Bye Bye Musharraf

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/world/asia/08pstan.html?th&emc=th

How unfortunate that this has happened especially in the time of the Georgia conflict. I wonder if Musharraf's military will be backing him or the government up. I'm not sure how it's going to go down, but probably not good on Musharraf's part especially after his declaration of emergency. It's a fragile time for this especially with an unstable government already at hand. I, like my family, would not mind seeing Musharraf off his power struggle. If Musharraf is impeached think how embarrassing it would be for the Bush administration. Is it just me or have most of Bush's friends been taken out of office or driven out because of political reasons. What a trend.

Olympic Cleaning

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/sports/olympics/08beijing.html?th&emc=th

Seems like just another way to clean the house before the guests arrive. This time, it's kind of like kicking out the roommate for the night. The article states, "...An unwritten government policy encouraging migrant workers to clear out until the dignitaries and journalists have gone home."
Now it's a tricky situation, a frequent phrase I use in most of my posts, because residents who work to make a living are being kicked out. However it is for the purpose to stop construction and help make a sustainable environment for the Olympics. But what is even worse, people are being "waved away" by hospitals for the same reason! Ms. Ma stated in the article “The whole country is very distracted by the Olympics.” She smiled as if to say she understood." I found this actually quite sad. I would even say immature! Bringing back to school days where the best friend neglects the other when a guy is around. When he leaves, things will be back to normal, but not dependable. China isn't being dependable.

Buck Up IOC!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/sports/olympics/31china.html?th&emc=th

I know that this probably rattled up a lot of people. I can see the human rights association pointing their fingers in China's face and yelling "Liars!" Limiting freedom of speech, whoo! What a bold thing to do. I'm sure the fact that the IOC didn't do much about it is upsetting. Even worse, OKed it. Censorship in the Olympics? China's going to get a mouthful for claiming this being a non-political event and then take away the internet. I wonder what the athletes have to say about that, but I'm sure we won't find out because it would be censored. It gets better. Hotels have been installing monitoring equipment to track down Internet activity. China wins for now, but I'm suspecting a little challenge opportunity from the media.

Beijing Hide and Seek

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/sports/olympics/29beijing.html?th&emc=th

When I read the title of the article, the first thing I thought was, "You can run, but you can't hide." Trying to hide something will do the opposite. It'll become more of an attraction than anything. Maybe it's a psychological thing; make them think otherwise. Sneaky. I digress. I almost find it quite ridiculous to cover something that is known to the rest of the world. But I won't push the matter because it's obviously a different perspective in the resident's eyes. Indeed it'll bring good media to Beijing but in a way it's sort of like pushing the dust under the rug. Though Westerners probably have a different conception of what 'clean' actually means. Places should be based how 'clean' it is internally just as well externally. The news does have it's way to always distort a specific image about things. It's understandable that China would want to protect their home from bullies.
Culture between the two needs to come to an understanding.

Israel Moves In

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/world/middleeast/25mideast.html?th&emc=th

Hmm...interesting move Israel have made. I'm not sure if I support the whole illegal build-on-someone-else's-land deal, but then there's that issue that it IS their land. Settlement expansion is the main issue here obviously. Israel wants to build, build, build. Palestine needs a home to call their own. I surely will NOT put my opinion out because I could well be buried under a rock. Religion is touchy especially when 'The Jews were promised land by God' and the accusations that Palestinians are interested in 'peace'. Basically the whole history goes waaaaaay back and to take a side would require very in depth knowledge. I can't say I acquire that, but I can say that this will not end anytime soon.
Religion + Politics = Vicious circle.

Somebody probably got incredibly offended by what I've said.

Soundless Suicide

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/world/americas/21tijuana.html?th&emc=th

I'm on the borderline with this. The elderly want to end their lives peacefully but the public think otherwise.
The article says, "It’s awful to me,” Mr. Velazquez, the Tijuana veterinarian and pharmacy owner, said of euthanasia. “I think people should live as long as God decides.”
I agree because of my religious views but then there are people who are in jail for assisted manslaughter and are also in pain, just trying to help a friend out.
I visited the website Exit International to see their reasoning. Their slogan being, "Peaceful Death is Everybody's Right." That had me thinking about those who really need it and those who are depressed. I thought what if a person, who wanted to purchase pentobarbital had a specific amount of people sign a release to purchase it. Then the elder people who need it can leave peacefully at a right. But those who are young and depressed will have a fighting chance.

I'm a bit sad now.

