Unite For Human Rights, Boycott the Beijing Olympics…
With the advent of the Olympics coming up, China wants us to forget about the Human rights issues lingering over their country. They have put a lot of money and energy into a Marketing Company campaign to make it appear that China is a country to contend with worthy of the attention of the rest of the world, but their promises to improve on their Human rights record have gone unfulfilled. Their crackdown on the peaceful dissent in Tibet is ample evidence of their lies. They are just empty words with a selfish aim. Their propaganda does not work outside their borders, their are as transparent as glass. They may not care what the rest of the world thinks except when it comes to their vanity as a country, but the rest of the world cares. Humans are the priority here, not what you have or can do. If your people are suffering and you are the cause, you are not a “mighty nation”. They may want us to forget, but we cannot forget, to forget means to stop caring.
Do what’s right, let China know how you feel about their treatment of the Tibetan people.
Amnesty International: How you can help
Ask Yahoo Not to Violate Human Rights
Has Rev.Wright’s 15 Minutes Of Fame Come At The Expense Of Obama’s Precidency?
Now that the commotion about Reverend Wright’s offensive sermons has passed, what is left for Obama.
I listened to Obama’s very eloquent speech about America’s racial problems. And it left me perplexed.
Listening to him speak of the racial problems we still face today and what to do about them, it’s a little hard to believe that a person who feels like this, attends the church of such a resentful pastor for 20 years, and does not have something in common with his thinking? You don’t go to listen to someone speak if you don’t agree with what he or she is saying, maybe once or twice, but not for 20 years. Even if, as he says, he is going there for religious and not political instruction, what kind of religious instruction can come from a man so full of hate as Reverend Wright? Now Obama says that the snippets of video of Reverend Wright does not tell the whole story about the man, but it does tell a story, a very disturbing one. What does it say about Obama’s thinking outside of polite conversation and of political rhetoric?
“Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are”, I don’t know where the saying comes from but that’s what my Grandmother used to tell us when we were growing up, so that we would understand that it was important whom we chose as our friends, because people will judge us by them. No man is an Island, and words do matter.
In his speech Obama talked about Black Churches, he said ” Black Churches are full of raucous laughter and sometimes body humor, they are full of dancing and clapping and screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear” but what seemed jarring to me was the hatred in the message and the offensive not humorous body gestures of Rev. Wright, even if he was talking about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski. A pastor, a leader in charge of the spiritual care of a congregation, has a huge responsibility, and it does not include inciting hatred.
The Reverend Al Sharpton, no stranger to hateful and outrageous speeches himself, says that “this church is a prominent church in Chicago with thousands of members and what goes on there is no different than what goes on in many other black churches…I don’t know about that, but if that’s true than the race war has a long way to go and these “so-called Pastors” have no business in the business of religion. If Churches are supposed to be inspirational, what are they inspiring, hate, more division?
If Obama is a part of this kind of extreme thinking than he has no business leading this country. He is a smooth talker, but I’m not sure that his speech on race, or his comments on the show ” The View” explained away his relationship with the Reverend Wright and his radical thinking. This is a tough one…
Has this matter with Obama’s Pastor changed your thinking about him?
Will it change your vote?
Obama presidential elections Reverend Wright Written on 30 March 2008 by bibiThe Tibetan People Have Stood Up, Now Step Aside China…
If anyone should understand fighting for an ideology it should be the Communist Party of China. In the words of their beloved Communist leader Mao Zedong, who when proclaiming victory back in 1949, declared that “The Chinese people have Stood Up” against imperialism, feudalism, bureaucrat-capitalism and their general representative”. Well the Tibetans have “Stood Up”, against the imperialism, bureaucratic capitalism, repression and their general representative, the Communist Party of China. So step aside China.
China’s political structure may have changed in the last few decades but is far from being a democracy. They may have opened their doors to economic relations with the outside world, but the political controls on it’s populace remain as tight fisted as ever, a government wrought with paranoia.
For those that believe that China is somehow “more free” in any sense of the word, don’t confuse economic development and International relations with Freedom. The People’s Republic of China is still run by the Communist Party of China, where they still restrict basic human rights and freedoms that we often times take for granted. Basic human rights like freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press and the Internet, freedom of reproductive rights and freedom of religion.
The Dalai Lama has condemned the “Rule of Terror” by the Chinese government in his native Tibet and believes that they are committing “Cultural Genocide” by doing things like forbidding students and government workers from visiting monasteries, or participating in religious ceremonies and requiring the monks to listen to long “Brainwashing Sessions” about the “revised” history of Tibet. Just last year they tried interfering with Buddhist tradition by claiming the authority to choose the next incarnation of the “Living Buddha”. In other words choosing their own puppet to replace the Dalai Lama.
