I don't post this because I think this is some groundbreaking admission that validates conspiracy-theorists everywhere, or because I think Putin is making a great point.  I do think this is a great EXAMPLE of an important international phenomenon though:  The total lack of trust in the US government by those outside of the US (and also, within, well-illustrated by the very substantial portion of the population that belives the US government was involved in 9/11) and the political advantages that come with presenting yourself as being in opposition to the US (I certainly believe Hugo Chavez and Vladimir Putin intentionally create that image for domestic consumption, though I'm sure they really don't like us either.  They just hate us LOUDER than they would otherwise).

I do honestly wonder what involvement the US could have had (beyond their material/training support of the Georgian military in the time before the invasion, which could very well be incidental to the invasion).  I have trouble imagining that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili would act without consulting or tipping his hand in some way to the US, or without some sort of soft confirmation of support (his 5.7m person nation could certainly make quick work of the 70,000 person 'nation'/'region'/'whatever' of South Ossetia, but I find it impossible that he would think Russia would abstain from intervening... though perhaps in a manner more gentle than what turned out to be the case).

Of course, perhaps Saakashvili tipped his hand to whatever mid-level bureaucrats might be responsible for monitoring the Caucasus nations, and the news stopped there or was escalated to some upper-mid-level bureaucrat in the State Department, and it got lost on its way to Condi.  And Saakashvili took a silent reply as implicit wink-wink support (after all, he had 2,000 troops in Iraq.  We owe him).

What I am trying to say is that as logically possible it may be for the Bush administration to slightly shift the balance of the US election by starting a war and humanitarian crisis (37,000, as reported in Russia Today, applied to stay in Russia temporarily... of a 'nation' of 70,000... which is one more rarely-mentioned reason why Russia HAD to get involved), it seems much more likely that miscommunication and incompetence abounds, causing misunderstandings between world leaders.  Approaching the three-year anniversary of Hurrican Katrina, do we need a reminder of the government's impotence? (*though I suppose that could also be an anit-black, anti-poor conspiracy put into play by Bush too........)

Have you ever tried to execute a conspiracy? It's damn near impossible...

... and the cow goes moo

The celebration, co-hosted by the Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission and the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care, will be held at the Centre’s offices at 333 Given Terrace, Paddington, from 7.00 p.m.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that many Catholics responded to the Commission’s numerous appeals for help to convince successive Immigration Ministers to provide protection for a number of asylum seekers since 2002.

“We started in Advent in 2002 with a petition for compassionate treatment for Zahra Alawi and her family,” Mr Arndt said.

“Many Catholics from around the Archdiocese signed the petition and their support was instrumental in convincing Senator Amanda Vanstone to give protection to this family,” he said.

“Many Catholics also responded to our appeals for letters of support for a number of the Afghan boys who played with the Tigers Eleven Soccer Club,” he said.

“They also wrote letters of support for an Ethiopian woman, Kibre Kebede, who faced deportation in 2005,” he said.

“All of these refugees are safe from the persecution and violence they faced in their homeland because, in part, Catholics in Brisbane made the effort to support them,” he said.

“All of the people we supported are Australian citizens and are very grateful to the support they received from many good people in Brisbane,” he said.

“Some of them have agreed to come to our celebration and to talk about what has happened to them in the last few years,” he said.

“We encourage people who signed petitions, wrote letters of support and helped in other ways to come along and meet some of the people they helped,” he said.

Mr Arndt said that the celebration would also be an opportunity to explain what improvements are still needed in Australia’s refugee policy.

“We hope that Catholics will continue to respond to the Gospel’s call to welcome the stranger,” he said.

“The fundamental message we want to get across to Catholics is that defending and promoting the dignity of our fellow human beings is at the heart of the Gospel,” he said.

Those intending to attend are encouraged to RSVP to Alana on (07) 3336 9351 or emericka@bne.catholic.net.au

AI also released "Egypt: Deadly journey through the desert," the newest and most comprehensive report to date on Egypt's many human rights violations concerning migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The report documents the murders of nearly 30 migrants crossing the border to Israel this year, the forceable returns of nearly 1200 Eritrean nationals, mass detainment and trial for migrants and the contravention of internationally accepted UNHCR protection of refugees. 

AI has asked Mubarak to urgently change the HR situation in Egypt... Well, if his own Parliament (yes, it actually is his) isn't a priority, the chances of prioritizing refugees and other migrants are slim... ok, nonexistent. Anyway, the report was helpful, so thanks AI.

Full report: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/egypt-deadly-journey-through-desert-20080820

By Father John Flynn, L.C.

ROME, JULY 1, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The number of refugees rose in 2006 for the first time since 2002, according to data published June 19 by the United Nations. The information came in the "2006 Global Trends" report, from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The report was issued for the occasion of World Refugee Day, marked by the United Nations on June 20. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, former prime minister of Portugal António Guterres, commented that numbers are continuing to grow in 2007.

