tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79384967274462440702024-03-13T04:11:27.471-04:00Kenya NewsFriends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-63182052831834086572011-08-19T07:28:00.001-04:002011-08-19T07:30:18.262-04:00Corruption in Kenya<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="font-size: 11px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-weight: normal; "><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q1YRkWK7hA&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; "><span>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v</span><wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: block; float: left; margin-left: -10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span>=6Q1YRkWK7hA&feature=youtu.be</a></span></h6><div class="mvm uiStreamAttachments clearfix" ft="{"type":10}" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; zoom: 1; "><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix" style="zoom: 1; "><a class="uiVideoThumb UIImageBlock_Image UIImageBlock_MED_Image" ajaxify="/ajax/flash/expand_inline.php?target_div=u283318_1&share_id=149523355132210" rel="async" href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home" id="u283318_1" target="_blank" ft="{"type":42,"video_type":"share"}" tabindex="-1" hidden="true" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: relative; float: left; margin-right: 10px; "><img class="img" src="http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQAJUlQ7XQusEHSd&w=130&h=130&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F6Q1YRkWK7hA%2Fdefault.jpg" alt="" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; display: block; max-height: 130px; max-width: 130px; " /><i style="background-image: url(http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v1/yr/r/XXVvDYAks_i.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; bottom: 0px; height: 32px; left: 0px; position: absolute; width: 39px; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "></i></a><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg" style="display: table-cell; vertical-align: top; width: 10000px; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><div class="uiAttachmentTitle" ft="{"type":11}" style="word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q1YRkWK7hA&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">The Cafe - Kenya's unwinnable war</a></strong></div><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">www.youtube.com</a></span><div class="mts uiAttachmentDesc" style="word-wrap: break-word; margin-top: 5px; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); ">Can Kenya's war on corruption be won? The Café gathers a group of Kenyan activists together to debate the challenges.</div></div></div></div></span>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-6604688202875106742011-05-22T20:51:00.001-04:002011-05-22T20:51:38.532-04:00<div>Excellent media resource for Kenya news mavens:</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://library.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/kenya/kenyanews.html">http://library.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/kenya/kenyanews.html</a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-50183493920124429112009-08-27T07:51:00.003-04:002009-08-28T10:30:30.226-04:00Kenyan on ethics of aid - Speaking of FaithThis story airs today on Th 27 Aug:<br /><br />Speaking of Faith<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">The Ethics of Aid: One Kenyan's Perspective:</span></strong><br />We explore the complex ethics of global aid with a young writer from Kenya, Binyavanga Wainaina. He is among a rising generation of African voices who bring a cautionary perspective to the morality and efficacy behind many Western initiatives to abolish poverty and speed development in Africa.<br /><a href="http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/ethicsofaid-kenya/">http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/ethicsofaid-kenya/</a><br /><br /><em>The podcast & transcript are now available. </em><br /><br />Blessings,<br />Mary KayFriends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-7929691357300203862009-07-15T14:58:00.001-04:002009-07-16T16:24:53.689-04:00Commentary: Obama's Accra speech<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Pambazuka News</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/57787"><strong>Obama in Ghana: The speech he might have made</strong><br /></a>Firoze Manji<br />2009-07-16, Issue <a href="http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/442">442</a><br /><a href="http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/57787">http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/57787</a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Obama, Africa, and Truth-Telling</span></strong><br /><br />by <a title="Posts by Valerie Elverton Dixon" href="http://blog.sojo.net/author/valerie_elverton_dixon/">Valerie Elverton Dixon</a> 07-14-2009<br /><br />Now that the Cold War that was anything but cold in Africa is over; now that the CIA, as far as we know, no longer pays for the overthrow and murder of democratically elected leaders as it did with Patrice Lumumba of the Congo in 1960; now that the United States no longer supports African kleptocrats that hold power through brutal thug rule as did Joseph Mobutu in the Congo later named Zaire; now that the U.S. through the CIA no longer sends millions of dollars in cash and weapons to support one side of a civil war in Angola, the side also supported by the apartheid government of South Africa; now that the U.S. no longer provides weapons to a particular side of a conflict in Somalia, leaving leftover weapons to fall into the hands of clans at war; and now that the U.S. no longer ignores genocide the way it did in Rwanda, the vote of Africans is sacred. Now, according to President Obama, “Africa’s future is up to Africans.”<br /><br />In other important speeches to the world, President Obama has been courageous in telling the truth of the misdeeds of the United States. His critics call these simple statements of truth apologies. I have never heard an apology, even though an apology would be fitting. Still, stating the facts is important. It is important not only for the Other, but it is important for citizens of the United States to know what various administrations have done in our name. Truth-telling is an important element of just peacemaking. The truth is that our hands are not clean when it comes to much of the post-colonial confusion in Africa.<br /><br />President Obama spoke about the colonial history of Africa from within the context of his own family’s story – his grandfather who was both a village elder and a cook for the British in Kenya and his father, a goat herder, who made his way to a university education in the United States. President Obama and his family visited the site from which Africans left to sail as cargo to the new world. It was a voyage of unspeakable horror that diminished the humanity of all of humanity. Remembrance is an important ethical act.<br /><br />In an African cosmology, the community is composed of the living, the dead, and the not-yet-born, those who have yet to be conceived. Thus, when we think about moral choices within this cosmological framework, we ought to think of the past, present, and future of now. To think of the past honors the dead. They are among the great cloud of witnesses watching as we run our race. When we remember the truth of history, including our own bloody acts, we start from a righteous starting line. To forget, to leave the truth unstated, is unrighteous because it puts us at greater risk of repeating the unacknowledged wrong.<br /><br />President Obama was right to speak of corruption, the importance of strong institutions, the efficacy of bottom-up change, self sufficiency, and the triumph of justice. He was right to remind young people of their responsibility to hold leaders accountable. This includes holding leaders accountable to face and to state the truth of history.<br /><br />This is important not only to honor the past, but to plan wisely for the future — so that when we have joined the great cloud of witnesses, and the not-yet-born are the living members of the community, they will find inspiration from our courage to face the facts and to move forward.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Dr. Valerie Elverton Dixon</strong> is an independent scholar who publishes lectures and essays at <a href="http://justpeacetheory.com/">JustPeaceTheory.com</a>. She received her Ph.D. in religion and society from Temple University and taught Christian ethics at United Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological School.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/14/obama-africa-and-truth-telling/">http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/14/obama-africa-and-truth-telling/</a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-37373070011359731232009-07-12T08:59:00.006-04:002009-07-12T09:20:09.217-04:00Obama on Africa's future, in GhanaKey excerpts: Obama's Ghana speech<br /><p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/11/obama-in-ghana-africa-not_n_229984.html"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">> VIDEO: Watch/hear the speech here</span></strong></a> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#993300;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8145762.stm">> BBC coverage of Obama's trip</a></span></strong><br /></p>Barack Obama has delivered his first speech in sub-Saharan Africa as US President, stressing Africa's importance for the world, the vital role of governance and the challenges of conflict and corruption. Here are key excerpt from the address to parliament in the Ghanaian capital Accra on 11 July 2009.<br /><br />ON AFRICA'S IMPORTANCE<br /><br />I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world - as partners with America on behalf of the future that we want for all our children. ON COLONIALISM AND RESPONSIBILITY<br /><br />It is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense bred conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron, rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants.<br /><br />In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is a daily fact of life for far too many.<br /><br />ON GOVERNANCE<br /><br />Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.<br /><br />ON CORRUPTION<br /><br />Repression takes many forms, and too many nations are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers... No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end. ... Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.<br /><br />ON AID<br /><br />As Africans reach for this promise, America will be more responsible in extending our hand. By cutting costs that go to Western consultants and administration, we will put more resources in the hands of those who need it, while training people to do more for themselves. That is why our $3.5bn food security initiative is focused on new methods and technologies for farmers - not simply sending American producers or goods to Africa. Aid is not an end in itself. The purpose of foreign assistance must be creating the conditions where it is no longer needed.<br /><br />ON HEALTH<br /><br />Yet because of incentives - often provided by donor nations - many African doctors and nurses understandably go overseas, or work for programs that focus on a single disease. This creates gaps in primary care and basic prevention. Meanwhile, individual Africans also have to make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease, while promoting public health in their communities and countries.<br /><br />ON CONFLICT<br /><br />Now let me be clear: Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at war. But for far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.<br /><br />These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. We all have many identities - of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st Century. Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division.<br />Story from BBC NEWS:<br /><p>http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8145999.stm</p><p><br /></p><br />Published: 2009/07/11 14:04:13 GMT<br /><br /><p>© BBC MMIX</p><p>(CBS) Last updated 12:22 p.m. ET.<br /><br />Text of President Barack Obama's speech, provided by the White House, as delivered to the Ghanaian parliament today in Accra, Ghana:<br /><br />THE PRESIDENT: (Trumpet plays.) I like this. Thank you. Thank you. I think Congress needs one of those horns. (Laughter.) That sounds pretty good. Sounds like Louis Armstrong back there. (Laughter.)<br /><br />Good afternoon, everybody. It is a great honor for me to be in Accra and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. (Applause.) I am deeply grateful for the welcome that I've received, as are Michelle and Malia and Sasha Obama. Ghana's history is rich, the ties between our two countries are strong, and I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States of America. (Applause.)<br /><br />I want to thank Madam Speaker and all the members of the House of Representatives for hosting us today. I want to thank President Mills for his outstanding leadership. To the former Presidents - Jerry Rawlings, former President Kufuor - Vice President, Chief Justice - thanks to all of you for your extraordinary hospitality and the wonderful institutions that you've built here in Ghana.<br /><br />I'm speaking to you at the end of a long trip. I began in Russia for a summit between two great powers. I traveled to Italy for a meeting of the world's leading economies. And I've come here to Ghana for a simple reason: The 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra, as well. (Applause.)<br /><br />This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your prosperity can expand America's prosperity. Your health and security can contribute to the world's health and security. And the strength of your democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere.<br /><br />So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world - (applause) - as partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect. And that is what I want to speak with you about today.<br /><br />We must start from the simple premise that Africa's future is up to Africans.<br /><br />I say this knowing full well the tragic past that has sometimes haunted this part of the world. After all, I have the blood of Africa within me, and my family's - (applause) - my family's own story encompasses both the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story.<br /><br />Some you know my grandfather was a cook for the British in Kenya, and though he was a respected elder in his village, his employers called him "boy" for much of his life. He was on the periphery of Kenya's liberation struggles, but he was still imprisoned briefly during repressive times. In his life, colonialism wasn't simply the creation of unnatural borders or unfair terms of trade - it was something experienced personally, day after day, year after year.<br /><br />My father grew up herding goats in a tiny village, an impossible distance away from the American universities where he would come to get an education. He came of age at a moment of extraordinary promise for Africa. The struggles of his own father's generation were giving birth to new nations, beginning right here in Ghana. (Applause.) Africans were educating and asserting themselves in new ways, and history was on the move.<br /><br />But despite the progress that has been made - and there has been considerable progress in many parts of Africa - we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled. Countries like Kenya had a per capita economy larger than South Korea's when I was born. They have badly been outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent.<br /><br />In many places, the hope of my father's generation gave way to cynicism, even despair. Now, it's easy to point fingers and to pin the blame of these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense helped to breed conflict. The West has often approached Africa as a patron or a source of resources rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage and nepotism in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is still a daily fact of life for far too many.<br /><br />Now, we know that's also not the whole story. Here in Ghana, you show us a face of Africa that is too often overlooked by a world that sees only tragedy or a need for charity. The people of Ghana have worked hard to put democracy on a firmer footing, with repeated peaceful transfers of power even in the wake of closely contested elections. (Applause.) And by the way, can I say that for that the minority deserves as much credit as the majority. (Applause.) And with improved governance and an emerging civil society, Ghana's economy has shown impressive rates of growth. (Applause.)<br /><br />This progress may lack the drama of 20th century liberation struggles, but make no mistake: It will ultimately be more significant. For just as it is important to emerge from the control of other nations, it is even more important to build one's own nation.<br /><br />So I believe that this moment is just as promising for Ghana and for Africa as the moment when my father came of age and new nations were being born. This is a new moment of great promise. Only this time, we've learned that it will not be giants like Nkrumah and Kenyatta who will determine Africa's future. Instead, it will be you - the men and women in Ghana's parliament - (applause) - the people you represent. It will be the young people brimming with talent and energy and hope who can claim the future that so many in previous generations never realized.<br /><br />Now, to realize that promise, we must first recognize the fundamental truth that you have given life to in Ghana: Development depends on good governance. (Applause.) That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That's the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.<br /><br />As for America and the West, our commitment must be measured by more than just the dollars we spend. I've pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance, which is in Africa's interests and America's interests. But the true sign of success is not whether we are a source of perpetual aid that helps people scrape by - it's whether we are partners in building the capacity for transformational change. (Applause.)<br /><br />This mutual responsibility must be the foundation of our partnership. And today, I'll focus on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the entire developing world: democracy, opportunity, health, and the peaceful resolution of conflict.<br /><br />First, we must support strong and sustainable democratic governments. (Applause.)<br /><br />As I said in Cairo, each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in line with its own traditions. But history offers a clear verdict: Governments that respect the will of their own people, that govern by consent and not coercion, are more prosperous, they are more stable, and more successful than governments that do not.<br /><br />This is about more than just holding elections. It's also about what happens between elections. (Applause.) Repression can take many forms, and too many nations, even those that have elections, are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves - (applause) - or if police - if police can be bought off by drug traffickers. (Applause.) No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top - (applause) - or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. (Applause.) That is not democracy, that is tyranny, even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there. And now is the time for that style of governance to end. (Applause.)<br /><br />In the 21st century, capable, reliable, and transparent institutions are the key to success - strong parliaments; honest police forces; independent judges - (applause); an independent press; a vibrant private sector; a civil society. (Applause.) Those are the things that give life to democracy, because that is what matters in people's everyday lives.<br /><br />Now, time and again, Ghanaians have chosen constitutional rule over autocracy, and shown a democratic spirit that allows the energy of your people to break through. (Applause.) We see that in leaders who accept defeat graciously - the fact that President Mills' opponents were standing beside him last night to greet me when I came off the plane spoke volumes about Ghana - (applause); victors who resist calls to wield power against the opposition in unfair ways. We see that spirit in courageous journalists like Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who risked his life to report the truth. We see it in police like Patience Quaye, who helped prosecute the first human trafficker in Ghana. (Applause.) We see it in the young people who are speaking up against patronage, and participating in the political process.<br /><br />Across Africa, we've seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny, and making change from the bottom up. We saw it in Kenya, where civil society and business came together to help stop post-election violence. We saw it in South Africa, where over three-quarters of the country voted in the recent election - the fourth since the end of Apartheid. We saw it in Zimbabwe, where the Election Support Network braved brutal repression to stand up for the principle that a person's vote is their sacred right.<br /><br />Now, make no mistake: History is on the side of these brave Africans, not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power. (Applause.) Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions. (Applause.)<br /><br />Now, America will not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation. The essential truth of democracy is that each nation determines its own destiny. But what America will do is increase assistance for responsible individuals and responsible institutions, with a focus on supporting good governance - on parliaments, which check abuses of power and ensure that opposition voices are heard - (applause); on the rule of law, which ensures the equal administration of justice; on civic participation, so that young people get involved; and on concrete solutions to corruption like forensic accounting and automating services - (applause) - strengthening hotlines, protecting whistle-blowers to advance transparency and accountability.