Inter-Guiana Cultural Festival – celebration of rich mosaic

Inter-Guiana Cultural Festival – celebration of rich mosaic cultural diversity

Georgetown, GINA, August 23, 2012

The National Cultural Centre came alive tonight as the Second Inter-Guiana Cultural Festival was declared open in pomp and style and with an array of cultural items showcasing the three Guianas (Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana).

One of the many cultural presentations showcased at the opening ceremony

The Festival is premised on the notion of building bridges of friendship among the Guianas and provides for the celebration of cultural practices among celebrants in the various countries, and allows for the interaction of cultural practitioners, administrators and those in love with and willing to learn about culture and the practices in the various countries at one celebration. [Read more]

India cyber blockades in wake of ethnic violence

Internet expert criticizes India cyber blockades in wake of ethnic violence and revenge rumors

By Associated Press, Published: August 24, 2012

Earlier this month, thousands of people from the country’s remote northeast began fleeing cities in southern and western India, as rumors swirled that they would be attacked in retaliation for ethnic violence against Muslims in their home state.

Last weekend, the government said the rumors were fed by gory images — said to be of murdered Muslims — that were actually manipulated photos of people killed in cyclones and earthquakes. Officials said the images were spread to sow fear of revenge attacks.

After that, the government began interfering with hundreds of websites, including some Twitter accounts, blogs and links to certain news stories. The government also ordered telephone companies to sharply restrict mass text messages.

It is unclear who has been spreading the inflammatory material. Experts say that despite the government’s electronic interference, there are many ways to access the blocked sites.  [Read more]

Is China the next superpower? – video

Many people see China’s strength mainly in its economy and although China’s economy now ranks as the second largest in the world, its per capita income is still roughly 10 times lower than that of Japan and the United States. Due to The low standard of living China is forced to export. And that’s what the Chinese economy is, an export- oriented economic system. This has made China overwhelmingly dependent on consumers in the West. Chinese exports, which go through the global sea trade routes, are dominated by the U.S. Navy.   

Suriname – Sell Off – video

Suriname – Sell Off – video

Deep in the jungles of South America, the culture of escaped slaves has been preserved for over three centuries. But their unique heritage is now being threatened by developers.

The former Dutch colony of Suriname is home to the largest undisturbed expanse of tropical rainforest and the highest number of ethnic groups in the world. “You have the indigenous people, the bushnegroe cultures. It’s a unique and wonderful mix that is not found anywhere else,” explains Russel Mittermeier from Conservation International.

But with 70% of the population living below the poverty line, the government is considering selling forest land to developers. “Our government has put our forest out for sale,” laments resident Cornelly Olivera. But indigenous people see themselves as the legal owners of the forests and are determined to fight all developments.

Entry submitted by Dmitri Allicock.

The Crisis of Civilization : Full Movie

Directed by Dean Puckett.  Animations by Lucca Benney
Based on the Book by Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed : http://crisisofcivilization.com/book/

Like the book on which it is based, the film consists of seven parts which explore the interconnected dynamic of global crises of Climate Catastrophe; Peak Energy; Peak Food; Economic Instability; International Terrorism; and the Militarization Tendency — with a final section on The Post-Peak World.
Featuring clowns, car crashes, explosions, acrobats, super heroes, xylophones and much, much more!

Why Revolt Is All We Have Left – Chris Hedges Interview

Truthout Interviews Chris Hedges About Why Revolt Is All We Have Left

Wednesday, 22 August 2012 – By Mark Karlin, Truthout | Interview

Chris Hedges, a former New York Times reporter, has become perhaps the foremost media scribe and most prolific advocate of a need for revolutionary change in our current institutional oppression and control of the government by the oligarchical and political elite. Hedges writes with a reporter’s detail, a prophet’s eloquence and a compelling sense of urgency. This is evident in his latest book, which visits the “sacrifice zones” of America. Get the just-released “Days of Destruction Days of Revolt” (with illustrations by Joe Sacco) directly from Truthout right now by clicking here. Make a minimum donation and support progressive writers and Truthout. 

