Girija Devi commented on "Victoria, British Columbia: Steve Umemoto"
3 hours ago
Truly beautiful gardens Steve, spectacular
Unknown commented on "Victoria, British Columbia: Steve Umemoto"
11 hours ago
Fabulous photos and heartwarming to see you Steve with Tony and Nigel. Have wonderful memories of working with all of you!!!
Unknown commented on "Victoria, British Columbia: Steve Umemoto"
12 hours ago
Nice to see you with my Dear Fergus! Beautifull pictures!
Unknown commented on "Victoria, British Columbia: Steve Umemoto"
12 hours ago
Good to see your picture with Nigel Fisher after a very long time. Very best wishes for you. M A Matin from Bowling Green, KY
14 hours ago
Yes, indeed statements calling for genocide should be sanctioned. The question, however, is whether any such calls were made and if so, when, where and by whom.
Politicians and some lobby groups in the US are claiming that the slogan "from the river to the sea" heard in pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses is a call for genocide against Israelis. This is simply not true.
In fact, the origins of the slogan are not Palestinian, but Israeli. The origins are likely in the 1948 Zionist slogan "The Jordan has two banks: this one is ours, and the other one too." - meaning that Israel should rule not just to the Jordan but well beyond.
In 1977 the current ruling party of Israel, the Likud, incorporated the concept of 'from the sea to the Jordan' in its official election manifesto, saying "that "between the sea and the Jordan there will be only Israeli sovereignty". On the Palestinian side the phrase came into use only in the intifada protests of the 1980s. The idea does not appear in documents of Palestinian parties or even the Hamas Charter of 1988.
In fact, the slogan has never been a call for genocide on the part of either Israelis or Palestinians. Dreams of conquest and total annihilation of ones enemies of course exist among radical groups on both sides, but dreams and slogans fade when one wakes to reality that your neighbors will still be your neighbors, like them or not.
That American politicians will try to twist the words of popular protest for their own cynical ends should come as no surprise. We should not, however, allow politicians to shut down legitimate protests by claiming that calls for freedom from oppression are actually calls for genocide.
Politicians and some lobby groups in the US are claiming that the slogan "from the river to the sea" heard in pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses is a call for genocide against Israelis. This is simply not true.
In fact, the origins of the slogan are not Palestinian, but Israeli. The origins are likely in the 1948 Zionist slogan "The Jordan has two banks: this one is ours, and the other one too." - meaning that Israel should rule not just to the Jordan but well beyond.
In 1977 the current ruling party of Israel, the Likud, incorporated the concept of 'from the sea to the Jordan' in its official election manifesto, saying "that "between the sea and the Jordan there will be only Israeli sovereignty". On the Palestinian side the phrase came into use only in the intifada protests of the 1980s. The idea does not appear in documents of Palestinian parties or even the Hamas Charter of 1988.
In fact, the slogan has never been a call for genocide on the part of either Israelis or Palestinians. Dreams of conquest and total annihilation of ones enemies of course exist among radical groups on both sides, but dreams and slogans fade when one wakes to reality that your neighbors will still be your neighbors, like them or not.
That American politicians will try to twist the words of popular protest for their own cynical ends should come as no surprise. We should not, however, allow politicians to shut down legitimate protests by claiming that calls for freedom from oppression are actually calls for genocide.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Tauhidur Rashid commented on "Vietnam Travelogue by Myra Rudin"
19 hours ago
I was 10 years old when the war of liberation broke out in Bangladesh. And 16 when the Vietnam war ended and 37 when I was lucky to go to Hanoi to work from New York HQs on transfer. I grew up at a time when war was thrusted upon us in Bangladesh and Vietnam. I knew the background of the war in Bangladesh, but not so much about the events that led to Vietnam war. I felt it would be unfair and unwise to go to work in Vietnam without knowing the proper history and its imperatives back then. After several books from Barnes and Noble and many hours of videos on VHS tapes, particularly Peter Annett’s “10 thousand day War”, I felt I was ready for Vietnam, albeit short of many things I would want to know without any source. Back in 1997, it wasn’t a time when metadata were organised by Google or YouTube to land your search on something that you wanted to know. Yet I learned who really were the leaders of Vietnam and what led to the war. But names of Ho Chi Minh, Le Duc Tho, Phan Van Khai, General Giap etc. became familiar from the books and videos on VHS tapes I could put my hands on. I left Vietnam in September 2000 after three years and witnessed first hand some of the first steps towards free market economies — most significant was Singtel’s entry in Vietnam for high speed Internet. During these three years I learned from many of my Vietnamese friends how a dismissive, powerful yet ignorant superpower failed, despite having all the intelligence to understand the simple aspirations of Vietnamese people and dragged a war to humiliating defeat. I have since returned to Vietnam many times, to witness its development and growth and many times I now come across Vietnamese tourists during my weekly street photography walks here in Penang where I live. There are daily direct flights from Penang to Ho Chi Minh city and I am going back to Vietnam for a full month in March 2024. This time starting from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi Ann, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sapa. The Thang Long continues to grow in glory.
