English for journalists, Column

I’m from the Wild West

When I’m abroad and people ask me where I’m from, I always answer with: Holland. I think, especially when visiting another country outside the European borders, I will never answer that question by saying I’m from Europe.

Europe houses almost 740 million people from 50 different states. This means roughly 50 different main cultures, and I’m not even stating the numbers on the subcultures within its states. And even in these times of the growing super state, that is Europe, I don’t believe these cultures will eventually emerge into one main culture we call the European culture.

Even though, I’ve never experienced the Dutch chauvinistic people, I don’t see us giving up our culture so quickly. The tolerant and open-minded culture is way to valuable to us to give up. Also, together with France, Holland was the only country that voted against the European constitution. That was in a way, an action to keep Holland the way it is.

I must say, I’m not a big fan of the things that define Holland: legalisation of marihuana, the red-light district and Geert Wilders. Obviously, windmills, wooden shoes and tulips are becoming less popular as the face of Holland. But despite all, what I find negative, I still feel like a Dutch person, instead of a European citizen.

To feel a part of Europe, to feel like an actual European, the 50 member states are just too different, culture wise. Maybe, I would feel more of a Western-European in a few years. That would be more logical. My father is French, so I already have two western countries I can relate to. And with the globalisation, music, fashion and education are becoming more and more the same in the west of Europe.

Other European countries like for example Albania, Latvia or Georgia, I have no connection with. All these countries I know little about. Therefore, I can’t see myself, just like the inhabitants of these countries, as a European.

So the next time I’m abroad, and some one comes up to me and asks where I’m from, maybe I’ll answer: “I’m a Western-European from Holland”.

Photo essay

Media and Conflicts essay

Speak softly and carry a big stick

There are five countries in the world that have obtained several great powers compared to all of the other countries. These countries do not only have the power to ‘VETO’ important decisions within the United Nations, they are the only countries that are officially allowed to manufacture nuclear weapons. The United States, Russia, China, France and the United-Kingdom are the rulers of the world. It is no surprise that several countries are starting for themselves, even without the permission of the ‘Almighty Five’.  Countries like India, Pakistan and North Korea also obtained nuclear weapons. Israel is believed to have nuclear weapons and Iran is in the process of obtaining nuclear weapons.[1] In the case of Israel, western countries are likely to condone the situation. This doesn’t happen with Iran; with Iran it is the complete opposite.

As we speak a political war between Israel and Iran is going on. But looking at the history of these countries, this war is likely to become reality soon. Of course ‘Big Brother’ America is mingling in this conflict. In a conversation with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Obama states: “The United States will always has Israel’s back when it comes to security.” While choosing sides with Israel, the US is trying to find a political solution to this conflict. But why is Israel willing to attack Iran then?

The politician without a political state of mind
To understand Israel’s fears concerning Iran, we first have to look into its president: Ahmadinejad. Ahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected in 2003 for mayor of Teheran. During his mayorship he successfully ran for president in 2005. And in 2009 he was re-elected for president. He is considered a religious conservative left-wing politician. What this politician is most famous for is his controversial statement: “Israel must be wiped off the map.” And along with denials of the Holocaust his anti-Israel attitude is clear. The hatred of Iran combined with the potential to obtain nuclear weapons is the foundation of Israel’s concerns.[2]

The actual concerns started in 2005 when Teheran announces it has resumed uranium enrichment. In 2006 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) researched the Iranian facility. The IAEA announces that Iran has the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon within three to eight years. More reports from the IAEA came since, but in 2011 the international organization released a rather disturbing report saying that there is new evidence Iran is secretly working on a nuclear weapon. Of course in the last few weeks the concerns of the US and Israel have grown to the amount where sanctions need to be made.

The United States of glorifying Israel
The US is always seen as the world police, especially by themselves. So it’s only obvious that they interfere in the Iran matter as well. Fortunately, Obama is trying his best to find a political solution. Even though Netanyahu is willing to start an armed war against Iran, Obama is trying to talk some sense into the prime minister. This would only work if Iran decides to work along with the two countries. But in case of failure, which it looks like at this moment, Obama pledged his support and understanding to Netanyahu: Obama understands that Israel has the right to defend itself from an Iranian nuclear threat. As Obama quoted Theodore Roosevelt in his speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)[3]: “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.” This means: ask nicely first, but be prepared to fight for your goals.[4]

Of course there is more than just the safety of Israel Obama needs to think of. The upcoming elections also need to be paid attention to. Starting a war with Iran in these times wont get him the second term as a president. So the way Obama presents himself towards the outside world concerning Iran is not entirely selfless.

