Category Archives: Uncategorized

Her views are well based – low turnout of voters = leaders not connecting to people’s needs and interests.

Nervana

pyrrhic victory

I wrote this piece for Egypt Source, Atlantic Council. Here it is, in case you missed it.

Following weeks of tension and violence over Egypt’s divisive draft constitution, the second round of voting in the referendum is complete. The unofficial results indicate a turnout of approximately 32% with 64 % approval of the draft constitution. The journey for Egypt from January 2011 to December 2012 has been chaotic, but in hindsight it has also served to expose many hidden facts and painful realities.

First, these results are the legacy of a disenfranchised Egypt. The overwhelming support of the referendum in the South Egypt, Fayoum, Red Sea, Sinai, New Valley and Matrouh governorates exposed how these regions were neglected during the Mubarak era. It also reveals how political Islam, particularly Salafism, was a slow growing phenomenon that has now flourished in marginalized communities throughout the country. In these areas ‘religion-as-a-solution’ became…

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Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz

Yesterday we said our good-byes to a great singer-songwriter, actress, producer, entrepreneur and legend, La Diva de la Banda, La Gran Señora, Dolores Janney Rivera also known as Jenni Rivera.

Jenni wasn’t always a celebrity. Her story is one of struggle and perseverance. Rivera’s parents migrated to the United States from Mexico, just like many parents, looking for a better life. Rivera was born in California to a tight-knit family filled with musical talent. She was a great student and became pregnant at the age of 15. With the push of her counselors, she continued her education while pregnant and received her GED, graduating as valedictorian of her class. Jenni Rivera earned her college degree in business administration, proving many wrong, that young Latina mothers never make it to college. However, that wasn’t the end of it.

Rivera made her first recording in the 1990’s and was signed later on…

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Jenni Rivera: Mujer Latina y Poderosa « Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz

« Take Action TODAY: Call the White House to Restore Health Care for DREAMersJenni Rivera: Mujer Latina y PoderosaDecember 20, 2012 by theangyYesterday we said our good-byes to a great singer-songwriter, actress, producer, entrepreneur and legend, La Diva de la Banda, La Gran Señora, Dolores Janney Rivera also known as Jenni Rivera.Jenni wasn’t always a celebrity. Her story is one of struggle and perseverance. Rivera’s parents migrated to the United States from Mexico, just like many parents, looking for a better life. Rivera was born in California to a tight-knit family filled with musical talent. She was a great student and became pregnant at the age of 15. With the push of her counselors, she continued her education while pregnant and received her GED, graduating as valedictorian of her class. Jenni Rivera earned her college degree in business administration, proving many wrong, that young Latina mothers never make it to college. However, that wasn’t the end of it.

via Jenni Rivera: Mujer Latina y Poderosa « Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz.

Afghan Women’s Writing Project | A Little Wind

In the darkness of sorrows

Alone on a long road of thought

I search for brightness for minds

Twinkling peace for souls

The right things in wrong

Wrong things for a reason.

The coals are not fully burnt

They embers still have some light.

A little wind can demolish it

Or make it even stronger.

We can keep the light,

if we try.

By Basbibi

via Afghan Women’s Writing Project | A Little Wind.

Through the Eye of the Needle

If there is one thing that motivates Cubans and leads them to make fatal decisions it is the prospect of travel, whether it be to “escape” the island or simply to visit other countries, often without regard for the means or the cost.

I am one of those people who likes to do things in due course and without forcing an issue, especially when it involves getting on a plane or having surgery. In the last two instances I make all the arrangements and take all the precautions that I can, but I realize the final result is in God’s hands.

It has been seven years since I have been able to visit my sons and granddaughters. I last saw the two youngest when one two years old and the other was two months old. On that occasion acquiring the necessary travel documents was complicated in the extreme and the…

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