August 04, 2008

The Craziest Story of the Year (at least in my book!)

The Rogue Falls into the ChasmThe Upper Rogue River Gorge is one of the most wild and scenic stretches of the Rogue. The 500-foot stretch of water drops 45 feet and hides an unknown number of dangers including hidden lava tubes. I've been there dozens of times since it's right near Union Creek, our favorite place to camp. I've fished it and hiked it and I've heard the stories of people falling in and never coming out, but today I heard a true story of a 16-year-old who fell in and came out...alive!

He was taking some pictures and went above the gorge to the unfenced area to get more pictures. He waded in (OMG!!!), lost his balance and went in. Apparently lots of people saw him go in but no one saw him come out. At the bottom of the Gorge, there's great big pool that forms before the rapids continue. The water kicked him out along a ledge of that pool. People saw the body along the ledge "and then the body started moving." He had only scratches and bruises to show for wildest and craziest ride down the Rogue no one would ever want to take.

Read the full story in the Mail Tribune.

Crazy!!!

Posted by Amber at 09:16 PM

July 25, 2008

The New Home of Sleepyhead City Web Works LLC


The New Home of Sleepyhead City Web Works LLC
Originally uploaded by amber_is_i
Just a quick post to announce my new office space in Ashland! It's right next door to Abbinito, the salon where I have my massage practice. Very convenient!

(That's right...I'm staying in Ashland for at least another year! I'm very excited about what this year will bring.)
Posted by Amber at 05:56 PM | comments (1)

April 15, 2008

Welcome to the world, Adelyn Elisabeth Schrenk!

Born Born 4/13/08, 8:06 pm to Dan and Alonna, Adelyn Elisabeth Schrenk, 9 lbs, 0 oz, 21 in. Congratulations to Dan and Alonna and all of the new aunties and grandparents! I can't wait to meet her next week when I'm up north. Pictures to come!

Posted by Amber at 12:37 PM

Mourning the Passing of Former Biola President Clyde Cook

I am saddened this morning to learn of the unexpected passing of President Emeritus Clyde Cook. He was the president of Biola when I attended and had only just recently retired from his post of 25 years. I was always encouraged whenever President Cook spoke. He was well-regarded and highly respected among the students when I was a student there. I never heard an ill-word spoken about him. I remember him fondly and wish I could be in southern Cal this week with the Biola community as we mourn the loss of our great leader.

Link

Posted by Amber at 12:22 PM

January 25, 2008

Announcing Chair Massage at First Friday at the "A" Street Arts Building

Just this morning I arranged to be at the "A" Street Arts Building for First Friday offering chair massage! "First Friday" is Ashland's gallery tour night (akin to Portland's First Thursdays). If you're in Ashland, the "A" Street Arts Building is on "A" Street and First across from the hardware store. I'm told there will be a Blues band there as well, so I'm sure it will be a great place to be on Friday, February 1st. I'll be offering chair massage in the upstairs hallway for $1/minute starting at 5pm. Hope to see some familiar faces (and meet new ones, too)!

Link: Amber Himes Massage, LLC

Posted by Amber at 12:05 PM

January 22, 2008

Like Dandelion Dust Movie Teaser Posted to Highwater Pictures Production Diary

Seth has created a promo video for the upcoming movie Like Dandelion Dust based on the novel by Karen Kingsbury.

Go check it out! Here's the link: Like Dandelion Dust Movie Teaser.

Posted by Amber at 04:16 PM

January 16, 2008

NEED magazine office burglarized

About a half-hour ago I (along with all NEED subscribers) received an e-mail saying that the NEED office was burglarized. All equipment was stolen and critical systems (phone lines, security, etc) were vandalized. I am shocked and saddened by this news. If anything, it underscores the importance of their work. Please lift up in prayer the editors and staff at NEED magazine as they press on with their mission to spread hope by communicating the just, compassionate, and healing acts of individuals and groups around the globe.

If you haven't subscribed to NEED, you are missing out on news of hope and justice. In a world where bad news is the only news, this magazine is a must-read for individuals who serve or support those in service to the poor world-wide.

Link: More about NEED magazine.

