Comments on: Introduction http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:14:02 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Carolina http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-4405 Carolina Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:25:59 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-4405 What has been happening with the sesame trade in Ethiopia. Update please! Email me if possible. What has been happening with the sesame trade in Ethiopia. Update please! Email me if possible.

]]> By: abrish http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-4399 abrish Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:17:52 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-4399 A magnificant vision of change for a country with over 3000 years of history of the same agricultural market system. The show also provides a vivid insight on the challenges, threats, benefits and opportunities of implementing any projects - and the need of managing all aspects of projects - including personal ambitions. Her program now needs to involve more intellectuals and talented people, not only of economics science; and keep inching forward. Victory at all cost .... for without victory, there is no growth ... A magnificant vision of change for a country with over 3000 years of history of the same agricultural market system. The show also provides a vivid insight on the challenges, threats, benefits and opportunities of implementing any projects – and the need of managing all aspects of projects – including personal ambitions. Her program now needs to involve more intellectuals and talented people, not only of economics science; and keep inching forward. Victory at all cost …. for without victory, there is no growth …

]]> By: yonas http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-4137 yonas Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:09:54 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-4137 I always believe that individuals always make the difference that would always transform the society in one way or the other.Dr.Eleni is one of them. I am really proud of her caliber and courage to face the million tons of vested interested groups who dominated the sector from adam and eve time. So i think its a call to the high profile diaspora ethiopians in the states high end acadamic, business and reasearch centers to look back to their country and do something like Dr. Eleni which ultimately changes the lifes of tens of millions of Ethiopians for good. Thank You Dr. Eleni for your wonderful job!!! I always believe that individuals always make the difference that would always transform the society in one way or the other.Dr.Eleni is one of them. I am really proud of her caliber and courage to face the million tons of vested interested groups who dominated the sector from adam and eve time.
So i think its a call to the high profile diaspora ethiopians in the states high end acadamic, business and reasearch centers to look back to their country and do something like Dr. Eleni which ultimately changes the lifes of tens of millions of Ethiopians for good.
Thank You Dr. Eleni for your wonderful job!!!

]]> By: Abichu http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3916 Abichu Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:54:36 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3916 Dear Sir: Your program has missed the biger picture of Ethiopia. Since 1991 the country was under the rule of Tigre Liberation Front. The group only represnts one ethnic group among over 80 different ethnic groups in Ethiopia. The sad part is not that the regime is composed of only one Ethnic group which constitute less than 7% of Ethiopian population, but it has crafted Racist and Apartheid regime in Ethiopia. If you have got a chance to go to Ethiopia you could have noticed that all the officials you spoke with are Tigres. All the major corporations you want to creat market system are owned by Tigre Libration Front. All the military and security system are in the hands of the Tigre Liberation Front. If you could have objectively seen the situation in the country you would have wondered where are the Oromos who constitute 40% of the Population? Where are the Amharas who constitute about 25% of the population? If you are objective observer you could have also looked in to the court system. Then you could have found the country is actually large prison in addition of to tens of thousands of political prisoners in Tigre Liberation Front concetration camps. You could have looked at the Education system and could have found out that what actually exists in Ethiopia is a Bantustan South African eduction system. I am disappointed such trusted names in the news get things that being wrong. Ethiopia under the Tigre Liberation Front rule of Meles Zenawi is a Racist and Ethnic Apartheid Regime. Please don't sell racisism and Apartheid as a good thing without checking your facts. I am sure you know very well that Apartheid and Racism will not be solved in market place. What solved the problem of Apartheid in South Africa was international isolation. Ethiopians who suffer under the Tigre Liberation Front Apartheid Regime must be supported to change this regime by international economic and trade ban on Tigre Liberation Front Companies and institutions. Please heed our call. Dear Sir:

Your program has missed the biger picture of Ethiopia. Since 1991 the country was under the rule of Tigre Liberation Front. The group only represnts one ethnic group among over 80 different ethnic groups in Ethiopia. The sad part is not that the regime is composed of only one Ethnic group which constitute less than 7% of Ethiopian population, but it has crafted Racist and Apartheid regime in Ethiopia. If you have got a chance to go to Ethiopia you could have noticed that all the officials you spoke with are Tigres. All the major corporations you want to creat market system are owned by Tigre Libration Front. All the military and security system are in the hands of the Tigre Liberation Front.