But the president of the United States did make some good comments. Obama gave a thirty-minute speech at the AIPAC conference, very convincing. It is the most pro-Israel thing you’ll ever see, but even with the overly nice commentary of Obama, there were a few valid points, at least, believable for the western habitants. Obama has a very persuasive way of sharing his point of view, a charismatic speaker, as they would say: “We reaffirmed that fundamental truth that has guided our presidents and prime ministers for more than 60 years that even while we may at times disagree, as friends sometimes will, the bonds between the United States and Israel are unbreakable and the commitment of the United States to the security of Israel is ironclad.”

But there are also some valid points, in my point of view. Obama: “Indeed, the entire world has an interest in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. A nuclear-armed Iran would thoroughly undermine the nonproliferation regime that we’ve done so much to build. There are risks that an Iranian nuclear weapon could fall into the hands of a terrorist organization. It is almost certain that others in the region would feel compelled to get their own nuclear weapon, triggering an arms race in one of the world’s most volatile regions. It would embolden a regime that has brutalized its own people, and it would embolden Iran’s proxies, who have carried out terrorist attacks from the Levant to southwest Asia.”

“And that is why, four years ago, I made a commitment to the American people and said that we would use all elements of American power to pressure Iran and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. And that is what we have done.”[5]

You have to do it, but we don’t
“We are you and you are us. We are together.” These are the words of Israel’s prime minister, Netanyahu at the White House in Washington. After a conversation with president Obama, Netanyahu seemed very secure about the relationship between Israel and the US. The prime minister of Israel had great concerns about the obtained uranium in Iran. Along with the threats of Ahmadinejad, Netanyahu has had enough. Israel needs to intervene, with or without the help of America.

Few people might know that Israel itself has illegally obtained nuclear weapons. It is believed that Israel has nuclear weapons since 1967. Even though the relationship between Israel and the Western society is very good, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is not recognizing Israel as a Nuclear Weapon State. In official terms, Israel hasn’t confirmed nor denies owning nuclear weapons. [6] Where I come from, this attitude is seen as hypocritical.

The Agency is watching you
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibits the use of nuclear power for military purpose. The IAEA was founded on 29 July 1957 as an independent organization. Even though it operates separately from the UN, it reports to both the Security Counsel and the General assembly. [7]

The IAEA wasn’t aloud to enter a military facility in Iran. This led to a great amount of frustrations with Israel. A spokesman of the IAEA said: “they have not changed their behavior when it comes to abiding by their international nuclear obligations.” Also a statement is made about the so-called civil goals of Iran: “ This research will lead to a negative report from the IAEA. Again we cannot say with certainty that the Iranian nuclear programme is strictly for civilian purposes.” On the other hand, the IAEA cannot state that there is an actual programme for nuclear weapons. So it is still all assumptions.[8] [9]

Get your facts straight
In order to make a proper conclusion; the facts need to be proper organized. A small summary of what is going on at this moment. First, we need to acknowledge there is a strong tension between Israel and Iran. The fears of Israel lie within the hatred from Ahmadinejad and the possibility for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. And with the IAEA report saying that there is no hard evidence whatsoever to support the theory of Iran obtaining nuclear energy for civilian purpose only, the tension is growing by the minute. Fortunately, the US (with support of the UN) is searching for a political solution. And even though Obama pledged his support to Israel at all times, he desperately seeks for a non-violent outcome. Also, what I believe is a fun fact, is that Israel’s trying to force Iran to total transparency when it comes to its nuclear programme, when at the same time, Israel is believed to have been obtaining nuclear weapons for the past 50 year without even one member of the IAEA was allowed to visit. Al these actors with different agenda’s make one complex conflict.

Western hypocrisy
As one of the five countries that has the power to VETO and to obtain nuclear weapons legally, the United States of America is still one of the most powerful and influential states in the world. This has nothing to do with economic prosperity, army powers or scientific achievements; it has everything to do with the committed power that five countries gave themselves and each other. Ever since the end of world war two, Russia, France, China, the UK and the US have given themselves the right to obtain rights that made them rise above he rest of the world. On of these powers is the right to obtain nuclear weapons legally. Without the permission of these actors, you are not allowed to produce nuclear weapons. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t obtain nuclear weapons. Iran and Israel are both countries that ignored the agreement of these power states. And why shouldn’t they?

