Stories from 5 January 2009
Paraguay: New Year's Celebrations and Accidents
New Year's celebrations are very loud in Paraguay, but Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] writes that there were cases of stray bullets from those revelers who fired their guns in the air and that hospitals reported cases of amputated fingers and loss of vision due to mishandled fireworks.
Japan: Teaching Buddhism by sign language
A blogger at Toppei no Minna Chigatte Minna Ii (トッペイのみんなちがってみんないい) introduces a website where it is possible for deaf followers to download the .wmv files and the original texts of the Buddhist Sacred Scriptures interpreted through the use of the (Japanese) sign language. While this initiative may not sound new...
Is Facebook Censoring Information on Israel and Palestine?
As Facebook has increasingly become a platform for organizing and debate, many are finding their content disappearing. Jillian York examines complaints from Israeli and Arab bloggers in this post.
Mexico: A Trip to the Taco Stand and Trust
“If there is a heaven, I am sure that there is a taco stand…” writes El Nahual of Mexico Para Los Mexicanos [es]. He tells a story of a recent trip to his favorite taco stand, upon finishing his meal, he discovered that he didn't have enough money. He was...
Cuba: The Life of Belén During the Past 50 Years
On the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, Jorge Ignacio of Segunda Naturaleza [es] reflects on the life of his housekeeper and nanny, Belén, who helped raise him, during the duration of the past half century.
Colombia: Only After Media Coverage Does the Police Act
Piso Tres [es] writes about the homicide of a young university student in Bogotá and wonders whether “there needs to be wide media coverage so that the police searches and finds the responsible party?” and that the police only started to offer a reward only after there was press coverage.
Israel: Message of Peace to People of Gaza
Jewlicious posts a video “to the people of Gaza from the people of Israel” in Arabic, saying, “We do not hate you. We do not rejoice in your suffering… Please urge your government to stop their violent actions against us. Show the world that you are committed to peace and...
Israel: ‘We Don't Hate You’
Allison Kaplan Sommer has a message to get across: Israel does not hate its enemies nor is it trying to exact revenge. “If we’re bombing them, we must hate them, right? Wrong. I’ve seen a lot of emotions over the past week, worry, fear, frustration, depression, and yes, maybe some...
Israel: First Soldier Falls in Gaza Ground War
The first Israel Defense Forces soldier has fallen since entering Gaza on Saturday night. Staff Sergeant Dvir Emanuelof, may his memory be a blessing, was 22 years old. “We do not want our sons to be martyrs or heroes, only that they live long and healthy lives,” writes A Soldier's...
Israel: “Suddenly Concerned About Civilian Casualties? Spare Me!”
“UN Chief Ban calls for ‘immediate end to IDF ground operation!'” posts Treppenwitz's David Bogner. “Seriously, where were these useful idiots for the past few years while Israel was being pounded by rockets and mortars? Suddenly the UN is concerned about civilian casualties? Spare me!”
Iraq/Israel/Palestine: Equal Attention for Innocent Victims?
Dutchblog Israel questions whether “seekers of justice [and] demonstrators against inequality” will give as much attention to the victims of bombings in Iraq as to those in Gaza.
Palestine: Gaza's Civilians Suffer from Hamas Rockets
Adloyada posts a photograph of a missile fired from the heart of Gaza City. She observes: “What so interests me about this image is that you could not have a more blatant image of a war crime in action. Here is a missile very clearly being fired from the midst...
Israel: 10,000 Demonstrate Against Gaza War
Ten thousand people gathered in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square last night to protest the Gaza War, Daniella Cheslow of The Truth Herzl reports. Go to her blog to see photos of the demonstration.
Israel: New York's Mayor Makes Solidarity Mission
New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg is in the southern city of Ashkelon to show his solidarity for Israel in the wake of the Gaza War, Focus on Ashkelon's Sigal Ariely reports.