While they blame the Dalai Lama for the unrest in the region, it is a sign of their own failure to gain the respect of the Tibetan people and so they rise. The protests started last Monday when 400 monks from the Drepung Monastery marched peacefully into Lhasa, the capital of Tibet to protest religious restrictions, turned violent on Friday and continues today throughout the world, with protests at many Chinese Embassies, condemning the heavy hand of the Chinese government.
As I write this China has effectively closed off Tibet to foreign organizations and tourists, what’s there to hide?
What’s left, is for the rest of the world to make our voices heard and rise with the Tibetans. A good beginning would be for the Olympic Organization to take away the Olympic Games from Beijing, a good follow up is a boycott of Chinese products…hit them where it hurts the most, in their capitalistic pockets.
communism dalai lama prc summer olympics tibet Written on 18 March 2008 by bibiDo We Lower The Bar For The Former Prosecutor?
Is it a be big deal when the governor of New York, and former prosecutor is caught in a prostitute scandal? Does cheating on his wife with a prostitute say something about his character? Are we making a mountain out of a mole hill?
Do we hold our leaders accountable for their actions, or do we just look the other way because after all, everyone else is doing it?
Is it no longer important to hold our leaders to a high standard? Does integrity and honesty matter anymore? If our leaders don’t know right from wrong, are we supposed to?
Who’s leading here? What do you think?
/noscript>
Could Chavez Be Bi-Polar…
After ordering thousands of troops to the border of Colombia and threatening them with retaliation with his Russian weaponry, if they dared enter Venezuelan space, Chavez is singing a different tune. Or is he?
The tensions were triggered by a scuffle that broke out between the leaders of the terrorist group FARC, and the Colombian government which led the Colombian government to enter Ecuadorian territory without permission and ended in the death of the FARC leader Raul Reyes and sixteen other guerrillas.
Ecuador and Venezuelan presidents both cried foul and intervention by the US, calling Colombia a puppet of the U.S., sent troops to the border with Colombia, called back their ambassadors and Ecuador went as far as kicking out the Colombian ambassador. Chavez also threatened to slash trade and nationalize Colombian owned businesses. Another member of the Summit, and an ally of both Ecuador and Venezuela, Nicaragua’s president Daniel Ortega broke off relations with Colombia due to the incident. Castro also put his two cents in calling it a “Genocidal plans of the Yankee Empire”.
In the Dominican Republic today, the XX Rio Group, consisting of a 20 member group of Latin American and Caribbean States, held their yearly Group Summit, which was supposed to be mainly focused on energy this year, but had to refocus their attentions to the current crisis in the region. The Dominican Republic President opened the Summit with a call for Unity. The presidents of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador and Nicaragua among others were all present.
Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, Uribe the president of Colombia, refused to speak to the press about the matter, but during the Summit, he acknowledged the incident, apologized for intruding into Ecuadorian territory but defended his actions, saying the attack was directed at terrorists and that Correa’s government had not been cooperating with Colombia in going after terrorist which crossed over into Ecuador. Colombia has long been complaining that the governments of both Ecuador and Venezuela are harboring members of the FARC terrorists group who are taking refuge just inside their borders.
Correa criticized the Colombian aggression, demanded an apology and a firm commitment that it won’t happen again. Chavez, denies supplying the terrorists and harboring them and took the opportunity to take shots at Colombia and the United States even going as far as saying that the U.S. participated in the raid but offered no proof, then almost in the same breath called for a “cooling off of nerves, and expects the Summit to be a positive one, because it will spur debate on the issue”. In other interviews he invites the international community to take an in depth look into the internal problems of Colombia and calls for an effort to collaborate in a solution of peace.
Is it me or do I sense a bi-polar inclination here.
On related news: Viktor Bout, a former Russian Military officer and arms dealer suspected of supplying guns and ammunition to many brutal conflicts throughout the world including Colombia’s Marxist terrorist group FARC, African rebels, Afghanistan, Taliban Militia, al-Qaeda networks, and Liberian warlords, has been arrested in Thailand.
Sources: Yahoo News: Chavez calls for cooling of tensions
Sources:Now Public: Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela crisis: XX Rio Group Summit (updated I).
