Think alike minds are great!

Nice analysis about the how the world is changing using the microcosm of Zimbabwe.


http://www.newstimeafrica.com/archives/22070

Social networking and the future of political reporting in Zimbabwe and beyond
Mark Zuckerberg could arguably be a modern day Albeit Einstein because of his revolutionary project- Facebook. Over the years Facebook has become one of the most influential factors in grassroots socio-political mobilization worldwide, in fact the January 25 2011 Egyptian revolution could be credited to Facebook as it captured global attention. When the Egyptian revolution gained momentum the government tried without success to contain the social networking site by blocking it. Social media became a big player in politics. Bosmol- a social media marketing news website wrote: “Social media makes social organization easier and effective. Social media used by Egyptian protesters brought together individuals who shared common goals and ideas, but also offered a medium for planning. In the case of Egypt, social media forced the government to take accountability. Transnational social networks made it very difficult for governments to lie and hide from their citizens.” The Egyptian scenario is just one of many the world over that has social media networking sites such as Facebook playing an integral part in shaping history.

In Zimbabwe, Facebook is as popular and essential as water. People cannot imagine life before facebook. With mobile internet most people use it to log in to facebook to connect into a society that is free to speak its mind out without physical intimidation or confrontation. This “free” world is the best bet to get people’s uncensored views on socio-political issues. Because of the power Facebook holds in Zimbabwean communities, it has become necessary for politicians to also engage themselves getting connected to Zimbabweans all over the world. Naturally facebook has become a political constituency. The major players involved are the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation, politicians, the masses and yes the journalists who now get leads for stories as well as exclusive chats with politicians.

Zimbabwean journalist, Nqaba Matshazi, wrote that politicians have taken to social networking in the hope of gaining an extra edge over their rivals. “With the growth of internet penetration and the advent of mobile internet access in Zimbabwe, observers maintain that social networking may one day define the next Zimbabwean leader,” he wrote in The Zimbabwe Standard. Zimbabwean politics is largely dominated by old school politicians who can be traced to more than 30 years back. However, the few new school politians’ have seen the importance of social networking sites. MDC politicians like David Coltart, Nelson Chamisa, Obert Gutu, Gorden Moyo, Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Jameson Timba are among a host of politicians with Facebook pages, while Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai has a fan page.
From Zanu PF, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi and Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment minister Saviour Kasukuwere are the only ones who maintain regular presence on the world’s largest social networking site. Even political parties now have facebook pages.

Their regular interaction on facebook makes the work of journalists more efficient. The Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara always answers questions from journalists whenever he is online- at times when he is busy he just replies by saying. “Busy lets chat later.” When he does that Facebook may become invaluable for a journalist. But the bigger picture is that facebook gives reporters an access to communities involved in newsmaking. In this way journalists find leads and develop sources. However, newspaper companies are still lagging behind in understanding what Facebook is all about. There was a time in the state controlled Herald and Chronicle when a move to block the use of Facebook during working hours was mooted. The argument brought forward although met with heavy resistance was that it diverted the attention of reporters. This is a lie because reporting is all about communicating and interacting with society.

Online news sites such as The Zimbabwe mail, Newzimbabwe.com have got regular posts on Facebook pages because they understand that for journalism to fulfill its mandate reporters and the publications they write for can connect on facebook to engage with their readership and sources to build their brands. Perhaps the most imperative skill for a journalist on facebook should be finding sources on the site and using them to full effect. Mxolisi Ncube a freelance journalist says he uses facebook with caution. “I am not that much into checking other people’s profiles because some of the prominent names are just fake identities, but I do get direct mail to my inbox that give me tips and others from organisations,” he said. The issue of facebook use in Zimbabwean media brings about the questions of basic ethics. Facebook can be a great source of news and ideas but no news story should be entirely sourced via social media. This is so because it is very easy to lie or misrepresent on a social networking site and no credible journalist wants to be taken for a hoax.

Zimbabwean journalism needs social networking just like any proggressive newsroom anywhere in the world. The use of social media tools like facebook cannot be ignored even though they are a sudden phenomenon. There is need to teach on ethics and use of social networking tools for practicing journalists. The popularity that facebook is getting in media circles has propelled the launch of “Journalists on Facebook” a page entirely dedicated to the used of the social networking site by journalists. The forum gives hints on how journalists can best use facebook to make their jobs easy and exciting.

