The 4th of July only for those that can tweet.

by Paschen | July 3, 2009 at 06:41 pm

810 views | 67 Recommendations | 31 comments

By, Uwe Paschen.

The forgotten people by Tweeter on the fourth of July may be fund in Niger.

Wile the USA celebrates ideals such as Liberty and Freedom as well as Equality and Justice, most of the World Citizen are left out such as in Niger where for month now, the country has been boiling. In the last two weeks alone countless demonstrations have taken place in Niamey, the Capital city of Niger. Numbering tens of Thousand of people taking to the streets against their President Mamadou Tandja who tries to remain in power indefinitely; and who has suspending the Parliament, removed the constitutional judges and imprison journalist and political opposition.

Yet, no one hears about it, nor does the media talk about it, even though the UN and the EU have issued public statements of crave concern and condemnation.

They do not have the benefit of Twitter nor easy and even less wide spread Internet access. Only a few privilege have the benefit of the Internet and those would not dare use it for fear of being arrested.

People have died and are being detained, still, no international out cry or interest. This for lack of video footage and Tweets.

The only news coming out is from the Government and from those that manage to leak information through Algeria or Libya or even Boquina faso.

The people though are on their own, with out hope nor help or sympathy from the outside world. They know that their voices will not be remembered, nor will they ply and death be hear or seen around the world. For they are among the majority of Global Citizen that do not know the privilege of electricity to all homes, not even to most homes, nor do they know for the majority such luxuries as running water other then in Niamey and Maradi that is.

Even less do they have access to the modern tools of Citizen Journalism through the Internet or Twitter and with 70% of analphabets still today, even if the access would be possible they could not use it.

Yet, they are still taking to the streets and are still fighting for their democratic rights and for what they feel should not be allowed. They are the forgotten and abandoned Citizen of this World, whose voices will not be heard and whose lives will fade with out making a sound in the Western and Northern Hemisphere of our globe.

Those people, that lack modern technology and they are the waste majority on this planet of ours. They have no rights and their captors and oppressors know that their voices will not be heard by any one, why they can crush them with out worrying about any repercussions form any one, other then official statements from the UN, the EU and OUA or AU.

When will we start to see all citizen of the planet as human beings and entitled to the same rights then our own and to the same human dignity we take for granted and that some of us enjoy.

We are one Humanity and one Earth and there for what happens to one of us is happening to all of us. We cannot allow any injustices to be committed to any of our fellow Human and have to regard all of Humanity as equal Citizens of this planet with Equal rights and duties as well.

What we let happen to our fellow Citizen is what will come back to hunt us one day.

The power is not with governments nor multi nationals or Dictators, but with the people and we, the people are responsible for those that have neither voice nor access to any tools such as Tweeter.

We cannot let any of them die nor be tortured or imprisoned.

We own it to our fellow Human to stand up and raise our voices and march for them, so they may be heard and so their oppressors may be crushed and so they may be set free and receive justice after all.

Why are we not networking and pulling together as one then? And why are we not bringing justice to all on this globe? Even though we know, we as Citizens have that power. We remain silent. Maybe we are not regarding our fellow humans as Equal Citizens of this World or worthy to fight for. After all, we want to keep on receiving their cheep Uranium for our Power plants so we may have cheep electricity for our computers and be able to Tweet till we die.

Tweet, Tweeeet ………

In the mean time people are dying and fighting for some thing that the founders of the American and French Constitution fought for and that many payed for with their lives and whose sacrifice beared fruits we can enjoy today.

However, the fight is not over until all human on this globe may enjoy living in liberty and under the Human rights act, to warrant their freedom and their rights as well as their duties.

I am certain that Robes Pierre did not mean to limit the rights fought for in France to be for French Citizen only to enjoy. The Russian fought for the same rights as did the American and the German and those have now a responsibility to make those same rights a reality for all Citizen of this planet and to make all Human on this planet Equal to one another, at least as far as rights go. This is not the responsibility of any Government but that of every Citizen in the free world. As Leon Blum said in 1913, “Citizen of this World unit”.

What are we waiting for? More death, more injustice? When is enough becoming too much? When will we grow a conscience and have some civil courage or even find our dignity and ethics to finally stand up and raise our voices as one, so all Citizen around the globe may be free and Equal. Why Wait?