<br /><br />And we provide this support. I have directed my administration to give greater attention to corruption in our human rights reports. People everywhere should have the right to start a business or get an education without paying a bribe. (Applause.) We have a responsibility to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who don't, and that is exactly what America will do.<br /><br />Now, this leads directly to our second area of partnership: supporting development that provides opportunity for more people.<br /><br />With better governance, I have no doubt that Africa holds the promise of a broader base of prosperity. Witness the extraordinary success of Africans in my country, America. They're doing very well. So they've got the talent, they've got the entrepreneurial spirit. The question is, how do we make sure that they're succeeding here in their home countries? The continent is rich in natural resources. And from cell phone entrepreneurs to small farmers, Africans have shown the capacity and commitment to create their own opportunities. But old habits must also be broken. Dependence on commodities - or a single export - has a tendency to concentrate wealth in the hands of the few, and leaves people too vulnerable to downturns.<br /><br />So in Ghana, for instance, oil brings great opportunities, and you have been very responsible in preparing for new revenue. But as so many Ghanaians know, oil cannot simply become the new cocoa. From South Korea to Singapore, history shows that countries thrive when they invest in their people and in their infrastructure - (applause); when they promote multiple export industries, develop a skilled workforce, and create space for small and medium-sized businesses that create jobs.<br /><br />As Africans reach for this promise, America will be more responsible in extending our hand. By cutting costs that go to Western consultants and administration, we want to put more resources in the hands of those who need it, while training people to do more for themselves. (Applause.) That's why our $3.5 billion food security initiative is focused on new methods and technologies for farmers - not simply sending American producers or goods to Africa. Aid is not an end in itself. The purpose of foreign assistance must be creating the conditions where it's no longer needed. I want to see Ghanaians not only self-sufficient in food, I want to see you exporting food to other countries and earning money. You can do that. (Applause.)<br /><br />Now, America can also do more to promote trade and investment. Wealthy nations must open our doors to goods and services from Africa in a meaningful way. That will be a commitment of my administration. And where there is good governance, we can broaden prosperity through public-private partnerships that invest in better roads and electricity; capacity-building that trains people to grow a business; financial services that reach not just the cities but also the poor and rural areas. This is also in our own interests - for if people are lifted out of poverty and wealth is created in Africa, guess what? New markets will open up for our own goods. So it's good for both.<br /><br />One area that holds out both undeniable peril and extraordinary promise is energy. Africa gives off less greenhouse gas than any other part of the world, but it is the most threatened by climate change. A warming planet will spread disease, shrink water resources, and deplete crops, creating conditions that produce more famine and more conflict. All of us - particularly the developed world - have a responsibility to slow these trends - through mitigation, and by changing the way that we use energy. But we can also work with Africans to turn this crisis into opportunity.<br /><br />Together, we can partner on behalf of our planet and prosperity, and help countries increase access to power while skipping - leapfrogging the dirtier phase of development. Think about it: Across Africa, there is bountiful wind and solar power; geothermal energy and biofuels. From the Rift Valley to the North African deserts; from the Western coasts to South Africa's crops - Africa's boundless natural gifts can generate its own power, while exporting profitable, clean energy abroad.<br /><br />These steps are about more than growth numbers on a balance sheet. They're about whether a young person with an education can get a job that supports a family; a farmer can transfer their goods to market; an entrepreneur with a good idea can start a business. It's about the dignity of work; it's about the opportunity that must exist for Africans in the 21st century.<br /><br />Just as governance is vital to opportunity, it's also critical to the third area I want to talk about: strengthening public health.<br /><br />In recent years, enormous progress has been made in parts of Africa. Far more people are living productively with HIV/AIDS, and getting the drugs they need. I just saw a wonderful clinic and hospital that is focused particularly on maternal health. But too many still die from diseases that shouldn't kill them. When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more progress must be made.<br /><br />Yet because of incentives - often provided by donor nations - many African doctors and nurses go overseas, or work for programs that focus on a single disease. And this creates gaps in primary care and basic prevention. Meanwhile, individual Africans also have to make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease, while promoting public health in their communities and countries.<br /><br />So across Africa, we see examples of people tackling these problems. In Nigeria, an Interfaith effort of Christians and Muslims has set an example of cooperation to confront malaria. Here in Ghana and across Africa, we see innovative ideas for filling gaps in care - for instance, through E-Health initiatives that allow doctors in big cities to support those in small towns.<br /><br />America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy, because in the 21st century, we are called to act by our conscience but also by our common interest, because when a child dies of a preventable disease in Accra, that diminishes us everywhere. And when disease goes unchecked in any corner of the world, we know that it can spread across oceans and continents.<br /><br />And that's why my administration has committed $63 billion to meet these challenges - $63 billion. (Applause.) Building on the strong efforts of President Bush, we will carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will pursue the goal of ending deaths from malaria and tuberculosis, and we will work to eradicate polio. (Applause.) We will fight - we will fight neglected tropical disease. And we won't confront illnesses in isolation - we will invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health of mothers and children. (Applause.)<br /><br />Now, as we partner on behalf of a healthier future, we must also stop the destruction that comes not from illness, but from human beings - and so the final area that I will address is conflict.<br /><br />Let me be clear: Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at perpetual war. But if we are honest, for far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.<br /><br />These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. Now, we all have many identities - of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st century. (Applause.) Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. We are all God's children. We all share common aspirations - to live in peace and security; to access education and opportunity; to love our families and our communities and our faith. That is our common humanity.<br /><br />That is why we must stand up to inhumanity in our midst. It is never justified - never justifiable to target innocents in the name of ideology. (Applause.) It is the death sentence of a society to force children to kill in wars. It is the ultimate mark of criminality and cowardice to condemn women to relentless and systemic rape. We must bear witness to the value of every child in Darfur and the dignity of every woman in the Congo. No faith or culture should condone the outrages against them. And all of us must strive for the peace and security necessary for progress.<br /><br />Africans are standing up for this future. Here, too, in Ghana we are seeing you help point the way forward. Ghanaians should take pride in your contributions to peacekeeping from Congo to Liberia to Lebanon - (applause) - and your efforts to resist the scourge of the drug trade. (Applause.) We welcome the steps that are being taken by organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS to better resolve conflicts, to keep the peace, and support those in need. And we encourage the vision of a strong, regional security architecture that can bring effective, transnational forces to bear when needed.<br /><br />America has a responsibility to work with you as a partner to advance this vision, not just with words, but with support that strengthens African capacity. When there's a genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems - they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response.<br /><br />And that's why we stand ready to partner through diplomacy and technical assistance and logistical support, and we will stand behind efforts to hold war criminals accountable. And let me be clear: Our Africa Command is focused not on establishing a foothold in the continent, but on confronting these common challenges to advance the security of America, Africa, and the world. (Applause.)<br /><br />In Moscow, I spoke of the need for an international system where the universal rights of human beings are respected, and violations of those rights are opposed. And that must include a commitment to support those who resolve conflicts peacefully, to sanction and stop those who don't, and to help those who have suffered. But ultimately, it will be vibrant democracies like Botswana and Ghana which roll back the causes of conflict and advance the frontiers of peace and prosperity.<br /><br />As I said earlier, Africa's future is up to Africans.<br />The people of Africa are ready to claim that future. And in my country, African Americans - including so many recent immigrants - have thrived in every sector of society. We've done so despite a difficult past, and we've drawn strength from our African heritage. With strong institutions and a strong will, I know that Africans can live their dreams in Nairobi and Lagos, Kigali, Kinshasa, Harare, and right here in Accra. (Applause.)<br /><br />You know, 52 years ago, the eyes of the world were on Ghana. And a young preacher named Martin Luther King traveled here, to Accra, to watch the Union Jack come down and the Ghanaian flag go up. This was before the march on Washington or the success of the civil rights movement in my country. Dr. King was asked how he felt while watching the birth of a nation. And he said: "It renews my conviction in the ultimate triumph of justice."<br /><br />Now that triumph must be won once more, and it must be won by you. (Applause.) And I am particularly speaking to the young people all across Africa and right here in Ghana. In places like Ghana, young people make up over half of the population.<br /><br />And here is what you must know: The world will be what you make of it. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, and end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can - (applause) - because in this moment, history is on the move.<br /><br />But these things can only be done if all of you take responsibility for your future. And it won't be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks. But I can promise you this: America will be with you every step of the way - as a partner, as a friend. (Applause.) Opportunity won't come from any other place, though. It must come from the decisions that all of you make, the things that you do, the hope that you hold in your heart.<br /><br />Ghana, freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom's foundation. And if you do, we will look back years from now to places like Accra and say this was the time when the promise was realized; this was the moment when prosperity was forged, when pain was overcome, and a new era of progress began. This can be the time when we witness the triumph of justice once more. Yes we can. Thank you very much. God bless you. Thank you. (Applause.)<br /><br />© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. </p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;"></p></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><p><br /><br /></span></p>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-90393096631442734362009-06-01T09:16:00.006-04:002009-06-01T09:36:51.611-04:00Happy Madaraka Day 2009!<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90Qn14a1DLr2GJzRM5sVX5cVA-OvmJazi7nP1N1CY0rnkh2Am3OsLQJdsva3ahcQHdxzrxrWVL4K0IpYQmp5ZN_8xd_96YTUbyj0LORrYqMJ6f3thtQZKi9Ebv7Pib-MgkXkgIIfjNdI/s1600-h/kenyaflag.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342351015599080514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90Qn14a1DLr2GJzRM5sVX5cVA-OvmJazi7nP1N1CY0rnkh2Am3OsLQJdsva3ahcQHdxzrxrWVL4K0IpYQmp5ZN_8xd_96YTUbyj0LORrYqMJ6f3thtQZKi9Ebv7Pib-MgkXkgIIfjNdI/s320/kenyaflag.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Today is the 46th Madaraka Day for Kenya, the anniversary of Kenya's independence from Kenya. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong>One blog aptly put it: Today Kenyans celebrate <em>the recovery or restoration of Kenya's independence</em> (which preceded the period of colonial domination).<br /></strong><br /><strong>Today I lift up:</strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">+ the remarkable resilience and resourcefulness of the Kenyan people.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">+ the need for Kenyan women and children to be treated with dignity, respect, and nonviolence in their homes and in the community.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">+ the treasure of Kenya's natural resources and the urgency to protect them--forests, mountains, wildlife, ocean, savannah, lakes.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc33;">+ our global, collective responsibility to each widow and orphan in every Kenyan family, shamba, village and city.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">+ a vision for Kenya where the nation's great capacity is realized, and the needs of all are placed before the desires of the wealthy and powerful few.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>+ the need for healing and unity among all people groups in Kenya, so that each one may contribute to the common good and live in peace, without fear!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">May all of Kenya</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"></span></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">flourish, thrive, and enjoy </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">the prosperity she deserves!</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc33;">Learn about Kenyan history & the observances happening today:</span></strong><strong><br /><a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php%3Fid%3D1144015675%26cid%3D4%26ttl%3DHow%2520%25E2%2580%2598The%2520Standard%25E2%2580%2599%2520reported%2520first%2520Madaraka%2520Day&ei=_NUjSqrwDI6Mtge-9ZnCBg&sa=X&oi=news_group&resnum=1&ct=image&usg=AFQjCNFAb2nUcMirH2DkiWn2qC4guMIKZw"></a></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Madaraka Day<br /></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Madaraka Day, </span><a title="June 1" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_1"><span style="color:#ff0000;">1 June</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">, commemorates the day that </span><a title="Kenya" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kenya</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> attained internal self-rule in 1963, preceding full independence from the </span><a title="United Kingdom" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom"><span style="color:#ff0000;">United Kingdom</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> on 12 December 1963.</span></strong></div><p><strong><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk('http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144015675&cid=4&ttl=How%20%E2%80%98The%20Standard%E2%80%99%20reported%20first%20Madaraka%20Day','news_result','','res','1','&sig2=w3Tuf_5PPYmy-i7Be8rl2w')" href="http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144015675&cid=4&ttl=How%20%E2%80%98The%20Standard%E2%80%99%20reported%20first%20Madaraka%20Day"><span style="font-size:85%;">How 'The Standard' reported first Madaraka Day</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> - 18 hours ago<br />The story captured Kenya's first Madaraka Day. It, ideally, would have been published on Sunday, June 2 but then this paper did not have a Sunday edition ...Standard - </span><a href="http://news.google.com/news/story?hl=en&q=Kenya+madaraka+day&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=dUb2QtBwo8WYsRM&ei=_NUjSqrwDI6Mtge-9ZnCBg&sa=X&oi=news_result&ct=more-results&resnum=1"><span style="font-size:85%;">28 related articles »</span></a> </strong><strong><br /><br /><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','2','&sig2=G-ux6thbXu8LEvYnymCNSQ')" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaraka_Day"><span style="font-size:85%;">Madaraka Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Mar 27, 2009 ... Madaraka Day, 1 June, commemorates the day that Kenya attained internal self-rule in 1963, preceding full independence from the United ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaraka_Day - 17k - </span><a onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','clnk','2','&sig2=B2s4VYEYGWofsEJbhqQdKg')" href="http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:FsKNgywx8nsJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaraka_Day+Kenya+madaraka+day&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cached</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> - </span><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaraka_Day"><span style="font-size:85%;">Similar pages</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> -<br /></span><br /><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','3','&sig2=qkEatjYQpDM77jghw7vbYg')" href="http://kikuyunationalism.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/madaraka-day-special/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Madaraka Day Special « Muigwithania 2.0</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />We feel the day has come the 'true patriots' (Generation Kenya ,Revisioning ... Madaraka Day Special « Muigwithania 2.0 on Shocking BBC ...kikuyunationalism.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/madaraka-day-special/ - 27k - </span><a onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','clnk','3','&sig2=QFsVeWuCHLNJfJPUMC1qiA')" href="http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:vnrl9i8zokwJ:kikuyunationalism.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/madaraka-day-special/+Kenya+madaraka+day&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cached</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> - </span><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:kikuyunationalism.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/madaraka-day-special/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Similar pages</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> -<br /></span><br /><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','7','&sig2=6CZkT6JKiwRvFMDTg2e30A')" href="http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144015675&cid=4&"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Standard Online Edition :: How 'The Standard' reported first ...</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Jun 1, 2009 ... The story captured Kenya's first Madaraka Day. It, ideally, would have been published on Sunday, June 2 but then this paper did not have a ...www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144015675&cid=4& - 2 hours ago - </span><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php%3Fid%3D1144015675%26cid%3D4%26"><span style="font-size:85%;">Similar pages</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> -<br /></span><br /><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','8','&sig2=_K6grzkqVZcpnepNXo_w7w')" href="http://www.bridgetoafrica.net/node/721"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kenya: Madaraka Day The Bridge to Africa Network</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />On 1st of June 1963 Kenya was enabled for self-ruling, before it became a fully independent country on December 12 the same year. ...www.bridgetoafrica.net/node/721 - 13k - </span><a onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','clnk','8','&sig2=Zo4tbVPHRYxfnVQ4mgaPHA')" href="http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:rWU8sHlQVf0J:www.bridgetoafrica.net/node/721+Kenya+madaraka+day&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cached</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> - </span><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:www.bridgetoafrica.net/node/721"><span style="font-size:85%;">Similar pages</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> -<br /></span><br /><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','9','&sig2=SM86n8oYniH85XRiBpI2cQ')" href="http://kenya.rcbowen.com/talk/viewtopic.php?id=114627&p=1"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kenya Talk / Picturespeak Madaraka Day Mkatiko</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />25 posts - 9 authorsRe: Picturespeak Madaraka Day Mkatiko. I have just seen my ex. I thought she was in Kenya but am surprised she's shaking it somewhere in Mass. What to do? ...kenya.rcbowen.com/talk/viewtopic.php?id=114627&p=1 - 52k - </span><a onmousedown="return clk('http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:iYjSAckI6jwJ:kenya.rcbowen.com/talk/viewtopic.php%3Fid%3D114627%26p%3D1+Kenya+madaraka+day&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us','','','clnk','9','&sig2=ADWu2RRo_Es0z9pK6zJ8Zw')" href="http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:iYjSAckI6jwJ:kenya.rcbowen.com/talk/viewtopic.php%3Fid%3D114627%26p%3D1+Kenya+madaraka+day&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cached</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> - </span><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:kenya.rcbowen.com/talk/viewtopic.php%3Fid%3D114627%26p%3D1"><span style="font-size:85%;">Similar pages</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> -</span><br /><br /></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/605270/-/ujqiyj/-/index.html"><span style="color:#33cc00;">Sadly, it seems, those holding power today in Kenya's government have their heads in the sand about the reality for millions of Kenyans in the provinces:</span></a></strong><br /><br /><strong>Kenya's Kibaki says coalition not in crisis<br /></strong><a title="Submit to Digg" href="http://digg.com/submit?