tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11466302926023471802024-02-18T22:18:52.175-08:00Bored in Post-Conflict.....because its better than being terrified in conflict (South Sudan)Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-55863137234469429472012-10-02T18:06:00.002-07:002012-10-02T18:10:15.541-07:00Juba Vocabulary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is a hilarious new vocabulary that truly reflects the melting pot of development and post-war culture in South Sudan, and <a href="http://newtimes-ss.com/?p=1444#comment-7183">Ayom Wol Dhal has been taking notes</a>.<br />
<br />
Here are some of my favourites:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">baby beny </strong>(noun phrase)<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong>Mocking term for a younger close relative of a high-ranking member of government, who despite having no job is regularly seen driving/crashing cars with GOSS plates, living the high life and intimidating low-level service industry personnel with the phrase ‘do you know who I am?’. Usually expects to be accorded the security status, respect and in-service benefits which are rightfully held by the illustrious older relative. Although the term is part Dinka, it is applicable to people of all ethnicities who fit the bill.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Source: AW Dhal, Juba 2012</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">briefcase INGO </strong>(noun phrase) Pejorative term for an international NGO which retains such a high percentage of donor funds for its own staff and structures that this appears to be its core business. As in “an INGO that needs to come with a big briefcase, so that it can take away all the money”. The phrase is a riposte to the currently popular phrase ‘briefcase NGO’, meaning an NGO with no local constituency or actual programing, set up largely or solely to attract funding.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Source: local NGO member (name withheld to protect the little funding available), Bahr El Ghazal 2012</div>
<br />
<br />
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">infant soldier </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px;">(noun phrase) Mocking term for a young man, typically one trying to impress ignorant foreign girls, or a prospective rap star, who claims to have been a child soldier, despite the fact that he is much, much too young to have fought in the war. Often associated with a claim to be a ‘lost boy’, despite never having been involved in any of the tragic overland child exoduses which gave rise to the term.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px;">Source: AW Dhal, Juba 2012</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">International Relationships, qualification in </strong>(noun phrase) Humorous term for the qualifications which might be said to be held by commercial sex workers, particularly those specializing in servicing the UN/INGO market. Can further be sub-divided to indicate the market level at which such workers function, eg: high school diploma in International Relationships (low-end worker, perhaps based in Jebel Market); first degree in International Relationships (mid-level worker, perhaps specializing in the hotel trade, may be ostensibly employed in another service industry, such as hospitality, which affords access to potential clients); Masters (or perhaps that should be Mistress?) degree in International Relationships (high-end worker who may be accommodated in an expensive hotel or apartment, or be the temporary ‘girlfriend’ of expatriate or wealthy local clients, may be ostensibly employed as an office worker or sales rep, occasionally graduates out of the sector altogether with the help of a visa and wedding ring). The sector is marked by extreme fluidity as talented students may readily upgrade their qualifications and those with personality or substance abuse issues may quickly regress to Jebel Market. Modules of such a qualification may include face-to-face marketing, manual dexterity and vehiclular services.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Source: unidentified commercial sex worker (and one clearly in the wrong job), Juba 2011<br />
<br />
H/T: <a href="https://twitter.com/MaggieFick">Maggie Fick</a></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.149999618530273px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-68085071397599472052012-07-09T11:51:00.002-07:002012-07-09T16:12:04.436-07:00Party poopers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy Birthday South Sudan! You are one years old and doing pretty damn well for yourself despite all the struggles you have had to and continue to endure.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now to you, journalists of the world, writing your most emotive and touching piece on South Sudan's first birthday..............<br />
<br />
I don't go to your kids' first birthday parties and tell them how much of a failure they are...... I don't go up to them and remind them that they still shits their pants and have a terribly low literacy rate...... So why do it to the South Sudanese?........dick</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-83420497985704533722012-07-09T11:42:00.002-07:002012-07-09T16:16:20.226-07:00Just calm down.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nilefortune.webs.com/sudan%20president%20Bashir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://nilefortune.webs.com/sudan%20president%20Bashir.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In his latest attempt to CALM EVERYONE THE FUCK DOWN, Bashir has blamed zombies, crab people, gingers, witches, Jews and climate change for the recent <strike>protests</strike> <strike>demonstrations</strike> kerfuffle in Khartoum.<br />
<br />
Following his head of PR's advice that the public are probably not going to buy that the recent problems are not actually a mini uprising but rather just a bunch of street children going mental, Bashir has gone into full "<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360343/Libya-Gaddafi-blames-Osama-bin-Laden-hallucinogenic-pills-Nescafe-uprising.html">crazy dictator's crazier explanations</a> for country's problems" mode. The key is saturation of scapegoats.......try them all and one is sure to succeed.<br />
<br />
Although Bashir was given great credit for introducing the latest excuse of;<br />
"<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120624-701556.html">We've already had an arab spring-like revolution in Sudan</a>.......this is the product of it, and we are totally not due for another one for at least another 30 years."<br />
<br />
<br />
So to all you commentators and voyeurs-of-revolutions out there who are on the brink of bursting that sweet uprising nectar.......You'll have to just put it back in your pants.<br />
<br />
<br />
Despite these seemingly concrete plans that are clearly going to work, some within his faction who have a lack of faith for Bashir's strategy have been devising alternative plans:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Separately, the President’s uncle, al-Tayeb Mustafa, advised his cousin to withdraw from the NCP and initiate a process of political reform in the country with free and fair elections as its endpoint. Thereby, he argued, the President could streamline an Arab Spring in Sudan without going through its risky pangs, the non-alcoholic beer of a revolution without a revolution.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> " (<a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/Bashir-Sharia-shopping,43195">source</a>)</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-6908767237179296952012-07-03T13:40:00.000-07:002012-07-03T13:49:12.808-07:00Wumame addresses the BET<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H10NXLSWuiI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Funny shit......<br />
<br />
He basically goes on a 7 minute rant criticising the way in which BET basically 'quarantined' international (read: African) artists by giving them their awards backstage, away from the spotlight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-31306420837787636392012-05-14T04:29:00.001-07:002012-05-14T04:29:35.877-07:00Arming South Sudan with A.A.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Former US Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, recently suggested that the <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/Former-U-S-official-calls-for,42585">US should arm South Sudan with anti air weapons</a> to bring an end to Sudan's aerial bullying.<br />
<br />
Now he suggests that.........WAIT........hold on.......haven't we heard this before?<br />
<br />
............Oh yes.<br />
<br />
It was originally the <a href="http://boredinpostconflict.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/why-i-dislike-prendergrast.html">brilliant suggestion of my hero, John Prendergast</a>.<br />
<br />
Well done, Andrew Natsisos, you have just stolen an idea from George Clooney's shadow.....</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-76572055254946922462012-05-05T06:27:00.000-07:002012-05-05T06:29:58.996-07:00Give war a chance......it's not as horrible as people say it is<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1F5uZqwM174?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I can't believe I found a relevant video that is also related to current pop-culture)</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">"Paradoxically, an all-out civil war in Sudan may be the best way to permanently oust Mr. Bashir and minimize casualties. If a low-intensity conflict rages on, it will lead to a humanitarian disaster."</span></blockquote>
<br />
Seriously <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/opinion/in-sudan-give-war-a-chance.html?_r=1">Gerard Prunier</a>? I now imagine you're the type of person to put out a grease fire with an RPG.<br />
