Obama - Real Change or Status Quo?

Barack Obama is generating hope in the hearts of many - in America, in Europe and all around the world - that, if elected president, he will bring about a real change in American policy that will lead to a greater chance for peace and justice in our troubled world.

But American policy in some areas is so entrenched that there is some doubt whether any real or significant change is possible. By his own words, he is standing firm with the current stance of solidarity with Israel, and belligerance towards Iran.

Will Obama be brave enough to alter the premises of American policy, does he even question their fundamental correctness? Will he be a real choice for change or will he simply be the "lesser of two evils"?



Technorati Tags: barack obama, u.s foreign policy, u.s elections

Obamania in Germany - Obama Wows the Germans

Barack Obama made a stirring speech in Berlin at the Teirgarten Park. The crowds were rapturous, and clearly got what they were waiting for. It's estimated that the crowds numbered about 200,000.

Obama appeared pretty majestic and presidential, drawing criticism from some quarters that he was being presumptuous - making a presidential-like address when he's still only a presidential candidate.

Be that as it may, he wowed the Berlin crowd that was in attendance. His speech, while lacking in details, was passionate and his delivery was pretty well flawless. What a change to see and hear someone like him, in contrast to the bumbling and mumbling style of Bush (when he's at his best).

Technorati Tags: barack obama, obama, obama's speech in Berlin, obama wows germany, u.s. election

Jesse Jackson on Obama - Jesse Jackson Uses N Word - Blacklash

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, who once ran for nomination as a presidential candidate himself, has been creating a furore with things he has or may have said about Barack Obama. Most recently he has accused Obama of "talking down to black people... telling n-s how to behave". Yes, it's the dreaded n-word. He also said,"I want to cut his n-t's off." Yeap, that the other dreaded n-word.

His comments were caught on tape by Fox News, in an off-air conversation prior to an interview on Fox & Friends Weekend. Bill O'Reilly is having a field day with this, and as he rarely does, he presents the tidbits in an almost academic fashion without any over the top outrageous remarks. I guess Jackson's own words speak loudly enough for themselves, though they were whispered to a fellow guest on the show. O'Reilly, however, could not restrain himself from using an undertone of sarcasm. Who could?

Jackson recently threw in his endorsement for Obama, yet he has made comments that don't jive with his endorsement. He has apologised for the comments, and says his support for Obama is "wide, deep and unequivocal", and that he cherished this "redemptive and historical moment".

Technorati Tags: jesse jackson, jesse jackson on obama, jesse jackson n word, blacklash

The Prospective First Ladies - Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain

Now that Barack Obama and John McCain have secured their nominations, some attention is being drawn to the prospective First Ladies, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain.

Though the policies and personalities of Obama and McCain are obviously of first importance, their wives are also part of the equation in the ultimate race, even if it's a small part. But it may not necessarily be a small part of the equation.

Hillary Clinton lost for a number of reasons, but it may well be that one of the reasons was that she was Mrs. Clinton. I think some people just could not stomach the idea that Bill Clinton would again reside in the White House.

Despite whatever faults or defects in Bush, Laura Bush has been a superb First Lady.

In a recent internet Associated Press-Yahoo News poll released last Wednesay, 30 percent of the people polled saw Michelle Obama favourably against 35 percent who saw her unfavourably. Cindy McCain got 27 percent who liked her, against 17 percent who did not.

One interpretation of this is that Michelle Obama is two times more disliked than Cindy McCain.

Michelle Obama is liked by 8 out of 10 black people, while 1 in 8 blacks like Cindy McCain. Whites are unfavourable towards Michelle Obama by 18 percentage points, while they see Cindy McCain favourably by 17 percentage points.

Older people are less disposed towards Michelle Obama. But she does well with single people and college graduates. Cindy McCain is liked by older people, married people and the more affluent, but is less well regarded by singles.

These were some of the findings. The backgrounds of the two ladies are clearly poles apart. Their personalities seem also very different. So far Michelle Obama appears to have received a lot more media attention, and she seems to be more outspoken. Cindy McCain appears to be a more private person, or at least she wants to keep it that way.

The public perceptions of these two women will to some degree impact on the presidential candidates.









Technorati Tags: first ladies, michelle obama, cindy mccain, u.s. elections

Open Carry - Cowboys Want to Carry Guns in Plain View

Open carry laws allow handguns to be carried openly - provided the gun-owner owns his gun legally and subject to some restricted places. The state of the cowboys, Texas, is one of only six states that do not have such laws. The cowboys are not pleased and want to be treated like people in most other states. The cowboys want to carry guns in plain view.

