Good Bye 2004 - Summary of 2004 - Suggestions For 2005

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

I want to express sincere thanks to a number of people who contributed to the success of the WA forum this year. First, I would like to thank all active members of WA forum for their continuing support and submitting meaningful posts/articles. The activities of all of our members are effectively the brain and blood of this forum. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all other moderators who looked after the WA forum in my absence. I also want to welcome those who joined us this year.

Topics in very high demand this year included:
a) USA Elections,
b) Iraq & Afghanistan Wars,
c) Continuing Terrorism Problems Across the Globe and
d) Palestine-Israel Issue.

A) USA Elections
Mash Allah, we had an in-depth coverage of multi-dimensional USA 2004 Elections. In separate threads, we discussed Democratic and Republican Conventions, all three presidential debates, vice-presidential debate and pre- & post-election scenarios. I have to say that this very important event was well participated in by guppies. Thanks a lot. Here are all relevant links to USA 2004 elections:

Democratic Convention:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=157779

Republican Convention:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161652

Presidential Debates:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165241

VP Debate:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165686

USA 2004 Elections Coverage:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162775

Post-Election Discussion:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=168635

B) Iraq & Afghanistan Wars
Unfortunately, 2004 did not see the end of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As sad as it is, it is also a harsh reality, which is undeniable. Therefore, almost every major event related to these wars was discussed in detail at this forum.

C) Continuing Terrorism Problems across the Globe
Special attention was paid to continuing growth of the terrorism problems across the globe. To me, this was the most important topic of the year. Majority of the guppies, at this forum, made deliberate efforts to condemn terrorism in the name of Islam. Of course, there were serious differences among guppies on this sensitive topic but the overall quality of the threads/posts related to this topic was impressive. Here are links to some of those threads:

http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162265
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=163009

A detailed analysis was made of why more and more terrorists are being produced. Here are some threads related to this topic.
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=163916
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166361

D) Palestine-Israel Issue
Palestine-Israel issue, as it always does, drew major attention of guppies this year too. Guppies kept on posting news/articles relevant to this issue with their own analysis. Special attention was paid to the possible impact of Yasir Arafat’s death on the ongoing Palestine Freedom Struggle from Israel.

Here is a thread discussing the dynamics of Israel-USA relationship in context of Palestine issue:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=170615&highlight=arafat

Here is a thread discussing aftermaths of Arafat’s death:
http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=168730&highlight=arafat

Room For Improvement
Having said all the above, there is certainly a great deal of room left for improvement. I have a feeling that majority of us are strict and rigid about our views. There have been times when discussions turned into personal attacks. It is extremely unfortunate. What is the point of coming to this forum if not to learn something different or not to respect other’s viewpoint.

Suggestions
Please post your suggestions/comments/ideas here to improve WA forum for Year 2005. I promise to implement all good ideas. Thanks a lot.

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Quick question since when did WA get so US-centric? No mention of Pinochet? The WTO July frame-work package? The attack on the UN? Rise of racism in Europe?

All I see is US, US and US. I mean the US is 1 country out of 192. What about the rest of us? We unimportant?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Sir Galahad: *
Quick question since when did WA get so US-centric? No mention of Pinochet? The WTO July frame-work package? The attack on the UN? Rise of racism in Europe?

All I see is US, US and US. I mean the US is 1 country out of 192. What about the rest of us? We unimportant?
[/QUOTE]

Dear it is not about USA. if you read the summary again, i mentioned

"Topics in very high demand this year included"

and then i had a list of 4 "The Most" popular topics. Like it or dont like it, but it is a reality that 80 percent of the posts revolved around these four topics. Is it my mistake? As a matter of fact, i am the one who keeps on posting threads on a regular basis addressing issues other than the aforemntioned topics. I hardly recieve a respond.....

Plus it is not about USA only. Israel-Palestene issue and terrorissm problem are non-USA issues ( to some extent).

All of the topics that you mentioned were also discussed at WA froum but they were not the major one.

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PD it was a general comment with regard to WA, which has developed a very US centric point of view. It is US bad or US good.

I do not remember a thread on the July Frame-work Package. But i guess very few realise the impact the WTO has on their daily lives.

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post it Sir G and you'd realize how obsessed our membership is with the US.. if it doesn't turn into a "US is a bully" discussion in under 10 posts than my name isn't Chaudhry Munir.

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Suggestion for 2005, Phoenix desi get's made mod of Cafe and we can get over this coconuty gora ass chatting in WA :)

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Ivan t Terrible: *
Suggestion for 2005, Phoenix desi get's made mod of Cafe and we can get over this coconuty gora ass chatting in WA :)
[/QUOTE]

thank you sir....

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by PakistaniAbroad: *
post it Sir G and you'd realize how obsessed our membership is with the US.. if it doesn't turn into a "US is a bully" discussion in under 10 posts than my name isn't Chaudhry Munir.
[/QUOTE]

PA please get out of the US centric mentality. I do not post intellectual discussions on gupshup because:

A. Nobody cares
B. Nobody knows what the hell I am talking about.

If i started a post on the CAP - how many of you would know what I am talking about? If i discussed the UDC and La Front National, could you name the leaders of these parties? If I discussed the current situation of Zaire and DRC, would anybody actually know what i am refering to?

No.

This is WA on gupshup. Everybody is too busy pissing each other off you included. To have an intellectual discussion you do not post on gupshup.

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^^ I agree that people are busy pissing each other off. I might not know the acronyms that you mentioned but post 'em. I'd be interested to learn something new.

As far as intellectual discussions are concerned. I just read the Gupshup mission statement and it mentions something about intellect and having healthy discussions.

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did you hear about the recount for the votes!

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Interesting.

We should have discussions on UN & other organizations too here. World bank, & WTO, all these decisions make a big impact on the everyday man in thrid world countries. An excellent pointer by Sir Galahad.

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Arthur, I mean Galahad, why don’t you start the discussion.Whats the hitch in taking the lead. Stop whining like a woman and post some nice and interesting topics. There are people who are interested in knowing about the issues pertaining to the global political economy…whether its globalisation, terrorism, WTO, global governance regimes like IMF, World Ban etc, etc…
We might not be able to understand everything but hey, atleast you might find someone with an opinion on certain issues. :rolleyes:

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Take the lead? Har Har. Check while i posted as CM, there were a great deal of posts regarding Africa. The only people who discussed the matter were myself, Nadia, DHP and Malik. Cat-woman would add stuff and Old man would always be around to discuss stuff. He hasnt posted in a long time as well.

Another example Yukos has a been a major story all over the world, i post a thread on it and nobody responds. It is an amazing bit of everything. You have the legal side, the business aspect, the background to Yukos and the future of Europes oil supply. Not to mention Putins comments in his 3 hour long press conference.

So many issues, covering just on subject. Nobody here cares. If i take the lead you will see alot of posts with my friends posting or with nobody posting.

It is no fun discussing a subject matter with someone who agrees with you.

Edit: But hey just for you sweetheart I will post a thread on a subject which is not discussed on gupshup at all.

After all if Uncle Jee said proper and respectful discussions will be the aim for the future, it is my solemn duty to help him out. But then again you should have mods of his calibre leading the discussions.