You sound like an artificial intelligence robot that developed consciousness and calculated the conclusion that the only way to solve humanities problems is to eradicate humanity itself.<br />
<br />
Polemic bullshit like this really gets on my nerves......all I hear is an endless barrage of emotionally driven irrational rhetoric that is more destructive than helpful. High-intensity conflict is not the solution. Its a nice thought, but clearly not one that has been very well though through.<br />
<br />
For instance, how can one be sure that an all-out civil war won't simply be stretched out over a long period time with innumerable casualties on all sides? Is it really fair to throw those who may not necessarily have a desire to fight into a full-scale war? Irrelevant of which side of the battlefield they stand on, in an all-out civil war, everyone is thrown into the line of sight. Furthermore, Prunier assumes that the dynamics of an all-out civil war is will be so simple, with one united front clashing against Bashir and his henchmen. Rather, we have long seen the complications of the group dynamics within the various conflict afflicted regions. These complications arise from distinctly differing reasons for their rebellion in the first place and more importantly, differences in their end game or vision for the conflict. For example the various Darfuri rebels have <a href="http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8480">always had problems agreeing on issues</a>. More recently, <a href="http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=208293">there was this</a>. In an all-out civil war, it really wouldn't be that hard to imagine that Bashir, being true to his diabolical Bond-villain-like nature, would simply exploit these differences to cause internal clashes, thus weakening any united alliances. We've seen it happen in South Sudan with the apparent financing of rebel groups by Khartoum during and after the war.<br />
<br />
<br />
More importantly, even if somehow the rebels were able to stay united and manage to oust Bashir.........what then? With so many differing visions of what Sudan should be, coming from a range of peoples who are typically ethnically and culturally distinct from each other, can it be assumed that they would all just sit down be able to come up with a clear plan as to how the country will be ruled and by whom? Or is it just as likely that the these various rebels representing their community will continue to fight and will continue to increase the death toll, long after Bashir is gone?<br />
<br />
I realise that I sound extremely pessimistic......but thats because I am. I will always be pessimistic towards the war option, especially when I am still very optimistic about a peaceful option.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">"The status quo is not working, regardless of what American and United Nations officials might believe."</span></blockquote>
Yes, the status quo may not be working......but that doesn't mean that we give up and simply start shooting. It means that we change the status quo. For example, Prunier argues that;<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Whenever foreign leaders demand greater respect for human rights or peace talks, Sudan always agrees, because agreeing makes the international community happy"</span></blockquote>
Well, equally valid is the fact that foreign leaders also always promise Sudan that they would finally ease up on all the sanctions if Sudan did "X", but when Sudan does "X", foreign leaders do not follow through. More on this point <a href="http://boredinpostconflict.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/devaluing-state-sponsors-of-terrorism.html">here</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">"Indeed, without some moral common ground, “negotiations” are merely a polite way of acquiescing to evil, especially when one’s interlocutors are pathologically incapable of respecting their own word. And in the case of a murderer like Mr. Bashir, there is no moral common ground."</span></blockquote>
Only fools hold negotiations based on moral common ground. Negotiations need to bring about mutual agreements that reflect a sense of interdependence for all parties. You can't expect people to be motivated to work together when there is no strong reason for them to do so. I think that with more time, investment/commitment from foreign leaders and with a continued preservation of hope for a peaceful solution, the war option can be kept under the bed along with all the other childish fantasies.<br />
<br />
And in regards to Prunier himself.......it is so fucking easy for you to sit there in your armchair and talk of war when the saliency of the suffering, sacrifices and casualties of conflict is so far from your arrogant mind. Place your life and the lives of those you love on the front line and then we'll see if your strong support for war persists. In the future, be more careful with your sentiments, as your words are likely to influence the opinion of those that read it, and this world does not require anymore warmongers..........unless your solution to humanities problems is in fact to eradicate humanity itself.<br />
<br />
............now I need to go wash the taste of hippy off my mouth.<br />
<br />
<br />
h/t: Roving Bandit<br />
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-57320351376650151562012-04-25T06:59:00.001-07:002012-04-25T07:00:01.952-07:00DDR Reversal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-forms-national,42390">From ST</a>:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">On Tuesday the Vice President, Riek Machar, called for a joint meeting involving national ministers and leadership of the bicameral Juba parliament as well as representatives of the political parties, national unions, business community, local NGOs and civil society organizations in the country.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">The meeting called for the formation of a wider national mobilization body to coordinate efforts geared towards mobilizing human and material resources to support the national army in the face of the "Khartoum’s aggression.".....</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">This will include recruitment into the army youth volunteers and ex-combatants.</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">So much for all that effort put into DDR......well, at least UNDDR now has a solid excuse for not <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-threatens-UN-over-auditory,37429">having done anything</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Also, how awkward is it going to be to have the soldiers go back out to the villages to return the weapons they took from civilians during the various disarmament campaigns. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Still, I can't see any possibility of this decision coming back to haunt them in the future.........</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-10472611025903452162012-04-16T13:46:00.000-07:002012-04-16T13:49:11.372-07:00UNMISS gets bombed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/201241610383842100.html">Reports are coming in</a> of Sudanese Airforce dropping bombs on the UNMISS camp in Bentiu...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It appears that the SPLA have intentionally not target the planes with their anti-air weapons following a secret deal that was made between the North and the South. Apparently, both sides have grown so sick and tired of the sheer laziness and incompetence of UNMISS that they both turned their sights on to the peacekeepers and UN general staff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Gideon, the minister, Gatpan said that two bombs had fallen in the UN camp, destroying a generator and a radio."</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In an interview with the minister, he said,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We told the northerners to target their main sources of entertainment, namely, their electricity and communications.......we are hoping that once they no longer have anything fun to do in their fancy camps, they might get off their ass and do some peacekeeping, build some peace or at least just get out for some fresh air."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interview with the Northern military spokesman confirmed this,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yeah well.....we're all out here fighting a war, getting ourselves blow up and shit, the least those bastards could do is have enough consideration to just pretend like they give a fuck. Instead, they just sit there acting all high and mighty like our beef is not good enough for them. It's like they're all waiting to get transfered to a sexier conflict in somewhere like Syria. Anyways, we decided to bomb their entertainment system in hopes that they will finally leave their compound to watch us blow the shit out of each other......let's hope it works."</span></blockquote>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-82920480298450243502012-04-13T12:27:00.001-07:002012-04-13T12:28:59.990-07:00What has UNMISS achieved?......Nothing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.rovingbandit.com/2012/04/what-has-unmiss-achieved.html">Roving Bandit</a> poses the question of the efficacy of UNMISS and goes further to question the viability of aid expenditure on peacebuilding and governance in general when compared to the "safer bet" of investing in health and education.<br />
<br />
Lets first address the simpler issue regarding UNMISS......<br />
What have they achieved?......so little that their ineptitude has caused a vacuum that threatens to engulf our planet ....<br />
<br />
I was tempted to just leave it at that........but I guess there are many more laughable points to be gained from a deeper investigation.<br />
<br />
