Category Archives: World Politics
Links of the Week 17 September 2010
Dream Act Special Feature
So I recently heard via a Political Science listserv I am on (Thank you Race & Ethnicity APSA Section) that Senator Reid is working on moving the Dream Act out of committee and on the floor for a vote. Below are some links that were shared via the listserv about the recent movement in the movement (:D). Without going into too much details, there are a lot of links this week, I support this Act because I think it is wrong to harm children who had no say in the matter of their parents decision to come to the United States illegally. If they can show that they can be “good” citizens then I think they should get an opportunity to become citizens. To learn more about the Dream Act and what you can do to help visit: www.dreamactivist.org.
For the sake of the DREAM Act students, Latinos must come together
Students Spared Amid an Increase in Deportations
Sen. Reid comments on the issue [Dream Act] at the Netroots Nation Conference in Las Vegas
Top Five
For First time, more women than men earn PhD
Tim Wise: Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black
Briefing: Melissa Harris-Lacewell on Covering Progressive Causes
Library of Congress – Hispanic [Latino] Heritage Month
The 9/11 media legacy I will never forget: “buy Snow White on DVD”
Quote of the Week
“Impacts from agriculture are expected to increase substantially due to population growth increasing consumption of animal products. Unlike fossil fuels, it is difficult to look for alternatives: people have to eat. A substantial reduction of impacts would only be possible with a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal products.” from More evidence for going vegan from the UN Environment Programme & UN urges global move to meat and dairy-free diet.
Photo of the Week
You write the caption for this photo
This week’s photo is from Christine O’Donnell upsets Mike Castle in Delaware Senate primary [Author note: the photo now at this link has changed & is somewhat better...but not by much] and I have to say when I looked at this photo the first thing I thought was they (the media) would have never taken a picture of a male politician like this. Then I thought some more and realized maybe a few men…the media did help kill the Howard Dean campaign by looping that yelp he had in that primary win. But the photo did remind me of the countless photos of women politicians and businesswomen that depict them in unfavorable or questionable manners and what that all means. I don’t say these comments in a way that is endorsing or not endorsing O’Donnell’s candidacy (I was raised in DE but I now hold my state residency somewhere else so I’ll leave the matter in the hands of Delawarians to decide what they want) but I say this comment to make you all [whoever is reading this] to think about the role media plays in perpetuating stereotypes of all kinds. How would you caption this photo? What do you think the photo says?
Women and Politics
WUFPAC Fall Fundraiser – Thursday 30 September 2010 in Washington, D.C.
I’ve said this before but its worth saying again: WUFPAC was one of my best discoveries while doing a school assignment. If you are in the D.C. area I highly recommend that you attend this event. Not in D.C. visit www.wufpac.org to donate today!
Ticket photo of the week: Michele Obama takes to the gridiron
Dilma defende Lula e afirma que disputa por hegemonia política é saudável
Politics
How Adrian Fenty lost his reelection bid for D.C. mayor
DE-Sen: Help me keep Delaware’s seat blue
U.S. Intervention Sought for Newark Police Abuses
Mike Castle won’t endorse Christine O’Donnell for Senate, citing ‘smears’
Vincent Gray beats Adrian Fenty: What does it mean for school reform?
Lessons for Obama in Adrian Fenty’s Defeat
Other
AFL-CIO takes stand against NFL owners
Report Reveals Salaries of Megachurch Pastors
Gabourey Sidibe in Elle: Light, Bright and Almost White
Afroreggae forma 150 jovens que participaram de oficinas
La Presencia Africana en Mexico y América Latina African Legacy in Mexico and Latin America
Unfortunately, this event is in Atlanta but if you are in Atlanta I HIGHLY recommend that you go. From the event website, “In collaboration with Spelman College, and in recognition of Latino Heritage Month, the Auburn Avenue Research Library will present, La Presencia Africana en Mexico y América Latina: African Legacy in Mexico and Latin America, an exhibition which explores Africana culture in Latin America. This exhibit features the photography of Tony Gleaton from the Spelman College Archives.”