Just because five countries were great victors almost 70 years ago, doesn’t mean they can rule the world as they wish. But in this case, it exactly means they can rule the world as they wish. Luckily for me, I am a born and raised western citizen. This means that a power like America is beneficial. Even though I find the way the US, France and the UK obtained their powers unfair, I find them necessary for me to maintain my way of living.

Also I see the hypocrisy that Israel brings with her commotion over Iran. I share the concern that America and Israel have, even though Israel is a major hypocrite. Iran is the one threatening Israel by destroying her with nuclear weapons. Iran is the one that is a threat for our western culture.

I am highly aware of the fact the Western society is often a big hypocrite, who is pointing fingers to others, without reviewing herself. Unfortunately for Iran, its credibility is nowhere to be found when it comes to honesty and political solutions. In this case, the United States of America and the nation of Israel do need to speak softly but have to carry a big stick.

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[1] ^ Harding, Luke (2006-12-12).
“Calls for Olmert to resign after nuclear gaffe Israel and the Middle East | Guardian Unlimited”. London: Guardian. Retrieved 2009-05-15.

[2] www.Telegraph.com (10 Jun 2010) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/7816442/Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad-in-quotes.html

[3] American Israel Public Affairs Comitte, 16 March 2012,

http://www.aipac.org/

[4]UsingEnglish, 16 March 2012 http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/speak+softly+and+carry+a+big+stick.html

[5] guardian.co.uk, Sunday 4 March 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/04/obama-aipac-speech-read-text

[6] http://www.un.org/events/npt2005/background.html

[7] http://www.iaea.org/

[8] http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/middle-east/Iran-Rebuffs-IAEA-141212983.html

[9]http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2668/Buitenland/article/detail/3195580/2012/02/22/IAEA-weg-uit-Iran—en-wat-nu.dhtml

English for journalists, Arab spring

Reporting on lies
By Sarah Guern, 26 March 2012

Propaganda is a powerful tool for certain authorities to influence their environment, especially in countries where the all media outlets and inputs are being controlled by the government. The Arab-spring is going on for quite some time now. Particularly Syria is in the limelight these days. So how do we know for sure we get honest and true information from these areas?

“If there aren’t any journalists in the concerning areas, the opposing parties will be more likely to succeed the influencing of the media.” Hans Jaap is a war correspondent for the NOS news. He has been reporting on the Arab spring for quite some time now. “ To tell the truth, you have to find out what’s going on.  How can you know what is happening sitting behind a desk?”

The Western media get a lot of information from inside parties in Syria through channels like social media. This is a dangerous way of covering the news for there a few facts attached to the given information. “ You can’t see whether a video is real or not, journalists need to verify. People always will try to present a certain situation,” the war correspondent adds. For this reason journalists from all over the world are risking their lives to report the truth about Syria.

Even though journalists try, you never can avoid being influenced by your surroundings. Because the war areas are too dangerous to enter without any protection, most journalists go embedded. “When you are, for example, with the Syrian opposition, they won’t let you talk to Assad people. They will try to tell you exactly what’s going on and what successes they have booked. Many journalists get influenced this way; even Reuters and AP provide the wrong information sometimes. This is the danger of war correspondence. The only thing you can do, is report what you see and try to make your own observation.”

The Western media is trying there best to provide us facts and honest information. All journalists get influenced by the area and party there surrounded by. We must hope that more journalists are like Hans Jaap, and they will try to report on what they see, instead of what they hear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portrait

‘De Regenboog’, English for journalists

(Un)certain future for ‘De Regenboog’
By Kirsty van Tilborg, Sarah Guern and Kirsten Spooren
06-03-2012

 

 

 

 

Jonnie Pereboom

AMSTERDAM- The homeless shelter ‘De Regenboog’ in Amsterdam is coping with the cutbacks from the Dutch government, because of the recession. ‘De Regenboog’ is getting more and more insecure about the subsidy cuts.

Because of the governmental cutbacks, some homeless shelters already had to close their doors. The care of the homeless is now in the hands of the community. The community gets money from the state, depending on how much homeless people there are in a town. The community gives a budget to the homeless shelters. With that budget, homeless shelters have to take care of more than one hundred people a day. “With the budget we get from the community, we have to spend the money well,” says Jonnie Pereboom, manager of the homeless day shelter ‘De Regenboog’.

