Clinton calls for free and fair elections during Lebanon visit

This is a very moving moment. It cannot be said the administration supports anything but democracy for any country.


Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton signed a condolence book at the grave of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, pictured in the background, in Beirut on Sunday.

BEIRUT: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reassured the Lebanese people Sunday that Washington supports "voices of moderation" and will never make a deal with Syria that undermines the country's interests. "The people of Lebanon must be able to choose their own representatives in open and fair elections without the specter of violence or intimidation and free of outside interference," Clinton told a news conference in Beirut after meeting President Michel Sleiman....

More from The Daily Star:

China's wind-power boom to outpace nuclear energy production by 2020 (click here)
BEIJING: China will have 100 gigawatts of wind-power capacity by 2020, a senior energy official said on Monday, more than three times the 30 GW target the government laid down in an energy strategy drawn up just 18 months ago. "Installed wind-power capacity is expected to reach 100 million kilowatts in 2020. That will be eight times more than in 2008," Fang Junshi, head of the coal department of the National Energy Administration, told a Coaltrans conference in Beijing. "The annual growth rate will be about 20 percent."
Fang's remarks confirm what industry experts have long maintained - wind power has the potential to take a much bigger share of China's power mix than the government had planned....

The IMF. As difficult as it is to swollow, President Obama has the correct goals. Republicans need to get over themselves.

I'll use Pakistan as an example.

For eight years the USA has been cutting aid to countries and it is showing. We know for a fact that poverty is the venue of the growth of terrorist networks. We simply can't allow it to happen.

The Bush/Cheney policies of isolating countries that did not cooperate with their priorities has expanded the terrorist networks globally and NOW it is taking huge efforts to correct a path pursued for its 'political uptick in the USA.' To cut aid to any country was a method sought after by the Republicans as a means to lower taxes at home REGARDLESS the overall outcome to the National Security of the country.


Published on Wednesday
October 1, 2003
by OneWorld.net
US Cuts Military Aid to Friendly Nations (click here)
by Jim Lobe
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration today cut over $89 million in military aid to 32 friendly countries because they refused to exempt U.S. citizens and soldiers from the jurisdiction of the new International Criminal Court (ICC)--the world's first permanent tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
... The cuts were mandated by the 2002 American Servicemembers Protection Act (ASPA), the purpose of which is to ensure that the ICC, which began operating at The Hague in the Netherlands last spring, can never gain jurisdiction over U.S. citizens....


Up to 99 million more to become poor in 2009 (click here)
By Amin Ahmed
Saturday, 25 Apr, 2009
12:28 PM PST
RAWALPINDI: The global financial crisis is imperilling attainment of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and creating an emergency for development, warned an IMF-World Bank report released on Friday.
Most of the eight globally-agreed goals are unlikely to be met, including those related to hunger, child and maternal mortality, education, and progress in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.
The Global Monitoring Report 2009: A Development Emergency (GMR) warns that, although the first goal of halving extreme poverty by 2015 from its 1990-level is still reachable based on current projections, risks abound....

Everyone is right and everyone is wrong. Senator Levin is correct to speculate to the 'success' of the Pakistani government to secure its country from extremists. But, he is also wrong to withhold peaceful aid in an attempt to reduce budget commitments. That is what got the USA into this mess in the first place.

The Obama administration is correct in advancing aid to Pakistan to insure the people believe in their newly elected government, but, he is wrong to never ask for 'measured results' in a movement of disarmament of the Taliban or advances of peace or the lack of 'havens for al Qaeda.'

...Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), (click here) chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, raised questions about the Pakistani government's willingness to forcefully confront militants who have destabilized that country and neighboring Afghanistan.
"We've got ambivalent evidence as to whether or not they're committed to that goal," he said.The plan would offer $1.5 billion in economic assistance to Pakistan annually for the next five years, up from the current $500 million a year.The plan has been endorsed by President Obama and is a key part of his administration's Pakistan strategy. Supporters, including Vice President Joe Biden, argue that the aid will show the Pakistani people that the United States is committed to helping them....

The idea that the USA could literally, through leveraged aid, dictate the outcomes of peace and cooperation in Pakistan among its government with hopes of it extending to its people is unprecedented.

Clinton warned Pakistan of aid cut if no deal (click here)
Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:01pm EDT
WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Pakistan's president and opposition leader over the weekend U.S. aid could be at risk unless they defused a crisis over a top judge, U.S. officials said on Monday.In a surprise move, Pakistan's government announced on Monday it would reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhry as chief justice, aiming to defuse a crisis and end protests by lawyers and activists that threatened to turn violent.The officials said Clinton telephoned on Saturday both President Asif Ali Zardari and his rival, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had backed the anti-government lawyers.The officials said Clinton, who coordinated with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, had exerted strong pressure for a deal....

Literally, what we are witnessing with Pakistan is a return to democracy WITHOUT the pandering to militant extremists. In a country so impoverished, so demoralized it is nearly impossible to establish a central government that can leverage power to any particular outcome. What years of systematic abuse of the Pakistani infrastructure has resulted in, is a country that is in anarchy. It is difficult to get one's mind around, but, with the mass of people constantly striving to survive there is no semblence of authority, just 'day-to-day' existance in the way it occurs.

So, while Sharia Law touts charity as a pillar of its faith, it has to deliver in order to preside as an authority over and above the elected government.