Guterres, in an interview published by the Reuters news agency June 20, explained that the increase in refugee numbers last year to 9.9 million was due to a combination of crises in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"I have very grave concerns about the way things are moving ahead for refugees in many parts of the world," said Guterres. Moreover, he added, in many cases the international community does not have the capacity to help them.

A look at the report quickly reveals that the figure of 10 million is only a part of the problem. The introduction explains that the report only covers populations for which UNHCR has a mandate, leaving out, for example, groups such as the estimated 4.3 million Palestinian refugees who fall under the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

In fact, the report speaks of no less than 32.9 million people who are termed as forming the group of "persons of concern to UNHCR in 2006." This is a sharp increase on the numbers in 2005, when this group was calculated at 21 million.

The most important cause of the notable rise last year was an increase in the numbers of internally displaced persons. As of the end of 2006, a total of 12.8 million internally displaced persons were receiving humanitarian assistance in some form through the UNHCR. Countries with large numbers of these persons include Colombia, Iraq, Lebanon and Sri Lanka.

The report also explained that there was a significant increase in the number of stateless persons, calculated to be 5.8 million in 2006 compared to 2.4 million in 2005. Even this larger number, however, does not fully reflect the magnitude of the phenomenon of statelessness, according to the report. The UNHCR noted that many stateless people have not been properly identified and that statistical data on the numbers of these people is not yet available in many cases.

Turnaround in numbers

In the case of the estimated 9.9 million refugees by the end of last year, the report noted that from 2002 numbers had declined, reaching a low of 8.7 million at the start of 2006. One of the main factors in the increase during 2006 was the exodus of 1.2 million Iraqis, who fled their country for refuge in Jordan and Syria.

The picture for last year was not all negative. The UNHCR reported that large reductions in refugee numbers took place in some African regions, mainly due to successful voluntary repatriations to Liberia and Angola. There was also a reduction of almost 100,000 refugees in Germany, and some 37,000 refugees in Serbia obtained citizenship.

When it comes to countries that are host to large numbers of refugees, Pakistan is in first place, followed by Iran. Together the two nations house around 20% of the total number. Even though during 2006 an estimated 387,000 Afghans returned to their country, the official numbers of refugees in Pakistan and Iran barely changed, as most of those returning home had not been part of the officially registered refugee population.

Other countries that support large numbers of refugees include the United States, with an estimated 844,000 refugees in 2006. Syria had 702,000 refugees and Germany 605,000. Last year Jordan moved into the top 10 asylum countries, hosting an estimated 500,000 Iraqi refugees.

In terms of the country of origin of refugees Afghanistan continued to be in first place, with around 2.1 million by the end of 2006, spread among no less than 71 countries. Iraq was the second largest source, with 1.5 million. Sudan followed, with 686,000 of its nationals outside the country. Three other countries, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi accounted for just over 1.2 million refugees.

During 2006 some 734,000 refugees repatriated voluntarily, one-third less than in 2005, which had a total of 1.1 million returnees. An estimated 11.6 million refugees have returned home over the past 10 years, according to the report.

In addition, a total of 71,700 refugees were admitted by 15 resettlement countries last year. The leading nation was the United States, which accepted 41,300 refugees, followed by Australia -- 13,400 -- and Canada -- 10,700. The overall total of those resettled was 11% below the 2005 number. Some refugees were also able to receive citizenship in the country that had originally accepted them, for example, 98,500 in the United States.

Showing evangelical love

The U.N.'s World Refugee Day on June 20 coincided with one of the regular Wednesday papal audiences. At the end of his address Benedict XVI referred to the refugee question and called for hospitality toward refugees in the name of human solidarity.

From a Christian perspective, the Pontiff continued, making refugees welcome is a way we can show our evangelical love. "I wish with all my heart that our brothers and sisters who suffer will be guaranteed exile and the recognition of their rights, and I invite the leaders of all nations to offer protection to those who find themselves in need," the Pope concluded.

The Church also dedicates a day to commemorating refugees and also migrants in general. The Pope's message for this year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees, marked on Jan. 14, focused on the situation of families.

The Holy Family of Nazareth, the Pontiff commented, was forced to flee to Egypt shortly after the birth of Jesus. Their experience can help us understand the painful difficulties of all migrants, but especially the experience of refugees, he added.

The value of the family needs to be recognized for those who are migrants and refugees, Benedict XVI insisted in his message. In addition to its advocacy on behalf of migrants, the Church also offers its aid through a number of charitable institutions and centers.

The Pope mentioned the plight of refugees who suffer great problems in maintaining their families intact, or in unifying their members after being separated. In addition, he continued, refugees also have sometimes undergone trauma or emotional stress, and the living conditions in the camps where they are placed are often difficult. Benedict XVI also commented that women and children refugees face the additional risk of sexual exploitation.

"Aside from giving assistance capable of healing the wounds of the heart, pastoral care should also offer the support of the Christian community, able to restore the culture of respect and have the true value of love found again," the Pope recommended. "Everything must also be done to guarantee the rights and dignity of the families and to assure them housing facilities according to their needs," he added.