Posted by Amber at 11:13 AM

February 08, 2007

Shane Daniel Spotts Enters The World

ben_libby_shane.jpg

Congrats to Ben and Libby on the birth of their firstborn son, Shane Daniel. Word on the street is that baby Shane weighed in at 7lbs. 3oz. and is 20.5 inches long.

Happy Birthday, Shane!

Posted by Amber at 12:08 PM

January 03, 2007

Kim Family Benefit Auction is Live Through January 7, 2007

Just spreading the word about the art and craft auction to benefit the Kim family.

An auction of fine art + craft to benefit the family of James Kim organized by sisters Lisa Congdon and Stephanie Barnes and their mother Gerrie Congdon. 100% of the auction proceeds will go to the The James Kim Memorial Fund. Auction items from the artists listed below will be available for bid starting January 3, 2007on eBay. There will be a link to the eBay listing for each item from this site starting the morning of January 3. Bidding ends January 7th.

Link: the kim family benefit art + craft auction

Posted by Amber at 04:24 PM | comments (0)

January 26, 2006

Assassination Attempt Made on Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng

In [dis]honor of Google China's compliance with the Chinese government's oppressive will, here's a bit of news that I noticed on the front page of The Epoch Times (in a news stand in front of the building where I work). I found the article online; here's the link:

The Epoch Times | Assassination Attempt Made on Gao Zhisheng [Updated]

Related:
Sites Google Agreed to Censor in China

Posted by Amber at 01:16 PM

January 25, 2006

Indian Country Today: Contruction of Seattle Homeless Center to Begin in February

SEATTLE - Forty-five homeless people died on the streets of Seattle in 2005. Each death shows how nightmarish life on the streets can be.

Rhonda Starr, 39, Warm Springs, died of unknown causes in January 2005. Susan Eileen Redhorn, 51, Yakima/Blackfeet, died of an infection in May. Jesse Madera, a 55-year-old American Indian, died of unknown causes in June. Alpheus George, 38, Tlingit, fell onto Interstate 5 in September. Davina Garrison, 43, Navajo, was murdered in November.

All told, six homeless people were murdered; seven committed suicide. Others died of an overdose, heart disease or infections. One was run over by a train, another by a truck.

When Chief Seattle Club opens at its new site in January 2007, it won't be able to give American Indians and Alaska Natives a place to sleep at night because of neighborhood regulations preventing the establishment of a homeless shelter.

But the club will be better equipped to help homeless Native people get off the streets.

Link
Posted by Amber at 02:10 PM

January 12, 2006

Live from the Office Window: Fire Across the River

Just noticed giant plume of black smoke coming from a building across the Willamette. Yep, it's a fire. We can see the flames from here.

Looks like the fire department has arrived. Smoke mixed with white steam is now present.

KGW has a live feed but you have to register first. By the time I registered, got through the friggin commercial, all I got was the Alito hearings.

News says it's a house apartment up in flames on 13th and Taylor (SE). I'm at SW 1st and Salmon and have a pretty good view from the 5th floor of my building.

Update: Link via KATU

Update #2: Here's an interesting tidbit: VJ discovered/realized that she had taken a picture of this building because of it was kinda funky. Here's it is before it burned: Link to vj_pdx's photo of the apt on Flickr.

Posted by Amber at 01:12 PM

December 07, 2005

Clippings Roundup

I've (finally) started using Bloglines to read/scan/skim updated blogs, zines, newspapers, etc. and one of the features is "Save to Clippings Folder". I've been meaning to post these as I go, but what a surprise, this task has been neglected. So here goes:

Techy stuff

Around the world

  • BBC: Women resist 'honour' marriages—Five women from the same family in Pakistan's Punjab province have refused to be "united" with their prospective husbands as ordered by tribal elders.
  • BBC: Girls Still Miss Out on Schooling—New figures show the UN has fallen well short of its target of getting as many girls educated as boys. (Maybe that's because it's a ginormous problem that needs widespread attention and coordinated strategy.)
  • BBC: US firm to fight Somali pirates— I just thought it was somewhat ironic that there seems to be a comedic renaissance of pirate culture afoot in Internet-Land and here on the BBC is a story of US firm who's managed to score a contract for fighting pirates off the coast of Somalia. Who knew?