Basically; and this is true of Somalia, Sri Lanka and other nations finding themselves in the turmoil only terrorist anarchy can bring; where there are people 'at risk' for 'alienation' from their once benevolent government there is very high odds they will develop terrorist economies which also include warlords, pirates and drug economies. To defeat 'the cause/sources' of these networks is as important as the destruction of the networks themselves.

There are several ways to destroy terrorist networks. One being violent overthrow as witnessed in Sri Lanka or one of benevolent intent with hopes of 'converting' the people back to a loyality of their governments while receiving 'good service' from that government.

In the case of Sri Lanka where there are high levels of civilian deaths being reported along with the destruction of the Tamil Tigers and their strangle hold over that country, the down side is that those 'scars' of war will not heal IF the 'successful' government cannot also deliver a benevolent economy after its victory. Hence, the strong need for the IMF to be able to lend to countries attempting to reclaim their sovereign right of peaceful existance within its own borders.

Why would 'peaceful persuasion' not work in Sri Lanka? Because it has proven to not work after the Tsunami of 2004. There was a huge relief effort to the nations effected by the December 24, 2004 tsunami. The relief efforts were supposed to prevent alienation of citizens from their governments, but, in the case of Sri Lanka, the opposite occurred.

Prior to the tsunami event the Tamil Tigers had a strong influence on the people. They had been established a long time and with any horrific event there was 'blaming' of the wrongful conduct of the people to have caused such an event to occur. The people already oppressed and somewhat loyal to the Tamil Tigers adhered to that reality while The West tried desperately to tell the people they were victims of a natural disaster with 'aid' coming from a world that cared about them.

Sri Lanka rejects Tamil Tigers' ceasefire (click here)
Government dismisses move as 'gimmick' and vows to continue fighting until rebels surrender
Gethin Chamberlain
guardian.co.uk
Sunday 26 April 2009 16.01 BST
The Sri Lankan government today flatly rejected a ceasefire declaration by the cornered Tamil Tigers and said fighting would continue until the rebels laid down their weapons and surrendered.
The government dismissed the ceasefire as a "gimmick" and said fighting was continuing around the no-fire zone, where up to 150,000 civilians are still believed to be trapped. The government disputes that figure.
According to UN officials, there was no sign of the exodus of civilians from the no-fire zone that would be expected if the Tamil Tigers had stopped fighting....

That did not happen in Thailand, it did not happen in Indonesia. The people of those nations had been better educated with a degree of loyalty to their government to turn from it at a time of crisis. Not that Indonesia had a walk in the park, it didn't, but it maintained sovereign influence over the entire of its country. Sri Lanka never gained what it had lost.

The Sri Lankan government has been very successful in their internal war to rid itself of terrorists. The Infrastructure of the Tamil Tigers is nearly destroyed and it is the view of the Sri Lanken government that a ceasefire would simply be a 'respite' to further disaster in their progress to eliminate the terrorist network from its country.

As with any of these efforts, including those in Pakistan, the terrorists use civilians as human shields. The people under the influence of the Tamil Tigers or in the case of Pakistan, the Taliban, are 'at risk' when their '? chosen ?' loyalty is that of terrorists. The governments care about their people, but, in actuality the governments first loyalty is to its sovereignty. A peaceful sovereignty.

In the case of Thailand, no one can state the coup which resulted in 2006 was an adverse result on the people. That has not been proven to be the case and for the most part, whether one agrees with it or not, there were few civilian deaths realized.

Q&A: Thailand's coup impact (click here)
A military coup in Thailand has seen the ousting of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Why did the coup happen now?
Mr Thaksin, who came to power in 2001, has proved a controversial and divisive leader.
Although he was extremely popular with Thailand's rural poor, his abrasive style and huge wealth won him many enemies and appeared to split the nation.
Mounting protests earlier this year undermined his position.
But it was his easy victory in April's general election - subsequently declared invalid - that may have prompted the generals to act....

A successful elections was held in 2007 in Thailand as the generals had promised.

BANGKOK, April 24 (Reuters) (click here) - Thailand's prime minister ended a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok on Friday and called for constitutional reforms in a bid to heal the deep political rifts behind recent violent protests."The lifting of the decree will send a signal to the world that Thailand is back to normal," Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters after signing the order ending emergency rule in the capital and nearby areas....

Where these 'upheavals' occurred in Thailand, it was a result of 'populist' movement and not against that of oppressive government.

Thai Protesters Say Violence This Month a ‘Mistake’ (Update1) (click here)
...A retrenchment by the protesters may help Abhisit as he seeks stability to revive an economy set to shrink for the first time since 1998. He has pledged to speed up political reforms and legal cases against demonstrators, including opponents who rioted this month and supporters in a rival group that took over Bangkok’s main airport last year to elevate him to power....

The problem with any 'expansive' policy as President Obama is committing to, is the 'chance' of failure. In other words, will the USA get what it was supporting or will the opposite result. In the case of Sri Lanka the opposite occurred, but, it was nearly predictable and here we are three and a half years later with the Tamil Tigers being eliminated from their potential. Not a bad return after the Global Investment following the 2004 Tsunami. There is, of course, still the final outcome to be realized when the Sri Lanken government (A long history of being a benevolent government.) actually returns peace and prosperity to their people, hence, (I dare be so bold.) "The Obama Doctrine" in support of the IMF.

If an analysis would be conducted of any of these countries of a resolve such as President Obama and the IMF is proposing versus the Bush Doctrine of war and conquest; the 'cost' in both human life and actual monies would be far less in the use of benevolent forms of persuasion than any form of war.

The 'Persuasion Doctrine' will succeed in Pakistan. The government wants to have its people provided for and wants to prove its worth to them. It will work.