The best place to start would be their <a href="http://unmiss.unmissions.org/">website</a>. While there are all sorts of updates, articles and reports on all sorts of activities that you would think UNMISS is involved in, a closer inspection leads to the realisation that UNMISS is nothing more than an event planning and taxi service. <a href="http://unmiss.unmissions.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=MQ1s3T9nQz0%3d&tabid=3465&language=en-US">For example</a>, following the violent conflicts in Jonglei earlier this year, the South Sudanese Presidential Committee for Peace organised a peace planning workshop (no surprises there), where they came up with a bunch of points and ideas that had already been thought of a million times over during the million other peace planning workshop that has taken place since the concept of peacebuilding came to South Sudan.<br />
<br />
In reply to a question regarding how UNMISS hopes to contribute to these wonderfully 'novel' ideas, some important UN guy replied;<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We will provide logistical support, from transporting the committee that has been formed to conduct the peace process at the grass-roots level to organizing workshops and meetings within communities. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We will participate in substantive discussions and offer ideas for working group meetings. We have also been providing logistical support for sensitization of the parallel civilian disarmament process. And we are prepared to assist with destruction of collected weapons, if that is the government’s wish, or help transport them and store them in a safe and secure place"</blockquote>
Translation: We will let you guys play with our fancy helicopters (which are in a ludicrous abundance and serve very little purpose aside from making the few who get to use it feel like a badass). We will also throw you some wicked-fun conferences with delicious snacks and crappy t-shirts. And finally, we will take out your trash (guns) or burn them......you know.....whatever you need to make us feel like we're doing something.<br />
<br />
I got a bit carried away there..... anyways, the site is filled with what their targets and objectives are, but contain absolutely no information regarding what they have achieved (this usually suggests nothing).<br />
<br />
And now, regarding Roving Bandit's point on peacebuilding and governance projects in general.....<br />
<br />
Someone in his comments section had already addressed the problem of assuming a returns in education so allow me to try and respond to the point on health with an anecdotal point.<br />
<br />
I once worked on a project in South Sudan where we were setting up water points as well as latrines (for the school) in a particular village. However, about 2 weeks after the project was complete there were some conflict between different ethnic groups which subsequently led to the entire village being abandoned. Ok, fair enough that this was WASH and not necessarily health, but I think the point is clear. While conflict continues to constantly displace people, it is rather difficult to make a good targeted investment in any sector. Also, lets not forget the number of hospitals that get burned down as a result of conflicts (an example of a couple <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sudan_internal_conflict_(2011%E2%80%93)">here</a>).<br />
<br />
But the main argument is really that peacebuilding does not necessarily have to be a big gamble. As long as a shred of thought is put into the projects and that ideas are based on actual evidence as opposed to simply being the musings of a bunch of arbitrarily selected individuals at a 'party' organised by UNMISS (<a href="http://www.boredinpostconflict.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/no-more-peace-conferences.html">more on this rant here</a>)<br />
<br />
Finally.....to you Roving Bandit; you calculator-wielding, STATA-code-eyed, rational-model-worshipping, oversimplifying, desk jockey!!.........Stop trying to quantify and measure peace. Has the Wire not taught you anything about the downfall of playing a numbers game when it comes to peace?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-41979409592413709782012-04-11T05:56:00.000-07:002012-04-11T06:01:56.883-07:00Invisibile Children Spies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://covers.schaeppi.tv/jpgs/spyhard-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://covers.schaeppi.tv/jpgs/spyhard-small.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I live for these moments.......From <a href="http://rt.com/usa/news/kony-2012-uganda-invisible-649/">RT</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span style="background-color:; line-height: 18px;">A memo written by a public affairs officer at the US embassy in Uganda documents Invisible Children’s collaboration with Ugandan intelligence services. It notes that the US-based NGO tipped the Ugandan government on the whereabouts of Patrick Komakech, a former child soldier for the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who was wanted by security officials for extorting money from the government officials, NGO’s and local tribal leaders. Ugandan security organizations jumped the tip and immediately arrested Komakech.</span>As a result of the tip, the Ugandan military claimed it obtained the names of other suspects from Komakech. The military then conducted a sweep and arrested a number of people, many of whom declared their innocence, the Ugandan media reported. Human rights groups say torture of arrested suspects by Ugandan security forces is routine. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color:; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 20px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But wait, there's more........</span></div>
<div style="background-color:; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 20px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Invisible Children also actively supported Operation Lightning Thunder (OLT), a joint attack by Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the then-autonomous South Sudan against the LRA. The operation, which was also received US intelligence and logistical backing, killed more civilians than LRA militants. In a confidential memo dating back to 2009, US ambassador to Uganda Steven Browning noted that the US-based NGO planned pro-OLT events under the theme “Kony Must Be Stopped. Rescue Our Children”. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if you are unsure of how bad Operation Lightning Thunder was, here.....haha...is a.....haha....report by......hahaha......<a href="http://www.enoughproject.org/publications/finishing-fight-against-lra-strategy-paper">the Enough Project</a>!!! (Oh the sweet irony)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hahahha, maybe IC's <a href="http://boredinpostconflict.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/machine-gun-present.html">LRA Crisis Tracker</a> was what they meant by US logistical support.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But in all seriousness, I think that this is an exagerattion of IC's capabilities in an attempt to write a attention grabbing headline. I mean, the fact that <a href="http://www.infowars.com/wikileaks-kony-2012-creators-spied-for-uganda/">King of Conspiracies, Alex Jones</a> is talking about it automatically kills its credibility.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did a search to find the documents the article was referring to and I came up with these two: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=09KAMPALA587&q=children%20invisible">The first document</a> does confirm the point about IC tipping off the Ugandan Intelligence service regarding the whereabout of Komakech is true......The funny thing that was not mentioned was that Komakech was actually staying in the IC compound in Gulu....so not only is IC a spy organisation, they also harbour criminals. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=09KAMPALA207&q=children%20invisible">The second document</a> mentions IC's plan of organising a pro-Operation Thunder Lightning campaign and releasing a video called "Kony Must Be Stopped, Rescue Our Children". The way the document refers to the campaign does create the feeling that IC was acting as a tool of propaganda. However, after having watched many spy movies and TV show, I can expertly suggest that IC was being used as a tool at the absolute most. I can't find the video..... although I'm sure seeing the video would determine the degree of IC's intention. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IC are mentioned on a few other documents, but nothing exciting is really mentioned there. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So while it would be sexy and exciting to think that these guys are actually CIA spies, I'm pretty sure its safe to conclude that they are just a bunch of clueless wankers (literally, in the case of Jason Russel HAH!). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCBp0nHwhFdY0r95lb0T94gujSeTwd1s_05cZKRJ-jjIGVgurxHSHDTkAALPJ_XqT3DyqKsbtoSoVwKVWsboYRpFejE0xSCU6UTkOc8gGag6XpxfQVPrOQ0Px_WzNul1Y9Jgqx7Ekup4w/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.01.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCBp0nHwhFdY0r95lb0T94gujSeTwd1s_05cZKRJ-jjIGVgurxHSHDTkAALPJ_XqT3DyqKsbtoSoVwKVWsboYRpFejE0xSCU6UTkOc8gGag6XpxfQVPrOQ0Px_WzNul1Y9Jgqx7Ekup4w/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.01.25.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, you never know........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[insert joke about how the CIA controls social media that make reference to this: <a href="http://www.theonion.com/video/cias-facebook-program-dramatically-cut-agencys-cos,19753/">The Onion</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-21983194244706982412012-04-05T04:58:00.002-07:002012-04-05T05:02:20.991-07:00Development as Shakespearean theater....and more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35766489?color=6bc02f" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I stumbled across this project while doing some research and was utterly amazed by it. I am always pleasantly surprised by how much faster a country's entertainment industry is able to establish itself when compared to those that would seem to be of greater importance. The actors seem very dedicated and the choice of play is unexpected, but brilliant nonetheless. