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 Zaen - Twilit Dove at Side of Branch blog post, Hollywood]
[Pictures and Horiwood.Com - Hollywood archives]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.20.11~
HAYLEY WESTERNRA SINGS AMAZING GRACE FOR CHRISTHCHURCH
Sometimes when a singer sings, they not only pierce the air but they pierce hearts with their beautiful sound. Singer Hayley Westernra talks about singing for Christchurch City, her hometown that is rebuilding after earthquake devastation.
Click on Hayley’s pic to be wowed. Lyrics to this hym originally penned by a slave trader in unenlightened times of world history, named John Newton (1725-1807) who wrote this song once he had an epiphany of how gibbing others in order to profit, was wrong, follow:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
[TVNZ news footage screen cap photo- A grandmother listens to Hayely sing the words of this timeless hymn at Hagley Park Christchurch City]
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.18.11~
Posted by horiwood on March 18, 2011 in A Different View, Canterbury, Christchurch, Commonwealth, Entertainment Celebrity News, Entertainment Distribution, Entertainment News, Grey Power, Guest Commentary, Hayley Westernra, Hollywood Entertainment News, Hollywood Today, John Newton, Kool Kiwis, Krazy Kiwis, Liberty, Life, Light, Like A Prayer, Live Music Artists, Music Industry News, New Zealand, Song Lyrics, Song Writers, Spirit, Young Hollywood