Is it not the fourth of July today? The day that we celebrate Freedom, Liberty, Equality. I suppose those ideals are not meant to be for all Citizens and Humans of this planet, or where those Ideals meant for all? I wonder… Has America forgotten that its own revolution would most likely have failed had it not been for the immense financial, material and political support that France gave them at the time? This support France gave the USA at the time caused the bankruptcy of the French Kingdom and their own revolution afterwords.

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/civil-war-unfolding-niger-update-2

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amyjudd

at 21:43 on July 3rd, 2009

You're absolutely right, good article.

Amitjha

at 22:24 on July 3rd, 2009

Great Work Paschen, American luxury of so called freedom comes at huge cost of pain in third world.

Hope the US understands the immence resposibility of freedom bearer.

Paschen

at 07:21 on July 4th, 2009

It is a price we will have to pay dearly sooner or latter if we do not take responsibility.

Some are born free, healthy, wealthy and with good fortune and others are not so fortunate.

We do not shows our birth race, country, religion, or sex. But we shows our ethics and morals as well as our Humanity and the way we treat others.

Those that are free, have a responsibility to those that are not...

B12N

at 23:12 on July 3rd, 2009

A very good story!

"When will we start to see all citizen of the planet as human beings and with the same rights then our own and entitled to the same human dignity they the one some of us enjoy."

Iffy (not verified)

at 23:36 on July 3rd, 2009

Freedom is a gift that is fought for, not something you get for free. Every country that is free - from France, to Britain, to Canada, to the USA - has fought hard for that freedom and has spilt blood to get it. Other countries must fight these battles too if they want to one day be able to spark up the BBQ and grill a burger or two.

Paschen

at 04:59 on July 4th, 2009

You seem to have missed the end of the article here Iffy. You have no idea how wrong you are and how ignorant your comment is.

Art de Rivers

at 03:35 on July 4th, 2009

Shall I eat and drink

And be filled

While another distant brother

And sister are killed ?

Shall I glory that I have no fears

While others shall be slaved

And live inside chains and endless tears ?

Who am I ?

Paschen

at 06:36 on July 4th, 2009

Very nice work here Art de Rivers. :)

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 08:52 on July 4th, 2009

I don't accept or believe that America is responsible for all the unfairness, evils and wrong doings which happen everyday across the globe. I don't believe that America rules the world.
I do believe that men, and sometimes women with vast personal wealth and power actually rule the world. The world is run by industrialists and investors. The list of the world's 100 richest people contains many non Americans.
Niger is certainly one of the poorest population in the world, but Americans too are not free of poverty. Not all Americans are able to Tweet or use the internet. More than 37 million Americans, which is more than twice the population of Niger, are struggling with incredible poverty. 50 million can no longer afford health care.
While it's true 60% of the Niger population live on less than $1/day there are other countries even more poor than Niger. They too, don't usually grab the world headlines. Both Zimbabwe and Malawi are poorer than Niger.
While it's true that America is incredible rich when compared to Niger because of the wars started by President Bush the country is near bankrupt. They also have the world's largest amount of foreign and domestic debt.
In 2005, Niger received debt relief from the IMF of $86 million, which is about $6 million for every person, man woman child. That's more than Americans received. It's also more than many other countries also received.
America donates about $10 million per year to Niger. That's about $750,000 for every person, man, woman and child. The EU also donates large amounts every year.
There are internal problems created by Niger, the birth rate is about twice the death rate, and 50% of the population are 0-14 years.
Could Libya and Nigeria both be doing more for Niger, but while to some extent Libya has improved the life of the people with it's oil wealth, Nigeria seems to have failed to use it's own oil wealth to improve the life of it's people.
Corruption isn't an American invention and it would appear that corruption in Niger is a major problem.
What is that you would like America and Europe to do to change the life of the people in Niger?
Do you think some kind of education program is needed in Niger, the literacy rate is only about 15%?
Are you for or against uranium mining? And what of the gold and oil Niger has?

Paschen

at 09:02 on July 4th, 2009

Zichi, you do seem to have a personal problem here. Follow the links and you find the anthers to all your questions. BTW some of your numbers are wrong. Check out the UN and EU web pages or read previous postings and see the links on the issue.

You are missing the point by a long shot.