Movie: In Whose Honor – American Indian Mascots in Sports
Oldies But Goodies
Friends share in D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s good fortune
With the recent loss of Fenty in the Democratic Primary I was linked to this article. I have to say I think way more politicians than not do similar acts and are not discussed like they are here. Finally, I think information like this in combination with Fenty not being able to relate to his constituents contributed to his loss. Best of luck to you in the future Mayor Fenty – I hope you not only reflect on your contributions but reflect on and move forward from your mistakes.
Links of the Week 25 June 2010
Author’s Note: This weeks links are shorter as I was traveling last week. Also links for Summer 2010 will be in Portuguese as I am learning this language this summer and am not allowed to communicate in English. If you have Google Chrome as your browser you can use their translate feature if you wish. If not see you in late August when my Links of the Week will return to their normal muli-lingual mostly English & Spanish format.
Top Five
Spelman College President Gives Opening Address at UNCF ICB Green Building Institute
I saw this threw the research methods camp I am attending & it made me see just how serious this spill is & the long term effects it will have for the animals that live there as well as the people that depend on the water to survive i.e. tourist organizations, farmers & fishermen/women.
Buffett to Ultra-Rich: Meet Me Halfway
This is the article that got General McChrystal fired from his post in charge of the troops in Afghanistan.
General McChrystal and ‘Rolling Stone’: There’s So Much More to the War in Afghanistan
Why everyone was worried about who got fired in Washington, Pundit Mom reflects on what is missing in the inside the beltway talk about Afghanistan
Women & Politics
Un bastión argentino contra las cuotas femeninas
Partidos evaden la cuota de género
U.S. Education Secretary Duncan Commemorates 38th Anniversary of Title IX
Other Politics
UPDATED: EPA Reveals What’s In Gulf Oil Spill Dispersants
Other
Can Conscious Consumerism Really Save the World?
30 things to do before you turn 30
Oldies But Goodies
What the “Big 6″ Won’t Share About Haiti
These days its hard to go twenty-four hours without hearing a request to donate to some non-profit to support their efforts in Haiti. It is also hard, though getting easier…or so I have heard, to go twenty-four hours without some news footage from the “Big 6″ aka ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC & Fox New that does not showcase some “poor impoverished little brown child” to show what is going on in Haiti. However, a quick study of the history they do not teach you in US classrooms will highlight that the devastation in Haiti is not just about a poor country with a government that cannot “take care” of its people but it will reveal the negative and significant role that the United States, the first independent nation liberated by slave owners, and “The West” had in getting Haiti, the first independent nation liberated by slaves in the Americas, to its current state.
I wish this post could be about the role of the International System/”The West” in debilitating Haiti’s ability to develop as a nation from its inception but I do not know enough about Haitian history. I do know more about the history of the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s neighbor, and the fact that that country has survived three US military invasions. This knowledge allows me to imagine how and what the US has done to Haiti historically and the irony of its current pleas to help Haiti now.
Moving away from blame and pointing fingers, I have to say that the out-pour that the US and other countries have shown to the people of Haiti in their time of need is refreshing and a welcomed shift. My big hope and prayer is that this out-pour is not a temporary thing but leads to real quality sustained development for Haiti based on the interests of the Haitian people.
To get back to the main focus of this post, please read below some links that expound upon information that you should know about Haiti that you will not get from the “Big 6.” In addition to supporting continued assistance to the Haitian people consider giving to the organizations, specifically the independent media outlets, that authored some of the stories below.
