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OV Week-End (1/2/2010): Never Dull...

January 3rd 2010 05:09
: Always Exciting!!!

The New Year celebrations is over. It is back to reality. I personally dread it but I am still very hopeful beyond words despite all the challenges at hand.


As I saw this ITN clip on the celebrations in Dubai, I knew that things were going to be OK. Dubai is in trouble, but it seems as if it has not lost its' luster, yet. There is of course the continued state of Flux in Iran that I have written on here and I think that for the first time there may well be light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that the regime still has a lot of fight in it and will not give in. Unfortunately, people will die. I view Moussavi's statement as quite significant. He has drawn a line in the sand and reminded the gang currently in charge of Khomeini's admonition that, "...as you kill us, we will grow stronger...". I have also been listening to Hashemi Rafsanjani's interview with France24. He deftly avoided the question on the domestic political turmoil. This is as the Official State Organs and the so called principlaists within the regime continue their cold war campaign against him and his family. Rafsanjani figures prominently in another prominent list of those who have profited handsomely from the Islamic Republic. Rafsanjani is reportedly worth around a Billion Dollars. That's Billion with a B!!!!


In the same "honor role" there is one more name that I wrote about a while back: Motjaba Khameini. He is the son of the Supreme Leader who had supposed designs to succeed his father. This is to introduce him to the world:

The "Crown Prince"


There are many others. I wonder how they can sleep at night knowing how they have stolen the billions that they have stolen in the name of Islam and have been the culprits behind such action:

Why?!??!?


Beyond that, there is of course Yemen. The US and the UK are talking about helping Yemen and Somalia. I wonder if throwing money at the problem is going to solve the problem. The only thing that the first decade taught us was that the old way of doing business simply will not work. Whether policy makers will actually understand and embrace this remains to be seen.




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OV Week-End: Wow!!!

August 17th 2009 07:47
: Truly Never a Dull Moment!!!
It has been a very busy week-end. There is of course Burma and the fact that Jim Webb got to see the Pro-Democracy Leader and the Chief Thug who runs Burma today. There is the burning debate over healthcare that dominated the airwaves over the week-end on U.S Sunday Talk Show Circuit. There was of course Afghanistan and the upcoming election. And last, but no tleast, there is of course Iran.

Here was a sampling of the debate over healthcare:


As I listened to this broadcast, I was laughing as I saw Rachel Maddow go after Dick Armey in a big way. She did quite a job to expose the extent of the hyprocacy that has gone on behind the attempt to derail healthcare reform. I also continue to be very surprised at Chuck Grassley's pronoucements about "pulling the plug on grandma". Not withstanding the "joke of the day", the fact does remain that healthcare reform will be substantially watered down and the only ones winning will end up being the Insurance companies. This is an unfortunate tragedy, especially in light of all the misnformation about the British National Health Service and the Canadian Health Service which was used as a strawman by organizations like American For Prosperity and others. Healthcare will continue to be a privilege, not a right until such time as the courage is mustered to overcome it.

Moving on to halfway around the world, there is Afghanistan. I wrote on the attack in Kabul near the US Embassy and ISAF headquarters. It shows the extent of the reach of the Taliban. Elections are on Thursday. I would be keen to see who wins. As for Iran, The new Government is slated to be announced. But the repression continues. Mehdi Karoubi's Paper, Eteemad Meli, has been temporarily suspended by Tehran's Prosecutor. The question that has to be asked from the Government is this: What are they afraid of? Why can't they tolerate any opposition? The formal rollout of the Government on Wednesday should be quite a show in the Parliament, though.

As I write this, South Africa is marking Jacob Zuma's 100 Days in Office. I have had my doubts and have written about it. There are profound challenges that Mr. Zuma has to deal with. South Africa is important because it is the key country is Africa and as goes South Africa, so goes the continent. Between Crime and the continued challenges with the economy, it remains to be seen as to what he will navigate through the challenges of the global financial crisis. There is of course the continued instability in Southern Russia. A suicide bomber attacked a Police Station in the Russian Republic of Ingushetia. So, this facade of stability that Putin worked so hard to create continues to be shattered by the day. As the new work day began, there was some good news: Japan has emerged from its' recession. Earlier, Germany and France emerged from their recession as well. But it is still very early to break out the champagne, though.

There was also another piece of news that is quite bothersome. An analysis of banknotes in Washington D.C. shows that 95% of all the currency have had some traces of Cocaine. If this is not an indicement of the scourge of drugs in America, I don't know what is. China had the lowest: 12%.

This was just the week-end. I can't wait to see what the week has in store.
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As The First Day of The Obama Adminstration Begins....

January 21st 2009 20:51
: I am not surprised at the Republicans...
A Day in the Life....
The President Arrives For His First Day....A Busy One too!!!


The first day of the Obama Adminstration has begun. The President began his day by attending the National Prayer Service and got down to work. I saw him when he met with the White House and signed off on the new Ethics Rules. He has also been meeting with the Economics and National Security Teams. They have hit the ground running. Unfortunately, the Senate has not done the job by confirming the nominees. At least three key members are yet to be confirmed. A new Era has truly begun!!!

On a personal note, I went out to pick up whatever Newspaper copies I could to keep for posteriety. But, today also saw the day when politics the old-fashioned way reared its ugly head. Hillary Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State was delayed because Jon Cornyn wanted a "debate". Why won't the Republicans just lay low and allow the Adminstration to take shape? Even worst, the Holder nomination was delayed because the Republicans on the Committee wanted additoinal questions on the Marc Rich pardon.
At least, The Senate Finance Committee has accepted Tim Geithner's apology and he should be confirmed soon as Treasury Secretary. Although I view his explanation of blaming TurboTax is a bit disingenious anyway. But, he has apologized. Both Senator Baucus and Senator Grassley (who by the way I consider a maverick in Republican Circles because of his work) support him.

What bothers me a great deal is that the same gang was in place when they confirmed John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzales and Michael Mukasey. They were the same gang that turned a blind eye when the Bush Adminstraiton pursued the radical right wing policies that gave us GITMO, extraordinary rendition and the "enemy combatant" designation. So, how they have all of a suddent have come out to live up to their responsiblities is simply irresponsible, hypocritical and just wrong. I am especially very disappointed in Arlen Spectre who I have found to be one of the more reasonable Republicans in the Senate. Holder has a lot of work before him transforming the Justice Department from an Injustice back to a Justice Department. The Republicans seem not to realize that.
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Witness to History: An Historical Inauguration

January 21st 2009 04:12
: ..and now the real work begins......
History.....
A New Dawn Has Arrived


Barack Hussein Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. Throughout my lifetime, I have had the privilege to read on the traditions and was finally able to be a true witness to this momentous transfer of power due to the power of technology. I have continued to marvel at how someone with so much power gives it up so willingly because the people are truly sovereign in America. This was quite moving when the President and the First Lady escorted Former Mr. and Mrs. Bush


[ Click here to read more ]
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