Fun(ny)

...and a side of eye-candy (re: film/trailers/animation/photography)

Thus endeth the linking extravaganza. Until next time, adieu and farewell.

Posted by Amber at 01:20 PM

Good Idea: Community Center in Apartment Complex

Spotted this excellent notion in today's Oregonian, (Dec. 7, 2005, page B3):
(click picture to enlarge if you have a fast Internet connection or a lot of patience; if not, captioned text is typed out below)

Building Community

Hawo Ali builds a tower of Legos on Tuesday in a community room at Beaverton's Fir Crest Manor Apartments. The staff from Firm Grove Elementary School donated videos, games, toys, and books to the recently refurbished community room. The apartment complex, across the street from the school, is home to roughly 75 children under the age of 12, most of whom are recent Somali immigrants. Companies including Intel, Comcast, and Fred Meyer donated computers, Internet service and playground equipment to the project.

Olivia Bucks, The Oregonian

I have a similar idea, but on a smaller scale for the apartment complex where I tutor Ruth (not her real name), who is also an immigrant from Somalia on refugee status. The complex is only 2 buildings, so my thought is to convert one of the apartment units into a community center for the 10-20 kids who live there. But where to get the money...

Posted by Amber at 12:57 PM

November 08, 2005

Twelfth Night of Riots in France Triggers Emergency Laws

The following quote is taken from the following link: Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | France suffers 12th night of violence

The violence is forcing France to confront anger that has been building for decades in neglected suburbs and among the French-born children of Arab and African immigrants.

France's Muslim community, of about 5 million people, is the largest in western Europe.

In private comments more conciliatory than his warning on Sunday that rioters would be caught and punished, the president, Jacques Chirac, acknowledged in a meeting yesterday with the Latvian president, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, that France had not integrated immigrant youths, she said.

Mr Chirac deplored the "ghettoisation of youths of African or north African origin" and recognised the "incapacity of French society to fully accept them", Ms Vike-Freiberga said.

In terms of material destruction, the unrest is France's worst since the second world war.

Posted by Amber at 10:13 AM

November 07, 2005

Riots in France continue

The rioting began last week when two teenagers of African origin were accidentally electrocuted while hiding from police in Clichy-sous-Bois, north of Paris. The violence is fuelled partly by resentment at France's discriminatory treatment of its north and black African communities, a far cry from the liberty, equality and fraternity of the country that likes to call itself the birthplace of human rights.

France braced for 12th night of riots, James Sturcke and agencies, Monday November 7, 2005 (Guardian)
Links
Posted by Amber at 01:11 PM

October 17, 2005

House hears testimony on caste-based discrimination, untouchability, and the plight of the Dalits in India

Something VERY interesting happened today (October 6, 2005). The U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations heard testimony from Indian human rights leaders, including Joseph D'Souza, on the situation of the Dalits in India. They testified about the unconstitutional practice of untouchability, situations of blatant disregard of religious freedom, and caste-based discrimination.

I watched most the hearing live on the Web. The video is now posted on the Subcommittee's Web site and I'll include a link to it below as well. Also, the full written testimonies are also online and links are provided in the list below.

Hearing: India's Unfinished Agenda: Equality and Justice for 200 Million Victims of the Caste System
Other links of interest on the Dalits and religious freedom
A couple of books that were cited in oral testimonies during the hearing:
Other issues that affect Dalits in India (unbeknownst to the world's leaders in some cases)

Disclaimer: articles found via a quick Google search; I can't vouch for the other content on these web sites, but the articles I link to below I felt were fairly good primers on the topics.

It's well worth it to learn about the Dalit movement in India as well as the discriminatory practices that gravely insult the dignity of human beings all around the world. I hope you will take some time to read or to listen to at least one of the resources I listed. You may find yourself learning more about how God feels about injustice and that may draw you nearer to Him, which is a very good thing, wouldn't you agree?