Enjoy,
DNMP
What You’re Not Hearing About Haiti But Should Be
Why Haiti and The Dominican Republic Are So Different
Continuing To Address The Needs In Haiti From A Gender-Informed Lens
Haiti 2010: An Unwelcome Katrina Redux
La Lección de Haití or in English The Lessons of Haiti
Tè Tremblé: Journey to the Epicenter of the Earthquake
Bill Clinton Named New UN Envoy to ‘Stabilize’ Haiti, a Country He Helped DeStabilize
Clearing my Email Inbox: Oldies But Goodies Part 1
So one of my big tasks for this summer is to clear my inboxes…over 1000 messages in one inbox and about 700 in another. I decided to start with older messages. Enjoy these links that I found while doing some summer internet cleaning 
Madoff and Company Spent Nearly $1 Million on Washington Influence
Global Sludge Ends in Tragedy for Ivory Coast
onPhilanthropy: Articles: Cultivating Young Professionals
Obama Confronting ‘Outsider’ Dilemma
Funny that Facebook two years ago was seen as popular with students, see photo caption in article, and now is a phenomena for people of all ages with those in their mid-30s leading the way as Facebook newcomers.
State owes much to George W. Bush — a black pioneer
An interesting article discussing Black History in Washington state. I also like how the Seattle PI used the name of former President Bush to draw attention to the article.
Joe Biden in Michigan, September 15, 2008
This is why Obama picked Joe Biden. Biden states in speech, “The Sequel is Worse than the Original.” Classic Joe Biden at his best! A Must Watch!
Anna Quindlen on The Leadership Lid
Barack and Joe Ending Domestic Violence
An interesting video about Domestic Violence and Vice President Biden’s efforts to pass the Violence Against Women Act during the late 80s & early 90s. The best part was when one commentator while discussing critics calls for the women to leave abusive relationships states, “Leave and go where?”
Money Wins Presidency and 9 of 10 Congressional Races in Priciest U.S. Election Ever
This is an overview by OpenSecrets.org about the 2008 election and campaign finance.
Will Obama Make the Mistake of Latin American Leaders?
An interesting look at the “minority” presidents of Latin America and what Obama can learn what not to do from them.
Change Everything Blog – A Front Row Seat to History Blog post from The White House Project describing witnessing the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
Women Transform ‘Welsh’ Politics
EMILY’s List: 5 facts about Robin Carnahan and Kirsten Gillibrand
Supreme Court Reviews “Hillary: The Movie”
Four Kuwaiti Women Become First to Win Seats in Parliament
Video: radicals beat girl, 17, in Islamic stronghold of Swat, Pakistan
President Obama Announces Key State Department Appointments
Borders Back in Atlanta Mayor’s Race
Looks like the Atlanta Mayoral Race is turning into an interesting off election.
Women Gain Political Ground in Burkina Faso
New law give parties additional public financing when they adhere to the country’s quota law.
Liberians Get Extension While Haitians Remain in Limbo
Interesting perspective here though I don’t know if anything has changed since the article was written a few months back.
GritTV: The Iranian Elections, Kucinich vs. Bank of America, and The Stoning of Soraya M.
I first encountered GritTV with Laura Flanders after following a link from one of the show’s recent guests. I have to say I really enjoy this program and it is part of my move as a news consumer to move beyond mainstream media to independent and/or public media. To date I find that independent media covers more issues than mainstream media and the broadcasts are less biased for either the “right” or the “left.” Looking to this story I was very interested in Grit’s coverage of the Iranian election as well as its focus on a new film about stoning as a form of legal punishment.
This link is a full episode so site back relax and learn something that the main networks probably will not give a quarter of the time this program does.
Here is a short clip from the show also dealing with the Iranian election:
Links of the Week 20 March 2009
Top Five
White House Council on Women and Girls – Where’s the News Media At?
Once again the media misses on its coverage on this great newly revived council. Saddened but not surprised :{
Rep. Barney Frank: Is There An Antidote to the Republican Amnesia?
China ‘worried’ about US Treasury holdings
I have to say I saw this coming…okay not really but lets just say I thought about this a few years ago i.e. what would happen if China lost confidence in the US Dollar.