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">South Sudan has wept enough, it is time to tell stories, sing songs, dance, recite poetry and shed tears of joy to celebrate a new dawn where artists, writers, poets, playwrights, dancers, commentators, comedians, take centre stage to give our people food for thought, laughter, hope and even provoke. The important role of these creative people cannot be underestimated in peace building and to liberate the South Sudanese mind from negative thinking or feelings of inferiority</em>.”</strong><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> Joseph Abuk, Director, SSTC</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">If you like what you see go <a href="http://www.sponsume.com/project/shakespeare-south-sudan">here to help contribute</a> to the success of the project.......also, isn't crowdfunding such an amazing idea?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">This also presents a good opportunity for me to share a video a friend sent me recently of <a href="http://boredinpostconflict.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/machine-gun-preacher-and-ss-cinema.html">yet another</a> South Sudan movie. Its called <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201204021453.html">Jamila</a>, and has a typically drama feel to it reminiscent of Nollywood films, minus the witches and sorcerers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_s1WhkJhads" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">h/t: Vinayak</span></div>
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-79596979448522618582012-03-08T05:46:00.000-08:002012-03-09T16:14:21.782-08:00Credit to the real white knight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://canv.as/ugc/original/a6b272256a9eb177a4307b77f006948dcc34490b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://canv.as/ugc/original/a6b272256a9eb177a4307b77f006948dcc34490b.png" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Only when there is fun shit to be criticised do I emerge from whatever hole I've been hiding in for the past however long its been.<br />
<br />
So the internet is going absolutely mental with chatter on Invisible Children's "Kony 2012" campaign. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're obviously the only person in the world who still uses Myspace instead of Facebook.<br />
<br />
And I'm not going to bother repeating all the arguments that have already been eloquently addressed by others such as:<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.dearcoquette.com/post/18911507827/on-donating-to-kony-2012">IV is not so transparent</a><br />
- The information provided by the video is somewhat exaggerated<br />
- <a href="http://www.wrongingrights.com/2009/03/worst-idea-ever.html/">This is just another instance of the White Knight required to save the poor Africans</a><br />
- The founders are a bunch of twats:<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The founder Jason 'Radical Russell <a href="http://www.dearcoquette.com/post/18911507827/on-donating-to-kony-2012">said in an interview</a>: "If Oprah, Steven Spielberg and Bono had a baby, I would be that baby." </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCBp0nHwhFdY0r95lb0T94gujSeTwd1s_05cZKRJ-jjIGVgurxHSHDTkAALPJ_XqT3DyqKsbtoSoVwKVWsboYRpFejE0xSCU6UTkOc8gGag6XpxfQVPrOQ0Px_WzNul1Y9Jgqx7Ekup4w/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.01.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCBp0nHwhFdY0r95lb0T94gujSeTwd1s_05cZKRJ-jjIGVgurxHSHDTkAALPJ_XqT3DyqKsbtoSoVwKVWsboYRpFejE0xSCU6UTkOc8gGag6XpxfQVPrOQ0Px_WzNul1Y9Jgqx7Ekup4w/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.01.25.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this is them posing like gangsters, yeah, nice advocacy work<br />
<a href="http://glennagordon.com/">Photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am instead going to focus on one serious detail.......the fact that they tried to steal another great man's thunder.....taking away from his success, and profiting from it. That man of course is non other than, Sam Childers, The Machine Gun Preacher.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those of you who have read my blog in the past have always known that I am a huge huge fan of Mr Childers. That is why it absolutely breaks my heart to see that a bunch of preppy dickheads have tried to benefit from Mr Childer's achievements, namely, convincing the US government to deploy US forces to Uganda to help train soldiers there to hunt Kony. </div>
<div>
As <a href="http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/07/guest_post_joseph_kony_is_not_in_uganda_and_other_complicated_things">Joshua Keating</a> has rightfully pointed out, the IV's video suggests that their campaign is merely trying to make sure that Obama does not withdraw those soldiers.....even though no one has mentioned that they were planning to do so. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was the Machine Gun preacher movie that got the US government interested in the issue, which resulted in the initial deployment of forces in Uganda. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The way I see it, these kids spent too long editing their movie (don't try to compete with Hollywood) that they could no longer take credit for the US deploying the troops. Nor could they make their cause about putting pressure on the US government to deploy troops. Instead, they had to come up with this desperate reasoning of keeping the troops there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So if there is an organisation you want to support, I would strongly suggest supporting the Machine Gun Preacher's organisation, <a href="http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/">Angels of East Africa</a> (NO, DONT ACTUALLY DO THAT, I AM JUST JOKING!!!!!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But seriously, if there are white folks to be thanked, it really should be Sam Childers and Gerrad Butler......lets throw Prendergrast in there too (he might be a twat, but at least he's my twat). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
P.S.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As with any internet fad, absolutely shameless humour always ensues.....here are some highlights mainly from 4chan and Canvas:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BT_r9ok-O1lWLl0nqfVpZOGEFkBdmoxCRkL6VZOeayJXNNbZ3BFwzLlp61dX79nVnbMUbj5q4Ix-AmSir_Qttq4qH8H6Q2-JSQ3yQcOJvepnbRz0TtjiQsUOvVE59_txJ6YXPiLB4KlT/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.39.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BT_r9ok-O1lWLl0nqfVpZOGEFkBdmoxCRkL6VZOeayJXNNbZ3BFwzLlp61dX79nVnbMUbj5q4Ix-AmSir_Qttq4qH8H6Q2-JSQ3yQcOJvepnbRz0TtjiQsUOvVE59_txJ6YXPiLB4KlT/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.39.22.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUHAhWgZBnuADrfZBAH1crwBHbq2xjBL3pK9mRhKALfEt7IvKLN-boVXxwQPJzxRmadrB4-FRi79aNCI4W1J20M2G_1ACe5jTwlpqrTyb4F6ioCz_vzeD1S-aortt3SPhwTKAKc5ZdhI-/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUHAhWgZBnuADrfZBAH1crwBHbq2xjBL3pK9mRhKALfEt7IvKLN-boVXxwQPJzxRmadrB4-FRi79aNCI4W1J20M2G_1ACe5jTwlpqrTyb4F6ioCz_vzeD1S-aortt3SPhwTKAKc5ZdhI-/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.08.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5KjR_KxT3-_xSbKfXSpq6l3vv_NaSK-IFJT9AF8i1949MIGfspp-Qjz26sJHFwuNwPR-Udo-WERGcfFi0Ax3nay3woymGaplkf5F6whmSQdWKy9ecO8jSfjKMIG7ykUlekqhdMqWcXql/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5KjR_KxT3-_xSbKfXSpq6l3vv_NaSK-IFJT9AF8i1949MIGfspp-Qjz26sJHFwuNwPR-Udo-WERGcfFi0Ax3nay3woymGaplkf5F6whmSQdWKy9ecO8jSfjKMIG7ykUlekqhdMqWcXql/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.19.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9usy53d-N_X0LJIXt1dSQl3QLVqLus73sozxPu9Pg6c3sU7HPJvHQ9RGTj17BihQ1nwrfQs1bzHWOLFrh0yDM5qjxjbi4DiC3FDN5S3l4x294ASJr5hcyuYoK1YaGUHyBDGR0Po-CPB5_/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9usy53d-N_X0LJIXt1dSQl3QLVqLus73sozxPu9Pg6c3sU7HPJvHQ9RGTj17BihQ1nwrfQs1bzHWOLFrh0yDM5qjxjbi4DiC3FDN5S3l4x294ASJr5hcyuYoK1YaGUHyBDGR0Po-CPB5_/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.29.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFGWGTii4Mj7_0LY-LyL7Fh9o8_8kyzTrwZBp0F9rUBSE3cWQLvb7cKh1qvNg2u5k0P6DLm6d-nHmSs9OiS_mZ0f2gKJyG6v6-M1stQqA-dHKxYQvgxdeJMiGBUM2DHNltu-1Nse7JbKf/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.41.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFGWGTii4Mj7_0LY-LyL7Fh9o8_8kyzTrwZBp0F9rUBSE3cWQLvb7cKh1qvNg2u5k0P6DLm6d-nHmSs9OiS_mZ0f2gKJyG6v6-M1stQqA-dHKxYQvgxdeJMiGBUM2DHNltu-1Nse7JbKf/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.41.28.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUtliV5G6DjErOfcHB7tyBJPQHdaJDvnI40ghhTah044IUF2LIGN939db_E6tJk_C3nWq08xLMenxhuY0xo3fNZdQN3Clip1Q8VpJFt5xQHYxn-z5KmPZNSWV-KBh03Hwn9Iea1Opfer_/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUtliV5G6DjErOfcHB7tyBJPQHdaJDvnI40ghhTah044IUF2LIGN939db_E6tJk_C3nWq08xLMenxhuY0xo3fNZdQN3Clip1Q8VpJFt5xQHYxn-z5KmPZNSWV-KBh03Hwn9Iea1Opfer_/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.40.50.png" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SWEhmV6jkAoD_YbV-RZD9EfhLwxCG3aqxAVuNpXD0RSD8Hy-VjscLtBV7_ks65ZBPfhA9Av_Ttl6peXdNvT8a-KS0fQahebpWg3pvCPtcB1Lp4FvBz8xQp2XoOIgMt0db9UKDpAGvYR0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.38.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SWEhmV6jkAoD_YbV-RZD9EfhLwxCG3aqxAVuNpXD0RSD8Hy-VjscLtBV7_ks65ZBPfhA9Av_Ttl6peXdNvT8a-KS0fQahebpWg3pvCPtcB1Lp4FvBz8xQp2XoOIgMt0db9UKDpAGvYR0/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.38.39.