Chavez colombia correa ecuador Nicaragua Noriega Uribe venezuela Written on 7 March 2008 by bibiHillary Comes Back, But Obama Still On Top…
Yesterday’s Primaries have left Hillary Clinton boasting a comeback and Obama counting delegates. With most of the votes counted, it looks like Clinton has won the popular vote in both of the big Primaries yesterday in Ohio and Texas. In Ohio Clinton got 54% of the vote to 44% for Obama, and in Texas’s Primary it was a little closer with 51% for Clinton and 48% for Obama, the Texas Caucus votes are still being counted and so far Obama leads that vote. Hilary has at least temporarily clawed out of the hole she was headed for after the last 11 Primaries.
Obama won the vote in Vermont wining 60% of the vote over 38% for Clinton. But Rhode Island broke the winning streak for Obama and the voters gave the state to Clinton with a win of 58% over 40% for Obama.
Clinton has battled back and won the popular vote in these two big states, but that being said, Obama still leads in the delegate count with 1451 delegates to Clinton’s 1365. There is still a long way to the 2025 delegates needed to win the nomination. So now what to do? The race is still neck and neck, and there are still several Primaries left to be played out, but the numbers still favor Obama. Read More: Clinton Wins Big, But Math is Troubling
As if preparing the groundwork for a possible alliance with Obama , Clinton “hinted at the possibility of sharing the ticket with Obama,” with her on top, of course. Read More: Clinton hints at shared ticket
With the votes being so close and no clear nominee like the republicans both candidates may have to compromise to remain on the final ticket.
barak obama caucus democratic delegates elections hillary clinton Primaries Vote Written on 5 March 2008 by bibiIs War Brewing In South America?
Hard to tell what is really happening, considering the players. Hugo Chavez the somewhat boisterous president of Venezuela and Rafael Correa the president of Ecuador have both ordered troops to their borders with Colombia. An operation by the government of Colombia and it’s president Alvaro Uribe, led Colombian military to cross over into Ecuadorian territory and kill rebel leader and spokesman for the FARC, Raul Reyes and 16 other guerrillas on Saturday.
Colombia claims that it was in hot pursuit of the rebels that were attacking the Colombian military from the Ecuadorian side and that is what led them to cross over into Ecuador. Uribe has long been complaining that the FARC rebels have a history of killing in Colombia and then being allowed to hide across the borders of both Ecuador and Venezuela.
Ecuador and Venezuela claim that the rebels were bombed and massacred in their sleep. As to be expected, Chavez claims the attack was masterminded by the U.S. and that Colombia is only a puppet of the U.S. Empire. Fueling the fire, Fidel Castro wrote in “The Granma”, his state sponsored online newspaper, that the U.S. was to blame for the trouble, and that what happened in Ecuador are the “Genocidal plans of the Yankee Empire”. Now who is puppet to whom?
Both Ecuador and Venezuela have recalled their ambassadors from Bogota, and so far Ecuador has expelled the Colombian Ambassador from Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Chavez has threatened to retaliate if Colombia tries to cross into Venezuela for any reason, and claims that this could be a prelude to a South American War.
The leftist FARC rebels who have been fighting the Colombian government for 40 years, have killed thousands of people according to government reports. They have been holding around 40 high-level hostages demanding exchange for hundreds of guerillas in jail. Some of the hostages have been held for over 10 years.They currently hold Ingrid Betancourt, a former presidential candidate who is said to be gravely ill, 3 U.S. defense contractors, Colombian police and other military personnel.
Lately there has been some headway with the release of six hostages in the last 2 months, a deal brokered by Hugo Chavez with the assistance of the Ecuadorian government, but that is part of the problem between the three countries. Chavez and Correa are seen as being more and more sympathetic to the cause of the FARC, and Uribe holds a strong stance against the rebels, exclaiming that Colombia will stand firm in it’s fight against terrorist.
The war of the “cojones” has begun.
Chavez colombia correa ecuador farc rebels venezuela Written on 4 March 2008 by bibiChanging The Social Fabric Of Poverty…
Putting your money where your mouth is. The Mayor of NY City, Mike Bloomberg is doing just that. He has raised millions of dollars, a lot of it his, to to start a program to reduce poverty in the State of New York. No, not just by giving the money away, but by giving it away with expected returns.
Part of the initiative to end poverty includes opening an Economic Opportunity Center and Opportunity NYC a program that will provide:
• Education incentives will promote superior attendance and good behavior in school, achievement and improved performance on standardized tests, and parental engagement in children’s education.
• Health incentives will be offered to maintain adequate health coverage for all children and adults in participant households as well as age-appropriate medical and dental visits for each family member.