If you could have objectively seen the situation in the country you would have wondered where are the Oromos who constitute 40% of the Population? Where are the Amharas who constitute about 25% of the population?

If you are objective observer you could have also looked in to the court system. Then you could have found the country is actually large prison in addition of to tens of thousands of political prisoners in Tigre Liberation Front concetration camps. You could have looked at the Education system and could have found out that what actually exists in Ethiopia is a Bantustan South African eduction system.

I am disappointed such trusted names in the news get things that being wrong. Ethiopia under the Tigre Liberation Front rule of Meles Zenawi is a Racist and Ethnic Apartheid Regime. Please don’t sell racisism and Apartheid as a good thing without checking your facts.

I am sure you know very well that Apartheid and Racism will not be solved in market place. What solved the problem of Apartheid in South Africa was international isolation. Ethiopians who suffer under the Tigre Liberation Front Apartheid Regime must be supported to change this regime by international economic and trade ban on Tigre Liberation Front Companies and institutions. Please heed our call.

]]> By: zewge alemu http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3910 zewge alemu Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:39:12 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3910 I am familiar with Eleni's work and am also a returnee, engaged in several enterprises that give hope and injera to hundreds. I am saddened by the irrational, blind and senseless criticism levelled at this brilliant daughter of Ethiopia. Misery loves company and many exiles here who whine and moan about Ethiopia's "malgovernance" from the comfort and security of their computer screens are to be pitied. No matter how much diaspora rteurnees may disagree with the prevailing regime, our comfort and relief is that we are making a difference in our native land's future by taking this bold step forward. It is neither easy, nor completely secure to make this transition. It is not for the faint-hearted, the web revolutionaries nor for the majority that simply has made America or the West their home of choice. Please spare the wider audience your perennial crocodile tears for an Ethiopia that you will never lift a finger for! Bravo Eleni and all other dispora returnees. We will make a difference in Ethiopia inspite of the governance problems we amay encounter. YES WE CAN!!! I am familiar with Eleni’s work and am also a returnee, engaged in several enterprises that give hope and injera to hundreds. I am saddened by the irrational, blind and senseless criticism levelled at this brilliant daughter of Ethiopia. Misery loves company and many exiles here who whine and moan about Ethiopia’s “malgovernance” from the comfort and security of their computer screens are to be pitied. No matter how much diaspora rteurnees may disagree with the prevailing regime, our comfort and relief is that we are making a difference in our native land’s future by taking this bold step forward. It is neither easy, nor completely secure to make this transition. It is not for the faint-hearted, the web revolutionaries nor for the majority that simply has made America or the West their home of choice. Please spare the wider audience your perennial crocodile tears for an Ethiopia that you will never lift a finger for!

Bravo Eleni and all other dispora returnees. We will make a difference in Ethiopia inspite of the governance problems we amay encounter. YES WE CAN!!!

]]> By: Muna http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3866 Muna Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:11:55 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3866 Elian's plan has nothing to do with the progress of Ethiopia or helping the poor’s. It will make the poor’s poorer. She is trying to monopolize the market with foreign investors; purely to be millionaire for her. The commodities she is talking about could be used for local consumers instead of exporting to another country. The country already drained by exploiting its resources to another countries; in addition she is going to soak it? This is very alarming situation for all Ethiopian alike. When poor’s are dying from luck of bread this inexperienced, not grown in the country, very ignorant of culture and life style; now trying to make business at the cost of poor farmers and poor people of Ethiopia. Elian’s plan has nothing to do with the progress of Ethiopia or helping the poor’s. It will make the poor’s poorer. She is trying to monopolize the market with foreign investors; purely to be millionaire for her. The commodities she is talking about could be used for local consumers instead of exporting to another country. The country already drained by exploiting its resources to another countries; in addition she is going to soak it? This is very alarming situation for all Ethiopian alike. When poor’s are dying from luck of bread this inexperienced, not grown in the country, very ignorant of culture and life style; now trying to make business at the cost of poor farmers and poor people of Ethiopia.

