Keeping track of developments in Egypt and Tunisia post-revolution is watching history unfold and wondering if it will repeat itself or utterly pull a black swan. Revolutions have an uncanny way of developing and no one can ever predict what happens after the revolution. I am immensely happy to see the people of Egypt and Tunisia overthrow the yokes of their long-ruling dictators but I'm also aware toppling a dictator was the 'easy part.' Establishing political stability in these countries as well as a stable democracy will be the biggest challenge yet. A good dose of realism is necessary in regards to the political process in lieu of a power-vacuum. Democracy will require constant vigilance and public accountability, human security and economic prosperity to truly be stable. At worse, if democracy does not prevail these countries will end up the pickings between corrupt strongmen vying for power.
Right now, Egypt and Tunisia are in transition, a slow going, fragile and tense process with Egypt due to have parliamentary elections in September and Tunisia in July. Bahrain and Syria are under dictatorial pressures and major crackdowns with little being said and done by the international community in their regard, albeit today the US imposed sanctions on Syria in response to the ongoing violence. Jordan and Saudi Arabia are playing major balancing acts trying to satisfy their own discontent groups and seeking out regional stability. Libya is in civil war and Yemen has the potential to explode into a bloodbath as Saleh keeps pressing his time-buying tactics with the GCC.
Iraq is a vision of things that could potentially happen in these other countries if revolution succeeds. US forces are officially due to pull out of Iraq at the end of this year but what they leave behind is potentially disconcerting. Iraq's leaders are still divided as to US troop withdrawal at the end of the year. Iraq has had to contend with its own local protests and often news from Iraq has been drowned out amid everything else going on in the region as well as recent limitations placed on free media. The curbing of press freedoms in Iraq either through legal means or outright intimidation and violence is already an ill omen for the country.
One might argue Iraq is a bad case to which to compare Egypt, Tunisia, and the other Arab countries in the middle of revolts or, in Libya's case, civil war. After all, Saddam Hussein was toppled by a foreign military intervention not by a revolution. Yet with its sectarian, tribal, and ethnic divisions and its energy resources, Iraq is a good deal similar to the other countries currently amid uprisings of the so-called Arab Spring and may well foreshadow the potential political arena these countries could face after downing their current governments. In theory, Iraq has a 'democracy' in place but in practice sectarian violence is ongoing as different groups continue to vie for power over the country. Corruption is rife and institutional structures to bring about much needed stability and enhance nationwide security are still weak. Consider the recent news: a wave of assassinations across the country has been blamed on Shi'ite militias. Security forces and police are divided by factions with set loyalties and the current problem lies in having control over security across the country. As of today, no consensus exists and no stable government has been formed.
Recent events in Tunisia and Egypt emphasize the need to be wary. The transitional 'unity' government established by PM Mohammed Ghannouchi in Tunisia leaves many of Ben Ali's former allies in key posts and opposition leaders are critical and impatient with the slow pace of change. On a positive note, Ghannouchi has announced reforms for total freedom of press, the release of prisoners of conscience and corruption investigations for those who amassed wealth under Ben Ali. It's been almost 100 days since Mubarak's ouster in Egypt, the country has been in a state of lawlessness, emergency laws haven't yet been lifted, and the population look expectantly to Mubarak's prosecution. The ruling party was dissolved in April, but Egypt remains under military rule while in transition and many Egyptians fear a counter-revolution. Tensions between Christians and Muslims led to clashes at the over the alleged conversion of a Christian woman to Islam and tensions between pro-Mubarak supporters and anti-Mubarak protesters still exist. Furthermore, liberal or secularist Tunisians and Egyptians cast a wary eye at Islamist parties who are beginning to exercise their political participation in each respective country.
The question is will these countries be able to balance freedom of political participation while still affording religious rights, protections for minority groups and women, anti-corruption measures, and freedom of the press? Or will the political processes taking place in Tunisia and Egypt degenerate to violence, or, God forbid, another dictatorship?
In the words of Alexander Herzen, a 19th-century Russian writer: "Beware the oppressors, beware the liberators." Political transformations are always riddled with chaos, in them lie both risk and opportunity.
18 May 2011
10 May 2011
Condoning Domestic Violence? TV, Books, & Silence - Why We All Should 'Tell Somebody'
This week Glamour magazine published the results of a national survey conducted to measure the extent of relationship violence against women. The survey concluded that 60 per cent of young women in America have been subject to some form of relationship abuse or violence. Moreover, 24 per cent have not told anyone they've been abused and 37 per cent of women who know someone in an abusive relationship never said anything to that person or law enforcement authorities about it. In lieu of these results, Glamour has kicked off a campaign called 'Tell Somebody' to raise awareness of domestic violence in America and to encourage friends to keep tabs on friends in potentially violent relationships.