Mark Karlin: You begin “Days of Destruction Days of Revolt” with a visit to and reflection upon the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the poorest and perhaps most hopeless Native American settlement in the United States. Indian reservations were a tragically ironic result of the American revolt to throw off the shackles of being a colony, only to become a colonial power over the indigenous residents that lay in its way to achieving “Manifest Destiny.” Is this irony the reason why you begin your journey across the “sacrifice zones” of the United States at Pine Ridge?   [Read more]

The USA government is in deep financial trouble

…  And we thought Greece was bad!  The USA is 32 times worse!

Someday the US population will wake up to this dire situation and I hoe it is not too late.  In the past, none of the current hot button topics of discussion have any relevance if Americans do not address the debt situation. Taxing the rich will not even add a drop to the bucket. Stop the wasteful spending, cut entitlements, and fix the tax code.
Every American, and all concerned world citizens, should take time to watch this video. It is not really political. It just states the facts.

America’s problem is the same in many other countries, so be aware.   It will take a few minutes to watch. I think you will find it worthwhile.

USPS – Letter Carriers Consider Bringing Back Banking Services

Saving the Post Office: Letter Carriers Consider Bringing Back Banking Services

Sunday, 12 August 2012 – By Ellen Brown, Truthout | News Analysis

On July 27, 2012, the National Association of Letter Carriers adopted a resolution at their national convention in Minneapolis to investigate the establishment of a postal banking system.

The resolution noted that expanding postal services and developing new sources of revenue are important components of any effort to save the public post office and preserve living-wage jobs; that many countries have a long and successful history of postal banking, including Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the United States itself; and that postal banks could serve the nine million people who don’t have a bank account and the 21 million who use usurious check cashers, giving low-income people access to a safe banking system. “A USPS [United States Postal Service] bank would offer a ‘public option’ for banking,” concluded the resolution, “providing basic checking and savings – and no complex financial wheeling and dealing.”

What is bankrupting the USPS is not that it is inefficient. It has been self-funded throughout its history. But in 2006, Congress required it to prefund postal retiree health benefits for 75 years into the future, an onerous burden no other public or private company is required to carry.     [Read more]

Guyana’s National Census Day is September 15, 2012

 September 15 is Guyana’s National Census Day

Guyana’s National Census will begin on September 15, making it the 7th Post War National Population and Housing Census for the former British colony, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh on Tuesday signed the signed the mandatory Census Order and Regulations under the Laws of Guyana, identifying Saturday, September 15 as Guyana’s 2012 Census Day.

Guyana’s impending Census is part of the global round of Population and Housing Censuses for the current 2010 Round whereby almost all countries which are Members of the United Nations have conducted and completed their national Censuses during the period which commenced in 2005 and concludes in 2014, the demarcated period for the 2010 Round of Censuses. 

Corruption Corrodes Future of Guyana’s Youth – Rosaliene Bacchus

This entry is from Rosaliene Bacchus, one of our avid followers and contributors…

Three Worlds One Vision

Garbage outside the Stabroek Market – Georgetown – Guyana

Source: Guyana Chronicle News, 3 January 2012 (www.guyanachronicle.com)

 

My love for my native land blossomed at an early age. It found expression in primary school through the patriotic songs I learned and sang with fervor. My favorite song was “My Native Land” by M.A. Cossou. The opening line still evokes that love: “Oh, I care not that others rave over fair lands afar…” At an early age, I believed that I would never leave my native land because there was “none so fair as can compare with my own native land.”(Lyrics available at silvertorch.com/guysongs.)

I delighted in the brilliant red-orange-yellow flowers of the flamboyant trees lining the main avenues of our capital city, Georgetown. Hibiscus hedges, bougainvillea bushes, and croton plants added their vibrant colors to make Georgetown the Garden City of the Caribbean Region.

At…

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