The 'tricky part' to all this mess with Pakistan is the migration of 'soldiers of the Taliban' from Afghanistan to Pakistan in seeking shelter from an increasing presence of NATO. And I know there are those that will hate me for this, but, it is why the 'drones' are effective. They eliminate 'the haven' in Pakistan when USA drones cross the border to provide 'enough war' to stop the malevolent migration of Taliban.

The drones are a concern of both Pakistan's government and that of Afghanistan because the people complain (And more than rightfully so.) and become angry with them. It is 'the fear' of losing loyalty and control of their people that is providing 'impetus' to the terrorists' agenda in those countries. The USA military has to stop killing innocent people, but, it is easier said than done. The truly unfortunate reality that this dynamic portrays would be purely unnecessary if The Taliban were indeed a benevolent entity. They aren't and use such 'drone strikes gone wrong' as a weapon against the government.

To say the USA was in a far better position in the year 2001 to 'end it' in Afghanistan while adding stability to Pakistan is an understatement. Today is what it is and we are left to pursue its resolve.

This isn't the 'end' of the Vietnam War. Ford and FDR had it far easier than Obama.

There is no way the 'omission' of an investigation can be entertained in hoping to simply 'move on.' While I understand the USA government at the time of September 11th seemed to have every legitimacy to their plans to stop the Taliban and al Qaeda, it simply was not prudent to carry on without 'parameters' of civilization.

The torture methods were NOT any MORE effective than prior methods, hence, the 'idea' that 'anything goes' is hideous to consider. Further release of documents is not necessary. The ones that were released were done so with the understanding it settled a very viable lawsuit. Also, to consider to hide the evidence of torture gone a muck was to be as much a part of the problem as the problem itself.

To think there are other memos that need to be released for the sake of lawful disclosure is to assume that every method is at fault. That is not prudent nor is it a reliable defense to the use of torture. If susequent releases were to be allowed it would be used as a leverage to attempt to 'make innocent' those that are already guilty.

This matter is more than simply leaving Vietnam was, it delegates World Authority in regards to human rights, to 'occassion' implimentation of same when at war. The entire purpose of The Geneva Conventions is to allow countries methods of interrogation without causing damage or death to a populous that might be innocent.

To believe that every use of torture will result in the demise of the enemy is another misnomer that plagues the argument of disclosing other documents. The torture, to date, has yet to result in a stable Afghanistan or a capture or dead Osama bin Laden. So, the entire idea of conducting torture for the sake of 'breaking down' a terrorist network to admit its darkest and most loyal secrets has proven to be grossly false.

The 'source' of the spread of the Swine Flu.

My best guess is that water sources are so contaiminated at times that any virus would find a welcome home. If it proves that Mexico is considerably laced with this virus beyond any reporting to date, the 'source' has to be addressed and items to assist with clean water needs to be distributed.

None of this will be a reality until a more comprehensive study can be completed. It might work out that there is a small concentrated infection region, but, the current evidence does not point to that.

The recent Swine Flu is not contained. Can't get further away from Mexico City and still be in Mexico.

The World Health Organization needs to dispatch 'teams' throughout Mexico to check the conditions regarding this disease. There is every reason to believe that Mexican authority is so improverished there is no record of deaths in Mexico, except, in the major cities.


...About 100 students complained of flu-like symptoms at the school. Some students went to Cancun on a spring break trip two weeks ago....

We have witnessed on recent occassions the difficulty the government has to uphold their laws regarding drug cartels. It required a huge, diligent and concentrated effort by the Mexican President himself to START to bring the violence under control. In more distant events, when hurricanes have struck this area, it was skeptical as to whether there was even a warning system in place.

It is no different than attempting to get a 'quality report' on the dead of Iraq due to the USA invasion. There is no comprehensive authority, nor are there state of the art facilities, so the accuracy of any 'death toll' or 'mortality rate' is nearly impossible. It was that reality that played to the favor of Rumsfeld, Bush and Cheney.

It only makes sense some of the best statistical reporting will be coming from Mexico City. The authority of the government is there and better quality health facilities will come to bear when confronting deadly viruses. I will also say this, the region of Cancan and all along the Gulf coast of Mexico is a high volume tourist region where there is better access to health care. So there is a chance there is some 'trend' seen by the local health care people even if there is no reporting by a government agency.

I strongly suggest the World Health Organization take the lead and obtain permission to conduct studies throughout Mexico to determine the rate at which the virus has caused death. Not only that, but, Mexico is the 'interim' country where those that seek to leave Latin American and South American countries heading to the USA border congregate in their planning to cross the USA border illegally.

I believe the flu has a high potential to already be pandemic at least through the Americas south of the USA border.

There is also a danger in that the western border regions of Mexico (as well as some of the other countries south of the USA border) are laced with violence. This is not a simple assignment for the WHO. It may be that only spotty reporting of any accuracy can be obtained, and from that 'region by region' a statistical guess can be derived.

The recent attacks in Baghdad making the news aren't really NEW. Now are they?

I am not going to beleaguer the point. I have said for years that Iraq is a CIVIL WAR. This latest 'exacerbation' illustrates it clearly. Iraq is in a Civil War. You don't believe it YET?

I don't care if a member of al Qaeda is involved. It was a Sunni attack on Shi'ites. Al Qaeda is just another brand for the same thing. In Iraq its supposed to be the most vicious of the Sunni organizations. That doesn't mean that much. It simply means the Sunnis need an organization to counter balance the USA occupation. That is all that means.

