Mike Pouraryan2009: The Year in Review
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The Storm Around Nancy Pelosi
May 16th 2009 01:14
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So What????
I have been assessing what has been going around Nancy Pelosi since her news conference yesterday. What is sad about this argument is how much of a diversion this has all become as we are faced with more of the same in Afghanistan.
I saw an archive of the news conference that led to so much over the last day or so. She was clearly unprepared and was not on top of her game. For such a savvy political player, blaming the CIA was also wrong. She played right into the hand of the punditry. Joe Scarbarough was brutal this morning on Morning Joe. She made herself into a laughing stock.
Unfortuantely, the Media in America focuses on the not-so-important and forgets the profound predicament the United States in Afghanistan today. The policy is in essence more of the same:
The policy as it stands is slated to be Iraq (II) with a touch of vinegar in it. I do wonder whether US Policymakers understand the implications of the decision. The debate should be to figure out a way to come to a consesus agreement with countries in the region. The only thing that is clear is that none of the countries want a Taliban-Run Pakistan and Afghanistan. This includes all the ex-Soviet States, Iran, India and China. Some may forget, but Iran almost went to war with the Taliban in Afghanistan back in 2001.
I view the need to know as aboslutely essential so that we can learn from it. But, this storm that is being fed by the media is a storm that is frankly a waste of time. When will the media realize it?
I saw an archive of the news conference that led to so much over the last day or so. She was clearly unprepared and was not on top of her game. For such a savvy political player, blaming the CIA was also wrong. She played right into the hand of the punditry. Joe Scarbarough was brutal this morning on Morning Joe. She made herself into a laughing stock.
Unfortuantely, the Media in America focuses on the not-so-important and forgets the profound predicament the United States in Afghanistan today. The policy is in essence more of the same:
The policy as it stands is slated to be Iraq (II) with a touch of vinegar in it. I do wonder whether US Policymakers understand the implications of the decision. The debate should be to figure out a way to come to a consesus agreement with countries in the region. The only thing that is clear is that none of the countries want a Taliban-Run Pakistan and Afghanistan. This includes all the ex-Soviet States, Iran, India and China. Some may forget, but Iran almost went to war with the Taliban in Afghanistan back in 2001.
I view the need to know as aboslutely essential so that we can learn from it. But, this storm that is being fed by the media is a storm that is frankly a waste of time. When will the media realize it?
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, The Pakistani Taliban, The Army, Kashmir, Barack Obama, U.S. Economy, U.S. Government
The Courage of David Barstow
May 9th 2009 04:40
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Freedom of Speech at its best
David Bartsow of the New York Times has won the Pulitzer Prize for the expose he did on the propaganda campaign that the Bush Adminstration undertook as a buildup to the Iraq War. In his interview with Amy Goodman, he reflected upon his work. His reflections in sends shivers down my spine.
I remember the buildup to the Iraq War. I knew then and understood the sophisticated campaign that the Government had undertaken. My reservations were confirmed when II read Frank Rich's brilliant work while the spinmasters continued to push the storyline. I was frankly distrubed when the networks bought into the story without the serious reporting that was typically expected of the Fourth Estate. CNN, MSNBC, FOX, ABC NEWS AND CBS became an extension of the Government and it was frankly sickening. The historical signifcance of it was not lost on me, though. This tradition went back all the way to the days of William Randolph Hearst.
I can only imagine the response of the Conservatives. I also am quite anxious to see what the Bush Apologists' will have to say about this. I also find the silence of the same crowd who bought into this extremely troubling. I am quite anxious to see how they are going to tear away as to the factual basis of the work David Barstow has done. The Pentagon Inspector General confirmed it when it withdrew the initial report and even took it down from its website.
I commend the Pulitzer Committee for recognizing such great work and congratulate David Bartsow for his prize. For the sake of Democracy's vibrancy, such work must be encouraged. We should expect no less.
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, Iraq , The War, Sunnis, The Kurds, The Shittes, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Big Media, Executive
Brief retrospective as the Quarter Ends...
March 31st 2009 15:58
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Hopeful Signs....