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 09:36 on July 4th, 2009

Paschen all the figures in my comment come from reliable publications, including figures from the UN, EC, IMF and CIA World Book? I don't think I'm missing any point when I ask you what you want America and the EU to do about Niger?

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 10:11 on July 4th, 2009

why did NP edit my comment?

Paschen

at 18:23 on July 4th, 2009

Zichi, (L-S) you need help. Seriously, your ups and downs are like those of a drug addict going from high to low. Stop being paranoid and get some help. I feel sorry for you! You are smart and one can at times have a great debate with you, this when you are not in your low paranoid or destructive mood.

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 18:57 on July 4th, 2009

Paschen why are you making personal remarks about me when I have made none about you. And what's more why I'm not allowed to reply to them? My comment contains no remarks about you. I think you should stop it and keep your comments to replying to the content of my own. What am I paranoid about? such a strange thing to say since you don't know me nor are you a doctor.

I was requested by a senior staff member of NP to post and make comments on posts. I don't have time to post but I can make some comments. There wasn't anything out of order with my first comment on this post but instead of replying to its content you just make a personal attack. You have done that with other people too! If you want to reply to my comments please keep to the contents of it and leave the personal stuff out.

Before I made my comment on your post I did some reading and checked the quoted figures from more than one source. I don't have the experience or knowledge about Niger that you have since you were born and lived there. That's why I asked questions in my comment, which you didn't answer!

For over 30 years I have worked to improve the life of the world's poor. I have held exhibitions and other events to raise funds. I have donated a large amount of my own money. I belong to an international organisation which gives vast sums of money to projects to help the poor.

> We differ on many points. I don't believe the world will ever be a "fair place" where everyone enjoys an equal life. On many of your posts and comments you frequently have something of an anti-American stance. We differ there too! I don't hold America responsible for the woes of the world.

It appears from my reading, that Niger receives vast amounts of funds, especially when you work it out per person. Niger has a small population of something 13-15 million people, so they should all be millionaires by now.

I don't know what happens with all these funds it receives, may be you could fill me in on that? I do know, too many African countries have corruption, which seems to be a major part of their problems.

Paschen

at 06:03 on July 5th, 2009

BTW Zichi (L-S) You say in your first phrase.:

"I don't accept or believe that America is responsible for all the unfairness, evils and wrong doings which happen everyday across the globe. I don't believe that America rules the world."

I never said that in the post, nor did I insinuated it or think it. This is a false perception of yours and I dare say misconception as well as trying to defame and discredit and change what I did actually said here. A rather low tactic you use a little to often lately.

It is neither constructive nor credible and strays away from the issue or subject at hand.
Stay on topic and read the post properly please. Do not try to read into it some thing that is not there.

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 06:23 on July 5th, 2009

your post headline hijacks the date of the America Independence Day and link it to the poverty of the world?

Paschen

at 20:05 on July 5th, 2009

Not the poverty Zichi... The symbol of Liberty, Equality, Justice... that this day is known for or represents.

I never talked about poverty as such in this post, but about people standing up for those ideals and being crushed by their Oppressors.

This is more about people not being heard and helped because of lack of access to Twitter and modern Communication tools then it is about who is to blame or why.

It shows that a large portion of people on this planet are at a great disadvantage for lack of tools and support wile fighting for ideal that we celebrate on the 4th of July and that we take for granted.

Forgetting that we would not be able to enjoy those privileges our self's today had it not been for out side help when we fought for them our self's.

The USA was helped by France in this fight. Germany was helped by the US so was Japan to be able to enjoy those ideal. Same for Poland that was helped by the EU. And Spain, Portugal, Greece and many others that where helped by others so that they may be free, and live with equal rights and justice for all.

Not perfect of course and still in much need of improvement. However, far better then what most Citizen of this Globe have to endure.

It is about people demonstrating and fighting in Countries like Niger for rights such as liberty, equality and justice that we take for granted. Their fight is not heard of though nor helped or supported.

On the contrary we allow our government to arm and support those that oppress those people that fight for some thing we have and would not want to lose our self's.

We do take their Uranium though and want it cheep so we let those that fight for liberty, equality and Justice be crushed and this with our own weapons and our own armies training the soldiers of those that will shoot at the masses that demonstrate and fight for freedom.