These provinces want to split. They need to do that. It will save lives. The BEST evidence of the Civil War is the issues surrounding Kurkuk. The USA has no interest within that country. It has other bases nearby. Where do you think the 'No Fly Zones' were enforced from?

The international community, including the USA, doesn't want to see the provinces have their own sovereignty because there wouldn't be anyone to pay their bills. Ask what the central authority in Baghdad actually does for the people of Iraq. What do they do? They don't even provide security. After all, it was Maliki himself that doesn't want the USA to exit. It isn't the people that want the USA to stay, it's Maliki and his need for his own militia AGAINST the people of Iraq.

Here is what is going to happen and why Gerald Ford was right all along. The USA will remove their soldiers supposedly after the next major elections. The elections will go as planned and the USA will depart having lost soldiers between now and then. After the USA is out of Iraq the 'control' of the country will be handed over to the Iraqi military/police.

Do you actually believe on Day 2 after the USA leaves Iraq, the central authority will still having meaning? I don't. For years since Bush invaded that country, an illegal invasion that gives a lot of moral authority to the opposition, there have been 'community' level organization to protect themselves. Those organizations the West likes to call militias have been developing authority among the people.

On Day 2, the central authority in Baghdad will be meaningless and for some time things might go along as if nothing has changed, but, something will definately have changed. The 'Iraq military/police' will shift their loyalty and return to the people the control they have longed for since March of 2003.

Then one day.

The news headlines will read, "Anarchy has returned to Iraq."

And it will be over.

There will be a major confrontation between the strongest organizations and the central authority will be completely meaningless.


A man injured in a suicide bombing gets treatment in the Kazimiyah hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. Photograph: Khalid Mohammed/AP

Suicide bombs kill scores in Baghdad (click here)
At least 60 die near Shia shrine following arrest of suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader
At least 60 people were killed and more than 125 injured this morning when two suicide bombers detonated explosive vests near the most important Shia Muslim shrine in Baghdad.
The attacks came 24 hours after a volley of explosions killed more than 80 people in Iraq's deadliest day in months, and raised fears of a fresh wave of sectarian violence following a period of relative calm....

WMD. Mexico City. New York City. Was it the Mexican Government? USA? Or Drug Cartels>?

Picture is from LA Times blog.

62 die from flu in Mexico, stirring pandemic fears (click here)
By Rob Stein and David Brown
Washington Post
WASHINGTON - An unusual strain of swine flu has been detected among victims of a large outbreak of a severe respiratory illness in Mexico, prompting global health officials, fearful of a potential flu pandemic, to scramble yesterday to try to contain the virus.
At least 854 people have been sickened and at least 62 have died, primarily in the sprawling capital of Mexico City, triggering officials to close all schools and universities, museums, and libraries and to begin screening air travelers leaving Mexico for symptoms.
Officials warned millions of residents to stay home, avoid public places, and take other protective measures, such as resisting greeting other people with handshakes or kisses. Drugstores reported being inundated with worried customers seeking face masks, and some subway riders were spotted wearing rubber gloves....

The moral suicide. Another warning flag.

Senator Grassley's Suggestion taken seriously?

The Los Angeles Times reports David Kellermann asked for vacation the day he hanged himself. With the granting of his request he immediately relegated his responsibilities to others within the corporation and excused himself from life.

Perhaps such sudden requests should be considered suspicious. I mean, don't most folks plan some kind of 'getaway.' I find his methodology of his demise oddly permanent. The 'gym equipment' would be able to support his body weight. The guy meant it. He sincerely thought out his last act.

Hard to believe there was no signs of his instability. And, yes, I do consider such drastic thinking as unstable. Which when realizing the power and influence he had raises a lot of questions. The first one beinging 'Does Suicidal Ideation actually bring about better results in a company?' Were people saying, 'I've never seen him so brilliant?'

Like what the hell happened here?

These leadership positions can't be so demanding that their 'occupants' feel as though they are at the end of their rope. It is a complete guess, and I am making it for the sake of 'experimental thought,' but, what if that 'pinnacle feeling' which is void of 'shoulds and shouldn'ts' is too overwhelming?

In other words, when finally achieving the status of CEO or otherwise, there is absolutely no one other than oneself to answer to and with a 'lost' parameter of a mentor it could prove to be a 'missing piece' of one's 'psychi' that could be fatal. Fatal not only to the individual, but, to the best interest of the company and its clients.

There is that, 'counter balance' to 'personality' that once gone by achievement SHOULD be the point of a personality's 'creative' ability. The launching point of perhaps genius. What I am speculating is the thought that David Kellermann 'lost his parameters' when he accepted the position last October. Was there 'elucidating' to his peers that would indicate he was 'operating' well within his new responsibilites OR did he actually accept the challenge of his demise by a verbally abusive Congressman? If there was 'hubris' within Kellermann's 'inner circle' regarding Grassley's suggestion, it should be brought forward.

There were four Eras to date in the progression of American society to 'catch up' with their laws.