Violence against women is a phenomena that transcends culture, race, and religion. If 60 per cent of women in a country that has made significant social and legal advancements on their behalf are subject to relationship violence, one can only imagine the actual statistics in countries lacking any such protections or support for women.
To make matters worse, recent publications of teen fiction are equating love to violence, not to mention certain controversial episodes of TV series based on the books that seem to highlight misogyny. Two years ago, criticisms were launched against the vampire Twilight series, noting that the protagonist Bella was engaged in an abusive romance with vampire Edward. More recently, Jezebel writer Margarett Hartmann, reported on the criticism the most recent episode of Gossip Girl garnered for equating violence as romance. Gossip Girl is another teen book series made into a TV show. In the most recent episode aired on May 2nd, a male character, Chuck, lunges a punch at his ex-girlfriend, Blair, misses and smashes the window behind her cutting her face. "Yet this isn't a story about relationship abuse," Hartmann reports, "the writers say it shows how much he loves her."
Yes, you read that right, the Executive Producer of Gossip Girl is defending the scene not as abuse but as the intensity of love. "The way we viewed it, I think it's very clear that Blair is not afraid in those moments, for herself. They have a volatile relationship, they always have, but I do not believe—or I should say we do not believe—that it is abuse when it's the two of them. Chuck does not try to hurt Blair. He punches the glass because he has rage, but he has never, and will never, hurt Blair. He knows it and she knows it, and I feel it's very important to know that she is not scared—if anything, she is scared for Chuck—and what he might do to himself, but she is never afraid of what he might do to her. Leighton and I were very clear about that." Let's backtrack for a minute and note that Chuck's character doesn't have a brilliant record. In the Season 1 pilot he attempts to rape two other female characters.
If this series is about love then love has gotten mixed up with all the wrong messages to girls and it is desensitizing them to relationship abuse and essentially 'normalizing' bad behavior as 'romantic.' To be fair, a lot of paperback adult romance novels have carried similar themes of rape and initial abuse as romantic. However, if these shows and books are targeted to teenagers parents should engage their children in discussion drawing the line between fantasy and reality. The reality is 4 women a day die at the hands of their abusive partners in the United States, according to the 2011 Glamour survey.
Now let's consider domestic violence in countries outside the US. In 2008, NPR did a segment called Domestic Violence: A Silent Crisis in Russia. The Russian government estimates 14,000 women die at the hands of their partners each year but Russian police don't even classify abuse as a crime. Because it is culturally considered a 'private matter' no support systems exist in Russia to rehabilitate or protect women who are the victims of abusive relationships. A US Report on Human Rights Practices published in 2006 added that in Brazil domestic violence is 'widespread and underreported' although the government now appears to be taking legal steps to protect women. Spain has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Western Europe where reportedly 73 women died at the hands of their partners in 2010. Similarly, in Portugal 15,904 complaints were registered concerning domestic violence in 2009, including 16 murders, according to Amnesty International. In 2004, Saudi broadcast journalist Rania al-Baz breached the social taboo and spoke out against domestic violence in Saudi Arabia after sustaining horrific injuries perpetrated by her husband. Her audacity and courage launched public debate in the Gulf on domestic violence.
Violence against women should cease being condoned whether by TV, books, movies, the passivity of governments, and the act of silence. Tell Somebody! Women (and enlightened men) need to fight back not just in the United States but in countries around the world.
_________________
Glamour Tell Somebody: Text TELLNOW to 85944 to make a $10 donation, and the Avon Foundation will match every dollar you donate to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. In 2010, 83,027 calls went unanswered by the hotline due to lack of funding— more than 1,590 calls per week. Glamour, in partnership with Avon, is seeking to raise $200,000.
Violence against women is a phenomena that transcends culture, race, and religion. If 60 per cent of women in a country that has made significant social and legal advancements on their behalf are subject to relationship violence, one can only imagine the actual statistics in countries lacking any such protections or support for women.