• Employment and training incentives will promote increased employment and earnings or combine work activities with specific job training activities
The Opportunity NYC program emulates the “conditional cash transfers” programs that have proven effective in other countries around the world. The program is currently privately funded but if successful, may be eventually funded with public funds.
Now you may wonder why pay people to do things that they should already be doing? Breaking the vicious cycle of poverty is difficult and often impossible to do from within. By prompting people to become better parents so that their children hit the streets better educated and start seeing the world in a different light, it helps those in the circle climb out and society as a whole. Why not act out of the box. Governmental programs tried up to now are obviously not working, we have people being born into poverty and then raising their own children in that same poverty; multi-generational poverty. By helping people make the right choices that puts them on the right path to self-reliance and a more supportive family structure, we are helping them and society.
Part of the problem with poverty is that it is either under reported or just totally denied as if it did not exist. In order to reduce poverty we have to have a grasp of the magnitude of the problem. Unfortunately Bloomberg among others, believes that we lack in our ability to measure poverty. Bloomberg who has made his living analyzing data, is trying to update the way we measure poverty today. The Federal Poverty Measurement currently being used was introduced in 1964, and has not changed since even though the rest of the world has. “The poverty formula, you might say, is bankrupt. It obscures both the good results we’ve achieved, as well as the hard work that remains to be done. I come from a background where numbers matter, and data drive decisions. We all say ‘In God We Trust,’ and we do. But for all others, you have to bring data. I’m a big believer in the saying, ‘If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.’ So just as we need a more creative, more vigorous approach to fighting poverty – we need a more accurate method of assessing whether we’re making any progress. (source: Bloomberg)
More great reading on this subject is: Social Inclusion for the US : “Social inclusion is based on the belief that we all fare better when no one is left to fall too far behind and the economy works for everyone. Social inclusion simultaneously incorporates multiple dimensions of well-being. It is achieved when all have the opportunity and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social, and cultural activities which are considered the societal norm.”
This story is not new, Opportunity NYC has been going on for almost a year, but the effort deserves revisiting over and over again, so that we may keep track of the progress of such projects, and replicate them throughout our cities and the rest of the world. This is another great example of Bill Gates’ Creative Capitalism Model.
Bloomberg fighting poverty measuring Poverty Opportunity NYC poverty Written on 27 February 2008 by bibiIndifference is Complicity: China Sells Arms To Sudan While We Do Nothing…
As long as China is held without reproach for selling weapons to the Government of the Sudan in exchange for oil, then the situation in Darfur will not change.
Evidence from a videotaped parade last year shows that the Chinese Government are heavily arming the Sudanese government without regard to the atrocities and the genocide committed by them. Read More: China Sells Arms To Sudan.
While the rest of the world sits idly by and does nothing, the Chinese Government is reaping the benefits of a government gone wild.
China has a long history of human rights abuse themselves so it’s no surprise that they would not be a “responsible” weapons seller. Amnesty International has them complicit in human rights violations facilitated by their military equipment in Sudan, Burma aka Myanmar, Nepal and South Africa.
At some point in time we have to stop and say Never Again, but we also have to back it up. We all cringe when we see pictures or videos of what happened in the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, the hardest thing to think about is that it all happened in the last century. I’m 48 and 4 out 5 of those atrocities happened in my life time, and we just stood by and let it happen. And now Darfur, are we just going to stand by and let it happen again?
Some celebrities are starting to hold China responsible for their actions, for one Steven Spielberg who was supposed to be an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, who pulled out last minute because of the weapons that are being sold to the Sudanese Government. That’s not a bad idea. Holding responsible those that support the one’s responsible for the Genocide.
Now you may ask yourself what can I do, I am just one person. Start by Boycotting Chinese products, yes that may mean no more trips to Walmart. Hit them in the pocket that’s where it hurts them the most, cause they have no shame. Let people know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Tell your friends, your co-workers, your family members, word of mouth is the best advertising, ask them to join you.
It may save a life…
Check Out this video…
arms boycott chinese products china darfur genocide Written on 25 February 2008 by bibiFidel Hands Over The Cigar…and Retires to Miami…
OK, so maybe he’s not moving to Miami and probably not going to Disneyland, unless Bush wants to invite him for a family outing. I am sure that there are many that would love for him to come to Miami, where he would be tarred and feathered at best.