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/605270/-/ujqiyj/-/index.html&title=Kenya"></a><a title="Submit to Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/605270/-/ujqiyj/-/index.html"></a><a title="Submit to del.icio.us" href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/605270/-/ujqiyj/-/index.html&title=Kenya"></a><a title="Submit to StumbleUpon" href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/605270/-/ujqiyj/-/index.html&title=Kenya"></a><a title="Submit to Yahoo Buzz" href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/605270/-/ujqiyj/-/index.html&title=Kenya"></a><br />President Kibaki addresses the nation during the 46th anniversary of Madaraka Day at the Nyayo stadium on Monday. He said the government was not in crisis.<br /><br />Photo/HEZRON<br /><br />NJOROGE<br /><br /><br />By REUTERS<br /><br />Posted Monday, June 1 2009 at 14:32<br /><br /><br />In Summary<br /><br /><br />Coalition has been accused of internal bickering, failing to tackle corruption, slow progress on political reform, and inability to stem economic decline.<br /><br /><br />Officials from both factions frequently squabble in public, on subjects ranging from protocol to policy.<br /><br /><br />Dysfunctional nature of the coalition has slowed government business and paralysed parliament.<br /><br /><br />Kenya's President Kibaki said on Monday the coalition government was not in crisis, even as his Madaraka Day speech drew brief heckling from the crowd.<br /><br /><br />Related Downloads<br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/blob/view/-/605298/data/80866/-/q19fsv/-/speech.doc">President Kibaki Madaraka Day speech</a><br /><br /><br />The coalition has been accused of internal bickering, failing to tackle corruption, slow progress on political reform, and inability to stem economic decline.<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">May they wake up soon, rather than waiting to be wakened by the anger of the masses!</span></strong><br /></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The National Anthem<a href="http://kenya.rcbowen.com/images/anthem.mid">anthem.mid</a> (5k)<br /><strong>Kiswahili<br /></strong>English<br /></div><div align="left">1<br /><strong>Ee Mungu nguvu yetuIlete baraka kwetuHaki iwe ngao na mlinziNatukae na unduguAmani na uhuruRaha tupate na ustawi.<br /></strong></div><div align="left">O God of all creationBless this our land and nationJustice be our shield and defenderMay we dwell in unityPeace and libertyPlenty be found within our borders.<br /><br />2<br /><strong>Amkeni ndugu zetuTufanye sote bidiiNasi tujitoe kwa nguvuNchi yetu ya KenyaTunayoipendaTuwe tayari kuilinda<br /></div></strong><div align="left">Let one and all ariseWith hearts both strong and trueService be our earnest endeavourAnd our homeland of KenyaHeritage of splendourFirm may we stand to defend.<br /><br />3<br /><strong>Natujenge taifa letuEe, ndio wajibu wetuKenya istahili heshimaTuungane mikonoPamoja kaziniKila siku tuwe na shukrani </strong></div><div align="left"><br />Let all with one accordIn common bond unitedBuild this our nation togetherAnd the glory of KenyaThe fruit of our labourFill every heart with thanksgiving.<br />[ <a href="http://kenya.rcbowen.com/">Kenya page</a> ] </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://kenya.rcbowen.com/anthem.html">http://kenya.rcbowen.com/anthem.html</a><br /></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-29491986401720201772009-04-30T08:40:00.000-04:002009-04-30T08:41:53.814-04:00Wangari Maathai on Speaking of Faith - Thurs 4/30/2009<strong><span style="color:#009900;">Speaking of Faith<br />Planting the Future: A Conversation with Wangari Maathai</span></strong><br />Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement—a grassroots organization that empowers African women to improve their lives and conserve the environment through planting trees. She knows what many in the West have forgotten—that ecological crises are often the hidden root causes of war. Maathai speaks about the global balance of human and natural resources, and she shares her thoughts on where God resides.<br /><a href="http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/plantingthefuture/index.shtml">http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/plantingthefuture/index.shtml</a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">SoundSeen: Audio Slideshow</span></strong><br /><a name="notebook"></a><a href="http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/plantingthefuture/index.shtml#notebook#notebook">Custodians of Nature's Coded Wisdom</a> This audio gallery features images of Kenyan women striving for a more verdant future. Photos are accompanied by Wangari Maathai singing a native tune in Kiswahili that's often sung while planting trees. (Flash required)<br /><br />Unheard Cuts<br /><a href="http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/20080424_plantingthefuture_uc-maathai.mp3">» Complete, Unedited Interview (mp3, 1:25.04)</a> For the first time, we're releasing Krista's entire conversation with Wangari Maathai. Listen for some of the great clips we had to cut and let us know what you think. And, we've also isolated a couple of clips in which Maathai speaks specifically to points we found particularly insightful:<br /><br /><a href="http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/20060406_plantingthefuture-unheardclip-nairobi.mp3">» An Unexpected Position in Nairobi (mp3, 3:20)</a> A trained biologist, Maathai's career path has led her to many endeavors — including teaching at a veterinary school of medicine.<br /><br /><a href="http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/20060406_plantingthefuture-unheardclip-corruption.mp3">» Dealing with Political Corruption in Government (mp3, 5:39)</a> Maathai talks about the climate of corruption in the government in which she served, and about the need for "democratic space" in which her work with the environment can thrive.Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-39794097558400803792009-01-21T10:28:00.004-05:002009-01-21T12:01:46.370-05:00President Barack Obama inaugurated - Tues 1/20/2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IEftL_Z0hEqFv2LflS2Uim2HxJw5wN-cVoPhAXZTOy-lALZeNBNM_NKQV5K5OaSIqB4VJYOmDPDRF46Fjtj3Ufe_ZOktr6WgsubmhO1jG5F1Y2hIMkSIrauH5QND0WaT56-tvvR40sY/s1600-h/Oath+of+Office.012109.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293772350815802866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IEftL_Z0hEqFv2LflS2Uim2HxJw5wN-cVoPhAXZTOy-lALZeNBNM_NKQV5K5OaSIqB4VJYOmDPDRF46Fjtj3Ufe_ZOktr6WgsubmhO1jG5F1Y2hIMkSIrauH5QND0WaT56-tvvR40sY/s320/Oath+of+Office.012109.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">It's official!</span> </strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;"><strong>http://www.whitehouse.gov/</strong></span></a></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Bwana asifiwe!</span><br /></span></strong></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009<br />Obama Promises New Destiny, Work Begins Today<br />By JOE KLEIN<br />"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear ..." Well, nothing was more stunning and cathartic than those few words. Not the remarkable American diorama — in all its polychromatic wonder — spread out for miles <a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872698,00.html" target="_new">on the National Mall in Washington.</a> Not the clear, sober cadences of our new President's <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1872715,00.html" target="_new">Inaugural Address.</a> Not the prayers and tears, the unstoppable smiles and barely controlled giddiness of what may have been the happiest crowd ever to grace the nation's capital. A man named <a href="http://www.time.com/time/topics/barack-obama/0,30939,,00.html" target="_new">Barack Hussein Obama</a> is now the President of the United States. He came to us as the ultimate outsider in a nation of outsiders — the son of an African visitor and a white woman from Kansas — and he has turned us inside out. That he leads us now is a breathtaking statement of American open-mindedness and, yes, our native liberality. Even before his first act as President, and no matter how he fares in the office, he stands as a singular event in our history.<br />And let it be recorded that Obama's first act as President was to correct <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1670489,00.html" target="_new">Chief Justice John Roberts,</a> who managed somehow to mangle the 35-word oath of office, misplacing the word faithfully, as in "faithfully execute the office of President ..." Roberts then mangled it a second time, Obama raised an eyebrow, and Roberts moved on, a bumpy beginning and something of a metaphor: one of the new President's functions will be to correct the mistakes of <a href="http://www.time.com/time/topics/george-w-bush/0,30939,,00.html" target="_new">George W. Bush's</a> benighted tenure. Obama made that very clear in his sharply worded address, which contained few catchphrases for the history books but did lay out a coherent and unflinching philosophy of government. Nearly 30 years after <a href="http://www.time.com/time/topics/ronald-reagan/0,30939,,00.html" target="_new">Ronald Reagan</a> heralded the onset of his conservative age by saying "Government is the problem," Obama announced the arrival of a prudent new liberalism: "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified." Conservatives assume such tasks — employment, health care, retirement — are the province of the market. We have had 30 years of paeans to the wonders of free enterprise, but Obama made it clear that markets are not an unalloyed good: "This crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous." (<a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1855131_1791535,00.html" target="_new">See pictures of Barack Obama's campaign behind the scenes.</a>)<br />Overseas, the President announced another clean break with the Bush Administration on foreign policy. Summoning the wisdom of "earlier generations," he said, "They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please." Take that, <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1872531,00.html" target="_new">Dick Cheney</a> — who exited the scene in a wheelchair, looking grim, as if he were about to foreclose on someone. Obama piled on several foreign policy zingers when he denounced the "false ... choice between our safety and our ideals" — a reference to Bush's harsh treatment of prisoners — and in his message to the world: "We are ready to lead once more."<br />But the tone of the speech was not defiant or angry or celebratory for that matter. It was resolute, suffused with sobriety, reflecting a tough-minded realism at home and abroad. Obama made clear that his domestic liberalism would be enacted conservatively. Where government programs can help, he said, "we intend to move forward." If they are useless or outdated, "programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits and do our business in the light of day." Overseas, he warned, "those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents ... You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."<br />Note the simplicity of the words. This is a different Obama from the one who, full of himself last winter, filled his speeches with gaseous oratory like "We are the ones we've been waiting for." The personal transformation has been gradual, subtle — and the words have grown simpler as the economy collapsed and the full weight of office began to press in on him. The preternatural calm that seemed an attractive part of his personality during the primaries became his dominant trait in the general election — and the defining principle of his transition. He seems, in the modesty of his rhetoric, to have embarked on a rather bold experiment. "This is going to be a general principle of governing," he told CNN's John King. "No spin, play it straight, describe to the American people the state that we're in." (<a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872877_1827529,00.html" target="_new">See pictures behind the scenes of Obama's inauguration.</a>)<br />And that was the oddest aspect of Obama's transition, the lack of pomp and bombast to it. He rarely used the word "I"; he addressed the nation as a community of mature adults. He was all modesty; he asked for better ideas for his monumental <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1870575,00.html" target="_new">stimulus plan</a> (and quickly acceded to Democratic demands that he remove some of the tax breaks for small businesses). He seemed, at every turn, to predict that he would make mistakes; he did so once more at the congressional lunch immediately after he was sworn in. The cumulative effort of this behavior has been to convey a sense of seriousness — not just in his own personal aspect but also in the work of his team. In gestation, this was an Administration marked by attention to detail and a deep appreciation of the intricacies of governance.<br />In the midst of the transition, President Obama was faced with a telling policy choice: whether to declare a temporary sales-tax holiday. His economic advisers loved the idea. It would provide immediate consumer stimulus, a direct jolt that might unclog the commercial arteries. The money could be easily passed from the Federal Government to the states, which administer sales taxes. But Obama resisted and finally rejected the idea. "He thought it would provide a temporary benefit, that it had no substantial or lasting policy impact," a senior transition adviser told me. "I think he was remembering the campaign, when Hillary and McCain favored <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1738215,00.html" target="_new">the gas-tax holiday,</a> which he thought was frivolous, and he opposed it for that very reason — if we're going to spend money, let's spend it on investments that will make us stronger in the future."<br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872698_1827514,00.html" target="_new">See pictures of Obama's historic Inauguration.</a><br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/personoftheyear" target="_new">See TIME's Person of the Year: Barack Obama.</a><br />Actually, Obama was resisting in the name of balance: the bulk of his proposed stimulus package will probably go to short-term fixes — his promised $300 billion in tax breaks for the middle class, $200 billion in aid to cities and states, benefits for the poor and unemployed. Even so, aides say, most of Obama's attention has been focused elsewhere — on the long-term stimulus projects, the larger transformations in the economy, <a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1685055,00.html" target="_new">the health-care system</a> and foreign policy. Quietly, the Obama transition team reviewed every government agency "to find out which specific programs were working and which weren't." It was a terrifyingly brisk and comprehensive process, especially compared with the dust storm produced by the last Democratic President, <a href="http://www.time.com/time/topics/bill-clinton/0,30939,,00.html" target="_new">Bill Clinton,</a> during his chaotic transition period. "During Clinton's transition, you had all these people writing ad hoc papers about what to do at this agency or how to deal with that policy, but that was an extension of how Clinton's mind works," says one of the many Obama aides who is a veteran of the Clinton Administration. "Clinton had this great horizontal intelligence. He could pull an idea from a meeting he had in northern Italy and apply it to spreading broadband service through Iowa. It was amazing but not exactly efficient. Obama is more vertical. He pushes the process along, streamlines it. We had one 25-to-50-page policy paper for every agency."<br />Well, that's Democrats for you. It's hard to imagine any Republican President since Reagan wanting to rummage through all that paper, or being fastidious enough to care about the strengths and weaknesses of every federal agency. If government was the problem, as Reagan suggested, the solution, theoretically, was less of it — and since reducing government proved impossible, as opposed to reducing taxes, there didn't seem to be all that much interest in actually making it work more efficiently. By contrast, Obama and his eclectic team of appointees give the impression of being positively intoxicated by the prospect of figuring out how everything works. Obama's closest aides like to say he isn't a "wonk" like Clinton, immersed in policy details to the point of immobility, but clearly the new President has a breadth and depth of policy interests, especially in comparison with his immediate predecessor. (<a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1872383_1872388,00.html" target="_new">See the best of the Obama Inaugural merchandise.</a>)<br />In some ways, the most surprising of his appointments — Hillary Clinton, the new Secretary of State — has emerged as an exemplar of Obamism. <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1871526,00.html" target="_new">At her confirmation hearing,</a> Clinton seemed completely prepared on every imaginable topic, orderly, undramatic and yet willing to propose some radical changes in the State Department's structure. She seems intent on tilting the department away from its stultifying bureaucratic orthodoxies and toward solving specific problems. To do so, she will appoint no fewer than five, and perhaps more, high-profile special envoys who will do the heavy lifting and share her spotlight on the most vexing foreign policy problems — former Senator George Mitchell to calm down the Middle East, Richard Holbrooke to deal with the Afghanistan-Pakistan nexus and others for Iran, North Korea, the global-climate-change treaty negotiations and possibly another for the ever forgotten neighbors to our south. (<a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1869933_1821607,00.html" target="_new">See pictures of heartbreak in the Middle East.</a>)<br />Clinton, who can be spiky, has re-emerged as a natural diplomat. When she heard that Holbrooke and <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1729525,00.html" target="_new">General David Petraeus</a> had never met, she invited them over to her Washington home on a Friday night before the Inauguration. The two men spent two hours in front of a roaring fire with Clinton, getting to know each other, talking about the diplomatic and military division of labor in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Clinton's was an Obamian gesture — enticing the lion to lie down with the lion — the sort of attention to detail that seems to have been replicated across the policymaking spectrum during the Obama transition.<br />It will be domestic, not foreign, policy that will occupy the President's attention for the next few months. The first order of business will be to shepherd the $825 billion stimulus package through Congress and ride herd on the additional $350 billion available to stabilize the banks. But the goal is to press an ambitious series of actions — policies that might have seemed impossible before the financial crash — across the board as quickly as possible. The quest for a national health-insurance system will debut with a major conference, bringing all the various players — including corporate America and the insurance companies to the table in late winter or early spring. The hope is that a bill to provide universal access, as promised during the campaign, will nudge its way through Congress by next fall. Also coming in the first half of the year will be a comprehensive environmental policy, including some tough decisions on how to go about reducing carbon emissions. If Obama can accomplish any one of these, he will surprise a great many Washington skeptics.<br />In the latter days of the transition, there seemed an inclination to delay some of the splashy foreign trips that will, in the end, be among the most memorable moments of the Obama presidency. The President will go to the next G-20 meeting on <a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1845923_1774401,00.html" target="_new">the global economic crisis</a> in Europe in April. The steady pitch of crises and atrocities will demand his attention. There are crucial decisions to be made about the pace of withdrawal from Iraq and how many U.S. troops to add in <a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1872563,00.html" target="_new">Afghanistan.</a> (Asked about the persistent reports from the Pentagon that up to 30,000 more troops are scheduled for Afghanistan, a senior Obama aide said, "No — repeat, no — decision has been made about troop levels in Afghanistan, and anyone at the Pentagon who says otherwise should be fired.") But foreign policy developments seem destined to take some time, given the new President's proclivities: there will not be the macho kinetics of the Bush years nor the bang-bang nor the bellicose phrases like axis of evil. Obama was careful to avoid the phrase global war on terror in his Inaugural Address. Instead, there will be a steady drip-drip-drip of diplomacy, especially on neglected issues like nuclear proliferation. Even in the war zones, the Obama Administration will be talking relentlessly — trying to bring the nonextremist Taliban tribes into the Afghan government, trying to establish coalitions of Iraq's and Afghanistan's neighbors (including Iran) to help lower the tensions, hoping the steady accretion of talk and trust will bring the Israelis and Palestinians to a point at which they can begin negotiating a real peace.<br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872024_1826082,00.html" target="_new">See pictures of the rise and fall of the Shah of Iran.</a><br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872877_1827529,00.html" target="_new">See pictures behind the scenes on Obama's inauguration.