]]> By: dr. dude http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3850 dr. dude Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:50:07 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3850 Excellent topic, but Aaron Brown sucks. He reminds of Bart Simpson as a newscaster in "Girly Edition". He did sappy human interest stories devoid of any substantive news. Aaron did his best to drain the intelligence out of this story (how does this make you feel? what if you fail? blah blah blah...). A better journalist would have looked at comparable exchanges around the world. He would have looked at the potential for government abuse, market manipulation, etc. What is the difference between the exchange price and those in the village square? Do you have to trade all commodities, or just enough to set a reference price that is posted around the country? There are lots of interesting questions that could have been pursued, but Aaron couldn't bother to go beyond People magazine's shallow reporting. Heckavu' job, Brownie! Excellent topic, but Aaron Brown sucks. He reminds of Bart Simpson as a newscaster in “Girly Edition”. He did sappy human interest stories devoid of any substantive news. Aaron did his best to drain the intelligence out of this story (how does this make you feel? what if you fail? blah blah blah…).

A better journalist would have looked at comparable exchanges around the world. He would have looked at the potential for government abuse, market manipulation, etc. What is the difference between the exchange price and those in the village square? Do you have to trade all commodities, or just enough to set a reference price that is posted around the country? There are lots of interesting questions that could have been pursued, but Aaron couldn’t bother to go beyond People magazine’s shallow reporting. Heckavu’ job, Brownie!

]]> By: Tessema http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3713 Tessema Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:59:06 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3713 Looking at the comments there is a disconnect between those who play with the field the regime set for them and hell-bend to defend it for political or economic reasons, and others who rightly protest the regime’s “Gangster Capitalism” as one report put it, do so for lack of transparency and the politics of the regime. Many others disillusioned who say trying any thing is better than noting without understanding the consequences of the power grab without the necessary check and balance innocently praise her for trying. Welcome to the regimes well planned politics of polarization that is a standard procedure one-against- the-other and in the middle of it all is the women who knowingly and willingly involve in a field of a none existent free market. Instead of rejecting the exchange or praising her, people should ask, what is the objective of an exchange in the Ethiopian context when she set it up with the blessing of the regime? If she is not available for Ethiopians to answer the hard questions than running around to tell foreigners then she alone is answering her own questions, it has noting to do with the poor Ethiopians as she claims. People must control their emotions and focus on the motives of individuals like Dr Eleni do what they do on the expenses of millions of lives knowing well the institutions of markets are not a one women show on a blessing of a regime? But again seeing what is being done in Ethiopia it is the rule not the exception. If everybody look at the exchange website http://www.ecx.com.et/ and claim it is a free market institution and praise it as such they should question their level of ignorance and blind support go back to the drawing board. Noting wrong with an exchange, but the objective of why it was set up. Let us not be a suckers for our pity interest. Looking at the comments there is a disconnect between those who play with the field the regime set for them and hell-bend to defend it for political or economic reasons, and others who rightly protest the regime’s “Gangster Capitalism” as one report put it, do so for lack of transparency and the politics of the regime.
Many others disillusioned who say trying any thing is better than noting without understanding the consequences of the power grab without the necessary check and balance innocently praise her for trying.

Welcome to the regimes well planned politics of polarization that is a standard procedure one-against- the-other and in the middle of it all is the women who knowingly and willingly involve in a field of a none existent free market.

Instead of rejecting the exchange or praising her, people should ask, what is the objective of an exchange in the Ethiopian context when she set it up with the blessing of the regime? If she is not available for Ethiopians to answer the hard questions than running around to tell foreigners then she alone is answering her own questions, it has noting to do with the poor Ethiopians as she claims.

People must control their emotions and focus on the motives of individuals like Dr Eleni do what they do on the expenses of millions of lives knowing well the institutions of markets are not a one women show on a blessing of a regime? But again seeing what is being done in Ethiopia it is the rule not the exception.

If everybody look at the exchange website http://www.ecx.com.et/ and claim it is a free market institution and praise it as such they should question their level of ignorance and blind support go back to the drawing board.

