Iraq - Barack Obama - U.S. Economy - U.S. Government

To me, the challenge of the next two years was illustrated in major way by the Economist's KAL. As 2010 draws near, there is a real need for leadership and firmness. For the President to succeed and have a chance at reelecction, this firmness has to be ever so. But the firmness will be overshadowed by the likes of Brazil and China who will continue to push ahead in spite of the United States. The United States has to figure out how to create the future. But, as the healthcare debate shows, the political elite in the country seems to be thinking yesterday while the rest of the world is thinking about tomorrow.

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Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: Inter-Faith Relationships, Iran, Iraq , Barack Obama, U.S. Economy, U.S. Government

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The Courage of David Barstow

May 9th 2009 04:40

: 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

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Brief retrospective as the Quarter Ends...

March 31st 2009 15:58

: 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

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