A group called the Texas Citizen Defense League is backing an online petition, with over 3,500 signatories, asking for a law permitting Texans to carry handguns openly. They feel that it is part of Texas' tradition. In the old days, as we can see in the movies, no self-respecting frontiersman would want to be seen dead without a holstered six-shooter. Some gunslingers even carried two, one on each side of the hip.

What do the Injuns have to say about all this, I wonder. Scalping was also a long-held tradition, I believe.


Technorati Tags: cowboys. injuns, open carry, texas, texans, texas citizen defense league, open carry law

Bill Clinton Announces Support for Obama

Bill Clinton has announced that he will support Obama in the presidential race. This is not surprising as the time for a unified front for the Democrats cannot be delayed.

There will be a joint rally coming Friday, held by Obama and Hillary Clinton. Husband Bill will be absent as he will be on a trip to Europe.

It will be interesting to see what slot Hillary Clinton may fit into. But the bitter fight she put up for the nomination may have alienated a large number of Obama supporters. And it may be counter-productive for her to be Obama's running mate. Many other positions are of course viable.

Technorati Tags: bill clinton, hillary clinton, barack obama, u.s. elections, u.s. politics

Obama Is Not Pathetic

Barack Obama's wife does not find him pathetic, although that is what she seems to have told Barbara Walters on the TV morning show The View. She told Walters that she did not want him to be president and found him to be "sweet and pathetic".

Spokesman for Obama said what she had actually said was that Obama was "sweet, empathetic".

We shall see, in the course of time, which epithet will best describe him. Some people feel that in his victory speech to the US-Israeli lobby group (AIPAC) in Washington he was neither sweet nor empathetic, at least not to the Palestinians.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat was unhappy with Obama. "His remarks on Jerusalem cast doubt over the chances of peace," Erakat said.

Technorati Tags: barack obama, palestinians, mrs. obama, pathetic

Dead mayor beats Living rival in Romanian politics

Romanian villagers have re-elected a dead man as their mayor, to prevent his living rival winning. This is a good indicator that the rival should leave the political arena. Or that he should have bought more votes.

Equal opportunity for all, the essence of democracy. Will the dead mayor be paid while he is in office?

read more | digg story

Hillary Clinton Won the Battle But Losing the War

As many have predicted, the Puerto Rican support for Hillary Clinton was huge, and she had a major victory. She has indeed won that battle, but Barack Obama is winning the war, and they both know it.

Despite her declarations that she will not give up, even after the primaries are over, the clear signs are that it would be a futile exercise, wasting money and resources. Even her husband Bill said ominously in South Dakota that this might be the last day of his campaign involvement. I think Hillary should take the strong hint there.

A graceful acknowledgment of defeat and exit from the race is still achievable. The more she delays, the more pathetic she will look.

Obama is understated, but he is clearly confident of final victory for the Democratic nomination.

Tonight (Tuesday) night will be the end of the primaries. Hillary Clinton has had a doggedly full run. When it's time to go, it's time to go.

Final Days for Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton is marching on relentlessly, despite clear indications that she's not going anywhere. She and Bill Clinton have for some time been looking like a two man comedy act, except nobody is laughing. She's even inspired a clergyman to make jokes about her. The Rev. Michael Pfleger, as a guest speaker in Obama's church, made cruel fun of Hillary. At one point he did a little act, pretending to be Hillary crying over "a black man stealing my show".

Her desperate move to demand that every Michigan and Florida delegate to have a full vote was literally chopped by the Democratic Rules and Bylaws Committee, by allowing only a half vote for each. Those primaries were won by Hillary, but the results were invalidated because they were held earlier than allowed. The Committee's decision is really a fatal blow for Hillary.

For the time being, Hillary Clinton is spending the weekend in sunny Puerto Rico. She is trying to appear upbeat. Maybe she is. She is actually quite popular there - even Ricky Martin is a supporter - and is expected to win the primary. However, this will have little effect in the larger scheme of things.

Nepal - World's Newest Republic

True to their word, the first thing that the Maoists have done after their victory in the elections is to abolish the monarchy. Nepal is now a republic. It is hailed as "the people's victory".

People have been cheering and celebrating in the streets of Katmandu, even before the abolition was official.

The monarchy has been ruling Nepal for 240 years. The king had been treated almost like diety. Absolute monarchy was abolished in 1991, and a prime minister was elected. King Gyanendra, who took over the throne after his brother and his family were massacred in the palace in June 2001, took a hard line against the Maoist rebels. In 2002 he dismissed the country's elected government and in 2003 declared a state of emergency. In 2005 he assumed complete control by direct palace rule, which led to weeks of demonstrations, and he had to yield in 2006.

