Milk, The Movie

Disappointing.

I'm baffled over the hype. The Rolling Stone review reads like a groupie's blog posting - it can't find enough superlatives. We're encouraged to see it as The Great Civil Rights Movie of the year.

The reviewer fails to notice:

a) There is one female character in the film. A minor one. Last time I checked, civil rights were about both halves of the human race. Last time I checked, the gay rights movement was 50% women, for fuck's sake.

b) There are two men of colour in the film. One is the obligatory Asian geek on Harvey Milk's elections team. The second is Harvey's second lover, played as a wince-out-loud, devoid-of-complexity-or-backstory stereotype of the neurotic, self-obsessed Latino drama queen. Who Harvey doesn't "have to talk to about anything" when he comes home.

And I went in wanting to love the film. Ready to be "uplifted", "inspired", all the cliches I loathe. Come on, Gus Van Sant. You've got to know you could have done better.

Arundhati Roy: Mumbai was not India's 9/11

In the days immediately following the Mumbai attacks, I kept searching for something, anything, by Arundhati Roy.

That's what public intellectuals come to stand for. In times of crisis, we look to them for a framework of critical thinking, a context, a backstory. A counter-narrative to offset mainstream media and mass hysteria.

When I couldn't find op-eds, interviews, even the smallest comment, I realized I'd have to do my own thinking. And digging. Sigh.

But here it is, finally. An essay in today's Guardian, that opens up the whole bloody, complex history of India's state-sponsored violence against minorities, military atrocities in Kashmir, deeply compromised role in "the business of terrorism".

Thank god for the truth-tellers. However stark their conclusions.

We're standing at a fork in the road. One sign says Justice, the other Civil War. There's no third sign and there's no going back. Choose.

Keep Talking to Kenyan MPs and Ministers

This is the first step to creating a culture of political accountability in Kenya. MPs need to hear what their constituents expect - and to be held accountable for delivering on their campaign promises. Below are all the contact numbers we've been able to obtain for the 10th Parliament. The fact that less than 30% of parliamentarians have made their contact details available to Kenyans is, in itself, a tragic statement on the feudal thinking prevalent in Kenyan politics.

MP CONTACT INFO (last name, first names - constituency - party - cellphone, email)

Abdirahman, H.Ali - Wajir South - KANU - 0721-724746 / 0722-144999 ahassan@tradeandindustry.go.ke

Chiaba, Mohamed Abu - Lamu East - PNU - 0722-410177

Bahari, Abdul Ali - Isiolo South - KANU - 0733-289501

Balala, Mohammed Najib - Mvita - ODM - 0733 333500 /0724 - 650000 najib@mombasa.co.ke

Bifwoli, Wakoli Sylvester - Bumula - PNU - 0733-865323 Wakolib@yahoo.com

Chepkitony, Lucas Kipkosgei - Keiyo North - ODM - 0733-635894 / 0722816064

Ethuro, David - Turkana Central - PNU- 0722-526370 dethuro@yahoo.com

Gesami, James Ondicho - West Mugirango - ODM- 0733 826090

Gisuka, Machage Wilfred - Kuria - DP - 0733-451806/0725834575

Kajembe, Ramathan Seif - Changamwe - ODM - 0721 609777 Langoni@swiftmombasa.com

Kajwang', Gerald Otieno - Mbita - ODM - 0722-882787

Kamama, Asman Abongotum - Baringo East - PNU - 0731-583303

Karua, Martha Wangari Gichugu - PNU - 0721 623 342 / 0733-747551

Kenneth, Peter Gatanga - PNU - 0722 512996 andykenneth@hotmail.com

Kenyatta, Uhuru - Gatundu South - KANU - 0722 463 891

Keter, Charles Cheruiyot - Belgut - ODM - 0722 530555

Khalwale Boni - Ikolomani - NEW FORD-K - 0721 318722

Khaniri, George Munyasa - Hamisi - ODM - 0722-859341

Kilonzo, Julias Kiema Mutito - ODM-K - 0722-513605 kilonzo@wananchi.com

Kilonzo, Charles Mutavi - Yatta - ODM-K - 0734-621593 ckilonzo@crystalvaluers.com

Kimunya Amos Muhinga Kipipiri PNU - 0722518801 / 520936 kipipiri@wananchi.com

Kinyanjui, Lee Maiyani - Nakuru Town - PNU - 0722 842653

Kiunjuri, Festus Mwangi - Laikipia East - PNU - 0721 600 305

Kuti Mohammed Abdi - Isiolo North - NARC-K - 0733 235914

Lesirma, Simeon Saimanga - Samburu West - ODM - 0722-719946 simeonlesrima@yahoo.com

Magara - James Omingo - South Mugirango - ODM - 0722 911274 jomingo45@yahoo.com

Katoo, Ole Metito J - Kajiado South - 0721-640175

Midiwo, Washington Jakoyo - Gem - ODM - 0721 504 040 / 0733 421277/ 0722 935761

Mohamed, A.H.M - Mandera West - ODM - 0722-779942

Mohammed, Haji Yusuf - Ijara - KANU - 0722-709395

Mugo, Beth Wambui - Dagoretti - PNU - 0722-205753 bmugo@kenyaweb.com

Mungatana, Danson Buya - Garsen - NARC-K - 0722-411971 mungatana@wanainchi.com

Munyes, John Kiyonga - Turkana North - PNU - 0721-339094 johnmunyes@yahoo.com

Murungi, Kiraitu - South Imenti - PNU - 0721-240863 waziri@kenyaweb.com

Musila, David - Mwingi South - ODM-K - 0722 571117 davidmusila@yahoo.com

Musyoka, Stephen Kalonzo - Mwingi North - ODM-K - 0722 523 872 / 0735 161 588

Mwangi, Onesmus Kigumo - PNU - 0722-778581 kiharamwangimp@yahoo.com

Mwatela, Andrew Calist - Mwatate - ODM 0733 719 871

Mwiria, Valerian Kilemi - Tigania West - PNU - 0733-657562 kilemimwiria@africanonline.co.ke

