Quick News Post

Malalai Joya Visits Canada

Read the Hansard excerpt to get the full irony of the moment.

Ongoing Protests

Burmese military fires on protesters, arrests monks
I find it interesting that the CBC has now started to use "Burma" as opposed to "Myanmar" in its reports. I heard someone mention that Canada had never acknowledged the name change on their World At 6 radio show last night and wondered if they would make the change.

'Death to Canada,' outraged Afghans chant

Although Canadian authorities claim our forces were not in the area, and the protesters were more concerned with American forces, this is the headline we get. Get up on the sensational-y side of the bed this morning?

Again?

(Yes, yes, I know... catch up here and here.)

Police association defies decal directive

I already had an issue when the Calgary Police Services decided to have cops and cars helping to stop motorists and sell the ribbons. So what do we do when the police decide that they are a law unto themselves?

Deja Vu Redux

Yes, yes, I know I blogged about this already... But I came across something yesterday and wanted to post the link to this item, ACTION ALERT - Say NO to "Support our Troops" decals, because it says all the things I would say if I could stop the rage-y feelings that rise whenever a certain alderperson starts talking....

Oh, and Calgarians, don't forget to VOTE on October 15!

Sometimes Deja Vu isn't a Good Thing

(If you're not from Calgary, feel free to ignore the following rant.)

I am so sick of the Decal Debate. Is it ever going to end? A clue: no.*

Why aren't we dealing with the real issues facing Calgary - homelessness and violence come to mind. (The 92-year-old woman lives a block from us.)

Perhaps a certain alderperson should watch some more television?

*Obligatory geek reference here.

Update: Malalai Joya

News clip of protests from June 21, 2007.

There is also a new interview with Joya at The American Prospect:

"But this is the voice of the voiceless people of Afghanistan," she continues. "And they can't silence this voice and they can't hide the truth. And they understand that."

On Choices

Zakia Zaki, Afghan journalist, Radio Peace, was gunnded down June 6, 2007, in front of her 8-year-old son. This video, created by the NGO Aina, includes Zaki interviewing Malalia Joya, who was suspended from the Afghan Parliament on May 21, 2007, after openly criticizing other members. (More information about Joya can be found at www.malaliajoya.com.)

As for the the provincial governor's comment that the motive for the shooting were not immediately known... well, RAWA reprts that she was "threatened recently by some factional commanders in her area to shut down the station or face death".

Standing at the door of my 8-year-old son's room, a world away from her 8-year-old son, I would say that it was never really a choice. Namaste.