Since then he had been trying to hold on to some semblance of dignity if not authority. But his time has finally ended.


--- Street scene in Kathmandu ---

Obama's Stance for Talks with Cuba Supported by Cuban Dissidents

Obama's Stance for Talks with Cuba Supported by Cuban Dissidents

Barack Obama said the U.S. has to talk to its enemies. He said he would lift restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. Against this, Hillary Clinton is at one with John McCain, opposing any change.

A group known as Women in White, relatives of political prisoners in Cuba, has endorsed Obama's position. They hope a change in policy will help their relatives in Cuba.

Cuba has a new leader, though also a Castro. Surely the old bogeyman (in Americans' eyes), Fidel, should be relegated to history. Times 'a changing. A new U.S. president with a new policy and new hopes - will that not lead to a better world for all?

Musicians in Havana

Nature, Politics and the Olympics

The problems created by politics are man made. Politics are a power-struggle, with protagonists espousing their own world views, many with idealistic premises, but some are deceiving themselves and others and are in it for power and self-survival.

The Olympics symbolise something more pure - sports and the sporting instinct, the desire to excel are universal, but as we have seen the Olympics are not immune to politics.

Nature is beyond all men, though we try to control it for our benefit. But in the end the power of nature, when it's unleashed with all its might, is just something men have to suffer. Yet even nature is impacted by politics.

The recent natural disasters in Myanmar and China serve as poignant reminders. Despite the offers of help from international groups, the Myanmese authorities are slow to let the world in, adding more tragedy and suffering to the victims of the cyclone.

China has been bearing the brunt of world criticism over its treatment of Tibet and other policies, highlighted in the glare of the Olympics. Yet with the major earthquakes striking Sichuan province, China has at least rallied its forces in its rescue efforts, and has responded to the tragedy in a compassionate fashion.

The earthquake has somewhat softened the hard outlook which the recent protests over the Olympic preliminary events have engendered.

Olympics and Politics

The Olympic Games take place every four years. Many athletes regard winning a medal in the Olympics as their ultimate goal. Some feel that merely taking part is already an honorable achievement. The prospective Olympian athlete trains hard for the event. He knows he is not only showing his best skills for himself, but he is doing so for his country. Politics are not as such involved.

Politics, however, pervade every aspect of life. Every country has its politics and political problems, internally and externally. Everyone has his sense of what is right and what is wrong. People have political grievances. There are issues of oppression and human rights.

The Olympics are something beyond the nations participating. There is the pure spirit of sport. The Games should be above politics. They do not look for politics, but are impinged by political issues.

It is understandable that people with grievances use the opportunity to air and bring them to the world's attention. Countries hosting the Games are always at risk of being the target of criticism for their shortcomings.

People taking part in the Olympics should not be seen as or made to feel that they are supporting the host country's policies. Of course, if they feel so strongly that they cannot bear to be in the host country or deal with the host country and its officials, then they should not take part at all. That's a personal decision.

But to see protests and demonstrators sabotaging the Olympic flame relay is really quite sad. They have achieved some publicity. But is it all positive publicity? Would their cause be advanced if the Games suffer repeated hits?

Did We Misjudge Hillary Clinton?

Lots of people have commented disparagingly that Hillary Clinton did not simply "misspeak" about her Bosnia trip, where she said she came under sniper fire.

But with the discovery of this secret footage, we may owe her an apology.
See for yourself.

Hillary WASN'T LYING! Bosnia gunfire footage discovered...

Hillary Clinton Misspeaks about Bosnia Trip | Lies and Fantasies

There has been quite a buzz about the speech made by Hillary Clinton last week. She was talking about her trip as first lady to Bosnia. She remembered landing under sniper fire. "There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base," she said. Was Hillary under sniper fire?

She gave a vivid account that stirs the imagination with a touch of heroism. The problem is this was not what happened. She and her party arrived peacefully at the airport and there was a greeting ceremony conducted in a leisurely pace.

What she said was false - it was a lie. Did she lie intentionally, or did she, as she later said, simply misspeak? Misspeaking (what a funny word) means speaking incorrectly or inaccurately, but is neutral as to whether dishonesty is involved.

But if it was not a lie, it cannot be that she was giving an account of events, while remembering the true facts were different. She was not making two or three misspoken words or phrases. She was recounting an event.

So if it was not a lie, then her description was a fantasy. She thought it really happened when it did not. It's also not mixing up simple events, but re-creating in her own mind a dramatic and life-threatening incident which in fact never took place.

Perhaps she did it in all innocence, and it would be amusing if as a grandmother she was telling the story to her grandkids, but it's pretty scary to have a president (or should one say another president) at the White House who can be so easily possessed by false memories, fantasies and delusion.