The Dominique Strauss-Kahn Affair: Was it a Conspiracy to facilitate the pillaging of the Greek people?

When you can't know all the facts it is hard to say what is going on around you. I like the logic that David applies in trying to understand the bizarreness in the news of the world...


http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=SWA20110702&articleId=25477



The Dominique Strauss-Kahn Affair: Was it a Conspiracy?

There's a great deal of disappointment, even distress, in the air as news spreads that Dominique Strauss-Kahn might not be charged with rape (or attempted rape, or sexual assault). He's guilty, the victim's character is being attacked in order to protect him, and the Culture of Rape will emerge triumphant once again -- or so I'm being told by various Emails, Tweets, etc.

On the other hand, the whole thing was a conspiracy to facilitate the pillaging of the Greek people and the replacement of DSK at the IMF by a robber baron more loyal to the Austerity Agenda. Or so I have been assured.

In addition, the entire episode illustrates the danger in recklessly charging people -- especially famous and important people -- with crimes, until they have first been proven guilty. Or so we are learning from Thoughtful pundits.

I actually think that some (or none) or even all of these stories could be true. What I object to is the assertion that each one is true, not because the facts demonstrate it (we haven't been given the facts) but because that's the way the world is.

Here's a general depiction of the world that is true: Rape is common and traumatic and often goes unpunished; victims are put through further trauma when they press charges; honest victims are often viewed as liars; victims lacking legal status and union membership and other advantages can be even more reluctant to press charges; our culture does not sufficiently condemn rape; our mercenary firms fighting our wars can apparently rape their employees with legal immunity.

Here's something that depiction of the world doesn't tell us: DSK raped his accuser.

Here's another general depiction of the world that is true: False accusations of rape are extremely common. Acquittals and exonerations through DNA suggest a large number of false convictions in cases lacking DNA evidence. Americans used to lynch large numbers of African American men on the basis of false rape accusations. Well-intentioned opponents of date-rape have preached that regret can transform sex into rape.

Here's something that depiction of the world doesn't tell us: DSK's accuser lied about being raped.

Here's another general depiction of the world that is true: Major financial interests have no shame or conscience and will engage in all variety of dirty tricks to get their way. General Motors tried to set Ralph Nader up with a phony rape charge. DSK's downfall was perfectly timed to benefit the plutocrats and destroy the hopes of the Greek people.

Here's something that does not tell us: DSK was set up by the global financial oligarchs.

Here's yet another state of affairs that is true: DSK has both a suspicious history of numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault and a great deal of financial influence himself. If any dirt could be found to defame his accuser (since no means could be found to buy her off) and if the prosecutors didn't find it on their own, DSK was far more likely to find and provide it than your average person accused, rightly or wrongly, of a crime.

Here's something that doesn't tell us: DSK is getting away with rape due to the unfairness of the U.S. legal system.

Of course, we might very well know one or more of these things to be indisputably true by the end of the day or the week or the month. Or we might never know. But a great many people are convinced that they already know; and that's what worries me.

There are international conspiracies. But there isn't always one everywhere. There are rapes. But there isn't always one everywhere. There are false accusations. But some accusations are true.

I get the impression that for many people these facts are theoretically recognizable but practically irrelevant.



by David Swanson


Global Research, July 2, 2011



--

David Swanson is the author of "War Is A Lie"

http://warisalie.org

http://davidswanson.org

http://warisacrime.org

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http://twitter.com/davidcnswanson

http://youtube.com/afterdowningstreet




David Swanson is a frequent contributor to Global Research. Global Research Articles by David Swanson

Just hang it over the side...

The thrust of this story on NPR, the many ways China is expanding its reach in the world, has xenophobic undertones (think of Michael Keaton in Gung Ho) that belie what I think is the more important question WTF is benefiting from the privitization of public assets? Its ain't you and me. It certainly isn't the Greeks who are getting paid less to do more...
My favorite quote from the story-
"He says workers were told by supervisors to urinate into the sea, rather than taking toilet breaks."