Fidel Castro took over the reign of Cuba in 1959, when he overthrew then president Batista and has remained in charge since. Fidel hung on to his One Party Communist rule, through hard times with the U.S., the embargo, the loss of support from the Soviet Union, and the fall of the Soviet Union and Communism throughout the world. It’s hard to fathom the size of the ego of a man who, faced with the reality that the model of government he chose for his people has not and will not work, and who has refused to budge in his convictions, and has held hostage a country for 49 years. Well, there was Hitler and Stalin.
49 years of reign, end with a putter, Fidel wrote a letter posted in the middle of the night, in the state sponsored online newspaper. The long awaited news seems to have come and gone without as much hoopla as would be expected, and maybe that was the plan. Around the world the news, sparked a hope that Cuba will enter a transition into a democratic state, but in Cuba it was just another day at the office. In Miami where most of his exiled opposition resides, there was a lot of discussion but no streets celebrations like 18 months ago when rumors of his death spread. Fidel’s 76 year old brother, Raul Castro has been interim president for the last 18 months, since Fidel fell ill to intestinal problems and so far it has been business as usual. Not that anyone expects anything different from a brother who has been with him since day one of the revolution. Cuban exiles are skeptical that anything will change for the Cuban people.
In Miami, Florida, the news came as no surprise to Janisset Rivero, the executive director of the Cuban Democratic Directorate, a group that works with dissidents in Cuba.
“I think there have been preparations taking place for quite a while to assure the crowning of Raúl Castro,” she said Tuesday morning. “It doesn’t mean any change to the system. It doesn’t mean there will be freedom for the Cubans. One big dictator is replacing the other.
“It will be a big deal when political prisoners are released, when political parties are allowed to organize, when the country stops being ruled by a single party.” Source: CNN: Cuba quiet after Castro announces resignation
The new President will be picked by the National Assembly on Sunday, Raul Castro has been primed to receive the nomination.
communism cuba fidel castro raul castro totalitarianism Written on 20 February 2008 by bibiPakistan Tries To Give Birth…
Pakistan tries to give birth to new leaders in the hopes to unify the Nation against Islamic extremists. The polls were finally opened after a delay of nearly six weeks after Benazir Buttho’s assassination. Although the voter counts were down due to fears about violence, and voter apathy, the offical death toll reported after the polls had closed was 24 dead from Elections related violence.
The ruling government has conceded defeat, and says it will graciously accept the results and will sit on opposition benches. Musharraf is promising to work with the incoming opposition Parliament if they win, knowing full well that if the opposition grabs the majority in Parliament, they may try to impeach him…
With votes counted for 191 of the 272 parliament seats being contested, more than 50% of the vote 153 seats so far, goes to the two opposition parties, Former Prime Minister Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N and Buttho’s Pakistan People’s Party. Although Musharraf is not on the ballot, his party is, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q so far is coming in a distant 3rd with 38 seats.
If the final vote continues the same trend than there will be no doubt that the people of Pakistan are saying they are ready for a change. The pendulum is shifting towards a more moderate direction, even in the northern sections of Pakistan where religious parties had fared well in 2002 elections favoring Pro-Taliban parties. It is unfortunate that so many stayed away from the polls, early estimates put the voter turnout at 35%, but it will be enough to turn the tide.
Support for Musharraf drastically dropped after he declared a State of Emergency and kicked out the Supreme Court, suspended the Constitution, allowed Police to hold people without being charged back in November. A move believed to try to protect his re-election by the previous Parliament. Part of the discontent with Musharraf is the connection with the U.S. in setting up military operations to fight al-qaida and the Taliban, in the northwest border of the country and the effect it has had on the civilian population. If Musharraf falls then the U.S. may have to rethink their strategy on the war on terror in this part of the world.
The full results should be out by Wednesday…
buttho musharraf pakistan pakistan elections sahrif Written on 19 February 2008 by bibiWhat does it take to make a leader…
It’s hard to believe that with all the people on Earth, the world is at a loss for leaders, but it’s true. Look around, and what do you see? Where are our leaders ? What’s happened to them?
Let’s take the bankers and mortgage brokers, they did a bang up job with the sub-prime mortgages didn’t they? They’ve driven the Real Estate Market to it’s lowest point in years, and the foreclosure rate is through the roof.
How many CEO’s and CFO’s and any other O’s are getting fired because they ran whatever company they were running into the ground, and their best accomplishment was to write themselves a Golden Parachute into their contract. Whatever happened to accountability? You do a good job, you get compensated…You do a bad job, you don’t… What I want to know is who signs these contracts? I mean who says to the applicant, “you know, we want you so bad that even if you run our company to the ground, you will leave here a millionaire.”