Another twist for the unemployed: Debit Card Fees
There is a lot I could say about this…what I will say is: This is a shame! The greed is shameful!
Tired of Looking for Work, Some Create Their Own
Quote of the Week
“Mother Nature doesn’t do bailouts,” from The Infection Is Near?
Politico
N.M. Governor Repeals Death Penalty in State
I concur with the Governor’s reasoning on this. The system needs to improve before we can even ponder the possibility of trusting it to sentence someone to death.
Women Named to Cabinet, Cabinet Level and Other Top Positions in the Obama Administration
Commentary: Cheney Says U.S. can torture but can’t heal
Biden: Economic confidence returning
I’m still getting used to this Go VP Biden!
Meghan McCain Fires Back at Weight Critics
Organizing for America Pledge Project
My words to Organizing 4 America: “I think it is time that the United States got back to the basics and supported items that will build a positive foundation for the United States. Investments in the health of her citizens as well as their education are key aspects of that. It is said in sports that fundamentals are key to winning games – it is time for the United States to go back to the fundamentals.”
Health
At least 3 Percent of D.C. Residents Have HIV or AIDS, City Study Finds
En Español
El Príncipe de Asturias vende el “Made in Spain” en EEUU
Fernández condena aumento salarial de funcionarios políticos
Las remesas se desplomarán en todo América Latina este año, sigún el BID
Other
Where Power Lies?
Stop Cussin LLC
I think this is a great campaign for our youth. Young people need to know that there is more than one way to express yourself and better words to do so.
Ning
Create Your Own Social Network – I did!
Rapping Flight Attendant
He’s good.
Milwaukee Bucks tell Charlie Villanueva not to Twitter during games anymore
Oldies but Goodies
Obama Creates Women’s Council
Some Women Deserve to be Beaten and Raped a Britsh Survey Says
Could this be part of why Chris Brown thought it was okay to go Street Fighter II on Rhianna? Her dress? I remember reading something a few months back about how he did not like how she dressed aka her new “sexy” image.
Michael Moore: Why I’m Not Now and Have Never Been the Democrats’ “Rush Limbaugh”
Links of the Week 13 March 2009
Top Five
(In Order)
International Women’s Day 2009 “Women and men united to end violence against women and girls”
I am really hoping that a positive outcome from the unfortunate Chris Brown/Rhianna domestic violence situation is a re-evaluation of violence against women especially in developing nations that assume that the problem is improved simply because a woman can now file a police report and appear in court against her attacker in their countries (yes US I’m talking to you ).
Obama Creates White House Women’s Council
Should Michelle Cover Up?
Honestly I think a lot of this conversation shows the generation gap in this country. The average age of the Senate is 65 and the House is about the same meaning “everyone” is/can be a member of the AARP (My congressman uses the Amtrak senior discount to get to D.C. each day). The first lady is no where near that age and her dress reflects that! The younger generations don’t wear stockings and sleeveless is ok for most occasions as long as it isn’t spagetti straps. My only criticism is that I’m not sure if the first lady really gets just how conservative Washington is when it comes to fashion. At minimum she should make sure she has sleeves on when she heads towards Capitol Hill and when meeting certain dignitaries and foreign leaders.
Steele’s Apology to Limbaugh Troubles Many Blacks
IMF Survey: Economic Crisis Starts to Hit World’s Poorest Countries
Politico
Michelle Obama’s Agenda Includes Healthy Eating
Thank you First Lady Obama for taking this issue on. It is a shame the junk companies sell to the poor communities in this country! I almost cried the last time I was in a discount grocery store in a poor neighborhood, in Chicago ironically enough, the fresh food selection was pitiful.
