Sudan is one of the world's most repressive countries, but the winds of change appear to blowing -- with an assist from Facebook.
Calling for peaceful political change in Sudan, a Facebook group called Youth for Change is holding the protests roiling Tunisia and Egypt as examples of how people power can bring change to powerful autocratic governments.
Thus far, Youth for Change messages have stressed that their demonstrations won't involve acts of sabotage. But how long will the youth remain patient, especially if the government gets a little heavy-handed in its response to the protests?
A New York Times report said that one protester was killed and thousands of young Sudanese have been beaten and arrested in recent weeks. The protests appear to be well organized and have ranged from a few dozen to several hundred people in cities across the large nation.
It doesn't take much to turn disgruntled folks gathering in a public square into an international crisis point -- just ask Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who has witnessed his 30-year rule engulfed in flames, violence and calls for his immediate resignation.
The Egyptian protests got a boost early on because the military took a hands-off approach to the growing anti-government crowds in Cairo.
It is unlikely that will happen in Sudan because the government of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir is basically run by the military.
But the time could be right for big changes in Sudan. They are already on the way since the vote by the southern part of the country for independence from the government controlled north last month.
The vote to create a new government in the oil-rich south will open a whole new trend of thought in Sudan where personal freedom and open criticism of the government can be seen as realities.
These could be interesting days for Sudan as long as the people keep demanding change.
26-Jan-11 - You would presume that with all of their citations of the Constitution and remembrance of the founding fathers, Tea Party candidates would understand history at least a little bit. But that's apparently not the case with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) who said that the founding fathers ended slavery in the United States.
26-Jan-11 - You would presume that with all of their citations of the Constitution and remembrance of the founding fathers, Tea Party candidates would understand history at least a little bit. But that's apparently not the case with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) who said that the founding fathers ended slavery in the United States.
25-Jan-11 - Actor and former gangsta rapper Ice-T may want to maintain some "Law & Order" in his household. The celeb's teenage son Tracy "Little Ice" Marrow Jr. was arrested during the wee hours Monday morning outside a Van Nuys, Calif., strip club and charged with public indecency.
21-Jan-11 - The black community in Greenwood, Miss., is on edge and angry after the death of Frederick Jermaine Carter who was 26 years old and found hanging from a tree in what authorities have labeled to be a suicide.
20-Jan-11 - In an interview with CNS News on Thursday, senator Rick Santorum voiced his absolute disbelief that Obama would dare support a woman's right to choose abortion ... considering he's a black man.
Obama has his hands full. The reality of American foreign policy is comming back to haunt him and every american president for the last 50 years.The fact that our government continues to back dictators such as those in the middle east reflects the fact that you have to be corrupt or ignorant to be president of the united states. Obamas lukewarm response to the eruption in Egypt is really shows how much human rights mean to him and those in control of our government. Sure he can tell mubarak to hurry the process of stepping down, but you know they were waiting for a coordinated effort by mubaraks regime to get their thugs in place. What part of we will not send anymore money to your country until you leave is Obama having a problem with. The fact that we send 1.5 billion to that country every year, and they use it to buy weapons for Lockheed Martin and other Government contractors would be laughable if the fact that that money is paid out of our taxes. Think about that for a second, give the money to a foreign government under the guise as Aid to help the people, but said government in return buys weapons to contractors our government tells them to. On top of that what really gets me is the fact that in 2009 Obama gave a speech in Egypt on Peace in the region. He knew mubarak was a Dictator, but did'nt speak of the human rights violations in that country. I also wonder why black voices and other so black media isn't highlighing this issue. Maybe the veil of silence will be lifted when our black journalist gets the stars out of their eyes and start looking at what really is going on in the world under this Government. More power to the people in the Sudan trying desparatly to taste true freedom. I hope they don't expect anything from Obama because if he can't find the time to address issues concerning black folk here, don't hold your breath thinking he will come to the aid of countries trying to rid themselves of horrid people in other countries goverments. TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING. One last thing, don't think for a second there won't be protest in our streets come summer. Everyone is paying attention to the New World Order even if black voices isn't. I hate saying that but deep down where truth lives, you know its true. The worldwide revolution has begun and it was started with Technology. Censorship doesn't work anymore, truth finds a way of getting through, and thats whats frightening govenments around the world. There is a bill being debated now by Joe Lieberman that would try and censor the internet and other communication under the guise of National Security. Look it up yourself. The Dems, Repubs, and Obama hasn'nt said a thing about it in the press. That will cause out and out rebellion if it passes and the American Public has another Patriot Act thrust down their throats. Keep your eyes open, and don't let sites like this cause you to lose focuss on the important stuff.
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By: rbk84 on 2/03/2011 9:59PM
Obama has his hands full. The reality of American foreign policy is comming back to haunt him and every american president for the last 50 years.The fact that our government continues to back dictators such as those in the middle east reflects the fact that you have to be corrupt or ignorant to be president of the united states. Obamas lukewarm response to the eruption in Egypt is really shows how much human rights mean to him and those in control of our government. Sure he can tell mubarak to hurry the process of stepping down, but you know they were waiting for a coordinated effort by mubaraks regime to get their thugs in place. What part of we will not send anymore money to your country until you leave is Obama having a problem with. The fact that we send 1.5 billion to that country every year, and they use it to buy weapons for Lockheed Martin and other Government contractors would be laughable if the fact that that money is paid out of our taxes. Think about that for a second, give the money to a foreign government under the guise as Aid to help the people, but said government in return buys weapons to contractors our government tells them to. On top of that what really gets me is the fact that in 2009 Obama gave a speech in Egypt on Peace in the region. He knew mubarak was a Dictator, but did'nt speak of the human rights violations in that country. I also wonder why black voices and other so black media isn't highlighing this issue. Maybe the veil of silence will be lifted when our black journalist gets the stars out of their eyes and start looking at what really is going on in the world under this Government. More power to the people in the Sudan trying desparatly to taste true freedom. I hope they don't expect anything from Obama because if he can't find the time to address issues concerning black folk here, don't hold your breath thinking he will come to the aid of countries trying to rid themselves of horrid people in other countries goverments. TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING. One last thing, don't think for a second there won't be protest in our streets come summer. Everyone is paying attention to the New World Order even if black voices isn't. I hate saying that but deep down where truth lives, you know its true. The worldwide revolution has begun and it was started with Technology. Censorship doesn't work anymore, truth finds a way of getting through, and thats whats frightening govenments around the world. There is a bill being debated now by Joe Lieberman that would try and censor the internet and other communication under the guise of National Security. Look it up yourself. The Dems, Repubs, and Obama hasn'nt said a thing about it in the press. That will cause out and out rebellion if it passes and the American Public has another Patriot Act thrust down their throats. Keep your eyes open, and don't let sites like this cause you to lose focuss on the important stuff.
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