International Newsletter #17

After the war: Iraqis face new lives

Much has changed two years after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime. To highlight some of the changes, BBCArabic.com interviewed seven Iraqis to find out their judgments of the current situation and their intended outlooks for the future.

The majority of those interviewed agreed they felt free after Saddam was removed from power. Saad, a sound engineer from Basra said, “The previous regime used to tell us what to read, what to watch and what to listen to.” Before, all of the media was state-controlled, and the freedom to express one’s view meant to risk one’s life. Now, Iraqis have satellite television, numerous newspapers, and the Internet to freely express their opinions. In addition, the previous government controlled salary wages and the choice of work for its citizens.

The economy is slowly improving and more people are able to afford automobiles and electronic devices, such as cell phones. “Iraqis are feeling better,” said Saad. “They are breathing the air of freedom. They read, watch and say what they want.”

Security issues, however, are still causing fear among citizens due to the instability of attacks by insurgents. Nada, a government worker from Mosul, said “These acts make Iraqis feel hopeless, as if living in a state of constant instability. My situation as an Iraqi woman has not changed much since the removal of Saddam. I do hope, however, that women will fare better in Iraq under the present government.”

Other issues that the interviews expressed were religious differences in the socio-political sphere, the struggle in the job market for college graduates, and civic services, like energy and water supplies, which have not seen improvement. Despite these differences, the interviewees are hopeful that as time moves forward, the security situation will improve and “everything will be OK for future generations.”

-Pavel
news.bbc.co.uk

Afghan Women Prepare to Take Wheel

According to the Washington Post, a new plan in Herat to teach women to drive and give them licenses is a symbol of the official rights women continue to win in Afghanistan, and a reminder of the difficulties they still confront in exercising those freedoms.

Inaugurated a few weeks ago, the driving program is part of a flowering of liberties that followed the central government’s dismissal in September of the provincial governor, Ismail Khan, a religiously conservative strongman, who proved almost as repressive toward women as the Taliban militia he replaced. Now, for the first time in history, shops in Herat are hiring women to sell their wares. Women’s fitness clubs are popping up along the city’s leafy avenues. And women are increasingly trading their burqas, the head-to-toe garment worn in public, for an Iranian-style shawl, or chador, which covers the hair and body, but not the face.

It remains unclear how much use the new drivers—a mix of college students and middle-age schoolteachers—will get out of their licenses and how society will treat them when they are on the road. Some say they simply want to be able to get to a doctor in case of an emergency; others need to commute to university classes or jobs. Breaking the barrier of male harassment is yet to be achieved.

-Jane
www.washingtonpost.com

Separation of Church and State

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said the legal profession should not discard Christians and Christianity as “simple minded” and that a blend of reason and faith is preferable and more beneficial.

Speaking to a group of Catholics in Shreveport, Louisiana, Scalia said, “Faith with no rational thought is false. What is irrational is to reject (without question) the possibility of miracles.” Interestingly (considering his stance on many social issues), Scalia implied that intelligentsia should not write off those individuals with particular belief systems and practices.

-Robert
story.news.yahoo.com

Palestinian Gunmen Sign Peace Pledge for Jobs

In response to pressure from Israel to disarm militants as a condition for further peace moves, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking signed commitments from militants—“not to carry out any action that violates security and rule of law and agreements reached between the Palestinian Authority and any state or party”—in exchange for jobs.

So far, more than 200 Palestinian militants have signed the pledge, though at least 80 have yet to agree on turning in their weapons from their days as fighters. The former militants want a greater assurance of their safety, even though Israel has said it would stop pursuing them if they give up their weapons. But, “[this] is only the beginning,” said Abdel-Fattah Hamayel, a former cabinet minister in charge of the program. “At the end of this process the only legitimate weapons will be the weapons in the hands of the Palestinian Authority.”

-Christine
story.news.yahoo.com


Spain Forces Men to Do Housework

In a blow to machismo, Spanish men will have to learn to change nappies and don wash-up gloves under the terms of a new law, which is likely to provoke a revolution in family affairs in a country where 40% of men reportedly do no housework at all.

It will oblige men to “share domestic responsibilities and the care and attention” of children and elderly family members, according to the draft approved by the Spanish parliament’s justice commission. This will become part of the marriage contract at civil wedding ceremonies later this year. “The idea of equality within marriage always stumbles over the problem of work in the house and caring for dependent people,” said Margarita Uria, of the Basque Nationalist party, who was behind what is an amendment to a new divorce law.

“This will be a good way of reminding people what their duties are. It is something feminists have been wanting for a long time.” Failure to meet the obligations will be taken into consideration by judges when determining the terms of divorces. Men who refuse to do their part may be given less frequent contact with their children.

-Jane
www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1454802,00.html

Amazing Open Mic!

Thanks to everyone who read at the Open Mic this afternoon. Across the board, everyone shared amazing work. The consenus in the office is that it was the best Open Mic yet.

We're so happy to find that we have such a wellspring of talent here at Brooklyn College.

Thanks for a magical afternoon!

-The Staff

Open Mic!!!

It's here - this week - the Open Mic...

Each Spring and Fall the English Majors' Office hosts an Open Mic for all who wish to participate.

the Spring '05 Open Mic is this Tuesday, April 19 from 1:30-3:30 in State Lounge, SUBO.

Bring your work - all forms of written/spoken word are welcome. You can sign up at our office - 3416 Boylan Hall - the sheet is on the door. If you don't get to sign up ahead of time, don't worry, you can just show up on Tuesday and sign up then.