</a><br />It is likely that when Obama said, "We only have one President at a time" during the transition, he actually meant, "I disagree with George Bush on that one." After all, he wasn't reticent about making his views known on the economic crisis or <a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1868327,00.html" target="_new">the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.</a> The breaks with the past will be subtle but emphatic: I suspect an Obama Administration would have voted for the U.N.'s Gaza cease-fire resolution rather than abstaining as Bush's did. But all this will be done diplomatically. American foreign policy will be a direct reflection of the man who is now President — quiet, conciliatory, civilized. (<a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1864942_1811550,00.html" target="_new">See pictures of Mumbai picking up the pieces.</a>)<br />Toward the end of the campaign, Michelle Obama asked me if I was going to write a novel about them like Primary Colors, my satiric account of the 1992 presidential race. I was at a loss for words, in part because the thought hadn't even vaguely crossed my mind. "He can't write a novel about us," Barack Obama reassured his wife. "We're too boring."<br />Yes ... and no. It's hard to call the most exciting politician in decades boring. The millions who trekked to Washington for the Inauguration, who cried their eyes out and cheered their lungs raw, are testimony to the man's sheer inspirational power. Reagan's movement was called a revolution, but this may be more than that — the beginning of a whole new era of Obama-inspired and Obama-led citizen involvement. During the transition, the Obama website called for supporters to hold community meetings to discuss their health-care priorities. A staggering 10,000 meetings purportedly were held; 5,000 sent written reports — more paper! — to the transition office. This is a new kind of politics, with the potential to be the most powerful citizen army in U.S. history. If so, it will more likely be a force for civility — for "boring" things like good governance, for new ideas about how to control the cost of entitlements (which Obama pointedly mentioned in his speech) — rather than a rabble spamming the offices of recalcitrant Republicans. It will fit neatly into the Obama zeitgeist.<br />By the tone and style of his move to power, Obama has shown the world — and the people living in <a href="http://www.time.com/time/topics/sarah-palin/0,30939,,00.html" target="_new">Sarah Palin's</a> small-town America, and even many liberals who had lost hope over time — a new, gloriously unexpected and vibrant face of our country. The sheer fun of the Inauguration, the world-record number of interracial hugs and kisses, augurs a new heterodox cultural energy, a nation — as the man said — of mutts. Already the Obama ethos is slipping into the nation's cultural bloodstream — not just the interraciality but also the mind-blowing normality of the family: the fact that Michelle Obama brought Laura Bush a going-away present, the fact that Sasha and Malia will make their own beds in the White House, the fact that our President proudly wears a Chicago White Sox baseball cap when he goes to the gym.<br />Even more important, Obama promises a respite from the nonstop anger of the recent American political wars, the beginning of an era of civility, if not comity. "What the cynics fail to understand," he said in his speech, "is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply."<br />It would be nice to think the magnitude of the problems facing the nation would lead to a minimum of puerile contentiousness, but vile still seems to be the default position for some of Obama's noisier detractors — "Obama Flubs the Oath" was the inaccurate headline greeting the new President on the Drudge Report. Too many of us in the media remain reluctant "to set aside childish things." Happily, though, our new President seems to have an honest predilection for treating his opponents with respect. He seems intent on hearing their points of view and arguing, decorously, with them — that's why he accepted a dinner invitation at conservative columnist George Will's house. This is radical behavior in the village on the Potomac. It could force everyone to argue more carefully, to think twice before casting aspersions, to remember that the goal has to be more than temporal electoral victories — but, in this moment of peril, a better and stronger nation, a less ugly and dangerous world.<br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/picturesoftheweek" target="_new">See TIME's Pictures of the Week.</a><br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/cartoonsoftheweek" target="_new">See the Cartoons of the Week.</a><br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1872924,00.html#"></a><br /><a id="print2" href="http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1872924,00.html#">Click to Print</a><br />Find this article at:<br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1872924,00.html">http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1872924,00.html</a> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></p></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="center"><br /><strong>Have you seen??<br /><br /></strong>Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 2:15 pm<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation</span> </span></strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="center"><br />Moments ago, in his first official act since taking the oath of office, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation, calling on Americans to serve one another and our common purpose on this National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation. Check it out below, or read it on the WhiteHouse.gov proclamations page.<br />NATIONAL DAY OF RENEWAL AND RECONCILIATION, 2009<br /><br />- - - - - - -<br />BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA<br />A PROCLAMATION<br />As I take the sacred oath of the highest office in the land, I am humbled by the responsibility placed upon my shoulders, renewed by the courage and decency of the American people, and fortified by my faith in an awesome God.<br /><br />We are in the midst of a season of trial. Our Nation is being tested, and our people know great uncertainty. Yet the story of America is one of renewal in the face of adversity, reconciliation in a time of discord, and we know that there is a purpose for everything under heaven.<br /><br />On this Inauguration Day, we are reminded that we are heirs to over two centuries of American democracy, and that this legacy is not simply a birthright -- it is a glorious burden. Now it falls to us to come together as a people to carry it forward once more.<br /><br />So in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, let us remember that: "The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."<br /><br />NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century.<br /><br />IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"><strong>Some more stories:</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong>Kenyans celebrate Obama's inauguration<br /></strong><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/inauguration/story/862563.html"><strong>http://www.miamiherald.com/inauguration/story/862563.html</strong></a><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>World celebrates Obama's inauguration<br /></strong><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama_world_celebrations"><strong>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama_world_celebrations</strong></a><br /><strong><br />Obama's Kenyan relatives head to the US for president's inauguration<br /></strong>by <a href="javascript:openWindow(" cmd="view_user/username=mpelembeblogwarecom',">Mnet</a> on Thu 15 Jan 2009 10:40 AM GMT <a href="http://mpelembe.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/15/4057947.html">Permanent Link</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmpelembe.blogware.com%2Fblog%2F_archives%2F2009%2F1%2F15%2F4057947.html">Cosmos</a> </div><div align="left"><br />President elect Barack Obama's half-brother Samson Obama is one of several close family members from Kenya headed to the U.S for the presidential inauguration. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">NAIROBI, KENYA (JANUARY 15, 2008) REUTERS - </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">President elect, Barack Obama's close family members from Kenya have begun their journey to the United States where some will attend the presidential inauguration on Tuesday (January 20). Obama's half brother Solomon Obama, one of Barack Obama Senior's sons left Nairobi on Thursday (January 15) and says he is looking forward to being part of the ceremony that will see the installation of the first African-American president of the United States. "Right now I'm feeling so happy, so filled with excitement and I dont know how to describe it in words. I am feeling so emotional," said Obama. Barack Obama's 87-year-old grandmother, Sarah Obama and other relatives including his half sister Auma Obama are also expected to leave by the weekend. Born in Hawaii to a white mother from Kansas and a Kenyan father, Barack Obama is idolised by many Kenyans. Babies have been named after Obama, drinkers knock back "Senator" and "President" beers in his honour and pop stars sing his praises in the East African country where his late father hailed from. Days of celebration are expected ahead of the inauguration, in Kogelo, a tiny village where Obama's grandmother lives. Solomon Obama hopes the inauguration in the U.S. will be a good time for a family reunion. "The last time was 2006 when he came here to Kenya he was on an official visit that's when I saw him here in Nairobi and he even came home to Kogelo that was the last time we saw each other," Obama said. "When I get there first of all I will check in to my hotel then I will see how the arrangements are. Then when the big day reaches we will go as a family," Obama added. Africans hope an Obama presidency will mean more U.S. support for the majority on the world's poorest continent. However, analysts have warned that Obama will be able to do little to bring tangible benefits to Africa, and that he does not have a strong track record of interest in the continent. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/xx"></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/xx">Print Article</a><br />--><br />Posted to:<br /><a href="http://mpelembe.blogware.com/blog/News/WorldNews">World News</a><a name="comments"></a><br /><a onclick="return reveal_post_comment_inline(true, false);" href="http://mpelembe.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/15/4057947.html#post_comment">Post a comment</a><br />No comments found. </span></div>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-23515255303326618102009-01-15T10:25:00.003-05:002009-01-15T10:34:56.619-05:00Friends hold second peace conference in Kenya - Jan 13-15, 2009<a href="http://amanioutreach.blogspot.com/2009/01/peacebuildiing-in-kenya-friends-church.html">Peacebuildiing in Kenya - Friends Church Conference, Jan 13-15, 2009</a><br /><br /><strong>From David Zarembka</strong><br /><strong>African Great Lakes Initiative</strong><br /><strong>Lumakanda, Kenya</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>At the Friends Church (Quaker) Peace Conference</strong><br /><strong>January 13-15, 2009</strong><br /><strong>Mabanga Farmer Training Centre</strong><br /><strong>Bungoma, Kenya</strong><br /><br />... Here we are in Kenya where a potential civil war broke out a year ago today, December 30, 2007, when post-election violence erupted after the disputed election results were announced.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">There are more Quakers in Kenya than anywhere else in the world</span></strong> and some of the conflict was right in the heart of the area where the Quakers are most numerous--my hometown of Lumakanda included. Quakers, like everyone else here, were stunned by the violence; totally unprepared to respond. <strong>Yet within a week the Friends Church of Kenya issued a very strong anti-violence epistle.</strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">By the end of January 2008</span>, while the post-election conflict was still at its height, the Quaker organizations</strong> – Friends Church in Kenya, Friends World Committee for Consultation-Africa Section, Friends United Meeting-Africa, and the AGLI sponsored Alternatives to Violence program (AVP) – <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">held a conference in Kakamega to determine what would be the Quaker response to the conflict.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">The Friends Church Peace Team (FCPT) was created. During the past year, they overcame many challenges in funding, transport, and other resources. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">With mostly volunteer efforts, they conducted a wide range of activities for peacebuilding, reconciliation & trauma healing in 2008:</span></strong><br /><ul><li><strong>gave relief supplies</strong> to those internally displaced people (IDP) who had been missed by the Red Cross and the Kenyan Government. </li><li><strong>reconciliation and peacemaking work</strong>, focusing on Lumakanda, not far from Eldoret, one of the epicentres of violence.</li><li><strong>visited the local internally displaced people's camp</strong> at Turbo, also not far from Eldoret.</li><li><strong>held listening sessions in nine local communities</strong> that had displaced the people. </li><li><strong>accompanied the IDPs back to these communities</strong> when the Kenyan Government closed the IDP camps. </li><li><strong>visited the receiving villages to see how the reintegration is progressing.</strong></li></ul><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">From January 13 to 15, 2009 FCPT is holding another Quaker peace conference,</span></strong> with two representatives from each of the <strong>16 yearly meetings in Kenya</strong> and others who have played a part in the reconciliation work. The purpose is to <strong>review what we have done in the last year</strong> and<strong> discern where we should put our efforts in the future</strong>...<br /><br /><em>More coming soon.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.aglionline.org/kenyareports/report79.htm">> Click here to read the full report</a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-2221486319553176012008-12-31T10:37:00.002-05:002008-12-31T10:43:20.525-05:00Peace & hope for Africa<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">With 7000 young Africans in Nairobi</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Taizé creates a sign of peace</span></strong><br /><br />Nairobi, November 30, 2008<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">A new youth meeting organized by the Community of Taizé, an African stage of the “Pilgrimage of Trust”, has gathered 7000 participants from the 26th – 30th of November.</span></strong> The youth were welcomed in more than 2500 families from the Greater Nairobi area.Nairobi youth groups from 80 parishes of different Christian churches prepared the morning program on the theme <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">“Together seeking paths of hope.” </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">All common activities took place in the afternoons on the Queen of Apostles Minor Seminary compound in Kasarani</span></strong>. Multiple workshops took place each afternoon and the youth contributed in very significant numbers. Hundreds of residents from Nairobi joined the meeting for the common prayers and workshops.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">For the majority of youth, this meeting was their first trip</span></strong>. Many undertook a long journey by bus: up to two days and two nights for those from Burundi. Mechanical problems and long waits at the border did not discourage anyone. The ability to adapt, to live each moment with joy, and to help one another enabled everyone to face the challenges of the journey.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">In the diversity of the “Africas” represented</span></strong>, thirty young Masai wearing their traditional red blankets and carrying their customary clubs attracted attention. They are the first Christians in their families. Ecumenical groups came from South Africa, Zambia and Madagascar. A number of youth came from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique and Sudan.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">The many provinces of Kenya were also well represented:</span></strong> from Mombassa, on the Indian Ocean all the way to Lake Victoria, from the foothills of Kilimanjaro to the arid plains of Turkana in the north… 130 youth from Europe, North America and Asia (China, Korea, India…) contributed to the diversity of people represented.Twenty participants from Kivu (Goma and Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo), crossed three borders with a simple ‘pass’.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Their presence clearly reflected the desire and the capacity of young people to overcome barriers and meet </span></strong>to contribute to brotherly relations in a region overwhelmed by tension and division. The capability to meet and exchange with simplicity and ease was a sign of peace.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Local solutions were applied to all logistical challenges</span></strong> (transportation, food, security…). A camp kitchen was constructed on site with a team working day and night. More than 120 buses worked morning and evening to transport the participants from the parishes to the central venue.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">During the common prayers, the crowd moved from the exuberant songs of rhythm and dance to the meditative refrains of Taizé and long moments of silence.</span></strong> Pastor Njoroge, Assistant Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, participated in the prayer on Thursday. Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi, participated on Friday alongside Mgr Lebeaupin, Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya. In his address to the youth, the cardinal encouraged the participants to “be inspired by the central message of the bible: love your neighbour as yourself. We are all sons and daughters of God, you are all precious.”<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Brother Alois, prior of Taizé, gave an icon of Jesus and his friend to a representative from each of the 15 African countries present</span></strong> (copies of an Egyptian icon of the sixth century) during the last common prayer. The icon will accompany these young people on their local pilgrimages to places of suffering and hope. It will remind them that Christ always remains at their side.The meeting ended on Sunday 30 November with a celebration in the host parishes and meals in the families.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Taizé brothers lived in Kenya</span></strong> (in Mathare and Kangemi) from 1978 until 1989. Brother Roger (founder of Taize) first visited Kenya in November and December 1978 and a second time in December, 1987.<br /><br />Workshops<br />- Silence and personal prayer: bible meditation followed by time for personal reflection.<br />- Discovering God’s call, receiving his gift and his trust. What way is God opening up for me in my life?<br />- How to read the Bible? How to live it out? Reflection followed by a time of sharing in small groups.<br />- What is faith? What are the challenges and the opportunities for believers today?- Young people seek autonomy in life: examples of self reliance projects.<br />- What responsibilities can I take up as a young person today (at home, in our communities, in our churches)?<br />- Healing our wounds, finding peace of heart: reconciliation in ourselves and around us. Sharing of experiences.<br />- Refusing violence, building peace: sharing of experiences from different countries.<br />- What can we do and share with Muslim believers? Testimonies and sharing.<br />- Making city life more beautiful: reflection and sharing with people working in United Nations Habitat.<br />- Maintaining hope in the midst of life’s difficulties (refugee, ex-prisoner…)<br />- Meeting Christ in others. What importance does service have in our life? How can we help others whether near or far?<br />- “We who are many are one body in Christ.” What is the Church? What can we do in order to contribute to reconciliation and unity in our Christian communities? Reflection and sharing.<br />- How can we help others to discover faith: testimonies and sharing of experiences in small groups.<br />- Who am I? How does Christ help us to discover our identity? How does faith help us build our life?<br />- Small Christian communities: testimonies from different countries.<br />- Sharing hope: presentations by theatre groups from different countries.<br />- Celebrating the diversity of cultures: international forum with contributions from different countries and provinces of Kenya (dance, song, music…)<br /><br />For more information:<br />Brothers of Taizé<br />Mji wa Furaha<br />ph: +254 720 132 017<br /><a href="mailto:info@taize-nairobi.net">> Click here for email</a><br /><br />Last updated: 1 December 2008<br /><br /><a href="http://www.taize.fr/en_rubrique846.html">> More coverage of the pilgrimage of trust meeting in Nairobi, Nov 2008</a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-29978232201685319332008-11-12T09:34:00.000-05:002008-11-12T09:38:39.417-05:00Child soldiers in Congo fighting - UN update - Wed 11/12/2008<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">DRC: Recruitment of child soldiers rising</span></strong><br /><br />KINSHASA, 11 November (IRIN) - As fighting continues in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), child recruitment by rebels in the combat zones has been reported, UN and human rights activists have said.<br /><br />"Thirty-seven children were recruited in Rutshuru [north of Goma] two weeks ago," Jaya Murthy, spokesman for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), told IRIN.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">Children separated from their families were more at risk, he said. The boys were forced to fight while the girls became "wives" to the soldiers.</span></strong><br /><br />"There has been an upsurge in the number of children being recruited since the latest violence began," Ishbel Matheson, spokeswoman for Save the Children, said. The NGO was taking care of several children who had escaped recently from the armed groups.