Stories about U.S.A. from January, 2009
USA: Blogging their Dreams of Citizenship
More than 655,000 people participated in an online vote about which issues activist website Change.org should focus on in 2009. Thanks to campaigning from bloggers and immigrant activists, passing a law that would create a path for undocumented students to gain legal residence in the United States was selected as one of the top 10 priorities.
Middle East: Boycott as a Political Weapon
Many people across the Middle East have decided to boycott Israeli and American products in response to the Israeli war on Gaza. Tarek Amr reviews what bloggers have to say about this.
Egypt: Bye Bye Bush
“I admit…it feels very good that George W. Bush is no longer President of the United States of America,” writes The Arabist, from Egypt.
Saudi Arabia: Thoughts on the inauguration
Saudi blogger Hala, who currently lives in the United States, has posted her thoughts on Obama's inauguration: “For those of us who think it’s possible to see democracy in our part of the world, check the emphasis on holding government officials accountable, can we have such a system in our...
Israel: A Plea to Obama
An Israeli human rights activist makes an impassioned plea to the new American president in a video: “Obama, take away the pain in my stomach.”
Cuba: Quelling the Rumours
Child of the Revolution confirms that recent rumours of Fidel Castro's demise have been just that – thanks to reports from Havana that the president of Argentina met with him on the last day of her visit to the island.
Haiti, U.S.A.: Retro Rhetoric?
The Haitian Blogger takes issue with some of the content of Barack Obama's inaugural speech, calling it “reminiscent of his predecessor”: “I wonder when the ‘West’ will accept some of the blame for the ill will that it has garnered for its actions in the global south and in the...
Support Global Voices: Win a ROFLCon Ticket
If you're a fan of everything on the internet that makes you “roll on the floor laughing” (ROFL) you're probably familiar with several of the invitees to ROFLCon's party in New York on January 24, 2009, like The Tron Guy, Obama Girl, and the owner of Sockington (the Twittering cat). Tickets to “ROFLThing” are sold out, but by bidding on one of the last five tickets right now, you can help support Global Voices.
Mexico: Cash for the New York Times
Daniel Hernandez of Intersections writes about the cash infusion provided to the New York Times by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.
Indonesia: Questions for President Obama
Between January 20-21, there were 27,968 blog entries that mention the word ‘Obama' in Indonesia. Furthermore, almost all national TV stations broadcasted live the inauguration last night.
Caribbean: Obama's Day
Like the rest of the world, the eyes of the Caribbean were on Washington, DC yesterday, as Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Regional and diaspora bloggers - for the most part - could not contain their enthusiasm over this history-making moment.
African Blogosphere On Obama's Inauguration
“It is done. I knew it would come, but, oh, what a feeling! Yes, Mr. President, it is done, indeed!” These words from Kenyan blogger Whispering Inn sum up the emotional responses of most bloggers in the African blogosphere to the historic inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.
MENA: Reactions to Obama's Inauguration
Today marked an historic moment in United States history as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President. While Arab support of Obama has been waning over the past few months following the selection of his cabinet and his silence over Israel's attacks on Gaza, across the Middle East and North Africa bloggers still have plenty to say, reports Jillian York.
Africa: 10 Lessons for African leaders from Obama
According to Paul Usungu, there are at least 10 things African leaders need to learn from Barack Obama
Morocco: President #44
Moroccan-American blogger Laila Lalami shares her thoughts about the 44th American president on inauguration day.
Bermuda, U.S.A.: Thinking Out Loud
Bermudian blogger Vexed Bermoothes is filled with scurrilous thoughts about everything from the use of trusts to the Premier's attendance at the Obama inauguration.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Blogger Inauguration
For Trinidadian diaspora blogger Chookooloonks, a funny thing happened on the way to the inauguration – she was asked to host a Blogger Inauguration party! Check out the goings-on here.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Mr. President-Elect
From Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life publishes a one-of-a-kind, unofficial blog interview with President-Elect Obama.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: One Love?
Bob Marley's One Love was played at Barack Obama’s Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, prompting Abeng New Magazine to say, despite the ironies: “We are proud that the USA can borrow from us at a critical moment when the president-elect sells the idea that ‘anything is possible in...
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Political Comparisons
As America gears up for the inauguration of President Barack Obama, diaspora blogger Geoffrey Philp is reminded of “the euphoria that many Jamaicans experienced when Michael Manley was elected as Prime Minister in 1972.”
China: Obama and Chinese Emperors
Xujun Eberlein from Inside-Out China explains why Obama has reminded him of certain Chinese emperors.