Clinton's Experience in Bosnia

Imaginary Electoral Votes: Desperate Measures By Clinton Campaign

The Clinton campaign has found a new angle: imaginary electoral college votes. It is sending surrogates out to push idea: superdelegates should vote for the candidate who would have come out ahead if the primaries were awarding electoral college votes instead of delegates. The problem is such fictitious electoral college results will have little/no connection to the eletoral college results in November. (Story from The Clinton Campaign's New Math )

Comments: The Clinton campaign is feeling desperate and resorting to tricky and desperate ways to improve their chances. This does not make the Democrats look good. In the meantime, the Republicans appear to be above all such shenanigans.

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Casey Knowles, the Girl in the Clinton Campaign Ad, in Video Showing Her True Colours

Casey Knowles, the girl seen in the Hillary Clinton campaign ad as a sleeping 8 year-old child, gives her own message in this video, with not many sympathetic words for Hillary Clinton and her campaign.

I guess Hillary Clinton really shouldn't use images of persons, even from years ago, until she finds out where they stand politically.

Rape in Pakistan at Jinnah's Mausoleum

Amidst all the troubles besetting Pakistan, it saddens me to come across this report of a rape at the mausoleum of the country's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The incident occurred on 15 March. A 19 year-old newly wed Pakistani female was kidnapped at gun-point by two men at the entrance of the mausoleum. She was drugged and raped by her captors and other culprits.

She was found two days later at the mausoleum still in a drugged state.

This is such an abhorrent crime, committed by thugs at the country's national symbolic site against a young woman who had gone to pay her respects to the nation's founder. Rape is a serious crime in any country, but it's amongst the worst of the worst in a Muslim country. And it's an added shame that it took place at Jinnah's mausoleum.

Pakistan faces many problems, and its capital Karachi has the further distinction of having a high crime rate. Whatever the political conflicts, what hope is there for peace and stability if there is no personal security and safety even on a visit to a national site?

Bush Hails Victory in Iraq | Logic and Reason in Politics

Five years ago Iraq was invaded by the US. President Bush marked the fifth anniversary of the invasion with a speech hailing victory in Iraq. Politics is a power-game, but does logic and reason play any part in it?

According to Barack Obama, the answer is no. He has said the invasion was on ideological grounds and not based of reason and facts.

Except for the die-hard, it is now accepted that the "fact" of Iraq possessing an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction is a fiction, a factoid used emotionally to engender fear and support for launching an attack that was bound to and has caused many Iraqi and American lives.

The dictionary definition of "factoid" is "an invented fact believed to be true because of its appearance in print". I would add also: appearance in the media and public speeches.

Politicians often resort to factoids. They expect something to be believed because they say it is so, and surprisingly because they have said it many accept the factoid to be a fact.

Bush says that the terrorists who murder the innocent in the streets of Baghdad want to murder the innocent in the streets of American cities. Fact or factoid? Were there terrorists in Iraq before (or even after) the invasion?

"Defeating this enemy in Iraq will make it less likely we will face this enemy here at home," he also says. Fact or factoid? Was there an Iraqi enemy massing to fight in the streets of American cities?

And victory in Iraq - that may be the mother of all factoids.

Just Deserts for Spitzer's Girl Ashley Dupre (aka Kristen)?

Eliot Spitzer has fallen from grace and resigned as governor of New York. He was outed as being embroiled in using the services of high-priced call girls from the prostitution ring the Emperors Club, in particular with a girl called Kristen. Kristen has now been identified as Ashley Dupre. What of her now?

While the mighty have fallen, Ashley Dupre seems now to be soaring into the limelight and may well be coming into the riches that she must have been dreaming of. Magazines are lining up to make lucrative offers, some of which she will probably take up.

At 22, Ashley Dupre appears to have come from a broken home, which she left at age 17. Her singing in the shower so impressed her then musician boyfriend that she started touring and singing professionally. Yet clearly she had not quite made a success of her musical career, and somehow joined the ranks at the Emperors Club.

Is she any different from thousands of her age, who think anything goes to make a living? In America moral values are not what they used to be. Everyone can define his or her own morality.

Dupre says she does not want to be thought of as a monster. Yet will she redeem herself, or will she seize the opportunity to reap the riches that are awaiting her, justifying her decision within her own self-defined moral values?

What should be her just deserts?

Ashley Dupre

BWE panelists Paul F. Tompkins and Jessica St. Clair act out Governor Spitzer's resignation speech
...the way it should've been.