Each 'American' Era is marked by dates, events and people. As an outline:

1770 - 1790

Founding Era

Revolutionary War

Thomas Jefferson

1820 - 1877

Antibellum/Civil War/Reconstrution Era

Classical Greek Style Southern Architecture, The Louisiana Purchase, The Missouri Compromise, The Civil War and Reconstruction (1850 - 1877)

Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Fredrick Douglas, Mary Ann Bickerdyke

1877 - 1954

The Progressive Era (also known as The Jim Crow Era)

The Compromise of 1877, The Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, Women's Sufferage, Muckrakers, The Federal Reserve

Woodrow Wilson, Marcus Garvey, Elizabeth Katie Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Madam C. J. Walker (Sarah Breedlove), Booker T. Washington

1954 - Present

The Civil Rights Era

Brown vs. Board of Education, The Civil Rights Act of 1954, 1963 March on Washington, The Voting Rights Act of 1965, The Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Civil Rights Act, April 11, 1968, Civil Rights Restoration Act, Civil Rights Act of 1991, Roe v. Wade

Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary Church Terrell, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Jack and Bobby Kennedy, Marcolm X, Rosa Parks, Stephen Donaldson, Matthew Shepard, Gloria Steinem, Phil Wilson and Gavin Newsom

Each Era in the history of the United States of America saw changes to society, its mores, doctrines and laws. The US Constitution could never be 'static.' It is one of the most progressive documents ever written in history. It never 'stops' realizing its CAPACITY in the citizen's ability to 'grasp' its dynamics. Without the movers and shakers in the society of the USA, its Constitution would be sequestered to its original date of signature. It is one of the most incredibly 'useful' documents of any government and never losses its capacity.

The words of the Declaration of Independence; "All Men are Created Equal," as authored by Thomas Jefferson

The statement, "All Men are Created Equal" resulted from opposition to the 'political dogma' of the day, "The Divine Right of Kings."

The Divine Right of Kings defined royal absolutism. It aligned any monarchy with God.

The Divine Right of Kings allowed co-mingling of authority in that BOTH civil law and religion came to bear in the decision making (decrees) of any monarch. It was the clear understanding during the Founding Era of the USA, that other nations believed in the 'idea' their monarchs were equivalent to God, in that they were somehow 'connected' through a magical relationship with God. In other words, the equivalent of a faux 'christ' that provided them with unchallenged rights to decide the lives of people and decide life and death.

Thomas Jefferson in seeking freedom from such an oppressive RULING CLASS included the words, "All Men are Created Equal." It was a clear statement that people were foremost the ONLY authority to government and laws. A very clear departure from a 'connected' and 'mutual' authority by government with God and the very basis for the separation of church and state.

I heard a statement made yesterday that is profoundly 'Un-American.' It is the heralding call of the political Right Wing.

The 'basis' of this statement is so Un-American that it made its way into Texas recently when the Governor decided its time Texas secede. Amazing. We already fought that war and we aren't going back to it because of Wayward Americans like Perry. I find it all childish political grandstanding that is so hideous it has no place in modern history. So, I am going to put it to rest forever and stop the hideous rantings of the political Right Wing that seeks its 'popularity' for ratings and proft by carrying on as if the old agenda was attainble.

The statement was, "The USA Constitution is STATIC."

This, of course, was being discussed in regard to 'Left Wing Nut Jobs.' It is the long held belief of the political Right Wing of the USA, that the so called 'Left Liberals' of the USA allow too much fluidity in the interpretation of this country's laws. At issue in the year 2009, is the Civil Rights of Homosexual members of our society. I'm am tired of the 'Old Rhetoric' and the demand by the political Right Wing to continue its bigotry. It is dangerous and flies in the face of decency and legality.

From its inception the Declaration of Independence, always came with an understanding that being human was enough to be a citizen of the USA. In that were 'certain unalienable' rights. The Americans today, that see conflicting issues surrounding Homosexuality and Citizenship, have been "W"rong, are "W"rong and always will be "W"rong.

Historically, the USA is built on a cornerstone of Freedom. With that cornerstone comes the RIGHT TO BE EQUAL under the law. The 'academic' understanding of this fluid dynamic of our democray is called "Equality of Ideas." The filmloop below puts this understanding into words and demonstrates the FACT that the laws and authority of the USA are NOT static, but, highly dynamic. It is so dynamic, that as the USA 'aged', 'experienced growth' and 'matured' what developed in the venue of Civil Rights are FOUR Eras. The first ERA was the Founding Era. It began at the inception of the 'idea' of an autonomous democrary and government by colonists as they seceded from Britian. The Founding Era (1770-1790) progressed to the Ear of the Antibellum/Civil War/Reconstruction (1820-1877).

If they are so interested in Peace, then why the guns? Hunting for dinner?

Key talks on Pakistan Sharia deal (click here)
Officials in North West Frontier Province in Pakistan are meeting to discuss a peace deal with the Taleban that has sparked deep US concern.
The peace deal was intended to introduce Sharia law in some north-west districts in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency.
However, the Taleban have not laid down their arms and are expanding influence....
Emergency leave
...Ahead of the meeting, North West Frontier Province spokesman Iftikhar Hussain said: "Those who took arms must lay them down. Those who went to Buner, they must get out from Buner.
"This is the only way, and we are asking them for the last time...."
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the North West Frontier Province government feels it has fulfilled its part of the deal by enforcing Islamic courts in the region but that the Taleban have yet to meet their end of the bargain.
They were expected to lay down their arms and allow police and other officials to resume their duties....


The all too familiar 'motor bike.'

An armed member of the Pakistani Taliban stands on a street in the Buner district, about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Islamabad April 23, 2009.


BUNER, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani Taliban commander has ordered his men to withdraw from Buner district, a spokesman said on Friday, amid mounting alarm in the United States and Islamabad over the militants' creeping advance.
Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said there were around 100 fighters in Buner, a district just 100 km (60 miles) from Islamabad, and less than five hours drive from the capital.
"Our leader has ordered that Taliban should immediately be called back from Buner," Khan told Reuters.
Khan belongs to faction led by Taliban commander....