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P-shoNeC9HpCu2sRegMJiS9AB9J5X576k8Ha1YcUy9cw1ynflZr-9t2AY5_cFMQcSa3uXbLY-si9KvrihmYOtkrFYfC-RQVd7fu1BVJHpeoMm1EdCL0PBCwBJnlQtthNvA4GzIqHhgxP/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.38.56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P-shoNeC9HpCu2sRegMJiS9AB9J5X576k8Ha1YcUy9cw1ynflZr-9t2AY5_cFMQcSa3uXbLY-si9KvrihmYOtkrFYfC-RQVd7fu1BVJHpeoMm1EdCL0PBCwBJnlQtthNvA4GzIqHhgxP/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-08+at+13.38.56.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous and hated</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0nQ8xeaIW9v0jnVfGDD7clVWVVFi3C15Ld9O7lBvsNyTFYSjaeVrogbefu5Hon2YmhHMyVtKk80aqct5QkJ7vdjQL8RyujMN8xWYa0Baiy64EqEpZO1rOdMrwMDU0U69e1mmrCVegqzb/s1600/canvas_ovjy0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0nQ8xeaIW9v0jnVfGDD7clVWVVFi3C15Ld9O7lBvsNyTFYSjaeVrogbefu5Hon2YmhHMyVtKk80aqct5QkJ7vdjQL8RyujMN8xWYa0Baiy64EqEpZO1rOdMrwMDU0U69e1mmrCVegqzb/s400/canvas_ovjy0.png" width="385" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-13150255066359949262012-02-16T07:29:00.000-08:002012-02-17T14:58:57.300-08:00UNDP International Fitness Instructor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesNnCtvPkSx6DobX_vEoiRO-ZK4T2VlunO-mMs4uaYgIWHl0w1jB9rKM6jb-QkMyYaCxTqCFXwe-5B_4VFwphswEK0N4270r3-HiSvZ509Psx9KZH72IqVX4vxR_rtDMxfEXyckzgv8qu/s1600/7689b7e744a5e1a7be13673c4d084f2159292c32.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesNnCtvPkSx6DobX_vEoiRO-ZK4T2VlunO-mMs4uaYgIWHl0w1jB9rKM6jb-QkMyYaCxTqCFXwe-5B_4VFwphswEK0N4270r3-HiSvZ509Psx9KZH72IqVX4vxR_rtDMxfEXyckzgv8qu/s640/7689b7e744a5e1a7be13673c4d084f2159292c32.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the aid coordination meeting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ok, I know Im slow to the trigger on this one....and I know I haven't posted much of recent days....but here goes:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well it seems that having paid R&R every 6 weeks was just not enough.......</div>
Life in Juba has been so depressing and stressful for UNDP staff that management has had to adopt <a href="http://gaijin-in-osaka-japan.blogspot.com/2005/10/gaijin-at-japanese-company-exercise.html">Corporate Japan style mandatory daily exercise</a>s, to <a href="http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=28220">secure the physical and mental wellbeing of their staff</a> so that they can keep doing what they do best......nothing.<br />
<div>
I mean, I assume it is going to be mandatory and that they aren't just going to hire some overpaid westerner to stand around the UNDP compound flexing his muscles peddling fitness to the especially lazy staff members who couldn't be bothered to get involved in the hundred different activities that are already available (most often for free) in Juba, including:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Group runs, rock climbing (indoor & outdoor), ultimate frisbee, various martial arts, gym, swimming, touch rugby, football, squash, tennis, kayaking/canoeing, salsa dancing, bull running, motorcycle racing, pool, gambling (casino), eating, drinking, table tennis. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Im pretty sure that those staff members who aren't getting enough exercise aren't necessarily just waiting for the facilities/activities/service to become available. They are just a bunch of lazy bastards who aren't going to exercise anyways.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like a self-fulling prophecy, I think maybe if UNDP staff are not constantly reminded, through their hazard pay, of the hazardous and stressful nature of the environment they are working in then they won't feel so stressed? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To be honest, I was probably the most fit while I was living in Juba as a result of the multitude of fun activities available. I learnt Capoeira there for god's sake.....and that was alongside UNDP staff, so this apparent problem is definitely not widespread. I would have loved to see the thought process that led to this brilliant waste of funds. I would also love to see who they end up hiring....."please say it's Blackwater fitness trainers, please say it's Blackwater fitness trainers"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-59411949974082893922012-01-09T09:35:00.000-08:002012-01-09T09:36:15.051-08:00Happy One Year Anniversary of the CPA/Referendum!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn4.wn.com/pd/79/64/09611cce24c10e700e068142032f_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://cdn4.wn.com/pd/79/64/09611cce24c10e700e068142032f_grande.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: <a href="http://petemullerphotography.com/">Pete Muller</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate this momentous occassion that signified the end to a longstanding violent conflict with the North, the US thought the most appropriate gift was to give South Sudan a load of new weapons......</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After adding South Sudan to the list of countries which the US can transfer weapons to, Barack Obama said this in his memorandom:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to the Republic of South Sudan will <u><b>strengthen the security of the United States</b></u> and promote world peace”. (<a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/U-S-can-no-longer-be-trusted-Sudan,41234">ST</a>)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emphasis on South Sudan now being the US' guard dog in East Africa...... congratulations?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As happy as I am on this day, I can't help but think that there are some little cynical weasels out there who are rubbing their hand together as their idea of a <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/a-failed-state-before-its-born-inside-the-capital-of-the-worlds-next-nation-2178075.html">pre-failed state</a> (also <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1978708,00.html">here</a> and <a href="http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/pre-failed-state/">here</a>) may have come true with today's line up of news.......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <a href="updated: Murle revenge attack on Luo-Nuer %E2%80%99kills 23%E2%80%99 in Jonglei%E2%80%99s Akobo County">Murle revenge attack on Lou Nuer kills 23</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <a href="http://s.%20sudan%20rebels%20elect%20new%20leader%20after%20george%20athor%E2%80%99s%20demise/">South Sudan's rebels elect new leader</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-MP-family-fight-in,41224">Gun fight between an SS MP's family and their in laws injure four</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/Cattle-herders-richer-than-gov,41215">Cattle Herders richer than govt. officials</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/Lakes-state-MP-to-be-investigated,41218">Lake state MP to be investigated over child abduction</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm probably being irrational in my beliefs, and I can't really argue against their points, but I can't help but still hold a lot of hope for South Sudan. Being there, with the spirit of the people, one can't help but think that these are merely short-term problems that will be overshadowed by the long path of success in South Sudan's future. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">South Sudan Oyeee!</span></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-15560751943598042352012-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:002012-01-07T06:40:54.981-08:00No more peace conferences!!!! (the conflict in Jonglei)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Im sure (hoping) that many of you have heard about the recent violence that has been occurring in Jonglei State of South Sudan between the Murle community of Pibor county and the Lou-Nuer of the surrounding area*. I was pleasantly surprised to find that <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/01/201212101840599359.html">Al-Jazeera</a> had made it the headline of their front page. Also, here is a link to an interesting recording from the <a href="http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/newshour/newshour_20120102-2203a.mp3?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed">BBC Worldservice</a>, on the current conflict<br />
It is difficult to really state when this conflict actually began but it is certain that the the level of violence has been continuously escalating as vengeance is met revenge. This recent attack is in retaliation to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14761020">this</a> attack that left 600 (Lou-Nuer) dead, which was a retaliation to this attack 250 (Murle) dead, and so on and so forth. The number of casualties of this recent attack h<a href="http://www.sudancatholicradio.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=2%3Asouth-sudan&id=5705%3Aover-2100-killed-in-pibor-attack&Itemid=84">as been estimated</a> at 2,182 people from the Murle community, mostly women and children......That is about 1.5% of the entire Murle population**. This is the type of numbers you see from a full military conflict or civil war. But this is not civil war. This is a conflict between two communities fighting over identity, resources (cattle) and a lot of strong emotions. For me, one of the strangest thing about this conflict is that you can't really sympathise with either sides.<br />
<div>
Anyways, the following is a video from Al-Jazeera, I want to draw your attention to the interview with the vice president Riek Machar, and his strategy on dealing with the issue. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/V-F4U0ovPyg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
******WARNING: OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE IMMINENT.....you have been warned*********<br />
<br />
Aside from the standard procedures to deal with the immediate threat, deployment of additional security forces and the creation of a buffer zone, the solution is one that I am absolutely sick and tired of hearing......Motherfucking PEACE CONFERENCE!!<br />
