RSS

Category Archives: Foreign Affairs

BABY NEWS – FACEBOOK’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES TO BE MISTAKEN FOR DEMOCRACY IN EGYPT

I wee chat about empowering others, into pathways of democracy:

Is being on a website all people need to have to feel like they have ‘a viable sense of democracy?’ In some nations, that answer is a resounding “yes.” In particular Facebook’s dominance in Egypt, is revolutionizing the culture so much as a social website that people are really making Facebook a part of their family’s future. Literally.

The Associated Press reports today, “A new Egyptian father has named his daughter Facebook in honour of the role social media played in his country’s recent revolution.

Jamal Ibrahim told Al-Ahram newspaper his newborn’s unusual name showed how happy he was with Facebook’s part in organising protests across Egypt.

Thousands of protesters in January packed Tahrir Square and other cities in Egypt for 18 days calling for an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

Family, friends and neighbours have reportedly gathered around the newborn to show their continued support for the revolution they say started on the social networking site.

The newborn’s family is not alone in expressing their gratitude to Facebook.

The number of Facebook users in Egypt has grown to five million over the past month — more than any other country in the Middle East.

Some 32,000 groups and 14,000 pages were created after the January 25 revolution.

Graffiti sprayed across Cairo said “thank you Facebook” in the days after President Mubarak eventually bowed to public pressure and resigned.

The military government is also using Facebook to try and reach out to young Egyptian people.

But one internet blogger thinks the family may have gone too far in naming their daughter after the website.

“The internet as a whole should win the Nobel Peace Prize this year for all it’s done for democracy in the Middle East/North African region, but let’s not let this naming kids get out of hand,” the blogger said.

“I’d hate for little Facebook to have to share a classroom with a little AOL, or worse a little Yahoo!”

Although the story is very cute, you can’t help but sense that the billionaire’s of the world (Hosni Mubarak being a big one) are putting the new millionaire’s club to work (Mark Zuckerberg and friends) to act as ’magicians of online American corporate IT magic.’ These lads (mainly) are all having a little bit too much fun in Egypt, right now. Obviously. They’re very strong. Too funny!

Egypt is the model nation, all other nation’s in the Mid-East who may or may not, have a revolution too, are being shaped by invisible guiding forces to follow – like Facebook being an agent of influence, for example.

From a Humanitarian point of view, I can’t help thinking that it’s a shame Egypt can’t do their own version of Facebook like “Phoenix Book” or “Cleopatra’s Peoples Pages” or something. A new version of a social website that is more friendly to the Arabic language.

Surely, in a nation that’s natural gas and gold rich, Egypt could develop that social news website, that we in the US, are happy to access and share, equally by cross-pollinating websites as it’s possible for them to dove tail each other. Instead of Post Hosni Mubarak years, giving one’s entire cultural IP in the form of pictures, shared video links and most importantly a nation’s written words to Facebook – for free. Just a thought.

We are not mercernary in America. Why should a Hosni Mubarak hold the future of Egypt’s daily culture created and shared online, as a sacrifice to American IT companies. That does not sit well with me. So an Egyptian-owned Cleopatra’s People Pages social media website (that could be 50% US owned if an idea of democracy is preferred) would seem smart. When we joke about Egypt in the US because of Facebook, that’s not all that cool, when Egypt is 1/4 the size of the US. It’s like laughing at 1/4 of America for example, and that doesn’t sit very well with me. Watch this video to see what I mean via Funny or Die. Click on top Pic to view.

I just think there’s enough Arabic speaking, Mid-East and Egyptian-friendly people in the world, to get together, combine talents and preserves Egypt’s culture and heritage arts on an Egyptian owned social media site. That would be kinda smart.

Word for the day – What mercenary could mean – “A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict, who is not a national or a party to the conflict, and is “motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party” (Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Convention of August 1949). A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he gets monetary reward from his service.”