Buddhism Struggle

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/world/asia/14japan.html?pagewanted=2&th&emc=th

I think if I weren't Muslim, I would be Buddhist. It just seems like a peaceful religion. So sad that it is declining. One always feels obliged to help, but when it involves religion, all we can do is be helpless. It isn't poverty where you can donate or an epidemic which you can cure. It's a declining religion. What can we do? Forget our own? Then there's that guilt when belonging to a different religion.
"Oh I would help if I could."
Is that blasphemy? Are we straying from our beliefs to want to wish other religions better?
I'm at such a loss at this one. Buddhism has been around Japan for a very long time and I'm very sorry and regretful I can't side on the topic.

Bicycle

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/world/europe/13paris.html?pagewanted=2&th&emc=th

Eliminating air pollution! It's easy as pie, a cake walk, riding a bike. Riding a bike! That's what everyone in Paris is doing. Vélib stations are set up in Paris for people to start using. People pay for the half hour and the joy of finishing before the 30 minutes because there's bound to be another Vélib station near 20 minutes your ride. This got me thinking. I live in between Salinas and Monterey, two very distant cities. Abandoning my beloved vehicle would be difficult because walking along the highway is not exactly safe. But what if there were a special paved path on the side of the road near the fields for bikes? I would definitely start biking then. I asked my brother and his friends and they actually started thinking! Their response was quite shocking because they replied, "That would be awesome."

Beijing School Collapse

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/world/asia/11china.html?th&emc=th

My condolences to those who have lost loved ones. What a tragedy. I believe that the compensation should be given due to poor building of the school resulting deaths of children. Those people deserve to know that the culprits are punished. I wasn't so shocked to be informed that the police were involved and harassing the victims. The usual case. People stand up for something and are abused. Did any government officials come? Only reporters and journalists. What an answer to give confused and upset parents. Quite insulting if you ask me. Huang Qi became involved no later. I'm not exactly sure whats going on with Huang, but it seems like just another situation in the problem.

Privacy Trial w/ Mosley

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/world/europe/09mosley.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

I am honestly not one to listen or read the tabloids. I could care less about what Britney Spears (poor girl) is doing these days or how Brangelina is holding up. It doesn't concern me and won't make an impact on me. But it does concern them. So this Max Mosley scandal has been quite the uproar for sometime as he decided to take some action and file a lawsuit against News of the World.
I personally side with Mr. Mosley. Whatever this man had to do with his...erm...time, was completely up to him! You may know the story and think, 'Oh gross! Sick man!' But tomorrow you'll forget all about it. Unfortunately seven other organizations won't and literally forced him to resign from his presidential spot in the FIA. It's gone way out of hand with this whole media scam. It's gotten to the point where it's dangerous. I don't care if you have a family to support. This is NOT a type of journalism. I agree that is it an invasion of privacy.

Chinese Algae Sweep

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/asia/01algae.html?th&emc=th

If you know me, you know how I am slowly getting into this whole ocean conservation thing. I really do hope that this event has brought some attention to how we have been mistreating our waters.

Chinese cities dump sewage waste into the sea. Now they take action when they need the Ocean for the Olympics?! A little selfish, don't you think? Yardley states, "But officials in Qingdao said in recent days that pollution and poor water quality did not have a “substantial link” to the current outbreak." Whatever dude. Blame the rainfall if you want, you're still not taking care of your environment. Shallow that they chose this event as an excuse to clean up a bit. But maybe I'm just bitter.

Apparently China has been anticipating this moment their whole lives. Kind of like when the fans of the TV show, Friends, witnessed the blooming love of beloved Ross and Rachel. But I digress. Residents have been volunteering like no tomorrow to prepare for the Olympics. I'm wondering what kind of event must take place for China to notice the bad air quality.

Child Marriages

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/world/middleeast/29marriage.html?th&emc=th

It's a common thing in Yemen apparently since the average age to get married is 13. It's not uncommon for girls in India and Pakistan to be married young either, for the expense of a dowry, of course. In the end, unfortunately, it all revolves about money. The girls are being literally sold to their future husbands. Poverty does have that effect on households across the Middle East. Another reason, saddening as well, is for protection. The example in this article was for the sake of the daughter. The man was a father trying to protect his child. But before she even knew what 'pregnant' meant or how to 'be a wife' was, she was married off. His other daughters were kidnapped and had forced marriages. This being the only other alternative.

Nujood, the 10 year old daughter in this case, came off lucky. The judge she had approached was extremely sympathetic. Not all women can be lucky in circumstances. Tradition is a tight rope that binds daily life to these people. How can they turn back on tradition? Their roots? It would be disgraceful to even defy what their ancestors have been practicing for centuries.

Quite depressing. This day and age, girl of 13 panic if they switch schools or move out of town. Girls in Yemen are blindsided and married off. Change is a natural thing. To make [a positive] difference, one must turn away from tradition. It's not so easy for those who live uneducated, uninformed, and sheltered to stray dangerously away from a preserved culture.

So live life to the fullest. When you feel like something must be done for the better. Stand up. Nujood did. She gets a second chance to be a kid.