Clinton Ad Featuring Casey Knowles Backfires

Casey Knowles appears in an ad run by the campaign for Hillary Clinton. Casey is now almost 18. The picture used in the ad is a sleeping 8 year-old Casey.

The ad suggests that little children can sleep safely with Hillary in charge, and implies somehow that Obama would not offer the same security, perhaps because of his lack of experience. It was shown in Texas before last week's primary, which Clinton won.

The problem with the ad is that Casey Knowles is a strong supporter of and campaigner for Obama.

Casey told ABC that the ad is "fear-mongering", and a "cheap-hit".

So there we have it, a child sleeping safely in bed who supports Obama. Not the message that the Clinton campaign wanted to send.

US Marine Throws Puppy Off Cliff Creates Angry Reaction

A YouTube video has been released showing a US marine throwing a puppy off a cliff in Iraq. An angry reaction from viewers and internet users has grown rapidly with many posting comments showing their horror and disgust. The mainstream media are also getting this into their pages.

The marine has been identified by internet users. But as this has not been officially checked, I will not name names. The US military authorities have also been spurred into action and will investigate the incident. It is believed that the soldier returned home to Hawaii last year in October.

The video certainly creates a sense of shock to any right thinking person. A heartless, callous soldier is killing a small lovable puppy out of pure sadistic impulses. A small number of comments query whether the puppy was already dead, and whether the whole video is a fake.

The public outcry, if this was a real video, is certainly justified - even if the puppy was already dead before being thrown.

But putting things in context, we should not forget even more heartless and cruel acts have been perpetrated in Iraq, involving innocent civilians. Where there is war, humanity is a scare commodity.

Catholics and Muslims to Hold Dialogue

Plans are being made for a dialogue between Catholics and Muslims to be held later this year. The Pope is expected to play a role in the talks.

These are the world's two major monotheistic religions. There are doctrinal differences but there is also much common ground between them. There are also misunderstandings.

A rift was caused two years ago when the Pope made a speech quoting some ancient text that criticised Islam. After protests all around the world, he expressed his regret.

Let us hope that the dialogue will lead to genuine improvement in relations and mutual tolerance and respect.

Obama in Traditional Somali Outfit

The release of a picture showing Obama wearing a traditional Somali costume in the northern Somali region of Kenya, with the motive of diminishing or tarnishing his image, is only damaging Hillary Clinton and the Democrats in general.

Obama putting on the traditional costume is no more than a sign of respect for the people he was visiting. His father was from Kenya. The costume consisting of a robe and turban were presented to him by the elders in the north-east region of Kenya.

As a tactic to smear Obama in some childish way, this was rightly described as "shameful, and offensive fear mongering".

The photo was sent to the website Drudge Report, who said it came from Clinton staffers. The Clinton camp has not issued any denial. Instead, Clinton's campaign manager tried to whitewash the dirty tactics by asking why should Obama's campaign find the photo divisive, evading the issue why Clinton staffers sent the photo to Drudge Report, not known for being supportive of the Democrats. Did they send it to promote Obama?

This photo should not be divisive, but the ill-intent behind the act, misconceived as it was, may well be a decisive issue that will drag Hillary Clinton down. It will also damage the Democrats generally. Republicans are probably relishing this farcical charade, and wondering what further gaffes the Democrats will serve up next.

Americans in general will only think that the Democrats have lost whatever moral high ground they have managed to achieve since the Clinton-Lewinsky fiasco.

Perhaps Ralph Nader is right after all, that Americans should have another choice.

Ralph Nader Announces Bid for Presidency - A Spanner in the Works?

Ralph Nader has announced he will run for president. Is he providing a real choice or is has he just thrown himself in as a spanner in the works?

Nader has for long been a vociferous voice for the little guy. A political activist who has taken on the big corporations, especially in the 60's through to the 80's. He became well-known with his study called Unsafe at Any Speed, an attack on the automobile industry and targeting General Motors' Corvair. His efforts led to a significant change in automobile safety.

In 1971 he founded Public Citizen, and dealt with a number of health, safety and environmental issues. Throughout the 70's and 80's, he was also an anti-nuclear-power activist.

But his foray into politics has not been welcomed as constructive. He garners some support. His bid in the 2000 presidential elections pulled some votes. But many see his intrusion simply pulled votes away from Al Gore, letting George Bush take the lead. He himself admits this was what happened.

In 2004 he also made a late entry in the presidential elections as an independent candidate.

He has now again officially announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential elections. The swinging pendulum is just perceivably going towards the Democrats, it seems. There is a real chance of a Democratic victory this time round, though nothing is certain, and no one can even say that the Democrats are definitely favoured overall. But the prospect of another Republican term, however, is definitely not seen with relish by many Americans.