Where in the world is Perez? He looks good in a suit. He'd look better in prison strips.

Musharraf meets King (click here)
...Talking to newsmen before boarding the plane at Islamabad airport, Musharraf urged Pakistanis, especially the media, to stop looking into the past and instead focus on the many challenges currently haunting Pakistan....


I bet. The Bush-Musharraf policies put nuclear capacity within the reach of The Taliban.

Pervez Musharraf has said he would be prepared to return to office in Pakistan

Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf offers to return to power in Pakistan (click title to entry - thank you)
Former Pakistani military dictator Pervez Musharraf has said he would be prepared to return to office in Pakistan if the political and economic situation in his country continues to deteriorate.

By Con Coughlin

Last Updated: 5:43PM BST 23 Apr 2009

In a rare interview since being forced to resign from office last year, Mr Musharraf, said he would consider serving a second term as Pakistan's president if he felt he could make a valuable contribution.
"If Pakistan is in a nosedive, or about to self-destruct, if I can contribute something to rectify the situation, certainly I will. My life is for Pakistan," he said. "I still believe that Pakistan comes first."...

If Pakistan is in a nosedive it is because Musharraf left it that way ! The NEW government seems to making in roads with people and actually attempting to provide them with a quality of life rather than simply a change in tyranny !

Govt mulls setting up fish hatcheries across Sindh (click here)

By: Ramzan Chandio

Published: April 24, 2009
KARACHI - The Provincial Government of Sindh is mulling to open fish hatcheries in all the districts of the province as people have shown their interest for making investment in fish farming.Minister for Fisheries Department Zahid Ali Bhurgari informed the Sindh Assembly during question-hour session on Thursday.

Replying to the supplementary question of the provincial legislators, Minister said a huge area of about 0.8 million acres land had been converted in saline and it not able to cultivate for crops in various different districts of the province, so the people wanted to converted them fish farm there and approaching the fisheries department....

Pakistan's Report Card

Sindh govt’s one-year performance highlighted (click here)

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali on Thursday highlighted his government’s one-year performance. Shah said that he wanted to give an account of his government’s one year performance on March 11 but because of various events such as the judges’ issue and the lawyers’ protest, it was delayed.

He added that during the last year, not only has the administration been able to handle various Muharram processions peacefully but was able to peacefully organise multiple national and international events including Ideas 2008 and the Asia Cup.

The overall crime situation remained under control during 2008 and the official data reveals that there has been a decrease in street crime in Karachi. In interior Sindh, kidnapping for ransom has been brought down and 66 gangs involved in the crime have been either eliminated or apprehended, he revealed.

The CM stated that his government made sincere efforts in attending to the basic necessities of the people. Subsequently, the federal government, on the basis of our recommendation, took a bold step to raise the wheat support prices to Rs 950 per tonnes for the current year, he said, adding that the Government of Sindh has been given a procurement target of 1.2 million tonnes...

Govt will meet wheat procurement target (click here)

By: Ramzan Chandio

Published: April 24, 2009
KARACHI - Sindh government will easily achieve the wheat procurement target of 1.2 million tons as 0.8 million tons of commodity has been procured so far during current Rabi Season 2008-09.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed this while delivering his speech in Sindh Assembly on one-year performance of PPP led provincial coalition government of Sindh on Thursday.

Counting the pro poor steps of government, Chief Minister said that present government has enhanced the procurement price of wheat to Rs950-40kg in current season from last year’s price of Rs625-40kg.

He said, though, the rain badly affected the crop in upper areas of the province but despite of it, at least 0.8 million tons wheat has been procured by the government, so far, which was almost over half of the target of 1.2 million set for the year 2008-09....

Sindh Dairy Development Co. to be established (click here)
Friday, April 24, 2009By our correspondent

HYDERABAD: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said Sindh Dairy Development Company is being established at a cost of Rs2.5 billion and the provincial Livestock Department has been reactivated to enhance the income and employment opportunities for the people of rural areas.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the first Sindh Livestock Show organised by the Livestock Department in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and District Government, Hyderabad the other day.

Qaim Ali Shah said the province has many species of different animals and has a good potential in meat and milk production. “It is a good sign that the EU is extending financial aid to the government and breeders of the province, which reflects good potential in the livestock sector,” he said.

“We can save and earn billions by exporting milk and meat to other countries. In this way, we can raise living standards of the people of rural areas.”

Praising the efforts of Livestock Department for holding the three-day show, he termed it a success and said it would bring lot of improvement in the know-how and market management by small farmers.

He announced a bonus of one salary for the employees of Livestock Department for their encouragement and assured that breeders contributing in the show would also be awarded cash prizes.

Later talking to the media, he said that due to policies of the government the province achieved a bumper crop of wheat. Against the target of 1.2 million tons, he added, 800,000 tons have so far been procured and ‘hopefully we will surpass the target.’...

Wind Power for Cuba

Two of the wind turbines at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are seen from the base of the highest of the four new structures. Photo by Kathleen T. Rhem

Temporary idling of plants could further reduce firm's revenue, analysts warn

...Most of its factories will be closed for up to nine weeks, a person familiar with the planning said. The move would likely send shock waves through the already struggling supplier industry, which does not make money when factories are not using their parts to build cars and trucks.
Thomas Pyden, a GM spokesman, declined to comment Wednesday, saying that "if and when we have production news, our intent is to share it with employees first, and we have had no such announcements."...

