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28. februar 2005
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Lebanon's pro-Syrian government had banned anti-Syrian demonstrations today, but as hundreds of thousands defied the ban and the threats of violence, the game was up. Prime Minister Omar Karami announced his government's resignation in a TV speech.
President Emile Lahoud, also a pro-Syrian politician, will now have to pick a prime minister to form a new government.
The demonstrators cheered and sang as the news of their victory was announced. Rafik Hariri's assassination has managed to unite the Christian and Muslim Lebanese. Lebonon's red-and-white revolution is underway, and the people have won the first victory. Still Syrian troops and intelligence officers effectively control the country, if not the streets of Beirut, and the demonstators vow to stay on until Syria backs down.
PS: Or maybe it should be called the cedar revolution? Obviously that is up to the Lebanese people.
10:05:01 PM 
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Trevor Stanley discusses some caveats concerning the democratic developments in Egypt.
There is always a fear that democratic elections can lead extremists to power. It is crucial that institutions are in place that prevent a regime, once voted into power, from destroying the democratic system itself and retain power.
9:57:13 PM
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Any plans for July 20? On that day, 600,000,000 people should jump up and down at the same time, 11:39:13 GMT/UST to be precisely, and thus move the Earth's orbit a little bit and stop global warming.
That is what they say on World Jump Day, anyway.
The fact that any number of people jumping up and down will not do anything to change the orbit of out planet, and at best (?) will give some minor earthquakes, is just a minor problem with environmental campaigns generally, so nothing is new here.
I think and hope this is just an elaborate joke.
9:50:08 PM
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Following the murder of filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, Dutch politicians fearing for their lives have been forced to hide. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, member of parliament and outspoken critic of abuse of women prevalent in Muslim communities, first had to flee the country for some months, and then moved into hiding in an army barracks (!). Finally, now she is to move into a normal house:
According to [Minister] Donner it is housing “where she can stay as long as the threat continue”. Hirsi Ali has reacted very happy on the news and said she wanted to send Donner flowers. Although she did not wanted to live on a ‘secret’ location, she now says she had to promise to keep the location secret.
Parliamentary representatives Geert Wilders, also under threat from militant Jihadis, is hiding in a prison.
This has been going on for months.
1:58:27 AM
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© Copyright 2005 Jan Haugland.
Last update: 01.03.2005; 01:33:21.
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