Michael Schaap:The Impact of Election 2020

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Mark Fonseca Rendeiro
Live in a spacious room in Amsterdam
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Michael Schaap

Michael Schaap is a documentary maker, a voice over artist, and an arm-chair historian who I have had the pleasure of knowing for almost two decades. For the past four years he has been watching in frustration and sadness as the US and the rest of the world, walk down a dangerous path not unlike what we’ve seen before.
Today on the podcast, an end of the year, Hanakkuh-Christmas-Kwanzaa-Festivus special looking at the glboal impact of the election in the US. And like every good holiday film, if you listen close you’ll hear an inspiring message… as well as Michael’s cat chewing on cables and documents.

Enjoy!

2 Days to Uganda Elections

Poll Worker
Polling Station Worker, Uganda by: flickrmember peprice

We are less than 2 days from presidential elections in Uganda, a place that already is regularly left out of the front pages and trending topics in many parts of the world.  When you add to its usual lack of coverage the fact that right now whatever international news is getting attention is focused on any and all protests in Algeria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Iraq or Bahrain, it is a bad time for anyone that wants to hear more from Uganda.

Myself in my own work, though I say I focus on under reported news, Uganda and Ugandan elections are topics that I have not touched on often enough.  Still, with a president election this weekend, what I do know is that there is a president (Museveni) who has been in power for more than 25 years.  Regardless if he would be a perfectly charming and benevolent president, 25 years qualifies as too long and a matter of suspicion for this citizen journalist. After having eliminated limits on how many terms a president can serve, the Ugandan leader has earned similar criticism and concern in his home country and among the international community.

In the lead up to this election, my sources on the ground have warned of fraud. They’re concerned with how easily it could happen, especially if the government can manipulate final vote counts. There is a need for eyes on the ground, for reporting, and observing. It seems anyone involved it trying to do so is going to have a major challenge on their hands. This challenge deserves the same kind of support we’ve seen pouring out over the past few weeks for Tunisia and Egypt.

One place I will be looking throughout this process, besides the various voices on twitter, is on the UgandaWatch site. UW is an Ushahidi report-mapping system where Ugandans can submit, via sms or web, reports about what they are seeing wherever they are in the country.  This will help, though it doesn’t tell the complete story, to understand what is really going on compared to whatever the office of the president may tell us.

Let’s hope it is a good weekend for voters, journalists and election observers in Uganda.

ctrp358 Examining an African Election

It was a political campaign and a presidential election upon which not only the future of a nation rested but also the inspiration and example for much of the continent.  Packed with emotion, with great highs and great lows, throughout the Ghanaian presidential election of 2008,  Jarreth Merz was there. In the streets, in the party offices, at the ralleys, on the road, and finally in the strong room, he takes us along to witness a very special and important democratic process.

During the film’s premier at the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival, I had the chance to sit down with Jarreth and record this interview. Together we get into not only the idea behind the film but also the real characters and issues raised during the course of this film.

For more info go to the website anafricanelection.com? and make sure to watch the fantastic trailer.

ctrp351 Post Election Update from Kabul

Rooftops of Kabul

4 Days after the 2010 Parliamentary Elections in Afghanistan, some audio reflections on how it all went and what is to come.

Another fine source for post-election news, my good friends at Democracy International

Steal Back Your Vote Investigation

In an effort to get this investigative report out there, I’m posting Greg Palast and Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Steal Back Your Vote Comic. YES, it is a comic, and YES it is an eye opening investigative report. If you do download and read it, also consider sending a contribution to them on their website. I sent them a few bucks as I feel their work is essential if the American election system is ever to really become a democracy.