Today, President Obama held a White House Forum Commemorating Women’s History Month and will be addressing the Nation tonight about Libya 4:30 Pacific Time 7:30pmET –
In the summer of 2009, Americans and the World saw Neda, a student die for protesting for the right to speak out freely and some say she became the symbol to carry on. Unfortunately, we all know that the regime or government cracked down on the protesters in such a way that made us all gasp. The events in Iran shocked, offended and made most of us cry given the protests started out as peaceful demands for a new way of life, freedom to speak, better wages etc. That uprising became backburner news given the US had our own problems but quietly something was smoldering something the World can no longer turn away from. I have no idea how the US, UN or the NATO can actually help create change, help change practices so ancient that we all agree the devil is in the detail and that was in 2009. I will admit that my first experience in watching a human being shot, killed and die was during the Iran uprising because whoever was behind the video camera would not, could not, and did not stop filming. I was shocked, very sad, felt like a voyeur, and cried watching brave Iranians die. While I did not feel good about it being captured on camera for all to see before their family members were notified but it was a fight for freedom and life in the making of what I have chosen to call freedom fighters. In addition to Neda, a young man shot while protesting in Iran filmed as it happened, there were people surrounding him crying, yelling to make him breathe, and asking why he will not breathe. As the tragic events unfolded we viewers watched as someone else puts pressure on his chest but he died…that was the first time i had ever seen such a thing. I was angry, sad and hoped everyone in the streets of Iran knew that Americans and the International community were watching, demanding, and praying the abuse, atrocities, and assaults would stop. As in everything else life gets in the way and your own life takes a front seat and that Middle Easterner, Arab and or African becomes back burner news because well what can we as individuals do to help what with two wars waged by the last guy who btw didn’t end them either.
Now, or at least since February 2011 that we all know of, the World watches again while more senseless acts of terror and genocide coming from the Continent of Africa. Once inside it’s called the Arab World with an outdated autocratic system still brandishing ancient practices as Dictators and or Kings along with their forces against their own people in horror. The problem is someone got a taste of what could be, an opportunity to say what they want. The idea someone even risked speaking up and out about the possibilities of better wages, housing, that the trickledown theory just doesn’t work and low and behold there were others who feel the same way, maybe hundreds, thousands, actually millions of people mostly young educated and progressive thinking human beings wanting freedom of the ways of oppression and slavery.
The facts are that about 9000 people were reported murdered by Gadhafi forces in matter of a few weeks in Libya because they want freedom from oppression, please. I don’t know about you but that has got to upset anyone with compassion. If that wasn’t enough information came out that the Women being mistreated, left out of a reshaping a new Egypt even after getting rid of Mubarak the army or men -are also subjecting women to virginity checks in Egypt. In Libya, a woman burst in to a hotel yelling and screaming that pro-Gadhafi men had raped her and while the security fought the foreign press, smashing cameras this woman managed to give her story. I want to say thank you to the savvy person who managed to capture most if not all of the horrible incident on film, though she was dragged and taken away to who knows where at the time it was happening. I believe she is yet another symbol of the oppression women are subjected to and while the security stated she was going to jail, is said to have been released to her family, but I think this is a situation that warrants a call to the International Human Rights Organization.
I think about my generation who did not personally experience slavery of the 1800’s nor have i ever March for an issue with the idea that this could be the day that i die for wanting to be treated equality. Yes, slavery and discrimination still exists on so many levels here in the 21st Century and in my opinion the definition twisted by those with money, public servants or hold high offices who either engage or accept both as a way of life . Today, Americans watch and debate the good, bad or the ugly reasons to help the protesters, rebels and or freedom fighters in Africa and the Middle East. The hesitation to help is somewhat understandable but the way some seem to analyze it out loud is a real lesson in humanitarian behavior, how code words are used which when you break it all down, if not for the oil would Libyans get help from the French, the UK, and Italy, all who have more at stake.
The Social Network Media, which helped start the journey of change in Africa and the Middle East can no longer be ignored and has let the proverbial possibilities out of the bottle and while these tools of ancient practices refuse to accept change there are many who feel persuing freedom and happiness is well worth the risk of virtual death.
Other News …
**Contaminated water found in Japan’s underground tunnels
**Libyan rebels close to key Gadhafi locations
**Syrian troops fire at their own people
**Japan suffers another big quake 6.5 on Sunday
**A sample of rainwater in Boston finds a very small amt of radiation might be linked to Japan’s crisis
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**President to Address Nation on Libya
To discuss U.S. role in conflict
http://www.c-span.com/Events/President-to-Address-Nation-on-Libya/10737420538/
**Lawmakers Return to Funding Debate and Situation in LIbya
Gov’t. funding runs out April 8
http://www.c-span.com/Events/Lawmakers-Return-to-Funding-Debate-and-Situation-in-LIbya/10737420511/
Pentagon Contracting System in Question
Wartime panel calls hearing
http://www.c-span.com/Events/Pentagon-Contracting-System-in-Question/10737420454/
Ruth Simmons, President of Brown University, examines how the legacy of slavery has shaped the history of America’s academic institutions. Her keynote address was part of an Emory University conference on the role of slave labor in the building of numerous American universities.
http://www.c-span.com/Events/Slavery-and-the-University–Emory-University/10737420473/
Be a Seed for Change 
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