Tuesday, January 24, 2006

How The Blogosphere Can Help The Democracy Movement In Nepal



Quick question: As I mentioned in a comment on your blog, I have been trying to work on a couple of international issues, mainly going through the blogsphere. I have been finding that people are curious about them, but don't always DO anything. I am thinking of writing a diary discussing the general blogsphere attitude towards international issues. If you can write up a couple of paragraphs (not much more) on what you are trying to get done for Nepal and how people in the blogsphere can help, I might be able to include it depending on how it fits with the general gestalt of the piece. I haven't begun writing it so I don't know a.) when I will get around to it, b.) what exactly it will say or c.) whether it will ever come together. But, if it does come together, it might be a way for me to include your efforts as well as mine. Any thoughts?

David Michaelson, DFNYC

Thanks David For Bringing Me Back To DFNYC

David. Thanks. I beg for questions like the ones you have posed. The movement needs all the help it can get. We need moral support, we need logistical support. This is also a great way for the progressives in America to go strong on defense.

Nepal Message To Top Democrats

What could you and others do to help?

(1) Spread the word. This could be the most important help. My blog, Democracy For Nepal (DFN) can be a resource. Other blogs could link to the blog, or to specific articles. None of the photos at the blog are copyrighted. Any blogger and others may use them. Bloggers could embed the videos displayed at my blog at their own blogs. We have not been able to hit the world headlines yet, but if we could create some major buzz in the blogosphere, old media would likely follow, and even if it does not, the task will have been accomplished.

(2) Lobby. Any elected official in the US at local, state or national level would do. All they or their office has to do is put out a brief statement of support saying they are behind the democracy movement in Nepal. I will publish all such letters of support at my blog, and subsequently circulate them widely in the Nepali circles all the way to Nepal. Those would be headline news in Nepal.

(3) Donate. Nepali politics is just like American politics. Money talks. And we have very specific projects in mind. Maybe you will donate, maybe you will get a few others to donate. Maybe bloggers will link to this page, Project Nepal Democracy, and solicit donations far and wide. $10, $20, $50, whatever. All sums are good. The dollar is green in all amounts. Right now we have an urgent need for $1000 to conduct nationwide pamphleteering in Nepal. This could end up being the very backbone of the entire movement. $1000 is 100 individuals giving $10 each, or 50 giving $20 each.

(4) Show Up For Events. September 16 Protest Rally. Two DFNYC people showed up. Merle and Sarah. Upcoming events are usually highlighted at my blog. We have a rally and a talk program scheduled for February 1. It was on February 1 last year when the king's coup was staged. I also have launched a monthly MeetUp. Democracy For Nepal (DFN) MeetUp. The first Saturday of each month in Jackson Heights, for lunch at the local Nepali restaurant. We also have events in other cities. I know of a rally in DC this Sunday, and a rally on February 1 in San Francisco.

Visitors

24 January09:33University of Maine, Orono, United States
24 January09:41Wayne State University, Detroit, United States
24 January09:53University of Louisiana, Lafayette, United States
24 January09:54International Rice Research Institute, Philippines
24 January10:07PCCW IMS Netvigator, Hong Kong S.A.R.
24 January10:36TU Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Harburg, Germany
24 January10:46Univ. of Science Technology, Trondheim, Norway
24 January10:54CTX Mortgage Company, Dallas, United States
24 January11:22Minnesota State Universities, United States
24 January12:11Wichita State University, Wichita, United States
24 January12:11ClearBlue Technologies, United States
24 January12:1388.144.25.x
24 January12:15Telenet, Belgium
24 January12:24Kyushu University, Japan
24 January12:27University of South Alabama, United States
24 January12:29North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States
24 January12:30DION, Japan
24 January12:40International Monetary Fund, United States
24 January12:42Swipnet, Sweden
24 January12:43Hawaii-Pacific Teleport, United States 1

In The News

Maoists attack Nepalgunj, Fighting going on NepalNews
Former PM urges HM the King to invite parties for dialogue, end the direct rule
Over dozen opposition activists arrested from protest rally
Palace hardliners are the greatest threat to monarchy: Chalmers
NHRC team meets UML leaders under house arrest
Will Maoists keep their promise?
EC publishes election schedule
No prospect of postponement of polls: Minister Thapa
Civil servants urge government to postpone polls
NEPAL: Police again clash with protesters Reuters AlertNet, UK
Nepal anti-king protests turn violent Boston Globe
Nepal anti-king protests turn violent ABC News
Protesters arrested for defying ban orders in Nepal Monsters and Critics.com
Nepal lifts ban on rallies in the capital Times of India, India
Police clash with pro-democracy protesters in Nepal Hindu
China calls for reconciliaion among all forces in Nepal Nepali Times, Nepal
Nepal's Living Goddess Affected By Turmoil OhmyNews International, South Korea

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