What about our politicians, with the country in the state that it is, the stock market wavering, Economy so slow that it needs rate cuts and a stimulus packages to get it going, the Real Estate Market in the dumps, Sub Prime Mortgage fiasco, I turn the TV on this morning to CNN, and what do I see? A congressional hearing on whether Roger Clemens took steroids or not, ten years ago. Now tell me that I am not crazy in thinking that, this is not leadership. Where are the priorities, with all that is going on, do you think that Congress should take time out to involve themselves in such matters? On Taxpayer money?
This is not to say that if our sports leaders are cheating their way to the top, they should not be held accountable. Just not by Congress, the baseball commissioner, I’m sure could strip him of his titles if he is found to be lying.
The qualities that make a leader are by no means common these days. These used to include integrity, honesty, being role models and guiding people through their willingness to serve others for the common good of the Nation, Company, Organization or whatever entity they were leading.
I’s time to go back to school, back to the drawing board and get back the skills that make leaders great, the kind of skills and strategies that are taught at good Executive MBA and Leadership programs, the skills that will take our Nation, Companies and Organizations to a higher level, not drag them through the mud.
http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/programs/executive/
leadership skills reviews unconventional politics Written on 14 February 2008 by bibiEast Timor: Still Struggling After All These Years…
Not since 2006 has East Timor experience such violence, but here it is again, beckoning at the door.
After an attack on the President’s home, cult rebel leader, Reinado lays dead and the president, Ramos-Horta lays in a hospital bed in Australia. A 48 hour curfew is in effect, and things appear calm but more clashes are possible.
Not much changed since 2006 and that may be the reason for the discontent and violence in East Timor. A nation where half the population is under 25 years of age and little prospects for employment are on the horizon. It’s no wonder that the young are allying themselves with inspirational rebels promising change. The current leadership seems intent on continuing the same old style of governing which mainly consist of securing their own political survival instead of building up the foundation of this new country for the benefit of it’s people.
Despite International Aid money pouring in and the development of oil reserves in the waters southeast of Timor, the nation is one of the poorest countries in the world. In 2007 a bad harvest lead to insufficient food coffers leaving them in need of International Food Assistance.
The current instability does not help with the lack of Foreign Investments.
East Timor is a perfect candidate for Bill Gates’ “Creative Capitalism“, if only the government would get out of it’s own way…
east timor poverty unconventional politics world economy world politics Written on 12 February 2008 by bibiDarfur: Will the Genocide Ever End…
The UN Refugee Agency in Chad reported that around 12,000 refugees have fled Darfur into Chad over the weekend, escaping air strikes by the Sudanese Military. Reports of attacks in three border towns on Friday is what prompted the exodus. According to the incoming refugees who are mostly men, say to expect thousands of women and children following behind.
The situation has worsened lately, since a rebel attack that happened in the capital of Chad, Sudan’s neighbor. The Chad government is accusing the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir of backing the rebels in Chad. Reason being that the Arab dominated government of Sudan is trying to keep the UN Peacekeeping Force from setting up in the Chad/Sudan border where there are currently 400,000 Sudanese refugees.
The military attacks on civilians continue despite UN resolutions that were supposed to prohibit air strikes over the region. Reports of looting and burned villages, attacks by men on horses and camels, ring similar to previous attacks by allied janjaweed militias, which are the ones accused of some of the worst atrocities against ethnic Africans.
Political settlement to the conflict in Darfur is nowhere closer now then it was a year ago. Even with the UN now joining forces with the African Union to share in the peacekeeping effort, and the condemnation of such attacks by the Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon the situation continues to be very volatile.
With the Sudanese refugees fleeing into Chad and the tens of thousand Chadian refugees fleeing into the Sudan, there seems nowhere safe for these people to run…
What is the answer…
Sources: Associated Press: UN: 12,000 Flee Darfur for Chad
AU Chad darfur genocide janjaweed rebels Sudan UN Written on 10 February 2008 by bibiAnd The Winner Is…The Voters…
Obama has sparked the imagination of a Nation, not only of the young up and coming new voter, but maybe also the part of the populace that has long been disillusioned with the Political process and has simply stopped voting. It will be very interesting to see if his enthusiasm has gotten people out to vote in larger numbers than usual, or was it just a bunch of noise from the media.
No matter what candidate you look at, they each have good ideas on one issue or another.
Clinton reminds us of the need for Health Care reform.
Huckabee would provide each child with “Weapons of Mass Instruction”.