NYC Mayor hones Spanish to woo Voters
New Idea on Capitol Hill – To Join Senate, Get Votes
I actually disagree with this. The extra time and cost to a State to run special elections is unnecessary. Indirectly, the people do vote in the Senator as they voted in the Governor who makes a temporary appointment/decision to keep things running until a proper election can be held. I would hate for a candidate to become a Senator during a special election only because he had the cash on hand/connections to beat out a better candidate due to the tight time frame. What happened in Illinois is an exstreme case, lets not disrupt a working system because of a bad outlier or two. Also, I hope this teaches people to research those they are voting for to avoid what occured in Illinois – do your homework 
Commentary: If you oppose stimulus, don’t take the money
You Don’t Win the Presidency, Then What
Economy
As Jobs Vanish, Motel Rooms Become Home
Health/Green Living
Pepsi to roll out products with natural sugar
Yea Pepsi!! I don’t even like Pepsi but I may pick up a box of this stuff. We as consumers need to support these efforts and let the big companies know that we will not tolerate products that are not good for our bodies. The Corn Lobby said, in its PR commercial, that HFCS is okay in moderation. The problem is HFCS is in practically EVERYTHING we consume – that is not moderation. This in no way is a perfect solution, the price should not be as inflated as it is, but its a step in the right direction.
More teenagers going the meatless route
I wonder if meat producers and dairy farmers will start producing commercials about how meat and dairy is healthy for you like the Corn lobby did with HFCS?
Stop Junk Mail with Junk Stopper
This is the pay way to stop junk mail from coming to your home. There is a free version as well that involves you writing to companies to opt-out: http://www.donotmail.org
Women
The Audacity of Jamila’s Hope
The Top Five Ways White Feminists Continue to Discredit Women of Color
Sports
Terrell Owens Signs with Bills
En Español
Quitarle la vida de una rosa
Piden regidores PRD-PRSC anular suelo 150 mil pesos
Oldies But Goodies
Just Do It: The Dearth of Women in Politics is Not Just Due to Sexism
I enjoy that the word is trickling down more and more from what academia has known for awhile.
Which Came First The Objectification of Sarah Palin, Or the Mistrust in Her Competence? Objectification for 200 Alex [Think Jeopardy].
When are WE Going to Get Over It?
A southern white man professor encourages “white people” to get over themselves and live up to the United States’ creed. I found this link but was unsuccessful finding the editorial on the site of the original newspaper 
Obama Picks Kansas Governor Sebelius as Health Secretary
Kinda off topic but I think Gov. Sebelius is one of the best dressed women in politics.
Charities Say Government Is Ignoring Them In Crisis
Humanities Ph.D’s Are Anticipating Hard Times
Links of the Week 20 February 2009
Top Five
(In Order)
Facebook: All your contents belong to us. FOREVER!
I have a Facebook account but after this I may have to get serious about leaving the site. I’ve said this a lot in the last two years with all of the changes they are making but this may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Vegan Soul Kitchen
So I found this after looking at a few articles and it comes out in early March. I’m really excited about this…I plan on ordering a copy. Hopefully, I can add some new great recipes to what I already have.
Tracy Flicks
The new generation of women in politics…watch out.
Nation’s Blacks Creeped Out By All the People Smiling At Them
This link is from the Onion so its not real but still a funny article.
Green Ranking of the Banks
Surprise surprise my Bank, Bank of America, is at the bottom. I so am on a plan to get rid of them! How does your bank do?
Politico
The Scoop Factory
An interesting article about the rise and continuing stamina of The Politico.
‘The District’ Ep 3 ‘They’re Just Not That Into Me’
This is my new favorite “show” for real and considering I’m giving up TV for Lent next week…it may be the only video that I watch for the next 40 days or so I just wish these things were longer than 3 minutes. So watch this so Newsweek and make this a regular thing!
Health
10 Best Foods for Your Heart
World
Nothing But Nets and Union of Reform Judaism Help Save Lives in Kenya
Other
Disney adds African-American Princess Tiana to royal family
Oldies But Goodies
Living “One Day at a Time” in the Economic Crisis: The New Face of America’s Middle Class