If you’re Egyptian and you’ve temporarily forgotten how strong and beautiful your culture is, under duress, here’s a song just for you in Arabic as a reminder. You should have your own Facebook, so that cultural ignoramuses like me, can access it and see your stars. They’re pretty cool. :)

[Music - via Samo ZaenTwilit Dove at Side of Branch blog post, Hollywood]

[Pictures and Horiwood.Com - Hollywood archives]

~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.20.11~

 

GO – CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR ALL CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

Like many of you, I’m a big fan of all kids in the world having clean drinking water whenever they need. 1 billion people don’t have access yet. 54% of all people in Africa need us to act on their behalf for their better water situation as well.

Click here to make a difference if feeling it. Let’s flow. Thanks peeps. Water.Org is asking for $10 to makes this pivotal dif. Sweet!

[Music: Kings of Leon] Their message:”It’s in the water.”

~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12. 27.10~

 
1 Comment

Posted by horiwood on December 28, 2010 in Pax Jolie-Pitt, Funny TV, Oscars, Fashion, Fashion Designers, Padma Lakshmi, Pregnancy News, Olympics, Family Vs Fame, Paris Hilton, Oprah Winfrey, ObamaDrama, France, Penelope Cruz, Pedro Almodovar, Pamela Anderson, Fergie, Philipp Karner, Olivia Wilde, Politics, Peru, Prince, Poetry, Pink, Prince Harry Windsor, Parenting, Poland, Patricia Cornwell, Paula Abdul, Freedom, Oksana Grigorieva, Princess Dianna, Farrah Fawcett, Photography, Pete Wentz, Film Franchises, Polynesian, Paihia, Pamela Bach, Kings of Leon, Paris Jackson, Prince Michael Jackson I, Prince Michael Jackson II., Fitness, Freida Pinto, Paramore, Pitbull, Orlando Bloom, Portia de Rossi, Faith Hill, Pierce Brosnan, Project Runway, Paul Wesley, Producers, Pauly Fuemana, OMC, Peter Andre, Fiji, Peter Facinelli, Philadelphia, Paula Patton, Pearl Runga, Kindness, Frank O''Hara, Olivia Newton John, Palm Springs, Puerto Rico, Francois Henri-Pinault, Opera, Frank Sinatra, Freedom of Speech, Palestine, Palm Tree Productions, Paul Mercurio, Piano, Patrick Swayze, Fayrouz, Funerals, Paris, Olivia Abbott, Florida, Psychology Today, Forgiveness, Patricia Arquette, Oklahoma, Frank McCourt, Feuds, Water, Friendship, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, Project Angel Food, Otara, Poneke, Pop Art, Frida Kahlo, Fashion Accessories, Foreign Affairs, Pirates, Paul Rudd, Prince William, Young Royals, Ozzy Osbourne, Pastor Watch, Football, Patrick Soon-Shiong, Pop Cultural Commentary

 

A UK CROWN IS A VISUAL ICON APPEARING IN HOLLYWOOD

As you know, if you read this blog I live in the Russian-Jewish District called Little Russia in West Hollywood, California.

I can’t help but notice how all through West Hollywood the Crown as a symbol is appearing in store front windows. West Hollywood is known for its love of plastic Princess crowns imagery–but this Crown is distinctly a King’s crowd. It is solid and a symbol of hope and just rule. Interesting too is the fact that the crown symbols being displayed are majestically painted, like art of Leonardo da Vinci’s era or something groovy like that. They’re a study. The return of majesty is what people want in a shite economy. An interesting expression of desire.

What do I get from this shift in consciousness in West Hollywood window store front windows? Perhaps it signifies that–

Already the American people await in anticipation the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Their retail hopes all hinge on her and the special ring she’s wearing of an amazing woman America once loved so much.

I know that these are U.K crowns, because one of them has an inscription written in Gaelic of Scotland in glitter paint. I don’t know why, but perhaps because my Kiwi ancestors descend from Grahamstown of Scotland, the image made me shed a tear of joy. Weird.