Mitt Romney would launch a “Reagan Zone Of Economic Freedom” on Trade.
Mike Gravel would eliminate the IRS and Income Taxes and replace them with a National Sales Tax.
McCain would set up a new civil-military Agency that would bolster peaceful development to prevent future wars.
Ron Paul would make sure that Social Security Benefits are only for those that have contributed into the system and that the money would not be used for anything else.
What is important is to find someone that inspires you to go out and VOTE…That way we can stop complaining and take some responsibility for what happens to us.
elections Primaries Vote Written on 6 February 2008 by bibi3.1 Trillion Dollar Budget: That’s A Lot of Zeros…
President Bush’s proposed budget is ready for review from Congress, already put down by Democrats and some Republicans who say it uses Budgetary gimmicks to project a surplus by 2012. (Yahoo News)
Here are the highlights:
- 3.1 Trillion Dollars spent in a 12 month period
- Stimulate Economy
- $150 Billion Stimulus Package for Individual Refunds and Business Investment Tax Cuts
- Housing Market
- $2.150 Billion for Combating foreclosures and maintaining a healthy Housing Market
- Tax Cuts
- Makes Permanent, the 2001/2003 Tax Cuts set to expire in 2010
- Health Insurance
- Standard health insurance deduction for everyone
- No Child Left Behind
- $14.3 Billion for Title I
- $1Billion for Reading First Program
- $300 Million for Pell Grants for Kids
- $491 Million for School Improvements
- $95 Billion in financial aid for College Students
- $2.6 Billion increase for Pell Grants for College students
- American Competitive Initiative
- $12.2 Billion to National Science Projects
- Energy
- $2 billion for International Clean Energy Fund
- Doubles capacity of Strategic Petroleum Reserves
- $242 Million for Nuclear Power
- $302 Million for Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative
- $648 Million for Coal Research
- Security of America
- 515 Billion for Department of Defense
- $70 Billion for War
- 10.7 Gov. wide increase for security and terrorism prevention
- $500 Million for 2,200 New Border Patrol Agents
- $6 Billion to enhance security of Transportation Systems
- Worldwide Peace, Democracy and Economic Opportunity
- 14.9 % increase for International Affairs
- $400 Million support Freedom in Iraq
- $1.1 Billion to build up Afghanistan
- $75 for Palestine to promote good governance
- $142 Million for support of Government of Lebanon
- $830 for Pakistan Stability
- $550 Million Security concerns and Drug Trafficking in Mexico and South America
- $249 Million to help Gov. agencies respond to crises
- Balance budget by 2012
- Keeping Taxes Low and restraining Gov. Spending
- Cut back on entitlement spending:$196 Billion Medicare/Medicaid
- Reduces or Terminates 151 Programs: $18 Billion/ Channels funds to other programs
- Proposes that Congress cut the number and costs of “Earmarks” i.e. Pork in half from 2008 levels.
- Orders Gov. Agencies to ignore earmarks concealed in report language.
- Calls on Congress to approve legislative line-item veto
- Stimulate Economy
A copy of the Budget Summary can be seen at Budget Summary
A full copy of the whole Budget can be seen at Budget
budget bushs budget proposal congress economy Written on 4 February 2008 by bibiCreative Capitalism, According To Gates…
According to Bill Gates, “Creative Capitalism is an approach where governments, businesses, and nonprofits work together to stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a profit, or gain recognition, doing work that eases the world’s inequities.”
While at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Bill Gates took the opportunity to talk to world leaders about what he feels are the shortcomings of Capitalism as it stands right now, and challenged them to take on a project of creative capitalism in the coming year and to put the power of Market forces behind the effort to help the poor.
His travels have brought him face to face with the poverty and disease in some of the poorest countries of the world and he is unsatisfied with the way the world capitalistic system is working or better yet, not working for the poor.
The Keys to his Plan Include:
- For businesses to dedicate their top people to poor issues, an approach that may be more powerful than traditional corporate donations and volunteer work.
- Governments should set policies and disburse funds to create financial incentives for businesses to improve the lives of the poor.
- The belief that leading companies should find ways to sell to and work with the poorest, not just concentrate on the bottom line.
- In a market where profits are not possible, then recognition becomes the incentive that triggers market based rewards for good behavior.
His sentiments are shared by others, Muhammad Yunus, the economist from Bangladesh who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work providing small loans to the poor, is going around the U.S. promoting a new book that calls capitalism only “half developed” because it focuses only on the profit-oriented side of human nature, not on the satisfaction derived from helping others.