Ralph Nader will clearly get some votes, but the chance of him winning the elections is purely theoretical. Indeed he has, as he has often maintained, the constitutional right to stand for elections, and the American public should not be deprived of their constitutional rights of choice.

But by putting himself up as a candidate, is he really giving Americans more choice, or he is not in effect aiding and abetting the party that he himself may not wish to see continuing in power? The choice he is providing may be nothing more than illusory, but the spanner in the works will create a real effect.

Moroccan Facebook User Sentenced to Three Years' Jail

A young Moroccan, Fouad Mourtada, has been sentenced to jail for three years.

His crime was to have put up a profile on Facebook in the name of Prince Moulay Rachid, a member of the Royal Family.

This led to his arrest for identity theft. He was convicted of doing "villainous practices" in connection with stealing the idenitity of the prince.

He said he had put up the profile in January just for fun, and had not used it to send any messages. It was closed after a few days.

Sympathisers started an bilingual on-line petition to seek his release, and some Moroccan bloggers even went on strike.

Mourtada, aged 26, is a computer engineer. He had apologised saying it was just a joke, and asked for forgiveness for any harm caused.

This is indeed a severe punishment for a silly prank.

Obamania in Kenya

Obama is receiving support from perhaps the younger generation in the U.S., though not exclusively so. Those looking for a real change in the face of American politics and foreign policy also see in him a hope for an improved, more progressive, and more empathetic America.

Because of his diverse background he is also received with warmth and affection from other parts of the world, not least of all Kenya where his father was born.

But here's a twist, there is a beer in Kenya called Senator Keg lager, better known as "Obama". It's a popular beer, which came on the market in 2004, about the time that Obama was elected senator of Illinois, and Obama's image has helped in its growing popularity. It's also a cheaper beer than other brands and has a lower alcoholic content.

Let's hope that Kenyan drinkers will be downing "Obama" soon in celebration rather than in commiseration.



Grandma Obama

Supporters of Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Killed and Wounded in Suicide Bombing

Despite President's Musharraf's confidence that the elections, which are to held on Monday, would be free and fair, 37 people were killed and about 90 wounded by a suicide bombing in Parachinar in north-west Paskistan, all PPP members or supporters.

A car drove into a crowd outside the office of candidate who supports the PPP, and blew up, causing instant deaths and mayhem.

Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's husband, denounced the attack, and urged the Party's supporters to stay calm and not to lose track.

Apart from outbreaks of violence, the opposition is on guard for possible electoral fraud.

The present volatile climate and unstable conditions have caused many not to participate openly in political gatherings.

Will Obama Survive The U.S. Elections?

An interesting view has been presented by Bernard Hopkins, who is known as "The Executioner" in the boxing ring. Hopkins a world champion boxer.

He says that even if Obama wins the nomination, "they" will not allow him to be president.

And even if he were to become president, his life will be in danger, and his presidency will be short-lived, maybe one or two months.

Americans will find such a change with Obama being president too much "heat".

Hopkins is a "Republicrat", as he styles himself. He supports Hillary Clinton as being the more experienced candidate. "She has already been a president for eight years", he says.

There is some truth in Hopkins' words. Obama being president may well be too radical a change for some Americans, and it may well be, although one hopes it won't happen, that some extreme elements may take drastic measures to curtail his term of office.

source
See xomba post

Environmental Scientist Dr. David Suzuki Calls For Political Leaders To Be Jailed

World famous environmental scientist and host of the well-known TV series The Nature of Things, Dr. David Suzuki accuses political leaders who ignore climate change of committing an "intergenerational crime". He says there should be some legal way that such leaders should be thrown into prison.

He made these remarks in a speech in Montreal, at the McGill Business Conference. It was well received by his audience who gave him rounds of applause.

Known as a libertarian, Dr. Suzuki, who has been a director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, has astonished some by adopting such an apparently hard line. His spokesman shortly afterwards assumed the defensive by saying that Dr. Suzuki did not mean his remarks literally.

Dr. Suzuki is a scientist, and one assumes his speaks with accuracy. It seems his spokesman is playing politician, which I am sure is exactly what Dr Suzuki does not want.

What he said in Montreal is consistent with what he had said in the past, as in the previous month in a speech at the University of Toronto.

Perhaps science and politics cannot mix, and when the two things are mixed together, the mixture tends to be unstable and may even be explosive.
Suzuki Wants Political Leaders Jailed

Audio Advertising | NetAudioAds

Many bloggers like to put something on their blog that can hopefully bring in some income. Almost everyone uses Adsense, or some type of affiliate advertising.