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">An estimated 3,000 children were being held by the armed groups before the recent violence broke out, she said, but numbers were expected to soar.</span></strong><br /><br />In the past year, the charity, which runs one of the largest programmes to reintegrate child soldiers into their communities in the DRC, had helped 2,200 children out of the armed groups and reunited most of them with their families.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">School closures<br />Hundreds of schools were closed due to insecurity while children recruited numerous times had had their studies interrupted.</span></strong><br /><br />"UNICEF will build emergency classrooms and distribute school supplies when schools reopen," Murthy said.<br /><br />"For these children it is a recurring nightmare," Matheson told IRIN. "Children who are forced into armed conflict suffer terrible physical and emotional damage. They are <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">traumatised</span></strong> by being separated from their families and may witness executions, beatings and torture. Many young girls now have babies."<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Attacks on schools by the armed groups were also common.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">On 10 October, seven children and three teachers were abducted when they were ambushed outside their school in Masisi, northwest of Goma, capital of North Kivu.</span></strong> They were held for two days before they escaped. Two weeks later, an armed group attacked a secondary school in Shasha, 7km outside Sake near Lake Kivu. Twelve children escaped but one was killed.<br /><br />"One child told me that they are scared to go back to school for fear of being attacked," Matheson said. "For these children, getting an education is their only hope for the future. If they can't go to school they lose that hope."<br /><br />The NGO has been working with the affected children to reunite them with their families or place them in foster families.<strong><span style="color:#cc6600;"> So far 250 unaccompanied children have been found since the latest fighting began.</span></strong><br /><br />Fighting resumed late August in North Kivu between forces from rebel group Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP), led by former general, Laurent Nkunda, and the regular Congolese army allied with militias.<br /><br />Meanwhile, UNICEF is providing <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">truckloads of clean water daily</span></strong> to Kibati and Mugunga, in addition to water purification posts and latrines to curb the risk of cholera spreading, Murthy said in a 11 November communiqué.<br /><br />In the displacement areas, cases of measles continue to be reported. Previous measles vaccinations interrupted by the fighting would resume soon. "UNICEF will vaccinate up to 66,000 more children in the coming days/weeks," he said, adding that the spread could be exacerbated by the large population movement.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">Three aid planes from the UK and USA left Goma on 11 November to distribute aid to thousands of displaced persons.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">"Plastic sheets for shelter and blankets will help ward off respiratory infections," he said.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;"><br />UNICEF is also planning to reinforce the dozens of feeding centres in North Kivu to curb malnutrition.</span></strong><br /><br />ei-bn/mw[ENDS]Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-66240300609055930492008-11-11T14:10:00.000-05:002008-11-11T14:13:57.455-05:00Obama transition news - Tues 11/11/2008Google News Alert for: OBAMA TRANSITION<br /><br />Transition: Bailing out the auto industry<br />MSNBC - USA"Obama's transition aides have approached Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's former campaign manager about taking a senior White House post," the AP reports. ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Barack and Michelle Obama visit the White House<br />Los Angeles Times - CA,USA<br />"President-elect Obama thanked President Bush for his commitment to a smooth transition, and for his and First Lady Laura Bush's gracious hospitality in ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Tuesday, November 11, 2008<br />U.S. News & World Report - Washington,DC,USA<br />Most stories continue to reflect positively on the Obama transition effort, with President Bush also getting high marks for his "gracious" treatment of the ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Top Transition Stories - 11/11<br />National Journal - Washington,DC,USA<br />"Sunday, John Podesta, who is helping to lead Mr. Obama's transition team, singled out the Utah leases as one decision the Obama administration might try to ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Politics aside at White House<br />Chicago Tribune - United States<br />The time-honored political ritual took place as Obama's transition team moved forward with the selection of its top economic officials, and as speculation ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Bush and Obama put differences aside to secure smooth transition<br />Times Online - UK<br />The Obama transition team said the two leaders had discussed “the importance of working together throughout the transition of government in light of the ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />No final dramas for Bush in Middle East<br />Jewish Telegraphic Agency - New York,NY,USA<br />(Matty Stern / BPH Images) WASHINGTON (JTA)—When it comes to the Middle East and the Bush-Obama transition, the most dramatic element might be the lack of ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Obama transition signals new policies in the offing<br />NewsOK.com - Oklahoma City,OK,USA<br />Without question, elections have consequences. As the Obama transition begins gathering steam, the shape of those consequences is becoming more clear.See all stories on this topic<br /><br />Obama welcomes Bush's commitment to smooth transition of power<br />Press Trust of India - New Delhi,India<br />Obama's transition team said he and his wife Michelle were "very warmly" welcomed at the White House by President Bush and First Lady Laura. PTI.See all stories on this topic<br /><br /> This once a day Google Alert is brought to you by Google.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Note: links did not transfer from email update to blog. To get full story, go to Google, click on News in upper left screen, search Obama or Obama Transition to get these stories and many more.</span></strong>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-80541188356409195732008-11-11T13:54:00.002-05:002008-11-11T14:01:11.232-05:00Obama updates - Tues 11/11/2008Google News Alert for: OBAMA<br /><br /><strong>Obama at the White House</strong><br />Edmonton Sun - Alberta, Canada<br />By THE CANADIAN PRESS WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama and US President George W. Bush sat down together yesterday at the White House after crowds lined the ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Allergist offers advice on Obama dog debate</strong><br />Chicago Tribune - United States<br />Malia, however, has declared the goldendoodle—a golden retriever-poodle mix—the "optimal dog," President-elect Barack Obama said while campaigning in Iowa ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Obama says will confront economic woes head-on</strong><br />Reuters - USA<br />By Deborah Charles and Caren Bohan<br />CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday the United States was facing one of its greatest economic ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Obama meets Bush at White House</strong><br />Kenya Broadcasting Corporation - Nairobi,Kenya<br />US President-elect Barack Obama has held his first meeting with incumbent George W Bush since his last week's significant election victory. ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>From my rooftop:What Obama victory means to Africa</strong><br />Joy Online - Accra,Ghana<br />That was what the Barrack Obama victory for him to become the 44th President of the United States of America (USA) has done to a people still struggling for ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Whole world celebrates Obama’s win</strong><br />Kansas City Star - MO,USA<br />By MARY SANCHEZ President-elect Barack Obama waved Monday to a reporter on his plane flying from Chicago to Washington. Green with envy I was, ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Barack and Michelle Obama herald a new wave at the White House</strong><br />Telegraph.co.uk - United Kingdom<br />The picture- perfect scene of Family Obama gathered around the White House tree – two pretty little girls wide-eyed with excitement, their elegant parents ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Obama’s start will be tough</strong><br />Kansas City Star - MO,USA<br />All those difficulties created an opportunity for Obama to sweep to power, bringing with him an almost overwhelming Democratic majority in Congress. ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>From slavery to Obama</strong><br />Jamaica Observer - Kingston,Jamaica<br />A few hours later, Senator Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected president of the USA, creating history. Obama is not a descendant of ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br /><strong>Michelle Obama as First Lady</strong><br />AsiaOne - Singapore<br />Michelle Obama, soon to become America's first African-American first lady, is not expected to directly emulate her predecessors. ...See all stories on this topic<br /><br />This once a day Google Alert is brought to you by Google.Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-59717657967995028702008-11-10T16:54:00.001-05:002008-11-10T16:56:51.890-05:00Obamas visit White House - Mon 11/10/2008<a id="s-Cm5hM65tOPm-goQfCet-Ww:u-AFQjCNFiYHDVEcLhzQSNOAEC7cgmFQDJQw:r-0i_1268991583" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7718603.stm">BBC News</a><br /><a id="s-ON2bq2iwRiNPk4Dn6jUCig:u-AFQjCNHgpHFMducWZ1uBK0ZpDiOlRJ8Zlg:r-0_1268991583" href="http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/11/white-house-pre.html">White House previews Obama visit</a><br />USA Today - 3 hours agoWe expect that the conversation will include topics such as raising a family in the White House and the support of the executive residence staff, ...<br /><a id="va429496729501" href="javascript:NVF_toggleBox(">Video: Obama's White House Welcome</a><a id="s-xQIrpCMn0_H_2O560niEqg:u-AFQjCNGrJxbpW1LxewzXJb24PWQJeAeWbg" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1a9DIyDAOo">Video: Obama's White House Welcome</a> CBS<br /><br /><a id="s-YEHKi3UrxacYZuZ3mIJyOg:u-AFQjCNHRrQ8z2imlpJFRHWLMtX4G4ACNCg" href="http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Obama_makes_historic_White_House_visit.html?siteSect=143&sid=9950502&cKey=1226352171000&ty=ti">Obama makes historic White House visit</a> Swissinfo<br /><a id="s-uRw94jDCrPXQ2evdDb8_nA:u-AFQjCNFzJNFm51r_uhK3qsUefUekOX1Qzw" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSN10378079">Obama makes historic White House visit</a> Reuters<br /><a id="s-35fszbzuVHr3TVcLbJuemw:u-AFQjCNFiKr6ZecOmhtT8JblsuwGMQLJwuA" href="http://www.mlive.com/us-politics/index.ssf/2008/11/obamas_white_house_visit.html">MLive.com</a> - <a id="s-31scxMMiDdwyrVmX3xwMig:u-AFQjCNGyt51qg8DjKi_wyHYC_5kS7yHYQg" href="http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/national_world&id=6477527">ABC30.com</a><br /><a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&resnum=3&cd=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1268991583">all 1,765 news articles »</a><br /><br /><a id="s-YvsFVin3MUzX2H_fTSH5Aw:u-AFQjCNH-L-IoeI8R_mHjOG1puKHByyMEsA:r-1i_1268936489" href="http://www.gulfnews.com/world/U.S.A/10257531.html">GulfNews</a><br /><a id="s-4LJb7eiW4gxMakMK47ce0Q:u-AFQjCNELH_RF7W9B58tViEB-LhHNHaZrqQ:r-1_1268936489" href="http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?c=117&a=1543">Obama's African Family Plan to Visit White House</a><br />Daily Squib (satire), UK - 29 minutes agoThe Obama family are all off to visit their famous relative, Barack Hussein Obama and they plan on getting to the White House in good time. ...<br /><a id="s-zP20mhj-d8d5RvUElFd6Hw:u-AFQjCNHrOXwEq_BZyvLPeT80J2Kc2u2m3A" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-obama-dog-bdnov09,0,3087490.column">Doo the right thing, Obama, forget the dog</a> Chicago Tribune<br /><a id="s-rqwF2pMfePxOW-w03F2pOA:u-AFQjCNGCKgjn86UGc0TlJKS2ZAdDqoOD2g" href="http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977501860">Rise of the Non-Threatening Black Man</a> Gather.com<br /><a id="s-qHDTL1Ew4BxhVhRSBl2APQ:u-AFQjCNEncb91VSfCdxWeVvwpBWh7gCe6xQ" href="http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081108/COLUMNIST24/811080357">The new president's awesome burden</a> Toledo Blade<br /><a id="s-T6v4cWIYr693tM5cG73TvQ:u-AFQjCNGtJVUVDlEi1VKyNy-Iw5d8ULCALQ" href="http://sundaygazettemail.com/Opinion/Editorials/200811070550">Charleston Gazette</a> - <a id="s-KheLqW8j1fJajWe0--nDkA:u-AFQjCNE-5gKOOM61nfzi48ZvT_J-mC8qhQ" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110600674.html">Washington Post</a><br /><a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&resnum=3&cd=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1268936489">all 1,157 news articles »</a><br /><br /><a id="s-8yGA28EaSzgfSuGoEw0ZiA:u-AFQjCNFYI3SLDIkoeCchhHWqVxXEsj5XDQ:r-2i_1268299152" href="http://voanews.com/english/2008-11-10-voa39.cfm">Voice of America</a><br /><a id="s-Pbc1zLvhHUB5H8t3x41A2A:u-AFQjCNHRchDjTQzLPXQjhpCbSCcXTIT_Cw:r-2_1268299152" href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/10/obama.bush/?iref=hpmostpop">Obama to make first visit to Oval Office</a><br />CNN - 7 hours agoTop Obama aides said Sunday that Obama already is examining ways to make a quick impact upon taking office. Obama's designated White House chief of staff, ...<br /><a id="va429496729521" href="javascript:NVF_toggleBox(">Video: Bush Seeks Seamless Transition to Obama</a><a id="s-YPGQnAku21ARSkW-b7427g:u-AFQjCNHBM0eBNSbQsqXFec39uvoLy31s-Q" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA1QrCROHnQ">Video: Bush Seeks Seamless Transition to Obama</a> AssociatedPress<br /><a id="s-bvhP1s9esdsro_D-1bjV-Q:u-AFQjCNECe_DlDkkdArRfpY6TsqDFryzEiQ" href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96811035">Bush, Obama To Meet At White House</a> NPR<br /><a id="s-oxTH_X0Fl85hCoMBIu5glg:u-AFQjCNFW18SyGD1hcF7yfiqBRndCLDZYTQ" href="http://www.wtvynews4.com/news/headlines/34186289.html">Obama to Visit White House</a> WTVY<br /><a id="s-y6IOsI7yfUiXNU-nUeCulg:u-AFQjCNH4nnLVOfVL9FGffADG4_1a5WIxpw" href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24631564-5013948,00.html">The Australian</a> - <a id="s-dLW4po31JUveXoddfExg4A:u-AFQjCNFwBYuGyA41yYnmQrNmwr8oTaqQPQ" href="http://voanews.com/english/2008-11-10-voa29.cfm">Voice of America</a><br /><a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&resnum=3&cd=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1268299152">all 3,029 news articles »</a><br /><br /><a id="s-ZGUdUtwvA9YD390kFqz25A:u-AFQjCNEG1O-SvplYIglm67MFmMcQjA19qA:r-3i_1268516301" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/07/AR2008110702153.html">Washington Post</a><br /><a id="s-quvlo-cAP547RiWl45Cryg:u-AFQjCNG6-gDe0tezRrttkxO1sF_fHY4CPw:r-3_1268516301" href="http://www.mlive.com/us-politics/index.ssf/2008/11/michelle_views_white_house_wit.html">Michelle views White House with new eye</a><br />MLive.com, MI - 5 hours agoMichelle Obama has been to the White House before, but she will no doubt approach this visit with a different eye. She will get a look at the private family ...<br /><a id="s-KqM1-UxDyx90pIGzRWCLYg:u-AFQjCNHVbxGHdqrJhnIabnPqBQy8_vj4qw" href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/10/greene-as-the-obamas-get-ready-to-move/">Greene: As the Obamas get ready to move. . . .</a> CNN Political Ticker<br /><a id="s-oTKQ9hgK6lmeHp8g6ViNGw:u-AFQjCNFsp8y5_PA4VlX0SW9cZfs1ylxPZw" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06family.html?ref=us">A Family Expected to Balance State Dinners With Sleepovers</a> New York Times<br /><a id="s-m5WCLvKC4ObpgLXKPa7abw:u-AFQjCNFoKq_cgpe6di_93tsHg2v6Hq5Swg" href="http://www.freep.com/article/20081105/NEWS15/81105132">A move looms for the Obama family</a> Detroit Free Press<br /><a id="s-rNg6Xvq1BoKdb7qE5xheNg:u-AFQjCNEwYUJclior46Iuh2sGxA04QWqNoA" href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD948MO980">The Associated Press</a> - <a id="s-oA00Q0doX44mJAn6FehiuA:u-AFQjCNFjzHJf4ugPmUnB53895Y5cMdqhvw" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/the_real_american_idol/article1898976.ece">The Sun</a><br /><a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&resnum=3&cd=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1268516301">all 933 news articles »</a><br /><br /><a id="s-SlTNJBzNWxVkgqtJk_FjOg:u-AFQjCNH5XLZrLNind6tvEySjW9B-U7y-RQ:r-4i_1267511254" href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6192603&page=1">ABC News</a><br /><a id="s-5y3ilsWnSX3Hev1KvqRqlA:u-AFQjCNF8m-K3kDCijjeOab-oVD_S_DnKEw:r-4_1267511254" href="http://www.digtriad.com/news/national_world/article.aspx?storyid=113775&catid=175">Obama Visits The White House Today</a><br />WFMY News 2, NC - 11 hours ago<br />Washington, DC -- President-elect Obama meets today with the man he will be replacing as primary resident of the White House. During their meeting today, ...<br /><a id="s-KdOztk4nKmXKDEzO-IYPvw:u-AFQjCNH61MJQk3gBgJ1BIFeghTPtKaDg4w" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/11/10/do1003.xml">Barack Obama puppy should be a mutt who can hit high notes</a> Telegraph.co.uk<br /><a id="s-MgmyGkBRuOu57BDbR_a1Og:u-AFQjCNF5rdw_YCBu0VmfK19UI9loNU2wOA" href="http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24626236-661,00.html">A golden gift offer</a> Melbourne Herald Sun<br /><a id="s-lAUnYcPg7MIxib1UJi2lww:u-AFQjCNF51PLd1V0wkLRBmkOaNMlGCUJYYQ" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08315/926754-294.stm">Morning File: Mr. President, walking the dog</a> Pittsburgh Post Gazette<br /><a id="s-WVRqK5imwI6HKFlhd2x-Xw:u-AFQjCNEGj5c30LT-nD1C-szvOyuBTQMnog" href="http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20081110/NEWS01/811100302/1002">Chillicothe Gazette</a> - <a id="s-B1agcY_RNEOZaL1tvs8O5w:u-AFQjCNEwPwxLwUyadbBUhgfuAveKKTeJKA" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7714480.stm">BBC News</a><br /><a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&resnum=3&cd=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1267511254">all 992 news articles »</a><br /><br /><a id="s-2HlZLwe47ynEw1vBSdmfXQ:u-AFQjCNF4tAKRsc3aDeeR-FP9a1tK31drlQ:r-5_0" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111001415.html">Obama Visit Draws Crowd Outside White House</a><br />Washington Post, United States - 2 hours ago<br />By Pamela Constable President-elect Barack Obama's first visit to the White House this afternoon since winning the election drew a crowd of several hundred ...<br /><br /><a id="s-6qAmX7ix5cLBMEQQbWdspA:u-AFQjCNHHes1xaPyJmh6whceIBZ9j33g4bg:r-6_0" href="http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=785565">Obamas visit White House</a><br />eTaiwan News, Taiwan - 8 minutes ago<br />By STEVEN R. HURST AP President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived at the White House on Monday for a visit, their first since last week's ...Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-41026300367210013122008-11-10T16:47:00.003-05:002008-11-10T17:00:10.239-05:00Miriam Makeba dies at 76 - Mon 11/10/2008<strong>Miriam Makeba, in her album <em>Sangoma</em>, was perhaps one of my first connections to contemporary African culture. A great reflection on her musical career below:</strong><br /><br />Miriam Makeba—South African Singer, Composer and Activist—Died Sunday at the age of 76<br />Afropop Asks You to Share Your Reflections With the Afropop Community<br /><br />We are sad to report that Miriam Makeba, one of Africa’s all-time great artists and ambassador for the continent, died of a heart attack while performing in Italy on Sunday, November 9, 2008.<br /><br />There are dozens of career summaries and press reports published (just google “Miriam Makeba Dies at 76”). Our bio of Miriam is below but we’d like to start with something more personal. We are asking the Afropop community to send in your own reflections or memories or photos of Miriam. We will publish them later in the week and send them to the Makeba family. For the story of her life in her own words, we highly recommend her autobiography “Makeba, My Story.” Two of our favorite albums from the latter part of her career are “Sangoma” and “Homeland.”<br /><br />Sean Barlow, Executive Producer, Afropop Worldwide:<br />“The last time I saw Miriam perform was in Soweto on Easter Monday 2004. I was in South Africa reporting on the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid and the beginning of the new non-racial democracy spotlighted by the inauguration of Nelson Mandela. The theme of the concert in Soweto that day was “South African Divas” and featured the greats of South African women singers. The crowd was almost entirely black and we felt very much welcomed. I felt so lucky to be there. One by one the ladies took the stage and gave stellar performances—Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Dorothy Masuka & Dolly Rathebe, (who along with Miriam were the fabulously successful Skylarks in the 1950’s), the Mahotella Queens, Brenda Fassie (her last performance), Thandiswa, and to cap the evening, Miriam. The audience up front pressing against the fence were mostly teenage girls. Despite their two generation age gap, these girls were transfixed, their faces glowing. To bridge a 50 something age difference is no small feat. I wondered what was going through their heads—enjoyment of the songs, an electric feeling of being close to an icon who meant so much for the anti-apartheid struggle internationally and nationally, a role model of how a woman could rise to the top of her field. Probably all the above. For the girls in Soweto that day and for everyone whose music and life she touched, thank you Mama Africa!!" (Please add your own memories and reflections.)<br /><br />Afropop’s Account of Miriam Makeba’s Career<br /><br />Miriam Makeba--"Mama Africa" to many around the world--ranks as South Africa's greatest musical ambassador. Born in 1932, Makeba had already weathered the death of her father, a bout with breast cancer, childbirth and the first of five marriages before she turned twenty.