Very good article.
Excerpt:
“Can
a poor nation like Bhutan achieve limited modernization, adopting only
the media, the particular technologies, and the developmental policies
that fit into its odd concept of GNH? Will Bhutan keep its forests
off-limits to loggers? Will it continue to put a cap on the number of
tourists who visit the country? Can it afford to invest more than a
third of its budget in health and education?
So long as Bhutan
declines foreign investment that goes against its environmental
policies or infringes upon its sovereignty, it can do all of these
things. Whether it should is something the Bhutanese themselves must
decide.”
EA
standard had more answers to the questions i posed yesterday when
reading about the riots. I was about to pick out excerpts but the whole
piece seems quite important, so i will put it here.
National referendum is next point of action
By Francis Openda and Allan Kisia
It is clear the country is headed for a referendum after Thursday night’s vote in Parliament.
It will be the first time for the country to conducting a referendum.
A referendum gives citizens the final say on whether what is being given to them is acceptable.
Unlike
in the national elections in which voters pick a particular candidate,
a referendum is basically a Yes or No vote. Voters have to adopt or
reject the Draft Constitution in its entirety.
After the
Attorney-General publishes the proposed new constitution, the
Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) embarks on two months of
civic education ahead of the referendum scheduled for November.
To participate, one has to be a registered voter and be in possession of a national identity card.
Within
30 days of the submission of the Bomas Draft, the A-G will publish the
proposed constitution that will incorporate proposals made from the
consensus building process.
Kenyans will be able to engage in public debate on its contents.
Within
90 days of the publication of Constitutional Bill, the Electoral
Commission of Kenya will hold a national referendum on the proposed
constitution.
ECK will also conduct civic education. If the majority
of Kenyans vote for the constitution, it will be adopted, otherwise it
will be considered rejected.
Within 14 days of the referendum, the
President will promulgate and publish the new constitution, if it is
accepted, and it then comes into force.
While Kanu and LDP have all
along demanded that the Bomas Draft be subjected to a referendum
without any alteration, the Government has proposed changes first.
While the ECK puts the cost of referendum at a conservative figure of Sh2 billion, independent estimates say it could double.
Added
to the Sh4 billion taken by the review, a new constitution could cost
Kenyans in excess of Sh6 billion, the most expensive official project.
Kabete
MP, Paul Muite a key proponent of the referendum, says subjecting the
constitution to a popular vote is the only way to satisfy the public.
John Kamau has an updated blog post, check it out here
To see who voted for or against the review, the standard also does a good job. Link.
I am saving the information from this link as it is important to
remember who did what for the 2007 elections. Noted that Prof. Anyang
Nyongo was among those that voted against the review. So hmm.
Excerpts.
“One
man was killed and five more were injured - two of them policemen - in
violence linked to attempts at blocking debate on the new Constitution
yesterday.”
In Mombasa, some youths demonstrated while carrying banners which read: “We want the Bomas Draft Constitution only.”
Thinker noted
“Never
have I ever been so ashamed to be a Kenyan. 90 people are massacred as
MPs are stuffing their greedy bellies with chicken and samosas in coast
as they completely change the constitution draft to suit themselves.
The President could not even be bothered to go and console the families
of the victims. And now we are being tear gassed for expressing our
views?”
[] and italics…mine.
I feel like i need more
information about what the MP’s(kenyan members of parliament) are
trying to do with the constitution. I am still confused as to what is
happening, before we can even start talking about freedom of expression
(clearly being violated by the govt).
The Kenyan journalist John Kamau has a post about the riots, his blog will definitely help in figuring out what is going on. (Thank you).
his post on the trouble in NE was especially informative and as was his article that appeared in the standard. Mental acrobatics also blogged about the neglect that NE has endured and the important connection between environment and peace.
La vox Humaine blogged about the NE massacre, saying “bowling for columbine comes to kenya”
This
was rebroadcast today. Runs the gamut from lawyer jokes, knock knock,
how many ___ does it take to screw a light bulb, GW and Kerry…etc.
On Cheney’s health issues, GW was heard saying “Men dont have anginas”.
Kerry walks and into a bar, and the bartender asks “Why the long face?”
Q:Why did the popsicle cross the road?
A: Coz it was stuck to the chicken.
He is between a *rock and a turd blossom.
for the newsweek story click here.
sidenote: I was wondering what was off about the New Daily show set, surfergirl of slate, just captures it.
What’s with Cartoon network moving Family guy from 10:30 to 10pm, why make us choose between stewie and jon stewart? No fair!
*joji kichaka (ndesanjo u might need to copyright this..)
Via slashdot(Zonk) illustrated by josh mckibble
this just makes your solar backpack a
whole lot cooler. The backpack is the same one from voltaic systems,
just tricked out. For a detailed parts list, check the pop sci link
above.
Q:What do you call someone who hacks solar powered gadgets?
A: Solacker?
If you come across a blog about the Safari rally in Kenya, give me a heads up would you?
Pole.
(condolences - rough translation) The swahili word carries with it much more feeling than i could translate.
At the end of this piece by M, a few thoughts i would like to add… Just like the beautiful people snapped their fingers on live 8, here we go…
Snap1:
Intra
trade increased by about 20% this past year. Considering Africa’s
population, isn’t that not an immense market and potential? More of
that please.
Snap2:
May i reiterate M’s point from Pragma 6 on
real solutions especially on civic education. an argument can be made
that the seedlings of an African Renaissance have already sprouted and
need some serious watering and tending. I would like to point to KJ’s Head on corrishon.
If you follow the series carefully, you will see empowering messages
about voting, democracy and the voice of the youth, especially
encouraging them to get voting cards for 2007 elections in Kenya.
Snap3:
Mshairi highlighted a quote from Muammar Gaddafi who was speaking at the African Union summit. ‘Begging will not make the future of Africa - it creates a greater gap between the great ones and the small ones,’ and Black Ambition gave me a heads up on gaddafi’s call for a borderless Africa. The African Union IMO holds much promise in conflict resolution amongst other things. The AU is currently in Darfur but with alimited mandate. [According
to an African Union (AU) press release, on May 28, 2004, the AU
committed a ceasefire monitoring mission to the Darfur region.
Currently, the mandate of the African Union (AU) troops is to oversee the ceasefire and protect the monitoring force on the ground. Their mandate
does not extend to the protection of civilians whose lives are in
constant danger; AU troops can only protect civilians from imminent
threats during accidental "encounters."] I think it comes down
to lack of cash. If African leaders were more forward looking and took
ownership of our problems, then funding for the AU would not be
dependent on appeals for ‘logistical support’ to the west/GS to
intervene in troubled areas, and if we did intervene it would be more
than to deal with accidental encounters. In the budgets of African
countries, an allocation for payment into the AU would be good.
Diaspora contribution to the AU would also be a good thing. Feel free
to share what you think, especially in regards to the AU.
Cartoon Network is running a marathon of Foster’s home for imaginary friends on Cartoon Network this sunday afternoon.
Its one of the best cartoons IMO. If there are dvd’s available please send me a link.
Happy 4th of July to you!