Senator Carl Levin says abuse was systematic

Report vindicates soldiers prosecuted over Abu Ghraib abuses, lawyers say
Lawyer for Charles Graner to seek presidential pardon
Report a 'great opportunity,' says Lynndie England's attorney


...A Senate inquiry published today directly implicates senior members of the Bush administration in the extensive use of harsh interrogation methods against al-Qaida suspects and other prisoners round the world.
The 232-page report, the most detailed investigation yet into the background of torture, undercuts the claim of the then deputy defence secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, that the abuse of prisoners in Iraq was the work of "a few bad apples".
The report's release added to the debate raging within the US after Barack Obama, who regards the techniques as torture, opened the way for possible prosecution of members of the Bush administration.
Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the senate armed services committee, which ordered the inquiry, said today: "The paper trail on abuse leads to top civilian leaders, and our report connects the dots." The report shows a paper trail going from the then defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, to Guantánamo to Afghanistan and to Iraq....

You are going to die "bin.' This time you're going to die.

US signs Afghanistan transit deal with Tajikistan (click here)
1 day ago
DUSHANBE (AFP) — The United States and Tajikistan have agreed a deal on the transit of non-military cargoes for Western operations in Afghanistan, US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said on Tuesday.
"Yes, it's done," Boucher said in response to a question about the long-expected transit deal with the ex-Soviet republic that neighbours Afghanistan.
The transit of cargoes destined to support Western troops in Afghanistan could begin as soon as one month from now, Boucher said during a visit to the Tajik capital.
Washington has been seeking new routes for supplies to Afghanistan after Kyrgyzstan announced earlier this year that it was closing a key US airbase, and amid increasing instability along the main transit route through Pakistan....

Bin Laden Deputy Mocks Obama`s Strategy for Afghanistan
Monday April 20, 2009 (2116 PST)

(Quqnoos)-Ayman Al-Zawahri, the fugitive deputy of Osama Bin Laden, the top leader of Al Qaeda network in a new internet recording criticises the new plan of the US President Barack Obama to send extra troops to Afghanistan.
Al-Zawahri`s comments were posted on a militant Web site Monday, AP Reports.
The reaction comes as the US President approved in February to send an additional 17,000 troops to the restive Afghan south where the Taliban-led insurgency is mounting.
According to the Associated Press, in the new Internet recording, Ayman al-Zawahri also urges al-Qaida in Iraq to "break the borders" of neighboring countries and liberate Jerusalem from the Israelis.
Osama Bin Laden`s top lieutenant also lashed out at Egypt for mediating talks between rival Palestinian factions.
Al-Zawahri says those talks are aimed at pressuring the Islamic Hamas group to accept peace with Israel.
Osama Bin Laden and Amyan Al Zawahri are the two most wanted Al Qaeda leaders that hold millions of dollars US prize on their heads.
End.

Eight Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan (click here)
Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:36:38 GMT

Eight Taliban militants have reportedly been killed by Afghan security forces and US troops in separate attacks in southern Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that the insurgents were killed in the province of Uruzgan near the Pakistani border.

According to the US military, another militant was killed and a suspect detained during an operation in neighboring Kandahar....

US asks Pakistanis to snub govt policy

...“Pakistan poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world,” Hillary Clinton said. “And I want to take this occasion ... state unequivocally that not only do the Pakistani government officials, but the Pakistani people and the Pakistani diaspora ... need to speak out forcefully against a policy that is ceding more and more territory to the insurgents ... .”“(We) cannot underscore the seriousness of the existential threat posed to the state of Pakistan by the continuing advances now within hours of Islamabad that are being made by a loosely confederated group of terrorists and others who are seeking the overthrow of the Pakistani state.”...

Secretary Clinton is correct in that the Taliban have broken the 'treaty' with the Pakistani government. They have moved out of Swat as they stated they would not do.

And isn't it 'timely' of Perez to leave the country before the Civil War breaks out. Just in time to save his sorry 'butt' to make a comeback when the coast is clear !

And while the Pakistan government continues to meet with Secretary Clinton and Afghanistan, the Taliban are attempting to take a stand. Why not? The Taliban are on the move in Pakistan, why shouldn't they reignite things in Afghanistan.

General: Insurgents targeting southern Afghanistan (click here)
By LARA JAKES – 12 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. troops have reached a stalemate against insurgents in Afghanistan's Taliban-dominated south and so far have been unable to stop attackers from returning, a senior U.S. commander said Wednesday.
An estimated 80 percent of Afghanistan's insurgent attacks now are happening in the nation's southern region, Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker said during a Pentagon briefing. He said insurgents have pushed south over the last year after military troops and police largely have thwarted their threats in eastern Afghanistan.
"We're at a stalemate," Tucker said in a 35-minute videoconference call from Afghanistan. "We just simply do not have enough forces to address the needs of the people down there to set the conditions for governance to take hold."...

I don't think the talks are working. The Taliban will talk all you want while the militias take over the two countries and clear the way from Perez to come back and declare the Taliban and al Qaeda in charge of a nuclear nation.

Afghanistan Reports Progress in Talks with Taliban Militants (click here)
By VOA News 21 April 2009

The Afghan government said it has held positive talks with Taliban militants in an effort to encourage peace in the face of an increasingly bloody insurgency.

Presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said Tuesday officials were in contact with militants at various levels but gave no other details....

...U.S. President Barack Obama has said he would consider holding talks with Taliban militants who are willing to renounce violence and reconcile. The idea is part of his revised strategy to stabilize Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.

