No Sex in Kenya

There is an opinion piece in today's Inquirer about how the women of Kenya united in a no sex protest in order to demand an end to the civil conflict in their country. It sounds like the plot of Aristophanes' Lysistra, but this is for real in Kenya in 2009. It is fascinating to see women speaking up in places where their voices are rarely heard. (40% of the protesters in Iran are estimated to have been women.) In so many places, but in Africa in particular, rape has become a tactic of war, rather than a tragic by-product. So, it amazing to see women from all classes united in this surprising ban. How very empowering it must feel to them. Even the Prime Minister's wife has expressed her support. Sex workers received financial compensation from an activist group so that they could participate in the sex boycott. It is really an innovative way to be heard. Let's hear it for the women.

Any thoughts?

You can read the article at
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090630_No_peace__no_sex_in_Kenya.html

Click on text to see larger version of cartoon

I don't know if you can see this, but the Doonesbury cartoon from June 29 was brilliant and is the best argument for taking a Conflicts class ever.

Jon Bon Jovi in Farsi

Check out Bon Jovi singing "Stand by me" partly in Farsi in solidarity with the people in Iran.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RASKaZFZtS8

Coup in Honduras

Wow! An old fashioned coup. Almost a classic with President Zelaya being led away in his pajamas. Who say this coming? One of the most interesting aspects of it is that both Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez have condemned it. Now that is a strange alliance. Adn I think it is funny that the new "president" declared that it was not a coup. What else could it be whe the military takes an elected president away in his pajamas and exiles him to another country?

Thoughts?

Power Struggle in Iran

Even though the street demonstrations in Tehran have held us spellbound, the real power struggle may be taking place within the council of senior clerics. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei does not not have the stature nor the charisma of his predecessor, the Ayatollah Khomeini who directed and led the Islamic Revolution. And the current Ayatollah's son seems to be calling the shots on the crackdown and oppression of the protesters. Although no one seems to think the Ayatollah is in any trouble with the senior clerics, there could be a real struggle over his successor. He seems to be grooming his son (shades of North Korea?), but the reformers on the council led by former president, Rafsanjani, seem to have no respect for him. The disputed election and the treatment of the demonstrators actually may have strenghtened the the hand of the reformers on the clerical council. So, ironically, the struggle for the heart and soul of Iran's Islamic Revolution may be taking place not on the streets and rooftops, but in a room containing 86 old, bearded clerics. Isn't it interesting how inconsequential Ahmadinejad is in this whole situation?
Thoughts, anyone?

Zimbabwe $$$$$$$

I heard a speaker on NPR who made a funny, tragically funny, comment about inflation in Zimbabwe. She said that Zimbabwe has more millionaires per population than any other country in the world. And when you think how the government has been printing up money by the trillions, I guess it is true. I had predicted Mugabe would be gone by now. Obviously I was wrong. Now I am saying he will not last out the year. Any other predictions?

What about North Korea?

Emily made a really good point about totalitarian governments and theocracies. It made me start thinking about the difference between the religious control in Iran and the totalitarian control in North Korea. Has North Korea succeeded in keeping out democratic ideals by keeping out cell phones and the like? Or are North Koreans so demoralized that they can't even imagine a better society? It seems to me that revolution and change come not in most desperate times but at times when people actually have some hope for the future.

What do you think?

Theocracy - Is it doomed?

Newsweek had a great opinion piece this week explaining why theocracy can not last. And that is what we are seeing in Iran. I would love to hear what you think. Here is the link to the article or at least the address.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/202861

Iranian Protests

I'm so excited that it actually worked. when I had the idea, I went right to an expert - a 9th grader! Anyway, I am anxious to hear what everyone thinks about Iran. What a terrible time not to be in Conflicts class. I am so impressed with the people who are risking so much to go into the streets and protest. I am especially impressed by the women who have obviously not accepted the oppression of the Islamic regime. I am surprised because I don't think there is actually a leader to this movement. It is more as though the movement made Mousavi their leader instead of him leading the movemment. He is not exactly a liberal. But, in comparison to Ahmadinejad, anyone would look liberal - and perhaps sane. :-)

A Bullet Fee in Iran

And now a word from Nick K.:

Farnaz Fassihi in the WS Journal reports something quite amazing: a family of a kid killed in Tehran was billed $3,000 for a "bullet fee" to recover the body. In effect, the government was charging parents for the cost of killing their kids. China used to do that in the 1980's for people it executed, but it only charged a few cents for the bullet. The Iranian authorities are grasping as well as shameless.

I'm still here

Hi everyone,

I am starting a blog (or trying to) to continue the lively discussions we had in Conflicts classes across the years. I hope to hear from one and all - old Conflicters, wannabe Conflicters, and even my right wing relatives.