To make matters worse, recent publications of teen fiction are equating love to violence, not to mention certain controversial episodes of TV series based on the books that seem to highlight misogyny. Two years ago, criticisms were launched against the vampire Twilight series, noting that the protagonist Bella was engaged in an abusive romance with vampire Edward. More recently, Jezebel writer Margarett Hartmann, reported on the criticism the most recent episode of Gossip Girl garnered for equating violence as romance. Gossip Girl is another teen book series made into a TV show. In the most recent episode aired on May 2nd, a male character, Chuck, lunges a punch at his ex-girlfriend, Blair, misses and smashes the window behind her cutting her face. "Yet this isn't a story about relationship abuse," Hartmann reports, "the writers say it shows how much he loves her."
Yes, you read that right, the Executive Producer of Gossip Girl is defending the scene not as abuse but as the intensity of love. "The way we viewed it, I think it's very clear that Blair is not afraid in those moments, for herself. They have a volatile relationship, they always have, but I do not believe—or I should say we do not believe—that it is abuse when it's the two of them. Chuck does not try to hurt Blair. He punches the glass because he has rage, but he has never, and will never, hurt Blair. He knows it and she knows it, and I feel it's very important to know that she is not scared—if anything, she is scared for Chuck—and what he might do to himself, but she is never afraid of what he might do to her. Leighton and I were very clear about that." Let's backtrack for a minute and note that Chuck's character doesn't have a brilliant record. In the Season 1 pilot he attempts to rape two other female characters.
If this series is about love then love has gotten mixed up with all the wrong messages to girls and it is desensitizing them to relationship abuse and essentially 'normalizing' bad behavior as 'romantic.' To be fair, a lot of paperback adult romance novels have carried similar themes of rape and initial abuse as romantic. However, if these shows and books are targeted to teenagers parents should engage their children in discussion drawing the line between fantasy and reality. The reality is 4 women a day die at the hands of their abusive partners in the United States, according to the 2011 Glamour survey.
Now let's consider domestic violence in countries outside the US. In 2008, NPR did a segment called Domestic Violence: A Silent Crisis in Russia. The Russian government estimates 14,000 women die at the hands of their partners each year but Russian police don't even classify abuse as a crime. Because it is culturally considered a 'private matter' no support systems exist in Russia to rehabilitate or protect women who are the victims of abusive relationships. A US Report on Human Rights Practices published in 2006 added that in Brazil domestic violence is 'widespread and underreported' although the government now appears to be taking legal steps to protect women. Spain has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Western Europe where reportedly 73 women died at the hands of their partners in 2010. Similarly, in Portugal 15,904 complaints were registered concerning domestic violence in 2009, including 16 murders, according to Amnesty International. In 2004, Saudi broadcast journalist Rania al-Baz breached the social taboo and spoke out against domestic violence in Saudi Arabia after sustaining horrific injuries perpetrated by her husband. Her audacity and courage launched public debate in the Gulf on domestic violence.
Violence against women should cease being condoned whether by TV, books, movies, the passivity of governments, and the act of silence. Tell Somebody! Women (and enlightened men) need to fight back not just in the United States but in countries around the world.
_________________
Glamour Tell Somebody: Text TELLNOW to 85944 to make a $10 donation, and the Avon Foundation will match every dollar you donate to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. In 2010, 83,027 calls went unanswered by the hotline due to lack of funding— more than 1,590 calls per week. Glamour, in partnership with Avon, is seeking to raise $200,000.
09 May 2011
Osama bin Laden is dead. Now what?
A recent cartoon by Carlos Latuff politically summarizing the impact of Osama bin Laden's death has gone viral. The cartoon depicts bin Laden's coffin wrapped in an American flag with George W. Bush weeping over it declaring he will be missed and Obama consoling him. Reactions to the cartoon vary greatly, some Americans probably even find it offensive.
But consider the metaphor: for the past decade, Osama bin Laden has been at the center of American policy as the leader of Al Qaeda, the embodiment of terrorism. Bin Laden gave the Bush administration justification to beat the war drums into Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. It created Guantanamo Bay flouting Geneva Conventions, established 'enhanced interrogation techniques' (see, Torture), and the CIA's Extraordinary Renditions. It left millions of travellers facing long arduous security procedures at airports and Americans watching a fear-mongering conservative media with lack of any real substantial news reporting. It left America with new debates concerning personal privacy, civil liberties, government transparency and disclosure with the passage of the USA Patriot Act and later amendments to the Freedom of Information Act. Not to mention, Muslim Americans became victims of racism, bigotry and racial profiling across the country.
With a lynchpin for most of American policy for the past decade is gone, now what? Are we any safer than they were before? Does having the ambiguous enemy of 'terrorism' make any of us more secure with where American policy is heading for the next decade?