I hope Ken Burns would add another episode to his massive 18 hour long PBS Documentary “The Vietnam War” to show the results Vietnamese people achieved through blood and toil. Especially for we people who care and talk so much about “results”.
At these volatile times, Vietnam still remains a reminder that pompous perpetrators often become the victims of disgrace, for being blissfully ignorant about the future and blind about the past! Thanks for the lovely photos. I shall post a few of mine in April.
I hope Ken Burns would add another episode to his massive 18 hour long PBS Documentary “The Vietnam War” to show the results Vietnamese people achieved through blood and toil. Especially for we people who care and talk so much about “results”.
At these volatile times, Vietnam still remains a reminder that pompous perpetrators often become the victims of disgrace, for being blissfully ignorant about the future and blind about the past! Thanks for the lovely photos. I shall post a few of mine in April.
21 hours ago
Statements supporting the genocide of any peoples are heinous and must be sanctioned in a civilized society. Words are important. Come on Kul, you know better….
22 hours ago
UNRWA has not yet lost support from Switzerland. The Council of States, with two votes apart, decided this Thursday not to cut the 20 million annual francs paid to the UN organization. But this is just temporary as he wants his preparatory commission to hear Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to get “an idea of the consequences of the measure”. This ignominious offensive launched earlier this week by the far-right party (UDC/SVP), and supported by the other right parties (called the bourgeois camp) had clearly accepted the abolition of the payment. Let’s see what will happen. Philippe Lazzarini, Head of UNRWA, is a Swiss citizen (an excellent professional and a fine diplomat I used to rub shoulders with in Somalia).
Yesterday
Wish more people from the mainstream media would come to the same conclusion.Stefanik is a real idiot
2 days ago
Loved it 🙏a piece of art for sure 👍
Mahboob Shareef commented on "Mary's Boy Child : Shared by Girija Devi"
2 days ago
In deed, very beautiful and innovative Christmas Carol.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Dec 14, 2023
Serious allegations which need to be fully investigated. What does Israel have to hide by being unresponsive to the HR commissioners request for an independent investigation. Israel should stop its bullying of UN officials. Neither Israel nor Hamas should be believed on any matter without an independent investigation, PERIOD.
Unknown commented on "So Many Child Deaths in Gaza and for What? : Nicholas Kristof / NY Times"
Dec 14, 2023
How much longer can this go on?
Dec 13, 2023
An article in The NY Times today brings tears to my eyes and wonder what has happen to humanity. As always children’s/women/families wear to be the designated victims
“We Are No Strangers to Human Suffering, but We’ve Seen Nothing Like the Siege of Gaza”
Global leaders and especially the U.S. government must understand we cannot save lives in Gaza under these conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/opinion/international-world/us-government-gaza-humanitarian-aid.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
“We Are No Strangers to Human Suffering, but We’ve Seen Nothing Like the Siege of Gaza”
Global leaders and especially the U.S. government must understand we cannot save lives in Gaza under these conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/opinion/international-world/us-government-gaza-humanitarian-aid.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Kul Gautam commented on "UN Asks Former Official at UNOPS to Repay $63.6 million : NY Times / Tom McDermott"
Dec 13, 2023
am not aware of any other case in the UN system involving a scandal of such magnitude where an individual staff member was held personally liable. What a disgrace.
Unknown commented on "SOLILOQUY OF A POSTAGE STAMP # 103, Fouad Kronfol"
Dec 13, 2023
Thank you for sharing these wonderful collections! Historical!
Richard Jolly commented on "Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, December 10, 2023 : Kul Gautam"
Dec 10, 2023
Well said. I heartily endorse Baquer’s praise for Kul’s i defatigble energy and focus. Richard
Baquer Namazi commented on "Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, December 10, 2023 : Kul Gautam"
Dec 10, 2023
Dear Kul
I know not how to thank you for sharing the piece below with your energizing message. I feel so very proud as a compatriot who shared her sufferings in the prison of the oppressive regime. in her very brave speech she has also contributed to crafting a splendid road map which we could well follow in our co-peace initiative and move forward.
Please keep up with your energizing messages. You are my mentor and many others.
With warmest good wishes
Baquer
below the site
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2023/mohammadi/lecture/
I know not how to thank you for sharing the piece below with your energizing message. I feel so very proud as a compatriot who shared her sufferings in the prison of the oppressive regime. in her very brave speech she has also contributed to crafting a splendid road map which we could well follow in our co-peace initiative and move forward.
Please keep up with your energizing messages. You are my mentor and many others.
With warmest good wishes
Baquer
below the site
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2023/mohammadi/lecture/
Niloufar Pourzand commented on "Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, December 10, 2023 : Kul Gautam"
Dec 10, 2023
Thank you dear Kul & Robert, a proud & yet poignant moment for us.
I too watched it live & appreciated each moment. Yes Mahsa Vahdat & Mojgan Shajarian sang very well. They each have their own stories of struggle too.
Narges’s husband & brother were in the audience & some of our most prominent activists and artists.
