceful purposes but these claims have been debunked by anyone with a knowledge of nuclear technology.
The program was launched in the 1950's, ironically, with the help of the United States but since the election and rise of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad it has perverted the course that the United States originally wanted it to take.
A nuclear Iran doesn't only threaten Israel but also the Europeans and the rest of the Arab world that finds itself at odds with Iran such as Turkey. Very recently the French government told the world to 'prepare for war' in regards to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The fears that people have of a nuclear Iran are very real. It's well known that Iran funds various terrorist groups throughout the world, Hezbollah for instance received weapons and support during their 2006 war with Israel, and Iran also supports the terrorists in Iraq.
What would happen when Iran creates this nuclear weapon, who will they target first? US troops in Iraq? Turkey? Israel perhaps?
This will in turn lead retaliatory attacks on Iranian facilities and towns, the death toll will be enormous and will easily reach into the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.
There are two options at our disposal.
-Diplomacy.
This could possibly work, by forcing Iran into a corner and shutting down their nuclear activities then the problem will be solved. This would only work if the United Nations can impose harsh enough measures to make sure that the Iranians understand that the only way out of the hole they've dug is to give up their ambition of a nuclear bomb.
-Surgical Air Strikes and Commando Raids.
The Iranians have made sure that their reactors aren't going down without a fight. They're extraordinarily well protected and underground. To fully destroy them Special Forces would have to enter the facilities and fight their way to the core before detonating explosives and escaping before the airforce bombs the remaining facilities. This will lead to deaths on both sides and will officially lead to international condemnation (but behind closed doors there will be thousands of sighs of relief)
-Do Nothing.
Best Case Scenario for this would be only a few thousand people dead from nuclear fall-out. More likely the bomb will be aimed at Israel which could leave up to between three to five million people dead not to mention the destruction of the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock and Church of the Nativity. This in turn could lead to religious turmoil throughout the rest of the world with retaliatory attacks against Iranian and Muslim communities.
Diplomacy is the idea solution to this problem but the radical and unstable regime of Ahmedinejad makes it less and less likely. As Iran enters the point of no return i'm quite sure that many jets will be fueled and many guns will be loaded. Another preemptive strike perhaps, ending lives to save many, many more.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Friends,
Please don't forget that tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_like_a_pirate_day
Once again, many apologies for little contact over the last week and a half because i've been wrapped up with uni work....and uni vacation.
Tomorrow i'll be posting about the Iran nuclear threat and in coming days i'll be looking into current events in Syria and the rest of the Arab world.
Keep reading
Raffe
Please don't forget that tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_like_a_pirate_day
Once again, many apologies for little contact over the last week and a half because i've been wrapped up with uni work....and uni vacation.
Tomorrow i'll be posting about the Iran nuclear threat and in coming days i'll be looking into current events in Syria and the rest of the Arab world.
Keep reading
Raffe
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Apologies
Many apologies for not updating for the last few days as uni work has kept me chained to my books. I should be back to posting as normal within the next few days.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
i'm amazed
George Bush just waved to me!!!
He walked out in the open street, surrounded by the Secret Service, along with our Prime Minister. Now because I was not searched i could have easily carried a grenade in and just killed 2 leaders. That was an abysmal security operation and i'm amazed he was allowed to walk out when he wasn't under any kind of bullet proof canopy.
Is this amateur hour?
He walked out in the open street, surrounded by the Secret Service, along with our Prime Minister. Now because I was not searched i could have easily carried a grenade in and just killed 2 leaders. That was an abysmal security operation and i'm amazed he was allowed to walk out when he wasn't under any kind of bullet proof canopy.
Is this amateur hour?
1st impressions
Well it's 8:43am Sydney time and i've just arrived in the office. I'm sure the government means well but security here is so poor it's not funny. Walking down Phillip St, where I work and apparently one of the 'secure zones', I was not stopped by any police officers, nor was i searched or scanned with any kind of metal detector. There was a large show of force by the police and a 5m tall fence wrapped around the street with cars blocked off but a determined assassin could best any of those. Entering a building under the guise of a delivery person, killing the occupants inside and open firing on the president as soon as he got out of the car is a very real possibility.
I work right across the street from the Prime Minister's office and i've heard that Bush is making a visit today so it will be interesting to see what happens.
More later friends :)
I work right across the street from the Prime Minister's office and i've heard that Bush is making a visit today so it will be interesting to see what happens.
More later friends :)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
here we go!
George Bush has just touched down in Sydney. His entourage includes around 300 or so Secret Service officers. Personally i'd say there were more than that because Condi Rice is joining him. Can't wait to see what happens :)
StopBush campaign
Tomorrow I will be making my way to work and shall be passing through all major rings of APEC security. I work in Phillip St, which technically has been cordoned off by the police and army but hopefully i'm going to make it through. There are several reasons that security is paramount, first of all to safeguard the leaders from a terrorist attack which is all the more real since there are several rocket launchers missing from the army. Secondly from radical socialists intent on disrupting the meetings. Good luck. This is a more extensive and expensive operations than the Sydney Olympics. The most prominent protesters tomorrow are going to be the "stopbush coalition" who's aim is to bring awareness to the criminal that is George Bush. First of all, I doubt George Bush is going to even hear the shouts of the protesters and second of all there's a good chance that it could get violent as other protests have in the past. In that case innocent people will be hurt and the protesters, who ironically protest because of innocent people being hurt, will have much to answer to.
Stay tuned for my reports throughout tomorrow of what APEC security is like :)
Stay tuned for my reports throughout tomorrow of what APEC security is like :)
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