<br /><br />From her start in a church choir, Makeba went on to sing professionally under the strong influence of her American idols, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Makeba left the popular Manhattan Brothers to join the traveling show African Jazz and Variety, which toured southern Africa for 18 months. She also formed a hugely successful trio with Dorothy Masuka and Dolly Rathebe. Makeba's superior voice then earned her the lead in the ground-breaking show King Kong, and a film part in Come Back Africa.<br /><br />Suddenly an international star, Makeba then played at President Kennedy's birthday and worked with Harry Belafonte in New York to create African classics including "The Click Song," and "Pata Pata." After the South African government canceled her passport in 1960, Makeba spent decades in exile living mostly in the US, and then in Guinea, where she retreated for nine years after her marriage to black power activist Stokely Carmichael soured her reputation with mainstream American media and the music industry.<br /><br />Makeba returned to the world stage in 1986 when she joined Paul Simon on the Graceland tour. She writes in her autobiography, “Makeba, My Story,” that music helped her wrestle the dangerous amadlozi spirits her mother passed on to her. <strong><span style="color:#990000;">She dedicates her exquisite 1988 album “Sangoma,” rich in tradition, to her mother.</span></strong> After turmoil, tragedy and controversy, Makeba returned to a free South Africa as a favorite daughter. Her work included a tour and recording session with jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, who died in 1993, as well as a critically acclaimed comeback album, "Homeland," released in 2000, and nominated for a Grammy Award in 2001.<br /><br />--Banning Eyre, Senior Editor, Afropop.org<br /><br />More information: <a href="http://www.afropop.org/">http://www.afropop.org/</a><br /><br /><br /><a id="s-ZgoxXUPGRZRuMOufQP23KQ:u-AFQjCNGajVQFJw6fMRmxe6dY49K8Pf73UA:r-1_1268751612" href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/10/news/obits.php"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Miriam Makeba, South African songstress, dies at 76</span></strong></a><br />International Herald Tribune - 4 hours ago<br />By Alan Cowell LONDON: Miriam Makeba, a South African singer whose voice stirred hopes of freedom among millions in her own country though her music was formally banned by the apartheid authorities she struggled against, died early Monday after ...<br /><a id="va429496729511" href="javascript:NVF_toggleBox(">Video: South African legend Miriam Makeba dies - 10 Nov 2008</a><br /><a id="s-uFgp2BdqIj49kzULkYMUqA:u-AFQjCNHxA1S0Q8xKzB4DIkizTBzK7XRwzA" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHgKcPP6yK0">Video: South African legend Miriam Makeba dies - 10 Nov 2008</a> AlJazeeraEnglish<br /><a id="s-BIMh3tP__IPMPHFJJ59Jpg:u-AFQjCNGuy8BmNPc0mKB6gYg3yJkQYN55kQ" href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGWGVi0TEidfTiaxUb93hZQHHbcw">South Africa mourns Makeba, nation's musical 'mother'</a> AFP<br /><a id="s-_1nZ9hCK1-5Ujo3L39IIig:u-AFQjCNFuLPCJn3bc1lQnwFsy7nBX2cPyGQ" href="http://www.gmanews.tv/story/132665/US-expresses-condolences-on-death-of-Miriam-Makeba">GMA news.tv</a> - <a id="s-UvaoWk7A4TVTorDchCrzkA:u-AFQjCNFE9c6nAejROmQJa8Yw7EVf-Jdv0w" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/2008/11/voices----miria.html">Los Angeles Times</a> - <a id="s-vj_u4yX1ZCGhratqLdYVeQ:u-AFQjCNFCaMVqYb6WXqadBO55Y3UFDo_IjA" href="http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111157552000.htm">Hindu</a> - <a id="s-QCNMt16NQLSPP5DBH7Vl4A:u-AFQjCNHhQh5b_v5ITZixwzaNwuKb9XtIpw" href="http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/11/10/UPI_NewsTrack_Entertainment_News/UPI-94921226343600/">United Press International</a><br /><a class="p" href="http://www.google.com/news?ned=us&ncl=1268751612&hl=en&topic=w">all 1,124 news articles »</a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-42170380047359472782008-11-07T11:55:00.000-05:002008-11-07T12:33:46.866-05:00Historic headlines from Nov 5 - Fri 11/7/2008<a id="vhty" title="NY Times Nov 5 Obama wins!" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05elect.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=November%205%20Obama%20wins&st=cse&oref=slogin"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>NY Times Nov 5 Obama wins!</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong> </strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598607/20081104/story.jhtml"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>USA Today Nov 5 It's Obama!</strong></span></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96699117"><span style="font-size:180%;">National Public Radio: Obama Wins, the World Responds</span></a></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><a href="http://allafrica.com/photoessay/Obamamania/"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Kenyan photo essay "Obamamania" on allafrica.com</span></strong></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><br /><a id="s-beMSOzsZYq6mUfF6K3K6Mw:u-AFQjCNFJ0GDA6s2f_kkScMs6ppMnQNhW3w:r-0_1267403857" href="http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/rewrite_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003887863">Post-Election Newspaper Sales: So I Guess Print Isn't Dead!</a>Editor & Publisher - 58 minutes agoMany of us who have been reporting for years on the declining demand for the daily miracle -- in newsprint anyway -- were both pleased and a bit perplexed ...<br /><a id="s-5w29D6E4W17hGrKwCvEO2g:u-AFQjCNGM9LoRv747USVopu5BKVaJtPHAPg:r-1_1267403857" href="http://blogs.computerworld.com/print_is_dying">Print is dying -- except when history happens</a>Computerworld, MA - 1 hour agoJust when you thought that print was dead entirely: Newspapers are reporting that demand for their Wednesday morning editions -- the ones reporting the ...<br /><a id="s-lHPgJ8xsFF1RNuB5-OSH_g:u-AFQjCNE7Wf7JwvnDv1hHMFN9PKYgy1Gxlg:r-2_1267403857" href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/campaign-2008/story/760532.html">Historic front pages are hot on eBay</a>The Miami Herald, FL - 8 hours agoPost-Election Day newspapers became a hot commodity Thursday on eBay -- with at least one optimistic seller asking $1200 for a copy of The Washington Post. ...<br /><a id="s-9Y0V_1SgSRPWYjjuXR3pcQ:u-AFQjCNFEq4BMtHjkfcUHGtqCDTRp94ALtA:r-3i_1267403857" href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/web/obama-newspaper-editions-show-power-of-print/2008/11/07/1225561105975.html"></a><br /><a id="s-9Y0V_1SgSRPWYjjuXR3pcQ:u-AFQjCNFEq4BMtHjkfcUHGtqCDTRp94ALtA:r-3_1267403857" href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/web/obama-newspaper-editions-show-power-of-print/2008/11/07/1225561105975.html">Obama newspaper editions show power of print</a>Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 14 hours agoPeople buy copies of The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press in front of the newspaper's headquarters. Photo: AP Move over iPhone - in a digital age in ...<br /><a id="s-M8d3_rxgtBieXF26d_QjjA:u-AFQjCNHXS51dBgJ4YKhcBA0pU2auyn4TLA:r-4_1267403857" href="http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=07215baa-eeeb-4745-8ae2-a7383afc1e3d">Obama win was great news for newspaper sales</a>Canada.com, Canada - 18 hours agoTuesday was a great day for Barack Obama. Wednesday was a great day for newspapers - the best day for sales since 9/11. The historic election of Sen. ...<br /><a id="s-fl5UHAFOldaLdqYJLJiAvQ:u-AFQjCNHyxu0uZpC3oL0BHLWsaUDLzJcjYA:r-5_1267403857" href="http://blogs.indystar.com/firstthoughts/archives/2008/11/extra_copies.html">Extra copies</a>Indianapolis Star, United States - 18 hours agoIn the digital age, some critics of newspapers have pronounced that delivery medium to be on life support, but look what happened in the hours immediately ...<br /><a id="s-h1co7NlufeKxfX5YVWfvbw:u-AFQjCNHXegbuCIiT8AWeq6UqcqdX7yJ3_A:r-6i_1267403857" href="http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/153634.asp?from=blog_last3"></a><br /><a id="s-h1co7NlufeKxfX5YVWfvbw:u-AFQjCNHXegbuCIiT8AWeq6UqcqdX7yJ3_A:r-6_1267403857" href="http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/153634.asp?from=blog_last3">Where can I get a Nov. 5 Seattle PI?</a>Seattle Post Intelligencer - 22 hours agoNewspapers aren't exactly hot commodities in the digital age, but Wednesday was different. Copies sold out fast all over the city, leading dozens of ...<br /><a id="s-DeUFIAm2bCDbeMK_7dImxg:u-AFQjCNEj-LFLTJ4Ptk2oeP9SRTM_xWWatQ:r-7_1267403857" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110601771.html">Post to Print 350000 More Copies of Election Edition</a>Washington Post, United States - 22 hours agoBy Petula Dvorak The Washington Post fired up its presses today for yet another printing of a commemorative edition of the Nov. ...<br /><a id="s-CJ_YHWZ5UaxIrcS8zUT0_A:u-AFQjCNHGNQrJ-edNCBXEtLWb5h_ZRI6JBg:r-8_1267403857" href="http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003887861">On the Day After the Day After: Obama Newspaper Rush Continues ...</a>Editor & Publisher - Nov 6, 2008AP 'Uncalls' Franken Loss in Minnesota By Joe Strupp NEW YORK Calls to The Washington Post this morning are not being met with the usual voice-mail greeting ...<br /><a id="s-1oupQQtlFdFg6uclhBVVbQ:u-AFQjCNHdndYieoxB45OM48uxUxU_Z2BNww:r-9i_1267403857" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5097895.ece"></a><br /><a id="s-1oupQQtlFdFg6uclhBVVbQ:u-AFQjCNHdndYieoxB45OM48uxUxU_Z2BNww:r-9_1267403857" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5097895.ece">Newspapers sell out as America marks historic day</a>Times Online, UK - Nov 6, 2008Obamamania has left newsstands across the US empty and newspapers rushing to print thousands of extra copies as Americans hurried to buy souvenir editions ...<br /><a id="s-FjuZ935WkzzB7UT892yreg:u-AFQjCNHoYIfgT_qpGZxmVD6MxVbtx-QdaA:r-10_1267403857" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/nov/06/us-press-publishing-pressandpublishing">Barack Obama election victory drives US newspaper sales surge</a>guardian.co.uk, UK - Nov 6, 2008Barack Obama's historic victory in Tuesday night's US presidential election gave a brief shot in the arm to the beleaguered American newspaper industry, ...<br /><a id="s-bH97EPVLs-byFi1pi_t6pw:u-AFQjCNGnWfLAEiMNy3ZFnOgfGNyyp0KdfA:r-11_1267403857" href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96689437">Hear All About It: Newspaper Comeback</a>NPR - Nov 6, 2008Morning Edition, November 6, 2008 · For one rare day, newspapers made a comeback. Across the country, people flocked to newsstands to buy a written record ...<br /><a id="s-YVGjV1AWHDHrrQPP0Q5fRg:u-AFQjCNGciAgrqrWWp--h7DFun6oNvOiapw:r-12i_1267403857" href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-newspapers6-2008nov06,0,3206942.story"></a><br /><a id="s-YVGjV1AWHDHrrQPP0Q5fRg:u-AFQjCNGciAgrqrWWp--h7DFun6oNvOiapw:r-12_1267403857" href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-newspapers6-2008nov06,0,3206942.story">Extra! Extra! Barack Obama's election win sends newspaper sales ...</a>Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 6, 2008Kimberly Huie of Echo Park buys the Los Angeles Times at a newsstand in Hollywood. Readers across the nation snapped up copies of newspapers documenting a ...<br /><a id="s-8KaGDePjRabRrK8p4-fbAA:u-AFQjCNE6RTOAilZmJbj0r-gyA0eMnai_Xw:r-13_1267403857" href="http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Papers-proclaiming-Obama--s-win-sell-for--600/382194">Papers proclaiming Obama's win sell for $600</a>Indian Express, India - Nov 6, 2008Melbourne, November 6: : American newspapers carrying banner headlines about Barack Obama’s historic White House victory were sold out as soon as they ...<br /><a id="s-S84WqenJs0T8isDgdzskwQ:u-AFQjCNFRD-yPHwBbyPsHMme9CmpOOtejBw:r-14_1267403857" href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/06/BUOM13V0K1.DTL&type=politics">Newspapers sell out early, restart presses</a>San Francisco Chronicle, USA - Nov 6, 2008(11-05) 19:24 PST -- At a time when the industry is struggling to hold onto readers, newspapers around the country sold like hotcakes Wednesday as people ...<br /><a id="s-z4It9roy5pPLqHo_RXIAJQ:u-AFQjCNEB-261Sn5g2h_1KjGAwMpSqsmCjg:r-15i_1267403857" href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5glBhV1Epr7X0efvwPYrMz3eOYtgQ"></a><br /><a id="s-z4It9roy5pPLqHo_RXIAJQ:u-AFQjCNEB-261Sn5g2h_1KjGAwMpSqsmCjg:r-15_1267403857" href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5glBhV1Epr7X0efvwPYrMz3eOYtgQ">US newspapers rush out new copies to meet demand</a>AFP - Nov 5, 2008WASHINGTON (AFP) — Leading US newspapers said Wednesday they had been forced to fire up their printing presses again to keep pace with demand as consumers ...<br /><a id="s-aRHVK78kgWlWSAztWWqp_w:u-AFQjCNE8ZeMh-_9N5SED8Wb4fDDUxTDQmQ:r-16_1267403857" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-thu-phil-rosenthal-6nov06,0,3534779.column">Papers leave mark on historic election</a>Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 5, 2008Consistent with the notion that journalism is the first draft of history, President-elect Barack Obama's victory had people Wednesday eager to grab the ...<br /><a id="s-mDGgXpedParAfNAb3xQUsA:u-AFQjCNGlLLSx6sky2U9VYgJJPfS1PrOiuA:r-17i_1267403857" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4A50P220081106"></a><br /><a id="s-mDGgXpedParAfNAb3xQUsA:u-AFQjCNGlLLSx6sky2U9VYgJJPfS1PrOiuA:r-17_1267403857" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4A50P220081106">Newspapers grabbed up after Obama's historic win</a>Reuters - Nov 5, 2008WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It was a good day to be in the newspaper business. The historic November 5 editions proclaiming Barack Obama's White House victory ...<br /><a id="s-qZgKkUekSa77xyC_QWqykg:u-AFQjCNHlLWCY-cg1hqv9OHI4DRLkLVSlHA:r-18_1267403857" href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/2008-11-05-obama-media-mania_N.htm">Obama's historic election is red-hot off the press</a>USA Today - Nov 5, 2008By Maria Puente, USA TODAY The election of Barack Obama kept millions of Americans glued to their TVs on Tuesday night — then had them scrambling on ...<br /><a id="s-m-yBclGOTKxdbStyZQ3KtA:u-AFQjCNHJSBWR1sTDJwijPJj6D-lQtlOV5w:r-19_1267403857" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/business/media/06paper.html">Newspapers a Hot Commodity After Obama’s Win</a>New York Times, United States - Nov 5, 2008By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA Cool enough for people to try a dozen places in hopes of finding one, and then line up around the block for it. ...<br /><a id="s-gtRGrF_Ah5y2ANBgcPdZgQ:u-AFQjCNGmf-n9FCPbI36HOzobmUkeBZAEBA:r-20_1267403857" href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/05/america/Election-Newspapers.php">Papers sell out as readers seek Obama keepsakes</a>International Herald Tribune, France - Nov 5, 2008AP NEW YORK: Newsstands from Seattle to New York quickly sold out of Wednesday's papers declaring Barack Obama the nation's first black president as some ...<br /><a id="s-ehTBuexEMQ2jCS1KsJ4Ftg:u-AFQjCNGlq5ojPVSJZGwQadwlCI1cd6UxbQ:r-21i_1267403857" href="http://www.nationalpost.com/rss/story.html?id=935653"></a><br /><a id="s-ehTBuexEMQ2jCS1KsJ4Ftg:u-AFQjCNGlq5ojPVSJZGwQadwlCI1cd6UxbQ:r-21_1267403857" href="http://www.nationalpost.com/rss/story.html?id=935653">Obama win makes a big day for dead trees</a>National Post, Canada - Nov 5, 2008Karen Bleir/AFP/Getty ImagesFront pages of newspapers announcing Democrat Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election are displayed on November 5 ...<br /><a id="s-VE6Fl0mbcYEOmHXXPftQGg:u-AFQjCNGC2hhSslzzaitVm_w9JNWGK0vNog:r-22_1267403857" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/readers/2008/11/extra-extra.html">Extra, extra ...</a>Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 5, 2008Dozens of e-mails like this started coming in to the readers' representative office early this morning, and are still coming in: "HELP! ...<br /><a id="s-eHAhT0mObKJ9ujvEIYU5RQ:u-AFQjCNGnzTyvGu2t-WuBaAMlAYc7TB1Thw:r-23_1267403857" href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Tribune-Sees-Huge-Demand-Post/story.aspx?guid=%7B47678590-3C0F-435B-8E0E-02A9B7047261%7D">Tribune Sees Huge Demand for Post-Election Newspapers</a>MarketWatch - Nov 5, 2008CHICAGO, Nov 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- On the day following Barack Obama's election as the next president of the United States, Tribune Company ...<br /><a id="s-aX-1X4yKW718rpjkFxr_JA:u-AFQjCNFHygKqBohZuz_t15GmSoNS__NAaw:r-24_1267403857" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/11/obama-wins-2.html">Extra, extra! Barack Obama's historic win causes a run on newspapers</a>Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 5, 2008Across the nation, people have been snapping up newspapers bearing Obama-related headlines at record rates. The Los Angeles Times, which printed 30000-40000 ...<br /><a id="s-PtkLjiEmjv7XqdynoAePoA:u-AFQjCNFfR4huWOnbeMzV-8_8_ivIAnJ1fQ:r-25i_1267403857" href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/queues-again-for-us-voters-as-newpapers-fly-out/2008/11/06/1225560987794.html"></a><br /><a id="s-PtkLjiEmjv7XqdynoAePoA:u-AFQjCNFfR4huWOnbeMzV-8_8_ivIAnJ1fQ:r-25_1267403857" href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/queues-again-for-us-voters-as-newpapers-fly-out/2008/11/06/1225560987794.html">Long queues again for US voters as Obama takes over the frontpages</a>Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Nov 5, 2008A day after queuing hours to cast their vote in the US election, Americans again found themselves in lengthy lines as they tried to secure themselves a copy ...<br /><a id="s-m79ASa4JIpFaXl7yydt-iQ:u-AFQjCNG1TDAiyMtfqOW5qtpGkqm6nXkB7w:r-26_1267403857" href="http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003887492">Chicago Papers Fly From Racks After Obama Victory</a>Editor & Publisher - Nov 5, 2008AP Admits Flub: 'Uncalls' Franken Loss in Minnesota By Mark Fitzgerald CHICAGO Readers seeking a piece of history snapped up copies of the Chicago Tribune ...<br /><a id="s-lTZve9MnoEDFVKnt88WnFQ:u-AFQjCNGN5LC57hNw_c2VecM-WyBL5Wct_A:r-27_1267403857" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-obama-nonewspaper,0,7685207.story">Newspaper stands sell out after Obama win</a>Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 5, 2008AP CHICAGO - Finding a copy of a newspaper to mark Chicagoan Barack Obama's presidential victory has become a difficult task. Newsstands across the city and ...<br /><a id="s-HQs6dxd60s0jlSWKbMrZ5w:u-AFQjCNFtDmkNHVJEslixJKM2NqPR6EN3Xg:r-28_1267403857" href="http://blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/2008/11/05/obama-good-for-newspapers-today/">Obama: Good for newspapers — today</a>Reuters UK, UK - Nov 5, 2008NEW YORK - In the same way that the Philadelphia Phillies’ World Series win boosted Inquirer and Daily News sales last week, US President-Elect Barack Obama ...<br /><a id="s--nugP6HPPy-tgvX4GtuK1g:u-AFQjCNEuyZJ6elNbS7qM8hACTdoKBMXZ3g:r-29_1267403857" href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1261597,where-to-buy-sun-times-papers-110508.article">Where to buy a copy of the Sun-Times</a>Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Nov 5, 2008Barack Obama's overwhelming victory in Tuesday's election also led to an overwhelming demand for copies of the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday morning. ...Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-39011291650949122342008-11-07T11:48:00.001-05:002008-11-07T11:51:58.618-05:00Yes we did! - Fri 11/7/2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc-Elnqu6MmgF6bYUXcvY4-66dc7FpwqmRn0psQ17H-c9_aFSmhyHvsRgRHz7YbCsRwDXKbQ0Sdw0rsAWWoRq4-16Cw2dwhlswFzXBJdaGPM5I0QSZz_DXc7SD7lYRe6OMXV4gyV7wPU/s1600-h/Obama+-+Lincoln.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265959036191977602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc-Elnqu6MmgF6bYUXcvY4-66dc7FpwqmRn0psQ17H-c9_aFSmhyHvsRgRHz7YbCsRwDXKbQ0Sdw0rsAWWoRq4-16Cw2dwhlswFzXBJdaGPM5I0QSZz_DXc7SD7lYRe6OMXV4gyV7wPU/s320/Obama+-+Lincoln.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-1556694934103304492008-11-05T10:28:00.002-05:002008-11-05T11:18:37.052-05:00It's all about Obama - Wed 11/5/2008<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Our friends in Kenya tell us nobody slept last night, as the world awaited the election results...</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">> Read the cover of today's <em>Daily Nation</em></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> newspaper</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">In Kenya, a holiday, song and dance for Obama</span><br /><a title="Submit to Digg" href="http://digg.com/submit?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487378/-/nxol7xz/-/index.html&title=In"></a><a title="Submit to Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487378/-/nxol7xz/-/index.html"></a><a title="Submit to del.icio.us" href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487378/-/nxol7xz/-/index.html&title=In"></a><a title="Submit to StumbleUpon" href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487378/-/nxol7xz/-/index.html&title=In"></a><a title="Submit to Yahoo Buzz" href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487378/-/nxol7xz/-/index.html&title=In"></a></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">U.S. President-elect Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) arrives to speak to supporters with his wife Michelle (R) and their children Malia (2nd R) and Sasha during his election night rally after being declared the winner of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign in Chicago November 4, 2008. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br />By ANTHONY KARIUKIPosted Wednesday, November 5 2008 at 07:33</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br />In Summary<br />Government declares a public holiday on Thursday to celebrate the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the US.<br /><br />Kenyans celebrate Obama's victory with song and dance breaking out in Kibera, Nairobi and Kogelo, the US President-elect ancestral home.<br /><br />Kenyans are celebrating Barack Obama's triumph the best way they know how - with song and dance - the Government has weighed in with a public holiday on Thursday as a country salutes an emphatic win.