Stories about North America from October, 2008
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Joe the Metaphor?
“‘Joe The Plumber’ stopped being real and became a metaphor, and as a storyteller who delights in metaphors, the discussion suddenly became more interesting,” says Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp of...
Barbados, U.S.A.: Ordinary Joes?
Barbadian bloggers Doan Mind Me and Living in Barbados share a few observations about the final US Presidential debate.
Taiwan: An online protest against the American Institute in Taiwan
After being denied a U.S. tourist visa in September, Taiwanese artist Chen Chieh-jen started a website against the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) called, "I suspect that you intend to stow away to the U.S.". Here people share their stories of being mistreated by officials and denied entry to the United States.
Arabeyes: Mickey Mouse Must Die..or Maybe Not
Mickey Mouse must die, declared a Saudi cleric in a television interview. Or perhaps that is not exactly what he said. Regardless, the interview found its way to television screens and newspaper headlines around the world and bloggers are at loggerheads with the issue. Did the cleric literally mean that Mickey Mouse must die or was it just another ploy to sensationalise and poke fun of anything an Arab and a Muslim utters?
Bahamas, U.S.A.: On Fundamentalism
“One of the problems with a fundamentalist mindset is that it takes a point of view and converts it into the ‘truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’....
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: “Bushisms”
“Regardless of what people think of Bush he will be remembered for the war in Iraq and standing next to Tony Blair. But mostly he will be remembered for his...
Global: Babbling Doll Offensive to American Parents
If you think that the incomprehensible sounds babies make mean nothing, think again. Keeping up with the times, the blogopshere is abuzz over Fisher-Price’s Baby Cuddle and Coo doll, which allegedly proclaims: "Islam is the light." Parents in the US are outraged and some shops have even pulled the 'offensive' doll off the shelves.
Georgia: Peace Corps Volunteer Blogs
Although Georgia was not the first country in the South Caucasus where the U.S. Peace Corps started working, it was until recently the most active in terms of blogs. However, the situation has changed considerably since war with Russia saw volunteers evacuated to Armenia with no prospect for return.
India-USA Relationship Enters A New Era
Earlier this month the US government lifted its 30 year moratorium on nuclear trade with India. US President Bush signed a bill that allows US assistance to India's civilian nuclear...
Southeast Asia: Views on U.S. elections and politics
U.S. elections matter to many people in Southeast Asia. Both U.S. presidential candidates are popular in the region. McCain was a former Navy pilot during the Vietnam War while a very young Obama lived in Jakarta for five years.
USA: Homeland Guantanamo
A new interactive online game by human rights organization Breakthrough uses video to illustrate the injustices many documented and undocumented immigrants face in detention centers across the United States. In "Homeland Guantanamo", players assume the role of a journalist trying to get more information on real life detainee who has died in custody.
Iran: An Iranian artist in Canada
Pars Arts writes about ,Iranian artist, Khosro Berahmandi's new exhibition in Canada.
India: Hindu is not a God
Pastor Arnold Conrad termed “Hindu” as a God at a rally for John McCain in Davenport, USA. Varnam reacts: “Our God, Hindu, is not interested in a sophomoric ‘mine is...
Jordan: Fighting Corruption, New York, and the Economic Crisis
From advice from the Danish Ambassador to Jordan on how to beat corruption, to life as a student in New York, to the impact of the global economic crisis on Jordan, Mohammad Azraq brings us the latest buzz from Jordan's active blogosphere.
Azerbaijan: Peace Corps Volunteer Blogs
The U.S. Peace Corps started working in Azerbaijan in 2002. Since then, over 190 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Azerbaijan and a number set up blogs from the beginning of 2006. Operating outside the capital, Baku, the blogs detail life in the regions of an oil-rich country that few would otherwise experience.
Bahrain: The pleasures and perils of studying abroad
Although Bahrain has a number of universities, both government and private, many Bahrainis have the opportunity to go abroad to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies, often by means of scholarships. One of the first problems they face is that few people know where Bahrain is. In this post we hear about the experiences of three bloggers who have just gone abroad for higher studies, to Japan, Britain and the United States, and a fourth blogger who has been studying in India for some time.
Armenia: Peace Corps Volunteer Blogs
While the number of blogs on or based in the South Caucasus is often put in the tens of thousands, the actual number of bloggers is significantly lower. Moreover, the...
Moroccans for Obama?
"When the Americans are getting ready to elect a president, the whole world holds its breath," writes Moroccon blogger, Robin des Blogs [Fr]. It's a sentiment held by many around the world, but some Moroccon netizens aren't sure which outcome--an Obama or a McCain presidency--would be best for Morocco.
XDR-TB: Photographer Brings Emerging Disease Into Focus
In 2007 renowned war photographer and photojournalist James Nachtwey received a TED Prize, granting him $100,000 and one wish to change the world. Nachtwey's wish was to share a vital...
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Crossing the Racial Divide
Jamaican diaspora blogger Geoffrey Philp has been closely monitoring the US Presidential race and thinks that “there is a need for real patriotism on both sides and for the voices...
Palestine: The 9/11 Truth Movement and Nobel
“Dr. David Ray Griffin and everyone involved in the 9/11 truth movement have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The recipient of the Peace Prize will be announced this...