An example of a company taking the Gate approach to Capitalism and Philanthropy is Google’s current effort in their “Innovate or Die Contest”.
If we can spend the early decades of the 21st century finding approaches that meet the needs of the poor in ways that generate profits and recognition for business, we will have found a sustainable way to reduce poverty in the world. (Gates)
An effort worth taking on…
bill gates Creative Capitalism philanthropy poverty World Economic Forum Written on 3 February 2008 by bibiHilary and Obama Kiss And Make Up…
The one on one debate is over, and the winner is…Both Hilary and Obama. It was refreshing to see them both addressing themselves to the issues, rather than trying to take each other down. Yes there were jabs, but they were more cordial. It was obvious that they both felt the backlash from the people over the way they were acting in the last few weeks. One of the last questions during the debate evoked chuckles from both of them and applause from the crowd. The question was whether either of them would consider the other as a running mate, but no firm commitment was given by either one.
While these two reconciled, the other side of the isle was at each other’s throat in their Wednesday’s debate. Romney is now accusing McCain of playing dirty tricks, by accusing him of wanting a deadline for pulling out the troops. The debate included Ron Paul, and Huckabee but it seemed more like a two man show.
The story repeats itself…
Before Super Tuesday, after several debates and lots of barbs being thrown about, what do you think of our candidates. If you had to choose right now…
candidates debates democrats poll republicans Written on 1 February 2008 by bibiPork, The Other White Meat in Congress…
I always loved that commercial, but it always reminds me of Congress. Unfortunately when I hear Pork, my mind doesn’t think of Baby Back Ribs or succulent Pork Chops for Dinner, I think of all the wasted Taxpayer money that is going to our Representatives friends and their Pet Projects. Instead of going to help people, to get everyone in the country affordable Health Care, to raise the standard of living for the poor, it’s going, where?
In the State of the Union speech last night, Bush brought up that he had asked Congress to cut back their requests for Earmarks, aka Pork, over the last few years, but since they had not disciplined themselves he would start vetoing any appropriations Bills that “does not cut the number and cost of Pork in half.” And as if laughing in our faces, both sides got up and clapped and cheered, what a mockery it all has become. Why he waited 7 years to do this, is beyond me, for if he vetos everything that comes at him with Pork on it from now until he leaves office next year, it probably won’t even touch the surface of what he has allowed to slip through until now. But, I guess better late than never.
What I found more interesting, was the Executive Order that he talked about last night, directing Federal Agencies to ignore any future Pork that is not Voted on and Debated by Congress, and he actually signed it on Tuesday. Now that I like, TRANSPARENCY. Let the People know who is asking for the money, how much they are asking for, who or what is the money going to, and who OK’d it on the floor of Congress. Now this should go for any kind of Pork. Maybe Pork should not be allowed to be attached to anything else, in order to avoid cross contamination.. Pork should be “served” separately, like a side order, Voted and Debated on separately. After all if the Pork can stand on it’s own two feet, and pass the mustard with people across Congress and not just the people that it benefits, then let it pass. It’s probably something worthwhile, but if it turns out not to be then at least we know who put it out there. You know, accountability.
Maybe we can go a little bit farther and proclaim that Pork Be Banned, or Pork Be Dammed, whatever passes the vote. What do we need Pork for anyway. The only ones addicted to Pork seem to be our Congress. Let’s face it if Pork is the only reason that some of these Senators and Representatives are being re-elected, I have a solution for that addiction, it called TERM LIMITS…
Anyway Pork, that belongs on the Dinner table, not on the floor of Congress…………………..
earmarks pet projects pork presidential speech Written on 30 January 2008 by bibiTax Cuts Set To Expire in 2010, How Will That Affect You…
2001. President Bush came into office promising a range of income tax cuts. He succeeded in getting a 10-year $1.35 trillion tax cut plan through Congress in 2001. It was the largest tax cut since 1981. Some key elements were:
- A reduction of individual income tax rates from 15, 28, 31, 36, and 39.6 percent to 10, 15, 25, 28, 33, and 35 percent;
- An increase in the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000;
- A phased-in reduction in estate taxes, and a one-year repeal in 2010;
- A big expansion of tax-favored retirement savings plans.
- Reduce tax Penalty on Married Couples
- All 2001 tax cuts will expire in 2010
Source: Tax Policy Under President Bush: Cato Institute
2008. Bush pushing Congress to make his 2001 Tax Cuts Permanent.
2001 tax cuts Tax Cuts Written on 28 January 2008 by bibi