It's always a fun and surprising afternoon, so even if you don't read, come to listen. And hey - Free Lunch!

Wolfe Institute Lecture

Helen E. Fischer will be giving a lecture called Lust, Romance, Attachment: The Three Brain Systems For Mating & the Future of the Family this Monday, April 18 at 12:15 p.m. in the Women's Center in
227 New Ingersoll.

Helen E. Fischer, PhD, has conducted extensive research on the evolution and future of human sex, love and marriage and gender differences in the brain and behavior. She has authored four books - Why We Love, The First Sex, Anatomy of Love, and The Sex Contract.

International Newsletter #16

Chinese Campaign to Block Japan from the U.N.

Japan's campaign for a permanent U.N. Security Council seat which carries the right to veto U.N. actions has received widespread opposition by a Chinese Internet petition, according to the Associated Press on Tuesday.

Organizers of the petition claim to have collected more than 24 million names. However, this number may be inaccurate because a user can easily click the signature button thousands of times. The petition reflects an anti-Japanese sentiment pervasive in China, caused by Japan’s alleged failure to apologize for wartime aggression against China. Gory photos and engraved stone tablets at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall exhort visitors to remember past Japanese atrocities.

Tong Zeng, a leader among China's anti-Japan activists, insists China must veto Security Council membership for Japan. "How can a nation that has never apologized for its barbaric behavior gain the trust of the international community to be a Security Council member," he said. "A country like this in the Security Council would be a huge threat to world peace."

On the other hand, some speculate the true driving force behind the petition is China’s reluctance to lose its position as the only permanent Asian member. While China's government has never clearly expressed itself on the issue, the petition at www.china918.net could make it harder for Beijing to accept a compromise without provoking public anger, forcing it to oppose the entire reform package.

-Christine
http://story.news.yahoo.com

Racial Tension in Holland

Dutch youth attacked a mosque in Venray, a southern town in Holland on Saturday. When the youth smashed windows of the mosque they set off a street fight with young Turkish immigrants. The fight on Saturday involved 20 Dutchmen and 60 Turkish immigrants.

There’s been a large increase of racial tension between Dutch youth and immigrant groups since an Islamic fundamentalist allegedly killed a Dutch artist. The violence has included attacks on Islamic schools as well as mosques. The attacks have been carried out through bombings and arsons.

No one has been killed in any of the attacks, but the Dutch police states that several people have been arrested, and that more arrests will follow.

-Emma
www.turkishdailynews.com


NPR to Rebroadcast Edward R. Murrow Series ‘This I Believe’

In 1951, radio pioneer Edward R. Murrow asked Americans from all walks of life to share their most fundamental and closely held beliefs. It was an extraordinarily successful series. Half a century later, NPR, Atlantic Public Media and This I Believe, Inc. are partnering to recreate “This I Believe” on the air and on line. Jay Allison hosts an updated version of the 1950s radio project, designed to encourage listeners to develop respect for beliefs different from their own. Go to the link below to submit your own essay and tune in to WNYC AM 820 or FM 93.9 to listen to others. “This I Believe” will be broadcast during Morning Edition (AM 6-9am; FM 5-9am) and All Things Considered (AM & FM 4-6:30pm).

-Jane
www.npr.org




Big Brother is Publishing

South Korea criticized Japan for approving new school textbooks that downplay Japan’s history of warmongering, violence and aggression.

Protesters, burning Japanese flags, are calling for Japan to immediately rectify this egregious act.

Japan held South Korea in colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, and the neighboring nations relationship is still strained after Japan recently reiterated claims of ownership of South Korean islets in the East Sea.

-Robert
story.news.yahoo.com


Egypt Students Rally for Reform

Islamic students in Cairo, Egypt protested on university campuses last Monday, demanding accelerated reforms in government and an end to Egypt’s 24-year state of emergency. Altogether, thousands of students rallied in five universities against conditions of authority and security issues preventing students from voting for multiple candidates. The enforcement of the emergency law resulted in the arrest of hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood associates who tried to take their protest to the streets. Pressure from democratic nations is helping Egypt reform to move toward multiple candidate elections. In the past decades, the National Democratic Party, headed by Egypt’s leader Mr. Mubarak, chose only one candidate, who could either be elected or rejected by voters.

-Pavel
news.bbc.co.uk


Kashmir Peace Bus

History was made as bus service was restored between the Pakistani and Indian portions of Kashmir this week. As the first bus crossed a bridge spanning the border between the two war-torn areas, passengers looked forward to seeing family members long lost during decades of violence and bloodshed.

Most of the region's militant groups oppose the bus service, which they see as a gimmick rather than a step toward a peace deal they would accept. The passengers, however, said they were excited and would not be intimidated.

Indian officials offered the visitors from the Pakistaini side marigold garlands and bouquets of flowers.

-Kristin
news.independent.co.uk

Did You Know...

Percentage of students in "schools serving affluent families" who have teachers who majored in the subject they instruct and hold a teaching license in the topic: 70%

Percentage of NYC public middle and high school students being taught physical sciences by an "unqualified" teacher: 70%

Did You Know...

Number of times Donald Trump uttered the words "you're fired" during the first season of "The Apprentice": 15

Number of Americans that have heard the words "you're fired" since
January, 2001: 1.6 million

Number of Americans who joined the ranks of the impoverished in 2004:
1.3 million