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/08/137035251/in-greek-port-storm-brews-over-chinese-run-labor?ft=1&f=137035251


The ancients speak
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3861121


Thanks God, at least they're not hungry for work and Japaneese
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/world/asia/09japan.html?_r=1

This Reeks of Ripe Old Laundry

Even moreso because it can be juxtaposed against the Google News headline (from whence it also came) of : Newt Gingrich Cheated on His Wives for America New York Magazine

Can there be irony in hypocracy?

V. Schiller Forced Out as NPR President Following Hidden-Camera Sting
Published March 09, 2011
| FoxNews.com

Embattled NPR CEO Vivian Schiller resigned Wednesday at the request of the board after a hidden-camera video was released...

NPR Board of Directors Chairman Dave Edwards, in a statement on NPR's website, said the board accepted Schiller's resignation, which is "effective immediately," with regret.

According to The Associated Press, the board asked Schiller to step down, and she complied.

The announcement was made one day after a conservative activist released an undercover video showing an NPR senior executive criticizing conservatives. NPR swiftly condemned the comments by Ron Schiller, who is not related to Vivian Schiller. Ron Schiller later apologized and, though he was already planning to leave NPR, said his resignation as a senior vice president and president of the NPR Foundation would be effective immediately....


The activist who released the footage, James O'Keefe is the same conservative activist best known for producing undercover videos that showed employees with the community advocacy group ACORN helping a couple posing as a pimp and prostitute.

The controversial comments from Ron Schiller were made during a meeting with two people posing as members of a fictitious Muslim organization. The two activists, who recorded the February meeting on hidden camera, were trying to convince NPR executives to accept a $5 million donation -- money NPR apparently refused.

During the meeting, Ron Schiller talked about how the Republican Party had been "hijacked" by the Tea Party.
"The current Republican Party, particularly the Tea Party, is fanatically involved with people's personal lives," he said.
Schiller described that movement as "white, middle America, gun-toting," and added: "They're seriously racist people."
Ron Schiller went on to lament what he called an "anti-intellectual" component of the Republican Party.
"Liberals today might be more educated, fair and balanced than conservatives," he said.


Finally he said, "Ye might be a redneck if..." And thats when the only reasonable response was for the townsfolk to go on a witchhunt.
WTF
Mati


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/09/npr-president-schiller-resigns/#ixzz1G8IwXvfe

Walk like an Egyptian

Time for US citizens to take a page from the Greeks, Arabs, and Cubans. Viva la Revolucion!!


http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/02/18/taylor_wisconsin_national_guard
Union busters and guns


http://www.npr.org/2011/02/11/133674868/Greece-Protest
I somehow doubt the reporters assertion that the the Greek Debt Crisis was caused (unless we're counting very small parts) by its citizens tax evasive behaviors... Seriously, show me a country whose people don't try to reduce their tax burden as much as possible

The next big thing? Souljah boy has 4.9 million subscribers to his Say Now account — which is a lot like Twitter, except with phone messages...

I have no opinion (yet) on his music, but I know I like him! Props to Frannie Kelly of NPR for writing a nice piece.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/11/02/130999002/souljah-boy-tells-the-journal-how-to-be-a-millionaire

The youngest person to ever hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 recently sat down with The Wall Street Journal's Lee Hawkins at Lincoln Center. The conversation above is about social media, and in the first ten minutes, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em tells aspiring millionaires exactly how he went from high school student to businessman.

He rose to stardom with his song "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," and its own dance (complete with instructional video) in 2007. Its YouTube video has been viewed more than 86 million times. In the Journal's video interview Soulja Boy (given name DeAndre Way) imparts a lot of concrete advice, including the best reason I've ever heard for making a dance for every song he releases: "It makes it funner."


"Around 2006 I discovered the internet," Soulja Boy says. And he gives the credit for that to his father, who bought him his first computer when he was about 14. He started out on SoundClick, which he calls "the Billboard charts for the underground artists — everyone in the streets that's unsigned." He began making money — he calls it revenue — when the service started offering downloads for $1.00 each, splitting the income 50/50 with the artists. Soulja Boy says he was averaging 19,000 downloads a day and eventually made over $100,000 from SoundClick.

