In today's issue
Blogosphere: May 1, 2007
Gulf News web editor Adam Flinter plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds.
- By Adam Flinter, Web Editor
- Published: 13:31 October 29, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- Iraqis inspect a damaged vehicle following a car bomb explosion in Baghdad.
Gulf News web editor Adam Flinter plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds.
Pick of the week: Who liberated Iraq?
Watching Iraq's news on TV or reading about it nowadays is an unpleasant experience. It's not unpleasant because of the pain. It's unpleasant because I hardly feel any pain watching the death and carnage nowadays. I've become emotionally numb. Meanwhile most of those around me who aren't so emotionally apathetic feel rage … a strong burning inferno of rage and too often the bad situation is all blamed solely on America.
I go into deep modes of thought during such low moods. "Liberation, my foot" would usually be a thought but there were other ones that came into mind too. America did liberate Iraq. Bush did liberate Iraq.
http://www.sudanesethinker.com
Blog power...
Blogging has become commonplace across the world, and, indeed, will be probably seen as a hallmark of the beginning of the 21st century. Who knows whether it will continue its growth or transform its way as the first phase of people's ability to voice opinions? That said, journalism has taken note and viewpoints of reputable bloggers are now considered as an on-the-ground source of information.
Take the example of the UAE. While there are a small number of regular bloggers who discuss the various issues in the country, there is probabably a thirst to try and understand what is really going on in the emirates. There are obviously a lot more bloggers in other countries, but the voice of the UAE bloggers now has a reputation for sane view of the news, and general goings on.
http://grapeshisha.blogspot.com/
Down and out in Doha
I now have the pleasure of driving around Doha. It is different from Dubai because there is no Shaikh Zayed Road-style highway going through it (although one is under construction). The main roads seem to be the ring roads, all given letters to identify them (C-ring road, etc.) and there are traffic lights and roundabouts galore, which seem to put paid to any real speed.
The roundabouts are a challenge, however. It's a bit of a free-for-all with people pulling out when they shouldn't and changing lanes without any warning. Traffic can build up at certain times in certain places, but generally moves at a better rate than in Dubai. The worst part of the days has been the nights. Going back to an empty hotel room is a pretty lonely experience.
http://beerandbloating.blogspot.com
Me and strangers
I love talking to strangers... :) They are everywhere in Dubai... Everyone here is in the big melting pot....chasing after big bucks primarily. Relationship is impersonal.
This burly man from Pakistan (later found out he's a taxi driver) was standing in the public car park just outside the office ... holding some strange apparatus and his fingers were moving. I was curious enough to check out what he was doing? Crocheting! ... and making his own belt! Very smart indeed...
http://oasisdubai.blogspot.com/
Window cleaning, Burj style...
The cleaning systems on the Burj are a work of engineering art. The cleaning platforms which service the curved façade windows, run on tracks mounted on each side of the windows. Likewise, the platforms on the outer curved support columns run on tracks which can be seen on the front of the structure.
The side windows are cleaned using a conventional platform suspended from divots mounted on the roof.
The underneath of the helipad has another custom platform which rotates on rails around the underside.
The rest is done by men — dangling from a rope using a water-blaster — and praying that the rope doesn't break!
http://www.mandjadventures.blogspot.com/
Why the fuss about the wall?
First and foremost, I don't know why "The Wall" is becoming such an issue now. Work to construct similar walls started weeks ago in the Amiriya and Ghazaliyah districts. The "news" went utterly unnoticed then.
But that's not what matters. What does matter is effectiveness versus side-effects. Neither should be neglected.
Yesterday leaflets were distributed in the streets of Adhamiya (or Azamiya, English doesn't have the exact sound anyway). The leaflets — printed and distributed by persons unknown — called on residents to protest the building of the wall. Knowing that the only organised entity capable of such quick response to events in Adhamiya are either the insurgents or Al Qaida strongly indicates that they were behind the planned protest.
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/
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