Posted by Amber at 04:47 PM

July 25, 2005

Flooding Crisis in Gujarat Worse than 2001 Earthquake

Last night at a East Indian gathering ("East Indian" as in people from anywhere on the subcontinent, not just people from eastern India; the term is meant to distinguish from Indians as in Native Americans or First Nations, etc.) I learned that the flooding I've been hearing about in India has created a more disasterous crisis in the state than the earthquake in 2001. The disaster is more widespread, leaving many more hundreds of thousands homeless and displaced. You can see here from this picture, taken in Gujarat in February of this year, how easily slums like this one could be washed away by flooding. Many homes, roads, churches and other building have been washed away. The expressways that we traveled on this year and last are gone, apparently.

I am going to try to get more personal information from our friends and partners in the region to post here. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in India who have been displaced and impacted by the flooding.

Article (AlertNet): Reuters AlertNet - ACT Alert: Monsoon Floods hit Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh, India

Posted by Amber at 11:23 AM

July 21, 2005

Rights for Dalit Christians?

In my very limited education on the human rights situation in India, I have been told that Dalit Christians are severely disadvantaged because they are ineligible for some of the social affirmative action programs that are designed and targeted for Dalits. So this news today is very interesting because it seems to be a major political milestone for Dalits, especially Dalits who are Christian because:

  • it is a recognition by the judiciary of the widespread caste-based discrimination that persists despite its illegality;
  • it recognizes and recommends political action to address the inequalities and discriminatory practices affecting these people;
  • it recognizes that past political action to end caste-based discrimination has utterly failed.

I pulled a few interesting quotes from the article:

"It is also unfortunately the sad reality the converts from Hindu religion to other religions have carried their caste marks with them whether they belong to higher caste or lower caste.

"The result today is all the religious communities in India except Parsis, have an ingrained caste system prevalent in all spheres of life. We had assembled here to consider the special case of Dalit Christians who were similarly converted from Hindu religion to Christianity and carried with them the same disadvantages and disabilities and they are carrying them even today. They will disappear if at all, only when similar disabilities suffered by Dalits of other religions, namely Hindu, Sikhs and Neo Buddhist, will disappear."

"It is therefore necessary that the Christian Dalits are given the same benefits aids and advantages, facilities and opportunities as are given to Dalits of Hindus, Sikhs and Neo Buddhists on the basis of caste to which they belong before conversion and which they are carrying even today," Justice Sawant, Barrister Sona Khan and the Jury said.

Read the whole article if you have a few minutes. It's very interesting. Leah, chime in if you can with some insight on this. Link: Dalit Christians must get Scheduled Caste rights says the tribunal.

Free the Dalit.

Posted by Amber at 01:59 PM | comments (1)

July 01, 2005

BC Ferries Incident Impacts Copper Island Volunteers

Just received this urgent prayer request from Jennifer Dudenhofer. Her husband, Jeff, is director of a summer camp for native youth on a small island in the Port Alberni inlet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The camp starts this next week, with volunteers arriving imminently. But, a BC Ferries boat ran aground yesterday causing delays in ferry service from the continent to Vancouver Island. I was a counselor at this camp a couple of years ago; this is a key ministry to native youth in the area.

Dear Friends,
Thanks to those of you who prayed for Jeff's travels up island. He did make it back early this afternoon, in time to make a previously scheduled meeting even on time!

We have an urgent prayer need. A BC Ferries boat crashed this morning in Vancouver. (BC Ferries is the transportation all our staff use to get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island). One camp staff member made it across before the back-up. However, my dad, a camp cook, and the boiler from Portand, are stuck somewhere in the line-up. Please pray they make it in tonight, as the first SeaHaven (mission boat) run from Port Alberni to Copper Island with camp staff and stuff is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) morning. Also, please pray for the rest of the camp staff members traveling by ferry on Saturday, that the delays would be removed by then. This is the Canada Day holiday weekend (equivalent to our July 4) so travel was crowded as it was without this major delay.

Thanks for praying!
Blessings, Jennifer

Here's an exerpt of a BC Ferries news release of the incident:

QUEEN OF OAK BAY LOSES POWER AND RUNS AGROUND Horseshoe Bay — At approximately 10:10 a.m. today, the Queen of Oak Bay, which sails between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, ran aground while coming into Horseshoe Bay. The vessel drifted into Sewell’s Marina, damaging several boats. Preliminary reports are that the vessel lost power. An investigation is currently underway. Emergency and regulatory authorities have been contacted. No injuries have been reported at this time.