Bin Laden's death is in some ways a relief. We can hope that many Bush-era policies will be dismantled. We can hope that American media, with recent criticisms by Hillary Clinton earlier this year, will start focusing on reporting facts and cease the spouting of talking heads that has only aggravated bigotry and been divisive rather than remedial in providing greater public accountability. We can also hope the racism and negative biases that have been stamped on Muslims in America will fade out. Ultimately, we can hope that the hatred, enmity, and divisions that Bin Laden created will also die with him.
05 May 2011
Terje Sorgjerd - Photographic Artist
I am in love with photographer and videographer, Terje Sorgjerd, producer of TSO Photography. This is an example of his most recent video on top of El Teide, Spain's highest mountain, one of the best places on earth to photograph the stars and home of Teide Observatories. Click on the links above to see his portfolio of work. Absolutely stunning.
The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.
The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.
Thrashing Media Freedoms & Arbitrary Arrests: Eye on Syria and Bahrain
The Trump v. Obama bonanza and the recent death of Osama bin Laden (carefully timed to be announced in the middle of The Apprentice) has been drowning out a lot of more important ongoing news. World Press Freedom Day has gone by this May 3rd and, lest we forget, journalists in Syria and Bahrain are facing rough odds. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders issued this year's list of press freedom "predators" this past Tuesday. Who's new to the list this year? The King of Bahrain.
Yesterday, Toby C. Jones published a great piece on the Arab Reform Bulletin, a publication by the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, with an analysis and overview of Bahrain's censorship measures. To name a few, Al Wasat, Bahrain's leading independent paper is expected to close down on May 10 and, according to The Media Line, "the Bahrain Center for Human Rights reported on Tuesday that 68 journalists have been laid-off, arrested and threatened." Even medical personnel and staff are not immune to the repression. The Guardian reported that medics have become targets of retribution simply for helping injured protesters. The Media Line further added that about 50 medics would face military trial for 'subversive acts.'
In Syria, a similar pattern of response against media and opposition supporters has taken place. This past Wednesday, Al Jazeera confirmed that one of its journalists, Dorothy Parvaz, was arrested in Syria. Al Jazeera has launched an online campaign on Twitter with the tag #FreeDorothy as well as a Facebook page. Today, the Neiman Foundation, of which Parvaz is a fellow, has also called for her release. For the past month, arbitrary arrests of journalists and suspected opposition supporters has been the norm in Syria with the addition of violent crackdowns against protesters, especially in Deraa, which some observers are calling a 'massacre.'
If these regimes believe that arbitrary arrests, violent retribution, and thrashing media freedoms will maintain the status quo they really ought to reconsider their tactics. Historically, such actions only result in strengthening the resolve of those who genuinely seek political reform for their countries building up international criticism for the regime and sympathy for the victims of crackdowns. Is there any political sense in detaining journalists, bloggers and medics, shooting at unarmed protesters, and even using torture and blackmail to threaten opposition supporters? Do these tactics ever provide a desired outcome in long-run? While in the private sphere individuals are expected to act with civility towards one another, the same ethics and rules of behavior never apply in the political realm which is a sad sight. If the governments of Syria and Bahrain continue to take "desperate" measures against protesters and media representatives they will surely find themselves committing political suicide.
Yesterday, Toby C. Jones published a great piece on the Arab Reform Bulletin, a publication by the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, with an analysis and overview of Bahrain's censorship measures. To name a few, Al Wasat, Bahrain's leading independent paper is expected to close down on May 10 and, according to The Media Line, "the Bahrain Center for Human Rights reported on Tuesday that 68 journalists have been laid-off, arrested and threatened." Even medical personnel and staff are not immune to the repression. The Guardian reported that medics have become targets of retribution simply for helping injured protesters. The Media Line further added that about 50 medics would face military trial for 'subversive acts.'
In Syria, a similar pattern of response against media and opposition supporters has taken place. This past Wednesday, Al Jazeera confirmed that one of its journalists, Dorothy Parvaz, was arrested in Syria. Al Jazeera has launched an online campaign on Twitter with the tag #FreeDorothy as well as a Facebook page. Today, the Neiman Foundation, of which Parvaz is a fellow, has also called for her release. For the past month, arbitrary arrests of journalists and suspected opposition supporters has been the norm in Syria with the addition of violent crackdowns against protesters, especially in Deraa, which some observers are calling a 'massacre.'