<br />
For those that might not know, a peace conference is basically just an event where the politicians and community leaders from both warring parties come together, have a nice meal, hand out some t-shirts, and tell some wanker consultant about what THEY think the cause of conflict is and how THEY think the issues can be resolved. A whole bunch of pretty resolution and recommendations are written down....and then ends up in some file to never see the light of day again. This obsession of peace conferences basically stems from its successes in resolving some of the inter-community conflict, back in the day. Since those successes, whenever there is a conflict, peace conferences have become the de facto solution.....but it has been so long since they have been successful. The organisers typically exclude the people who are involved in the conflict, and when the belligerents are involved, they will say whatever sounds good at the time just for the sake of saying them.....people behave differently in the presence of different people?!.....that is just shocking! (anyone who has ever done a community focus group discussion will know what Im talking about).<br />
<br />
Now of course I am being excessively harsh. Its not like I have any bright ideas to solve this conflict.....(not one that is ready to be implemented anyways) and these politicians are merely just implementing what they know......and what they know is basically whatever horseshit that NGOs and the UN have been feeding them.....and what do these people know? well....horseshit. Many of the peacebuilding strategies are created with guesswork based on the dubious information about the causes of the conflict that they extract from the community (through rubbish focus group discussions).<br />
So basically, Im calling for an end to this ridiculous method of resolving conflict. Im calling for a beginning of peacebuilding strategies that are rigorously tested before implementation. Im calling for new approaches to resolving conflict that does not involve what is essentially a really expensive circle jerk***<br />
<br />
Oh and lets also not forget those damn donors with their short term funding that forces organisations to adopt simple shallow projects that are expected to perform miracles......fuck you, you ignorant cretins. <br />
<br />
Finally, I just have to add.....the UN would've probably been able to anticipate this attack much much earlier if they actually had people on the ground. The UN has a compound in Akobo town (the capital of the county where the Lou-Nuer come from) that I know is always empty. They just fly-in on their fancy helicopters once in a while to talk to the county commissioner, but never actually stay there.....probably due to security issues.....pussies.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">*For a map of the boundaries of the various ethnic groups in SS, go <a href="http://www.unsudanig.org/library/mapcatalogue/south/data/population/SS_0132_Ethnic_Groups_A4_20091224_300_1.pdf">here</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">** For the SS 2010 census, go <a href="http://ssnbs.org/storage/stats-year-books/Statistical%20Year%20Book%20For%20Southern%20Sudan%202010%20Final.pdf">here </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*** Not to say that there aren't organisations out there that are trying different approaches......but usually when there are, they are still not very well thought through and a widely based on gut instinct. </span></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-62237648299045665622012-01-05T17:08:00.000-08:002012-01-05T17:34:05.685-08:00Why al-Dabi was chosen to head the observer mission<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My personal sufi expert has finally started his own blog, <a href="http://internetpenance.wordpress.com/">Internet Penance</a>. His most recent <a href="http://internetpenance.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/who-is-general-mustafa-al-dabi-and-why-was-he-chosen-to-lead-the-arab-league-observer-mission-in-syria/">post</a> is an interesting perspective on why al-Dabi was selected to lead the Arab League observer mission to Syria.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I am more inclined to believe that this the failure of this mission had less to do with a genuine desire to resolve the conflict, but a reflection of the limitations and increasing irrelevance of the Arab League model as defined by the worldview of the Old Guard. Perhaps, the Arab Parliament (a newer body connected to the League) and its </span><a href="http://rt.com/news/parliament-syrian-observers-withdrawn-099/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d8471d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">call on the observer mission to give up and leave</strong></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> (and hence contradiction of the League’s adamant defense of the mission) is an indication that the breeze of the Arab Spring ‘</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khamsin" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d8471d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">khamsin</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">‘ is about to turn up at the headquarters of the Arab League itself.</span> </blockquote>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-83154260139081572512011-12-21T05:11:00.000-08:002011-12-21T14:45:27.284-08:00Prostitutes rape pastors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu251/joseph_wichgers/63BetterLookingThanMost_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu251/joseph_wichgers/63BetterLookingThanMost_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You try finding an appropriate image</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Im not a massive fan of copy
and pasting but this was just too funny. From<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201111280467.html">AllAfrica</a>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Two men of God were over the
weekend allegedly lured to patronise harlots at a popular brothel at Cable
Point, Asaba, the Delta State capital, when they went there to preach to the
ladies of easy virtue.LEADERSHIP learnt that the pastors from a very popular
church along Ibusa Road in the state had visited the area to convert and win
over the sex workers to their church, but they were themselves seduced by the
prostitutes who had sex with them and later burnt their Bibles and clothes.<br />
Sources said the men of God (their names withheld) had resolved in one of their
meetings to win many converts, especially the prostitutes who stay in brothels,
in order for them to grow their church's membership.Cable Point is a notorious
stop-over for hoodlums and has the largest number of brothels and casinos in
the south-south region.An eyewitness said that preachers had gained audience
with the harlots but after a period of time they were disoriented by the sudden
display of breasts and other revealing body parts which reportedly hypnotized
the preachers. Their hosts then took them into their rooms where they were said
to have performed 'quickies.'LEADERSHIP learnt that fight broke out when the
evangelists regained their composure and insisted on not paying the harlots'
bills, arguing that that was not their original mission. During the scuffle,
they ladies reportedly burnt the pastors' Bibles and clothes.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">I have absolutely nothing to
add....</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I don't know how to get rid of the highlights and can't be bothered to retype it, sorry)</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><div class="google_ad float-left" id="google_inset_a" style="float: left; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-17471592640659378072011-12-16T13:21:00.000-08:002011-12-16T13:21:54.959-08:00Ostriches and Sufis in Sudan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/files/fp_uploaded_images/110707_Sudan029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://foreignpolicy.com/files/fp_uploaded_images/110707_Sudan029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was recently sent <a href="http://omaidan.com/en/video/vid_10.html">this most interesting link</a> of a video of a Sufi <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariqa">Tariqa</a> (order) in Sudan performing a ritual ceremony......with ostriches?!<br />
Further research led to the photograph above from a <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/07/07/from_khartoum_to_juba?page=full">Foreign Policy collection of photos</a> of Sudan as a whole released just before the South's independence. There are references to ostriches in a bunch of articles, but nothing that actually explains the significance of ostriches to their ceremonies. Just references to the creature in metaphorical a<br />
<br />
I consulted my Sufi expert (because all the cool kids have one of those), who has spent some time with this Tariqa in Sudan but he was unsure of it himself. I then tried to consult my ostrich expert, but he had his head in the ground (ba-dum-tiss)<br />
<br />
If anyone out there has some answers and would like to enlighten me, I would be very grateful.<br />
<br />
