Women in Yemen take to the streets Yemeni Women in America stick to their kitcken

While the women in the middle east take to the streets women in the west are busy staying in doors.
I say this because I am heartbroken. I'm sad for Yemen. It pains me because I know we could be doing so much more. It seems like people in the west have forgotten what or why we are fighting, its not just about an idea of saleh stepping down.. it's a whole concept that we are trying to demolish but it seems that many people have forgotten or maybe just dont understand that it is? it is a fight for freedom- a fight to regain our dignity.. What makes me really sad is that we will not be able to reach that goal if women are not stepping up. We are facing a big problem here in the states and that is the lack of women presence. I seem to look right and left for yemeni-american women to join me in my efforts to echo the demands of the Youth but its been a hard and heartbreaking struggle. women in Yemen have long played a pivotal role and this is a nation that for more than 33 yrs they have been oppressed but look at them today- woman are out in the streets demanding for their freedom and voicing their demands and concerns. It's so beautiful to see. But, us, the people in the states.. who are able to freely express our opinions and use it to advocate on behalf of the struggling yemenis and really MAKE A DIFFERENCE- arent. oh the irony and disgust of it all. It shatters me to pieces because this mentality of not letting women speak or not encouraging them or empowering them is affecting the ability for us Yemeni americans to go forward. How can we ask for a democratic state, demand freedom and justice when we are not at all succeeding in empowering the human rights of women here? How can we be advocating for a society to be built based on equality, dignity and human rights when we are not doing our part here in empowering our women here? In order to turn our apathy into hardcore activism and see an end to this bloodshed in Yemen, a women's presence becomes important. The presence of Yemeni women is so important to the future of Yemen and society as a whole and people dont seem to understand that. Many and I apologize for generalizing as i am sure this does not go to many of you but Yemenis in the u.s. are going backwards. we need to be giving those who were once hopeless a voice and selfworth. How can some advocate and say they support this when they themselves are not letting their sister-their wife or their cousin speak up? if half the population is silenced how are we expecting to be sucessful in bringing change. It is a violation of our dignity and it breaks my heart because with all of this being said i bet you many women dont see it and won't agree.

BBC News - Yemen protests: Women take centre stage

Obama, NATO, United Nations, Libya --Who's on First?

Today's most impt update on Libya would be  NATO's agreement in taking the lead on Libya.. this means the main two oppositions ( France &; Turkey) have now agreed. How'd that happen ?

"France has opposed handing control to NATO because of Arab skepticism about the alliance, which is perceived as being dominated by the US..... While Turkey has refused to support both U.S. and nato intervention for fear that it turns into an occuption."

Turkish Prime Minister, Erdogan says "NATO should only enter Libya to determine that Libya belongs to Libyans and not to distribute its natural resources and richness to others," Erdogan said during a visit to Saudi Arabia."

so what's going to happen now?.. Whose really in control?.. read to find out more : Obama, NATO, United Nations, Libya --Who's on First?

The controversy over Libya

Mr. Zakaria's at it again, writing so beautifully and articulately for Time Magazine, this time discussing the situation in Libya. It's been a very controversial subject. People worldwide are split in the middle on their belief of the US mission/role in Libya. Should or should they not be there bombing to "help libyans"? You see, the road to freedom in which often is identified and defined by America, has been paid for with many lives who were not Americans. So, are they really aiding? humanitarian assistance or strategic interest?

Mr. Zakaria writes "But more than anything else, what appears to have infuriated many American politicians is Obama's unwillingness to put the U.S. in the driver's seat."   

The U.S. has undoubtedly done a  great job in announcing the need to support the libyans. They have done a tremendous job but it's time they back off and leave it for the other nations to take the lead now. I applaud them for not waiting to announce the genocide taking place in Libya and doing what it can to support the libyans but it's time they transfer the leadership over to arab nations , its time they step up their game.  And let's remind ourselves, with a track record like the U.S, it would be difficult to believe a positive outcome in Libya,   is the only smart move the U.S. could do. READ Mr. Zakaria's article here : How Will Libya End?

