New URL

I’ve moved my blog to a new address: www.e-tree.co.za

Come check it out! Still trying to fix some bits.

Virtual soap boxes

Continuing on my earlier post about “e-Tree falling on Gwenlane, I just read this interesting article on Marketingweb called “Qwelane: Soapbox journalism?“.

Something our good friend Jon Gwenlane should remember is that virtual soap boxes don’t cost anything, and with thing like Facebook it only takes a few hours for a small thing to become common knowledge. The e-Tree did fall on you Jon. Good luck!

Protest in Johannesburg and Cape Town

A protest against Jon Qwelane’s article will be held in Johannesburg at the Sunday Sun’s offices coming Tuesday. To find out more follow this link. A protest will also be held in Cape Town tomorrow, find out more here.

Hate Speech Kills

Healing from hate

Just read a stunning and moving article by Jeanine Cameron regarding the whole Jon Qwelane saga. It is a definite must read: Healing from hate

I hope Jon takes some time to go read it himself…

e-Tree falls on Jon Qwelane

I never realised the power of the Internet as a political tool until this whole Jon Qwelane gay bashing incident. It is amazing how within a few days an entire community gathered together on-line against a common foe. Through Facebook a group sprang up to gather the armies and discuss the way forward. Blogs heated up as people posted their views on his article from all walks of life. E-mail campaigns started up to not only the Sunday Sun (that ran the piece), but also to the Human Rights Commission, Press Ombudsman, advertisers, shareholders, and other media.

In the olden days someone would get it if a tree falls on him – but in Jon’s case I think it is more of an e-tree. This time he picked the wrong target.

If you want to get involved in the e-tree then here is a list of links you can use to follow the story:

Join Facebook group
On-line Petition here
Write to Human Rights Commission, Press Ombudsman, and Sunday Sun editor – info here.
Blog about it!
Comment on it at Bosparra, My Whorl, News24 letters, or News24

Jon Qwelane and hate speech

Now just when I thought we got over the whole Xenophobia thing of a few months ago, here comes a wonderfull write up by Jon Qwelane about how gays should be treated in South Africa like good old Bob did with his – eradicate!

This guy managed to do one thing though – get the whole community united against him, and his publishers.

To read the hate filled article he wrote simply go here. Or join the Facebook group united against his horrible comments.

With people like him in the country – who needs enemies?

US soldier kills puppy

People like this should not be allowed to walk the earth!

US Soldier throws puppy off cliff

No more SMS spam!

At last someone did it! According to News24 a new site called stopsms.co.za will be opening in the next few weeks where you can name and shame persistent SMS spamming companies. The site will be similar to the well known HelloPeter.com where you can list your grievance and get the offending company to respond. Last year the government passed new legislation that outlined a whole set of guidelines that SMS companies have to follow in order to protect the public against SMS spamming. Definitely a good thing!

Sleep more and save power?

According to News24 our magnificent Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica uttered the following nugget of absolute mental retardation: “Go to sleep earlier so that you can grow and be cleverer. Boil less water, use the microwave rather than stove, take a shower and not a shallow bath,”

This in response to the glooming energy crisis in South Africa. I wonder what we can expect from the Minister of Water Affairs in future: “Save water and take a bath with the neighbor’s daughter – or shower rather, it prevents Aids (alla Zuma).”