Cooling Tower says, "Boom!"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/world/asia/28nuke.html?th&emc=th

This is the perfect opportunity for North Korea haters to start throwing out the accusations. What great chance to refer to the other three towers that North Korea is hosting. I personally don't have the history of North Korea on my bookshelf, but what I've read just seems like a publicity stunt. Kind of sketchy to me.

Onishi states, "North Korea’s declaration did not specify how many nuclear bombs it had."

I feel like laughing. Do we even have any evidence that the cooling tower even worked?? It could be empty for all we know. "In North Korea itself, however, the explosion was a nonevent." Mmm...curious why they would think that.

On the flip side, some are taking this as a positive step. They're trying to concentrate on the development of their economy. I must agree that North Korea has taken the first step in possible nuclear disarmament. And did I hear about Bush lifting up penalties under the Trading with the Enemy Act? Woooh! Go North Korea!

No Charge in Pakistan

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/world/asia/24pstan.html?th&emc=th

As in my other posts, I've stated my nationality...so naturally I take interest of the country, Pakistan. It's hard to see the nation crumble under the fate of a reckless ruler.

Bad rulers are just inevitable, it seems. But somehow, when they do come down- they cannot come down with dignity. They must always struggle. Musharraf is doing his best to hold onto any hope of keeping power. Issuing the state of emergency was probably the most embarrassing and shameless decision.

Apparently the four months after elections have left the country without a leader. Violence is taking its opportunity to spread across the regions. An image appears in my head when I think of this:

If you've seen Escape From New York with Kurt Russell, you probably know what I'm talking about.

Nobody is in charge and nobody is willing to take charge...then again- its a prison.

But Pakistan has no leader and militants are taking their chance and tribal areas that carry the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are finding sanctuary.

What's interesting though is when I went to Pakistan, everybody was ok. I went to Islamabad all the time and had no worries. The news always scares people out of their wits making this country sound like Manhattan in Escape from New York.

Another issue is that there is a big split of communication between the federal government and the central government. The big folks won't let the smaller people in on some of the deals that's been going around.
I think this is being very poorly handled. How do you function a democracy if there is not a set strategy.
The definition of democracy is:

The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

You have to gain the people's respect to ensure their safety, most importantly. Musharraf very publically denied them this. Thousands of people were arrested and confined to their home. The supreme court lost many judges and many were harmed.

I remember watching this horrific happenings on the Pakistani news channel. As political opponents were leaving a building, Musharraf had his men stone, beat, kick those who did not vow to accept his laws.

Now there isn't any communication between the government and the people, the power for leadership still floating freely, militants are slowly taking over, and nobody has a plan.

Hunger Strikes in Morocco

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/world/africa/21morocco.html?scp=4&sq=June+21%2C+2008&st=nyt

This is such a hard place to put myself in thought. I want to take a side, but cannot. I honestly can't bring myself to forgive those who take part in suicide/terrorist bombing. Killing hundreds of other innocent people just to make a point across. Violence is never the answer. The accusations fly freely however, taking those who may be innocent into custody.

Hundreds of charged prisoners of Morocco are taking a hunger strike pleading to have fair trial. What is so difficult about this situation is that, who really deserves the fair trial...and who does not? Hunger strikes have been taking place in 11 prisons. How corrupt can man be to take part in a justified strike, and he does not deserve it? It is yet AGAIN one more issue with today's morals.

The Big Beef

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/washington/20trade.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1215577509-x8QNjuo6BHBtZdDEu7mKoA

I find it interesting how thousands of people in South Korea can protest over the matter of beef. Imagining that millions of people die from mad cow disease. I can definitely see the S. Koreans' point of view, however. Americans don't realize how toxic this meat appears to them. But this is just another issue added on to the list of anti-American sentiment. South Korea is the world's third largest importer of American beef. At least...before five years ago. Is the US really going to make a small issue in result of losing such a big business? I must say that President Lee took the deal with the US not regarding the public's opinion. But I suppose the US should just let the South Korean's have their less than 30 month old beef; its not much safer.

Then again, the issue at hand is the product of beef, in the eyes of the U.S.
But if you step into South Korea; the issue is the mad cow disease.
I decided to look a little bit more about the disease to look at South Korea's point of view. It has been reported that Mad Cow is airborne, can be caught through cosmetics and diapers, and that Koreans are 3x more likely to catch it than Westerners.

Does this change your point of view?

Rio Slum; Militia Criminality

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/world/americas/13brazil.html?th&emc=th

When the reporters were said to go undercover Batan, which militia took control and drove out a drug gang...I knew there was a catch. When I continued to read, I was shocked to say the least. I knew I would have to expect something horrid, but the limits a malitia, this one status have degraded their rank and shamed themselves.