H/T: Harith Ramli </div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-30710114232763855692011-12-14T04:51:00.000-08:002011-12-16T13:22:29.551-08:00More Tweet Battles...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.tweentribune.com/uploads/imagecache/affliate/twitter_12-13-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.tweentribune.com/uploads/imagecache/affliate/twitter_12-13-11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Continuing on from previous wars being <a href="http://boredinpostconflict.blogspot.com/2011/09/taliban-tweet-battleyo.html">fought over twitter</a>, Al-Shabab (<a href="https://twitter.com/hsmpress">@HSMPress</a>) and the Kenyan Defence Forces (@KDF) have started their on war of words as the KDF pushes into Somalia in support of the "Somalian Government".<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/12/13/al-shabab-starts-tweeting">Al-Jazeera</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">A few days ago, al-Shabab posted this, referring to the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF): "Unable to foot the bill, the young & temperamental #KDF joins the fatigued &timid #AMISOM in a turbulent marriage of convenience."</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Major Emmaneul Chirchir, the KDF's spokesman,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">is also on Twitter (@MajorEChirchir)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">. When Kenyan forces went into Somalia, he tweeted the names of the Somali towns which would be targeted, warning people to leave.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span> "Any large concentration and movement of loaded donkeys will be considered Al Shabaab activity," he wrote.</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
@HSMPress responded: "Like bombing donkeys, you mean! Your eccentric battle strategy has got animal rights groups quite concerned. Major. " </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Major, clearly rattled, responded: "Life has more meaning than denying women to wear bras..RT in support of Somalia women."</blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div>
The use of formal english in their tweets suggests that the writer for Al-Shabab was educated in the west or is a westerner themselves. Whoever it is, they are pretty dedicated in their role as a spokesperson, while even adding some humour:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: black;"><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="nazaninemoshiri" href="https://twitter.com/nazaninemoshiri" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><s style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.5; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">@</s></a><b style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; white-space: normal;">nazaninemoshiri</b> [correspondent for Al-Jazeera]<span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"> This must be </span><a class=" twitter-hashtag pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23AlJazeera" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" title="#AlJazeera"><s class="hash" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.7; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">#</s><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; white-space: normal;">AlJazeera</b></a><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">'s innovative new approach to Twitter interviews. Should we call it Twinterview?</span></span></blockquote>
On the darker side, HSMPress is also being used as a means to report the victims of its violence:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">Images of the ID cards of </span><a class=" twitter-hashtag pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23Burundian" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" title="#Burundian"><s class="hash" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.7; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">#</s><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; white-space: normal;">Burundian</b></a><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"> soldiers killed in </span><a class=" twitter-hashtag pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23Mogadishu" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" title="#Mogadishu"><s class="hash" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.7; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">#</s><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; white-space: normal;">Mogadishu</b></a><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">battles. - NSENGIYUMVA, Céléstin. D.O.B = 1975</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 132, 180, 0.0898438); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-15454693295100315802011-12-09T03:05:00.001-08:002011-12-16T13:23:01.374-08:00Lessons in diplomacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If things start to get messy, just walk away:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Kenyan foreign minister Moses Wetangula on Tuesday announced that his government will not host the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting that was to be dedicated for discussions on the Sudan issues.<br />
The decision comes against the backdrop of the arrest warrant issued by a Kenyan high court judge last month for Sudan<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir in compliance with similar warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC)....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">the Kenyan top diplomat reversed course revealing that Kenya has written to IGAD to allow Ethiopia host the summit since President Meles Zenawi is the current IGAD chairman.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
from <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/Kenya-scraps-plan-to-host-IGAD,40926">Sudan Tribune</a>.<br />
<br />
Also, read the rest of the article to see a beautiful political system with its powers well distributed in action.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-55554939914377420772011-11-17T17:58:00.001-08:002011-11-17T18:17:21.959-08:00The Machine Gun Present<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh joy, the lovely folks at <span id="goog_704243856"></span><a href="http://www.lracrisistracker.com/">Invisible Children</a><span id="goog_704243857"></span>, in collaboration with the Enough! project, gave the Machine Gun Preacher a <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lra-crisis-tracker/id473115064?mt=8">fancy new app</a> that helps him track LRA movement. Now he can easily capture more LRA soldiers.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAds125qCXnBeL86x6Ixo_FK0JUWaqDxZ4ZGEbx_8AdI6fphf2Q-IQOiy-OhpEu0f_47TGAhcXf-hZez5ZmX9-V29CdYdufb-cVc4Xqei3vHIEiDKYvlx4wMW3ei3i6Uh9SduLhWy-Mu4/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAds125qCXnBeL86x6Ixo_FK0JUWaqDxZ4ZGEbx_8AdI6fphf2Q-IQOiy-OhpEu0f_47TGAhcXf-hZez5ZmX9-V29CdYdufb-cVc4Xqei3vHIEiDKYvlx4wMW3ei3i6Uh9SduLhWy-Mu4/s640/download.png" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just hope that he doesn't accidentally get shot by those <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/LRA-leaders-scoff-at-US-military,40494">newly US trained soldiers</a>.</div>
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-27424667192011337402011-11-12T12:23:00.001-08:002011-11-12T13:51:03.113-08:00Crocheting out of poverty......?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zq7SSsQ2fLc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
My reaction after watching this video that my friend had sent me was:<br />
<br />
"Oh, what a delightful little satirical video of crazy development aid projects."<br />
<br />
I was convinced that this was a joke for four reasons:<br />
<br />
1) Krocheting for Kids?!......Now that just sounds made up.<br />
<br />
2) The three guys running the project look like cast members of a Saturday Night Live-like show (I thought I had been away for so long that these were just some comedians I hadn't heard of).<br />
<br />
3) The fact that they used Bing to search for things on the internet.....I mean seriously, who actually uses Bing without being forced to.<br />
<br />
and finally because of this guy:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlc5tL4lJZBpXhrndDEdFK0lvFd3ENhuShvB_ncT0rvPbrSisW_vQ0hcZ-U5Hpi2HioGhavMbLZg1Qb1riiDL6Mc_spRBP5jUhweJuq6mwILJm1wJ2Uf3f1wB8MhTQNKjW4Luk5ejyvo8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+20.25.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlc5tL4lJZBpXhrndDEdFK0lvFd3ENhuShvB_ncT0rvPbrSisW_vQ0hcZ-U5Hpi2HioGhavMbLZg1Qb1riiDL6Mc_spRBP5jUhweJuq6mwILJm1wJ2Uf3f1wB8MhTQNKjW4Luk5ejyvo8/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+20.25.19.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Wow these guys must be super committed to the joke, they even made an entire <a href="http://www.krochetkids.org/">website</a> for it."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I must have watched the video 10 times over to find clues of it being a joke. I even started going through the website, reading all their finance report, while still thinking to myself; "This is one elaborate joke"............. I think the fact that they were advertising <a href="http://www.krochetkids.org/2011/pnp-hen-sweater/">sweaters for chickens</a> didn't really help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eventually, I came to terms with it. These guys were serious. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So naturally, I put on my cynic cap on and began to think of the many ways in which this idea fails. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Hopefully, they actually cause more harm than they help...." I began to lustfully dream while stroking my chin. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I came up with nothing*.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After getting over the mild depression that came with the death of my cynical side I began to think positively. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As ridiculous as this idea was, it had its benefits. 1) capacity building, 2) creation of livelihoods, 3) sustainability (a donor somewhere just came himself). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These guys aren't dumping these hats in the developing world (SWEDOW) and they aren't portraying their 'beneficiaries' (they don't actually eve use the word) as miserable helpless people (poverty porn) -- although thats probably because they can't afford to not have the camera focusing on anyone else but themselves (booya, I still got that snark). