Monday, June 30, 2008
Apologies
Please let me extend to my loyal readers my deepest apologies for my long absence from this blog. I initiated this project with the best of intentions last year, and while it was once a priority in my life, other endeavors soon took precedence. Now, I expect to soon accept an offer of employment with an organization which I expect will absorb all of my time and energy for the forseeable future. I remain committed to the ideas for which I began The International Aurora — truth, justice, peace, and freedom — and to honoring the memory of the original Aurora and its founder, Benjamin Frankin Bache.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
RIP
Sudan's government apparently tortured and killed one of JEM's chief peace negotiators. Read this eye-opening article from the Sudan Tribune.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Flavio Sosa Freed!
You probably missed this news, given the entire US media seems to have missed it (focusing as they do so single-mindedly on the Presidential race), but this is huge news:
Mexican authorities last week freed Flavio Sosa, the leader of APPO, the Oaxacan Popular People's Assembly, who had been imprisoned since late 2006.
Here's a brief story.
This news shows that positive engagement in Oaxaca and Mexico is even more urgently needed now than ever before (especially with President Bush's Merida Initiative, a.k.a. Plan Mexico, threatening to spread the US-backed human rights violations and impunity from Colombia to Mexico). Sosa is a figure around whom the Oaxacan opposition is sure to rally again, and his APPO organization is sure to grow. Their message of democracy, human rights, and socio-economic justice is a worthy one, and it cannot be ignored.
Perhaps it would be worthwhile too for Sosa and APPO to shift their gaze beyond the corrupt governor Ulises Ruiz, to the still-uncertain Ruiz-less future on Oaxaca's horizon.
Oaxaca is an amazing place, rich in culture and history, and—at the urging of groups like APPO—its future can be even brighter than its past.
Mexican authorities last week freed Flavio Sosa, the leader of APPO, the Oaxacan Popular People's Assembly, who had been imprisoned since late 2006.
Here's a brief story.
This news shows that positive engagement in Oaxaca and Mexico is even more urgently needed now than ever before (especially with President Bush's Merida Initiative, a.k.a. Plan Mexico, threatening to spread the US-backed human rights violations and impunity from Colombia to Mexico). Sosa is a figure around whom the Oaxacan opposition is sure to rally again, and his APPO organization is sure to grow. Their message of democracy, human rights, and socio-economic justice is a worthy one, and it cannot be ignored.
Perhaps it would be worthwhile too for Sosa and APPO to shift their gaze beyond the corrupt governor Ulises Ruiz, to the still-uncertain Ruiz-less future on Oaxaca's horizon.
Oaxaca is an amazing place, rich in culture and history, and—at the urging of groups like APPO—its future can be even brighter than its past.
Freedom of the Press
Great post by Will Bunch.
Never forget that President Bush claims the power to kidnap you off the streets, lock you up, torture you, even execute you, without so much as notifying your family.
"Sorry, Ma'am... it's classified."
Never forget that President Bush claims the power to kidnap you off the streets, lock you up, torture you, even execute you, without so much as notifying your family.
"Sorry, Ma'am... it's classified."
Obama Showing FoPo Chops
For those who think Obama doesn't have foreign policy experience, check out this article on the conflict in Nigeria.
Maybe it's time for Obama to tackle Sudan...
Maybe it's time for Obama to tackle Sudan...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
"Wave of Censorship" in Sudan
[Forgive the delay in postings... I'm still recovering from the non-stop campaigning of last month. In case you're wondering, I do believe I was elected to serve as a pledged delegate for Barack Obama at the Democratic Convention this summer in Denver. I haven't received an official letter or anything yet, but I won...]
The news from Sudan continues to deteriorate. As the government continues to bomb villages, to kill and rape civilians, and to otherwise attempt to favorably alter the upcoming census results (in order to win the planned 2009 elections), it is becoming increasingly clear that insidious government censorship is preventing Sudanese media from accurately reporting the news.
Like totalitarian regimes throughout history, the Sudanese government will do everything in its power to maintain its power. Rather than changing the facts on the ground (by, say, stopping its genocide), it is much easier to simply change the way the facts are reported.
Hence, this story from the Sudan Tribune.
And the cycle of violence continues.
The news from Sudan continues to deteriorate. As the government continues to bomb villages, to kill and rape civilians, and to otherwise attempt to favorably alter the upcoming census results (in order to win the planned 2009 elections), it is becoming increasingly clear that insidious government censorship is preventing Sudanese media from accurately reporting the news.
Like totalitarian regimes throughout history, the Sudanese government will do everything in its power to maintain its power. Rather than changing the facts on the ground (by, say, stopping its genocide), it is much easier to simply change the way the facts are reported.
Hence, this story from the Sudan Tribune.
And the cycle of violence continues.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