He started a YouTube page, a MySpace page and then, he says, really started to build his name. He made money from YouTube's ad revenue-sharing setup. After he reached one million hits on MySpace, he put an email address on the page and started getting requests to perform all over the country, so he hit the road.

Soulja Boy really works on social media. He's got almost 2.5 million followers on Twitter, 1.4 million friends on MySpace and 1.6 million people like his Facebook page.

In the interview, Hawkins asks him if he's using any new technology or platforms to reach his followers, and Soulja Boy claims he's gone a bit analog. He says he has 4.9 million subscribers to his Say Now account — which is a lot like Twitter, except with phone messages. Soulja Boy says he can call the service, leave just one voicemail message, and instantly 4.9 million people can hear him. When you call his number — 678 999-8212 — he says, "What's up the whole entire world?" and pushes his new album.

And Soulja Boy's not stopping. "Now that I'm in the position I'm in now I like to take all my creative ideas and put 'em on the internet for my fans to interact with. Give 'em something to do." He says what he'd really like to do is create a platform that combines Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and Youtube. "[I would] combine them into one social media outlet and just, like, just go crazy with it."

I'm sorry. I was wrong. We are all Egyptian now. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_Square

This Blog, TahrirSquare-Anemophilos, is my space for speaking on things that I find inspirational and amazing. Like TED.com. Tell me that the world could change like lightning fires across a dry prairie before this year began and I could say to you 10 reasons why it couldn't happen in the middle east(ern region, including in my mind both turkey and greece,the baltics, n.africa and all of the mediteranian). I'm sorry. I was wrong.

Thank you people of Egypt for your strengh, bravery, and willingness to believe in yourselves and see the power you truly hold. You have taught me to look for the same in myself and my community.

I've been hating on Twitter for almost a decade. Yesterday I opened my first account. @Anemphilos. Holy power of a 5 bln mobile phone (and their owners) SMS driven unstoppable social-network. Love how an educated, connected public can can change the world. We are all Egyptian now.

Oh, and now that we're rolling, lets get Captain Planet a refresh and bring him out for a second act. I think this time we might be ready...

Tahrir Square was the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak.[4] Over 50,000 protesters first occupied the square on 25 January, during which the area's wireless services were reported to be impaired.[5] In the following days Tahrir Square continued to be the primary destination for protests in Cairo.[6] On 29 January Egyptian fighter aircraft flew low over the people gathered in the square. On 30 January, the seventh day of the protests, BBC correspondents reported that the number of demonstrators had grown to at least 100,000,[7] and on 31 January Al Jazeera correspondents reported that the demonstrations had grown to at least 250,000 people.[8] On 1 February, Al Jazeera reported that more than 1 million protesters peacefully gathered in the square and adjacent streets.[9]


Tahrir Square filled with citizens during 'Friday of Departure' demonstration, 3 February 2011.
The square became established as a focal point and a symbol for the ongoing Egyptian democracy demonstrations. On the night of 2 February, violence between the pro-Mubarak and pro-democracy demonstrators erupted in the square and its approaches, with pavements being broken up for use as projectiles. Within a week, due to international media coverage, the image and name of Tahrir Square became known worldwide.[10]
A Facebook page by the name tahrir square ميدان التحرير was maintained by a rotating staff of 20 at one point during the uprising, particularly to offset the lack of, or distorted, coverage of the events in state-run media.[11][12]
One by one the protesters withstood each weapon in the arsenal of the Egyptian autocracy — first the heavily armed riot police, then a ruling party militia and finally the state’s powerful propaganda machine.
The 18-day-old revolt led by the young people of Egypt ousted President Hosni Mubarak on Friday 11 February 2011, shattering three decades of political stasis and overturning the established order of the Arab world. Tahrir Square erupted in a massive celebration when Hosni Mubarak officially stepped down from office. Shouts of "God is great" erupted from Tahrir Square at twilight as Mr. Mubarak’s vice president and longtime intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, announced that Mr. Mubarak had passed all authority to a council of military leaders.[13]