The Week on Twitter: Mali, Charlie Sheen, and International Men’s Day
This week, the good people of Twitter talked about Charlie Sheen, braced themselves for Storm Barney, and celebrated International Men’s Day (kind of). We also watched as it was reported that gunmen had stormed a hotel in Mali, holding at least 170 people hostage.
Gunmen kill 27 people at Radisson siege in #Mali
On Friday morning, two gunmen took 170 people hostage in a Radisson Blu hotel. The hotel, which is situated in Mali’s capitol city Bamako, was stormed by gunmen in a stolen car bearing a diplomatic license plate, who began firing at guards, and using grenades.
The siege lasted 9 hours, eventually ending last night. UN peacekeepers reported that they saw 27 bodies across two floors, including two of the gunmen.
According to witnesses, the attackers were Islamist extremists who were releasing those correctly reciting passages from the Qur’an. Live updates of the attack can be found here.
#Mali hotel attack: A senior security source has said that gunmen are moving floor by floor https://t.co/nj1bEi1rUc pic.twitter.com/UYAXStqxBB
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 20, 2015
Another day, another tragedy. Thoughts with the hostages right now #Mali#RadissonHotelBamako
— Hardik Gohil (@TheBeingHipster) November 20, 2015
Hotel issues warning on website after #Mali attack https://t.co/Qn7ZPTFRLl pic.twitter.com/kvSkHCKSwj
— ITV News (@itvnews) November 20, 2015
Blaming an ENTIRE religion for the actions of terrorists with a warped and twisted view of that religion, is just pain ignorance. #Mali
— Rebeccah Louise ✨ (@RebeccahLouise) November 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/nkem70/status/667659664037933056
Here you go. Here's the flag of #Mali. Condoléances pour les trois morts. I hope lives are spared. pic.twitter.com/2KY3Ki6nXr
— Rania Ghandour (@RaniaG) November 20, 2015
#CharlieSheen reveals he has HIV
On Tuesday, Charlie Sheen revealed that he has been HIV positive for four years. The Two and a Half Men star decided to speak out about his condition after being blackmailed repeatedly for millions of dollars. Sheen appeared on the Today Show earlier in the week with his doctor to explain some of the components of the virus, and to differentiate the condition from the AIDS virus, which he does not have.
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While many took to the internet to criticise Sheen’s four years of silence and to make some rather cruel and unfunny jokes, others commended his announcement, claiming that his eventual honesty and treatment of the situation would reduce the stigma still associated with HIV.
I wish @CharlieSheen and his family the best. With the advancement in treatments and medicine he can fight this disease and live a long life
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 17, 2015
Let me stop you before you start. Your opinion on Charlie Sheen is not #winning. HIV stigma is not a good look on you, or anyone.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) November 19, 2015
Should you tell someone you have HIV? https://t.co/SyHijnTpXv
— The Independent (@Independent) November 18, 2015
A lot of people seem almost gleeful about Sheen's HIV status, as if he got what he deserves. "What do you expect when you live like that?"
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) November 18, 2015
Thought of a quote preceding THE CUCKOO'S CALLING when reading about Charlie Sheen:"Unhappy is he whose fame makes his misfortunes famous."
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 18, 2015
#StormBarney ruins everything
45,000 people were left without power this week when Storm Barney swept across the country. Tuesday evening saw electricity going, wheeley bins disappearing, and lots and lots of things blowing from one place to another place.
According to Met Éireann, winds reached speeds of up to 100km/h, which is pretty fast for wind and for things in general. In the wake of the storm, everybody took to Twitter to complain about Barney and the distressing amount of nationwide destruction he had caused.
Don't use any naked flames for light other than candles. Look after your wheelie bins #StormBarney will attack them. pic.twitter.com/wxkzE2FReO
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) November 17, 2015
Just took the dog out for a wee in Dublin. Now I'm in Holyhead. #StormBarney
— Tara Flynn (@TaraFlynn) November 17, 2015
Selfie…… #StormBarney pic.twitter.com/0lfK1V4zfu
— Dublin Girlo (@dublin_girlo) November 17, 2015
Never liked that smug looking prick… #StormBarney pic.twitter.com/KjDL354qvW
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) November 17, 2015
"I've never felt so alive!!!" some wheelie bin, Navan. #stormbarney pic.twitter.com/ltMowXqvpg
— Colm Keegan (@Colm_Keegan) November 17, 2015
The #StormBarney hangover. Be aware of any debris, wheelie bins, trees that might be on the roads this morning pic.twitter.com/oHqTrCtQWF
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) November 18, 2015
Twitter celebrates #InternationalMensDay… Sort of
Since 1992, November 19th has marked International Men’s Day. This year, many used the day to emphasise the importance of men’s mental health, and to draw attention to some other issues that men face, like toxic masculinity, and a lack of paternal rights. Suicide is the leading cause of death in young Irish men between the ages of 18 and 34.
Today is #internationalMensDay
Why?
Because suicide is No 1 cause of death in men between 20 & 45#BiggerIssues pic.twitter.com/USvKFqy38Y
— Rupert Moon (@RupertMoon) November 19, 2015
reasons why #internationalmensday is important:
– lack of support for male domestic abuse/rape victims
– male suicide rates
– “man up”— j (@gIumkid) November 20, 2015
Some saw November 19th as just another Thursday – where men’s rights activists dominated, the patriarchy ruled all, and men were celebrated just for being men.
The Independent ran an article stating that International Men’s Day is about as necessary as “white history month, or able bodied action day.” While the author recognises the importance of highlighting risks of male suicides, they ultimately suggest that the day is a pointless gesture to make all men feel “special.”
Oh… it's #InternationalMensDay. I thought that was every day? Never mind! Enjoy your day of highlighting inequality for men lads! #SillyMe
— Aisling McDermott (@aismcdermott) November 19, 2015
Yesterday was #InternationalMensDay. And guess what? So is today, and tomorrow, and the whole rest of the year! Congratulations chaps 🙂
— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) November 20, 2015
Nothing more important than #InternationalMensDay — we've been victims of higher wages and zero discrimination for far too long.
— andy lassner (@andylassner) November 19, 2015
Others simply used the day to promote their own rampant heterosexuality. Good luck, Larry.
https://twitter.com/WarOnXMASVet/status/667524402188300288
Featured image via Getty