TresSugar

Front Page: Angolans Get First Vote in 16 Years, Abramoff Gets Four Years, US Jobless Rate Hits High

CitizenSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:05:38 -0700

Angolans Get First Vote in 16 Years:
More than half of the population of Angola has registered to vote in the first elections the war-torn and oil-rich country has had in 16 years today. The last election, held in 1992, left 10 years of civil war. Today's vote follows six years of peace and is expected to go smoothly. A representative for electoral issues in Angola says, “Democracy is a process, not a destination, and this is part of that process."

Abramoff Gets Four Years:
Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist once known for giving gifts to Congress at the expense of Indian tribes, was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison. Abramoff came to symbolize out of control courting of government officials, but yesterday he apologized for overstepping the bounds saying, “I have fallen into an abyss. My name is the butt of a joke.”

US Jobless Rate Hits High:
The US unemployment rate is at its highest level in nearly five years. The jobless rate stands at 6.1 percent, the highest since 2003 while the Federal Reserve said economic activity remains "weak." All sectors of the economy are affected, with manufacturing being the worst hit, losing 61,000 jobs.

Murderers Become Cowboys at Prison Rodeo

LibertySugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:00:16 -0700

Louisiana's Angola State Prison sits on a former plantation that was populated with slaves from Angola, Africa. Twice a year, the prison, which is larger than the island of Manhattan, holds a prisoner rodeo. Yeehaw!!!

NPR painted a picture of the festivities:

The man selling snow cones is in for rape. The man selling pig tails kidnapped his girlfriend. The guy selling the Tornado Potato is in for life.

The arena seats 10,000 people from the community, and inmates compete in seven events, such as bull dogging, wild horse riding, "convict poker" and the "guts and glory" event. Most winners send their prize money home to their families.

Do you think this is a creative way to rehabilitate criminals? Or, does it undermine prison's punishment purpose? Would you stop by the rodeo to taste gumbo made by murderers, robbers, and rapists? To check out an awesome video of the rodeo, read more.

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"Miss Landmine Survivor" Beauty Pageant Coming to Angola

LibertySugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:00:02 -0700

Even the saddest tragedies have beautiful silver linings. Angola will host a "Miss Landmine Survivor" beauty pageant this April, as a way to heal the country that just came out of a 27-year civil war. As many as 1.5 million people died during the war and Angola only has a population of around 12 million.

The pageant will star 18 landmine victims, representing all of the country's provinces. Check out the contestant profiles here. Many of these women, who were injured as children, are now working mothers.

As a result of the war, which ended in 2002, tens of thousands of victims lost limbs or were otherwise injured by landmines. Today, millions of leftover landmines still claim victims. Hopefully, the pageant will provide hope to those facing the challenges of losing limbs, while also bringing awareness to the ongoing existence of mines, therefore preventing more maiming.

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Good News Out of Africa: The Ten Best Governed Countries

CitizenSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:00:57 -0700

Amid worsening economic news flying at us almost constantly, there is some good news and it’s coming from a surprising corner of the globe: Africa. The continent that has been the metaphor for human misery because of continual wars, poverty, and famine in some respects is recording healthier economic growth than in the industrialized world according to the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF estimates that Africa’s economy may expand by 5 percent this year and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports that a bigger portion of money entering Africa since 2006 has been investment rather than aid. Even more optimistic is that the Mo Ibrahim Foundation found that 31 out of 48 sub-Saharan African countries, governance is improving. Most improved over the past year was Liberia which saw more than a quarter of a million of its own citizens perish in two civil wars between 1989 and 2003, but has now risen six places to 38th.

To see why some conditions are improving and the 10 best governed African countries, read more.

Among the many reasons for the stirrings of this African renaissance is the end of the cold war where many African nations were torn between American and Soviet backed paramilitary organizations which brutalized their populations with impunity. Adding to that, it appears that liberation movements are slowly ebbing, giving way to more opportunities for grassroots democratic movements reflecting the true will of the people. The Ibrahim Foundation’s director of research said: “...there’s a new generation of Africans who are now saying ‘No. Show us what you can deliver’. You find autocrats are reincarnating themselves as democrats.”

According to an index of African governance released this week, the 10 best governed African countries include:

Mauritius
Seychelles (pictured)
Cape Verde
Botswana
South Africa
Namibia
Ghana
Gabon
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal

Among the worst? Nigeria, Sudan, Chad, Somalia, and Angola.

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The Top 6 Places to Vacation That Aren't So Scary Anymore

CitizenSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:59:12 -0700

Reputations die hard - especially when you're a gorgeous country who's historically been mired in conflict, giving you the reputation of "Warning! Tourists Keep Out!" Just today the US Embassy in Djibouti warned against American travel to the African port city - branding it scary in addition to its beauty.

For countries with historic conflict raging among dazzling nature, the economic impact lingers from not only the strife, but the lasting legacy of a scary reputation - shooing would-be vacationers away. The brilliant minds at ProTraveller have put together a stunning list of the top six places to make sure you see, as peacefulness is restored and splendor beckons.

Indonesia: (pictured here) If you thought the US had a hard time uniting politically, the 17,000 islands of Indonesia had bigger troubles. Since the first direct presidential election in 2004, the situation has improved, and the beaches make this tropical paradise worth the trip.
Cambodia: Recovering from a 1997 coup, assistance from other developed nations has opened the doors for visits to temples, beaches, and the striking city of Phnom Penh.

To see where else you should skip off to, read more.

Angola: Topping lists of post-conflict countries developing peace, this Africa nation's rugged landscape is breathtaking.
Peru: Border conflict ceased in 1998, allowing travelers to once again head to the mountaintop city of Machu Pichu.
Northern Ireland: Twenty-five years of strife leading to the 1998 Belfast Agreement has unleashed this emerald gem, becoming a progressive country with a thriving city life.
Croatia: Though the 1990s saw a war for independence and recovery is ongoing, this EU and NATO hopeful boasts the lush countryside and coastline perfect for visiting.

Pack up your passport and leave your courage at home. Check out the full list for more guidebook-worthy pictures and reasons to go. These countries are on the mend with the welcome mat out.

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Where I'm Clicking Now: Flags Can Make a Statement

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:00:14 -0700

If hearing about Angola's "Miss Landmine Survivor" contest didn't teach you enough about the civil war-surviving country, just check out an interpretation of its flag!

Virango has a bunch of other flags used as social commentary. Believe it or not, flags can offer a quick snapshot of a country's crises. Do you find the flags funny, or too close to truth to get a laugh?

As an extra bonus, to see what the American flag represents, read more.

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