... There will be delays at Horseshoe Bay terminal. Customers travelling between Vancouver Island and the mainland are advised to choose the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route. More information on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay schedule will be provided as soon as possible.

#1 QUEEN OF OAK BAY LOSES POWER AND RUNS AGROUND

Posted by Amber at 10:25 AM

March 11, 2005

Pray for peace in Northeast India

"After 50 years of bloody guerrilla campaigns, many civilians are tired and desperate for peace." —BBC, October 4, 2004

The BBC's October 4th, 2004 Q&A: India's violent north-east tells a story that could very well be told today as well as back in the Fall of 2004. Violence has once again erupted in Assam this week, one of several states in India located in the space between Bangladesh and Burma, sharing borders with China and Bhutan as well. Imagine the ethnic diversity in a place like that...and all the political divisions...all those boundaries and no view of the sea. Well, conflict abounds in this place. Peace is needed urgently.


A larger view of this map will popup in a little window when you click on the image. This is a Meghalaya District Map [courtesy Maps of India], which shows the town of Guwahati on the Brahmaputra River in the neighboring district of Assam. (The map of Assam that I found didn't show Guwahati, one of the locations of "separatist attacks" on Thursday. I also used this map of Meghalaya district because I know some people who are living in this district, so this place is more personally meaningful. That is, it helps me to relationally connect what is happening in the news with real people, even if they live some distance away. Making this relational connection may help me to intercede more effectively. I don't know if that is true. But I hope anyway.) The BBC Q&A on violence in NE India also has a nice map of the area as well.

Posted by Amber at 11:47 AM

December 27, 2004

Local aid to Tsumami/Earthquake victims

The news of the earthquake and resulting tsunami has been difficult if not impossible to comprehend.

Two Northwest relief agencies have been mobilized to send aid and support the efforts of their partners in the hard hit regions of SE Asia:

Mercy Corps - Massive Earthquake Devastates Southeast Asia

NW Medical Teams accepting support to send teams, medical supplies and support the efforts of local partners

Also, many updates at AlertNet (a news service "alerting humanitarians to emergencies." This is where most of the news stations will be getting their info.)

And Leah posted an update to her blog.

And Messy Christian is blogging on the disaster from Malaysia. (Hat tip: Andrew Jones.)

Posted by Amber at 09:46 AM

December 22, 2004

Of note: symphony commissioned to honor 1945 Nagasaki victims

Excerpt from the Oregonian's Kyr will write a symphony honoring Nagasaki victims:

The symphony is entitled "Ah Nagasaki: Ashes Into Light" and will present four vocal soloists, a chorus that includes children and full orchestra. The work, Kyr's 10th symphony, incorporates Western music, Japanese taiko drumming, and Noh chanting to depict the devastation and to offer a prayer for peace. A brief section of the work will be performed on the 60th anniversary next August. The full work will debut in two years' time, Kyr said.

The text of the symphony is a collaboration between Kyr and Tanahashi, and is written in both English and Japanese. "The entire project is intercultural," Kyr said.

Full article here: Oregonlive.com | Kyr will write a symphony honoring Nagasaki victims

Posted by Amber at 01:33 PM

October 22, 2004

Bush v. Kerry Debates: Free iTunes Download until Election Day

Download the presidential debates off iTunes for free until election day.

Hat tip: Jamie via this entry about the iTunes affiliates program at 37signals' Signals vs Noise weblog.