All that takes up space on the blog. One idea that is being implemented by NetAudioAds (Pay-Per-Play) is the use of audio advertising.

A small code is placed on your blog or web page, which will generate a short 5 second audio ad every time a visitor visits your page, without clicking or doing anything else.

Some people may feel that this is annoying, but some research has been done, and it seems most users are not put off. This is, in any event, something that the ads designers have in mind, so the ads will be done tastefully and unobtrusively.

The program has finally launched, after doubts, delays and teething problems. Some members are reporting initial earnings. So it may be something worth looking into. You can join under me as your referrer. It's free - just click: NetAudioAds

Super Tuesday | U.S. Elections | Primaries and Caucuses in 24 States

The whole world is looking at the events of Super Tuesday. 24 states, which cover half the American population, will be involved in primaries and caucuses.

The results will likely end the campaign for nominations for the Republicans. John McCain seems to be enjoying a comfortable lead over his rival Mitt Romney.

As for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, they have been running a close race. The polls favour Clinton with a slight edge over Obama. But the results will unlikely spell the demise of either just yet. Still this is a significant event, and their future directions will be seriously affected.

The U.S. elections are important for all the world, because the U.S. dominates the world, however you feel about it. Unfortunately, the candidates on both sides seem not too distinctive. It's debatable if there is a real freedom of choice. Or whether it's just a popularity contest.

The Hotel of Doom | The Ryugyong Hotel

In Pyongyang the capital city of North Korea, stands a mega-structure, the Ryungyong Hotel, also called by many the Hotel of Doom. Many have also labelled it the worst building in the history of all mankind.

Standing 105 stories high, it has a pyramid shape and its construction was started in 1987. It was to be a hotel of grandiose proportions, with rotating restaurants, casinos and nightclubs. It was to showcase to the world the economic prowess of North Korea.

It was in fact a symbol of human folly. Aesthetically disastrous, it's fate was to remain unfinished ever since work stopped in 1992, due to economic and other problems.

The embarrassment it causes is so hurting that it's removed from maps of the city and taken out of official pictures of the capital.

A building in the twilight zone, like the elephant in the room that cannot be seen.

The U.S. Elections | Florida Primary Fall-out

Following the results of the Florida primaries, two candidates one each from the Republicans and the Democrats have given up their race for the presidency.

Rudy Giuliani of the Republicans, former Mayor of New York has finally decided that he stands no chance to be nominated and has announced that he has given up. It's likely that he will give his support to John McCain.

John Edwards has also quit, following his equally disappointing result in the Florida Primary. That basically leaves the field open for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Obama was recently endorsed by Sen. Edward Kennedy, which is powerful support.

The race is narrowing. A yearning for a new direction and a fresh purpose are still compelling underlying factors that could push Obama past the other candidates at the finishing line.

The State of the Union and President Bush

The actual state of the union and what President Bush has to say about it are two different things. In his opening remarks, he said the state of the union has never been stronger. Is that really true?

In the course of his presidency, America has gone from crisis to crisis. The nation has been plunged into wars in far off foreign lands. Iraq has been destroyed on the empty rhetoric of “weapons of mass destruction”. Hundreds of thousands have been killed. American soldiers have sent on a brutalising mission. Abu Ghraib has sent disturbing images around the world of a nation that does not practise what it preaches.

A new term, “enemy combatant”, which still has no real legal meaning has been coined to deprive prisoners of war of their rights and of due process, and even American citizens could be held as an enemy combatant.

Torture has been redefined. There is no such thing as American torture. It's only practised by foreign nations.

People have been kidnapped and sent to secret prisons in foreign countries by way of extraordinary rendition, beyond the control of any court of law.

The economy is in or is facing imminent recession. Many have lost their homes in the recent so-called sub-prime mortgage fiasco. The ordinary American has not been better off in terms of social security or medical care.

American power has never been stronger, but some might say that he state of the union is in a shambles.

A Population Under Siege | Gazans Break Down Barriers

The television images of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza, women and children, old men and young men, crossing into Egypt to buy essential supplies including food and fuel once again dramatically bring to the world's attention the on-going privations and suffering that these people have been enduring and are still enduring.

How could it be that a whole civilian population is made to suffer to the point that they have to break down barriers in search of food and fuel? What humanity does a government have that coldly resolves to inflict suffering, starvation and impoverishment on a whole civilian population?

Yet this is what is going on, and the U.N. Security Council still cannot persuade the mighty powers to lift the cruel and genocidal blockade that is the cause of all this.

Death of a Legend | Former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer the former World Chess Champion died in Reykjavik, Iceland. He was aged 64. He was truly a legend not only in but also outside the chess world. His death cannot be let pass without some mention here.