May it be the US, Japan, Russia or other Industrial powers, does matter little, we are all guilty in this game, some more then others, but still guilty all the same.

It is not the Governments that will change nor the Multi Nationals, unless we the people change and stand as one in solidarity with all those other citizen of the world that fight for those same ideal that our for fathers fought for and that we enjoy today in the Democratic and free world.

Had it not been for France the US revolution would most likely have failed.

Hitler would not have been defeated had it not been for the allies and so on... We are responsible for those that have no voice and have to help those that fight for what we take for granted and not help their oppressors with arms so they be crushed.

Even if that means we will not get any more cheep oil or Uranium any longer and may have to pay a lot more for electricity. It is our duty to help all Humans to be equal.

Art de Rivers

at 13:01 on July 4th, 2009

The American At Prayer :

Am I my brother and sister's keeper

Of kin and skin ?

And moreso when the stakes are steeper

And I know the trouble they're in ?

Shall I fight a dark Hitler

And become a free eyed American ?

Unravel my faults

And write of them now with my pen ?

For I've killed Indian and killed some freedom

And I forget the unlanded Palestinian

And my eyes and heart

Have walked on the moon

So please July 4th Fireworks God ,

Let my slaved flaws drop

And my best values, walk amongst Niger soon ..

elvisjj

at 16:32 on July 4th, 2009

Nice job Paschen as always. And I so agree with what your saying. I mean justice isn't for everyone now is it? I wish we lived in a world were equality and justice was for all. But unfortunately that's not happening and who knows if it ever will. All we can do is bring the problem to light and hope people do something about it.

GBA (not verified)

at 08:31 on July 5th, 2009

if you want people in Niger to Twitter, someone will have to teach them to read and write first. Could be a good country for solar powered laptops but I think using any computer in the middle of the Sahara will have to be sand proof!

Paschen

at 17:57 on July 5th, 2009

You really do not seem to get it GBA.

Iffy (not verified)

at 08:40 on July 5th, 2009

4th July is an American holiday not a world one!

Paschen

at 17:46 on July 5th, 2009

You may want to ask the Native American that where exterminated if they agree with you.

Iffy (not verified)

at 02:44 on July 7th, 2009

the German immigrants killed Native Americans too, especially Mohawks, and took over vast tracts of their land. The Germans sided with the Brits during the American War. No need to tell you which country carried out the largest extermination in the history of the world.

Germany and Japan together killed more people in history than all the rest added up together.

Wasn't it a German who gave us the atomic bomb, and more you gave us rockets and missiles?

Paschen

at 23:13 on July 7th, 2009

Well, you must have some strange history book Iffy. Did you know that more people where killed in war since 1945 then in the period of the WWII?

The Roman managed the largest extermination in Known human history. If you calculate it per capita killed.

And if you do the math per capita, wish is how modern historian do look at it now, you may be surprised who come second.

Still, is there such a think then a less evil genocide? Is one more humane for killing only 100 people in cold blood then some one that killed a 1000 people in cold blood? Every single soul killed does count as much as every million killed and weight the same on the scale of guilt. Genocide is a crime no matter the numbers killed in the end it still remains a crime all the same.

I grand you that the German have some very dark spots in their history and they did invent the atom bomb as well as rockets and so. Who is using those ever since their invention and still today for the most part? And who was the only Nation that did ever use a Nuclear bomb on civilian, not only once.

I actually care little about who did what and more of what we are doing right now and what we will do from here on.

It would be nice if we would learn from past mistakes and past horrors committed and change so we may not repeat those horrors over and over.

However, all this would be another post by it self and none is really part of this post and that is what we are discussing here.

Do you remember what this post was about though?

GBA (not verified)

at 09:43 on July 5th, 2009

the price of uranium, oil and most other raw materials dropped not because we want cheap prices but because the demand dropped with the world financial crisis. Do you remember, a years ago, oil was about $150/barrel and now its down to about $50/barrel. These lower prices benefit the poor, food is cheaper than a year ago.

Paschen

at 17:53 on July 5th, 2009

The real prise of Fossil fuel if calculated responsibly and by taking into account the environmental impact as well as other cost that still have to be beard on the long run should be 1800 times higher. So even at $150.00 it would still be to cheep.

Your reasoning is flawed and narrow minded.