Posted by Amber at 12:06 PM

September 09, 2004

Alvaro Rafael Saravia found liable for Archbishop Oscar Romero's 1980 assassination

Rigoberta Menchú Tum: "Nearly 25 years after Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass in San Salvador, a chance for justice has finally appeared. In a landmark lawsuit, a federal judge in California ruled Friday that a former Salvadoran air force officer now living in the United States must pay $10 million to the family of the late archbishop." Continue reading the article (International Herald Tribune) » IHT: Lawsuit in California: Justice catches up with a Guatemalan murder

Incidentally, if the story of Romero's life and death is unfamiliar to you, I highly recommend the movie, aptly titled, Romero. (Nearby friends or family: I own this movie if you want to borrow it.) I believe I first saw this movie in one of my Intercultural Studies classes at Biola. I think it was a Harold Dollar class. Can't remember which. But seeing that movie triggered a huge turning point in my life. It sparked my interest in human rights and justice related issues and the responsibility of the church to integrate these issues in its gospel witness. This movie isn't for the faint of heart; but, if you're wrestling with how the gospel interfaces with culture and politics, this movie may profoundly impact your soul.

Posted by Amber at 12:55 PM | comments (2)

July 20, 2004

Church desecrated in Gujarat

Map of Gujarat - Click to enlarge
Click to see larger map of Gujarat

Read article: Church desecration leaves Gujarat village tense

I'm pretty sure I passed through Surat district during my trip to India in February. It was my favorite place of all the areas of Gujarat I was able to witness. Lots of small agro-villages spread out over the district. That was my brief impression, anyway. In one such village we went to the top of a hill and looked out over a very Shasta-esque lake. You could see for miles in a couple of different directions—and no people anywhere. (Such a contrast from the big city I stayed in!) However, in one direction, a village could be seen that was not unlike the one we were presently visiting. It was apparent that any general crime or devastation committed against any number of people within that village could quite possibly go undetected for days (in the absence of any fire, that is). Disconcerting, when you consider that much of the religiously motivated crime against people is committed in these small rural villages where cries for help would go largely unnoticed.

Posted by Amber at 02:58 PM

July 12, 2004

India: Police Probe Attacks on 'Untouchables'

"The Indian government should immediately launch a full investigation into allegations that police used excessive force against Dalits (or “untouchables”) who tried to participate in a religious ceremony in Tamil Nadu last week, Human Rights Watch said today."

From India: Probe Police Attacks on 'Untouchables' (Human Rights Watch, 10-7-2004)

Posted by Amber at 04:16 PM

Foreign-policy: The Other Other Battlefield

Secretary of State Colin Powell's diplomatic efforts with Sudan and North Korea have some wondering if Powell's actions are speaking loud and clear of a more effective approach to foreign policy than neocon war-mongering (a term that may be unduly unfair...maybe not.). Here's the article:

In foreign-policy battles, are neocons losing their hold? | csmonitor.com

Posted by Amber at 04:13 PM

June 29, 2004

Army to Call Up Retired, Discharged Troops

I am shocked and dismayed by news that "about 5,600 retired and discharged soldiers who are not members of the National Guard or Reserve that they will be involuntarily recalled to active duty for possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan."

These are members of the "Individual Ready Reserve" who, according to denfenselink.mil Reserve FAQ, "consists of: Individuals who have had training, have served previously in the Active component or the Selected Reserve, and have some period of a military obligation remaining."

Article here:
Army to call up retired, discharged troops

According to the article, members of Congress are being notified today (Tuesday). I'll be writing Congressman Wu about this. (Find your Congress rep's contact info here or here.)

Stop the insanity.

Here's the letter I sent to Congressman Wu:

I am shocked and dismayed by news that "about 5,600 retired and discharged soldiers who are not members of the National Guard or Reserve...will be involuntarily recalled to active duty for possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan." (Quoted from article here: http://www.comcast.net/News/DOMESTIC/XML/1152_Cabinet/ceef2cab-84b5-4ade-be66-1e5bb62ccb40.html)

I understand that the Individual Ready Reserve consists of "individuals who have had training, have served previously in the Active component or the Selected Reserve, and have some period of a military obligation remaining" (http://www.defenselink.mil/ra/secondary/componentsfaq.html). But though this practice may be "legal," I wonder how it can be rationalized when tomorrow was supposed to be the scheduled power transfer to Iraq. (Although, as I understand, the transfer has already happened.) Shouldn't the U.S. be pulling out instead of preparing to send more troops?