Ndambuki, Gideon Musyoka - Kaiti - ODM-K - 0720-384553/0734-758567 gndambuki@wananchi.com

Githae, Robinson Njeru - Ndia - PNU - 722514837

Nkaisserry, Joseph Kasaine - Kajiado Central - ODM - 0721-356786 nkaisserry@wananchi.com

Nyong'o, Peter Anyang' - Kisumu Rural - ODM - 0733 454 133 pan@africaonline.co.ke

Odinga, Raila Amolo - Langata - ODM - 0733 620 736 railaaodinga@yahoo.com

Oginga, Oburu Bondo - ODM - 0733 818517/ 0724-105493 oburu_oginga@yahoo.com

Odeke, Sospeter Ojaamongson Amagoro - ODM - 0733 967345 / 0722 813819

Ojode, Joshua Orwa Ndhiwa - ODM - 0722- 514830 Ojode7@hotmail.com

Okemo, Chrysanthus Nambale - ODM - 0733-608895 Chrisokemo@yahoo.com

Olweny, Patrick Ayiecho - Muhoroni - ODM - 0722-734187/0733-784633

Onyancha, Charles - Bonchari - ODM - 0722-248190 jonyancha2002@yahoo.com

Oparanya, Wycliffe Ambetsa - Butere - ODM - 0722 521856

Osebe, Walter Enock Nyambati - Kitutu Masaba - N LP - 0722 724 556

Poghisio, Samuel Losuron Kacheliba - ODM-K - 0722-520663 / 0734-200836 poghisio@wananchi.com

Ruto, Samoei William K. - Eldoret North - ODM - 0722 517 997 info@williamrutto.com

Shaban Naomi Namsi Taveta KANU 0722 814 412

Shitanda, Peter Soita - Malava - NEW FORD-K - 0721-341241 soita-shitanda@yahoo.com

Sugow Ahmed Aden Fafi KANU 0721-596726

Twaha, Yasin Fahim - Lamu West - NARC-K - 0722-925108

Wekesa, Noah Muhlanganga - Kwanza - PNU - 0722-774374 noahwekesa@hotmail.com

Were, David Aoko Matungu - ODM - 0722 707548/0733 569180 scorpionwere@yahoo.com

Wetangula - Moses Makisa Sirisia - PNU - 0722 517 302 / 806 363 mwetangula@hotmail.com

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF KENYA

Amos Wako 0722 772 453

My op-ed on Mumbai Attacks

coming soon to a five-star hotel near you, runs in the latest issue of Pambazuka News.

UNGA!!

From Kenya's People's Parliament - this call to action.

If you are in Kenya, please join the action.

If you are outside Kenya, send a message of solidarity and support here.

Dear Kenyans and friends of Kenya,

Our struggle for responsible and accountable leadership is firmly on! Kenyans are fired up to use their creativity to dramatize and communicate their dissatisfaction to their leaders.

December 10th, 11th and 12th are our days for mass civil society action that demonstrates Kenya's people power.

On 10th December 2008 at 9.30am, we assembly at Bunge HQ, Jeevanjee Garden Park. After short speeches, we will start a procession through city centre to Muthurwa market and then head to Huruma sports ground.

At Huruma sports ground we shall have a public meeting. Grassroots Kenyans will outline their priority human rights issues as part of the celebration of World Human Rights Day. The meeting will also serve as mobilization for the next two days’ activity.

Similar mobilization activities will take place across the country through our partner and network organizations.

On 11th December 2008, to express their anger and discontentment, Kenyans will boycott public and private vehicles. Where they have to go to work, they will walk. We beseech employers to show solidarity by allowing Kenyans to stay off work.

On the 12th December 2008, our major direct action day, we must pack various Jamhuri celebration venues armed with our "mouth" to communicate eloquently our frustrations. Our clarion call to all our issues of discontentment will remain Unga!

Unga (maize flour) is the symbol of our people power. Just as "bread" was a symbol of the French revolution. During the celebration speeches at district, provincial and national level, to everything the speakers say, we shall respond with Unga!.

The power to create another Kenya is in your hands. Do not sit back.

Contacts:

George Nyongesa
grnyongesa@yahoo.com
0720 451 235

Somoni Birundu
0713 972941

Bunge la Mwananchi is a social movement and a member of Kenya National Civil Society Congress.

Spot the discrepancy

It seems to be the cholera that's finally done it in Zimbabwe. Everyone from Gordon Brown to Raila Odinga insists Mugabe must go.

Rightly so. Zimbabwe's democracy was bulldozed in 2002. The members of SADC (the Southern African Development Community) and most especially, South Africa, under Thabo Mbeki, must bear the blame, and the permanent historical shame, of abandoning the people of Zimbabwe by refusing to intervene.

But now cast your eyes a little further North on the globe. To a tiny strip of land along the red sea where 1.5 million Palestinians are held in the world's largest concentration camp.

Gaza.

In 2006, Palestine's Hamas party was elected to office, by popular democratic vote. Israel responded by imposing collective punishment on the people of Gaza. A relentless blockade, that continues to this day, on food, water, medical supplies, basic spare parts to enable power supplies, sewage treatment.

The impact has been devastating. A massive humanitarian crisis - starvation, trauma, epidemic disease - is unfolding in Gaza.

The silence from world leaders, as they bray for the head of Mugabe on a platter, is deafening.