Taliban and other insurgents have made a comeback in Afghanistan, causing the highest level of violence since a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban government in 2001.

Petraeus: "Tough months" ahead in Afghanistan (click here)
By Steve LeBlanc
Associated Press Writer / April 21, 2009
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Gen. David Petraeus warned Tuesday of "tough months ahead" as the U.S. steps up its presence in Afghanistan to help stabilize the country....

..."We are going to make progress but it's going to get worse before it gets better," Petraeus said. "When you go into an enemy's territory ... they are going to fight you for it."...

No, it isn't the same war all over again. It is many times worse.

The same war all over again (click here)
Redwood Times
Posted: 04/22/2009 09:24:57 AM PDT
To the Editor:
Has it sunk in yet? President Obama recently threw a fast one right past the peace bloc in Congress. These Democrats of varying stripes, including our own Blue Dog Mike Thompson, have in the past voted a righteous No on special war appropriations from the Bush regime. It is shocking to see all but 20 Democrats stamping their approval on $130 billion dollars worth of Live War money coming from the new regime.
By tucking these war appropriations back in the budget under the guise of “transparency,” the money for Afghanistan and Iraq became nothing more than a pair of bloody earmarks, easily “overlooked” in the larger factional struggle over the Democrats’ plan to save corporate capitalism. The Republicans played their part in the two-party charade by sticking to the economic stimulus theme, meanwhile rejecting paying out money for a war Americans are currently killing and dying in!
Dennis Kucinich wasn’t fooled. As one of only two Progressive Caucus members voting No to this sleight of hand, Kucinich said: “I will not vote for a budget that ties military spending to the operational funding of our government. This year, the budget includes $130 billion for war funding.”...

Did I tell you? Did I? Yes, I did. I said the Taliban wouldn't stay in Swat. Right? Well, here we go.

Taliban activists are seen at an entrance of the shrine of the famous saint Pir Baba adjacent to a mosque, which was closed by Taliban after taking it over in Buner, 160 kilometers north of Peshawar, Pakistan. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oh, I love this part. The Taliban are committing a coup. They are throwing out a freely elected government and replacing its authority with Sharia Law, a religous cult.

Where is Musharraf? This is the same garbage that happened before when Benazir Bhutto was accused of crimes and jailed to remove her from government. WHERE IS MUSHARRAF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PESHAWAR (Pakistan) - HUNDREDS of armed Taleban from the scenic north-western valley have entered Buner district, only 110km from the capital Islamabad, officials said on Wednesday.
The militants have set up checkpoints, occupied mosques and ransacked the offices of non-governmental organisations, a local official said.
A Taleban commander said they would set up strict Islamic sharia courts in Buner as they have already done in Swat but would not interfere with police work....

They won't interfer with police work, TODAY. Ah, but, tomorrow after they have control of town after town after town, THEN, they'll not only interfer with police work, but, they'll kill them.

Musharraf has every reason to be siding with a change of power with the assistance of the Taliban. Not only that, but, he would be the Taliban's best buddy because he has knowledge of the nuclear weapons facility.

Musharraf is WANTED.

Do you think he's going to turn himself in?

Noooooo...he'll wait until the anarchy facilitates his return. That'll be what happens next and The West will be left wondering what the 'heck' happened, while he sets out to align with Iran and wipe the USA military in Iraq. Oh, this is just perfect !

Musharraf ruined PAF project, says ex-air chief (click here)
Updated at Thursday, April 23, 2009
By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: Former chief of the Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Saadat Kaleem has accused the ousted dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, of ruining the PAF’s $1.2 billion Saab Surveillance System deal for possible kickbacks....


MNAs seek exemplary punishment for Musharraf (click here)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Ask Altaf Hussain to return to Pakistan
By Muhammad AnisISLAMABAD: MNAs belonging to the two major political parties, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on Tuesday demanded exemplary punishment for Pervez Musharraf for playing havoc with the Constitution and causing irreparable damage to the country....

Dig this. He's on his way to Saudi Arabia. On vacation? Nooooo. He's there to let Saudi Arabia know that the government-military complex would have to formulate a strategy to combat terror. Really? Who is Perez to be conducting himself as if he was still the President-General of Pakistan?

Musharraf calls for govt-mily joint strategy to fight terror (click here)
By: Irfan Bukhari Published: April 20, 2009
ISLAMABAD - While embarking upon a visit to Saudi Arabia to perform Ummrah, former president General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf Sunday said that the government and military establishment would have to devise a joint strategy to combat terror. Talking to media at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, Musharraf said that Pakistan was in danger therefore getting stuck in minor and old issues would create further problems. Talking about Swat peace deal, he said that if the deal had been cut for ensuring speedy and cheap justice within Pakistan’s legal structure and system, then it was right and if the agreement had been made against the writ of the government and TNSM wanted to promote its agenda all over the country, then it was dangerous....

I hesitate to say it, but, I haven't heard of any more attacks or deaths.

Boston's Finest did a great job. Congratulations.

...The underpants were described as "mementos" from the crimes, according to another law enforcement official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity. It was not known from which victims the garments were taken, the officials said. Investigators are testing the gun to determine whether the semi-automatic weapon was used to fatally shoot a 26-year-old masseuse last week at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
Markoff, 23, is a Boston University medical school student who pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges stemming from attacks against two women in posh Back Bay hotels. Police in Warwick, R.I., say a prostitute who also advertised on Craigslist was attacked in a hotel there last Thursday, but Markoff has not been charged with that crime. No new victims have come forward so far, one of the law enforcement officials said today....