“Sometimes we have 215 visitors, for whom we have to provide food. We are like a café where you can drink coffee, it’s a social environment. Homeless shelters are necessary to bring the homeless back into that social environment,” says Jonnie. Not everyone is allowed to come and ‘drink coffee’ at the shelter. Before people can join the community, the organizers of ‘De Regenboog’ will have a small interview with them to find out who they are and where they come from.  Based on this interview they can determine whether they would fit their social group. ”Because of the governmental cutbacks, we have a strict policy of who may join us. We don’t know a lot about what will happen in the future. Will we still get money from the government? ”

It costs almost 50.000 euros per year to maintain one homeless person. The government thinks this can be less and some communities have to cut back 800.000 euro in the care of homeless shelters. Some shelters had to stop there overnight shelters. And who knows when it will happen with ‘De Regenboog’.

Press Release Ipod, English for journalists

Renewed Ipod nano

It exudes convenience

San Francisco – 27 February 2012 -Today Apple launched its newest Ipod nano. A touch mp3 with lots of features compared to its precursor. The Ipod nano gives you up to 24 hours of music thanks to the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It weights almost half the amount than the last Ipod Nano. And because of the built-in clip, it is instantly wearable.

Between the Ipod shuffle and the Ipod Touch, the Ipod nano has all its advantages. It has the body and weight of the shuffle, but the conveniences and clarity of the Touch. Because it has all these advantaged, the nano is the perfect workout accessory. With the convenience clip, you could easily start your workout while listing to your favorite songs. Its also contains a built-in pedometer which tracks your steps and can also combine the Nike workouts that are designed for the sporty Ipod user.

The newest Ipod nano is available at a suggesting price of 149 dollars for the 8GB model and 179 dollars for the 16GB model. The models are both available in several colors: white, black, silver, blue, pink and green. You can also get a customize Ipod, these are only available in the Apple stores or on the website (www.apple.com). The new Ipod nano is available through the Apple store and apple retail stores. Check the website for an outlet in your neighborhood (www.apple.com).

Editorial, English for journalists

Don’t forget your helmet

Our prince, Friso, is still in the hospital in Austria and might never come out alive. The prince was buried under an avalanche while skiing with a friend. And while we’re all focussed on what will happen next with the prince, the next deadly accident has occurred. A 50-year old man from the Netherlands was fallen out of a lift in Austria (NOS, 2012). Unfortunately, the man didn’t wear a helmet while skiing, a fatale mistake.

The Dutch have been going on ski trips for over a century. At first it was only for the wealthy people. But now, more and more people go on ski trips. Even though, a lot of enthusiastic people go to Austria to have a nice vacation, not everyone comes back fulfilled and happy.  Last year, 600 Dutch skiers were injured while skiing in Austria (www.reisverzekeringblog.nl, 2011). Most of them are small, but some life threatening. But what do prince Friso and the deceased man have in common next to the accidents? They both didn’t wear the required equipment. Perhaps it was lack off effort or they might even forget their equipment. At this moment, not one of them can tell us why…

It seems so obvious, but still people forget to take the right equipment. It might even be laziness. In some cases we might never know. What we do know, it the time we go skiing, we will take the right equipment. Because no one is too cool for a helmet or to wear the right equipment, not even royals.

Sarah Guern

Fairytale becomes news

LONG LOST PRINCES RETURNS AFTER SIXTEEN YEARS
By Sarah Guern, International Journalism student,
Amsterdam, Netherlands

The long lost daughter, Rapunzel, of the king and queen of Neverland returned to her parents’ castle yesterday. A witch, who has been living in a tower in the forest, has abducted the princes sixteen years ago. A young man named Flynn Ryder managed to get Rapunzel out of the tower where she was locked and escorted her back home. The witch kidnapped Rapunzel when she was nearly two years old because of Rapunzels magic hair.

“We’re so happy that Rapunzel has returned to us after all these years”, the king states. “We never stopped believing she would return to us, it is finally happened.”, the queen added. Sixteen years ago the witch stole Rapunzel from the castle and has been brainwashing her ever since. “I always thought she was my real mother, and she’d had my best interest at heart.”, Rapunzel sais. For years the witch told Rapunzel that the outside world is too dangerous to live in and that staying in the tower is the only to be save.

Flynn Ryder is the man who escorted her back the palace. “When I met Rapunzel for the first time she looked at me like I was a fairytale figure”. At first he didn’t realize she was the missing princess and he certainly didn’t know the she’s got magic. “It was a very shocking moment when I found out that Rapunzels hair had magic powers, now I was the one looking at her like she was a fairytale figure.”, Flynn admits.

Because the royal family has been separated for all these years, the king and queen decided to take a long vacation to get to know each other. Including Flynn Rider, who didn’t only saved Rapunzel but also managed to sweep her off her feet. The royals are planning a big welcome party when they get back.