If these regimes believe that arbitrary arrests, violent retribution, and thrashing media freedoms will maintain the status quo they really ought to reconsider their tactics. Historically, such actions only result in strengthening the resolve of those who genuinely seek political reform for their countries building up international criticism for the regime and sympathy for the victims of crackdowns. Is there any political sense in detaining journalists, bloggers and medics, shooting at unarmed protesters, and even using torture and blackmail to threaten opposition supporters? Do these tactics ever provide a desired outcome in long-run? While in the private sphere individuals are expected to act with civility towards one another, the same ethics and rules of behavior never apply in the political realm which is a sad sight. If the governments of Syria and Bahrain continue to take "desperate" measures against protesters and media representatives they will surely find themselves committing political suicide.
Favorite Coffee Haunts in London
Places I used to loiter in with extraordinary customer loyalty and eventually made some friends engage in my loyalties all for the sake of hours of conversation and good food and drink:
Café Concerto (High Street Kensington): a local chain, to be fair, luxe with some fabulous cake and coffees if you'd like to splurge!
I dig - a slice of the the Strawberry Gateaux.
Pain de Quotidien (South Kensington/Notting Hill): Another chain, however they have a brilliant brunch menu.
I dig - their brunch bread basket with assorted jams and sauces and their giant cup of hot chocolate.
The Troubadour (Earl's Court): famed as a haunt where some famous musicians got started back in the 50s and 60s, the Troubadour boasts an excellent selection of food and drink and an amazing happy hour deal, but be careful - they make their drinks strong.
I dig - the bucket of mussels, any of their cocktails, and they definitely have decent port wine.
Blushes (Chelsea/King's Road): best place to flirt and meet café regulars. I've had many adventures at Blushes. The owner is particularly warm and the staff endearing.
I dig - their milkshakes/smoothies, coffees, champagne
Market Coffee House (Spitalfields): One of the oldest coffeehouses in London, they serve primarily British fare but they have an excellent selection of pastries and deserts. Their breakfast menu is pretty fab too!
I dig - their Belgian hot chocolate, made with real melted chocolate.
Gallipoli Café (Angel): There are three!!! Personally, I recommend Gallipoli Bazaar if only for the shisha. Amazing Turkish fare, all kinds of spiced teas, Turkish coffee, and a complimentary coffee desert shot at the end. Great place to linger for late night conversation.
I dig - the Sucuk Kepab which is Turkish garlic sausage in pita, yogurt sauce and a secret recipe sauce. To die for.
The Tinderbox (Angel): A hole in the wall coffeeshop by the movie theatre but with an expansive menu. Excellent coffee, milkshakes and deserts.
I dig - Any of their coffees, and definitely their chocolate milkshake is great.
Café Concerto (High Street Kensington): a local chain, to be fair, luxe with some fabulous cake and coffees if you'd like to splurge!
I dig - a slice of the the Strawberry Gateaux.
Pain de Quotidien (South Kensington/Notting Hill): Another chain, however they have a brilliant brunch menu.
I dig - their brunch bread basket with assorted jams and sauces and their giant cup of hot chocolate.
The Troubadour (Earl's Court): famed as a haunt where some famous musicians got started back in the 50s and 60s, the Troubadour boasts an excellent selection of food and drink and an amazing happy hour deal, but be careful - they make their drinks strong.
I dig - the bucket of mussels, any of their cocktails, and they definitely have decent port wine.
Blushes (Chelsea/King's Road): best place to flirt and meet café regulars. I've had many adventures at Blushes. The owner is particularly warm and the staff endearing.
I dig - their milkshakes/smoothies, coffees, champagne
Market Coffee House (Spitalfields): One of the oldest coffeehouses in London, they serve primarily British fare but they have an excellent selection of pastries and deserts. Their breakfast menu is pretty fab too!
I dig - their Belgian hot chocolate, made with real melted chocolate.
Gallipoli Café (Angel): There are three!!! Personally, I recommend Gallipoli Bazaar if only for the shisha. Amazing Turkish fare, all kinds of spiced teas, Turkish coffee, and a complimentary coffee desert shot at the end. Great place to linger for late night conversation.
I dig - the Sucuk Kepab which is Turkish garlic sausage in pita, yogurt sauce and a secret recipe sauce. To die for.
The Tinderbox (Angel): A hole in the wall coffeeshop by the movie theatre but with an expansive menu. Excellent coffee, milkshakes and deserts.
I dig - Any of their coffees, and definitely their chocolate milkshake is great.
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