World News

London Needs Order

2:05 pm EST August 9th, 2011 | Crime, World | 123 Comments

I don’t like what I’m seeing across the pond. The rioters are running wild. And even worse, the authorities are acting with far too much restraint.

The Home Secretary appeared to rule out sending water cannon or the Army onto the streets of the capital, despite a third night of violence.

Speaking on Sky News, she said that police intelligence and the support of local communities would help quell the disturbances.

“The way we police in Britain is not through use of water cannon,” she said. “The way we police in Britain is through consent of communities.”

That seems… insane. I am not arguing that London needs to unleash its police force to do something like cracking skulls, but the response to this level of civil disobedience can’t be the usual business.

It’s unacceptable that a major, modern, capital city like London isn’t doing more to reign this in. In order to have a functioning society, some level of order has to be maintained. You can’t let thugs and fear of thugs run your city like this.

SOS Children’s Village Celebrates Other Mothers

5:29 pm EST May 11th, 2011 | World | 1 Comment

My friend Cory works with the great organization SOS Children’s Village and they’re always doing pure good things like this:

An Other Mother is a man or woman who “mothered” you when your own biological parent could not. These unsung heroes are sometimes grandparents, sometimes uncles, aunts, family friends, neighbors, teachers or even distant acquaintances who took it upon themselves to help you when you most needed support.

The story behind this:

At the heart of each SOS family is the SOS Mother who dedicates her life to raising a generation of orphaned and abandoned children as if they were her own. Worldwide, there are more than 5,250 SOS Mothers who care for 80,000 children in over 500 SOS Children’s Villages. They live with their children, care for their children, comfort their children and celebrate with their children. They do all the things a mother would do. Between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we want to recognize the many men and women in America who do the same.

Go. Check it out.

France’s Idiotic Veil Ban

10:20 am EST April 11th, 2011 | World | 3 Comments

It is amazingly idiotic for the French government to ban people wearing veils. It won’t happen, but we should condemn them from both a presidential and secretary of state level. A law like this would – you would hope – violate the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This is another sign that our bill of rights was a visionary document. We take for granted the right of free expression, yet even amongst our first word allies this isn’t always the case.

Topic: First Amendment, France, Islam

Our Strongman In Iraq?

9:08 am EST March 7th, 2011 | Foreign Policy, World | 2 Comments

If you look at the history of leaders the U.S. has supported in the past in order to further our own goals – for example in Vietnam, Cuba, Iraq, etc. – this doesn’t sound very promising:

Two political parties that led demonstrations in Baghdad over the past two weeks said on Monday that security forces controlled by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki had ordered them to close their offices.

The actions came amid growing concerns that Mr. Maliki, who is backed by the United States, is using force and other measures to stifle this country’s democracy.

Officials for the Iraqi Nation Party and the Iraqi Communist Party said in interviews that dozens of armed security forces had come to their offices in Baghdad on Sunday, two days after nationwide protests calling for better services.

What often builds up international opposition to America is our habit of propping up really bad guys who promise to keep things in check for us. It isn’t a big stretch when people then blame the way they’re abused on the American money and power that kept the abuser in office.

Topic: Iraq

Mubarak Steps Down

11:13 am EST February 11th, 2011 | World | 6 Comments

Congrats to the protesters in Egypt, who followed in the morally superior tradition of non-violent protest.

President Hosni Mubarak left the Egyptian capital for his resort home in Sharm el-Sheik on Friday and was expected to make a statement, state television said, amid indications that a transfer of power was under way.

We don’t know where this all will lead, but its clearly a new day for Egypt.

Topic: Egypt, Hosni Mubarak

VIDEO: 9yr Old Tanzanian Boy Recounts “Commando”, Wins Internet

10:16 am EST February 11th, 2011 | World | 3 Comments

Via Boing Boing, this video is from this group – Mama Hope.

We’ve had enough of the tragic impressions of Africans that flood the media and nonprofit campaigns. We aim to break these stereotypes by releasing a series of captivating videos that show the light of the people we serve in Africa. We aspire to introduce our communities to you with the integrity and brilliance that we witness everyday.

In the first video of our series meet Alex! He is a happy, healthy, 9 year old boy from Tanzania. He is intensely enthusiastic, has a wild imagination and loves action movies. Does this sound like any 9 year old boys you know?

UK’s Daily Star Champions Racist Group

12:17 pm EST February 10th, 2011 | World | 16 Comments

Pretty sad media news from across the pond.

Yesterday’s Daily Star broke new ground by publishing a political splash. Over a picture of flag-waving marchers was the headline English Defence League to become political party.

As this reproduction of its front page shows, it was anything but a neutral presentation. It is a clear piece of propaganda on behalf of the EDL, a group that opposes the supposed spread of Islamic extremism in Britain.

The story cannot be read as anything other than a cheer-leading, uncritical piece on behalf of the EDL. Triumphalist in tone throughout, it required no between-the-lines deconstruction to grasp its intention – to build support for the group among its readers.

It should be noted that the EDL has tried to link arms with the Tea Party movement.

Report: Mubarak Stepping Down

10:31 am EST February 10th, 2011 | World | 1 Comment

NBC’s sources are reporting that Hosni Mubarak may be stepping down soon, handing over power to VP Omar Suleiman.

Topic: Egypt

White House Condemns Violence In Egypt

10:49 am EST February 2nd, 2011 | World | 41 Comments

For Immediate Release February 2, 2011

Statement from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on violence in Egypt

The United States deplores and condemns the violence that is taking place in Egypt, and we are deeply concerned about attacks on the media and peaceful demonstrators. We repeat our strong call for restraint.

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Topic: Egypt, World

White House Statement On Egypt Unrest

9:13 am EST January 26th, 2011 | World | 49 Comments

Statement by the Press Secretary on Egypt

As we monitor the situation in Egypt, we urge all parties to refrain from using violence, and expect the Egyptian authorities to respond to any protests peacefully. We support the universal rights of the Egyptian people, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. The Egyptian government has an important opportunity to be responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people, and pursue political, economic and social reforms that can improve their lives and help Egypt prosper. The United States is committed to working with Egypt and the Egyptian people to advance these goals.

More broadly, what is happening in the region reminds us that, as the President said in Cairo, we have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and free of corruption; and the freedom to live as you choose – these are human rights and we support them everywhere.

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