<br /><br />Related Stories<br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/486870/-/nxp6m2z/-/index.html">Village upbeat about change of fortunes </a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487374/-/nxol82z/-/index.html">Obama scores big early win in Pennsylvania</a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487364/-/nxol8xz/-/index.html">LIVE TEXT: World celebrates President-elect Obama</a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/484272/-/nxqoy3z/-/index.html">Court rejects anti-Obama suit </a><br />Related Downloads<br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/blob/view/-/487416/data/49512/-/pdt345z/-/Obama+victory+speech.pdf">Obama victory speech</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Shortly after CNN declared Obama the winner just before 7am (Kenya time) on Wednesday, President Kibaki announced that Kenyans will on Thursday take a day off to mark the historic election of Obama to the most powerful office on earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Even as the President made the declaration, Kenyans were already deep in celebration.</span></em> From the sprawling Kibera slums in Nairobi to the senator's ancestral home 400 kilometres west in Kogelo, Siaya, jubilant Kenyans sung and danced in honour of a victorious son.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Scenes of wild celebrations were also seen at the Kenyatta International Conference, Nairobi where Kenyans kept vigil all night following the US election in giant screens.<br /><br />Said President Kibaki: “This is a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya. The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success.”<br /><br />He said that Obama’s unassailable victory was a clear testimony of the confidence the American people have not only in his leadership and vision for his country but for the world at large.<br /><br />“On behalf of the Government and people of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I join the rest of the world in celebrating and congratulating you on your election as the 44th President of the United States of America.”<br /><br />“I am confident that your Presidency shall herald a new chapter of dialogue between the American people and the world at large.”<br /><br />The President also expressed readiness of his government to work with the new American administration to further promote and strengthen relations that exist between the two countries.<br /><br />“We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us her in Kenya.”<br /><br />Prime Minister Raila Odinga, away on an official trip in China, led the Government delegation in celebrations when Obama's win was projected by CNN and Time magazine.<br /><br />Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said Obama's victory heralds a new dawn in history of America and in relations between America and other nations of the world.<br /><br />"It is exciting for Kenya not only because of continental attachment to President-elect because of his roots in Kenya but because Obama victory is a harbinger of good tidings especially for our tourism sector."<br /><br />The VP said many Americans would now wish to visit country of the father of their new President.<br /><br />He said never before has a candidate of a superpower been widely supported across the world.<br /><br />"This means Obama's leadership of US is likely to bring world nations closer and bridge polarisation that currently exist," he said.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/487378/-/nxol7xz/-/index.html">> Full story with photo</a></span></strong><br /><br />==============================<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Africa Stays Up All Night to Hear US Election Results</span></strong><br /><br />By Peter Heinlein Addis Ababa05 November 2008<br /><a class="media-asset" onclick="dcsMedia(event);" href="http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_11/Audio/Mp3/heinlein_africa_us_election_04Nov08.Mp3">Heinlein report - Download (MP3) </a><a class="media-asset" onclick="dcsMedia(event);" href="http://www.voanews.com/english/figleaf/mp3filegenerate.cfm?filepath=http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_11/Audio/Mp3/heinlein_africa_us_election_04Nov08.Mp3">Heinlein report - Listen (MP3) </a><br /><br />Millions of Africans are exhausted after staying up all night watching expectantly to see whether a man of African descent will elected to the America's highest office.<br /><br />VOA's Peter Heinlein attended an all-night party of journalists and political enthusiasts in Addis Ababa where everybody was talking about being American for a day to share in this historic election.<br /><br />It's a long night here in front of the television at this upscale Ethiopian home.<br /><br />Half a dozen anxious viewers drift in and out, trying to control the nervous energy. It's well after midnight, but the TV screen shows long lines of voters standing in the rain waiting for their turn in the voting booth. TV commentators kill time until the first polls close.<br /><br />"There is a good deal of confidence in the Obama campaign that he's going to win this evening," they said. "So far, there's also the unknown. As one strategist put it, 'I'm a nervous wreck."<br /><br />That comment sends a thrill through this audience. This is Africa and there are no McCain supporters in the room.<br /><br />Deresse Kassa, a professor at Addis Ababa University, says he has never stayed up late for any elections results. But this is a moment he says he doesn't want to miss.<br /><br />"America has history whereby the African-American community has to struggle to be considered citizens themselves and be a franchise in order to cast their votes," said Kassa. "Coming from this segregation and inequality, to be able to see Democratic candidates running for the presidency, the highest office, by itself is big achievement."<br /><br />The televisions are on as the first results come in during the wee hours of the morning. The news is encouraging for viewers here.<br /><br />Journalist Lulit Amdamariam says she is energized by the possibility of witnessing, what she calls, a great moment. "We're going to be here all night," she said. "Thirty-two hours, if we have to."Lulit is not an American, but she lived in the States for several years and attended Howard University in Washington.<br /><br />"I attended a black college, so I understand what this means to the black community in the United States," said Lulit. "This is a candidate the entire world can relate to."<br /><br />Lulit's colleague Tamrat Negera, editor of at the Amharic-language newspaper Addis Neger, has not been to the United States, but he says he can understand what this election must mean to African-Americans.<br /><br />"Africa shared the pain of being black, or the pain of status, or colonization, which you understand there was a limitation for a black in this world," he said. "But Obama is breaking that through."Journalist Lulit Amdamariam calls it an American moment.<br /><br />"I think this is the only time the entire world wishes they were American," she said. "So they could vote. Seriously, I think the entire world would go out and vote if they had the opportunity tonight."<br /><br />This is a moment to remember. Although some Africans may have a hangover on Wednesday, the prospect of the first black U.S. president has enthralled a continent.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-11-05-voa13.cfm">> Full story</a></strong><br /><br />==============================<br /><br />Not just Africa! Even in Asia...<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Asia Welcomes US Election Results</span></strong><br /><br />By Kate Pound Dawson Bangkok05 November 2008<br /><a class="media-asset" onclick="dcsMedia(event);" href="http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_11/Audio/mp3/LCR%20Dawson%20Asia%20Obama%20React%2005Nov08.mp3">Dawson report - Download (MP3) </a><a class="media-asset" onclick="dcsMedia(event);" href="http://www.voanews.com/english/figleaf/mp3filegenerate.cfm?filepath=http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_11/Audio/mp3/LCR">Dawson report - Listen (MP3) </a><br /><br />People across Asia gathered to see the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. At election-watch events in dozens of cities, people cheered as Democrat Barack Obama won a historical victory. VOA's Kate Pound Dawson in Bangkok brings us the reaction in Asia to the race.<br /><br />Bob Watson helps a group of Bangkok, Thailand, high school students as they attend a U.S. embassy-sponsored election watch party, 05 Nov 2008<br /><br />Hundreds of Thais and Americans cheer as it becomes clear that Senator Barack Obama has won the election.<br /><br />This election has drawn heavy interest around the world. Thai businessman Apinan Tungsianugul says that is partly because of Mr. Obama, the first African-American to be elected president.<br /><br />"This election is a new thing. [It] could change the [politics] in the world. Just like Obama. <strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Obama is not a white people," he said.</span></strong><br /><br />In Asia, polls have shown Mr. Obama is a clear favorite. For some people, it is because, as a Democrat, he represents a change from the policies of President Bush, a Republican, who has not been popular in Asia. Others were attracted by Mr. Obama's positions on the economy and the Iraq War. And, for some, it was his association with Asia.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Mr. Obama's step-father was from Indonesia and he spent several years in Jakarta as a child. At the Indonesian school he attended, his campaign has been closely watched.</strong></span><br /><br />Children cheer at Menteng One school, which Mr. Obama attended as a child.Eddy Gucando, is a teacher at the school. "I'm very happy because today I think, today is the day that can change the world if Barak Obama be [is] president," he said. "Because I think now in America there is a new president and that can change the world."<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Many people expressed hope that Mr. Obama would maintain strong relationships with their countries.</span></strong><br /><br />Wang Dian is a student at China Communications University in Beijing. She says she hopes Mr. Obama's policy will be friendly to China. She says she thinks he knows the importance of friendly relations and trade with China.<br /><br />Some in Asia hope that Mr. Obama's victory will help other countries learn more about ethnic diversity and become more tolerant. Choi Su-kyung is a professor at Chongnam National University in South Korea.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">"This will help Koreans to understand the reality of the American politics, because Koreans are still prejudiced against the minorities," Choi said. "They are actually more prejudiced against minorities than Americans are, toward different racial groups. Americans are much more tolerant of diversity."</span></strong><br /><br />Most countries in Asia are closely tied to the United States. Several are military allies, such as South Korea, Japan and Australia. And, almost all Asian nations have close economic links with the United States. With the global economy weakening and with the war in Iraq dragging on, people all over the region say they just hope for change in American politics.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-11-05-voa25.cfm"><strong>> Full story</strong></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-74239756907343202452008-11-05T08:47:00.003-05:002008-11-05T09:14:57.769-05:00Jabulani Africa! - Wed 11/5/2008<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Jesus, life and hope to heal our land,<br />Saviour, reaching out with your mighty hand.<br />Sing for joy, O Africa;<br /></span><span style="color:#33cc00;">The Lord your God is risen upon you.<br />Sing for joy, O Africa;<br />The Lord your God is risen upon you now.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Jabulani, jabulani Africa!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">Jabulani, jabulani Africa!<br /><br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Jesus, River of life to our thirsty land;<br />Saviour, meeting our needs from your mighty hand.<br />Sing for joy, O Africa;<br /></span><span style="color:#33cc00;">The Lord your God is risen upon you.<br />Sing for joy, O Africa;<br />The Lord your God is risen upon you now.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">Jabulani, jabulani Africa!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">Jabulani, jabulani Africa!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">================================</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></strong><br /><strong><em>Marafiki wote,</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Today, we cannot help but give praise</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">to God above for safe, fair, and free elections,</span></strong><br /><strong>for the hopes of millions of people,</strong><br /><strong>and for a leader who promises to listen</strong><br /><strong>and to consider the needs of all.</strong><br /><strong>A leader for all the nations!</strong><br /><strong><em>A wonderful example of what it means </em></strong><br /><strong><em>to be a man, a father, a husband, a leader</em></strong><br /><strong><em>for all people, everywhere.<br /><br /></em>We have been blessed </strong><br /><strong>in Ohio</strong><br /><strong>to come together</strong><br /><strong>with all kinds of people </strong><br /><strong>from all corners of the country,</strong><br /><strong>to work on the campaign, </strong><br /><strong>a smart, well-organized and efficient </strong><br /><strong>campaign.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Day by day, the tedious, hard work</strong><br /><strong>of calling voters, knocking on doors,</strong><br /><strong>leaving flyers at homes, </strong><br /><strong>talking to our friends and neighbors,</strong><br /><strong>it has all paid off!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Even after a long day of work, or school,</strong><br /><strong>millions of Americans came together</strong><br /><strong>to do the hard work of registering new voters,</strong><br /><strong>persuading undecided voters,</strong><br /><strong>getting out the vote!<br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">Today goes down in history<br />as a great day for all people, </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">a great day for America,<br />and especially a great day for <span style="color:#ff0000;">Africa</span><br />and </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">African Americans. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>We share your pride!<br /><br /></em></span>We thank God for the faith of Barack Obama </strong><br /><strong>which makes him a man of integrity, kindness, </strong><br /><strong>generosity, courage, and action. </strong><br /><strong><br />We thank God for the way he seeks to live<br />the teachings of Jesus Christ in his daily life,<br />and to share a message of hope<br />with the entire world,</strong><br /><strong>while respecting the faith of each person!<br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">And we thank God</span></strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"><br /><strong>for the faith and hope of <span style="color:#ff0000;">his ancestors</span>, </strong><br /><strong>their hard work and perseverance</strong><br /></span><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>who made it possible for him to see this day<br />with his beautiful family. </strong><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>May God watch over and protect them all.<br /></em></span><br />May there be more tolerance,<br />more respect, more listening,<br />more reconciliation, and<br />more lasting peace in our world.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>Thank you to Kenya,</em> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">for sending Barack Obama</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">through his father</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">to the United States of America.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">May you share the joy and </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">spirit of celebration </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">with America today!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>We remember you in Kenya, </em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>with prayer </em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>and thanksgiving, that</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>we may seek peace and prosperity</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>for our great world</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>together </em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>across oceans and continents.</em></span></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Tumeshukuru! Barikiwe sana.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">--Mary Kay Rehard</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">Cincinnati, Ohio</span></em></strong>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-69043795342520618952008-11-04T14:47:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:00:20.949-05:00News of Obama in Kenya - Tues 11/4/2008<strong>OK... it's impossible to remain quiet about my enthusiasm for<span style="color:#3366ff;"> our candidate</span> any longer...</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Kenya's <em>Daily Nation</em> newspaper is providing extensive coverage of the US presidential election.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">> </span></strong><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/486932/-/6l23sm/-/index.html"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Click here to view today's feature on Barack Obama from Kenya</span></strong></a><span style="font-size:180%;">, with links to other stories, such as:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/487136/-/tljqf3/-/index.html">US votes in historic poll</a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/487008/-/tljpk1/-/index.html">Obama’s maternal grandmother dies at 86 </a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/486150/-/6l1wko/-/index.html">Bull awaits Obama win in Kogelo village </a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/487002/-/tljpju/-/index.html">Big parties planned in US and Kenya to celebrate Obama victory </a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/486544/-/tlj59k/-/index.html">US Poll: Why Obama is the world's choice</a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/486932/-/6l23sm/-/index.html">Kisumu to hold vigil to keep up with results </a><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/487014/-/tljpks/-/index.html">Victory prayer at Obama's ancestral home </a><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;">> </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/map/polling/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">Here are the latest poll results (predictions) on CNN</span></strong></a><br /><br />Please<strong> pray for peace & unity to prevail</strong> in Kenya and in the USA, as the results come in!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">> </span></strong><a href="http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">Click here for the US election results (actual) on CNN</span></strong></a><br /><br />> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/archive/">Let's also remember our brothers and sisters across the African continent in today's headlines.</a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-77799343291009409302008-10-31T13:09:00.003-04:002008-10-31T13:30:18.263-04:00Congo crisis - contact your elected officials - 10/31/2008<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">10/31/2008<br /><br />Dear Friends,<br /><br />The situation in Congo is deteriorating dramatically</span></strong>, and it seems that all the US media can focus on is the election. While this is an important, historic election, we must not lose perspective of the global imperatives facing us today. I invite you to join me in raising awareness about the crisis in Congo and urge you to contact your elected officials.<br /><br />A BBC article today provides a good summary of what is being done, internationally, and I drafted a short letter to accompany an edited version of that story.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">FCNL (Friends Committe on National Legislation) has a convenient website for submitting letters to the President and Congress:<br /></span></strong><a href="http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /></span></strong>You can enter your zip code, and your elected officials will appear. You can write all of them with one click (link is above their pictures). Below is the text I submitted to my elected officials for this issue: Crisis in Congo (Foreign Policy).<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">Along with the UN's IRIN news service briefings, I've posted two emails from Quaker field staff based in Kenya, Anna Crumley-Effinger (AFSC staff) and David Zarembka (AGLI staff), with updates from their contacts in the region.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#cc9933;">BBC has an excellent overview of the long and terrible history of the civil war in Congo, in case you need more background:<br /></span></strong><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076399.stm"><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076399.stm</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /><br />They also provide a concise timeline of Congolese history:<br /></span></strong><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1072684.stm"><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1072684.stm</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Doctors without Borders also has a good press release on the conflict in Congo:<br /></span></strong><a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/pr/release.cfm?id=3137"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/pr/release.cfm?id=3137</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /></span></strong>Congo is Kenya's neighbor, and there is a very desperate community of Quakers in eastern Congo, who need our prayers, attention, and assistance.