Though I understand little about what it takes militarily to ensure the safety and security of a country in transition, I seriously question the recalling of young men and women who have already served in the military most likely enlisting to attain an otherwise unattainable goal of a college education. Though these people may have been aware of the possibility of their recall, it does seem fair to label their recall as "involuntary" and as such should be called into question.

Every day we are brought further discouraging news of the negative effects of our foreign policy and our military presence in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and many other places. Yet I still believe that accountability, integrity, and transparency can be practiced and witnessed by our country. By actively calling into question the acts of those in power, the people, through their elected representatives may ensure that accountability and integrity becomes a real practice in this nation.

I have been very encouraged by your voting record in the recent past and this is why I am making my concerns known to you. Please do what you can to ensure that a system of checks, balances and accountability does its noble work. Please call into question the recall of members of the Individual Ready Reserve for service in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Posted by Amber at 09:52 AM

May 14, 2004

News on Sudan Peace Talks

News on peace talks regarding Sudan (Al-Ahram Weekly, Cairo)...(I copied a few paragraphs below for the skimmers...):

"Non-Muslims are going to be subjected to Sharia law... In the past underprivileged and jobless southerners were the first to suffer from amputation of limbs even though they are not Muslim. That is why we do not want Khartoum to impose Sharia law," Farouk Abu Eissa, the former head of the Cairo-based Arab Lawyers Union and official spokesman for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Abu Eissa stressed that civil liberties and democratic rights cannot be restricted simply to southern Sudan. The people of northern Sudan are entitled to civil liberties, democracy and human rights as well. He said that many political groups in northern Sudan do not accept the concept of a theocratic state with limited civil liberties as propagated by the Sudanese government. "The political and economic reconstruction of Sudan must be founded on a new basis, one which takes into account the multi-religious and multi-ethnic make-up of the country. Civil society groups -- including trade unions, independent professional associations and opposition parties -- must be involved in the peace process. The state of emergency must be lifted," he added.

[...] The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), the chief armed opposition group in Darfur, not to be confused with the southern Sudanese-based SPLA, and the other main Darfur armed opposition group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), have been battling both government forces and allied Arabised militias known as Janjaweed. The civilian population of Darfur, Sudan's poorest province, has borne the brunt of the fighting. Unlike the secularist and leftist SLA, JEM is a militant Islamist organisation reputedly linked to the Popular National Congress Party (PNC) of the Sudanese Islamist ideologue and former Parliament Speaker Hassan Al-Turabi. The indigenous population of Darfur is, like the rest of northern Sudan, Muslim, but like southern Sudan it is predominantly non-Arabised. Most of the people of Darfur retain their non-Arab identity. They complain that the Janjaweed militias are desecrating their mosques and other places of public worship, as well as cattle rustling, raping, and destroying life and property.

From: Al-Ahram Weekly | Region | End of the tunnel

Hat tip: Google News E-mail Alert: indigenous human rights

Posted by Amber at 01:16 PM

May 13, 2004

CAFTA Signing Date Set

The Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will apparently be signed on Friday, May 28, 2004.

I am almost positive that this totally sucks.

CAFTA Signing Date Set (High Plains Journal, May 13, 2004)

Posted by Amber at 02:29 PM

Time to learn about Elections in South Asia

As if elections in the U.S. weren't confusing enough, I have to go and figure out what the deal is half-way around the world.

So, if you don't mind, I'll drag you along with my on my quest to de-mystify the issues surrounding recent elections in South Asia, specifically India (although I do have a link here to an article I just received in my inbox about elections in the Philippines which I will include in this post for good measure.)

So most of this India election stuff is from the BBC, which seemed like a pretty reliable source since Britain has been pretty intimately involved with India in the past (seeing as it colonized it for quite some time):

And, finally, a "global perspective" article from the National Catholic Reporter, "Asia Goes to the Polls", which discusses the possible implications of close to 1.2 billion Asians going the polls this year.

(By the way, Oregonians, the Primary election is next week! Don't forget to vote!)

Posted by Amber at 10:43 AM

April 22, 2004

3,000 feared dead in North Korean Train Inferno

Hundreds of Casualties Feared in North Korea Train Explosion

Posted by Amber at 10:35 AM | comments (1)