Noting wrong with an exchange, but the objective of why it was set up. Let us not be a suckers for our pity interest.

]]> By: Dangaw http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3651 Dangaw Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:44:43 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3651 OK I don’t like anybody that associates with Meles but this is one exception Dr. Eleni hats off go ahead you got my support, who knows after that you may fix the twisted brain of Mr. Meles too OK I don’t like anybody that associates with Meles but this is one exception Dr. Eleni hats off go ahead you got my support, who knows after that you may fix the twisted brain of Mr. Meles too

]]> By: Emmanuel http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3643 Emmanuel Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:04:31 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3643 I think what Elene is doing should be commended. It will definitely pave the way for Ethiopia to be self sufficient and less dependent on foreign aid. Who knows, such move might also help Ethiopians see things beyond ports and sea outlets which some still seem to be obsessed with and live with their neighbours in peace and harmony. I think what Elene is doing should be commended. It will definitely pave the way for Ethiopia to be self sufficient and less dependent on foreign aid. Who knows, such move might also help Ethiopians see things beyond ports and sea outlets which some still seem to be obsessed with and live with their neighbours in peace and harmony.

]]> By: JN http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3618 JN Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:12:23 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3618 Keep up the good work, both Dr. Eleni Gebre-Medhin and Wide Angle! You're both making a difference! Keep up the good work, both Dr. Eleni Gebre-Medhin and Wide Angle! You’re both making a difference!

]]> By: Millie http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3617 Millie Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:48:42 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3617 Dear Dr Eleni First thanks for your effort and dedication, whish you all the best. Second please ignore the negatives as it has nothing to do with you. Hope you understand that there are many Ethiopian immigrants to US and Europe who benefit from the bad image of Ethiopia. The only way they could prosper is by making up stories to asylum seeks or collect money in the name of political group. Above all they do not want to see any life improvement in Ethiopia, since their only life goal is to live above Ethiopia’s standard life. Thank you Aaron Brown. This will be one of your work you remember and remembered as Ethiopia will be in a different situation. People will even forget some of the negative that are surfacing now. This is History and you documented History. Thanks Millie Dear Dr Eleni First thanks for your effort and dedication, whish you all the best.
Second please ignore the negatives as it has nothing to do with you. Hope you understand that there are many Ethiopian immigrants to US and Europe who benefit from the bad image of Ethiopia. The only way they could prosper is by making up stories to asylum seeks or collect money in the name of political group. Above all they do not want to see any life improvement in Ethiopia, since their only life goal is to live above Ethiopia’s standard life.
Thank you Aaron Brown. This will be one of your work you remember and remembered as Ethiopia will be in a different situation. People will even forget some of the negative that are surfacing now. This is History and you documented History. Thanks
Millie

]]> By: Meskerem http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3544 Meskerem Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:36:13 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3544 I unfortunately missed the KQED presentation on the 23rs, an I'm very much interested in finding out when it will be shown again. I would also like to suggest the producers contacting LINK TV (AKA Television Without Borders) based out of SF, to try and get it shown on one of their programs. They focus on presenting Internationally focused documentaries such as this. Thanks! I unfortunately missed the KQED presentation on the 23rs, an I’m very much interested in finding out when it will be shown again. I would also like to suggest the producers contacting LINK TV (AKA Television Without Borders) based out of SF, to try and get it shown on one of their programs. They focus on presenting Internationally focused documentaries such as this.

Thanks!

]]> By: Quincie http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-market-maker/introduction/5000/comment-page-4/#comment-3531 Quincie Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:29:45 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/?p=5000#comment-3531 As an African-American and lover of all cultures, I am constantly reminding people that the image of Africa shown on mainstream t.v. is not the complete story. Your beautiful documentary portrays a rich culture fighting to embrace new technologies, an issue found thoughout the world. Thank you for the great work! This is REAL reality tv. As an African-American and lover of all cultures, I am constantly reminding people that the image of Africa shown on mainstream t.v. is not the complete story. Your beautiful documentary portrays a rich culture fighting to embrace new technologies, an issue found thoughout the world. Thank you for the great work! This is REAL reality tv.

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