As well, the Pope recommended that refugees cultivate "an open and positive attitude toward their receiving society and maintain an active willingness to accept offers to participate in building together an integrated community that would be a 'common household' for all." A community called upon to accept ever-growing numbers of migrants and refugees.

]]> http://becausenooneasked.wordpress.com/?p=1642 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:06:09 +0000 Michele http://becausenooneasked.wordpress.com/?p=1642 Robin Long abandoned his responsibilities as a soldier and ran away to Canada. His refugee claim was denied by Canada and now he has had to face the consequences of his choices. He pled guilty to "desertion with intent to remain away permanently" and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

The sentence hardly seems like enough. I wonder how much longer he had to serve of his enlistment. Some how I don't think he'll have a warm and fuzzy welcome from the other soldiers at the military prison. I do hope that he is ultimately dishonorably discharged from the army. If desertion doesn't warrant a dishonorable discharge, I can't imagine what does. His behavior and choices were certainly without honor.

Our children were gifted this world...

what a world we are leaving for them...

How do you sleep at night,

for I,

Don’t sleep.

How do you justify your day, your way

Your endless ’need’, your greed

When the pain and disease

running down hill

will

one day

flood the valleys climb the slopes

and submerge even us

at the top

one day...

Your children. My children. Their children.

Who cares?

A child is a child,

No matter what religion,

what kith or what kin,

No matter the colour and cast of her skin.

Respect life, for vultures wait.

我们都需要一个英雄，我们心中都有一个英雄。在电影如是，在现实生活如是，在奥林匹克如是。

在奥林匹克的头七天，加拿大运动员的成绩单是零蛋。突然，整个国家好像陷入‘恐慌’。很多人开始呼吁如何多鼓励运动，多资助运动员等。终于，在第八天，Carol Huynh，为加国赢得第一个金牌 （女性摔角项目）。突然，整个国家才开始有希望。接着，加国的运动员也开始纷纷传来好消息。女性摔角这个冷门的运动突然变热起来，连我也蠢蠢欲试 ;) 。当然，也突然间为加国的（难民）移民带来很大希望和鼓舞, 因为Carol的父母是从越南来的难民。

接着，Ian Millar, 一位已61岁的骑师，在参与了九次奥林匹克赛事后，终於拿下第一面奖牌。他在年初刚失去妻子，这个银牌，不但为他写下无悔的一页，也为很多较大年龄的人加了一把油。

最近，我都在追奥林匹克，为加国 （当然还有澳洲和大马）的运动员喊加油。听了很多感人的故事，在这里无法一一详诉。

一个共同点是，我们都需要英雄。英雄带给希望，告诉我们没什么是无法完成的。这种鼓励，让我们更有勇气超越种种困难，不但只是在体育，人生如是。

那么，谁是你心目中的英雄呢？

When I went out from the cinema after watching Dark Knight, the only thought in my mind was Hero. In the movie, Harvey stands out to say he is the Batman because he trusts Batman will eventually come forward to save the city, and the city will know the real Batman is a good person, is a hero because they need a hero. At the end of the movie, though Harvey has turned 'bad', Batman knows there is hope in the city (because the two ships don't blow each other up), and ironically, Harvey has to remain as the hero for such hope and goodness to continue，and Batman will remain the bad person.

We all need a hero, we all have a hero in our hearts. Same in movie, same in real life, same in Olympic.

After a one week long drought of metals from the Canadian athletes, the whole country was so nervous and hopeless. There was much talk of more money to go into training athletes and etc. Then, finally, on day 8 of Beijing Olympic, Carol Huynh won the first gold （in women wrestling) for Canada, and more metals coming since. So, Canada suddenly has more hope again. We cheered and we cried for athletes. Women wrestling suddenly become a hot topic, even me think it will be fun to try wrestle ;) Suddenly, there are much talks about how immigrants or refugees (Carol Huynh's parents were refugees from Vietman) are contributing to this multicultural country.

Then, Ian Millar who is already 61 and just lost his wife early this year, in his 9th appearance in Olympics, never win any metal till this Beijing Olympics. What a victory and what a perseverance. This has also given courage to those older people or athletes.

I have been following the Canadian (of course Australian and Malaysian :) ) athletes in Olympics, and have heard so many inspiring stories. There are more to share but won't have enough room here.

We all want to see a hero, to bring hope to us. Seeing them, we understand what is possible, and that's give us courage to continue, give us strength to overcome all obstacles, be it in sports or in life.

So, who is your hero?

Recently, the Grand Rapids Press did a piece on Dorothy, as well as how your local Red Cross is now training more International Family Tracing volunteers to expand this program.

Check it out!

When a delegation of Chinese secret police entered Australia in 2005, Australia's then Howard government gave it permission to interview a group of Chinese asylum seekers.

Now, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has found these interviews were a breach of the asylum seekers' human rights. The Commission is now calling for the Australian government to pay compensation to the people, who included Falun Gong practitioners.

- Original: Radio Australia