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although one thing that did get me thinking was their choice of location......Uganda. They have their story as to how they started there, but recently I have been hearing about a lot of these micro-development projects popping up there, e.g. <a href="http://reaplifedig.org/index.php">DIG</a>. It seems that Uganda has become a test market for all these new innovative projects. Maybe its because the country is relatively stable but just not too developed that you can't establish a grassroots project there. Anyways, it was just interesting to note. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So in the end, as much as I would like to be a dick, I have to let these hipster bros (I have been away for too long) go, holster my guns of snark and save them for the day Prendergrast decides to rear his head back in the public spotlight.........it will be soon. I can feel it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* So some negative things to point out: We have no idea where the materials/wool for these hats are coming from.....maybe they are conflict wool. Also, their finance report reads like a 9 year old's toy box inventory. Finally, the purchase of these hats may cause damage on the Chinese economy, the traditional manufacturer of junk. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-52969563122833333122011-11-10T12:13:00.000-08:002011-11-10T12:13:07.713-08:00ménage à trois?....more like an orgy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://iharem.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/3g10095v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://iharem.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/3g10095v.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
J at <a href="http://talesfromethehood.com/2011/11/08/menage-a-trois/">Tales from the Hood</a> has a nice rant about shaking up current aid system, of which he describes as a <em style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">ménage à trois </em>between the donors, aid implementers and beneficiaries.<br />
<br />
Now I don't know which aid system you're working in old man, but these days, we have let our hair down, got the lube out and are engaged in a full on orgy.<br />
<br />
Here is how it goes down:<br />
<br />
- Donor gives money to management consultancy firm who then gives that money to aid providers (AP)<br />
<br />
- Only if donor is feeling like being dirty and going bareback will they directly give to APs.<br />
<br />
- AP then has to find a local AP (L-AP) to actually implement the project because the AP staff don't actually speak the local language or know anything about the local culture. Sometimes AP has to use L-AP because the local government wants to see some of that sexy overhead money go to its own local companies...err, I mean L-AP.<br />
<br />
- Some of that money goes to that mysterious consultant that just turns up from nowhere and has such an important sounding job title that you are simply forced to give him the cash in exchange for a ridiculously convoluted report.......who invited that guy anyways?<br />
<br />
- L-AP doesn't actually have any technical skill or equipment so they hire contractors who are owned either by a local politician, some foreign guys (Eriterians, Lebanese, South Africans etc) or by a staff member of the AP.<br />
<br />
- Consultant appears again and demands further payment for his services. Obviously he gets paid......Seriously guys, who invited that guy?<br />
<br />
- L-AP director decides to pack his bags and just leave the country.....along with the money of course. Donor MUST NOT HER ABOUT THIS. AP steps in, finds another L-AP to complete the project using the same contractors. Consultant gets paid again.<br />
<br />
- Beneficiary gets something.....wait, what was the project again? Oh, you mean you didn't more water supplies? Flooding you say? Well, you will have to simply wait until the next cycle little buddy.<br />
<br />
- UN comes in and takes credit for EVERYTHING.<br />
<br />
.......<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Consultant gets paid again</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-70269617494772623442011-11-01T12:36:00.000-07:002011-11-01T12:36:18.174-07:00A challenger appears<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/069/690/challenger.JPG?1318992465" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/069/690/challenger.JPG?1318992465" width="242" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So we have another South Sudan blogger amongst our midst, <a href="http://talesofatravelingturkey.blogspot.com/">Tales of a Traveling Turkey</a>. While the title seriously requires some rebranding (I imagine this is simply due to the location of where this blog was conceived), it is worth a read for the antics of an aid worker travelling between Ethiopia and South Sudan. Whats the best post from this blog you ask? Why of course its the one that refers to this blog.......</div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146630292602347180.post-28184621534118550982011-10-25T13:15:00.000-07:002011-10-25T13:18:09.387-07:00South Sudanese music...brrraaaappp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
*****Please note, what started as a meaningful post has just been replaced with self-indulgence******<br />
<br />
Seriously World, its not what you think.......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HmJbJs-9ST0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
So first, the World's initial exposure to South Sudan is through a Hollywood movie about a white priest who hunts rebels and saves kids, now, the World's first exposure to South Sudanese music is through this guy.......Bangs.<br />
<br />
Seemingly a member of the South Sudanese diaspora in Australia, Bangs has recently become yet another internet sensation........ironically. Luckily though, a lot of his videos are made pre-independence and so all the maps of Sudan he refers to on the video is simply, Sudan.......not South-specific (I say this because the North don't need their music industry defending.....it is booming on its own). <br />
<br />
And YES, I know you have heard of Emmanuel Jal, but thats because your an aid worker and pride yourself on being down with the exoticness.....thats why you probably have K'naan in your music collection and tell people that you've been listening to him since before the World Cup. Also, Bangs has about 500,000 more hits than Emmanuel Jal.......never underestimate the power of internet trolls.<br />
<br />
<br />
But Bangs is not the only SS diaspora musician. A quick google search leads you to an array of rather embarrassing amateur videos. Although not all of them are terrible. This is my favourite, though they are in Kenya, so they get a bit more street cred:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kQ-6qL8cyCI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"We love you, Juba we love you...."(I can't make out the rest of the lyrics of the chorus, but it still brings joy to my heart)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And heres one from the US...... I think.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NGhnT7O2pO4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
OK, ok, just one more. If you guys used to read the old version of Sudan Tribune that still had the comments section open, you will appreciate this. Ever wonder what happened to Dinka Boy? Well he is now D-Boy:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/EGxBl3_ly-w/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EGxBl3_ly-w&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EGxBl3_ly-w&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I am the Sudanese man, I like the way I am. All I need is freedom, cause Im the Sudanese man"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Instant banger!</div>
<br />
I would just like to take this moment to appeal to the World, to not simply write off South Sudanese music based on this one artist. For a country that is still recovering (probably closer to starting from scratch) from the civil war, South Sudan has surprisingly done pretty damn well in establishing its music industry. But those are simply words aren't they? Well, if you have the time to spare, here is a select few South Sudanese (locally produced) tracks that I feel better represents the country. Please note that a lot of the really good tracks are impossible to find on Youtube as they are only available at in Juba.<br />
<br />
First, we got a classic tune. This was on loop on South Sudan TV in the lead to the referendum (and NO, not because SSTV didn't really have much material to air at the time!). Emmanuel Kembe:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/u6irPHCDkeA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Not feeling that one? A little bit too slow for your? Try this classic dance tune:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/L6jf-qtJVbc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
This one goes out to my peacebuilders out there:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/M9AlJRZZcCw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Since I have just obviously gone off on a self-indulgent ride of sweet audible Juba memories, here is an brilliant track with a great video from the <a href="http://www.sudanvotes.com/musichopes/">Sudan Votes album </a>(this whole album is a good introduction to Sudanese pop music). This track is a collaboration with artists from all over the country:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6oswHD5rTLA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
And finally, what better way to say goodbye than to say good bye to the Arabs, "Bye Bye Jalaba"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EIOLz0h-cqs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I actually have a lot more to share. Let me know in the comments section if you are interested.<br />
<br /></div>Boredinpostconflicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403018157648711480noreply@blogger.com4