I’ll try and get a photo of this for you at some point. America is being so warm towards the UK right now, gauging from these artistic expressions in the West Hollywood hood, a trend setting capitol of the US in terms of what’s hot and what’s not-that feeds into Hollywood’s studios’ elite and is emulated by all in the world. In terms of creative IP being used without return or reward shared back by others, West Hollywood is perhaps one of the most exploited cities in the world for IP theft–however, the city continues to lead with what they feel is more fun for the world. No other deep reason (sadly) just more fun. And what’s wrong that? A crown as a symbol of fun times ahead. I can go with that!

“Crowns are US 2011″ is the message increasingly being expressed by the American people.

Kate Middelton has just made Barbara Walters final list of The Ten Most Fascinating People of America for 2010. This image courtesy of Rocco Pop Revolution. We are on the verge of a cultural revolution where the UK and the USA forge tighter bonds and better blending of cultures.

~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.30.10~

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MIRANDA KERR LEADS THE LINE UP OF VICTORIA’S SECRET ANGELS

A Miranda Kerr Post as Sun Capp Art – These ladies are ambassadors that matter. They are seen each year by a billion plus people on the planet. They are visible. As international ambassadors they are given the title of “angel.” An angel is a “messenger.” With all their wings aflutter–(feather creations as fashion accessories) they are a reminder of–what’s your message for the world? And to strut it out.

True fact: All the models that walk the runway of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show each year are called “Runway Angels.” The elite representatives for America’s most favorite fashion show each year and spokespeople of the brand are called “Victoria’s Secret Angels.” They’re in another league of hotness. They’re like Charlies Angels –the TV Show once made here in California–as global representatives.

Their selection reads like a line up of G20 Summit leaders or a UN Summit meetings best representatives. They stem from many nations. In the current line up is:

Miranda Kerr of Australia, PINK spokesmodel 2006-8 and now ongoing. Featured here for Heavenly Kiss launch.

Doutzen Kroes of The Netherlands via Vsalla Acess Victoras Secret.

Behati Prinsloo of Namibia–since 2008.

Rosie Huntington Whitely UK, selected 2010

Candice Swanepoel of South Africa, selected 2010

2010′s American trio – Erin Heatherton,

Chanel Iman,

Lily “is it time to snort & vomit yet?”Aldrige

In 2007 Victoria’s Secret Angels as a star brand, were awarded their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They are an elite group of girls–doing good things with their beauty and profiles. They join previous Victoria Secret Angels: Heidi Klum of Germany and America, Selita Ebanks of USA, Tyra Banks USA, The Brazilian trio: Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio. Karolina Kurkova and Marissa Miller and Lindsey Ellingson USA to name a view more.

Fun girls–all strutting their stuff for a good cause. These Angels all work for a company called The Limited.

Why are they so lethal and effective as global ambassadors? Their distribution model. More catalogues from The Limited than people who are in the US are created. More than 400 million Victoria’s Secret catalogues are mailed each year from head office, America.

The Limited is increasingly becoming a green thinking company: Under pressure from environmentalist groups, Victoria’s Secret’s parent firm and a conservation group have reached an agreement to make the lingerie retailer’s catalog more environmentally friendly in 2006. The catalog will no longer be made of pulp supplied from any woodland craibou habitat range in Canada, unless it has been certified by the Forest Protection Association.

Sun Capitol Ambassadors: The Limited sold 75% of its company shares to Sun Capitol Partners, Inc–a company that manages $8 billion in equity capitol with 245 companies and businesses worldwide that generate INXS of $40 billion each year. Sun Capitol Ambassadors have offices Boca Raton, Los Angeles, New York, and affiliate offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

These Angels are Sun Capitol’s ambassadors of choice. Miranda Kerr is almost about to pop with baby no.1. Go kid!

[Images-Top via Zimbio. And People]

~Information via Not The WikiLeaks Website. Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.30.10~

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,