This is a follow-up to the story Graham brought us in the summer. Nelson Mandela used the South Africa rugby team to try to heal some of the racial divide after the end of apartheid. There was a brief trailer during the game tonight, but here is the link to a longer one. (Thanks to Ilana.)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/invictus/
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Nobel Peace Prize
Like so many people, I woke up to the surprising, I would say stunning, news that Barack Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. While I am a real admirer of the President, I thought it was perhaps premature although I believe he has changed the direction of world events through his policy of multilateralism and dialogue. I thought his speech in Cairo did more to undermine recruitment by terrorist groups than all the bombs and troops around the world. Here is what someone far more qualified than I had to say:
MOHAMED ELBARADEI
The director-general of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, who received the prize in 2005, said in a statement that he was “absolutely delighted,” adding: “I cannot think of anyone today more deserving of this honor. In less than a year in office, he has transformed the way we look at ourselves and the world we live in and rekindled hope for a world at peace with itself.”
What do you think of the choice of Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize?
MOHAMED ELBARADEI
The director-general of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, who received the prize in 2005, said in a statement that he was “absolutely delighted,” adding: “I cannot think of anyone today more deserving of this honor. In less than a year in office, he has transformed the way we look at ourselves and the world we live in and rekindled hope for a world at peace with itself.”
What do you think of the choice of Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Nick and Sheryl Interview
Alex Berg, 264, read on FB that I wouldn't be able to attend Nick and Sheryl's presentation last night so she sent me information on how to listen to a live interview today. I am urging everyone to listen to the recorded version of it at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2009/10/07/Nicholas-Kristof-Sheryl-WuDunn
It was wonderful. They talked about many things which Conflicts students across the years will find familiar: FGM, fistulas, sexual slavery, Mukhtar Mai whom Nick describes simply as his "hero", rape as a tactic of war and so much more.
I was struck by so many points, but here are a few which I hope will entice you to listen. They used the term "gendercide" to describe what is happening to girls and women in the 21st century. And they had incredible statistics to back it up. for example, one woman dies every minute in childbirth and twenty are injured seriously. More women died in childbirth during WW I than soldiers died in combat. Sheryl explained why she felt doing something to try to end FGM is not cultural imperialism. Perhaps, most powerful for me was the point they made that the people who victimize women are often (perhaps more often than not) other women. Nick said that he is really hoping Greg Mortenson wins the Nobel Peace Prize this week.
Listen. It is really worth the time you will spend. One special note for Conflicts 266. At the end of the broadcast, Nick was asked if he had some final comment and he used our starfish story. No wonder I love him!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2009/10/07/Nicholas-Kristof-Sheryl-WuDunn
It was wonderful. They talked about many things which Conflicts students across the years will find familiar: FGM, fistulas, sexual slavery, Mukhtar Mai whom Nick describes simply as his "hero", rape as a tactic of war and so much more.
I was struck by so many points, but here are a few which I hope will entice you to listen. They used the term "gendercide" to describe what is happening to girls and women in the 21st century. And they had incredible statistics to back it up. for example, one woman dies every minute in childbirth and twenty are injured seriously. More women died in childbirth during WW I than soldiers died in combat. Sheryl explained why she felt doing something to try to end FGM is not cultural imperialism. Perhaps, most powerful for me was the point they made that the people who victimize women are often (perhaps more often than not) other women. Nick said that he is really hoping Greg Mortenson wins the Nobel Peace Prize this week.
Listen. It is really worth the time you will spend. One special note for Conflicts 266. At the end of the broadcast, Nick was asked if he had some final comment and he used our starfish story. No wonder I love him!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Qaddafi at the United Nations
In case you missed it, Muammar Qaddafi really outdid himself at the United Nations on Wednesday. His rambling rant lasted 75 minutes longer than his allotted 15 minutes. After being introduced by one of his aides as the "king of kings of Africa", he proceeded to ramble on about the causes of the Korean War, a conspiracy theory involving the the Kennedy assassination, he questioned whether the swine flu had been designed in a laboratory and tore up a copy of the United Nations Charter. His speech had at least one casualty. After struggling with this incoherent rambling for 75 minutes, Qaddafi's personal translator shouted into the microphone, "I can't take it anymore." - in Arabic. One of the UN's official translators relieved him and finished translating the speech. He was given the next day off for his efforts. Another one of the UN's official Arabic translators wrapped it up in an understatement, ""He’s not exactly the most lucid speaker."
On Thursday, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech led to a major walk out by delegates from the US, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Costa Rica, Denmark, France Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, and others (mainly EU countries). Canada and Israel had boycotted the speech from the beginning. Ahamdinejad ended up speaking to a half empty hall.
Quite a 24 hour period at the United Nations!
On Thursday, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech led to a major walk out by delegates from the US, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Costa Rica, Denmark, France Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, and others (mainly EU countries). Canada and Israel had boycotted the speech from the beginning. Ahamdinejad ended up speaking to a half empty hall.
Quite a 24 hour period at the United Nations!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Hugo Chavez and Me
Who knew Hugo Chavez and I had something in common? Here is the YouTube video in which Chavez explains what he thinks of Fox News.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V3luj9gs1c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V3luj9gs1c
Mugabe: A Hero?
You have got to check this out. This link comes from Michele Haimowitz. It is Mugabe's interview with Christine Amanpour of CNN. Mugabe sees himself as an African hero, defending his homeland against outsiders, both African and non-African. He describes Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the "little man." Make sure you look at the video.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/09/24/zimbabwe.mugabe.amanpour/index.html
Do you think Mugabe really believes everything he says?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/09/24/zimbabwe.mugabe.amanpour/index.html
Do you think Mugabe really believes everything he says?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Coed University in Saudi Arabia ?!
Saudi Arabia is about to open a new university unlike any in the conservative kingdom. It is The King Abdullah Science and Technology University (KAUST). It is a state-of-the-art university with the latest equipment including the world's 14th fastest supercomputer. The university is planned as an oasis of scientific freedom in a land dominated by religious conservatives. Tuition is $70,000 a year, but is paid by the government. Saudi Arabia hopes to attract students from around the world plus develop a native scientific community in areas not related to the oil industry. Most surprising is the freedom women will have on campus. Women will not have to wear veils or cover their faces, and they will be able to mingle freely with male students. Women will even be able to drive on campus.
Is this a sign of the first crack in the conservatism of Saudi Arabia or will the conservatives see it as a threat and use it as a target in their "defense" of fundamental Islam?
Is this a sign of the first crack in the conservatism of Saudi Arabia or will the conservatives see it as a threat and use it as a target in their "defense" of fundamental Islam?
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