Although I have only made reference to him three other times in this blog, Nelson Mandela is a person who I revere like no other. And of course, I am hardly alone in that sentiment, attested to by the fact that millions of people, not only in South Africa but
Continue readingTag: South Africa
kirbycairo: Guatemalan Dictators, and Brutes of our Own. . . .
Yesterday the former dictator of Guatemala, Efrain Montt, was convicted of 80 years in prison for Genocide. The sentence is, in a sense symbolic considering that Mr. Montt is now 86 years old and very unlikely to survive any significant time in prison. But the sentence is interesting at least
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence’s Heroism Already Eclipses Nelson Mandela’s
by Obert Madondo | Huffington Post Blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/obert-madondo/chief-theresa-spences-her_b_2408049.html Hunger-striking Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence is the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. She is becoming the greatest moral and political leader of our time. In fact, Chief Theresa Spence’s courage and sacrifice already eclipses that of South Africa’s
Continue readingdrive-by planet: South Africa’s ANC makes support for BDS part of official policy: ‘Roadmap to Apartheid’ released
At its 53rd National Conference, South Africa’s ruling ANC affirmed support for the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. It is now part of official ANC policy. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi of BDS South Africa welcomed the ANC move: “This reaffirmation by the ANC’s National Conference, its highest
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: ‘Roadmap to Apartheid’: Israeli and South African parallels
Clips from “Roadmap” that draw Israel/ S. African parallels A feature-length documentary Roadmap to Apartheid is the first time close parallels between the apartheid of the old South African regime and Israeli-style apartheid have been explored in a documentary film in significant depth. The parallels between the two systems have
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: South Africa: interracial poster generates heat
Even with apartheid gone racial sensitivities still run deep in South Africa. There is nothing like a provocative photo to trigger a reaction. A political poster put out by the student wing of the Democratic Alliance – the main opposition party – is guaranteed to push a lot of buttons.
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: Climate Denier Marc Morano Praises "George W. Obama" at COP17
marc-morano.jpg If the jury was still out on President Barack Obama's climate policy accolades (a huge "if"), consider the verdict now in, and from a surprising character at that: Marc Morano. Morano jubilantly referred to the President as "George W. Obama" in an interview with Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman at COP17, stating: They [the Obama
Continue reading350 or bust: Durban: Youth Turn Their Backs In Response To Canadian Government’s Disregard For Their Future
Here’s another post from Ani, part of the Canadian Youth Delegation in Durban, South Africa where the 10 days of U.N. climate negotiations have less than 48 hours to go, and no agreement is in sight. Here is her account of the recent action by some of the other members
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Open Government
A government so open, that it lost its marbles. If we had journalists who uniformly understood that letting politicians get away with flaming lies would lead us into a mess, we’d not be in a mess. We’d also not have to satirize ourselves so much.
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Hope As A Gas
What if we could frack for natural gas without polluting the drinking water tables? I don’t think it’s as easy as this article suggests. Your only concern cannot be the material used to cause the fracturing, it has to be the fracturing itself. There are plenty of materials in our
Continue readingSouth Africa on slippery slope?
Normally, I’m wary of slippery slope arguments but when an African government acts to limit freedom of speech, I suspect such an argument may be valid. Unfortunately, South Africa has done just that. A law, ostensibly to protect state secrets, has been approved by the South African National Assembly. The
Continue readingMatthew McAskill Chisholm: People Hugging: UNFCCC Forest Policy Needs A Climate Justice Framework
The importance of the world’s forests and the role that environmental activism surrounding forests have helped to shape a public perception that being an environmentalist means that you’re a “tree hugger.” While my “first word” as a child was in … Continue reading →
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: In Throes of Keystone XL Controversy, Obama Admin OKs Alaska Offshore Drilling
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With all eyes on the ongoing battle over whether or not the Obama Administration and the State Department will approve the disastrous Keystone XL pipeline, it was easy to l…
Continue readingDeSmogBlog - Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science: Frack Attack Music Video Warns of Gas Drilling Dangers in South Africa
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The anti-frack movement just got a bit cooler thanks to Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG). Today, the citizen-led environmental organization release…
Continue readingDeSmogBlog - Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science: Shell Forced to Retract "Misleading" Fracking Adverts in South Africa
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The gas industry has finally received the slap on the hand it deserves for parroting the outdated refrain: “there are no instances of documented wat…
Continue readinggay persons of color: UN Human Rights Council passes equal rights bill
The United Nations Human Rights Council passed on Friday an historic resolution that seeks equal rights for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The 47-member Council voted 23 in favor and 19 against, with 3 abstentions. The resolut…
Continue readinggay persons of color: Skoonheid (Beauty) wins Queer Palm at 64th Cannes Film Festival
Skoonheid (Beauty), the first Afrikaans film to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival, won the 2011 Queer Palm award, which recognizes one film for its contributions to lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender issues. The movie portrays t…
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: The Positive Women’s Network Enriches Community Fabric
I’m constantly impressed with the caliber of community cooperation in Vancouver. The Positive Women’s Network is holding a film screening fundraiser on May 26th at 7pm at Vancity Theatre. VIFF and Reel Causes are cooperating to produce the event. Every element of this event is a testament to what makes communities strong. What does the […]
Continue readingWorld Headlines Review: Panem et Circenses South African Style
USA v Algeria, 2010 World Cup by jasonwhat A recent Sports Illustrated article, World Cup’s Empty Legacy, reports on the state of South Africa’s sports infrastructure several months after this summer’s final. While the 2010 World Cup was as much a success as any other in bringing together people from
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