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Please do what you can to:</span> </span></strong><br /><ul><li><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">take action by contacting your elected officials</span></span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">to pray for the displaced and traumatized</span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">and give support to relief efforts there. </span></strong></li></ul><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></strong>Be blessed,<br />Mary Kay<br /><br />=====================<br /><br />Dear Elected Official:<br /><br />Please urge the President and US State Department to take stronger action on the situation in Congo (BBC story below). The US should continue talks and join the EU in reinforcing UN Peacekeeping troops to end this humanitarian disaster promptly. We do not want to witness another genocide like Rwanda's. My particular concern is for the safety of women and children, as gang rape is now widespread in Eastern Congo. It is my sincere hope that US will be instrumental in protecting innocent citizens there. Instability in Congo affects all countries in Eastern and Central Africa. I look forward to your reply regarding your plans to help resolve this enormous crisis.<br /><br />========================<br /><br /><strong>'Human catastrophe' grips Congo</strong><br /><br />10/31/2008<br />BBC - Fierce fighting between government and rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo is causing a humanitarian catastrophe, the Red Cross has said.<br /><br />It said the number of displaced people was growing by the hour and that the precarious security situation was making it difficult to deliver aid.<br /><br />Intense diplomatic efforts are under way to end the crisis, which has displaced a total of 250,000 people.<br /><br />A tense ceasefire is holding in and around the eastern city of Goma.<br /><br />A spokesman for the UN's refugee agency, the UNHCR, told the BBC that the situation was "extremely critical".<br /><br />A Congolese aid-worker based in Goma, Godefroid Marhenge, told the BBC's Network Africa programme that some displaced people were without water or shelter, and "in desperate need of humanitarian assistance".<br /><br />Overstretched peacekeepers<br />After several days of fighting, Gen Nkunda declared the ceasefire late on Wednesday, and his Tutsi forces are positioned some 15km (nine miles) from Goma - the provincial capital of North Kivu.<br /><br />However, Gen Nkunda has threatened to take the city unless UN peacekeepers guarantee the ceasefire and security in Goma.<br /><br />Looting, killings and rapes were reported in the city on Thursday, much of it blamed on retreating Congolese troops.<br /><br />Meanwhile, intense international diplomatic efforts are going in a bid to maintain the ceasefire and bring an end to the fighting:<br /><br />• The parliament in DR Congo has called on government to negotiate with Gen Nkunda, although President Joseph Kabila has previously refused to do so<br />• UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he is "deeply concerned" about the situation, and has called on regional leaders to take concrete measures to broker a peace deal<br />>>> EU are diplomats meeting in Brussels to discuss whether to send troops to back up UN peacekeepers, after EU envoy Louis Michel met Mr Kabila and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame<br />>>> The EU is also to discuss sending troops to the area to aid the humanitarian effort<br />• An African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council is to hold crisis talks at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa<br />• US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer has held talks with Mr Kabila in DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa.<br /><br />Story from BBC NEWS:<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7701269.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7701269.stm</a><br /></span>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-38516343247791112942008-10-31T13:09:00.001-04:002008-10-31T13:09:55.424-04:00Congo crisis - IRIN reportFrom: IRIN <no-reply@irinnews.org><br />Date: Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 10:09 AM<br />Subject: CENTRAL AND EASTERN AFRICA: IRIN-CEA Weekly Round-up 454 for 25-31 October 2008<br />To: Patrick Nugent <nugent.rehard@gmail.com><br /><br /><br />CENTRAL AND EASTERN AFRICA: IRIN-CEA Weekly Round-up 454 for 25-31 October 2008<br /><br />NAIROBI, 31 October 2008 (IRIN) - CONTENTS:<br /><br />DRC-UGANDA: Facilities overwhelmed as refugees stream to bor<br />DRC: Many aid agencies quit Goma<br />DRC: Government troops "on the rampage"<br />DRC: Instability increasing in Orientale province<br />UGANDA: Displaced first by war, now by elephants<br />KENYA: Child deaths on the rise<br />KENYA: Aid workers under siege<br /><br /><br />ALSO SEE:<br /><br />RWANDA: Ex-militia struggle with civilian life<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81156]<br /><br />DRC: Eric - "There's real panic in town"<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81182]<br /><br />CONGO: Bibouti - "I work non-stop but never see my salary"<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81165]<br /><br />UGANDA: Post-traumatic stress rife in the north<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81084]<br /><br />KENYA: Isolation wards vital in TB fight<br />[Full report http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81214]<br /><br />GLOBAL: Climate change may drown cities<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81117]<br /><br /><br /><br />DRC-UGANDA: Facilities overwhelmed as refugees stream to bor<br /><br />Food, water, health and sanitation facilities at several villages on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border are overstretched as civilians continue to pour into Uganda, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said on 31 October.<br /><br />The agency said the facilities were inadequate for the more than 6,500 people scattered in 12 villages along the border who are being hosted by the local communities.<br /><br />"It is very difficult for us to provide assistance to the refugees at the border, where the security situation is unstable and people are scattered in various villages," Stefano Severe, UNHCR representative in Uganda, said.<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81220 ]<br /><br />DRC: Many aid agencies quit Goma<br /><br />Several aid agencies have evacuated their staff from the eastern town of Goma, where an uneasy calm prevailed on 30 October after days of fierce fighting between government troops and those loyal to renegade army commander Laurent Nkunda. On 29 October, UN civilian staff were moved from Goma to a compound on the shores of Lake Kivu.<br /><br />"We heard some shooting in town last night and heard reports of looting ... we have pulled out all expatriate staff to Gisenyi [a town just across the Rwandan border] but have tried to maintain minimum activities in Goma," an official with Save the Children told IRIN.<br /><br />"This morning MONUC were saying the situation is calm in town. They said NGOs can carry out operations but should return to the safety of the UN compounds before 5pm," he added.<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81206]<br /><br />DRC: Government troops "on the rampage"<br /><br />Government troops went on the rampage overnight in Goma, according to witnesses in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) town, which renegade general Laurent Nkunda has threatened to overrun.<br /><br />"Last night I was in my home with my family," Stuart, a resident who fled to Gisenyi in Rwanda, told IRIN. "Government troops were shooting outside, in the street, all over the neighbourhood. They were shooting heavy guns and breaking into people's houses, and killing people, and looting; I saw them. It felt like anarchy, there was no law," he said.<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81204]<br /><br />DRC: Instability increasing in Orientale province<br /><br />Airplanes may be needed to help some 6,000 people displaced during attacks by Ugandan rebels in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo who are not accessible by humanitarian agencies, officials said.<br /><br />"The idea is to send food and non-food items in by plane, given that it is difficult now to send a road convoy because of logistical and security reasons," said Jean-Charles Dupin of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Orientale Province.<br /><br />The civilians fled attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army in September along the main north-south road in the province's Dungu territory. [Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81177]<br /><br />UGANDA: Displaced first by war, now by elephants<br /><br />Marauding elephants in northern Uganda have added to the challenges faced by civilians trying to rebuild their lives in the wake of 20 years of civil war, destroying their crops and prompting some to return to displaced people's camps they had only recently left.<br /><br />"The villagers are scared of the elephants; some of them have sought refuge in huts they had left in the camps," John Bosco Okullo, a local leader in Amuru District told IRIN.<br /><br />Most affected are hundreds of returnees from six IDP camps - Goma, Anaka, Purongo, Ongako, Corner Nwoya, and Aler, all in Amuru District - whose crops have also been eaten by wildebeest roaming the villages in search of water and pasture.<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81100]<br /><br />KENYA: Child deaths on the rise<br /><br />The number of children dying before their fifth birthday in Kenya has risen in the past 10 years, according to health specialists.<br /><br />One in nine children dies before the age of five. "For every 1,000 children born, 121 die, compared with 97 in 1990," Shahnaz Sharif, the senior deputy director of medical services in Kenya's health ministry, told IRIN.<br /><br />"A shortage of skilled health workers and a lack of access to referral facilities are partly to blame for the increasing deaths," Sharif said. [Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81162]<br /><br />KENYA: Aid workers under siege<br /><br />The Kenya Red Cross Society has appealed for respect for aid workers providing assistance to thousands after its staff were attacked by bandits and accosted by security personnel in Mandera, in the northeast.<br /><br />"Bandits attacked the Kenya Red Cross personnel who were returning from their work in Garissa [a neighbouring town], robbing them of their personal effects such as money and mobile phones," the agency said in a statement.<br />[Full report: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81173]<br /><br />bn/[END]<br /><br /><br /><br />© IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and analysis: http://www.irinnews.orgFriends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-16274199133222575022008-10-31T13:08:00.002-04:002008-10-31T13:09:11.451-04:00Congo crisis - AFSC staff updateYesterday I was planning to send a regularly scheduled update to you all. Instead I found myself reading e-mails from friends in the eastern DRC whose families or they themselves were fleeing the violence, pulling together news reports for our staff inside Bukavu, and planning for a statement from AFSC. At the same time, two bombings in Puntland and Somaliland of greater Somali also forced many NGOs to begin pulling out staffs in the regions that were formerly seen as the most safe areas in which to work. We have many colleagues affected by these attacks not to mention the implications on millions of people in Somalia.<br /><br />So, instead of sending you a long update today I will just ask you to please think and pray for the people in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa regions. There is war to a greater scale then there has been in many years in the eastern DRC. The UN with limited troops in its peacekeeping force is working to protect civilians at the same time as many civilians are so upset it is not doing more and blocking its convoys and in some cases attacking its bases. The national army FARDC which has a terrible human rights record to begin with has been seen looting houses and retreating, causing even more fear among the population. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing in all directions and violence is continuing to a great extent. I obviously can not get into all the details of who is arming whom and which foriegn governments are behind the hostilities, but let's just say that the continued of arming of rebels and government forces is creating major problems and the civilian population continues to suffer to unprecedented scales. World Food Program convoys have been halted and are unable to deliver enormous quantities of food. internally displaced people are fleeing from one camp to another or sleeping on the sides of roads or in wooded areas.<br /><br />Please be thinking of and praying for the population in which there are many Quakers, peaceworkers, friends of mine and friends of friends. For the aid workers, the people caught in the senseless killing, the government leaders, the UN envoys, the governments of the world who arm, and the corporations who pillage.<br /><br />I hate to be spreading the perception of Africa as a war zone or starving babies. This is a beautiful place with wonderful people who are searching and working for peace. But right now many in the region I know best are fleeing or stuck in their homes. And they need your prayers.<br /><br />To all those whose stories are untold but who are witnessing to peace!<br /><br />-Anna<br />Anna Crumley-Effinger<br />Earlham grad and<br />AFSC Field Staff – Nairobi, Kenya<br /><anna.crumleyeffinger-><br /><br />I am attaching an update from the coordinator of the African Great Lakes Initiative with which I volunteer. I have lots I could say on this subject as well, but I want to highlight the section: "When you see all those pictures of people fleeing with goods on their heads, where will the women sleep tonight?"Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-55260828777692070262008-10-31T13:08:00.001-04:002008-10-31T13:08:36.544-04:00Congo crisis - AGLI staff update----- Original Message -----<br />From: David Zarembka<br />Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 10:54 AM<br />Subject: AGLI--Report from Kenya--"Rape"--Oct 29, 2008<br /><br /><br />Dear All,<br /><br />I received this sentence in an email from Theoneste Bizimana from Rwanda: "Hold in your payers the region of North Kivu [Congo]. I talked with Zawadi this morning. She said that the situation is very bad now and nobody [in Goma] was able to get out and go to work!!" I just received an email from Zawadi who is now in Kigali saying, "Right now things are bad, just spoken to my Dad [in Goma]--Goma might be captured tonight."<br /><br />The rebel Tutsi warlord, Laurent Nkunda, is within striking distance of taking Goma even though it is "protected" by Congolese troops and the United Nations troops, called MONUC. You can even find items on this in the international news if you click on Africa. There are pictures of people fleeing the fighting which is usual whenever there is an attack in the region.<br /><br />While a certain amount of attention has been devoted to the use of rape as a weapon of war I have not seen many explanations of why this is done. Here are my observations.<br /><br />In this area of Africa there are rarely "battles" between the armies. Rather one side terrorizes people in an area, these people then flee and the terrorizing side moves in thereby "conquering" the territory.<br /><br />One of the most effective methods of terrorizing a population is "rape"-- particularly gang rape. I submit that it is more effective than killing someone because the raped person is traumatized and he/she then affects his/her family, neighbors, and community. A killed person’s body would just lie there and, if no one saw it, it would not "terrorize" anyone. Reports of the mutilation of bodies have this same affect -- the mutilation terrorizes people who then flee.<br /><br />Note that above I did not use only the female gender. When we conducted a survey of seventy-nine people in Burundi nine reported being raped; two were men. As everywhere in the world, rape is under reported and I expect rape of males is even more under reported than that of females. The rape of a male would be even more "terrorizing" than the rape of a female.<br /><br />Here is the testimony of an anonymous North Kivu workshop participant who was raped during the First Congo World War in 1996.<br /><br />"I was raped and contracted HIV/AIDS. So is my daughter of 12 years. We all lost hope--no one to comfort the other. We just saw death as the next thing happening to us anytime. But God has been gracious. People have stood by us and those [HROC] teachings have really helped me to live positively. I am always bitter about the rapists [i.e., she was gang raped] but that had not changed me. Instead it worsens the situation because whenever I think about it everything comes back fresh in my mind. I have understood the meaning of forgiveness. Many are times we wait for offenders to ask for forgiveness. In my case where will I meet them; and I wouldn't like to meet them anyway. I have decided to forgive them. I am going to share with my daughter what we learnt. I believe it will help her so that we may begin this journey together."<br /><br />This kind of rape is, to me, only the most obvious, what I would call "violent rape." When you see all those pictures of people fleeing with goods on their heads, where will the women sleep tonight? Many will have to find a man, perhaps a soldier or policeman, to protect them for the night. The cost is "consensual rape"; the agreement to have sex with the protector. This "relationship" might last a night or two, or a week, or a month, but in the end it is temporary and the woman is turned out and has to find another "protector". The result is unwanted pregnancies and HIV. Many of the women at the Kamenge Clinic in Bujumbura were infected by this "consensual rape."<br /><br />The solution is, of course, to stop the fighting. But as the Congolese Government and the international community (including the UN peacekeepers) seek a "military solution" which continues to elude them, the fighting will continue. Rape will continue to be used as a "weapon of war".<br /><br />Peace,<br />Dave<br /><br />David Zarembka, Coordinator<br />African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Teams<br />P. O. Box 189, Kipkarren River 50241 Kenya 254 (0)726 590 783<br />1001 Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63104 USA 314/621-7262Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938496727446244070.post-40394165769190310662008-10-30T15:32:00.001-04:002008-10-30T15:47:54.175-04:00Job opening in Kenya - Friends Theological College Kaimosi<p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Friends United Meeting</span></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.fum.org/worldmissions/index.html"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Global Ministries: Faith in Action Opportunity</span></strong> </a></p><ul><li>Do you want to do your part to "take away the occasion for war?"</li><li>Are you an active member of a Quaker Meeting or Friends Church?</li><li>Do you have skills, experience or knowledge to share?</li><li>Are you prepared to change your perspective on life and accept challenges?</li></ul><p><br /><em>Then perhaps God is calling you to serve among Friends in East Africa:</em></p><strong><span style="color:#009900;">KENYA<br />Principal, Friends Theological College - Kaimosi, Kenya</span></strong><br /><br />Chief Administrative Executive at Quaker college for training pastoral leaders in East Africa, located in historic Kaimosi Friends Mission of western Kenya. Appointed as missionary Field Staff by Friends United Meeting, reports to college Board of Governors and FUM General Secretary. Responsible for managing all academic, financial and personnel matters at the college. Includes academic and non-academic operations; admissions, bursar and registrar functions; maintenance and development of physical plant and farm. Major goals will include securing full accreditation and construction of new administration building and library. Requirements include minimum master's degree in theology or related field, minimum five years of administrative experience, and excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills. Prefer doctorate in theology or related field. Pastoral ministry, cross-cultural and fundraising experience helpful. Quaker applicants encouraged.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">For more information or to express interest, call or email </span></strong><a href="mailto:terrij@fum.org"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Terri Johns</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#990000;"> at FUM. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Deadline for applications: December 15, 2008. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Targeted appointment by February 2009.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">> Learn more about </span><a href="http://www.quaker.org/ftc/"><span style="color:#009900;">Friends Theological College - Kaimosi</span></a></strong><br /><br /><strong>> Learn more about </strong><a href="http://www.fum.org/worldmissions/index.html"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Friends United Meeting's Global Ministries </span></strong></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></strong><br /><strong>> Download FUM's </strong><a href="http://www.fum.org/worldmissions/PIF.doc"><strong>Personal Information Form</strong></a><strong> and/or </strong><a href="http://www.fum.org/about/staff/APPLICATION%20FOR%20EMPLOYMENT.doc"><strong>Application for Employment</strong></a><strong> form </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Friends United Meeting</strong><br /><strong>101 Quaker Hill Drive</strong><br /><strong>Richmond IN </strong><br /><strong>47374-1926</strong><br /><strong>Phone (765) 962-7573</strong><br /><strong>Fax (765) 966-1293</strong><br /><a href="mailto:966-1293info@fum.org"><strong>info@fum.org</strong></a><strong> </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><a href="http://www.missionfinder.org/training.htm"><strong>> General resources for those considering cross-cultural ministry or missionary work.</strong></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><a href="http://www.missionfinder.org/training.htm"><strong></strong></a>Friends for Peace in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032602016951089795noreply@blogger.com0