After threatening to pull out of the People’s Republic following hacks on its systems, internet search giant Google is likely to make good on its warning and is preparing to shutdown its operations in China according to an insider at the company who spoke to the Wall Street Journal last week.

Google Search is one of the last major international internet services accessible in China after the government in that country banned Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and several other sites in 2009, making them inaccessible to local internet users. (more…)

USA president elect Barack Obama’s Twitter account has been hacked and used in a scam. The hacked account was used to send a message (or ‘tweet’) reading, “What is your opinion on Barack Obama? Take the survey and possibly win $500 in free gas. http://tinyurl.com/9evlne”

The link in the message redirects to a Free Lotto scam site.

My show on Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk this morning started off with a discussion on fear – specifically irrational fears and phobias. Why are we scared of things we know are harmless? Is it always because of a past event that created that fear or is their a deeper psychological reason? Callers related fears of everything from heights and spiders to sleep and even ice.

Some people said they were scared of Jacob Zuma, the president of the ANC who faces a court hearing surrounding his corruption trial this week, and, more specifically, that they were afraid of his supporters. Hardly an irrational fear. This sparked a discussion surrounding Julius Malema, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and why it was necessary for them to protest Jacob Zuma’s legal standing if they do respect the independence and decisions of the judiciary, as claimed.
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The last two weeks in South Africa have been marred by violence and inhumanity. Call it xenophobia, tribalism or just plain opportunism – the fact is that a sticky mess of contributing factors has led to a loss of life, displacement, maltreatment and exposure of the shortcomings of our young democracy.

Today I am a proud South African, but not proud to be South African.

The current situation has brought focus onto the worst of our society – but has also highlighted the best. Over the last two weeks I have seen my fellow South Africans by and large make personal sacrifices of time, money and material commodities in meeting the humanitarian crises that has developed as a result of displacement. Schools, churches and police stations have become places of refuge, safety and shelter and ordinary South Africans have answered the call for blankets, food, nappies and other requirements. This makes me proud.

Last night I listened to the speech of our South African president, Thabo Mbeki, who rightfully positioned the situation as a disgrace. He also accurately reminded us that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes we have seen committed over the last two weeks are a minority of the population. His speech was succinct and poignant, although sadly a tad late. But it got me to thinking about famous political speeches; those that have molded history, changed entire global climates, stemmed violence and eased tragedy. Speeches that are repeated throughout the annals of history in quotes and art.

One of my favorite speeches was made by American president John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address on 20 January, 1961. Kennedy was speaking to a challenged America facing its own questions of inclusion and diversity and dealing with its own climate of fear and uncertainty. As I read over the words he spoke on that day I find numerous parallels between his message and the current situation in South Africa. Consider the following:
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