Saw Handicams, Human Rights and the News on SBS last night (after it being recommended in our uni class).

I was both inspired and shocked by the show. Inspired to see technology, the industry I work in, actually assisting those without a voice. Shocked by what they had to say. The images graphically illustrated the violence that is carried out in the name of capitalism and international trade by corrupt ex-government officials with the apparent complicity of the police. And a little piece of “home entertainment” technology served to bring it to national, and international, attention.

I just wish I had have known about the chat session after the show - it wasn’t advertised on TV at the start or end of the show. It should have been.

The-News.net examines the links between the Bush and bin Laden families. Very interesting. [via Barry]

Al Jazeera and the Net - free speech, but don’t say that.

Excellent piece on Al Jazeera’s troubles launching an English language website.

Also in the news - U.S. bombs Al Jazeera news office in Baghdad.

Taliban Reviving Structure in Afghanistan [AP via GoUpstate.com]

“It’s like I am seeing the same movie twice and no one is trying to fix the problem,” said Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of Afghanistan’s president and his representative in southern Kandahar. “What was promised to Afghans with the collapse of the Taliban was a new life of hope and change. But what was delivered? Nothing. Everyone is back in business.”

Red Cross: Iraq Hospitals Overwhelmed

Arab Nations to Seek Cease-Fire in Iraq [AP (via GoUpstate.com)]

What’s interesting about this is the shift from the Security Council to the General Assembly. What will be really interesting is if it does get through to the GA after the (inevitable) vote.

In extension to my post yesterday on SARS as a moral panic. I saw these two headlines one after the other today “on the wire” so to speak. (Both from AP via GoUpstate.com)

“IRC: Congo Civil War Kills 3.3 Million”

“Death Toll From SARS Reaches 100″

Kinda puts things in perspective don’t you think?

U.S. Finds Possible Chemical Weapons Site. Again…

AP (via GoUpstate.com) reports that U.K. forces believe they have killed Ali Hassan al-Majid in a bombing raid. More info on Ali Hassan al-Majid from Human Rights Watch.

Allies, Iraqis Try to Win Propaganda War.

The allies have claimed the surrender of an Iraqi division that didn’t, the firing of an Iraqi Scud missile that never flew and military advances sometimes less dramatic than described.