Barrionuevo says "Brazil is undergoing an economic boom that is lifting millions out of poverty." But the disgrace posed by the militia and its on growing danger and endless corrupt bribes to police and politicians has shed light on the issues at hand. May 14, when the reporters where attacked by anonymous hooded figures, believed to belong to the militia, I just thought how easily they must have gotten to do this. They have so many powerful connections and gained community popularity and gain their "sympathy". These men "battle drug overlords", but I wonder if anyone knows that they're just a facade to the truth: they are the drug overlords.

The saddest part is that people feel more secure under the militia. Once police leave, the fear of new drug gangs would move in.

" “No one here accepts drug factions anymore,” said Mr. Perreira, 30. “This is going to be hell. We are in the hands of God now.” "

Zimbabwe Aid is Stopped

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/world/africa/12zimbabwe.html?th&emc=th

Food sent by American aid was seized from local Zimbabwe government. The food was suppose to go to poor poverty-stricken school children, in fact 26 primary schools where children only receive one meal a day. The food captured was instead passed out to supporters of Mugabe at a political rally.

This makes my blood boil. It really does. Dugger quotes, " “This government will stop at nothing, even starving the most defenseless people in the country — young children — to realize their political ambitions,” said the ambassador, James D. McGee, in an interview."
I am not political for the reason I'm afraid of never seeing the opponent's point of view. To maintain a healthy political awareness, one should always look at both sides of the argument. The only side I can see is the power thirst of Mugabe and his goons. What has this achieved him? There is no respectable victory in suspending food that will save the lives of innocent children. What accomplishment is there in that? You've made your point. Congratulations. You devastated children belonging to 26 primary schools.

One of the Zimbabwean truck drivers was stopped by authorities and accused of handing out bribes. What hypocrites! You accuse a good cause, seize them for what they have, and then proceed to act on that accusations you make! Why should children suffer for that! Zimbabwe has suffered enough in the hands of Mugabe.

Words Cannot Express My Sorrow

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/world/asia/03pstan.html?th&emc=th

I am Pakistani. Both my parents and brother were born, [my parents raised] there. My heart lurches when I read this news. It also makes me so furious that sometimes I resent representing my heritage and culture. How embarrassing it is for those of us that are trying to make a living and find security for our families to hear that our own blood is being shed in the streets we grew up in to harm a few foreigners. Their result of the bombing was killing their neighbors, their own blood people. The blast was near a Danish embassy carrying 110 pounds of explosives. Dangerous to the whole street that homes schools for children. I shudder to even process the thought of the possible victims.

Perlez says , "In March, after Danish newspapers reprinted cartoons satirizing the Prophet Muhammad, Osama bin Laden issued a threat in an audio message posted on the Internet, saying, “Publishing these insulting drawings is the greatest misfortune and the most dangerous.” "

Now I'm not saying I support Bin Laden or anything. But his audio message is probably the only thing I say is quite sensible. Prophet Muhammad is a very very sacred being to the Muslims. You cannot expect less from their retaliation after that. I'm not saying this action in particular was even close to the right response, because violence is never the answer. But ignorance STRIKES AGAIN when idiots like Danish comic artists go and humiliate a religion's highly regarded figure.

Perlez also mentions, "A bomb thrown over the fence of an Italian restaurant in Islamabad on a Saturday night in March when many foreigners were eating on the terrace injured five Americans.."

Tears literally sprang to my eyes, for I remember that night. I was in Pakistan, attending a family wedding. My brother was to leave that same night. When news reached to us that night, I was among my family praying to keep my brother's journey safe...he had to go back to Boston to attend his University. Thankfully he made it without any problem...but I cannot imagine the loss of those who have actually been subjected to the death of a sister, a brother, an uncle, or a mother during these bombings.

No Jew Love in Baghdad

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/world/middleeast/01babylon.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=thhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/world/middleeast/01babylon.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th

Reading this makes me even more depressed how corrupt our world is becoming. Farrell states, "the “Israelite community,” then numbering about 120,000," and now only eight to ten remain. Families are concerned for these people's well being and these few men that stay in Baghdad express how they have no "purpose" to leave. They have been offered refugee in Israel but unfortunately, those lingering around were "brainwashed" to not trust Israel, growing up. The few that do want to migrate to Israel are fearful of what consequence they must face after hearing all the anti-Isreal propaganda they've been fed.
I suppose not everyone can be lovers, but it's quite upsetting that 80% of this world have to resort to violence. One hundred years ago, a third of the Baghdad community was held by the Jews and held high status/reputation. Now they must fearfully keep to themselves because of their religion. Unfortunately, I being Muslim, have seen how my religion has been subjected to those of ignorance. Now I must regretfully witness the offense towards other religions. Power has a terrible consequence and ignorance is it's sidekick.