Prescribed pain

well written but tell me something new?

Prescribed pain by Corporate America - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

larger ambulances for larger people, WHAT?

Americans Are Now Fat Enough to Require Larger Ambulances - Culture - GOOD

Hypocrisy knows no boundaries

It’s 2011 folks and by now, many of you should recognize and come to accept that a disease, driving millions into poverty and unemployment, is tormenting our world.

Fighting this infectious disease is not easy. It requires a lot of dedication, determination, and willpower.

Together we’ll fight it.

Look around you; isn’t every other country suffering from economic and social development crises. Why?

Simple. Corruption. Government corruption particularly has been the driving force behind all this. People in control live for it.

Corruption is worldwide and has taken the lives of many. It’s so widespread that it would take me till the end of tomorrow to list just a few examples.

Corruption stems from global capitalism. Our modern day capitalism is so susceptible that it resulted us in having a financial crisis, a rise in climate issues, Iraq, Afqghanistan, and a war we cannot get out of. But before I really begin, here’s a little about me to help you better understand where I’m coming from.

1. I love home; the United States.
2. I am a firm believer of universal human rights.
3. When appropriate I believe the U.S. should step in to stop atrocious human right violations.
4. I believe in sustainability.
5. I’m not fond of politics
6. I prefer to shop local and support small businesses.
7. I believe problems of the world are bc of globalization/capitalism.
8. The US should practice what it preaches.

That being said, let’s get back to how hypocrisy knows no boundaries.

The shamelessness of the U.S. government over it’s foreign polices is just one of many reminders of how much of a role hypocrisy plays in this government. Not to mention, the reassurance of where their real interests lay, capitalism not freedom or human rights.

Change is essential now more than ever. This cannot and should not be tolerated any longer. More and more people are falling victim of the tricks by our world leaders. While some countries have been successful in fighting against injustice others have not been so lucky. In many developing countries, the people turn to America hoping for change. Wait, America for change? What did I miss?
As if American democracy is any good.
You see, the biggest problem we face today is global capitalism. Because of this, we are beginning to recognize the hypocrisy of our governments.

Take for example the U.S. government. It rules on democratic policies but clearly that’s not been the case. In recent days, we have learned by the peoples’ revolution of Egypt and Tunisia, that the U.S. has forgotten it’s principal of freedom and democracy. It seems that even my very own government was a victim of deceit. The same government that advocates “human rights”, “democracy” and “Freedom” is shutting its eye on reality, blinding itself to it’s very own hypocrisy.
For many, this does not come as a surprise. The U.S. has long been known as a perpetrator of democracy whilst supporting dictatorship and governments that employ devastating tactics and injustice to its people.

What happened to freedom and human rights? Guantanamo bay and patriot act are clear violations of the constitution. What about our right to a transparent government, aren’t those leaks our right to read? So then why was the government so quick to dismiss wikileaks?
That’s because the greatest hypocrisy is within the U.S. government especially with foreign policies. They pretend to promote democracy and freedom but in reality they are destroying it.

As a society we have a moral duty to work cooperatively to overcome the disease that is slowly destroying our beautiful world. Survival is our strongest trait and as we have learned from the recent uprisings, people have power. As a matter of fact, they hold so much power that governments are so scared. So to all leaders of oppression, including my very own, the silencing of society, a strategy you once could rely on; will no longer be promising.

U.S. Vetos on Israeli Settlements; hypocrisy at it's finest

Anyone who thought that the U.S. has learned anything from these past sucessfull revolutions in the arab region should start to think otherwise.

We didn't.

On Thursday, as the Egyptian revolution was at it's peak with the collapse of the Mubarak regime, the Obama administration announced that it intends to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution, sponsored by 122 nations, condemning Israeli settlement expansion.

why on earth would the U.S. VETO a U.N. resolution to the conflict. this is too insane.. Hypocriscy of our govt once again emerges.

This is so frustrating, anyway here's the article.


Josh Ruebner: U.S. Veto on Israeli Settlements Resolution Would Be Nadir for Obama

Egyptians React to U.S. Policy