In Unicef Iran, we recruited Shirin Ebadi to translate & do a comparative study of the CRC & worked with her in the early 1990s. I met her after decades recently & spoke about that experience at a Conference organized at the UoT. Andre was our great Representative at the time in Iran.
In solidarity, tashakor, Niloufar
I too watched it live & appreciated each moment. Yes Mahsa Vahdat & Mojgan Shajarian sang very well. They each have their own stories of struggle too.
Narges’s husband & brother were in the audience & some of our most prominent activists and artists.
In Unicef Iran, we recruited Shirin Ebadi to translate & do a comparative study of the CRC & worked with her in the early 1990s. I met her after decades recently & spoke about that experience at a Conference organized at the UoT. Andre was our great Representative at the time in Iran.
In solidarity, tashakor, Niloufar
Robert Cohen commented on "Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, December 10, 2023 : Kul Gautam"
Dec 10, 2023
So deeply moving https://bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67675851
Dec 10, 2023
In the decades of conflict between Israel and Palestine, rape as a weapon of war has never featured as an issue. Sexual violence against Palestinian children in Israeli military detention has been researched and documented.
To date, the information on this is coming from unspecified “eyewitnesses”, “analysts” and “observers”. There is reference to a lack of forensics and only generic descriptions are provided.
The arena is rife with misinformation and spin. The IDF have long been masters of public manipulation with “information”.
Under these circumstances, any credible organisation engaged in documenting and addressing violence against women (or children) must tread with extreme caution. The Israeli intent will be to use the UN as a mouthpiece for their own purposes, or, failing that, condemn the UN for inaction.
To date, the information on this is coming from unspecified “eyewitnesses”, “analysts” and “observers”. There is reference to a lack of forensics and only generic descriptions are provided.
The arena is rife with misinformation and spin. The IDF have long been masters of public manipulation with “information”.
Under these circumstances, any credible organisation engaged in documenting and addressing violence against women (or children) must tread with extreme caution. The Israeli intent will be to use the UN as a mouthpiece for their own purposes, or, failing that, condemn the UN for inaction.
Myra commented on "Vietnam Travelogue by Myra Rudin"
Dec 10, 2023
Thank you Peter, and others for your kind comments! Myra
In Response to a comment by Peter Delahaye
Dec 10, 2023
😢
Peter Delahaye commented on "Vietnam Travelogue by Myra Rudin"
Dec 10, 2023
I would vote this feature article of the year! It deserves wider circulation in a more complete travelogue. I collected Vietnamese art in the 90s (Phai, Tran Luc, Cu Ong etc) and am fascinated by the gracious culture that still exists.
Unknown commented on "Weekly Digest for 3 to 10 December 2023"
Dec 10, 2023
Myra…..those photos are mesmerising and I truly enjoyed looking at them so another well done!!!Best Wishes Mike
Unknown commented on "An Ode to James Elder, UNICEF Spokesperson. : Fouad Kronfol"
Dec 9, 2023
Thanks Fouad. Indeed James Elder deserves our praise. His reporting from the scene is helping some more humanizing coverage.by mainstream media. The killing of a CNN field producer and his entire family led Jake Tapper to finally question Mark “spin doctor” Regev in an aggresive way. Ending with the refrain “Where are they supposed to go [to be safe”. At the same time the dramatic and as yet unproven rape allegations once again are meant to present Israelis as victims and Palestinians as monsters.
Unknown commented on "Vietnam Travelogue by Myra Rudin"
Dec 9, 2023
BRAVISSIMA Myra! Plaudits and Kudos to a wonderful travelogue on Viet Nam. Naturally I am biased having spent almost four years in the early 1980's serving in Hanoi. Like many others who have worked in the country I believe it has made the most durable imprint on my and Nadia's lives. Granted the period was unique, with the country just coming out of the long "American" war, going through the throes of re-unification between the north and south, having a brief but consequent conflict along its northern border with China, and entering into Kampuchea to defeat the Khmer Rouge and their murderous regime. Despite all these major military events, we were impressed with the resilience of the people, charmed by their humanity and humbled by the odds they faced in getting their lives back together. During my last visit in 2015 the words that struck me most were those of our colleague Trinh Thi Moui (retired) when I asked how she and her family were doing; she replied, "at last, we have PEACE !"
Your photos brought back wonderful memories of the old and the new Viet Nam, and you have captured so eloquently the essence of the people and the country-side. The photo "worker at dusk" is a master-piece of colour and context.
I am sure you have many more photos, and hope you will share them with XUNICEF in due course. Thank you.
Your photos brought back wonderful memories of the old and the new Viet Nam, and you have captured so eloquently the essence of the people and the country-side. The photo "worker at dusk" is a master-piece of colour and context.
I am sure you have many more photos, and hope you will share them with XUNICEF in due course. Thank you.
Unknown commented on "An Ode to James Elder, UNICEF Spokesperson. : Fouad Kronfol"
Dec 9, 2023
Thank you Sree..your own Ditty provides an equally wonderful "twin" to mine. I do hope that James Elder will eventually get to read these comments as they will surely encourage him to do more and better. He is a brave man indeed !
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