Stories about Politics from May, 2006
Bermuda: Parliamentary alibis
The Limey cites several examples of equivocation on the part of Bermuda's MP's over their failure to debate an important amendment to the Human Rights Act last week, and reports that a rally is being organised to protest the lack of debate among the MPs. Christian Dunleavy reproduces on his...
Barbados: Labour party blogging
Barbados's incumbent Barbados Labour Party seems to have taken to blogging like a fish to water — at least for now. Four posts in the last four days, on topics such as why the “two major media organizations” in the UK and the USA contacted blog Barbados Free Press for...
Bahamas: Development proposal
Residents of a small community in the Bahamas vote against a proposal which would have helped “preserve the character of local communities”. Larry Smith says the proposal's “scope, bureaucratic complexity and level of detail” may be to blame, “and, of course, we should not overlook the ever-present influence of party...
Kyrgyzstan: The Meeting Happened!
Edil Baisalov, a Kyrgyz opposition leader, takes issue with negative coverage of last weekend's protest in Bishkek (Russian) that characterized the event as a failure that took the wind out of the opposition's sails. In his opinion, that the protest took place makes it a success.
Kyrgyzstan: Protest
CXW of neweurasia has a report on last weekend's protest in Bishkek calling for the government to enact reforms and combat corruption.
Sri Lanka, India: The other side of LTTE
Kiruba on the other side of LTTE – “Back then, they were the good guys. The village folks were sympathetic towards their struggle and generally gave them good support. They were mainly looking for shelter and food and there was never a shortage of that in the village.”
Nepal: Hinduism and the Throne
Samudaya.org comments on the close relationship of the throne and Hinduism. “The Shah Kings in Nepal have exploited Hinduism for more than 236 years. Since the majority of the population is Hindu, as a god of 80% of the citizens, the throne was unchallengeable.”
Nepal: Writing on the wall
Blogdai has some serious words of advice. “Get rid of these old reprobate politicians and sweep aside your romanticizing, stone-throwing children, Nepal, and let's get busy with saving the country before these fools plunge us into civil war.”
South Korea: The current situation in Daechuri and Doduri villages
Because of the expansion of the U.S. military base, farmers in Daechuri and Doduri villages (western seaside of Seoul) are forced to leave their land. There were violent confrontation since May 4. And June 4, 2006 will be the international solidarity day for the farmers. Days in Daechuri has very...
Hong Kong: June 4 and civic rights movement
The theme of June 4 candle night vigil this year is Civic Rights Movement in China. InMediaHK.net has a collections of articles including 1. the recent development of internet media and civic rights movement; 2. politics of memories concerning the Chinese cultural revolution and June 4 incident with a proposal...
Mexico: Green Party Luxury Toilets
Wave Making is offended by the “VIP bathrooms” of Mexico's young Green Party candidate. (Also in Spanish)
Belarus: Lukashenko's Childhood and Family
Tobias Ljungvall writes about Aleksandr Lukashenko's difficult childhood and posts a photo of the dictator's aunt that he took in 2002. (Two photos of Lukashenko's wife have been added, too.)
Belarus, Russia: IMF Approves of Common Currency
TOL's Belarus Blog criticizes the IMF's approval of the common currency of Belarus and Russia: “Oh, yeah, IMF is not a political body and does not care or understand that ‘currency union’ has nothing to do with economics but only disquises attempt of political incorporation.”
Belarus: Hunger Strikes and Persecutions
Andrei Khrapavitski writes about “repressions and deaths” in Belarus, as well as two hunger strikes – by the young politicians and a businessman facing a 6-year sentence for tax evasion.
Serbia & Montenegro: Referendum's Potential Consequences
Srdjan Cvijic of The TransAtlantic Assembly writes on potential geopolitical consequences of the Montenegro vote: “Independence of Montenegro, inevitable nourishes independence aspirations of other territorial entities across Europe and the World.”
Taiwan: History of Chinese
China's political turbulence for the larger part of the twentieth century had much more impact on the Chinese language than a mere move from traditional to simplified characters. A growing resource guide from Mark Swofford at Pinyin News aims to set the record straight on just where the language has...
Zimbabwe: MDC factions
David Colhart writes on why he cannot join the Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the MDC…He discusses the reasons behind the MDC split and the 4 options he has himself….”to join the Tsvangirai faction, join the Mutambara faction, be an independent or resign and go back to civil society.” Difficult decisions...
Venezuela: Luis Velásquez Scandal
Francisco of Caracas Chronicles calls the Luis Velásquez Alvaray affair the “mother of all scandals.” Two days later, however, he wonders where all the coverage went.
Venezuela: Former Yaracuy Governor detained
Commenting on the detention of Former Yaracuy Governor Eduardo Lapi who was Miguel Octavio opines: “Reportedly he will be charged with misuse of funds. Thus, as the robolution robs, steals and charges commisions, opposition figures are detained for subtle charges of misuse of funds. If the same criterai were applied...
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition Rally
Yulia of neweurasia reports on Saturday's opposition protest in Bishkek during which Kyrgyz opposition members demanded significant reform by September.
