Stories about Ideas from October, 2007
Anguilla, Cayman Islands: Environmental Value
“Unless our leaders can come to understand the economic value of our environment, they will be unable to make good decisions about projects and policies,” says Corruption-free Anguilla.
Syria: On Female Circumcision
Syrian blogger Wassim talks about female circumcision, Hejab (headscarf) and rebels without a clue in this post.
Iraq: Why Arabs are Such a Mess
Iraq Pundit wonders why Arabs are such a mess in this post.
Lebanon: Westernized Lebanese
“It's very common for the Western journalists to talk about “Westernized” Lebanese. It seems, however, that with this term they are identifying only one part of what is the West […] In reality they are only identifying those middle class characteristics found across the globe in this globalized world,” writes...
Trinidad & Tobago: Politcal Debates
Notes from a small island is all for Trinidad and Tobago's political party leaders having a debate, “fielding specific questions about the real issues affecting the nation.”
Lebanon: Politics and Soccer
“The Lebanese treat their politics like other countries treat soccer. ‘All the props are there. You have team flags with various colors, you have buses that shuttle the fans, you have the bitterness and ecstasy that follow defeat and victory, and you always blame the referee,'” writesBeirut Spring quoting a...
Lebanon: On the pre-election meetings
“So Christian “leaders” can do little at this stage. Pace any past pretence at grandeur, they forget that their past divisions have reduced them to bit players in a widening sectarian fight …” says Jeha about the meetings taking place between Christian leaders to prepare for the presidential elections.
Lebanon: On how to become a political leader
Cold Desert dissects some political prototypes. In this post, he explains how to become a political leader: “there is a single prerequisite; you need to be the son of a political leader. This political leader should have a very strong public base who would follow him blindly.”
Egypt: The Definitive Photograph
The Skeptic from Egypt links to a photograph from another blog, which he describes as The Definitive Photograph.
Cuba: US to Encourage Democratic Change?
“US President George W Bush will today announce a set of initiatives designed to encourage democratic change in Cuba,” writes Child of the Revolution – but he wonders if the measures will make any difference.
Haiti: Constitutional Amendments?
“Is a Constitution a living document?” asks Bryan Schaaf at Haiti Innovation as he raises the issue of modifying certain sections of the island's existing constitution “for the betterment of the country”.
Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname: Preservation
KnowProSE.com wonders about the cost of preservation – and how it applies “to other things that cannot be digitized and saved”.
Iran: Power Struggle over Nuclear Crisis
The resignation on Saturday of Ali Larijani, the top Iranian nuclear negotiator, has led to speculation about the reasons for his decision, and how it will affect the nuclear crisis. About 200 members of Parliament protested against replacing Ali Larijani with Said Jalili, a close ally of President Ahmadinejad. Iranian...
Trinidad & Tobago: Too Much Traffic
KnowProSE.com shares his thoughts on traffic in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jamaica: Reading 100 Books
“Methinks I shall read 100 books,” declares Jamaican author Marlon James. Find out why.
Guyana: Local Food Prices
“Why is Guyana’s food so damn expensive for Guyanese?” asks The Guyana Groove.
Cuba: Election Scrutiny
According to this post at Babalu Blog, “scrutiny is not part of the plan” when it comes to the municipal elections in Cuba.
Bahamas: We the Jury
Craig Butler at Bahama Pundit makes a case for passing the proposed bill to amend the island's Juries Act.
Iran:Showdown with Iran
Thanks to Parsarts,we read “on October 23rd, PBS will begin airing a Frontline examination of U.S.-Iranian relations, ominously called Showdown With Iran.”
St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Jamaica: Lucky Dube
Abeni is saddened by the passing of South African reggae star Lucky Dube and likens him to the late Jamaican artist, Peter Tosh.
Haiti: Danticat Reviewed
“Brother I'm Dying, the latest of Danticat's books, is a climax of that characteristic folktale and memoir unveiling,” writes Matt at Haiti Innovation, as he reviews the author's newest offering.