As the First Quarter of 2009 ends, I continue to remain hopeful. As I have written and reflected upon our world, at times I have been concerned as to the lack of respect shown to opposing views. I yearn for a substantive analysis of the challenges we face today so that we can work to solve them together. Outsider Views began in this spirit. I will continue this path because of my view on the need for consesus and the need to hope.
Today saw 73 countries attending the Hague Meeting on Afghanistan. I view the presence of Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister as a hopeful sign. Although I would have rather seen Foreign Minister Mottaki there, at least a senior official attended the meeting. Iran has a vested interest in Afghanistan being stable due to the immense refugee problem, the drug trade and the instability it inherently brings[ Click here to read more ]
Today saw 73 countries attending the Hague Meeting on Afghanistan. I view the presence of Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister as a hopeful sign. Although I would have rather seen Foreign Minister Mottaki there, at least a senior official attended the meeting. Iran has a vested interest in Afghanistan being stable due to the immense refugee problem, the drug trade and the instability it inherently brings
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, Hydro, Solar, Iran, Khameini, Iraq , Barack Obama, Joe Biden, U.S. Economy, U.S. Government
Weekly Roundup of the US Political Sunday Talk Shows.....
March 30th 2009 00:56
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Is the Message Coming Through?
I have been making the rounds of the Sunday Talk Shows. NBC and ABC had Tim Geitner on and CBS' Face the Nation had the President on as well: (available at http://www.cbsnews.com).
As I listened to the Face The Nation Interview, I was glad that Bob Schieffer brought up Mexico. I have regarded Mexico as the soft underbelly that is indeed a major threat to the security of the United States. I did also find Meet the Press quite insightful in explaining in layman's terms how the plan is supposed to work. As I listened to all the shows, the central message I heard was that the Obama Adminstration views the strategies on both the economy and Afghanistan was on track. Time will only tell[ Click here to read more ]
As I listened to the Face The Nation Interview, I was glad that Bob Schieffer brought up Mexico. I have regarded Mexico as the soft underbelly that is indeed a major threat to the security of the United States. I did also find Meet the Press quite insightful in explaining in layman's terms how the plan is supposed to work. As I listened to all the shows, the central message I heard was that the Obama Adminstration views the strategies on both the economy and Afghanistan was on track. Time will only tell
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, Inter-Faith Relationships, The Presidential Election, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, U.S. Economy, U.S. Government, Congress
Our World This Week
March 29th 2009 07:46
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Quite Amazing!!!
I was witness to another busy and hectic week on the political front. There was of course the Budget the Obama Adminstration has sent up to the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Congress has started to write the legislation to get the process moving forward. It was also a week that saw the President throw the gauntlet down to the Republicans in the House to produce their own alternative. They did produce one. From the review so far, though, there are no numbers to back the so called roadmap they have proposed. I will be anxious to see what they have to say on this next week.
As I was witness to the debate, I was laughing at how the President seemed to be getting it from both sides. On the one hand, I saw the so-called right (or conservatives) in the country noting how the President was taking the country down the path to socialism and communism. I was really laughing when I read Dick Morris' comments and then visited his new YouTube Channel he had just laid out. On the other hand, I was also just as amazed and laughing at how the so-called left (or liberals) were keen to attack the President. Paul Krugman's admonition about the President's Public-Private Partnership as "cash for trash" was just one example. They are noting that the clintonites will help drive a centrist economic policy that will leave many out in the cold[ Click here to read more ]
As I was witness to the debate, I was laughing at how the President seemed to be getting it from both sides. On the one hand, I saw the so-called right (or conservatives) in the country noting how the President was taking the country down the path to socialism and communism. I was really laughing when I read Dick Morris' comments and then visited his new YouTube Channel he had just laid out. On the other hand, I was also just as amazed and laughing at how the so-called left (or liberals) were keen to attack the President. Paul Krugman's admonition about the President's Public-Private Partnership as "cash for trash" was just one example. They are noting that the clintonites will help drive a centrist economic policy that will leave many out in the cold
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, Turkey, United Kingdom, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, U.S. Economy, U.S. Government, Executive
The Gaza Insanity Chronicles (Cont'd)
January 17th 2009 05:58
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Eagerly Awaiting The Seize Fire.....