He was the first American World Chess Champion, a title that he gained by defeating Boris Spassky in 1972. That match took place in Reykjavik, which became his home since 2005. At that time Fischer was a mere teen of 15. It was a celebrated match, hailed as the “match of the century”, as that was during the height of the Cold War between American and Russia. Fischer was an American, and Spassky was Russian. And Russia had until then dominated the chess world. It was a symbolic triumph for the US. It's ironic that later Fischer renounced his US citizenship and frequently made derogatory remarks about the country of his birth.

He was an eccentric person even at his young age. After his victory over Spassky he refused to play again. In 1975 he was stripped of his title. However in 1992 he had a rematch with Spassky, whom he defeated again. The game was played in the former Yugoslavia, despite protestations by the US that this was breaking international sanctions. As a result Fischer became a wanted man.

In 2004 he was held at the airport in Japan for travelling on a revoked US passport. The Japanese were wavering whether to send him back to US, where he would be arrested. Iceland offered him sanctuary and gave him Icelandic citizenship. He lived there for his remaining years.

He made headlines in September 2001 by publicly rejoicing at the 9-11 attack in New York, and speaking against the Jews (although he was half-Jewish).

His remarks against the US were also colourful. Borrowing from Bush, he denounced the US as an evil-doer, and being one of the “allies of evil”.

An eccentric indeed, but without doubt a legend, and one of the greatest chess minds that ever lived.

Chess Legend Bobby Fischer Has Died

An Experiment for Bloggers - Qassia

For those of you who indulge in blogging, you will know that one can get a little obsessed about whether anyone is actually reading what you write. The gurus tell us that it's important to get good search-engine optimisation. One way of achieving that is to get backlinks. That is, to get other blogs and sites linking to you.

A new site called Qassia has been set up. It's designed to collect “intel” from its member. An “intel” is a piece of information, or intelligence, that readers might find useful, be it gossip or some technical or general information.

It rewards its members by giving them credit for providing and rating intel, and giving out backlinks. It also promises to share revenue with its members.

So may be it's something worth trying. Here's the link to Qassia – you can only join by “invitation”.

Hillary Clinton Rebounds in New Hampshire Primary

This round goes to Hillary, the “comeback kid”.

She narrowly defeated Obama, achieving 39% of the votes, while Obama got 36%. It' s bitter-sweet victory, as the votes show there is very substantial support for Obama. Feeling her loss in Iowa, her supporters came all out to give her a push.

Meanwhile there is no denying that the ground-swell for Obama is no fleeting phenomenon. It's real, and it will carry him forward.

Roundly defeated were John Edwards (15%) and Bill Richardson (5%).

Musharraf the Undiplomatic

Meanwhile, we see Musharraf with his awe-inspiring antics as he speaks his mind in this televised interview. Need one say more than “undiplomatic”? Maybe add “uncharitable”?

Are there good PR firms in Pakistan, I wonder.

Destiny's Child | Bilawal Bhutto | Pakistan

The world watched in horror when Benazir Bhutto was assassinated followed by the days of rioting that have turned Pakistan into a state of chaos. The world was not less stunned when Bhutto's party Pakistan People's Party scrambling in confusion, it seems, to look for a successor and a new leader, announced Benazir's son Bilawal as joint leader of the party.

A young man of only 19 (to be terminologically correct, still a teenager), who has just started his college studies, he has been thrust into the front line of Pakistan, and world, politics. It seems almost unbelievable.

However, I just saw a brief interview of him on the television. He seems remarkably mature and collected for a person of his age. It's just the beginning. He will be groomed by those more experienced and naturally by the passage of time. He already has put a “face” on his party. And it is a new and fresh face. His English is perfect, and that may be a great advantage also in dealing with other world leaders.

Perhaps this is a good thing for Pakistan after all. Someone with a new vision, to give the country a fresh direction. Will he prevail or will he end up as another sacrifice thrown into the ruthless and the power-hungry world of uncertain and dangerous politics that is engulfing Pakistan?

For Bilawal, it seems he recognises his destiny. He is a child of a dynastic family. Politics, as he say, is in his blood. Certainly he is no ordinary teeanager.

Obama Thrashes Hillary Clinton in Iowa

Well, all the hype about Obama seems to have some substance after all. He has won in the Iowa caucus, gaining almost 38% of the vote. Poor Hillary got less than 30%.

"We are choosing hope over fear, we are choosing unity over division," said the victorious Obama.

These are early days, but there is no doubt that this result has given Obama a great boost and a head-start on the campaign trail. Is history in the process of being made?

I await with excitement the contest in New Hampshire next Tuesday.