As the bombing and the rocket firing was continuing, Tipzi Livni got U.S. guarantees on a prevention of Hamas rearming. Qatar and Mauritania cut their Israeli ties. There are reports coming through stating that Israel is nearing the "end game". I am still trying to understand what the "end game" is.
As the talking is going on, I continue to get reports on the grim statistics. So far, almost 1200 people are dead and over 5,000 have been wounded. I just saw a twitter update from Al Jazeera'z Zeina Awad noting, "...one of the biggest air strikes to date". Gaza's infrastructure has totally collapsed. I saw reports on two Israeli Human Rights groups petitoning the Israeli Supreme Court to compel the Army to begin allowing humanitarian aid to the civilans. There is of course a report on another UN school again being hit with injuries[ Click here to read more ]
As the talking is going on, I continue to get reports on the grim statistics. So far, almost 1200 people are dead and over 5,000 have been wounded. I just saw a twitter update from Al Jazeera'z Zeina Awad noting, "...one of the biggest air strikes to date". Gaza's infrastructure has totally collapsed. I saw reports on two Israeli Human Rights groups petitoning the Israeli Supreme Court to compel the Army to begin allowing humanitarian aid to the civilans. There is of course a report on another UN school again being hit with injuries
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, Inter-Faith Relationships, Islam, Barack Obama, U.S. Economy, U.S. Government
The Useless Karzai wants Peace....
November 16th 2008 19:35
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Good Grief!!!
Karzai wants to see Mullah Omar!! My first reaction when I see the dispatches was, so what???? The man has no crediblity and no mandate. Mullah Omar cotrols 80% of Afghanistan. Why would Mullah Omar want to talk to Karzai? karzai is a useless, corrupt fool who is a stooge. The Taliban are not a solution, either. But, the Afghan Government exists in name only. The Taliban, to me, need to be also have a battle for the hearts and minds. If they truly want to be an alterative, they have to work on building schools, creating a stable environment, elevate the rights of women and not go around destroying schools. They are not a viable alternative. But, what is there now is not working either. All that is happening is that innocent civilians and poor soldiers are dying to no avail. I would be quite interested to see what the reaction of the Taliban is.
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Worrisome Developments.....
October 25th 2008 12:46
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Can anyone do anything about it?
I can't help but be worried. As I continue to write about our world, I want to remain hopeful. But, the bad news continues coming in. The Dow lost over 300 points on Friday. As America continues to be in the midst of a Presidential Campaign, the world seems to be falling apart. BBC is reporting on a very disturbing development in Colombia threatens to undermine all that seems to have been achieved in the so-called war on drugs. A number of Army colonels have been sacked because they apparently kidnapped homeless men and then killed them to secure body counts and in turn promotions. Colombia was the same country, of course, that pulled off the release of Ingrid Betancourt and others using the emblems of the International commitee for the Red Cross. I view it as a bothersome development because it will undermine the very perilous nature of achievements made in the war on drugs that the world seems to be losing. Look at what is going on in Mexico. I regard Uribe as the ultimate teflon, though. I think he would muddle through as he has through other crisis.
The more worrisome development, though, is the killing of foreigners in the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul. Afghanistan is on fire. Karzai is useless and is a lost case. I am heartened by Joe Klein's comments on Time.com about Barack Obama's views. According to Klein, Barack Obama (and General Petreaus) are in favor of negotiations with the Taliban. I would be interested in any alternative anyone could offer. Right now, I see none[ Click here to read more ]
The more worrisome development, though, is the killing of foreigners in the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul. Afghanistan is on fire. Karzai is useless and is a lost case. I am heartened by Joe Klein's comments on Time.com about Barack Obama's views. According to Klein, Barack Obama (and General Petreaus) are in favor of negotiations with the Taliban. I would be interested in any alternative anyone could offer. Right now, I see none
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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Al Qaeda, NATO, Islam, The Presidential Election, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, U.S. Economy, Big Media, U.S. Government, Venezuela
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